Monday, August 06, 2007
OKLAHOMA'S NEW VEGGIE: WATERMELON
Remember how you felt when you found out that tomatoes were fruit, pumpkins were vegetables and Soylent Green was people? Throw this in that category: Oklahoma has officially declared watermelon to be the state vegetable.
Not surprisingly, there was partisan debate when the legislature debated the measure in April. The Republican state Senator sponsoring the bill says that Oklahoma already has a state fruit (the strawberry). Since the watermelon is from the same family as cucumbers and gourds, which are known as veggies, and since he represents a town that has a watermelon festival, the watermelon should be the official state veg.
Not so fast, says a Democratic Senator, who holds up a dictionary that states watermelon is a fruit.
Weird. I wish my eyelids could make that blinking sound.
This informative blog entry has been brought to you by insomnia.
Labels: GOVERNMENT, HUH?, OKLAHOMA
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
HUGE RUBBER DUCKY INVADES OZARK
Sure looks that way, according to this picture from this week's Christian County Headliner News. The story is about an upcoming rubber-duck race. The photo looks like it could feasibly be about this movie.
That, class, is the reason news photos should not be doctored. Good Photoshopping is invisible. Bad Photoshopping is hilarious, awful or both.
Full disclosure: I used to work for a sister newspaper of the Headliner, so here's my guess of what went wrong: The photo was actually a photo illustration, with text placed on top of the photo once it was imported into layout software. And the Web site's layout doesn't show cutlines or identify who took the photos (huh?). But, only the photo was updated to the Web site. I haven't seen the printed edition to verify this, but I'll find out. Editor Donna Osborn is one of the best in southwest Missouri, and I can't imagine this running on the front page on purpose.
Still, it's a hilarious picture by itself.
Labels: HUH?, MEDIA, PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday, June 15, 2007
BlZARRE BLUNT NO-SHOW BLAMED ON WEATHER
Governor Matt Blunt was supposed to be at West Central Elementary today at 5 p.m., for a ceremonial signing of House Bill No. 2. Less than two hours before the event, his office sent an advisory, canceling the event because of "inclement weather and tornado warnings" in the Joplin area.
Huh?
Just to make sure, a quick call to the Springfield branch of the National Weather Service led to the confirmation that there were no tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings in Southwest Missouri on Friday afternoon.
We know Blunt showed up at Springfield at about 3:30, thanks to this report on News-Leader.com. On second glance, that link appears to be copy-pasted from Blunt's press release, even though the byline credits News-Leader staff, so I'm not so sure he made it.
It's not a big deal, in the big scheme of things. In my opinion, this would have been another media event in which Blunt could take credit for the hard work of the General Assembly. Still, the Governor coming to town means something to many in the Joplin area. The school made preparations for his visit, so blaming the cancellation on fictitious weather fronts is either a bad mistake or a lame excuse.
I can't wait to hear the explanation.
Huh?
Just to make sure, a quick call to the Springfield branch of the National Weather Service led to the confirmation that there were no tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings in Southwest Missouri on Friday afternoon.
We know Blunt showed up at Springfield at about 3:30, thanks to this report on News-Leader.com. On second glance, that link appears to be copy-pasted from Blunt's press release, even though the byline credits News-Leader staff, so I'm not so sure he made it.
It's not a big deal, in the big scheme of things. In my opinion, this would have been another media event in which Blunt could take credit for the hard work of the General Assembly. Still, the Governor coming to town means something to many in the Joplin area. The school made preparations for his visit, so blaming the cancellation on fictitious weather fronts is either a bad mistake or a lame excuse.
I can't wait to hear the explanation.
Labels: EDUCATION, HUH?, politics
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
SPACE MONKEYS, ANGRY NERDS, EMO ORANGES
Man, did I have a great idea for a blog entry tonight. A brilliant post about sex education in Missouri schools, a recent bill that passed, a Congressional study about abstinence-only education and, um, well, monkeys. Terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose. I know, it's complicated.
But it was going to be so brilliant! Consise, clever, nuanced and witty.
But, I got to yakking on the phone, heard some interesting gossip and... you know.
So, enjoy my must-have-been-separated-at-birth twin brother. He gripes about video games, drinks beer, cusses and is a geek. This is definitely NSFW and/or kids. He really knows how to cuss.
And if that's not enough, enjoy these emo oranges. (Thanks, Melissa!)
But it was going to be so brilliant! Consise, clever, nuanced and witty.
But, I got to yakking on the phone, heard some interesting gossip and... you know.
So, enjoy my must-have-been-separated-at-birth twin brother. He gripes about video games, drinks beer, cusses and is a geek. This is definitely NSFW and/or kids. He really knows how to cuss.
And if that's not enough, enjoy these emo oranges. (Thanks, Melissa!)
Labels: HUH?
