FINALLY!  How to opt out of phone books.  Sort of. 

In November I wrote about the frustrations of having useless fax machine size yellow dinosaurs constantly dropped off at my door. I wrote about it in November of ‘06 too.

Most readers agreed that these are about as relevant as an eight track player.  I also found another story about RETURNING phone books, (not just recycling them,) that was done up in Seattle by alternative weekly “The Stranger.”

From my original post:

Anywhere a phone exists there’s most likely internet access or WiFi, making your product obsolete. Even in my office at work I don’t see phone books in cubicles or workstations anymore. They’re as useful and as relevant as cassette tape answering machines, VCRs, and Blockbuster Video. 

Stop publishing these. It’s a waste of paper, and a waste of the plastic used to wrap them in. (Actually those make decent dog poop bags.) Also the only revenue these bring in - which is advertising, is sold under false pretenses. Just like magazines, phone book publishers base ad rates on circulation. So my handling of this book for five seconds between lifting it up, walking it to and heaving it into the recycle bin counts as an impression and/or user. Yeah right.

This prompted a passionate copied and pasted response from “Yellow Pages Industry” leader Ken Clark:

The other myth is that the Internet is all we need. The Wall Street Journal reported recently that the broadband market is about tapped out. There will always be a good percentage of the population that will never have access to the industry’s Internet products. Barely more than 50% of households in the U.S. (about 56 million homes), currently subscribe to a high-speed Internet service. An additional 21 million households still use dial-up connections (yes, you read that right dial-up connections).

This week 9News/KUSA ran a story on cumbersome phone books, where to recycle them, and most importantly how to opt out:

Call 1-877-243-8339 to opt-out of receiving DEX phone books. Call 1-800-929-3556 to opt-out of receiving Yellow Book directories. If you want to opt-out of the Verizon phone book, you can call 800-555-4833.

The catch however?   You MUST provide your phone number, so they can call you back next year to make sure you still hate phone books.   Well at least its a start.  I’d still rather drop them off at Ken Clark’s house.

Story and video from KUSA.

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I usually mute all commercials while watching TV.  I don’t like being yelled at and prefer to just sit in silence for a few minutes.  However during last Thursday’s episode of Lost I must have been slow on the draw because I remembered and recalled (FYI two key points of a successful ad!)  an Old Chicago spot in which they declared themselves “Official Home of the Calzone.”

My first recation wasn’t an urge to consume this bready, cheesy, carb laden mound of grease - but rather “Huh? The official what now?  What exactly makes it official?” 

In general the word “official” is used to market a product or service in which the parent company or owner is able to promote that product as exclusive to them.  And notice the words “official” and “exclusive” are often used interchangeably.  To market something as truly official requires an agreement with the product being touted as official.  For example Subaru is the official sponsor of the Globe Trekker TV series.  That’s because both parties at some point consented and agreed upon this.  For the same reason Dreyer’s Ice Cream is the “official” ice cream of American Idol.  American Idol ice cream?  Sure its stupid, but officially official because Dreyer’s and American Idol agreed upon it. 

A calzone cannot consent or agree to serve one single restaurant.  This is because a calzone is a conscious lacking food creation incapable of being exclusive to Old Chicago.  To my knowledge there is no governing body overseeing the sale and marketing of calzones, thus a retailer declaring itself as “official” carries no weight or authority whatsoever.

Like the photo of the calzone above, this campaign may appear substantial, but the phrase “Official Home of the Calzone,”  is really just empty and bloated - which is how I usually feel after eating at Old Chicago.

For the Future Gringo recommended calzone I suggest visiting Dolce Sicilia, a wonderful Italian bakery at 32nd and Wadsworth.

officially by James Van Dellen

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My regular readers might notice it’s been a little less divisive here as of late. I have no idea yet which presidential candidate will provide me a better America, and there’s only so much you can say about Mike Huckabee, “religious” political action groups, and other such nonsense. Plus Vinny over at Insignificant Thoughts has been dishing out some heavy political commentary lately, and even if I disagree on some takes I enjoy reading his stir of issues.

Last year I posted a short brief on Karla Comfort’s trek across America in her airbrushed Hummer - in support of our troops. In my post I wrote that a Hummer is a universal symbol of U.S. greed and excess, and seen as integrally tied to oil in the middle east macro view. To use it as a rolling MEMORIAL is ridiculous. What’s wrong with a Harley? On par with the rest of the U.S. populace my comments were split 50/50, half agreeing with the ridiculous irony and the other half calling me an unpatriotic jerk.

I received an email this week from Barbara, who like this commenter who mistook me for Neighborhood Flix, thought I was Karla Comfort. Karla’s presence, and her Hummer, is being requested at the Roseville California Springtime Extravaganza. With another airbrushed Hummer mom believe it or not.

Now - since this fell into my lap, I have to say I don’t feel tributes to our fallen servicemen and women have any place at county fairs - sharing space among window companies, RV and spa dealers, funnel cone stands, and radio station tents. If this was a true old timey county fair with local crafts and the 4H club selling chickens that might be different, but I don’t think those even exist anymore. At least not in central California. Now these events are simply conduits for local advertising - and I don’t find them a respectful venue for the most solemn of tributes.

