Pranking C-SPAN

It's time for our Tuesday look around the world to see what's going on.

1) Desperate politicians are running stupid attack ads with no taste a few weeks before the election.
2) Activists call for legalization of a small leafy plant that is also unfortunately used as a drug.
3) College is still really expensive. Yet, it's not like America's colleges are getting less crowded.
4) Kazakhstan is still pissed off about Borat. But at least they finally got a sense of humor about it.
5) Shaquille O'Neal is a cop.

Yeah, in other words, nothing new is going on today.


This week's theme:
Songs you won't be able to get out of your head.

Again, the rules are simple. I won't tell you what it is. It's a fun little song, but you'll be singing it all day. Just like Howie Mandell. Deal or no deal?

Speaking of, how did Bob Saget (the originator of the theme of the week, btw) get a gig on that 1 vs. 100 show. How do I get on this show?

Today's song your mind just won't hush about
(And another by the same artist...)


Baseball bits:

There's that whole World Series thing. Mildly interesting. Chris Carpenter faces off against the winner of a Rivers Cuomo look-a-like contest tonight. Seriously, take a look at Nate Robertson.

In other news: The Phillies (when you think about it, what a stupid name for a team... Phillies...) have signed 44-year-old Jamie Moyer to a two year contract. Worth five million a year. Moyer's so old that he actually made his major league debut against Steve Carlton. Joe Girardi will not be the next manager of the Washington Nationals. Girardi wants to keep his family together, and apparently, he can't do that in D.C. Alan Trammell gets a job as the Cubs bench coach. Willie Randolph has no regrets after being dumped from the playoffs.

More rumors: The White Sox want A-Rod (who's not available and won't be traded...wink, wink). The Giants will pick their manager from Bruce Bochy, Bud Black, Ron Wotus, Manny Acta, and Kevin Federline. Bud Black is also interviewing with the A's. OK, it's clear who needs a manager. There are four teams who need one (Giants, A's, Rangers, Nats) and he same four names get thrown out there every day. Just pick one!

The Astros want Craig Biggio back. The Cubs want Aramis Ramirez back. The Reds and Rich Aurillia are deciding whether or not to break up.


On to the news:

Firefighting chief charged with arson
(Sadly, this one happens a lot. So much so that Chuck Shepherd won't do this story any more.)

Russia opens vodka museum
(What, we have a museum for cars...)

Bank robbers have a bad day
(Don't you hate when this happens?)

Toddler gets stuck in vending machine
(Huh?)

Man gets out of jail, commits 8 robberies
(Gets arrested the next day)


Bright, shiny objects:

Governments fund the strangest things
(Thanks to my wife for the link)

Prank calls... to C-SPAN
(Why would someone prank C-SPAN? By the way, are you at work right now?)


Today's Random "Next Blog":

Shell Gal, a new doctor
(in Malaysia)


Today's Strange Anniversary:

October 24, 1857 -- World's 1st soccer club, Sheffield F C, founded in England. This makes me wonder: whom did they play.


Fun fact of the day:

The origin of the phrase "tit for tat"


And finally:

Last night, my wife came back from Atlanta with new pictures of our niece. Absolutely adorable. If I can, I'll get the pictures up sometime soon.