Why Plato Was Probably an Optimist

Over the years, I have rolled my eyes more times than I can count, when hearing about some new invention that is supposed to revolutionize how we live our lives.  As it turned out, a number of those ideas did, in fact,  change EVERYTHING.  Shows what I know. Regrettably, I can't undo an eye roll, can I?

For many of my readers that have read more than one or two of my posts, you have no doubt,  figured out  that I am nothing, if not,  a skeptic. Yes, indeedy, I wear my cynicism  and skepticism like other women wear chin-to-ankle Spanx.  Firmly ensconced and hard to remove.  This is especially true when someone is trying to "sell" me something.

There are so many products out there being introduced as the "must haves" and yet I find that while they may be things I would enjoy, they aren't things I require.   Oh...I might still buy them for the enjoyment factor,  but attaching  the word NECESSITY is a far stretch. 

Do I really think that most inventions that hit the market came into being because we required them?
I think Plato had it all wrong when he used the word necessity or at least it being used singularly.  I think this is more accurate.

Perhaps the Mother of Invention was a lazy, greedy mother that had some addictions.

 I have upon occasion had flashes of brilliance as far as "inventing" goes,  (mostly in the category of either hoping for wealth or needing to create a shortcut) but never went to so far as to get a patent.  Therefore, it could be said, I have no right poking criticism at ideas that others are trying to promote....but here I am doing just that.

Take for example these products: Were they necessities?

Baby duster for floors? 

If the baby duster is a complete failure

Does this cap look better than baldness? 

Complete loss of dignity is a known side effect

Thought Number One:  The Store Where You Pay to Break Things


This week there has been a number of news reports about the store front in Boise, ID where a guy is marketing the concept of  smashing things as a type of therapy.  The store called Das Breakroom was started by Tom Farrenkopf.  He charges people a fee to come in and smash things such as lamps, dishes electronics, vacuums and furniture.  The pictures show it to be an extremely "no frills" kind of operation.
The prices are reasonable (I guess) for those that feel enough rage that they need to destroy something. You can smash a single item for $3.00. Since it isn't an item from your home, I guess one could consider that as a type of savings really. 

Tom encourages people to come in for "recreational destruction".  One of the articles I read prior to writing this post had  a recent client say,  "So don't break plates at home, people.  Das Breakroom is where you need to go. Why don't more cities have places like these?" 

At $3.00 per item, Crabby Pants is figuring out the budget plan.

 As I am not in the habit of breaking my dishes or electronics due to uncontrollable rage, I don't think this is a necessity for me but perhaps, I am being short sighted.  Maybe the next "new product" will be more in demand.

Thought Number Two:  Palcohol: No more toting bottles and cans when you need a drink.

The alternatives could of been worse

There is some controversy brewing (no pun intended) regarding  the release of powered alcohol. The Alcohol, Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau had approved the release of Palcohol but then within the last few days  news came out that there was a reversal by the TTB saying that the approval was made in error. I am  shocked, of course, that a government entity would make an error but it seems that it did.  (You can go to the Palcohol website
to read more about what is going on.)

On the outside chance you haven't heard of Palcohol...it is a powered drink mix in the same vein as the kiddy fruit powdered drinks but this powder is strictly for the adults.  It turns water, juice or whatever you mix it in, into an alcoholic treat. Currently the powder comes in four flavors: Cosmopolitan, Mojito, Powderita (margarita) and Lemon Drop.

At least part of the reason you won't get to buy little packets of booze anytime soon, is that there are issues dealing with all the warnings that need to be put onto the label.  One of the items that need to be added to the label is, "this product is not to be snorted."   (Seriously,  doesn't that warning need to be put on just about every item that is for purchase...legally?)



SOOOO...who really is the Mother of Invention?  I would say she is closely related to someone at a PR firm.  I will say that at least until I come up with a brilliant idea that becomes the next must have.  Then we are good to call my invention a necessity.

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Gypped out of My Irish Heritage

Have I ever mentioned that I am of Irish decent?..  Yeah.... that's what I thought.

Yes,  Begosh and Begorrah, (a phrase that a real Irishman would never use) my maiden name is one you would recognize as infinitely  IRISH.  As my blog is "somewhat" anonymous, I will just say that the name traces back to a royal Gaelic family that can be researched as far back as the 3rd century BC.  Another nugget of info associated with my name is  the fact the Gaelic translation is son  (I am assuming that you understand that the Mac, Mc or O in the front part of an Irish name means son or grandson) of "a unique choice".  So my name is a variation of  "son of an oddball". I can only assume that 2300  years ago give or take a century,  one of my ancient relatives said "Sweet Jaysis, laddie, the lass is a odd one she is."  (Be sure to read that with the best possible brogue you can muster.  You will know you have it right when no one on earth could possibly understand what you are saying.)

