I received a letter in the mail today (or at least it was addressed to someone with a mangled spelling of my name) from an insurance company “introducing” a “personal health plan that has your name all over it” and “As low as $44 a month*”. There were two things wrong. First, if my name was all over the plan, it was the wrong plan. Second, that asterisk.

While the $44 was in about 150 point type on a bright green background, the wording tied to the asterisk was at the bottom of the page, in about 5 point type in reverse on an orange background. But, I’m good with reading the very, very fine print. It said: “Rate quotes are for a 34-year old, non-smoker male in Madison, WI 53706.”

Even though I’ve never smoked, I haven’t been 34 in decades. Last time I looked, I wasn’t male. And, I’ve never visited, much less lived in, Madison, Wisconsin. Clearly the $44 was limited to a chosen few living in zip 53706.

The letter went into my shredder along with a flyer that guaranteed I would lose 30 to 45 pounds by paying $79.95 for three bottles of drops to add to my coffee which would absolutely melt the weight off without having to do anything else. That one was from a company pitching something called “SupraSvelte.” Doing a little online research got me to this complaint about the company, and this forum thread from 2005.

Some days the mail is chock full of silly reading.

How many of your friends and family have sent you online greeting cards in the past couple of months? Several? At least one or two? If you have multiple email accounts like I do, you get emails several times a day with links to greeting cards from “A family member” or “A friend.” And, if you’re like a lot of people who expect to receive greetings from at least one person you know, you’ve probably clicked on the link in the email. Here’s why I never click on any links in emails, regardless of who the email is from.

As dangerous as it is to drive and talk on a cell phone, people are driving and sending text messages on their cell phones! What lunacy! And now we have the iPhone which will enable owners to surf the Web while they drive. Yes, I know other cell phones have Web access but this one is even more apt to be used by drivers.

Think texting and driving is harmless? Texting may have been to blame for this fatal car crash. Will this stop other teens from texting while they drive? Hardly. As anyone knows, when you’re young, death doesn’t happen to you or your friends.

On any given day, there are probably several hundred thousand handbags and purses listed for sale on eBay. For anyone (like me) who is hunting for the “perfect purse” it’s safer to stay away from eBay altogether. Just taking a little peek to see if there’s a purse or two that looks interesting will almost certainly guarantee at least one purchase. Trust me, I speak from too much experience! Read more… »

Less than a month ago, I traded my Ford Explorer SUV for a new 350Z. I drove the Explorer for almost nine years after trading in my 300ZX when the cost of repairs exceeded its value. I’d driven the 300ZX for almost ten years; it replaced the Corvette that I’d driven for the previous four years. The Corvette replaced my first 300ZX. Okay, so I enjoy driving high performance sports cars! Read more… »

My dad was a kind and gentle soul. He died of cancer almost 15 years ago. The type of person to never complain, he didn’t go to the doctor until the pain was too much to ignore. Within two weeks after seeking treatment for “the flu”, cancer took his life.

Some dads aren’t good at being parents, just as some moms aren’t good at being parents. It’s a major responsibility to have children and there are a lot of sacrifices that men and women, who do the job right, will make.

Today is the day to let your dad know you appreciate and love him.

Almost 16 years ago, a woman taking a small kitten to the local animal shelter stopped at my office. As I held the small bundle of fur in the palm of my hand, I stared into the biggest eyes I’d ever seen. I took Bear home with me that day.

Today, June 14, 2007, I had to help Bear get to the Rainbow Bridge.

I miss him terribly.

January of 2006, I decided to try the NutriSystem Diet. It’s simple enough, choose a month’s worth of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners from their list of foods and then wait for the boxes to appear at your door. Read more… »