Monday, April 23, 2007
PRESIDENTIAL RACE? CHECK MYSPACE
The Mailbox noticed something, while listening to Lacuna Coil and Dragonforce and messing around on MySpace. Politicians.
Don't worry -- they're not going Tipper Gore on us. They are using MySpace as part of their campaigns. They are featured in the "Cool New People" section on MySpace's front page. Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, Sam Brownback, Barack Obama, John McCain, Tommy Thompson, Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and many others campaigning for national office have their own pages.
Paging David Catanese... your expertise is required to let us know what the Brownback is going on.
The Mailbox thought that MySpace was for wasting time, keeping in touch with friends and exploring new music. It makes sense; bands use MySpace to send out announcements to fans, so why shouldn't politicians do the same type of thing? It's all part of an effort on MySpace's part to get people involved in politics.
So far, Repubs and Dems are joining up, taking up space on MySpace. Still, it doesn't seem like the right place for politics. The Mailbox has enough problems with the politics of determining who its top 24 friends should be. The Mailbox does not want to pull up these pages and hear Barack Obama's favorite song. And the Mailbox dreads getting a bulletin from Kucinich saying, "I am so bored so I filled out this survey." And what about the band-whores who fill their top friends with bands? Are we going to have politician-whores?
Then again, it shows that Tom can be friends with anybody. And speaking of friends, the Mailbox can't wait to see how many underage porn-bot slutty types are accepted as friends. "Oooh, look. Brownback is friends with 'LipsSoHot4U.'"
TLP's thought: "Well, it makes it easier for them to pick up teenagers..."
Check out John Edward's friend list. John is in every picture! Either he's "teh haxx0rs" with Photoshop or he has some strict rules about who gets to be his friend. And he has 39 top friends! Does the Federal Election Commission know about this unfair advantage?
Hillary Clinton has a dorky ad encouraging you to be her MySpace friend: "I am not only voting for Hillary, SHE'S MY FRIEND!" Gag barf puke. And how come Bill Clinton isn't one of Hillary's top friends? TLP's thought: "Maybe he realizes MySpace is crap and is too smart to have a page."
Michelle Sherwood, official friend of the Mailbox, lamented about Rudy Giuliani's cowardly appearance in the Ozarks. Giuliani's MySpace page gives us a clue about his ideas on sharing information. G'head, click on that link. WHY IS A CAMPAIGN MYSPACE PAGE SET TO "PRIVATE?!" That's stupid. That's stupid stupid. That's like having a fundraising dinner where one of the nation's top Republican's hosts you and promises the press a few moments, then takes it back.
Don't worry -- they're not going Tipper Gore on us. They are using MySpace as part of their campaigns. They are featured in the "Cool New People" section on MySpace's front page. Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, Sam Brownback, Barack Obama, John McCain, Tommy Thompson, Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and many others campaigning for national office have their own pages.
Paging David Catanese... your expertise is required to let us know what the Brownback is going on.
The Mailbox thought that MySpace was for wasting time, keeping in touch with friends and exploring new music. It makes sense; bands use MySpace to send out announcements to fans, so why shouldn't politicians do the same type of thing? It's all part of an effort on MySpace's part to get people involved in politics.
So far, Repubs and Dems are joining up, taking up space on MySpace. Still, it doesn't seem like the right place for politics. The Mailbox has enough problems with the politics of determining who its top 24 friends should be. The Mailbox does not want to pull up these pages and hear Barack Obama's favorite song. And the Mailbox dreads getting a bulletin from Kucinich saying, "I am so bored so I filled out this survey." And what about the band-whores who fill their top friends with bands? Are we going to have politician-whores?
Then again, it shows that Tom can be friends with anybody. And speaking of friends, the Mailbox can't wait to see how many underage porn-bot slutty types are accepted as friends. "Oooh, look. Brownback is friends with 'LipsSoHot4U.'"
TLP's thought: "Well, it makes it easier for them to pick up teenagers..."
Check out John Edward's friend list. John is in every picture! Either he's "teh haxx0rs" with Photoshop or he has some strict rules about who gets to be his friend. And he has 39 top friends! Does the Federal Election Commission know about this unfair advantage?
Hillary Clinton has a dorky ad encouraging you to be her MySpace friend: "I am not only voting for Hillary, SHE'S MY FRIEND!" Gag barf puke. And how come Bill Clinton isn't one of Hillary's top friends? TLP's thought: "Maybe he realizes MySpace is crap and is too smart to have a page."
Michelle Sherwood, official friend of the Mailbox, lamented about Rudy Giuliani's cowardly appearance in the Ozarks. Giuliani's MySpace page gives us a clue about his ideas on sharing information. G'head, click on that link. WHY IS A CAMPAIGN MYSPACE PAGE SET TO "PRIVATE?!" That's stupid. That's stupid stupid. That's like having a fundraising dinner where one of the nation's top Republican's hosts you and promises the press a few moments, then takes it back.
