What isn't newsworthy these days??
I just read a headline "Obama Swats Pesky Fly During Interview". Because that is what I want to read about in the ten minutes of down-time I have per day. And how a group of 30,000+ crazy, 1st Amendment Rights haters want CBS to fire David Letterman for an off-color joke that was accidently and incorrectly directed towards a minor whose mother's questionable morality and parenting skills are already a tabloid favorite. LIGHTEN UP. Even Palin, whose week-long tirade permeated the airwaves, newspapers and bandwidth, has accepted the apology and dropped the topic.
My belief is that there are too many media outlets and not enough news - that once reputable reports now go digging for the most sensationalistic stories, true or not, in the spirit of competition. Where does that leave the general public? Discussing Jon and Kate, David and Sarah over the water cooler, instead of Obama's newest health care policy ideas or that this is the last year for a once iconic vehicle to be launched into OUTER SPACE.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Yet another gripe.
Comcast.
On my bill, dated 12/27/07, DVR was $11.95 per month. Now?? A year later?? $15.95. A 25% increase in a year?????!?!?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
On my bill, dated 12/27/07, DVR was $11.95 per month. Now?? A year later?? $15.95. A 25% increase in a year?????!?!?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Monday, January 5, 2009
It's the Important Things That Truly Matter
I get free coffee/tea at work.
We have a handful of moderately cared for K-cup coffee machines, and an assortment of flavored coffees and teas to choose from. In my current state of mind, I feel like being whiny and picky.
I have a morning routine. I pop the last used k-cup out of the holder. I fill my mug with 10 ounces of hot water to clear out the last bits of coffee from the previous user. I then take a paper towel and wipe down the spout where the water/coffee/tea comes out (every time, without fail, I wipe out coffee grinds and gook. Yes, gook). Then I feel like I've done my part to eradicate any coffee flavor, and can brew my tea.
This process may seem tedious and obsessive-compulsive, but for those of you who know of my sensitive palette, it is a necessary evil. So today, after completing my de-coffee-ing procedure for the 2nd time, I was sorely disappointed when I walked away with french roast flavored green tea.
These are the trying times in my life. Thanks for listening.
We have a handful of moderately cared for K-cup coffee machines, and an assortment of flavored coffees and teas to choose from. In my current state of mind, I feel like being whiny and picky.
I have a morning routine. I pop the last used k-cup out of the holder. I fill my mug with 10 ounces of hot water to clear out the last bits of coffee from the previous user. I then take a paper towel and wipe down the spout where the water/coffee/tea comes out (every time, without fail, I wipe out coffee grinds and gook. Yes, gook). Then I feel like I've done my part to eradicate any coffee flavor, and can brew my tea.
This process may seem tedious and obsessive-compulsive, but for those of you who know of my sensitive palette, it is a necessary evil. So today, after completing my de-coffee-ing procedure for the 2nd time, I was sorely disappointed when I walked away with french roast flavored green tea.
These are the trying times in my life. Thanks for listening.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
One Hour, eh?
I typically think of fun blog topics in the car. Don't ask me why. And by the time I get to a computer to transcribe my thoughts, they are gone.
Fortunately, this one came to me at my desk, as I sit here ordering photos of my beautiful new niece. (Naturally, not doing WORK at 10:30am)
I have an issue with one hour photo. I have no patience, so on one hand, it is a blessing. But my photos are never actually ready in an hour. It's not like I get to the store and they aren't ready. (Thank God for that) The website openly and willingly tells me that I'm gonna be waiting 2 hours and 17 minutes. I personally feel that I should get a discount on my inflated Impatience Rate of 19 cents per print. After I hear that my wait time has doubled (sometimes tripled), I would assume that the line to pick up the pictures at Walgreens is around the block. Am I wrong to think that they are incredibly busy and can't get to my pathetic 7 prints in an hour? So when I show up, and the guy behind the counter is texting someone while eating lunch from Subway, and there is NO ONE else in line, I tend to get a little angry.
