I hope this doesn't offend anyone

But I really like Boudin's tomato soup in a bread bowl.

Mmm...

And the gf and the sis get along really well. That's really nice :)

Well, THAT'S not something you see everyday...

Maybe I'm from the old-skool where women, especially pretty women, are given special privileges just for being, well, pretty women. I could go into some rant about how that's sexist towards guys, but I'm sure someone will point out five more examples of how sexism towards women is more pervasive in this country and society. And honestly, I just don't want to get into that conversation.

Then again, I'm from the old-skool, with a "k."

I got my usual lunch today (Subway, 5...5 dollar...5 dollar footlong...and now it's stuck in your head) and I was taken aback by the following situation:

Very attractive blond gets a 6-inch tuna sandwich, asks for a large cup with ice, and a bottle of water. Price rung up? $8.27. She pays without a second thought and moves along.

Wait, what?

Now maybe I just noticed this because I almost always watch my finances, but that wasn't right. In a matter of seconds, the cashier rung her up for a footlong sandwich (she had a 6"), a large drink (even though it only had ice), and a bottle of water (the only fully legitimate item she paid for). He overcharged her by about $3. And me? I just stood there and let it happen, awestruck by the lack of the customer's wherewithal.

Yes, I should have intervened and said something. But she should also have recognized a mistake. Where can you get a bottle of water and a 6" tuna sandwich? A nice restaurant. Not Subway.

I don't tell this story to bring up how the cashier took advantage of the blond stereotype. Rather, I mention it as a warning to all consumers:

Check your receipts. If you're paying for something that you shouldn't be paying for, or are overcharged, tell someone. Make them make it right, or leave with every single cent in YOUR pocket. Don't let companies take advantage of you.

If you do, the terrorists win.

And the old-skool.

This is an INCREDIBLE music video.

The Boring, then Super Awesome Bowl

The Game:

With the exception of the last play of the first quarter, the first 55 minute of this year's Super Bowl was probably the most boring piece of football I've ever seen.  And I went to almost every single UC Davis home football game.  Owch.  However, the last five minutes were spectacular!  

Although I give the Steelers credit for their win, I do believe that the Cardinals should have received one more play with 0:05 left on the clock.  It was very obvious the Warner's arm was moving forward, meaning the play should have been called an incomplete pass, rather than a fumble.  Regardless, I do not think the Cardinals would have won the game, but at least it would have been the right call.

The Commercials:

How do you spell "lackluster"?  The 2009 Super Bowl ads.  The the USA Today voters found the Doritos "Crystal ball sees free Doritos" the best, with Budweiser's "Clydesdale's romance with circus horse" and "A Clydesdale can fetch" in close second and third, respectively.  Yes, those were good and mildly funny.  But on a 10 point scale, no ad received an 8.5 or higher.  

Then again, I really disagree with some of the USA Today votes.  For example, the "Cash 4 Gold.com" ad came in with a score of 5.58.  I thought that was one of the smarter ads of the entire Bowl.  It was self depricating, and perfect for the company.  

I did agree, however, with the score for the Vizio ad, 3.77, and title of this year's worst ad.  The worst thing you can do is tell your possible consumers they have failed (at least, you can't tell them this outright), especially when they made a completely irrevocalble decision, such as buying a new HDTV.  Yes, you can return the TV and exchange it for the Vizio, but that's a pain in the butt.  Vizio's message was "you're an idiot for choosing quality over value."  During an event with such lively comedy, high emotions, and a 3 hour getaway from the worries of the world, Vizio failed to bring joy to the viewers in their ad.  (as an aside, Apple did not bring joy to its viewers with their "1984" Super Bowl ad, but it was thought provoking and a watershed moment in Super Bowl ads.  The Vizio ad did not accomplish this goal.)

The only ad that made me say "whoa, I'm excited for that" - Angels & Demons.  I can't wait to start reading that book and then go see the movie.  What does that say?  A very poor Super Bowl of ads.  Oh well.  At least the last 5 minutes of the game made up for it.

By the way, props to Jennifer Hudson.  Her rendition was outstanding.