I opened my eyes this morning and ran my index finger along a strange, new and stubbly topography. The high temple hairline on my right side had undergone a seismic shift.  It now rose in a jagged racing stripe line, well above my newly exposed, and protuberant, ear. I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. It had been close to twelve hours since a Supercuts stylist had buzzed and clipped my locks. My hair was now an incongruous mixture of precision clipping and haphazard lawn mowing. I was thrilled. I had received an affordable, sensible and refreshingly imperfect haircut.

My last visit to a Supercuts was around the same time it was acceptable to mull over a mullet when visiting the barber. So when I pulled up to the Supercuts near my home yesterday, I had only the faintest of pleasant childhood memories to cut through the unfair social stigma that’s somehow attached itself to the proud Supercuts franchise.I was greeted by a smiling woman in her mid 50s to early 60s who I will call “Wanda.” She was friendly, weathered and possessed of frayed, thinning and chemically treated hair that would give most potential clients pause. But not me.

I’ve been to my fair share of salons that left me feeling emasculated after paying 25 dollars for a pear-guava shampoo treatment, a 10 minute haircut, and a 10 minute pitch to buy “product.” The friendly “Wanda” harkened back to a simpler time when a haircut was a haircut. She asked me what I wanted and I explained to her the best I could. She then proceeded to do her thing. There was no flourish or style to the effort she put into the job. In fact, her bony fingers seemed to curl from time to time as if she was fighting against some type of arthritic pain. I appreciated the effort.

By the time I left the Supercuts, I was about $15 lighter in the wallet, but immeasurably wiser as a consumer. Supercuts represents a paradigm for a better way of living in this overstuffed, pretentious, and conspicuous consumption driven world. Its a fire hose for the bonfire of vanity and excess that’s led to pretentious salons, labradoodles and subprime mortgages. So what if I got a haircut with imperfections that would cause the cast of any Bravo show to spontaneously combust. I would like to thank “Wanda” for reminding me that effort and intent count for a lot more than style and flash. Oh yeah, I will not be including a picture of my haircut. Let your imagination run wild. Needless to say, it’s nowhere as cool as this one.

John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan – you know his name, recognize his face, and even his voice. This guy is everywhere. Well, today all the money he’s invested in media paid off in stunning fashion. No, I am not planning on suing someone, but as I was driving back to the office from lunch, I watched a Morgan & Morgan-wrapped city bus cross in front of me while listening to a Morgan & Morgan radio commercial.

Talk about a well-synchronized media buy. Congratulations!

As of today, active U.S. combat operations in Iraq are over. This symbolic milestone has not been met with any of the pomp and circumstance or bombast that marked other major events in a war that has gone on longer  than the U.S. Civil War, the U.S. involvement in World War One and longer than World War Two.

The muted ending of Operation Iraqi Freedom stands in marked contrast to its beginning. I vividly remember sitting in a television control room seven years and six months ago when I learned through the Associated Press that something big, very big, was about to go down in Baghdad. The press had known for months that a battle plan called ‘Shock and Awe‘ was going to play some major part in the war. Then in the middle of our noon news, we watched as military doctrine became a perfectly orchestrated symphony of destruction.

Watching the cruise missiles light up the monitors in our darkened control room, all I could think of was the hypnotic, surreal explosions that leveled the Kurtz compound during the closing credits of the movie Apocalypse Now.

Fast forward two months and I’m watching another surreal, seemingly picture-perfect TV moment. President Bush looking like he’s auditioning for a Kabuki theater version of Top Gun as he lands on the USS Abraham Lincoln and declares a victory that seemed easier than any proponent or opponent of the war in Iraq could have imagined. “Mission Accomplished” indeed.

But the declarations of victory and  the claims about weapons of mass destruction did not seem to match the reports that were coming out of Iraqi cities like Mosul and especially Fallujah. In fact, I distinctly remember a conversation I had with one of our senior reporters as we watched a BBC piece on the nascent insurgency in Fallujah.

