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A Few Quick Things volume 256

August 26, 2008 By Jeff 95 Comments

For a few years Toney and I maintained a tradition of sorts, where we’d talk my parents into coming up here to watch the Secrets for a couple of days in early September, and the two of us would go somewhere for our anniversary.  I think we did it three years in a row, and then everything came off the tracks for some reason.
 
We were thinking about trying to resurrect it this year, by maybe attending a beer festival in the Poconos sometime in November.  We thought we could make a weekend of it, and rent a room at the resort, and the whole nine yards.
 
So Toney called the place a few days ago, to get the details.  And yeah, we won’t be going…
 
Anyone care to guess the package price for two nights in the so-called lodge, two dinners, two breakfasts, and passes to the festival?  Well, you don’t have to guess, ’cause it’s $800.
 
I’m sorry, but that ain’t gonna happen.  I had $350-$400 in my head, and I’m usually pretty good at predicting those kinds of things.  But this time the calibration was waaaay off. 
 
And what am I, Ted Turner here?  Screw it, we’ll just go to the Olive Barrel for dinner.
 
I have to work on Thursday, and Toney has to work on Friday, so our end-of-summer Knoebels extravaganza is also in jeopardy.  Our only option at this point is Saturday – at the beginning of the Labor Day weekend.
 
I love Knoebels, but you’ve got to do it smart.  And that means not going on weekends. 
 
On Saturdays and Sundays, for whatever reason, that place turns into a frothy sea of shitkickers, white trash, coal crackers, and fat little buzz-cut hicklets.  The whole place becomes overrun by the loudest, scraggliest, fattest, skinniest, back porch tattooed, cig-dangling, perpetually pissed-off gang of jescobillies this side of Boone County, WV.

And mister, nothing good can come from such a thing…
 
So, if it’s up to me, we won’t be going.  But, of course, it’s never up to me, so who the hell knows?  We’ll just have to see what happens.

I’ve been trying to convince the older Secret that the “panic” button on the back of my car remote controls an ejection seat.  I told him to be extra-careful not to accidentally push it, especially when I’m driving, because I’ll go rocketing through the roof and end up in the weeds behind Staples.

But he’s not buying it.

Our power bill for the month of July, when Sunshine & Mumbles were here, shot-up sixty dollars, then dropped back down to normal after they left.  Sixty bucks!  That’s a lotta extra juice.  Sunny’s lung-blower and that window-unit A/C they burned-up can apparently eat up some wattage.  Sweet Maria.

I have a powerful urge to buy some CDs; it’s been a long time (upwards of a month!) and I’m starting to get the shakes.  This weekend I plan to get myself right…  What do you think?  The new Hold Steady?  Fleet Foxes?  Randy Newman‘s latest?  Any guidance will be appreciated.

And speaking of music…  The Doors can flat-out ruin a good shuffle-play session.  Everything fits together nicely, even when the styles seemingly clash, but the Doors never fail to drag it all down with their mournful dirges and pseudo-poetry.  I think I might have to make a small adjustment to the Big iPod.

Surf Reporter Keith took the liberty of revising the Omen poster I included with yesterday’s post, to make it more relevant to the update.  Check it out.  He’s added Andy!

And I’ll leave you now with a Question that came to me only a few minutes ago, while having lunch and watching CNN.  Have you ever bought anything from an infomercial, or one of those ads they show on cable, for things like Aqua Globes or Mighty Putty or the Foot Egg, or whatever that hilarious thing is called? 

If so, tell us about it.  Did the item work as well as they said it would, or were you disappointed?  I have nothing to offer on this one, because I’ve never purchased any such products.  But what about you?  We’d like to know.

And I’ll see you guys tomorrow.

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Comments

  1. Joe T. says

    August 26, 2008 at 7:50 pm

    Topsy Turvy ….works
    Space Bags …..work
    Mighty “anything” …sucks balls

    I’m faced with the fact that I might be White Trash.

    BTW Jeff, isn’t “Bourbon Season” almost upon us?

    Reply
  2. Tony Tony Tony says

    August 26, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    didn’t like the Robert Plant/Alison one. Bleah. Not my thing.
    Hold Steady, all the way.

