Sally Bunny Talks

Most people think a wholesaler is “the” place to get all of the good deals and the cheapest products. This is not always true. Many times, products are not even sold through a wholesaler.
Some manufacturers sell their overstock, closeout, and liquidation items through wholesalers. Some wholesalers sell their items through outlets; others sell them on their own. Some wholesalers have exclusive divisions that deal only with a handful of people who prove themselves as reliable sources who can move inventory fast.

You should always try to first get your products from the top source. Don’t waste your time dealing with others who have marked up the product many times before it ever gets to you. Many companies have a set way to move their unsold inventory, so, sometimes, going to the top might not work as smoothly as you want.

Don’t get discouraged if these companies already have clients they sell it to. You can still get the product; it will just be a littler further down the line.

Here are five ways to help you find products for which you are looking:

1. Ask the manufacturers who you should speak with to purchase unsold inventory. They will normally guide you in the right direction. Be aware that sometimes finding the right contact can take a little arm twisting.

2. Find out what manufacturers currently do with their unsold inventory. Who do they sell it to if they don’t sell it themselves? If they won’t disclose this information or act like they don’t want to deal with you, find a different approach.

3. Find out whether they sell to the general public and what is required of you and your company to be able to buy their products. Some companies will sell only to established businesses with a credit rating. If that’s the case, don’t worry. It’s not terribly difficult to obtain a rating. If, however, you’re not currently set up as a business, you should complete the legal process and get credit by securing a charge card from a store, such as Office Depot. You can also get a business card from a number of credit card companies. American Express is fairly easy to deal with.

4. Next, find out which products they sell to the public. Most companies have some products they will not release as unsold inventory. They would rather try to resale it on their own.

5. Make sure you have all of your ducks in a row. Most, if not all, of the manufacturers I deal with don’t want to play games. They want to move their products and they want to move them fast. If you expect that they will drop ship to your customers and allow you to buy as you sell, don’t even bother calling. Everybody wants that, so why would they need you? They could move it that way through 4,000 drop shippers online. Just make sure you know what you want, be confident when you make that call, and have a goal that you want to accomplish. If you call and sound like you don’t know what you are doing, they will quickly shut you out.

My blog for the next few days will consist of my daily activities covering UFC 73 in Sacramento. So my loyal blog readers can feel close to the action…
Thursday started off with a trip to downtown Sacramento with Sportsnet cameraman Sean Colville to chat with Woodbridge, Ontario’s Mark Bocek at his hotel. I had talked to Mark on the phone but had never met him. Mark is a well spoken young man. He was a terrific interview even though he hadn’t done many before. I’m interested to see him fight on Saturday because he was so nice it’s hard to imagine him getting in that fight mode. I spoke with Keith Jardine regarding Bocek’s few weeks at Greg Jackson’s camp and he said Bocek’s a stud, great jiu jitsu, great takedowns, very good on the ground. Maybe we’ll have another Canadian in the mix at 155.

We then went to the media luncheon at the Arco Arena. Unlike other sporting events the athletes eat with the media. It caught me a little off guard when Tito Ortiz sat at our table. Don’t worry Tito fans, he didn’t have much on his plate and he said cutting weight won’t be a problem. I don’t think anyone took a leak in his corn flakes but he was cranky at the media conference. Actually thank goodness for him and Rashad. The other guys didn’t really sell the animosity angle. A few cuss words and solid stare downs between Ortiz and Evans solidified the fact these two actually do not like each other. Keep that in mind when they step in the octagon on Saturday.

We will be doing a story on Greg Jackson which will hopefully run on Friday night and possibly Saturday 6pm Connected shows. As fight fans know there are multiple big name fighters on every card that have been attending Jackson’s Martial Arts Academy in New Mexico. I was curious what the draw was. When I interviewed him I found out. He was such a nice guy. One of those guys that you feel better about yourself for some reason after talking to them. I would liken it to the same way Pinball Clemons makes everybody feel after they talk to him. Get this, Jackson doesn’t charge the pro fighters to train at his Academy. He could be cashing in big time but he’s not. Classy and very easy to respect someone like that. There will be a lot more including fighters comments on Jackson on the story that will air on Connected and that you’ll be able to access on Sportsnet.ca. I’ve also lined up an interview with Dana White for Friday and I’ll be asking him about the Montreal card. Log on tomorrow for another update.

Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London 30th June 2006

Looking forward to seeing Foreigner for the first time and although Lou Gramm has left after recovering from his brain tumor and finding religion, the reviews of ‘newboy’ Kelly Hansen (Hurricane) have been glowing. But first up Deborah Bonham and her band (who featured ex-Humble Pie man Jerry Shirley on drums). They played a
tight set of blues based rock and in Deborah Bonham they have a very powerful yet melodic vocalists. Sadly though this band are out if time in that had they been around in the early 70’s they would have been massive with their brand of music. Still very enjoyable and a band worth seeing live (Jerry Shirley on drums was a joy to watch).

Now Foreigner 2006 are a different beast than the last time they toured the UK in the 90’s. Gone is original vocalist Lou Gramm leaving guitarist Mick Jones as the sole original member. Joining him are long time Foreigner sidemen Jeff Jacobs (keys) and Tommy Sobel (guitars/flute/sax) with newboys Jason Bonham (Bonham/UFO/Virginia Wolf) on drums, Jeff Pilson (War & Peace/Dokken) on bass and Steve Tyler doppledanger Keyy Hansen (Hurricane) on vocals.

Were they any good? Just a bit & them some! Playing a very rocky set (mind you Foreigner were never a ballads band it was more the record company after hit singles) including ‘Cold As Ice’ (complete with spot on harmonies), ‘Headgames’, ‘Starider’, ‘Feels Like the First Time’, ‘Double Vision’, ‘Urgent’ and ‘Blue Morning Blue Day’. Yes we had a few slower moments like ‘Waiting For A Girl Like You’ and an acoustic run through ‘Say You Will’ which gave the song a whole new lease of life. The band clicked from the off and in Kelly Hansen they have a frontman who not only gives the songs justice but works the crowd well. Jason Bonham and Jeff Pilson fit together hand in glove and Pilson is like a jack-in-the-box bouncing all over the stage. These three new members have given the band a whole new lease of life and I for one hope they record new music.

The extended ‘Jukebox Hero’ was the only slight lull as the band slipped in Led Zep’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’. Encore time bought a nice surprise as original bassist Rick Price (since his Foreigner days he’s has toured with bad Comapny and is now in Kenny Jones’ new band) came on for the closing number ‘Hot Blooded’ and with his tan he nearly outshone that of the Tango like Mick Jones.One of the best gigs I have seen in a long time and go see this band as they ROCK!

Talking collage
with John Ashbery

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Patchen Fest!

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A great little note
on the origins
of the
School o’ Quietude
from Andover, NH

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A profile of Artie Gold,
the late, great
Anglophone poet of Montreal

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Talking
Noah
Eli
Gordon

§

“away with buttons lips underwater

The new mini-monocab Agila.

GM previewed the new Opel Agila, which will make its public debut at the IAA in Frankfurt in September and be on sale in spring 2008. The redesigned Agila is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, with an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.35.

The five-door, five-seat Agila offers a choice of three engines: two new gasoline units supplied by cooperation partner Suzuki, and a turbodiesel developed by GM Powertrain. The diesel is the most fuel-efficient of the three, with estimated combined cycle fuel consumption of less than 5.0 l/100km (47 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of less than 130 g/km.The entry-level three-cylinder, 997cc gasoline engine produces 65 hp (48 kW) and has a top speed of 160 km/h, with fuel consumption of 5.3 l/100km (44.4 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 126 g/km.

The 1.2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine produces 86 hp (63 kW), accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in less than 12 seconds and has a top speed of 174 km/h (values for five-speed manual version). Fuel consumption is 5.7 l/100km with CO2 emissions of 135 g/km. This engine is now optionally available with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Both gasoline engines share the same design: aluminum cylinder block and head, as well as two overhead camshafts.

The 1.3-liter common-rail turbo-diesel produces 75 hp (55 kW) of power and 190 Nm of torque (140 lb-ft). With  a top speed of 162 km/h, it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 13.5 seconds. The diesel is also offered in the Corsa and Astra model lines.

Overview of Agila Engines

Engines
1.0
1.2
1.3 CDTI

Number of cylinders
3
4
4

Displacement [cm3]
997
1242
1248

Output [kW/hp @ rpm]
48/65
@ 6,000
63/86
@ 6,000
55/75
@ 3,500-4,000

Max torque [Nm/lb-ft @ rpm]
90/66
@ 4,000
114/84
@ 4,000
190/140
@ 2,000

Top speed [km/h]
160
174
162

Acceleration 0-100 km/h [s]
14.8
12.0
13.5

Combined fuel consumption
[l/100km/mpg US]
5.3/44.4
5.7/41.3
<5.0/47

CO2 [g/km]
126
135
<130

The other day I noted news of the Texas compounding pharmacy mistake that led to three deaths when an injectable colchicine preparation was found to be ten times more concentrated than labeled. Several readers commented on the reasons for the mistake, but I may have found another.