While I expressed my concern about the disconnect between what I was seeing and what was coming out of Washington, my reporter friend insisted I was watching a “mop-up” operation and that all our fighting men and women would be eating Thanksgiving turkey at home. A year and a half after that conversation, several of my friends were still fighting a full-strength insurgency in the wild-eyed, booby-trapped, hate-filled streets of Fallujah.

Two years after the siege of Fallujah, my little brother would find himself  atop a rocky outcrop on the Syria-Iraq border armed with a rifle and binoculars, scanning the desolate waste for insurgents. More than seven years after the President’s declaration of “Mission Accomplished,”  more than 4,400 members of our military have died in Iraq.

President Obama should not let the end of  combat operations in Iraq become his “mission accomplished” moment. There are 50,000 U.S. “non-combat” troops who will remain in Iraq through at least the end of 2011, not to mention, the network of contractors and private security who will remain in Iraq long after that. To think that they will not encounter some problems from the remnants of Al Qaeda, among others, is just naive. Are things better in Iraq than they were five years ago? Without question. But Iraq is a inchoate democracy, and there is a lot that can still go very wrong there.

Revisionism is part and parcel of history. Just what was gained in Iraq and whether it was worth the cost of lives and national treasure will be debated for decades; but whether you  agree with the war or not, it’s now part of the collective American psyche. I’m hoping that the memories of our premature victory lap in Iraq resonate in our national consciousness forever.

With the refresh so top-of-mind this week, it seemed like the perfect time to highlight the creative process of our site architect, Brandon Ball. Our web developer and code guru, Brandon does an amazing job of translating challenging design concepts into functioning web applications and sites, even making it look easy!

So what does he do to get inspired?

Aliera: What is your creative process?
Brandon: I must have music. Silence is the mind-killer. I always have a glass of water, and it helps to have snacks.

Aliera: Where do you look/go when you’re actively seeking inspiration?
Brandon: If I need to brainstorm, I walk around the office and bounce ideas off of other people. If I really need to hack out some code, I’ll put on my headphones and crank up some Black Keys, White Stripes, or Fat Boy Slim.
Aliera: What tools do you use most often? Which are the most satisfying?
Brandon: For creative work, collaboration is my mainstay. I don’t really work on paper. By it’s very nature, the programming work slowly takes shape within the application. There’s a lot of trial and error.

Aliera: How do you know you’ve found a good idea?
Brandon: It’s the only idea left. Each idea is rationally deconstructed until there can be only one solution.

Aliera: When do you know you’re ready to present?
Brandon: I’m ready as soon as I decide on the right idea. Once I’m convinced of something, I can be very convincing to others.

Once the decision was made to change, I mourned nothing. Life marched right along, and I was swept up in an exciting new chapter. As a business owner, I’m on the threshold of yet another name change . . . another exciting chapter.

This week, Brunet-García is dropping “multicultural” from its name. During the past seven years, we have helped create a world where mainstream and minority advertising are merging. Welcome to the new world of global advertising. With this change, we acknowledge that we aren’t simply a one-dimensional multicultural firm. We do it all – as much and as well as other agencies. Actually, we do it better, precisely BECAUSE we bring cultural insight and understanding. That’s our “extra dimension” – an expanded perspective – that defines us and pays off for our customers.

Face it. To my youngest son who now lives and works in San Francisco, words like “multicultural” and “diversity” seem irrelevant anyway. His world has always been an amalgam of choices, races, ethnicities and cultures. Multiculturalism strikes him and his peers as a bit quaint.

Hop on over to the new Brunet-García website. Check out our global brand and positioning, crafted with care by the creative team, led by creative director, Jefferson Rall. While you’re there, check out the world-class work we’ve been doing for all of our customers. Heck, even culturefried has been re-designed. And you won’t believe what the creative crew has done to our building!

I like it. I like it all. Including this new, shortened name. It suits us. And poises us for the changing world of global advertising, beyond 2010. Say hello to Brunet-García Advertising.

