Day 186: iPad 2 and Marketing

iPad 2 came out yesterday to much fanfare and I gotta admit that the promotional video is pretty slick and definitely makes people want to go buy the iPad 2.

However, I then discovered these videos created by JLE productions that really take the piss out of these videos and they are hilarious. I've included the link to some other spoofs that they've created. My personal favourite, the banned white iPhone 4 promo. Enjoy! ;)

 

This definitely won't stop the fanatics but more importantly I find that these videos are a pretty interesting commentary of the hysteria that goes with the launch of each Apple product. I think Apple have done a wonderful job to create this hype and fanatical fan base that allows each product to pretty much sell itself. Apple probably spends a lot less on marketing as a % of revenue than many other companies. 

Afterall, a wise man once said that "Marketing is the price you pay for being unremarkable".

Heck, they've even got these guys inadvertently marketing for them (even if they are panning the products!)

Day 185: Truly a BREAK from school

Am in Niseko enjoying a nice break away from the bubble that is INSEAD. Unfortunately, I've accidentally taken my break too literally and have cracked my ribs while skiing. While this has caused me a fair amount of discomfort (e.g. it hurts when I cough, sneeze or even laugh), I'm thankful the damage isn't much worse. This is probably going to put my out of action for at least 4 weeks at the earliest. I wonder if I can still to other things like swim and cycle before it's completely healed.

I am bummed that I'm not fully enjoying the winter sports that I would be if I had not sustained this injury. Maybe in some ways it's a good thing to be able to slow things down a bit and really enjoy a relaxing break although I really could do WITHOUT the pain from laughing. In my opinion, that's just cruel especially after the now infamous "Drunk Banana" prank. It had me laughing so hard, I was in literally in pain. So funny, yet so painful. =(

In the absence of the ability to take part in the MAIN reason that I'm here (to ski), I've had to branch out to other slightly less vigorous activities like exploring the local onsens which are amazing. Sore muscles or not, soaking in a hot tub of spring water while it is snowing outside can only be described as heavenly. If you've never done it before, I highly recommend you do at some point in your life. I've also taken to photographing more things around me in an attempt to amuse myself and will probably attempt to make a snowman tomorrow. Why? Just because. =)

Hmmm... I guess I no longer have an excuse for not catching up with my emails or with this blog while I'm here ;)

Random Fact: Kutchan, the town in which Niseko is situated in, is famous for skiing and potatoes so their mascot is... a skiing potato! You can't make this stuff up!

Jagata-kun, the Skiing Potato of Kutchan!

 

Day 181: Thanks for the memories of P3

The mass exodus from Singapore has begun with lots of my classmates flying out today and heading off to various destinations all around the world. It's not just Asia this time but people are traveling as far away as North and South America given that we have a week off and some people are taking the opportunity to do some company visits, take part in field trips and moving over to Wharton/Kellong/Fonty.

The past 2 weeks have flown by at nothing short of breakneck speed with deadline after deadline. Managed to squeeze a short trip to Krabi over a long weekend that I had in between and it proved to be a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of school. There's really so much more you learn about your classmates outside the classroom than you ever learn during your interactions in class.

I hate saying goodbye, not knowing when I'll see people again especially after having shared a significant amount of time with them, getting to know them and really building a friendship. There were many promises to meet again during the Grad Trip at least if not sooner but we all know that our time here at INSEAD is but fleeting and that one day in the not too distant future, we will have to say farewell to each other, not really knowing when we'll meet again. I found that I was definitely not alone in feeling that perhaps it's better to just slip off into the night silently without too much fuss or drama.

It was a really good day though, save for the fact that we had exams. Grad school exams are probably a lot less stressful than undergrad exams as you know you only need to pass and also because you have the experience of so many previous exams under your belt. What was tough for me though was having to continue with my exam while my classmates who had finished earlier were already beginning the end of period party outside without me!

The party was a great chance to catch up with people, chat about their holiday plans and of course say farewell to those not sharing the same campus as you the next period. Most of my classmates will be heading to FBL for P4/P5. Life on campus here in SGP will certainly be quite different with far fewer students on campus and hopefully a less stressful schedule for all of us. But I'm sure that the job search frenzy will take hold and people will get caught up in it (myself potentially included).

The day after just seems like such a drastic difference compared to the activity of yesterday. I'm heading off to Japan myself to go skiing with a friend from "outside the bubble" and his friends. I'm really looking forward to it as I haven't skied in almost 2 years and I've heard great things about Niseko in Japan. =)

Here's wishing safe travels to all my classmates who are traveling this break. Thank you for all the wonderful memories of P1/2/3. Here's wishing you all the best for P4 wherever you may be and I look forward to living vicariously through your photos and updates on FB. ;)