Random Memorial for Monday 12/14/09

Gone but not forgotten: Arby's Big Montana.

Back home, I can remember one of the perks of driving to Park City was getting to stuff my face at Arby's with this cholesterol-killer of a sandwich. Then, corporate had to go and change the name of the sandwich to "Large" in a fit of uncreativity. By the way [prurient content alert] ... for those of you hipper than I, until this morning, I had no idea that this memory from my past has a slightly different connotation on the streets. Look it up in urbandictionary if you dare (not the link below), and know that you have been forewarned.

http://lotgk.wordpress.com/2007/11/02/arbys-big-montana-roast-beef/

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 12/13/09

What Chicago is talking about this week:

The "guilt tax" -- having to say "no" at registers when every store is looking for an extra dollar for its cause or having to avoid eye contact with the kettle Santas this time of year -- is being used to describe the cause-based marketing going on at many retailers. And why not? An extra dollar here and there can really add up when the final tally is known -- and if you don't have that extra dollar, then you can take the approach of the lady in the article -- "I don't mind them asking, so long as they don't mind me saying no!"

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=343686

Random Soapbox for Saturday 12/12/09

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... Hollywood casting agents -- how dare you! How dare you cast perennial slacker icon Cabin Boy Chris Elliot as Lily's FATHER on the recent Slapsgiving (2) episode of How I Met Your Mother. How dare you blatantly rub my age in my face! How dare you interfere with my perception that I'm just like Robin, Barney, Ted, Lily and Marshall by forcing me to face the reality that I'm at least half-a-generation beyond those characters! I've been comfortable just watching Chris' actual daughter on SNL these past two years because I didn't have to put two and two together! At least the same episode provided us with Aldrin Games Unlimited.

http://www.inkslinger.org/funlab/?p=80

Random Flashback for Friday 12/11/09

Tis the season ... or twas the season 20 years ago ... for holiday parties, for returning back to the dorm still a little buzzed, for toasting it all (whilst toasted) in the lobby of Mary Green, and for the cardigan sweater craze that made me feel dressed up (?). Ms. Klinsky, my date for the night, wherefore art thou? [Or, if I remember my Shakespeare correctly, just where are you -- I know why you are.]

Random Thought for Thursday 12/10/09

After six seasons and countless product placement pitches in Top Chef, I realized after watching the finale last night and after hearing that the Glad Family would be giving $125,000 to the winner again that I wanted to find this generous brood. A few clicks and I think I've located them ... what's that? It's the makers of the Glad Family of Products? It's just artful commercializing?? The Glad Family I found below isn't giving young Vitaglio his seed money to start his restaurant??? Are you sure -- they look like foodies! On Sat Nov 21, they had an "Eat Your Weight in Cheese Day" with fondue pics!!

http://thegladfamily.blogspot.com/

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 12/9/09

Moses.

Used in a sentence: "I have found the anti-christ, the one world religious figure that signals the end of time, the force that unites Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, the real potential worldwide weapon of mass destruction (WWMD -- what would Moses do?): and he is Moses -- he who is second best prophet in Islam after Mohammed, he who led the Jews to the edge of the Promised Land, and he who is interwoven in America's history, according to the book below. Interesting ... and not Revelations style scary at all."

http://brucefeiler.com/books/americas-prophet/

Random Tune for Tuesday 12/8/09

I'll stick with the dead celebrity jag for inspiration with regards to these ditties as 09 draws to a close. When I was younger, I posited that perhaps Michael and Janet were the same person ... until this video hit. "Stop pressurin' me ... makes me want to SCREAM!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxkVaYlrfh8&feature=fvw