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IT’S RAINING JAFFLES IN MELBOURNE
Apr. 30th, 2014 11:42 amYr Grilled Cheese Business lede of the day:
Springwise reports:
Evidently they’re running a crowdfunding campaign to launch a similar business in NYC.
ADDENDUM: That YO! Sushi drone tray they mention in the lede? You can’t read about it on Springwise because their free articles expire after 30 days.
But you can read about it here.
Or you can watch this video.
Delivering the goods,
This is dF
Springwise reports:
Conceived in Melbourne, the idea was initially developed as a product to help tower block dwellers who forgot their keys to let their flatmates easily drop them down from high levels via small parachutes. After thinking up a more profitable solution for the product, the team created a pop-up cafeteria from their fifth-floor apartment. Customers order their jaffle — the Australian term for a grilled cheese sandwich — by paying via PayPal and arranging a time slot to pick up their snack. An ‘X’ is marked on the street and the sandwich is delivered via parachute to the ground below.
Evidently they’re running a crowdfunding campaign to launch a similar business in NYC.
ADDENDUM: That YO! Sushi drone tray they mention in the lede? You can’t read about it on Springwise because their free articles expire after 30 days.
But you can read about it here.
Or you can watch this video.
Delivering the goods,
This is dF
CHRISTOPHER WALKEN, EVIL MASTERMIND
Nov. 20th, 2012 09:56 amI know he didn’t make my list of favorite James Bond things I posted yesterday, but I probably need to give a special shout-out to an underrated Bond villain: Max Zorin.
Granted, the only good thing about Zorin is that he’s played by Christopher Walken. And that his evil plan is to corner the microchip market by destroying Silicon Valley with an earthquake and a flood.
Like so.
On the other hand, it says a lot that Walken is the best thing in the whole film. That and having Grace Jones as a henchperson.
Goodbye Mr Chips,
This is dF
Granted, the only good thing about Zorin is that he’s played by Christopher Walken. And that his evil plan is to corner the microchip market by destroying Silicon Valley with an earthquake and a flood.
Like so.
On the other hand, it says a lot that Walken is the best thing in the whole film. That and having Grace Jones as a henchperson.
Goodbye Mr Chips,
This is dF
You know by now about that, I presume.
As you can imagine, blogosphere commentary has been spirited, much of it along the lines of OMG DISNEY WILL RUIN STAR WARS.
And as you can also imagine, I have my own opinions. I will type them for you now.
1. IT’S WALT DISNEY’S WORLD – YOU JUST LIVE IN IT
Sooner or later, this was going to happen. Lucas has made it clear he’s done with Star Wars, and we always knew that one day, Lucas was going to either die or retire, at which time he’d pass the baton to someone else – in which case a buyout was always an option, because what media company WOULDN’T want to own a moneymaking machine like the Star Wars brand? Especially one that specializes in moneymaking brands? So it’s always been a question of who was going to take over the helm and when.
Besides, Disney is initially leaving everything at LucasFilm untouched, management-wise. LucasFilm will exist as a subsidiary, and Kathleen Kennedy (who has been co-chair of LucasFilm for ages) will take over as president. So it’s not like they’re stripping out management and installing their own bean counters to muck around with the decision making.
But even if they did –
2. DISNEY RUINS EVERYTHING
Old-school fans may dither over how Star Wars will fare creatively in Disney’s Big Corporate Mickey Mouse Gloves (as if LucasFilm is some tiny non-profit indie outfit). Well, last time I looked, a lot of the same people weren’t all that happy with what LucasFilm was doing with it, from the prequels to Lucas’ obsessive re-edits of the originals. I’d love to know how they think Disney will make it worse.
Mind you, I’m one of the few people on Earth besides George Lucas who liked the prequels, flawed as they were, and as inferior as they were to the original trilogy. But the constant revision of his own work – entitled as he might be to do so from an auteur POV – was definitely a sign that maybe Lucas was no longer the most suitable person to mind the store, creativity-wise.
In fact, if Disney wants get into the good graces of Star Wars fans who know for a goddamn fact that Han shot first and Vader never screamed "NOOOOOO!" when Palpatine was torturing Luke, here’s what I’d love to see it do:
Restore the original versions of Episodes 4-6 (to include stripping out the added footage), give them a theatrical release (on the 40th anniversary, say) and then release them on Blu-Ray (or whatever the new format is in 2017) as a viewing option with the “expanded/revisionist history” versions.