I don’t feel that memorials should be relegated to city parks and Veteran’s Day parades, but they shouldn’t be an afterthought pocketed into other events. And most of all not used to bring in traffic as a promotional gimmick. My uncle, (my dad’s older brother,) died following injuries sustained in a WW2 plane crash. Portraits of him in his gunnery bubble and in his fatigues at his base hang in my living room. I’d be mortified if I ever saw his face on a Hummer, or on a balloon at a county fair.

Being a good net citizen I attempted to give the organizer Karla’s actual site and contact info, but damned if I could find it among the right-wing blogs supporting her. I did send Barbara a note saying that I wasn’t Karla, so if need be they can get in touch. If anyone is attending the Roseville Springtime Extravaganza please send me an update…

Speaking of respectfully disagreeing; last summer I wrote about why seven year Jason Rinkel should abstain from getting a medical assistance dog for his type 1 diabetes. This story was the best of local news sap, but like most local TV news stories it faded away quickly. I detailed my experiences as a type 1 diabetic, and wrote about why an assistance dog would PREVENT Jason from living a normal life, which is perfectly possible with diabetes.

Jason’s older brother Mark was nice enough to post a note thanking me for plugging his site, even if I think the idea is completely unnecessary. Turns out Jason and Mark DID raise enough money, and are getting their dog in a few weeks. I suggested to Mark that he and his brother start a blog about how their new companion works out in relation to Jason’s diabetes. I truly am interested in how well this ($25,000) dog functions with Jason’s diabetes.

Even though I still disagree with the medical necessity of using a dog for blood sugar detection I think that Jason is extremely fortunate to to have Mark as an older brother - and I wish them the best.

My original post, and Jason and Mark’s site at pawsoflife.net.

One more: Read the current Bus Radio discussion and ensuing comments, then read Katy’s comment at #14. No adult should ever dismiss the views and opinions of the younger generation, when Katy’s clear and logical points far outshine the verbal chaos and cluttered prose spewed out by the parents that also commented. The chasm of clarity is astounding.

Weekend dispatch complete. It’s a sunny 55 degrees here in Denver and I’m off to go biking.

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I’ve blogged about invasive and intrusive advertising before, from guerrilla marketing campaigns to municipalities selling our public spaces to advertising companies. However one of my biggest complaints about “captive audience” advertising is marketing to kids.

With a captive audience, unlike radio and television, parents and children lack the option to just “TURN IT OFF.” And I find that wrong.

When I was in high school back in the early 90s our school entered into contract with a company called Channel 1. In exchange for outfitting every classroom with TVs and VCRs (whoop dee doo) our school signed an obligation to show 15 minutes of daily “news” programming. However this joke of a news service was (and still is) nothing more than entertainment, promotions, and advertising. Any national or world news is completely secondary and practically worthless in the quality and informative techniques.

One useful life tool that I DID gain from Channel 1 was my long term use of the “mute” button. During one semester we had a teacher so incensed by this deal with the devil that he muted the sound during every Channel 1 ad. To this day I keep the remote control at hand, and without thinking I instinctively mute all commercials until my show comes back on. If I’m not actively watching a show on television I don’t keep the TV on as background noise. And when I visit friends and family that maintain the practice of constantly blaring their TV whether it’s being watched or not I often need to bite my tongue.

Here’s a new one: Bus Radio is a service that pipes in programming to the captive audience of school bus riders. They produce programming for elementary, middle, and high school levels. Fun huh? Not so much. Here’s their programming clock.

Although their “sponsorship” (which is a PC word for advertising,) is only relegated to a scant sounding eight minutes per hour, we have NO idea what ads and companies are working their way into “original programming.” Much like television today marketers and companies have agreements with programmers for detailed product placement. I doubt that the 44 minutes of “original programming” is free of mentions, discussions, and products that are sold in that manner.

Here’s their “about” page:

Bus Radio is an innovative media company that reaches over one million students every day on their bus ride to and from school. By offering a superior, age-appropriate alternative to AM/FM radio programming, students are engaged and entertained in the safest way possible.

Exclusive agreements with school districts and school bus contractors in the top 40 markets mean 10,000 school buses nationwide are fitted with our customized digital radio units. These units receive new programming every day, via WiFi from our centralized programming facility, that entertains students with three separate shows specifically tailored to Elementary, Middle and High School audiences.

Students are driven to interact with the Bus Radio show on air and online at BusRadio.com through exciting contests, lively DJ banter, PSAs and age-appropriate top 40 songs. With Bus Radio, students are guaranteed to be entertained, even when they’re not on the bus.

And the kicker:

With Bus Radio on board, noise levels drop, kids stay in their seats and the bus ride is safer and more fun than ever!

No - that means HUMAN noise levels drop, as the vapid audio clutter of DJs and Top 40 music rises. To even suggest that the interaction of student chatter and life should be ceased and replaced by meaningless chatter and celebrity gossip is insulting and offensive to young people and their development. Their “proven research” pages show Bus Radio improves attention and students behavior. By “improve” they mean it dumbs them down to a quiet glazed over zombie shell of an active student. There’s been arguments that mood altering drugs have the same effect. It’s not always correct to just do the easiest thing, and Bus Radio is nothing more than “audio ritalin” for educators in order to pacify students, thus avoiding the typical challenges of youth behavior.

