photos, fly fishing, food, maps & cycling
I consider myself quite internet-savvy. I’ve seen most memes and scams come and go, so it pains me to admit that I have been taken in by one.
Yes, I’m afraid my initial entusiasm for Terry’s Chop Shop is now tainted with the belief that it has just been a viral marketing campaign all along. Bloody clever one all the same!
Like a million others, I got a laugh out of ‘Will it blend?‘ – where everyday items meet their doom on the spinning blades. I’m sure I’m not alone, though, in wanting to give that guy a slap – his self satisfied demeanour and spotless lab coat… and let’s face it it’s still a ad for a kitchen appliance! puhleeez!!
No, the new thing is far more primal and satisfying – Terry’s Chop Shop is the latest viral thing – destruction delivered in the best way possible… a mighty big sharp axe!
Terry’s first video was only posted in October last year and it was pretty ordinary. Amusing idea, but poor execution (scuse the pun) – according to the blog he got some help from his next door neighbour with production and editing (nice work too!). Bingo – internet gold. It has all the ingredients of viral fun: short, offbeat, subversive, well produced, and it has taken Terry from obscurity to legend in no time at all. His latest posting is of an ice cream ad he features in.
Even better – he’s an Aussie. Go Terry, you make us proud!
Well, it seems so, according to the Sunday Age.
Alright, so it isn’t the editorial, it’s the ‘heckler’ column on the back page. Stinging criticism, nonetheless.
How spoiled are chocolate lovers in Melbourne? There’s plenty of good retail chocolate – my favourite, the South Australian import, Haighs. But more and more, chocolate shops are about the experience of sitting down, drinking and eating in cosy surroundings – the whole indulgence thing wrapped up.
Until now, Koko Black had this wrapped up – still do really, but there’s a new contender on the scene, just around the corner from Koko Black in the Royal Arcade, you’ll find Chokolait. I really can’t say which is better, and that alone is high praise. Chokolait matches it’s nearby neighbor in almost every aspect and is ahead in one : a lack of queues! Yes, for now at least, the location in a less fashionable arcade has left it relatively undiscovered. So, if you haven’t already made this your own discovery, it’s time you did.
From their card:
The Chokolait Hub
Shop 8, The Hub Arcade
318 Little Collins Street
Ph: +613 9639 6188
www.chokolait.com.au
(at the moment the website seems to be down!)
I remember in the early 70’s when the world was experiencing it’s first “Oil Shock”. Cruising along, dad at the wheel of the old Humber Super Snipe (kewl eh?) when the interviewee on the radio made the dire prediction that petrol would get to $1 a gallon. (Yes, it was definitly gallons, the ‘metrication’ program ran from 1960 to 1988).
My memory says we were paying about 40c/gallon (about 9c/litre) at the time. The predictions, equivalent to 22c/l., were exceeded within 5 years.
Well, last week the predictions were for $1.50/litre and sure enough, today I was filling up at $1.48.5. It won’t be long! Fortunately for me, the tank on my little CB250 could only hold 12.5 l. so I’m still only using 4 l./100km. I can see the current scooter craze is only going to strengthen in the coming years.
So, what about the future? I can’t see the rate of increase slowing – carbon taxes and dwindling resources will almost certainly see it increase, but for arguments sake, lets assume a constant figure. My youngest child is now about the same age I was then, so it’s a given that by the time she’s my age she’ll be paying at least $25/litre for petrol.
I think I’ll walk!
Like most google map watchers, I’ve heard the debates about censorship on Google Maps. Pressure from governments, back room deals, conspiracy theories… it all gets a good workout on the forums, lists and blogs. Until now, the common theme has always been national security… mostly defence installations.
Now, it seems that money buys you anonymity. Or maybe Pepsi is really just a front for a chemical weapons factory… whatever, the reason, there is a neat square of blurred imagery (looks like photoshop’s ‘pallete knife’ is the filter of choice) in among photos of excellent quality, and that square obscures the headquarters of PepsiCo. Draw your own conclusions.