This and That...

A few things on my mind:

1) I couldn't help but notice that my last blog post, which was comprised of one word, generated 4 comments (not counting the one I left). I also couldn't help but notice that 97% of my other blog posts, which are slightly longer than one word, do not generate anywhere close to 4 comments. Go figure.


2) Restaurant hypocrisy is a growing problem in our country. OK, so maybe it's not as serious as the financial meltdown, the mom with 14 children or the demise of my NCAA brackets, but it's still a problem.

This (as in, click on the word 'this') is what I had for dinner last night. It is the cowboy ribeye from Ruths' Chris steakhouse and yes, it tastes every bit as good as it looks (that yellow stuff under the steak? Sizzling butter. Mmmmm.). It is also enormous - 22 ounces of the best beef you'll ever have. The cost? $47. And that is only for the steak. Sides are extra. Are you shocked? Outraged? Appalled? Probably.

This (as in, click on the word 'this') is the east coast halibut at No. 9 Park, one of Boston's most trendy restaurants. It is not enormous - I'm guessing 6 ounces. The cost? $39. However, to be fair, it does appear that at least one forkful of salad greens is included. Shocked? Outraged? Appalled?

Probably not, because for some reason, overpriced steakhouses get a bad rap, while overpriced "seen and be seen" restaurants are perfectly OK, even though the amount of food is unlikely to satisfy the appetite of a pet rock. I was at the bar at No. 9 Park last night, for a cocktail following the steak dinner. A few seats down, a couple were sharing a fried oyster appetizer. Total number of oysters? 4. Total cost $19.

It might just be me, but if you are going to splurge on dinner, wouldn't you rather have way too much than not nearly enough?

The defense rests, but only because I am still full from that massively good ribeye. Otherwise, I'd probably go on for at least 2 more hours.


3) Facebook status complaining is a growing problem in our country. OK, so maybe it's not as serious as restaurant hypocrisy, but it's still a problem.

We all have our universe of Facebook friends, and within each universe are at least a handful of people who see their status update as a vehicle to bitch and moan continuously about everything that is going wrong that day, that week, that life. While I assume the idea is to elicit sympathy, I wonder if these people stop to think about how others perceive the nonstop whining. I perceive it as equivalent to the whining of a 3 year old. Not only do these people sound pathetic, it is downright annoying.

My solution? Each person is allowed 2 whines per week on Facebook. Violation means loss of access to Facebook for the remainder of the week. Or electrocution by keyboard.

If these people want to complain incessantly, get a blog.


4) Me being almost 40 is a growing problem in our country. OK, so maybe it's not as serious as nonstop Facebook complaining, but it's still a problem.

And I guess to be fair, I am technically 35, although I am now closer to 40 than I am to 30. You know the saying "age is just a number?" I agree...age is just a number. It's the number of years a person has been alive...and 35 is a bit on the high side for me.

With that said, life is pretty good at 35. Sure, I have no hair. And sure, I get up at least once per night to pee. And sure, I can't stay awake past 8:30 anymore. But I still have my health, a ridiculously high number of close friends, a great wife, an awesome dog, a sweet set of wheels, a job that I don't mind going to every day...and a pretty cool lifestyle.

And to all of you who help make that happen (I am looking at you, JC), thanks.