Freaky Friday
Did you know there’s a name for those who fear Friday the 13th? Paraskevidekatriaphobics. Try saying that three times fast. Some sources say it may be the most widespread superstition in the United States. Some people won’t go to work on Friday the 13th; some won’t eat in restaurants; many wouldn’t think of setting a wedding on the date. Just how many Americans at the turn of the millennium still suffer from this condition? According to Dr. Donald Dossey, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of phobias (and coiner of the term “paraskevidekatriaphobia”), the figure may be as high as 21 million. If he’s right, eight percent of Americans are still in the grips of a very old superstition. Statistically, only about...
Read MoreGo Sell Crazy Somewhere Else
I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried. I was on my way to work a few days ago – cruising down Alton Boulevard at about 45 mph – when a small geriatric Asian woman suddenly jumped out in front of my car. Her left hand went up, palm out, making the universal symbol for “stop” as though she was a traffic cop managing a busy intersection during a power outage. It was an interesting choice. My car is a 14 year old Mitsubishi Eclipse with nearly 200,000 miles on it. No disc brakes, just drums. No anti-lock system. No crumple zones, airbags, or sneeze guards. Suffice it to say I left skid marks on the ground… and in less mentionable places. This crazy woman avoided an ambulance ride by mere inches. Did she take a...
Read MoreA Stitch in Time Saves Nine
I’m not even sure what to say about this, except it seems clear now why the Rams moved out of Los Angeles. It wasn’t the crumbling Colesium, the antics of owner Georgia Frontiere, or a lack of support from the community. It was the Ghost of Needlepoints Past: I kid because I love. God bless Grier for being mature enough to not only stick with the name ‘Rosie’ but to also publish a book on needlepoint. He’s was a bigger guy than I am. And at 300 lbs, I do mean that literally. Speaking of 300 lb. linebackers, that probably explains why few people gave him a hard time about this avocation. His other love was beating the pulp out of an offensive line. Makes me wonder how many people ended up attending the Rosie Grier School of...
Read MoreSmooch
Alcohol impairs judgement. Since when?? Lesley and I found this and several other humorous trash cans at the Dana Point Harbor today. (Did I just use the phrase “humorous trash cans”? That’s a first.)
Read MoreA Modest Proposal
I hope Ken Lay, Dennis Kozlowski, Bernie Ebbers, and others of their ilk are reading this. BEIJING (Reuters) – China executed four people, including employees of two of its Big Four state-owned banks, for fraud totaling $15 million, the state Xinhua news agency said Tuesday. The executions occurred in the midst a high-profile government campaign against financial crime. They followed a string of arrests in white-collar crime as China prepares to sell shares publicly in its big banks. The story goes on to detail the method of execution: a gunshot to the back of the head. Now, if this is the punishment for $15 million in fraud, what kind of penalty would Kenneth Lay — who saw more than $1 billion worth of securities and wire fraud on his watch —...
Read MoreHigh Jumping the Olympic Shark
In honor of this weekend’s closing ceremonies (and sponsored in part by Rich’s Top Five List-o-Rama), I give you the Top Ten Signs the Olympics Have Jumped the Shark: 10. The Parthenon was built faster than the Olympic stadium 9. Synchronized swimming? 8. Not a single riot during Olympic soccer 7. Forty percent of tickets unsold 6. U.S. women’s basketball team referred to as The Dream Queens 5. Carly Patterson’s eyebrows 4. Bob Costas 3. What’s with all the falafel? 2. Seventy-five pound gymnast declared obese due to incorrect starting value … and the number one sign the Olympics have jumped the shark: 1. Race walking (aka hitting rock...
Read MoreThe Crazy Jackson
When I refer to the “crazy Jackson”, you’d think I’m talking about Michael. And up until now, you’d be right. But from out of nowhere comes sister Janet to claim that title by suggesting that her “wardrobe malfunction” at the Superbowl is actually President Bush’s fault. According to Janet, the President engineered the whole fracas in order to divert attention from the situation in Iraq. As if this wasn’t enough, she offered Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 as some sort of confirmation of the fact. I guess the only question she didn’t have the answer for was: is koo-koo one word or two?
Read MoreA Modest Proposal for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
My pal Rich Manning has some serious concerns about who is–and isn’t–being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After looking at this year’s list of honorees (George Harrison, ZZ Top, Prince, Jackson Browne, and Bob Seger), your humble host joins him in weeping for the future. I hate to bring up the obvious, but shouldn’t there be a “freak factor” limit for inductees? For example, even if Michael Jackson were the undisputed hands-down greatest musician of all time, should he be inducted if he’s convicted of molesting 50 children? What would happen to the list of eligible artists if some common sense were injected into the process of selecting inductees? Let’s take a look. In Prince’s case, he...
Read MoreCamera For Sale
Anyone need a cool digital camera, cheap? A friend sent me this message: “I’m selling a friend’s digital camera. He’s in the hospital now, and will probably be there for a while. He needs the money to pay for medical bills – it’s a great camera, see the attached last picture he took to see the amazing photo resolution & quality.”
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