3. EPISODE VII: JEDI KNIGHTS OF THE CARRIBEAN
As for Episode VII and future Star Wars films … why not? The Star Wars Universe is big enough to accommodate all kinds of new characters and story directions (as all the various novels and comics and video games have proven). Sure, it might suck. Or it might be what Casino Royale was to the James Bond franchise (which wasn’t Disney’s doing, I know, but you see what I’m saying). Either way, I’ll be interested to see what they come up with.
4. INDIANA JONES AND THE EPCOT CENTER OF DOOM
As for LucasFilm’s other intellectual property … the same applies, really. Indiana Jones is a great film character, but the most recent installment illustrated too clearly that it wouldn’t hurt to let someone else take over that helm, either.
5. CONCLUSION
I’m not that worked up about it, no. Disney is just as likely to do great things as terrible things to the franchise. They'll probably do both. But at this stage, Star Wars fans have little lose from letting them take a crack at it.
Control yr anger,
This is dF
Thanks to the interweb, you can turn yr cat into a unicorn
Albeit a very annoyed unicorn.
[Via Archie McPhee]
Strap it on,
This is dF
Albeit a very annoyed unicorn.
[Via Archie McPhee]
Strap it on,
This is dF
ITEM: Sony Music mourns the death of Whitney Houston by raising the price of her greatest-hits album, The Ultimate Collection, on iTunes in the UK by 60%.
Which is nice of them.
As is often the cased with Sony’s inexplicable corporate decisions, the best part is the explanation for this:
The fact that it was mistakenly mispriced right after she died is, of course, an unfortunate coincidence – as is the fact that popular music artists tend to see an upswing in sales right after they die.
An unofficial source tells the Guardian that Sony only adjusted the price because they just happened to notice at that particular time that the price was wrong.
Timing!
To be clear, I'm sure this really was the result of some clueless employee rather than an executive decision by the board or whatever. Still, you have to wonder what was going through their head. Assuming the Guardian explanation is accurate, it was probably something like, "Oh crap, these albums are priced incorrectly and now they're selling like crazy – if I don't fix this, Sony Music will lose money and it will be all my fault and they'll fire me ZOMG!"
So obviously the solution was to adjust the price because how could anyone possibly take it to mean Sony is capitalizing on Houston's death?
PRODUCTION NOTE: I don’t have anything to say about Whitney Houston’s death at this time. Let’s just say I am not a fan and leave it at that.
For now.
Cash cow,
This is dF
Which is nice of them.
As is often the cased with Sony’s inexplicable corporate decisions, the best part is the explanation for this:
"Whitney Houston product was mistakenly mispriced on the U.K. iTunes store on Sunday," said a statement issued by Sony. "When discovered, the mistake was immediately corrected."
The fact that it was mistakenly mispriced right after she died is, of course, an unfortunate coincidence – as is the fact that popular music artists tend to see an upswing in sales right after they die.
An unofficial source tells the Guardian that Sony only adjusted the price because they just happened to notice at that particular time that the price was wrong.
Timing!
To be clear, I'm sure this really was the result of some clueless employee rather than an executive decision by the board or whatever. Still, you have to wonder what was going through their head. Assuming the Guardian explanation is accurate, it was probably something like, "Oh crap, these albums are priced incorrectly and now they're selling like crazy – if I don't fix this, Sony Music will lose money and it will be all my fault and they'll fire me ZOMG!"
So obviously the solution was to adjust the price because how could anyone possibly take it to mean Sony is capitalizing on Houston's death?
PRODUCTION NOTE: I don’t have anything to say about Whitney Houston’s death at this time. Let’s just say I am not a fan and leave it at that.
For now.
Cash cow,
This is dF
BOOK FAIR ADDENDUM: Oh, and then there’s this:
Found in the stationary section of the book fair.
Yes, I know.
Still, for $1.25, I had to get it – partly cos it's bloggable, and partly because it’s always interested me how Obama is the first president I’m aware of to be this marketable overseas. You didn’t see a lot of Bush I/II or Clinton merchandise like this, is what I’m saying.