Labels: HUH?, MYSPACE, politics
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
THE MOTHER OF ALL MOVIE REVIEWS
Very rarely does the Mailbox come across a movie review like this: Moriarty of Ain't It Cool News calls this -- Neill Cumpston's review of "Grindhouse" -- the only review of Grindhouse you need to read. This was sent to the Mailbox from a guy who does some pretty classic reviews himself -- Scott Meeker of the Globe. The Mailbox loves the first 'grafs of his review of "Black Snake Moan":
Before reading Cumpston's review, the Mailbox was not the least bit interested in Grindhouse. "Whooo," it said. "A girl with a gun for a leg? Bruce Campbell called, and he wants his idea back." Now? Well, the Mailbox is still uninterested by Grindhouse, but may now consider watching it at the dollar theater.
"He could f--- a bulldozer into eight Mini Coopers." That's just prize-winning reviewing right there.
It was one of those movies that would be difficult to recommend to many people. Now, if someone were to come up and ask, “Do you know of any good movies about a nymphomaniac who is beaten and left for dead on the side of the road, then discovered by an old bluesman who chains her to his radiator and cures her savage sex drive through some scorching Southern blues? Well, that’d be easy. “Black Snake Moan” is your movie, my friend...As for anyone else, ehhh ... it’d probably be a safe bet that it’s not going to be your cup of tea.
Before reading Cumpston's review, the Mailbox was not the least bit interested in Grindhouse. "Whooo," it said. "A girl with a gun for a leg? Bruce Campbell called, and he wants his idea back." Now? Well, the Mailbox is still uninterested by Grindhouse, but may now consider watching it at the dollar theater.
"He could f--- a bulldozer into eight Mini Coopers." That's just prize-winning reviewing right there.
Labels: HUH?, MOVIES, TIME-WASTERS
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
IS THIS WHAT I MISSED?
OK, this is admittedly old, but I laughed anyway. Michelle, official friend of the Mailbox, posted this video on her blog. I can only hope that some of the talking heads in Joplin are as creative and fearless.
The Mailbox is a big fan of the original "Lazy Sunday." For the most part, the video is funny, despite being painful at parts. Best part: "And I'm gone like Snyder!" The line about Dowe and Justice was pretty funny, too. Apparently, the Mailbox has a lot to learn about Joplin's Medialand (with apologies to Ron Davis).
The Mailbox is a big fan of the original "Lazy Sunday." For the most part, the video is funny, despite being painful at parts. Best part: "And I'm gone like Snyder!" The line about Dowe and Justice was pretty funny, too. Apparently, the Mailbox has a lot to learn about Joplin's Medialand (with apologies to Ron Davis).
Labels: HUH?, TIME-WASTERS, TV
Friday, January 26, 2007
MAILBOX AGREES WITH MC PEE PANTS ABOUT KINGDOM HEARTS
The above video is not safe for work, unless you use headphones or want to get fired.
Though I'm a big video game nut, I'm behind the curve, because it's hard for me to justify dropping upwards of $40 on a game. Even my old girlfriend had to wait for me to get a sloppy seconds version from the used-game store. I say that so I can say this: I'm working on getting through Kingdom Hearts 1.
MC Chris says it much better than the Mailbox could (except the Mailbox doesn't "masturbate to f'd-up flipper baby porn" like MC. Ew). I can believe what he says about KH2 taking forever, because KH1 takes forever to get anywhere. The game is a bizarre melange of Final Fantasy characters and Disney characters. It starts out simple enough: Engage in some practice duels, find some coconuts, develop a secret crush on a female, then the whole world splodes all bad 'n' stuff.
Tara, official friend of the Mailbox, loves it. We both thought it would be a good game for TLP to play, so Tara loaned me her copy. The very first part is pretty cool, actually. But once the game gets to a point of substance, it gets massively complicated. You start collecting things that you won't use for hours. You fly around in a spaceship and can customize it.
Like a jerk, I played past where TLP saved. I'm a bad boyfriend.
Kingdom Hearts is a wankfest of details and combinations, such that fun in gameplay falls faster than wishing upon a star. Seriously: Summoning Simba to put a smackdown on Oogie Boogie is drug-induced. What game designer popped a woody by envisioning Donald Duck and Goofy fight Jafar? So I'm not even going to try KH2. I respect Tara's opinion, but zhen dao mei, the girl got her face stuck in World of Warcraft so bad she can't even play Half-Life 2. Where's her priorities?
Meanwhile, I'm playing Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal and having a blast. Juvenile humor combined with cool weapons and ways to blow lots of stuff up. How can you go wrong?
Labels: HUH?, SCI-FI, VIDEO GAMES
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