Dear readers -
This issues is filled to the brim. No time for small talk. Or is there?
I’m starting this issue with a special offer. If you enjoy this newsletter and want to put your money where your mouth is, well do I have an offer for you!
A man has to make a living.
Here we go…
Analog Memories
I’ve had a big plastic tub of Ollie’s drawings and paintings that I have now moved to three different homes. And since the things I can control right now are organizing, working out, to-do lists, eating twizzlers, etc., now was an ideal time to tackle these adorable creations.
I had some organizing to do and I needed help. Enter Less is Maura, minimalist memory making. This service is fantastic and Maura was a delight to collaborate alongside. It could not have been easier.
My job was to go through the tub and pick out all of the good stuff I wanted to save. That was it. And also the funnest part.
Maura took over from there and digitized, designed and produced an amazing book (and digital copies).
Now we’re living streamlined. No more tub. Images stored digitally. And a coffee table book, ready for action. Wish I had dealt with this ages ago. If you have similar stuff - old photos, clippings, kids stuff, etc, I highly recommend. Thanks Maura.
Career Update
The CMO Route. Well, if you’re a marketing leader looking for a job in tech, things are a bit barren. A number of the recruiters I’ve spoken too have confirmed this, but are optimistic things are picking up. The good news? The CMO is the shortest tenured executive role. Glass half full? Bad marketing joke.
This month I started my own marketing advising, consulting and mentoring LLC, working with a number of clients. I’m intently exploring this as my full-time job, so stay tuned. And of course, open to any advice or intros you might have.
Shifting from a company man to a self-employed dude is also a switch in personal branding. In the last issue, I mentioned the positioning, content & digital strategy related to this - all of which is taking place now. Below is a sneak peak of some visual identity work.
The third career option out there is the unknown. As someone that has enjoyed a wonderfully diverse career: art museums. motorsports/racing and tech. I don’t pretend or expect to know what’s next. I am keeping an open mind to the unknown and what unfolds next. It is written (for The Alchemist fans reading).
My first real job was at a Burger King in Basingstoke, Hampshire - flipping burgers (you don’t actually flip), french fry stationing, mopping floors, taking orders and designing my own creations. This could be a Hollywood full-circle career moment for me! Have it my way.
Speaking of open minds and writing my own story, an exercise I do daily is focused on two things: positivity and hope. I allow myself to write about anything as long as it honors those themes.
I am many things, one of which is a manifester. Wish me luck with doors 1, 2, & 3!
Japan
In 2010 I made my first trip to Japan when I was working for IndyCar. It had been a bucket list country for as long as I could remember, so there was considerable anticipation.
So much anticipation; the food, culture, history, 7-Elevens, robots, Murakami, vending machines, salmon for breakfast, anime, and … THE TOILETS. Advanced technology for the tush. This my friends is how we should be using the bathroom in the 21st Century.
I stayed in a hotel in Utsunomiya in the smallest room I’ve ever slept in. The room included a toilet. It spoke Japanese to me, played 8-bit music, provided heat therapy and was a mean, clean toilet machine. Sure I giggled when I my under carriage was squirted from a number of acute angles. And relief from the butt sprays lasted briefly, because then the butt drier kicks in. For a first time experience, it’s rather intense and a bit like a box of chocolates. Nonetheless, there is something about feeling really clean that makes the chaos worth it.
Quick story detour. Each day, we traveled about an hour by bus to the race track. Timelapse of that journey below.
And vending machines are prominent and filled with diverse items. Diverse you say? Google it. I stuck to coffee beverages. I snapped this photo below on a midnight stroll.
Free time was limited, but I did get a day in Tokyo. It was a remarkable experience filled with lots of exploration: foot and subway.
But(t) get back to the toilets man. Ok.
After a whirlwind Japan experience, you’re then back back home. Jetlagged, missing the city, the people, the vending machines and you bet, the toilets. I looked in the mirror and vowed to own one.
But when? We now find ourselves in the present day. 13 years later. As our home bathroom renovation nears completion. Our toilet is now installed. It’s hard to put into words. But you know what, never give up on your dreams!
And since I am unemployed, I am here to offer you a $1 per minute Japanese toilet experience. Please reach out if interested, may create a Calendly.
Podium Life
October is on pace to be our best traffic month, despite Google’s best efforts to derail that. Regardless, we continue to build momentum and get stronger with scrappiness, determination and great content.
Some of our most popular stories are related to sim racing and esports, something I currently don’t do (unless you count Gran Turismo and F1 on my PS5 with a joystick - which I do not). But after watching this Tony Kanaan tour of his Sim Racing HQ, things might-be-a-changing. Check it out.
In other news, I am attending the Austin Grand Prix F1 race. I don’t fanboy about much, but this is gonna be one of those moments. If you are going, please let me know!
Anyone recall the movie A Christmas Story and Ralph finally getting the chance to ask Santa for a Red Rider BB Gun? That’ll be me if I encounter Sir Lewis Hamilton and I need to speak.
The last F1 race I attended was in 2007, when Lewis won the Indianapolis Grand Prix. This is called foreshadowing.
Consumption
All the things swirling in my head.
Reading:
What’s currently on my nightstand.
Movies/TV:
The Natural. An all-time favorite of mine that I watch from time-to-time.
Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer. Stephen Chow is my hero.
Ferrari vs. Ford. How did it take long for me to watch this. Ken Miles was such a baller.
Beckham. 2 episodes in. Great so far.
Ballerina. Korean action/assassin movie that took some unexpected twists.
Links:
People Experience ‘New Dimensions of Reality' When Dying, Groundbreaking Study Reports
The Work of Vanessa Mckeown
‘Band of Brothers’ Sequel Takes Flight with First Images and Release Date
33 Ways To Improve Your Life, Japanese Style
House of Danger | My friend Justin Keller started his own newsletter. Justin is the kind of person we all want to be and despite that, don’t resent him in any way. He’s a lovely human and this will be a great newsletter.
Thank you for reading everyone. Much love.
Daniel