What were they thinking...?

I seem to be on a soft drink roll here...But anyways, yesterday, my friends and I did some late night shopping at HEB, and the first thing we saw were these discounted 'Bottle Caps'. Trust me, they're discounted for a good reason.

I think the inventor created this product with the idea that it will keep things more sanitary. I can see where this idea comes from since I know tons of people who wouldn't drink out of cans, but this 'Bottle Cap' thing is the stupidest invention I've ever seen.

If you observe closely, it's literally a cap that you can place on top of your cans, but that's all there is to it. There's no 'straw' or 'channel', so in actuality, when you drink out of the can using the bottle cap, the liquid will touch all parts on top of the can. Compare that to having your lips touch -only- the mouth piece. Sanitary? Me thinks not. Not to mention...where are you supposed to keep this bottle cap anyways? Just thrust it in your bag? More unsanitary. I guess the only good merit out of this invention is that you now don't have to finish your canned drink in one go, but seriously, you might as well carry a water bottle around instead of that 'bottle cap'.

Honestly, what is the inventor thinking? Actually, above that, what exactly is the producer who endorsed this product thinking? But worst of all, what are those consumers who actually bought the product thinking?

'Til Next Time

TM

Commercials

I was so torn when I saw this commercial today. On one hand, I thought it was hilariously funny, on the other, I feel sad for Chinese Culture. I mean, whatever happened to the tradition? The nuances of respect? The idea of honor? It's been turned into something stereotypical for people to laugh at.

It's not just Pepsi here. There's also Mulan, Kung Fu Panda, Dragonball Z and many other various things that're supposed to be cultural to China that's been butchered, taken away... But then again, I suppose this is better than having your own people butcher your own culture...

Valentine's Day

I really do plan on continuing my second ramble...but more recent interesting things just keep popping up what with Valentine's Day and Chinese New Years....So anyways, my friend from UCI showed me this email their school sent them:

"Hey Anteaters,

Looking for a Valentine? ASUCI is partnering with a new website
company to play matchmaker over Valentine's Day.

Find out who has a crush on you by visiting
www.GoodCrush.com"

I found this extremely funny...that it would come down to the school to play matchmaker...I mean, what does this say about our generation? Are (some) people so desperate these days that even colleges feel the need to baby us and help us to 'fit in'? Besides, how shallow is that? =O

'Til Next Time

TM

Lights OUT

I was going to continue with my last discussion, but then this happened...

As mostly everyone knows, dorm rooms are ridiculously thin, hence the word 'sound proof' is non-existent in a dorm-dweller's vocabulary. You'd think that since people are aware of this fact, they'd be more careful of what they say.

Anyways, last night, I was minding my own business, reading fanfiction on my computer when I heard this loud voice complaining to her friend about how it's too dark along the hallways...ending with something along the lines of "Not if you want to live in AFRICA. Or in a CAVE."

Talk about hyperbole. Yes, the RA did alternate the lights on and off, but by no extent is it -dark-. The stairs are well lit, and you can see every obstacle, or lack there of, right in front of you.

Actually, I'm not sure if I have a point in this. It's just a random incident that made me think of my actions. Do I tend to splurge more on 'public goods'? What about the things that I don't necessarily pay for, but my parents do?

Meh..that's my thought of the day...

'Til Next Time

TM

Do you really know how to read and speak? (Part I)

There are two 'academic' skills that (most) schools fail to teach to their students: reading and speaking.

You must be think what an idiot I am right now. Obviously, if you're reading my blog right now, you are, well, reading. But here's the question - how efficiently do you read?

Remember those high school years where you have to take the SAT Verbal/Reading sections? Remember how many people struggled with finishing all the passages in the allotted time? Perhaps you were one of them. Perhaps you're facing this issue right now. Does your head swell when your teachers assign you large reading assignments? Do you ever feel like you're reading one paragraph - or even one sentence - over and over again without comprehending a word you're reading?

If you've answered yes to these problems, then you aren't reading efficiently. Let's examine how your school has contributed and helped along this problem.

When you're in grade school, you learned phoenix, then you read words, simple sentences, and eventually short paragraphs to more complex stories. Your teachers encouraged you to read out loud or even place your finger along the words to help you follow them better. Eventually, most people are able to read silently...and that's about as far as your teachers will take you in this area.

What's the problem? For one, if you're one of those people who still read out loud and placing your fingers on the words, you need to stop. Now. Why? Your brain processes much faster than the time it takes for you to speak the words out loud or the time it takes you to drag your finger from one word to the second word. In other words, you're physically slowing your brain down.

If you're one of those people who(silently) read every single word you see. You need to stop. Now. Why? Your brain can register groups of words. You're wasting time if you're trying to read every single word.

As a mtetar of fcat, yuor bairn is so pwoerufl, it can cpmornehed all wrods as lnog as the fsirt and lsat lteter saty the smae. You need to laren to let it tkae cnortol.

Now, if you don't fall into one of the two groups above, you're in pretty good shape. You probably had/have an awesome teacher, read a book that taught you how really to read, or is naturally smart so you figured it out yourself... As for the rest of you who DO fall into one of the two categories, stay in tune for "Do you really know how to read and speak? (Part II)"!

'Til Next Time

TM