Wednesday, July 02, 2008
tired of paying $4 for a cup of Joe?
It looks like Starbucks is closing 700 stores. Hmmm. Could it be that the sane people have decided to A) go local, intimate and less expensive, or B) brew their own?
The article suggests that the economy is at fault, rather than the obvious, that it's just not good business sense to open a store across the street from an existing one. I mean, what moron thought of THAT plan?
I love Starbucks for introducing the county to the idea of coffee as a treat and social experience. Really. I come from a culture where there is great ceremony in offering coffee to guests (and the subsequent faux pas of refusing), and my two stints in Europe further cemented that drinking coffee is more than just the ingestion of caffeine, but something to be enjoyed, even linger over.
Too bad for Starbucks for missing that part of the equation. Too many drive-thrus have diluted the experience for me. Thank God for places like this.
The article suggests that the economy is at fault, rather than the obvious, that it's just not good business sense to open a store across the street from an existing one. I mean, what moron thought of THAT plan?
I love Starbucks for introducing the county to the idea of coffee as a treat and social experience. Really. I come from a culture where there is great ceremony in offering coffee to guests (and the subsequent faux pas of refusing), and my two stints in Europe further cemented that drinking coffee is more than just the ingestion of caffeine, but something to be enjoyed, even linger over.
Too bad for Starbucks for missing that part of the equation. Too many drive-thrus have diluted the experience for me. Thank God for places like this.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Virtual Life
Saw this in my facebook news feed:
David S. and Allyson S. are now friends. Allyson found David through the People You May Know tool.
David and Allyson are married.
In real life.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
An unlikely movie review
I just watched an Adam Sandler movie. Surprise! It's called Spanglish. The title intrigued me when I saw the trailer for it a hundred years ago, and then, when I saw that it was Adam Sandler, I got a bit deflated. I see Sandler and I think of crass goofy junk that appeals to teenagers with no taste. Except, that I'll watch when I am feeling---oh, I dunno---careless? goofy? daring? stupid? Whatever.
Anyway, Spanglish was very good. It was Sandler playing a regular guy. Not the extreme loser caricature, but a regular husband and father. He has a dysfunctional wife who brings a housekeeper, Flor, into the mix in a rather funny way. The story is narrated by Flor's daughter, by way of a college admission essay, so we understand that the story is less about the family, and more about what Flor's daughter learns, but the lessons are painful and, I think, pretty believable. The plot goes down the path of infidelity and conflicted feelings, but manages to end where it should. And that's what surprised me. The obvious choices were obvious, so it threw me a bit when they didn't all happen as expected. I also wasn't expecting "responsibility" to be brought up. They could have substituted "commitment" for responsibility, but I guess that's semantics.
The conflict that bubbles underneath Tea Leoni's character and her mother surfaces rather surprising between Flor and her young daughter. She challenges her daughter with a very serious question--perhaps the question that as parents we worry about but never want to verbalize. Again, the predictability factor goes out the window because I never expected the question to be asked, let alone answered.
I usually get tired of movies when they become predictable and easy to figure out, yet this one kept me on my toes. Who knew Sandler could do something serious? (he still plays the kind of dazed-surprised-bumbling kind of guy, only it's engaging in this movie).
And by the way, Cloris Leachman for the win. When she tackled Tea Leoni I thought I was going to spew water all over the place.
Anyway, Spanglish was very good. It was Sandler playing a regular guy. Not the extreme loser caricature, but a regular husband and father. He has a dysfunctional wife who brings a housekeeper, Flor, into the mix in a rather funny way. The story is narrated by Flor's daughter, by way of a college admission essay, so we understand that the story is less about the family, and more about what Flor's daughter learns, but the lessons are painful and, I think, pretty believable. The plot goes down the path of infidelity and conflicted feelings, but manages to end where it should. And that's what surprised me. The obvious choices were obvious, so it threw me a bit when they didn't all happen as expected. I also wasn't expecting "responsibility" to be brought up. They could have substituted "commitment" for responsibility, but I guess that's semantics.
The conflict that bubbles underneath Tea Leoni's character and her mother surfaces rather surprising between Flor and her young daughter. She challenges her daughter with a very serious question--perhaps the question that as parents we worry about but never want to verbalize. Again, the predictability factor goes out the window because I never expected the question to be asked, let alone answered.
I usually get tired of movies when they become predictable and easy to figure out, yet this one kept me on my toes. Who knew Sandler could do something serious? (he still plays the kind of dazed-surprised-bumbling kind of guy, only it's engaging in this movie).
