Corporate Malfeasance (or, does the left hand know what the right is doing?) – CBS apparently hasn't kept their Watch! magazine columnists up-to-date with the company's recent acquisitions. Odd, since other parts of the August 2009 edition highlight several different sites that were part of the CNet purchase. Nominated for most clueless employee of the year with a symbolic demotion for mentioning TV.com's only real competition: Marianne O'Leary of the "Ask Mo" column (I have to admit, I got the most evil glee from this one):
Q: Guest star credits at the end of programs go by so fast. Is there someplace I can find out who played a character?
Mo: When I see a familiar face I can't quite place on my favorite programs, I'll try the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com). It lists not only all of the regular performers on a series along with their other credits, but also the same information for the guest stars for each episode.
Perhaps she should also lose a month's salary for wildly overstating reality.
Proof That Water/Talent Rises To Its Own Level – Miley Cyrus, yet another pop sensation with no rhythm or discernible musical talent, has inked a clothing deal with Walmart. Yes, Walmart. A corporation with a miserable history of mistreating its employees, obliteration of small businesses, and a feudal view of America where Walmart plays royalty despite its place at the bottom of the shopping hierarchy.
Best Forum Response Ever – "Dude, don't be gooey chocolate chip cookie."
You Did See Who Ordered, Yes? – I stopped at a Del Taco (think Taco Bell but with better beans and fries) on the way home from the airport the other night. When I got to the window the girl asked me if I wanted ketchup, but didn't ask about the hot sauce. I didn't worry about this, because usually, if they don't ask my preference, they just take one look at my pale gringo face and load me up with mild. I got home to find two handfuls of "Del Inferno" in the bag with my food. Now, I ask you, really?
I'm Not Sure How I Could Have Been Clearer – While checking out at the grocery store, the girl who was bagging my purchases asked whether I wanted paper or plastic. I asked for paper. Imagine my bemusement when she loaded my paper bags, each lovingly bagged in its own plastic bag, into my shopping cart.
Last, but Not Least – The New York Times had an amusing and clever editorial on the battle over the origin of haggis. The full article can be read here if you're interested (it will probably require a free registration), but I thought I'd share the final lines that recommend the best way to eat haggis. You gotta love a dish that requires hard liquor to mask its taste
:"Never heard of haggis? Never tasted it? Try it on your next visit to Scotland, or even England. It is best taken with mashed turnips, which, incidentally, were invented in Scotland, and with a shot of whisky. The whisky is to neutralize the taste of the haggis, and the turnips are there for health reasons. Highly recommended."
I hope everyone has a great weekend.