Shame on these school districts and cities who have sold out and decided that mindless entertainment should replace the daily interaction that kids have with one another. With all the consensus and arguments AGAINST this product I don’t understand how a school districts can cave in and STILL allow this?

Tell me what’s better? Kids laughing with each other, sharing stories and parental woes, - talking, teasing, and doing the same thing they’ve done the bus for 70 years? Or this obnoxious dribble from their demo:

If you’d like to keep this nonsense out of your school buses contact the below head company members and tell them to stay the hell out of your town.

David Briere dbriere@busradio.com
Stephen Connolly connolly@busradio.com
Sonya Luongo sluongo@busradio.com

More at busradio.net

Excellent further resources and documentation against Bus Radio:

Gary Ruskin from commercialalert.net.
Obligation.org - highlighting lyrics and content

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I recently read a post on this hilarious concept in the Lonely Planet U.S. travel board. Usually the majority of posts about Texas spiral into rambling diatribes on how Texas either sucks or is the greatest place on earth. But this article by Andrea Grimes of the Dallas Observer gives a fresh look into a certain demographic and lifestyle of young Dallas residents. “The $30,000 Millionaires” explores the culture and motives of those who live a life that is mostly for show, while spending an astonishing amount of money above what they earn.

Read her entire article and comments here.

In the bar, credit cards passed from patron to bartender. Discarded glasses containing half-bitten olives and over-squeezed limes littered the scene. As I forked over $7 for a well whiskey and cola, waves of imminent douchebaggery washed over me. Tonight was my night. I moved toward the back of the room, near the VIP lounge and high-definition televisions.

Elusive and, some say, mythical, the $30,000 millionaire is a creature of legend among the denizens of Dallas nightlife. Used frequently as a term of derision, the $30,000 millionaire is often referenced but rarely captured because it is a master of camouflage: $30,000 millionaires live above their means, usually with the aid of multiple credit cards and sympathetic family units, spending more money than they make on items such as leased luxury cars, designer clothing and $14 drinks.

Local Dallas personality Jay Gormley is also producing, or has been in the process of producing, an independent film on this demographic and lifestyle. His trailer and subjects can be found at 30kmillionaires.com   Biceps and debt: Massive

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Yesterday the Denver Post had a feature story titled “The Dark Side of Craigslist,” in which Michael Booth highlighted some of the various discussion groups and rants found in Craigslist.  He writes that Craigslist features filthy jokes, ethnic rants, and a plethora of potentially abusive content.   And then states “Thanks to Craigslist your kids have heard all of this.”   (Ok we all know what’s wrong with that pithy summary.)

Slow news day?  You bet.  Should you “fear” Craigslist?  Of course not.  Craigslist is completely compartmentalized by subject.   Those looking for leftover granite tile aren’t likely to stumble upon discussions of sexual fetishes or rants about bad drivers.  And if they do so what?  They know where the “back” button is on their browser.   Plus EVERY post has a “FLAG” button.  Enough people flag it - post is removed.  Done and done.  The beauty of Craigslist is the simplicity - which allows a multitude of life interests to be houses under ONE roof.

Here’s the number one problem with this article as one commenter posted.   Part of the Denver Post’s revenue is generated through classified ads.  That makes Craigslist a direct competitor with the Denver Post.  Now I don’t think I’ve used newspaper classifieds since looking for my first car 15 years ago.  I use Craigslist for ads, you do, everybody does.  In fact I’m baffled at who even uses the newspaper for classified ads. In the comments of this article “Getaclue” writes:

If you look on the web and have your content settings low you can find anything!!! Anywhere on the Web not just Craigslist? This is about the paper and your on-line classified losing money and now you’re attacking Craigslist, weak.   Self monitoring on Craigslist works fine use common sense and if something seems wrong, end it say sorry no thank you.

I agree.  One has to be aware that there IS a bias in a newspaper attacking or “exposing” another classified ad venue.  Especially when this lifestyle article is 25 point font on the front page of the BUSINESS section.  Keep that in mind. 

And as always, the “Best of Craigslist” truly rocks.

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Dear Dex Media, publisher of the “Yellow Book,”

Why are you still around? I considered this question last year when you left this dinosaur at my doorstop. I haven’t used a phone book since the 90s, and suspect many have dismissed them as well. Who would choose to page through this inky yellow mess when you can find a phone number, address, or business in seconds using Google or any other search variant - national or local. On the road? There’s Google Text, Google 411, and many others.

Point being anywhere a phone exists there’s most likely internet access or WiFi, making your product obsolete. Even in my office at work I don’t see phone books in cubicles or workstations anymore. They’re as useful and as relevant as cassette tape answering machines, VCRs, and Blockbuster Video.

Stop publishing these. It’s a waste of paper, and a waste of the plastic used to wrap them in. (Actually those make decent dog poop bags.) Also the only revenue these bring in - which is advertising, is sold under false pretenses. Just like magazines, phone book publishers base ad rates on circulation. So my handling of this book for five seconds between lifting it up, walking it to and heaving it into the recycle bin counts as an impression and/or user. Yeah right.

