Posts Tagged ‘amazon.com’

Amazon Fail – more to the story #amazonfail

Monday, April 13th, 2009

As some of you may have read, Amazon.com has begun pulling the sales rank numbers from several gay and lesbian books, claiming that the books are "adult" and should be excluded from some searches and lists. You can also do a search on Twitter for "amazonfail" to see the plethora of stories and posts about this issue.

The problem with this approach, other than the obvious decision that because a book deals with GBLT issues it must be "adult", is that it's also completely and utterly inconsistent. Books such as autobiographies of Ellen Degeneres and Melissa Etheridge, along with books about the history of homosexuality and a biography of Harvey Milk are flagged, while other books, like the Anarchist's Cookbook, autobiographies by Ron Jeremy and Traci Lords, nude photography books, Playboy coffee table books, and "A Parent's Guide To Preventing Homosexuality" retain their sales ranks.

The sales rankings matter because they affect search results drastically. Amazon.com is in essence manipulating the search results for books in a highly discriminatory way, and it's completely despicable.

I did some digging and discovered some additional products that are also being excluded by Amazon:

  • Sensual lubrication with the flavors of pineapple, cherry, or guava
  • Both the largest and peewee size Durex condoms
  • Kittens
  • Any movie with C. Thomas Howell in it
  • The Shamwow
  • Used copies of "The Da Vinci Code" that are sold from stores in Kentucky
  • Red staplers
  • The Kundle, a Croatian competitor to the Kindle
  • Havarti cheese
  • Any product from any store that has the word "allegory" in the title or description
  • The Stink-No-Mor cat litterbox cleaner
  • "Paul Blart, Mall Cop"
  • The KOHLER K-10433-VS Forte Single Control Pullout Kitchen Sink Faucet with Color-Matched Sprayhead and Lever Handle
  • Any brand of platinum grillz, and, finally,
  • The Book of Mormon

Before, it might have just been a mild annoyance, but after seeing this new list, it's a total outrage! Maybe if Jeff Bezos read my inspirational Bible verses for Easter from yesterday's post, he wouldn't be treading down such a dark and evil path!

Lazy Sunday 50

Sunday, August 10th, 2008

Welcome to the 50th and final edition of Lazy Sunday!

I've been enjoying doing these contests but the time and effort involved writing them every Saturday started to seem reversely proportional to the number of people who entered. It also started getting more difficult to come up with clever answers that weren't rehashing old answers, so I think it's best to go out on a high note.

This week's prize is an Avitable prize pack containing the following:

  • A "Viva El Avitable" T-shirt in whatever size and color you want.
  • A six-pack of Avitable condoms.
  • An autographed drawing by me, of anything you want.
  • An iPod shuffle.
  • A $25 Amazon.com or iTunes gift certificate.
  • A guest post on your blog by me.
  • A one-night hotel stay in Altamonte Springs for the night of the Halloween party on November 1st. If you cannot come to the party, you can get an additional $25 Amazon.com or iTunes gift certificate instead.

For this week's contest, there are no answers – only questions! What television series, movie, or song is referenced by each question? They're not all the same movie or TV show this time!

For each one that you correctly guess, you'll get one raffle ticket, and, just like normal, I'll put all the raffle tickets into one virtual hat and draw a name for the winner. The winner to my last contest will be announced next Sunday!


1. Have you ever pretended to be your girlfriend or boyfriend's dad?

2. Would you ever cut one of your friends on purpose?

3. Where's the worst place you've ever gone without a weapon or Backup?

4. Are you afraid of tollbooths?

5. Have you ever worn OR scrubs?

6. What do you do with a smell that won't come out?

7. Don't you hate when nobody will acknowledge you or talk to you?

8. Can you fly a plane? Does anyone know?

9. Do you fight with your wife or husband and in-laws non-stop during Christmas?

10. Have you ever burned something valuable that wasn't yours?

11. Has anybody ever shot you with a BB pistol?

12. Can you go to the bathroom if someone is listening?

13. Have you ever bought the very last hot dog from a hot dog stand?

14. Would you kiss a toaster?

15. Do you like gladiator movies?


Congratulations to the following people who correctly guessed the answer to last week's contest:
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Lazy Sunday XLIX

Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

Welcome to the penultimate 49th Edition of Lazy Sunday!

