Simple Things

The following is an email that was received through the Tour De Cure website and read out loud to the riders and crew of this years event as we enjoyed dinner in Albury on the way to Melbourne.

"Yesterday I was driving into work and was stopped at a roundabout as a group of cyclists drove through. Being accustomed to the groups of athletes we often get training in Jindabyne, I was very surprised when one of the first riders waved a thank-you (even though they had right of way) followed closely by another rider. In total six riders acknowledged the cars at the roundabout. I was intrigued as to who this friendly group were, and then understood when the support car with Tour de Cure drove past (also waving). Having just finished being involved with the committee of Relay for Life at Jindabyne, I know the work that goes into staging such an event - both physically and emotionally. I also know that it's just not  about fund-raising, but awareness and support. Waiting at the roundabout was quite a poignant moment for me as I was awaiting my own results which would probably arrive whilst I was at work that afternoon (I work at the Doctor's surgery so get this information regularly - however not normally my own). Having this team of friendly cyclists whizz past with a goal of fighting cancer was inspiring. When I collected my son after work he was so excited about the Tour deCure. Two of the riders talked to him at school and he told one all about his new mountain bike and how he was in the mountain biking club. He also had a bag of goodies - which included a book . We started reading it this morning whilst he was telling me one day he would like to be in the Tour de Cure. It's amazing how timely that book is - tonight we will tell him that I have breast cancer. Luckily it was picked up early due to high risk MRI screening. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for you efforts,  for talking to an eight year old boy and giving him a book that has more relevance than you realised, for waving at the stopped traffic, and for working so hard for this worthy cause".

It's the simple things in life that often have the biggest impact. A simple smile, a simple wave, a simple conversation with a child simply taking interest in someone else's world or simply going out of your way to do something for someone else. Da Vinci once said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" and this email shows that the simplest things can start a ripple effect that can have a massive impact for others. 

Your Special Meal...Anything But Special

We have all had experiences with airline food! We have also been to supermarkets and had free samples shoved in front of us. But here is one that we found to be a quirky innovation. The Air France Food Truck toured Manhattan in New York for five days during March with menus created by Michelin Star chef Joel Robuchon . Each day they would announce where they would be located via Facebook and twitter and invite you down to the food truck to experience free breakfast, lunch, dinners and desserts with gourmet meals such as grilled beef fillet with wine truffle sauce and potatoes au gratin. Whilst you are there you could also win Air France tickets to Paris and you are also invited to donate cash to City Harvest to feed the hungry and less fortunate in New York. It's a really interesting promotional concept to promote an airline. The Espresso believes that the airlines are starting to promote more and more the experience of flying rather than just competing on price which goes to prove why Qantas are spending so much money on their Qantas Clubs for business travellers. It's less about traditional TV, radio and press advertising and more about the experiential stuff that obviously to their mind makes a difference for travellers. 

Kid Mania

I think it's fair to say that The Espresso is sitting on the fence with this one. It's an innovative idea but have they taken it too far. Kidzania is a multinational chain of family entertainment centres where kids learn while they play, trying out different professions that they may choose to pursue when they are older. Kids can dress up as surgeons, detectives, journalists, media, people or even sports people. The venue then hosts events and mock scenarios that allow the kids to live out their dreams as a grown up....only as a kid. They even get an actual ATM card to withdraw currency that they can exchange for burgers and so on. The children can work on an instruction crew and erect a tower and at the planned Kidzania in Santiago, Chile children can even pretend to be Chilean miners. Where did it go too far? Perhaps the children working in a mock factory or actually working for Coca-Cola or a restaurant that is branded with the famous golden arches or the dentist office which is sponsored by Crest. It's said they love the experience and why wouldn't they? Apparently it's going to move to the US soon so expect to see and hear more about this from corporates who are jumping on the band wagon and parents who are concerned about the future brainwashing of their children. As I said, The Espresso sits on the fence. 

The Shirt Off My Back

Although The Espresso hasn't yet been to this retail store, we are certainly intrigued. Shirtbar is a new category in mens shirts and now open is Sydney. The difference is Shirtbar has sourced the finest dark spirits from all over the world. Be it a single malt from Japan or an aged rum from Guatemala, they serve it while you are shopping for a new shirt. There are seventeen whiskeys, twelve of which are single malts. More importantly, they have also sourced what they believe is a brilliant brew where after a lot of soul searching and a life long love for coffee, they will also serve you a FAT coffee whilst you are shopping for a shirt. We like the idea because judging by the website and photos of the store they have taken the experience of buying shirts to a new level. The introduction to their website had us at hello. At Shirtbar it's all about the things we love so come and share in our passion of all things shirts, coffee and drinks. Definitely on our shopping list.