My best guess is that  there have been plenty of other odd choices within my ancestry  since the 3rd century BC. Actually, the word "plenty" might be an understatement.  How about the word "plethora"?

That might, also,  explain how my peeps managed to travel so far away from  being royal.  ( I am assuming that being a royal PITA doesn't count ?)

Thought Number One:  I Learned Something New About My Ancestry

Yesterday, I happened to be watching the movie,  A Thing Called Love.  The movie, itself, isn't anything to write home about but it was the last movie that River Phoenix made prior to his death. Oh and it has Sandra Bullock in it...which is usually a good thing. She couldn't save this particular movie.

There is a scene in that movie that River asks Samantha Mathis (who was his real life girlfriend) to marry him by telling her about an old Irish custom.   The custom was that one could marry for a year and a day and if things weren't working out they could come back to the place they got married and UNDO the marriage. Easy-Peasy..no questions asked...no papers to file. DONE!

That Needs to Come With Warnings

I am sure you all have seen the mugshots of the five inmates at the Idaho State Correctional Institution of south Boise that are suing a handful of major beer and wine companies.  They are contending that  alcohol led to their crimes and they should have been warned to the  addictive nature of booze.

I have done posts about lawsuits in which I talked about the one and only time I threatened to sue someone and I have done posts about  warning labels  in which I created the perfect drug that unfortunately came with some serious risks....but never have a done a post about a lawsuit that is a direct result of people wanting warning labels.

I am particularly interested in this lawsuit because it is coming out of  Boise.  My Kiddo #2  lives in Boise and keeps me abreast of the local scuttle concerning various Boise stories that don't always make their way to the Kansas City Star. Be forewarned that there are a couple of cases in Boise right now that are doozies.  I will catch you up on one of the more interesting news items in the next week or so. There is the additional fact that my kid is super smart and super funny which makes the stories extra entertaining.

Thought Number One:  They Didn't Realize that Alcohol Was Addictive

The five inmates; Keith Allen Brown, Steven Thompson, Woodrow Grant, Cory Baugh and Jeremy Brown have filed a lawsuit against Miller Brewing Co., Anheuser-Busch, Ernest and Julio Gallo Wineries,  Adolph Coors,  Brown-Furman Co., American Brands Inc., Pepsi-Cola, and  RJR Nabisco.  (What??? Pepsi and Nabisco are addictive???)

The five are asking for ONE BILLION DOLLARS...yes...with a B. They claim that all the companies should of had warning labels on their products that warned them of the addictive nature of alcohol...and while they don't spell it out....one could surmise that these guys are blaming alcohol for making them dumbasses.

Keith Brown told the Kansas City Star,  that he has spent almost 30 years in the prison system and that alcohol has played a major role in most of the situations that landed him in prison.  He went on to say that "at no time in my life, prior to me becoming an alcoholic, was I ever informed that alcohol was habit forming and addictive."  (Keith is being a bit redundant here.)

Jeremy Brown who is serving a 20-30 sentence for a 2001 shooting, claims he would of never started drinking had he known that alcohol was habit-forming.  According to him, he was drunk when he shot his victim.  He goes on to say that there wouldn't of been a shooting if he wasn't an alcoholic.  (I can hear it now...Your Honor, I submit that he is a liar, liar, pants on fire!!)

So far it doesn't appear that any lawyers are latching on to represent these five. (that can't be a good sign) They have filed the suit themselves with Boise's U.S. District Court.

None of the companies have yet responded to the suit.

Thought Number Two....Will We See Some More Warning Labels


I am not overly optimistic that these guys are going to get their BILLION dollars and really where would they spend it anyway?  (Do prison commissaries sell high-end merchandise?...perhaps I need to Google that.)

But...I wouldn't be surprised if we would start seeing warning labels on alcohol.  The labels on other products are the direct result of someone suing someone.

Who's going to pay the fine?

Surprise, there are peanuts in peanuts.

Learn something new everyday

It wouldn't tell you not to unless someone did.

Dry hair while sleeping..great idea for saving time.

In an effort to get a warning label into play for the alcohol manufacturers, here is a prototype just to get the ball rolling.

OK it might need some work...it's a start

What else, should we put in there, my fellow bloggers??? 





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