I recently traveled to Brazil and Mexico for work. That’s damn cool, I admit. I’m lucky to have that opportunity, grateful to meet so many wonderful people on my journeys and see so many awesome sights. But, as with many things in life, there’s also a downside. In this case, I am owed thousands of… Continue reading Doing an expense report for work? Here are some tips
Category: business and consumers
A very quick found-money tip
Earlier this week I spent about 45 seconds and got $134 for my effort. It went something like this: Phone rang. Didn’t recognize number, and was going to let it go to voicemail, but for some reason I answered it. “Hi, may I speak with Adam?” [oh no… not a telemarketer! I braced myself.] “This… Continue reading A very quick found-money tip
Airlines charging by the pound (including your personal weight); good idea?
My friend Greg and I just had a fascinating and extensive discussion about the concept of airlines charging their customers by the weight of their bodies + luggage. The way we envisioned it, all airlines tickets would be composed of exactly two fees: a seat fee (fixed) and a weight fee (variable). This is hardly… Continue reading Airlines charging by the pound (including your personal weight); good idea?
Tipping online — Stupid or brilliant or both?
Have you heard about TipJoy and the still-very-small phenomena of tipping (real money) on the web? It’s quite fascinating, in my opinion, and I certainly have very mixed feelings on this issue. PLUSES: I admire how the founder gets “out there” to talk about his service… but not only about his service. I think there’s… Continue reading Tipping online — Stupid or brilliant or both?
Dear PayPal – Please shrivel up and die
I like paying for things with a credit card. It’s typically pretty fast (especially with those merchants that don’t require a signature for
Paradox of choice
I’m not a crazy athlete, but I like working out at the gym and also dancing a few times a week. Finding good dance shoes wasn’t so hard for me. I got personal recommendations from some of my lindy hopping friends, and was also delighted that the friendly folks at dancestore.com were happy to offer… Continue reading Paradox of choice
An example of (usually) effective communications
I recently joined an interesting little aggregator / life-streaming sort of service called FriendFeed. I’m finding both the service and the customer service to be admirable. Here’s a recent set of comments on their support list from one of the founders: That is a very good point […] this was unintended […] This was a… Continue reading An example of (usually) effective communications
Second Life doesn’t want me as a member
A while back, I tried Second Life and wrote about it. Many months went by, and—after getting a new graphics card—I figured, hey, why not try Second Life again? I actually remembered my old SL name though wasn’t sure of the password. Guessed a couple of times, wasn’t able to log in, so I clicked… Continue reading Second Life doesn’t want me as a member
Would "Required Donation" work?
I am an avid fan—and financial supporter—of KQED, the Bay Area’s public radio station. And once again, I’ve been massively annoyed by the most recent (and seemingly monthly) pledge drive. A few thoughts have sprung up into my head: Damn, this sucks. I already donated; why do I have to continue to listen to this?!… Continue reading Would "Required Donation" work?
Zap ridiculous disclaimers, reform CEO pay in one fell swoop
Stupid disclaimers. You know ‘em, and you probably either ignore them or laugh at them. Slightly enhanced samples that are either spoken at 420 words a minute or that take up a bazillion lines of tiny tiny text on the back of ads in news magazines. “Warning: Stunt driver on stunt track in stunt car. … Continue reading Zap ridiculous disclaimers, reform CEO pay in one fell swoop