Popular Things

Today

2009-07-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Today I am going to get shit done. I figured out the secret, and it partially explains why idiots make great workers. If you don't think and just do, you can get a lot done. I am going to apply that today and see how much gets done. I did it last night trying to fall asleep. I am usually a rough sleeper but by thinking about nothing (for once) I fell asleep in a few minutes. Nice!

Ignorance is bliss, I guess. Hopefully it is success too. EBAY guys, take note.

Ryan Grant

2009-07-21T11:56:00.001-07:00

Todya I saw Ryan Grant on ESPN being interviewed. One thing we noticed was that he talked a lot about nothing. This is one thing the Packers seem to be doing lately- talking a lot about nothing. So, without further ado, I present a dialogue about nothing:

Clearly, what the world needs most today isn't an obvious solution. The key, simply, is to make do with what there is, but in the end, make it better and bigger, geater, and stronger, unless of course it needs to be smaller or faster, in which case make it so, but I think the main thing is that it really needs to be the solution that best offers gains for our problems and reaches to the most general solution possible. Thats what the idea is.

Printable Tattoo Designs Online

2009-06-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

http://arcsin.t35.com/printabletattoodesignsonline/index.html

Thats my new site for printable tattoo designs online! Full of keyword mania and a lot of nice stuff! If you want printable tattoo designs online, it has a review of a couple different sites, including the one that looks best to me. It also conveniently has a link to buy from that site and get the largest database. Hooray!!

Charles Whitmore (or Charles Widmore, w/e)

2009-01-28T23:05:00.000-08:00

Wow. This guy is one bad mamma jamma. So he kills his friend on the island, one of the others, then tries to take over the world or something.

What the hell?

I guess we will see

Starbucks Store Closings

2009-01-28T17:29:00.000-08:00

Another day, another company announcing cuts. This time it is starbucks.

Okay, well, you gotta look at what's going on. I'd much rather have starbucks go out of business than some place like McDonald's. Why? Well, it shows people aren't idiots. In fact, Mickey D's could have even received a boost from the poor economy.

It is because people (hopefully) are using sense when spending (well, relatively speaking). Starbucks is posh and grossly overcharges (well it is good coffee...) and people used to buy it. But now people are poor and can't afford to indulge, so what is first to go? The expensive stuff. Like Domino Magazine. Now it's starbucks. Following this trend, what are some other companies I wouldn't be surprised to see fail? Remember, mass workforce + everyday high prices = employee layoffs.

Outback Steakhouse
Dillard's
Sony

Hmm we need a list. So I'll update this and start an official list somewhere. Companies that could fail

America's Cheapest Family: Top 5 ways to spend less

2009-01-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I found one result for this and it was a blog about how to have a cheaper lifestyle.

So, while this may be referring to an actual family on the news somewhere, I will write about ways to keep some cash in the wallet.

1) Stop getting morning coffee from starbucks. Duh, its like 4 bucks a day. Make your own crappy coffee at home.

2) Stop getting midday lunches from restaurants. Duh, its like 7 bucks a day. Make your own crappy lunch at home.

3) Take advantage of free things. This can include coupons and websites. Google "free stuff" and you'll get a long list of things.

4) Drive a cheaper car. This one is important. If you're trying to show off, that's retarded. Because if you ever meet someone this way by showing off, they'll be that much more disappointed to find out you are a fraud.

5) Don't buy things you can't afford. What the heck. Debt? Lots and lots of debt? If you have to go into credit card debt to buy some stuff at Target, you're spending too much, chances are.

There, now you can live as the cheapest family in America. Remember rule 5 especially.

FOX NEWS and Jessica Simpson's Weight

2009-01-28T14:11:00.000-08:00

Why is this even a story? Who cares? Blah blah blah.

Jessica Simpson gained weight big whoop. She may have not even done so. Doesn't matter at all in the grand scheme of things now does it?

Now, if this is true, it would be the second actress that FOX news has pissed off recently, after Bill OReilly called Jessica Alba a stupid person or something. Now, lets look at that argument.

1) Jessica Alba seems to be one of the more articulate actresses. She is not a dumbass slut either. Seems to point towards intelligence.

2) Bill OReilly makes up crap and frequently fails (at least he did when I used to watch him like 5 years ago, which by no means is guaranteed to still be accurate.)

But stuff like this gets ratings. So meh, w/e

Jackson Pollocks birthday

2009-01-28T13:59:00.000-08:00

I don't know much about this guy, other than that it is his birthday, according to google.

So many people have become curious about him, due to the fact that google changed their logo in order to emulate his drip style of painting. People have gotten impressed by it or something and have wanted to find out more.

I like it whenever google alters its website. Whoever they are pimping gains a lot of publicity, since google is basically the master of the internet. Everything revolves around them. So it should be no surprise that today, Jackson Pollack is a popular thing.

sh Limbaugh and DCCC

2009-01-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

Good old Rush Limbaugh. You know, everyone hates on him and most people have never actually listened to him. He is the person that the democratic party has made to epitomize the evil, greedy republican.

And you know what, most of the democratic braintrust does their evil under the table, slyly serpentining through the dark.

So I don't really see the problem. Rush Limbaugh crashed the DCCC website by calling for people to all hit it up at once. Smart plan, but wont help him gain any points from the people who already hate him.

That is important. So many first impressions of people do them in. It sucks really, but it is the truth.

Domino Magazine

2009-01-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, this, to me at least, is one of those "duh" moments.

I have discovered that Domino magazine is a home shopping magazine about style.

Home, shopping, style.

Okay that is a list of three things that all have, coincidentally, gone out of style.

