OK, so a good friend lives in Tokyo. For the past couple of years he’s been blowing bubbles, building bubble-blowing gear, experimenting with solution viscosity, figuring out how to go larger and longer.

The other day, 29 September, 2008, when global financial markets were going ape shit and the sky was falling and the USA was socializing itself for patriotism, he and I were emailing and he was like, ha, I’m going to go down to the Tokyo Stock Exchange to blow some bubbles. I was like, cool, you’re the Bubble King of Shibuya, send some snaps.

Next day I got this email:

“Came out of Nihonbashi Station and met a very genki 75 year old homeless man, spoke perfect English, lives out of cyber cafes, took me to the Tokyo Stock Exchange. I gave him my camera and he took about 50 snaps. The other guy is Peter, another friend, does crazy art projects, parties, skipped out on a business meeting to go make bubbles at the TSE…”

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Dear Colleagues,

Earlier yesterday we announced that Ben Verwaayen has been named CEO of Alcatel-Lucent and Philippe Camus has been named as the new Chairman of the company.

Some of you may know Ben - as one of our largest customers, and as an industry veteran whose career crossed several of our paths over the past several years. He is a well-respected global leader. He understands our business. He knows our customers. He understands our challenges and appreciates our opportunities. He has a proven track record leading a large organization through change. He will be able to step in ‘immediately’ and provide the continuity and stability needed to keep the business focused on serving our customers and executing our plans.

Likewise, Philippe brings to his role of chairman a rich set of global and multicultural experiences. As the former head of EADS, he is an experienced business executive of a large global company who has a good appreciation of the value of technology. Further, through his work with Lagardere, he has a good understanding of the media industry, which is increasingly relevant to the solutions we bring to customers.

I believe our strategy is right and is taking hold. After a difficult start in 2007, we have demonstrated good progress in many areas over the last 9 months. I believe that Philippe and Ben are a strong and complementary team who will work well together to lead the company going forward.

So I leave the company in the coming week proud that we made history in our industry by taking the first and bold step to create a true world leader in our segment. We are one company, we have created a strong foundation with great assets and talented people. I will not forget the dedication, the hard work and commitment you have demonstrated as we embarked on this journey. And a journey it is… We have weathered many challenges, we have accomplished a good deal and of course there is still much more to do. I am confident you will get it done.

I will keep special memories of the people I have gotten to know over the years; I will always value the determination and spirit of the people of Alcatel-Lucent and the pride you display in what you do each day.

I know Alcatel-Lucent is a company with a bright future. I care deeply about your success and will be watching with pride as you become the undisputed industry leader. You all have my very best wishes.

Pat Russo

Update: James @Inspire worked out which file to hack, and there we have it… A New Blogpost Order. Excellent.

The Process

Via Ben Kepes.

Update How annoying. The video has been pulled from YouTube, and there’s no other copy anywhere.

Update II Ben found another copy here.

While I muck around with things, the blog will be in various stages of brokenness. Feel free to flame me or better yet, tell me what’s good or bad.