Friday, November 8, 2013

November 8, 2013

I called Ripley's: Believe It or Not! to report this; I'm still waiting to hear from them. Brace yourself for this shocker: the other day, I met two people that were the same age, same race, same color, same sexual orientation, same family, same gender, who had the same political views. But (get this): they had two different opinions about a lot of things! Can you believe it?

Why is it that people who drink too much are called "overserved", but people who eat too much are called "gluttons"?

All over the world, a lot of men (and possibly, some very committed women) are growing mustaches for Movember, a month-long effort to raise awareness for prostate, testicular, and other male-associated cancers, essentially "changing the face of cancer." But what if you already have a mustache? I suppose shaving it would also be "changing the face", but then you wouldn't look like you're participating. Oh, what to do, what to do?

Okay, if you have ever eaten one of those huge restaurant style barbecued turkey drumsticks without thinking about Fred Flintstone eating one of those pterodactyl legs... I bet you can't now.

I am very impressed by the way the producers of Saturday Night Live responded to the recent criticisms that there are no black women in their cast; rather than ignore the criticisms (or rush to hire a token black woman to appease their critics), they addressed it with humor by having guest host Kerry Washington (insert sigh of admiration) portray several black women in every skit during the program. But, if they're sincere about looking for an experienced sketch comedian who happens to be black and female, how about Kim Wayans, Kim Coles, or Debra Wilson? Are any of them available? Or how about at least auditioning some black female stand-ups, like Loni Love or Wanda Sykes?

A new twist on massage therapy is going on in Indonesia: during a snake body massage, pythons, with their mouths taped shut, slither all over the bodies of clients, giving a deep tissue massage to relieve their stress. Is anybody else creeped out by this?

Empire Biscuits opened its first 24-hour biscuit restaurant in New York a week ago. With 24 different spread options on its menu, the restaurant was forced to shut down at 3:00pm on its first day, after running out of food for the overwhelming customer demand. After regrouping, the owners reopened the next day. Apparently, this was a need that needed to be filled; unfortunately, the cute little Pillsbury dough boy isn't doing that adorable little giggle anymore.

Don't assume she's anti-social; maybe she finds her navel more fascinating than the 50 cents you saved 20 years ago by drinking orange drink instead of orange juice.

In the British film Philomena, Dame Judi Dench stars as a woman searching for the son she bore out of wedlock and was forced to give away. The film's producer is challengjng the MPAA, who has given the movie an R rating, ostensibly because of two mentions of the "F" word. This raises a lot of questions: compared to the sex and violence available on TV, the Internet, and video games, is this really a necessary rating? Are artistic integrity and the use of the word that important to the plot? Is this conflict really a clever effort to publicize the film?

It has been reported that famed chef Charlie Trotter, who has been creditted with putting Chicago on the national culinary map, and inspired numerous well-known chefs all over the country, defied doctors' orders to avoid flying after being diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Whether that was what led to his death on November 5 has yet to be determined; while he will be greatly missed, the impact of his talent will be savored by millions.

Agape' -- P

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