Seems even the BBC have taken note of Starbucks failing in Australia. Reading their article though, it seems to just say that Australians are too cool and sophisticated for Starbucks. I'm sure there are plenty of people in thriving Starbucks cities like London might disagree..

It seems that Starbucks are closing a whole load of branches in Australia, reducing from 60 something to 20 something and shutting a couple of the branches I went to. Not really sure why, as cafes always seem to be full here and most chains (Starbucks in particular) usually seem to have really small locations, making it tough to find a seat a lot of the time. There're not many cafes in Sydney city centre that you can just relax for a couple of hours as they're almost always really busy and small. And especially in the city, hardly any of them open past 6pm. Just like Dublin. link link

I got it into my head that I wanted a new gadget. Seeing as my phone's crap, I've no computer, and well..I'm bored. The PSP still sounds good and has that "oohh, ahhh" factor thing, but I don't think I'd be arsed playing the games. And I know if I took it out on the train I'd just be asking for some scanger to come and borrow it permenantly. It would also be swish to use the internet and upload photos from my camera, so I've kinda come down on getting one of those PDA type things. So what are the chances that I can find a shop in the city centre the sells them, yet alone has one that I could turn on and fiddle with? - slim to none as it turns out. Theres absolutely nowhere you can pick one up and turn on..man I miss Yodobashi camera. And just when I was feeling cheery, I saw this in town at the weekend.. And also, as I was bored out of my skull and wandering around Irelands latest could-be-anywhere-in-the-world shopping centre, I happend across the country's first...wait for it.. Starbucks!. I for one welcome our new coffee overloads.. Found this story off FARK. The next Japanese astronaut (J-naut?), and former top brass in Livedoor (one of Japan's more famous/only internet companies), wants to go into space dressed as a character from Gundam. Lovely jubbly