STAR(bucks) Wars Episode V: The "M"pire Strikes Back

あなたはSですか?それともMですか? (S or M, which one do you prefer?)
Well, don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about sadism and masochism but about Starbucks Coffee and McDonald's Premium Roast Coffee!!

Lately I stop by McDonald's a couple of times (or more) a week. As in some consumer reports, Premium Roast Coffee is not that bad at all. I can get a cup of coffee as cheap as 100 Japanese yen, but at Starbucks it costs 280. McDonald's has renovated its stores with an outlet for laptop. I don't have one, though...

Get a different perspective

I haven't completely converted to McDonald's. Not yet. For now I rather spend my time at Starbucks (or Tully's) in the morning and at McDonald's in the afternoon. I'm not a Jedi, you know. Given the figures that Starbucks has only 750 stores in Japan (as of March 2008) and McDonald's 3,746 (as of Dec 2007). Obviously, Starbucks needs to open more coffee stores to compete. But, as a frequent user, I want more seats!!

May Force be with you. Good Luck, Howie.

By the way, it was surprising to find out that Starbucks has 15,756 stores worldwide and 11,168 stores, accounting for 70% of the total (as of 1Q in 2008) in the US while McDonald's 31,377 and 13,862 respectively (as of FYE 2007).

Win-Win Relationship?!

a sort of...

"Win" series cell phones from au by KDDI, a Japanese operator: W62S and W53CA.

Although KDDI lost its momentum now, We've got family discounts and free phone calls.

Let It Out

A small, portable set of Kleenex is distributed for free in Japan. It's neither that Japan is a "communist" country nor that some goodwill NPOs are distributing those sets for many Japanese with pollen allergy, who desperately need Kleenex to blow their noses.

Once upon a time in Seoul, I was given one tissue set in a city bus. Without a word, a gentleman distributed a set to everybody in the bus. Without a doubt, I supposed it's free. Shortly, I jumped off at a next bus stop.

As walking and flipping the kleenex, I found the note on the back of the kleenex, stating "this Kleenex costs 100 Korean won. Thank you." Oops. I left the bus before he was collecting money, or tissues.


ちなみに韓国でティッシュ（トイレットペーパー）はトイレの水に流せません。
この話も水に流せないのかな…。

ジェロ

Have you ever tried a new drink, Coffee Jelly Frappuccino, at Starbucks Japan?

Frappuccino series aren't my favorites, but this bitter coffee jelly is really good with whipped cream and frappuccino. It's the most expensive drink at Starbucks, though. (And senior people with false teeth should not try it 'cause it's hard to suck...) I wonder if Starbucks have any plan to sell jelly only.

So, now the only coffee-flavored menu Starbucks hasn't offered is ice cream?
I don't count Frappuccino as a substitute!! By the way, Tully's espresso ice cream is really good.

PS. Jello is jelly (ゼリー). It is neither Jenniffer Lopez (J LO) nor ジェロ, a new "enka" singer in Japan.

世界のスタバから (Starbucks Worldwide)

Beijing, China

I hope this year's Olympics Games won't be as bitter as an espresso shot. Good Luck!!

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
A barista filled today's coffee with so many sweet memories. Sweeter than hot chocolate with whipped cream.
"My Memory 모두 기억해요 그 순간

눈을 감으면 아주 작은 일도 보이네요..." (It wasn't winter, though)

Chicago, NY, or LA, USA (no photos, sorry)

I love America's Starbucks 'cause:
1. the stores have the variety of foods (esp. lemon pound cake and bagle are my favorites!! I wonder why they are not sold in Japan.)
2. easier to have a seat (I have neither to squeeze up nor to give up my precious Starbucks time)
3. New York Times for sale


Tokyo, Japan
Oops!! It's not Starbucks!!

Here we go.
I'll give up New York Times, but can you, Starbucks Japan, offer my favorite lemon pound cake, bagle and a lot more chairs (or preferably sofas)?

Seoul, S. Korea (no photo again)
Well, as I previously mentioned, I would rather go to Dunkin' Doughnuts in Korea!!

This post is inspired by 世界の車窓から.

"More than Words" (by Extreme)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

As in the films below, a lawyer might be just a liar. Or for paying his mortgage, a lobbyist speaks for cigarettes even though everybody's criticizing him for harming public health. Yet, for those who believe in the power of words, words become weapons. 여러분, 말조심하세요!

"Liar Liar" (1997)
Since it's a bit old movie, I don't remember why I burst into laughter so many times. Is that what Jim Carrey said or how he acted as usual?

"Thank You for Smoking" (2005)
A brilliant, satirical movie. It's not just about smoking. The film shows how society (incl. industry, lobbyist, media and politician) works, and a simple truth that everybody has to pay one's mortgage (or a rent).

"The Great Debaters" (2007)
With the film directed and cast lead by Denzel Wahington, and based on a true story, your tear dropping is 100% guaranteed.

The movies are about words, argument, negotiation, persuasion, debate and more: family. And I have to admit that I love these kinds of movies!!

"Welcome to the Jungle" (by Guns n' Roses)

When you prounouce Orangutan and Wu-Tang Clan, a legendary hip-hop group, don't you think they sound very similar?

"Say My Name" (by Destiny's Child)

ça va, Sabah?

For all the workaholics,

Take a deep breath,

and feel a breeze.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

a beautiful sunset beach

Teri makasih, Kota Kinabalu!!

Had good "roast" (i.e., sun-tanned).

"Go Go Gadget" (by Gnarls Barkley)

I finally got a passport - a "Global Passport" which enables us to use our cell phones not merely in Japan but overseas. Au, one of Japanese operators, finally released one, months behind the release of 905i series by its predominant competitor, NTT Docomo.

Now ready to takeoff

@Narita

So far I've found three problems with Sony Ericsson's W61S, the only "global passport" model for au:
1. no mobile TV is available
2. no FM radio is available
3. this global roaming service won't cover S. Korea but 180 countries (or regions).