tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38367388870260844592023-11-16T07:45:11.597+00:00alibullock.com | animalsinphotos.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-72458231159673182662010-12-24T06:12:00.003+00:002010-12-24T06:16:35.738+00:00Our blog has moved<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; ">Please click here to see the new blog for <span class="Apple-style-span"><b><a href="http://animalsinphotos.posterous.com/">animals in photos</a></b></span> and my <span class="Apple-style-span"><b><a href="http://alibullock.posterous.com/">personal blog is here</a></b></span> we will no longer make updates to this blog. Thank you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJJER1Ct7V0JbMKL5JUisPV6jTUBiAh2PUkVJg-w99FC4v2nrqsaMNoDGRyAbo1Mls9q8CspY8LNhWBH8uRFklnXtbBPY2SyKRBFI4gD4SKot-BgceKhaVbkuB1YFw_md2U6QoTQLYCI/s400/original.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 177px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554128592017540034" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; "><br /></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-76885741092116314402009-05-11T13:52:00.002+00:002009-05-11T13:53:54.256+00:00New blogHello dear readers.<br /><br />There has been a lot going on what with AIP and alibullock.com being re-designed and all the work that I have been doing on these and so with all this I have decided to move this blog.<br /><br />Please subscribe to the new one here:<br /><br /><a href="http://alibullock.wordpress.com/">http://alibullock.wordpress.com/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-79287210851622968842009-03-08T10:10:00.003+00:002009-03-09T00:44:21.849+00:00animalsinphtos.com redesign is completedThe new site has been a while coming but I have finally made the final touches to the site and its done. You can see the results here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.animalsinphotos.com">www.animalsinphotos.com</a><br /><br />I'm really pleased with the results and even though this is just an update of the existing design I think it works so much better in terms of design and the layout of the content. As always the feedback from various people was essential and I think you really see the enhanced user experience in the site.<br /><br />Someone asked me whether I would be doing photography full time. My reply (as always) is no. I like the day job and it pays well enough that I have no complaints. The photography remains non-profit based for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">foreseeable</span> future.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-12088193355720632592009-02-09T08:28:00.003+00:002009-02-09T08:36:16.752+00:00First photos from the Animals Asia bear rescue 2009These are the first photos from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AAF</span> rescue that I covered up in China. My thanks to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">AAF</span> team for making me feel so welcome and I hope to shoot some more shots of these wonderful bears very soon.<br /><br />Full sets of photos will be up on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">FaceBook</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Flickr</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">animalsinphotos</span>.com this week so stay tuned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPK1p3Krry5aZ1afsnRw9Mic2BdZ0ZzH3yfWo2HgZQqv6PzYBJqP1qbN3MbcCmlCSUNZ1_C4Ud60PUZ_jHrelYuIfhvS7n-tybLpr2eMgovCIiw-ID7IV6tY2s3_dn24zDr3zi1MULnU/s1600-h/bearcage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPK1p3Krry5aZ1afsnRw9Mic2BdZ0ZzH3yfWo2HgZQqv6PzYBJqP1qbN3MbcCmlCSUNZ1_C4Ud60PUZ_jHrelYuIfhvS7n-tybLpr2eMgovCIiw-ID7IV6tY2s3_dn24zDr3zi1MULnU/s400/bearcage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300712507295442402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQc6BvJlrGCwFcxPbUxlweIh7MEVmS7Pk0-j4CwZ0kG6YT-Wji9CCVx7EeTvEvZC7nuCRWP2yIKpyEkgvppLrWJX9DbPTIiZlKcGyV1ph_MYBa-cI8TOrh1V-BG1CT3PschnyC5agRb0/s1600-h/bearbiting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQc6BvJlrGCwFcxPbUxlweIh7MEVmS7Pk0-j4CwZ0kG6YT-Wji9CCVx7EeTvEvZC7nuCRWP2yIKpyEkgvppLrWJX9DbPTIiZlKcGyV1ph_MYBa-cI8TOrh1V-BG1CT3PschnyC5agRb0/s400/bearbiting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300712502152906626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlw8Bixg6CYBGDPvkh8n_J9ruUn3h9QatG1o_47eSIyyd9R969KSIk3ijl1fidv0GkU6GZROZrZj6fMTralxKkmF3o-5qqRPftRDTsi_wBkZMkqerR0UM7jT54ukrV2mFj9PCKJVZCZrs/s1600-h/sadbear.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlw8Bixg6CYBGDPvkh8n_J9ruUn3h9QatG1o_47eSIyyd9R969KSIk3ijl1fidv0GkU6GZROZrZj6fMTralxKkmF3o-5qqRPftRDTsi_wBkZMkqerR0UM7jT54ukrV2mFj9PCKJVZCZrs/s400/sadbear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300712501762073458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P-Oy8Y0OBwMST_IUFYiasn960SSG1ZBFQLfjK_zSFF4ZMmU14SokHgjMsK7xuac8F2tFt5MR7Bg677Td262Gg_xrxxQl6MN12a0rXZf-J-oh-NmEBWC5DYAD4jVBgYpTRJRkofP0VLE/s1600-h/bearbeingcarried.