Scoopit!

The Bank of New Zealand is changing it's image, new branding - it is now the BNZ. The new image seems like a very silly exercise to Adam.

The change is reported in the NZ Herald, Given the comment below, the NZ Herald does not appear overly impressed:-

The 150-year-old bank's logo is now simply the letters BNZ, in a blue, toothpaste style.

It would be fair to say that the new branding did not give Adam a buzz or feeling of WOW. Bland and un-inspiring was Adam's initial reaction.

Blair Vernon the BNZ manager of strategy and marketing said that in regard to the old branding:-

"The reality is the testing we have done suggested people didn't see it as reflective of the progressive, welcoming, warm friendly organisation we believe we are these days."

It's a bank, not your best buddy - what on earth do these people think they are. This logo does not say 'Trust me, I'm a sound secure, bank" - It says nothing, except I'm a silly squiggle on a blue background.

Adam cannot believe that this change will add value to the brand.

Unbelievably, people get paid for this stupid nonsense.

The first surprising thing was the number of Scots in this ancient English town. A local shopkeeper explained that on Saturdays, Scots crossed the border to do their shopping there.

DUH! Berwick is border town, WTF does this person expect? For a lot of people living in The Borders this is the closest town thay have for shopping, that is unless they make a long journey north to Dunbar, or north west to Hawick or Galashiels. FFS this cross border movement for shopping happens all over the world, border communities are like that, they use the nearest towns for shopping, no matter which side of the border they are. This just shows the lack of thought and analysis that the COSG regularly display, both in the content of their blog and their forums...

At they end of the day, if you ask questions you must be prepared for the answers that the questions evince; but the COSG go much further than this, they put their own negative spin on any such answers. Further more I suspect that waving English Nationalist propaganda under the nose of the "Scots" who were in Berwick shopping would always have been destined to receive the responses that the writer says he recieved; after all who wants politics rammed down their throat on a Saturday afternoon whilst shopping?

If the COSG object to Scots crossing the border to shop, then they should be prepared for the Scots to extrapolate from this argument and object to all of those "English" people who buy up houses in Scotland either as second homes or as holiday lets, a practice which has the effect of preventing young people getting a foot on the housing ladder...

Update:

As for Berwick being an "ancient English town", well a quick Google proves this to be undoubtedly questionable:-

Berwick's strategic position on the English-Scottish border during centuries of war between the two nations and its relatively great wealth led to a succession of raids, sieges and take-overs. Between 1147 and 1482 the town changed hands between England and Scotland more than 13 times, and was the location of a number of momentous events in the English-Scottish border wars. One of the most brutal sackings was by King Edward I of England in 1296, and set the precedent for bitter border conflict in the Scottish Wars of Independence.

As one can see it changed hands on numerous occasions, and even suffered one of it most "brutal sackings" at the hands of the English! So, personally, I think that were I a resident of this quite lovely town I would be a bit pissed off with the English Nationalists using Berwick as something of a political football, and this purely and simply becuase of its location on the Scotland/England border...

I actually suggest that the writer reads the history of Berwick on Tweed before making the sweeping statements that he does.

"Hey there!" she said as she waved me over.

"Look at this!"

She was pointing at something on the ground laying on top of her welcome mat.

Me: "Look at that! I guess Lady Luck was on your side this morning."

"Yes she is!"

She proceeded to pick it up and was almost hopping with joy.

Too bad it didn't last long.

Her face fell as she said, "It's going to be a long, long day."

Awww. I felt bad for her.

But couldn't resist cracking up in the privacy of my car.

It's kind of surprising to me sometimes that, when people who have been in the "have-more" class suddenly get to experience what it's like to be in the "have-less" class, they don't take a moment to consider . . . . .

There are people in the world -- many, many, many people in the world -- for whom the thought of even having a house, owned or not -- with actual walls and a roof that keeps the wind or rain out -- is a dream that seems so far away and distant that they may have never even considered it as a possibility -- people for whom the question is not "Will I need to adjust the way that I eat? Will I be able to afford healthful food for my family?", but rather "Will there beanything to eat at all?"

