JUST MY OPINION

Monday, September 15, 2014

JUST MY OPINION: BACK TO A LIFE TIME AGO - but with a REMARKABLE fi...

JUST MY OPINION: BACK TO A LIFE TIME AGO - but with a REMARKABLE fi...: I recently moved back into the neighborhood where I pretty much grew up. I went to junior, intermediate and high school in this district...

Saturday, September 13, 2014

BACK TO A LIFE TIME AGO - but with a REMARKABLE find...

I recently moved back into the neighborhood where I pretty much grew up. I went to junior, intermediate and high school in this district. I had my first crush, my first curfew, my first part time job, my first kiss, my first .... well there were a lot of firsts here. It was also where the biggest part of my singing background, where heavy activity during these particular years, took place. My family was unique not only because we were on television regularly, (which held few fond memories for me), but my Mother, in addition to being a music teacher, also ran a Saturday night dance for teenagers. Now you might think this would be mortifying, but as it turned out - my Mom was actually cooler than I ever could be. The kids loved the dance, and they loved her. But all of that is another story.

Settling in, I have been trying to find a decent convenience store and a good take out/delivery food spot. It is astounding to me that every corner store, which I was quite looking forward to being able to frequent, seem to be run by the same policy. Stock nothing, try to make it look like you are stocking everything and generally convey that you really don't give a shit. This formula persists amongst several - strike that - ALL of the variety stores in my proximity. How they stay in business is a complete enigma to me. They have a remarkable skill for lining up in a single row, one of a number of products on their shelves. One box of Cheerio's, one pack of Bounce, one packet of tea, one roll of tin foil, etc.. And, milk - milk, don't even get me started on milk. The one thing that I would have expected these stores to not only have plenty of, but to have reasonable expiry dates on a regular basis, is no where to be found. And when they do have it in, it is very costly, as are the single product items. Stymied.

Thinking that I had made the worst mistake ever by moving back here; I was getting quite down about my walkable prospects - which isn't the end of the world as I love my ebike, but... A couple of days ago, out for a stroll, I find "The Oak Park Deli". It is a little hole in the wall corner bakery, deli and home cooked food - err, you name it spot. Everything from fresh, out of the oven sweet pastries, (muffins, eclairs, home made rice pudding, fresh tart cheesecakes, brownies and more); to home made hamburgers, Lasagna, Souvlaki - to full on breakfast, including eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, westerns, home fries - the works - and with "fresh fruits". Did I mention that they also make home made Pizza??? This place is a remarkable find! I've only tried a couple of items so far, - Lasagne and a perfect corn beef on rye, and they were delicious! I'd have tried more, but they are quite busy, and I am a little impatient. They will, however, make food to order for you if you give them a few hours notice. Otherwise, you have a huge selection of clearly fresh food.

It seems to be family run - and to be candid, "Deli" doesn't quite cut it. It is a fabulous fricken' little miracle food outlet. I believe it is a son and Mother team. Each time I have been in there they are both working in harmony on a number of freshly created meals. It is fascinating in that they do not seem to be in any kind of hurry. They are synchronized, efficient and expect the customer to realize that it is going to take as long as it takes. Everything is made on the spot. It is really an incredible little place. Personally, I have not seen a small "deli?" that carries such a wide variety where you can actually watch them prepare the dishes. I'm looking forward to catching them without a full house so that I can inquire as to their relationship and history.

So, may I highly recommend The Oak Park Deli! This one little find is making me feel a whole lot better about my decision to move back here. Very intense memories of these formative years. Enough to fill one entire lifetime.

I'm digging my new digs!

One further thing. They are so affordable, it makes it difficult to even think of cooking for myself. And I love to cook. It is worth the wait if you have the time, and I do plan to make the time.

If you visit it, I would love to know what you think? My best. Bonnie

Friday, January 31, 2014

JUST MY OPINION: THE BEE'S KNEES. HOW A COMPANY STANDS OUT!

JUST MY OPINION: THE BEE'S KNEES. HOW A COMPANY STANDS OUT!: BILLY BEE ROCKS Up until recently, I was not very active on Facebook. That is not to say I didn't visit it for five minutes a day to e...