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2P-Oy8Y0OBwMST_IUFYiasn960SSG1ZBFQLfjK_zSFF4ZMmU14SokHgjMsK7xuac8F2tFt5MR7Bg677Td262Gg_xrxxQl6MN12a0rXZf-J-oh-NmEBWC5DYAD4jVBgYpTRJRkofP0VLE/s400/bearbeingcarried.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300712502037802146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlQsTsEwpfeWpLQNjCOX9DKCOna1cT8gv6OExjnzjZn52tVgQoMCPFtww08e_8_ftq35cEu7ALgdF94mU1PXkbQiIq4zHPqAbghtnOJkMCWtaQiQzPXm1d9-PCzLycHpFQjPiKqlGyZs/s1600-h/bearintruck2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlQsTsEwpfeWpLQNjCOX9DKCOna1cT8gv6OExjnzjZn52tVgQoMCPFtww08e_8_ftq35cEu7ALgdF94mU1PXkbQiIq4zHPqAbghtnOJkMCWtaQiQzPXm1d9-PCzLycHpFQjPiKqlGyZs/s400/bearintruck2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300712497782353234" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Copyright: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ali</span> bullock / <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">AAF</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-39130337596679994372009-02-03T06:10:00.004+00:002009-02-03T14:26:00.532+00:00AIP is undergoing a re-designIn 2007 I published my first book with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HDKR</span> and as it went on sale we were pretty happy. In 2008 we all came back for volume 2 and made a bigger, better and more profitable book that sold out (and that of course means more money for the charity.)<br /><br />As we enter 2009 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">animalsinphotos</span>.com is getting a re-design and some new staff/volunteers to help push the site and services forward. We have a lot to do and some great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">initiatives</span> under way. You can see the new site here: <a href="http://www.animalsinphotos.com/">www.animalsinphotos.com</a><br /><br />Caz is organizing a company structure to help us with billing and the roll out new products and services for the clients and charities that we work for. Mandy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Chu</span> has joined as a photographer to help me get the photos.<br /><br />So about the new projects: Well there are a number of new projects that we are excited to be working on. A few examples of what we will be up to:<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">HKDR</span> :: <a href="http://www.animalsinphotos.com/hkdr/index.htm">see more here </a>::<br />- 2010 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">calender</span> / 12 scenes of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Hong</span> Kong with the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pooches</span> taking a staring role<br />- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Hong</span> Kong's only Dog Guide (2009) / Everything and everywhere in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">HK</span> that is dog friendly<br />- The diary 2010 / Another puppy diary on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">the</span> way and even better than last year<br /><br />Animals Asia:<br />- Heading up to China to photograph a key bear rescue in the first week of Feb<br /><br />SPCA :: <a href="http://www.animalsinphotos.com/spca/index.htm">see more here</a> ::<br />- We will be working with SPCA on a book all about the charity and work that they do<br /><br />Clients:<br />- We already have people lined up for personal shoots and I will be posting photos and updates as those happen here on this blog. Enjoy the photos and do get in touch if you want to set up a shoot.<br /><br />I am sure that there will be more happening so please check back on the blog to see all the latest photos and news.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ali</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-25715497204334777722009-01-31T13:12:00.003+00:002009-01-31T15:04:28.512+00:00Before you go all Web 2.0Before people tell you to go "all web 2.0" (and lets remember that I am the guy that was around in the web 1.0 days.) Learn one lesson and that is that you should not store your files online.<br /><br />Lets forget the whole security issue and just think about this - It doesn't make money. And when something doesn't make money, someone finally decides to pull the service.<br /><br />And so this has happened at Yahoo who will now be dropping their online storage service Briefcase.<br /><br />As a client of a major media agency I know SEM (look it up if you don't know) and online storage along with a host of other online/web 2.0 services (shock) doesn't make money. So before you trust all your files to MSN, Yahoo or Google think about that...<br /><br />Anyway, rant over. Goodnight to Yahoo's briefcase: <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10153479-2.