Life In The Weeds

The 13th Floor

Don't you think it is a little silly that buildings do not have a 13th floor?

I just took notice as I was heading up to my office on the 19th floor yesterday.  I was watching the floors tick by...11, 12, 14.  Even new buildings...built with the very latest technology and equipment...still eliminate the 13th floor...really?  I'm not sure I understand the logic.  Is it that they think the building will collapse?  Will be haunted?  Will be doomed with bad mojo?  

I wonder whether or not the newest buildings in Singapore or Dubai eliminate the 13th floor?  Is it just an American thing?

Kinda makes you say hhmm?

mj

Hands Free Driving

I'm not 100% certain, but I think it is a nationwide law that you can not "hold" a cell phone while driving. The "hands-free" legislation allows drivers to use their cell with some sort of blue-tooth technology or by using the speaker phone option.  While I am totally on-board with this law, I must admit that I am guilty of neglect (and have the ticket to show for it).

Now, the Transportation Secretary is urging Congress to enact a national law against texting while driving. Currently, 35 states and the District of Columbia have a ban on texting while driving.  I am all for this law as well.  I think texting is much more dangerous than talking on the phone.

There is even discussion on banning all cell phone use while driving.  I think this measure is a bit extreme, but it would certainly make drivers less distracted.

So, I'm on-board with "hands-free" driving, but let me ask this...why wouldn't "hands-free" also apply to say...the lady who is putting on her eyeliner on Route 1 or the guy reading the paper on the NJ Turnpike or the guy reading a book or the lady putting on lipstick or brushing her hair or the guy eating a burrito on his lunch break?  All of this things, which we all see everyday are NOT "hands-free" driving...AND are much more distracting than a guy yakking on his phone.  Sometimes it is a down right spectacle in the car next to me.

Do those people get tickets?  Should they?  Will they in the future?  I think it is a possibility...

So, next time you are on a road trip and you want to order a #3 at the McDonalds drive-thru, you may want to think about dining in!

mj

Grounded

We have all been there...on a plane getting ready to depart - checking emails, texting or finishing up a conversation - when the flight attendant says "please turn off all electronic devices."

We all wonder the same thing...does it really make a difference?  Will it really interfere with take-off or landing?  And, more importantly, what the hell are they really going to do...kick me off the plane?

Now, if your Alec Baldwin, your thinking the exact same thing...except he is saying, "what the hell are they going to do to ME, Mr. Hot Shit celebrity?"  Especially if I am in a heated Words with Friends game...I mean paahlease!

Clearly he needed to get in a triple letter, triple word while it was fresh on his mind.  He was probably playing with his daughter and he wanted to beat her ass so badly...because we all know how solid THAT relationship is!!

So, American Airlines booted Baldwin for refusing to turn off his cell phone.  Here is the statement from American Airlines.

Since an extremely vocal customer has publicly identified himself as being removed from an American Airlines flight on Tuesday, Dec. 6, we have elected to provide the actual facts of the matter as well as the FAA regulations which American, and all airlines, must enforce. Cell phones and electronic devices are allowed to be used while the aircraft is at the gate and the door is open for boarding. When the door is closed for departure and the seat belt light is turned on, all cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off for taxi-out and take-off. This passenger declined to turn off his cell phone when asked to do so at the appropriate time. The passenger ultimately stood up (with the seat belt light still on for departure) and took his phone into the plane's lavatory. He slammed the lavatory door so hard, the cockpit crew heard it and became alarmed, even with the cockpit door closed and locked. They immediately contacted the cabin crew to check on the situation. The passenger was extremely rude to the crew, calling them inappropriate names and using offensive language. Given the facts above, the passenger was removed from the flight and denied boarding.

Alec must be super proud...I hope it was not for a measly 5 point word!

mj

Sandusky Nightmare

Will somebody please tell Jerry Sandusky to stop giving interviews!

I mean the guys guilty...but how can that ninny of a lawyer think it is a good idea to get him in front of the public?  According to his statements, he is trying to allow Sandusky to improve his image.  Have you seen his latest interview with the NY Times?  You do not have to be a crime expert to realize this guys is as guilty as they come...it's gross to watch.

