Some moments will be lost forever...

And some won't be. Thanks to Betty Blade, usual rules apply.

Bet you've been wondering where I've been. Well, unless some clever person has found out my password/offed me in a particularly clever way, I'm back again.

I probably, like a naughty child, should explain where I've been. Well, mostly, i've been working. Been learning planning, the processes behind it and just getting back into the swing of things. Along the way, I got my very first print ad out (I'd suggest you click on the image):

I've also learned what Zero means by 'Doesday'. And, indeed, just how much I've got to learn. I think advice from NP and others about learning planning holds true; you never, ever stop learning, whether it's brushing up on basic PowerPoint skills (yes, mine do still leave a bit to be desired, but hell, clever thinking trumps dissolve ins, heh), looking at my Outlook and groaning, or dealing with creative teams.

What I've been most impressed by is the people around me; there's such a mixture of skills, talents and mindsets. Yes, I know I wanted to get into advertising for the stimulating conversation and lateral thinking, but little did I know I'd have been involved in so many peculiar and interesting conversations (from the Quantic Soul Orchestra to the best briefings people have ever been involved in, to what motivates mums of six month old babies - the latter was an eye opener, let me tell you).

And of course, as for the stuff outside of work. Well, it's been a nice mixture of watching the mighty, mighty Potters stride to 4th, a bit of gigging (the Manics were best the second time around) and some socialising with a lot of old (and some new) friends.

I'm going to try and do some more cliched London things, and document them here. Never done an open top bus ride or visited the Tower of London, but hell - here's a line in the sand, I'm going to try and do them soonish. Yes, it's horribly touristy, but that's the joy. Reading some Peter Ackroyd at the same time will hopefully help fill in the gaps as well...

Not a load of old cobblers..

Nice boots. But could they be jazzed up a bit?

I've long been a fan of brands which have a real historical factor, and are constantly seeking to innovate. Penguin, Kodak and Guinness, to name but a few.

And I believe Dr Martens fall into this category. As they put it on their site, "No other ‘brand’ has been mutated, customised, fucked up and freaked out like DM’s. Without asking or being able to stop it."

Now, a lot of brands over a certain age try to assert their historical, 'we were first' credentials. And a statement like the one above looks like puffery if you aren't careful. So, it is nice to see them actually walking the walk (not an intentional pun, I promise), and actually giving the masses something to play with.

A contemporary classic is what, I'd imagine, the likes of Converse and Vans are constantly trying to achieve. Where those brands differ from Dr Martens, for me (as an innocent shoe bystander with no real loyalty to any of them, to be honest), is that they aren't regarded as having the ability to last. Dr Martens, as a brand, and as a shoe, can actually make assertions like the one above because I would imagine (in the event of any post apocalyptic landscape) that Doc Martens will still be about. Not quite so convinced by t'others.

Annnyway, all of that waffle leads me to a site which some friends of mine have designed for DM.

Yes, you can make a design for a boot, which will be available in DM shops worldwide, and you'll receive a thousand pounds for your trouble. I like these kind of campaigns. Especially when I'm guaranteed to win the money:

I'm not sure if ANYONE can beat that bad boy, but if you think you could do better, go here..

Nina, Lauren, Tom LR, Ben, Smithy - I expect submissions. With pictures, just like mine..go on. If you are interested, join the Facebook group here.