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Webware">read more</a><br /><br />If you want something that works, try dropbox - It syncs files over the internet but it doesn't hold them. Simple and effective. If only Yahoo and others got this. See their excellent service here: <a href="http://www.getdropbox.com">www.getdropbox.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-18998343626652693102009-01-30T06:43:00.002+00:002009-01-30T07:01:51.071+00:00Web 2.0: How not to market your brandI have made several postings recently on Virgin Atlantic's now famous letter of complaint featured on <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/4344890/Virgin-the-worlds-best-passenger-complaint-letter.html">the telegraph</a> and even <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7859422.stm">BBC news</a>. What started off as a hilarious email to Virgin by a customer disappointed about their food is fast becoming something of a PR nightmare.<br /><br />Why? Because in the web 2.0 world you should never lie -You'll get caught. HollyMoly has posted that the "complaint email" was fake (<a href="http://www.holymoly.com/page/RandomDetail/0,,12643%7E1537988,00.html">read the update here</a>.)<br /><br />Now if this is true then it means Virgin, once one of the web 2.0 viral champions has well and truly fallen on its face. Not because they did something un-funny or violent but because they lied and then lied again.<br /><br />Oh Virgin - How could you get it so wrong?<br /><br />Simple -They forgot the golden rule of marketing in the web 2.0 environment - Be open. Now, this doesn't mean that you have to shout your brand across an advert or YouTube snippet, but it does mean that you need to own up to what you do. And most specifically, don't build another lie ontop of the one that you have already told as they <a href="http://consumerist.com/5141006/virgin-atlantic-asks-complaint-writer-to-be-taste-tester">have done here</a>.<br /><br />Thats the great thing about the internet - The truth will out.<br /><br />(With that in mind I will state that I work for an airline in Asia, and none of my views represent that airline in any way. This is purely a personal kicking for the Virgin brand that I think they royally deserve.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-59894688207707022202009-01-30T03:08:00.000+00:002009-01-30T03:09:55.153+00:00Letter to Virgin – possibly the best travel complaint letter ever<p>Dear Mr Branson,</p> <p><strong>REF: Mumbai to Heathrow 7th December 2008 </strong></p> <p>I love the Virgin brand, I really do which is why I continue to use it despite a series of unfortunate incidents over the last few years. This latest incident takes the biscuit.</p> <p>Ironically, by the end of the flight I would have gladly paid over a thousand rupees for a single biscuit following the culinary journey of hell I was subjected to at the hands of your corporation.</p> <p>Look at this Richard. Just look at it:</p> <p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0ae35970b-pi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0ae35970b-pi');"><img class="alignleft at-xid-6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0ae35970b" style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 5px 10px; float: left;" title="Virgin1" src="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0ae35970b-800wi" alt="Virgin1" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I imagine the same questions are racing through your brilliant mind as were racing through mine on that fateful day. What is this? Why have I been given it? What have I done to deserve this? And, which one is the starter, which one is the dessert?</p> <p>You don’t get to a position like yours Richard with anything less than a generous sprinkling of observational power so I KNOW you will have spotted the tomato next to the two yellow shafts of sponge on the left. Yes, it’s next to the sponge shaft without the green paste. That’s got to be the clue hasn’t it. No sane person would serve a dessert with a tomato would they. Well answer me this Richard, what sort of animal would serve a dessert with peas in:</p> <p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0aeac970b-pi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0aeac970b-pi');"><img class="alignright at-xid-6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0aeac970b" style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 5px 10px; float: right;" title="Virgin2" src="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0aeac970b-800wi" alt="Virgin2" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I know it looks like a bhaji but it’s in custard Richard, custard. It must be the pudding. Well you’ll be fascinated to hear that it wasn’t custard. It was a sour gel with a clear oil on top. It’s only redeeming feature was that it managed to be so alien to my palette that it took away the taste of the curry emanating from our miscellaneous central cuboid of beige matter. Perhaps the meal on the left might be the desert after all.