Come on. We are in a recession for crying out loud. Technically dominoes are affected as well. Magazines are too. So basically every aspect of that magazine logically is fucked up.

Don't cry for me, Argentina.

Aresanob (Spolier Alert)

2009-01-28T13:46:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is a csi term that everyone wants to know about because the camera must have pulled away once the chick named bonasera looked at the website with disgust. And I guess everybody wants to know why.

Well, here it is:

Word on the internet is, she saw video of herself in bed with the artist or whatever.

Generic plot twist, really. That's the surprise. Of course, if you go to www.aresanob.com, it's just a darn promo.

Case closed.

Dallas Road

2009-01-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

I have inside scoop on the weather conditions in dallas...

I'm not going to reveal my sources (Ill give you a hint, however, starts with a "w" and rhymes with "zindow"), but I can say with confidence that it is not snowing or sleeting or anything ending with "ing" and involving the solid form of dihydrogen monoxide (water).

People always cause a stir when it comes to weather. Every soccer mom out there searches about 10 times a minute for school closings and the like.

WFAA is the local Dallas weather channel. It is a popular search. The McKinney School District closing is a popular search. Dallas roads is popular right now. All top 20 stories for today.

So I'll give some free advice, money back guaranteed: Don't drive on icy roads.

Also, I feel compelled to mention that Dallas almost never closes its schools.

California Octuplets

2009-01-27T11:57:00.000-08:00

Another day, another octuplet of kids.

This, to me, is a boring story that I would never try to gather scoop about. Why?

Who gives a shit? It isn't the first time that 8 kids have been born at once. It isn't like they did something special to try to pop out a bunch of children. What should happen is that people will likely flock to their aid and raise some money for the costs of raising them and hiring a nanny or two. Same old story. See I already predicted what was gonna happen.

But good luck to everyone involved anyways.

Fedex Plane Crashes In Texas

2009-01-27T11:49:00.000-08:00

Damn. I was really hoping to receive my next issue of sports illustrated. It was the coveted snowsuit edition... (props to sportspickle)

Anyways, a FedEx plane crashed in Texas as it was taking off. Both of the men inside were okay as they ran away from the mess. (I guess if there were a third person, it would be safe to assume he didn't make it out and that nobody would know...)

So everyone is okay and stuff.

Target Layoffs

2009-01-27T11:44:00.001-08:00

Target is in the news again. This time for more layoffs as the economy remains in a state of crappishness.

It's kind of like the economy is in a state of going from CBS to UPN in terms of television selection, and right now it has descended to the WB (Or the CN or whatever the heck they call themselves now)

It's not nearly as bad as they're making it out to be, but it is very bad compared to what it was just a year ago.

Anyways, Target, the FOX of retail stores (gotta stick with the TV references. Target has a loyal fanbase but is not as established as places like Walmart), is firing people today, or so the rumor goes. No news yet of any official firings, but it is still a hot topic.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder

2009-01-26T22:52:00.000-08:00

Haha. I learn so much from doing this.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder, or IED, is whenever someone just blows up in your face about some shit that doesn't matter.

In other words, it is something that people who are in a bad mood do every single day.

So it doesn't seem to me to be a disorder at all, then, kind of like ADD, which is just some way of telling someone they think a lot and need to release some energy. Here is an idea, elementary school teachers of the world: let the kids have recess.

That will fix everything.

Everything

Super Bowl XLIII Start Time

2009-01-26T17:06:00.000-08:00

The NFL always likes to confuddle people like you and me. You'll never guess the start time for the 2009 Super Bowl. The Superbowl 2009 start time (hey gotta love keywords) is ...

...

...
6:18 PM Eastern. So thats 5:18 for central.

Why an odd time? Who knows. It probably wont get started on time anyways, and once you figure in bruce springsteen's notoriously long performances where he talks about everything from his mother's pet chihuahua to quantum physics, the end time of the super bowl should be well into the next day.

Agape World

2009-01-26T17:00:00.000-08:00

Another day, another ponzi scheme. Agape World is a company run by a man named Cosmos. It sucked in about $380 million from investors.

Well, the question coming to my mind is, first of all, did he willingly surrender or did his company fail like Madoff's?

See, maybe he decided to come clean when he realized the inevitable- that his scheme would fail.

That's another reason why I would choose a different scam if I were a scammer. Think about it. Ponzi schemes require increasing inputs of money and you don't actually get to keep the cash you do have. You are essentially a huge middleman that doesn't get to keep anything. Plus, the constant lying alone would stop me from ever thinking of doing such a crime.

Monster Truck Accident

2009-01-26T14:44:00.000-08:00

Monster Truck Rallies generally remind me of Ricky Bobby, only on steroids.

I can't say I am a fan of these behemoth events. But whatever I don't really care.

Anyways, the driver turned straight into his friend. They were both safety advocates so this is really unfortunate.

And last week a six year old boy was struck in the head with some metal that flew off of a truck. It was fatal as well. Terrible. Not that I ever wanted to go to a monster truck rally, but now I still don't

Tulsa Weather and KOTV

2009-01-26T14:37:00.000-08:00

Topics like snow in unusual places usually get a lot of publicity.

In this case, I am guessing it is going to snow in Tulsa. This is why people are searching for "Tulsa Weather" and "KOTV", which is a local news station.

Snow is unusual in the south. Everyone knows that. But nobody really knows what to do in snow, because the general consensus is to shut everything down for a few days because by then the snow will have melted and everything will be okay.

But people in the North have to use salt on the roads, have to schedule things around the ice, and they have to shovel it from their driveways several times a week.

