David Erasmus

There are very few things as powerful in this life as a stranger putting themselves at risk to protect you.

A few days ago I went on an incredible road trip in ‘Talulah’ our VW Combi up the garden route from Cape Town to East London (SA).

I was lucky enough to have the privilege to act as tour guide for 5 of my friends first trips to Africa! Joe who organised the trip made a way for 3 young guys from our area of North Leatherhead to come too so Martin (16) Lee (15) and Matt (14) joined us on this epic trip.

We had an amazing time seeing the beauty and brokenness that South Africa is so full of. My last task was to drive the 15 minute journey up the N2 from Rondebosch to the Airport to drop these guys off. Me being a Klutz ran out of petrol half way along in Bonteheuwel.

Ok this is going to be too long to write I am going to have to move to vide0 otherwise you will get very bored……………….

This is the view that we saw 2 minutes after we managed to get Talulah started again, It was just perfect – epic, dark, beautiful, moody and best of all a silver lining on the cloud…….Thats Africa!

I have a weird memory!

Sam who I work with laughed his head off when a week after my birthday I couldn’t remember what I did for it.

It was not through drinking or anything I just couldn’t remember, until someone triggers and off I go. I can then remember every conversation and how everyone was acting. Weird and annoying for me.

Remembering is vital, remembering important stuff is part of what leads us to do great things, its what takes us through the Dip.

Remembering is what helps us carry on when we hate it.

The Israelites were lost for 40 years because they didn’t remember Gods promises.

Remember the promises you made, the things you said you would never do.

Remember the promises you made, the things you said you would always do

Remember the goals you set.

Remember how your heart broke when you were in Kenya seeing kids with no shoes.

Remember your errors so you can avoid going down that path again.

Remember those who got you where you are.

Remember the good things people have said.

I cant remember everything but this is the list I am starting with.

Last night I found myself at Ogilvy’s office in Canary Wharf.

Here is my short summary video of the event.

Lots of big dogs talking, the Guardian app guy and the flirtomatic guy were on the panel.

It was pretty interesting but mainly nice to feel affirmed once again in my feelings about the way forward in Mobile.

Apps are insanely fragmented at the moment so unless you have a good reason (Geo stuff, driving purchasing revenues or needing offline content) don’t get caught trying to get the big shiny app when its unnecessary.

@SimonGrice who appears to run the joint is a great guy, I had a lot of fun chatting with him.

A week or two before christmas I was kindly invited by PayPal X to go to Paris with them to give the Social Media and tech community the first look at GetGiving before it goes live in the first quarter of 2010. 

I had a great time and met loads of amazing people who have been willing to advise on a variety of the different projects I am involved with. 

I got to meet Chris Brogan, Gary Vaynerchuck and Chris Pirillo amongst others. Chris Pirillo has been especially helpful in advising me in my bid to find the best social tools for the Mustard Cloud (more to follow.) 

The Social Media crowd have proved to know much about media and are very social! 

I took the above video on my iPhone 3GS using an App called Reel Director  get it, its amazing! 

There are loads more videos from Paris on my youtube account. Daveerasmusblog

As you may well know I am not ashamed to state that I am a bit of a Godinite!

When Seth Godin came out with an App that feeds his Blog and Twitter in I thought I would check out Motherapp who were credited for it as we could make use of their service for our clients.

They were excellent, Very efficient and delivered way above my expectations.

You can download the App here

I am now going to use them my new business Xinspired.com. We are currently in the process of registering into their new partner program.

I believe in focus and niches. Xinspired.com is a Mobile Apps business that specialises in making Mobile – Micro Payment experiences.

This means that when someone comes along and wants a simple App we don’t want to turn them away but similarly we don’t want to divert our attention. Enter Motherapp………

Thank you Motherapp