Slope of Hope Blog Posts

Slope initially began as a blog, so this is where most of the website’s content resides. Here we have tens of thousands of posts dating back over a decade. These are listed in reverse chronological order. Click on any category icon below to see posts tagged with that particular subject, or click on a word in the category cloud on the right side of the screen for more specific choices.

Sweet Home Palo Alto

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I was going to title this one "What the Puck?", but some people are easily offended. Anyway – I got to experience one last mini-outrage before leaving the sweltering crowds of Southern California. This bold sign was displayed at the airport………

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Now I realize Wolfgang Puck whored himself out a long, long time ago, so my expectations aren't that high. But let's face the fact: he has his name, his face, and his signature on a sign that speaks of taking his favorite recipes to new heights because everyone deserves a first class meal. So one might expect something mildly novel – – I mean, not a three-Michelin-stars type experience, but something that's definitely a cut above. It's Wolfgang Puck, after all.

And here we have it:

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And thus, I ask: are you f*cking kidding me? Coca Cola Zero? Yogurt Parfaits? Red Bulls? Some decidedly non-extraordinary turkey sandwiches? Is this a joke?

No. It's not a joke. It's further proof that aspirational marketing has no shame, and it has no limits.

Feh. I'm glad to be back in my home. I think I'll stay here a while.

Final D-Day

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My four day splurge into America is nearing an end, so I'll probably be dead quiet today as we wrap up here at Disneyland and travel back home.

I will leave you with one final anecdoate, however. A portion of the park is California Adventure, which is Disney's grand homage to California. They continuously blare over the loudspeakers various California-themed songs. They also have a number of (sponsored) billboards that are supposed to bring to mind the beach scene of the Annette & Frankie days.

It appears that the public of the state was a lot more progressive and open-minded than the rest of the country fifty years ago, if these images are supposed to be believed………..

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But, wait – who's that? Why it's our lovely First Lady!

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I'm ready to head back to Shallow Alto. I've seen about all I can take. I'll do a post tonight, and we'll do the best we can to wrap up this month.