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Hey - if you’re karaoking, don’t enter in like 5 songs in a row.  It’s rude!  Give some other people a chance to suck.

My weekly (or bi-weekly) update on what’s happening with me.  And this is the weekly (or bi-weekly) point where I tell you that there’s still not much going on.  I’m heading to Chicago and Columbus next week with KWK, so I’ll let you know how that goes.  I added a few pictures to the flickr page, so check those out if you want.  I’ll try to get the movie up soon - if you don’t know what I’m referring to, I’ll let you be surprised.  It’s not that exciting, but if I describe it to you, you won’t care.  By keeping you in the dark I’m hoping to create some anticipation.  Of course I’ve ruined it now since I’ve explained my intention.

As I mentioned before, there’s been a major lack of updates lately.  Rather than it being due to laziness on my part, it is largely the result of nothing interesting happening - not that that’s stopped me in the past.  Anyway, pops and I have been finishing up the work on my kitchen this past week.  It been going well, especially when you consider the fact that we don’t know what we’re doing. . .at all.

A woman came into work the other day who smelled like play-doh

Wikipedia captioned this photo as: “Green Play-Doh with can and accessory extruder toy.”  Extruder toy just doesn’t have the same ring as Fun Factory.  I didn’t mention the familiar frangrance to the woman, as it would probably be taken as an insult.  I guess it kind of is - play-doh doesn’t exactly have an alluring scent.

Okay, so it’s a few days late, but - Happy New Year!!
I was looking on google for a good new years photo to post in celebration (pretty lame celebration by the way), but I really couldn’t find anything good.  There were a surprising number of photos of people mooning the camera.  Also, almost every “Happy New Year” photo with a date said 2004.  I’m not sure what that means other than maybe google hasn’t updated their image search in a while.  Anyway, I did find this, and I think it may help you with you celebration (which by the way isn’t late, as the Chinese new year doesn’t start until February 18th, the year of the boar).  Well, here you go:

	1. Put on a Show - Plan a series of special events in your operation, such as a demo by a local Chinese chef; a performance by a martial arts, music or dance group; or a demonstration of Chinese painting or calligraphy. 2. Create a Contest - Ideas include business card drawing for a free Chinese New Year meal; placemat decorating contest; guess the number of fortune cookies or chopsticks in a large glass jar. 3. Give Away a Fortune - Order fortune cookies with customized messages inside, including some offering a free meal or beverage. 4. Spread the Word - Conduct a postcard mailing or an e-mail campaign to customers, offering an incentive to visit during the promotion period. 5. What’s Your Sign? - Offer a discount, premium or free item to patrons born in this year’s Chinese zodiac sign (e.g., Year of the Monkey, birth years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016). 6. The Envelope Please - Hand out red and gold lai si envelopes (available at Chinese stationers and gift stores) containing a coupon for a later purchase, a zodiac calendar, chopsticks, etc. with every meal. 7. Set the Mood - Show travel videos or films set in China. Play Chinese music in the dining area. Create a “great wall of China” with travel posters and other decorations. 8. Stir Up Excitement - Set up a display-cooking stir-fry station in the dining room, featuring a different special each day, served in a big bowl over rice or noodles. Offer samples to tempt customers. 9. Try Some Dim Sum - Offer a daily dim sum (Chinese appetizers) meal, including eggrolls, pot-stickers, and other dumplings, along with fried rice. 10. Take Advantage of Take-out - Customize Chinese take-out containers with your own stickers or rubber stamps. And don’t forget to include disposable chopsticks and packets of Kikkoman Soy Sauce or Less Sodium Soy Sauce.

Remember: Don’t forget to include disposable chopsticks and packets of Kikkoman Soy Sauce or Less Sodium Soy Sauce (promotion ideas courtesy of kikkoman.com).  Asian inspiration begins with Kikkoman.