is... a buy and hold investor of dividend US and Canadian stocks
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
This whole topic of nationality is really off-topic. I am sorry I started it. Just trying to be neighborly.. it has been interesting though.
I should not have put that in quotes.. lol. The job market is healthy here right now. Historically, the US job market has been healthier. But the tables have turned..
There is an image of an "ugly American" around the world... and Canadians are supposed to be much more welcome anywhere you go. I have not been a big traveler.. would not know.
It is relatively new for us to be losing people like that. The US has been through Vietnam.. lots of stuff.
We don't have as strong a sense of nationhood as the US (maybe) simply because we have never openly revolted against our rulers (the British) and won. Until as recently as 30 years ago we still had to have our every law approved by another country. Our political system is based on British parliament, as are many our our customs.
All I know is that I see far more American flags in the US than I see Canadian flags in Canada.
I don't think anyone questions our valor because we have come through big when we had to, but we certainly have been a peace-loving and peacekeeping nation. We are not one to step up for a cause. Frankly, I am amazed that we have young soldiers dying for us in Afganistan. First time in 50 years.
The only time I can remember when we showed fervent nationalism or really stepped up on the world stage was in '72, the Summit Series.
so that is what those little burgers are. I had those in Detroit. I just thought they were really good little burgers.
Interesting statement. I won't comment. All I meant was that the US makes an effort to take someone from somewhere else and have them conform to certain expectations of being American. Citizenship means more to the US. The Canadian approach is more of a melting pot. People are allowed to carry more of their heritage with them.
I know what you mean about the Latin/Spanish influence. And lots of them are illegal. We have lots of tiny communities in Toronto that represent every culture there is... some not so tiny.
I passed through there last time. Interesting place. A car culture, but I was not there long enough to get a feel for it.
People who come to Canada kind of migrate to the big cities like Toronto. TO is a melting pot of cultures from all over the world. LA has the same flavour, except that everybody must become an "American". A different approach. But each city is progressive and transient. TO is the #2 or #3 place for shooting movies, kind of interesting. They call it "Hollywood North". NY is the other. Vancouver has a large Asian population. They would love to language translation.
Kindly tell us what you think of uWink when you go.
thanks for asking!! I get nothing but abuse usually from the contributing members of this board. Actually, you have revealed yourself as someone who speaks before they use the "Search" function, as there is a Joint Venture opportunity for a location in Canada. Don't worry about it, I am the same. Talk before i think about what I am saying all the time. Simply take a peek at the uWink web site or even on the ibox for details. I am not sure the status. It is late and there has been no news or updates, but there was a tentative deal for a Canadian uWink.
Speaking as a Canadian who has lived in LA for a time and worked in the US 3 times, I can make a few general statements. We as a people are less aggressive and not as progressive as our southern neighboors. I have enjoyed each time I have worked in the US. Americans are more patriotic than we are, and up until just recently have had a better standard of living Also I have found Americans to be more friendly on average. I don't know what it is but Canadians are cold and it is not just the weather.
Toronto (I assume that would be the location) and LA are very similar in terms of their makeup and culture. In terms of the progression of ideas and culture, LA is ahead of the curve. What is "on the edge" in LA would not be acceptable here. I listen to perhaps the most progressive radio station in TO (Toronto) and when I compared it to the same station in LA I detected a subtle but clear difference. Just a little bit more out there.
Anyway, we have Chuck E Cheese. There was one close to my previous work. I don't know the other chains you mentioned, and I do not have kids, so I perhaps am not the best person to ask. There is nothing like uWink here, so there is nothing I can compare it to. Technology companies in Canada want to break into the US market. For them, that is "making it". Canadian market is viewed as chump change. Toronto is the most progressive Canadian city I can think of and seems like a logical place for uWink. I think it would work. We get lots of celebrities and international action here. Other place I can think of is Vancouver. Calgary is just too cold and too redneck.
