In the 15 months that I've had Twitter, I've become quite fond of the social service. However, I do think there is a limit on how much tweeting people should be doing. I just don't need that many updates. I feel like around five per day is a good number, so when I had four tweets in the first ten minutes of the Super Bowl, it occurred to me that I needed to stop myself or it was going to get out of hand. As such, I took the rest of my random thoughts to here.
-As I wrote yesterday, I expected the Packers to throw, throw and then throw some more. But, even I didn't expect them to only run the ball nine times in the first three-and-a-half quarters. I thought they should have sprinkled in a few more runs, if for no other reason than to keep the Steelers defense honest. It nearly came back to bite them, because they couldn't run out the clock and giving the Steelers two minutes and a timeout to drive for the winning score is normally not a smart idea. That's the scary part for the rest of the NFC: imagine if Ryan Grant is healthy next season. The Packers could be even better next year.
-I am an admitted National Anthem snob and a tough grader. Therefore, due to her propensity to over-sing things, I was not expecting Christina Aguilera to meet my high standards. I did, however, expect her to be able to get the words to the National Anthem right. Perhaps if she wasn't thinking ahead to how she was going to turn 'brave' into a 15-syllable word she would have been thinking about singing the correct lyrics. But, if it is any consolation to Ms. Aguilera, she did just become the answer to a trivia question: name the last performer allowed to sing the National Anthem live at a Super Bowl. They will all be pre-recorded from here on out.
-Just a decade ago, any musician seen in a commercial would have been killed among their peers for destroying their credibility in the name of making a quick buck. I remember various musical acts (but especially rappers) crushing MC Hammer for appearing in Pepsi ads, saying he had sold out. However, when one of the 'hardest' rappers in the music industry can appear in two commercials, first for luxury cars and then in claymation form for iced tea, it is very evident to me that times have changed. Perhaps Eminem should send Mr. Hammer a check in gratitude. (Plus, I think MC could use the money.)
-For the second year in a row the podium at the end of the game was used as a reminder that I should never be given a national stage, because I hold grudges way too long. Just like last year when Drew Brees refrained from reminding San Diego that they were wrong to get rid of him, Aaron Rodgers was very gracious in not asking the world what Brett Favre was doing right now. (If he had done it with the wrestling championship belt slung over his shoulder that would have been a nice touch, giving it a heel-turn feel.) I can not guarantee I would have been able to control myself in that situation. It would have been an airing of the grievances for all to see.
-The halftime show was a little too elaborate for my tastes, but I assume if you are a fan of the Black Eyed Peas it was right in your wheelhouse. (You know my take on elaborate stage shows - artists do it when they know they don't have the musical talent to pull off anything more stripped-down.) The people I feel the worst for are Packers fans, because when your team win a Super Bowl you always feel a special connection to the artist that played the halftime show and that is who they got stuck with. Patriots fans got U2 and "Beautiful Day" as our anthem, Packers fan now have to pretend to like "I Gotta Feeling" for the rest of time. You'd almost rather lose (I said almost).
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
My Super Bowl Preview
Well, it is finally Super Bowl Sunday. With two of the NFL's most popular teams playing each other, this year's game is expected to be the most-watch television program ever. That is not surprising since football is America's game and with a potential lockout looming we might not get football until October, so people need to get their fix while the getting is good. Even if people don't like either team they will still watch for the commercials so they aren't left out of the water cooler talk at work on Monday. Now, since every on TV seems to have an opinion, here's mine.