And that's why I'd rather live somewhere like Tulsa where, when the big bad snow comes, I can sit back and take a day off, make some hot cocoa, and relax.

Woodfield Mall

2009-01-26T13:01:00.000-08:00

Good News for everyone in chicago worried about their lives while shopping at the woodfield mall-

Nobody committed any crime, at least that's what the authorities are saying. So basically, someone did something suspicious or someone who had already committed a crime went into the mall for a quick hideout and police did not want to alarm anybody.

But, since this has made national news, I'd say the bit about alarming people was a failure at best.

But even so, it should be considered a success since no one was harmed and the local law enforcement did their jobs well.

Oprah and Blagojevich

2009-01-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have already made it clear that I think this Rod Blagojevich is the biggest scumbag this side of the Atlantic.

But he is very shrewd and cunning. His latest ploy, like all of his others, is shameful at best. He decided to appeal to emotions by announcing his support of Oprah Winfrey for the US senate.

Now, why would he share this nugget of information at this point? Well, he has no dignity and is pulling out all the stops to make it as hard as possible to be removed from office, in the public's eye at least.

Asshole. This is only an attempt to make everyone feel sorry for him and look past his transgressions.

The Telling Movie

2009-01-25T22:27:00.000-08:00

Hmmm. This one was hard to find out stuff about.

The Telling (Movie) is about girls who pledge the cruelest sorority on campus and then shit happens or something. Whatever.

I know I wont be watching it. But I'll put in my two cents anyway. It'll be a flop. Why?

Well, it's about a sorority, for one. It's a horror film, which means it may be a bit frightening at points, but movies like prom night and unborn- movies with sex appeal and horror combined- haven't done well recently.

I had not heard of it before today and probably wont again. And when I say flop, I mean relatively. I am sure it will outperform whichever lighthearted comedy is in theaters, but I don't expect it to be a classic like Saw or The Birds or, going into books even, a personal favorite of mine, And Then There Were None, which did get made into a film.

Sirtris

2009-01-25T21:04:00.000-08:00

Earlier we wrote about Resveratrol, the anti- aging chemical found in some red wines.

Well now we'd like to talk about Sirtris, the company who apparently is researching wine for this kind of stuff.

First off, the first thing I noticed was that the word "sirtris" is a palindrome.

Okay, then I realized that this company is a great step towards something I had always thought was a good goal that Americans needed to reach for more often.

So much is focused on diseases like cancer and AIDS. Heart disease is also a huge killer.

No one it seems, has yet to put the greatest disease of all time into the public spotlight. It is the greatest killer, having killed nearly 100% of all people ever. It is called aging.

People age. Well, most people age (some Biblical people did not, I think). But everyone around now ages. We get older. What if there was some way, say, by adding telomere segments to the end of shortening telomere chains, or inserting an entire cell's worth of youthful DNA taken from the patient at a young age, to stop aging?

How great would that be, do you think?

Well, Sirtris is a company looking at these kind of angles (by the way, those ideas I mentioned have probably been tried and failed, but at this level of science it is all about execution and refinement of these outlandish theories).

Chapman Kansas

2009-01-25T20:59:00.000-08:00

Community Makeover. Extreme Makeover Community Edition!

Hooray?

I have nothing important to say about this news story. So they want to rebuild a town in kansas that was struck by a tornado.

I think it's a great thing and deserves press. What else? Ummmm.

K

Chapman was the name of my friend's biology teacher?

Uhhh

I have to be honest I don't watch that show because I find it boring. Anything with the word 'makeover' in it can't be all that great anyway.

Resveratrol

2009-01-25T20:50:00.000-08:00

Resveratrol is a substance in red wine which supposedly benefits the body in multiple ways. They expect that it can lengthen people's lives by preventing many diseases that occur with old age.

Here's what I think about this: resveratrol might be a great thing, shoot, I'd like an excuse to drink wine. But this has all the makings of a media- fed trend. Whatever the media chooses to be popular makes the cut. So, if you work in research and think you have discovered something, call up your local CBS affiliate and have them inflate your story.

I know nothing of resveratrol, and it could very well be a great thing. I hope it is and I hope they put it into a nice vitamin form so I can take it with my flintstones vitamins and tony hawk vitamin gummies. Yum. Imagine the possibilities.

SAG awards, another useless awards show

2009-01-25T15:19:00.000-08:00

Screen Actors Guild Awards? SAG- more like sucky ass grapefruit.

There are so many awards shows nowadays. Too many. Every network feels compelled to hand out their own sleight of awards. So, I am officially making the popular things award show, right here, right now, off the top of my head.

Best Actor- heath ledger, duh.
Best Movie- batman
Best actress- Alba, duh (did she even act in a movie this year? doesnt matter, hot)
Uhhh, what else?

Best sound affects- bat... man? (IDK I cant think of any other movies)
hmmm
funniest movie- here we go, pineapple express I loved that shit

annoyingest girl- the girl from unborn. yeah she was hot but she was so annoying. whining and complaining and hallucinating. Really? you wanna go into the dark forest even though you know theres a monster in there? Really? You want to fool around with your boyfriend while demons are outside and all you gotta do is mutter a few prayers?
Stupid hoe.

Hmmm, what other awards are there?

Coolest effects- idk tropic thunder, which I didnt actually see, but it should win one

Funny Movie runner up- step brothers

Crappiest Movie that sucked a lot- seven pounds. Man what a let down.

There you go, thank you ladies and gentlemen for viewing with us tonight drive safely and tune in next time...