This is a non-sequitor.  Of course there are people worse-off than a financially precarious middle-class American; no one is claiming otherwise.  But the fact of the matter is that said American isn't comparing herself to a poor Bangladeshi woman, she's comparing herself to her relatively secure, upper class employer. And relative to her employer, she feels terribly insecure.  In fact, the same goes for our poor Bangladeshi woman; she is probably comparing herself to her relatively better-off neighbors, not some American.

But, you know, why would Portly Dyke let little things like context get in the way of her high-minded scolding?

There is a lot that you can learn from his blog, on a deeper level, that is if you are like me - intrigued by celebrity excess.  While most people look at it for what it is - cheap gossip, occasionally sprinkled with good-will, for me, it opens up an entirely different view of Hollywood - a view that is surprisingly no from Ronkonkoma (Google it, if you don't know where it is).

It's so difficult to explain.  I've met a few celebs and I have been in the company of a few celebs - I am an observer.  For some celebrities there is a wall.  I can understand why it's there too.  Too many fans walk up and take liberties and make outrageous requests.  They want to touch them, be in their presence, sleep with them, be their friend, take a photo with them, invite them over to dinner, stalk them, harass them, ask them to write on body parts, etc. etc.  So naturally it's necessary for them to mentally project a boundary as powerful as an electric force-field.  You cross the line and get zapped.  They will NOT have any eye contact with any fans because even the slightest hint of welcome and they get bum rushed and when they do look at you it's as if you're not even there.  It's a catch-22 situation because if they do anything that misconstrued as being rude, fans complain and throw a hissy-fit.   So, the boundary eventually separates them from us.  They are unattainable and in a world completely different to our own where we appear as aliens - subhumans sucking the lifeforce out of them.

PerezHilton is fascinating because well, he brings Celebrities back down to our level - makes them human again, no different than we are.  His commentary makes it all real and puts in a perspective where we can easily relate.  He breaks through all the hype and the glamour and exposes them for what they really are.  They are us.  They are no different than those citizens living in Ronkonkoma, they just have better shoes.

Way to go PH

Things like that just really tick me off.  Why was is so hard for her to just shake his hand?  Would it have killed her just to say:  "Well hello, I'm pleased to meet you"  I mean, come on!  So I did a bit of low-level research on her and this is what I found in a USA Today article from May 2004.

"Today she recites Kabbalistic meditations three to five times a day for five to 10 minutes at a time, often when she's sitting in traffic. "To think about something bigger than yourself is so cool, to get out of your own ego and stuff."

So, my question is, if she's so strung out on Kabbalah and if she's sooo into thinking about something so bigger than herself, then why in the hell didn't she just shake the guys hand?  Why is she still nasty?  Isn't the Kabbalah supposed to cure that?  How long has it been since she started studying?  It seems to be waste of time.  And if I were the people at the Kabbalah Center, I'd take her little red-stringed bracelet and strangle her with it.

Yeah yeah yeah, I know she's a hard working woman who has built an iconic career.  She has three children, who according to Gwynneth Paltrow are "polite and well-behaved".  I know that it has to be tough for her to keep her career on track because she has a lot to maintain.  I also know that fans can be a pain in the butt and sometimes I believe that celebrities are within their right to be dismissive  of fans at times otherwise they can get overwhelmed but for goodness sake, that's the tough part.  It shouldn't be difficult to stick your goddam stupid hand out and reciprocate kindness especially when someone is being kind to you.

I think Madonna just uses the Kabbalah as a weapon against others, it's obvious she doesn't hold herself to those principles she keeps waxing poetic about.

ช่วงนี้เวลาเข้าร้านกาแฟ ผมจะสั่งเอสเปรสโซ่ร้อนตลอดเวลาเลย ... แหม ... มันหอม เข้ม ถูกใจผมจริงๆ ค้าบ ใครไม่เคยก็ลองสั่งมาดื่มได้เน้อ ถ้ากลัวขมมากๆ ก็ลองสั่ง เอสเปรสโซ่ มัคคิอาโต มาแทนก็ได้จ้า

ไปล่ะ แว้บบบบบบ ;-)

This just in...