The Packers will win if... Aaron Rodgers can stay upright. Like every quarterback in the world, Rodgers plays much better when he can set his feet and look through his progressions. Therefore, even though he's played this season at a very high level, he can be beaten like every other quarterback in the history of ever by getting in his face and making him uncomfortable. The Packers line needs to keep him healthy and give him some time (Rodgers could help them out by trying to fake-audible and get as much information as he can from his pre-snap reads). The last time these teams played the Packers had success when they spread out the Steelers by going five-wide and then running quick pass routes. The Patriots showed earlier this year that the formula still works, so expect to see that formation a lot. I'm not saying that the Packers should abandon the running game altogether, but any big runs that get broken off should be considered a bonus. They are only going as far as Rodgers and his receivers on that fast track can take them. That's not to say the defense won't be a factor, because they have a very under-rated secondary. If the Packers linebackers can get to Roethlisberger and actually bring him to the ground (easier said than done), then that secondary can try and make a play for the ball, because Ben is good for one ill-advised throw a game. Turnovers are going to be huge in this game.
The Steelers will win if... They can run the ball and keep Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines. The best way to win a game against a hot quarterback is to burn as much clock as you can and limit the number of possession the offense has. Now, with their starting center missing and facing a beast of a defensive tackle, the Steelers could have some trouble getting the running game going, but that isn't a problem as long as they have a quarterback like Roethlisberger who has a history of converting third-and-longs. I think that running game will be there late when they need it to salt the game away. And you know, with two weeks to game plan, the Steelers' defensive coaching have cooked up some exotic blitz packages to confuse Aaron Rodgers. Plus, they are going against an undrafted free-agent running back so it is safe to assume those Pittsburgh linebackers are going to fight to strip the ball out on every run. Like I said, turnovers are going to be huge in this game and I expect the Steelers to force more of them.
My Prediction is... With two weeks to form an opinion on the game, I have reached the following conclusion - I have no idea what is going to happen. This are two extremely evenly-matched teams and I wouldn't be surprised to see either team win. Ultimately, I'm picking the Steelers based on the fact that they were in the tougher conference and face better competition the entire season. (This is the same logic I use in the World Series, where I usually expect the American League team to win.) Plus, I feel like the Steelers have the better running game and the more active defense so I wouldn't be surprised if there were a couple of defensive scores. And while I'm not usually a big fan of reasoning like "they've been here before," for many Steelers this is their third Super Bowl, so they are very comfortable. All week we've heard reports of Steelers going to strip clubs and piano bars while the Packers are reportedly sitting in their rooms watching extra tape. That makes me wonder if the Packers are approaching the "thinking too much" area. Lastly, I looked at the coaching match-up and I have a confidence in Mike Tomlin that just isn't there with Mike McCarthy. With all that in mind I'm picking the Steelers to win, 27-17.
The Packers will win if... Aaron Rodgers can stay upright. Like every quarterback in the world, Rodgers plays much better when he can set his feet and look through his progressions. Therefore, even though he's played this season at a very high level, he can be beaten like every other quarterback in the history of ever by getting in his face and making him uncomfortable. The Packers line needs to keep him healthy and give him some time (Rodgers could help them out by trying to fake-audible and get as much information as he can from his pre-snap reads). The last time these teams played the Packers had success when they spread out the Steelers by going five-wide and then running quick pass routes. The Patriots showed earlier this year that the formula still works, so expect to see that formation a lot. I'm not saying that the Packers should abandon the running game altogether, but any big runs that get broken off should be considered a bonus. They are only going as far as Rodgers and his receivers on that fast track can take them. That's not to say the defense won't be a factor, because they have a very under-rated secondary. If the Packers linebackers can get to Roethlisberger and actually bring him to the ground (easier said than done), then that secondary can try and make a play for the ball, because Ben is good for one ill-advised throw a game. Turnovers are going to be huge in this game.
The Steelers will win if... They can run the ball and keep Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines. The best way to win a game against a hot quarterback is to burn as much clock as you can and limit the number of possession the offense has. Now, with their starting center missing and facing a beast of a defensive tackle, the Steelers could have some trouble getting the running game going, but that isn't a problem as long as they have a quarterback like Roethlisberger who has a history of converting third-and-longs. I think that running game will be there late when they need it to salt the game away. And you know, with two weeks to game plan, the Steelers' defensive coaching have cooked up some exotic blitz packages to confuse Aaron Rodgers. Plus, they are going against an undrafted free-agent running back so it is safe to assume those Pittsburgh linebackers are going to fight to strip the ball out on every run. Like I said, turnovers are going to be huge in this game and I expect the Steelers to force more of them.