As with 90% of everything else I comment on I’m certainly no expert. So if you work for Dex, sell phone book ad space, or sell any other product that nobody uses - please comment and let me know how you’re able to put food on your family. I’m honestly curious.

Meanwhile if you’re not building a time capsule here is where to recycle your phone book. James Van Dellen

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It’s no secret that I despise the culture of materialism, overconsumption, and wastefulness. So once again I shake my head at grown adults electing to spend their morning on the frigid side of an automatic door eagerly waiting as if Jesus himself might step out of Best Buy come 6am.

I took this photo last year when I did pop into Cherry Creek Mall on Black Friday. It just baffles me how much cheap plastic shit exists, and how people just lap it up. Rarely do I see quality merchandise available at a mall. It might be Norman Rockwellian to think of a grandfather hand carving a puzzle or game for his grandson 40 years ago, but I have that mental image when I see the amount of complete crap that’s available for purchase. Are you actually going to USE this “Shape Up” thing or whatever is pictured here? Why buy something for someone if you KNOW it will get five months of use, spend four years in the garage, and then be sold at a yard sale. Buy quality stuff, and you’ll buy it fewer times.

You can read up on the nonsense in the Rocky Mountain New’s Black Friday Blog. For today I’ll be participating in Buy Nothing Day, if only for my own convenience.

Speaking of newspaper blogs: Some of them are getting absurd. Each day the Rocky Mountain News features a list of stories where readers can discuss and comment on various articles (usually deteriorating into obscenities about immigration.) This is fine, I’ve like Mark Wolf’s list of selected articles, but as of late the daily blogs are becoming stuffed with mundane issues such as deals at various retailers and “how’s the weather today.” Basically back yard fence conversations having nothing to do with news. In a NEWSpaper. Unfortunately when you blog about nothing, it only turns into an exercise in the mundane wasting space and taking away from the real news that a NEWSpaper is supposed to offer. The Denver Post is doing the same. Wednesday’s front page blog was about going to the airport.

Yes, a diary of people going to the airport. Look - it’s Thanksgiving weekend. A lot of people are headed to the airport. It’s snowing lightly. This does not merit the coverage that a major snowstorm or massive freeway pile up would. Writing filler material like “no line getting coffee and muffins,” or “made it to gate A35 with a half hour to spare,” should remain in the blogosphere where titter users, photo bloggers, and the masses of bloggers like myself can write and read each others ramblings. They should NOT be front page of the city’s two largest newspapers.

Also the Denver Post features a “neighbors” section where people just like myself can post articles about all things important to them. Some of these article headlines are directly on the front page and until I actually open the article and read it there’s no way of knowing if “Pothole Patrol” is written by a pissed off curmudgeon or by an actual staff writer .

Being a local blogger I should think that’s great, but I don’t. I’m not a professional writer. I post commentary and biased opinion on subjects important to me and my interests. When I open a newspaper I expect to read stories written by journalistic professionals experienced in exploring all sides of an issue. Or editorials written by the roudtable of which political leanings and opinions I know.

I don’t think a newspaper should out-source their journalism to Dottie from Aurora, or James in Congress Park for that matter. It’s great to allow reader comments on stories, and provide space for reader discussion - but STOP incorporating it into the front page list of articles, and stop treating mundane activities in daily life as “news.” THAT’s what the blogosphere is for. Let’s keep them separate no?

James Van Dellen

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Does anyone attend a church that dictates to them the decisions they should make in the voting booth?  Why on earth would ANYONE allow the Catholic church, (who’s reputation is as tarnished as an 1840s spittoon,) to govern their personal voting decisions?  How can the church endorse candidates and still have tax status as a church?  Electa Draper explains and readers comment in this Denver Post article.

Driverless robot race in Oro Grande, California.   Carnegie Mellon’s team took first prize.  Cool photo essay here.

Hysterial headlines resulted D.C. to Denver’s unnamed flight in which both pilots allegedly fell asleep. This story was covered last week, and I posted the following in the comments:

I don’t believe this in its entirety. The cross country portions of piloting are dull, but arrival at a major class B airport necessitates preparing arrival procedures from miles out. Similar to driving and approaching a major city. Your senses perk up, and you just don’t fall asleep.

When I see the actual details and hear admissions by the pilot’s I’ll believe it, but until then it’s just a scary news story that makes attention with headlines like “Hurtling towards DIA at twice the normal speed.” That line is simply BS. Even if the pilot’s were asleep and unable to communicate most likely the airliner was on auto pilot, and controllers could easily route other planes around it.

Today I read this AP article  which contains one key phrase that gives proper perspective:

The captain noted the plane was about 60 miles away from Denver International Airport and was approaching a point where it was to begin its descent when he woke up.

That means the airliner was at cruising altitude, (the most boring/dull part of flight.)  If they were sleeping then plane would overfly Denver on autopilot.  Definitely unsettling to a passenger, and certainly requiring authoritative action, but not nearly as perilous as your bus driver falling asleep.  It DOESN’T mean the airliner was “hurtling towards the city” uncontrolled requiring a Superman movie scene to save it.  The “twice the normal speed” simply means they were flying at cruise speed, (at cruise altitude,) when it was time to configure for approach.

