1. reading a bio about michael o’leary (who took ryan air from floundering airline to success) – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2525180.Michael_O_Leary_A_Life_in_Full_Flight – and it’s fascinating to see what a young, hungry airline focused on its bottom line and value proposition did to the nationally-run aer lingus. same story w/ BA and virgin, chronicled in branson’s losing my virginity. seems canada could use a young and hungry airline to give AC a run for its money. flew westjet for the first time (to the stampede last wknd) and while a good experience, the short flight from vancouver was still $400+.

2. re: “currently compliments of” – had this experience yesterday at royal bank. they told me i had complimentary overdraft protection, then in the next breath said that there was a fee. wtf?! don’t they know the “costs of evil are starting to outweigh the benefits” in business (http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/haque/2008/05/last_week_i_discussed_why.html)