So, a lot of things have been on my mind lately. It's been a while since I've posted anything on this site, but there's been no shortage of aggravation in my life all the while. Today, I feel like using the site as an outlet of my frustrations:

• The STUPID new Gawker website redesigns
• Unoriginal, new music
• Stupid coupon discounts
• Fast food prices
• The iPhone

That should be enough for today. If you're my wife and you're reading this, just realize that I need to do this every once in a while. Haha. Let's go!

Gawker

So, I used to be a regular reader of Gizmodo and Consumerist... until the last couple of days when they decided to re-design their sites. All of the sites owned by Gawker Media, in fact, are going through this awful re-design. What's so bad about the new layout? Let's take a look.

First of all, most, if not all, of the story content used to be on the front page. Now, you have to click through "the jump" to read entire posts. What's annoying about this is:

• Gawker servers aren't that fast
• I have to click a bunch of times to read a few stories
• I feel like they're using me for ad impressions
• Everything feels squashed
• Headlines and pictures are smaller and it's harder to tell where a story starts and ends.

This isn't an issue of "Well, nobody likes change." This is an issue of "nobody likes this bad layout." Seriously, read the comments! They had a good thing going with their last re-design and it shows in the comments. This time around, everyone's angry.

All this to say that I've officially switched from being a Gizmodo reader to being an Engadget reader.

You might think all this is self-righteous triviality, but I argue that this is a question of the effectiveness of how user interface design can affect the end user. There is a big, hidden issue to think about here.

New Music

So, the new Dream Theater album sucks. I mean, it's just bad. Check out these lyrics from the oh-so-cleverly-titled song "Prophets of War" ... I know, you already know where this is going:

You know what else isn't that good? The new Nine Inch Nails album and the new Bjork album. Just mediocre stuff. Oh, and you know what's REALLY disappointing? The new Chris Cornell album. Come on, guys! I've been listening to all of you for years! Dream Theater, unfortunately, has been the band to most often disappoint. Octavarium was another stupid album. There is one good song on DT's Systematic Chaos:

I guess my big issue with these artists is that I expect more of them. Bjork's newest album, Volta, sounds like a more mellow, not-as-good re-hash of Vespertine, which is an album I hold near and dear to my heart. And, I promise you, this isn't a case of "I don't understand why people like Bjork... there's no melody." Listen to Innocence on the new album and then 5 Years from Homogenic. They're basically the same song. Ugh.

Stupid Coupons

What's the deal with bad coupons to restaurants? For example, Schlotsky's sends out coupons all the time where you can save $1 or $2 if you buy two sandwiches and two medium drinks. Thanks! Or, there's another restaurant where the discount is offered only on Wednesdays and Sundays, or something like that. Thanks! Or, what about Eddie Bauer's coupons? 15% off purchases of $100 or more.... I don't know about you, but I've never seen $100-worth of clothing I'd like to buy from Eddie Bauer... ever. Or, what about getting a free burger somewhere if I buy a drink AND fries? Thanks!!

I actually have coupons to scan that I'll post at a later date.

Fast Food Prices

Last time my wife and I ate at Arby's--to quote The Simpsons: "I'm so hungry, I could eat at Arby's"--it cost $12. $12. For fast food. I went to McDonald's the other day and Sarah wanted a chicken sandwich... I couldn't find one for less than $3.99. What's the deal?

Fast food chains are the only place where you can get beef cheaper than chicken.

The iPhone

If I have to see one more article about the iPhone on a tech website, I'm going to... well, I guess I'll just ignore it. What's the deal with people going "gaga" over a $500 phone? It's a cool phone, but... so what? Suddenly, it's the most popular tech topic out there. And if you've gotten a chance to play with an iPhone, you're suddenly an iGod on the internet. It's so ridiculous.

In two months, no one is going to care. That's one of the benefits of technology and its inherent obsolescence. People just stop caring.

Okay, I'm done.