A total bummer if you’re a foodie that likes chocky. The corporate owner of Scharffen Berger and Joseph Schmidt chocolates will be closing their original factories in Northern California and will be consolidating their production outside the state. Link here.
Although the official reason was to consolidate production at their Illinois plant, one can’t help but wonder, could the cost of doing business here in California have something to do with it? It costs too much to run production here so the Hershey company moved production to a state that wants jobs from a state that feels entitled to them (and all the tax revenue they can squeeze)?
An unfortunate side effect is that there’s a high probability that ingredients will be replaced by cheaper substitutes and the quality of the product (chocky, which is a serious thing!) will go down, thus cheapening the brand. Bummer. Totally.
Learning German
Here’s the word of the day: fasching.
Sounds like fun…!
Now THIS is a stimulus package!
When I mean a “stimulus package”, I’m not talking about handouts to unions, such as what has been happening in the United States. I mean this:
20% personal income tax rebate, 40% property tax rebate
Households will get a 20 per cent personal income tax rebate for Year of Assessment 2009, capped at S$2,000.
There will also be 40 per cent property tax rebate for owner-occupied homes in 2009.
The ordinary people are the ones who bear the brunt of the bad economy, not gahmen and their cronies, the unions. In Singapore, the people (not gahmen or unions) are getting tax relief, in the United States, the gahmen and the unions get the free money and the people are forced to pay for it. I mean, if you’re giving out all that money, someone’s got to pay for it. If you’re a US passport holder, just look into a mirror. That’s who’s gonna pay. Sheesh.
Cold snap over! Pay attention to the Motorcycle!!
During the recent holiday season, the temps here rarely went above 45 degrees. Nighttime was even colder. Not festive at all!
When this was taken, it was 62 outside. Not cold!
Right after New Years’ Day that ended. It’s been comfy in the 60s and sunshiney for the past few weeks. Yay! Which means…taking the motorcycle out! But before any road trips, I had to get the tires replaced. I wound up replacing the stock Bridgestone Trail Wings (which lasted all of 9000 miles) with a set of Metzler Tourances. Good for riding pavement and the occasional fire trail. Hopefully, I’ll get more than 9K miles out of these.
I had the work done at Werkstatt and they did a great job, as usual. Besides the tires, I had some Givi racks (PL428) installed. One of them didn’t fit right when I tried to install them. Turns out the footpeg that I was supposed to connect it to was bent a tiny bit, something that I wouldn’t have known to look for. I picked up some soft bags from Craigslist that fit on the racks, but I think I’m probably going to hunt for some hard cases.
From the Marin Headlands, a tugboat going west.
Then it’s time for a road trip! While the weather holds…
MacWorld? Har? And bailouts galore!
Well, the first week of January has come and gone and MacWorld has done the same. My reaction: “Har”?
Prior to this year, I’ve been to 12 of these shows. Strangely enough, nothing worth going for this year. All the buzz is in Vegas at CES where Palm (remember them?) may have a device (with a very dumb name) that will give Apple a run for its money (and incentive to improve features and lower its price on the iPhone).
Besides CES, there’s another convention happening concurrently. In fact, the industry that this other convention is showcasing is asking for a bailout (as are the rest of American industry). I wonder if they’ll actually get some?
I’m waiting for the “Legacy Airline Bailout”. Once they get that, nothing will change, except the fares, which will go up. More of the same…
Watchdoggy
I came across this well guarded door in the Meatpacking District
The things you come across in Manhattan…
On approach to SJU
Taken on approach to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
First you fly over the Caribbean, then you fly over San Juan and the rest of the island until you finally land. Nice and warm out there!
There’s a hotel and casino inside the Airport. Perfect for early morning departures.
Since we were here for a Mileage Run cos it’s the end of the year, we hung out at the airport for a few hours and took the same plane back. 7250 EQM plus 100% 1K bonus for $230. Not bad!
NYC Xmas 2008
I was in NYC for a few days to experience Xmas. I saw some traditional wrapping…
And speaking of trees…
The weather there was incredibly cold. First night was 17 degrees, second night was 27 and the third day was 62. SIXTY TWO!
On one of the cold days, I made it to the City Bakery for a much needed cuppa cocoa with a iceberg-like (sized) marshmallow. Yum!
Yes, it’s really that big!
City Bakery
3 W 18th Street
NY NY 10011
http://www.thecitybakery.com
Singapore Notes, Dec 08
Learned from my last visit:
Bukit Timah is far; off the beaten track with no MRT access
You can SMS for a taxi and guess what, they show up! Here’s a useful iPhone app…
Oosh on Dempsey Road is far but a nice place to have a drink and meet local bloggers.
Apple and me. I need to go on a diet…
Her blog is here.
Sights from Taipei
Last night I went with Diva and her entourage to a couple of events.
Piaget had a full spread of Moet champagne, cocktails, finger foods, a trunk show and a concert. Great event!
After that, there was a pre party at Opus for the Golden Horse awards. For the first couple of hours, it was like the Piaget after party. Lots of hats!
You must be logged in to post a comment.