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May 29, 2008

Check Out This Rule



I have been observing and testing this theory for a log time and can now recommend with confidence:

Never go to a male cashier. Trust me on this one. If you are at a grocery store and are approaching the checkout and have a choice between male and female cashiers. Always go to the female.

I'm not being sexist but for some reason male cashiers are way slower than females. Doesn't matter how long the lines are, doesn't matter how old the cashiers are. Males are slower. Even if there are 5 people in line at the female cashier and only 2 at the male.

RESIST.

The female will always be quicker.

I'm sure there is a logical reason --- but if you want a sure-fire quick route through a checkout, always heed this rule.

May 27, 2008

Monkey Bar Terrorist Training



Ever notice when they show footage of a terrorist training camp -- they often show would-be terrorists on monkey bars. In fact I just saw it a minute ago on CNN. I don't know about you... but I'm not sure I know what monkey bars "train" you to do. Playground domination? Surely CNN and others can find a more accurate -- and scary -- stock tape to play over and over again. If they (either the news or terrorists) want to frighten the public, I think they can do better.

May 26, 2008

When is swearing not really swearing?


The standards on TV has lessened over the years, but the "F" word is still off limits. Or is it? Several TV shows have found a loop hole by using sexual acronyms.

In an episode of 30 Rock that aired in April, the show featured segments of a mock reality show known as "MILF Island." (MILF = Mothers I'd Like to F___)

The teen drama "Gossip Girl" , in a promotion, uses the text-message phrase "OMFG" (Oh My F____ing God)

So if they use an acronym, and we say the word in our head instead of hearing it. Is that really different?

I don't know, but all I can say to this trend is WTF?

Chairs that make a splash.



Add these to my wish list.

FANTASTIC chairs that look like a splashes of Milk. Designed by Michael L. Wendel, these Splash Lounge chairs would make a great prize for our old friends at Milk.

Found on Trendhunter.

Is it time to break your "birth clock"?



The "Birth Clock" by Alex-vF an Interaction Designer and Visual Designer, is a fragile glass object containing a digital clock that is not working; it is designed to help you to come to a decision when you're stuck at a specific point in life. Smash the glass, and the clock will start to work, leaving you with the broken object as a reminder of your dramatic decision. Leave the object as it is, and you remain out of time, having the beautiful object as a reminder of your resistance to change. What would you do?

May 23, 2008

One Gate, Multiple Locks



I love stuff like this... and how people solve problems.
What do you do if you have a locked gate but more than one person is permitted to open it? You don’t want lots of different key, because if one person loses their key --- everyone needs a new one.

The solution?

Multiple locks, chained into one long lock. Open any lock to open the gate. This way each person needs to manage their key (and lock). Genius.

Goes to show that there is always a solution. Always a better way. And simple, once again is better.

Found this on the Improvised Technology portion of Kevin Kelly's site.

May 16, 2008

Garbage Garbage


We just had what I like to call "throw anything out day" as part of our regular garbage collection. Where you can get rid of practically everything.

Got me thinking.

How would you every throw out a garbage can?

Think about it. If you place a garbage can at the end of your drive way as "garbage", would they pick it up?

I bet not.

Theory of declining gratitude




From time to time different theories pop into my head. Mostly from observations of life or things I come across. I notice something, stick it away in my head, then test it and see what happens.

I'll post some of my previous thoughts/theories later, put here's my most recent one. Feel free to test this concept yourself and let me know your results.

I call this one -- the "Theory of declining gratitude" or "the more doors, the less thanks".

Here's an example. Let's say you are walking in front on someone and are entering a mall or building with multiple sets of doors. And lets assume you are a polite person and hold the door open for the person behind you, and they, in return are also polite. The theory states that: The more doors you open, the smaller the "thanks" you receive.

So -- if you hold open one door -- a person might say "thank you".

If there is a second door -- a person might only say "thanks".

And if there happens to be a third door you hold open -- they likely will say nothing.

The more doors... the less thanks you get.

Try it. And let me know.

But here's the lesson I take away from this observation. We all know it's important to be polite and say thanks -- but its easy to stop saying thanks when someone repeatedly does good. Like in my door example. So whether its at work, at home or out in public, think about who you should say thanks to whom you haven't for a long time. Who are you under appreciating. It's never too late to say "thanks".

Hello

So here's my new blog. I've been thinking about this for a while now. I sometimes contribute to our company blog razorcreative.blogspot.com but I thought I needed another outlet for some of my musings and ramblings that don't quite fit the style and format of that blog.

So here it is. Please excuse the horrible masthead -- I'm not the designer. I'll likely ask Rich to help me with that later. But for now it will do.

So on with the postings. Stay tuned.