The Easter Bunion

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Rob| 2 Comments

It was a grand Easter day in Manhattan, where my brother and sister-in-law hosted us for a wonderful afternoon of eating and fun. The big surprise was walking in and seeing my Aunt Florie, who is just as vibrant and lively as I remember her being in my childhood, forty years ago.

Florie always took a lot of pictures, and she offered this advice: “You should write down on the back who’s in the picture… People will thank you for it someday.” Excellent point. This picture could certainly use some explanation:

Along with our Easter merrymaking, everyone peeled off their shoes to discuss bunions and foot health. After all, nothing says “festive holiday celebration” like examining each other’s feet. My right foot (not pictured) is a frightful sight, in case you’re interested.

Anyhow, to my not-yet-born descendants, this was not some sort of lost Easter tradition, but just what aging people do when they get together in a group.

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Posted in Health, Holidays

Cleveland Rocks

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Rob| 2 Comments

General Electric doesn’t screw around with lightbulbs. Harharhaharhar… oh, I slay me.

Anyway, less than a week after complaining that my five year CFL bulb only lasted two years, the world’s 18th biggest company sent me a coupon that may be exchanged for $8 worth of their fine lighting products.

This came from no less than the world headquarters of GE’s Lighting Division in Cleveland, also home to the company’s Lighting & Electrical Institute.

This may seem like a small thing, but in terms of customer service it’s a real home run. Getting that sort of response to my dumb little complaint is impressive — and it may influence my buying decisions on things that are bigger than light bulbs.

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Posted in Consumerism, Tiny Annoyances

How Planet Fitness Made Running Dangerous

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Rob| 4 Comments

I’ve been running for years — almost always before dawn and on the road. I’d never see many cars along my route, and when one did approach I turned on my headlamp so they would notice me. Some mornings, out along the road at 5am, you wouldn’t pass a single car.

Then everything changed.

Suddenly there was a steady stream of traffic between 5am ands 6am. I wondered where they all came from — but soon realized that it wasn’t where they came from, but where they were going: Planet Fitness.

The populist mega-gym moved from the other side of town to a grand new location — and brought with it a throng of early morning exercisers. Suddenly there was an influx of vehicles — not exactly like rush hour, but by 5am standards it felt like the Northway.

The interesting thing is that these people seem less mindful of a pedestrian on the side of the road. In the past almost every car would give me some leeway when they saw my light and reflective vest. Now? Not so much. These people on their way to exercise can’t be bothered with… someone exercising.

This is a great example of how a tiny change can alter traffic patterns. It’s just one more of a hundred things that have made where I live more crowded and hectic. I used to see deer and hear the turkeys off in the field before dawn. Now there are just more cars.

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Posted in automotive, Health, Modern Living, Tiny Annoyances

Screwed (In)

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Rob| 4 Comments

Like a lot of people, I’ve been gradually replacing the light bulbs in my home with CFL bulbs. When one of the old incandescent bulbs goes kaput, one of the new models takes its place.

I’m not going to go out and buy a Prius or anything — but this is a simple thing everyone can do that will reduce energy consumption.

When I first bought CFLs I recall being impressed that they are touted to last five years. “Wow! Five years? That’s amazing!” But being skeptical, I decided to test this product claim, and started writing down — on the base of each bulb — when it was installed.

The bulb in this picture was screwed in during March 2010, and I’m no mathematician, but that ain’t no five years. So what’s an outraged consumer to do? Take it to the internet.

It turns out that GE has an easy way to report problems with its lighting products; next we’ll see if they replace my so called “five year bulb” or issue a refund. Perhaps I can put the money toward a Trivection Oven…

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Posted in Consumerism, Technology, Tiny Annoyances

Pigs: Amusing and Delicious

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Rob| 1 Comment

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Posted in animals, food

News About Spinach

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Rob| 1 Comment

You have to wonder what made them think it was important to put “Ideal for cooking” on this bag, as if cooking the spinach is not something you’d considered before — or maybe other brands of spinach are merely adequate for cooking, but this one is ideal.

If you’re among those just learning that spinach is ideal for cooking, here’s a simple creamed spinach recipe you can try. One note: just be sure you don’t buy the sort of spinach that is not ideal for cooking.

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Posted in Consumerism, food

March Madness

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Rob| Leave a comment

Albany has re-routed its St. Patrick’s Day Parade, hoping that steering the procession away from the bars might create a more family friendly atmosphere. That’s an idea, but I’m not sure that moving a block away — less than a two minute walk — will make much difference.

Just in case you’re not sure you’ll be able to navigate between the parade route and the strip of taverns that line North Pearl Street, here’s is a map you can use as a handy reference. According to my calculations, it’s a whopping 463 feet from State Street to the Pearl Street Pub.


View Larger Map

If that seems too far, just stay right on the corner of State & Pearl and go to Savannah’s. If I were a betting man, I’d wager they’ll see record business tomorrow.

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Posted in Drinking

Wunderbar Wednesday

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Rob| 5 Comments

Everything I know about German I learned from Tenpole Tudor.

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Posted in Music

Less Talking, More Shooting

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Rob| 11 Comments

SPOILER ALERT! Didn’t see Walking Dead on 3/11? Stop reading.

On “The Walking Dead” this week, Shane plots to kill his former best friend and the show’s protaganist, Rick Grimes. He lures him away alone and they stop in a clearing. Instead of just shooting Rick, Shane launches into a bunch of chatty nonsense — and WHAM, Rick has the opportunity to shank Shane. This is a prime example of what’s referred to as evil gloating.

Evil gloating, or as Roger Ebert called it, The Fallacy of the Talking Killer,  is all about bad guys who can’t shut up — and lazy film and TV writers who lean on the technique to build tension.

Outside of Hollywood, people who are going to shoot you don’t deliver a lecture about what they’re thinking and how you’re going to die. No, they just start shooting. How many people have slipped away thinking, “Hey, wait! You didn’t talk before shooting me!”

No. The real world is cold and brutal and things fly at you without any preamble. Even if you did have a chance, you’re probably not going to foil someone intent on getting you. And you won’t even come back as a zombie to even the score.

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Posted in death, media, zombies

Foto Friday

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Rob| 11 Comments

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Posted in Foto Friday