Saturday, July 27, 2013

The Do Not Call List


I put myself on the do not call list because I didn't want anyone to call.  What I understood was except for charities and government pollsters, I would be left to go about my business undisturbed.

This does not seem to be the case.  Since going on the do not call list, I have been bothered at least once a week (though often more) by people offering to clean my air ducts.  In fact, as it is Saturday morning, I suspect that one of these calls will happen any minute now.  I can't really express how much this bothers me...though I have tried to express it to these people on a number of times.

I know how she feels
Some of the things that I have done to register my displeasure, beyond swearing, name calling, and other acts of hostility include one of my favourites.  I answered, they asked to speak to me, then I offered to go and get the person they were referring to.  Then I waited a minute and told them to wait a little longer.  I repeated this step for about 10 minutes.  To what end?  Besides personal satisfaction, I probably kept 10 other people from being bothered that day.  Sadly I couldn't stop it from happening another day.

Do any of you have any strategies?  I'd love to hear them.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Changes: Newer isn't better

I hate it when they make changes to things that I like.  New isn't always better.  Some things should be left alone.  Change just for change sake isn't really an improvement.
Why is this an issue with me?  Recently, they changed YouTube (again).  I get it.  YouTube is wants to remain fresh and relevant....but come on.  Yes, it is nice that you can watch longer videos...but that also means some people prattle on for longer than they should.  Sometimes it is good to give people a time limit.  Imagine if some movies went on four six or seven hours--even the Avengers would get tedious at that length.  A limit provides a good chance to edit. 
I would have put a remark about how less is more in the column but after watching Yngwie Malmsteen on a TV show explain that more is more, I will have to resist.  I agree Yngwie, more is more, but not everybody should be allowed to put more.
I used to love YouTube when after you watched one of your subscribed videos, or didn't want to see one of them, you could delete it from the cue.  Now they just stare at me for all eternity.  Some of my favourite Vloggers and JVloggers put several different series, but I don't want to see all of that.

Here is a few of they things I wish they hadn't changed.

McDonalds' Milkshakes

Yes, I get it.  They are healthier now.  Of course they are also more expensive.  If I were really concerned about my health I wouldn't eat at McDonalds. I go in there craving junk.  I know that drinking a large milkshake isn't going to help me towards my weight loss goal.  Please.

Used Cars.....Previously Enjoyed Automobiles

Change the words and you change to connotation.  It makes sense, but it is also a slap in the face.  You are trying to fool us, and we are not fooled.  If this car was so enjoyed, why is it in your used car lot....sorry previously enjoyed car lot.

Sizes of pop bottles

I could complain about the change from glass to plastic, but I am too late on that one.  Just why they decided to come up with a 710 mL bottle, I am unsure.  Basically that is two cans of pop.  When they had the 600mL bottle, they secretly changed that to a 591mL bottle, with no one being the wiser.  Maybe they will do the same with this one.  Remember when a 750mL bottle was good for three people, or three drinks.  I wonder what the current bottle is good for.  I am guessing that is a one person size.

As for the glass plastic debate....they couldn't make us switch our beer bottles to plastic, so I guess we won some kind of victory.

Windows anything

Here is a good idea, instead of trying to make it better by making it new.  Make it better by making it work.  Rather than release it half finished, release it when it works.

Your thoughts

I'd love to hear from you guys.  I wrote this rather quickly this morning, and I am sure that I will have many more thoughts over the coming days and will add to this blog.  Either way, I would love to hear what things you wished they hadn't changed.