Mistargeted advertising
When I was replying to my NASA Contact's email, where he sent a ganormous pdf where he's been published in some journal, the ad that yahoo decided to target me with was for the Envirolet, the worlds most environmentally friendly toilet. Who do they think I am? The unibomber? Obviously not, as the next ad was for refinancing my house. Grizzly Adams owned a house, didn't he?

Shock and Awe
I flinch at my own use of that cliche. And it also bothers me that I can't easily put a ' over that e. But back to the point, it seems that JC Whitney has Gabriel Gas Ryder shocks. Those are very cheapo shocks. In fact, they seem to be the OEM shock on many cars, but with the brand covered up (that brand would actually be Tokiko) and painted black. I've put in a word to a guy who installed some on his Miata in 2002 and I'm waiting to see what his verdict is. I can get the Gabriels, three quarts of Royal Purple 75w90 synthetic gear oil, and a cheesy chrome palm tree license plate surround for under $200, with $15 shipping.

Why, I use Royal Purple...Royal Purple...Royal Purple...B-caaack!
And sure, I could buy Mobil 1 75w90 synthetic gear oil for about 30 cents less per quart at the local Advance Auto, but there's just something nice about saying Royal Purple. And on Miata.net, the question is routinely asked, "Hey, I've never changed out my transmission and differential, what do you guys use?" and in that case, I'll be able to say, "Why, I use Royal Purple." That sounds much better than "I use Mobil 1" or "I use some cheap non-synthetic". Or, the worst is to come off as some looney by saying, "I only put Amsoil products in my car." Yeah, and I only buy Amway products and worship the Emperor Xenu. Freaks.

Oakleaf Hydrangea...Oakleaf Hydrangea...B-caaack!
A few years ago, when my parents lived in the big, expensive, life savings swallowing, $600k+ house on the lake, they had Oakleaf Hydrangeas (B-caaack...Oakleaf Hydrangea...) all around the house. Anytime we'd talk about the yard's landscaping, which was often since my dad knows a lot about that kind of thing, inevitably, within a few minutes the phrase Oakleaf Hydrangea (B-caaack...Oakleaf Hydrangea...Oakleaf Hydrangea...B-caaack!) would be mentioned. And then, whether talking to mom or dad, every couple of minutes the phrase would be mentioned again. I think I burned out the Oakleaf Hydrangea(...Oakleaf Hydrangea...B-caaack!) center of my brain. B-caaack!*

*This is an onomatopoeia that is supposed to sound like a parrot.
- posted by Nick Postagulous @ 2:56 PM