Voice Actor, Comedian
Recently, an acquaintance of mine asked (exclaimed) “what happened to you?” when I shared a Facebook video from of my U.S. Senator, Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), stating I was proud of her. Perhaps, also a perceived opposition to some things the GOP and current presidential administration did/does, despite the fact that I’m a Christian white male of a certain age.
Continue reading “What Happened to You?”
The most common question I hear has got to be, “How can we have a church website on a shoestring budget?” For the purposes of discussion, let’s assume you’ve got some kind of budget. An annual budget of $500 is a fine place to start. The answer to the shoestring church website question starts with the basic who-what-when-where-why questions we learned that time in 8th grade English during the journalism unit.
Continue reading “Church Website on a Shoestring”
Tonight, the Chicago Cubs face the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the world series. I have been a Cubs fan since I was a little kid, correction “long suffering Cubs fan” since I was a little kid. What if the Cubs Win? It is part of my identity. I mean, I’m a Christian, so I get my identity from Christ. I’m married, so my identity is also as a husband. But the Cubs man… the Cubs!
Twenty years ago, churches were starting to put pieces of what they did online, and a few basics emerged that are as critical to a church website today, as they were then.
Continue reading “Critical Elements Of Any Church Website”
We are called to love and forgive people who hurt us, no matter what. No matter what? Does the Bible actually say that? Did Jesus actually say that? Are we actually supposed to live that way?
Have you ever noticed that I don’t play games or use these gadgets on Facebook? Ever. (ok rarely). Ever wonder why? Here’s what I wonder, “why would someone make a free viral tool or game?” Why would they give away something cool? Why would they give away something so cool that hundreds, thousands, or millions of people would use it? There’s a real reason.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43-44 NIV
As the Cubs gear up for a 1-game playoff vs Pittsburgh tonight, “Doomsday” is also today, at least according to Chris McCann, leader and founder of Pennsylvania-based eBible Fellowship. It’s like the mere possibility of the Cubs going to the playoffs, let alone the World Series is freaking out some people.
It’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day! (September 19) Here’s a primer to help you with what The Pirate Guys (c. 2006) call The Five “A”s – because there’s 5 of ’em, and they start with the letter “A”. Continue reading “The Five “A”s”
It was the anniversary of 911 this week. September 11, 2001 is a tragic date, especially for people who lost loved ones in the planes, World Trade Centers, Pentagon, and near Stoystown, PA. It is good that we honor their memories, and work for peace, to ensure similar events do not happen again. Continue reading “911 Recovery”
Holy Crap! Continue reading “Fred and Sharon”
So there was that time I was on stage doing sound effects. Continue reading “Sound Effects”
No matter who you’re trying to reach, or for what purpose, you need to go where they are. Continue reading “Fish Where The Fish Are”
As a Christian, I expect better from my Christian brothers and sisters. It hurts more when things go wrong. Continue reading “Being a Christian Without being a Jerk”
I live in Michigan. There are some wacky laws, still on the books here, and some of them appear in books about wacky laws. Continue reading “Wacky Laws”
Sometimes a prayer, tucked neatly into the Scriptures, surprises me. I had just such an experience recently. Continue reading “A Prayer”
When people talk about a varmint in their yard, along with rabbits, voles, field mice, and gophers, the groundhog or woodchuck usually shows up. Same or different? Continue reading “Woodchuck or Groundhog?”
As of March, 2015, Facebook became the equivalent of the world’s largest country with over 1.4 Billion monthly active users. Do they need missionaries there? Continue reading “Missionaries Wanted”
I’m not embarrassed to admit that Ron Popeil, the Ronco guy, is one of my heroes. Inventor, entrepreneur, marketer, and the godfather of the TV pitchman has four easy lessons for churches. Continue reading “4 Easy Church Lessons from Ron Popeil”
I’ve worked as all of these things: a voice artist, a model, an actor. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had, and I’d like to tell you about it. Continue reading “Voice-Artist-slash-Model-slash-Actor”
In the Great Commission, Jesus tells us to go and make disciples. Do you really need to go somewhere to make disciples? Is it even possible to live out the Great Commission in the digital world?
