Odds and ends

By the way....whenever a word or phrase is highlighted like this, then you can click it as a link to something else.

I posted the other day that microwaving your kitchen sponges can render them bacteria-less and clean. But now of course, there is an opposing viewpoint. It's almost inevitable when something good, easy and helpful is invented or discovered, then someone finds a problem or flaw with it. The only thing to be careful of, is where the motivation of the person telling you the information lies. For example, this opposing viewpoint comes from Good Housekeeping and who knows how much money they get from the various cleaning sprays as advertisement, so hence, they don't recommend you to keep reusing those sponges, saving money, and think it more prudent to use sprays and paper towels.

Just got satellite tv and have one question...why am I addicted to watching channels that are available locally (NBC,CBS,ABC,FOX) but from a different city? I only enjoy seeing commercials that are specific to that area or even watching the local newscast. I have no idea about the areas that they're talking about, but maybe that's the draw. If something bad happened, then I can't see the area in my mind's eye or how close it is to my home. And if something good happened, then I can imagine it being even better than it probably is, since I've never seen it and probably never will. It's like someone from Iowa watching the Los Angeles news and seeing stories on Disneyland or the beach and thinking that those must be the most perfect places in the world. I guess the world is really becoming smaller all the time. (see this book for more on this topic) I'm not sure if that's a good thing though, because if someday in the future, we can just transport anywhere instantly, then all the magic of not really seeing something and filling in the details with your imagination will be gone. Pros and cons, pros and cons.

Went to dinner with my wife the other night. There were plenty of open tables around the restaurant, but the host made us wait while the busboy cleared, cleaned and set one particular table. I was thinking, "why the heck doesn't he just sit us somewhere else?!?". Then after finally sitting, I noticed the number of the table on top of the napkins and realized fate had just slapped me upside my head.

So here's a picture of the "snow" collecting on the railing outside my office when it "snowed" last week. Weee!

And a pic of an actual snowball made in Los Angeles, California. Don't know when you'll ever see that again! Looking at the pic, I now feel like I should have ate it or at least made a drink with it. I feel that I'll never have the opportunity again. Wah! Too bad there wasn't someone around to throw it at, although, it appears to be more iceball than snowball.

About time!!!

Ok, ok, maybe its been a million years since my last post, so sue me. I've had plenty of good intentions to update and post, but we all know that good intentions are like warnings on tv that the following content may be objectionable and/or graphic... basically useless. Speaking of those warnings, has anyone ever known anyone else to actually heed those warnings and say "oh, I don't want to be offended, quick turn the channel". Maybe when someone is eating and the show is going to show uncensored footage of surgery, but even then, most will wait until they get a quick glance of the open chest cavity before they turn it. Oh well, so is human nature.

I was listening to the news today (radio and tv) and they had to announce the Oscar nominations. Of course I listened, since I'm sure it'll be the big talk for a day or two. But then I started wondering, why are the Oscars so important? Without getting too deep, why does society put so much weight on the opinions of those few people (actually I don't know how many there are) that make the decisions. Every year people debate why one film got picked and why another didn't. In the end, does a movie winning "Best whatever" honors make the movie better for the particular viewer? Probably not, but I guess sometimes people see a movie they wouldn't have based on the nominations or wins. After seeing the nominations every year, I think one would be better served just going on the recommendations of friends and family.

Quick article on how microwaving your kitchen sponge will kill the germs. I need to try it out and see if it kills the smell too.

Speaking of smell, do you know anyone that could use a pair of these? I'm sure I know some people that would buy me a pair if I would wear them.

I just tried the McDonald's cinnamon roll breakfast on the recommendation from my Mom. She said they were good, tasting like a Cinnabon. I have to agree. Very moist and gooey. Although this is probably a good thing, my only complaint is that they are smaller than a Cinnabon.