    Reply
  3. Love drug me kicking and screaming to Dunbar says

    August 26, 2008 at 8:54 pm

    didn’t buy it off tv but it on tv…the rotato…yes it works, have it used it as much as somepeople think..enough said cause he reads here too! lol

    Reply
  4. The Evil Twin says

    August 26, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    Jeff – A recommendation for new music – I just picked up two new CD releases that I’ve been waiting over 25 years for, from the highly underrated and criminally ignored band Doll by Doll. Their first two LPs – “Remember” and “Gypsy Blood.” My darling wife Amazoned them right to me and another tiny sliver of my world fell into place once again. Good Lord, these are two good LPs – not for everyone’s tastes, so listen to some samples if you can. Both of these discs have been in my top 50 since the first time I heard them. Meaty stuff. One of the most innovative bands that ever came out of the late 70s UK scene…
    On the same note – I’m waiting on pins and needles for my spankin’ new CD copy of The Tubes “Now” import CD (another purchase from my lovely, thoughtful wife.) I may have to lock myself in the basement with a hit of blotter when I listen to it again for the first time in decades, just to get that oh-so-authentic vibe, bro…

    Reply
  5. Bill in PA says

    August 26, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    Speaking of The Doors…
    “C’mon c’mon c’mon now TOUCH me babe,
    can’t you see that I am not afraid…”

    I can hear very loud and clear from my back yard the local high school marching band practicing “Touch Me” over and over and over again. I dance around the house to it, making obscene gestures with my pelvis a la Jim Morrison in the day.
    When they practice, I’ll bet old Jimbo is spinning in his grave at about
    40 to 50,000 RPM’s. heh.

    Reply
  6. airandee says

    August 26, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    I purchased a DVD rewinder ($19.95 + $4.95 Shipping and Handling) and it works great. I always rewind my DVD’s before sending them back to Netflicks. Remember ‘be kind rewind’.

    Other than that one excellent purchase I am not one to be easily taken in by worthless gadgets and gizmos.

    Reply
  7. aminnev says

    August 26, 2008 at 10:35 pm

    Just love those infomercials . . . came very close to buying that Red Devil BBQ grill. Years later I think it was recalled.

    The best infomercial stil for me is the “Flow Bee”. Did anyone buy that one? My parents thought about it since there were 4 men in the family and haircuts were needed regularly.

    Reply
  8. Brenda Love says

    August 26, 2008 at 10:39 pm

    Well, if you like metal at all, you should try out some Opeth. Watershed, its called. Epic tunage – a few Cookie Monster vocals scattered here and there but not enough to annoy you to death. Man that dude can play some geetar.

    Reply
  9. JR says

    August 26, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    I bought the Flip ‘n Fold for my husband so he will fold the t-shirts. It’s awesome!! Our drawers look like the tables at the Gap! And I got a 2-for-1 deal!

    http://www.flipfold.com/?gclid=CPio79KHrZUCFRg6awodf2Q3kg

    Reply
  10. ms. barbara jane says

    August 27, 2008 at 12:04 am

    I hate that yelly guy too!
    I have tried Oxy-whatever from the store. It works quite well. My mom bought me a Rotato and I have used it for years, it’s great for peeling lots of taters at one time. She also got me The Rocket Chef, I love the way it looks, all chrome and retro but it rarely makes it out the cupboard these days, basically a manual food processor, fairly useless. I have a Ped-Egg or a Pedi-file as it will forever more be called. I like it but dumping out the skin gives me the willies too. Gah.

    Reply
  11. 2Tall says

    August 27, 2008 at 12:15 am

    I’ve never purchased anything from TV but the SHAM-WOW guy really makes me clench up. He’s definitely only a half generation away from carnie folk…not that there’s anything RONG with carnie folk

    Reply
  12. Hope says

    August 27, 2008 at 1:05 am

    I’m glad somebody mentioned the SHAM_WOW guy! The funniest line is I can’t do this all day. Seriously, what the hell does he have to do with the rest of his day? Soak up spills?

    Reply
  13. other kristin says

    August 27, 2008 at 7:16 am

    I was going to buy a handheld clothes steamer I saw on TV last week.

    Lucky me, I saw it when I was in Walmart yesterday.

    I can’t wait to try it out. Woohoo!

    Reply
  14. Carla says

    August 27, 2008 at 7:49 am

    Can you imagine sexin’ up Billy Mayes?? What would he say? That was AMAZING?? Would you buy it though?? Prolly not, nevermind.

    Reply
  15. OnaWho says

    August 27, 2008 at 8:40 am

    how the hell did I get a day behind????