The Consumerist posted this story today.  Fortunately the commenters on the Consumerist aren’t bent in reactionary hysterics, and realize headlines like “hurtling uncontrolled” just aren’t true.

James Van Dellen

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The BBC News blog had recent entry discussing the posting of outside links in their news stories. Specifically this dealt with a three juvenile offenders in the Scottish Court during a preliminary hearing in a case where they admitted beating a young man to death. Original BBC Story. During the hearing someone with a mobile phone recorded a three minute video of the youths and the judge, later posting in on YouTube.

Mark Coyle’s BBC blog entry gives readers a chance to voice whether or not it’s appropriate for the BBC to link to the actual YouTube video. One argument is that the video is an integral part of the story and directing readers to it does a service and broadens their coverage. However if the video is real, then the actual recording is a crime, (recording inside a courtroom,) and BBC could be “conspiring” with that crime and glorifying it. (Their words.)

I submitted the below:

Yes - publish it. In the age of instant mass media, web 2.0, and blogs, we are fortunate to have many 1st and 3rd party factors available for easy reference when reading a story. We should keep those channels open regardless of how atrocious the facts of that story may be.

Post the link with an accurate description and warning. Let the reader decide for himself whether or not to view. Anyone with a sound mind would realize that the actions in the video are deplorable, and similar videos can often convey more than, or add, to the written word alone.

When I read a story I want as much information as I can obtain from all angles. I appreciate the information, and can monitor my viewing for myself.

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The “Independence Institute“, a local political action group best known for their pro-car, pro-gun, anti-transit stance, published a response to last week’s big story about Colorado State University’s paper “The Collegian” printing the phrase “Fuck Bush” in their paper.  More on that story in this N.Y. Times article.

The article, penned by Jessica Peck Corry and Ryan Olivett, is drastically titled “The Bellyaches of Free Speech.“  In it they lambaste Collegian editor David McSwane and accuse him of “abusing his rights” as a U.S. citizen.  Their thoughts can be summed up by their last sentence.

Free speech is sacred. We don’t need to scream obscenities to prove it.

Why can’t I? It’s free speech!  Free speech is just that. There ARE no bounds. If there were, it wouldn’t be free speech. I’m over the hyperbole filled rhetoric that accompany every story about someone “overstepping the bounds” of free speech.  It’s as bad as having to qualify yourself as “For the troops and not the war” when you voice your dissent on that theme. With either topic, it’s understood that you respect and cherish your freedom, and just because you print profanity or speak profanely doesn’t mean you don’t value your free speech rights. (Larry Flynt back me up here.)

Who made it a rule that free speech is conditional?  Barring the obligatory examples of “fire in a theatre” or similar threats no one should be made to feel wrong or unpatriotic when using Howard Stern like speech in voice or in print.

I agree with the majority that profanity should be absent or moderated in a daily newspaper.  And when I meet someone who constantly utters “Fuck this - fuck that” I immediately categorize them as verbally inept. There are far more eloquent ways to express your thoughts. But remember this is a locally distributed college newspaper.  College kids can handle the work “Fuck.  “Fuck” IS a part of our vocabulary and general vernacular, and there’s no need to cringe in horror or cry “Cherish your freedom” just because you don’t care for that verbiage.

I have a letter from the 1940s written by a Pennsylvania resident to a Congressmen taking issue with a local airport for the resulting crash of a relative’s WW2 plane crash.  In it the gentleman capitalizes and underlines the word DAMN for emphasis. Profane? Sure, Expressive and to the point?  Yup.  “Damn” was probably as astounding in 1942 as “Fuck” is today. David McSwane thought the same, others didn’t. But that doesn’t make him guilty of overstepping any fictitious bounds created in the minds of those who want to wash our mouths out with Irish Spring.

Rather than chastise David McSwane for stepping out of line, those opposed to his decision should be thankful for his expression, as his shows his perceived intelligence level and manner of thinking. Wouldn’t you WANT to see that?  If you truly classify someone who uses profanity as short sighted and stupid, you would WANT him outed for such, which is exactly what happened.   But don’t paint him as un-American and unappreciative of his rights.

David McSwane made a decision to use profanity in a broad environment.  But there IS a time and place for profanity.   Is it overused in our society?  Definitely.   But don’t go overboard and sell people this “Respect Free Speech” line simply because they don’t care for certain prose they read.

The insinuation that free speech contains some underground demonic danger is simply asinine.  Jessica Peck Corry and Ryan Olivett can dial down the rhetoric a fuckin’ notch or two.

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From the L.A. Times:  U.S. (finally) pays closer attention to private security companies in Iraq.  Quasi regulated half military/half private groups with no government supervision in a country we’re supposed to be keeping under control?   ’bout time.

The practices of private security companies have come under scrutiny since at least 11 Iraqis were killed in a shooting involving guards from North Carolina-based Blackwater USA. The State Department probe is one of five ongoing investigations by U.S. and Iraqi officials.