Continue reading “As You Go”
Speaking invitations come in all forms. You can contact me to invite me to speak. Sometimes people refer me to someone organizing a conference who might be looking for speakers, and I always appreciate those referrals. Sometimes, it’s an email, sometimes a phone call, and this one time, I got an invitation by text. To talk to a youth group, about sex. It’s always good to be prepared for the unexpected.
Continue reading “Unexpected Speaking Invitations”
As an American Christian, I might want to outlaw things that are not good for you. I’m not alone. On May 30, 2012, The Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, announced the Portion Cap Rule. It stated that sugary beverages could not exceed 16oz portions. Later that year, the Board of Health unanimously approved the limit, and it would go into effect 6 months later. The underlying reason was that larger portions made people fat. It’s not good for you, so we’ll make it illegal. Continue reading “Good For You”
Clairvoyance isn’t one of my spiritual gifts. I’ll go out on a limb and say that Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One,” didn’t have it either. He did have the ability to look at the players on the ice, and see where the puck was going, and go there. Continue reading “Skate Where the Puck is Going”
I’ve been a featured speaker at a variety of different conferences. Some are technology conferences, some faith-based, some not, and whenever I do, people look at some of my past job experience (Director of Digital Communications, Director of Digital Media) and think I’m going to give a tech-talk. I can, but I hardly ever do. Continue reading “Flying Cars Conference”
A few years ago my parents visited me in Philadelphia, and I took them to a Camden Riversharks minor league baseball game. They got to meet my friend Holly (now my wife) and we had a lovely time. Oh, and I became a Sumo Wrestler. Continue reading “Baseball Sumo”
That’s right I said, “a rabbit with a pancake on its head.” Continue reading “A Rabbit With a Pancake on its Head”
Reaching people across generations, across different communication tools, and becoming a missionary into a different communication culture sounds scary. It is. It’s not easy. The thing is, it’s supposed to be tough. Continue reading “It’s Supposed To Be Tough”
The Bible gives very specific instruction as it pertains to respect for our leaders. Continue reading “Respect for Authority and our Leaders”
Whenever I talk to people about God, I usually get questions about this sin or that. I get questions about sickness, disease, and in general, the junk that happens to us that seems unexplainable. We are often hurt and confused by natural disasters, children being hit by cars, bombs in public places, war, poverty, famine and injustice. Continue reading “A Broken World”
The Bible is the account of God’s action in the world and His purpose with all creation.
Forty authors, inspired by God, wrote the text of the Bible over the course of sixteen-hundred years, compiling a collection of books documenting God’s words about everything, from the creation of everything to the end of times. Continue reading “About The Bible”
From time to time I get questions about the name of God and why I don’t use it on my pages. I actually do refer to God in the most reverent and respectful way I can – by never writing or pronouncing His holy name. Continue reading “The Name of God”
First of all, yes, International Towel Day is a real thing. Continue reading “International Towel Day 2012”
Somehow I felt obligated to explain Godzilla. Continue reading “Godzilla Explained”
Christian leaders: are you willing to boldly go where no one has gone before? Turns out, whether you’re a Star Trek enthusiast or not, we have much to learn from Captain Kirk’s style of leadership. Continue reading “What Christian Leaders Can Learn from Star Trek”
OK – here’s a weird thing about my brain.
At lunch today I had an apple that was leaning off to one-side and I thought – hmm not very symmetrical.
Then I remembered a Newsweek Magazine article from about 15 years ago that described how symmetry had a lot to do with what we perceive to be beautiful. They showed actors’ and actress’ faces that were split up the middle and superimposed on the other side to show how symmetrical or not they were. Continue reading “Creepy Symmetry”
There’s a trial in progress alleging NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory demoted and then fired computer specialist David Coppedge for promoting his views on intelligent design. Continue reading “NASA – David Coppedge and evangelism at the office”
So, it turns out there’s a whole book full of these things, but I really had fun making them to go with this date in history. Hopefully, they are funny enough to inspire people to look up the event on their own. Continue reading “Facebook posts from history”
See this puddle in the parking lot? Continue reading “lousy puddle”
Can someone really hate a font?
