I've been writing strategy and a design brief for a new brand over the past week that is more upstart than startup. A brand that you want to win. So I stayed up late. Got up early. I use Rise as a sleep tracking app and it records sleep debt so you know the deficit you have to make up. I've had to ignore its chidings. I have a terrible habit of hyperfocusing and forgetting to go to bed.
The dog joined me on my dawn raids but was quickly disappointed to find that the early starts didn't yield any promise of adventure. He settled next to my desk, keeping me company, just in case I had second thoughts on adventure.
One of the things that I've always enjoyed about strategy is distilling research (and all of the messy competing inputs) into clarity. Strategy is about research and nuance. Interpreting what is important and actionable. Creating sharp edges and a sandbox that allows scope for creativity within a defined frame. Visual research for the design brief has been a journey through Bauhaus design, modernism, primitivism, Ndebele art, tallying systems, physics, cymatics, Chaldni figures. The work has been briefed so in a few weeks, the first explorations will be ready to review and I'm looking forward to it.
The garden is nearing its end and summer is slipping away. Other than some remaining spring onions which are destined for a burnt spring onion garlic crema, the remainder of the candy beetroot has been lifted and was roasted in the Komodo Kamado. Given the beautiful colours, it felt appropriate to commemorate our first attempt at growing them with a picture. The Olive Tree in our courtyard providing for pattern.
As much as we love wildlife and have created a garden to encourage wildlife, I have my limits and these are quickly found by rampaging moles who have taken up residence. I've left them in peace on the unwritten understanding that they remain within their designated area. But they have breached our contract and indiscriminately declared war - notably in the orchard where they have pillaged the raised beds.
There is an African proverb - 'If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito'. I think the moles found their inspiration.
