This time, they didn't wash their hands

Where not to eat (ver. 3.0)

A casual look over WFMY's most recent Restaurant Report Card for the greater Winston-Salem community brought these transgressions to light:

• "employees were not washing their hands, and maybe it's because there was no hand soap or towels"
• "cook wipe his hands on his apron, do other work, then come back and prepare food"
• "employee scooping out ice with a glass without washing his hands"

I will most likely never eat at any of these locations. I rarely travel to N.C., and when I do have the misfortune of finding myself in that foul state I try to avoid spending any money there.

One reason I post these items (in addition to them being a little on the nasty side) is to draw attention to how much time and effort our friends at WFMY sink into these reports.

I mean, look at the goofy banner for the page. "Restaurant Report Card" is linked under "Special Reports." Previous entries carry video reports. The station even calls the locations to talk about the inspection findings.

Maybe this attention to restaurant inspections is indicative of how little news there is in the area. Here's a scan of the other important happenings of the day:

• "Jellyfish are becoming a plague for North Carolina beachgoers"
• "Greensboro appears on Jeopardy game show as an entire category"
• "Local Pantry Forced To Buy Food"

(and my personal favorite)
"Bats Infest Reidsville Home" I love the subhead -- "Since mid-June, Wanda Mitchell and her family have been living with bats."

Little did I know ....

My own blog taught me something. Earlier, I posted a link about a fun game. I had no idea that I'd stumbled across a cultural icon completely unknown to me.

I later learned that the Japanese have for years enjoyed the antics of one "Doraemon," the crazy character popping up in the game I mentioned earlier. The little guy's had his own TV show, series of feature-length films and books in production since 1979.

Here's a summary of the plot as I understand it: Doraemon is a kind of a robotic cat from the future that lives with a nerdy kid named Nobita. Doraemon and Nobita hang around with the kid's friends, dodging bullies and having all kinds of crazy adventures.

Apparently, Doraemon has a time machine stored in Nobita's desk at home, which means there is no end to the trouble they can discover. When they're in a reach pinch, Doraemon springs out some kind of fantastic futuristic device from a small pouch.

You really have to see the Robo-Cat in action. Go here to see the next big adventure; head here to see the blasts from the past. Follow these steps to see trailers for all 25 Doraemon films:

• pick a number from 1 to 25
• select "go" when it pops up in the center of the screen
• click on the fourth set of characters from the top as they appear in a left-side column

Enjoy the show!

Steeler fans go out in style

Do you know this woman?

Do you know who this is? She is an ordinary person with an extraordinary tale to tell ...

To learn more about why her story is so important, begin by looking here.

Counter-intuition exercise

When it's time to cross a busy intersection, where would you expect to find the all-clear sign? Maybe across the street on a poll a little above the level of your head. You're likely looking for a little green walking man or some other "walk now" indication.

But in England, a brilliant idea helped "upgrade" crosswalks with a most counter-intuitive "improvement."

Engineers did away with the farside indicators (the little man on the other side of the road). Instead, you get a hard-to-notice "nearside indicator" (an electronic sign only visible to you on the side of the road you want to leave).

How does this even begin to make sense? This change is so illogical that it necessitated a strange sign that reads:

"Your red/green man signal is on the pole next to you"

Sure, humans are for the most part adaptive. We have a unique ability to get used to some of the dumbest stuff, but this is just crazy. Seems to me it needlessly invites trouble with someone not knowing when to cross.

This site also includes some curious documentation detailing how the same English town unknowingly became a test location for chemical warfare years ago.

Hate your job? Maybe you're just tired . . .

We all go through some period of job dissatisfaction . . . the difference is the duration or what it motivates you to do. Now a new study says you might be able to blame some of your poor job outlook on your sleep habits.

University of Florida researchers report that a lack of sleep can cause people to "dislike and even hate their jobs the next morning."

Apparently women are more likely than men to want to call it all quits after a bad night as they "reported suffering more fatigue and hostility and being less attentive and happy."

