The surrealism of everyday life

[StephanieL]

High of 68 today, 93 this coming Thursday, 72 next Saturday.

Edited September 30, 2023 by StephanieL

[hollywood10]

Similar to the weather in SoCal.

[bloviatrix]

Spouse and I are having a conversation about IRAs and the RMD (required minimum distribution). I then proceed to sit down and check my email and there's and "ad" about the best way to take your RMD. I'm a little freaked out.

[small h]

Fun (or scary) fact! If you randomly start talking about avocados, ads for avocados will mysteriously start to appear on your screen.

Edited October 11, 2023 by small h

[Steve R.]

Ginny & I have noticed this more than once.  We don't have any Alexas or other of its ilk in the house & I check to make sure the lights are off on the videos in our computers, etc.   No searches for the topic(s) have been done, google or otherwise and it's just a conversation about something that's cropped up out of the blue.  And yet...

[Mitchell101]

Same. Craziest was earlier this year. We were talking about going to Las Vegas. My wife gets an email from Wynn. She never made a reservation or even clicked anything related to Las Vegas. First email she ever received from Wynn. 

[hollywood10]

The algorithms will get you.

[small h]

I think you meant to say that the 'rihtm is gonna get you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZkjeJKBI0M

Eh. I miss embedding!

[Wilfrid]

 I write about the companies that enable this kind of thing. Imagine how many ads I get from them.

Which is more annoying? Ads for something I just bought or ads for something I can’t buy — like one I probably already wrote about, a big discount from a fancy hotel, but exclusively for people visiting New York from London. How did I get on that list?

[Wilfrid]

“Dude, what’s happening on TV?”

You are watching it. Figure it out. It’s not like you are being confronted by a Latin text or a Bresson movie.

 

[small h]

Uh, about those pyramids, Champ.

[Sneakeater]

It's not clear that actually happened?

[small h]

I went to the Times Square sardine store, and the cheapest tin of sardines was $15 (the most expensive was around $40). Then I went to Wegman's, and the cheapest tin of sardines was $1.49 (the most expensive was around $6). I have seen the sardine spectrum today, my friends.

Edited October 29, 2023 by small h

[Wilfrid]

Times Square has a sardine store? Is it aimed at tourists?

[small h]

That seems like the only reason to put it in Times Square, but - judging by my 5ish minutes inside the store - it's not getting a lot of foot traffic from anyone wandering around after seeing a Sweeney Todd matinee, unless they are me. And how many people are gonna think to themselves, hmmm, what's an awesome souvenir to take home from the Big Apple? I know! Portuguese sardines!

https://www.portuguesesardine.com/us/

[MitchW]

Maybe they think...jeez, it's so expensive to dine out in this city, we should just eat some sardines back in the hotel room...I know just where to get some!

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by MitchW

[small h]

Are those people actually cats? Because then that would make a lot of sense.

[StephanieL]

When she was checking an article summary I'd written that involved a discussion of smartphone apps, my boss questioned whether "Android" should be lower case.

[small h]

Yes, also Galaxy.

[MitchW]

Hmmm...my iPhone wonders.

[Sneakeater]

I'm pretty sure Google's copyright attorneys would like you to capitalize it.

[Wilfrid]

Real email (the first one anyway):

Quote   Hi Kim, My name is Mary Sue Milliken, and I am a chef, restaurant owner, and advocate for food security and sustainability. From reducing food waste to increasing global food aid, I am proud to work with Oxfam to help build more equal and more sustainable food systems in the U.S. and across the globe. I believe chefs have a responsibility to ensure our food is ethically sourced and to use our platforms—from our restaurants to TV shows—to advance the fight against extreme hunger. Today, I invite you to join me in taking Oxfam’s Skip a Meal pledge—a promise to skip one meal, snack, or drink before Thanksgiving and to donate the cost to support Oxfam’s work fighting global hunger and injustice.   Hi Mary, I remember your show with Susan. Does it count if I skip that one extra drink I don't really need?

[hollywood10]

Micky (Circus Boy) Dolenz is promoting an album of R.E.M. covers.  C'mon man!

[small h]

1 hour ago, hollywood10 said:

Micky (Circus Boy) Dolenz is promoting an album of R.E.M. covers.  C'mon man!

That...sounds interesting.

[hollywood10]

Shake Shack is promoting Trolls-inspired shakes.  https://shakeshack.com/blog/our-food/shake-shack-bands-together-with-dreamworks-trolls-band-together-for-holiday-trio-of#/