I don't know if I'm just making these too hard or if everybody's just really hungover on Sundays recently, but the results were pretty miserable – skip to the end of the post to see the correct answers and last week's winner.

Anyways, this is the second to last Lazy Sunday contest! That's right – after giving away over $1000 in prizes (that I paid for myself – I received no sponsorship or freebies for these contests), I'm going to host two more contests, and that's it!

But these last two are going to be a doozy, and the rules are gonna change.

For this week's contest, all 15 references are for the same television series, musical artist, or movie. That's right – all you have to do is figure out one answer!

Since once someone correctly guesses, everybody would be able to easily figure it out, comments are closed. Instead of commenting with your answer, I want you to email me at my first name at my last name dot com. Put the subject line "Lazy Sunday 49" and write your answer in your email.

Each person who emails me by midnight on Tuesday will get a raffle ticket, and I'll pick one at random to give this week's prize, which is:

An 8GB iPod touch!

So let's see how you do, and tune in next Sunday to find out the winners and see what next week's unbelievable contest will bring!


1. Do you sleep in your bra?
Usually I sleep under my Avitable sheets.

2. Do you enjoy drama?
Only if I can rent it from the vendor between the scanner and the coffee machine.

3. Are you a girly girl?
No, I'm tough, especially if someone shoots me.

4. Do you dress up on Halloween?
I dress up as a woman in a dress, but I keep my cigar and don't shave.

5. What are you doing right now?
Protecting the chastity of a youngish girl.

6. Have you ever been called a bad influence?
Not if they don't want their crotches to hurt like a motherfucker.

7. Are you currently frustrated with a guy?
I keep thinking he's just going to fall asleep on me.

8. Do you have a best friend that's a guy?
Sort of.

9. Have you ever thought of having plastic surgery?
I had my nose done as a teen.

10. Do you like your life?
I did until I had the special.

11. Have you ever had a good feeling about something?
Yes, and apparently my good feelings are more than that.

12. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?
I just want to see if my ass is still as big.

13. Recently done anything you regret?
Does self-consumption count?

14. Whats the closest thing to you that's liquid?
Self-referential yogurt.

15. Are you easily confused?
Yeah. And I take orders from the President way too literally.


And here are the answers and winners from last week's contest :
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Lazy Sunday XLVIII

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

Welcome to the 48th Edition of Lazy Sunday!

Boy, you guys really sucked last week. Really. The most that anyone got right was 6, and there were five questions that nobody got right at all. I'm so ashamed of all of you.

This week's prize is a $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com!

Everyone has a chance at winning, so don't be shy! The questions may be hard, but everyone who's between the ages of 16 and 80 should be able to get at least one correct – I promise.

The rules:

It's very simple. I go through my Myspace friends and pick one of their survey bulletins and answer 15 of the questions. Every answer contains a reference to a movie, a television show, or a song. Just guess as many as you can – some will be laughably easy and some will be very difficult. Every correct answer is like a raffle ticket – you get one chance to win per correct answer. If you get 1 right, your name goes in the proverbial hat. If you get 10 right, your name goes in ten times. Et cetera. You're on the honor system – try not to Google or look at other people's answers!

The contest ends Tuesday at midnight EST. I'll give the correct answers and the winner on the following Sunday.

Ready? Here we go!


1. Do you have a best friend who knows you inside and out?
I am my own best friend. I like pizza.

2. Have you ever been punched by the opposite sex?
No, but I almost hooked up with my mom.

3. What color are the walls in your room?
Well, my wall is more like a pattern. Just like my shirt!

4. When is the last time you cried?
When you buried me in the front yard.

5. Are you falling for anyone?
Well, I fantasize about my therapist.

6. Where will you be in an hour?
Going for a haircut, then I'll probably drop in for a pie.

7. What's your biggest flaw?
I have a drinking problem. It's all Elaine's fault.

8. What do you feel right now?
Other than the earth moving under my feet?

9. Have you ever dated anyone longer than a year?
I haven't dated anyone since my assistant died in 1996. All the rest of my assistants have spurned me or been lesbians.