My Prediction is... With two weeks to form an opinion on the game, I have reached the following conclusion - I have no idea what is going to happen. This are two extremely evenly-matched teams and I wouldn't be surprised to see either team win. Ultimately, I'm picking the Steelers based on the fact that they were in the tougher conference and face better competition the entire season. (This is the same logic I use in the World Series, where I usually expect the American League team to win.) Plus, I feel like the Steelers have the better running game and the more active defense so I wouldn't be surprised if there were a couple of defensive scores. And while I'm not usually a big fan of reasoning like "they've been here before," for many Steelers this is their third Super Bowl, so they are very comfortable. All week we've heard reports of Steelers going to strip clubs and piano bars while the Packers are reportedly sitting in their rooms watching extra tape. That makes me wonder if the Packers are approaching the "thinking too much" area. Lastly, I looked at the coaching match-up and I have a confidence in Mike Tomlin that just isn't there with Mike McCarthy. With all that in mind I'm picking the Steelers to win, 27-17.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
A Day Early
So, we're doing the weekly musical interlude a day early because tomorrow I'll be posting my Super Bowl predictions. (I know you're all on pins and needles waiting for that.)
I'm noticing that water is becoming a familiar theme with my musical interludes, whether it was over the summer when a couple of water mains burst or just a couple months back when we tried installing a new dishwasher and flooded the kitchen. I almost didn't want to go back to the water theme another time, but when one section of the kitchen ceiling started to leak like it was raining inside while a window on the other side of the house started randomly dripping water as well, I figure I shouldn't ignore the obvious.
I'm noticing that water is becoming a familiar theme with my musical interludes, whether it was over the summer when a couple of water mains burst or just a couple months back when we tried installing a new dishwasher and flooded the kitchen. I almost didn't want to go back to the water theme another time, but when one section of the kitchen ceiling started to leak like it was raining inside while a window on the other side of the house started randomly dripping water as well, I figure I shouldn't ignore the obvious.
Friday, February 4, 2011
What An Uplifting Phone Call
Since we are on the national Do-Not-Call list, we don't nearly as many unsolicited phone calls as we used to. Pretty much the only ones that slip through now are charities and chimney sweeps. (I get why the first are allowed to keep calling, but don't ask me why the second keep ringing us up without hesitation.) But every now and again, we get a call from a company that I have never done business with and can't figure out how they got our number. While most of them are harmless, some of them blow my mind and last night there was a call from "TEXAS" featuring a very long recorded message that did just that. Here it is, with limited embellishment:
That was the short version of a fairly long message, but you get the idea. After a while I was just staring at the phone, shocked; not only that someone set up this auto-dial, but that someone sat in a room and recorded this message. I listened to it all the way through - partly because I was hoping for a number to press to be taken off this phone list, but also because I wanted to hear what other kind of crazy claim they might make. You know, you always hear about senior citizens being scammed on the phone by people who try and play on their fear, but actually hearing one last night was stunning. This kind of call can not be legal. Now, because they never actually said a brand name I'll give the good people of Life Alert the benefit of the doubt that this was not one of their representatives and instead some company trying to piggy-back their established brand. Someone needs to let them know what kind of message these people are using, because I found the entire thing disturbing. I would much rather talk to the chimney sweep.
