stlplace
Source: Google CN and Yahoo China (Why did not baidu come up with something?)
I noticed Yahoo (US version) has lots of pictures about Lunar New Year. While Chinese young generation are embracing the western holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day (in some ways western holidays are overshadowing the most important Chinese holiday), western world started to honor the traditional Chinese holiday. Is that a sign of “globalization”? We should be happy living in such an interesting time.
Google Checkout is doing promotion again. I found this while I Googled “Heelys”. Here are the links for Heelys. I think the $10 off can be applied to other things too. A gift from Google for your V-day.
Sports Authority, Dick’s Sporting Goods
By the way, I visited couple Sports Authority stores and Dick’s recently, and some ran out of Heelys. So online may be a good source.
I was a bit surprised to see Dixie Chicks won the “album of the year” award. I was happy because it’s a band I like. I got the “Taking the long way” CD last May when it was just out with lots of controversy. I guess the CD sales will soar and the price will go up 🙂
For the Dixie Chicks trio, this is especially rewarding after been virtually shut out from main stream media after the UK concert incident. I don’t want to talk about politics here. But I think in career, in investing, or in business, we will get written off by other people from time to time. The sweetest feeling is later on we prove ourselves through the hard work. This is not revenge; this is redemption.
Call it gourmet coffee, premium coffee, or designer coffee, whichever way you want to call it. But I have seen the “Gourmet Coffee” bulletin board put up by McDonald to make fun of Starbucks’ price. I also noticed Starbucks is adding “drive through” windows and open new locations like crazy lately. All these, according to Todd Sullivan’s value play blog, is kind of related…
Separately, a short time ago I heard KFC and McDonald are creating “drive through” stores in China. So are we in “car and caffeine driven society” now?
These days Superbowl is the biggest thing for sports fans and american public in general. I believe this is the show with most TV audience in the States. As you may know, people watch superbowl not just for the football. For lots of non football fans, the creative commercials (advertisement) are the main show here. TV finanlly can reclaim its dominance from “Internet advertising” and Google, for a few hours.
It’s not on the web. But I found some deals at the local stores (Brentwood). Obviously it’s not just the online stores such as Zappos (or Amazon Endless) gives discount for shoes.
For instance this one ASICS GEL Kayano® XII Stability Running Shoe is $89.99 at SA. Amazon asks for $99.99 and Zappos asks for $138.95.
Shoebuy is having a sale on Crocs, the $10 off discount code is WWMAG. They don’t have many left though, so hurry up if you want to get a pair.
I found Crocs shoes are actually gender-neutral, as you can see from the size definition, e.g., size 4 stands for Women 6/Men 4. I think people choose the Crocs based on color. I just found out they run out of the color I want 🙁
It’s Superbowl time. Time to get the HDTV. Here is Vizio 50″ from Circuit City. Note I am not getting any referring fee from them. I heard Superbowl is the big time for HDTV sales. Some retailors such as Best Buy, Circuit City should be very happy.
Today I went to Post Office to mail something. I noticed there are lots of people, which is not unusual, because people want to get things done in the weekend. What surprised me a bit is there are many people applying for the Passports. This also makes sense to me because recently the goverment issues new rules that require US citizens carrying passports if they travel between Canada, Mexico, Carribean Islands and the States (they don’t have to show passports in the past).
But I think there is another reason. Did you notice the gas price dropped significantly lately? Today I saw unleaded gas as low as $1.87 per gallon. I don’t remember when I saw gas below $2 last time. Anyway I am not complaining here, nor do I try to predict how oil price will go next. I believe the lowering oil price means two things: more discretionary spending for consumers; (poentially) lower prices for airfare and cruise vacations. I think people are getting passport and vacation booked in advance to take advantage of this trend.
I mean not just my Heelys shoes, but also the HLYS stocks I bought at the its IPO. I borrowed this title from Rick Munarriz at fool.com, here is his article. In summary, here are what he said:
1) Heelys is going to have a blow out fourth quarter.
2) They may guide a little higher for Q1 2007, and beat it eventually. From my observation some Sports Authority stores are low on inventory. Note Q1 is usually the slowest season for Heelys.
3) Expand into other products, helmet, T-shirts, caps, etc.