29 August 2011

Penn Jillette and I Are Best Friends - Part II

We may not be best friends, but Penn Jillette is a great guy.  I have read his books...yeah plural, books...and in writing, he seems like great guy.  I follow him on twitter, read his tweets.  He also responds to people on twitter as if he is best friends with everyone.  So, yeah...we are best friends.

I sent this to P&T just hours before the show, and he wrote back...again.

I had a chance to go to Las Vegas this past weekend. Normally, I do not care for the amount of douchebagery that breeds in Vegas.  But since I was going to be there, I wanted to see Penn & Teller.  I have been to Las Vegas twice before and did not get a chance to see them.  I even stayed at the Rio for New Year's once and did not go.  This time for sure it was a must do.

Tickets to the show. So excited
Note:  I have seen Penn & Teller before when they stopped by in Los Angeles.  I think it was in 2002

The show was great. After the show, Penn & Teller run off stage and head back to the 'lobby' area to greet the audience, sign stuff, and take photos.  It just shows what great people they are to meet with 1400+ fans after each show.

Teller about to sign Penn's book.

Penn is a full foot taller than me. Notice the DMC shirt

See, we are best friends.
 If you are ever in Las Vegas, I highly recommend the Penn & Teller show at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Thanks again to Penn & Teller for a great show that made the trip well worth it.  Hope to see their show again.

* Yes, I realize that Penn is most likely just responding to random tweets and has no idea who I am.

21 August 2011

Knowing Your History on Twitter - Part II

What was that, an exhibition?

I think more people read that tweet than the total number of people that read any part of my blog.  I am even factoring the number of people that may have missed the retweet.  What does this mean?  Absolutely nothing!  Well, it is kinda cool that Shannon Lee read and retweeted my tweet.  Again, it pays to know your nerd history on twitter.

Penn Jillette and I Are Best Friends

Penn Jillette just came out with a new book , God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales.  I spent most of yesterday reading it.  Hey, I am a slow reader.  I found what I thought was a mistake and wrote Penn Jillette a message on twitter:

We are best friends
 It is a good read,I recommend it.  Heck, even I am taking the time to read it.  I may even go see Penn & Teller at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casio in Las Vegas.

Penn, Yes!
I think I can finish the book today, maybe bring to Las Vegas and get it signed by Penn...and perhaps Teller.

Edit:  I finished reading the book.  It took about 8-10 hours total. Like I said, I am a slow reader.  I do not think I have ever read a book so fast...and this one did not even have pictures in it.


16 August 2011

McDonald's Happy Meals

Not sure if I have brought this up before, but I need to write something here other than bitching about telemarketers.  So, let me bitch about McDonald's Happy Meals.

It seems that McDonald's has been revamping their menu the past few years.  Often times these changes offer the customer a 'healthier' alternative to the classic menu.  The Happy Meal now has fruit to substitute for fries.  But, there is one item that I have wanted for years...and it is an easy addition to the menu.

McDonald's should have a Filet-O-Fish Happy Meal.

On occasion, I will go to McDonald's.  My usual is a Filet-O-Fish meal and two apple pies.  By the way, McDonald's fries are one of the best fries you can get...and their apple pies are damn good.  Their fish sandwich is not bad for the price you pay.  I am not here to bash on the quality of their food.  I understand their place in the market and the need they fill for billions across the world.

So, what if there is a child that does not like chicken or beef?  What if this kid likes fish, and wants a toy to go with it?  Very simple solution for the largest fast food chain in the world, add a Filet-O-Fish Happy Meal to the menu.  You say, "hey, it cost more for fish".  I am willing to pay the difference as others have paid the difference between a hamburger, cheeseburger, or McNugget Happy Meals.

I vaguely remember the introduction of the McNugget to the menu.  It may have been introduced before my time, but I for damn sure remember the introduction of the McNugget Happy Meal.  Way back in the early 80's you could only get a hamburger or cheeseburger Happy Meal.  Then suddenly they offered the McNugget Happy Meal.  Why can they not just do that with the Filet-O-Fish?  There is nothing new they need to do, just add it to the menu and make a spiffy commercial and sales would boom.  Oh, and train their employees to put a fish sandwich in the box.  There, now I have my meal and toy.

I have written to McDonald's about this before.  Obviously, there has yet to be a menu change.  Maybe I need to get Morgan Spurlock to make a documentary on the Happy Meal...maybe then, they will change their menu.

Trivia:  Filet-O-Fish Friday came about because of some religious thing about not having beef on Fridays.  So, Ray Cook offered a cheaper price for their fish sandwich on Fridays.  The tradition continues to this day. 

01 August 2011

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - August 2011

We start off the month crowning a new champion. 

Normally, I wait until about the midway point of the month to pubish these.  But, since there was one record broken earlier in the month...and other one soon to be broken...I think the internet needs to know about these terrorists.  Check back daily hourly for updates on the record.

1 August 2011
   918-442-0729  Tulsa, OK  Nine times!  Today, I got the record breaking ninth call from the terrorist cell in Tulsa, OK.  Who knew?  I am interested in seeing who will step up and break this record.  Keep in mind that Tulsa can (and most likely) still continue to call...and I will still continue to ignore.  Others that have a head start can catch up, perhaps a new comer will step up.  But I am confident that a new champion will be crowned soon.  Actually looking forward to call number ten, tomorrow.

4 August 2011
   701-661-1006  ND, USA  Hello, North Dakota!  The record was broken by Tulsa earlier this week.  Today, I get a call from North Dakota.  I know this is going to sound like I am making this shit up, but the previous record was from Martin, ND.  Is North Dakota trying to break the record.  I kinda wish they would have used the same number from Martin, ND. Oh well, if you want to start from zero...you have a ways to go.  Oh, and fuck you!

