…or something like that.
I am presently (well, almost finished) reading John Hodgman’s book, The Areas of My Expertise, which I first mentioned here.
Something strange happened somewhere in the middle of the appendix to the paperback edition. The book actually mentioned the exact store in which I had purchased the book. What’s more, the store was mentioned inasmuch as the author had called the store to determine that the store carried no copies of this book!
Whoa.
I was just reading, in the StarTribune online edition, an article about the lane addition project that was recently completed on Hwy. 100 in St. Louis Park.
The article includes a map and “Before” and “Now” photos, which I found very interesting. Especially when I noticed that the exact same cars were in both pictures, just in slightly different positions (all, that is, except for the red truck that appears to have been parked on the overpass for the entire duration of the construction project).
Imagine the coincidence, taking pictures both before and after the project, and timing it perfectly that the same cars would be traveling that stretch. Man, some people’s daily routines really are rigid! (Also, the weather was exactly the same, the photo was taken at the same time of day, the autumn leaves on the trees were at the same stage of coloration, etc.)
Of course, I think what’s really going on here is that the “Now” photo is actually a Photoshop mock-up produced by MNDOT during the proposal phase of the project. Anyone with an eye for Photoshop techniques can clearly see what’s been done to the photo. Still, it’s rather amusing that the Strib — intentionally or not — is passing this off as an actual photo of the road as it appears today.
Addendum (October 27, 2006; 9:15 PM): I figure since I took this opportunity to call attention to the Strib’s gaffe, I also owe it to them to share with my reader [sic] the fact that I also emailed the Strib about this, and in less than 12 hours I’ve received two emails from them — including one from the Director of Photography — apologizing for the mistake, and they say they’ll be posting a correction tomorrow. (Therefore, I’ll also refrain from capturing the erroneous version to post here.)
Addendum (November 7, 2006; 11:35 PM): Since I’m not a crackpot, I will not be pursuing this any further. However, I feel it’s worth at least noting here that I’ve just checked the page and no correction was ever made.
I’ve updated my Bands page with a video clip of Dream Out Loud performing “Hope” at Breakers Music Hall on May 2, 2002.
That’s me standing stiffly stage left and playing my beloved (and former) aquamarine metallic Fender American Jazz Bass V. (Well, I do miss it, but I certainly can’t complain about the translucent orange Music Man StingRay 5 I bought to replace it.)
Note: This video requires QuickTime.
 Mayor McCheese is rolling over in his grave.
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The Golden Arches have been the source of plenty of lame ideas over the years — from the McDLT to the Arch Deluxe (“America’s favorite new burger”) to… well, whatever crappy new menu items they’ve come up with lately.
But even worse than any of their food, I think their new marketing campaign has to be the lamest thing they’ve ever thought up. Yes, even worse than “I’m lovin’ it.” (BAH-dup-bup-BAH-BAAAH! Proving the marketing axiom that it can be annoying as hell, as long as it sticks in your brain. But I digress.)
“Let us add the cream and sugar”?
Wow. Is that the best you can come up with? Really? It’s so lame, I can’t even think of anything non-lame to write about it!