Thursday, January 30, 2014

THE BEE'S KNEES. HOW A COMPANY STANDS OUT!

BILLY BEE ROCKS

Up until recently, I was not very active on Facebook. That is not to say I didn't visit it for five minutes a day to eavesdrop in on my friends and see what they were up to. (What was I missing and how much more fun are they having than me). Not that I am complaining, I have a wicked amount of fun in my head as well as on the occasions when I am social.

Presently, I am becoming more active on Facebook, as I have perhaps a deluded opinion that it might affect my Klout score; and perhaps a further misguided notion that one's Klout score means something. You see, after selling my product design business, I decided to take a well needed vacation. I have utilized this time to write a script. Script is finished. I am ready to re-enter the world of the working.

But I digress. This Blog is about Billy Bee Honey.

I love Billy Bee Honey. I use it daily. I use it in my home made tea/lemonade; as a substitute for most sugars, in baking, cooking and sometimes I can be caught just pouring it into a spoon and simply devouring it. In short, I am crazy about it and always have at least two full bottles on hand for emergencies.

Being a honey lover, I have tried several other brands. More expensive brands, but I always come back to Billy Bee. It is pure honey and just tastes better. I tend to buy their large bottle which costs almost $10.00, but with this one bottle, I break it down into four smaller Billy Bee bottles and add cooled down boiled water so that it will mix easily when I add to my glass of lemonade. I drink about 10 8oz. glasses of this a day. Remember, I always have at least two back up bottles for other usages.

While in my eavesdropping mode, I would see Billy Bee on Facebook. I could never resist adding a comment as I am truly a fan of this product. Billy Bee always responded. Some faceless, kind, often funny and always appreciative person at Billy Bee would comment on my comment.

Which brings me to the crux of this blog. About two weeks ago, Billy Bee contacted me via Facebook, and asked me for my address. I was surprised and pleased. I thought they might send me a coupon or two for Billy Bee Honey.

Au contraire. A box arrives at my house, and in it is two bottles of Billy Bee Honey, (my new two back ups), a very cute plush Billy Bee, and two Billy Bee pens. I was quite taken aback.

To me, that is good business. It was an anonymous gift. They didn't plaster it all over Facebook - heck, they didn't even mention it. I believe to my core that it deserves to be mentioned. Of course I responded on Facebook that I was extremely grateful; as much for the gesture as for the products. This kind of gesture requires sharing.

If I had one complaint, it would be that they might have been wise to mention it - but in fairness that could be a catch 22. Would this prompt everyone to comment on Billy Bee? The "fake" honey lovers, even the real honey lovers? I can honestly attest that I am a "pure" Billy Bee lover.
Would Billy Bee have to go out of business by sending everyone who said nice things about the product the same kind of box to me? I could not bear putting Billy Bee in jeopardy.

But, (and I know you are not supposed to start a sentence with but, but) I do believe there are many opportunities to capitalize promotionally and in retail.

For instance, when I get this cute plush Billy Bee doll, I decided to adapt it to an idea I had a couple of years ago when I was designing hundreds of products. I think it is a good idea, but then again, I think most of my ideas are good. Thankfully, I do listen when people laugh at some of them. I do heed advice.

In any event, my idea was to put the alphabet onto a plush bee for pre-school children. They would press a letter of the alphabet and the sound of that letter would come out of the "Spelling Bee". When I saw the plush Bee that Billy Bee sent me, I knew it would work. Moreover, you could fit a large bottle of the Billy Bee honey into the back of the plush toy.

Here is the Billy Bee Plush toy they sent to me.

Isn't it just the cutest thing?

And here is my suggestion on what to do with it either as a promotional item, or retail item - that I, of course, would love to implement:

This plush doll can be made not only to repeat the letters a toddler presses, but also form words. It could also be designed as a "Time Out" Billy Bee doll. Instead of the alphabet on the bee, a clock could be put on to it. Kids will sit in "time out" more easily when they have something to distract them.

Billy Bee, I want to thank you for inspiring me to write this blog and for your very kind gift box. I sure would love to head up your PR department. And, you guys should be on Twitter.