Coatesville, PA

2009-01-25T15:13:00.000-08:00

Fires in Coatesville! This is trendy because it is a peculiar story about several homes being mysteriously burned in a small pennsylvania town. I haven't heard of coatesville, so the assertion that it is small is simply that- an assertion.

But it is a big mystery. I've heard of people spontaneously combusting before, and odd things happen. But this could be arson. That is actually what they think it is.

My favorite part is the suggestion that people could protect their homes by simply leaving the porch light on. Okay, what are we, in the 1920s? It's like saying that all home invasions can be stopped by locking the doors. What about smashing a window or some shit like that? Deadbolts are nice, but when you've got an open window a few feet away from the double barricaded door, it defeats the purpose.

So in conclusion, lamp does not equal safety.

NuYorican

2009-01-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

So many of the things that are popular are things which I have never heard of before.

Like NuYorican. What is it? Well, some quick research tells me that a nuyorican is a new yorker who is puerto rican.

Now, I don't like this kind of stuff, namely, people creating a classification for other people or themselves. It is kind of dumb in my opinion- I don't think race or anything should be a factor in making someone unique. Sure, it is definitely a defining attribute but I'd rather highlight a talent I have.

Joe Torre and his new book, The Yankee Years

2009-01-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

I like Joe Torre. He seems to me to epitomize success and humility all in one. Plus he had to work for someone widely considered to be a real jackass.

So now he is in the news again for his new book, The Yankee Years, which supposedly is a tell all story about his time with everyone's favorite team to love or hate.

And apparently he bashes ARod, GM Brian Cashman, and owner George Steinbrenner. My take on that is that it is a bad idea. For one, what's to say he doesn't run into these people down the road?

Isn't there always two sides to every story anyway? Did ARod, Steinbrenner, and Cashman bash him in the first place?

There have got to be some questions first of all, and since I don't really know the whole story it strikes me as odd. It doesn't seem like something Joe Torre would do.

Bobby Griffith

2009-01-24T22:17:00.001-08:00

So this is popular because there is a movie about a gay activist named Bobby Griffith who died while doing a backflip off an interstate.

I try never to speak badly about the dead, so I wont. Its a shame that someone had to die like that, gay or straight.

And it apparently was also suicide. That's like 3 things I normally would find bad about a person but I still pray for him and his family. Everyone makes mistakes.

Witness for the prosecution of Rod Blagojevich

2009-01-24T20:01:00.000-08:00

Below is the list of witnesses for the blagojevich trial. You all know how I feel about that. I hope he gets kicked out of office. These people on the list are mostly representatives, but a few other guys.

From http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=31651

Chapin Rose
Jack Franks
Constance Howard
David Miller
Gary Hannig
Jim Durkin
Susana Mendoza
Lou Lang
FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain
JCAR Director Vicki Thomas

Miss America 2009

2009-01-24T19:57:00.000-08:00

I don't really follow the miss america contest. Why? Because it's dumb. Sure there are hot chicks walking around but watching a beauty pageant is gay if you're a guy. Man laws suggest that you shouldn't watch it.

So I never did. Matter of fact, never even knew it was on. But I do know who won, because today it is trendy to know that kind of stuff. In fact, I already posted about it. But I forgot to add this disclaimer signifying that I never watched a minute of it.

Katie Stam

2009-01-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

Of course this would be a hot topic. Katie Stam (I think that's how you spell it) is popular now because she won Miss America.

Whoop de friggin do?

Naw, Im sure it's cool or whatever. I heard she was actually sick during the week with some sort of throat problem. And she won the swimsuit competition, so that's definitely a plus.

But Miss Indiana? I don't really think of Indiana when I think of hot chicks. Guess Im wrong...

David Koresh

2009-01-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

So I wondered why this topic was so popular all of a sudden. Well it appears his mother was murdered.

I thought he would be rather old himself now, if he was still alive.

Anyways, I digress. I've been to the site of the branch davidian complex before, at night even, and it still is creepy. They still have people living there, waiting for him to return someday. And they stuck dogs and chased my friends out. Weird.

MMA affliction

2009-01-24T15:59:00.000-08:00

I think this should be a decent card.

MMA is really the only way to go when it comes to fighting. I like the fact its popularity has bloomed recently. I like how the score is generally settled by the competitors and not the refs, like in basketball.

Of course, it is not cut and dry like golf or bowling, but the refs are not nearly as important as a rigged event like the NBA. I hate watching basketball. Those MMA Affliction fighters should beat up the NBA refs. That's something I'd pay to view.

Senior Bowl

2009-01-24T11:35:00.001-08:00

This is our chance to see up and coming NFL stars. A lot of the highly touted players, like Rey Maluaga, will be playing in this bowl.

I really hope the packers draft a star, whether or not he plays in the senior bowl. Ideally every player would get a shot to play with other big name guys, but that's what the college season is about. It is basically a farm system for the NFL.

This year, though, the senior bowl isn't even sold out, due to the crappy economy, or so they say. It isn't like it is a big deal for non NFL types either. It is kind of like the NFL's pro bowl, which nobody watches anyways.

Recovery.gov

2009-01-24T11:31:00.000-08:00

Another thing Obama does which I like, even though I tend to lean to the right.

Of course, I still don't want a communist country and hope he doesn't mess up the freedoms we were founded on, but I like this bit.

Recovery.gov is the website for looking where all the government spending goes. Chances are, the people who already have an idea bout politics will peruse this and the dumbasses on the street will continue to complain.

With the line item veto, we might not have ad this problem but I am sure there are arguments in favor of no line item veto. I am just a dumbass on the street, after all.

