Despite recognizing "MO" or magazine overload for what it is, and despite working to limit our magazine and newspaper subscriptions through a form of active laissez-faire (we actively resist sending in those re-subscription forms incessantly mailed to us), we still have too dang much to read!
But, it's not our fault. Really.
For example, I drop down to the Sunday paper only so I can be considered an old-growth tree-hugger kind of guy (and not hurt my back hauling the 100lb recylcing bin out every few weeks).
What do they do? They counter by giving me the rest of the week (except Monday) for free! Then they tend to add Monday anyway.
To add insult to injury, my well-meaning neighbor gave me a free subscription to our weekly rag, the Golden Transcript. But, I got him back the next year by returning the favor... :-)
I dropped our Skiing subscription which I read for the "ski lifestyle" (having two snowboards, one kid, another kid on the way and no skis, I figured this was acceptable). The industry responds by sending my wife a free subscription.
I let our National Geographic Magazine lapse, but then we gladly accept a gift subscription of Cooking Light from Peggy & Dad.
Sheesh! Will it never end?
Uhhh, nope.
We also got a gift subscription to AdBusters from my best friend Tom Collins. Not just a fantasy drink, but a real buddy.
Who else do I have to blame? Well, myself.
I renewed my PC Photo subscription and spread the joy, giving a free copy to my Dad & Peggy.
We still get Time, although I let their free subscription to Sports Illustrated drop after the 6-month trial (great writing, totally don't need it).
Then I went and re-upped for Wired to stay current on technologies of tomorrow. (sarcasm implied)
Finally, my Dad had re-gifted Red Herring Magazine and Child magazine to us (they got freebies from frequent flier miles). Two more! Ouch. But, Red Herring went out of business. Yea! But Business 2.0 took it over and is sending me 2 years worth of their magazine. Boo....
Yep, it all continues, like a runaway snowball, like a train with no brakes, like a bad analogy on a roll...
Phew. So, I solved MO, finally; at least, temporarily. I increased my en-suite reading (i.e. European term for full bathroom in your hotel room) time to at least an hour a day.
Done!
Posted by BilFish at March 15, 2004 08:31 AM