My Sick Mind

A letter to the Inquirer editors on Thursday got me thinking about the Public Broadcasting System and its relevance. Apparently, there is a move afoot to strip PBS of its government funding, and perhaps that time has indeed come. PBS had its glory in the old days of three networks and (maybe) a handful of UHF stations, when commercial-free television was a rare thing of beauty and something worth paying for. When I was a kid (when dinosaurs roamed the earth) having a commercial-free television channel was a huge deal. We were shown landmark programs like "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and Carl Sagan's "Cosmos." We were treated to regular doses of "Nova," "Masterpiece Theater" and the more mundane "Mister Rogers Neighborhood." It was all great stuff, and unique in its element. Now, with the advent of cable and premium channels like HBO and Showtime, the novelty of commercial-free television has worn off. Consumers get the prem...

I finally figred out what I don't like about those store discount cards. It's the clique of the "store club" that reminds me of how good things came only to those who belonged. Such is the case at the grocery store. Cashier: Do you have a [store] card? Me: No. I'm only here because I have a gift card. Cashier: Well, I can't give you the sale prices unless you have a card. Me: OK. There I was, in the checkout line. The gift card has been unused since Christmas. I decided to spend it on nonsense items - trash bags, bird seed, toilet paper and paper towels - items that are ultimately destroyed upon use. Somehow, I feel as though spending "free money" on things that will be used to be destroyed is a minor victory. Such is the state of my life. I feed the birds. I know what you're saying, "Hey, feed yourself and f**k the birds." Well, then maybe you should help. That giant mess to the left of the tree is a suet cake. Since the suet ...

The gang at IDT Energy sent a wonderful offer to my mailbox today - I guess. It's a little confusing because I took the time to read it. I'm supposed to qualify for some sort of rebate, but I don't know exactly how much money I can get back. I know it's something . Is it $150 or is it more? And, if I can get "up to $150," then how can it be more? Isn't $150 the limit? Of course, I won't get stuck with "sky high" utility bills. But how high is the sky? Can I have a sky high utility bill and more ? Perhaps someone from their marketing department will leave a clarifying comment. Sometimes I wonder if people think about things before they write them down or say them out loud. I think about it.