What is a "slider"? Seems to be a food item.. we don't use that expression in Canada. We also don't care much for baseball.. which is where it may derive from. Also don't have "Coney Islands"
This was the subject of much debate some time ago. I am no a Marketing expert, but had a few thoughts. A "uWink" franchise would likely differ from other ones, because the whole idea of a franchise is that it is similar everywhere, thereby protecting brand identity. I would bet that there are potential customers of uWink technology that will not want the whole package. They may already have existing technology that is similar or does the job, yet they want gaming, for example. uWink would be forced to compromise on their vision. Such is the nature of technology is that it is difficult to keep it identical across applications.So how does uWink remain identifiable and retain the brand? An interesting question. These 3 stores support the notion that they are mere platforms for future sales of different types, of various components of the technology. So then what would future "uWink franchise" look like? What would be the minimum they have to buy to put uWink on the door? I don't really know.
Is the LA Times one of the main newspapers there? I am just wondering. Thinking that this article would rate alot more than the others we have seen. I really don't know.
first piece to use the word "Addictive",,, that i have seen.
That is the first article to put the emphasis on the gaming that I have seen. That is what I have always thought is the differentiator, not the food. Good article. And somehow I think the LA Times is a bit more authoritative than Caroline on Crack?
I felt that way until a while ago as well... but look at that selloff. The indicator that seems to be the most important is the Money Flow. It takes into account both volume and Price. It signalled that selloff way back... clearly. Can be clearly seen since Mid-May.
No posts today? I just felt like flapping my gums..
I tried to get into the site at work today and had a problem. And I notice that the daily chart is not up. Problem with the site?
It is finally up today. I had to sell some last week. Was pissed. But that is life. Had to do it. shucks... but only sold part of it.
Add to that the possibility that the recent selloff was tax-loss-selling-related. Do you have the 30-day Superficial Loss rule? If people were selling to realize a tax loss... they would be getting back in starting in about a week.
just a theory I was wondering about.
I like what I am reading about attendance. Half full, 2/3 full I think is great at this point in time. Remember the first one took 3 mo. to get going. Not sure why there was such speculation last time and not this time, must be the times.
I am not a wimp. I prefer direct injection via the nostrils. You seem to have a fascination with this. If you like, simply get some of that winddshield washer fluid tubing, you know the clear plastic stuff? A medical syringe... you know what to do.
I found a sensation that lasted for days, right at the back of my nose where the smell buds or whatever are. I can't taste wine now (you know the part where you put your nose in the glass and take a big draw), because there are no faint hints of blueberries or oak, etc, only a constant faint hint of petrol.
There was a bit of a buzz too, if I remember correctly. Certainly a departure from reality for those who really need it.
I have actually been to East Bumble____. I have pulled two vehicles out of California and driven them back across the US to Canada. The last one was a 78 Datsun 280Z I pulled out of the town of Hollister, which is an agricultural community in Silicon Valley. I laugh whenever I see those shirts with the "Hollister" brand with the surfboards etc. on them. Hollister is nowhere near the beach and is not a billboard California town.
Anyway on the way back I got into the MidWest. The prairies. When you are driving a 25-year-old car that has sat around for awhile you get in the habit of popping open the hood once in a while to make sure everything is OK. Well, I did that in the middle of Nowhere and to my chagrin noticed that a fine stream of fuel was streaming from a fuel line, right onto my alternator wiring. Not a safe situation. starting the car.. electricity... sparks.. fire. These old cars used alot of rubber line, which leaks after.. 20 years? After considering my options for about 10 minutes, I said screw it and drove for the nearest town.
Took the first exit, drive for about 10 minutes, and there it was, East Bumble____. Had I gone the other direction I swear I would have found West Bumble____. 1 gas station. No services. No restaurants. A bunch of houses. No Pep Boys. No stores where I could buy some hose. A watering hole. And everything was ... antiquated. I walked into the watering hole and asked if there was a mechanic around. They said .. "go see Jim __". I did. It was a guy taking apart an engine in his garage. I asked for a piece of 5/16 line, High Pressure (Fuel Injection). He promptly gave me a piece of 1/4" regular low-pressure line.
