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College, Economy, News

The Economy Can Learn From Diddy Riese

October 26, 2008

As the line goes out the door and down the block, people begin to contemplate what will satisfy there sweet-tooth.

For the LA native, Diddy Riese is a Los Angeles landmark known for long lines, tasty treats and cheap prices. Started in 1983 in Westwood, CA right next to UCLA, Diddy Riese has marketed themselves as offering high quality cookies and baked goods at ‘reasonable prices.’ Reasonable is not the right word. I would say ‘great.’ Especially the way the economy has been, if Diddy Riese wasn’t so far from myself, I’d consider it a weekly stop.

So how cheap is it? Let’s take a look.

Not even at a Dreyers Ice Cream store could you get a scoop of ice cream for $1.00. For 50 cents more, you can even get there famous Ice Cream Sandwiches made with there homemade cookies. Not even pictured here are there Hot Dogs which are just as cheap and just as delicious. Can it get better? Of course it can. 32 oz drinks for $.90.

So whats the secret of Diddy Riese? How are they able to pay for the ridiculous rent near the UCLA campus and still keep there prices low and food tasting great? After speaking with a worker of 10 years at Diddy Riese, there response was simple, quality. Keep the quality great and people will come back. They said that there is no reason to charge $3.00 for a cookie when it only costs $.20 cents to make. Quality will equal more people, which will get you more sales. A very simple equation and after 25 years, they are still going strong. Perhaps this equation may not work for all of those in the economy trying to find a way out of this tumultuous time, but we can take at least one lession away from Diddy Riese.

You can never go wrong with 35 cent cookies…

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Diddy Riese
926 Broxton Avenue (@ Le Conte)
Westwood, CA 90024
310.208.0448
Career, College

Without Fear

October 25, 2008

Looking back, as a young child we had many dreams of what we wanted to be when we grew up. Some wanted to be doctors, some wanted to firefighters, and some police officers. Fast forward the picture to the present and that same child that wanted to grow up wanting to be a doctor or a firefighter has new dreams and desires.

Gone are the days of dressing up as cowboy, and in are the days of looking through hundreds of job listings.

Gone are the days of when we would play cops and robbers, and in are the days of trying to figure out how we will pay off those enormous college loans.

When we first embarked on the adventure known as’college’ we were gullible, curious, and imature, but after four years we have transformed. As ‘adults’ we are now inquisitive, assertive, and most of all aware. Aware that this could be the most crucial time of our lives. Our parents, our professors, and our college experience for the most part, has given us the tools to go out into society and contribute and be sucessful. Still one thing has not changed. Fear.

Fear is a invisible foe that exists all around us. Especially in today’s current economic and global situation, we are pressed to confront this ‘fear.’

For the individual that is fearful of what the future may hold I will cite a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do“

We live in a historic time. How will we remember it? Will we remember how we stood there fearful of what economic crisis would happen next? Or will we stare ‘fear’ in the eyes and find a way to fight it

As individuals, we have the knowledge, the dedication, and the perservernece to suceed. We must not let ‘fear’ hold us down. Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live. Therefore I tell you.

Go. Live without fear.

News

Escape into Sin

July 19, 2008

From the busy streets to the fast-paced lives, LA has become notorious for taking the simple man and turning them into a hard working, stressed out citizen. As the summer heat strikes down on me I imagine myself in a place where I can forget about my troubles and lose myself. Of course I can only be describing one place. Las Vegas.

Rightfully named ‘Sin City’, Las Vegas has become an escape from reality into a world where an individual can go from no one to someone in one roll of the dice or wakeup the next day forgetting what happend the last night. From the buzzing sounds of the slots to the limitless amounts of foods at the buffets, to some Las Vegas has become there paradise. Upon recently visiting Las Vegas several things came to mind. The first of which is the obvious difference between going with your family, and going with your friends on your own. The differences are like day and night. Literrally. When the ‘kiddies’ go to bed, another group is just beginning there day. From the club hoppers to the ‘strip’ walkers, Las Vegas never sleeps. Giving new meaning to ‘sleepless nights’, one can find themselves losing track of time.

Las Vegas has plenty to offer to its tourists. From its cleverly themed casino’s such as Luxor, New York New York, and Caesers, to its lavishly designed buildings such as the Venetian and the Bellagio, the Las Vegas ‘Strip’ has become a city within itself. Walking on the Las Vegas is both an adventure and also a workout. While the weather in Las Vegas changes from season to season, the people on the strip do not. From the ‘adult solicitors’ handing out there ever so important 4×6 ‘business cards’ to the always classic Las Vegas ‘Drunk’, the strip is always an adventure outside the casino’s. Whether you are looking for the next place to throw your money at or the next place to eat at, the Vegas strip caters to everyones inhibitions and desires.

Like the moto, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, Las Vegas has its own rules, its own timezone, and its own culture.