Wisdumb: Smart and Not-So-Smart

“The Real Hustle” is a good show, and this is one of the best bar scams on it.

My Something is jewelry, a necklace to be exact. The chain is especially cheap, but the charm on it is some sort of black stone or crystal. It did come in a very nice box with a ribbon. I will use stone on my key chain, I think.

Well, my predictions were pretty good. I called Mike Super as the winner, and I was right. I said I thought Eran would be the one to go, and he was, but he went out in third place, not fourth… so I was close, but not correct.

This is pretty cool…

I learned about this site from Allison of AliThinks.com fame. It is an intriguing idea. The concept is simple. Send them ten bucks, and then they send you something. What they send you is a surprise. It could be almost anything, or so they say. They have something called the “Something Tracker” which displays recent items sent to people. It looks like quite a few cost more than $10, while most do not. However, since shipping is included in the price, even the lower priced items would likely cost you $10 when you add in shipping costs. Anyway, like Allison, I ordered something and will report back when I get it.

Has anyone else done this? If so, what did you get?

Well, I called the three that were safe and the two that weren’t in my last post… except for the twist were Guy got saved. After tonight’s performances, I hope Angela gets the boot (she made a mistake, it took way too long, the climax used a fairly well known gimmick [actually explained in a Penn&Teller book] and I agreed with Chris Angel’s assessment that she didn’t connect to the audience), but I bet she squeaks by again. I also thought Eran’s performance was pretty weak (especially compared to a much better version of the same concept done by Derren Brown). So, I predict he is the one to go, and if not him, then Angela. Mike’s performance should make him a lock for moving on, and I think Guy’s performance, unfortunately, will amaze the type of person who actually votes on these type of shows. I say unfortunate because, come on already, enough with the bending of cutlery.

Anyway, I predict, and hope, the Mike Super becomes the next phenom.

BTW, I thought Gerry’s performance was his best one… though I don’t think he described the ending part with the audience very accurately and the show shouldn’t let these guys get away with that type of thing.

This is a way out there, but very well made commercial for some foreign beverage I never heard of. However, I have to admit, that after seeing the spot, I do want to at least try it to see what it tastes like:

I can’t believe they didn’t sneak in a quick bear shitting in the woods visual, though.

I expect (and hope) that an ad that ran in today’s New York Times will generate a lot of buzz. In case it doesn’t, though, I want to do my part and help spread the message. The image above is one of many images in the ad (this one showing the resutls of a three meter rise around Boston, MA). These images show the results of what would happen if the sea levels were to raise relatively small amounts (click it to go to the people behind the ad).

The ad also attempts to demonstrate that it isn’t just the cities on the coastlines that would be affected, but in fact all of the US due to economic, supply & demand issues and evacuees.

The following highlights the key points addressed in the ad:
With over 12,000 miles of coastline, and 53% of its population living in and around coastal cities and towns, the United States is at serious risk from even small amounts of sea level rise induced by global warming and climate change. Beginning with just one meter of sea level rise, many coastal cities and towns will be inundated, resulting in catastrophic property and infrastructure loss with large population disruptions and economic hardship. By calling for a moratorium on new conventional coal plants, we put an immediate cap on coal plant emissions. By phasing out existing plants, we decrease CO2 emissions, averting the more dangerous effects of climate change.

I am a few days late on this, but I just got to watch it yesterday. Anyway, I was glad to see Jim Callahan get the boot. Nothing too special on this episode to comment on other than the bad acting of two of the contestants. The snake guy, Eran Raven, was especially over-the-top with his bad acting during the “I want to continue” speech. Also, Angela Funovits, upped her bad acting with her limping from the supposed burns on her leg.

Anyway, despite the bad acting on those two performances, my guess is that both of them our safe. The chic will get a pass for being attractive and working a routine where she shows off her legs, and the dude will get some sympathy votes for being bitten and the supposed risk of death. I also think Mike Super will make the next level with his Voodoo doll routine. I think he is the best entertainer of the bunch and his routines so far have been very clever.

If I am right, that means things are looking bad for Guy Bavli (hydrochloric acid guy) and Gerry McCambridge (paint ball dude).

I am just guessing because I haven’t seen the entire work, but based on the trailers I have seen, the new Alvin and the Chimpmunks movie is going to create a shortage of seeing-eye dogs. Why? because hordes and hordes of fathers who were forced, tricked or just unkowingly agreed to go see this movie will rip the eyes out of their heads within a few minutes of viewing in an attempt to make the pain go away. What they won’t realize though, is that the absence of light they seek will not be nearly enough of a buffer to push the pain away as they will still be attacked by the hideous chimpmunk voices…

What’s with the voices anyway? Back in the day, singing on slowed down tape and playing it back at normal speed was a high-tech trick and it made sense (sort of) that it wowed the masses listening to the radio or off a vinyl LP. But come on, how is this crappy novelty of a gimmick still appealing?

Anyway, fathers, you have been warned. Now, a warning to the mothers who watch the trailer and utter something along the lines of, “Ooh, how cute! I bet Johnny and Suzi would love this movie.” I urge you to overcome that urge and ask you to note the ending of the teaser trailer… if you want to see someone put shit in his mouth, go rent Pink Flamingos. And if you really want to treat your children to fart jokes, go watch my tribute film instead.