I rammed it onto the end of the metal gas line and drove the car all the way back to Canada.
That was my introduction to the twin towns of East and West Bumble___.. somewhere in the American Midwest.
I don't foresee a uWink franchise working out in that location.
You are probably right. I should make the trip.. that is the only way to get a sense of the place. If it hits 2.50 I am in.
I got lots of Aeroplan miles. stay at a Best Western on my Air miles. Only problem is.. that Best Western would probably command at least 1500 Air miles. That is alot of gas at Shell!
thanks man, I want success as much as anybody.
You will have to help me out here. I just type "uwink" into Expedia.com and "No Results Found" came up.
I have posted before that I don't have a real deep knowledge of uWink, especially their technology. But, I don't think that is necessary to post an opinion on an Internet discussion board. I do have a pretty good software background, and thus far have had a pretty good sense of timing. It is a personality type thing. I am an INTP (Myers-Briggs).
You have alot of faith, do you know that? When you look at this chart, doesn't a bit of healthy skepticism make some sense?
I have said before that people who are long in uWink have alot of courage. I know other stocks now that are similarly down that are making money... where the current valuation makes no sense, how does uWink compare to that?
As for financial availability... yes. I spent some time working in LA and know it well. Spent some time living in Venice. Always wanted to go to Universal Studios. Walked Rodeo Drive. Drove on Sepulvida... walked the pier at Santa Monica. Ran on the beach. Nice place, except for the smog. in the whole scheme of things not sure if a visit is worthwhile, but yes if uWink does really well would love to go for a visit to check it out.
I have an email from Nolan... would let him know I am in town and see what happens. Only exchanged emails with him once.
yes I own shares and yes I have never been to a uWink. Yes I have considered going to a uWink for a lark. After all, I did do well first time out, so I figure I owe them and myself a visit. This time not so well. I am in it like everyone else. As has been pointed out, maybe not as much financially as the rest of you. To me, that means that I cannot afford losses and averaging down. Means i have to be better.
Yes I enjoy flapping my gums here to some extent. Here for intelligent conversation I might not otherwise have, not to get annoyed or to annoy others.
Thanks. Cheers!
Further to this... another poster said that if someone wanted to buy uWink for 10MM or 20MM or whatever number, the answer would be NO.. etc.. well, I am not sure how the mechanics would work here, but it is not up to uWink of investors want to sell. It is not Privately held.
If someone offered you 1.60 right now for your shares what would you do?
and think about the natural synergy between an established player and this company. basically, duplicating the restaurant Revenue/ CGS 10 times and getting rid of most of the SG&A expenses..
just throwing it out there.
Some time back Raw posted that he overheard talk of big licensing deals at the Grand Opening party. I was thinking that the most likely thing that could happen, and what was being talked about, is some kind of deal with a major chain to adopt some component of uWink's technology, either the gaming, or the order entry, or something.... If I were uWink i would try that as a channel. Not really "franchising" but software companies tend to want to try to sell to the bigger companies. They think it is easier.. often it is more complicated. Any thought on chains that might be interested, that would result in a really interesting application?
In actual fact, unless uWink is a roaring success and franchises right away, it is a ripe takeover target. If there is any value in their technology at all, a big player could probably leverage it quite well as a part of a bigger entity. Duplicating the model would be no problem for a company that can borrow, something uWink can't do. I know not what the purists want, but reality. uWink's cash in the bank and no debt makes them an attractive takeover target by a bigger player. Combine that with an established player with a strong balance sheet, the ability to borrow and leverage... build the uWink components into part of a really strong package.. reduce costs, synergies, any thoughts?
This would likely result in a profit for shareholders, depending on at what price they bought in at.. not the dream, but one possible outcome. Not relevant until both of these restaurants are up and running and we are in some kind of steady state.
ST?
This family/kids thing seems to be a strong element. Not sure if kids are what they intended... nice though.