So, who gets the biggest blame for making unhappy workers? Why, the boss of course . . .

• "With employers trying to squeeze every last bit of productivity out of employees and having them work extended hours, a 40-hour week is basically nonexistent anymore in some occupations"

In the end, companies are encouraged to do more to accommodate schedules and provide a few perks to help ease people along. And everyone is reminded that more exercise and less caffeine and alcohol can help improve the picture.

Ultimately, I offer this advice from an old friend:
"If all you ever do is (complain) about your job, it's time to get another job."

By the numbers . . . bear-killing style

Canoeist stabs bear to death in Ontario

This headline says it all, but take a closer look.

• The knife: 15 centimeters = 5.905511805 inches
• The bear: 90 kilogram = 198.416 035 966 pounds
• The Staffordshire breed: Height= 17 - 19 inches Weight= 40 - 50 lbs.

Another account of the Ontario incident cites the horrible death of Jacqueline Perry as the inspiration for the knife defense.

And, something like this has happened in the not-too-distance past. Consider this story:

Man armed with knife kills starving bear (2003) "John Hirsch . . . had only a 3 1/2-inch knife blade when he came across the bear in his backyard . . . 190 miles northeast of Vancouver."

"Happy Days" are here again

Apparently, the organizers of Atlanta's famed Dragon-Con are looking to produce a "Happy Days" mini-reunion this fall.

Among the many celebs currently logged as guests for the Sept. 1-4 program are Don Most, Erin Moran and Anson Williams. That's right -- Ralph Malph, Joanie and Potsie together again!

However, I didn't see Cathy Silvers or Ted McGinley on that list, and nothing is "Happy Days"-official in my book without Jenny Piccalo and Roger Phillips.

Where not to eat (ver. 2.0)

Once again we are reminded that some food establishments are simply to be avoided. Here is just one:

"An inspector . . . found an employee preparing too much raw chicken to maintain proper temperatures. The report also notes an employee washing hands over chicken in prep sink."

Yummy

Newspaper serving gamer's need

The Cherokee Ledger-News (Woodstock, Ga.) is a community weekly that is pretty much only read by the people who advertise in it. But there is one section of this freebie that everyone knows about: The Soapbox.

As you'll see here, the Soapbox is what I like to call the "gossip column for cowards." People get to post and read anonymous congrats and jabs about the stupidest stuff.

But this week, about half way down the page we get this:

• To the people of Cherokee County, if you play X-Box Live and you play "Halo 2," don't quit in the middle of a game.

Fantastic! Sandwiched between two useless political comments is someone venting their spleen over someone else being a giant puss. I like it. Otherwise, the Soapbox stinks.

Although I do find myself agreeing with this item from near the top:

• To the person who hit the dog on Ga. 92 at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, shame on you for not stopping. I hope your car was damaged.

'Nuff said

There's no need to ask directions
If you ever lose your mind
We're behind you
We're behind you
And let us please remind you
We can send a car to find you
If you ever lose your way

Cake "Comfort Eagle"


Gee, I haven't heard this in what seems like forever. But that lyric is unforgettable. There's something kind of menacing there . . . in a good way. Enjoy the Flash

Like them or not . . .

. . . McDonald's is taking billboard advertising to the next level. When I read the story about this innovative new outdoor advertising campaign, I kinda wished we had one of them around here.

McDonald's has basically launched a kind of humorous "sundial" to tell you when it's a great time to eat one of their meal selections. How great is that? Two timeless concepts - fast food and sundials - combine to earn a little extra limelight.

In this day of flashy internet advertising and over-the-top tv spots vying for the less than seconds people are even willing to consider paying attention, I believe this quirky approach is kind of a last frontier.

Billboards are somewhat of an eyesore, at times. (How many of the ones that you see every day can you possibly recall at the drop of a hat?) But this one would stick out to me. I may not eat there, but I would like to see a little something different in a billboard, thank you very much.

