The Blog There’s more to life than movies… I think

29Nov/070

Does Anyone Like Talking to Machines?

I just got done working with the automated voice at Progressive Insurance's customer service number. I pray there are more people out there that feel extremely stupid talking to the automated voice on the other end of the line making sure that what you said is what you said. I couldn't help remembering "Seinfeld" when Kramer decides to be Movie Phone as George tries to figure out just what the hell is going on. It's maddening:

24Nov/070

Those Crazy Kids and Their Dark Glasses

So, I was heading down to my mother's for Thanksgiving, a trip that ultimately took me just shy of two hours as the sun was setting and blasting right in my face all while my sinus infection decided to flare up. Suffice to say it wasn't a fun drive.

Anyway, as I finally made it into town I had to pick up some fresh green beans for dinner (we celebrate Thanksgiving like the Italians do... with lasagna, garlic bread and green beans... don't be jealous). I stopped off at a produce stand to get the goods and inside, as i am shoveling beans into a plastic bag, a woman that had to be at least 70-years-old walks up and says, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," I say.

"Why do all the young guys wear the dark glasses? I just saw another one."

Let me first say that I had been wearing my sun glasses so as to prevent the setting sun burning my retna on my drive. I got into the store and placed them on the top of my head and began shopping. So when this woman questioned me they weren't actually on my face.

I told her, "Because it is sunny."

"No it's not," she explained.

"Well, I have been driving for the past 2 hours and the sun was setting and it sorta bothered me."

She accepts this, "Oh, well, I guess that's okay. I also..."

I cut her off, sensing a long boring conversation, "I also like to steal things and don't want anyone to see my eyes."

That was enough for her, she patted me on the shoulder and off she went.

Happy Thanksgiving!

18Nov/070

Oh Those Healthy Happy Meals

I guess my first post is going to be a negative one, but I have a feeling a lot of them will be negative when it comes to commercial commentary, something I always wanted to do on RopeofSilicon but it just wasn't really the place. So, here and now I can finally say something.

My problem is with this new McDonald's commercial, and I can't seem to figure out just what people are supposed to get out of this little kid, his breakdancing outfit and his apple dunking. I am assuming we are supposed to think that Happy Meals have the potential to being healthy (apples are what Subway used to convince millions they were the healthy choice), but when you are dunking it in caramel and have fried fake chicken and fries in the same picture does it really matter? Oh, and you gotta love how everyone else is using a plate for their meal. Yeah, McDonald's is now a sit down at home family meal. What a joke.