Ah, those classic stories of holiday consumerism. The Black Friday stampedes at 4:00 in the morning as people fight to get through the doors to buy those $200 flatscreens. The knock-down, drag-em-out’s of three mothers fighting over the last two Cabbage Patch dolls or Tickle Me Elmo toys. Yeah, thankfully we’re not doing that any…
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“Hi, it’s Jeff from the Goldstein Auto Group, can you call me back please?”
God almighty, I hate cold calls from companies. If I don’t recognize their phone number, I send them directly to voicemail. But earlier today, I received a phone call from “Jeff” at the Goldstein Auto Group, asking if I was aware that my car’s inspection was overdue and if I could bring it in to…
Read MoreThat’s not how you earn a tip, Hooters …
I get it. Restaurant workers earn tips for their hard work. And if someone works hard and brings you your food, you should tip them. How much you tip them is your choice, of course. Then again, this happened yesterday on my way home. I really didn’t feel like cooking – actually, lately I haven’t…
Read MoreWhy I hate LinkedIn with the Fury of a Thousand Suns
There are people who swear by the social media site LinkedIn. I am not one of those people. Yes, I have a LinkedIn profile. I haven’t updated it in ages. I don’t care. It’s done nothing for me. Oh wait, I should clarify that. It’s brought me plenty of spam. Spam from people who want…
Read MoreHoly cow, H.R. 3375 might just get passed!!
My regular blog readers will know that I detest robocalls, spambots, telemarketers and cold call swindlers. I detest them with the same loathing and hatred shared only by those who are dragged to a Smash Mouth / Nickelback concert tour. That’s why I’m excited to hear that Bill H.R. 3375 – the “Stop Bad Robocalls…
Read MoreApple products are full of planned obsolescence
“Planned obsolescence” is a term from the 1960’s, it means that a product will have a finite amount of time before it breaks down or stops working. And this will occur at the worst possible time. Because it does. It just does. Case in point. I have my iPod Classic connected to my 2013 Chevrolet…
Read MoreHerrschners – how was your customer service to me?
As you know, I do NOT operate on the theory of “just good enough.” And while I’m working on an art project for Competition Season 2019, I don’t want anything delaying my progress. I shall explain. I’m currently working on the second of two latch hook rug projects. The first one, which you see on…
Read MoreThat’s not the “double vision” I mean…
So I recently finished up my cataract surgery. My eyes are healing reasonably well, and I should receive my new progressive lenses from my ophthalmologist in about a week. Until then, I’m using drugstore magnifying specs to get through my day – at least for close-up work. Distance viewing is fine. Which is why, last…
Read MoreA hacker in a blackout
So at around 5:00 last night, I was working on a couple of projects – just a crafting thing, mind you – and waiting for a basketball game to stream online. Then the lights went out. Poof. Darkness. Wait a second. I paid my light bill. I ALWAYS pay my light bill. What’s happening here?…
Read MoreWinter weather brings stupid, unsafe drivers
My morning routine involves waking up (yawn), writing this blog, taking a shower, getting dressed, making breakfast, and then driving from the Town and Village to Downtown Albany. That’s a short ten to fifteen minute drive, depending on traffic, along Interstate 787. Yesterday, we had the first significant snowfall in the area, and my 15-minute…
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