Things I Don’t Understand
It seems everywhere I turn the past few years I see “artsy” people that think it’s really clever to walk around barefoot. I don’t get it. First, it’s not really that clever at all. I know Ronnie Vanzant of Lynyrd Skynyrd did it back in the 70s, so it’s not a new phenomenon. Second, how do you conduct your daily business while barefoot? Do you carry a pair of shoes in your car and only don them for non-barefoot friendly establishments? How often do you have to clean the grime off your feet daily with this practice? Perhaps it’s just an effort for those more creative than me to be different. However, if you’re being different simply for the sake of being different, isn’t that as trite as being like everyone else?
Next is eating with chopsticks. I almost get this one. I suspect the desire comes from wanting to experience another culture, perhaps more authentically than you could with the ultra-exotic “fork.” For me, eating is a task. I want to get it done the most efficient way possible, so I always decline those two pointy sticks in favor of a more modern tool from the 7th century: the fork. I suspect a lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into inventing the fork, and I hate to see all that modern innovation go to waste.
A luggage rack on a VW Beetle. There’s one of these in my neighborhood. I like to imagine the conversation at the dealership:
“So just sign here and you’ll be all set with your new VW Beetle.”
“No…wait. I’m going to need to transport large payloads with this vehicle.”
“Well, sir, I’ll be happy to show you one of VW’s excellent sedans or sport utility vehicles.”
“No…I sure do like this Bug. Can I just put a luggage rack on my Bug?”
“Well, the option exists, but it’s half as large as the vehicle itself, and horribly breaks up the stylish body lines that you’re paying a premium for.”
“OK…that settles it. Put a luggage rack on my Bug.”
I was reading this earlier:
In China alone, an estimated 45 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks are used and thrown away annually. This adds up to 1.7 million cubic metres of timber or 25 million fully grown trees every year. To encourage that people use and throw away less, as of April 2006 a five percent tax is added to the price of chopsticks. This measure is part of the first tax package in 12 years.
[edit] Medical problems
A 2003 study found that regular use of chopsticks may slightly increase the risk of osteoarthritis in the hand, a condition where cartilage gets worn off, leading to pain in the hand joints, particularly among the elderly.[2] There have also been concerns regarding the use of certain white disposable chopsticks that may pose a health risk, causing coughing or even leading to asthma. [3]