You wouldn’t imagine soccer being a popular water-cooler conversation topic at a Surry Hills advertising and design agency, but World Cup fever has hit us, and hard.

A lukewarm reception when the collection plate first came round the office was swiftly forgotten when the first round results started pouring in – if you remembered to actually enter your tips that is. With so many teams, so many games, and the glorious low-scoring nature of soccer, the comp leader board shuffled more times than a pair of vaudeville soft shoes. It was anyone’s game, and we loved it.
But is a game of chance really more rewarding than a game of skill? With the highs come the lows, as my desk neighbour found out early on. With the dignity of a gambler in over his head, the top spot slipped away and he is left to loudly proclaim the results of each game as they come to hand, masking his desperation to win under a feigned interest in the sport.

Take heed, tall poppies – the round of 16 is upon us.

Rolling on from last year’s Christmas surfing bonanza, RADAR decided to keep with the water theme and go sailing. It wasn’t until we saw the skies open up that we realised it probably wasn’t the best day to be out cruising through Sydney Harbour! Though the RADAR team powered through!  

Together with the unpredictable weather, we also had a creatively dressed crew! While some thought they were an extra in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, others decided to tone down the costumes, and bare all while going for a swim. And Patty I have to say, I didn’t know Hugo Boss designed a children’s swim wear range. In saying this, I think the most creative dresser was indeed our favourite brit - James, who dressed as Captain Cook to remind us all about our convict past, but we didn’t care as long as he didn’t strap on his mankini.

After the skipper’s guided tour of Sydney’s hot property, we anchored at a cove opposite Parsley Bay to swap KK presents. You always wonder whether you’re present will be any good or whether you get stuck with the photo frame from the $2 shop!  I was fortunate to receive some funky incense from the big spender himself, Andrew. As the KK presents began to wrap up, the volume of the music slowly sneaked up and the dancing began.

Little did we know our little Christmas party would then turn into a full blown Mamma Mia film montage! Singing and dancing took the place of the usual Friday afternoon agency mayhem. We had such a great time! We continued onto the Sheaf where we were joined by a few of the RADAR extras away on maternity leave. As the skies opened up again we started losing a couple of the team, with a few exits scoring a perfect 10 – I didn’t know a thong blow out was a reason to pike, and did anyone actually see Andrew leave or did he actually just go to the bathroom. Fortunately there was still a strong team out for a night of laughter and Christmas cheer!

For some the highlight of the day was eating some glorious sushi while lazing around on the deck of a luxurious yacht though others may have been swayed by Jules’ persistent nagging for calamari, pizza and gelato.

Personally my RADAR Christmas party highlight would have to be James’ reaction whilst opening his Kris Kringle present, guessing what was inside as he unwrapped it:

“It feels like a bottle opener. No wait it feels rude.”  But none of us could guess how right he was as he unveiled a suspicious looking beer opener with authentic kangaroo genitalia connected to the end. I think it’s safe to say that Rachel wins the prize for the most creative present, really living up to RADAR’s philosophy “Connected Creativity”!!
 

Thanks RADAR for a super day! Merry Christmas all.

It’s November 4, the biggest day of RADAR’s year and with some of the outfits worn I’m glad it is Melbourne Cup day. With our very creative invitation advertising the teams more personal traits (thanks again Lee), the agency raced out of Surry Hills down to the Tilbury hotel.

“And they’re off and racing.”

With horse number 1 Suave Mover (Jordan) and Number 6 Board Demon (Reece), held up at the gates with a few last minute design requests, Horse 14 On The Phone (Natasha), a long shot, came in first with a trip of 8 minutes and a fare of just $15.70. 

With a fantastic lunch wrapping up and the air of anticipation building the team began to huddle under the big screens for the real race.

My eyes lit up as I heard the horse I picked out of the $2 sweep “get off to a flying start!” though it wasn’t meant to be as my horse paced itself against horse 10 Tuck Tuck Tuck (Patrick) which got much too excited much too early and ran out of steam well before the finish line.

Rather than delighting you with the lavish details of the day I thought that it would be more appropriate to award the trifecta to the noble steeds that really shone on the day.

1st place - definitely goes to lucky number 7 Out Of Toner (Emma K) who not only looked a million dollars but made friends all over the place moving effortlessly through the pack while delivering some very quick witted one liners.

2nd place – went to number 3 Drunken Texter (Andrew) whose new suit clearly screaming ‘Boss’, dazzled the crowd, and responsibly left early to stay at his racing best for the next day’s commitments.

3rd place - goes to Red Wino lady (Rachel) who not only ran a great race sporting fantastically creative jewellery but at the end of the night was kind enough to cart me home all the way to the shire. Definitely wins best and fairest.

Special mention has to go out to Lee and Michael Young who took out the steeps for the day. We are all, already looking forward to next year.

The lead up to RADAR’s Melbourne Cup function has me concerned about races fashion. What to wear, how high should the shoes be, how long should the dress be and will anyone notice that I designed my own headpiece from Spotlight off-cuts? Should I treat it like a bargain Surry Hills outfit, and when people comment on it, advertise the fact that it was cheap as chips?

The advantage of course is the mis-placed glue means it’ll stay in my hair this year. The fallen fascinator is second only to stumbling home in bare, bleeding feet after accidentally buying shoes designed by an army of misogynists. It couldn’t have anything to do with the champagne and sunshine, surely not. Maybe if I hid a cheeky 50 in my shoe I’d be sure to have some money left to bet with by the end of the day?

And what about the choice of purse? Last year one of the other staff – of course, it wasn’t me – put two bottles of expensive wine from the local restaurant into my handbag. I only discovered it the next morning when I dragged myself onto the bus to work again…. thinking ‘this is a very heavy handbag?’ I discovered some nice Shiraz in my purse….  RADAR gives some strange gifts… so this year should I bring my green envirobag, just to be sure I’ve got enough space?….