Rumblings of a marketing man on tour…

Great word slack.  So descriptive…

Certainly not using it in the business sense, nor is it anything physical (ooer missus), but more in terms of my updating you on my travels in straaaaailyaaaa.

Well, to be honest . It’s just been ok.

Sydney on paper, scores well. Good centre of commerce, business opportunities, stunning weather, views, established ‘cool’ scene, plenty lovely bars, restaurants, clubs and although it has The Opera House, it does score fairly low on the cultural side.

The harbour and ‘that view’ are picture perfect, but Sydney itself is a 60% facsimile of a city like London. Sorry Sydney-siders I know that will not be a popular view, but despite trying I just find myself a little disconnected, unable to emotionally connect (jeez, get me to Oprah’s couch), with this as a place.

That said, I’m having a grand old time.

Great working with my very talented colleagues out here (unsung heros in my book), and I’m living the life with my apartment, dinners out every night, you know how it is. I’ve also been lucky enough to catch up with a couple of old agency mates (one more to go), caught up with someone I worked with donkeys years ago randomly in the six degrees of separation exercise (although out here it’s more like one or two), eaten in a lot of lovely eateries, etc, etc, etc…

This weekend however, the tour takes me to Melbourne. A city I love!

It has a cultural heart. It has a European soul. It has blue blood running through its lovely little veins. The weather might throw four seasons at you in one day, but by god it’s stunning. When I was here three years ago, I was there for about five days, two of which I sadly spent bedridden with a horrible flu (my travelling companion found plenty to stay occupied with however!).

So, it’s off to see Pinky and Princess Jay, who is the little sis of one of my closest high school chums. They’ve prepared the West Wing for me, and I can’t wait to see them. More tonight on the Kodak moments of the past few days, a jesus racing van (seriously!), Alf Stewart, the odd Opera House snap, and a few of the reasons why I do like Sydney…

Iain is ready for Melbourne!

Fine line between confidence, and arrogance....

My ex use to tell me I was an arrogant shit. I knew best. Always. I always disagreed with him (mainly because I knew best?!), and it caused some quite heated mass debates.

We all know I love a mass-debate…

Well, today, I have been truly humbled. And believe me, that is not something that happens too often… An ad geek I may be, but a tourism amateur, I truly am. I work with some magnificent talent, who happen to be based overseas.

Today has been a real eye opener as to how brilliant most of my colleagues are, and how much I can learn from them (not the other way about). And don’t get me started on the youngest guy in the room. Fucking bright, sharp, and wise beyond his years. Reminds me of me ten years ago, but irritatingly a lot better looking.

Still, like the Murphys, I’m not bitter… He’ll have a bright future. Like the one I am waking up into.

Oh, and for anyone that read yesterdays blog i WILL make dinner tonight. Meeting colleagues in the hotel lobby to make sure I get there. Dinner in some swanky Hyatt restaurant that offers proper local fare.

Bring it on. So long as there is a vat of wine (or gin) to go with it….

Iain is going to try and not drink too much more wine over dinner, otherwise tomorrow……..