Midwestern Hospitality?
After some day-after-National-Hangover-day laziness (the joyful indolence of those who did not have the Hangover to begin with), @WendyBuske and I reluctantly ventured out into the world of commerce. Boy, was that an ill-thought plan.
Fairview Heights is the primary center of commerce for the Illinois-side of the St. Louis metro area. During the holiday season it becomes a national disaster, as Christmas shoppers dog pile on sale racks and litter Highway 64 with fender benders. You’d expect the pandemonium to slow down a bit, though, after little J.C. exits the virginal boy-howdy and the world drinks away the pain of another year. And you’d be wrong.
Read MoreCarts Gone Wild
This article was originally published a few years ago as a guest column in the Edwardsville Intelligencer’s “Edge” weekend insert.
The savage beast.
There is a creature unique to the bounds of civilization, growing overpopulated and more prevalent. It inconveniences us, endangers our vehicles and, perhaps worst of all, takes up all the good parking spaces. It affects all but the most dedicated e-commerce consumer, and it’s an epidemic of our own making: shopping cart abandonment.
Read MoreFashion, Victimized
This article was originally published a few years ago as a guest column in the Edwardsville Intelligencer’s “Edge” weekend insert.
Remember these? Yuck.
While out shopping with a female friend, we stop to examine a kiosk selling trendy purses and belts made entirely of big, dangly sequins in bold, fluorescent colors. I fear someone has accosted a figure skater and stolen their outfit for raw materials.
“I should get one of those,” my friend says, her face a canvas for disco-ball refractions cast by sparkling handbags. I raise an eyebrow. This young woman, characterized by her classy, subdued taste, must be in thrall, mesmerized by the magnificent gaudiness.
Read MoreLearning to Love Spam
This article was originally published a few years ago as a guest column in the Edwardsville Intelligencer’s “Edge” weekend insert.
Like this, but digital.
What’s the big deal with spam?
I’m referring to the unwanted email, mind you, not the highly dubious canned meat product (it deserves an entire column to itself).
Sure, spam clogs up our inboxes. Yes, we waste many minutes of precious surfing time deleting undesired messages and appending mail filters. And, technically speaking, this electronic junk mail absorbs precious bandwidth and slows the entire internet down. But what about the positive side of spam?
Everyday, I’m gratified to open my email and discover 15-35 unsolicited expressions of hope and reassurance. My future sure looks brighter now that I can eliminate my credit card debt, increase my ability to please my lady and start a great career working from home. Those email subject lines inform me that I can get brand name software cheap, cleanse my colon and receive a complimentary gift, all without leaving my keyboard. Now that’s a pep talk!
Read MoreWhere have I been?
Originally Posted to Blogger – Wednesday, March 28, 2007
I’ve been an absentee friend lately, a non-blogger, a work-a-holic. You might have wondered, “where’s that Adron guy been?”. Or maybe not. Maybe you were too busy to notice. I understand completely.
I’m always busy – that’s just a fact of my life. My close friends know I am driven and obsessed with my ambitions and projects, and sometimes undone by them. My wife always says I’m a work-a-holic, and that’s been true these past few weeks, since work is about all I’ve done.
Read MoreCarbon Leaf; Blog on Blog action; NYC trip
Originally Posted to Blogger – Monday, February 19, 2007
Another fantastic show from Carbon Leaf. Last Friday, a small contingent of Armadians attended the CL headlining show at the Blueberry Hill Duck Room. It was the band’s first sold-out St. Louis show, which they were obviously excited about. Somebody offered Doug a hundred bucks for his ticket (which he turned down). The concert was incredible, an absolutely revelatory performance. Carbon Leaf is my favorite band. Wen and I have seen them live four times now. This show was my favorite so far. Interesting show highlight: they began their encore by going completely unplugged. No mics, no amps, just the band (sans drums) projecting “Learn to Fly” to a packed room struggling to remain silent. Other highlights – friggin’ everything.
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