For those of you who got the reference, I salute you. And if you didn't, don't feel bad, I'll explain: I've been listening to a lot of dubstep recently, and Benga's new album is titled Diary of an Afro Warrior. It's got sparse melody, shuffling triplets, moody starkness, and a lot of induced head nodding. (Why its main Amazon main page doesn't have sample clips but its MP3 version does, I don't know!)

A lot of media (books, film) use vegetation as a metaphor: whether it's a tree growing or grass being mown. I haven't seen watermelons as much, but if you know me, then you also instantly know that I'm associated with watermelons. Melons work/play on several levels — fun, serious, juicy wisdom overtures.

Watermelons are a great gateway to remarkable discussion, a fine fruit, and bursting with vibrancy. If I were a serious brand marketer (I'm not), I'd check all those off as prime reasons why I'd want watermelon to accompany me. Furthermore, watermelons are easy to remember: they're not the Tox Uthat or some other obscure device that give most people pains to keep in their brains at first hear.

Watermelons appeal to both safe (delicious for picnics) and extreme (as Gallagher has shown) lifestyles. Watermelons aren't for everyone, but they don't need to be — watermelon has plenty of fans as it already is. But watermelons grow, and keep growing.

Watermelons transcend cultures (Moire Georgette enlightens me it's a "common Brazilian idiom"), countries, and all manner of borders. People are amused and impressed by watermelon carvings and growing them into fun shapes. Watermelons come in both great sizes and smaller varieties, and they're also referenced in literary materials to motivate people. This example comes from The Big Moo, a book compiled from 33 thought leaders:

3. Don't Let the Seeds Stop You From Enjoying the Watermelon
Tell this to yourself every day. It will help change your attitude.

Hey, they know better than I do.

I stand for watermelon, and watermelon stands for me.

(See more from my "If Torley were a brand…" set.)

What do you stand for, and who stands for you?