A little group...

of nerds, on route to the pub on a Fri night like American teenagers in a gang.

Notice Keith's most excellent sparkling accessory. I'm jealous. Would have looked much better on Poppy. Just saying, is all.

Mumkin the pumpkin

Carving fun from work brings out incredibly competitive (and dark) side to creative. Check out the pumpkin fun. John and Kerry were the winning team with their visual commentary on Dublin's North side, missing from the shot are the benefit cheques.

I'm kinda of ashamed to admit that Keith and I made the massacre at the end. We didn't win, the word disturbed was used a lot. Happy Hallowe'en.

PS; Nothing could make it happier than this- Favourite. Commercial. EVER:

Having a cardiac arrest at 20... something

My idea of a hike isn't really a hike at all. In fact it's more like a casual stroll in the wilderness, dressed inappropriately but justified by the fact I have wellies on and am therefore being pratical (they're hunter, incase your interested). It's a look I like to coin as countrival (country/festival) chic. It's compulsory I take my camera with me as I need to document my life constantly to the annoyance of others (except Rachel, who is fabulous and never tires of posing).


Anyway, back to our "hike". We typically wander round, appreciate natures beauty but mostly our own in the form of a country chic photo shoot. I like to think of myself as a photographer and Rachel is an excellent and willing subject. Usually we round up our afternoon with hearty lunch in some quaint country pub. Rachel is normally my accomplice in these expeditions and an excellent one at that I might add, the last time we "hiked" we ended up in Dundrum shopping centre in our "gear" and actually managed to by-pass all exercise altogether progressing on to our country pub. To be fair, the escalator wasn't functioning and we dig have an exhausting trek up and down the stairs of Berskha. My shopping bag was so damn heavy. I include a pic of Rachel and I on one of our most recent hiking trips. 


The point of recalling this magnificent trip is for comparative purposes. This weekend I received an invite from another friend to hike. That friend is Niamh (the ball breaker) O'Loughlin. The first clue I should have ran for my life was when I turned up (at my leisure) for our 10 o clock call (anyone else think she's getting too into her new teaching role). Upon arrival I was informed that I was inappropriately clad and late. Guilt-ridden I hastily changed into something I can only describe as waterproof. I felt like a child who had just broken the good ornament so I sat suspiciously quite and incredibly agreeable in the car as we literally set a new land speed record in a 1990 VW golf to Glendalough. If I thought for one second that was going to be the low point of the day then I can only look back as my little naive self and shake my head in pity.


Check out the little moodboard I've created. How very art director of me- using pictures to tell the story, it does give an indication of the vastness I have travelled, I also like to think of it as proof incase you don't take my word for it. 

According to sources online this Glendalough walk is 9km long, f*ck you online source. Have you ever actually walked this route? Are you purely referring to the distance from the car park to the beginning of the trek? It must be at least 9-fucking-k of an actual climb. Then take into consideration that you're with gym bunny Niamh, her gym bunny friends and Freddie, her psycho ADHD dog. My only saving grace came in the form of Grainne (the smoker) with whom I formed the deepest bond of my life. At one point when I thought I was going into cardiac arrest a pair of (at least) 70yr old ole biddies passed us on the climb and sympathetically patted my back using the words "go easy pet, it's a terrible climb", with which I immediately responded with a lie mumbling the word asthma.

I do have to admit though that I really loved the day. Having got over the shock of the climbing Everest on 4hours sleep and a hangover the down hill process was a breeze. I got some sweet pics and the opportunity to try out my new lens- see here and best of all 

I had thee most delicious soup from Avoca followed by a heated cinnamon scone with cream and jam. Nothing builds up an appetite like a walk/hike/trek/expedition in the country.

The meme, blogged

This is my Mam posing it up in our hall. This just came through on my email. There's no real reason for this mail other than she likes to let us (the family) know she's fabulous, and generally to get some attention. Mostly though, this is just the type of thing she likes to do when she has an audience (the family). She's regretting it now though as I've told her it's been blogged and even though she has no idea what this actually means she does know that this, not the most flattering photograph ever taken, is now on the world wide web somewhere. So, Hi Marie. You're looking good, but as Granny would say- your skirt's far too short. 


Here's a teeny little collective of just some of the meme working her magic.

United we're useless.

The Social Network has re-inforced our inferiority complex. I speak for us collectively, when it's probably only me. My friends are equally inferior (heck that's why we're friends) so they should have felt it too, even if they didn't. Trust me on that. No-ones been near Harvard.  

