Auto-delete podcasts Oct 22, 2009
I know iTunes has the ability to auto-delete podcasts after they've been listened to, but that function has never worked for me.  When I click "Settings..." in the Podcasts tab, I have "Episodes to keep" set to "All unplayed episodes", which to me means all played episodes will not be kept.  However, in real life, this doesn't happen.  Thankfully there's an easy way to fix this:  Right-click a podcast and click "Allow Auto Delete".  Or you can press Ctrl-A to select all, right-click, and select "Allow Auto Delete".  The one caveat is that podcasts are only auto-deleted after a refresh. #technology
Doctors, LLC Oct 21, 2009
I don't know much about health care or law, but it makes sense in my head that some doctors should make their patients sign a form that says the doctor won't be held responsible for medical malpractice.  This wouldn't work for surgeons and anesthesiologists, but I'm thinking people like chiropractors and physical trainers could get away with it.  The main idea would be to avoid medical malpractice insurance, which would lower costs, which could then be passed on to the consumer.  And perhaps certain treatments would become affordable to the point where they could be paid for without health insurance.  Once again, I'm out of my league here, but it's an idea. #health
Buying drinks Oct 21, 2009
I have this problem whenever I order a drink at a restaurant or bar where I can't stop calculating how much cheaper I could do things if given the opportunity.  Let's say I get a pint of Yuengling for $5.  Being a capitalist, I know I can buy the exact same quantity of beer in bottle form as part of a six-pack for approximately the same price I'm being asked to cough up for just one.  And it kills me.  I'm forced to rationalize the fact that it's on tap so it's likely fresher, or that I'm spending time with other humans which is good for me.  This is part of a much larger problem of mine where I feel irrationally compelled to get the most for my money.  Poor me, pour me a drink. #money
Judging books Oct 20, 2009
I've heard it's not a good idea to judge a book by its cover.  That's why I've recently started judging books by their first few pages.  Is that fair?  I don't know, but it's at least better than simply looking at cover art and reading the quotes from famous people.  What's the alternative?  Depending on other people's reviews?  Perhaps you missed the news:  People are stupid, and their opinions are wrong.  That's why they made a sequel to Transformers.  But seriously, if a book can't capture my attention in the first few pages, it's not worth reading.  As Wendy likes to say, "Life's too short to read a bad book." #entertainment
Wedding buffet Oct 20, 2009
As much as I dislike weddings, I have this one positive thing to say:  Wedding buffets are quite awesome, and not because they were featured at my own nuptial celebration.  They're just a great idea.  You don't have to force-feed yourself the typical 16-course meal, and you get to choose exactly what you want.  I realize this is a fine example of a White Whine and that there are starving children in Antarctica, but hey at least I'm being slightly positive. #food
Schadenfreude Oct 20, 2009
Schadenfreude is a German word meaning "pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others".  I must remember this. #language
Breast cancer awareness Oct 16, 2009
Maybe I'm missing something, but who exactly at this point in time is unaware of breast cancer?  Show of hands?  I'm pretty sure every living thing on planet earth is acutely aware by now, which makes me wonder why the entire month of October is universally celebrated (?) as breast cancer awareness month.  Yes, we know about breast cancer.  Your job is done.  You can stop now.  It's cute how all the NFL players wear pink shoes and gloves to promote this cause, but really the net effect is to alert people to the idea of October being breast cancer awareness month, not in actually spreading awareness of the topic of breast cancer.  Furthermore, what is it, exactly, that I should be doing with this incessant re-awareness?  I assume I should encourage my female acquaintances to get some sort of related medical exam, but last time I checked, women are already quite aware of this issue.  Telling a woman to get a checkup is like telling her to continue breathing.  Finally, if the money spent on pink shirts and cancer walks was spent on finding a cure instead of spreading awareness, perhaps I wouldn't have written this post in the first place. #health
Godchange Oct 15, 2009
I believe that God is in the business of changing people, not circumstances. #religion
Behind the mirror Oct 15, 2009
I was standing at the sink in the bathroom at work yesterday, fixing my makeup or whatever it is I do at the sink in the bathroom at work, when a guy at a nearby urinal said something to me. 

Before I continue, can we please, as a society, as a group of grown adult people with educations and jobs and common sense, all just agree that bathroom interactions must stop altogether, immediately?  There is absolutely no need for conversations or small talk or even the slightest interaction when we enter a room that is specifically designed for collecting the contents of our bowels.  Moving on. 

So this guy says to me as I'm looking in the mirror, "Imagine if there was someone behind the mirror looking back at you."  I briefly calculated the distance to the door and how quickly I'd need to run to escape this strange man, but after sizing him up, I figured I could probably punch his head right off his neck if given a good enough reason. 

I replied, "Heuh," which is sort of a combination between a questioning "huh?" and a nervous laugh "heh".  I specifically geared my response to end the conversation by acknowledging his ridiculous comment while not really replying one way or the other.  I continued checking my makeup, or whatever, and assumed we were done. 

He continued.  "Wouldn't that be funny?  If there was a person behind the mirror looking back at you." 

I glanced over at him standing at the urinal.  I was once told I should make eye contact with people who are speaking to me.  I made eye contact, he stopped talking, and I started to walk out.  I was halfway out the door when I heard him say, "I guess that would be illegal though." 

I paused in the doorway, which, by the way, is right near a maze of cubicles.  Yes, bathroom stranger, that would in fact be illegal.  I'm pretty sure you would go to jail.  But let's continue talking about this extremely awkward topic in this extremely awkward setting.  Please, keep going.  I'm interested in what you have to say.  I'm enthralled by your choice of words and the way in which you stitch them together to form sentences. 

I decided to end this conversation.  I gave a firm "Yeah," both confirming his legal uncertainty and adding a little extra emphasis for good measure.  And I walked out of the bathroom, away from this strange character, thinking that maybe I should start bringing a weapon when I need to check my makeup.  Or whatever. #entertainment
Joys of children Oct 14, 2009
A single person's thoughts on children: 
Most of my married friends now have children, the rewards of which appear to be exclusively intangible and, like the mysteries of some gnostic sect, incommunicable to outsiders. In fact it seems from the outside as if these people have joined a dubious cult: they claim to be much happier and more fulfilled than ever before, even though they live in conditions of appalling filth and degradation, deprived of the most basic freedoms and dignity, and owe unquestioning obedience to a capricious and demented master.

I have never even idly thought for a single passing second that it might make my life nicer to have a small, rude, incontinent person follow me around screaming and making me buy them stuff for the rest of my life.
(via Kottke)

Related:  Joys of parenthood #lifestyle