Nastalgia: Operation Matching iPods

I had an idea a while back to sell hot chocolate to people standing in line at Best Buy the morning of Black Friday.

Two years ago Lisa and I did it. It was called "Operation Matching iPods".

We planned it out perfectly. We would wake up at 2 am, boil 15 gallons of water, drive down to Best Buy and sell people hot chocolate.
It worked out that we would make enough money to buy His and Her iPods for Christmas.

Phase 1 - Preparation

We decided it would be a good idea to also sell those big Costco muffins to people. So we took a trip down to Costco earlier in the week and filled our cart with cups, napkins, bulk hot chocolate and about 150 muffins. We got a few looks.

We also borrowed a few 5 gallon water coolers to dispense the hot chocolate on the big day. Luckily we found a red cart that we could wheel the coolers on. It even had a bottom shelf to store the muffins. We had everything we needed.

Phase 2 - Pregame
















We were up at 2 am. There was an excitement in the air. We could feel our big moment approaching quickly. Soon we would unleash hot chocolate on the droves of people standing in line at Best Buy. We would be paying full price for our iPods with the money they gave us while they were standing in line for a great deal on their iPods - the irony.

It took about an hour to boil the chocolate and get everything into the car.

Phase 3 - Game Time

When we pulled up to Best Buy we were a little scared and full of self-doubt, but with 15 gallons of hot chocolate in the back seat there was no turning back.
At first we priced everything at $2 a piece. By the time we got to the end of the line we probably only sold 20 cups and 5 muffins. It wasn't going good.

Plan B

We decided to regroup. We went to another Best Buy and priced everything at a $1. Now the hot chocolate was flowing.

We got alot of feedback from people standing in line. People commented on how "entrepreneurial" we were. When we replied with, "Thanks. Do you want to buy some hot cocoa?", they promptly said, "No" (thanks for the support - jerks). People also told us we should have sold coffee. One guy said we should have sold alcoholic coffee.

It was nearing 5:00 am and the stores were about to open. We were trying to get rid of everything. It was now a muffin and cocoa for $1. The very second the doors opened it was all over.

The Aftermath

68 cents profit. That was our take after everything was said and done. Our downfall was the muffins. Hardly anyone bought muffins. If you think about it, it's kind of hard to eat a huge muffin while standing with your hands full. We should have conducted some user research. We had over 100 muffins left over and no iPods.

Would we do it again?

I would. Lisa wouldn't. She can tell you why.

Mine Mine Mine MINE!

Hannah used to have a 30+ word vocabulary.
Now it's down to 1 word.

Mine!

She's like the seagulls on Finding Nemo who constantly say "Mine."










She says it over and over and over again. It all started last week. We don't know where it came from. But it's a storm that has settled over our house and it's trying to drown us.

When she wants a drink, she says "Mine."
When she wants up or down, she says "Mine."

When I ask her if she wants to go outside, she says "Mine."

She even just says it to herself for no reason.

Sometimes it's funny, but most times it's not.


Mine Mine MINE! from Cute Allens on Vimeo.

It's hard to tell from the video, but Hannah is more sweet than sour.

Swedish Rootbeer

Every year at Christmas time in Sweden they sell this soda pop called Julmust. It's only sold during Christmas time so for only two months you can buy Julmust in the store.

Here are some interesting facts about Julmust from a trusted source:

• Julmust was created in 1910 as a non-acoholic alternative to beer
• 45 million litres of Julmust are consumed during December (to be compared with roughly 9 million Swedes, you do the math)
• The consumption of Coca-Cola drops by as much as 50% over Christmas.
• There is also påskmust (påsk "Easter") and Sommarmust (sommar, "summer")

Julmust has a very unique flavor. It's kind of rooty/earthy and carries a bite. It's definately an aquired taste, but when you aquire it you become addicted. (Maybe Lisa will weigh in on this)

They sell Julmust at Ikea during this time of year. I tried to get some last year but they were sold out. I was fortunate to snag half a case a couple of weeks ago. That first taste of Julmust in over two years, in the Ikea parking lot was amazing.

Midnight War Zone.

During the night, I get up for a drink of water, restroom, or to eat.

I know my house pretty well and can do these things in the dark.

But, there are landmines on the floor that add an element of fear to my midnight activities.
















When you step on one of those things, it hurts!

Before I go to bed, I take a quick glance around and try to remember where all the dangers lay. But still I've tripped into the wall or to the floor a few times.

I should just pick up the toys each night, but I'll just take my chances.

Are you as lazy as I am?

Picture Of The Month

Halloween 2008