Blood Money.

I did it. I've tried before, with something (fate, maybe) standing in my way. I sold my plasma.

I went once and didn't have proper ID. I went another time and they were too busy. I went another time and didn't have the proper paperwork. I went again, and finally, they let me in.
I say that like it's some kind of privilege. It isn't.

I brought "The Screwtape Letters" to read. The girl prepping me was really nice, but she splattered, yes splattered, my blood on my book. For those of you who aren't aware, I abhor the sight of blood, especially the flowing variety. It was then that another donor came around the corner with a napkin on her arm and blood freely dripping down her arm. She had just finished donating, or so she thought. I guess her circulatory system had other plans.

All this for $30 a pop, about $20 an hour in the end. Is it worth it?

Textbook Idiocy

We all know the bookstore rips you off in a thousand ways. Thats not really what this post is about, although if you'd like to vent and rant on that, by all means, I'm %100 behind you. This is about the accompanying idiocy of the whole industry.

Exhibit A. The Software License Agreement

I'd like you to read the notices on the bottom. On the left, the warning that in essence reads, "IF YOU USE THIS DISC, WE WON'T BUY IT BACK!" Wonderful, Thank you so much. But more particularly, take notice of the warning on the right. "DO NOT REMOVE CD-ROM until you have read the enclosed Software License Agreement." Would all you kids out there in cyberspace like to know where the said Software License Agreement is? It's INSIDE THE ENVELOPE. BEHIND THE DISC.

Lets review. I'm supposed to read the document inside the envelope before I open the envelope. If I open the envelope before I read the document inside it, I am legally bound by that document and can no longer sell back the book for anywhere near its real value.

Exhibit B. The Textbook Sell-back


I decided to get on the Interweb and sell back my book to the world. One of the sights wouldn't accept ANY of my textbooks, but made sure to remind me to check back often. Right. So I tried another site, and was left with nothing but infinite madness. See Picture for explanation.

Exhibit C. We should see a lot more of this

Exhibit D. Who is Write?

I'm almost positive my freshman Chemistry teacher chose our textbook based on the mention of his name in the "thank-you" portion in the back of the book. Not based on it's usability, not based on it's price. Along the same lines, "New Editions" of things like Math, Science, and even History Books. Have these subjects really changed so much in the last year that we need a whole new text? Another one, Textbooks with worksheet tear-outs in them. This is a scam to make the book un-usable after one semester. Do teachers and faculty, at even this university, think it's okay to try and squeeze more money out of the students? Because thats the only thing I can see here.

Okay, so maybe I'm a little pessimistic. I'm sorry, I just don't like losing money.

Addendum 1: Thought this was pertinent to our conversation here. Just saw it in Popular Science.

Mr. T

Found this, thought it would have been greedy of me to not share it with all ya'll. Also, if you haven't seen Dr. T's advise on How you should Treat your Mother, then this is sage wisdom from the ancient one you won't want to miss.

Interesting to note about the video that clip comes from. An educational bit meant to keep America's kids on the right track, it had an inspiring all star cast that practiced what they preached. Featured in "Be Somebody" were Ice-T (music arranger: vocal arrangements for Mr. T), Bobby Brown (early on in his career with New Edition), and one Stacy Ferguson as part of the ensemble.

Wow. Theres some model examples of what a kid can grow up to be.

(sarcasm, its hard to get across in writing).

If you watch the video in its entirety, here is a challenge. Can you find Fergie and Bobby Brown?

And You? Whats your super power?

I just found a great little quiz. Super hero movies have had a little resurgence over the past few years, and I couldn't be happier. Who doesn't love super powers? I for one have made it part of my New Years resolutions to develop some variety of super powers, though I have to admit that it's lower on my list (for practical reasons). I also couldn't be happier with my results, I was really worried it was going to give me some wussy girl super hero. Not that girl super heroes are wussy, just that I'm not a girl. And thats not an invitation to refute.

So back to the question at hand. What are your super powers?

Also check out the dark side of the quiz. I was Doctor Doom, followed by Lex Luthor.