Firsts and Lasts

I noticed in recent times that there is a interesting little phenomenon that happens at cocktail parties, receptions, or anywhere with hors d'oeuvres on trays. Actually, there are two interesting things that happen:

1) No one ever wants to take the last of something.

2) Depending on the crowd, people are sometimes hesitant to take the first one.

Why is this? Well, for #1 you may say that it's cold, or not fresh, or whatever, but I'm going to go deeper. I propose (with no evidence!) that it is an evolutionary trait to not eat the last of something. The last of something probably spoiled in the bad ol' days, so there was an evolutionary pressure against those brave souls that ate the last of those mammoth canapes. It is probably simpler, that people don't want to look like gluttons, but really - gluttons? Americans don't want to look like gluttons? Too late.

I do think that is what keeps people from diving into those spanikopita being passed early in the evening. They don't want to look like some food-crazed maniac. Of course, if you get a bunch of people who are admittedly so, then you start to feel bad for the servers. At a cocktail party last year servers didn't get more than two feet from the kitchen before an army of old, rich, foodies practically gummed them to death.

So what is the solution? If you want some, get some. Don't worry about decorum and get yourself that last crab cake.

New word - Slips

Slips are people, or rather a name for certain people. These are people (I've done it from time to time) that don't hold or push open the door after they walk through it. However, they've had the door held for them, or it is closing and they'll "slip" through the door whilst not moving any limbs in order to hold it for the person behind them. So this person has had the door opened for them, then they give a little "fuck you" to the person behind them as the slip through the door, letting is close right before you get there.

I'm sure they don't mean to do it, they never look over their shoulder to check for another person behind them (unlike yours truly), they just buzz right through. I would have hoped these people realize they work/live/play in a city and, due to the population density, it is our responsibility to make life just a little bit nicer for those around us. This goes back to my old saying of people like this on the T who don't move into the middle of the car: You're either stupid or inconsiderate.

Esquire Magazine - you suck.

So I've had a subscription to Esquire magazine for about a year.  Actually, I think it should be over, but they keep sending it anyway.  I subscribed because I thought that Maxim really started to suck as well - unfortunately, so does Esquire.  Here are a couple of examples:

Cultural Relevance:  They recently interviewed John Goodman for this life lessons.

Funny:  They have segment called "A funny joke from a beautiful woman."  In this case the woman is usually some regular magazine fodder that is forgettabley beautiful and photo shopped into ubiquity.  The joke is guaranteed to be lame and not at all funny, the type starting with "Two grandmas are in a bar..." or something like that.

Style:  This is supposed to be their expertise, but I find it is weak as well.  For example, they continually push $1,000 plus jackets (not unusual for men's magazines, but annoying nonetheless).  Another example was their style advice column.  Someone wrote in looking for a modestly priced watch that they can wear forever.  Here is what they suggested - the Casio G-Shock.  Although it is a fine watch, the asker was definitely looking for a less sporty, but decently priced, classic watch.  My suggestion would be the Seiko Arctura - under 1k for a watch, well made, and cool but not overly stylish.  Maybe the Cotura too.

Actual stories: They profiled Fox News's Shepard Smith.  No magazine should give Fox News any credibility by calling taking anyone on that network seriously, especially one that endorsed Obama.  

I think Men's magazines are getting crushed by the net - why get a magazine when you can just find a melange of articles on the net.  Now to get a table PC for the bathroom...