Food for Thought
Compiled by Shane Drew November, 2010 - Vol 20, Issue 11 |
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| Greetings! | |
Welcome to the December edition of Food for Thought.
Is it me, or has this year gone faster than last year?
It really feels as though the weeks are shorter to me. There never seems enough time to do everything you have to do any more.
Perhaps I'm just getting older.
This year has been probably the best year that Drews Sign It Pty Ltd has had in many years. Considering we've all just come through a financial tornado they have called the GFC, I'm not complaining at all.
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I have invested in a total revamp of my sign shop operation.
I've got two new, state-of-the-art digital printers using the latest environmentally friendly inks and processes.
The machines were finally delivered on friday, and aside from one or two problems with the operator (me) and one or two warranty issues with the units, all has gone rather smoothly.
I've also taken the bull by the horns and upgraded my design and print software to the latest editions. I'm the first to admit that is causing me some sleepless nights. I've come to realise, a bit too late, that as I'm getting older, my brain doesn't seem as comfortable with change as it used to be.
Still, I'm up for the challenge.
At this point I'd like to thank all those clients that have been waiting for the machines to arrive so I could do their jobs on the newer units.
I'd also like to thank my finance broker, and my accountant, for their support during the upgrade process.
Neither flinched when I proposed my major upgrade plans, although I suspect my accountant probably had a need for antacids in the early days of satisfying my bank on the reams of paperwork they required to make the deal happen.
My broker, to his credit, also did well to get the bank moving at a faster pace so I could finalise the purchase before everyone closed for their annual holidays.
Since the GFC, banks seem to want all sorts of assurances. I had my dentist on standby just incase they wanted details of my fillings and cavities.
They banks was only slightly less intrusive on my private life than the tax office, but I'm sure they will try harder next time.
I'm looking forward to having a 'play' over the break, and hopefully I'll be a 'full bottle' by the time everyone is back work on the 10 of January next year. |
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| A new wedding venue near you soon... |
A McDonalds restaurant in Australia is following in the footsteps of the Hong Kong chain and offering to host that 'special day' - a wedding.... of sorts.
Edith, 61 and Denis Schultz, 63, recently renewed their 1966 wedding vows at McDonald's Toowoomba, Queensland, watched by their daughter and friends.
The local radio station behind the idea then sent them off on a honeymoon, one they didn't have in 1966.
Most brides are content with having one arch at their wedding, Edith though is having two gold coloured ones, for all the world to see.
The idea is in response to several McDonalds outlets in Hong Kong that have announced wedding packages for couples, inclusive of decorations, a personalised menu, and an apple pie "wedding cake".
Edith said
When I heard about it on the radio I thought, oh well, why not? I don't mind McDonald's
Instead of the white wedding dress, pillbox hat and veil in 1966, her attire will be in total contrast.
She said
The bride's wearing black this time, nice black pants with a chiffony top, I've told everybody. We might end up on YouTube. Denis said 'Oh bulls-!' when I told him I'd won. He better show up, otherwise I'll have to take a cardboard cut-out of him along.
 Heaven knows I like McDonalds too, but I wouldn't like to get married there. I wonder, did they have fries with that?
Next thing they'll be offering weddings at Hooters. Can you imagine big breasted women strutting around your reception serving cold drinks to all your male guests, with those skimpy outfits and flirtatous glances. I just couldn't see it working... can you?
[source news.com.au] |
| A interesting perspective on family values... |
Lithuanian Economy Minister Dainius Kreivys makes an interesting argument. Sadly, he may have comitted political suicide, but it is a courageous stance in this day and age of 'liberal' thinking.
If traditional family values were stronger in our society, we would have a much stronger economy, not to mention a more mature society. That is why today, in an era when each of Lady Gaga's new dresses gets major headlines, it is important to speak about the family from a rational point of view, as a crucial part of economic policy.
In many countries, family businesses are the most important engine of the economy, and Lithuania is no exception. That is not just because they constitute a major part of the economy. Nobody can deny that successful families more often produce responsible citizens who later also become outstanding professionals. Economically, that means better qualified specialists, people who create added value in the economy, people who support themselves, create jobs, maintain a family and pay taxes; people who do not live off welfare benefits.
Read more |
| Plastic surgery... reward for study well done.. |
 It is a story that would interest a few australian university students I'm sure, if you really want to get rewarded for a job well done, you need to study in South Korea.
After surviving university entrance exams, stressed out South Korean students are now choosing their reward - plastic surgery. Plastic surgery hospitals have taken advantage of a recent trend by some parents to reward their children for years of hard study with plastic surgery, offering substantial discounts for eye and nose operations. Popular surgeries include "Westernising" the nose to give it an upward tilt and double-eyelid surgery to make eyes look bigger, which is especially popular with young women. "We already had a long reservation list with names of students even before they took the test," the manager of one hospital told the JoongAng Daily. At that hospital, the two surgeries - one for the eyes and one for the nose - would normally go for 3.7 million won ($3,273) if done separately. The special package, though, offers a discount of 900,000 won for those having both. Another hospital took a different tack, aiming at the students' long-suffering mothers, who offer food and support through the hard years of study and worry along with their offspring until the dreaded tests are past. "If a student has two plastic surgeries for eyes and nose at the same time, we will provide a free Botox shot for the mother's wrinkles," it said in an advertisement on its website, the JoongAng Daily said. Competition is fierce for places in education-obsessed South Korea's universities, and government data earlier this year showed that parents in South Korea spend nearly $20 billion a year, or about two percent of the country's GDP, on private education and cram schools to help students prepare. It may pay to keep an eye on anything falling from the sky though, especially from the north.
(Source: Reuters) |
| Biggest Losers? |
 | | Obese and happy to flaunt it |
Two obese women, Ailene Brown, 28, and Shmeco Thomas, 37, both from Oklahoma City, face charges of allegedly using their body fat to conceal $2600 worth of stolen store merchandise .
Security Staff caught them stuffing items under their stomach fat and breasts, with one managing to conceal a pair of leather boots in her bra.
Officer James Hamm said:
These two were actually concealing them in areas of their body where excess skin was, under their chest area and armpits
Brown also had a knife in her purse, which she used to cut security tags in the store.
Gives new meaning to being the biggest loser doesn't it.
[Source kfor.com] |
| A quote to remember |
Do not confuse your vested interests with ethics. Do not identify the enemies of your privilege with the enemies of humanity. - Max Lerner |
| Finally... |
In closing, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support this year.
I'd also like thank three of my major clients - Murrays Australia Limited, the Queensland office of the ARA Group and Coachtrans Australia - who have once again been very supportive of us this year. We enjoy an exceptional working relationship with all three companies, and I look forward to that continuing for some time yet.
I'd like to acknowledge the extraordinary support I've received from my major suppliers too.
We made the conscious decision to support the 3M brand over the last few years, and I feel both 3M and their distributors, the HVG group, have been a contributing factor to our success this year. I can only hope that partnership is ongoing for the future.
Finally, please take care over this holiday period, remember to take it easy on the roads, and enjoy your break.
Keep in touch via my blog site at http://shanedrew.com/ . You can submit comments (keep them clean as the site is moderated) or post it to your facebook wall. Until next time, take care Shane Drew
3M Accredited Applicator - Silver Level, Certificate Number AUS1028 |
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Shane Drew
Drews Sign It Pty Ltd
4 William Street
Waterford West Q 4133
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