</p> <p>Anyway, this is all irrelevant at the moment. I was raised strictly but neatly by my parents and if they knew I had started dessert before the main course, a sponge shaft would be the least of my worries. So let’s peel back the tin-foil on the main dish and see what’s on offer.</p> <p>I’ll try and explain how this felt. Imagine being a 12-year-old boy Richard. Now imagine it’s Christmas morning and you’re sat their with your final present to open. It’s a big one, and you know what it is. It’s that Goodmans stereo you picked out the catalogue and wrote to Santa about.</p> <p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0af08970b-pi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0af08970b-pi');"><img class="alignleft at-xid-6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0af08970b" style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 5px 10px; float: left;" title="Virgin3" src="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0af08970b-800wi" alt="Virgin3" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Only you open the present and it’s not in there. It’s your hamster Richard. It’s your hamster in the box and it’s not breathing. That’s how I felt when I peeled back the foil and saw this:</p> <p>Now I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking it’s more of that Bhaji custard. I admit I thought the same too, but no. It’s mustard, Richard. MUSTARD. More mustard than any man could consume in a month. On the left we have a piece of broccoli and some peppers in a brown glue-like oil and on the right the chef had prepared some mashed potato. The potato masher had obviously broken and so it was decided the next best thing would be to pass the potatoes through the digestive tract of a bird.</p> <p>Once it was regurgitated it was clearly then blended and mixed with a bit of mustard. Everybody likes a bit of mustard Richard.</p> <p>By now I was actually starting to feel a little hypoglycaemic. I needed a sugar hit. Luckily there was a small cookie provided. It had caught my eye earlier due to its baffling presentation:</p> <p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2efb970c-pi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2efb970c-pi');"><img class="alignleft at-xid-6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2efb970c" style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 5px 10px;" title="Virgin4" src="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2efb970c-800wi" alt="Virgin4" border="0" /></a></p> <p>It appears to be in an evidence bag from the scene of a crime. A CRIME AGAINST BLOODY COOKING. Either that or some sort of back-street underground cookie, purchased off a gun-toting maniac high on his own supply of yeast. You certainly wouldn’t want to be caught carrying one of these through customs. Imagine biting into a piece of brass, Richard. That would be softer on the teeth than the specimen above.</p> <p>I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was relax but obviously I had to sit with that mess in front of me for half an hour. I swear the sponge shafts moved at one point.</p> <p>Once cleared, I decided to relax with a bit of your world-famous on-board entertainment. I switched it on:</p> <p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2f7c970c-pi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2f7c970c-pi');"><img class="alignright at-xid-6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2f7c970c" style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 5px 10px; float: left;" title="Virgin5" src="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2f7c970c-800wi" alt="Virgin5" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I apologise for the quality of the photo, it’s just it was incredibly hard to capture Boris Johnson’s face through the flickering white lines running up and down the screen. Perhaps it would be better on another channel:</p> <p>Is that Ray Liotta? A question I found myself asking over and over again throughout the gruelling half-hour I attempted to watch the film like this. After that I switched off. I’d had enough. I was the hungriest I’d been in my adult life and I had a splitting headache from squinting at a crackling screen.</p> <p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0b070970b-pi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0b070970b-pi');"><img class="alignleft at-xid-6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0b070970b" style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 5px 10px; float: right;" title="Virgin6" src="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536f0b070970b-800wi" alt="Virgin6" border="0" /></a></p> <p>My only option was to simply stare at the seat in front and wait for either food, or sleep. Neither came for an incredibly long time. But when it did it surpassed my wildest expectations:</p> <p>Yes! It’s another crime-scene cookie. Only this time you dunk it in the white stuff.