Exit polls ruin the surprise

Doesn’t reporting a candidate’s success before the vote constitute a bias?  Every time I turn around I hear americans talking about how Hillary is failing in the polls they saw in the news.  So naturally they won’t vote for her, which the news reports, which repeats the cycle.  But after all these years surely news reporters know this, so it must be either wilful ignorance or intended.  The net effect is that if Obama isn’t the leader of the democratic party then McCain will win because everyone’s been conditioned to think Hillary=loser.

disclaimer: I am not an american.  I don’t believe that I favor either candidate.  Personally, I think it’s high time america had a few other parties to choose from.  Something to make the first two parties a little less cocky.  Of course, I also think “the future is now” posters feel a little too much like WW2 propaganda art.

Ugh.  Did I just compare the democratic party to the nazi party?  That realization makes me feel dirty.

Online dating etiquette

If you’re going to write to me for the first time, here’s a short list of things to be aware of.

• Check your message and your profile intro. An obvious spelling or grammar mistake is like showing up for a blind date with only one shoe.
• Include a picture. If they’re in your profile already, great. If not then send it privately. You know what I look like, so ante up.
• Don’t ask me to write back if I’m interested. Be interesting and I’ll write back. If you’re not sure that you’re interesting, go have an adventure.
• There’s a difference between mysterious and interesting. Mysteries are for people with something to hide.

Listener Feedback

Dear Ms. Wright,

It is 20:39 on March third. I’ve just heard a really sexist commercial on your station and I wanted to tell you that I think it really reflects badly on your image.

I’ve listened to your station since I moved to Vancouver three years ago. I’m 29 and was raised on the Beatles. I’m telling you all these metrics because I want you to know that I’m in a desirable part of your demographic – young, with money to spend, and a love of classic rock. Also someone who couldn’t find a more appropriate ear in your list of website contacts. Seriously, where is your feedback form?

Anyways, the message of the ad was “ladies, we men are justified in buying giant LCDs because of all the crap you keep all over the bathroom.” I can’t help but think that whoever designed or approved that ad up was a total douchbag.

I’m worried that every time I listen to your station now I’m going to be reminded of the time I had to listen to that collosal ass …and I’ll have no choice but to switch to something else. One without any risk of lousy ads and factoids. Like a CD or iTunes or even my own damn guitar. Basically I’m saying it’s so bad that if it keeps playing I won’t just get knocked off your station, I’ll fall completely off the radio.

I really love the music you play, I just wish the noise in the gaps wasn’t so annoying.

Keep up the good parts of the good work,
D

(note: Though I keep listening, I never heard that ad on the station again.)