To File Under Ridiculous Things People Buy:

http://www.renovaonline.net/black/

與您們分享~ www.yearbookyourself.com

P.S. 我與80年代的媽媽..真的很相像^^ amazing!!

Conversando sobre las tonterías dichas en la chamba, éstas me dieron mucha risa:

- Un señor solicita información sobre la entrega de un cheque y dado que quien contesta no maneja esa información, le indica que se comunique con el señor David Bisbal o.O? (el nombre correcto era Daniel Balvin).

- Un colega (conocido por tener en su teléfono celular muchos sonidos divertidos) se acercá a su compañera de trabajo con la intensión de enviarle un sonido muy particular que le gusta mucho para su teléfono y le dice: "¿Quieres que te pase la ardilla?" ^.^!

- Una señora procedente de la selva desea realizar la confirmación de su código de reserva y deletrea el código: "el código es el siguiente EL NUMERO "TRES", LA LETRA "A", LA LETRA "GUE"... a lo que la teleoperadora pregunta con consternación ¿LA LETRA "GUE"? y la señora le contesta "CLARO LA "GUEDOBLE" PUES".

JAJAJAJAJAJA XD

1. Is it cute when guys kiss you on your forehead?
Oh, it is the sweetest thing ever!

2. A big poofy dress or a short party dress?
I would lean more towards dark jeans and a cute top over a dress.

3. What would you do if you received a long love letter?
Oh dear, my sweet guy sent me a love letter when I interned in Mexico for two weeks, and I cried. Like a baby.

4. Group dates or single dates?
either.

5. Do you hate it when guys act different around their friends?
No, because I know he is just letting go and being a guy. He is just being himself.

6. Are diamonds a girl’s best friend?
No, but I am seeing a diamond engagement ring in my near future. :D :D :D 

7. Is your hair up or down today?
down, it doesn't go up since I got it cut off.

8. Do you straighten your hair?
I cut off all my dead permy hair, so I don't have to straighten it anymore!!! It just dries that way!

9. Favorite mascara?
My skinny brush mascara.

10. Do you get your nails done?
Not really..

11. Small or large purses?
medium.

12. In your purse, what are your must haves?
cell phone, Bible, journal, J's journal, keys, chapstick, gum.

13. Jeans or sweats?
jeans, please.

14. Do you wear clothes/shoes/jewelry that’s uncomfortable?
nope.

15. Do you text message a lot?
yes.

16. What would you do if you got pregnant?
I wouldn't know how to react. I don't really want children at this point in my life.

17. What’s your favorite color?
red.

18. Heels or flats?
flats. I've just been wearing flips and TOMS a lot lately, but I love dressing up and wearing heels every once in a while!

19. Did you ever cry during a romantic movie?
oh yes. I am very emotional... ask Johnathan. :D

20. Would you ever leave the house without make-up on?
I barely EVER wear makeup!

21. Walmart or Target?
Target!!! Ever since the woman at the Walmart returns desk made me cry, I have tried my best to cut ties with them.

22. Do you wear collared shirts?
Nope.

23. Do you like champagne?
I've only had it at my cousin's wedding, it was okay.

24. Do you think lip gloss is the best!?
no! I think chapstick is the best.

25. Do you own any big sunglasses?
My aviators are pretty big.

26. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
30-45 minutes, I suppose, now that I have to actually do my hair.

27. Do you like to wear band-aids?
Umm, no? I don't know anyone that does aside from Nelly.

28. Do you like skater boys?
I like my boy. :)

29. Do you often wish there was something you could change?
Sometimes, but then I think about God making me who I am on purpose.. and my family, friends, and boyfriend loving me for me.. and I'm okay.

