Buying a New Computer Shouldn't be That Hard...

Dear Newegg,

You lost a $2K+ sale today… Why? Because you need a smarter shopping cart/check out system.

My Toshiba Qosmio (which incidentally I purchased from you) is breathing its last breaths. So I figured I would purchase its replacement at Newegg.com which has been the source of 80% of my computer gear since 2006. But more importantly where I have a Preferred Account. (Stop me now if you can see where this is going.) However, once I had my chosen laptop in the cart (along with assorted software and service contract) and proceeded to checkout, I discovered a problem – I couldn't actually use my Preferred Account. Apparently it can't be used for digital downloads. But you see, I didn't actually have a download; I had a coupon that was bundled with the laptop.

Now at this point, everyone is probably thinking, "Then just delete the coupon!" I mean, that was what the support tech said during our chat:

"I will be more than happy to assist you. For your question, we advise you delete the NVIDIA Coupon from your shipping (sic) cart."

Oh, would that I could… You see, there is actually no option to delete this item. It has no "remove" link. You can't click it's checkbox (it doesn't have one) and "remove selected". It is permanently there.
This is of course where support takes a turn for the "All I have is this script":

"In this case, we advise you clear your computer's cookies, or complete your purchases within the last 5-6 hours.  Please clear the cookies of your browser and try again. If you happen to use a firewall, please temporarily disable it. If it does not work, please try another browser or attempt on another computer."

And that is when I ended our session. If clearing my cookies can create a checkbox on your site, then either you need to have a talk with your web development team or I am in the wrong business.

So if I have to use a regular credit card, there is no benefit to me buying from your site. I might as well drive the 15 minutes to Fry's and pick something up locally. Now, don't worry, I'll be back. I mean I obviously appreciate the benefits of the Preferred Account (as my current balance indicates). But this sale is as the say, gone with the wind…

Sincerely,

Owner of Abandoned Cart #456876147

Still on Hiatus*... But Some Things Cannot Stand

Recent days have brought people out of the woodwork saying that it is "inappropriate" to publicly shame others. Leaving aside the issue of tone policing, since when? Shame is a powerful and wonderful tool when used properly. But like many tools, it is subject to misuse. And yes, I have seen some people try to use a hammer as a screwdriver…

People can/should be shamed when they fail in their moral duty. If they fail you personally, you tell them, "I'm disappointed". But when they fail society as a whole, they are held up in public as an example as what not to do (sometimes thru the actions of the legal system). And while the definition of "moral duty" can be debated, I think we can generally draw the line well before you get to shame me for my appearance. So while you can rightfully persecute me for breaking into your car and stealing your favorite CD, my clothing choices are off the table.

So to help you determine when shaming is and is not appropriate, I present a few examples. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but should provide some helpful guidelines:

• Your Business: Dude dragging a clearly incapacitated woman into a secluded area.
  Not Your Business: Woman drinking a beer after work with a group of coworkers.
• Your Business: Your weight.
  Not Your Business: My weight and how my doctor and I have chosen to address my health issues.
• Your Business: Dude taking upskirt photos.
  Not Your Business: Woman wearing a skirt, yoga pants, pajamas, or anything else she chooses.
• Your Business: Dudes making sexist/racist/ablest comments in public.
  Not Your Business: Whether I find such comments offensive and when (and how) I choose to share that offense with others.

When you have an issue with an item in "your business", shout it from the rooftops. But if you have an issue with "not your business", I'm going to need you to just STFU.

*As I am still not at 100%, you will forgive any typos, grammatical errors, etc. that do not take away from my main point. You will forgive, or you will keep your mouth shut.

Hiatus...

Note: This blog is currently on hiatus due to owner health issues. Posting is expected to resume Spring 2013.

The "Being Colorblind Makes You Oblivious to the Racism Around You" Update

Interesting Stuff on the Internet:
When the rug is pulled

• Just when you least expect it, a racist jumps out in front of you like a deer from the side of the road.

Deeply Embarrassed White People Talk Awkwardly About Race

• Newsflash: calling you racist isn't discrimination.

Sports Fanaticism Does Not Justify Racism

• Even when you win, you can't win...

The Unwritten Rules, a Comical Look At Being Black in the Workplace

• Actually, the rules are just unpublished; they are written in your mind.

Trayvon Martin: The Problem with the ‘Some of My Best Friends Are Black’ Defense

• Having "a black friend" doesn't mean that you aren't a racist. It means that you have have made an exception that was convenient for you. It's like saying you can't hate women because you have a wife...

A Woman's Story

• Fight back against the limits people will try to impose on you.

Racism Dead; Hub Woman Rejoices

• Hallelujah racism is dead! (But apparently, someone forgot to tell the racists... )

Winfield residents upset over flier for whites only pastors' conference

• A "Sacred Christian Cross Lighting Ceremony"... so that's what they're calling good old fashioned cross burnings these days?

