Dropped But Not Forgotten

Friday links, dedicated to the guy who dropped his iPhone onto the subway tracks at Union Square this morning. Inexplicably, he just walked away after dropping it. Consider it gone, my friend.


Chart of News Articles from 1980-1989 concerning "pudding" - Google

There appears to have been a surge of pudding-related articles around 1950, a rate not matched until the '80's.

This is ridiculous. I love Google.


JON AND KATE'S KIDS START SCHOOL! - NY Post

Speaks for itself.


Bald Penguin Gets Sunburn Wetsuit - BBC News

I'm not uncovering some hidden story here, but humans altering the Darwinian fate of cute animals always brings a smile to my face.

Vacation, All I Never Wanted

ALERT ALERT. In case your summer reading list isn't already weighed down with books you'll never open, check out the Obama family's vacation reading list.

Of course, I could care less about this list because books, by definition, are stupid. I only bring the internet and a Game Boy with me on all trips I take.

The important results of this news are the democracy-engendering comments produced by America's self-defeatingly witty readers. As always, the poorer the grammar the more effective the blow:

"1. Bob Mandakas 08.25.09
How about reading the CONSITUTION that would be good"

Touche, Bob - that would be very good. Never mind those party poopers who followed your comment by referring to Obama's time as a Constitutional Law professor at Liberal State U.

I'll leave it to a vaguely Eastern European internet user to complete the next logical thought:

"14. Lynn 08.25.09
Is it a custome for the President in US to have a book-reading list in vocation? I think it’s good! And with a Bible would be perfect!"

To quote a man much wiser than myself, "I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free."

Entering the Unknown

When I was a kid, perhaps the sweetest purchase I could make was the grab bag at a local drug store. To be honest, it didn't matter what was inside - it was a variety bag to be grabbed, so the entertainment was inherent.

I had mostly forgotten about this until a few weeks ago when, poking around eBay, I decided to look up some lot auctions that sell a bunch of things at once.

Immediately I came across an auction of 30 shirts...for $60. That, my friends, is a bargain. And not only is it a bargain, but the seller refused to describe the different sizes of the shirts, maxing out the intrigue factor.

They could all be my size or all XXXXL - there is much potential to waste $60 here. But then again...it's a grab bag of shirts. A grab bag.

I ended up not bidding but it left me with the impression that grab bags are the perfect way for any store to come through in these recessed times. I could give a rat's ass about most retailers, be they online or storefront. But if poorlyconstructedhandbag.com had a grab bag sale...I might be needing some handbags.

Hell, why don't car dealers give it shot? Lord knows I'm not going to consider buying a new, American vehicle unless it's the last running motor on earth. And I'd probably still go for the Honda. But if Chevy offered me a random assortment of vehicles for $50,000...I'd be tempted. They could be the complete, brand-new line of electric vehicles or a fleet of '86 Novas but that is a risk I am morally obligated to take.

Brute Hilarity

People all over are decrying the return of right-wing extremists these days, be it the Homeland Security folks, the SPLC, or your friendly, neighborhood liberalite.

First off, I thought their "return" was the past eight years. But more importantly, I say bring on the nutjobs. God willing, the FBI and whatnot will keep a tab on the violence, because these guys are just too darned funny not to have around.

When was the last time someone brought a gun to a public meeting on healthcare? Why on Earth would this be necessary? Of course it's not necessary, but it is hilarious.

I know we've reached the line of no return when people do stuff like this:

This week, the Secret Service detained a man outside a congressional town hall meeting in Maryland. He was carrying a sign reading “Death to Obama.” Referring to the president’s wife and daughters, the sign also read, “Death to Michelle and her two stupid kids.” (Christian Science Monitor)

My only real complaint, aside from the death part, is that these people can't find more creative ways of voicing their unecessarily vehement anger. If chanting "death to blankety-blank" is the best they can do, they gotta reassess their priorities. Although I do admit, those kids might be stupid.

at a recent town hall meeting, Lebanon, PA

I'm not going to listen to something from the colloquial chum bucket - get some rhymes in there! Refer to a long-standing yet unrelated event that provokes irrational anger! How about a haiku to put those Ivy League tightwads in tizzy:

Barack's healthcare? Great.
But my healthcare? Not so great.
Roe v. Wade? Still dumb.

That's free of charge, nutty right-wingers. Now go back out there, preferably without so many weapons, and show those communist surrender monkeys who really represents 1.3% of the population.

Love in My Tummy

Apologies for the lack of posts lately. I will give you no acceptable reason for my e-absence.

I am a big fan of web page comments. I am also a ginormous fan of Nong Shim Ramen. Today, the interweb and noodle gods have conferred and blessed me with this piece of love from Amazon's Nong Shim Spicy Ramen (the best kind, really) page:

good snack and meal, April 2, 2009
By D. S. Lee "dong" (silver
spring, md)
My family like all kind of Ramyun. I like spicy but my children
doesn't. But this Rymyun my chuildren like very much. All family enjoy Shin
Ramyun.

I gotta agree with Dong on this one: all family do enjoy this product, especially my family of one.