We hopped on the train last weekend and headed for Aberdour, one of the best beaches near Edinburgh.
Everyone else in Scotland and soon joined us at the beach for what was probably the best weather we’ll have all year. Most of them also piled into the queue for ice cream, neglected to apply sufficient sunscreen, and sported some sort of fake tan.
Here’s a few shots from the trip.
My fellow adventurers: Phil, Steve and Craig.
Packing it to the beach.
At work, we’re running a competition over the summer to try to keep students thinking about entrepreneurship and next year’s business plan competitions. It’s called Business Shorts, and we’re asking students to post a one minute video describing a business idea.
Of course, that meant we had to produce our own promo video. I did the shoot yesterday using the Flip, edited in iMovie, and then had the final version up on YouTube within an hour. I am so impressed with that little Flip camera. Here’s the results:
I took my last exam yesterday. I am ecstatic. It’s been a six-year haul through two universities, two countries and two degrees, but you’re now looking at a soon-to-be Master of Physics.
I have a lot of people to thank, so watch for a graduation announcement in the mail!
I was struck by a terrible, guilt-inspiring thought today.
There are three companies I’ve come to know and like recently. They are Girl Meets Dress (rent terrifically expensive dresses for cheap!), Spotify (free music, duh), and Graze (healthy snacks delivered to you weekly).
These companies are great. They are tuned into their customers. They offer tangible value, an interesting product, and they’re cheap. In other words, they’re all selling something I think I want, and I think their prices are reasonable. And yet, I’m not willing to pay for a single one of their services.
What are great, innovative companies like these supposed to do if customers aren’t willing to pay for them, regardless of how good their product or service? And why won’t I shell out?
I feel definite guilt about the fact that in this case, I don’t seem to be able to put my money where my mouth is. At the same time, all three of these companies are selling something non-essential. In thin economic times, perhaps it’s no bad thing that I’m not swayed by their attractive, if optional, propositions.
Looking at the bookshelf reminds me that I have an ever-increasing backlog of summer reading. The titles currently on my list:
1. Occupied City. A semi-historical account of a mass-poisoning in Tokyo following the end of WWII. The author also wrote The Damned United.
2. What the Dog Saw. Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book. We saw him speak in Edinburgh last week. It was fabulous. And now that I have a signed and dedicated copy, I definitely have to read it!
3. Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea. All things North Korean are fascinating, and this book was recently acclaimed in the New York Times.
4. American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer This book is too big, but I’m determined to read it if only because “Hoppenheimer” would be a great name for a rabbit.
Finally, for lazy summer days at the beach, I’d better find at least one chirpy novel to add to the list too. Who’s got one?