And by the way, Cloris Leachman for the win. When she tackled Tea Leoni I thought I was going to spew water all over the place.
Lying on the recliner, inhaling vicks vapo-rub
I've been fighting a bug all week--the insidious kind that sneaks up on you even though you're aware of it peripherally. I knew I was going to be sick because I've been really tired and cranky (ok wise guys, crankier than usual). Anyway, I'm achy and my muscles and joints hurt, and my right ear hurts, and whine whine whine.
Ha. I feel better already.
Ha. I feel better already.
Friday, June 27, 2008
after the CNMC, now what?
After a pretty heady week of enjoying all kinds of interesting buzz from the Catholic New Media Celebration in Atlanta, I am slowing down a bit, partly in exhaustion, and partly in the need to get back to the status quo.
The thing is, I think the status quo has changed. I mean, Steve from On the U tweeted yesterday that there's been a crazy friending episode at 4Marks.com. True true true. I've made a lot of friends already, and I know there are many more to come. We just haven't all gotten around to it yet, I imagine.
All kinds of folks, from creators to users, have been posting pictures, videos, you name it, from the celebration. That's just the starting block for new creative endeavors that will follow in the coming weeks. More than a few folks have started brand new podcasts---it's all exciting!
Rob Suarez, creative-type extraordinaire, posted a link to Chris Brogan's site, who has a list of different ways to brand yourself. I figure, spread that love around---it's what we're doing, and definitely what we came off the CNMC intending to do.
If I can use an old tag line from Rob, go create something!
The thing is, I think the status quo has changed. I mean, Steve from On the U tweeted yesterday that there's been a crazy friending episode at 4Marks.com. True true true. I've made a lot of friends already, and I know there are many more to come. We just haven't all gotten around to it yet, I imagine.
All kinds of folks, from creators to users, have been posting pictures, videos, you name it, from the celebration. That's just the starting block for new creative endeavors that will follow in the coming weeks. More than a few folks have started brand new podcasts---it's all exciting!
Rob Suarez, creative-type extraordinaire, posted a link to Chris Brogan's site, who has a list of different ways to brand yourself. I figure, spread that love around---it's what we're doing, and definitely what we came off the CNMC intending to do.
If I can use an old tag line from Rob, go create something!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
"Who loves ya, baby?"
A sweet dear friend is sporting a new look because of an illness that he's currently kicking in the butt. Pray for him and his wife--it would be a cool thing for you to do.P.S. He's better looking. Just sayin'.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
What a Weekend!
Celebration was the theme of last weekend’s back-to-back events, the Eucharistic Congress and the Catholic New Media Celebration, and such a grand celebration it turned out to be.
The weekend kicked off on Friday night with the Eucharistic Congress, an opportunity for the faithful to come together and reflect on the values of our faith. Speakers and featured presentations led the way to a weekend of reflection and insight into the most essential elements of our faith, centering around the Source and Summit of that faith, the Eucharist. Adoration and reconciliation was available, and of course Mass.
During breaks in the different tracks, congress-goers had an opportunity to wade through an often crowded vendor hall, where Catholic-themed booths sold anything from t-shirts emblazoned with “I love my German shepherd” to books by well-known and not-so-well-known authors, to beautiful statues and stunning icons.
Rosary Army had its usual presence there, with volunteers handing out free rosaries and teaching the knotting technique to hundreds of curious pilgrims. Boris and Natasha, and Jon H. from the forums led the campaign to show as many people as possible how to make, pray, and give away the all-twine rosaries that have made Rosary Army a popular booth at the Congress. Several thousand rosaries and chaplets were distributed, each with the joyful supplication to grow closer to Jesus Christ through His Blessed Mother.
Sunday’s Catholic New Media Celebration, organized by the Star Quest Production Network, served as an opportunity for fans as well as leaders in Catholic new media to come together and share the wealth of knowledge and opportunities available to take this new evangelization to the next level. A powerhouse collection of well-known bloggers and podcasters from all over the internet and the world, fans, and curious faithful, eager to learn about evangelization using new media, gathered in a giant community-based celebration. Guest speakers and panelists addressed the elementary steps of blogging and podcasting, and the veterans who had seized the opportunity early to use the internet for evangelization brought their wisdom and experience to the audience.
Fans, roadies, stalkers, and the curious, as well as bloggers and podcasters had an opportunity to get to know each other and do a little bit of social networking and celebrating. The big game this weekend was placing Facebook mugshots with real people. I have to admit that I sat next to a facebook “friend” and only realized after the event that I had missed an opportunity for real-life interaction. Hopefully, there’s next year.
