Friday, May 30, 2008

Nano Noodles

In a story under the heading "innovation" MSNBC is reporting a breakthrough of epic proportions, if not epic portions. Japanese Scientists have created the world's smallest bowl of ramen noodles.

Please. Hold your applause.

Using microscopic nanotubes, coupled with an amazingly odd set of priorities, scientists from the former "Empire of the Sun" have finally devised a meal that has less actual sustenance than a SubWay™ FreshFit™ meal.

In a related story, Chinese officials are rethinking the all-you-can-eat-buffet export program.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Earbud-Heads

Is there anything in the world that says, "I'm an ass!" in the efficient way that cell phone ear-pieces do? Like almost everything else, there are time and places when these gadgets are appropriate if not downright necessary. For instance the busy exec with both arms full of embezzled billions can't hold a cell phone. Nor can the over caffeinated speedster during his/her rush hour commute.

But what about the suburban dad who's sitting in the Arby's of the local mall, brats in tow, scarfing down a Big Montana and obviously not talking on the cell phone , who still insists on wearing this little self-important accessory as though the President might call at any moment and freeing up a pudgy hand to hold a phone to his ear is just not in the cards? How about that geeky I.T. fidget that roams the office building? He's got a Mountain Dew in one hand and must keep the other free to continually pull the wedge out of his butt. He's got an ear-piece, too. The only real mystery is which of his three visible, displayed-on-his-belt-under-his-flabby-gut phones that it works with.

You know what else? Search Google for "cell phone earbuds" and you'll see that they have new models that are designed to go unnoticed. I'm betting that this technological breakthrough will prompt the tools mentioned about to take them out of their ears in conspicuous ways.

Heard on "The Herd"

Colin Cowherd, host of "The Thundering Herd" on ESPN Radio weekday afternoons, will undoubtedly be a frequent attraction on "Now That's Just Dumb!" I've been listening to him long enough to be unsurprised by some silly things that come out of his mouth, case in point, this afternoon when talking about his weekend:

"I took my daughter ice skating this weekend. She took a spill and I asked her if she wanted some ice. It stuck me as odd because if someone cuts themselves with a knife, you never say, 'Hey, can I get you a knife?' But when someone falls on the ice, we offer them ice."

Admittedly, that is paraphrased, not actually quoted. But I promise you that if you find the audio you'll hear something very, very close to that. The meaning, whatever the heck it is, is unchanged.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

All Ah-Gassed!

This is a real story about someone I really know. Hope I get to hear the who story someday.

SUNBURY - A Northumberland man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly causing a disturbance in Sunbury. Police were called to Weis Markets where they found 39-year-old [Name Removed] causing a disturbance, reportedly over a gas reward promotion.

[The man] reportedly attempted to break the rules of the contest and
refused to leave when asked to by employees. He also failed to follow directions
of officers. Yucha was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.
Charges were filed before District Justice [Name Removed].

I knew it was only a matter of time before those gas prices drove someone over the edge.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Inspired Creation

Over this past Memorial Day Weekend, I heard two very dumb things uttered.

First, when this friend expressed that she didn't know what to take to a picnic the following day, someone suggested she cut up a watermelon. The friend answered:

"I don't want to sound dumb, but I don't think I know how to do that."

That was dumb inspiration #1.


The husband of that same friend, during a discussion about childhood obesity (just the topic for a picnic) said of Kool-Aide:

"Sugar isn't the issue with those drinks, it's the calories."

Evidently, he believes that Kool-Aide gets its calories from fat.

Either way, these two incidents reminded me that common sense is anything but common and there is a lot of dumb to go round. So...