Consuming passions

I'm an Amazon addict .. and that's not even counting my Kindle obsession (see earlier post). Amazon's consumer product reviews and corresponding rating system are  pure genius. Like many men, I always hated "shopping" but Amazon has totally changed that. I don't feel like I'm schlepping around with a dreary to-do list and a probably pointless series of physical journeys from A to B to C to Z. Now it's more like hunting, which we males are supposed to prefer: stalking your prey, assessing your chances and then - attack ! Shoot that poison arrow. Often at night and from the comfort of one's own cave. I'm about to capture some sticky-backed cork tiles, which is a deeply satisfying feeling. But even better when you then stumble across a product review like this one. Shopping and anti-shopping all delightfully gift-wrapped in one seamless experience. It doesn't get any better than that.

Happy Birthday

Dear Grandma, in less than two hours you will be 94. You died on July 25th, just after midnight. I wasnt very good at remembering your birthday but you always remembered mine, even the one in July. Rest in peace Grandma.