What a relief to be on the west coast and unaffected by the candy-collecting crimp caused by Hurricane Sandy.
I'm not proud of this, but I confess I keep enough candy on hand to feed trick-or-treaters any day of the year. If I answered my doorbell, that is.
Happy Halloween!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
At least the candidates can speak
No matter who you're rooting for at the presidential debate, be glad there'll be no ninnies or numbnuts at the podium. Romney is definitely capable of putting together a cogent sententence. If he actually gets into specifics this time, he could generate some real momentum.
President Obama is a pretty skilled orator, at least with prepared speeches. But he did something really smart that I almost didn't notice. At first, I thought he was just being modest when, talking about their debating skills, Obama said Romney was very good and that he was just so-so.
Then it was pointed out to me what was really going on: The president was raising the bar by lowering expectations for himself and lifting them for his opponent.
Smart! Sly, but smart.
President Obama is a pretty skilled orator, at least with prepared speeches. But he did something really smart that I almost didn't notice. At first, I thought he was just being modest when, talking about their debating skills, Obama said Romney was very good and that he was just so-so.
Then it was pointed out to me what was really going on: The president was raising the bar by lowering expectations for himself and lifting them for his opponent.
Smart! Sly, but smart.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Question about the 4th Estate
It is a common complaint that media in general and reporters in particular tend to be biased to the left. Whether that comes through in their reporting or not, that has been my overall experience as well.
My question is, why?
Arguably, the people who cover the news are among the most informed among Americans, right? So how is it that the majority of those who do a lot of research, follow news stories the most closely, and actually talk to the people involved skew in one direction?
I don't have an answer, but it makes one think.
My question is, why?
Arguably, the people who cover the news are among the most informed among Americans, right? So how is it that the majority of those who do a lot of research, follow news stories the most closely, and actually talk to the people involved skew in one direction?
I don't have an answer, but it makes one think.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Happy Birthday, Babs!
I never miss "The View," I admit it. Today's episode had the President and First Lady as guests for the whole hour, and happened to coincide with host Barbara Walters' birthday.
You may not know this, but Walters has a quirky habit of stealing souvenirs from the White House whenever she has occasion to be there, which, surprisingly, is still on a regular basis.
Knowing this the Obamas brought Babs a birthday gift - a basket of assorted signature items from the White House, including beer, a golf ball and napkins. See for yourself:
http://jezebel.com/5946239/watch-potus-and-flotus-make-their-genuinely-adorable-appearance-on-the-view
What strikes me funny is the idea of a young black couple bringing an old white lady gifts so she doesn't steal from them!
You may not know this, but Walters has a quirky habit of stealing souvenirs from the White House whenever she has occasion to be there, which, surprisingly, is still on a regular basis.
Knowing this the Obamas brought Babs a birthday gift - a basket of assorted signature items from the White House, including beer, a golf ball and napkins. See for yourself:
http://jezebel.com/5946239/watch-potus-and-flotus-make-their-genuinely-adorable-appearance-on-the-view
What strikes me funny is the idea of a young black couple bringing an old white lady gifts so she doesn't steal from them!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Olympic Irony
I'm pretty consistent when it comes to exercise. For the most part, I get to the gym 5-6 times a week and work out in a variety of ways. I am also consistent when it comes to television. I watch a ton of it. But I often move around while I'm doing it so I'm not too sedentary.
But keeping up with the Olympics broadcasts has turned me into an Idle American.
Because you can't take your eyes off gymnastics performances in order to fully participate as a home audience member. I want to see every jump, vault, leap and fall, and for that, it is necessary to keep my eyes glued to the screen.
When I moved to my third-floor walk-up apartment, I lost five pounds in the first two weeks, just from running errands and returning home. Now, from watching athletes in peak physical condition for more than a week, I have abandoned my own fitness regiment and become a slug in my living room.
Thank goodness the Games are now over. They were terrible for my health.
But keeping up with the Olympics broadcasts has turned me into an Idle American.