Septicemia

2009-01-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

Septecemia is an infection of the blood stream. The Brazilian model died of this disease.

Anyways, before you worry about your own blood becoming infected, know that you'll know something's up. Get regular checkups and if your foot swells to the size of a mellon, that probably means you should see a doctor.

Red Sox Tickets

2009-01-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

Again, why this is popular, who knows.

But today, they go on sale at 10 AM, which has already passed.

i have mixed feelings on the sox. One, I kind of like them, but two, I don't, since much of their fanbase is comprised of manchester united and dallas cowboys fans. Those fans also generally like the LA Lakers and the USC trojans.

What are they? Bandwagon jumpers. Sure, they'll inform you that they have been a fan since they were born, because some great uncle got them interested when they went to a game when they were 10 up in Boston and they have followed the team ever since. But that's BS. Theyre just like cowboys fans.

California Earthquake

2009-01-23T22:38:00.001-08:00

Tonight I think I heard Cali had several smaller quakes and perhaps one with a magnitude in the sevens.

So is this the big one?

I doubt it. I am generally skeptical because people can always worry about things. But more often than not, they worry about the wrong things. People worry about things the media chooses for them to worry about. Conformity then ensues and bam, you have the makings of a false threat.

It's all about the money. What sells? Big bad global warming or an acute level of HPo3 and CO2 emissions?

So anyways, a quake is supposed to happen, but I think this time people will be alright.

Rastafarian

2009-01-23T22:32:00.000-08:00

Rastafarianism. Ill admit I dont know much about it but I do know of some stupid ass fake religion meant to mock real religions. This fake one is called pastafarianism. Its deity is the great spaghetti monster and it is a religion for atheists and fags to hang out.

But rastafarianism is another case. I do know one of my favorite players, Atari Bigby, is a rastafarianism.

I think one of the big things is to wear dreads, but of course, not everyone who wears dreads is rastafarian. Three quarters of the Packers' backfield at times has dreads. I mean, I think that's tight.

Rod Blagojevich

2009-01-23T19:45:00.000-08:00

I think he is the biggest scumbag Ive seen in a while.

Now he is crying foul and appealing to pity in trying to get the last laugh. He is screwed (well in Illinois, no corrupt politician is screwed) but he is focusing on winning battles and not wars.

First his senate appointment: he appoints a minority who, if denied senate access, can promptly play the race card.

Now his latest ploy: comparing his situation to a lonely cowboy who is falseley accused of stealing a horse.

This guy needs to go.

Packers Hire Dom Capers

2009-01-23T18:44:00.000-08:00

I like the move. It allows for us to switch to 3-4.

Plus the panthers DC, mike Trogvac, took a demotion to come coach DL for us. Sweet.

Peanut Butter Cracker Recall

2009-01-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

This is the second time in like a year that they have had to recall peanut butter products.

Will someone please become competent?

What happened to the peanut butter checkers? Do we really have to pay top dollar for peanut butter examiners? Maybe offer it as a degree plan at the local community college.

Just some thoughts.

Salmon Rushdie

2009-01-14T19:03:00.000-08:00

Salman Rushdie is an older author who won some awards over the years for his works, such as the satanic verses and shame

But what strikes me as odd is the fact he has spent over a year underground because he was targeted for his satanic verses book.

I have heard of the guy before, which bodes extremely well, as I don't usually know who these people are.

But I think any time you have to go into hiding, something is wrong. I do believe it was because someone in Iran issued a fatwah on his head because they thought he made Muhammed look bad or something.

Apple Stock

2009-01-14T18:58:00.000-08:00

Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, is going to be taking a leave of absence. He has a hormone disorder or something, which is apparently slowing him down. He didn't want to divulge any information about it, though, but he ended up having to do so as Wall Street demanded the information in the form of falling stock prices due to insecurity over the company.

All of this makes sense, sure, but what does this mean for Apple stock?

I would think it means the same for any stock- its a crapshoot. Sorry. The market right now is undoubtedly down, so do whatever.

Steve Jobs, I would think, would be back but I have no inside information or anything. However, it strikes me as odd that he would want to conceal his personal illness this much if it were really something harmless.

Kara dioguardi

2009-01-13T22:22:00.000-08:00

Kara Dioguardi as the new judge on American Idol. Rumor is that she replaces Paula Abdul sometime soon, that's what we're hearing anyway.

I don't know much about her. She is 38 and engaged. She has worked with former Idol stars.

She is actually a songwriter, though, from what I read on the internet, and not a singer. Popularity, the next American Idol judge, and a bright outlook: Kara Dioguradi.

Collapsed Lung

2009-01-13T17:39:00.000-08:00

This is a topic that is close to me. I think the reason it is trendy is because the Law and Order actress, Mariska Hargitay, suffered a collapsed lung. Now, what struck me as odd was that they included the fact she would continue to film this season.

See, of course she would. Either because she would get the lung re-inflated or just live with it, which would not be smart, by the way.

Collapsed lungs, or pneumothoracies, arise generally when air somehow escapes the lung via a hole and then it leaks into the chest cavity, and since it has nowhere to go, just sits there and takes up space, while not allowing the lung to inflate all the way. It can be removed via chest tube, which is stuck through a small incision in the chest wall near the ribs, and then sucks the air out.

Carol Bartz is the new CEO of Yahoo

2009-01-13T17:32:00.000-08:00

Carol Bartz is the new CEO of Yahoo!, which means that their personal crisis is over. She is 60 years old and takes over for Jerry Yang, the old CEO (not the 2007 world series of poker main event champion...)