Your friend. Bonnie

ps: Will this be a monthly submission, like fruit of the month? (kidding of course) :)

Saturday, October 5, 2013

BAD BAD POWER NAP

NOT A TYPICAL BLOG POST I just awoke in a total sweat from a twenty minute power nap. Had to get this nightmare down before I forget it, though I cannot imagine forgetting it. Apparently, in my nightmare, I was in need of Tylenol, so at midnight I got on my electric scooter and drove 7 klms to the nearest 24 hour Shoppers Drug Mart. As I was leaving to get on my bike, a group of bikers - motorized bikers that is, pulled up and surrounded me. They had the words "The Dobermans" on their leather jackets. I remember having actually come face to face with a group of bikers called "The Dobermans" once in Florida, while in a fast food chain - and it was a scary situation then, but not nearly as horrifying as what was to come in my dream. I was scooped up, blindfolded, and heard a car or a van pull up. I was tossed into it. I realized it was a van. We drove for what seemed like forever, but was likely an hour and a half or so. I was asking questions in a voice so uncharacteristically weak due to complete terror. No one said a word, though I could hear breathing and smelled pot and liquor. Slight laughter was the only other sound I could discern. Upon arriving at the destination, I was ushered into a structure that was about 34 feet by 68 feet. It was like a kiosk I discovered once the blindfold was removed. Very brightly lit. There was a solid wall around the bottom half of the building and window on the upper half. I could see only darkness outside. I was shoved into a chair, central to the shorter wall. There were chairs all along each wall. In them were men. Some of them "Dobermen", and some were in business suits and some looked like hobos - all ages with a mixture of ethnicity. In the middle of the room was a tattered carpet that was about 12 feet by 8 feet in size. Twelve inch stakes were bored into the corners of this rectangular carpet. There were blood stains on the carpet. I was paralyzed with fear. All of the sudden the lights above each of the chairs the men were sitting in shut off, and the only thing lit up was the carpet and me. I heard, but did not see, a man say; "Now this is not going to be a pleasant experience for you my dear. Who's turn is it to undress the bitch". All of the sudden "Born to be Wild" was cranked up in the room so high it felt as though it was piercing my ears. As a man approached me - I woke. Time for a shower. Yikers. I attribute it to having recently watched a movie about human trafficking. Bad bad power nap.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

JUST MY OPINION: IF I WERE STILL DESIGNING PRODUCTS

JUST MY OPINION: IF I WERE STILL DESIGNING PRODUCTS: I'm pretty confident that there are few people who think the way I do about cars; as surely if they did, we wouldn't see so many cars that a...

IF I WERE STILL DESIGNING PRODUCTS

I'm pretty confident that there are few people who think the way I do about cars; as surely if they did, we wouldn't see so many cars that all look alike. I include in this group SUV'S. I've actually sat at Starbucks and watched cars pass, and the truth is there is very little difference between the small, mid and larger vehicles other than colour. And, even the colours are quite boring. Personally, I would like to see smaller versions of the cars of the 50's showing up in our world. At least they had character. When I watch old movies, I ask myself - where are those car designers?

But, alas, I am certain that the male market - which I personally believe cares more about cars, really don't give a hoot about the exteriors of cars as much as perhaps women do - or clearly I do.

So, let's say that cars will continue to come off the line, from all makers, with very slight modifications on the exterior. We know that some of the interiors now include GPS, mini monitors, heated seats, cooling seats, revolving seats, automated parking, etc. - BUT there is one thing that not one car manufacturer has mastered and it astounds me.

A decent garbage system. I'm pretty certain that I could design a mini garbage compactor for cars; but the truth is - why don't they just build them into cars? They would be environmentally friendly, and would solve an age old problem that has not been addressed with all of the useless gadgets that are on the market for this purpose.

I see it as a simple task. 1) Enlarge the glove compartment by 50% & hey - maybe even make it more of an organizer? Radical I know. 2) That compartment in between the two front seats that is merely a collector for junk - could become a garbage compactor. Violla! Out of site and practical.

Next post will be a rant on the iphone, and its ludicrous inability to be seen in the outdoors. I feel compelled to design a carrying case that would remove this problem by shielding the light so that you can work the damned things outside!

Would love your thoughts on a garbage compactor for cars. My best. Bonnie