U.S. officials say private contractors play a crucial role protecting the embassy and its personnel, freeing up military personnel to fight insurgents and quell sectarian bloodshed. But resentment has built up here against the aggressive tactics employed by some members of the largely unregulated industry.

L.A. Times Article 

Lots and lots of clutter on TV.  From this New York Times Article.

Snipes are just the latest effort by network executives to cram promotions onto television screens in the age of channel surfing, ad skipping and screen-based multitasking. At first, viewers may feel a slight jolt of pleasure at the sight of a new visual effect, they say, but over time the intrusions contribute to the sense that the screen is far more cluttered — not just with ads, but with news crawls and other streams of information.

This is why I don’t watch much television.  If a show is decent it will eventually be available on Netflix or on demand.  Thus allowing me to watch a few seasons at my leisure and at my pace, without on screen advertisements WITHIN the actual show.   So I miss out on the “Prison Break” water cooler chat.  Who cares?  I’ve watched CSI Vegas, Arrested Development, and the old Prisoner series all via Netflix.   Active consumerism control at it’s finest.  The $15 a month for Netflix is worth it if ONLY to benefit skipping the garbage heap on the lower third of your screen.

Heading to Salta, Argentina?  Check out the controversial exhibit of a 500 year old mummified Inca Mayan girl.

MSNBC story

The mummy is kept in a chamber that pumps chilled air through a low-oxygen atmosphere, simulating the subfreezing conditions where it was found. The other two children are being studied and not on display.

Seated with her legs bent and her arms resting on her stomach, the Maiden’s remains are still adorned with a gray shawl and bone and metal ornaments. Scientists say her face was daubed with red pigment and around her mouth they found flecks of coca leaf, which is chewed by highland Indians to blunt the effects of altitude.

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Hi Jason- my name is James. I have a little blog here that nobody reads. OK I have a few readers. But it’s fun to write. Kind of like kicking a ball around in the backyard by yourself. I like writing about places I visit and about things I read in the news. Which brings me to you dude! I just read about you and your quest to obtain a blood sugar sniffing dog. And raising money with a lemonade stand? Genius. If a sick blond haired little boy selling lemonade while pining for a puppy doesn’t tug at the old strings nothing will. And the fireman outfit? Again, you know cute.

I’m fairly critical of the media and especially critical of the way local news edits and spins stories to create what THEY want, rather than the truth. So when I saw the story “Diabetic boy needs dog” my eyebrow raised a bit. And unlike most other stories I’m barely qualified to comment on, I’m a type 1 diabetic - just like you. That gives me a bit of credit. I also checked out your site pawsoflife.com and read more about you.

First - I’m sorry to hear that you were recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I know exactly what transpired when the doctor sat with you and your parents in that little room and explained what diabetes was. Like most folks they probably thought only overweight people confined to motorized scooters developed diabetes. Nope - type 1 is genetic, and many healthy people just like us have it. Your mom probably cried and pontificated about how you and your family’s life will change, and lamented about how you won’t be able to live a normal life.

I know this because 20 years ago my sister was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at your age. My mom and dad had to learn how to take care of her, how to spot and correct her blood sugar ups and downs, and how to administer injections and medicine. And blood sugar monitoring equipment was stone age compared to what we have now. And you know what else sucked? After watching my sister live with diabetes through childhood and teens I was diagnosed myself at age 20. How’s that for a kicker? It’s a rarity really, as most type 1 is early or late in life. Anyway for 12 years now I’ve checked my blood sugar, taken shots, and made it a part of my life. But you know what? It’s not that bad…

After the initial minor life modifications and learning curve I can honestly say that very little in your life will change, and again, it’s REALLY not that bad. As for finger pricks and injections? Hey, it’s a part of life now. You’ll get used to it. Having diabetes is annoying at times. It still sucks sometimes for me too. When I’m out at the bar with friends and we run off to a movie, or more often another bar, I don’t want to have to slow my friends down taking my blood sugar. And I need to ensure I carry food with me at times. Trust me, you don’t want to go hiking eight miles and not be stocked with power bars. You don’t want to keep your blood sugar too low if you’re snowboarding or exerting energy for the day. And while you don’t want your blood sugar to be low, you don’t want to remain consistently high either. I admit it IS a tricky balance.

But all that said: If I had to CHOOSE a disease or illness to have, type 1 diabetes would be my number one choice. Well maybe psoriasis, just not on my arms. Hey we aren’t in wheelchairs. We have our arms and legs, and they work. We can see, hear, smell, and do EVERYTHING anyone else can do. Diabetes is 100% completely controllable. It takes discipline, strength, and skill. But you’re young, and smart enough to run a lemonade stand. Hence I think you’re smart enough to take care of your body and learn the intricacies of it.

If you look through my site, (and excuse the profanities – I usually don’t write for nine year olds,) you’ll see pictures of me doing everything a normal person does. I bike, swim, travel, scuba dive, fly airplanes, and I do it all with type 1 diabetes. Is diabetes annoying at times? Certainly. But it’s never stopped me from doing anything I wanted in life.