30. Gold or silver?
Silver or white gold.

31. Do you like to receive flowers?
Like is an understatement. i LOVE getting flowers!

32. Do you like surfer boys?
I don't think I've met one.

33. Do you dress up for the holidays?
Sure.

34. Do you like to wear dresses?
Yes!

35. On a scale of 1-10 how much do guys confuse you?
It depends on what kind of day I'm having.

36. In the last 48 hours have you hung out with a guy?
Well, I suppose that would be a yes if you count the 6 year old and 3 year old that I have been babysitting since Sunday.

37. Would you date a guy shorter than you?
Nope.

38. Do you like to hold hands?
I love it.

39. What is the youngest you would date?
He has to be older than me. 

40. What is the oldest you would date?
I am dating the sweetest 21 year old ever, and that's fine by me. :D

41. What do you notice when you first meet a guy?
Smile and teeth.

42. Is it hott when guys sweat?
I suppose.

43. What is the best feature in a guy?
A love and passion for Christ and having a direction in his life.

44. Do you like making eye contact?
Yes, it betters a conversation.

46. Would you kill for chocolate?
Ha, no.

47. Did you ever spend all day/night getting pretty for a guy?
I guess I took a while for prom, but for my wedding I WILL take all day!

48. On a scale from 1-10 how fun is shopping?
10! But, I have to cut back on my shopping, for sureeee. Gotta save up for getting MARRIED!

49. Do you freak out if you miss your favorite show?
I don’t really watch TV.

50. Do you yell a lot?
no!

51. Do you wear sweatpants/pajamas to school/work?
Never.

52. Have you ever dressed unlike yourself to impress a guy?
Nope, I dress the way I like.

53. Do you write a lot of love poems?
haha no way.

54. What makeup could you not live w/ out?
I just need chapstick.

55. Do you fall in love easily?
No.

56. Do you have cramps?
Sometimes when I get cramps, I feel like I want to die.

57. Do you think you have the bestest friend ever?
Oh yes. :D

I, on the other hand, am staring at the bare living room walls around me and thinking that I miss having posters up. My giant foam skull, Humphry, is sitting by the armchair and contemplating the window. Maybe I should set him on the book shelf so he can get a better view. The very fact that he glows in the dark will amuse me as pedestrians walk by our house at night.

Note: Remember to take Flat-Jack home tonight when my mum picks me up.

- And pick up soy milk

On the plus side of my day, I get to go on a treasure hunt and gather up all my jewlery around the apartment. I think I have more than I originally thought. I'm a fuggin' magpie. And when I get back to my parents' place I get to play with a multitude of kitties (Kibz is tres jealous). They're just old enough to have their eyes and ears open, but still really clumsy. This excites me.

Gordon Brown?

Heathcliffe?

I have to admit that i find it quite difficult!

สิ่งที่จะต้องมีอีกคือการแสดง แสง สี เสียง ไอ้อย่างเราจะให้อลังการงานสร้างคงไม่ไหว ทีมผมเลยประชุมกันสรุปว่างานมันต้อง เต้น เต้น เต้น และเต้น ขอรับ หวยมาออกที่สามดิว่า เอ้ย สามหนุ่มน้อยอย่าง Peck-Aof-Ice เพลง "แค่คนโทรผิด" จับเอาผมและพี่อีกสองคนมารวมพลกัน ผมว่าแค่คิดก็ผิดแล้ว ท่าเต้นดูเผินๆ เหมือนจะไม่ยาก แต่ผมลองทำตามดูแล้ว โฮ่ย ... ต้องแม่นจังหวะอย่างแรงนิ ไม่เชื่อลองกดยูตูบ แล้วทำตามดู

MV แค่คนโทรผิด ฉบับ อ๊อฟ เป๊ก ไอซ์

วันพรุ่งนี้ก็ต้องซ้อมแล้วค้าบ คืนวันเสาร์เต้นค้าบ อีเพื่อนที่ทำงานมันก็ดีมากบอกผมว่า "เอ็ยเอ็งเป็น แป๊ะ ละกันคล้ายๆ เป๊ก ไง" มรึงจำไว้เลย ใช่ซี่ตูมันแป๊ะนี่ ".\/." สัปดาห์หน้าผมจะมารายงานผลให้ทราบอีกทีว่าจะเต้นได้เหมือนแค่ไหน และจะแป๊ะขนาดไหนนะฮะ ก่อนจบ entry นี่ ผมขอฝากคลิปฮา ๆ ที่เป็นคลิปล้อเลียน mv เพลง "แค่คนโทรผิด" กัน เชิญชมกันได้เลย ฮ่าาาาาาา อุ๊ยต้องเป็น เชิญชมกันได้เลยฮะ ;-)

