"BAILOUT": the most loosely used word today

Domino's Pizza is having a Super Big Taste Bailout. "We know times are hard, it's a reality we are all facing," says [Dave] Brandon, [CEO]. "But I didn't go to Washington to ask for a bailout. Instead, we are giving one. I'm proud to be able to offer our consumers a promotion with such a great deal on pizza. By adding our oven baked sandwiches to the mix we are further increasing the number of taste varieties to the offering." (Yahoo Finance)

After watching the TV commercial on Fox TV, I can't help but roll my eyes and yet be amazed at such a genius marketing campaign. People will tend to reduce their fine $300 dining to something cheaper -- guess what, pizza just so happens to be convenient and decently affordable. When there are so many pizza eateries competing for market share, you need a good strategy to bait your customers.

Hearing the word "bail-out" being used loosely makes me cringe. First, in basic economic terms, it is an "economic stimulus package". I understand it is a lengthy phrase to use, but "bail" kind of rhymes with "jail" -- it somewhat leaves a bad taste in my ears; it might connote free money when it's taxpayers' money. Of course, most of you would have heard about the recent AIG executives' compensation scandal by now. Nevertheless, when the average North American is hooked on tabloid news, it's so easy for people to sensationalize the state of the economy. Little do they know when the media delivers unnecessary bad news, they are playing with fire: economic confidence can be dwindling further. There is a fine line between telling the truth and dressing up the facts with feather boa and stiletto heels. Sadly though, the reality is: bad news sell.

All of a sudden, it is super cool to be frugal again. Many companies are adjusting their marketing campaigns accordingly. Maybe this recession should bring us a reality check. Do we really need what we want? I know things are so much cheaper now, compared with prices during the boom periods. We, however, need to realize we are living in a demand-driven society. If the manufacturer receives very few orders, based on our purchasing habits, for a particular item, it would not be profitable for them to produce so much. There is about 80% over-capacity in the auto industry; cars are not going to sell when people have less disposable income during a recession.

Having a quick glance at DPZ's (Domino's Pizza) Dec 2008 financials, they are not doing too shabby financially; they have decent liquidity ratios. Present economic times will still present some challenges for DPZ, but it would not be as major as most would think. I think the CEO's quoted comment is cute/smart: you can't really compare food industry to the auto nor financial industry. (Different industries do well at different cycles of the economy; different goods have different values in price.) So, the usage of the term "bailout", in this case, is meant to create hype.

Are we going to see a recovery? Yes, I would hope so. I believe it will recover, in time. It will take time for my generation to build net worth and invest in equity. The growth might not be as significant as it was when Baby Boomers were holding onto their stocks, but it is not the end of the world. The Andex charts can prove it.

Two Queens in Chess Titans?

I would be ecstatic if you could resurrect another queen when your pawn advances to the other side. This game is so newbie friendly! I have been in competitive chess tournaments where you swear the clock is going way too fast for you and where "a touch is a move". I am not learning anything by undo-ing all my moves all the time, but hey, I can beat the computer! Look:

Chapter 20

Image found on flickr.com

This poem was written when I visited Brunei when I was 20. I had completely forgotten about this poem, but it still remains in my room. This poem brings back quite similar sentiments at Chapter 24, being once again back in my hometown.... It's funny how old poems never fail to re-inspire and help validate the person you always have been. Happy New Year, everyone!
(A poem by Cynthia Chiew, written on 20th July 2004, at 11.00pm)

CHAPTER 20
Each stage in life
has its commas,
question and exclamation marks!
Bend the pages
You can't go back but
You reminisce
Each chapter, each story,
smile and laughter
Hold your breath,
There are more chapters
Awaiting a happy ending ...

Coalition Government: Behold, the 3 Stooges are here to govern Canada

(Comic source: The Globe and Mail; Dec 2)

Wow. This is democracy at its worst during such economic uncertainty. This is a proof that politicians are self-interests maximizer. Politicians buy our vote; we vote them in. Yet, they seem to treat Parliament as if it were a kindergarten playground. Why do people not realize for everyone to be able to pull through an economic recession is to co-operate? This is not the time to play games to gain political power. Partnering with the separatist party? Stephane Dion, avez-vous perdre la tête?!

