Headlights off Nov 9, 2007
Why don't cars come with the functionality to turn off the headlights after a certain amount of time when the key isn't in the ignition?  When would you ever want to leave the lights on?  Maybe you just need a light source, and your car happens to be nearby.  In that case, you likely have easy access to your keys, so you can put your key in the ignition and use the headlights.  But I can't think of a time when you'd need the use of your headlights without the use of your key.  For that reason, all cars should have headlights that turn off automatically after a certain amount of time.  It's dumbfounding that this isn't already the case. 

It's the same with blinkers. #travel
Fly at work (7) Nov 8, 2007
There's a fly at work.  All day long, he rams himself into the light over my head.  Thankfully I'm mentally grounded (I am?), otherwise my employer would have a meltdown on their hands. 

This fly has been around for several weeks now.  Perhaps I don't understand how the world works, but I was under the impression that living beings require nourishment.  I was also under the impression that flies have a lifespan of only a few days.  Either this fly has some sort of secret stash of food and mating partners, or I've got a problem on my hands. #nature
Accent awareness (7) Nov 7, 2007
Do people with foreign accents know they have accents? 

Can people from non-English-speaking countries tell the difference between different types of foreign accents, i.e. can a German-American tell the difference between a British accent and a southern accent? 

I will not rest until I can answer these questions. #language
Unrewarding extracurriculars Nov 6, 2007
In high school and college, I was friends with or acquaintances with a few people who were involved in unrewarding extracurricular activities like the school newspaper, the yearbook committee, and the alumni association.  These organizations seemed only to drain their members physically, mentally, emotionally, and creatively, leaving little life left to enjoy.  It didn't seem like these people enjoyed their involvement in these clubs, and there was barely any reward for their hard work and time spent, aside from lukewarm responses and a general lack of acknowledgment from their colleagues.  I never understood why these people continued their involvement in these clubs, and I still don't to this day.  I'm thankful for things like the yearbook, but the newspaper and the alumni association don't interest me.  I guess people have their reasons. #education
Sic Nov 6, 2007
"Sic" seems to be a way to subtly yet professionally point out a person's spelling mistakes, as in "I hope that its (sic) not to (sic) late for your forgiveness..."  Me likes, mainly because I like pointing out people's mistakes. #language
Hell, MI (2) Nov 5, 2007
There's an unincorporated town in Michigan called Hell.  It's in the news today because a couple from the town won the lottery.  The headline read "Couple from Hell wins Halloween lottery". 

I'd like to live near a town called Hell, simply for the jokes.  Here are a few: 

- Why don't you go to Hell ... to buy a picture frame for Mom's birthday?
- My ex-girlfriend was born in Hell.
- I've been through Hell and high water today ... because there was some flooding after the snow melted.
- I'd rather be in Hell than in this meeting.
- Hell froze over ... like it does every December.
- McDonald's is at exit 26 off the Highway to Hell. #travel
Fair Nov 5, 2007
I heard it suggested recently that the word "fair" actually means "getting what you deserve" instead of "everybody gets the same thing".  The latter lines up better with the idea of "equality".  The topic was brought up by a high school teacher who's sick of students claiming something's not fair (e.g. one student getting punished for something while another student isn't).  She says to them, "Based on your performance up to this point, this is the outcome you deserve.  That's only fair." #psychology
Private beta Nov 2, 2007
As a frequent reader of tech geekery websites like TechCrunch, I often stumble upon companies and services offering a "private beta" because they're not quite ready for prime time.  This seems like a good idea when you want people to try out your service but you know it's not perfect and don't want to disappoint the masses. 

However, I'm taking the official stance that private betas are a bad idea.  For people like me who either don't have any experience being a beta tester or don't have the credentials to get an invite, private betas equate to a road block.  If there's no simple way around it, I quickly lose interest, and you've forever lost me as a customer (since I can't remember the last time something was in private beta and eventually came out, still maintaining my interest).  In the off chance I put my email address in your "Tell me when you're out of private beta" mailing list, I likely won't remember why I was interested in your company in the first place, so again, you've lost me as a customer. #technology
Sony T200 Nov 2, 2007
Is it bad that this makes me drool? 
[Image: sonyt200.jpg]
8.1MP, 5x optical zoom, 3.5-inch widescreen touchscreen LCD, image stabilization. 

Even though it's a Sony and I dislike everything Sony, I can't help but be amazed by this camera. #products
Adrenaline pills Nov 2, 2007
Why doesn't somebody manufacture adrenaline pills?  They'd be the perfect pain killer, stimulant, and Superman-creator.  Whenever I have adrenaline coursing through my veins, I feel like a god-man, incapable of experiencing pain or being stopped.  It's really quite dangerous.  And quite good. #science