10. Do you want kids?
As long as they don't become pen pals with a serial killer.

11. Do you do things you later regret?
I regret wasting every single summer on that damn radio contest.

12. What made you happy today?
Selling museum tickets and my tasty fucking fried chicken.

13. Who was the last friend at your house?
Martha and Rose stopped by.

14. What were you doing an hour ago?
Fucking the judge's niece in his house.

15. Have you ever been in trouble with the police?
I thought I was, but I was just learning a lesson about teaching lessons.


And here are the answers and winners from last week's contest :
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Lazy Sunday XXXIV

Sunday, April 6th, 2008

You can find last week's answers and contest winner in an extended entry, but now it's time for today's Lazy Sunday contest! This week's prize is a Palm-size RC Helicopter that actually flies!

Everyone has a chance at winning, so don't be shy! I'm trying to find a good balance between easy and hard questions, too, so if you feel frustrated, just answer the ones you know. Everyone who's between the ages of 16 and 80 should be able to get at least one correct – I promise.

The rules:

It's very simple. Every answer contains a reference to a movie, a television show, or a song. Just guess as many as you can – some will be laughably easy and some will be very difficult. You have two chances to comment with your answers.

Every correct answer is like a raffle ticket – you get one chance to win per correct answer. If you get 1 right, your name goes in the proverbial hat. If you get 10 right, your name goes in ten times. Et cetera.

The contest ends Tuesday at midnight EST. I'll give the correct answers and the winner on the following Sunday.

I've tried to make it slightly more Google-proof, although some of them are easily found if you're lazy. Otherwise, it should be simple, but if you have any questions, just ask in the comments.

Ready? Here we go!


1. Would you kill your neighbor?
The Klopeks? Sure. They're a bunch of creepy fuckers.

2. What’s one word that describes your last fight?
Ridiculous. Someone threw a pillow in my face in a hospital room and it almost smothered me.

3. What were you doing ten minutes ago?
Sliding through the house in my underwear and socks and Ray-Bans.

4. Do you carve pumpkins every year?
No – I don't want to blaspheme The Great Pumpkin.

5. What's your favorite season?
The winter. Although it's hell going through the giant hedge maze when it snows.

6. How are you feeling right now?
I feel like I'm going to die, but falling into the pool facefirst might make me feel better.

7. What did you do this weekend?
I cut out pictures of my girlfriend and glued them to my coathangers in my closet.

8. What is the last thing you touched?
Well, I touched the ear of this guy I was going out on a date with, and then touched my hair.

9. Have you ever been called a punk?
No, but I've been called a toaster.

10. Do you have a favorite number?
1.21

11. Do you hate anyone/anything?
Well I hate that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out.

12. If you could meet anyone who would it be?
Well, I'd want to meet and fight William Shatner.

13. Last time you went out to lunch?
At a polo match when my friend's friend found out I was a hooker.

14. Say you were given a drug test right now.
You might find out that I've sucked dick for coke.

15. Do people ever spell your name wrong?
Nah. It's an easy one – Nahasapeemapetilon.


And here are the answers and winners from last week's contest :
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Lazy Sunday XXXIII

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

You can find last week's answers and contest winner in an extended entry, but now it's time for today's Lazy Sunday contest! This week's prize is another iPod Shuffle!

Everyone has a chance at winning, so don't be shy! I'm trying to find a good balance between easy and hard questions, too, so if you feel frustrated, just answer the ones you know. Everyone who's between the ages of 16 and 80 should be able to get at least one correct – I promise.

The rules:

It's very simple. Every answer contains a reference to a movie, a television show, or a song. Just guess as many as you can – some will be laughably easy and some will be very difficult. You have two chances to comment with your answers.

Every correct answer is like a raffle ticket – you get one chance to win per correct answer. If you get 1 right, your name goes in the proverbial hat. If you get 10 right, your name goes in ten times. Et cetera.

The contest ends Tuesday at midnight EST. I'll give the correct answers and the winner on the following Sunday.

I've tried to make it slightly more Google-proof, although some of them are easily found if you're lazy. Otherwise, it should be simple, but if you have any questions, just ask in the comments.