Product of the Week:

If you want to be racist, keep it to yourself shirt by egogenius
Look at African american humor T-Shirts online at Zazzle.com

The "This Post Needs a Title" Update

Interesting Stuff on the Internet:
The best response we've heard to Daniel Tosh's 'misquoted' rape jokes

• Rape "jokes" aren't funny, period.

Sexual Objectification 3: Daily Rituals to Stop

• Stop hitting yourself with self-hatred.

British Olympic female weightlifter fires back at her Twitter bullies

• Strong woman doesn't need your approval.

There’s no shame in being a male feminist.

• "It’s handy how misogyny and homophobia are such good friends. It lets you hate people for two reasons at once!"

What if every Olympic sport was photographed like beach volleyball?

• You have a face? And we actually have to look at it?

Readercon: The Bad and the Ugly

• Advice to men on how to behave when a woman clearly indicates that she isn't interested in you.

Belgium film on street harassment strikes a chord across Europe

• Hey pretty man, how about you just keep your mouth shut?

The Wreck Of The S.S. Censorship (Or, “How Writers Steer Their Careers Into The Rocks”)

• And how about we stop asking women to justify their existence?

Product of the Week:

The Adventurer: Treasure Hunter Smiley Dry Erase Whiteboards
by disgruntled_genius
More Smileys Dry Erase Boards

The "Hey Look It's an Update" Update

Interesting Stuff on the Internet:
Meet Sarah Robles, America’s Strongest Woman and Body Image Activist

• A role model we can all look up to.

VICTORY: Olympic Weightlifter Sarah Robles Gets A Sponsor

• And sometimes, the right thing happens.

How to be a fan of problematic things

• I just file it under "Michael Jackson" and move on.

Abandoned Walmart Recycled As Public Library

• Finally a good use for Wal-Mart...

Ursula the Sea Witch Forced to Get Liposuction for Disney Villains Beauty Line

• 'Cause Disney doesn't want its pretty makeup on fat lips.

Another post about rape

• Women just can't win: Bitch if you do, Bitch if you don't...

The "Blah Blah Blah There She Goes Again" Update

Interesting Stuff on the Internet:
Bikini Bodies

• "Ma'am, I'm going to need to see your bikini permit... Uh, it looks like this expired 10 years ago."

On Anne-Marie Slaughter’s Atlantic cover story

• Yes, your teenager hates you, but both of you will get over it... Maybe.

The Bad Mother and the Uncaring Community

• So you would have helped her out if she had asked, but you never thought to offer?

I don't feel bad for black people anymore because I think a black person stole my bike

• "I don't know who actually took it, but I saw a black guy one time in a grocery store so it must have been him." For real.

When “stand your ground” fails

• "You don't look like it was self defense."

On Race, Feminism, and Jodie Landon

• But it's funnier when the white girl says it.

The Inferiority Of Blackness As A Subject

• "When did they start letting those black kids get degrees?"

No Black Ballerinas: "Bunheads" Could Do Better And Here's Why

• There are black ballerinas? Really? No, seriously, black ballerinas?

Shameless Plug:

Mocking Face: Ha Ha I just quit my job Dry-erase Board by disgruntled_genius

The "I Can't Think Up a Witty Title For This" Update

Interesting Links for the Whatever:

The NYTimes Offers Reasons “Why Black Women Are Fat”

• Because when someone says "many black women are fat because we want to be" you say "Say what?!?!?!

Ashley Judd Slaps Media in the Face for Speculation Over Her ‘Puffy’ Appearance

• Let us discuss why a "size eight would be heckled as 'fat'."

Dining Out and Racism

• But I thought we were family down at the Olive Garden...

Geek Culture Wants a Cookie & A Pat on the Head for Not Creating Kim Kardashian

• Because we really, really need to have a talk about Seven of Nine...

Dear The Internet, This Is Why You Can't Have Anything Nice

• Because talking about wanting to talk about sexism is enough to infuriate some people.

Racialicious Crush Of The Week: Nichelle Nichols

• Awesomeness personified...

Product of the Week:

2012 only in your dreams extreme flirting team mouse pads by YouCantSayThat

Do You Want to Know the Secret of Having a Friendship That Will Stand the Test of Time?

 Sometimes, you just need to keep your mouth shut...

Shhh...

For those of you who need more specific direction, here's my list of 5 clues that you are about to say something stupid. Something that may very well end a friendship! If you find yourself even thinking of saying any of the following phrases, see above for further instruction...

5 Clues That Stupidity is About to Leave Your Mouth:

1. I'm not racist but... 
2. I don't mean you; you're different from the rest of them...
3. I normally wouldn't say anything like this... 
4. I don't mean to offend anyone, but... 
5. You know, I really like most ZZZ people. I have a ZZZ friend... My child has a ZZZ teacher... A ZZZ person works at the really cool store/restaurant/gas station that I like...

The Post Where I Sing the Praises of Bubbly Pink Moscato

Ok, I'm not going to sing, but this stuff is delicious. Of course, there was a debate over which wine glass to use: white? red? champagne??? In the end, I just grabbed the largest goblet I could find. This was a wise choice.

And now because I really don't have anything of value to add, I will display a completely unrelated image from someecards!