Ferret hatred Aug 26, 2010
Whenever I go to the pet store to pick up supplies for our army of mammals (2 cats, 2 rabbits, several stray dust bunnies), I like to check out the little cages with rodents either sleeping in piles or feverishly running in a squeaky wheel.  I had some rodent pets when I was growing up, and I always like to watch them do their thing, but not enough that I actually want to invite yet another mammal to live in our house.  But most pet stores also have a ferret section, and for a variety of reasons, I hate ferrets.  I despise them.  They're disgusting, repulsive animals.  For one, they stink.  All animals smell to some degree, but ferrets have a certain specific stench which I personally find offensive.  Second, they seem to have lots of teeth.  Sharp ones.  And claws.  I don't have much experience with ferrets, but it seems like they wouldn't play nice.  And finally, they're long and slithery like snakes.  There's just something about their body shape that makes my skin crawl.  In conclusion, if you give me a ferret for my birthday, it'll probably end up on the grill. #nature
Sequels to Eat Pray Love Aug 26, 2010
The Shoebox people have a few ideas for a possible sequel to Eat Pray Love, the latest film I will never see.  My favorites:  Yawn Scratch Burp; Eat Digest Poop. #entertainment
Rental car features Aug 25, 2010
I keep accidentally getting rental cars without cruise control.  This is mildly problematic because I can't think of a time when I rented a car and didn't drive it for less than three hours straight on a highway.  I realize cruise control is a luxury and I should be able to hold down the accelerator for an extended period of time without my foot falling asleep.  My most recent rental car also lacked a pretty standard amenity:  Power door locks.  The car I drove in high school had manual locks and manual windows, so I understand how these archaic things work.  But when renting a new car from a reputable place, I expect more than a tape deck and a hand-crank engine.  When I stopped at a gas station and went inside to get a drink, I fumbled around for a few minutes trying to find the automatic lock button.  It wasn't on the door, or the center console, or the keychain.  Then I realized I had to lock all the doors by hand.  Hey rental car, 1990 called; they want their lack of technology back. #travel
Internet echo chamber (3) Aug 24, 2010
Leo Laporte on having some of his social media settings messed up and subsequently ignored: 
It makes me feel like everything I've posted over the past four years on Twitter, Jaiku, Friendfeed, Plurk, Pownce, and, yes, Google Buzz, has been an immense waste of time. I was shouting into a vast echo chamber where no one could hear me because they were too busy shouting themselves.
That's what most big websites with comments feel like.  I lose brain cells every time I read a comment on YouTube. #technology
Kia Soul review Aug 21, 2010
I had a Kia Soul as a rental car a few weeks ago, and it had many positive qualities.  It had satellite radio and audio controls on the steering wheel.  It was surprisingly roomy for how small it looked.  And of course, the commercial with the hamsters dancing to that 90s hip hop song is excellent.  But there's just one problem with this car:  The seats are ridiculously uncomfortable.  They feel like wooden church pews.  There's absolutely no comfortable position.  So to the Kia people, I would say good job with the features, but fix the basics. #travel
Front desk number Aug 20, 2010
So there I was a few nights ago, sitting in my hotel room, watching TV, when all of a sudden I got a call on the room phone.  I couldn't imagine who it would be since anyone who could possibly want to contact me would call my cell phone.  So I answered, and a lady on the other end asks, "Is this the front desk?"  Slightly annoyed at her incompetence but somewhat understanding because of the fact that I was staying in room 123 and thinking maybe she just picked up the phone and started pressing numbers, I answer with a hint of anger, "Nope."  As I hang up I notice the international standard set of important numbers printed on the phone itself, with the front desk being at the top of the list and having the very-easy-to-guess number of "0."  About 30 seconds later, the phone rings again, and sure enough it's the same lady asking for the front desk.  Masking my incoherent rage at her blinding stupidity, I politely say, "You might want to try dialing 0."  I didn't hear from her again, and she should be thankful for that. #technology
Gross male clothing (2) Aug 18, 2010
I don't know any people who think the following popular clothing styles for men are attractive in any way, for any male mammal, whether human or otherwise:
  1. Low-rise anything
  2. Skinny jeans
  3. V-neck shirts
One day we'll look back at this and realize how right I am.  Then another 20 years later, these ridiculous styles will be back again. #lifestyle
Favre watch (2) Aug 17, 2010
I love how the NFL Network is currently using the headline "Favre Watch 2010" as if his decision about whether to play another season is the sports world's equivalent of a major hurricane or war coverage.  And ESPN, in addition to their frequent updates for things like baseball and football, have their own "Favre" section.  He's like Lindsay Lohan, but for football. #sports
Quart Aug 16, 2010
As a child, I was forced to remember that there are four quarts in a gallon, but I never picked up on the fact that a quart is a quarter of a gallon, which is much easier for me to remember. #math
Notable thiols Aug 15, 2010
A thiol is a type of chemical compound that typically has a strong, unappealing odor.  One example, ethanethiol, smells like onions, and is the chemical that's added to propane to make it smell.  Otherwise propane is odorless and we wouldn't realize when our propane-filled house was about to blow up.  Another example, methanethiol, smells like rotten cabbage, and is found in everything from decaying plant matter to animal feces.  A final example, butanethiol, smells like a skunk, and is the primary chemical in stink bombs. #science