Pencil cases you can believe in,
This is dF
Found in the stationary section of the book fair.
Yes, I know.
Still, for $1.25, I had to get it – partly cos it's bloggable, and partly because it’s always interested me how Obama is the first president I’m aware of to be this marketable overseas. You didn’t see a lot of Bush I/II or Clinton merchandise like this, is what I’m saying.
Pencil cases you can believe in,
This is dF
COOKING WITH THE RAMONES
Sep. 17th, 2010 11:46 amLike many of you, when I cook a pasta dish and I’m stuck for ideas on a sauce, I think to myself, “What would Marky Ramone put on this?”
Now I know.
From a recent interview with Marky:
Which is nice.
There’s a joke here somewhere about starting up a band with Joe Perry and Michael Anthony, but I’m too medicated to do it justice.
Gimme gimme sauce treatment,
This is dF
Now I know.
From a recent interview with Marky:
“People I knew were like, ‘are you kidding me, you’re a DJ not a chef!’ And so I said, ‘why not?’ says Marky. “It always thrilled me to see him, my grandpa, cook. I had always wanted to do it, and so I went for the opportunity. It was new and I like doing new things. I tested the waters first, and people really liked it, so I’m saying ‘hey, if you want more you can have it!’”
Ramone says that he will be donating the earnings from his sauce.
“The charity I am going to send it to will be one that goes to the soldiers coming home from Iraq who need it. And some will go to the families who’ve lost husbands and wives in the war,” says Ramone.
Ramone says that he will be donating the earnings from his sauce.
“The charity I am going to send it to will be one that goes to the soldiers coming home from Iraq who need it. And some will go to the families who’ve lost husbands and wives in the war,” says Ramone.
Which is nice.
There’s a joke here somewhere about starting up a band with Joe Perry and Michael Anthony, but I’m too medicated to do it justice.
Gimme gimme sauce treatment,
This is dF
And here’s how we do bust development here in China: with pseudoscientific infomercials!
I taped this off the screen of my hotel room in Shenzhen in April, (though we get the same TV channels in Hong Kong, so we see it here too).
The product supposedly works like this: spray it on yr breasts and it makes the fat cells expand. Or something.
I seriously doubt it works – and if it does, I seriously doubt it’s healthy. But the commercial is awesome – not so much for the gratuitous cleavage as the English subtitles for the Chinese graphics. (The headline of this post should give you an idea.)
It’s found poetry. Here, I’ll prove it.
( Poetry slam behind the cut! )
Beauties of nature chest,
This is dF
I taped this off the screen of my hotel room in Shenzhen in April, (though we get the same TV channels in Hong Kong, so we see it here too).
The product supposedly works like this: spray it on yr breasts and it makes the fat cells expand. Or something.
I seriously doubt it works – and if it does, I seriously doubt it’s healthy. But the commercial is awesome – not so much for the gratuitous cleavage as the English subtitles for the Chinese graphics. (The headline of this post should give you an idea.)
It’s found poetry. Here, I’ll prove it.
( Poetry slam behind the cut! )
Beauties of nature chest,
This is dF
Before cheap silicon implants, we had Mark Eden.
How did Mark Eden do it? With these.
Did it work? Wikipedia puts it this way:
The Mark Eden advertisements have been cited as examples of misleading language in advertisements by educators who seek to improve critical thinking skills.
ADMIN: Welcome to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
roobarb , who is just joining us. Thanks for the add. Hopefully you'll stick around after this post.
Absolutely fabulous,
This is dF
How did Mark Eden do it? With these.
Did it work? Wikipedia puts it this way:
The Mark Eden advertisements have been cited as examples of misleading language in advertisements by educators who seek to improve critical thinking skills.
ADMIN: Welcome to
roobarb , who is just joining us. Thanks for the add. Hopefully you'll stick around after this post.Absolutely fabulous,
This is dF
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THAT SENSUAL COLD WEATHER LOOK
May. 16th, 2010 09:41 amIn the 70s, you could have it for 20 bucks + shipping.
The great thing about the Nipple Bra is that it means someone took the time to think of this, see demand for it, design it, make it and market it.
I’d love to see a video of the meeting that green-lighted this.
Center of attention,
This is dF
The great thing about the Nipple Bra is that it means someone took the time to think of this, see demand for it, design it, make it and market it.