Thoughts?
Fortunately, this one came to me at my desk, as I sit here ordering photos of my beautiful new niece. (Naturally, not doing WORK at 10:30am)
I have an issue with one hour photo. I have no patience, so on one hand, it is a blessing. But my photos are never actually ready in an hour. It's not like I get to the store and they aren't ready. (Thank God for that) The website openly and willingly tells me that I'm gonna be waiting 2 hours and 17 minutes. I personally feel that I should get a discount on my inflated Impatience Rate of 19 cents per print. After I hear that my wait time has doubled (sometimes tripled), I would assume that the line to pick up the pictures at Walgreens is around the block. Am I wrong to think that they are incredibly busy and can't get to my pathetic 7 prints in an hour? So when I show up, and the guy behind the counter is texting someone while eating lunch from Subway, and there is NO ONE else in line, I tend to get a little angry.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sign of the Times?
A natural procrastinator, I found myself with a need to battle the crowds and head to [sigh] Target to finish up some last minute details. Much to my astonishment, I found a parking spot immediately and stood in line for no more than 5 minutes. Is the recession truly impacting one of the most profitable times of the year for retailers? Only the numbers will tell the truth. One thing I know is, I did my part to boost the economy (while putting yet another dent into the already banged up wallet).
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Holidays of Yesteryear
Megan told me my last blog sucked. I can't blame her. I reread my last posting and thought to myself "Damn, my last blog DID suck." Hopefully what follows will show a little more effort and thoughtfulness than the last.
I've been faced with quite a dilemma this holiday season. While people's eagerness to send Christmas cards appears to be on the rise, judging by my daily mail delivery (no doubt in part to the ease with which Snapfish provides to print photocards), their enthusiasm to buy presents is dwindling. Multiple family members of mine, all of whom shall remain nameless to protect their identities, have suggested a "no-gift-giving-Christmas" this year. I question the motive behind this. Is it because the malls are crowded and I (the proverbial "I") just don't know what to buy someone who has everything? Or is it because the true meaning of Christmas and gifts has been tainted by the commercialization of a once religious holiday? Or, still, is it that I don't bother getting to know someone well enough that I know their likes, wants and needs?
Crowded malls? Problem solved. Enter...the Internet. Not only is it easy and convenient, a feat accomplished while still in pajamas, but most internet sites actually carry a larger inventory than the store itself. Now, you have proof that the person you are buying for does not, in fact, have everything.
Christmas spirit is reflected in mall Santas, toy commercials and WalMart's 4th quarter profits? Ok, I'll give you this one, however it is easily remedied by teaching your children the true meaning of Christmas by taking them to church and reading them the story of the real St. Nick.
The last reason for abandoning gift giving I find pathetic. If you are so inclined (whether it be societal pressure or sheer desire) to buy a gift for someone, it would be in your best interest (and for that of your karma) to put a little effort into your purchase. Listen to hints that people drop, observe habits and hobbies that might boast meaningful gift ideas. For crying out loud, it's NOT THAT HARD.
In case you couldn't infer thus far, I LIKE the idea of gift giving. Not because I like receiving gifts, but I enjoy the hunt and thrill of finding the perfect gift for someone. But in all selfishness, I don't want to put that type of effort into someone who is going to get me yet another gift set from Bath & Body Works (the standard 'I-don't-know-what-to-get-someone-gift').
Simply put - the holidays have lost their "flare". Christmas use to begin with Thanksgiving and continue through the month of December. Every Sunday there was a new advent activity during Sunday School, and carols were sung every church service the whole month of December. Now laziness and hangovers cloud my Sunday mornings. Trimming the tree was a family event with music in the background. This year, I picked out a tree in 7 minutes, and am pretty sure it's going to die any day now. No longer do I have off from December 23rd until after the new year. Christmas movies on tv are cut and edited for content and are littered with commercials. I am no longer so excited for Christmas morning that I can't sleep the night before. For me, it's just another day off from work...where I will most likely spend 2 or 3 hours in the car, fulfilling the needs of parents and family who insist you come to THEIR house.
