General

If you don't watch this show, we can't be friends.  I was first introduced to the show by my boys Davis Prince and Chris Wilkinson.

Among my favorite Rob and Big quotes, (which I'm sure everyone at work has grown tired of) are:

If I've forgotten any, please by all means, bring it to my attention.

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Let the requests roll in! 

Dear Asshole Who Broke Into My Car and Stole My Computer,

Where are you and when will we meet again?

Cheers,

Taylor

P.S. I got a new one and I like it better. 

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For Christmas, my younger brother, Alden decided to give me four bricks and another present wrapped 8 layers deep.  He captured this video (from the present I gave him) in which the whole family is laughing hysterically.  It made for the most fun and memorable Christmas yet.

Earlier today I was at Barnes and Noble in the magazine section.  I couldn't find a single magazine that advocated for me to consume less.  Not one.

A couple years ago PBS Frontline took an inside look at the marketing and advertising industry, the result was this 90-minute special called The Persuaders. 

With 2008 being an election year, the fifth segment is probably the most interesting one.  It features Frank Luntz, a political consultant and pollster.  If you plan to vote, you need to watch that video.

Here's the point: companies and politicians are spending billions of dollars to get you to buy things or to think a certain way.  Do they really have your best interests in mind?  What are their motives?

Last year, I didn't have any New Year's resolutions.  This year is different.  I spent last night (12/30) in a hotel writing out my goals for each area of my life.

Aristotle said, "The soul never thinks without a picture." 

My little in-town getaway was more or less thinking about where I want to be in 5 years, in 10 years, and in 50 years.  Then I worked backward on how to achieve those goals and what I need to do in 2008 to work toward them.

To be quite honest I don't know how I ran across Lindsay's blog.  I've never met Lindsay, but we went to Auburn at the same time and we share many mutual friends and live in the same city.

Good writers are few and far between these days; especially those that have a sense of humour.  Amazingly, Lindsay has both, which makes her blog a fascinating read.  (Ever thought about a career as a comedy writer?  Or an author?)

Here are some of my favorites so far:

The Titans Game Story
The Email to Tim Tebow Story
The Martina McBride Story
and the ones that show pure comedic genius are here, here, here, and here.

Shot on 9/11 in New Jersey at Hannity's Freedom Concert.  I try to be the sensible one in the group while Tyler and Elizabeth act like children.

Last night I sold my iPhone.  During the month or so that I had it, I could not get used to the keyboard.  Texting and emailing turned into a laborious task and it was just a bitch to deal with.  So I'm back to the trusty 'ol Treo.

I listed the iPhone, along with the $100 rebate, on craigslist and within hours the emails poured in.  I met up with a guy yesterday and after we talked some, we then exchanged the goods and went on our merry way.

Or so I thought, less than 30 minutes later I receive an unhappy text from him and here is our full conversation: 

1615***7804 (9/27 7:57 pm): Hey just got the iphone back home.  I thought you said this had never been dropped.  The case is splitting from the top there is a dent in the top and more??
Me (9/27 7:58 pm): It hasn't been dropped.  Case wasn't split when I sold it to you
1615***7804 (9/27 8:00 pm): Were did the dents come from? the black housing that contains the wifi ant has three gouges in it as well
Me (9/27 8:01 pm): We must be talking about a different phone.
1615***7804 (9/27 8:02 pm): Apple store says it is void of warranty
1615***7804 (9/27 8:02 pm): I only have one iphone
Me (9/27 8:03 pm): I'm sorry to hear that, phone was sold as is…
1615***7804 (9/27 8:06 pm): What do think we should do?
1615***7804 (9/27 8:11 pm): Well u did say it was mint and no dents your now going back on what you represented it as
Me (9/27 8:12 pm): Well, I've been upfront, and the phone is in great shape. The case was not splitting when it was in my possession. Hope it works out.
1615***7804 (9/27 8:12 pm): It will work see you soon!
Me (9/27 8:13 pm): Ok
1615***7804 (9/27 8:14 pm): Oh may I ask how the dent came to be by headphone jack?
1615***7804 (9/27 8:22 pm): Well?

It was very odd to me that he would want to return the phone after only 30 minutes.  He had no objections when we first met, so what happened between the sale and the time he took it home?

If you read this article, you will find that Apple released a statement earlier this week saying that iPhones that have been hacked or unlocked would result in “in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed." 

In short, my buyer's iPhone is now a $310 paperweight.  Glad he paid cash…