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One of the top 10 best Top 10 lists January 28, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.
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Last week, Letterman ran repeats.

Typically, I resent him for that. It’s a random week not too long after the holidays, and he already takes a week’s vacations. He may have his reasons, but still, I feel slighted.

Regardless, I was able to catch up on my missed or favorite past episodes.

Fortunately, I caught perhaps the best Top 10 list Dave has presented. Here is…

The Top 10 Least Popular Holiday Songs


State of Emergency in Coatesville January 25, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.
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CoatesvilleOfficials never thought it would get this serious.

A string of 17 arsons have shaken the 11,000+ residents of Coatesville, Chester County since early December. Dating back to the beginning of 2008, there have been 30.

It’s a story I was researching at Fox29 today, as I helped to compile reports on the most recent arsons following last night’s biggest one yet, where 15 rowhomes caught fire, displacing 11 families.

Out of the arsons, one elderly woman was killed as a result of the fire. But everyone involved in the fires so far are innocent victims.

National news organizations, like CNN and Fox News, have picked up the story.

The coverage by the Philadelphia media has been great, especially since the Coatesville area is not very convenient for Philly news organizations to get out there. But more importantly, they’ve been publicizing the story, putting it on the radar of those other than police.

Inauguration in a Flash January 22, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.
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FDR

I know I’m a little late in posting about the inaurugation, but, as usual, CNN.com provides us with an excellent resource for general use.

It’s been 220 years since George Washington’s inauguration, so what a better time to celebrate. CNN provides us with the full text and, where available, video of every president’s inaugural speech — except poor Gerald Ford, who never had one. That’s what he gets for never being elected.

Now, despite it being two days after the Inauguration, CNN may have forgotten about this special page since it is not updated with Obama’s text and video. Regardless, it’s fascinating to watch FDR in 1933 and 1946.

That’s my educational lesson for the day.

The takeover is looming January 22, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.
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wells-fargoNo, not of Oprah’s world domination. But rather, of Wells Fargo.

According to the Frequently Asked Questions page of wellsfargo.com/wachovia, Wachovia will soon be completely absorbed by Wachovia, like a sponge. If it happened to America’s Most Convenient Bank, it can happen to anyone.

Now, I am not a Wachovia member. However, I am more distraught over the loss of our Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia. “Wells Fargo Center” has a Billy-the-Kid-esque feel to it.

I suppose the one good thing for the Spectrum is that it won’t be subjected to such a name change.

Over the years, I’ve come to accept Wachovia as my own. And whenever I think of the name, I’m reminded of Notorious B.I.G.’s self-titled song. I will continue to rap the bank’s name.

Wa- Wa- Wa- Wachovia.

The ultimate Madlib: Inauguration speech generator January 17, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.
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obama

I stumbled across the ultimate madlib today, which is fitting after watching Obama’s speech in Wilmington, Del. Tuesday is his big day, and one Web site is trying to make it a little easier by constructing his inauguration speech. Here’s mine:

My fellow Americans, today is a plastic day. You have shown the world that “hope” is not just another word for “personalized coffee mugs”, and that “change” is not only something we can believe in again, but something we can actually pigeonhole.

Today we celebrate, but let there be no mistake – America faces effervescent and egocentric challenges like never before. Our economy is plastered. Americans can barely afford their mortgages, let alone have enough money left over for Post-it notes. Our healthcare system is flamboyant. If your uvula is sick and you don’t have insurance, you might as well call a chocolatier. And America’s image overseas is tarnished like a Rubik’s cube tape dispenser. But forgetting together, we can right this ship, and set a course for Lubbock, Texas.

Finally, I must thank my fiery family, my crooked campaign volunteers, but most of all, I want to thank the Sugarhill Gang for making this historic occasion possible. Of course, I must also thank you, President Bush, for years of masticating the American people. Without your sepia efforts, none of this would have been possible.

Service on the BSL? January 13, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Philadelphia, Random Rubbish.
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septa

Upon checking the schedule for the Broad Street Line heading back to my apartment from campus (believe it or not, the schedules are very accurate), I noticed SEPTA’s home page got jazzed up. Classy, SEPTA. Still needs work, but classy nonetheless.

Oooh, photos.

So I hop on the Broad Street Line, and around Race/Vine Station, I hear a familiar song — The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” Of course, this is my ringtone.

Apparently, I now get AT&T cell phone service along the entire Broad Street Line stretch from Cecil B. Moore to Walnut/Locust, and perhaps even beyond. Upon a hefty Google search, I found no evidence of the service extension, much unlike when SEPTA unloaded AT&T service along the underground portion of the Market-Frankford Line.

What the hell. Here’s the video, too.

Whoa January 13, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.
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No, this isn’t moving. It’s a JPEG, for God’s sakes.

optical-illusion

Thanks to Phawker.

Bad headline, good story January 4, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.
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Charlotte PetersHeadline: Conn. man’s last lotto ticket wins $10M for widow

OK, so it could be worse, but it reads funny [funnily?].

Charlotte Peters’ husband bought a lottery ticket on Nov. 1 and died later that day. And just recently, she decided to check those lottery numbers before chucking the tickets.

Had she not checked the numbers, her bag of trash would have been worth $10 million.

Take a lesson from this bittersweet story. Check your pockets.

U.S. to claim world’s oldest person January 4, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase, Random Rubbish.
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BainesWomen generally live longer than men. That we generally know (yet seldom admit).

Just last week, America’s oldest man passed away at 112 years old. But a 114-year-old woman is slated to become the oldest person in the world.

Gertrude Baines from California said she led the life God wanted, which has contributed to her life’s longevity.

Baines takes the title from Portugal’s Maria de Jesus, who held the title for just more than a month. Prior to that, the record was back in the United States with Indiana’s Edna Parker, who had the title for more than a year.

It just so happens that Parker is a local Philadelphia celebrity. She was featured in the very popular Cut to the Chase column, “Notable deaths of 2007: gone but not forgotten.”

Small world, eh?

Vikings not so fierce January 3, 2009

Posted by Chris Stover in Philadelphia, Random Rubbish.
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Vikings

The Vikings are desperate for people to go to their playoff game with the Eagles this weekend.

How desperate?

Their home page — minnesotavikings.com — tries to trick visitors into going to Ticketmaster instead of the team’s actual Web site, as pictured above.

The Vikings must report a sell-out crowd to the NFL in order for the game to be broadcast locally. No worry to the Philadelphia fans — other spots across the nation are going to be receiving the signal.

In fact, many Philadelphians have been purchasing tickets and planning a road trip to Minnesota — some even putting an ad on Craigslist to get strangers to fill their rented RV.

Hey, it’s only a 19-hour drive.

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