Hotels
How a hotel sets fees for lodging and amenities is a mystery to me. Last weekend, I stayed in a very nice hotel. It only cost $50 bucks but included – indoor heated pool and whirlpool, a reception with free drinks and snacks in the evening, a constantly on popcorn popper, a pop dispenser available 24/7, free in room wireless internet, free (real) hot breakfast in the morning, and a really nice room. I have stayed in the same city, paid $20-30 more for a room, received almost no amenities, and had to pay an extra $10-20 a night for parking. It seems like the higher the room, the less fun you receive. What’s up with that? Would you buy a car that came with less stuff, as you spent more? Preposterous! Explain, please.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Smallerized
I think it is cool when traditionally large things get smallerized. The Hummer H3 is a ridiculous car that was shrunk to be slightly less offensive. I can’t fit in one, but Mini Coopers are cool. My Honda Fit is essentially a minivan that has been shrunk by half. Cars aren’t all, either. I like my phone book that is one-third the size of others. I enjoy eating M&M minis. On Jurassic Park, they created an elephant the size of a mouse – wouldn’t that be a cool pet? My wife has a pen that is about half the regular size. New half-sized laptops, called netbooks, are available. OK, I’m easily entertained – by halves.
I think it is cool when traditionally large things get smallerized. The Hummer H3 is a ridiculous car that was shrunk to be slightly less offensive. I can’t fit in one, but Mini Coopers are cool. My Honda Fit is essentially a minivan that has been shrunk by half. Cars aren’t all, either. I like my phone book that is one-third the size of others. I enjoy eating M&M minis. On Jurassic Park, they created an elephant the size of a mouse – wouldn’t that be a cool pet? My wife has a pen that is about half the regular size. New half-sized laptops, called netbooks, are available. OK, I’m easily entertained – by halves.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Conspiracy!
I have no use or patience for conspiracy theorists. Their biggest assumption is this or that group huddles together on a regular basis to make sweeping decisions for the rest of us. Let me elaborate. Cancer doctors do NOT assemble to squash cures and keep cancer going, so they can be rich. Media folks do NOT assemble and spin the news so they all come to the same conclusion. Oil producers do NOT assemble to buy out or kill folks that are designing ultra-fuel-efficient cars. Christians do NOT gather and plan ways to monopolize the government. Liberals do NOT gather and scheme about tearing family values away from conservatives. Muslims do NOT (ALL) huddle and plan to kill the citizens of the U.S. There are at least two terms for those who believe in such gatherings – paranoia and schizophrenia. Therapy and medication is available for both.
I have no use or patience for conspiracy theorists. Their biggest assumption is this or that group huddles together on a regular basis to make sweeping decisions for the rest of us. Let me elaborate. Cancer doctors do NOT assemble to squash cures and keep cancer going, so they can be rich. Media folks do NOT assemble and spin the news so they all come to the same conclusion. Oil producers do NOT assemble to buy out or kill folks that are designing ultra-fuel-efficient cars. Christians do NOT gather and plan ways to monopolize the government. Liberals do NOT gather and scheme about tearing family values away from conservatives. Muslims do NOT (ALL) huddle and plan to kill the citizens of the U.S. There are at least two terms for those who believe in such gatherings – paranoia and schizophrenia. Therapy and medication is available for both.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Universal health care
Mike (name changed) was two years older than me when he died a few months ago. He died from a massive brain bleed, caused by high blood pressure. Though Mike worked 50 hours a week as an auto body specialist he could not afford doctors, health insurance, or medicine. Aside from high blood pressure, Mike was in otherwise very good physical shape. Generic blood pressure medicine would have cost maybe $100 a year, plus a $150 doctor visit to get the prescription. Instead he died, leaving behind a wife and two children. Let’s be honest. Let’s get past the liberal vs. conservative labels. Let’s sidestep the them-vs.-us arguments. If we can afford to spend $5-10 billion per month on a war that has no direct benefit to us, we can afford to insure Mike and everyone else like him. Not to do so is a moral and ethical travesty.