    Reply
  16. hardoxdan says

    August 27, 2008 at 8:52 am

    “for whatever reason, that place turns into a frothy sea of shitkickers, white trash, coal crackers, and fat little buzz-cut hicklets. The whole place becomes overrun by the loudest, scraggliest, fattest, skinniest, back porch tattooed, cig-dangling, perpetually pissed-off gang of jescobillies this side of Boone County, West Virginia.”

    Also resembles Jamboree in the Hills where every girl looks like they are about to enter a Tonya Harding look-a-like contest.

    Reply
  17. 2Tall says

    August 27, 2008 at 11:10 am

    Carla- If you sexed up Billy Mayes, would you have to use OxyClean on the stain and soak it up with your SHAM-WOW?

    Reply
  18. J Shifty says

    August 27, 2008 at 11:27 am

    I do like the new Hold Steady record. But their songs are so story-oriented that they’re practically books on tape with a backing track. This effect tends to cut down on the appeal for repeat listens, but that could just be me.

    Of recent releases I’d endorse test driving “She & Him”, the Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis record, and the Robyn Hitchcock reissues. Another new one that may not be to anyone else’s tastes: the new Carla Bruni album through headphones turns my lower extremities all tingly.

    Reply
  19. Rusty says

    August 27, 2008 at 12:09 pm

    I bought that 3 CD set of 60s rock hits and that was good. Bought supplements for the prostate and I still pee 10 times a day. They refunded the money though.

    Reply
  20. Alice in WV says

    August 27, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    I won’t pay for the s/h charges to purchase from tv, but if i ever see a Tater Mit, I’ll buy it.

    Reply
  21. Ognir says

    August 27, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    I think it is funny that you can find a lot of those SOLD ON TV ONLY products near the check out counter at Wal Mart.

    Reply
  22. Kevindust says

    August 27, 2008 at 12:53 pm

    I highly recommend the new Candlebox disc, “Into The Sun”

    Very underated band that came out of the Pacific Northwest at the same time as Grunge. Somewhat musically Pearl Jam-esque in parts, but with bluesier tendencies and an (equally) amazing singer (that sounds nothing like Eddie Vedder)

    B. Love, I’ve been meaning to check out Opeth, heard lots of good things about them. Just picked up the new Slipknot yesterday and axiously awaiting Metallica’s “Death Magnetic” (like what I’ve heard so far…)

    Reply
  23. Jason says

    August 27, 2008 at 2:32 pm

    Next time yall see a SHAM-WOW commercial pay close attention to the part where he’s dumping cola on a square of carpet. When he pours it there’s a lot of cola on the table, outside of the carpet. But when the camera goes back to him to clean it up, the excess cola on the table is gone.

    Reply
  24. 2Tall says

    August 27, 2008 at 2:50 pm

    It truly is a miraculous product, then. It absorbs the cola through the air through osmosis. It only has to be in the same room. You could say that the product SUCKS the cola up.

    Reply
  25. Debra says

    August 27, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    Opeth is practically my favorite band. Check out Damnation first . It is ALL wonderful clean vocals and the music is progressive perfection.Once you get used to Mike’s occasional growling all of their albums are fantastic! Got to meet the band a few years back working for Roadrunner street crew. The singer is a down to earth, really humorous guy! Amorphis is another really good band somewhat like Opeth.

    We bought the never needs sharpening knife set from an ” As seen on TV” store in Pigeon Forge. My husband proceeded to nearly chop off his finger with the cleaver the first time he used them. THEY ARE SHARP! Needless to say we spent the best part of an evening in the E.R. after that.

    Reply
  26. Rusty says

    August 27, 2008 at 3:51 pm

    That thing sucks up cola like my wife sucks up my money!

    Reply
  27. Rusty says

    August 27, 2008 at 3:57 pm

    Who was that nutcase guy with his book about “government programs”? He wore a suit with question marks all over it.

    Reply
  28. Jason says

    August 27, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    Rusty,
    I don’t know. But what does it say about our government when a guy can sell a phone book sized catalog telling you how to get “free money”?

    Whatever that guy was on, I’d like to have a barrel of it.

    Reply
  29. Jason says

    August 27, 2008 at 4:05 pm

    2Tall,
    I think you’re right. Those Sham-Wows are dangerous. You couldn’t have one of those things in your bedroom. It would suck the moisture out of your juicy eyeballs overnight, until they were reduced to the size of peas. That’s crazy dangerous. Somebody needs to call somebody. Good Lord.

