Story Title I Wish I'd Written: What Makes Someone French?

Dunno. Top 10 reasons?

10. Just got my teeth cleaned, check this out, yo!
9. Dinner cost $65 bucks and I'm supposed to stand in the hall?
8. It feels good.
7. I have a big day tomorrow and I want to remember you.
6. My parents are upstairs and this is all we can do.
5. Q: Voulez vous? A: Oui
4. My tests came back negative, let's do it!
3. I really love you, whatever your name is.
2. Everyone else is doing it.
1. I'm sick and tired of instant messages!

The original thoughtful article is from the New York Times "What Makes Someone French", discussing culture.

Ad Review: The Gate thegateworldwide.com

Ok, as far as getting me to read their copy, thegateworldwide.com did a bang up job in the NY Times today.

Why? The photo shows a cow on Madison Avenue with a gun at its head. Copy about killing sacred cows. Who don't they want for customers? Vegans, sure. But Hindoo? Omnivores like me? Pacifists?

What could have been an affirmation of interesting spin turned into another simple minded p.o.s. involving killing an animal for the pumping of bidnez. Right up there with good old Hardee's and the chicken ad.

Look: I frickin' eat meat, wear leather shoes, and all that. But this just offends me. And, by the way, I did and still do find the old National Lampoon advertisement "buy this magazine or we'll kill this puppy" funny.

I checked out the gate website and judge it a Flash in the pan. And after all that advertising spend in the NYT... another boring "ain't we too cool" site.

Dear God, when bad things happen to good code, do I *really* want swinging doors and chartjunk?

Strunk & White, Ed Tufte, hell, Samuel Johnson, Chris Locke... shakes head.

-30-

Broadcast Television Time Shifting

Major broadcasters announce time-shifting of hit programming at Indiantelevision.com.

Now, when will they bring back Uncle Miltie or old Johnny Carson or....?

On Bathrooms, Coffee, and Dress Codes

While waiting for a friend to finish a medical exam...

In the Waiting Room
Noticed two cups of coffee on a ledge in the waiting room. Cold enough that the ersatz cream had separated. Dr.'s staff paid no nevermind. Hmm.

In the Men's Room...
On the "May 2004"(this is November 2005) on the back of the door:

"Please fixed the lock. This door needs a proper lock when a person is trying to their personal business."

Oh, and the form on the back of the door had "Form Revised 09/19/03".


The Best
And the buzz amongst the staff: a minor revision to the daily color-coded dress code. Each day of the week, these folks have to wear the right color.

That's surely trying to their personal business.

Electronics & Software For Baby Boomers: A Void?

Over the last few weeks, I've seen many articles on kid-friendly electronics in the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and elsewhere.

Given the rapid growth of the 50+ population, why development and promotion of Boomer-friendly interfaces and products amazes me.

Things with big buttons. Things with fonts that scale. Things with voice chips confirming what's going on. Sensible integration of home electronics remotes.

I ain't saying it isn't happening, but I read and listen pretty broadly. I don't see people going for the greying (or, shining, w.r.t. yrs truly here) segment. And the need will be apparent to any at the parent's(or their own)weekend event when the VCR still blinks 12:00.