I've got a bunch of thoughts that I haven't published in a tickler file. I use these thoughts to inform articles that I never get around to writing. So let's blow up this tickler file and stop pretending these will ever become DimeBrother articles. Here they is (some of them, at least).

2012 is almost upon us. It’s time to retire some words and phrases before I throw up a little in my mouth again.

What do commentators mean when they say a football player has class? That he respects his football opponents? Or that he keeps his extra-marital affair private?

Should there be a distinction between class in the public and private realms? I don't think so. Some sports stars get described with class while others (with possibly more class) don't. And we still haven't even defined "class."

People have made this public-private distinction for selfish gains since times eternal, justifying hypocritical or evil behavior. But now they seem to have a good way to explain it away. Even if you're a total jerk at home, as long as you behave in public, you can be a "real class guy."

Equate brand cough drops at Walmart used to come in packs of 100 for about $1.67. Then they reduced the count to 50 and started charging about $0.98. Ug. The other day I saw them for about $0.93 with a rollback sign on them... the rollback being "technically true" but not in the spirit of real reduced prices. (Still cheaper than competition, though.)

Experts in their fields often make up words to describe what has become commonplace for them. Too bad those words don't hold meaning for the average individual.

Do you have a technical question you need answered? You could try to submit a request for help on a tech support website. Here’s an example question and conversation.

I’ve got some gripes over how salad and pizza are prepared.

I appreciate the assumption, cab drivers, but, no, I cannot read your mind. I suggest just using your blinkers in all circumstances.

Article about Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor and the NCAA rules game which is basically a joke.

Here's a quote from a USnews.com retirement advice article featured on Yahoo:

"A 55-year-old earning $80,000 a year could accumulate $444,610 by age 65 if he or she tucked away 27.5 percent of pay each year, according to recent T. Rowe Price calculations. The estimate assumes a 3 percent annual raise, a 3 percent employer 401(k) match, and 8 percent compounded annual returns."

What's the average salary of 55-year-olds? What's the average salary of 55-year-olds seeking to save for retirement? Maybe then you can get to that $80k salary number.

3% employer 401k match - this is probably high compared to what most people get. And most probably don't receive a match at all. (Granted, the article probably isn't meant for self-employed carpenters, but it just sounds so pretentious.)

8% annual returns?! Really? What planet are you on? What year is it for you? How on earth is that an honest or reasonable assumption to make?