Before long, Christmas will become just another one of those holidays that includes a family dinner (or in my case, multiple family dinners) where one or more family members drinks a little to much, and everyone leaves 5 pounds heavier. I'm hoping that one day, when I introduce kids into my life, my outlook will change and I can once again see Christmas through a child's eyes, where the magic is as real as the gifts under the tree.
I've been faced with quite a dilemma this holiday season. While people's eagerness to send Christmas cards appears to be on the rise, judging by my daily mail delivery (no doubt in part to the ease with which Snapfish provides to print photocards), their enthusiasm to buy presents is dwindling. Multiple family members of mine, all of whom shall remain nameless to protect their identities, have suggested a "no-gift-giving-Christmas" this year. I question the motive behind this. Is it because the malls are crowded and I (the proverbial "I") just don't know what to buy someone who has everything? Or is it because the true meaning of Christmas and gifts has been tainted by the commercialization of a once religious holiday? Or, still, is it that I don't bother getting to know someone well enough that I know their likes, wants and needs?
Crowded malls? Problem solved. Enter...the Internet. Not only is it easy and convenient, a feat accomplished while still in pajamas, but most internet sites actually carry a larger inventory than the store itself. Now, you have proof that the person you are buying for does not, in fact, have everything.
Christmas spirit is reflected in mall Santas, toy commercials and WalMart's 4th quarter profits? Ok, I'll give you this one, however it is easily remedied by teaching your children the true meaning of Christmas by taking them to church and reading them the story of the real St. Nick.
The last reason for abandoning gift giving I find pathetic. If you are so inclined (whether it be societal pressure or sheer desire) to buy a gift for someone, it would be in your best interest (and for that of your karma) to put a little effort into your purchase. Listen to hints that people drop, observe habits and hobbies that might boast meaningful gift ideas. For crying out loud, it's NOT THAT HARD.
In case you couldn't infer thus far, I LIKE the idea of gift giving. Not because I like receiving gifts, but I enjoy the hunt and thrill of finding the perfect gift for someone. But in all selfishness, I don't want to put that type of effort into someone who is going to get me yet another gift set from Bath & Body Works (the standard 'I-don't-know-what-to-get-someone-gift').
Simply put - the holidays have lost their "flare". Christmas use to begin with Thanksgiving and continue through the month of December. Every Sunday there was a new advent activity during Sunday School, and carols were sung every church service the whole month of December. Now laziness and hangovers cloud my Sunday mornings. Trimming the tree was a family event with music in the background. This year, I picked out a tree in 7 minutes, and am pretty sure it's going to die any day now. No longer do I have off from December 23rd until after the new year. Christmas movies on tv are cut and edited for content and are littered with commercials. I am no longer so excited for Christmas morning that I can't sleep the night before. For me, it's just another day off from work...where I will most likely spend 2 or 3 hours in the car, fulfilling the needs of parents and family who insist you come to THEIR house.
Before long, Christmas will become just another one of those holidays that includes a family dinner (or in my case, multiple family dinners) where one or more family members drinks a little to much, and everyone leaves 5 pounds heavier. I'm hoping that one day, when I introduce kids into my life, my outlook will change and I can once again see Christmas through a child's eyes, where the magic is as real as the gifts under the tree.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Blog wha...?
I'm such a slacker. I've neglected my blog and my loyal fans. My sincere apologies.
Much has happened since my last blog. I went to Vegas and won some money. The Phils won the World Series. I got engaged! Turkey Day. And my 10-year high school reunion. Oh, and I got a new job in the midst of the chaos. Life is good.
Much has happened since my last blog. I went to Vegas and won some money. The Phils won the World Series. I got engaged! Turkey Day. And my 10-year high school reunion. Oh, and I got a new job in the midst of the chaos. Life is good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)