from the New York Times illustration drawn by Jason Logan
According to the New York Times within the health care bill that passed the US House of Representatives is a requirement that fast food restaurants post the calories in their offerings. “Eating by the Numbers” features this fabulous hand-done illustration that will bring a smile to anyone who either has a sense of humor or has a justifications for any fast food they may indulge in.
Thomas Jefferson
If you are looking for a way to escape the day to day routines of life, take an hour to listen to Clay Jenkinson in his weekly portrayal of President Thomas Jefferson. You can listen on the computer or download his podcast using i-tunes and an mp3 player.
The Thomas Jefferson Hour is an hour in which humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson creates a show around a topic as statesman Thomas Jefferson. Occasionally he will take an hour to answer listener’s questions or to talk about one of his journeys. He is a thoughtful person and his portrayal of Jefferson takes you back in time to the founding of the United States.
This is a marvelous way to get in touch with your inner history buff and to seek refuge from the usual daily grind. Highly recommended!
Many consumers have received the shock of reading credit card enclosures explaining new interest rates that may go up as high as 32%. This is a reaction to a reform laws that will prevent the credit card companies from raising rates on already established balances.
Credit Cards: Break Up, or Make Up?is an interesting article helpful article from the Wall Street Journal, about the changing landscape of credit cards and some cautions about how to best consider your decisions.
Many cards will impose annual fees and before you get poised to cancel your cards remember that this can occasionally have an adverse affect on your credit report. Buyer beware.
Maira Kalman does it again in the NYT, explaining the inner workings of US Capitol. She is a stunning artist whose work has been frequently been featured in the New Yorker. Her colorful and expressive work will make you smile.
Kalman, a brilliant artist, has produced a series of children’s books about Max Stravinsky, the poet-dog. They are the perfect books for a last minute gift, buy it from your local independent bookstore.
Here is a sampling of her numerous books:
Stay Up Late
Hey Willie, See the Pyramids
Sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman
Max Makes a Million
Max In Hollywood, Baby
Ooh-la-la, Max in Love
Swami on Rye: Max in India
We are all familiar with those Mastercard ads with the “priceless” tag lines. Take a good look at this chart from BILL SHRINK detailing the cost of these smart phones and their contract plans if you want to get to the real costs of carrying on of these popular phones.
Might be time to think about making it your only phone if you are ringing up this size a bill every month!
Falling leaves
Last weekend that “wrong screw” for the job reared up its ugly head again, leaving us to scavenge for a few of the right type of screws among our messy stash. This article explains in plain English when you use which screw or nail. It will not only set you straight on which to buy but which to use when. These types of articles are a valuable way to learn something new about a topic you may have struggled with. You will enjoy improving your knowledge with this link.
Giving Anonymously is a unique service allows you to send money to someone totally anonymously to help them in a hard time or to make a dream come true. Here’s what they say from their website:
“Our goal is to enable and encourage you to be your own charity, and for you to give anonymously to those around you in need.
Sure, you could give money to us and expect us to find those in need. But then your neighbor who lost his job and now can’t pay the bills or adequately feed his family, will not be helped.
Our Motto: We are not the ‘charity’ you are! Look around your community, your neighbors, friends and family. Do you see anyone in need? If so, give to them. You can give anonymously. We’ll send them a check, and you’ll get an email with a voice file of them thanking you. But they won’t know who you are! How cool is this!”
Determination like a force of nature
How can you not LOVE this woman and her determination and willingness to speak her mind? Okay you know I’m a big fan.
Postbox in Germany
Although it is out of fashion, getting something in the mailbox with a hand-written envelope and a real stamp can be thrilling. I got a long letter from a friend this week and it seemed so novel to sit in a chair and read and re-read her thoughts.
It’s easy to make someone’s day with snail mail. It only costs 44 cents to mail a letter within the US and it is a cheap way to bring a smile to someone’s face. Generally overseas mail costs just less than a dollar and that is fun to send a letter to someone overseas you haven’t seen in a while.
* Mail an article you enjoyed to a friend with a short note.
* Think of your over 75 year old friends and write a short note just to say that you were thinking of them, share a little of your life with them in your own words and hand writing.
* Send a note to a friend who is caring for an ailing family member
* Think of someone who has made a difference in your life and send a little fan letter. You know I have sent one to my heroine Elizabeth Warren!
* Write a note to a teacher who inspired you.
* Send a note to a favorite living author whose book you enjoyed.
* Mail a funny cartoon to a friend who is having a difficult time.
* Make a copy of a favorite fall recipe and send it along to a pal.
* Write a letter to a friend’s son or daughter who is working overseas.
* Send a letter to a soldier in Iraq.
* Mail a letter to someone who is housebound or imprisoned.
Awaiting the mail
A weekly dip into the Consumerist website and also Clarke Howard’s website that details his radio show notes will keep you aware of your rights as a consumer.
If you have even been frustrated trying to find customer service number for the company you hope to resolve an issue with give Contact Help a try. You can find many hidden number here and prompts as to how to navigate the various telephone trees.
If you want to view the ratings of various customer service departments here’s the ratings site Customer Service Scoreboard.