Mike (name changed) was two years older than me when he died a few months ago. He died from a massive brain bleed, caused by high blood pressure. Though Mike worked 50 hours a week as an auto body specialist he could not afford doctors, health insurance, or medicine. Aside from high blood pressure, Mike was in otherwise very good physical shape. Generic blood pressure medicine would have cost maybe $100 a year, plus a $150 doctor visit to get the prescription. Instead he died, leaving behind a wife and two children. Let’s be honest. Let’s get past the liberal vs. conservative labels. Let’s sidestep the them-vs.-us arguments. If we can afford to spend $5-10 billion per month on a war that has no direct benefit to us, we can afford to insure Mike and everyone else like him. Not to do so is a moral and ethical travesty.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Auto faucets
I hate automatic faucets. Most the time, they simply won’t turn on. I wave my hands in front of them, clap like a maniac, genuflect like a Catholic – nothing! I go down the line to other faucets till I find one that works. Then the water is either burning hot (in summer) or icy cold (in the winter). On top of those indignities, the thing stops before all the soap is off my hands. What is this technological piece of crap, to decide when I’ve had enough water? Am I not the better judge of that? Then I go to the auto towel dispenser, and it won’t do anything, either. You’re supposed to wave your hands in front of it, but I normally have to tap, punch, or kick it. Then with my newly sterile hands, I touch the plague-laden door handle to exit the room. What’s the sanitation value of all this, I ask you?
I hate automatic faucets. Most the time, they simply won’t turn on. I wave my hands in front of them, clap like a maniac, genuflect like a Catholic – nothing! I go down the line to other faucets till I find one that works. Then the water is either burning hot (in summer) or icy cold (in the winter). On top of those indignities, the thing stops before all the soap is off my hands. What is this technological piece of crap, to decide when I’ve had enough water? Am I not the better judge of that? Then I go to the auto towel dispenser, and it won’t do anything, either. You’re supposed to wave your hands in front of it, but I normally have to tap, punch, or kick it. Then with my newly sterile hands, I touch the plague-laden door handle to exit the room. What’s the sanitation value of all this, I ask you?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Trash Day
Trash day drives me crazy. You gotta have your trash out to the curb by 6am, or you miss the truck. So you wake up before 6 to haul it out there, or you have to put it out the night before. If you do that, the dogs and mongeese scatter it around the ‘hood. If it’s a holiday, it will run a day late – unless it doesn’t and you missed a whole week because they weren't in the mood. And how about recycling? I’m trying to be responsible, and keep Al Gore happy, but who knows what they do with that stuff – really? Are we sure they don’t just throw it in the pile with all the other stuff? Then they laugh at us, and spend our extra recycling fees on beer and pizza. On the positive side, I’m glad somebody takes it away and does something with it. The banana peels and tuna cans are smelling a bit ripe. Stinky!
Trash day drives me crazy. You gotta have your trash out to the curb by 6am, or you miss the truck. So you wake up before 6 to haul it out there, or you have to put it out the night before. If you do that, the dogs and mongeese scatter it around the ‘hood. If it’s a holiday, it will run a day late – unless it doesn’t and you missed a whole week because they weren't in the mood. And how about recycling? I’m trying to be responsible, and keep Al Gore happy, but who knows what they do with that stuff – really? Are we sure they don’t just throw it in the pile with all the other stuff? Then they laugh at us, and spend our extra recycling fees on beer and pizza. On the positive side, I’m glad somebody takes it away and does something with it. The banana peels and tuna cans are smelling a bit ripe. Stinky!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Amanda Jones
Amanda Jones is the 109 year old black woman that Obama referenced in his acceptance speech. She is a woman of deep faith (according to NPR), with framed Bible verses all over the walls of her home. She believes in God, even though scores of horrible atrocities she has experienced could have removed that faith from her. She feels that God himself had a hand in this process, and that Barack’s election is a “blessing.” I agree with her. God bless you, Mrs. Jones, and rest well. God knows you have earned it.
Amanda Jones is the 109 year old black woman that Obama referenced in his acceptance speech. She is a woman of deep faith (according to NPR), with framed Bible verses all over the walls of her home. She believes in God, even though scores of horrible atrocities she has experienced could have removed that faith from her. She feels that God himself had a hand in this process, and that Barack’s election is a “blessing.” I agree with her. God bless you, Mrs. Jones, and rest well. God knows you have earned it.
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