I snickered when I read the headline, "Santorum surges from behind" a few weeks ago. However, since then, I've read a tidal wave of surging headlines -- Gingrich surges in SC, Romney fights Gingrich's surge, etc.
OK, headline writers -- find a new verb/noun for surge. How about upswing, rush, groundswell? Rise, grow, escalate, leap? Or any of the others found in any thesaurus? It would take a little bit of thought, but isn't that what a free press should be about?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Ok, I was wrong...
I'll admit it now. While in college, I was an avid admirer of Ayn Rand. I devoured The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. I was a believer, certain that the builders and producers should rule over the parasites and users.
Of course, it being the 1960s, I also believed that the bomb should not be used, marched for civil rights against Ole Miss, attended the very first Vietnam teach-in at Rutgers, and was very present at anti-war rallies and the very first (and second and third...Etc.) Earth Days.
Then I grew up. Years later, I re-read Ayn Rand and discovered two important things: she was an absolutely terrible, horrible writer and her ideas did not make any sense at all in the real world.
If only some of our leaders and shakers had learned the same lesson as they grew up, too.
Of course, it being the 1960s, I also believed that the bomb should not be used, marched for civil rights against Ole Miss, attended the very first Vietnam teach-in at Rutgers, and was very present at anti-war rallies and the very first (and second and third...Etc.) Earth Days.
Then I grew up. Years later, I re-read Ayn Rand and discovered two important things: she was an absolutely terrible, horrible writer and her ideas did not make any sense at all in the real world.
If only some of our leaders and shakers had learned the same lesson as they grew up, too.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
The Infantilization of "Gourmet" Food
Lobster mac and cheese. 5 napkin Burgers. Heavy burgers. Kobe Meatloaf. Pizza bistros. More pizza bistros. More burger joints. And more mac 'n' cheese.
That's what I am reading about in the restaurant and foodie columns. With the exception of chicken fingers and chicken nuggets, it all seems to read like a kids' menu, only with pricier ingredients and pricier prices.
Whatever happened to real food, the kind that demanded a knife, fork and teeth so you could chew it? Is it because people want to be younger -- and thus eat kiddy food? It can't be all about price, as some of these burger joints start around $12 and go upward rapidly.
Maybe it's the economy. During the "great" depression, people flocked to the movies to see happy-making, escape-from-reality films. Could this time it be all about back-to-childhood comfort foods?
Sure, it's fun to be ale to eat with your hands -- and that includes pizza for true believers -- pizza should never be eaten with a knife and fork -- take that, Donald Trump! But let's not take it too far.
Bring back adult food -- with more than one course, and real utensils and cloth napkins. And maybe candles. And a tablecloth. And wine. Not every day. But once in a while, and pass by the burgers and fries and pizza and mac 'n' cheese. Please. And not from food trucks.
That's what I am reading about in the restaurant and foodie columns. With the exception of chicken fingers and chicken nuggets, it all seems to read like a kids' menu, only with pricier ingredients and pricier prices.
Whatever happened to real food, the kind that demanded a knife, fork and teeth so you could chew it? Is it because people want to be younger -- and thus eat kiddy food? It can't be all about price, as some of these burger joints start around $12 and go upward rapidly.
Maybe it's the economy. During the "great" depression, people flocked to the movies to see happy-making, escape-from-reality films. Could this time it be all about back-to-childhood comfort foods?
Sure, it's fun to be ale to eat with your hands -- and that includes pizza for true believers -- pizza should never be eaten with a knife and fork -- take that, Donald Trump! But let's not take it too far.
Bring back adult food -- with more than one course, and real utensils and cloth napkins. And maybe candles. And a tablecloth. And wine. Not every day. But once in a while, and pass by the burgers and fries and pizza and mac 'n' cheese. Please. And not from food trucks.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Black Friday Antidote -- Don't Shop
As usual, we are being bombarded with ads and news stories about Black Friday sales, opening hours, camping out to get there first, etc. It started a week or so before Halloween, and has only intensified since then.
In fact, I was in Chico's last week, trying to replace a pair of trousers before they were all out of my size, and the music being played was "Let it snow." In Miami. Around 88 degrees out. The week before Thanksgiving.
I know it is vital for retailers to make it out of the red during this season, but it is becoming ridiculous. Luckily, I rarely buy much at this time of the year. I work online, so no holiday office parties and gift exchanges. No grandchildren, either. We do not celebrate Christmas, and no Chanukah presents/toys needed for grown children and pets. A trip to the Sprint store to finally get our iPhones will suffice.
My answer to the Black Friday madness? Ignore it. I don't need marked-down electronics, toys, games, sweaters, mittens or hats. Do you really?
In fact, I was in Chico's last week, trying to replace a pair of trousers before they were all out of my size, and the music being played was "Let it snow." In Miami. Around 88 degrees out. The week before Thanksgiving.
