Have you ever noticed how people promote bits of trivia about themselves, little factoids they clearly feel is important for others to know?
I try not to be overly obnoxious about things, but I think I do it too. For instance, I like to tell people that all four members of our family were born in different states – none of which happen to be the one where we currently reside.
So, even though I recognize the phenomenon, I’m not completely immune to it.
I was considering this while driving home last night, and thought back to my job in Atlanta, circa 1995 or so. And I can do an almost full factoid tour of my corner of that building. Don’t believe me? Well, check this out…
My boss: born in Germany, worships Neil Young, believes the Beatles are overrated, is an avid bowler, lives with constant pain because of “nerve trouble”
My co-worker/office-mate: raised in New Orleans, loves death metal (“That’s right, even though I’m black!”), has had an inordinate amount of sex with many, many women
Guy across the hall: takes his job very seriously, reads lots of business books, graduated the Dale Carnegie course, is constantly upgrading his condo
The guy next to him: Christian conservative, believes Rush is right, hates his job, can drink coffee at any time of the day or night and it won’t keep him awake
The guy across from him: won $5000 in a radio contest, wouldn’t be caught dead in a Ford, never had a cavity, thinks Carrot Top is a riot
The woman next to him: had open-heart surgery as a child, could live on barbecue chicken wings, husband almost signed by the Cincinnati Reds
Her office-mate: loves NASCAR, his father was one of the air traffic controllers fired by Reagan
The guy next to them: has diabetes, plays guitar, believes Sammy Hagar was the best Van Halen lead singer
And I could go on and on, through the whole building, if I felt like it. Please note that these aren’t observations I’m listing, but bits of personal information I heard all of them recite multiple times. It’s stuff they wanted people to know.
Can you list your co-workers’ factoids? How about your own? Use the comments section below…
And did you notice how I performed this exercise using a group of people I haven’t seen in more than ten years? Yeah, I could do it with my current co-workers, as well. But I can’t be pissing someone off and losing my job. Especially with the Globetrotters selling out stadiums, and whatnot…
The whole thing’s making me paranoid, man.
I’ve had a certain picture in my photo file for a year or more, but had no reason or desire to ever post it. Then I came across another one, along the same offensive lines, and a light bulb went off…
Maybe we can build a page full of sports teams with genuinely offensive names? Sound like a good time? I’m getting the ball rolling here. Can you help me out with more? Send it to jeff at thewvsr dotcom, if you have anything.
Thanks!
And speaking of the Beatles, the Secrets and I found ourselves in an odd conversation over the weekend. For reasons unknown, we were trying to guess their names, if the Fab Four had been from Scranton instead of Liverpool.
While polishing off a set of strawberry Toaster Strudels at the dining room table this morning, I tried to come up with my final list. And here it is:
Paul Makowski
John Lezko
Gene Hardenberg
Bimbo Stanky
Yes, I think that’s fairly accurate. And here’s how I imagine they’d look — if the Beatles had been from Scranton.
What about your neck of the woods? What would’ve been their names? We need to know; it’s very important.
There’s a new poll out today that says West Virginians are the unhappiest people in the country. Is that really true? I know I’m not a representation of the entire population of the state, but I can’t remember being unhappy there. In fact, I loved it.
Of course I was young at the time, without even a hint of responsibility… I was never really an adult in West Virginia, so that might skew my perception a bit.
What do you folks living in the motherland think about this poll? Is it true? Are most people unhappy there? I have a hard time believing it. I view West Virginians as friendly and content. Unhappy isn’t a word that jumps immediately to mind.
And that’s gonna do it for today, boys and girls. I think there are a couple of Questions mixed into this update, so you guys can take it from here.
I’ll be back tomorrow with another Topic Dump, and something new and good from our old friend Buck.
See ya then!
Here’s a piece of real trivia for you: My former Boss French Canadian Loves Bufallo wings & strippers on an equal level with Church on Sunday & his Family (depending on his audience!) recently notified his management Team over a couple of Beers that the Company had run into some unforseen difficulties: The very next day (Last Month) the cops dragged him away for extorting 8-10million of our customers money & put the company into bankrupcy! That probably explains why I have so much time for the WSVR lately!!