</p> <p>Richard…. What is that white stuff? It looked like it was going to be yoghurt. It finally dawned on me what it was after staring at it. It was a mixture between the Bhaji custard and the Mustard sauce. It reminded me of my first week at university. I had overheard that you could make a drink by mixing vodka and refreshers. I lied to my new friends and told them I’d done it loads of times. When I attempted to make the drink in a big bowl it formed a cheese Richard, a cheese. That cheese looked a lot like your bhaji-mustard.</p> <p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2fe6970c-pi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2fe6970c-pi');"><img class="alignright at-xid-6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2fe6970c" style="border: 0pt none ; margin: 5px 10px; float: left;" title="Virgin7" src="http://timesnews.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341d811753ef010536fa2fe6970c-800wi" alt="Virgin7" border="0" /></a></p> <p>So that was that, Richard. I didn’t eat a bloody thing. My only question is: How can you</p> <p>live like this? I can’t imagine what dinner round your house is like, it must be like something out of a nature documentary.</p> <p>As I said at the start I love your brand, I really do. It’s just a shame such a simple thing could bring it crashing to its knees and begging for sustenance.</p> <p>Yours sincerely…</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-24778450278860131882009-01-06T01:44:00.000+00:002009-01-06T01:45:13.313+00:00In the US - being Muslim ain't going to fly<p style="clear: both">This makes me angry...</p><p style="clear: both">The article from Tripso, "<strong><em>What really happend to the Muslim passengers who were kicked off the plane?"</em></strong></p><p style="clear: both">This relates to a US airline. Working in the "global" airline industry I am of course acutely aware of passenger safety, 911 and what has happened since and the need for safety.</p><p style="clear: both">However, everyone has a right to fly. But in the US it would seem that this is not the case. </p><p style="clear: both">The story goes as such - 9 people (Muslims) were asked to leave a plane in Florida. So far, perhaps, we might say that this is reasonable - Passengers has suspicions and the captain agreed with the air marshals and so they were marched off the plane.</p><p style="clear: both">Now my patience ends. Read on if you can believe what happened;</p><p style="clear: both">These innocent people (and let me remind you, innocent) people waited patiently for the FBI, and let me say again the FBI???! Anyway, after several hours the FBI said they were OK to fly and removed any doubt that they were innocent.</p><p style="clear: both">And AirTran said no, they could not fly! AMAZING.</p><p style="clear: both">Words fail me. Honestly, no evidence (other than a family wanting to go on vacation) and a load of ignorant, racist passengers. How can they get away with this you ask? Welcome to the US airline industry. I hope this is an isolated case but I have a feeling it may well not be.</p><p style="clear: both">I hope that the airline I work for and am proud to work for would always treat its customers with the upmost respect with of course, safety in mind. Caz and I plan on flying through the US later this year - It won't be on AirTran thats for sure.</p><p style="clear: both">Safety of passengers has to be every airlines top priority, but when people are innocent of any crime or suspicion they should be allowed to fly regardless of religion, colour or anything else. <br /><a href="http://www.tripso.com/today/what-really-happend-to-the-muslim-passengers-who-were-kicked-off-the-plane/" target="_blank"></a></p><p style="clear: both"><a href="http://www.tripso.com/today/what-really-happend-to-the-muslim-passengers-who-were-kicked-off-the-plane/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Read the full story here</a></p><br class='final-break' style='clear: both' />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-5509145548004047722009-01-05T13:15:00.007+00:002009-01-05T13:22:39.983+00:00‘I know that half of my advertising money is wasted<br><br />… I just don’t know which half’<br /><br />Very very good posting from a guy called Joe Fry - This kid might turn out quite well.<br /><br /><a href="http://joeadamfry.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/i-know-that-half-of-my-advertising-money-is-wasted-%E2%80%A6-i-just-don%E2%80%99t-know-which-half/">Read more here</a><br /><!