If the coalition goes ahead on Monday, I am never voting again because apparently, mine and some other person's votes will never count anyway; the opposition would always do what they please and they would not care about what majority of voters think. People who did not vote for the Conservatives, did not vote for a coalition government. This is not how democracy works. If the coalition goes ahead, all of Canada's power will lie in the hands of a few political leaders from the East and with the separatists, leaving the West vulnerable and displeased. It will upset a lot of Western Canadians. Playing Robin Hood does not create National Wealth; increasing productivity creates wealth and results in increase of GDP. Once again, the West is being alienated.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION AGAINST THE COALITION IF YOU BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY. (Click on linked sentence)

The Customer is Not Always Right

Being in part-time retail for a couple years, I have learnt to be more cynical and tactful when it comes to customers who demand they are always right. You would also learn to appreciate other people's stories... with a chuckle or two. Below is a story from this website: http://notalwaysright.com

Personally, I Prefer Stars And Polkadots

Tourist Shop | Vancouver, BC, Canada

American customer: “Your flag is just so pretty. I love maple leaves. Does it come in blue?”

Me: “Um, no, sorry, only red.”

American customer: “That’s a shame. My kitchen is blue, and it would look so pretty on the wall. You should make them in other colours.”

Me: “…”

Canadian customer behind her: “That’s a good point. I’ve always thought the stars-and-stripes would look great in earth tones.”

American customer: “Our flag is ALWAYS red, white and blue! Honestly, Canadians are so stupid sometimes.”

Wishlist

Arts and Crafts
I have always wanted to learn how to oil paint as a child. I have an easel; I draw from time to time, but somehow, oil paints was never explored. I was somewhat working on a watercolour pencil crayon project; I haven't got back to it yet since my college papers beckon me towards their direction with meticulous analyzing, writing and citing.

It would be really cool to get this:







The only oil medium I have been exposed to is oil pastels. It is a little tricky to use, but after a lot of blending and mixing, you can get a really cool painterly effect. Nonetheless, it would also be cool to get stretched canvas, oil paints and brushes for Christmas. A Staedtler Fineliner Set would also be cool since I do a lot of comic drawings. If you'd like to see colour on my comics, Fineliners would come in so handy!

*sigh, it's a good thing I have two days off after my last final exam. Guess where I would be heading: craft stores. It's bad when craft stores, bookstores and music stores are all sorts of candy stores to me.

Meanwhile, I am meeting up with an Artist on the Ward volunteer coordinator tomorrow! This would probably be the most humbling volunteering experience; it's a great way to give back to the community.

Money
On a not so serious note, it would be cool to get cash, just like during the Chinese lunar new year. After all, I would most likely won't spend it, but rather invest it in something. This is why I am a Finance major. On a grim note, my balanced mutual fund is experiencing a $300 loss, which isn't too bad when you compare it to the TSX index within the same period. However, this is only normal -- as long as you keep the money long term, it will grow despite all the short term turbulences and bumps.

Need more cowbells to cure this headache.

Amazing Videos for knitting

Who can resist a ball of beautiful yarn at $0.99? Not I. The bulky yarn, 76.5% Acrylic, 10.5% wool, 10.5% Mohair and 2.5% Polyester, has been incredibly difficult to knit with, especially with bigger sized needles; size 10 mm in my case. Frustrated with trying to wrap my head around knitting abbreviations, I turned to youtube for help. It has been a while since I have knitted! I forgot how to cast on. (Crochet is part of knitting, but it is technically not the same) There are so many methods of casting on -- you could either use your fingers as if the yarn was a sling shot, working with one needle; or use the other needle.

I might just have to rip out the scarf I was working on. I think the yarn I bought would be good for making a scarf with elongated stitches. See pattern. (6 rows of garter stitch, 1 row of elongated stitch. Repeat. Add fringe.Elongated stitch: insert needle as if to knit. Wrap yarn 4 or 5 times around needle. Pull all wraps through stitch. On next round, knit just the front loop, letting wraps fall off of needle.) I might just give this scarf to a cousin as Xmas gift, my way of saying thanks when she drives me to the airport this December, instead of donating it to the business association's silent auction.

Hearing the phrase "Purl stitch" used to make me feel like a knitting idiot, but this video explains it in full and concise clarity.

I was stumped on making my boyfriend's scarf for the longest time. He requested for a scarf with a button, which is a cool idea -- you button your scarf instead of having to wrap it around you. Now, I might not be as stumped. This is how to stitch a button hole.

Seriously, I will love any of my friends to death if they give me knitting patterns/needles/cool yarn for Christmas. You have no idea how addicting knitting is.