Whole house DVR Oct 31, 2011
I keep seeing commercials for this service offered by DirecTV that lets you play a recorded show in one room, pause, then restart in another room.  I don't know what it is about this idea, but it's completely unappealing to me.  I just can't imagine a person signing up for DirecTV in order to get this feature.  Maybe it's just me; I only have one TV.  But even if I had many TVs in many rooms of my spacious house, I can't see why I'd want to pause something in one room and start playing it in another.  This advertisement is lost on me. #products
Candy with honey Oct 31, 2011
My package of candy corn says it's "Made With Real Honey," as if that's something I value.  Candy made with artificial sweeteners?  Hell no.  Only natural ingredients for me. #food
Choices vs. abilities Oct 21, 2011
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~ Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets #psychology
Italy pre-travel advice Oct 19, 2011
When mentioning that we would be traveling to Italy, many people offered advice, most of which was quite excellent.  Here were my favorites: 
Eat as much pizza as possible.  Check.  I would say every single day included at least one meal of pizza.  I don't regret that.

Avoid the house wine after going on a wine tour.  Meh.  Not an issue for someone with an unsophisticated palate such as myself.

Don't feel bad about having gelato multiple times per day.  Check.  Why?  How about, why not?
Advice about visiting Pisa?  No thanks. #travel
Broken escalator Oct 17, 2011
"An escalator can never break; it can only become stairs.  You would never see an 'Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order' sign, just 'Escalator Temporarily Stairs.  Sorry for the convenience.'" ~ Mitch Hedberg #lifestyle
SharkBite (2) Oct 17, 2011
One thing I didn't realize I signed up for when I bought a house was that at least once a year I'd have to replace some sort of leaky plumbing fixture under a sink or toilet, simply because metal tends to disintegrate over time when in the presence of water.  Any old person would say, "How didn't you know that?"  To which I would respond, "Shut up, old person."  So this past weekend as I was visiting my local hardware store to replace some leaky valves, one of the sales guys recommended SharkBite fittings.  I was skeptical at first because they cost a little more and I never trust sales people.  But I got home, unsoldered the old valves and smoothed the pipes, then simply slid the SharkBite valves into place.  No soldering, no sealing, no nothing.  This was without question the easiest, most successful plumbing experience I've had in my brief though troubled career as a homeowner. #products
Quarterbacks as leaders Oct 13, 2011
There's a lot of talk in the sports media about whether or not Tim Tebow can be a legitimate NFL quarterback, and obviously only time will tell.  Despite his inexperience, his apparently poor throwing mechanics, and his unfamiliarity with losing, I think he'll do well, simply because he's a great leader.  You see it on the sidelines, after a three-and-out, where he pats each of his offensive teammates on the back.  Or after a touchdown, where he specifically goes up to the player who scored and celebrates with him.  It's the same with Mark Sanchez.  Seeing these guys lead their team, whether they win or lose, makes me want to get off the couch and follow them onto the football field, where I would be promptly murdered by a 350-lb defensive lineman.  It's inspiring.  Contrast that with quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Eli Manning, who seem to treat football with as much enthusiasm as a desk job, really only expressing emotion by getting angry at one of their receivers for dropping a pass, then sitting on the bench in silence while the defense is on the field.  Brady might be the best quarterback ever, and Eli has his moments, but personally I'd rather watch a Mark Sanchez or a Tim Tebow. #sports
Comprehending details Oct 13, 2011
I've written before about my inability to handle extraneous information without proper context; i.e. I like information up front, details later.  I think this might be slightly related to my supposed sensory disorder, where I can't function in the presence of loud noises.  It's kind of the same thing:  Trying to extract relevant information from a sea of irrelevant details.  Also on this list of weird things that are wrong with me is my poor reading comprehension, which was documented throughout my entire life by standardized testing and hatred of classes involving literature.  I believe this is the same issue:  Trying to extract important plot details from a sea of words.  Now if they can just invent a pill to fix this, I might have a shot at becoming a real boy. #psychology
Redundant junk mail Oct 13, 2011
I get more paper junk mail from the credit card company I already have an account with than from all other sources combined. #business
Mobile Flash Oct 13, 2011
A lot has been made about Apple's refusal to allow Flash on the iPhone (that link is from 2008, but nothing has changed).  Apple has its reasons, and they're legitimate:  It's buggy, looks crappy, kills battery life.  Android, on the other hand, allows Flash without a second thought.  And yes, it's buggy, looks crappy, and kills battery life.  As an Android user, I don't particularly care for Flash, but I'm thankful my phone has the option.  Because when it comes down to it, I'd rather have a phone that crappily displays the information I want when I want it, rather than a phone that idealistically doesn't display the information I want when I want it.  Flash on mobile is fairly bad, and I think Flash in general should be put out to pasture.  But in the meantime, just give me access to information. #technology