Archive for October, 2008
October 16th, 2008
Likely conversation between McCain and one of his handlers after last night’s debate: “By the way, Sen. McCain, Sarah’s son has Down Syndrome, not autism, so you might not want to make that mistake again.”
McCain: “Oh. Well, Trig is a special needs child, and that’s the point I was trying to make, that we need to help families with special needs.”
Handler: “I understand that, sir. But it sounded like you didn’t know what you were talking about. And it sounded like you were pandering to voters because everybody today is talking about autism. And it seems like most everybody else knows that Down Syndrome and autism are completely different developmental disabilities.”
McCain: “10-4, my friend.”
Handler: (silently, to himself: “Hope it’s not over-and-out.”)
Here’s a discussion about what McCain said about autism last night.
What did you think about McCain's remarks on autism at the debate?
October 15th, 2008
GOP veep candidate Sarah Palin winked at least six times in her debate with Democratic veep candidate Joe Biden, according to this Los Angeles Times story.
(AP photo)
Some say the wink is playful, knowing, flirtatious or suave. “A wink can change the meaning of a sentence: “My kid always gets straight A’s.” Wink. Wink. It can invite camaraderie.”
What do you think about Sarah Palin's winking?
October 14th, 2008
October 10th, 2008
How about whipping out a few lyrics from a few pop/rock songs to console/irritate your aching wallet/retirement accounts:
Simon & Garfunkel’s “Slip Slidin Away”: “You know the nearer your destination, the more you slip sliding away.”
Pink Floyd’s, “Money”: “Money, its a crime. Share it fairly, but don’t take a slice of my pie.”
Care to share others?
October 9th, 2008
Newsweek has taken the words right out of my mouth in the magazine’s latest cover story: “The Palin problem.”
Shortly after Katie Couric’s interview with Sarah Palin, I was talking with one of my bosses at the News Tower, telling her that one of my biggest issues with Palin is I see much of me in her, in that I’m you’re average Geo-six-pack kind of person. Unlike her, I can name big-city newspapers and national magazines I read. But like her, I’d have drawn a blank as well if asked to name Supreme Court decisions I disagree with.
I told my boss I could name at least one person who has recently worked in our office who would make a good U.S. vice president if he ever wanted to be, but that I sure wouldn’t want me to be the veep.
Now, Newsweek is focusing on the issue: A McCain adviser said Palin is on the ticket because she connects with everyday Americans. And Newsweek asks: Do we want leaders who are everyday folks, or do we want leaders who understand everyday folks? Therein lies an enormous difference.
October 8th, 2008
I’ve spent a lot of time releasing stress at the office about the economy and my going, going …. getting-too-close-to-I-can’t-even-bring-myself-to-say-the-words ‘almost-gone’ retirement savings by talking about it a lot to those sitting near my desk. I know, poor them listening to poor me, you say.
I just realized when I read this story in the Chicago Tribune this morning that I should get more creative on the money-making side versus the money-investing side, like Robyn Okrant is doing. She is nine months into her yearlong attempt to follow every bit of advice Oprah Winfrey doles out, whether in the magazine, on the Web site or on her TV show. And she has a high-powered agent waiting for her to start writing a book about the experience.
Even if it doesn’t make Oprah’s Book Club list, I bet Okrant will make a lot of money from the book.
Wish I would have thought of that.
Tell me the hair-brained ideas you’ve thought about doing to make money that never got off the ground or still might.
And don’t tell me to go live at a dog kennel for a week and write a book about it, because I won’t.
October 7th, 2008
Alas! You’ll be able to rest assured that your teen is buckling his or her safety belt in the car if they’re driving a number of Ford cars made in 2010.
That’s because MyKey will sound a six-second chime every minute if seat belts aren’t fastened. And what teen will want that annoying sound when they’re trying to listen to their music. Oh, and speaking of music, MyKey also will limit the volume of the audio system. Drag racers won’t be happy, though. MyKey limits the car’s speed to 80 mph.
What do you think of the idea? (Explain yourself further here in 'comments.)
October 4th, 2008
New York perfumer Harvey Prince just released Ageless Fantasy, a grapefruit-scented fragrance promoted as “the world’s first anti-age perfume,” according to this story.
The formula is based on actual research by the Smell and Taste Treatment & Research Foundation. Its researchers smeared middle-aged women with scents like banana, broccoli, spearmint and lavender, then asked male volunteers to sniff them and guess their ages. Grapefruit-scented women were guessed to be considerably younger than they really were — about six years, on average.
October 3rd, 2008
IÂ received an e-mail from a local guy who needs help. Read my suggestions in the comments section. If you have any, please do the same:
I was wondering if you could help me with a little problem I am having. I am a recently divorced father of three great kids and I would really like to learn how to cook! I have attempted to find these classes on my own to no avail. I don’t want to learn some exotic dish, or how to cook “McGyver” style..just your basics with room to grow. I dont want to buy pizza every other weekend, you know? Any info you can give me or assistance in steering me down the right road would be great.
October 3rd, 2008
Is your house or your neighbor’s spookacalifragilisticexpialidocious?
We want to feature several houses in the Rock River Valley that are decorated on the outside to the hilt for Halloween.
Send the address, the name of the home’s owner and a phone number where we can reach that person during the day as soon as possible but by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Include your name and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published. Send a photo of the decorated house as well, if possible.
E-mail Georgette Braun at gbraun@rrstar.com, or fax to 815-987-1365.
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