So why is it that Sandusky was able to get away with child abuse for all these years? With so many people aware of his behavior?  Sadly, I believe it is a generational problem.  The folks of that generation, including Paterno, for some inexplicable reason find it okay to look the other way.  I believe the conversation goes something like this..."you know Jerry is a really great guy...he works hard here at the university...he goes to church every Sunday...has really nice kids and a loving wife...I'm sure he's not doing anything that bad."  It's clearly evident with Sandusky's own comments..."sure I may have showered with a child, but we were just horsing around."

Um, Jerry...showering with a child is CHILD ABUSE.  Um, JoPa...if an employee is showering with a child, its CHILD ABUSE!

Jerry was arrested and arraigned Wednesday on new child sex abuse charges involving two additional people who came forward after initial charges were announced last month...for a total of nine children and over 40 acts of child abuse.

It is truly nauseating...one can only hope that Jerry will spend the rest of his pathetic life in jail...and maybe, if all is right in the world, Jerry will drop the soap in front of the wrong guy in the shower!

mj

Skeletoes

Have you seen seen these?  Perhaps, you have starred at someone wearing them or even mocked them?Even pointed or gasped?

They are all the rage these days and I want IN...the band wagon is moving out and I am on board.  My inspiration comes form the author of Born to Run, Christopher McDougall.  Running barefoot is the natural way to run...as a kid, even now...well, as a kid, I seem to run and perform better in bare feet.

I was getting push back from family and friends when I broached the subject of purchasing a pair...and, in some way, I was waiting for that extra motivation to buy my very own.  And, then it happened!  MY brand...MY favoritest brand in the whole wide world entered the toe-shoe market.

Oh yes, Adidas.

That was it...that was all I needed to make me pull the trigger.

Black Friday was the day.  I went to the store and stormed right to the back and asked for and 11.5 to try on.

Getting these suckers on was pure entertainment for my son, my brother and my nephew.  Let's just say, digits #4 and #5 are more like nubs, than toes...so seeing two flapping, unsupported "toes" was quite comical.  However, after a few minutes, i jammed ALL five toes in their proper spots.  They were quite comfortable...a little strange to be sure, but as I walked around the store, I could see how great they would be for running.

Cue the sales guy..."how are they?"
"great, I can't wait to go running in them"
"well, they are not for running"
"What?...then what are they for, if not for runnning"
"They are really for the gym...if you want them for running, you should buy another brand"
"NOOOOOOO."

Shoes off...no sale!  And I was so close.  I am still committed, but less motivated.  

Maybe Santa will be brand intolerant and bring me a pair for Christmas.

mj

Berlin, my favorite city

Last week I was in Berlin, and without fail, no matter who I spoke with...American or European...I heard the same comments..."Berlin is my favorite city."

It was my first trip to Berlin and I was fortunate to have a free day to explore the city. The person I was traveling with had the brilliant idea to tour the city using Fat Tire Bike Tours.  Did I mention this was a brilliant idea?

Over the course of almost 5 hours, we saw lots and lots of Berlin...while cruising around on a big ol' Beach Cruiser bicycle.  I did not find the city itself to be particularly beautiful...the architecture was not too stunning either...but, the history and the anecdotes about the city were fascinating.

Some of my observations of Berlin:

• The people were all very friendly, spoke English fluently, were very fashionable and fit
• The city was very clean
• Berlin was just flattened in WWII, so all the buildings are relatively young - though, many "look" old
• I felt like I died and went to heaven in The Adidas Store
• Everyone smokes
• The food was very good; the beer was exceptional

All in all, it was a nice visit...is Berlin my favorite city though?  Not sure I can get on that band wagon...

mj

 

QR Codes

Do these things piss you off?  Do you even know what they are?  Do you know what they are used for? What you see here is a QR Code.

Wikipedia defines a QR code: A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and comparatively large storage capacity.

Whatever that means?

You see these things in stores and in magazines as part of advertisements.  You need to download a QR Reader on your smart phone to "read" the QR Code.  When you take a picture of the QR Code you immediately get product information or, better yet, a coupon for the product.

I think these things are ugly...and I can not imagine that an Ad-Man wants to stick this QR Code on their beautiful advertisement campaign for say, Ralph Lauren.  And, who really wants to deal with taking a picture of the QR Code?  Why not just offer a coupon to the every customer?  IMHO, I do not think these things have really caught on, and I really do not see them catching on...in a chage the marketplace sense!