How about two fonts?
The answer is unequivocally, yes.
If you’ve spent any time near churches or schools, you know the font all too well. Continue reading “Just Say No to Comic Sans and Papyrus”
Sometimes I feel like I live on Social Networks. My profile on most of them reads like this:
“Tweeting from stoplights since 2006: voice actor, speaker, strategery, interwebz bible guy, displaced Bears and Cubs fan, I have a lot of t-shirts” Continue reading “Another T-Shirt”
I used to write on this blog all the time. I used to publish every week and even had a “what’s wacky this week” tagline. So, what happened? Facebook… Twitter… I’m posting there all the time and neglecting this, my first foray into what would become social networking. So, let me look back at a few recent posts over there and see if they measure up. Continue reading “olden days”
This is the story of the MirthMobile. Continue reading “The MirthMobile Story”
I like to make music mixes and I really do listen to them over and over.
This year I put together a new Christmas mix containing some of the worst Christmas songs ever. Continue reading “Worst Christmas On Record”
I got some new pillows!
They had a pillow fight. Continue reading “Pillow Fight”
So maybe you’ve heard about the guy on twitter who wites “sh*t my dad says“. My twitter feed (also facebook) is much easier to digest. Here are some from the last couple of weeks. Continue reading “stuff that occurs to me”
Admiral Akbar just cracks me up. If you’re not familiar with this squidly character from the Star Wars movies, he’s got one famous line, “it’s a trap!” It really killed me this morning. Continue reading “It’s a trap”
You can look this up on Snopes to see that it’s true and everything. Continue reading “Labeling Everything”
Whether Public Display of Affection, or Electronic Organizer (which by the way does not abbreviate to PDA at all) it’s not something I think about often. However, today someone mentioned that teenagers use PDAs. Yeah… perhaps not as hip to the mod crowd as they’d hoped. Continue reading “PDA”
Sometimes people are bad at math. Sometimes they are bad at math on Facebook.
Really? Continue reading “New Math”
Men Are Just Happier People – continued
Again, thanks to my friend Sue for sending this to me.
Continue reading “Men Are Happier People Part 2”
Thanks to my friend Sue for sending this one to me.
Men Are Just Happier People Continue reading “Men Are Happier People”
From Homeland Security / Special Operations
On Wednesday, April 6, 2011, members of the Baltimore County Police Department – Hazardous Devices Team responded to a suspicious item received via the mail (USPS). The recipient partially opened the item and observed “wires” which he felt were consistent with an IED. The item was subsequently examined by bomb technicians who determined the item to be a new “American Express” advertisement.
I repeat – NOT A BOMB.
NOT A BOMB! – kinda one of those musical greeting cards… awesome.
I can’t believe that Christmas is almost here!
I have a special shout-out to my friend Matt for passing this heartfelt story on to me. I’m not above posting something that’s traveling around the internet and although this might not exactly fit in the format of the Wacky blog, it really got to me.
So – in the time-honored tradition of the Christmas Shoes, here is a Christmas story for 2009.
—————-
Late last week, I was rushing around trying to get some last minute shopping done. I was stressed out and not thinking very fondly of the Christmas season right then. It was dark, cold, and wet in the parking lot as I was loading my car up with gifts that I felt obligated to buy. Then I noticed that I was missing a receipt that I might need later. So mumbling under my breath, I retraced my steps to the mall entrance.
As I was searching the wet pavement for the lost receipt, I heard a quiet sobbing. The crying was coming from a poorly dressed boy of about 12 years old.
He was short and thin. He had no coat. He was just wearing a ragged flannel shirt to protect him from the cold night’s chill. Oddly enough, he was holding a hundred dollar bill in his hand.
Thinking that he had gotten lost from his parents, I asked him what was wrong.
