Drawing: Tickets for Pretty Much the Best Comedy Show + Aperitivo Bistro gift card
Josh Gondelman. He also has a new book out, You Blew It!: An Awkward Look at the Many Ways in Which You've Already Ruined Your Life.
Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!
The Pretty Much the Best Comedy Show series is bringing Last Week Tonight with John Oliver writer Josh Gondelman to Proctors this Saturday. We have a pair of tickets for the show and we're giving them away. BUT WAIT -- THERE'S MORE. The drawing winner will also get a $75 gift card to Aperitivo Bistro.
To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:
Josh Gondelman is co-creator of the "Modern Seinfeld" Twitter feed, which imagines the Seinfeld characters dealing with the day-to-day frustrations of things like texting, online dating, and the ubiquitous pumpkin spice.
So... what's a modern frustration, foible, or faux pas that you deal with your in everyday life?
This could be anything. People who leave voicemail instead of texting. Excessive emoji use. Whatever. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) We'll draw one winner at random -- that person will get both the tickets and gift card.
Pretty Much the Best Comedy Show featuring Josh Gondelman is this Saturday, January 23 at 8 pm at Proctors. The show includes an opening comedian and host. Tickets are $15 ahead / $20 day of.
Aperitivo Bistro is at 426 State St, just down the street from Proctors in downtown Schenectady, and features Italian fusion cuisine.
Important: All comments must be submitted by 6 pm on Thursday, January 21, 2016 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 10 pm on Thursday and must respond by noon on Friday, January 22.
Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.
Comments
Excessive cell phone use in restaurants!
... said Liz on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:05 AM | link
Losing important emails in my outlook due to the fact that I have too many sub-folders.
... said RR on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:05 AM | link
Not that I'm a wordsmith by any means but people just flat out pronouncing words incorrectly. When did the UN, as in unbelievable, become ONbelievable. I feel like George Costanza in that episode where his girlfriend pronounces papier-mache - pah-pee-yea mah-shay. George is getting very upset...
... said sarah on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:09 AM | link
Selfie sticks...and maybe just selfies in general.
... said KM on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:11 AM | link
My modern frustration is the overuse of the word "amazing." Didn't it used to mean causing amazement? Now it describes anything that's good.
... said Sandra on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:25 AM | link
People who send professional emails using text shorthand. Really, you can't type out "I'll let you know"??
... said Kate on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:32 AM | link
Cell phone use while out at dinner in a restaurant.
... said bb on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:32 AM | link
First of all @Sarah, hilarious!
Now regarding my thing, OVERHEARING OTHER PEOPLE'S PERSONAL PHONE CALLS BECAUSE THEY ARE YELLING LIKE THEY ARE ON THE BACK OF A CLIPPER SHIP.
... said J on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:35 AM | link
Friends, family, and co-workers using "reply-all" in email communication!!
... said Laura on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:39 AM | link
Too much screen time! Must. Do. Something. Without. A screen
... said KGlo on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:48 AM | link
Loud chewing and too much optimism. *shudders
... said Amelia on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:49 AM | link
When people carry on a conversation on their cell phone while in a public restroom stall!!
... said Kelly on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:52 AM | link
Long cell phone conversations at the gym. Why???
... said Sam on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:56 AM | link
My mother seems to think grandparenthood didn't exist prior to FaceTime.
... said RMH on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:18 PM | link
Misuse of ellipses in texting or email.
Me: 'Can I have Friday off?'.
Boss: 'Sure... Have fun.... '
Now I'm left wondering, should I take the day off??
... said Michelle on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:18 PM | link
Inescapable group texts!
... said EC on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:22 PM | link
Autocorrect!
... said AC on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:22 PM | link
The misuse of many words, but particularly "epic". Epic means a long poem, and does not mean cool, awesome or ultimate the way that most people seem to think it does.
... said Sara on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:27 PM | link
I get frustrated when companies expect me to know my account number. Can't they look that up?