Now. This dog business. I had a golden retriever growing up. He was great, and I still miss him. (Speaking of needles.) Who on earth told you that you need a dog to tell you when your blood sugar is low? I love dogs. I think dogs that find people alive in earthquake rubble or dogs that assist blind people are incredible. As are their trainers.

You really need an insulin pump combined with a constant glucose monitoring system. Your mom says on your site they aren’t completely accurate. That’s correct; however no method of measuring your daily blood sugar is completely accurate. Twenty years ago my sister had to match up a blood sugar stick to a set of colors. This cumbersome process took two minutes. Today my blood sugar meter takes about 20 seconds and gives me a specific number. You’ll rarely get a 100% accurate reading, but that’s irrelevant, because what you should be concerned about is the TREND of your blood sugar. Is if going up after a big meal? Is it descending rapidly after a long soccer game? WHERE your blood sugar is going is more important that the NUMBER it’s at. Also a dog isn’t going to bark out your blood sugar number. See what I’m getting at? It’s up to you.

If I may quote your mom from your site:

Right now we have 3 options. We can continue testing our son around the clock. Option 2 is a continuous glucose monitor which would subject Jason to technology that is not yet accurate, having another infusion site (like a small IV), and doesn’t save any finger pokes. Or the option we have pursued and been approved for - a service dog (and best friend) that can help us know when Jason is in need of medical attention.

Jason, listen to me: A dog won’t change the fact you’ll STILL need to check your blood sugar every few hours. I do it at my desk every few hours at work, in the morning before biking to work, at home in the evening, and when I’m out with friends. I could have Lassie sitting right next to me yet I’d still need to monitor my sugar levels. Also according to what I’ve read a dog will only alert you when your glucose has reached a point of too high or low. What’s the point? You should already know where it’s going. And as mentioned, a constant glucose meter will do this for you.

Plenty of kids are diagnosed each year with type 1 diabetes. The weapons to combat this disease are knowledge of your body, eating and insulin delivery to match your daily activities, and having supportive family and friends. We have technology now that can basically give you a virtual pancreas. That’s pretty darn cool. And it’s more discreet than a dog. Plus, you don’t want a dog taking care of you - YOU want to take care of yourself. Relying on a dog to observe your blood sugar swings would cause more hassle and inconvenience than just doing it yourself. You want to be like a normal kid. Carting a dog around school will not make you seen as normal. Eventually you’ll realize you KNOW your daily patterns, activity habits and eating scheduled, and you know what to expect from your body. By the way does this dog bark at ALL blood sugar extremes? If we were standing in line at Subway and my blood sugar was high would be bark at me? Just curious.

I say keep the lemonade stand going, but when you reach your goal $25,000 donate it all to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Better yet keep hustling the media and get a company to match it. $50,000, or even a portion of that money invested in research by knowledgeable people will help many MORE children like you. You and your brother would have the satisfaction of making life better for many other children, some that don’t have the resources and availability to medicines that we’re fortunate enough to have.

I know, I know - you still want a the dog! I did too when I was your age. Why not adopt a puppy from Maxfund? Hey no kid should get to fly pass the responsibility of house training a dog. Sorry Jason - I had to, you should too. You’ll still make the news, but it’s a wiser decision that will benefit more people, including yourself.

Feel free to drop me a note. I may disagree with your family’s assessment of requiring a dog - but friends can disagree and still be pals. If you have any questions send me an e-mail. And should anyone read this and think I’m a total jerk for picking on a little kid - here’s a link to the PawsofLife site if anyone wants to donate. I might even order some chocolate chunk cookies. I love those. Almost as much as I love sun chips and a cold beer on a hot summer day.

All the best - James

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Did you know that a company called Freshpair sells a pair of underwear with an iPod holder?   Brilliant!  I think it’s a fun item.  And I’m not being sarcastic.  Perfect for these hot sticky days when you just want to laze around in your tighty whities.  Or maybe share an earbud while cuddling in front of the fire with your sweetheart.  Anyway this company sells some cool and sexy gear - and for a gift I recently ordered a pair of iPod underwear.  

Along with my order came a flyer encouraging me to celebrate this year’s 5th annual “National Underwear Day” on August 7th.  Of course the hot models adorning the flyer caused me to give it a second glance.  From Freshpair.com

Founded in August 2003, National Underwear Day is an event that evokes the care-free attitude of Sixties ‘happenings’, when free spirits took control of public spaces as venues for their art, their message. Our message at Freshpair is the belief that underwear deserves a lot more recognition than it gets. Americans spend more than $13 billion on intimate apparel each year and for that kind of money, we feel it is our duty to tell the world. With National Underwear Day, we’ve taken underwear out of the dresser drawer and into the streets - by sending twenty male and female models out clad only in our finest undergarments.

Now that’s unnecessarily verbose copy.  And come on’.   Is anyone really sold on “National Underwear Day?”  You can’t blame companies for developing new marketing concepts.  But a healthy cynic like myself sees “National Underwear Day” for exactly what it is:   An ad campaign.   I’m all for showing off hot models in underwear.  No complaints there.  But do you really need to elevate sexy clothing to something to that level of importance? 