Because you can't take your eyes off gymnastics performances in order to fully participate as a home audience member. I want to see every jump, vault, leap and fall, and for that, it is necessary to keep my eyes glued to the screen.
When I moved to my third-floor walk-up apartment, I lost five pounds in the first two weeks, just from running errands and returning home. Now, from watching athletes in peak physical condition for more than a week, I have abandoned my own fitness regiment and become a slug in my living room.
Thank goodness the Games are now over. They were terrible for my health.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Goodbye, McDonald's Breakfast!
Dear McD,
Though I admit to being older than the Egg Mcmuffin, it was your fabulous high-fat breakfast entrees that brought me around: I love the bacon, egg & cheese biscuit, the cinnamon buns are deliciously evil, and the McGriddle was a revelation; I haven't had a homemade buttermilk pancake since they were introduced.
Knowing none of these entrees are vitamin and nutrition-packed, I try not to indulge very often. June 29, 2012 was my big day. I stopped for a breakfast biscuit before an early morning meeting...for the last time.
It was yummy as usual. But I couldn't get over the price. When the meat-filled biscuits first came on the market, they were a great deal - 99 cents, I believe. For a long time they were two for $3.00 (a great deal for the wallet if not the waistline). Somewhere along the way they obviously went up to $2.00 and now have passed $3 each. On June 29, the McDonald's breakfast biscuit cost me $3.59 PLUS tax, bringing the total to $3.89!
This was not at an airport location either but on a corner in a South Bay suburb. For $4.00, I'm pretty sure I can purchase actual food! And, more critically, for $4.00, I used to be able to get 4 biscuits. Look, I'm not great at math, but it looks to me like the price has quadrupled since its birth in about the 1980s.
Holy crap. I've been eating these things for 30 years?!
Anyhoo, this seems like quite the price explosion. Especially since McDonald's' revenues have swollen like Americans' behinds the last few years. And don't think I didn't notice the dwindling options on the Dollar Menu in favor of the "Extra Value" and more expensive offerings.
Time to shape up, McD. Whatever is going on with you, McDonald's, I can no longer be a party to it. From now until the prices come down, your breakfasts are off my menu.
Though I admit to being older than the Egg Mcmuffin, it was your fabulous high-fat breakfast entrees that brought me around: I love the bacon, egg & cheese biscuit, the cinnamon buns are deliciously evil, and the McGriddle was a revelation; I haven't had a homemade buttermilk pancake since they were introduced.
Knowing none of these entrees are vitamin and nutrition-packed, I try not to indulge very often. June 29, 2012 was my big day. I stopped for a breakfast biscuit before an early morning meeting...for the last time.
It was yummy as usual. But I couldn't get over the price. When the meat-filled biscuits first came on the market, they were a great deal - 99 cents, I believe. For a long time they were two for $3.00 (a great deal for the wallet if not the waistline). Somewhere along the way they obviously went up to $2.00 and now have passed $3 each. On June 29, the McDonald's breakfast biscuit cost me $3.59 PLUS tax, bringing the total to $3.89!
This was not at an airport location either but on a corner in a South Bay suburb. For $4.00, I'm pretty sure I can purchase actual food! And, more critically, for $4.00, I used to be able to get 4 biscuits. Look, I'm not great at math, but it looks to me like the price has quadrupled since its birth in about the 1980s.
Holy crap. I've been eating these things for 30 years?!
Anyhoo, this seems like quite the price explosion. Especially since McDonald's' revenues have swollen like Americans' behinds the last few years. And don't think I didn't notice the dwindling options on the Dollar Menu in favor of the "Extra Value" and more expensive offerings.
Time to shape up, McD. Whatever is going on with you, McDonald's, I can no longer be a party to it. From now until the prices come down, your breakfasts are off my menu.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
At my whereabouts' end
Note to self: When trying not to get lost in San Francisco, do not use Starbucks or Walgreen's as landmarks.
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