   701-661-1006  ND, USA  Oh really, twice a day?  Did you think I happened to be away from my mobile phone the first time?  What were you thinking?  "Oh, we should try again, maybe we missed him and he really wants this useless shit we are selling."  Seriously, who buys from telemarketers?  Again, fuck you!

5 August 2011
   701-661-1006 ND, USA  Bright and early, first call of the day.  Three calls in less than 24 hours.  These terrorists can easily  break the record by the end of the month.

   701-661-1006 ND, USA  Make that four calls in less than 26 hours.  They are almost half way to the record and it is only the first week of the month.

   701-661-1006 ND, USA  Three times in one day, for a total of five in less than 30 hours.

8 August 2011
   701-661-1006 ND, USA  Nice to see they took the weekend to rest up before attacking full force on a Monday morning. 

   701-661-1006 ND, USA   It has gone beyond the point of annoying.  I wonder how long this can last.

   429-47  El Segundo, CA  Via text message.  Apparently, "Vicara Salon El Segundo offers text message reminders".  Well, here is a reminder...fuck off!

9 August 2011
   701-661-1006 ND, USA  Not letting some stupid text massage get in the way.  Right on schedule with their eighth call.  Looks like a new record will be broken by the end of the day.

   701-661-1006 ND, USA   The record is now tied.  And, they did it in four working days.  I expect another call in a few hours to lock their place in history.

10 August 2011
   701-661-1006 ND, USA  TEN!  The record is broken.  Just when I thought that it could not be done, these terrorists do it in record time. 

You can see the previous record holder and current record holder...all happening with ten days.

12 August 2011
   701-661-1006  ND, USA  Took a day off yesterday?   Yeah, making ten calls in five days is exhausting.  Maybe I will get muliple calls today to make up for yesterday and the upcoming weekend.  Hey, uh presidental candidates...stop bitching about Obama and bashing each other...put an end to telemarketers and I may consider reigistering to vote.

   701-661-1006  ND, USA  What if it is something really important and they really need to contact me?  Oh yeah...leave a fucking message. Twelve calls in six days.  At least they are keeping up with their average of two calls a day.

15 August 2011
   978-570-2446 MA, USA  Could this be a new contender for the title?

16 August 2011
   978-570-2446 MA, USA  This could get interesting.  Looks like North Dakota is slacking off a bit.

   978-570-2446 MA, USA  Folks, we could have another new champion by the end of the month.  That is three calls in two days, on a record pace.

17 August 2011
   978-570-2446 MA, USA  Fourth call in three days.  If they can make three calls a day, they record can be shattered by the end of the week.

18 August 2011
   987-570-2446 MA, USA  These guys are slipping.  They can still break the record but not sure if they can do it in record time.  Ugh, I hate making up sub categories for these fucking assholes.  Either go all out or do not bother calling me.  Hey, what the fuck am I saying.  Fuck you, stop calling me.

19 August 2011
   978-570-2446 MA, USA  Starting out early in the day, working on the record.  This usually means multiple calls. Call number six, in five days.

   701-661-1006  ND, USA  Holy shit!  What is this?  Coming out of retirement to school the new contender?  Consider my mind blasted.  Folks, I present you with call number thirteen.  Take note Massachusetts, this is how the game is played.  This could get interesting. 

   701-661-1006 ND, USA  I tell you, these guys do not give up.  They are either really dedicated or really fucking stupid.  I am not going to pick up. If only Tom Mabe would run for office.

   978-570-2446  MA, USA  We have ourselves the battle of the century, here.  Can the new comer fight back and regain momentum?  We shall see.

   978-570-2446  MA, USA  Fuck me with a do not call list, this is amazing.  For those keeping score, ND 14...MA 8.  And, I got five calls (so far) in one day.  Seriously, stay tuned.  There is no telling who will call me next.

22 August 2011
   701-661-1006 ND, USA  Ah, Monday.  So it begins, a new week of attacks from our native terrorists.
  
   701-661-1006 ND, USA  Call number 16, doubling up on Massachusetts.  This record will be hard to beat. Come on, Massachusetts, step up.

23 August 2011
   213-337-0334 Los Angeles, CA  We have a new contender...and a local one, too.

   505-506-1046 NM, USA   Who the fuck is calling me from New Mexico?  Pretty rare to get terrorist calls from the West Coast.  I guess the earthquake near the Colorado/New Mexico border did not get to these guys  

   480-359-4322 AZ, USA   Who the fuck is calling me from Arizona?  Another call from the West Coast.  Must be all the Arizona Iced Tea I drink.

24 August 2011
   213-337-0334 Los Angeles, CA   Hey, a second call...must be important.  Too bad the number comes up as a telemarker on Google. Nice try, go fuck yourself.

26 August 2011
   213-337-0334  Los Angeles, CA   Hey fuckface, you took yesterday off.  I am disappointed in your work ethic.  How do you expect to geet business if you slack off like that?  Oh yeah, telemarketing does not work.  You are wasting time and money that can be better spent by purchasing a broomstick and sticking up your ass...go fuck yourselves.

29 August 2011
   213-337-0334 Los Angeles, CA   Fourth call from this number.  I cannot think of anything witty to say about this, so there...and fuck you.

31 August 2011
   508-475-1968 MA, USA   Another caller from Massachusetts.  Litte late in the game, but there is hope.  I wonder what happened to the other fucknuts.