Don't listen Mar 24, 2006
I can't listen to people like Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly because of one simple fact:  They don't listen.  When people call in or when they interview guests, they always try to overpower the caller/guest.  It was kind of funny listening to Sean Hannity interview Howard Stern (another non-listener) the other day because neither of them listened to the other one.  They kept trying to talk over each other.  When you're the smartest person on earth like Sean Hannity, I guess you have the right to talk over people.  To me, it sounds proud and disrespectful.  I guess I'm just the kind of jerk that likes to finish what I'm saying before somebody cuts me off.  And even if I don't agree with what you're saying, I'll let you finish saying it.  Yeah sure, it's Sean Hannity's show, but he should still let people say what they're trying to say.  He ends up arguing against a point they're not even trying to make. #entertainment
Problems Mar 24, 2006
I've found that it's easier and more beneficial to complain about my problems than to do something about them.  For example, I work in an uncomfortably hot environment:  It's about 78°F.  This is unlike my previous complaint about working in an environment that's entirely too cold (around 66°F).  I have a pretty good feeling that if I said anything about the temperature, stupid actions would ensue. 
Me:  It's kind of hot in here. 
Dr. Stupid:  I'll turn on the air conditioner.
The problem with this "solution" is that it's a solution to the symptom.  Air conditioning fixes the symptom of it being too hot.  But the real solution would be to fix the problem itself.  The problem is caused by the heat being on too high on a cold day and there being no way to control a specific room's temperature.  So the real solution would be to turn the heat off when the room reaches a certain temperature.  I believe there's a magical device that does this by sensing the gravitational pull of Jupiter during high tide and incorporating the molecular weight of uranium-238.  It's called a thermostat. 

So instead of voicing my concerns to some idiot who won't and/or can't do anything about it, I'll just voice my concerns to the internet:  Teacher, mother, secret lover. #science
Crinkle Mar 24, 2006
I always eat a ton of food at my desk at work.  I stock up on Pop Tarts, granola bars, fruit snacks (like a 3rd-grader's lunch), and loads of candy every few weeks.  Now that I'm in my new office area where it's painfully quiet, I'm noticing how uncomfortably loud I am.  I'm always crinkling wrappers and tearing opening packaging.  I probably sound like a wild animal rummaging through the trash.  I never hear anybody else making food-related noises.  Do these people not eat during the day?  What's wrong with them?  I eat constantly.  If there was a way to wear a feedbag while still maintaining a moderate level of professionalism, I would totally do it. #food
Credit Mar 24, 2006
One time, many moons ago, I thought about buying a really expensive guitar.  I didn't have enough money at the time, so I thought about financing it.  I talked to the credit people at the music store about applying for a card.  Their first question was, "How's your credit."  I was 19 years old.  I never had a credit card.  My parents always talked about how evil they were.  I answered, "I don't know.  I guess I don't have any credit."  The credit guy slowed down and started to put the credit application back where he got it from.  "I could put in the application for you, but you won't get approved unless you have a certain credit score.  You might want to think about building up some credit."  Now there's an interesting paradox:  You can't get approved for credit cards unless you have credit, and you can't get credit unless you have credit cards.  It's sort of like applying for a job that requires a certain amount of experience.  In order to gain experience, you need to have a job. 

But then I found out that credit card companies give credit cards to any idiot who asks.  That's how they stay in business.  They know that a certain number of stupid people will charge as much as humanly possible on their credit cards, will be unable to pay the bill, and will therefore be forced to pay outrageous financing charges.  Why do you think the APR on most credit cards is around 15-20%?  Because credit card companies can.  If they could, they'd change it to 100-200%, but there are laws against that. 

I told my dad I was thinking about getting a credit card, and he said, "Why do you want to do that?"  I answered, "Because I need to build up my credit."  He said, "Oh, you don't need to worry about that."  But yes I did!  How else was I going to get credit history?  I'm not sure where he was going with that line of thinking. 

Now, 29 years later (or maybe 4), my credit history has enabled me to buy everything from a diamond ring to a car to a house.  Big time stuff.  But I never charge more than I can reasonably afford.  And I fully take advantage of credit card rewards.  I (and Wendy) currently charge everything we possibly can on our credit card so that we'll gain an unbelievable number of points.  These points can be used to redeem gift cards to restaurants, hotels, and stores.  We've already spent a $100 gift card at Ruth's Chris Steak House, a $50 gift card at Hard Rock Cafe, a few $25 gift cards at Applebee's, and a $50 gift card at a Marriott.  There's nothing like getting free stuff for doing nothing.  It almost seems weird that Citibank is giving us free money for using their cards, but then I remember all the interest-paying idiots that are financing my free meals and vacations.  Thanks, idiots.  (Note:  Some people are forced to pay finance charges because of certain unfortunate financial situations, and these people aren't idiots.) #money