Those who know me know that have little than less regard for the whole ‘made in China’ thing. Put simply. while I understand why Western companies go to the East to make stuff, I have little to no respect for the Chinese value system when it comes to business, IP and all that. Ya know, if you don’t have the ability to do it yourself, either go and learn or stop trying to do it.

Cases in point

One (from the Japan Times via Core77.com)

Two (onCore77.com)

While it might be amusing, it’s costing the West and more importantly impacting jobs all over the place.

I’ll be the first to admit that the whole single speed bike thing escapes me. 1×9, ok but I lasted one lap of the park before I decided one gear is just not for me.

Yet, Alta bikes out of Norway could almost change that. A nice site, a simply glorious singlespeed bike and an advertising approach that I have to say is the strangest, funniest, yet most to the point I have seen anywhere. Check it out for yourself. The whole package is almost enough to make me plonk the money down…

www.altabikes.no

If you don’t know, Sydney Water will give you some cash back if you buy a fandagled water saving washing machine. As we needed a new machine, we bought one of those front loader washer/dryer things that coincidentally comply with this scheme. Woohoo!

So, I do as Sydney Water says, fill out the paper work and include an invoice of purchase - the one that was given to me by the shop… in my name, with my address on the top. And off it goes.

Well, weeks later I get a letter from Sydney Water but instead of a lovely cheque for a hundred bucks or whatever, I get a letter saying no money for you…. we want the original invoice. Excuse me? That’s what I gave you. It’s even scribbled on by the shop. WTF?

I have no idea how much more original they want, maybe the non existent carbon paper would do? Bit hard considering everything comes out of a laser printer these days.

The saying goes ‘Beware of Greeks baring gifts’ (all that Trojan Horse stuff ya know). Maybe it should read, beware of government bodies offering to give you money….. you know it’s a crock.

I think we’ve all known it for some time (hey I voted for the guy in the past), but it seems our illustrious PM is really off his rocker this time.

Did he really say “What’s good for China is good for the world?”. Really?

Good grief!

What a knob….