MV แค่คนโทรผิด ของรายการ Five Live (ฮาดีอ่ะ :-D)

MV แค่คนโทรผิด แบบบ้านๆ เวอร์ชั่น นักศึกษาทันตแพทย์ มศว. (ฮาอีกเช่นกัน 555)

คุณองอาจ พูดยังไม่ทันจบ ส.ส. พลังประชาชนคนนึง ซึ่งอ้างว่าตนเป็นอดีตพนักงานกรมประชาสัมพันธ์ ลุกขึ้นเปิดไมค์สำแดงพลังว่าการกระทำดังกล่าวของ ส.ส.ฝ่ายค้าน ถือเป็นการดูหมิ่นองกรค์กรมประชาสัมพันธ์ ขอให้คุณองอาจถอนคำพูดหรืออะไรซักอย่างนีแ่หละ เฮ้อ ... เบื่อครับ การประท้วงอันไร้ซึ่งสาระ แถมยังเป็นการทำลายเวลาให้เสียค่าไฟที่ประชาชนเป็นคนจ่ายให้ท่านๆ ได้มาอภิปรายกัน >_<

ส่วนประธานรัฐสภา ปู่ชัย ก็ทำหน้าที่ได้ดีพอสมควร (นับเฉพาะช่วงที่ผมนั่งฟังบนรถนะ ประมาณยี่ิสิบนาที) แต่ดันมีลูกเหวอ เหมือนปีเตอร์ เช็ก ตอนรับบอลง่ายๆ พลาดซะงั้น ก็มีสองเรื่องคือ

1. คุณองอาจถามปู่ชัยว่า "หลังจากรัฐมนตรี ที่กำกับดูแลกรมประชาสัมพันธ์ลาออกไปแล้ว (จักรภพ เพ็ญแข) รัฐมนตรีคนใดในคณะฯ เป็นคนรับผิดชอบดูแลต่อ" ปู่ชัยตอบแบบชื่อตาใสว่า "ผมเองก็ไม่ทราบจริงๆ (ฮา)" เรียกเสียงฮากันได้ทั่วสภา เฮ้อ ปู่ชัยน่าจะตอบแบบมีชั้นเชิงหน่อยนะครับ

2. หลังจากคำถามนั้นแล้ว และมีการประท้วงโหวงเหวก จนประธานฯ ต้องพูดออกไมค์ตอบคุณองอาจ ว่า ในเมื่อฝ่ายค้านเห็นว่าการถ่ายทอดภาพและเสียงถูกปิดกั้น งั้นเอางบประมาณที่จะพิจารณาหลังจากนี้เจียดมาซื้อสถานีวิทยุมาเป็นของสภาแล้วเอาไว้ถ่ายทอดแทนละกัน ฮ่วย แม่เจ้า โอ้มายก็อด .... เสียฟอร์มมากๆ ครับปู่ ที่การมีอายุมากนั้น ไม่ได้ทำให้กึ๋น หรือเชิงท่านมากขึ้นตามไปด้วย

จบด้วยภาษิตสอนใจว่าไม่ควรประพฤติตนแบบ "แก่เพราะกินข้าว เฒ่าเพราะอยู่นาน" (คลิกที่ภาษิตเลยจ๊ะ มีกลอนขำๆ ให้อ่านกันด้วย)

ภาพ: ประเวช ตันตราภิรมย์

I was walking to the bank today in the cold, unseasonal weather, enjoying the miserable overcast cloudiness and wet sidewalks. I wondered at tomorrow really being the first official day of summer. I'd hate to wear a turtleneck on such a day... But as it was, I was still cold under my multiple layers.

