Advertising and my daughter...

I’m a fan of the ABC TV program The Gruen Transfer. The Gruen Transfer is named after Victor Gruen, the guy who designed the very first shopping mall. The term describes that split second when the mall's intentionally confusing layout makes our eyes glaze and our jaws slacken... the moment when we forget what we came for and become impulse buyers.

However, the show examines the intricacies of advertising and the ads themselves. It is truly insightful. I like to think I am a discerning person... and having studied marketing and advertising (and working in public relations/fundraising), I pick up the subtleties that agencies slip into their ads.

But this week, I realise that my children don’t! They’ve never picked apart the signifiers and significations of an ad. They’ve never critically reviewed ads and cynically examined the messages, branding and information (true or false) that ads are pushing.

But even at three, my daughter is picking up marketing messages. She have Elmo pyjamas that she loves to wear... but she said in the car the other day, “Where’s my Omo pyjamas?” She also asked to go home and watch the DVD we have on the story of Jonah... In her words, “Jonah going to get Nivea.”

Perhaps fitting from the daughter of a guy who calls his Blog after Jonah...


Peter Hotchkin

Posted by "just call me Jonah"

Piano

We just got a piano... It was the one Noah played in the Ark but it's great to have a piano. We feel the kids can get a feel for its existence and perhaps touch it without too much concern... Then again, I do get a little worried about it and don't like them getting too close and too heavy handed with it.

Me on the other hand: I'm loving it! It's great to have access to it. I'm only a hack anyway, and I haven't 'played' the piano for 15 to 20 years. I only play chords and these were my own devised chords from guitar notes... No really like the chords I've found on "piano chord charts' (different finger placement). But I'm getting back into it while I have a break.

Peter Hotchkin
Posted by "just call me Jonah"

NRL.... attention to details not a strong point

This is what the NRL website posted for the result of the State of Origin game 2.

Yes: this is the official website of the NRL... no photoshop... But I would hope that they fix it up before you get a look at it. I just figured it was only fair to show its original condition.

Peter Hotchkin
Posted by "just call me Jonah"

My latest Blog

I don't have too much time on my hands; I have too many thoughts in my head!

Writers used to say that they knew they had a book inside them... and they just had to get it out. Of course, books are so last century! Very few people have a best seller inside them! But that we do have is a wonderful new media that empowers us all to share the book inside.

I have a number of Blogs. While many people read this one via the Facebook page, there are other Blogs that may be useful. I've just started Peter's Children's and Youth Ministry Blog, with my thoughts and ideas to share. If you know of anyone who might benefit from this information, please direct them to the site. Thanks

Peter Hotchkin
Posted by "just call me Jonah"

The 'rude' finger...

I don't know what the kids at my son's school talk about in the play ground... in pre-primary... when the teachers aren't around...

But the Crown Prince (now five and a half years old), hurt his finger getting out of the bath the other night. "Oww. Daddy, I hurt my finger."

"Oh really, which one?"

"The rude one."

"What...?" trying to hide my laughter.

"The rude one!"

"Which one is that...?"

Said son shows me the finger: "This one."

"That's the rude finger is it?"

"Of course Dad... everyone knows that." Trying to hide contempt for his obviously ignorant father. :-)

"Why? Who told you that?"

"It just is..." he replies.

"Ok. I guess you probably shouldn't flip anyone that finger then, eh?"

Peter Hotchkin

Published by "just call me Jonah"

Thirsty nose...?

My daughter has a bit of a runny nose. It only effects her a night, when she lies down.... She came wandering out of her bedroom the other night... saying: "My nose is thirsty."

Peter Hotchkin

Published by "just call me Jonah"

Fairy Margaret

For my little princess; the words "fairy" and "princess" are interchangeable. Come to think about it - that's true for many people... but that's another story.

Anyway, little miss 2.5 had to go to the hospital the other night with a fluctuating fever and a concerning lethargy.

To the family, she announced that she was going to Fairy Margaret Hospital.

Peter Hotchkin

Published by "just call me Jonah"