Donnerstag, 26. Dezember 2002

Starbucks & Co: Russell enjoys US "food" shops like Ben&Jerrys or Starbucks. When I first moved to Germany around 25 years ago - I missed English stuff like Cadburys chocolate and Walkers Crisps (ahh...salt and vinegar, beef, prawn cocktail...). German crisps only had one flavor back then - paprika. At first I was able to get hold of the odd bag of Walkers (or got them sent from the UK). And then - German crisp makers started to bring out their own versions and flavors. So now, I can get the flavors I like (salt&vinegar, cheese&onion) easily. And our local supermarket even sells Cadburys chocolate. So, the European side of things seems to be wrapped up, with the markets merging together (the crisp market being the example I follow :-)). On the coffee-side, Starbucks has only just started opening branches in Germany (Berlin). And they don't have it "down" yet. I was in the German Starbucks branch on the Ku'damm in Berlin last week. After ordering my "Latte", I was surprised they didn't ask for my name (as they do in the US - where they write it on the cup). So when the latte was finished and they called it out - about 5 people rushed forward. Ah well.....there's always room for improvement.

Call for Ideas: The OSCON 2003 Call for Participation is up. This year, the conference takes place in Portland. Whoops - that should read "next year".

WiFi Relationship: While I surf and blog from the couch using my work laptop, my wife is doing the same from our other couch using the iBook. All with the ease of WiFi. I just sent her an email....

Can you hear me? Ordered and downloaded my first stuff from audible.com today. Then transferred everything to my iPod for vacation listening. Thanks to Steve for pointing to this one. I also grabbed the Robbin Williams interview with Billy Crystal while I was at it. If anyone has suggestions for good books to listen to - let me know!

Good evening Europe! Having my day-job laptop at home means I can easily blog from the confort of the dining room while the kids watch the Christmas DVD from my sister. Lots ot wrap up on - so off we go... Vacation: I actually have a work-break until the 13th of January. So weblogging will be slow - at best. Saturday sees us leave for Southern Germany for the yearly "family in the snow" vacation. Unfortunately there is none. Snow I mean. Quite in contrast with what has hit the US East Coast the past days.  Segway: Aaron is reporting on his go with a Segway. Watch the movie! Open Source Christmas: Comments on the little story I wrote. Also here and here. I came up with it while on the bus to work that morning. I just thought it an interesting - and funny idea. There is no statement on either Christmas or Open Source in there. Really. Stuffed. No comment to add to this. Actually Steven, I am in for some wait loss - starting next week - what about starting a "Cocoon Diet" together? Then a book, a website, TV show... :-). Update: Of course I meant "weight", although perhaps "wait loss" is an interesting subject as well.