Nothing Like a Happy Ending

By LRC

“It’s the little things.” An expression my father often employs in times where insignificant events result in incomprehensible happiness. And this story is no different…

It was a hot, sweaty Tuesday in the Murray Hill area. As I passed pissed-off ’9-to-5′ers, I walk back to my shoebox of an apartment knowing that my light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel is just minutes away. I had waited countless hours for this moment of glory: a moment that had taken all night long to prepare, a moment for which I had worked my fingers to the bone. As I opened my freezer to find my favorite summer delicasse, Fla-Vor-Ice freezer pops, to my horror, I find 16 frozen pops (6 fruity flavors), and only ONE (1) blue one.

While I can understand and do appreciate the few exceptions, most folks have a general understanding that blue is the flavor of choice for all who have working taste buds. In a word, I was shocked– flabbergasted, even, that this company to whom I have been a dedicated, long-term patron would present me with a box of mere disappointment. 16 frozen pops, and 6 fruity flavors??? Well, I’m no Einstein, but 16 fruity pops divided by 6 fruity flavors is at the very least, 2 pops per flavor, per box.

In the heat of my frustration, I sent the following letter to Jel-Sert, the Fla-Vor-Ice manufacturing company:

To whom it may concern at Jelsert, the Fla-vor-ice manufacturing company,

After an 11 hour day slaving for a corporation, I come home to find my favorite, fruity, flavorful, frozen treat. In the past, I have consistently been satisfied with your product. In my eyes, your product’s track record has been immaculate, as nothing slaps a smile on my face quite like a slushy, refreshing, blue, Berry Punch Fla-vor-ice.

Today, however, was a different day; a sad day. I come home to my box of 16 colors of tasty wonder only to discover a single, sad, lonely, blue Fla-vor-ice: merely a solitary soldier drowning in a hopeless sea of red, purple, pink and orange.

‎In the future, for hard working Americans like myself, please make my day by ensuring at the very least, an equal amount of each color.

I would hate to have to regret expressing my undying love and affection towards what I believe is pure happiness. After all, I only hope to continue purchasing my $1.99 magical box of six equally-balanced fruity flavors.

‎Needless to say, tonight for me was a very blue one.

Perhaps an entire box of Berry Punch Fla-vor-ice will turn my frown upside-down. Otherwise, I fear nothing will mend this broken heart.

Regretfully yours,
L.R.C.

Understanding such solid customer loyalty in such poor economic times, the folks at Jel-Sert sent me a lengthy explanation and description of the process, not to mention 3 free boxes of Fla-Vor-Ice.

Needless to say, I will continue to purchase this fun frozen treat, remembering that good customer service goes a long way, and that nothing tops off a fruity, flavorful story quite like a happy ending.

The Status update of the NFL

By

Chris Hotzak

With every new NFL season, there is optimism and hope for your favorite team.  Facebook statuses and Twitter accounts were updated constantly today with football notes and quotes.  Mine was updated all about my Giants. (They won today btw).   Social Media is a huge part of athletes lives and different sports teams. OchoCinco was even fined by the NFL for tweeting when he shouldn’t this preseason. (Not the first time, or second, or third this has happened).   This post will be my attempt to compare some social media aspects, to various NFL teams, and various aspects of the NFL.

The Jets have run their mouth all preseason, which makes them a target for everyone that they play.  By knowing that they think they are the best, every team is given extra incentive to try and go and rob some wins from them.  Correlation? Please Rob Me.  This website allows you to see which users of Foursquare and Facebook Places are not home, and as a consequence, there has been a big robbery ring that uses this information to take tons of money from these users.  It’s basically the concept of over-sharing.  Rex, keep your mouth shut before you get robbed.

The Seattle Seahawks? Their leader is Pete Carroll, who has fled from USC, while probably knowing fully that the USC program was going to get sanctioned.  Correlation? Mark Hurd signing with HP, after being CEO for Oracle.

So who or what do you think I’m going to compare Mark Zuckerberg’s latest proclamation that Facebook isn’t going public? Yup! Bill Belichick and the Patriots.  Bill coaches and makes decisions however he wants, doesn’t care who he has to answer to or what the consequences are going to be.  Him and Zuck could never work together.

Let’s compare my NY Giants to Facebook.  The mecca of social networks.  Bias? Maybe.  The Giants are always going to have competition, whether the other team is going to be better, well that’s a question for Sunday.  Ping could eventually be Facebook’s competition, with 1 million users in 48 hours, but for right now…Facebook remains the social media Giant.

Maybe later in the week, more social media news can be compared to the NFL.  For now, I’ll stick to the teams I outlined.  Lets go Giants!

The Average Age of a Facebook User Is…

By Steve Pessah

Facebook started as a network for Harvard students to connect (was thefacebook in the beginning). Then, it opened up to other universities, then high school students were given the keys to the kingdom (ugh, that was a bummer at the time). Soon enough it was open to everyone. Your parents could now find you both physically and virtually. There was no place to hide.

Fast forward to now, and parents being on Facebook isn’t such a big deal anymore. I’m Facebook friends with my parents, extended family, and even some of my old high school teachers. From the start, Facebook could only get older, not younger.

38 is now the average age of a Facebook user. Flowtown, the company that put together a great infographic seen below, found out that the vast majority of users are now older than 38 years old.

What does this mean for the youngins who used to run to the Facebook community to get away from mommy and daddy? Your parents are now there waiting for you, along with potential employers, and even that crazy aunt who always calls but can’t get through to you because of caller ID.

Hide those racy pictures of you from college, watch what your friends say on your wall, and get ready for the first holiday dinner via Facebook video chat (should be here by the end of the year.. just a prediction).