He told me his sad story:
He said that he came from a large family. He had three brothers and four sisters. His father had died when he was nine years old. His mother was poorly educated and worked two full time jobs. She made very little to support her large family. Nevertheless, she had managed to skimp and save two hundred dollars to buy her children Christmas presents.
The young boy had been dropped off by his mother, on the way to her second job. He was to use the money to buy presents for all his siblings and save just enough to take the bus home. He had not even entered the mall, when an older boy grabbed one of the hundred dollar bills and disappeared into the night.
“Why didn’t you scream for help?” I asked.
The boy said, “I did.”
“And nobody came to help you?” I wondered.
The boy stared at the sidewalk and sadly shook his head.
“How loudly did you scream?” I inquired.
The soft-spoken boy looked up and meekly whispered, “Help me!”
I realized that absolutely no one could have heard that poor boy cry for help. So I grabbed his other hundred and ran to my car.
Oddly enough, in the last couple of weeks I’ve been pointed to a couple of different quirky pieces about the old 80’s hit, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler.
First is this flow-chart detailing the song.
Jeannie Harrell takes Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler, and puts it in flowchart form.
And this literal interpretation of the music video.
This just in… Brak
Get Your Yaar On!
Today is September 18 – or as I like to call it, International Talk Like A Pirate Day‘s Eve.
For the weekend, I am Piratizing the whole Mirthmobile site. Enjoy it while you can!
Special thanks to the Yahoo Developer Network for the JavaScript. This helpful little script turns seemingly innocuous phrases into a salty prattle.
Example:
Before
After
Is it still considered a typo when you make it out of wood and mass-produce it?
A co-worker of mine picked up some office decor and found what she thought said “Peace” followed by a decorative cross. While showing it off, she pointed out how she wanted a reminder to have peace in her life.
I suggested that she would most likely get lots of visitors to her desk and phone calls asking for computer help. (followed by a blank look)
It took a while for her to figure out that the Peace wooden cut-out instead spelled PC ACE.
I still like to call her from time to time and ask her questions about my Mac.
See how much fun you can have with a marker and a window in your cubicle?
It’s lots of fun working in a creative environment.
Meanwhile, here’s a list of other things you should have seen on the internet.
You Should Have Seen This
Thanks Matt!
I know you all need help with the technology in your lives and I thought I’d point you to some ways Google is making my life easier.
Over the years, Google has helped me with my home internet connection:
Helped me understand how their search engine rankings work:
And even provided me with refreshing beverages to help balance my electrolytes:
This year, Google has added a couple of great user-friendly tools to their labs, including:
Autopilot for email
It utilizes their new Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed-Intelligence Entity (CADIE):
So, dig in, hook up, and plug away.
Still killing me.
Sometimes, it’s just embarrassing to be in marketing and the church. Continue reading “illustrated word”
Objects in Mirror are Dumber than they Appear
Reminds me of a story –
These two guys get out of Truck Driving School and on their first run, they see a sign for a low bridge – 12 feet – 0 inches. They check the truck and the height is 13 feet 9 inches. They keep driving.
As they get closer to the bridge, they see another sign, “ low bridge – 12 feet – 0 inches”. They check the truck and the height is 13 feet 9 inches. They keep driving.
Finally as they get to the bridge, they stop, see the sign on the bridge, “12 feet – 0 inches”. They check the truck and the height is 13 feet 9 inches.
One driver says, “Waddaya think?”
The other says, “Well, there’s not a cop in sight, I say we go for it.”
I’ve never been one for guns. I staunchly support very strict handgun control.
I honestly didn’t know it could be this much fun.
My friend and co-worker Matt is getting married on Saturday, and this was event #1 of the bachelor party. We also went to dinner.
A group of guys – each renting or bringing a different firearm to the target range gives you the opportunity to try a bunch of different stuff. I have even more respect for the seriousness of weapon ownership now than I did before – having felt the recoil of a 357 Magnum, felt the easy squeeze of a 9mm and a .40 caliber. The M-16 (pictured) on the other-hand is what my friend TJ and I rented and it was easily the highlight of the shooting-fest.
