The Reason SOME People Can Never Find Things On-Line.

While shopping at BEST BUY, I was looking at (what I want) Sony Grand WEGA 70″ 1080p Rear-Projection SXRD XBR HDTV Model: KDS-R70XBR2, I was approached by a goofy looking sales guy. He attempted to make small talk about the TV without actually telling me much about it, saying things like, “That’s some picture, huh?” and “Big, ain’t it?”

He finally got around to making the assumption that I was there to BUY today, and he started to mention the (numerous) features this particular model; and he stated that the one on display did not have the side-mount speakers attached. I asked how big the speakers were and he said that he did not have a picture of it, but oh hey, there is probably one on the internet if I wanted to see it.

I followed him to the back of the TV sales floor and looked around at the other TVs while he looked around the internet. The browser opened to the YAHOO main page. Goofy sales guy typed “Best Buy” into the Search box.

His search results yielded a page full of links – all pointing to BEST BUY DOT COM. (Wow. That’s Amazing!) He clicked the first one. From there, he putzed around, viewing menu after menu, attempting to find the model by clicking around the site– rather than simply entering the Model Number directly into the significantly visible “Search For” form located towards the top of the site. Nearly ten minutes later, he had the correct model displayed on the computer’s small screen.

In order to create this post, I followed his path (including the YAHOO-portion of his search. (I wanted to time this process and compare it to his) and clicked around until I landed on the correct Model, size, and type of television. Using this method, it still took me (significantly) less than half the amount of time it took him; and I didn’t remember the model #.

Merry Christmas!

Wine Notes 101

Recommended: Zinfindel – A robust red with intense berry flavor and a smooth oak finish. A great match for our steak or ribs. That is what the short description on the wine selection read. That was what I had ordered.

What she brought to the table was a glass of pink wine. When I questioned her about this, she replied that what she had in her hand was the only Zinfindel they have.

I showed her the recommended selections (with descriptions) and stated that I had just expected it to be a dark red wine based on the description.

She asked me to taste the wine and said if it isn’t to my liking she can take it back. I regretfully tasted the wine and it was not possible for me to disguise my expression (that is right, I did not like it). BUT — I tried it. Confused, she said she would have to go ask the bartender.

I wondered if either of them would spit in my wine when they corrected the order.

(Such an act would not really be warranted, as I was not mean about it when I questioned the wine.) She took the list with her and I watched from across the room as she spoke to the bartender and pointed at the list in her hand as he exclaimed “Oh! OK!”.

Granted, we were at a chain restaurant, but I feel that the servers should at least know the differences of the wines on the “recommended list”.

Scroog-le

Today is my day off; the first I’ve had in eight days. I had made plans for the day, which started with SLEEPING IN. Despite my plans my brain flipped some switch and I woke up at seven.

It isn’t that I “don’t love” Christmas; it’s that I “don’t love” what Christmas has become. (I also “don’t love” shopping.) Today, I will spend the day shopping. Shopping for crap that I can only HOPE that the people I give the crap to actually like what I picked for them and that they appreciate it.

I hate to receive a gift I don’t need or particularly like. This is not because I don’t like the item as much as because I don’t want to hurt their feelings by not liking it.
I have a hard time looking at someone who gives me a gift and saying,

“Thank you for thinking of me, but, to be honest with you, I really have no need for a set of periwinkle blue ceramic cuff links.”

While I hope that the gift I selected for them was a good choice… if they opt to return it for something else – I don’t really give a rat’s tooth when it really comes down to it. My problem is that if I constantly buy stuff they choose to return year in and year out– I will be the guy nobody wants to have to do the ‘draw a name gift exchange’ with.

Today, as I type this, I drinking coffee, watching whatever movie was on when I turned on the TV this morning, and procrastinating. After this I need to shower and get dressed and get my ass out there among the pushy idiots who seem to have forgotten why they are REALLY out there shopping in the first place.

I HOPE that next year, I will actually keep my word to myself and get my shopping done (ON-LINE) – and (at least) two months early.

Go Play in the Snow

Create a snow flake. Save it and share it with others. Search for friend’s snow flakes.

(Mine is found by searching Perotheus in Portland, Oregon) (#3159680)

Go Make yours; send it to me.