Hello. You may have seen our commercial featuring a senior citizen who has fallen in her home and can not reach the phone. If you are over the age of 60, someday this will happen to you. Especially if you live alone. It is only a matter of time before it does. There is a 100% chance that you will suffer either a fall or stroke in your home. You heard me - a 100% chance. It is going to happen. And, it will probably happen when you are alone. Your family can't be around all the time and screaming won't help - your neighbors won't hear you. (I swear to you, those last four lines are direct quotes.) You could be there for hours or even days. Once that happens your family is going to take your freedom away and send you to a nursing home. Unless you want to end up in a nursing home you need to buy our product today. Press 1 to buy our service. Press 1 now. 1. Press it. Or you can press 9 to hear this message again. But you should press 1. Oryoucanpress2toneverhearfromusagain. Press 1 now.
That was the short version of a fairly long message, but you get the idea. After a while I was just staring at the phone, shocked; not only that someone set up this auto-dial, but that someone sat in a room and recorded this message. I listened to it all the way through - partly because I was hoping for a number to press to be taken off this phone list, but also because I wanted to hear what other kind of crazy claim they might make. You know, you always hear about senior citizens being scammed on the phone by people who try and play on their fear, but actually hearing one last night was stunning. This kind of call can not be legal. Now, because they never actually said a brand name I'll give the good people of Life Alert the benefit of the doubt that this was not one of their representatives and instead some company trying to piggy-back their established brand. Someone needs to let them know what kind of message these people are using, because I found the entire thing disturbing. I would much rather talk to the chimney sweep.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Taking On Water
As I've mention on this blog before, despite having nearly a thousand channels at my fingertips I only watch about 11 of them: the big four of ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX plus ESPN, The Golf Channel, USA, Discovery, History, FX and whichever channel is carrying the Celtics game that night. Anyway because I watch a lot of the History Channel, I have seen my fair share of specials on World War II submarines. I vividly remember watching one of them in which a former submariner said that the noise they feared hearing the most wasn't the alarm letting them know a German submarine was near them, but the faint hissing of water escaping through a tiny crack. That meant the pressure of the ocean had cause a leak and they were taking on water. When you're already a hundred feet under the surface, the last thing you want is a leak. He then talked about the way they were always checking for water, because springing even a small leak could be the end of you. You had to be vigilant because the ocean pressure was always testing how well a ship was built, looking for a weak spot. However, the line that really stuck with me was when he looked right into the camera and said, "But, if water wants to come in there is nothing you can do about it - it's coming in. Water will always find a way to go where it wants."
I found myself thinking about that line yesterday when water began leaking from one of the light fixtures in the downstairs hallway. There is a balcony off the master bedroom and when the snow and ice that has built up on that balcony starts to melt that water can get under the siding and into the house. I'm sad to report that this is not the first time this has happened. We slid the fixture out of its place to put a bucket underneath the leak and during the course of the night it stopped. However this morning revealed that while water was no longer coming out of that fixture, it was now leaking from another light fifteen feet away as well as another spot on the wall between the two lights. The issue is that everything outside is still frozen, so we're not really sure where all this water is coming from. The only thing to do was wipe up as much of the water as we could, poke a couple holes in that part of the ceiling to try and guide the water a specific route out so the damage is as localised as possible and then stick a couple buckets under the drips. We figured that all things considered this wasn't too bad, because it was just this one section of the house under the balcony and at least the main roof was still holding up well. (I think you know what's coming...)
An hour or so later I am sitting at my computer upstairs, typing away when I feel something on my arm. A look down reveals it to be water. Assuming the worst, my eyes shoot to the ceiling, but I can't see a drip. However, a second later I can hear one. I pulled up my blinds to discover that water was leaking through a small crack running along the piece of wood at the top of my window. Great. I removed my blinds and jammed a towel in the top of the window, then went around and made sure that this was the only one that had sprung a leak. So far, it is. A look from outside doesn't tell me much, because it looks like the entire gutter is frozen, but my guess is the snow on the roof has begun to thaw and since the water can't get out through the gutters it has begun to back up under the shingles. I tried to check out the situation in the attic, but there are some tight spaces up there and I just can't get close enough to give anything a thorough inspection.