Where’s my NRA membership card?
And no, I did not make all of those bullet holes in the ceiling.
By now, you’ve probably seen the Elf Yourself site and maybe you’ve even played with it.
I decided to elf my co-workers a little bit old-school. It’s easy! My cube has glass walls, and I have red and green dry-erase markers. This is Caleb, our Senior Graphic Designer.
Did you elf yourself? Are you gonna?
Post a comment with a link to your elfyness!
So now I’m the Director of Web Communications at my new company – a very old company – the American Bible Society. The pace is frenetic, the people are fantastic and I’m trying to clean up a bit of a web mess.
Our Development department has been working through a direct mail provider called Stratmark who, in a wash of Christmas spirit, has sent me a gift.
A gift of Chocolate.
This tower from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company contained a plethora of cocoa goodness from the nutty caramels in the top to the lovingly wrapped pretzels in the middle down to the ensconced cashews and almonds in the bottom. All delicious.
It’s good to be the guy who gets stuff from vendors for Christmas.
… maybe it’s just me
You might wonder what’s the difference between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where I live, and Grand Haven, Michigan where my sweetie Sylvia lives. The differences are actually quite striking.
In PA, winter means rain, sleet and snow, all mixed together or at least the threat of said precipitation. That threat creates early releases from work – like today, we’re all supposed to go home at 2:30. Drivers freak out, not because it’s so rare, but because the winding, curving, hilly roads are almost impassible when it’s dry and sunny. Drivers around here have as much chance of successfully navigating those roads as Joe Biden has of successfully navigating a press conference.
In MI, winter means snow. Snow as far as the eye can see and it never ends. Winter also lasts 6 months. Michigan drivers have to drive in straight lines and there are snow plows armed with rock salt. Also, everyone drives huge american made tanks with 4-wheel drive so they don’t care about the roads any more than Hillary Clinton cares about New York state.
Yeah – so, it’s 2:30, I gotta go get my PA driving license so I can drive like an idiot and have a good reason for once.
First of all, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything and that’s not because I haven’t been eating – oh no. I’ve just been very busy…
I’ve been working hard and eating at home or at my desk a whole lot. But today at lunch TJ brought me over to Five Guys. It’s the East’s answer to In-N-Out.
Great burgers, fresh toppings, Bay’s seasoning on the fries and Coke at the fountain.
This particular Five Guys is in a strip-mall, just about a mile from my office, and now I have a fun place to go for lunch from time to time.
One note – there are free peanuts in the shell available for munching. They are not roasted. They are raw peanuts. That is just wrong.
… maybe it’s just me.
I’ve always been fascinated with branding, names, and coming up with a good way to present something, whether it’s really cool or rather mundane.
A common elevator brand name is Otis, but the elevator in my office is Schindler.
Does that make it Schindler’s lift?
In Philadelphia there are cheesesteaks. Today, I had them for the second time at Pat’s King of Steaks. Jeremy was kind enough to haul me around after visiting his church.
In this picture, you can see the lineup to order (wit or witout) the beef bricks slathered or insulated with cheese. Across the street, there’s another line at Geno’s Cheesesteaks. You gotta give Geno’s credit for building competition directly across the street from the originator of this east coast yummy.
Clearly, they’re not hurting for business.
… maybe it’s just me
Special thanks to Sylvia for posting this video on her facebook page. I can’t get it out of my head now.
For the record – it’s a medley of John Williams music from a variety of movies, but uses dialog from the Star Wars movies throughout. 21 year-old Corey Vidal is an impressive talent and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Way to go Corey!
Now to get this out of my head, I need to listen to six hours of The Girl From Ipanema. That ought to get it.
Did you know Wal-Mart sells sandwiches?
I didn’t either, but now I do. Living out of a hotel room in Philadelphia is strange enough and I honestly don’t feel like a daily diet of eating alone at Chili’s or Logan’s is the best way to spend my time. I like to eat from the grocery store.