Ready? Here we go!


1. How did you wake up this morning?
Fully dressed, on top of the covers, on my stomach with my butt in the air and my nose pressed against my pillow.

2. Which is more romantic: sunrise or sunset?
As we fly into the sun to reignite it, I don't get to experience either.

3. Are you wearing any non-clothing items?
A hockey mask, plus I'm carrying a baseball bat and a golf club.

4. What did you do yesterday?
The Triple Lindy.

5. Would you take a bullet for anyone?
No, but I'd keep a watch in my ass.

6. Did you meet anyone new today?
This kid with an upside-down face.

7. Have you ever been on the radio?
Like, the CB Radio? Yeah, my handle was Lost Sheep.

8. What did you drink today?
Ten tons of Sunny D.

9. What's the last bone you broke?
None. But I have stabbed my brain when I had my finger in my nose and my dad launched our car through the air by accident.

10. Where was the last place you went shopping?
I don't shop anymore since I was apprehended shoplifting when I was five years old.

11. When did you go swimming last?
A while ago, when I was a kid. I was drowning when I was rescued by this naked blonde chick off Cape Cod.

12. What book did you read last?
The Necronomicon. When it wasn't trying to bite me.

13. Do you like animals?
Just my friend Rizzo.

14. Are you scared of spiders?
Yes, especially when they're the size of a car. I have to get William Buckley to kill them.

15. How do you walk?
Like Khaba.


And here are the answers and winners from last week's contest :
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Lazy Sunday XXXII

Sunday, March 23rd, 2008

prize-amazon.jpg

You can find last week's answers and contest winner in an extended entry, but now it's time for today's Lazy Sunday contest! This week's prize is a $30 Amazon.com Gift Card!

Everyone has a chance at winning, so don't be shy! I'm trying to find a good balance between easy and hard questions, too, so if you feel frustrated, just answer the ones you know. Everyone who's between the ages of 16 and 80 should be able to get at least one correct – I promise.

The rules:

It's very simple. Every answer contains a reference to a movie, a television show, or a song. Just guess as many as you can – some will be laughably easy and some will be very difficult. You have two chances to comment with your answers.

Every correct answer is like a raffle ticket – you get one chance to win per correct answer. If you get 1 right, your name goes in the proverbial hat. If you get 10 right, your name goes in ten times. Et cetera.

The contest ends Tuesday at midnight EST. I'll give the correct answers and the winner on the following Sunday.

I've tried to make it slightly more Google-proof, although some of them are easily found if you're lazy. Otherwise, it should be simple, but if you have any questions, just ask in the comments.

Ready? Here we go!


1. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
Yes, but this time, Susan would probably be arrested. She'll have to wait until I'm 30 for real.

2. Last voicemail you received?
From my friend Marcus. He's in Egypt.

3. What did you do yesterday?
I traded in my halo to be with this beautiful doctor. Today really sucks, though.

4. What's the first thing you would do with 5 million dollars?
I'd have a Zoroastrian named Wilma shave my testicles ritualistically.

5. What color socks are you wearing?
White. They go well with my white loafers and gray suit.

6. What are you listening to?
Desperado. Every time I hear it, I stare off into space.

7. How many fingers am i holding up?
Six. On one hand.

8. When's the last time you cried?
When Claire died. If she hadn't had to drive me home, she never would have been hit by that drunk driver.

9. Have you ever crawled through a window?
I usually only jump through windows when they're skylights. It makes for a great entrance, especially if there's a bad guy inside.

10. What do you spend most of your money on?
Wigs, women's dresses, makeup, glasses, and everything else I need to be believable as Dorothy Michaels.

11. Who has your heart?
It's been totally eclipsed by Bonnie.

12. Have you ever kissed two people in the same day?
Are we talking about a church kiss?

13. Do you like yourself?
Only when I think about you. Then I really like myself.

14. What objects are around you right now?
Well, there are some moths, a pit, a hose, a bucket on a rope, and some lotion.

15. What's your middle name?
I don't have one. Neither does my brother Ambrose.


And here are the answers and winners from last week's contest :
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