The source illustrating my pet peeve is the pharmacy’s own drug recall announcement posted this week on the FDA MedWatch site:
Recent deaths have been reported in connection with compounded Injectable Colchicine .5mg/ml, 4ml vials, lot number 20070122@26. As a result, Apoth

Back in the 70’s and 80’s when we had “Failure Theatre” networks would air their unsold pilots. Here are just a few. Some are included because they’re particularly wacky, others are intriguing, and a few sound downright great.

A DOG’S LIFE – People dressed as dogs. Starring Barney Martin (SEINFELD) and Charles Martin Smith (AMERICAN GRAFFITI). No actors were injured in the making of this pilot.

DUFFY – A dog with human qualities. Dogs were in back then. I guess penguins are the new dogs.

DINER – Barry Levinson who wrote and directed the movie, wrote and directed the pilot as well. With Paul Reiser and James Spader (BOSTON LEGAL).

ETHEL IS AN ELEPHANT – MR. ED with very wide master shots. Starring Todd Sussman who, during that period, starred in fifteen or twenty failed pilots. Ethel’s career never recovered from this project.

THE FESS PARKER SHOW – The man who played Davy Crockett starred in a comedy.

FRANKIE & ANNETTE: SECOND TIME AROUND – You loved them in the Beach Party movies and wondered how long could they remain a couple before they finally had sex? According to this pilot, twelve years and counting.

FRAUD SQUAD – from Jack Webb productions. Frank Sinatra Jr. as the head of the LAPD Fraud Squad. Not intended to be a comedy but ohhh mannn…

FROM CLEVELAND – Featuring Bob & Ray and the brilliant cast of SCTV.

GHOST OF A CHANCE – Shelley Long, pre-CHEERS, as a zany ghost.

GOOBER & THE TRUCKERS’ PARADISE – The title alone should have warranted a pick-up. This is a spin-off of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW and marks the very first appearance of Gomer Pyle.

GOOD PENNY – Billed as a comedy about an emotionally disturbed woman (that must’ve been a helluva pitch). Well cast with Rene Taylor in the starring role.

GREAT DAY – another premise chock full of comedic possibilities. Skid row derelicts in Los Angeles. Featured Al Molinaro (HAPPY DAYS) and as “Jabbo “– Spo-De-Odee.

HARRY’S BATTLES – Dick Van Dyke and Connie Stevens did not have the magic of Dick and Mary Tyler Moore, or even Dick and Hope Lange.

HIGH SCHOOL USA – After his “Garden Party-take-me-seriously-as-an-artist” period Rick Nelson starred as the principal in a series that featured a ton of 50’s and 60’s family sitcom cast members including Harriet Nelson, Jerry Mathers, Ken Osmond, Paul Peterson, Dick York, and Barbara Billingsley. Also Crystal Bernard (WINGS) who must’ve been 9 then.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING – Adaptation of the Broadway smash. Written by Abe Burrows. NOT directed by James Burrows.

HUMAN FEELINGS – Billy Crystal playing an angel.

IF I LOVED YOU AM I TRAPPED FOREVER? Not only is that a great title, it was written by Larry Gelbart (MASH, TOOTSIE, OH GOD). This is one I’d really like to see.

KANGAROO IN THE KITCHEN – A Greenwich Village apartment overrun with animals. To me the real show would have been the poor people in the apartment directly below.

LOVEBIRDS – Eugene Levy in a sitcom.

ME & MRS. C. – Another comic goldmine premise: A widow living on Social Security. Starred Doris Roberts (EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND).

MR. & MRS. DRACULA – After 618 years of marriage they move to America. Bats out of water. Written by Robert Klane (WHERE’S PAPA, WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S) so it was probably damn funny.

NEWMAN’S DRUGSTORE – A Brooklyn diner during the Depression. God, I’d love to go in to Fox and pitch that today.

OFF CAMPUS – Coed rooming house starring Marilu Henner (TAXI) written by Marshall Brickman (ANNIE HALL, JERSEY BOYS). This is one of about seventy college dorm/sorority/coed rooming house pilots done during that era. Another one featured Michelle Pheiffer.

SITCOM – A spoof of the genre, following the Gooseberry family. Created by Tom Patchett & Jay Tarses (THE BOB NEWHART SHOW, BUFFALO BILL). I read this script. HILARIOUS! And while we’re on the subject of Tom & Jay…

THE CHOPPED LIVER BROTHERS – Patchett & Tarses wrote and starred as two struggling stand-up comics. Add 50 years to them and you have…

THE SUNSHINE BOYS – Neil Simon wrote the pilot from his play, this time starring Red Buttons and Lionel Stander. I wonder if the network gave him notes.