I found one with a salad bar my first night in town. Last night I noticed a Super-Wal-Mart (like Wal-Mart needed to be super-sized in any way). I made my way in and the first things I saw were these sandwiches in the deli.
Now I didn’t bring a tape measure or anything, but I’m pretty sure this sandwich was about 20″ long. Add mustard and I was tucked in for the night.
… maybe it’s just me
I’m looking for a place to live in the Philadelphia area.
This hallway appears in one of the converted factory loft-type places I’ve toured. Notice the ramp and doorway creating a fancy optical illusion that the hall is actually longer than it is.
This would be fun.
I was in Toledo on my way to Philadelphia and I had to jump off at the Front Street exit.
The chilli, the spicy dogs, the even spicier pickles are a magical combination on a cross-country road trip.
… maybe it’s just me?
Today is Saturday and on Monday I’m getting in the car and driving to Pennsylvania. I’m kicking off a new job in the Philadelphia area, working for The American Bible Society as the Director of Web Communications. My GPS will get me there, but since I have a passion for the details (anal) I looked up the route on Google maps.
Along the way, there were pictures of the road through Toledo. Most of them looked just the way I remember from the many times I’ve driven through Toledo, gotten on 475, and even hit the Ohio Turnpike. As I continued to pull up the images along the way, I discovered a rather disconcerting image.
Doesn’t this seem dangerous to you?
I feel a little more confident since the directions continue…
13. Continue on I-76 E, Partial toll road, Entering Pennsylvania. 350 mi
However, I’m a little apprehensive about arriving anywhere after driving through a retaining wall of an overpass. But according to this next image everything seems like it’s going to be OK. Just drive into the light…
Until I find myself on the wrong side of the road and have to cut across a cement barrier and directly into the side of this tanker.
I’m just going to follow the GPS and take my chances.
Today is my first day in my new office and I’m excited to start my new job at The American Bible Society in Wayne, Pennsylvania – near Philadelphia.
With Philadelphia comes Philly Cheese Steaks.
This is Pat’s King of Steaks, the claimed inventor of what might be the single greatest single contribution to American cuisine. I had this when I was here for my interview about 3 weeks ago. I also had Geno’s across the street – also good, but I like Pat’s better I think.
This last note might open me up to a horde of criticism and questions about my upbringing… you get the picture.
Maybe it’s just me…
Gabe Lyons – opening keynote for the Internet Ministry Conference made this observation…
The internet is the new beer
Meaning – it takes away the inhibitions and promotes a lack of consequence for one’s actions.
Since I don’t drink, I guess facebook is now my vice?
It’s Internet Ministry Conference time and the food is always amazing. Notice this dessert – white chocolate mousse in a chocolate shell with a raspberry reduction, next to an iPod touch with twitter running on it.
That’s much better than an iPod touch with a raspberry reduction running on it.
maybe it’s just me…
One of the biblical writers, Paul, wrote in his Roman letters that he was not ashamed of the gospel. Continue reading “Not Ashamed”
Whilst driving through my local Starbucks I like to make fun of Sylvia’s order. She gets a “Venti, skinny, vanilla, latte” but when I order it I like to say something like this.
first I’m gonna need a big ole honkin’ venti, skinny, no-fat, no-sugar, no-fun, no-nothin’ vanilla, latte…
WITH WHIP
Sylvia laughs when I do that, and that’s half the reason. This time, the intrepid barista in the drive-thru says:
wow – with that twist at the end I thought I was in an M. Night Shyamalan movie
We applauded when we got to the window.
I’m not a big fan of Fall – as it has fully arrived here in West Michigan, but I do like the Pumpkin Spice Latte an awful lot.
…maybe it’s just me?
Who gets to tow that? I imagine they will call the towing company next door to tow its own truck.
I live next door to a towing company and they often park their trucks right outside my windows. I’ve never complained, but they are loud. When these police order signs went up, I was very thankful, and the street was bare for… gosh… at least the weekend. Today, they started parking out there again.