I know it is vital for retailers to make it out of the red during this season, but it is becoming ridiculous. Luckily, I rarely buy much at this time of the year. I work online, so no holiday office parties and gift exchanges. No grandchildren, either. We do not celebrate Christmas, and no Chanukah presents/toys needed for grown children and pets. A trip to the Sprint store to finally get our iPhones will suffice.
My answer to the Black Friday madness? Ignore it. I don't need marked-down electronics, toys, games, sweaters, mittens or hats. Do you really?
Friday, October 28, 2011
Who's asking?
During the past several weeks, I have been bombarded by charities, political parties, candidates and causes all asking for one thing: money.
Please give as little as $3...$5...$75. Please come to our charitable event...Only $150...$200...$300...$500 per ticket. Please become my sponsor as I walk(run, bike) to cure (support, raise awareness) for (disease, cause).
Yes, I will sign your petition. I will Occupy Miami. I will volunteer. But -- as interest rates continue to decline -- stop asking me for money. It has already been designated for causes dearer to me.
Please give as little as $3...$5...$75. Please come to our charitable event...Only $150...$200...$300...$500 per ticket. Please become my sponsor as I walk(run, bike) to cure (support, raise awareness) for (disease, cause).
Yes, I will sign your petition. I will Occupy Miami. I will volunteer. But -- as interest rates continue to decline -- stop asking me for money. It has already been designated for causes dearer to me.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Que Hora Es?
After living in Miami for about six years, mi marido and I have finally bitten the bullet, and are in the middle to taking an Introduction to Spanish Conversation course through one of the local colleges.
Ten of us sit around a table and, under the auspices of our Profesora, attempt not to mangle el idioma Espanol. It is not easy. Many years back, I took more years than I could imagine of French. In French, you pronounce very little, often leaving off half of each word. In Spanish, you pronounce everything. I sincerely doubt I will ever master the trilling "r".
We've now moved past the "how are you?"and "my name is" section of the course, and are into verbs, pronouns and declensions. Only in the present tense, mind you. And only regular verbs. I shudder to think of the irregular ones.
Whenever our Profesora asks us to answer a question, you see the "deer in the headlights" look appear on the face of the chosen student. She is always very helpful when we stumble through the answer, but there is still fear. And remember, we all chose to take this course. It is not required.
To get an idea of how we all sound, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cKGyOE_jOI --it was sent by one of the other students.
And always remember -- que hora es? Ocho!
Ten of us sit around a table and, under the auspices of our Profesora, attempt not to mangle el idioma Espanol. It is not easy. Many years back, I took more years than I could imagine of French. In French, you pronounce very little, often leaving off half of each word. In Spanish, you pronounce everything. I sincerely doubt I will ever master the trilling "r".
We've now moved past the "how are you?"and "my name is" section of the course, and are into verbs, pronouns and declensions. Only in the present tense, mind you. And only regular verbs. I shudder to think of the irregular ones.
Whenever our Profesora asks us to answer a question, you see the "deer in the headlights" look appear on the face of the chosen student. She is always very helpful when we stumble through the answer, but there is still fear. And remember, we all chose to take this course. It is not required.
To get an idea of how we all sound, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cKGyOE_jOI --it was sent by one of the other students.
And always remember -- que hora es? Ocho!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
American Airlines comes through ...sort of.
To our intense surprise, AA actually answered our letter, as follows:
September 14, 2011
Dear Mr. Bodner:
Thank you for contacting Customer Relations. We received your letter and were eager to send you a reply as quickly as possible. ( just two weeks later)
Accordingly, I obtained the email address you provided for your AAdvantage® membership profile and have taken the liberty of responding to you electronically. After reading your comments, we are very disappointed to hear that we let you down. It must have been frustrating when your flight encountered mechanical problems resulting in multiple delays. (Our flight didn't have mechanical problems -- the previous one did.)
There is no question that both of you were inconvenienced. At the same time, we very much appreciate your honest feedback. Your comments represent areas of our service that receive our continual review and we are renewing our focus on these very key service areas. The details you provided give us an opportunity to improve and you have our pledge that we are working hard to make your next overall travel experience with us the best that it can be.
While on-time performance is a top priority at American, the many uncontrollable factors associated with air travel make some delays and cancellations inevitable. For this reason, and in keeping with airline industry practices, we cannot assume financial responsibility for our customers' personal time lost or for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of operational difficulties. (According to the brochure we received, they are. At least for some of them.)
Nevertheless, we should always do everything possible to make such situations a little less frustrating. As a gesture of goodwill, we have added 15,000 bonus miles to each of your AAdvantage® accounts. (We asked for 25,000.) These adjustments will be reflected in your account very soon.
Mr. Bodner, again, thank you for keeping us informed. We look forward to the privilege of welcoming you and your wife aboard American Airlines very soon.
Sincerely,
(Name Withheld)
Customer Relations
American Airlines
Good boilerplate, albeit it didn't answer our problem. But better than an unusable voucher.
It does help to write letters of complaint to the people who can do something, rather than just bitch to your friends and acquaintances. And sometimes you even get some of what you you requested.
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