The streets in this city are interesting for pedestrians. While most crosswalks allow two lanes of walkers to pass at time, this particular one was designed to only allow one crossing lane at a time. Safe... but damnably slow. I'm a pretty awkward person most of the time, and this particular time I was even more self-conscious due to the wolf whistles and waves I received from a passing vehicle (and I did check to make sure there was nobody behind me). So I stared at my shoes. In doing so I caught sight of something fuzzy in the corner of my vision. There, at the foot of the lamppost, sat a life-sized gray and white plush kitten... on the cold, wet ground.

Having grown up from a very silly child with a wild imagination, I once believed that my stuffed animals had souls. A ridiculous notion. Of course I knew better than that. My heart broke at the sight of the toy.

I figured a child set it there and forgot about it, and would likely be back to look for it. So when the light changed, and I could cross the street, I did so.

On my way home from the bank, however, I came across that same lamppost. On my way home I came across the same plush kitten... So without hesitation, or worrying about the looks I was getting from people passing me by, I picked up the toy, tucked it safely inside my jacket, and brought it home with me to live on my dresser.

I'll have to think of a clever name for the kitty. It's been determined that it's a boy. ... we'll have to see.

One more piece of evidence that confirms that I'm going to be a crazy cat lady if I grow up.

His party, after the retirement of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is now making the most of Advani's abilities, as it is of Modi's. And Modi himself is now suggesting that we fight inflation with fasting, as once advised by India's former Gandhian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

From Advani to Jaswant Singh. Add the charms of being a former Maharaja.

As we all know, Nepal has finally got rid of the monarchy (lock, stock and non-smoking barrel, unlike Britain). Moreover, that country will now also be a 'secular republic', like India. This is our (possibly) future Prime Minister's 'measured' take on these developments:

As for abolition of monarchy, Mr. Singh said, “It is for the people of Nepal to decide not to have a monarchy.”Was the BJP happy about Nepal becoming a secular state? He said: “As an Indian and a believer in ‘sanatan dharma’ [Hinduism], I feel diminished. … There are four ‘dhams’ [pilgrimage centres] in India and the fifth, Pashupati Nath, is in Nepal. There is nothing more secular than ‘sanatan dharma’. … This is a negative development [in Nepal].”

If there is nothing more secular than ‘sanatan dharma’, why does he feel diminished about Nepal becoming a secular state?

Don't be insane. Be measured. It's not good to ask such questions.

And here is the not-so-measured take of his party president Rajnath Singh on the words 'secular' and 'dharmanirpeksh'.

Nice combination.

Winning Combination.

Where do I find the words for Modi?

Obviously Adam is on about Wellington, where Mayor Prendergast has been prattling on again.

There is an article in the DomPost about re-vamping the Parliament area. You can judge the flavour when you read:-

"Our Extraordinary Democracy - The Capital City Initiative" is the council's vision to improve the way people feel about the Parliament area by giving it the same sense of awe and importance as a national park.

There is nothing extraordinary about NZ democracy - except perhaps the mediocrity of so many of our politicians.

Personally I do not get a sense of awe and importance on going to a national park. Platitudinous drivel.

Ms Prendergast said the initiative would allow Wellington to get extra mileage out of being the capital city. "This is the centre of democracy and it is where we have led the world in lots of ways. We need to capitalise on that but bring into it the creative innovation that the city has achieved."

The council's chief urban designer, project leader Gerald Blunt, said the initiative was another step in cutting the apron strings of Mother England. "It is about the capital city's role ... but it is also all about our national identity."

Pretentious tosh and piffle.

Since when by changing road layout do we 'cut the apron strings of Mother England' - gobbledygook and claptrap..

To cap it all the Council thinks we should change the crossing indicators to have green woman walking, no doubt the stop light will be red men flashing.

This is not quirky, Ms Prendergast - just bloody silly!!

]]> http://udomdog.wordpress.com/?p=112 Wed, 07 May 2008 03:01:27 +0000 udom http://udomdog.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/112/

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