Jodi is awesome.
Jodi signs up for a variety of giveaways, promotions, contests and such.
Jodi wins stuff.
This time it was a dinner for up to 8 people at the Golden Corral buffet. We didn’t know that it was also a sales pitch for some kind new-fangled fire safety device.
As seen in the picture, they roped in a herd of customers wanting a free meal and who were willing to sit through the presentation. Sylvia and I chose to skip the presentation and just enjoy a buffet meal on our own. We sat next to the banquet room so I could mock the presentation whenever possible.
My friend Steve Wilcox invited a bunch of us over for Maryland blue crabs.
Sylvia and I had a great time and Zeke ate almost a whole hot dog.
Note about blue crabs: after you cook ’em, they turn red. Kind of a political statement, don’t you think?
…maybe it’s just me
September 19 is upon us again!
Talk Like a Pirate Day
It’s a regular feature around here: 2007
And something I try to celebrate with a certain degree of gusto each time it comes around.
Do not confuse Talk like a Pirate Day with the Day of the Ninja. They are not the same.
Yeah
it was awesome.
Not political – just dang funny.
Tina fey returned to Saturday Night Live as Sarah Palin and kicked off the season opener with her old cohort Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton. Oh… it seemed some guy named Michael Phelps hosted. Huh…
My local Wallgreen’s store has everything. I had to stop in for some supplies today and there on an end-cap was a display containing this: Bag O’ Baby.
Not to make light of a tough situation, but man! Couldn’t some people struggling with infertility get a false ray of hope from this?
Like it’s some kind of kit?
Seriously, what do you do – just add water or something?
This is the front of my apartment building and not some cheesy used car lot.
Can you believe that someone would just drive up on the front yard like that? Well, I guess if you have 4-wheel drive, you use it.
Nice parking job Mr. “I’m so important”.
Well done.
Many years ago, Ocean Spray made Cran-Blueberry. It was amazing. Then, they stopped making it. It was sad.
Today, I found this in the grocery store. It is fantastic. I’ve started hitting the juice pretty hard today.
If you’ve had someone else’s Cranberry-Blueberry concoction, that’s fine, but this is the best juice ever.
… maybe it’s just me
As if we needed one more energy drink – this is mango flavored. I found it on tap at a gas station.
When you think of wild stallions, raw power, rippling muscles, thundering hooves, and manes whipping in the wind as they gallop across the great plains – don’t you just think “Orange Mango”?
… maybe it’s just me
I can’t be the only one who thought of this can I?
The thought of Michael Palin in the pepperpot drag getup along with John McCain has me in stitches. Sarah Palin is probably a better choice.
There’s got to be a way that I can set this up in my own kitchen.
I’d probably just end up sticking my face underneath and dispensing both barrels directly into my mouth.
… maybe it’s just me.
Rochester, Michigan is the home of Red Knapp’s Dairy Bar. Until I was on the way there, I thought is was the Dairy Barn. Clearly, I’m a moron.
It’s a 50’s-style diner. It’s been a 50’s-style diner since the 50’s.
That’s actually really nice. Great burgers on homemade buns, shakes served in the can and fries.
You can’t go wrong when those are all done well.
…maybe it’s just me.
Thanks to Sylvia for taking me there!
ADD: the gift that keeps on giving.
Clearly this poor fellow missed the first day of marketing school where they taught people the three basics.
1) who is your customer?
2) what do you want your customer to do?
3) how do you spell “ad”?
It’s math, it’s medicine, it’s advertising
(addvermathicinetising)
And that’s just plain awesome.
It was about 18 months ago that I converted the long-standing Wacky pages into a blog. I actually started the Wacky thing of the week on a shared drive at Calvin College over 10 years ago and the wackiness continues.
For this one-hundredth post on the newer blog-version, I needed something memorable, something superior, something wacky.
I give you: Badger Badger Badger
Mushroom…
Snake…
According to my friend Paul…
This was taken in front of the Gardendale, Alabama , Walmart while she (the subject of the picture) was going to the Flea market. 
