Anna’s Linens

What is up with Anna’s Linens?

Seriously. It’s a late Friday night and for some reason I have the local TV news station on. We’ll just set aside for a moment how completely inane broadcast journalism (if you can call it that) is. Instead, I just have to ask. What’s the story with Anna’s Linen’s commercials. Why are they dubbed? It’s creepy. Creepy I say. Invariably in these commercials two domesticish women wander around a house, be it a bedroom or a master bath or a living room, discussing upholstery and bedding. The central theme is generally how discounted said products are from department store prices. Anyhow, apparently Anna’s is chronically inable to hire actresses capable of performing speaking parts on commercials, because each commercial always has a discussion between the women that clearly is not happening on camera.

What’s the deal? It’s really driving me nuts. In 2008, is it really that cost prohibitive to dub in dialogue for an advertisement over the onscreen shills? Or is Anna’s just incredibly unlucky, hiring actresses who simply can’t speak on camera over and over and over again?

This has got to stop. It’s occupying entirely too much of my thought. And of course, that is not my fault whatsoever. No. not at all.

On why Facebook is as annoying as hell

This commentary about why, despite being a Facebook member, the writer can pinpoint three reasons to hate the social networking Web site is quick but insightful voicing of my own frustration with the site. My god, people, stop with the damn requests. I want you to buy me a real drink, with real booze I can sip while looking at your real live face.

Then again. Can’t say I’m opposed to Scrabulous.

Here’s the link again: http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/76818/

Food for thought during the Potomac Primary

This debate of superdelelegates vs. the voting public is only going to become more interesting as the primary campaign lengthens. For the time being, I am actually encouraged that there is such a competitive Democratic primary. The sheer volume of interest in this election cycle is fascinating, and I feel fortunate that we live in a time when the general public seems genuinely motivated to affect significant change in our society. It doesn’t seem to be waning as the months continue, and it looks ever-more possible that every state will be relevant in the presidential nominating process (at least on the Democratic side).

Some might argue that the lengthening of the nominating process threatens the eventual nominee, and the possibility of a brokered convention could hurt the Democratic candidate’s chances. But I believe it does something different. It captures the fascination of an entire new generation of politicos and keeps the focus on Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as the tremendous energy their campaigns represent.

I agree, for the most part, with this reflection by Rahm Emanuel’s brother on the completely undemocratic nature of superdelegates. However, I depart from his position that the delegates from Florida and Michigan should not be seated. While I believe that Barack Obama offers much more of a possibility for a fresh approach to the presidency, and Obama’s campaign has the most to benefit from not seating the delegates, it was wrong in the first place to penalize Florida and Michigan for deciding to increase the relevance of their primaries. Furthermore, it was wrong for the Democratic Party and the various campaigns that decided not to campaign in those states to continue to enshrine the exaggerated prominence of Iowa and New Hampshire, as well as Nevada and South Carolina, in the nominating process. Florida and Michigan are far more diverse states more representative of this nation than any of the early voting states. More importantly, though, this whole debacle re-inforces the fact that this country is in urgent need of instant run-off voting or, at least to begin with, one national primary day.

Yes, some might argue that seating the delegates would unfairly benefit the Clinton campaign because Obama (and other Democratic candidates) did not campaign in Florida or Michigan, but holding fresh elections in the summer would unfairly benefit whichever candidate has the most momentum at the time. Meanwhile, calling on one hand for the party to dismantle a tradition as anchored in the political status-quo as superdelegates, while on the other hand demanding that the status quo convention of the primacy of early-voting states makes no sense.

Finally, for just one more take on the superdelegate situation, Alternet has another interesting take.

So many pennies, so little money

This morning I paid for 4 cents in stamps with four pennies. I so enjoy using my mason jar full of coins at the post office. The added benefit is that it keeps me using snail mail. Nonetheless, this is pretty ridiculous but quite amusing:

http://consumerist.com/354990/it-costs-134-million-to-make-80-million-in-pennies

Can’t wait to see the full 60 Minutes episode.

P.S. I’m frustrated that my keyboard no longer has a cents symbol on it (yes, I know I can insert the symbol, but come on, this is going to make me feel like a crotchety old man).

What kind of writer would I be?

If I didn’t make up excuses for not consistently updating my blog. Some faithful readers might recall that last fall I launched the ill-fated “Fir & Main” blog on the VC Reporter Web site. While I quickly launched the blog with a piece about the murder of Oakland journalist Chauncey Bailey, and was able to post some other items about content in our newspaper, it quickly got away from me. By the time I was able to recombobulate myself, we ran into a slew of problems with our blog host at the time. In the ensuing months, other priorities took hold, the Reporter’s staff changed over a bit, and life was, well, life.

Now I’m back, and hopefully eventually I’ll be better than ever. This site is pretty barebones now, and I’m not quite sure where I’ll take it, but it will certainly grow and evolve. I happen to encounter a lot of fascinating subjects in my travels through this world, many of which I’m sure I’ll want to share.

Happy reading.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the blogs of Reporter Arts Editor Matt Singer at moletracks.wordpress.com or that of Staff Writer Hannah Guzik at palindromereporter.wordpress.com.