Headed For The Recycle Bin

So I Get This Letter In The Mail...

...and it's made to look like an email with a screenshot of a text conversation attached¹. How hip is that? But what really impresses me is how the conversation contains a superscript "1" indicating a footnote, which I found at the bottom on the back of the letter.

¹This fish is not biting. I have perfectly good bicycles. The Sienna is in good shape. And the last thing I need right now is a car payment.

Nothing Deceptive Here

An advertisement in today's Spokesman Review in which the Amish get so much mail the man's thumb was postmarked.

Being Good Consumers

This morning a ton of people were lined up outside the Apple store for the iPhone 5.

 

Honesty

I had lunch at a local establishment downtown and didn't look that close when I grabbed a drink. After sitting down and cracking it open I noticed the bottom of the container looked a little pale. The bottom of the bottle is heavily indented so it appears to be as large as the other drinks, but actually contains less liquid. How ironic that this is made by Honest Tea, which has a much different looking bottle on it's web site even though it still contains the reduced 16.9 ounces. Disingenuousty?

Giant 1, GM 0

I'll Only Do It Until I Need Glasses

Kathy came home last night and for some reason kept the Sky Mall magazine from her flight. Steph was browsing through it and pointing out the goofiest stuff when she found an ad for barefoot footwear. I know, the words "barefoot footwear" seem oxymoronic.

Re-align your posture.
Stimulate your senses.
Strengthen your feet and legs.
I don't know about the first claim. Look at the right posture image down below. Who stands like that? The second claim is true when you step on sharp objects. The third claim is spot on when it comes to your feet. But check out the center graphic below.

It looks like they copied some of the stimulation points from the reflexology chart. Catch an acorn in the right place and you'll crap your running shorts.

And watch those second and third toes!

What's Up With That?

I received my July issue of Consumer Reports today and it contains an article listing ways to save gas. There's no mention of walking, riding a bike, car pooling, or taking public transportation.

For This Most Special Day In America

Did They Run That Name By A Focus Group?

Chase Bank has a new service called blink. If swiping your card through the reader, entering your PIN, answering "no" to cash back, and answering "yes" to the correct amount takes too long--I mean, who has that kind of time these days?--now you can simply wave your card near the...um...blink thingy and your transaction is instantly completed.

In other words, your money is gone in the blink of an eye.

From the FAQ:

How do I use blink?
It's easy — just follow these steps:

* When your purchases are totaled, hold your card up to the reader.
* If you're prompted to select credit or debit, you must select credit to use blink (even for a debit card). You aren't required to enter your PIN. (If you are using your debit card, the money will still come directly out of your checking account.)
* Lights flash and/or a tone sounds to indicate your card has been read.
* Your transaction is approved and you're on your way.

Selecting "credit" also ensures the merchant pays the highest fee, too. Are you still not convinced they thought of everything?

Is blink secure?
Absolutely! blink transactions are safe because they are protected by an additional level of encryption. Merchants' card readers can read a blink card only when it is held within 2 inches of the reader, and the highest level of encryption protects all of your information. Plus, just as when your card is swiped, you are protected against unauthorized purchases.1

The small print: 1 U.S.-issued credit cards only. Zero Liability policy for credit cards does not apply to ATM transactions or to PIN transactions not processed by Visa/MasterCard, as applicable. For debit cards, Chase will reimburse you for any unauthorized card transactions made at stores, ATMs, online or on the phone when reported promptly.

But the highest level of encryption combined with the flashing lights and/or sounding tone puts my mind at ease.

Buff In 180 Minutes

I'm not a huge fan of the Huffington Post mainly because of the plethora of useless stuff amidst the real news and halfway decent commentary. Articles like this bit about 10 gadgets to help you get fit in 2010. Best Fitness Tech? How'd they come up with that?

Many are the Bowflex machines, weight sets, stationary bicycles, shake weights (go ahead and click it, you know you're curious), treadmills, Nordic Tracks, and other exercise gizmos--heck, even regular bicycles--that are sitting around collecting dust because someone thought "That's what I need to get in shape" only to have their enthusiasm decline like their checking account after making three easy payments.

Just as with diets, the latest fad does little to help you out. No single gadget, machine, diet or pill have the effect of a serious lifestyle change. Why do you think the fine print always says "Results not typical"?

Except...except that new workout technology known as Dynamic Inertia just sounds so appealing. Like it really works. I mean, I mean...you know...it will sculpt my arms and chest in just six minutes a day. So after 30 days I will be the Hercules Kathy desires so much. And there's a triple money back guarantee so what do I have to lose?

I just hope I don't hit myself in the face with it.