Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Royal Wedding


In an ever-changing world and one where there seems to be more leaving than staying in relationships; there’s something very comforting for me that Prince William provides a role model to today’s young man.

For women like me (unmarried 35+) we’ve kissed more frogs than we care to mention and breathe a collective sigh, that yes, it’s more likely we’ll be reading “He’s just not that into you” than a bridal magazine.

But when presented with a sweeping romance steeped in tradition such as the approaching Royal Wedding – this ordinarily strong woman gets a little teary with emotion.

In his proposal, Wills declared to the world he intends to ‘officially’ hold onto his girl and ‘waity Katy’ proved there’s virtue in hanging in there through thick and thin.

Very much the modern couple, Wills and Kate have been dating some nine years, weathered a momentary breakup and live together. Now they’ve chosen to follow tradition, tie the knot and in the future when William becomes King of England he has his bride.

Of course all around me are the naysayers – shaking their heads in wonderment: “Why all the fuss?” I shake my head right back at them. The majority are riding my bandwagon of course, that’s not hard to miss – everyday the global media reports on the Royal Wedding in a mass of excitement.

Fair, at times the circus around the pending nuptials is nothing short of a spectacle (namely the kitsch wedding memorabilia), but the significance of the Royal Wedding resonates way beyond the couple getting married.

In our society, to marry is the highest proclamation of love and who can deny the spellbinding power of love?

Come April 29, the watching world has Wills and Kate’s word of commitment to each other and this is not so easy to give publicly if in doubt.

I’ll get comfy on my couch, pooch by my side, glued to the TV and watch in eagerness as the beautiful Kate marries her handsome prince.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Cafe culture turns office

Have you noticed how once you’ve been made aware of something, it begins to take form everywhere you look?

I recently read an article by Rachel Wells at the Sunday Age about people using cafes as their office space. See story link: http://www.businessday.com.au/executive-style/management/meetandeat-revolution-at-the-coffice-20110405-1d0om.html

Of course we’re all drawn to things that resonate and strike a chord and yes, for me – this article produced what Oprah would coin an “a-ha” moment.

I meet clients and potential clients in cafes; work on my laptop; jot down ideas on post-it notes; as well as spy opportunities to solicit business when the occasion arises.

During my cafe time I’ll catch-up on the papers and listen in (as well as start and contribute to) conversations between staff and customers to keep abreast of the general chit chat around town. Finger on the pulse for this PR maven.

I guess you could call Park Lane Cafe in South Melbourne my second office - but it’s also like a welcoming, home kitchen. See link to an article I secured for its owner Harry Humphries (Barry Humphries’ nephew!):

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/south-melbourne-dj-grinds-out-a-good-cup-20100412-s3hz.html

Of course, there’s not just one cafe to do business - we home-based business operators have a few faithfuls at our fingertips.

I went to Nacional in Middle Park the day after reading Rachel’s piece. Equipped with my notepad to write my To Do list for the week – I sat two tables away from a young woman tapping away at her laptop, mobile phone pinned to her ear, engaged in conversations the bulk of the time I was there. I wondered what on earth she did to be constantly on the phone for a full hour. In between calls, she would casually pick up her piece of vegemite toast, take a bite, sip on her latte, then back to tap, tap on the laptop.

I smiled to myself and it prompted me to send a “you’re very much on trend” email to Rachel Wells. A week later I was back at Nacional and so was the young woman. It was a slice of déjà vue.

You can’t keep a good trend down.