Hilarious SNL skit

Great SNL skit, with some context, linked on this GQ page.

It's official: Stupidity does not adversely affect legs

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - Monday August 30, 2010. Lindsay Lohan, accompanied by her assistant Eleonore Lieven, multiple unidentified men and photographers, leaves a medical building in Beverly Hills. Lohan was dressed rather professionally as she wore a simple jacket, pleated shorts and black high heels. Photograph: Zico, PacificCoastNews.com
Content © 2010 PacificCoastNews All rights reserved.

Uncovered: 'The "Not Me" Myth: Orwell and the Mind'

Very interesting article by Margaret Thaler Singer, published in Idea, Jan. 19, 1996: Click here.

Blog exclusive: New South's sales of canned White Ale

Here's something that didn't fit into my new column on New South Brewing's upcoming brewery tours:

New South now sells six packs of its canned White Ale in 50 places around the Grand Strand, owner Dave Epstein said.

The brewery is pushing out 60 to 70 cases per week of the White Ale, which was already New South's most popular beer before they started canning it last year.

For now, White Ale is the brewery's only canned beer. Their other beers are sold in kegs to bars and restaurants.

Did you know New South uses a canning machine that was once used to package Dale's Pale Ale?

Visit New South online.

Mount Everest (why not?)

About that handle in a CCU restroom . . .

On campus today, I opened the door to exit a CCU restroom. The handle came off in pieces that scattered on the floor.

The door closed.

I couldn't re-open the door.

I wondered how long I would have to wait before someone else would have to go to the toilet, so I might be liberated from the restroom.

Eventually, I rigged the handle to work well enough to open the door.

I escaped the restroom.

I went to my office and sat at my computer. I wondered if someone else might be experiencing the same thing I just went through.

I called the Facilities phone number.

With a very friendly voice, the lady on the other end advised me with a few bureaucratic phrases.

I thanked her and hung up.

I still have no idea what she said.

If you're presently stuck in the restroom, I'm really sorry.

Dunkin' Donuts on U.S. 501: If you ask for the combo, be very specific about the temperature of the coffee

After waiting at least 5 minutes that feel like 15 in a three-person line at the Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins on U.S. 501, where four people are behind the counter, I ask for the Turkey, Cheddar, & Bacon flat bread combo with coffee.

The sign says, Anytime Combos, with small iced tea or iced coffee, $5.39.

I asked for the combo with coffee. I didn't say "iced." She doesn't ask me for clarification.

She says she needs to check if they have any Turkey, Cheddar, & Bacon

About three minutes later, she returns to say they have Ham & Swiss or Three Cheese ("Grilled" on the sign, actually) flat bread available.

She doesn't say they are out of Turkey, Cheddar, & Bacon. She says they have Ham & Swiss or Three Cheese ("Grilled" on the sign).

I say Ham & Swiss.

She gets my coffee, a hot coffee.

I still think I'm getting the combo for $5.39.

Another three minutes. My food is brought to the counter and placed in a brown paper bag.

She rings me up for $3.99 plus $1.69 for the coffee: $5.68, plus 60 cents for our politicians to play with, bringing the total to $6.28.

I look confused. The combo price is $5.39. I point out that the combo says it comes with a small iced tea or iced coffee. She says the coffee doesn't equal an iced tea.

She doesn't mention, as the sign does, iced coffee, which might stand a chance of being equal to a hot coffee. She just mentions iced tea.

Had she told me that hot coffee costs more when I order the combo? No.

I point out that I ordered the combo. She gives me the receipt and tells me I can look at how the price is broken down.

I ignore the tip jar.

I still love Juliette Lewis

Cast member Juliette Lewis signs autographs at the premiere of The Switch at the Arclight theatre in Hollywood, California August 16, 2010. The movie opens in the U.S. on September 2. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES)Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.

And there's always Jennifer...

Christmas in ... August

NEW YORK - AUGUST 12: The Radio City Rockettes perform during the 2010 Radio City Christmas Spectacular Kick-Off at Radio City Music Hall on August 12, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) Content © 2010 Getty Images All rights reserved.

