The Banana Slicer is Mightier than the Inflatable Toast

It's Friday!  It's time for a good laugh!  After a frustrating day at work, I need one.

I am a fan of actor George Takei on Facebook. If you want to learn how to be a Facebook Superstar, study this man.  Many people know him as the actor who played Mr. Sulu in the 1960's TV series Star Trek, but, in a future few in the 1960's envisioned, he is now a Social Media giant.  A social media giant at age 75, that is.  To those of us not of a "certain age", you have no idea how good that makes us feel.

His posts are authentic, mostly upbeat, and almost always relevant.

Today, though, he was actually posting something I had already blogged almost four months ago:  Amazon reviews.  Specially, Amazon reviews of certain  - well, unusual products.

The Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer is about to have its 15 minutes of fame.  And I was there first, reporting about it back in December.  Take THAT, George Takei!  (Please enjoy my post - I made sure all the links still work.)

In a way, I felt bad for the manufacturer of this banana slicer. There he is, trying to sell a product which is designed to - well, slice bananas.  And people are posting sarcastic, glowing reviews such as these:  (quoted from actual reviews):

I had to resort to carefully attempt to slice those bananas with my bare hands. 99.9% of the time, I would get so frustrated that I just ended up squishing the fruit in my hands and throwing it against the wall in anger. Then, after a fit of banana-induced rage, my parole officer introduced me to this kitchen marvel and my life was changed.

And how about this gem:

this is one of the greatest inventions of all time. My husband and I would argue constantly over who had to cut the day's banana slices. It's one of those chores NO ONE wants to do! You know, the old "I spent the entire day rearing OUR children, maybe YOU can pitch in a little and cut these bananas?" and of course, "You think I have the energy to slave over your... bananas? I worked a 12 hour shift just to come home to THIS?!".... The minute I heard our 6-year-old girl in her bedroom, re-enacting our daily banana fight with her Barbie dolls, I knew we had to make a change.

Now, THESE are the people who should be participating in Camp NaNoWriMo, not me.  (I promise to blog about my progress soon.)  If I had half of those writing skills....

But, as it turns out,  the manufacturer is thrilled with the attention their slicer has received.  And, apparently, Amazon is beginning to realize that these reviews drive traffic to their site - especially when George Takei posts on Facebook about it.

There is a lesson here for business owners, business bloggers and social media experts, but you'll have to find it for yourself.  I'm too busy laughing.

Here are some more of my favorite products on Amazon.  I hope they become favorites of yours, too.

Inflatable Toast
The Wenger 16999 Swiss Army Knife (darn, would have made a perfect birthday gift for my son.)
The Three Wolf Shirt (stop making fun of this shirt! My spouse loves them!)

Do you have a favorite Amazon review?

San Francisco Movie

This video link has probably been emailed to everyone in the United States by now, but I have to express my pleasure that I was one of the recipients.  It is an approximately 7 minute video taken from a San Francisco streetcar in either 1905 or 1906.  Some accounts claim it was taken 4 days before the San Francisco earthquake.  After some research, the evidence seems to support the 1906 date.

Sadly, the studio that shot this was destroyed in the San Francisco earthquake.  The aftermath is powerfully described in the above link.  It led indirectly to the suicide of one of the brothers whose studio shot this film in 1908.

I can't get over it.  I can watch the film over and over again.

Not so much the modern version of this trip.  Of course, the fascinating thing about the modern version (apparently filmed in 2005) on You Tube is that the tower the streetcar was heading towards is still there.  In fact, it is 112 years old.

History.  You can write about it but when it is on film it is somehow more real.

American Idol Please Listen

Today, I took the survey on the American Idol website.

I used to really enjoy American Idol.  I started watching it towards the end of Season 2.  At one time it was "fun and exciting"  I tuned in religiously.

Not any more.

I think, judging from that survey I took, that American Idol knows they are tanking (should I use the expression "jumped the shark"?).  I'm glad I had the opportunity to help them to figure it out.

It was an interesting survey.  Major changes must be in the air.  Why else would they be asking questions about if Paula Abdul should return? (yes.  Her loopiness was entertaining and she really cared about the contestants).  Also, they suspiciously asked a lot of questions about Ellen DeGeneres.  Let's put it that way.  I love Ellen as queen of her own show.  But: she has never fit in on American Idol.  I think, in a way, that she tries too hard.  Maybe she feels extra pressure to prove herself.  But her strengths really don't show in that venue.  She's a totally different person, a naturally funny person being as unfunny as you can get,  and there isn't anything to love.

And then there are the contestants this year.  Except for Crystal Bowersox....zzzzzz.  Lame. (sorry, guys.  You are way outclassed.)

The music.  Double ugh.  OK, I don't know very much about Lady Gaga.  But why bring on a performer who you know may be shocking and then substantially edit her?  What was the point of that?

I'm almost ready for them to bring back William Hung.  Or even....heaven forbid....Bikini Girl.

If I could redo American Idol?
1.  Bring back three judges, and please let one of them be Paula.
2.  No more musical instruments.  It is distracting.  This is a singing contest, not a "singing along with your guitar or keyboard" contest.
3.  Just a random comment, this needs to be more friendly to alternate styles of music.  I find it interesting that (as far as I know) the most commercially successful alumni of this pop contest are...a mega country music star, a Broadway star singer and a rock star.   I'll leave it to the music experts to figure that one out.
4.  When they replace Simon-please don't bring on another Brit.  The "nasty Brit" judge is such a cliche now. (an entertaining cliche-but a cliche).  I think they should make Adam Lambert a judge but well, that's me.

