It’s been a long time comin’… September 20, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Random Rubbish
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…but I’m back.
I’m approaching the one month anniversary of my last post, and I figured I’d end the drought right now. After all, I’ve got my dedicated fans out there who rely on me to relay the latest on Philadelphia news, events and culture.
Or maybe I make that up.
I don’t expect to be updating this every day; my two jobs and capstones likely won’t allow it. However, I do hope to bring you the most interesting things I can find (including Kate Walsh and a Sarah Palin look-a-like — other than Tina Fey!)
Until the next post…
A prehistoric discovery August 5, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Definition, Random Rubbish, Rants
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What does prehistoric mean? This question stems from a crossword clue in the Metro today. (By the way, the answer to 18-across is stegosaurus.)
Dictionary.com defines it as the following:
of or pertaining to the time or a period prior to recorded history:
But I disagree with that definition. So then, when does ‘historic’ history begin?
Yes, the counterargument is that ‘prehistoric’ is simply the term given to an era prior to recorded history. But it’s still historic history, is it not?
I suppose another argument could be based off the undying idiom: If a tree falls in a forest and no one’s around, does it make a sound?
Here’s one that has always interested me: If no one’s looking in a mirror, does it still give a reflection?
Anyway, I digress. The point being: I’m bored.
Naming rights July 30, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Philadelphia Inquirer, Random Rubbish, Verizon
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Remember in Rugrats when the parents would often consult the child psychologist Dr. Lipschitz? Remember laughing when hearing it? Notice the convenient ‘c’ in his name.
Well, Dr. and Mrs. Herman Libshitz know the feeling. Verizon has denied them e-mail service because their name contains “questionable language.”
The Libshitzes have given up on trying to get Verizon DSL and have opted to stay with AT&T dial-up — a good boycott for a lax policy.
A spokeswoman for Verizon actually sided with the Libshitzes, saying the company usually makes exceptions based on “reasonable requests.”
I’d say a name — an identity — is pretty reasonable, no?
The truest test of consumerism July 24, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Quiz, Random Rubbish
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It’s sad what advertising does to us.
Take this quiz — a comparison of products from which you need to choose the impostor.
I embarrassingly got an 18 out of 20. I suppose that means I’m just a consumer whore.
There are other multiple quizzes at the end here — guess the corporate logo, the company mascot, etc.
I’ve yet to try them yet, but if I may be blunt, I’m afraid I’ll do pretty well.
Share your results. Be pathetic like me.
Happy 4th! Now fail this quiz! July 4, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: CNN.com, Random Rubbish
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To begin, let’s read some insightful words from one of America’s great leaders.
Mankind — that word should have new meaning for all of us today.
We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore.
We will be united in our common interests.
OK…so that was Bill Pullman’s presidential character in Independence Day, but regardless… It’s July 4th! One of my favorite holidays - the truly American celebration of America.
CNN.com presents this 10-question quiz. I scored 50 percent. Don’t judge just yet - you determine how many states declare fireworks as illegal. But others, there are no excuse to get wrong.
Let’s just see how you do. Feel free to share.
You’re given one answer above. I’m kind of disturbed that our national anthem is based off an English drinking song.
Move over, Bob Dole July 2, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Random Rubbish, Viagra
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So, apparently, our beloved fruit known as watermelon has uplifting effects other than just tasting scrumptious. I think that’s all I need to say. The reporter and interviewees can say the rest.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2008/07/02/napp.watermelon.new.viagra.kens
Don’t priests have enough problems? June 12, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Catholicism, Humor, Law & Order, Naked Priest, Random Rubbish
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Apparently not. So therefore, this priest decided to create more.
A catholic priest in Denver was arrested last year for jogging at a high school track — naked. Granted, it was after 4:30 a.m., but the cops had seen enough.
The judge in the case did not inform the jurors - yet - that Whipkey is a priest. He’ll save that until truTV shows up to do a documentary for shock value. But the judge must believe that the priest is no different than the average citizen when it comes to the law.
I suppose that’s true. With the basis of our country being the separation of church and state, the a priest should be treated as anyone else. But Whipkey should have been seen as a community elder, a respected leader in his parish. And then he goes and blows it by stripping and streaking.
On the other hand, the fact that this guy’s a priest could mean that the jurors see him in a different light. After all, he’s only having exercising wearing what God gave him.
Anyway, there’s something we can all learn from this. Blessed are the naked, for theirs is the kingdom of an 8×10 cell.
I want my edumacation June 12, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Humor, Random Rubbish, Research
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OK, so this is a little dated. But now, it will live in infamy.
Have you ever actually read your high school diploma? All that calligraphy just bunches together, making the words nearly impossible to read. But that’s still no excuse.
A school in Cleveland had this problem. Yet they didn’t fix the glaring error before handing out diplomas to its 330 graduates — some congratulations on finishing a first-class educaiton.
At The Temple News, and even at SEPTA, we print out copies of publications for us to look at before sending them to print. And this is a perfect example of why.
Pull out your high school diploma. Or college diploma, for that matter. Double check everything. It’s true. Something’s probably spelled wrong.
By the way, did you know that aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at a Cmabrigde uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
What to do in an empty cubicle June 3, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish, SEPTA.Tags: CBS3, Cubicles, Philadelphia Phillies, Random Rubbish
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Today, I had the pleasure of starting an internship at SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority. I was placed in a cubicle that had nothing in it except a notepad and a few pens. So what’s an intern to do?
Make lists.
No, not lists relevant for the job at hand. After all, it’s only Day 2. No, make lists to challenge yourself.
First, I sat down to list the entire staff of The Temple News. I proudly scored a 25 out of 25.
Next, I wrote down a list of the Owl Ambassadors. I’m assuming there are also 25 of them. If so, I’m 25 for 25.
Third, I decided to recall the entire active roster of the Philadelphia Phillies. I did pretty well — the pitchers got me, as I forgot Condrey and Durbin. And Jayson Werth also threw me off. I forgot he was on the DL, and should have replaced him with both Bruntlett and Snelling.
Last - and both my proudest and most embarrassing - is a list of the on-air talent of CBS3. And you know what? I got every one. I even added the two extra CW members on the list, as they occasionally report for their sister station.
Next time you’re stuck in a tall cubicle surrounded by push-pin material, make a list. It’s the only thing that can keep you sane.
Life’s pleasure that only costs $1 May 25, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Dollar Store, Random Rubbish
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I never realized one of the greatest joys in life despite it being right around the corner from my house.
Garnet Valley, Pa., is one of the best places to live because we’re in Pennsylvania, the greatest state of the union, yet we’re a stone’s throw from Delaware, home of tax-free shopping.
While preparing for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which is coming up in two weeks!!!!!, I decided to run to my local Delaware Dollar Tree to pick up some posterboard. The deal that they’ve had for as long as I can remember is 2 for $1.
So…I park my car, walk into the Dollar Tree, pick up my four sheets of posterboard, walk up to the cashier immediately, hand her $2, and walk back to my car. The entire process took about 43 seconds.
If you have a list of things you need to do before you reach a certain point (21st birthday, 30th birthday, death), going to a dollar store in Delaware should be in the top five.
Oh, and get a receipt as a memento.