Without getting into the nitty gritty, gory details of my recent personal experience with this, let me make this plea—Please, please, PLEASE don’t post your personal drama on social platforms. Even if you think you’ve got your profile set to private and are 99.9% sure that only your intended audiences are going to get the message, please…not even then.

With all the hours I log on a weekly basis on various sites, I’m still surprised/shocked/appalled by the types of things that get posted for all the world to see.  If you need to vent some frustration or want to celebrate a recent conquest, pick up the phone. Facebook is not an appropriate place to air your dirty laundry or regale friends with your recent inebriated exploits.

Why?

1. You never know who’s watching. It’s not just current or potential employers. It’s your parents. The police. Coworkers. If it’s not something you’d be comfortable with the whole wide world getting in on, you probably shouldn’t say it online.
2. Your post or comment could be taken out of context. And probably will. Sometimes it feels like social networks are a throwback to all that high school drama “He said. She said.” crap we all hated. And yet, as the medium lends itself so easily to the overshare, we bull our way through delicate issues that would probably have been better handled offline.
3. (or ^_~ if you’re me) just doesn’t handle the subtlety of inflected sarcasm very well. What you say (especially in jest) can be easily misinterpreted. Protect yourself by keeping ambiguous remarks off the interwebs.
4. Nobody likes a drama llama. Like to poke fun at you? Yes.  Like to say witty, acerbic things behind your back? Yes. Turn your ridiculous ramblings and rants into internet memes behind your back? Also, yes. But like you? Not a chance.

There’s an old saying that there are no atheists in foxholes. Author, journalist, provocateur and atheist Christopher Hitchens seems determined to disprove that notion. Hitchens was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer, a rare and highly fatal form of the disease. If you know anything about Hitchens, the cancer diagnosis isn’t exactly a shock. Hitchens has never seen a brown liquor that wasn’t his friend. In fact, he’s said his daily intake of alcohol was enough “to kill or stun the average mule.” The guy also happens to smoke like a chimney; in short, he’s burned the candle pretty hard on both ends.

But, Hitchens isn’t just a throwback when it comes to his vices. Like Mailer and Hemingway before him, he’s not afraid to mix it up. He backs up all his bullshit and bravado with some incredible writing and some incredible risk, such as the time he underwent a waterboarding session.

Hitchens was able to call off the dogs during that experience, but now he’s facing a more pernicious beast. Like most patients with esophageal cancer, Hitchens was diagnosed after the disease had spread through his body. The death rate associated with this particular form of cancer is high. Fewer than 5% of people survive more than 5 years. The leading risk factors for the cancer? You guessed it: cigarettes and alcohol.

Because of his grim circumstances, many have wondered whether Hitchens would have a change of heart when it comes to his stance on religion. He’s a militant atheist; so much so that he wrote a best-seller making his case against religions of all sort. So, now that he is in a face off with death, has Hitchens had a “come into the light” epiphany? Is he ready to soften his stance on believers and actually, well, you know, pray?

Not surprisingly, Hitchens says his answer to all those questions is “no.” He remains steadfast in his atheism and  says if he ever did join a religion, it would be an effect of the cancer and the treatment, and that by that point he would no longer be himself. Love him or hate him, you have to respect the intellectual honesty of the guy. His convictions are being put to the ultimate test and he’s refusing to place odds on Pascal’s Wager. It’s a stance that has made me think long and hard about how I would deal with the imminent prospect of shedding this mortal coil. By the way, Hitchens says feel free to pray for him, but a wish of good luck will suffice. Here he is describing his battle with cancer in typically brilliant fashion.

Vanity Fair: Topic of Cancer

As a collaborative office, we rely frequently on the combined creative juices of our team. Lindsay’s knack of being able to see things through the eyes of our clients, ask probing questions that get to the heart of each objective and corresponding tactic,  and the ability to weave strategies seamlessly across multiple platforms make her an invaluable resource during the brainstorming process.