Jack LeBlanc
Paul Boudreaux
Georges Hebert
Mo Leroux
Lived in WV most of my life, have traveled widely, and I’m always ready for the cool mountains and friendly folk of home.
If the Beatles had come from here they would all have been named “Junior,” and been called “The Junebugs.” We don’t call ’em beetles around these parts.
I always offer personal information about myself. Its my job to be personable.
Scoop Harrison
Otis McCartney
Flex Lennon
Ron the Jap Starr
Anthony, I’m not originally from the Huntington area but have been taught it was “Out Back Wayne,” (one word, two words, I don’t know) is there a difference? Does OW mean you are from the ‘city’ of Wayne?
SkullyWV, I like your thought process.
As for one of the questions, I know my bosses are assholes. I don’t know if that counts as a factoid, but it is a fact.
I live very near Detroit.
If the Beatles were from here they’d have been the Temptaions.
Shortest. Post. Ever. (for me).
@ Shiny Rod – one of my children’s homes (split custody sucks) is out in the boonies. Next door’s a soybean farm, if that tell you anything. I know some-a dem dere NC naturals, and a good deal of them scare me.
I too have never had a cavity. Just today though I did get my first filling, for a tooth I cracked a chunk off of about 6 years ago. Almost didn’t survive it!
I have never eaten Peanut Butter. Ever.
Like many other demographics (obesity, toothlessness, etc.) Huntington is probably dragging down the rest of the state’s happiness average. Charleston can be a drag sometimes but most of the time its a great place to live. Most of the amenities of a big city without most of the problems. Plus you are never more than 20 minutes from being in the country again.
WTF, did the guys in the lower picture sew the names on their uniforms themselves? One of them is on the “N***** Ilsand” team.
I left WV after having spent my first 42 years there, hoping to find a happier life. While I have nothing against the state, there are some things that bring one’s spirit down. The economy, the corrupt politics, the lack of entertainment if you’re not into hiking or hunting. I thought I would be happier somewhere that got more than 60 days of sunshine a year, so I moved to Florida. While I don’t regret the move (42 years in any one place is too long), I do miss family & friends left behind. I do find myself somewhat happier in Florida, whether its from the sunshine, the change of scenery, or the availabilty of so much more entertainment venues.
W.Va. Beatles: Paul McCarthy, John Lemmon, George “Hogjaw” Hairston, Mingo Starr–Manager, Brian Estep.
I have never been in a Japanese pron film. ( I don’t like poop)
er porn
I’ve never had a cup of coffee, ever.
I’ve tasted it but never more than a sip or two and even that was over 15 years ago. I just don’t care for hot beverages and see no need to introduce a(nother) bad habit into my life, the cold beverages that I enjoy get me into more than enough trouble.
HAY!
Where’s the goddamn shirts at? I mean, really. I need to know because I bought one for a girlfriend, a woman that’s never had a cavity. She’s getting all uppity over the whole deal, claims that she’ll stop with the oral sex soon. Help me.
Farty
Born, raised and still live in West By God. I’ve got to say I’m happy. I don’t hunt, fish, mountain bike, etc. either. Pretty much a city boy.
Most everywhere has something good to offer and through my travels, I’ve found many, but nowhere would I rather live than WV. There’s crime, poverty, corruption and general jackasses everywhere. Pick the place you like the best and forget it.
Like my dad says, happiness is an inside job. No such thing as a geographical cure.
Doug is right. He moved to Florida. Florida is like the nation’s penis. If it ever got excited, you could probably wade over from Cape Fear.
Chester, that means Texas must be the scrotum and southern california is the butt crack. Then that would make illegal aliens like a bad case o f the crabs.
I like it up here in NM. Probably alot like WV. If people insist on messing with you or your stuff…you’re allowed to shoot ’em.
So that’s why my Texas is itching…
Don’t you dare motherfuckers, don’t you DARE. Texas is where we all want to be buried because that’s the first place that Jesus will visit.