The worst part is that there really isn't much we can do to stop it, short of going up on the roof and shovelling all the snow off and I'm not comfortable with ladders or heights in good weather. We're expecting it be a little warmer the next couple of days, but I'm not sure if melting snow is going to make the leaks better or worse. While the leak by my window appears to have been slowed after spending the afternoon in the sun, the one downstairs dripped constantly all day long and actually got worse late in the afternoon, forcing us to cut a hole into the ceiling to try and figure out a better way to contain the water. I guess the only consolation is that if it continues like this I can start to train my hands for speed, like Jim Caviezel in The Count of Monte Cristo and if it keeps going after that I can use my sword skills to cut neater holes in the ceiling.
I found myself thinking about that line yesterday when water began leaking from one of the light fixtures in the downstairs hallway. There is a balcony off the master bedroom and when the snow and ice that has built up on that balcony starts to melt that water can get under the siding and into the house. I'm sad to report that this is not the first time this has happened. We slid the fixture out of its place to put a bucket underneath the leak and during the course of the night it stopped. However this morning revealed that while water was no longer coming out of that fixture, it was now leaking from another light fifteen feet away as well as another spot on the wall between the two lights. The issue is that everything outside is still frozen, so we're not really sure where all this water is coming from. The only thing to do was wipe up as much of the water as we could, poke a couple holes in that part of the ceiling to try and guide the water a specific route out so the damage is as localised as possible and then stick a couple buckets under the drips. We figured that all things considered this wasn't too bad, because it was just this one section of the house under the balcony and at least the main roof was still holding up well. (I think you know what's coming...)
An hour or so later I am sitting at my computer upstairs, typing away when I feel something on my arm. A look down reveals it to be water. Assuming the worst, my eyes shoot to the ceiling, but I can't see a drip. However, a second later I can hear one. I pulled up my blinds to discover that water was leaking through a small crack running along the piece of wood at the top of my window. Great. I removed my blinds and jammed a towel in the top of the window, then went around and made sure that this was the only one that had sprung a leak. So far, it is. A look from outside doesn't tell me much, because it looks like the entire gutter is frozen, but my guess is the snow on the roof has begun to thaw and since the water can't get out through the gutters it has begun to back up under the shingles. I tried to check out the situation in the attic, but there are some tight spaces up there and I just can't get close enough to give anything a thorough inspection.
The worst part is that there really isn't much we can do to stop it, short of going up on the roof and shovelling all the snow off and I'm not comfortable with ladders or heights in good weather. We're expecting it be a little warmer the next couple of days, but I'm not sure if melting snow is going to make the leaks better or worse. While the leak by my window appears to have been slowed after spending the afternoon in the sun, the one downstairs dripped constantly all day long and actually got worse late in the afternoon, forcing us to cut a hole into the ceiling to try and figure out a better way to contain the water. I guess the only consolation is that if it continues like this I can start to train my hands for speed, like Jim Caviezel in The Count of Monte Cristo and if it keeps going after that I can use my sword skills to cut neater holes in the ceiling.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Another Storm-Adjacent Issue
So, the second part of this two-day storm has come through and I think, except for one more quick burst of snow late tonight, we're done with snow... until Saturday (we'll cross that bridge when we get there). We actually got a lot less snow in the second wave than originally thought, ending up with three inches instead of the rumored four to eight. However, this was three inches of solid and heavy snow, which was immediately followed by sleet. This gave the snow on the ground a crunchy top and is why it is still sitting on my driveway. I know that sounds bad, but leaving it on the ground is the smart plan because the snow gives you some traction and that beats the alternative of shovelling it away only to have the paper-thin snow coating remaining, as just turns into a skating rink. Also, I left it on the driveway because this kind of snow has the density of a dying sun. Honestly, I worked up more of sweat just clearing my steps than I did getting rid of an entire driveway worth of the seven inches of fluffy snow that we got during the first wave.