Anyway....if you care about the future of American Idol-now is your change to REALLY vote.

Them Good Old Days of Simple Electricity

Several days ago I wrote about the dangers of dwelling in the past where everthing was just peachy-keen, when in reality, there were some really nasty things happening in the 50's and 60's that some of us would just as soon not remember.

Still, there are some things I could sometimes wish would become more simple. More 50'ish....maybe.

A local utility ad made me think about that.

Remember those golden years of the 50's and 60's (and 70's, and 80's, and....) when you got electricity and a monthly bill and you paid it?  Remember when you didn't have to think about fixed vs. variable, or who exactly your supplier was?  Or vote on it each year?  Or compare plans and get totally confused?  Remember those wonderful days of Regulation?

Well those days are long gone, at least here in upstate NY.

Every November for the past three years we'd get this mailing from our local utility and would have to "Voice our Choice".   Or not.  I wonder how many people actually read those mailers and sent them back.  Although we did, I wonder about our elderly neighbors.  Know what, there are a lot of elderly people in these parts.

Well worry us not anymore.  Voice your Choice vanishes January 1, 2010.  But with it goes fixed rate electricity. 

You know when you get those letters that tell you "In order to improve our already fantastic [yeah, right]customer service we are about to [do something that is going to make your life more miserable]? I have that feeling just about now.  Is anyone going to explain what our options really are?  Are we even going to get a letter? What happens if you don't read the newspaper?  That newspaper that sometimes doesn't show up, that shrinks again and again, that resembles a lottery in that you never know if your favorite column, writer or even section is going to be there when you open it up.  That newspaper is supposed to inform us about this complicated issue?

I can imagine myself being in my 80's, like my mother-in-law, and trying to do this.  That's right, fellow baby boomers, just wait.

In the meantime....I hope we get some real information about this.

The Decline and Fall of The Local News Stations

For years, after scanning the local newspaper, I used to tune into Newschannel 34 for my 6:30 fix of local news and weather. When son was in school, I would turn to them first for the scrolling school closings during winter storms.

One Monday about a month ago, I tuned in, only to find everyone I knew was gone. And, the weather (the first thing broadcast as the news show went on the air) was not even the weather in Binghamton. It was the weather in Elmira, an hour west of here. Then, the news proceeded and the first "article" was about something going in in Corning. Corning is even further west.

I then remembered reading an article in the newspaper (yes, I still read the newspaper) over the weekend about the mass firing "to reduce costs". So let me get this straight. Our metropolitan area of around 100,000. now gets its morning news from Elmira, which is an hour away, has very little to do with us, and...let's see, Elmira's population is about 30,000. Corning's population is around 10,000.

Guess what, Newschannel 34. I now listen to our CBS affiliate, seemingly the only 6:30 am news that is related to our area.

One further memo to the news stations: if I hear one more story about Michael Jackson, I may swear off TV all together.

The Decline and Fall of The Local Newspaper

Much has been written about the decline of print media. In our area, it isn't just the print media. Our local TV stations are attempting to go down the same path as the newspaper. Let's take a look first at our local newspaper.

Our newspaper has found new, creative ways to alienate their remaining, loyal audience. What do I mean by loyal? Well, I've subscribed to home deliver of the paper for over 21 years. If that isn't loyal, what is? So let's count the ways our local paper is using to ensure that continued loyalty.

Old Service Method: Classifieds daily, and you could find what you wanted
New Service Method: No classifieds on Monday and Tuesday. I know someone in the newspaper business so I know why they are doing this. There is a logic to this. But what about the other days? Last Saturday I looked fruitlessly (no pun intended) for the listing of local farms who were offering U-Pick fruit. I guess they eliminated that too. News Bulletin: people do read the classifieds for reasons other than purchasing cars.

Old Service Method: The comics were visible without a microscope
New Service Method: why has (and I am going to name names here) "Cathy" shrunk to a size that middle aged eyes barely can make out while "Baby Blues"has panels twice the size? Is there any logic to the big comic/small comic thing?

Old Service Method: Deliver the paper daily, usually by 5am
New Service Method: For some reason, the last few Thursdays and Fridays, the paper doesn't get delivered until after I leave for work, which....well it's way after 5am. I used to sit down with the morning paper while I ate my cereal. Now, sometimes, it doesn't get read at all. Maybe one day they won't deliver it at all. Let's see if I notice.
(and yes, we tip the carrier. My spouse delivered papers as a teen and he remembers it well.)

We won't mention the Incredible Shrinking Newspaper Width (one reduction in December, one reduction this week), the Let's Play with the Fonts so People Can't Read our Paper, and the other games the paper is playing.

I have read newspapers all of my life. My 19 year old son, on the other hand, has barely opened a paper in my sight, ever, in his lifetime. He isn't alone. And if you keep up the not so great service, Dear Newspaper, the 50 year olds won't be reading your paper either.

Anyway.....now, instead of reading the sometimes-not-there-paper-when-I-am-getting-ready-for-work, I decided to depend on the local TV stations. Which leads me to my next post.