One thing I noticed is that she is on a few other companies' boards along with other Yahoo execs, something which strikes me as nepotistic, but I think she is well qualified regardless. Yahoo has done a good job making themselves at the top of the internet, and I am sure they will continue to be good.

That said, some of their apps are shit- quality, and one thing I'd personally like them to revamp is their front page news feed. Many of those stories, lets face it, suck and are written by people with about as much journalistic quality as me.

Grateful Dead Tickets $100

2009-01-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

Well, since in Dallas, Red Jumpsuit apparatus tickets are only $20something, and Grateful Dead is less popular, at least among people who listen to music on a regular basic and aren't old, I'd think this move makes no sense.

But it does, if you think about it. These guys are no longer popular. You could call it a farewell tour, and if diehard fans will plunk down $100 a ticket to see their heroes before they hit the retirement home, then so be it.

Supply and demand, in basic terms, like the Burger King commercial. Sure, you leave out all the rest of the economic details, but point is, if people will pay for them, let them. It's all about the cash.

Now don't get me started on the evil record companies. That's a whole 'nother story.

Myringotomy

2009-01-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

Ever had an ear infection? I bet you have, if you are a human. Basically, all a myringotomy is, is the old time cure for an ear infection, a bit a of a surgical conundrum. Nowadays, you can get some antibiotics and just drink those, but in the old days, when they believed the earth was flat, they'd do a myringotomy.

So what happens? Well, basically, they just make a small incision in the ear drum. Then the pressure is relieved and a small stent is placed in the ear drum so it doesn't heal before the fluid leaves or dries up.

It is painful, and that is why they can use a local anesthetic to numb it a tad. Also, you should just ask for the antibiotics if you have a choice.

Howard Schnellenberger

2008-12-26T22:52:00.000-08:00

What a name. The coach of Florida Atlantic led his team to a tight victory over Central Michigan in the Motor City bowl. (Will this bowl be alive after this crappy auto year? I don't know what to expect, although expert analysis seems to like its chances. And I don't see why it would go away, I mean college football will always be popular.)

Anywho, Howard Schnellenberger is 74 years old, making him kind of old, and believes in a strong running game, as I would expect an older coach to believe in. After all, the running game was a staple of past dynasties and it is rather recently with the arrival of the West Coast Offense and Bill Walsh that the passing game became as important as it is today.

Of course, we can always thank the Green Bay Packers for inventing the passing game, with good old Arnie Herber chucking bombs like he was at war.

green acres lyrics

2008-12-26T22:49:00.000-08:00

Here is green acres lyrics, for yall who want some green acres... (wtf?)

Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.

New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.

...The chores.
...The stores.
...Fresh air.
...Times Square

You are my wife.
Good bye, city life.
Green Acres we are there.

de la villehuchet

2008-12-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

Well I hadn't really paid much attention to this whole scandal story, but one of the guys who lost 1.4 billion dollars on the scandal committed suicide.

Thierry de la Villehuchet was a 65 year old who started a successful hedge fund company on Wall St, but apparently a lot of his assets were built up in the madoff fraud.

From what I gather it was a remarkable fraud. Even more remarkable was how it went undetected. He basically set up his own stock market, with all made up profits. When an investor wanted to pull their money out, he would pay them with money from a new investor. So if everyone wanted to pull their cash out, he would be in a bind.

It sounds like a standard bank to me, so I guess he big deal is over his false profits he posted. Nevertheless, remarkable.

Garrote

2008-12-23T10:28:00.000-08:00

Well, there have been a lot of questions about what exactly a garrote is. So I got curious. Since so many people want to know, why not explain in detail?

A garrote is like a strangling device. It is not necessarily a specific device, but rather, a generic device can be used as a garrote. Garrotes are just strangling things, like the fiber wire on the Hitman games.

Nunchucks are garrotes. They choke the victim when they are wrapped around the neck region.

Javan Rhino

2008-12-23T09:53:00.000-08:00

Good news for people who like endangered species! They found four new Javan Rhinos, a rare breed of Rhinos hailing from, you guessed it, Java. These critters are especially small and afraid of humans.

The rhinos were said to have ran away as soon as the scientists saw them. They ran back to their parents, who are in their 30's.

My take on this is that it is good news for the world. Of course, I'd be sure to snatch a workable DNA sample i case worst comes to worst and they all die out one day.

Of course, they probably already have. At least the odds are good. With the technology we have today, I don't see why any creature should completely die out. I mean, even if there are only 50 of them left, I'd still say that wasn't cause for major concern with what we have today.

Andy Kennedy

2008-12-18T10:31:00.000-08:00

Hahahaha. The Mississippi men's basketball coach has been arrested for reportedly shouting racial slurs at a cab driver and then punching him.

On one hand, he is the coach of mississippi, so I could see it happening. On the other hand, I suppose it could all be a lie.

Kind of a funny story, as long as nobody gets hurt. No other details have come out yet, just that he was arrested.

High Mercury Count and Jeremy Piven

2008-12-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

So I looked it up High mercury counts hurt the kidneys and the nervous system. And also a developing fetus, if someone has a baby or something.

Anyways, there is a lot of mercury out there and I wouldn't be surprised if we all had high levels of it- just not high enough to start worrying.

So how does one get high mercury? Well, I suppose you could drink a thermometer, but also, eating lots of fish (mercury rich tuna) is a way to start. Also you could be near a mercury spill at some point, although that would seem to cause short term effects, like vomiting and diarrhea.

Also, if your job is near somewhere that uses mercury, then you'd be susceptible. I don't quite understand why this actor was exposed. Maybe he liked to drink thermometers to wash down all that fish he ate. Nah.