Of course as ChicagoBusiness.com points out, there is much more at stake than keeping a potential customer entertained. McD's is in a very real nationwide contest to win breakfast dollars that are going to go somewhere. If I had to wager, I would bet the corporate burger-slingers are focusing more of their marketing attention on morning sales than any other segment.

My advice – show the folks in Oak Brook, Il., that you are more interested in having good food fast than a simple quick meal. Support your local independent restaurants, especially in the morning (where applicable).

Besides, you already know what the Mc-whatever-they're-serving tastes like, but you never know what wonderful flavors Mom and Pop down the street have cooking up for you . . .

Um .... what?

Ok; I get Cynthia McKinney. But what the heck is going on with this lady to her left?

Can this be true?

This morning, our friends at WFMY News 2 ("dependable local coverage for Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem") salt and peppered our minds with this string of online headlines:

• Man Shot While Sitting On Porch
• Tropical Storm Beryl Expected To Stay Off North Carolina Shore
• Two Women Fight Off Morning Attacks At Home

I don't really know why, but these snippets made me chuckle. Don't get me wrong – while there's nothing inherently funny about any of these items, seeing them all together like that was great.

I would also like to point out these two classic business headers (a little lower on the main page):

• Human Society Wants Amazon.com To Stop Selling Cockfighting Magazines
• US Airways Finds New Place For Ads

And those with a little more time on their hands might want to launch this special investigative report: “Lunch vs. Education: Which Would You Choose?”

Summer-time fun

Anyone too old, busy or broke to visit their favorite summer camp can enjoy it virtually with the help of Teen Girl Squad.

It warms the heart to see the Brothers Chap make such a strong return to the world of animation following their month-long hiatus. This is arguably one of the best TGS editions to date.

Have a safe and fun summer. And remember to pack your working toilet paper....

Remember these?

If you're like me, you've received a Chick Tract. Jack Chick has produced these power-packed little comics for decades. As kids, we would collect them and trade them around like similar reading material.

Now through that miracle we call the "internets," you can spend hours browsing the thousands of panels J. Chick has produced over the years. (I've included a few of my favorites here. . . )

Another nugget of DVD joy ...

For good or for ill, I managed to purchase my local Dollar Tree's last copy (so far as I could tell, anyway) of "The Pride of Jesse Hallam," featuring Johnny Cash. This is a double-sided disc that includes "Door-To-Door Maniac," another Cash film I have yet to view.

The made-for-television "Pride" is an overly heavy-handed attempt to mainstream the discussion of adult illiteracy. The situations showcasing Cash's inability to read are almost laughable at times.

On the upside, you get a pretty good character performance from screen legend Eli Wallach, who is taking a chance on Johnny to help run his business.

And the movie's music, of course, comes strictly from Cash. However, the majority of the tunes are sheer 1980s twang – little is memorable.

I do recall seeing this movie on one UHF station or another from time to time as a kid. The scene that stuck with me from years gone by is Cash's quick scolding from Wallach in the Cincinnati farmers market. For some reason, that exchange was the only part I could recall later. Now, I have it on DVD to enjoy again and again.

As a side technical note, this is one of the worst transfers imaginable. Dark and dirty with some missing audio to boot, this edition is really only worth a dollar at best.

One great film

This is the newest addition to my classics collection. Recently released on DVD, this two-disc set makes for a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

The genius behind the film is its director, John Frankenheimer. Frankenheimer made this film the way only a sport’s true fan could do it.

Frankenheimer gained exclusive two-year filming access to the most accomplished international racing superstars of his time. And that wasn't all – he required his actors to spend months learning how to drive Formula One cars and made them "race" the tracks for close-ups.

The international racing community had never given anyone – let alone Hollywood – the access that Frankenheimer demanded to men, machines, tracks and all the rest. He had to earn that privilege.