I’d love to see a video of the meeting that green-lighted this.
Center of attention,
This is dF
FULL ACRE CRISIS GARDEN!
Mar. 11th, 2010 10:55 amYou’ll need one when the Obamapocalypse comes. That’s why you need to send $149 to the Survival Seed Bank.
As seen on Glenn Beck.
Here’s why you need a Crisis Garden:
The whole spiel is worth reading – it’s a masterpiece of paranoid apocalyptic fantasy marketing, especially the part that explains that if you wait for the Food Apocalypse before buying these seeds, it’s probably already too late.
Not that I’m against growing yr own food (especially now that doing so is apparently a political statement whether you intended it to be or not).
Still, it occurs to me that when the Food Apocalypse comes, cityfolk will be totally screwed.
Except Detroit.
Ironically.
(Nothing but) flowers,
This is dF
As seen on Glenn Beck.
Here’s why you need a Crisis Garden:
You don't have to be an Old Testament prophet to see what's going on all around us. A belligerent lower class demanding handouts. A rapidly diminishing middle class crippled by police state bureaucracy. An aloof, ruling elite that has introduced us to an emerging totalitarianism which seeks control over every aspect of our lives.
As the meltdown progresses, one of the first things to be affected will be our nation's food supply. Expect soaring prices along with moderate to severe shortages by spring. If you don't have the ability to grow your own food next year, your life may be in danger. Supply lines for food distribution in this country are about three days, meaning a dependence on "just in time" distribution systems, which will leave store shelves empty in the event of even the smallest crisis.
As the meltdown progresses, one of the first things to be affected will be our nation's food supply. Expect soaring prices along with moderate to severe shortages by spring. If you don't have the ability to grow your own food next year, your life may be in danger. Supply lines for food distribution in this country are about three days, meaning a dependence on "just in time" distribution systems, which will leave store shelves empty in the event of even the smallest crisis.
The whole spiel is worth reading – it’s a masterpiece of paranoid apocalyptic fantasy marketing, especially the part that explains that if you wait for the Food Apocalypse before buying these seeds, it’s probably already too late.
Not that I’m against growing yr own food (especially now that doing so is apparently a political statement whether you intended it to be or not).
Still, it occurs to me that when the Food Apocalypse comes, cityfolk will be totally screwed.
Except Detroit.
Ironically.
(Nothing but) flowers,
This is dF
AM I PINK ENOUGH FOR YOU?
Feb. 13th, 2010 01:41 amITEM [via YesButNoButYes]: More proof that if you can think of it, you can get it on the Internet: labia lipstick.
The pitch:
My New Pink Button (tm) is a temporary dye to restore the youthful pink color back to your labia. There is no other product like it. This patent pending formula was designed by a female certified Paramedical Esthetician after she discovered her own genital color loss. While looking online for a solution she discovered thousands of other women asking the same questions regarding their color loss.
Comes in four (4) colors: Marilyn, Bettie, Ginger, and Audrey.
I am not a gynecologist, nor do I claim to be an expert on female genitalia. But I was completely unaware that this was a problem for anyone, much less one that needed solving.
But I’m a guy, so what do I know?
Anyway, there’s a fun (and SFW) product review here, which I recommend for the JPG of the instructions, which – you may notice – warns that this is an “Adult Novelty” product that hasn’t been cleared by the FDA.
Also, it is not intended for use by children.
Push the button,
This is dF
The pitch:
My New Pink Button (tm) is a temporary dye to restore the youthful pink color back to your labia. There is no other product like it. This patent pending formula was designed by a female certified Paramedical Esthetician after she discovered her own genital color loss. While looking online for a solution she discovered thousands of other women asking the same questions regarding their color loss.
Comes in four (4) colors: Marilyn, Bettie, Ginger, and Audrey.
I am not a gynecologist, nor do I claim to be an expert on female genitalia. But I was completely unaware that this was a problem for anyone, much less one that needed solving.
But I’m a guy, so what do I know?
Anyway, there’s a fun (and SFW) product review here, which I recommend for the JPG of the instructions, which – you may notice – warns that this is an “Adult Novelty” product that hasn’t been cleared by the FDA.
Also, it is not intended for use by children.
Push the button,
This is dF
