Cartoon: advanced social network [via barb]
apple tv: Brewster’s Millions
Brewster’s Millions (1985)
It’s a risk watching a movie that you only remember from childhood. Will it have aged well, or will you be left wishing you’d left it a memory. Happily, the premise underlying this film (Richard Pryor has 30 days to spend $30 million and have no assets left, so he can inherit $300 million, but he can’t tell anyone what he’s doing or why) remains compelling.
More a comedy of situations than one-liners, it’s a fun ride, and a flash-back to the 1980’s. And don’t forget the chance to watch John Candy one more time.
Blue Chook, Hurlstone Park
Espresso Botero Coffee. 13/27-31 Crinan St, Hurlstone Park. I’ve never spent much time in this suburb, but had this place recommended to me and thought I’d check it out with the family. There’s not much to see from the street – a couple of sets of tables and small stools next door to a park and playground, but follow the ramp up to the indoor part of the cafe and you find a comfortable, homey space.
Avocado smash, with Cackleberry relish, $9. The food is really good. At first glimpse, the portions seem small, but there’s a great balance of flavours, and it’s a really pleasant dish.
Milkshakes ($5) are probably the most fun thing on the menu. Served in a jar, with a straw attached via rubber band, you shake them yourself. And they taste great.
Lots of attention to detail goes into the coffee: you can see the care that goes into it. Served a little hot for my taste, it’s nonetheless a great complexity. The espresso is a good one: not overwhelmed with acidity.
Worth checking out.
How to do (good) coffee at church
Nathan brings his usual thoroughness to the topic of how to do (good) coffee at church.
funeral reflections
I found myself at a funeral this week for the mother of a friend. My attendance was more about supporting and encouraging the friend – I hadn’t actually met his mother, and so it was a different experience to most of the others I’ve attended.
Instead of the photos summoning up memories of shared experiences, it was an attempt to understand the life that had been lived. What, I was forced to reflect, would my life look like when reduced to a series of photos? What extra photos do I want to create with any years I have left? What will be included in any eulogies I may have to write in the coming years?
planning for a new year
Instead of resolutions this year I have a rough list of accomplishments that I’m trying to work towards. If I can’t get them all done, that’s fine. If I set out to do something once a month, but can only manage it 8 or 10 times, I can live with that. My main aim is to have some kind of “next action” ready to go for each of the many projects I’m hoping to make progress on.
There’s are a few interesting projects I’m thinking of, the main one that has to get done is a big essay for my M. Div. I’m hoping to turn that into an ebook as well, and put together another ebook on managing communication overload (email overload especially). There’s a podcast I’ve been hoping to put together for several years. This could be the year for it.
Data scientists replacing community managers?
I was watching an end-of-year social media trend video today, and one line stood out for me amidst the usual information.
The job of “community manager” – someone who looks after a social media community and steers the conversation, keeps the tone on track, and encourages civility in general is apparently on the decline.
In its stead will emerge the data scientists, who will analyse what is being said en masse and provide better value to the business.
Part of this feels true / inevitable, as a community manager’s role will involve more data analysis and reporting. The other aspect, though, is a step away from social. Untended communities will tend to become places where topics of discussion wander: it’s not enough to treat an online community as a source of data – someone needs to be there looking after it as a place where humans are trying to have conversations.
DVD: The Invention of Lying
The Invention of Lying
Confronted by the sight of his beloved mother fearing her impending death, he invents a theistic (but not quite Christian) religion, explaining that the (invisible) talking man in the sky will give everyone a mansion when they die. It’s a good insight into the way Gervais understands the place of religion in modern culture.
There’s some sexual content in the film (dialogue only, but I wouldn’t show the film to a younger audience) but at its heart, it’s the same kind of romantic story arc that made something like The Office Christmas Special an enjoyable watch. Consistently funny, and helpful in the insights it provides to Gervais’ thinking.
blackboard, verity lakes (qld)
Blackboard coffee. 7/240 Varsity Pde, Varsity Lakes. Close to the Gold Coast campus of Bond University is this slice of coffee-making expertise.A fairly hip crowd (to say nothing of the staff) nonetheless make way for families with strollers, professors, and everyone in between.
There’s no decaf on offer, so it’s a chance for me to try an aeropress single origin. They certainly know what they’re doing with their coffee preparation. Glad to have visited.
No Decaf.
Official site – www.blackboardcoffee.com.au
canteen, burleigh heads qld
Deluxe Boutique Coffee Roasters Coffee. 23 Park Ave, Burleigh Heads. In a lane way between two streets, this place is bursting with personality. From the moment you approach and see the old cinema seating sitting outside, or the attention to detail on the fit-out, you know you’re in for a treat here.
The work behind the machine is of a high quality. The cafe’s logo, taken from the style of light bulb in use in the interior lights appears on the staff aprons.
There’s plenty of coffee-related reading to be had, and equipment on sale for making coffee at home.
Coffee is excellent. Their Mexican decaf is one of the top three decafs I’ve ever had, and their single origin coffees come with tasting notes – this is an essential one to visit if you’re looking to determine the best coffee on the Gold Coast.
Official site – canteencoffee.com.au