Of course, I thought it was very exciting that the second season of That Catholic Show premiered at the event. How cool was that?
The simplest, yet most profound advice came from Mark Shea, who suggested that we blog about what we love. If we try to serve an audience, then no one is satisfied, but in seeking what interests us, we’ll find our own niche. Excellent advice from a guy who is disarmingly funny, and still packs the power of the Truth, even if he does sound like a babbling banana slug.
The weekend kicked off on Friday night with the Eucharistic Congress, an opportunity for the faithful to come together and reflect on the values of our faith. Speakers and featured presentations led the way to a weekend of reflection and insight into the most essential elements of our faith, centering around the Source and Summit of that faith, the Eucharist. Adoration and reconciliation was available, and of course Mass.
During breaks in the different tracks, congress-goers had an opportunity to wade through an often crowded vendor hall, where Catholic-themed booths sold anything from t-shirts emblazoned with “I love my German shepherd” to books by well-known and not-so-well-known authors, to beautiful statues and stunning icons.
Rosary Army had its usual presence there, with volunteers handing out free rosaries and teaching the knotting technique to hundreds of curious pilgrims. Boris and Natasha, and Jon H. from the forums led the campaign to show as many people as possible how to make, pray, and give away the all-twine rosaries that have made Rosary Army a popular booth at the Congress. Several thousand rosaries and chaplets were distributed, each with the joyful supplication to grow closer to Jesus Christ through His Blessed Mother.
Sunday’s Catholic New Media Celebration, organized by the Star Quest Production Network, served as an opportunity for fans as well as leaders in Catholic new media to come together and share the wealth of knowledge and opportunities available to take this new evangelization to the next level. A powerhouse collection of well-known bloggers and podcasters from all over the internet and the world, fans, and curious faithful, eager to learn about evangelization using new media, gathered in a giant community-based celebration. Guest speakers and panelists addressed the elementary steps of blogging and podcasting, and the veterans who had seized the opportunity early to use the internet for evangelization brought their wisdom and experience to the audience.
Fans, roadies, stalkers, and the curious, as well as bloggers and podcasters had an opportunity to get to know each other and do a little bit of social networking and celebrating. The big game this weekend was placing Facebook mugshots with real people. I have to admit that I sat next to a facebook “friend” and only realized after the event that I had missed an opportunity for real-life interaction. Hopefully, there’s next year.
Of course, I thought it was very exciting that the second season of That Catholic Show premiered at the event. How cool was that?
The simplest, yet most profound advice came from Mark Shea, who suggested that we blog about what we love. If we try to serve an audience, then no one is satisfied, but in seeking what interests us, we’ll find our own niche. Excellent advice from a guy who is disarmingly funny, and still packs the power of the Truth, even if he does sound like a babbling banana slug.
taken from a twitter link--thanks bob!
Alas, a brilliant video with some drama attached. Hmm. Back to previous discussions of attribution. The guy is right. The original piece I started to post was edited to only have Darth Vader, but here's the full clip.
It's all relative
Still not up to writing all my thoughts about the CNMC this past weekend, but I'll get around to it, maybe even later today. I've been up since a little before 6 am trudging through the email accumulation that built up from the days leading up to the eucharistic congress, and then of course, the Sunday celebration.
Once the chore of pitching or filing the emails was done, I was able to enjoy catching up on some blogs (ironic? most of my favorite bloggers were at the celebration!).
Anyway, I have to give a shout out and a request for comment love to go to Wency at slaho.com, who is sharing his fantastic journey to fithood, in all aspects of his life. He is random and profound, and pretty darn funny. And evidently he is getting deeply into some improv. Way to go, um...Slaho.
And then I got around to reading BonBlogs because she is absolutely hilarious. This post, although from last week, was new to me this morning, and it is an absolute must-read for all of you! We all have a Gladys Kravitz in our neighborhoods; interesting how she has become an archetype. Funny funny read.
Once the chore of pitching or filing the emails was done, I was able to enjoy catching up on some blogs (ironic? most of my favorite bloggers were at the celebration!).
Anyway, I have to give a shout out and a request for comment love to go to Wency at slaho.com, who is sharing his fantastic journey to fithood, in all aspects of his life. He is random and profound, and pretty darn funny. And evidently he is getting deeply into some improv. Way to go, um...Slaho.
And then I got around to reading BonBlogs because she is absolutely hilarious. This post, although from last week, was new to me this morning, and it is an absolute must-read for all of you! We all have a Gladys Kravitz in our neighborhoods; interesting how she has become an archetype. Funny funny read.
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