... said ab on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:28 PM | link
People still believing that yoga pants are satisfactory office attire...
... said Sam on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:33 PM | link
Using texting abbreviations in face-to-face conversation. You don't have to say "lol". I can see your face.
... said Parker on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:36 PM | link
Can we stop with the phrase "cray cray" please?
... said Chris R. on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:45 PM | link
People who refuse to leave a message, refuse to check their messages, think that a "missed call" is the same as leaving a message to call them back.
... said Alyse Peterson on Jan 20, 2016 at 12:56 PM | link
Mom texts ! Wanted her to learn how and now regret it ,lol . Tell her I am at work , and she keeps sending 1 sentence texts - killing my battery! :0
... said WW on Jan 20, 2016 at 1:04 PM | link
children getting frustrated when they have to watch one commercial in order to watch an entire TV show....I remember when 15 minutes of a 30 minute show was devoted to ads.
... said Wolf on Jan 20, 2016 at 1:10 PM | link
What to do on the john when I don't have my cell phone with me. Reading the back of shampoo bottles just doesn't compare to angry birds.
... said Amy on Jan 20, 2016 at 1:18 PM | link
Cell phones. Too many people glued to them, too many conversations in wrong situations/places, etc.
Maybe there needs to be etiquette lessons before getting a phone or taught in school... maybe a license to have one. :-)
... said Dave R. on Jan 20, 2016 at 1:24 PM | link
When you text someone, and they like your instagram photo, and comment on facebook before they answer your text question.
... said Megan on Jan 20, 2016 at 1:41 PM | link
Passive aggressive Facebook posts.
... said Amy on Jan 20, 2016 at 1:43 PM | link
Excessively long texts that are received out of chronological order.
... said Su on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:15 PM | link
People talking on the phone while in a public restroom
... said Greg on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:16 PM | link
Clickbait articles. What happened to journalistic integrity?
... said Trish on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:27 PM | link
The belief that you will change the minds of many with one long-winded and uneducated contribution to a blog's comment section.
... said John on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:28 PM | link
complaining! :P
... said linz on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:38 PM | link
The state (and price) of internet and TV in the area.
... said Eric on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:44 PM | link
People who call you multiple times and don't leave a voicemail. Clearly you want something and I know you've called. Repeatedly. Use your words. Tell me what you're calling about. Otherwise it just gets creepy and creepier. We all have caller ID, people. I know you know I know you called!
... said Rebecca on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:44 PM | link
The TSA and flying post 9/11.
... said Chris on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:47 PM | link
Elementary-school aged children with smartphones. Why does your eight-year-old have a nicer phone than me? Who does your child text when she can't travel anywhere without adult supervision?
... said Nicole on Jan 20, 2016 at 2:49 PM | link
foible, huh? i think the social "fluffiness" of how we talk on the internet. I am not saying everything should be epic real talk or Robertsrulesoforder committee style discourse, but could everybody at least refrain from only responding with memes and the opinions or quotes of other people? The internet is such a big part of our lives that we should at least act like adults here sometimes. (a cat picture will always have a place online)
... said matt on Jan 20, 2016 at 3:10 PM | link
How everyone else seems to be able to add music on their Ipod except me.
... said Barold on Jan 20, 2016 at 3:35 PM | link
The word bae.
... said Jenn on Jan 20, 2016 at 3:48 PM | link
Pumping gas. Why the heck do we have to get out of our car to pump gas?
... said Ron on Jan 20, 2016 at 3:54 PM | link
Texting instead of calling. If it takes you five minutes to type out on your smartphone, or there will be paragraphs flying back and forth, just call.
... said Katie on Jan 20, 2016 at 4:16 PM | link
What's the deal with people adding -splaining to the end of words?
... said Mike on Jan 20, 2016 at 4:27 PM | link
The ever-increasing cost of my cell phone bill while the quality of my service seems to be in an exactly inverse decline.
