I love Starbucks (...and more from HK)
Hello, my friends. I've just read that one of my favorite US exports (Starbucks) will be closing down 600 of their stores. It's been in the news recently, as there's now a great deal of competition in the 'personalized' coffee market. Everyone from 'new' copycats to the old-school standbys (ie, Golden Arches) are now offering 'custom' coffees; lattes, macchiatos, espresso, etc.
Well, I for one will continue my love-affair with the Seattle-based chain. Many have often said that there's simply 'too much/too many'. And this may be true. But I can honestly say this: whether I'm in Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Vienna, Frankfurt, or even the Netherlands, and I simply want a little taste of home, I can go down to the Starbucks and get just that: a truly familiar taste that guarantees a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart. ;) Long Live Starbucks.
Now...I promised some additional pics from Hong Kong. Last night we held an event at the IFC Building in Kowloon and had yet another amazing 'view'. Encased in glass, the venue (a place called, The Box) was tres-chic, and oh so groovy, both at night and during the day. Greg snapped a couple of pics which we quickly stitched together in Photoshop CS3. Take a look...
From the IFC Building in Kowloon, daytime.
And then, night falls...
Delivering the Vision @ the Masters Seminar, Hong Kong, July '08
Lastly, a little out-take from our Korean Press meeting. One of the photographers there snapped this pic at our offices...Audition for our 'new roles' perhaps? LOL
The Masters Audition for 'A Chorus Line' and/or Les Follies Bergeres
From here, we're onto Singapore, so stay tuned for more updates, more CS3, more pics, and more from the CS3 Masters Tour.
Until next time,
Blog on.
Comments
I don't believe that others will have a chance. Starbucks is great and the Original. In Germany McDonalds is fighting with McCafé against Starbucks, but their quality is not much as good. I like Starbucks in Shanghai very much. In April 2009 I will come to Hong Kong and test Starbucks!
The first picture from the IFC Building in Kowloon is really great. But so much small...
Take care.
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Hi Wulffy. I certainly agree. Good to know there are other SBUX fans across the globe (and the HK ones are rockin!) Oh...and I'll try and post a link to the 'full-screen' version of the HK shots. Those panoramas just aren't as dramatic when they're limited to 520 pixel width ;) Take care. --JL
Posted by: Wulffy | July 5, 2008 4:18 AM
While you are in HK, try to go to any of the Pacific Coffee shop in town, it is a really different (and in my opinion better) world compared to Starbucks! Many times, especially during the wet season we prefer to meet customers over there rather than the office!
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Hi Emanuele! Funny you should mention Pacific Coffee. They were actually the first shop I walked into (when I was still searching for SBUX). Very good indeed, nice atmosphere, great coffee. Good (and slightly different) alternative; absolutely. I'll be sure to give them 'a second sip' when I'm back. ;) All the best --JL
Posted by: Emanuele Cipolloni | July 5, 2008 11:04 AM
See my blog on you guys at my blog http://febeth.blogspot.com
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Hey Betty. Thanks for the link; very nice post, and cool blog. Glad to hear that you hadn't heard about all the 'video' stuff before ;) Hope I was able to inspire you to start delving into video! All the best. --JL
Posted by: betty | July 8, 2008 6:56 AM
hi jason. how r u... hope u r fine. actually.. yesterday i came AMT08 at KL Tower, KL. It was really great experience. Thanks a lot.. and u r funny.. but the impact from ur presentation it was really good.. so hopefully.. i can learn from u more. :)
take care..
leia
Hey Leia! Well, it's so nice to hear that you truly got the message from the show. And yeah, as you've guessed, I do try to have a laugh (and make you guys laugh!) when I'm on stage. A truly great day, and it's because of all of you. ;) Keep me posted, stay tuned, and best of luck. ---JL
Posted by: leia | July 11, 2008 4:01 AM