-- /End -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-71013236103614160422008-12-28T03:12:00.000+00:002008-12-31T05:47:21.074+00:002008 in Photos<p style="clear: both">2008 has been a good year for me and Caz. We have been on our adventures (as usual) traveling to <a href="http://www.alibullock.com/photos/americas/sanfran/sfo1.htm" target="_blank">San Francisco</a>, <a href="http://www.alibullock.com/photos/asia/macau/macau081.htm" title="" target="_blank">Macau</a>, <a href="http://www.alibullock.com/photos/asia/shanghai/shanghai1.htm" target="_blank">Shanghai</a>, <a href="http://www.alibullock.com/photos/asia/japan/japan1.htm" target="_blank">Japan</a> (on the bullet train!) and of course the <a href="http://www.alibullock.com/photos/asia/beijing/olympics1.htm" target="_blank">Olympics in Beijing</a> something that blew me away and I will remember for a long time.</p><p style="clear: both">2008 also involved a very tough (both in a physcial and emotional sense) to Sichuan, photographing the earth quake zone, people and some of the dogs that have survived this tragic event.</p><p style="clear: both"><a href="http://www.alibullock.com/dogs/index.htm" target="_blank">On the dog front</a>, Padstow and Ivy were joined by a new one called "Mini" who was only 1 kilo when we brought her home. I published a <a href="http://www.animalsinphotos.com" target="_blank">second book for the rescue charity</a>.</p><p style="clear: both">On family matters, we saw just about everyone in Hong Kong and back in London Fi and B asked me to be <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alibullock/sets/72157610128616858/" target="_blank">godfather to Finn</a> which I was so very proud to accept.</p><p style="clear: both">Yes, all in 2008 has been a good year. 2009 is shaping up to be a tough year with the financial crisis that we have all seen but I can only hope that 2009 brings health and some travel if we are lucky. We are planning trips planned to Vietnam, Bali & Longwo, Osaka, Sapporo (Japan) NYC and Las Vegas... I can only dream of where this adventure will take me next.</p><p style="clear: both">Wishing you a good 2009 - <a href="http://www.alibullock.com/launch/2008.htm" target="_blank">To see the 2008 photos click here</a></p><p style="clear: both">ali & Caz</p><br class='final-break' style='clear: both' />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-83274947594746381252008-12-24T07:27:00.004+00:002008-12-24T13:16:37.713+00:00New designs are on the wayMy main web site has been worked and re-worked throughout most of 2008, and to be honest I am tired of how many times I have said, "its live," only to test it, find an issue or decide that something needed to be changed.<br /><br />Well, happily the site is finished and you can see the new design here: <a href="http://www.alibullock.com">alibullock.com</a><br /><br />The next step has been to re-work (but not redesign) <a href="http://www.animalsinphotos.com">animalsinphotos.com</a> - I have simplified and tidied up the site and all in all I think this site will do really well in 2009 as we get this company up and running.<br /><br />And, of course as you are reading this blog - <a href="http://www.alibullock.com/blog">alibullock.com/blog</a> you will notice that this site/blog has been redesigned as well. <br /><br />All in all the idea is to gain some consistency over all the sites I work on. You will see the same logo (Padstow's head) across everything that I work on inluding my presence on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/alibullock">twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/alibullock/sets/">flickr</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-16676423403306098632008-11-23T08:31:00.005+00:002008-12-24T04:25:02.823+00:00On the day I become a god fatherWell it seems that everyone has to grow up at some point. Some loose it, some never had it, some are lucky, many don't know what a good life they have...<br /><br />As I'm about to become a god father I wonder what advice I would give Finn about my life, his life and the road that lies ahead of him... All I could come up with is this quote from Apple. Its something that i use everyday at Cathay Pacific (whether they like it or not!) in my design and photography and even in the decisions I make with Caz (and I'm fairly sure I drive her crazy at times...)<br /><br />But there you go, I'm a god father thanks to Fi & B, still have some very good friends in London, 2 published books and 3 wonderful dogs in Hong Kong and a job at Cathay that I love and challenges me every day.<br /><br />Most importantly is that I have Caz in my life. <br /><br />So I guess I must be doing something right.<br /><br /><br />Finn, from your god fatherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-75392684932479706902008-11-19T02:05:00.001+00:002008-11-19T04:14:22.607+00:00alibullock.com { LIVE }Yes, finally the new site is live and the design is done.<br /><br />You can view the site here: <a href="http://www.alibullock.com">www.alibullock.