So how does she get into the zone and tempt inspiration?

Lindsay: I am a visual person, so I write out all my thoughts. If I am concepting a tag line, I will write hundreds and then focus on a few that I think express the correct thought. I also like to look at every possibility and every angle, so I start with all ideas and then narrow it down to the most effective thoughts.

Aliera: Where do you go when you are actively seeking inspiration?

Lindsay: I am always looking out for opportunities or ideas for my clients. I listen to what is happening in our community, what people are really excited about, trends around the world. I look for inspiration in everything – conversations with friends, stories on the news, campaigns around the world, traditions.

Aliera: What tools do you use most often?

Lindsay: Good old fashion brainstorming. Talking ideas out. Seeing people’s reactions to ideas and thoughts.

Aliera: How do you know when you’ve found a good idea?

Lindsay: When I can’t think of anything else. Once a good idea comes up, it gets stuck in my head. I just can’t get past it.

Aliera: When do you know you are ready to present?

Lindsay: I evaluate the work from the client’s perspective. Once it meets their objectives in their style, I know I am ready. Sometimes we push the limit a little but only if it meets the client’s need. I don’t want to be outrageous just for the fun of it. But if we can be a little edgy while maintaining the client’s confidence, then we can do some amazing things.

Before we get into the nitty gritty of how each confection stacked up, here are our more general conclusions. We’ll start with the cookies.

COOKIES
First off, the majority of our office has a preference for chewy cookies, so that should be kept in mind when reviewing our final score for each product. The crew seemed to enjoy the taste of the cookies, but noted that the texture was a little dry and crumbly.

Secondly, in addition to the rating of each product, we asked the crew to note when they might eat the cookies and what they might pair them with. Here’s what they said…

When Would you Eat the Cookies?

1. Afternoon
2. Snack
3. Party or Night

Favorite Pairings with the Cookies?

1. Milk
2. Coffee
3. Hot Tea or Water

Sugar Induljence Cookies Score — 3.3 out of 5

3 out of 7  B|Gers would purchase this product for themselves.
4 out of 7  B|Gers would recommend this cookie to a friend.

Oatmeal Choco-Coco Induljence Cookies Score — 3.6 out of 5

2 out of 7 B|Gers would purchase this product for themselves.
5 out of 7 B|Gers would recommend this cookie to a friend.
*One B|Ger did note that his wife makes these kinds of purchasing decisions.

Chocolate Induljence Cookies Score — 2.75 out of 5

1 out of 7 B|Gers would purchase this product for themselves.
1 out of 7 B|Gers would recommend this cookie to a friend.
*The group overall expected these to be more decadent.

KETTLE CORN
The kettle corn samples that we received were by far the crowd favorite. So much so, that the White Cheddar variety disappeared in record time. And several individuals noted that the Cravin’ Corn made them a little nostalgic as they were reminiscent of more decadent versions of childhood favorites like Fiddle Faddle and Cracker Jack.

When asked when they might enjoy a treat like kettle corn and what they might pair it with, this is what everyone had to say…

When Would You Eat the Cravin’ Corn?

1. Movies
2. Anytime
3. Afternoon

Favorite Pairings with the Cravin’ Corn?

1. Soda
2. Beer
3. Diet Soda

Cravin’ “Nutty” Caramel Corn Score — 3.3 out of 5

4 out of 7 B|Gers would purchase this product for themselves.
5 out of 7 B|Gers would recommend this treat to a friend.
*The group was pretty enthusiastic about this treat.

Cravin’ White Cheddar Corn Score — 4.4 out of 5

4 out of 7 B|Gers would purchase this product for themselves.
5 out of 7 B|Gers would recommend this treat to a friend.
*This treat was the crowd favorite and quickly vanished.

Cravin’ Caramel Corn Score — 3.5 out of 5

3 out of 7 B|Gers would purchase this product for themselves.
3 out of 7 B|Gers would recommend this treat to a friend.
*The group, as a whole, felt that this product was almost too sweet.