Interesting how they compare them to ATMs about 3 or 4 time. "just like an ATM". the similarities are quite striking.
- Banks like ATMS because they reduce their costs
- (Most) people like ATMS because they are fast
- Some people don't like them because they favor the interpersonal approach to banking
There were someposts awhile back about some people not liking the technology a nd acomparison to people not liking ATMs. Very interesting. Where would we be without ATMs? They seemed "weird" at first. Took some getting used to.
uWink had better sort out their technical problems, then it won't be fast and easy. Nothing more annoying than a slow "fast food" joint.
It is a mixed bag, and none of it really means anything, because we live in world where anybody can post an opinion on anything. You must consider the source when reading these things. I am alternating between extremes in my view of uWink based on this. The comments about the games as being lame really concern me. The technical glitches don't. Every internet cafe has glitches, yet they thrive. I think we have just had a good old-fashioned sell off because alot of people were expecting this thing to jump (sorry Sad Bull that is just what appears to be the case). I am somewhat chagrined at breaking my own rules in pursuing this. but I did it in a very calculated, thought-out way.. knew exactly what i was doing..
however, if the first restaurant was successful these next two likely will, even if there are some unsatisfied customers. Unsatisfied customers are whiners who are more apt to write these things. Atmosphere means alot.. even if it is silly. What is the most popular burger joint.. is it not Licks? ridiculous..
Alot of the art of making money is understanding how it is spent. I am not the type to go to bars and eat out alot, somewhat because I have more serious uses for my money. But, when I was in University.. or College, I thought nothing of going out and blowing money in bars... and this is the kind of person that is writing these reviews in alot of cases.. ever think about how much money is being spent in a bar by a crowd of rowdy students?
Anyway, I may not fully understand what I am involved in here. Hope MV works out well and restores the stock price.. I think it will work great. I will probably have an itchy Sell finger. Hard to believe the history of this and look at the chart today.
thanks, but that is unofficial. I would guess from this, end of August, early September.
do you know the MV location is opening on Aug 15? How do you know that?
"diffusion of innovations"? that is a new one on me. No, this was a model put forward by one of those guys like Porter that likes to rephrase old and obvious ideas in new ways using new words and then charge big bucks to sell and print them. Usually they refer to them as "frameworks" or "paradigms". Sometimes they invent new words to describe their words. I think it is fairly obvious most of the time.. anyway, it was Porter or somebody like that. One of those "strategy" guys.
What about this, College Marketing guy... do they still teach the "Awareness, Trial, Adoption" model in college? At uWink you get 1 fre hour of gaming if you order food. I maintain that the food is just to get people into the door. The ambience (media) keeps them there. That, plus the games, is what makes them want to come back.
Awareness = get them in the door anyhow.
Trial = put them in front of a screen. They can't help but fiddle.
Adoption = they walk away after the first hour once. Maybe ttwice. Possible 3 times... then they decide it is wroth spending money on. Pretty soon they are budgeting for it.
Agree?
That is actually a very interesting idea, but something about it does not land right. Like, I know what you would be trying to do with that, just does not seem like the right forum. I just do not know what is.
You suspect Nancy Nino is reading these posts?
Thanks for the input, Collage Marketing Guy. I have done that college (they call it University in Canada) thing. It is interesting to apply it to uWink, but that is just a text book speaking. I have never been successful in a pure Marketing job. Too much time spent programming. Lost my creativity and free thinking.
What is different IMO about technology is that every customer wants something different. I used to think that once I had seen a common application like scheduling, I had seen it all. In my professional travels, I have realized that there is tons of software behind the scenes for every imaginable application, most that the average guy, including college guys, know nothing about. The vendors make it all look Product, simple, and user-friendly to the outside world, but reality is different and hard to manage. You can't just treat uWink like a McDonalds no matter how hard you try. There will be customers that do not want certain things... hence it will be interesting how it turns out. I suspect it will roll out in different flavors everywhere, but something must be common to create a uWink brand.
then again maybe I am full of it.