Yesterday, I heard a PRI report on Violins – Made in China. Initially, I was quite surprised to learn that China manufactures 70% of all the world’s violins. 70%!! However, after some reflection, I realized that China’s manufacturing prowess should not have been that shocking. As an experiment, I’m looking at the place of manufacture for various items within my immediate grasp.
So, 80% of the items within my immediate reach with stated places of manufacture were produced in China. As for the lone Made in U.S.A. item, is it an antique? How come I cannot find any reference to Punchodex on the Rolodex website? Great. The only item I possess that was manufactured in the U.S.A. just might have been discontinued. I’ll have to bring it to Antique Roadshow one of these days. Remember when we used to manufacture products in this country?
iTunes is selling Jackie Chan’s: The Myth for $9.99. However, a better deal is watching the film on Hulu for free. Preferably sometime within the next 48 hours because streaming rights expire on 12/31/2009 at 11:45 PM PST.
Sure, Hulu can run its Cadillac ads, but I think something is missing in the equation. Why isn’t Hulu selling complementary products like the soundtrack from the movie? I’m looking for a copy of Endless Love (美麗的神話):
If you are going to let me watch your movie for free on Hulu, at least let me pay you for a copy of this song on iTunes or Amazon.
Apple launched iTunes back in April 2003. 6 1/2 years ago. Why isn’t every song in the world already on iTunes? Totally frustrating.
Last weekend, I received my AG-13 batteries from Publications International Ltd. Needless to say, the shipment did not require the stated 4-6 weeks. More like just under two weeks. If I had known that the turnaround time was that fast, I would have ordered them a year ago instead of hunting around on and off at a bunch of local electronics stores.
I have quite a few electronic books, all of which need new batteries. Unfortunately, I have not been able to secure a reliable and inexpensive supply of the needed AG-13 batteries. Fry’s sells them for about $2.00 per battery, but doesn’t have a large supply on hand. At 3 batteries per book, I need a LOT of batteries. Radio Shack has a lot of batteries for sale, but at about $5.00 per battery, it would be cheaper for me to buy a new book instead of a set of replacement batteries.
Well, Publications International Ltd. sells replacement batteries. However, I’m not a big fan of the 4-6 weeks for delivery. I just noticed that I could have called in the order at (800) 700-4710 instead of mailing in my payment. I suppose that could have shaved off a couple days in the fulfillment process. Still, 4-6 weeks? After getting accustomed to Amazon Prime, 4-6 weeks just feels Jurassic.
Last year, I purchased Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive. It just dawned on me that book put a name to the practice I have been following for several decades: social proof. When visiting a Chinese restaurant for the first time, what’s the most important factor you should consider? Not the menu. Not the region of the cuisine. The most important factor is the clientele. That, more than anything, tells me what type of Chinese food the restaurant serves and whether the food will be to my taste.
Has Volvo, the premier family car manufacturer, lost its way? Even though Ford now owns this Swedish company, I somehow suspect that Volvo isn’t building cars targeted at the American market, hence its late arrival in the SUV market. Still, for families with children, which I think is Volvo’s core market, nothing beats the convenience of a minivan in terms of passenger space and accessibility. So, where’s the Volvo minivan? I looked at some of Volvo’s concept cars and didn’t spot a minivan among them. Too bad. In a day and age when two infant car seats can completely crowd out the entire rear row of a sedan or wagon, having the full-sized third row becomes more of a necessity than a luxury.
The next time you fill-up, take a look at some of the warning labels affixed to the gasoline pump. I saw the above label recently while purchasing gas from Costco.
This device dispenses gasoline solely by volume measured in standard gallons (231 cubic inches). It does not adjust for temperature or other factors which may affect the energy content of each gallon dispensed.
Makes sense. Obviously, if you purchase gasoline in the morning, each gallon of gasoline would presumably be denser because of the cooler temperature. I was going to research this issue, but Snopes had already beat me to it.
Could really have used a polarizing filter to cut down the reflection in the window. Anyways, I spotted this sign in the window of a Thai restaurant in Millbrae over the weekend.
Special Lunch Dishes Today For Those People Who Are Unemployed. Any noodle dish with your choice of chicken, pork, beef or veggi $5.50
On one hand, it’s really compassionate for them offer a reduced price meal to those who are unemployed. However, if you really have no income flowing in, even a $5.50 lunch may seem extravagant because every dollar adds up.
Spotted the “Not Hiring” sign during the weekend. You think a few people have already stopped by to ask about job openings? From what I hear, construction work has come to a dead halt. So, any contractor that is building in this economy will be very popular. Anyways, the sign really means a lot of people are looking for work. Enough at least that it is worth it to the contractor to put up a sign.
Amazon has been a bit off with their recommendations as of late. Today, I received an e-mail regarding the best selling children’s books under $10. I understand why Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is on their list. But, remember the “one of these things doesn’t belong here” song from Sesame Street? Now, I was curious how a book entitled Chosen (House of Night, Book 3) with a book cover showed an exposed neck could possibly be a children’s book. Vampires, dark forces and bloodlust? Uh, I think Amazon missed the mark on this one unless you are trying to scare your kids.
: Made in China
: Made in China
: Made in China
. It just dawned on me that book put a name to the practice I have been following for several decades: social proof. When visiting a Chinese restaurant for the first time, what’s the most important factor you should consider? Not the menu. Not the region of the cuisine. The most important factor is the clientele. That, more than anything, tells me what type of Chinese food the restaurant serves and whether the food will be to my taste.
is on their list. But, remember the “one of these things doesn’t belong here” song from Sesame Street? Now, I was curious how a book entitled 
with a book cover showed an exposed neck could possibly be a children’s book. Vampires, dark forces and bloodlust? Uh, I think Amazon missed the mark on this one unless you are trying to scare your kids.