Armageddon and Apophis

2008-12-17T23:41:00.000-08:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20081217/sc_mcclatchy/3125382

Wow. How's this for a story. An asteroid named for the egyptian god of darkness and void, enemy of the sun god re, has supposedly a 1 in 44000 chance of hitting the earth and wiping out everything.

Now what day will this all happen? On Easter Sunday. Of 2036. So it's a while off, but nevertheless intriguing. Surely this is all coincidence and everything will be alright, right?

Well, scientists are pulling a futurama (the first episode I watched!) and are gonna brainstorm for ways to blow it up or redirect it in case. I guess we learned things from movies like Armageddon and Deep Impact.

Snow in Las Vegas! CCsd!

2008-12-17T23:35:00.000-08:00

Wow. Snow in Vegas. Don't know much about the weather there but everything is closed. I wouldn't think it snows there a lot, since Houston had snow a little while ago for the first time in a long time, but we are in the age of global cooling, so it's whatever. (Time to increase gas and carbon emissions.)

So everything is closed. Wonder about the casinos and shit. I've always wanted to go to Vegas, but snow oughtta cripple the strip.

So everything is closed now and they'll let the citizens know tomorrow.

Here's a nice link:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/dec/17/snow-leads-event-cancellations/

Rick Warren

2008-12-17T23:27:00.000-08:00

Okay, I don't see anything wrong with having Rick Warren say a prayer at the inauguration. He is anti- choice and anti- gay and Obama needs a little bit of hard core conservativism on his first day. Works for me.

It would be cool if Obama turned out to be a secret conservative and was hired by the "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" to appear as a socialist, win the presidency, and then install a right wing agenda.

Even so, Obama puzzles me. He is obviously a socialist but then again some of his policies seem very free market- esque. The key is that line about those under 250k not paying a dime extra. That was always the saying of socialism, make the rich poor and the poor poorer.

But then again, his highest tax bracket is only (only?) around 45%. That's awfully high, but not as bad a true socialist state, where it would be ideally 100%.

Hmm, anyways good choice for the prayer.

Sammy Baugh

2008-12-17T20:25:00.000-08:00

It is a sad day for football fans. Sammy Baugh, 94, died.

He was a famous Washington Redskin who was dominant way back when.

He led the league in numerous things numerous times during his storied career and helped shape the game. I believe he still has a punting record out there floating around. He led the league one time in TDs and interceptions, kind of like Brett Favre. The only difference? His interceptions were while playing defense, so they helped the team rather than hurt.

He will be missed and although it is not quite a shocker like last season's Shaun Taylor shooting, the Redskins have had two somber late seasons in a row.

Nicole Buffett

2008-12-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

Okay so here's the deal. Warren Buffett, the richest man in the world, doesn't like it when his family asks him for money. He wants them all to be self made men (or women). So his adopted granddaughter is in an interview and she says she would like it if she could do more with all that money he has stocked up. She thinks it is a bit of a waste and would like to use it for something else.

So he flies off the handle and now the nice old man doesn't conjure up pleasant memories of grandpa anymore.

One conclusion to be drawn is that he never really thought her to be part of the family (which is mean to say the least and I would think this is not the case). The other is that the presented story is not all true and there is a lot of speculation, which probably is the case.

So maybe everyone should take a chill pill. Something may have gone down but we can only wish the best upon their family.

Jason Richardson

2008-12-10T18:53:00.000-08:00

The Bobcats traded Jason Richardson to the Suns for Boris Diaw and Raja Bell.

I don't know about this one. Both Diaw and Bell were decent players for Phoenix. In the NFL I would be hesitant of this trade, but in basketball, one guy can make the difference. I would think this one would be bad for both teams. Charlotte now gets some decent guys, but not enough to compete. Phoenix traded a significant chunk of their team for one guy, who, if he fails, will be worth nothing. That said, if he plays great, this will turn out to be a great move.

Covini c6w

2008-12-10T18:18:00.000-08:00

It goes 185 miles per hour.

It kind of looks like an eel car. I like how it has the two groups of wheels in the front.

Looks legit honestly. Probably costs a ton.

Keri Russell

2008-12-09T00:15:00.000-08:00

Keri Russell's friend on the TV series Felicity had a baby. Hooray!

So this gives us all a chance to talk about Keri Russell, who is hot and I had never even seen her picture before.

She also apparently played in Mission Impossible III, and became a great actress in 1998.

One thing I like is that her birthday is three days next to mine. Hooray again. I hope we share a "happy birthday".

Conan O'Brien

2008-12-08T23:58:00.000-08:00

So he is set to take over Late Night in May of 2009. I always thought he was sort of funny.

I mean, he isn't as gag- funny as Leno, but then again who is? O'Brien has some good ideas of his own and perhaps will shine bright in the spotlight and provide a fresh face of comedy.

I think his brand of humor is just as funny as Leno, although we certainly will miss the witty "nha- ha" moments with all those awkward jokes. (Maybe the joke writers stay?)

But I certainly like Conan's pranks and of the wall humor a lot.

Burl

2008-12-08T23:52:00.000-08:00

From Wikipedia:

"A burl (British bur or burr) is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots from dormant buds. Burls are the product of a cambium. A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be environmental or introduced by humans. Most burls grow beneath the ground, attached to the roots as a type of malignancy that is generally not discovered until the tree dies or falls over. Such burls sometimes appear as groups of bulbous protrusions connected by a system of rope-like roots. Almost all burl wood is covered by bark, even if it is underground. Insect infestation and certain types of mold infestation are the most common causes of this condition."

