From time to time, believe it or not, I come across a situation that I just don't understand.

Ticket Agencies

It's not so much the ticket agencies I don't understand, really. It's more the people who decide to use their services. Please allow me to explain. Last Friday, my hope to get tickets for the Eddie Vedder solo tour was destroyed in a matter of seconds. That's right, seconds. The show that I wanted to go to sold out in less than 30 seconds. Now, I know that Eddie's a popular guy, but come on! And, magically, ticket agencies all over the internet have tickets (imagine that). The cheapest ticket that I found online through an agency or broker was $114.00 plus shipping, a markup of 44%. Please don't preach to me about the economics of it all; I understand supply and demand (even more evil are the people who do this on eBay - they're worse than the jerks from Pod 6).

I am a self-admitted Eddie Vedder fanboy. There is, however, no way in hell that I am going to give someone else the satisfaction of ripping me off for something that I enjoy. People obviously overpay for tickets to concerts and sporting events, or else the agencies wouldn't do it. I'll just never understand why people are willing to pay such an outrageous markup. For concert tickets to sold out shows, I use craigslist. There is always a few people who can't use their tickets for whatever reason, and are willing to give them up at face value, just so they can get their money back.

And if I can't go, well then so be it.

Update: I ended buying a pair of tickets on eBay from a wonderful, kind and understanding seller for $213.00. When it was all said and done, I ended up paying an extra $23.00 - not too shabby! Some jerk wanted $500.00 for a pair in the same section. My assumption is that he is the leader of pod 6.

Video Games

I am part of the Nintendo generation. Growing up, my brothers and I were blessed with multiple game consules. We had an Atari before I started elementary school. We got a Nintendo for Christmas when I was six years-old, followed by a Super Nintendo, a Sega Genesis, a Gameboy, Nintendo 64, and when I was away at college, my brothers got a Sony Playstation. When I returned home from college, however, I just lost interest.

Growing up, it's all we did. Our friends would come over and we'd set up Super Mario Kart racing tournaments or battle it out in Duck Hunt. And no matter how many hours we spent in front of the television, the allure was always there, whether in be in the spirit of competition or playing The Legend of Zelda in solitude. Of course, this is the same time period in which America's obesity rate began to skyrocket, but that's neither here nor there.

The Nintendo Wii is great. I'd rather have kids outside actually playing tennis that Wii tennis, but I guess that it's better than the alternative. What I don't understand is the fascination that adults have with the Wii; it's amazing. Almost everyone I know is shocked when I tell them that I have no interest in Guitar Hero. Did Nintendo develop the Wii for children, or too keep their lifelong customers happy? Did I grow up too fast or I am just lame?

I do have to tell you, though, the vision of my older brother ten years from now fighting with his children because it's his turn to hold the Wii remote does make me chuckle.

Celebrity Gossip Magazines

You know what I'm talking about. People, US Weekly, OK! - they're all ridiculous. Why should I care what Jessica Alba's baby looks like or that Wyclef Jean volunteered to babysit for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? Oh my gosh, look! Celebrities wear bike helmets just like normal people! Wow!

Awful...just awful. Every time I see someone reading one of the above stated magazines (I'm sure that there's more, by the way, these are just the only ones that I'm aware of) I get Kelly Kapoor nightmares for a week.

Inhale...exhale. I feel better now. Thanks.