In case you missed Kourtney Kardashian yesterday . . . .

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 06: TV personality Kourtney Kardashian arrives to the Comcast Entertainment Group's Summer TCA Cocktail Party on August 6, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)Content © 2010 Getty Images All rights reserved.

'Under the Banner of Heaven' by Jon Krakauer

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I put this down last summer because it was hard to read. Two brothers on the fringe of Mormonism really thought they were being led by God to kill a young mother and her baby daughter, and they did. Krakauer explores the roots of Mormonism, a uniquely American religion, to understand why the two men could wind up in such a mental, emotional, and spiritual place.

The book is almost too exhaustive at times: Krakauer just escapes overwhelming the reader with too much information as he takes us down through historians' discussions over specific events, and then offers lengthy footnotes, too.

Even so, Krakauer keeps the narrative tension, even when "what" happened -- the raw event he's exploring -- is already clearly stated. He keeps the narrative of the murder and narratives of the past moving along together, informing each other.

What bothered me the most is the way Mormon experience so closely matched my own experience in Christian neo-Pentecostal/charismatic movements: the continual emphasis on prophecies and new revelations. Bothered me, and proved instructive.

I recently saw a new Krakauer book on the shelves. I will most certainly read anything he writes.

Krakauer also references dozens of good books, most on Mormonism or specific moments in Mormon history, others on religion generally. I'm adding at least one of these referenced books to my own list: "Feet of Clay: Saints, Sinners, and Madmen -- A Study of Gurus" by Anthony Storr, the late British psychiatrist.


View all my reviews >>

Jimmy Carter made craft beer possible?!?!?

Apparently so.

Check out this blog post from The New Republic. Oy. Vey.

Please follow me on Twitter! Click: http://twitter.com/cfburch4 .

Jeff Goldblum -- on screen and on stage

What a bummer to hear that Jeff Goldblum is quitting Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

I recently saw him on stage in London as Mel in The Prisoner of Second Avenue, a comedy by Neil Simon.

In the first half of the play, Goldblum made Mel into a comic crazy guy; later, he made Mel into a compelling, quirky, renewed man.

Goldblum is a great talent, which might explain why the current London production of Simon's play has been extended by two weeks.

I'm surprised that Law & Order: Criminal Intent hasn't received better ratings with Goldblum in a lead role.

Croissants' GM & executive chef do 'Fat-Off 2010'

Press release:

Croissants Bistro & Bakery announced this week that their General Manager, Will Gravely and their Executive Chef, Bradley Daniels will be competing in what they have named the “Fat-Off 2010”.  In an attempt to better their personal health while bringing the staff together, they created the 18 week contest.  

The “Fat-Off 2010” began July 26th and will end November 29th.  To begin the challenge, the men each weighed in and then set a goal weight to be reached by the end of the contest. There will also be weekly goals, including “Push It Week” where the boys must do as many push-ups as possible and “Customer’s Week” where the customers will set that week’s goal via email. Suggestions should be sent to Lyndsay@Croissants.net. At the end of the 18 weeks, the winner will be determined by total pounds lost (measured in a percentage), the number of bonus points achieved by reaching each weekly goal, and by whoever is closest to reaching their goal weight. Says Executive Chef, Bradley Daniels, “I am excited to participate in this contest and am thrilled to have the support of our amazing staff. I am looking forward to continuing this healthy lifestyle and reaching my goal.” For more information on Croissants Bistro and Bakery’s “Fat-Off 2010” call 843.448.2253 or visit www.Croissants.net.

About Croissants Bistro & Bakery

Croissants Bistro & Bakery began fifteen years ago as a life-long dream of owner, Heidi Vukov.  Throughout the years, the restaurant has continued to grow. A SC Certified, Fresh on the Menu restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, Croissants is proud to be Myrtle Beach’s only low-country bistro.

Contact Information:

Croissants Bistro & Bakery

3751 Robert Grissom Pkwy.

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

843.448.2253