21 Work Street

In order to save the world we must work less (mission accomplished). Thanks to factories, even time has been  commoditized (I want a replacement) A paper from the New Economics Foundation says that their is nothing "normal" about working 40 hours a week (no matter what your boss says). That this cycle of 40 (okay more) hours per work encourages consumption as a short cut to happiness (and economic bust) Ultimately the point is that we can't sustain a world wide level of Europe living standard, so lets learn to be happy with less.

Twin Peeks

This months National Geographic Magazine tells us something about twins: they are just like the rest of us (they just look  like each other.) Yes, it is true, while twins may have many things in common (like looks) and they may have even been raised similarly (like any children from the same family), the direct experiences of their specific lives alter them (that means if one burns her hand the twin's hand isn't burned). So even though we thought twins were just two sides of the same coin, they aren't (because they aren't coins). They are individuals just like the rest of you.

Filling Bankruptcy

Like many Americans, Hostess, the Twinky makers, is trying to lose the fat. (But for them most of that fat is money they owe other people) Hostess Brands  is hoping to take a bite out of its high costs (ie worker pay, worker insurance, and worker retirement) as it heads back into bankruptcy. Hostess has enough cash to keep stores stocked with its Ding Dongs, Ho Hos and other snacks for now. But longer term, the 87-year-old company has a bigger problem: Americans are tired of eating Shit.  Analysts say the iconic brand has been hurt by Americans' changing eating habits (and it wants an apology). The company hasn't laid off any workers, but said they will do what is in the best interests of the company (which is to lay off workers). The CEO said that Hostess has the potential to do much more business if they can get rid of the barriers to success. (The aforementioned worker pay, worker insurance, and worker retirement). The new filling of the Twinky: Chapter 11.

Grand Mammon

A 69-year-old Heidemarie Schwermer, grandmother of three, has lived without money (and presumabley sex) for sixteen years. In 1996, Heidemarie, a former (as in fired) schoolteacher and psychotherapist , decided to experiment with having no money for a year (because it was her only option). She reports that living without money gave her quality of life, inner wealth, freedom and no checking account fees. Her children were understandably horrified by her desire to swap services with hobos, but "have come around" (and by come around we mean find a way to have her declared legally insane.)

Leer Book

A young student is fighting for her right to appear as a porn star meat slab for men in a Colorado high school's year book. Her parents support her right to look like a slut. The student editors did offer her the opportunity to have the picture included in the ad section of the book, which seems more than appropriate to me. Since she seems intent on selling something.

Darth Voider

A Belgium fast food chain: Quick, is going to release limited edition Star Wars hamburgers to celebrate the 3D premiere of the Phantom Menace. In the words spoken like Yoda: "Black Bunned Burgers lead to stomach ache. Stomach ache leads to gas. Gas leads to farting. Farts to shitting." (note: I once was brought before a school board because of a similar joke about Yoda and farting, it went like you think it did.)

Hawking Women

There is one mystery that Stephen Hawking can't hack: women. While this may seem surprising to some it shouldn't be. He is a 70 year old man in a wheel chair. I have nothing against old people or wheel chairs, but together, seems a bit iffy. Besides when a woman says she wants to be swept off her feet, she doesn't mean literally.