    Reply
  30. 2Tall says

    August 27, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    That crazy bastard Matthew Lesko in his “Riddler” suit…Holy Crap. Just when you’re nodding off watching Rat Patrol at 3AM, he comes on screeching about FREE MONEY!! Jebus!!

    Reply
  31. Kurt says

    August 27, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    The Hold Steady? Well, sure, if you don’t mind that every song ends with “…the record company, Rosie, just gave me a big advance!!…”.

    Reply
  32. Jersey Scott says

    August 27, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    The guy with the suit o’ ??? who babbles about the government giving you free money is Matthew Lesko. Don’t ask me how I know that. He always seemed like an Andy Dick character to me.

    Reply
  33. lakrfool says

    August 27, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    Get the new Toadies CD “No Deliverance.”

    It rawks.

    Reply
  34. Northerner on Holiday says

    August 27, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    I was a huge fan of K-Tel records

    Reply
  35. Gustav says

    August 27, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    Where is husky?

    Reply
  36. lakrfool says

    August 27, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    Have to say that sometimes I’m tempted to electrocute my way to a washboard stomach.

    Reply
  37. db grin says

    August 27, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    I can never click away from the sham-wow guy. Won’t buy one, but somehow that commercial always keeps my attention. Billy Mayes though – he always gets muted or channel-deleted.

    I bought a Quick-Chop (got one free!) as Seen on TV. It was perfectly worth it, especially since I got 2. The first one broke, but the other one worked well past the divorce, which required me buying one for myself at a Retail Outlet near me. I use it at least weekly.

    I used to know a girl who compulsively bought stuff from infomercials. Shocked the hell outta me when she said she actually had a flow-bee haircut vacuum gizmo. She had Cheryl Tiegs hair, so I have no idea why she’d need that.

    My favorite recent purchases: Fool’s Garden (Dish of the Day – import, not available on iTunes) and Yes 90125.

    Reply
  38. other kristin says

    August 27, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Ognir – that’s exactly where I saw the steamer I just bought. Alongside of the Ped-Egg and some other stuff.

    Reply
  39. caveman says

    August 27, 2008 at 10:05 pm

    just think if a truck load of sham-wows crashed iinto a lake it would gry it up. very upsetting yes call someone 2tall ,america needs to be warned.

    Reply
  40. caveman says

    August 27, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    thats DRY it up ,damn fingers

    Reply
  41. Jason says

    August 27, 2008 at 11:19 pm

    Where in the frikken hell is our update? Tiff? Other Kristen? You’re always so quick to quip. Where’s the update? Huh? Come on with the come on.

    I am in fact drunk. My apologiez to Tiff and Kristen. I can barely type. maolkvokuev. And I mean it.

    Jason

    Reply
  42. lunatikfrinj says

    August 27, 2008 at 11:42 pm

    What?? No one but me owns a swivel sweeper? It is an awesome machine, really! I also own the Ped -egg-which from now on will be called the Pedi-File-I love that! LOL. And I bought both of them at Wally World in the As Seen On TV aisle.

    As for the Sham Wow guy I would like to stuff that Sham Wow in his big mouth.

    Does anyone but me have a hard time thinking of Alison Kraus and Robert Plant sharing the same stage?
    I can’t be of much help music wise right now, I am on a Journey listening marathon.

    Reply
  43. uncle_wedgie says

    August 28, 2008 at 1:04 am

    I just named my wang Jeff Kay! Is that effen cool or what?!

    Reply
  44. LunaChickNYC says

    September 7, 2008 at 2:31 pm

    I personally haven’t bought anything from an infomercial – actually I may have bought a shitty compilation cassette or two when I was laid up for 6 months after my car accident (notice cassette not CD to show the error of my youthful ways) however as you are a LOST fan too you may enjoy Jorge Garcia (aka Hurley)’s blog dispatchesfromtheisland.blogspot.com where he has bought infomercial stuff and writes about it

    Reply
  45. Scaramouche says

    June 4, 2009 at 12:51 am

    I’m a new reader, and I got this far through the archives before I just had to comment.

    I have never bought anything from an infomercial, but I have WANTED TO for SO LONG. That Sham-Wow guy is very convincing! It’s a serious problem!

    Reply
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