So my guess is that it is a retarded tree. Funny. Burl looks to be like those little nitrogenous bulbs on certain fixating plants where bacterium live.

Visanthe Shiancoe

2008-12-08T23:50:00.000-08:00

Visanthe Shiancoe is a Minngaysota Viqueen best known not for his on the field actions but for a glimpse of his dick while on national television in the locker room. He is now a star.

He should have been known for his actions on the field however. He has had a great season by NFL TE standards and has essentially broken out for the NFC North leading Viqueens. He plays well and should have a bright future.

Go Pack Go

You be the judge! The battle of the Jessicas...

2008-12-08T18:02:00.000-08:00

We at Popular Things decided that there is a need to compare and decide who is indeed more attractive, Jessica Alba or Jessica Biel. Sorry Jessica Simpson, you don't seem to cut it anymore...

You decide. Post a comment below and your reasons why.

The people at Popular Things think that this is won by Alba. Too much natural beauty. What do you think?

What About Bob

2008-12-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

What about Bob is a very funny movie starring Bill Murray. It is about a crazy man who is paranoid about everything. He goes to see the best shrink in the world, and subsequently drives the doctor crazy with his endless calls and good cheer. He eventually settles on a certain disposition: taking a vacation from your problems, a nice theory that works well in real life too, as I know people who have changed their life around this philosophy.

Overall a great movie I would recommend to anyone young or old.

USC vs. UCLA

2008-12-06T15:28:00.000-08:00

While everyone seems to be watching the SEC Championship game on CBS, there is another game on ABC. This game is the UCLA vs. USC game. This game, while the outcome seems to be already decided, means alot to both teams.

1. UCLA defeated USC 13-9 last time USC came to the Rose Bowl, eliminating USC from the national title picture.

2. The teams have a dozen national championships between them and 8 Heisman winners.

3. A win for UCLA will eliminate USC from the Rose Bowl game and make their rather poor season a success.

4. 100,000 screaming fans in the Rose Bowl...need we say more?

5. There is loads of bad blood between the teams. Incidents involving helicopters vandalizing the opponents campus and various incidents of assault and theft have occurred.

6. Hot Cheerleaders. Case Closed

Liberty Bowl

2008-12-06T15:18:00.001-08:00

The Autozone liberty bowl is the 5th most expensive bowl ticket according to some big stat guy.

Why are they popular? Well, it's because Kentucky wants to play in it. The Kentucky Wildcats.
They aren't even that good, but they are a popular school, especially for basketball.

The bowl is in Memphis, Tennessee and is going to be contested between the winner of East Carolina and Tulsa, two perennial powerhouses.

Good luck, competitors

Sunny Von Bulow

2008-12-06T15:15:00.000-08:00

Top of the trends chart. Sunny von Bulow, a 76 year old heiress who was almost killed by her husband, died after being in a coma for 28 years.

28 years.

Must have been some pretty important dreams. I don't know what she was an heiress of, but it must have been something important. Her husband was the OJ of the 1980s

Jesse Money

2008-12-05T22:55:00.000-08:00

Jesse Money looks hot, although I don't quite understand why she is trendy as of right now. Maybe it's because she appeared with her pop, Eddie Money, on Don't Forget the Lyrics. And everyone thought she was hot, so now they searched for her.

Just like Hannah Montana

Ludlow CA

2008-12-05T22:53:00.001-08:00

There was an earthquake in Ludlow, California, a nice, previously earthquake unfriendly place. Of course, the biggest fear is that this is only the predecessor to the next "big one", which is going to happen sometime, but nobody really knows. There have been small quakes, even though this one was 5.5, all around California for ages and it is not going to stop now just because someone fears the major one is coming.

Whatever.

I know that my friend said he lived through one major one when he was four and he turned out alright so it's no biggie.

Steve Sarkisian

2008-12-04T21:09:00.000-08:00

Apparently he is in at Washington, which I guess he respects more than the job of head coach of the Oakland Raiders, since he turned down that job earlier. I wouldn't want to work for Al Davis either. Besides, the guy who took Sarkisian's place as coach was fired not too long ago anyway.

Sarkisian worked at USC, but now will go to a rival, Washington.

It's rumor as of now but look for it to be confirmed soon.

Guy Fisher

2008-12-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

I dont know why he is trendy right now but he is what he is. He apparently was a drug dealer/ Apollo owning man who went to jail.

What I really like is how his wikipedia page says he is not a rat and his partners are. kind of funny how anyone can edit wikipedia and put whatever they want. That's why kids, dont use it for your projects. Actually I did in high school and it worked out fine but you can always spot information that souldn't be there because it is badly misspelled or mispunctuated.

Preston Hollow

2008-12-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

So, the President has purchased a house in preston hollow, one of the premier neighborhoods in Dallas.

I guess they got tired of boring old Crawford, which is a little while away from Waco and the old Branch Davidian complex.

Anyways, why Big D? Well, probably because it's an area where Bush is still tolerated by people. And besides D- Town is a nice little city, lots of sports success and lots of babes.

It looks decent and is one of the most expensive houses in texas.

Quiverful

2008-12-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

So, apparently this is a movement for "striving to raise a large and growing, godly family" in the world today. Apparently one family, the famous Duggars, are about to have an 18th child. Eighteen kids. Wow, that must be a lot of complaining about a lot of dishes that aren't done.

Nice for them, to have 18 kids. Apparently they're really strict on their kids and enforce discipline, so I guess that's way better than letting your kids roam free on the streets while getting into guns and drugs and shit, but whatever.

Quiverful I guess means a quiver full of children. Haha, meh.