Origin of Cool » Trends & Memes

Heineken Pave The Road To The Champions League Final

ZCLOCO — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:51:28 +0000

Germany has the upper hand over Spain in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Borussia Dortmund hammered Real Madrid 4-1 whilst Bayern Munich slaughtered Barcelona 4-0. To celebrate of the most exciting football league in the world, Heineken has unveiled its new Road to the Final ad campaign called “The Final”. The ad features a lucky fan who whist on vacation, receives a ticket to the UEFA Champions League Final. The only problem is that he is on the other side of the world and faces a race against the clock to get to the match. He manages to overcome every obstacle put in his way and finally earns his reward - a pitch side seat at Wembley, arriving just before kick-off. Watch out for some persuasive skills on show as the guy uses his finger soccer skills to convince customs to let him through the border. The brand’s fans can play a pinball game featuring elements of the advert. Players can compete against each other to earn bragging rights and social kudos. The video is well shot and makes the Origin of Cool crew wish we had got the ticket!

You can watch the commercial here, play the game at the end of it and tweet to Clarence Seedorf who will be representing Heineken’s latest advertising element. Go to the Facebook page for more info: http://apps.facebook.com/roadtothefinalgame

- What do you think of the video?
- What 2 teams would you dream of watching in the final at Wembley?

Is Online Poker Dying?

DanDrage — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:00:13 +0000

Over the past few years there have been frequent discussions on poker forums and amongst players about whether or not the “games are dying.”

While it would be impossible to argue that games have gotten tougher to beat, it’s far more accurate to say that online poker is evolving – NOT dying. So rather than asking yourself if the games are dying, it’s a lot wiser and more profitable to ask if YOU are evolving alongside the games.

What can you do to keep up?
To stay ahead of opponents, there are a number of things every online poker player should do. First of all, engage in frequent discussions with other players. Pick apart the details of hands, and leave no detail untouched. Sometimes the biggest problems with your game can be things you take for granted. For example, you may look back at a hand where you had to make a particularly tough decision on the river without thinking enough about what happened before that put you in that situation.

Secondly, make use of training tools available online. While books can improve your game, they’re static and aren’t updated frequently. Content found on training sites and forums is put out all the time and much more up-to-date. You should also use poker HUD software like PokerTracker or Hold’em Manager to analyze your game and gain useful statistics about the tendencies of your opponents.

Finally, make sure you’re playing with rakeback and taking full advantage of poker room VIP
systems! It’s impossible to stress this enough – for many high-volume players, rakeback can actually make the difference between a losing and winning player. It’s also important to take advantage of promotions that online poker rooms offer. If you don’t do these things, you’re simply leaving cash on the table.

British Gas Introduces The Smart Revolution

David Lowe — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:35:44 +0000

Winter in England typically lasts from October to April. Summer is a “blink and you miss it” affair. That’s why we moved the Origin of Cool headquarters to Austin, Texas!! The British Government plans for all homes to have a smart meter installed by 2019 and British Gas are giving Brits a head start with some great money saving and hassle-free benefits. Their meters come with a handy smart energy monitor that shows the exact energy you’re using. That way it saves you valuable pounds and pennies.

What is a smart meter?
They are clever devices that communicate to an in-home display unit (a Smart Energy Monitor), giving you an instant view of your energy consumption for both gas and electricity.

Want to know how much energy the UK is wasting every year? Check out the following infographic:

The Smart Revolution is the biggest infrastructure programme in the UK since the 1970’s, when the nation switched from coal to natural gas as main fuel. Smart meters are also instrumental in enabling Britain to upgrade its National Grid. If you want to pre-register for a smart meter you can do so by entering your details here.

The Oxford Economics Report

Oxford Economics were commissioned to investigate the value of smart metering to Britain and the results were extremely positive. British homes and businesses could be nearly £14 billion better off thanks to the roll out of smart meters.

Key benefits of smart meters:
- £11.2 billion in energy savings for households and businesses.
- £10.7 billion in efficiency savings for energy suppliers.
- £3.2 billion in generation related savings.

Smart meter FAQs:

Q. Is it going to cost anything for the exchange?
No – there is no upfront cost involved for the meter exchange. You will pay for your smart meters (one far gas and one for electricity) through your energy bills in the exact same way as you pay for your current meters.

Q. Why is British Gas changing the meters? (What are the benefits?)
British Gas are exchanging meters as part of Government mandate and are currently targeting old meters that have reached their shelf life. Smart meters provide a range of benefits that help you see and understand the energy you’re using as you use it. Smart meters also help you to be in control of your energy in order to help you make real savings. You can register your interest for a smart meter here

Q. Will having a smart meter affect my bills?
A smart meter won’t affect your bills but it will allow you to see the energy you are using via a smart energy monitor; which means you might be able to be more cost efficient and save money on your bills.

