Last In London

Just when I thought it was safe to travel... Snuggie invasion

I swear I'm not seeking this stuff.

It just seems to find me.

I was in Dublin, far away from my normal London circles, innocently browsing the ads at the Guinness factory, when what did I see?  That's right - a Snuggie.

A guy. in a Snuggie.  In Dublin.  Running through the Guinness Storehouse - blanketed arms a-flailin.

Apparently he's trying to recreate the success of "Where the hell is Matt" - but in a Snuggie.

I'm not keeping an eye out for it... but I'm sure it'll find me.

of course there's a Snuggie application

sad that I actually searched for this "snuggie appliction" in Facebook, in the hopes of gifting one to the evil temptress who started me on this obsessive path.

(and yes, I realize that I've taken this a bit too far.  seeking help in the morning).

Cult of the Snuggie continues

Jimmy Fallon audience member subjected to verbal stoning for non-snuggie-compliance.

signs of the times

This Adage article blames the recession for some of the antagonizing ads we're being subjected to on Facebook (and other sites):

According to the article:

The ubiquitous "belly fat" ads, placed by numerous direct-response marketers, including some of the web's shadiest advertisers, are finding welcome homes across the web as publishers grow more reluctant to leave any available ad budgets on the table, even those attached to unappealing ads.

Clearly the same desperation is driving U.S. TV networks to lower their standards as well.  What else but recession-fueled panic can explain Snuggie (and the fact that it's been "running nonstop on TV" according to personal sources and this Times article).

Perhaps the most frightening sign that things aren't quite right in the world of consumerism is the fact that these ads are working... 

Snuggie has sold over 3 million units since launching the campaign in September of 08, has prompted nationwide Snuggie parties, has been parodied on the late night talk shows, and is accumulating what some might call a cult-like following on Facebook, and within the media community.

I know things are tough at home in the States, but perhaps it's time to use "the freedom to use your hands" to make a little call for help.

  

Identity according to Facebook

I pay more attention to Facebook ads than most.  Probably because I find their attempts to classify me (as made evident in the ads I'm served) highly entertaining.   

First, they tested out the demographic approach:  She's single and over 25, so she must be fat, lonely, and desperate to get married:

When that didn't work, they switched to a bit of behavioral targeting:

(Linux systems ninja? I'm flattered ;).

But the latest Adrian Lamo "thought crime" ads have me confused (and slightly worried).   Off to clear my cookies.  Fast.

end of an expression?

This came up in conversation with my brother last night - amusingly, in a conversation about the joys of our current economy:

If the expression "bank on it" means to 'trust in / count on something completely, as you would a bank with your money,' then haven't we witnessed the end of an expression?

bank on something

Fig. to be so sure of something that one can trust it as one might trust a bank with one's money. I will be there on time. You can bank on it. I need a promise of your help. I hope I can bank on it.

don't worry, be happy

Wish I'd seen this in person:  artist Stuart Semple released 2057 pink, smiley faced balloons into the air around Tate Modern in London - simply in the hopes that they would "cheer up the people."

Not a bad objective at all.

"I'm not a mathmetician"

(sigh)

Can't say the situation's any better on this side of the pond (in fact it's MUCH, much worse).

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

epic fail

Toshiba ploy for free IT support thinly veiled as a "competition:"

http://www.wired.com/promo/toshiba/

"tech wunderkinds" can answer tough consumer questions for the chance to appear on the Toshiba Expert's site!  yippee!

Make sure to read all of the responses.  Brilliant backfire.

Tough Consumer Question # 1:

Q:

I have a Satellite M35X-S311. The wireless switch is turned on but the LED light is off. It will not connect to a wireless network and tells me to turn on the wireless switch. I have updated the driver and I have used the fn-F8 key to turn on the wireless card but it is still not working. Can anyone help with a suggested solution? Thanks.

Response posted by Eat MyAss

Buy a laptop from a company that knows how to fix its own products instead of using a cheap attempt to trick their customers into telling them how to fix their own crappy products.

sweet!

to keep people cheery "in these troubled times,"
we hold cupcake competitions at work. 
works for me.  :)