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-20499640854439204792008-11-15T11:09:00.003+00:002008-11-16T06:09:41.505+00:00If I could get a photo this good everydayOf course this means little if you haven't met "Mini Cooper," but damn she is a cute dog...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alibullock/3031893718/in/set-72157609117431895/">See her paws here</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alibullock/3031054901/in/set-72157609117431895/">In the bean bag</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-39541506179018722312008-11-15T07:12:00.003+00:002008-11-15T07:22:52.465+00:00Work on the blog and my other sitesI have almost finished work on my main site { <a href="http://www.alibullock.com">alibullock.com</a> } and work has been finished on my charity site { <a href="http://www.animalsinphotos.com">animalsinphotos.com</a> } which also serves as my commercial site for pet photography.<br /><br />Next up is work on re-working this blog. Its no longer going to be called "The Hong Kong Diaries," but rather just the slightly more simple "ali bullock." The reason for this is that I am planing to bring a lot more coordination between all of my web sites and web 2.0 resources and I want to get everything aligned.<br /><br />So when I upload my latest photos { orangutans shots form Borneo } you will see the photos updated on <a href="http://www.alibullock.com">alibullock.com</a>, <a href="http://ww.flickr.com/alibullock/sets">flickr.com/alibullock</a> and <a href="http://www.http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=674480574&ref=profile">Facebook</a>. Supporting this I will also be updating this blog and <a href="http://twitter.com/alibullock">Twittering</a> about it as well.<br /><br />The more web 2.0 sites that spring up the more the complexity so hence the need for me to align all these sites so that instead of spending more time at my Mac, I'm actually outside doing what I love.<br /><br />aliUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-64286109370443796222008-11-14T08:58:00.001+00:002008-11-14T09:00:45.004+00:00STOP IGNORING ME AND CALL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Message from Mrs B at 11.05:<br />STOP IGNORING ME AND CALL ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Message at 11.08:<br />In meeting, don't have phone - TICKET BOOKED FOR YOU!<br /><br />Message from Mrs B at 11.08:<br />HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /> <br />THANKS, LOVE YOU XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX<br /><br />Everyday I like to think I understand gay guys just a little more...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-15289206383670285022008-11-13T06:42:00.002+00:002008-11-13T06:45:20.606+00:00alibullock.com still in BETAOK, Ok, so this site always seems to be in BETA - But I am happy to announce that the site is almost ready for the prime time.<br /><br />Every page has been updated and the last 6 months have meant that with some makor back end changes I can really have a new look and feel for my main site.<br /><br />The design is very different to most sites, I have put in a more aggressive font and I want to get some feedback, so let me know what you think:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.alibullock.com">www.alibullock.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-42685785339971889022008-10-29T00:49:00.003+00:002008-10-29T01:00:52.711+00:00My work for Cathay in the newsA great article from Brandchannel on the Cathay Pacific experience site and a lot of very good comments about it.<br /><br />My personal favorite, " <br />Cathay Pacific Airways Pre-flight experience as a brand differentiator<br />A number of airlines offer beautiful visuals and descriptions of their cabins on their websites, but none get even close to the experience Cathay Pacific has put together. Close competitors Emirates and Singapore Airlines (SIA) rely on high-definition photos and photo-realistic cabin tours respectively to showcase their product. This is in no way sub-standard, but certainly a far cry from the superior online experience Cathay Pacific has created."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.brandchannel.com/features_webwatch.asp?ww_id=404">See the full article here</a><br /><br />You are welcome.<br /><br />See the site: http://wwww.cathaypacific.com/experienceUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-5987559971283174992008-10-10T05:23:00.002+00:002008-10-10T05:26:25.937+00:00Missed me?Sorry for anyone that feels this blog has not been updated in a while. Been very very busy working on some projects for charities here in Hong Kong, and you can see the results on this (almost) finished site:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.animalsinphotos.com">www.animalsinphotos.com</a><br /><br />I have also been working on my personal web site and that is going libve in tow weeks, but you can see where I am so far here: <a href="http://www.animalsinphotos.com">www.alibullock.com</a><br /><br />Thanks for bearing with me!