I’m sorry but I would rather see any of these over the schlock reality shows that are being jammed down our gullets this summer. Bring back “Failure Theatre”!

fidel castro is back in the news, admonishing President Bush for letting people in developing nations go hungry (say what you want about the bearded one, but the guy does have a sense of humor, doesn’t he?), as well as boldly stating that “ideas are not killed” even after his passing.

The money quote, however, was the headline to the below article.
(CBS4) HAVANA “President Bush is waiting for me to die.”

That’s the word from Cuban President Fidel Castro in a statement published Tuesday on the front page of the Communist Party daily Granma.

In his essay, the 80-year-old Cuban leader stated Bush has also “ordered” Castro” to be deprived of life”, but didn’t offer any details.

While current law prohibits the U.S. government from ordering the assassination of foreign leaders, recently declassified documents show that the CIA made numerous attempts to kill Castro in the early years after the 1959 Cuban revolution.

“Ideas are not killed,” Castro wrote.

Castro then went on to criticize the Bush administration for spending money on weaponry while people in developing nations go hungry.

Tuesday’s statement was the latest in a series of essays by Castro, who has not been seen in public since becoming ill more than ten months ago.
jm/apNews to fidel: the line waiting for you to die is already snaking around all of Miami-Dade County, parts of Broward County, as well as other parts of the country and free world.

As they say in Little Havana, ponte en cola.

Bad sign. Very bad sign. Ok, that really was written in the book (I just double-checked). Some things need to be cut before they reach the screen, and this (IMNSHO) is one of them!

“Gu-gu!” “Guo-er!”

So, let’s see. While searching for his Gu-gu (Little Dragon Girl), Yang Guo runs into more trouble. Surprise, surprise. It’s Lu Wushuang and her cousin with the scary-looking human-skin mask. Li Mochou’s back. There’s the old crippled blacksmith. Some more fights. And we have a scene or two with East Heretic Huang Yaoshi (Huang Rong’s father). From HYS’s mentally handicapped martial granddaughter “Sha Gu”, Yang Guo finds out that it was Huang Rong who caused his father’s death.

This is a good time for a potty break, as Yang Guo goes into the throes of horrible acting and emoting on the screen. Good lord.

Right. I’d have quit watching by this point, but I’ve already paid for the damn series and now I want to see the train wreck. Yang Guo witnesses the cruelty of the Mongol invaders (more histrionics! Yes, it’s a terrible thing, but they could have done the scene better), then meets up with the Golden Wheel monk again, and this time allies himself with him to kill Guo Jing (and Huang Rong). (Remember, these are Yang Guo’s foster parents, his “Uncle” and “Aunt”).

And we have the first appearance of Zhou Botong, the Old Urchin, at the dinner with Khubilai and the various recruited martial artists. The actor is unexceptionable. The strangest casting choice was for one of the “guest” heros: Ma Guangzuo. In the book, he’s about 8 feet tall. In this version, he’s a little dwarf! Very odd.

And here we have them going to Rivendell. Excuse me, the “Passionless Valley”… except they made it look like a cross between Rivendell and Lothlorien, with the trees, and the green-clad people dancing around with the flowers (what the hell?) and the airy-fairy music… And the vegetarian lifestyle…

We could have done without all the previous scenes of Little Dragon Girl meeting the lord of the valley and so on and so forth. That just kills the surprise of the scene where Yang Guo finds out. Ok, it wasn’t that much of a surprise. When I first tried reading the book, that was where I quit in disgust. I hate those stories where the female love interest almost marries some other man, pretending for some reason not to recognize the male love interest. Well, you can pretty much guess what will happen. Up to a point.

This was never my favorite part of the books, and here it felt especially slow and draggy. And we have some cliches going: the daughter of the evil lord falls in love with the hero, etc. etc. But after the hero gets tossed with her into a pit full of crocodiles, the story gets more interesting. Even the crocodiles know martial arts (and lightness kung-fu!).

Magical “passion flower” poison. Heh heh. It sounds like the sort of thing that would be on a Doctor Who episode (the loveless planet where everyone is poisoned by the flowers! *cue spooky music and metaphorical discursions*). But there you go. Useful plot device.

This adaptation actually seems to follow the books pretty closely. If only they didn’t drag everything out with such a heavy hand.

We have too much Dish for one post, so we’re breaking it into courses. Here, the appetizers; entr