... said jillya on Jan 20, 2016 at 4:44 PM | link
Fed up with popup ads at the bottom of the television screen during shows.
... said Rich on Jan 20, 2016 at 7:08 PM | link
Trying to purchase something and having to give the cashier my phone number and answering 10 questions before I can do so, especially when there's a line of people. In the same vein, I do not need 30 coupons when I buy one item. Sears, I am looking at you.
... said Jenn on Jan 20, 2016 at 7:41 PM | link
The Curse of Oak Island. Could it BE any slower!?!
... said Franz on Jan 20, 2016 at 8:05 PM | link
When I'm talking to someone and they glance at their cell phone. Really????
... said MargieC on Jan 20, 2016 at 9:25 PM | link
When people think putting their phone on vibrate is the same as putting their phone on silent.
... said KB on Jan 20, 2016 at 9:35 PM | link
That I can't eat steak and asparagus out of a tube.
... said Anthony on Jan 20, 2016 at 10:15 PM | link
Thumb cramps from swiping to the right.
... said El on Jan 20, 2016 at 10:22 PM | link
When I am included in group texts that have no relevance to me!
... said Dan on Jan 20, 2016 at 11:18 PM | link
Voicemails. Why leave a voice thats a pain to listen to when you can send a brief text.
... said Jordan on Jan 21, 2016 at 7:21 AM | link
Tights. Are. Not. Pants.
... said Tess on Jan 21, 2016 at 8:39 AM | link
Entering contests all the time and not winning :)
... said EH on Jan 21, 2016 at 8:46 AM | link
Auto-corrects always corrects something I do not want it to on my phone. Also when your smoke alarm goes off when your cooking, and it will always started to beep when its batteries are low in the middle of the night.
... said S on Jan 21, 2016 at 8:50 AM | link
People constantly using their cell phones, selfies, the word "vacay" instead of saying vacation like an adult.
... said Paul on Jan 21, 2016 at 9:08 AM | link
Aggravating pop up ads on websites and youtube videos.
... said Michelle on Jan 21, 2016 at 10:44 AM | link
Facebook trolls.
... said C. on Jan 21, 2016 at 11:13 AM | link
Cell phone conversations in public restrooms. SERIOUSLY??
... said s on Jan 21, 2016 at 12:20 PM | link
The perpetual awkwardness and misunderstandings caused by making plans via email and text message.
... said Jenna on Jan 21, 2016 at 12:41 PM | link
Constant gofundme requests for things that aren't that important.
... said AB on Jan 21, 2016 at 1:02 PM | link
My own lack of motivation.
... said Ed on Jan 21, 2016 at 1:45 PM | link
How most of the money that exchanges hands never actually exchanges hands.
... said derryX on Jan 21, 2016 at 3:08 PM | link
When waiters/waitresses don't write down your order, instead opting for the "memorization method". From the moment they leave the table to when the food arrives table side the anxiety is brewing amongst the dinner "guests". Will the order be correct? Will he remember no tomatoes? What about salad dressing on the side?
Once antcipation has reached its climax, the waiter emerges with the mistake ridden order and a disheveled look on their face. No one is impressed by your ability to get the order wrong.
... said Nick on Jan 21, 2016 at 3:11 PM | link
The sudden loss of service to all AT&T phones at my place of business, lasting over 2 months, and the refusal of AT&T to give us any straight answers...
If we don't have service, how can we have those loud conversations that annoy everyone else??? ;)
... said capgirl on Jan 21, 2016 at 3:32 PM | link
When you click a link to an article and begin reading it before all the ads have loaded so the page keeps jumping around and you wind up clicking on completely unrelated advertising links
... said Jeff on Jan 21, 2016 at 3:40 PM | link
The constant misuse of the word "literally". Even when I googled the word, there is an "informal" definition that acknowledges this misuse.
... said Matt on Jan 21, 2016 at 3:46 PM | link
Java updates.
... said rob on Jan 21, 2016 at 4:46 PM | link