<br /><br />aliUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-6094449533319239392008-09-19T13:55:00.001+00:002008-09-19T13:56:52.957+00:00This woman makes Mrs B look reasonableAnd he is an ex Formula 1 champion...<br /><br />Women.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oIhGJyLR6TI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oIhGJyLR6TI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-24918290701475955152008-09-01T07:22:00.004+00:002008-09-01T07:26:56.085+00:00New page for animals in photos on FaceBookAs anyone who reads this will know I really enjoy working for a number of charities in Hong Kong and this involves a lot of animal photography.<br /><br />Learning from last year we found that a number of people want to know more about these diary and book projects or even just the photos that come from my work so with this in mind I have set up a FaceBook page to keep everyone updated automatically of the photos, events and news.<br /><br />Feel free to join here: <a href="http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/animals-in-photos-ali-bullock/24270739354">http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/animals-in-photos-ali-bullock/24270739354</a><br /><br />Thanks for your support.<br /><br />aliUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-7889207129596192612008-09-01T06:16:00.001+00:002008-09-01T06:17:36.477+00:00The Varied Life of a Cathay Pacific Flight AttendantPlaying now on YouTube...<br /><br /><center><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GHHUggJGkcs&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GHHUggJGkcs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-43462281217473692232008-08-25T08:13:00.004+00:002008-08-25T08:43:06.056+00:00"Are Hong Kong express okay safety wise?" Asks Mrs BWell, as Cathay Pacific (who I work for) knows a thing or two about airlines I am probably a good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">person</span> to be in the know when asking about airline safety. Except I know little about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hong</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">KOng</span> Express. However, a quick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">clickety</span> click on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">interweb</span> reveals all I need to know to respond to Mrs B, in our following email <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">conversation</span>:<br /><br />Mrs B: "Are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Hong</span> Kong express okay safety wise?"<br /><br />Me: Is your life insurance up to date? If yes, then yes they are safe.<br />If no, suggest you don't fly with anyone.<br /><br />(Ha, ha sometimes I'm just to funny.)<br /><br />Mrs B: You will be on the same flight as me funny man<br /><br />Me: Humph!<br /><br /><br /><span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3836738887026084459.post-75475274240071469232008-08-22T07:18:00.005+00:002008-08-22T13:50:39.817+00:00Has China lost the spirit of the Olympic Gold?So lets start with the positive, China has got more golds than anyone else. The UK has had a fantastic run and is currently in third position.<br /><br />But the down side, sadly it would appear (and of course I must restate it only appears at this point) that China has cheated with 3 gymnasts lying about their ages and instead of being 16 they are in fact 14.<br /><br />Whatever China wanted to get out of the Olympic games - This is cheating, its lying and it certainly casts a long shadow. There is no excuse for drugs in sport nor lies and so with sadness I personally advocate that the team (all three) have their gold medals taken away.<br /><br />Not that other countries haven't cheated in the past. The US and Canada have had their share of people willing to break the rules in order to win a gold medal for their country - The key issue is that China must own up to this and make an example of these girls and the trainers/officials (who I suspect are as guilty.)<br /><br />There can be no excuse - cheating is cheating.<br /><br />Again, I am the first to congratulate China on the medals that they have won, but any country that wins as many medals as China is bound to come under scrutiny. Its called the Olympic spirit and we all have to be under that spotlight. China included.<br /><br />Links to the stories (strange no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SCMP</span>...?)<br /><br />The Times (UK)<br />http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article4583174.ece<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Huffington</span> Post (USA)<br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/21/ioc-to-launch-investigati_n_120519.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2