Now I ask you…
Who sits and looks at a pair of men’s briefs and says hmmmm…I can make a nice summer top from these!! On the other hand…
$6 for a three pack is a good price!
wow
I don’t know about you, but I feel GREAT!
Here’s a guy who made up his mind to do something and by golly, he’s doing it. Spirit like this is contagious and gets around the office simply by being near it.
One problem, he based his new plan on a snack-bar instead of a really good idea. This is where planning really has to come into play.
What is the one thing you do really well?
Are you ready to go, do, and be that?
Thanks to Keller for pointing me to that video!
I have the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors for Greater Hopes, Inc. Adoption Agency and we had our first meetings this week in Rockford, MI – just around the corner from The Corner Bar.
Famous for their hot dogs and their hot dog contest. It seems if you eat enough dogs in a short enough amount of time, then you get your name on their wall. That’s good fun!
When I ordered my hot dog I was reminded of this old joke.
Q: What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor?
A: Make me one with everything.
…maybe it’s just me
I’ve been listening to the local radio station in Grand Haven. It’s small-town and full of delightful little nuggets that you just don’t get at the big stations. I worked on the air for about 12 years and I fondly recall the goofy things I had to do. Some examples from my career:
However, yesterday I heard something new. It seems that my local station includes the reading of the obituaries column as part of their news broadcast. If that weren’t creepy enough, here’s what I heard yesterday:
Well… there are no new obituaries to share with you today… so… we’ll be back with more news after this:
(commercial) “Would your family be properly cared for if something happened to you?…”
Then I had to pull over as the rest of the life insurance commercial played.
1 pound…
One of my favorite places in Grand Haven is Pavilion’s Wharf right there on Washington. It’s a cute little place decked out like a red, green, and white cottage, but inside it’s an awesome little restaurant and bar.
The burgers are clearly their best offerings. Cooked to order and available in 1/2 pound or… yes… Full One Pound options. Fiesta burger: bacon, swiss, guacamole, and I encourage you to try the curly fries.
You won’t go to bed hungry… and you wont wake up hungry the next morning either.
… maybe it’s just me
My office isn’t the best place in the whole wide world right now and yesterday the ceiling started to cave in.
Seriously, right in the middle of a meeting and right on cue as Andy said something with just a tinge of despair. Andy’s usually a very positive fellow, but this was priceless. We all stared at the can-light hanging from the ceiling by two slender copper threads and then just exploded in laughter.
It kinda helped.
The other day though…
Jon started making some crack about Genesis (the book, not the band) and after an awkward silence asked,
“What? We’re not joking about creation?”
Luke just smirked and muttered,
“Too soon.
I nearly hemorrhaged.
It’s Summer time and that means ice cream. In Grand Haven, a lakeshore tourist community, that means you have plenty of choices. Today I’m talking about the Dairy Treat – at the request of my special guest requester – Brian.
Of all the gastronomic delights available, Brian had a hankering for a Rock Pile Shake. He said it was kinda like a blizzard but better.
When I arrived at the window I saw the slogan, “Home of the Rock Pile Shake”. I was pretty geared up! You get a choice of peanuts or pecans. Brian asked for peanuts so that’s what I got. I didn’t know what else might be in there and I don’t mind the adventure of an unknown. Brian hasn’t ever steered me wrong before, so I received my first Rock Pile with salivary glands at the ready.
There were strawberries clearly visible. I like strawberries. I like ice cream, I like peanuts, what could go wrong? (see my food rules for examples of what could go wrong)
I like bananas, but not really in things. This was a banana split in a blender. I ate the whole thing anyway just because I love Brian so much and wanted to honor his food request.
nasty
Brian also wanted me to visit Butch’s Beach Burritos (next blog post coming soon). I had to ask him if I should be worried about finding a banana covered in salsa hiding in there.
… maybe it’s just me.
PS – got something you want me to eat and blog about? Add your comment and let me know!
