The Chronic Consumer

If you’ve got an iPhone 4, then you have probably either experienced firsthand or heard about reception problems the device has when you hold it in a certain way. Disgruntled customers refer to this problem as the “iPhone 4 Death Grip”, which hasn’t gone over well with the folks at Apple. In fact, Steve Jobs continues to deny that there are any problems with the phone itself, instead blaming the brouhaha on an error in the algorithm that calculates signal strength. He insists that even if the bars drop during the “Death Grip”, the signal strength is still there.

Despite all that, Apple has decided to give away free iPhone 4 bumper cases to customers complaining about the Death Grip. Details on how to get a free case, which should eliminate the problem, are still pending, so stay tuned for more info.

We always hear about the most popular gaming titles for certain platforms, like how the Mario series is a big winner for Nintendo Wii. But what about the least popular games, the ones that really tank with the general public? Well, I just read that Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 is the least played game among Wii owners. According to the Nintendo Channel, gamers logged a scant 1 hour and 51 minutes playing this title before giving up on it.

I know Michaels is a trainer from the Biggest Loser television show, but I don’t know anything else about her or the game — except that I won’t be buying it anytime soon!

Today is 7/11, which means that it’s the day the 7-Eleven chain observes its “birthday”. There won’t be any cake and ice cream, but participating locations will be giving away free Slurpees while supplies last. This has been going on since 2002, but I’ve never participated because I do not like Slurpees at all. I’ll be skipping this year’s “celebration” as well, but I do know a lot of folks — particularly the kids — love Slurpees, so I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you to go and get your free one today!

The whole LeBron James free agency hoopla has trickled down into the shopping world. After James’ announcement that he’s leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, one of the Cleveland owners penned a scathing open letter to James, calling him a coward and traitor, among other things. The owner, who also has holdings in the Fathead company, is also behind today’s drastic price drop on LBJ Fatheads (which are essentially life-size stickers that you put on your wall). The Fatheads usually retail for around $100, but today the price was slashed to $17.41 — allegedly because that’s the year Benedict Arnold, the famous Revolutionary War traitor, was born. Ouch.

The Cavs are reacting worse than dieters finding out about the apidexin scam. I can understand that they’d be angry, but doing all these things in such a public way seems a bit wrong. Then again, one could always argue that LeBron started it by announcing his decision on public television without telling Cleveland owners first. Hmm, let’s just say both parties are acting like spoiled brats and leave it at that!

Okay, after going back and forth for the longest time about whether or not I should buy any diet pills, I’ve decided to go ahead and order Phentermine. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that there’s no way I’m losing this weight all on my own. I need the extra help that an appetite suppressant can provide, so I’m just gonna bite the bullet and place my order. If the stuff works, I’ll of course be ecstatic to finally be making progress. If it doesn’t, then I’ll be out a couple bucks and have to try again. I think the pros outweigh the potential cons here.

Well, I wish I could say I’m aging gracefully, but the truth is that I’m really not. It seems that I look worse and worse each day, with the wrinkles on my face becoming more pronounced and the gray continuing to creep through my hair. Obviously, this stuff isn’t happening overnight, but it sure does feel that way.

Ugh, I what I think I really need to do is quit complaining and actually take some action for once. For instance, I should go ahead and color my hair the next time my stylist not-so-subtly hints at it. Also, I should go ahead and buy that Oxytoxin Type-II wrinkle cream that my friends have been raving about. I shouldn’t be ashamed and embarrassed to use these products. After all, that’s what they’re there for. And who knows, maybe I’ll actually start looking (and feeling) better after a month or two!

I need a new laptop, as my old one unceremoniously died on me. I still have a netbook, but it’s a cheap-o model that isn’t capable of doing everything I need it to. So now I’m saving up my money and will try to get a laptop as soon as possible.

I’ve been looking at a few different Sony VAIO models, and like what I’ve seen thus far. That’s one option. I might also lean the other way and go with Apple — either by getting a MacBook or an iPad. I don’t know enough about either of those products yet to make a decision now, though.

Guess I’ll have to keep researching until I have the money to actually buy something!

The Tour de France is now underway, and though I’m not much of a cycling fan, I’ve been watching the early stages here because my son wanted to see Lance Armstrong ride. I can’t believe Armstrong is still competing at a top level like this. Cycling is a young man’s sport, and Armstrong certainly isn’t “young” anymore. Plus, you have to remember all he’s been through with testicular cancer and whatnot. It’s simply amazing all the things he has accomplished in his career!

That being said, I have to wonder how long it will be before the doping accusations start. No doubt Lance will get tested for hgh and whatever else cyclists might use to gain an edge on the competition. Although Lance has never tested positive, rumors and lies have swirled around him for years. I guess people just refuse to believe that someone could possibly be such a superior athlete. Whatever. Go Lance!!!

(Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)