The caller ID said Paramount Pictures, which really had me intrigued. I didn’t catch the guy’s name, but I think he was with the Dr. Phil show. He launched into his question so quickly I missed his introduction. But he went on to ask me about my blog post about body suspension.
I vaguely remembered the post, but I quickly realized where this was heading and started laughing. He was looking for an expert on body suspension, or at least someone who could connect him with experts or the teens involved.
He asked why I was laughing and I explained why, pointing out that I’d just found an article online talking about body suspension and linked to it. I pointed him back to my post for the link to the article and suggested he start there.
I can only guess he found me because the ReAL Magazine blog post shows up at the top of the second page of search results for “body suspension.” Weird. I’m just a blogger from Minnesota, yet I’m getting calls from the Dr. Phil Show.
Just don’t assassinate me. Andrew Careaga came up with that headline over the latest stupid thing Pat Robertson said, that we should assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Why does anybody even listen to this guy any more?
The best part of the FOX news story was the last few lines:
Robertson has made controversial statements in the past.
In October 2003, he suggested that the State Department be blown up with a nuclear device.
He has also said that feminism encourages women to “kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.”
Update: CT’s weblog sheds some light on why the 700 Club is still on the air. Even if nobody’s listening the 700 Club will continue to air, thanks to contractual obligations.
Gas prices keep going up and our friend Steve over at Knightopia gives us the Top 25 Ways to Save at the Pump, a collection of fuel efficient practices culled from the web.
Of course Steve forgot one: Park your SUV.
How about a ground rule for these days of sky-high gas prices? No complaining about the prices unless you’ve actively tried doing something to lower your gas usage. Tonight on ABC World News Tonight they interviewed a woman who was really mad about the rising gas prices, but when asked if she’d give up her Lexus SUV you said no way. Get a grip.
The U.S. uses more gas than any other country (25 barrels of oil per year per person, vs. 10 in the UK) and it’s about time we started paying for it. A little conservation and efficiency never hurt anyone.
Some time ago marketer Seth Godin did some guest entries on the site This is Broken, and shared one idea about medieval jumper cables in cars. It tapped into a theme of stupid things about cars that I wish automakers would do better.
The Comics Curmudgeon is a blog I just started reading that makes fun of the funnies. Back in the day I used to read the entire comics section every day after school (followed up by the entertainment blurbs on the back page, which were actually a lot like blogs). While I don’t do it anymore, it’s great to read the Curmudgeon’s rippings.
Today’s comment about Garfield was great. Laugh out loud funny.
Amazingly enough, I also thought the Garfield comic in question was actually funny. Not laughing funny, but it got a grin. I haven’t actually laughed at a Garfield comic since, well, since back when you laughed at things no matter how un-funny they were.
Last month our house suffered some minor damage in a storm. I called two local companies before having a friend help me fix the damage. One company gave me a ballpark quote over the phone and explained that since they were so busy it would be a week before they could do my house. The guy was pretty nice about it, honest about the cost and that it was a pretty simple job I could probably do myself if I could get up there. Which is what we ended up doing (well, not me, but a friend).
The other company I called took down my name and said they’d have their estimator give me a call back. Guess when he called? Today. I called them on July 26. They get back to me on August 18. Ummm, nice try.
I can understand when a company is busy and they don’t have time for a nothing job like mine (I’ve certainly been in that position). That’s understandable. But shouldn’t you be following up a little sooner? Maybe just call and say, hey we can’t get to you for a month. It would at least give the opportunity to make a good impression, maybe even refer another company instead. Oh well.
Several times this summer I’ve caught the ABC reality TV show Brat Camp. The show places nine troubled teens in a wilderness therapy camp against their will. They have 40 days to deal with their demons and get home in time for Christmas. The kids have issues with drugs, anger, running away, violence–just about the worst situations you can imagine.
And the show makes me cry.
I’ve talked with other teens who think the show is hilarious, watching these angry, illogical teens rant and swear. And that part is entertaining, if simply because it’s shocking, but I find myself swept into the emotional rollercoaster. I get choked up watching. I think I’ve managed to hold back the tears, but it’s insane how often they well up during the show.
According to an NPR story I heard today there’s nearly a 40% chance you can get away with murder. That’s based on the number of murders committed and how many of them remain unsolved. Apparently it doesn’t vary much by location.
You can increase your odds by leaving no evidence and no witnesses. That means doing it at night, outside and with a gun that hasn’t been used in a crime before. A gun also allows greater distance between the murderer and the victim, which minimizes evidence.
It seems the getting away with murder bit was just an intriguing hook to keep people listening, but it worked for me. Fascinating stuff, if only I wrote crime novels.
I hate complaining about gas prices. But here I go.
Gas prices in the Twin Cities hit $2.69 yesterday. $2.69! I never thought I’d be so excited to see $2.49 advertised at a gas station in Champlin. I was so excited I whipped in and filled up, even though I needed less than 5 gallons.
This is ridiculous. Makes me want to add Twin Cities Gas Prices to the list of sites I check every day. Also makes me want to buy a hybrid.
The other day I was driving around St. Paul taking notes for a trail guide project I’m working on. When I pulled into Hidden Falls Park I about stopped the car when I saw a teenager fly off the roof of the picnic shelter. I quickly pulled into the parking lot and realized a couple teens had climbed up on the shelter’s roof and were using it as a skate ramp.
Sweet.
A work-at-home dad wrestles with faith, social justice & story.
Oh, 