Petty Annoyances

Why isn't Thanksgiving dinner ever hot enough? Is it because everything sits out too long prior to the meal? Why must we always sit dow...

So why does the peanut donut always get included in the dozen? Why is it mandatory? Why do the donut stores even make the peanut donut? My p...

Is there anything more unpleasant than watching an adult human being coo and fuss and babble in front of a house cat? You know, that syrupy,...

How is talking on a cell phone any different, or any more distracting than talking to someone in the backseat? Really, how is it different? ...

Here's another one of those Mensa-type errors in judgment that to me seems perfectly avoidable. The Mensa problem is that people who are...

There's never been a truer statement. Own a pit bull terrier? If so you're a moron. You can't not be. Show me the counter exampl...

Imagine a guy who boasts to everyone that he's in Mensa. What would you think of a guy who boasts about being in Mensa? Would you have a...

I am fed up with this. I just spent a week as the houseguest of a very nice woman, who despite all her positive qualities had a terrible and...

241. A post office clerk who won't let you borrow the packing tape. 242. An usher making an announcement before the movie. 243. The fact...

1. What happened to binaca? 2. Why are Village Voice movie reviews always negative? 3. Why do nightclub bouncers always have their ties in a...

As of today, May 8, 2010 it is now a fact that Isabella is the most popular baby girl name in America. Isabella. Like the Spanish queen. How...

Don't be an asshole. Don't do it. Do not insert yourself into the conversations of strangers, simply because you feel you could make...

I saw Hot Tub Time Machine last week. Funny movie. I recommend it. One habit I have is reading reviews of movies after I see them, to see if...

Every week, the New Yorker has a cartoon caption contest. They provide the cartoon on their website. They accept caption submissions. They c...

In last week's Impromptus I had a followup to my Corner post of Wednesday last that engendered much comment. To briefly recap, I had w...