Anyhow, rather than go home and do something constructive having seen it, we went to the pub. On one hand, it further endorsed our fruitless existence, and on the other Mark Zuckerberg did actually come up with the genius 'facemash' when smashed (see what I did there) and I was willing to investigate my own intelligence when intoxicated, in the interest of social science of course.

Unfortunately the only talent we did reveal was that of the hipstamtic's atmospheric capture lens and Ciaran's creepy ability to appear dead. All is not lost though, we managed to convince Phil (below) into wearing tights for Hallowe'en as an evil (gay) jester, and harrass Will into organising tickets for a post house Hallowe'en bash, which none of us we're initially cool enough to get a personal invite too. Productive evening after all, take that Zuckerberg.

Ps: It's a cool film, very well cast. Go see it. 

MINI Countryman launch

Some outdoor work Phil and I created for the launch of The new 4 door MINI countryman. 
This is the first bit of MINI business Chemistry have created since winning the pitch last month. 
I am in love with this car. Not least because I've been staring at it all day everyday for the past couple of weeks but also because I've never taken an interest in any car as much as this. I have a very indepth knowledge of this machine. For example, it's got four doors and it's silver, it's really shiny and cute and it's got a 1.6L 4cylinder with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel injection and fully-variable valve management based on BMW group's valvetronic technology. Yip. I just don't really know what that does. Did I mention it's cute?
What I can tell you is that I'll be taking this on a weekend test soon and I've promised the mammy we'd be cruising in style round our wee town. Windows down, beats on. Now all I need to do is continue my harrassment of client services to make this dream happen. 

Brrrrr it's cold outside.

Here's some MINI cuteness. MINI's are a bit like a puppy or a kitten. They're already so lovely, accessorising them just accentuates this- here's further proof if you need it. 


To recreate this 'look' you'll need a giantantic ball of yarn, a free month of your life, some superb knitting skills, and last but not least your very own MINI. 


Alternatively cheat like me, and befriend some excellent retouchers. hey presto! Instant cuteness.

Barnados charity

Photo submission that raised €775 for charity. Way-hey

The Town

Everyone should see this. It's a great film, I have little comment on it otherwise... except that I now want to move to Boston- but not to the projects. And also that Ben Affleck is seriously hot. Why did I not know this before. If The Departed with a dose of 8 mile are right up your street then you should definitely see this. Ok. Bye.

What I've been up too...

Loads. That's what. True story. I've just completed our launch campaign for the new MINI countryman which means I can now concentrate all my efforts trying to weasel a weekend test drive on the new Countryman. Mammy, watch this space! We'll be cruising in style yet. I've also completed our advocacy campaign for Focus Ireland (homeless charity) and it's looking swell if I do say so myself. You can get a little taster on the attached shot from my iphone, but don't let that put you off. I worked with the very talented photographer Liam Murphy. I'll update both campaigns soon.


I've also being working away in the background on ilikecreative.com. It's beginning to really take shape. It's averaging 100 hits a day but given that it really only started as a way for me to bookmark and share and has naturally evolved, I'm kinda proud and kinda happy. It's a terribly nerdy happiness but happiness nonetheless. A comparison I can make that other nerds will appreciate is when receive a personal response on twitter from one of your idols or as I call them- people that I stalk.


Oh and I have quite a few doodles completed that I can share soon as well as a new photography project. But for now, slan x

biggest regret?

That time I laughed nervously then ran away when Josh Ritter said "come to Glasgow tonight with the band". True story

Ask me anything

A sad goodbye

I've been putting of posting this, but I guess it's time now. We lost our lovely Monty, two weeks ago now. It's very sad and we're all a little heartbroken. He was so lovely. There is a very lonely corner of the kitchen that used to be permanently occupied by our wee man. I don't think anyone realised how much we chatted to him until you suddenly find you can't anymore. As my mam so eloquently put it "he listened to some amount of bullshit in his wee life". He was a great listener. It's funny how much dogs become part of your life, part of your family.

It seems he had cancer in his wee leg and not arthritis as originally diagnosed. It's hard when you don't see it coming, then again it could have been harder if we'd to watch him suffer. 

Johnny wrapped him in a wee blanket and we laid him to rest in a little corner of our garden under a large oak beside his wee pal Homer. I like to think that there both playing in a meadow together, tails wagging, tongue hanging out up there in doggy heaven. Just like they did so often in our garden. 

