October 7, 2009 by traveler.

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

I was all excited to see Pee Wee Herman’s new stage show. As a kid who grew up with the classic TV series (and movies), I was naturally surprised and excited to see the Pee Wee character the way it was born- live on stage. I will be back in LA around the end of November, and Pee Wee Herman show was high on my list of things-to-do when I’m back.

That was before they decided to cancel all shows and open at a bigger venue in Jan/Feb 2010! What a bummer! No plans to be back in LA around that timeframe, so I might just have to catch up with some DVDs. Not the same!

Kinda dumb to get worked up over Pee Wee Herman, but hey- not many other nostalgia-inducing live stage performances of Saturday morning tv shows these days.

Posted in Gripes, Comedy, Retro, TV | No Comments »

June 7, 2009 by traveler.

Like many Americans, I grew up playing soccer. Like many more Americans, I have no interest in watching professional soccer. Why the disconnect?

Soccer’s got to be great, right? I mean, the rest of the world adores their ‘football’. So why have Americans so thoroughly rejected this sport? Perhaps Jim Rome can shed some light.

Sorry, world- we’ve seen what ‘football’ has to offer. We’re not interested. Please take it off our hands (not like we’re very good at it anyway). And while you’re at it, take cricket along also. Thanks. We’ll just stick with our own football…the good stuff.

Posted in Gripes, Video, Sports, Funny, Games | No Comments »

May 5, 2009 by traveler.

Ouch. Consumerist reports that a Best Buy customer in Texas opened a brand-new MacBook Pro box and instead of a laptop, he found…a paving stone.

Is this becoming a trend? First it was the Chinese newspaper & rocks in a Nintendo DS box, and now this. While Wal-Mart made good on the missing Nintendo DS, apparently Best Buy told the proud new owner of a paving stone that “Apple seals the boxes, not us. Take it up with Apple.” Hmm. I’m gonna go with…the customer gave his credit card to Best Buy for this purchase, not Apple.

Which makes this potentially simple- customer notifies credit card company that he is having this problem with BB and is working to resolve it. If BB still won’t rectify the situation, he gets credit card company to reverse the charge and file a grievance against BB.

Of course there is another important question- could this be a shady customer’s shakedown attempt? Guess Best Buy and the credit card company will work that all out. Maybe it’ll turn out that this guy ends up throwing that paving stone back in his yard where he found it. Who knows.

Posted in Junk, Weird, Gripes, Business, Tech, Nintendo, Toys, Apple, Gear | No Comments »

February 9, 2009 by traveler.

Time to revisit an age-old gripe- Air travel. Airlines seem to be skimping ever further on unnecessary luxuries like in-flight food and friendly service. If you’re lucky enough to be on a long-haul flight with genuine food service, chances are you won’t be satisfied with the skimpy protein in your ‘chicken little’ or ‘baby beef’ tray. Eat at the airport? Good luck finding a healthy option there. Bringing your own food can be a good alternative, but your neighbors may not enjoy when your beef jerky or tuna scent wafts in their direction. Oh well, you have to listen to their hysterical baby anyway- they owe you. Munch away and keep rocking those miles.

Here is a list of basic things that help me endure the travel experience and still retain some shred of sanity.

1. Noise-canceling headphones and fully-stocked iPod (No better way to ignore your overly friendly neighbor)
2. Extra pair of socks & underwear (Ever had your luggage ‘diverted’? Exactly)
3. Shirt with a pocket or two (to store important boarding papers)
4. A few sets of earplugs (If your flight has a chorus of babies, you can probably trade a set of earplugs for a Rolex watch)
5. Comfortable shoes that come on & off easily (security lines- enough said)
6. Small, filling snacks (in case you get stuck in an airport for a long time)

That’s it for the list- nothing super special, but these items will help keep a smile on your face when the dude in front of you walks through the X-ray wearing chains that would make Mr. T blush.

Posted in Gripes, Travel, Business, Gear | No Comments »