This is my current WIP. I apologize for the shameless self promotion, but I really almost get squeamish about advertising it too much to anyone, most times these days.
I don’t know what my future will bring, but I do know, if I end up missing a bunch of things in life, I don’t want travel to be one more thing I don’t get the chance to experience.
I wanted to write about one travel experience I’ve had, one place I love, but it’s been a bit of a long day, so instead (for my first Places We Love post for February) I decided to show you what I love in the best way I can think, tonight.
Oh, and then there’s this.
Have you ever visited a giant apple? I didn’t have to travel all that far to find one.
I will admit I needed a few days to ruminate over how show creator Matthew Weiner wrapped everything up like he did.
As series finales go: I’ve seen better, I suppose, but I’ve definitely seen worse. Being unable to see the now famous smile was a big part of it. Not immediately recognizing the iconic ad to follow was another part. I would not be born for another thirteen years.
the more I thought about it, the more I thought, why not. Why wouldn’t Don find himself, after years of torment and secrets, on a hilltop california retreat?
I missed the subtle clues and hints, leading up to the end. I guess I do recall something about a Coke machine.
Mmmmm, coke.
I am several years too young to remember anything substantial about the above classic Coke ad from 1971 – and yet coke has played a big part in my own life, growing up.
I did not have a dad quite like the other dads. Mine was less a beer swigging father and more of the Coke guzzling, while watching sports kind.
The only Coke commercial I think on fondly is the one with the cute polar bears, the white ones who live in Canada’s north and like to kick back with an icy coca-cola now and again.
I remember, fondly, the sound of the polar bears, as they opened their bottles of Coke and growled with delight.
Never mind the fact that polar bears don’t drink Coke. That never mattered. This was more fun to imagine.
I remember the sound they made, as they walked – the crunch and the crispness of the snow underfoot; this, paired with the jingle of bells signified Christmas for me, as a child.
As for the original:
This 1971 coke commercial seemed to be about the end of innocence, but of the reuniting of the people. Could a soft drink really bring all kinds of people together? Just ask Don.
I didn’t want to write strictly on the characters and their story arcs because I know (like my father for instance) that not all of us watched Mad Men. I was surprised he didn’t.
This coming from the girl, me, who almost missed the Mad Men boat altogether.
I broke this review into two parts, one about the sixties and the other about a 1971 Coca cola ad, because I would hate to totally exclude any possible readers here.
I have enjoyed reading not only the reviews and interviews on such publications as the New York or Los Angeles Times, but also from my fellow bloggers.
When I came across a certain post titled It’s a Mad Mad Men World, I admit to that familiar feeling I feel when I hear a song lyric or line from somewhere, saying something I wish I myself had said.
I took the opportunity, all while still thinking up as many Mad Men puns as I possibly could, to share this blogger’s post. As I was temporarily prevented from blogging like I normally did, due to unforeseen mechanical issues, I shared her review and included a personal touch of my own:
“When people run in circles it’s a very very, mad world.”
–Tears For Fears, Mad World
Coke and Tears For Fears. These things both bring up strong waves of nostalgia for me. Mad Men could be sumed up in one word: “Nostalgic”.
Whether it be the sixties, seventies, or eighties I think we all can relate to how it feels to reflect back on our individual and our shared past.
Is Don doomed to make the same mistakes, over and over again? for that matter, are all of us?
It’s a mad world, indeed, but most things in life can be forgotten, if only we just kick back and crack open a refreshing Coca Cola now and then.
Her Headache 