No question that they are making a big push...but I hope they fall by the way of the Pet Rock!

mj

Beer Pong

I am definitely going to date myself with this post...and it frustrates me to think that I am SO old.  But, when I was in college (OWU '91), I fancied my self as a kick-ass Beer Pong player.  I played Beer Pong all the time...I mean, all-the-time!

Our Beer Pong consisted of:  a real ping-pong table, real ping-pong paddles, cups.

Our Rules:  cups were a paddle length from the back of the table and centered on the table, in doubles; both cups had to be touching.  If the ping-pong ball touched the cup, you drank...if it went in the cup, game over (and chug)...cups were worth 5 drinks...you had to take a drink on each hit.  Hitting your own cup with the ping-pong ball was self abuse, one drink penalty.

Today's Beer Pong is nothing like what I describe above...and today's Beer Pong has it's own World Series of Beer Pong in Vegas, tournaments all over the country, their own movie (The Last Cup), their own website and accessories galore.

Modern Beer Pong consists of: a table (the official ones are long and skinny), your hands and cups.

Modern Beer Pong rules:  cups are set up like bowling pins and you throw it in the cups. Honestly, I think their are more rules, but I feign ignorance out of disgust for the game!

Even Morgan Spurlock talks about how he played "modern" Beer Pong in college...am I really older than Morgan Spurlock?

Call me old school...or old fashioned...but I like my version of Beer-Pong much better than this modern, new fangled way the "kids" are playing today!

mj

No More Cash Cab

No, no, no...I'm not bashing the Discovery Channel show "Cash Cab".

I am bashing any/all cabs in America that do not take credit cards!  We are, and have been, very spoiled here in the greatest city in the world (no, not Philly)...it could not be easier to pay for a cab in NYC. EVERY cab has a credit card swiper at the ready for their passengers.

Why isn't this the case everywhere?  It should be a requirement for all cabs.

I travel lots...and it is so frustrating to hop in a cab, in say Dallas, and have the pay cash for a cab ride to the hotel.  Even worse, are the cabby's that say they take credit cards and when you hand them your Amex, it takes them 15 minutes to find their "credit card machine".  And, this "machine" is no machine at all, rather, it is a antiquated, broken credit card "roller" to take an impression of your card.  I've had cabby's take out a pen and rub my credit card impression on a random piece of paper...unbelievable.

Even in Vegas, about half the cabs ARE NOT outfitted with card swipers...really?  C'mon now!

I just returned from Denver...all the airport cabs had swipers...perfect!

A trip this week to Long Island had me in a decrepit cab, dirty cab with no chance of credit card usage. But the driver was so hilarious...I mean so over-the-top strong island, that I barely noticed that my 10 minute cab ride was $35, cash!

Hell, they do not take your cash on airplanes anymore...airline attendents are swiping cards at 40,000 feet...but they can swip your card from LAX to Irvine?

Cash is no longer king...at least not for me, when I'm in a cab!

mj

AT&T "death zones"

I am a committed AT&T customer...and with four phones in play, I have no plans on switching my cell phone service.  

But, I gotta tell you, cell service in Princeton BLOWS.  Why is that?  Does anyone really know why cell service with AT&T is so bad in the Princeton area?  There are some local areas where it seems as though you are in a nuclear fallout bunker, 1000 feet below the earth's surface.

One of those areas is my own house!  Though, to solve this issue, I pulled the trigger on a Micro-Cell and it has made cell phone usage (only 3G or better, mind you) possible.

In my estimation, her are the "deadest" of all dead zones in the area.

• Beginning at the Hun School...heading down Rt.206...all the way until us reach the Lawrenceville School
• Turn in on Edgerstoune, and you might as well throw the phone out the window
• Heading away from Princeton on Rosedale Road...the entire way until you hit Carter.
• Carter Road...from Rt.206 all the way up to Cherry Valley
• Almost all of Cherry Valley until you reach Rt.206
• Great Road from Princeton, all the way up to Montgomery High School
• All of Elm Ridge Road - Old Elm Ridge Park is mostly a dead Zone, as is New Elm Ridge Park...perhaps a bit more coverage.

Dear AT&T...see above...take note of coordinates and do something about it!

mj