In a discussion group I frequent, one of the members posed a link, and wondered:
“Not sure if the writers here see the need for this….”
Work
Working In An Unusual Environment
This is being written in an unusual location. Not my office, not home, not even sitting in the passenger seat while Kit drives. Someone else is driving on our trip to Reno for the Mensa “Annual Gathering” (read: national convention), where Kit and I are speaking. We’re on the California Zephyr — a train (yeah, in the United States!)
Giggle Factor
Two stories need more attention this week, but they don’t belong in the same blog post. We begin with the comedy from True’s 13 May 2012 issue:
Planning for the Rest of Your Life
A friend who is a career military man is retiring soon. He’s still pretty young, so he asked for some advice on what to do next; he sees that I’m pretty successful, and he wants to be successful too, in the next phase of his life.
Don’t Have a Cow, Man
Readers wanted to see the photos that go with this story, about the prisoner-altered State Police car-door decal in Vermont. It ran in True’s 12 February 2012 issue:
Weird News Video #12 — In Hot Water
Episode #12: “In Hot Water”, from True’s 24 August 2008 issue.
Higher Education
I do a lot of research when looking for stories, and I see quite a bit of amazing stuff. Most of it I use for stories, but sometimes even truly wonderful items just don’t quite make it into the final product. This is one such case.
Hook a Man Up!
I was a bit taken aback by a letter I got this week. The subject line was “Can I be a charity case?” and it was from Bill in Pennsylvania. He wrote:
What Police Car Videos are For?
Video Captures and Update Below
So much for taping drunk drivers stumbling around. This cop had a much “better” use for his vehicle camera system, spending hours of on-duty time making, and later watching, recordings. From True’s 5 March 2006 issue:
Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs
Artist Richard Ankrom kept getting mixed up when driving a certain section of the L.A. freeways, so he took it on himself to fix the problem — and make it a performance art project at the same time.
Cops Confirm: He Was Nailed!
Sometimes the story just isn’t complete without a photo …or two. From True’s 30 May 2004 issue:
At Least She’s Smiling
From the 28 September 2003 newsletter:
Unclear on the Concept
One of my pet peeves is Public Relations Flacks. These are not to be confused with Public Relations Professionals — PR people who do a good job getting The Word out about their clients. They hate the word “flack,” but when they make their clients look bad — well, they’re inviting the derision.