To win the famous Ferrari family, for instance, he privately screened 30 minutes of actual race footage he filmed to become the opening race. The patriarch of the Ferraris liked it so much, he allowed film crews to get to the cars and the factory – something that never been done before Frankenheimer.

Frankenheimer spent months experimenting with aerial and ground photography to develop the classic footage that has never since been reproduced. The gritty, jittery scenes are brilliant and almost documentary-like when you consider that most of the race and fan footage came from actual contests.

One commentator pointed out just how much of rarity “Grand Prix” truly is by deconstructing the open footage. Viewers are given an unprecedented look into the last-minute personal rituals drivers and their crews perform before racing. Frankenheimer could have started his characters’ stories, but he instead followed the real Formula One drivers pulling their gloves as tight as possible or packing their ears with cotton – unheard of filmmaking from Hollywood.

And you don’t have to be a fan of Formula One or NASCAR to get into this one. This is a fantastic film with great rush after rush from the unrivaled racing scenes. “Grand Prix” is one of greatest sports films of all time.

For the first time in 50 years

I made a happy discovery at my local library with the re-issue of "Say It With Bullets" by Richard Powell. "Say It With Bullets" is a new addition to the Hard Case Crime line of fine paperbacks.

Apparently, this book hasn't been published again since its original printing in 1953. I'm really early into it, but it has already produced these two nuggets of joy:

"The only wish-you-were-here postcards he wanted to send them was a picture of a cemetery."

And

"'The trouble with the scenery in Nebraska,' he said, 'is that it doesn't hide the landscape.'"

This cover is apparently from the original Swedish edition. I really dig the red tie ....

Vote early, vote often

Finally .... a candidate we can all get behind.

And the best thing is that you instantly know where you stand with this guy -- he never tells a lie.

Try to read these without laughing ....

Where not to eat in greater Winston-Salem, N.C.

This kind of explains itself

This game is fun and funny.

To get started, click on the white circle with the blue characters (below the number "2" stand). Then, you basically click on the swimmer that's different. I found this site through a lot of forward-tracking after clicking an ad hosted on another site.

To see something equally interesting (and equally Japanese), go here and start clicking around. If you can navigate to the videos about the different model features, you might be impressed with some of the emerging auto technology. I know I was ...

Listen to Cash for free.

The last installment of Johnny Cash's American Recordings is now available. Click here to hear a few of the newest tracks (the first two on the page).

From the little I've heard so far, Johnny's voice packs even more meaning into these final sessions. It's like he knew this was it, and he was giving it all he had.

I don't think there's a Cash song that I don't like, and American V: A Hundred Highways seems like another classic. I hope to get it soon ....

And, just before you book that flight ...

Do your due diligence -- read all about it.

What to read next ...

This book is really one of the better additions to the series. It's pretty much a fans-only book, which simply means this should not be your first visit to the Discworld.

In short, we get a first-hand dose of how one alternate universe deals with the "powers that be" and rabid nationalism. If you love the Night Watch and can't get enough of Commander Vimes, Captain Carrot and Corporal Nobbs, you've gotta read it. It's a great Watch title.

Apparently, Terry is getting ready to add to the Wee Free Men line. His own site and Amazon are promoting "Wintersmith." Look for this new Tiffany Aching book in October.

And for fans of F. Paul Wilson, Repairman Jack is back - and hopefully badder than ever - in September with "Harbingers." There is a lot of payback following "Infernal," and I can't wait to see where this series goes next. In the meantime, "Crisscross" is out in paperback (finally) and a value re-issue edition of "The Tomb" is due in August.

"Thunder's just the noise, boys ..."

Two recent examples of how, indeed, "lightning does the work."

Read em here and here ...

What does it all mean?

"Urban Docent" is a derisive term – thought up by folks with less than a full deck – to describe displaced individuals who are allowed to languish near major transportation terminals.

The idea is that these new "Urban Docents" would serve as your guide to all that is fantastic.

Read on if you think it wise ...