Lingolook

Many times in the past few weeks I have had an itch in that area of the brain where “you know it’s right” feelings come from.

I have been lacking both on my blog rhythm as well as on my commitment to the cause, whatever that may have been… and just like Neo awakening for the first time on the Nebuchadnezzar, it’s been a painful rehabilitation. But now the new world has begun to take shape and that itch is there for a reason - it feels just right.

We have started the ball rolling and only time will tell if it was in the right direction. So from now on, this blog will also tell of our ups (and downs) as we re-shape our world with two new online activities.

The copywriter has changed forever and everyone I have come into contact with through this medium and beyond has played an important part in reshaping my beliefs and redirecting the course of events. This is no small private illumination, this is a full-on re-activation of everything I had promised myself I would accomplish.

So for now, it’s back to the drawing board.

I am starting to map the lesson program of my online language course -  I need to produce one thousand grammar modules before I go any further. So far I’ve got 380 down so there’s still a long way to go, also because once I’ve logged all 1000, I then have to reorder them, modify them into a coherent whole and produce video material for each and every one. And that’s before I get to writing the support material.

It’s a major challenge, particularly as I’ve been sitting on this idea for 10 years now. In fact for that very reason I’d go so far as to say that it’s the single most complex project I’ve ever been involved in in my entire life. But the web is the right medium (as Ken Robinson would say) and now is the right moment.  Seeing it come to life is simply magical.

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I’m not one to hide my feelings. When I’m angry you can see it a mile off (my wife 2) and when I’m happy I breathe an infectious enthusiasm for the most trivial of things that’s almost annoying. You’ll be relieved to know that by nature, I’m more happy than I am angry

Yeah, I’m a touchy-feely sort of guy at heart, which is why I’m a copywriter and not a sheet metal worker, although I suspect even they have their moments.

I’m also not one to rant over other people’s shortcomings as if planting a flag for consumer rights every time something goes wrong with something I’ve bought, seen or had to do with professionally or personally. To quote Massive Attack: the big wheel keeps on turning, and I’m more than happy to look after my own, slightly smaller one thank-you very much.

However, there are moments when all this talk of principles and morals falls flat on its face and you let loose with something wholly unexpected. I’ve had notable negative explosions, I think the most memorable public one was my criticism of ShinyShiny’s treatment of Acer.

I’ve also stated publicly (although I don’t remember where) that I’m thoroughly impressed with Dell’s telephone support service. Yes, I have a Dell and when it went wrong they were simply amazing on the phone.

Now it’s time for me to compliment someone I never really thought I would. Apple.

Back on the 6th September, I ordered the 16GB iPod Touch complete with personalized inscription as a present to myself for my new son. The day before he was born, it arrived. Perfect timing. I immediately loaded it up, registered it, transfered a bunch of stuff over and took it out to show it off (well wouldn’t you?). Took it home and spent the evening with it hooked up to the hi-fi and had guests over for dinner. All very impressive.

The next day I slipped out to charge it up again. Connected it to my PC and BOOM! It all went dark. I have no idea what shorted, but not only did the iPod die, it also became incandescent for the next 4-5 hours - in fact I had it in my pocket when we went to hospital as I wasn’t sure if the thing was going to explode and burn the house/car down!

On Monday I contacted Apple support. They pointed my to the nearest Apple Authorised Service Provider who congratulated me as I was quite possibly the first person in Italy (Europe?) to have returned his iPod Touch. Anyway, they took it in and said they’d be in touch. Fast forward one week and a brand new iPod Touch just arrived in the post, complete with original inscription. No questions asked.

I understand all your arguments in defence of the poor old consumer, and that, yes, it was the least old Steve could do, but I think they went the extra mile to keep me a happy customer, and deserve the genuine thanks I’m giving them. Oh, and yes, it’s one hell of a product.

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On Saturday night at 11pm, my second son, Alex, came into the world in a room full of screams, blood and fatigue. Once he was out, croaked his first salutation and I saw the colour slowly come back into my wife’s cheeks, it dawned on me on just how 1.0 the moment was.

When you’re experiencing something so shatteringly intense, your focus is so sharp that you can’t see, hear or feel beyond your immediate surroundings.

It’s like everything else that you’re a part of, and is a part of you, is momentarily detached from your consciousness, leaving your mind and heart against a canvass of total sensory deprivation. Nothing, and I mean nothing beyond your immediate surroundings can penetrate your awareness.

The emotions and feelings you do acknowledge become part of you and directly shape who you become.

1.0 is you, your life and nothing else. It’s fantastic. We should all get to try it.

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