The bigger issue is that the frozen snow has also left my truck with a sort of icy-shell covering it, like Mother Nature has turned my vehicle into a large M&M. Rather than have to deal with it first thing in the morning, I decided to go out and clear it off tonight, then keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't just re-ice itself overnight. Anyway, I was out there to turn on my truck and crank the heat while I scraped the windows, when I could not for the life of me get any of my doors open. They had all frozen shut. I scraped at them as best I could and eventually got the passenger door open so I could get the car running, but it was no go on the driver's side door. I figured a couple minutes of heat would do the trick and went about the task of getting the other windows defrosted. After a couple of minutes I went back, sure that I had given it enough time. I still couldn't get the door open. I chipped every bit of ice that I could see out from around the door and then, I tugged. I pulled. I tried two hands on the handle. I tried one hand on the handle and the other in the thin space between the top of the door and the car. I pulled so hard I was convinced the handle was going to break off in my hand. Nothing.
Not being a small man I was not looking forward to going in through the passenger door and climbing over the center console, but I didn't think I had any other way. I figured if I could at least get into the seat I could slam my body into the door until either it or my shoulder popped. It was in mid-climb I noticed my main problem: the door was locked. I think it was either so cold or so icy that the mechanism inside the door didn't unlock when I first hit the button and since the windows were iced over I couldn't see inside the truck to notice that the lock was still engaged. As such, I had spent the last twenty minutes or so standing in sub-freezing temperatures essentially trying to break into my own car. (In hindsight it is actually a miracle I didn't break the door handle.) So, on the one hand I felt like an idiot for not checking to see if the door was still locked when I got the passenger door open about fifteen minutes earlier. But on the other hand, at least I know the locks on my truck are rock-solid. If you want to get in and steal my parking meter money, you are going to have to work for it.
The bigger issue is that the frozen snow has also left my truck with a sort of icy-shell covering it, like Mother Nature has turned my vehicle into a large M&M. Rather than have to deal with it first thing in the morning, I decided to go out and clear it off tonight, then keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't just re-ice itself overnight. Anyway, I was out there to turn on my truck and crank the heat while I scraped the windows, when I could not for the life of me get any of my doors open. They had all frozen shut. I scraped at them as best I could and eventually got the passenger door open so I could get the car running, but it was no go on the driver's side door. I figured a couple minutes of heat would do the trick and went about the task of getting the other windows defrosted. After a couple of minutes I went back, sure that I had given it enough time. I still couldn't get the door open. I chipped every bit of ice that I could see out from around the door and then, I tugged. I pulled. I tried two hands on the handle. I tried one hand on the handle and the other in the thin space between the top of the door and the car. I pulled so hard I was convinced the handle was going to break off in my hand. Nothing.
Not being a small man I was not looking forward to going in through the passenger door and climbing over the center console, but I didn't think I had any other way. I figured if I could at least get into the seat I could slam my body into the door until either it or my shoulder popped. It was in mid-climb I noticed my main problem: the door was locked. I think it was either so cold or so icy that the mechanism inside the door didn't unlock when I first hit the button and since the windows were iced over I couldn't see inside the truck to notice that the lock was still engaged. As such, I had spent the last twenty minutes or so standing in sub-freezing temperatures essentially trying to break into my own car. (In hindsight it is actually a miracle I didn't break the door handle.) So, on the one hand I felt like an idiot for not checking to see if the door was still locked when I got the passenger door open about fifteen minutes earlier. But on the other hand, at least I know the locks on my truck are rock-solid. If you want to get in and steal my parking meter money, you are going to have to work for it.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Should I Hop?
So, it appears my letter to Mother Nature last week was not strongly-worded enough, as we are getting two storms back-to-back today and tomorrow which will give us another couple of treacherous driving days and a fresh foot of snow on the ground. That is all I'm going to say on the matter because, frankly, I'm getting tired of complaining about the snow. We've been getting snow once a week and the topic has been played out. There is almost nothing left to say at this point. Besides, the first round is already over and, to be honest, it wasn't too bad. We've already shoveled it away and it was so light and fluffy it felt like shovelling sugar. The entire driveway was done in less than an hour. Instead I'm going to turn my attention to an issue that is snowstorm-adjacent: cold toes.