RIP Monty, you were completely wonderful. xxxxx

Here, here Brian

An open letter to the advertising/ marketing industry that's making it's way around the blogosphere. It could have been written by anyone- but it was probably someone in advertising. Still, makes a valid point. One in which I completely concur. No further comment. 

Defacing is always funny...

No matter how old I get it seems it's still hi-lair-ious to lipstick deface the drunkest person at the party, here is case and point. We are 28. That's all I have to say about that. In other news, more proof defacing is funny is this poster of Jennifer Love Hewitt hanging proud in Harolds Cross Road. Look's like Jennifer Love Hewitt's had some work done or better again is infact Gail Platt's long lost daughter. Sources have refused to comment on Hewitt appearance in Corrie. 

Sounds glamourous

So it's been a busy busy week for me, and stressful also. Not stressful in the sense of I was saving babies lives, tackling global warming issues or solving the world hunger. No, stressful in an advertising sense. So think of nightmares such as having to brief a stylish to source 10 t-shirts in tonal range of Pantone ref #f15a22. And wondering if 1950's styling would work within the brand guideline whilst still maintaining contingency with the TV. And wondering if we should shoot those roller boots in studio or natural light to get the most believable result and briefing retouchers so that we can achieve the perfect reflection. That type of stress. Anyhow upon complaining to my lovely mum she informed me that it didn't sound stressful at all. Infact it sounded glamourous, and she had spent the week building a ramp in our back yard so that Monty (our aging arthritic dog) could get into his bed properly. It's great having family, instant perspective, so you don't get caught up in the hype of your own industry. It also makes you realise how frigging lucky you really are doing your glamourous job.

Good news-Only the best bit's get in.

Have the guilts after my earlier rant. I'm going to counterbalance with with positivity. It's doubly good news. Here's why.
Firstly, we just got news we won the Club Orange Pitch. Woo hooo...
Secondly, I have an idea here that isn't going to the graveyard. Wayhey...

Check out our cheeky idea. Can you guess what it's about? It's not just gratuitous use of breasts. Ok it is, but there is some fun behind it. Club Orange is all about the bits and let us invite you to Club Bits. Every 19 yr old males fantasy factor operated by juicy ladies making fruity club orange with only the best bits. Ta da. Much more positive post. 

****Warning, rant below****

So is it just me or is it getting seriously effing annoying that brands are assuming that we have eff all better to do in our tragic little lives than log onto their online version of their mediorce site, developed as a spin off from their mediocre idea, of which was ultimately created to apply and tick all the boxes in......(drum roll please).......... you guessed it folks- social media. Whatever ever happened to a good old fashioned great idea? I miss them, they were.... great. They brought us fun and laughter and a little chuckles to break up the monotony. Then I liked them, and remembered them and you know what I even went and bought the products they endorsed because I thought- that's my kinda product. Shucks.
Anyhow, this cadbury's ad- spots v's stripes triggered this rant. Brands should never be arrogant enough to assume that people are interested. But good news if you actually are interested (loser) because you've been invited to log onto www.spotsvstripes.com and if that's not enough for you remember you have the TV, print, online, events, social media, with separate Facebook pages for Stripes and Spots, Twitter and YouTube. How lucky are you (loser).

Just some things I've learned from Niamh's Leaving do

1. Drinking beer and then progressing to captain morgan and coke will make you dee-runk. Fact. Adding Jagerbombs to this, will make you invincible. Just saying.
2. You can be uninvited to your friends celebrity house warming party. All you have to do is continue to refer to it as a "celebrity house warming" and threaten to turn up in a "I heart _____ (insert any celebrity name here)" t-shirt with potential tattoos of the same nature in inappropriate places.
3. If you've spent all your money on alcohol and haven't any to get home, never worry. You can pay for the taxi home with an umbrella. Just keep insisting and then exit rapidly leaving all inside utterly confused. And yourself one umbrella down.
4. Even though you think you're hilarious on the night, the cold sober light of morning soon makes you realise otherwise.

Tis the season to get married...

I've been a busy weekend of partying. We were off to another wedding. I've been taking more pictures. It's becoming like a second job for me- wedding photographer/ annoying guest who never leaves down the camera. I have the annoying part down to a fine art.

Here's a couple of shot's I took, I will upload more to flickr soon.

Coors Light since 1873

Today we lay another idea to rest. This time it's a outdoor authority campaign for Coors Light. I'm somewhat saddened to say goodbye (mostly because I made the effort with pretty scamps). RIP Coors Light scamps.