Q. My meters are outside; do I have to be there when they are being exchanged?
Yes – even if your meters are outside you will still need to be present during the exchange. This will help you to fully understand how to make the most out of your new smart meter.

Q. Will I still be able to update my readings online and receive Nectar points?
You will still receive your nectar points but as smart meters send us your meter readings automatically you will no longer need to submit these online.

Q. How long will the exchange take?
The exchange will take 90 minutes on average to complete.

Q. Can I have the meters installed at the same time?

Yes – both your gas and electricity meters can be fitted during the same appointment unless there are any complications on the day of exchange.

For more information check British Gas social media channels: Facebook site and Twitter site

The Hipster’s Guide to Music Valhalla

David Lowe — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 23:26:03 +0000

Victorian hipster and artist Oscar Wilde once said, “A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament”. Unique individuals will often, by nature, stray from the commercialism of mainstream books, films and music. Often, they identify in art that is more secluded and sui generis. For those who find themselves staring at a music collection that is anything but Jay-Z and Lady Gaga, your tastes are indeed specific, and more than likely it takes great deal for you to be impressed by a music artist and like his/her work. If you want to make your search simple then grab free music downloads @ KazaGold where you can discover artists that are enjoyed by a limited group of admirers. This article will address some concerns that apply to choosing a free music download site, and strive to set you on your path to finding another unique artist who plays in tune to the fabric of your being.

Too Many Choices, I Give Up

Not so fast. If you wear sandals and wool beanies at the same time, then you will definitely want the down low on the differences that dwell between various free music download websites. First of all, some of these companies use the term “free” as a marketing ploy to draw people in. It turns out their sites do not let you really download music for free. Although they may not charge you a fee for each individual song you download, they will charge you a monthly membership fee. And let’s face it; the market is saturated with so much terrible commercialized garbage that paying a monthly fee doesn’t benefit someone with refined tastes who might (if they are lucky) find 2 or 3 songs a month that are apropos to their unique standards. Finding a site that offers free music downloads with no hidden fees is the way to go.

Another thing to consider is quantity. Remember, for every 1000 songs there may only be one you like. Most company’s media libraries have 1 or 2 million songs. Look for a truly free site that more than triples this number. The more tracks they offer, the better your chances of binding to a newly discovered artist that truly moves you.

Go Explore

The experimental music you love is abundant on free music download sites, as these artists truly just care about sharing their music with others. They are not looking to get rich and board private jets. As someone who turns my nose up at almost everything I hear on the radio, let me give a personal recommendation: Lost Civilizations, featured in Sound Click, is an experimental music project that I doubt you have heard of. This project is a collaboration between Mike Sebastian and T.A.Zook. You won’t find them on iTunes, but you can catch them playing around the Washington DC Metro and Baltimore area. Their music can also be discovered on free music download sites. Do your diligent research, find a download site that is truly free, and go seek out these artists who want only to be heard.

Image source: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kqdhzp566G1qzj1h3o1_400.jpg

Movember Worldwide Is Helping To Beat Prostate Cancer

admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:38:18 +0000

During November each year, Movember encourages men from around the world to grow, tease and comb moustaches. With their “Mo’s”, they raise vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives. The movement started in Melbourne, Australia, and has grown to become a truly global craze. At the last check the leaderboard for money raised was as follows:

1). Canada – $28.2 million
2). United Kingdom – $20.5 million
3). Australia – $17.8 million
4). United States$13.5 million
5). Ireland – $1.1 million

Here are the top 5 Movember moustaches we spotted:

images: Movember.com

Apprenticeships In British Intelligence: Become The Next James Bond

David Lowe — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 15:00:16 +0000

With the new James Bond movie Skyfall in theaters, GCHQ, MI5 (Security Service) and MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service) have chosen the perfect time to offer a Higher Apprenticeship like no other. Their two year technical programme in IT, software, internet, telecoms gives you a base in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire for your first year. You’ll be earning a salary (approx £17,000) and gaining a unique insight into a world that you won’t find on any university course. With GCHQ you’ll be combining the theory with the practice by working with some of the best and most cutting edge technology.

If you have seen Skyfall, you’ll be familiar with Javier Bardem’s Raoul Silva – a cyber criminal. At GCHQ, you’ll be helping to tackle cyber threats, terrorism, counter espionage and organized crime. The programme may also give you some opportunities in London for the second year of the placement. After successful completion of your apprenticeship, you’ll gain a Foundation Degree and a level 4 Diploma in IT Professional Competence. After the course, use your technical skills you’ve gained in a career in British Intelligence. 007 is so yesterday. You will be 008!

- What do you like about the internship?

- Could you see yourself as the next James Bond?

Requirements:

You will have, or be expected to gain by September 2013, three A-Levels (or equivalent qualifications), two of which must be at Grade C or above in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) related subject.

Deadline:

Applications will open on 18th October, closing on 30th November 2012.

The Nitty Gritty:

Applicants must be British citizens. GCHQ values diversity and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our work.