Snippets of Interest

*McDonalds is different here. Not like in Europe where they do serve the quarter pounder with cheese as a royale with cheese. No, they are healthier and snazzier here. Some would say, anyway.

They serve coffee . . . no, not gas store coffee, but Starbucks-like coffee. You’ll find it in the McCafé. From the McD’s NZ web site: “Research had shown that customers wanted a separate café experience serving a variety of coffee, cakes, and savoury food options.” So our McDonalds are foo foo. Additionally, they serve deli sandwiches with their DeliChoice line of healthier food. I'm sure it's still all manufactured and engineered to taste like turkey even thought it's not.

This week McDonalds NZ launched a new ad campaign on television that they say uncovers the reality behind where their food comes from, what it has in it, and if it is real stuff or manufactured. Their first ad describes that all their fresh produce comes from New Zealand, except that which the country doesn’t grow—like pickles—so be proud Kiwis, your McDonalds are home grown. We'll learn more as this campaign marches on.

*Rockstar Supernova is huge here. Yes, we watch it. Both nights. But that’s beside the point. It seems to be hugely successful, probably because Tommy Lee and his tats appeal to the little sh** youths who ruin this country daily. We watch it because it’s funny and we want to see all the participants “bring it” each week. Oh, it be brought, baby. But Don and I think they need to step it up, bring it to the next level, man.

*On Friday we officially enter spring. It’s really cool to have two springs and two summers in one year, with only a brief visit in July back to winter. Don went out today sans jacket and I only had one shirt on under a windbreaker. We live in a great place. For the first time we are the people the weather people envy: “Ohhh Nelson, you’ll have sunshine tomorrow, again.” Great to hear that on tellie and know that I live in that place. Makes working for a living not so bad.