In the heat of Manhattan summer, our underwear ambassadors wander through heavily-trafficked locales modeling some of today’s hottest brands for unsuspecting - yet pleasantly surprised - shoppers, tourists and die-hard New Yorkers who think they’ve ’seen it all’…until now. More than just eye candy, our models conducted various surveys on undergarment choices and asked people to sign a petition which urges official recognition of this underwear-honoring day.

Official recognition?  Official by who?   The government? Hallmark?  Calendar makers?   Who and where exactly would you turn in a pile petition to in order to nationalize underwear day?  If a hot model in underwear came up to you on the street and requested you fill out a petition would you do it?  Yeah I would too.  But I’ll bet the petitions make a beeline for the dumpster after their names are harvested into the marketing database.  If anyone at Freshpair would like to correct me I’m more than willing to listen - even better how about the guys pictured below come over to my house and explain it to me.

Despite the grandiose self promoting dumb campaign I like their selection and site.   They sell pajamas, swimwear, full figured mens and womens, and of course a huge selection of men’s supergay underwear and t-shirts.   Plus an iPod holder for your underwear?  Ingenious.

Check them out at freshpair.com

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Proving again how completely asinine and worthless local news is, here’s a story from KUSA about a girl’s quest to eradicate spiders.  How on earth does ” Little girl doesn’t like spiders” become news?

And her brain dead mom is proud of this and helping her pass out flyers?  Why not use the opportunity to educate the kid about insects and learn from it, rather than baby her unfounded fear.  Making Debbie and Brittany Arellano look even more stupid is the link to CSU, which states in the first line “The Brown Recluse is not common or established on the front range.”   At least the forum comments agree. 

Worthless “news” story from KUSA below:

DENVER - Now that the weather is warmer you may have started noticing more bugs around the house and yard - particularly spiders. You may be surprised to learn that most of those eight-legged arachnids will not do any harm. In fact, there is at least one dangerous spider that should not concern anyone living in Colorado, even if it does have bad reputation. “I just think they are creepy,” said 9-year-old Brittany Arellano. Brittany Arellano is on a mission with her mom in tow, passing out flyers to warn to her neighbors. “A girl recently got bit by possibly a brown recluse in this neighborhood,” said Brittany.

The girl who was bit is fine and no one’s certain it was, in fact, a brown recluse, but the thought that a potentially dangerous spider was crawling around the neighborhood prompted Brittany to take action against spiders. “I just feel like I want to take them all away,” said Brittany, “like a spider-free world.”

If you are wondering why a 9-year-old would feel that way, it can be summed in three letters: Mom. “Oh, yuck,” said Debbie Arellano, Brittany’s mom. “They’re gross and nasty and ugly and creepy-crawly. I’ve never liked spiders.” A common reaction for some people, but perhaps you didn’t know, most spiders are actually harmless. As for the infamous brown recluse, it is often confused with other brown spiders. The recluse’s most identifying feature is its eyes. According to the state public health department, the brown recluse is very uncommon here. And in fact, the only way for that spider to enter into our state is by hitchhiking - most commonly through construction materials. If colonies do get here they die off because they can’t survive the winter. While the brown recluse can be dangerous, it’s not deadly.

“I realize there are some nice spiders like the daddy long legs that would never cause any harm, but the ones that do cause harm I would prefer to not have around,” said Debbie. The state public health department says the only dangerous spider native to Colorado is the black widow and like the brown recluse is not aggressive unless agitated.

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I saw this on Crunchgear.com attached to an article about file sharing. 

I love it.  No matter what they do, or how hard they try, Blockbuster is forever engrained in the consumer mind as a greedy, inept company with ridiculous fees, overages, and surcharges.  Even now with their new mail delivery combined with the perk of exchanging them in stores, people are saying get lost, and opting for the simple trust red and white logos of Netflix.

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This was linked from a story on Consumerist.com (below). From Edmunds.com An insightful and amusing story of writer Chandler Phillips going “undercover” selling new and used cars. A short story ala Nickel and Dimed style.

Confessions of a Car Salesman

Car salesmen and women seem to exist in their own world. What they think is cool is viewed by the public as tacky and obvious. For example, why do they insist on wearing white shirts and silk ties? Or what about gold watches, rings and chains? Who wears that stuff anymore? Don’t they realize they are turning themselves into walking cliches? The only answer I came up with was that, as a salesman, I spent all my time with other salesmen. They were my friends. Believe it or not, I tried to fit in, to belong. So I began to develop an interest in gold ties, white shirts and dress shoes. I even grew a goatee because a lot of the guys had beards. And I put gel on my hair and combed it straight back.

The process begins by asking the customer how much they want for a monthly payment. Usually, they say, about $300. “Then, you just say, ‘$300… up to?’ And they’ll say, ‘Well, $350.’ Now they’ve just bumped themselves $50 a month. That’s huge.” You then fill in $350 under the monthly payment box. Michael said you could use the “up to” trick with the down payment too. “If Mr. Customer says he wants to put down $2000, you say, “Up to?” And he’ll probably bump himself up to $2500.” Michael then wrote $2,500 in the down payment box of the 4-square worksheet. I later found out this little phrase “Up to?” was a joke around the dealership. When salesmen or women passed each other in the hallways, they would say, “Up to?” and break out laughing.

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