Sunday, May 30, 2004

Gmail

Well, I have taken the plunge and started a Gmail account, the new
Google initiative, via an offer through Blogger. Gmail offers
1gigabyte of storage, which seems to be funded by targetted
advertising. It will be an interesting exercise - and at least I
didn't have to buy an account off eBay. I read last week that some
people in the original testing could invite a friend to join, and they
were selling the invitations. Enterprising solutions (all round).

Saturday, May 29, 2004

The new Krispy Kreme Doughnut store in Sydney

... there have been queues so long that the colleagues who have ventured out for a doughnut have come back empty handed (d'oh). Posted by Hello

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Have you ever wondered why they're spelled "dough"nuts?
dough Noun
1) (food) a flour mixture stiff enough to knead or roll
2) (possession) informal terms for money
Synonyms: shekels; gelt; bread; dinero; lucre; loot; pelf; moolah; cabbage; kale. (SlovoEd 4.13 - dictionary for Palm)
Krispy Kreme (finally!) opened it's first store in the Central Business District in Sydney on Wednesday. The first customer was to receive a year's supply of doughnuts. As it was raining the night before the store's opened, chances are they were looking forward to a hot cup of coffee and a warm shower as well!)
My partner's boss dutifully joined the queue yesterday to buy a half dozen original glazed doughnuts - only to find they were selling for $1.90 each - or $11.40 for 6; he decided the 12 for $11 was a better deal.
What are the ethics of marketing, effectively, via bigger portions? There's a documentary just doing the rounds here ("Super Size Me") about a guy who, for a month, lived on McDonalds. I'm not sure whether this was before Maccas introduced their healthy menu items - or if he chose them if they were available - but the result is not something that's likely to have people eating there on a regular basis. It's also not likely to increase Maccas -or Krispy Kreme's -turnover unless they change their fare.
Krispy Kreme reported Tuesday that it lost $24.4 million in the first quarter, its first quarterly loss since going public in 2000.
Part of the loss was attributed to people deciding a more balanced lifestye (read: diet) is appropriate for them. Strategies to adopt to this changed and changing consumer environment include the company's doughnut shops selling a low-sugar doughnut, mini doughnuts and doughnut holes (!!!).
Scott Livengood, Chief Executive of the doughnut-maker said: "And we make our plans and do things in a, call it a worst case scenario. I think there is always a real possibility that people are going to decide a balanced lifestyle is appropriate for them ....
"But on the other hands we're not going to take anything for granted."

Thursday, May 27, 2004

We're "Orff"

Our Carmina Burina concert is almost upon us. The last 13 or so weeks of practising 3 hours on a Wednesday evening have paid off and we are about ready. Dress rehearsal is Friday evening, and the concerts are Saturday (evening) and Sunday (afternoon).
I am sitting in rehearsal as I write this - a bit tricky as I try not to miss the next Soprano entry. It looks like we're doing a run through ofthe whole piece - which means I'll know what little (hopefully) sections need independent revision.
But it will be good fun. I've sung this piece before and it's a bit like meeting up with an old friend after a long absence.
If you're near the Great Hall, Sydney Uni when we're due to perform, feel free to come along (with money for your ticket) and support the choir. Otherwise, how will you be able to tell your friends about the amazing tenor cooking swan solo?

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Gift Idea


Looking for a gift idea? For her father's 80th, Suzanne assembled a "this is your life ... so far" photo album. It looked at all the key points in his life - using the roles he's play - baby, brother, husband, father, grandfather, fisherman, sailor, veteran ... to name a few. It's a great way to capture a glimpse of times past and it was a way of showing Bill how much of an influence he's had on those around him.

"Fahrenheit 9/11"

The New York Times today carried a story about the distribution rights for "Fahrenheit 9/11". After winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes International Film Festival, the film has distribution in every major international territory except the United States.
For those who haven't yet caught up with a review of Michael Moore's anti-Bush documentary movie, you can read about it here.

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

Hello world

This is to see if the world still exists on the day before "The Day After Tomorrow".

Sunday, May 23, 2004

Happy 80th Bill!

What an achievement - to reach 80! And Bill has done it. We celebrated yesterday with the family - with Chris and his wife Sandy coming from Hong Kong; Michael and his wife, Chau, and children, Louise and Patrick, coming from Kyogle; and June - and of course, Suzanne and I.

It was Bill's 80th birthday yesterday - and here's the family.  Posted by Hello

Saturday, May 22, 2004

Back again

After some time away (it's been busy), I'm back.