Science fiction and fantasy conventions used to be a homespun affair, run by the local clubs, featuring broadcasts of rare episodes and out-takes (before it all got released on DVD) and fan films. If there were guest artists, often they would appear only if they happened to be in the country at the time, and ... [More]
Category: Consumerism
I love using Google’s services, but I think everybody knows they (and Facebook and Twitter and many other big internet companies) make most of their money via advertising, and that’s based on what they know about YOU. Like they say, the service is not the product — you are. How much do they know about ... [More]
Before you read too much of this post, play the video and (assuming you haven’t seen it before), see how long it takes you to work out what it’s an ad for. … Gosh, isn’t it optimistic! And I’m finding it really catchy. Even the bloke at the end seems pretty happy, perhaps with good ... [More]
As I’ve noted in the past, I no longer wear ties to work, and have a range of different shirts. Apart from regularly stocking up with Van Heusen and Gloweave shirts when the sales are on, I’ve been trying out Charles Tyrwhitt shirts — you know, the online shirt company that at one stage seemed ... [More]
Over the weekend at the supermarket: I was suspicious of this (which is why I took the photo). Would these Pink Lady apples be $5.98, or $6.48 per kilogram? (The Granny Smiths to the left were a different price again.) Come the checkout, sure enough… the higher price. Was I ripped-off? If I had the ... [More]
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Aussie Sportball finals time!
You can tell it’s footy finals time — this rather impressive tribute of sugary drinks was at the Oakleigh South Safeway Woolies this week. Somehow I’ve won the tipping in Tony’s competition for the second year in a row. I think this might mean I get to present the perpetual trophy to myself. PS. The ... [More]
A shout-out to a good shop which doesn’t have a web site of its own: About once every decade I buy a belt. They last that long — I get them from a place in Elsternwick called Stockdale Stockade Leather (552 Glen Huntly Road), which I’m amazed is still in business because their stuff is ... [More]
This is near the entrance to one of the local supermarkets. I understand what it is — it wraps your umbrella in plastic — I just don’t understand why such a thing is needed. While it’s nice to see them catering for pedestrians (since I’d assume few people coming from a parked car would bother ... [More]
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Are shop receipts getting longer?
Is it just me, or are shop receipts getting longer? Yesterday in Target I bought two items (I’ve blurred the details because one is a gift for someone). The receipt was longer than my arm. On the bright side, on the back are about a dozen different Shop-a-docket offers.
I always thought it was the beginning of the end for Dick Smith Electronics when they stopped selling… well, electronics, and got into consumer goods like kettles and fridges. Now JB Hifi might be going the same way, with their JB Hifi Home operation, which has moved into some of their stores, and sells stuff ... [More]
I was thinking the government ads about transport upgrades back in 2009-10 (Labor) are pretty similar to 2014 (Coalition). How would it be if I got them both and dubbed the audio of one over the video of another? The 2010 version is mostly about trains; the 2014 one has been chopped a tad to ... [More]
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Daniel vs the ATM
My recollection is that Automatic Teller Machines used to be much simpler devices, and much faster. I’m sure back in the day I timed myself getting cash using the basic buttons and 1-2 line dot-matrix LED “display” they had back then and had it down to under 30 seconds. These days ATMs are complex beasts ... [More]