It was a bitterly cold morning and no matter how thick the pair of socks I put on, I couldn't shake the chill from my toes. So, before I went out to do the shovelling I grabbed a packet of toe warmers, which are a small bag that will stick to the bottom of your socks and contain some kind of chemical mixture which reacts when air hits it and gets hot, but not so hot as to burn your feet. I don't know what is in them; I assume it is just magic. Anyway, they are a staple in Christmas stockings around these parts, so I've got a bunch and have used them many times in the past. But, it wasn't until I was downstairs getting ready to put my boots on that I noticed that one particular brand of toe warmers come one per packet, while the other comes in a pair. Who is the brand with just one warmer for? I can not think of any situation in which I would only need to warm one foot at a time. (Well, except for right now, as I was in such of a hurry to get the shovelling over with that I didn't go upstairs and grab another toe warmer, so my left foot just had to tough it out.)
Are there enough one-footed citizens out there that the manufacturers felt too many of the second packets were going to waste? Could you imagine if socks, gloves or sneakers were sold individually? There would be complaints like you couldn't imagine. You would assume they are sold this way to make you buy them in a set and spend more, but here's the weird part of the whole thing (even weirder than the fact that I sat down and thought all this through): buying two of the single warmers costs less than buying the brand which gives you a pair. That doesn't make any business sense to me: double the manufacturing and shipping costs and they still charge less? Why not just put two in one bag, charge double and save on packaging costs? As long as the company still charges less than the other guy, people are going to buy it. Hell, you might even make more money. After all, this is not a long-term item which requires a lot of consumer research and consideration: you stick them under your feet for an hour and then throw them away. People are simply going to buy whichever is cheaper, so just start selling the toe warmers in pairs. It would make things easier: a lot easier than trying to shovel without putting your left boot into a snowbank, I know that.
It was a bitterly cold morning and no matter how thick the pair of socks I put on, I couldn't shake the chill from my toes. So, before I went out to do the shovelling I grabbed a packet of toe warmers, which are a small bag that will stick to the bottom of your socks and contain some kind of chemical mixture which reacts when air hits it and gets hot, but not so hot as to burn your feet. I don't know what is in them; I assume it is just magic. Anyway, they are a staple in Christmas stockings around these parts, so I've got a bunch and have used them many times in the past. But, it wasn't until I was downstairs getting ready to put my boots on that I noticed that one particular brand of toe warmers come one per packet, while the other comes in a pair. Who is the brand with just one warmer for? I can not think of any situation in which I would only need to warm one foot at a time. (Well, except for right now, as I was in such of a hurry to get the shovelling over with that I didn't go upstairs and grab another toe warmer, so my left foot just had to tough it out.)
Are there enough one-footed citizens out there that the manufacturers felt too many of the second packets were going to waste? Could you imagine if socks, gloves or sneakers were sold individually? There would be complaints like you couldn't imagine. You would assume they are sold this way to make you buy them in a set and spend more, but here's the weird part of the whole thing (even weirder than the fact that I sat down and thought all this through): buying two of the single warmers costs less than buying the brand which gives you a pair. That doesn't make any business sense to me: double the manufacturing and shipping costs and they still charge less? Why not just put two in one bag, charge double and save on packaging costs? As long as the company still charges less than the other guy, people are going to buy it. Hell, you might even make more money. After all, this is not a long-term item which requires a lot of consumer research and consideration: you stick them under your feet for an hour and then throw them away. People are simply going to buy whichever is cheaper, so just start selling the toe warmers in pairs. It would make things easier: a lot easier than trying to shovel without putting your left boot into a snowbank, I know that.
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