Welcome, O' Seekers of the Clean

Heh. I noticed a drastic increase in traffic on this site (up 300 - 400%) over the last few days. I would never have guessed the reason. In one of my posts a couple of days ago (May 3), I casually included a phrase from an old Mr. Clean TV commercial jingle: "...cleans your whole house and everything that's in it."

It turns out that most of the people coming this site, lately, were searching for that phrase. Why? I'm curious.

So, please, do me a favor. If you came to this site after a search for that phrase, please take a second and comment on your motivation. Was it nostalgia? Are you a marketing student? Has there been a Mr. Clean event of some sort that I missed?

I know, I know. You're all asking yourselves, "What does John think is the single most successful TV commercial jingle of all time?"

And here it is. This one has echoed in my head for at least 40 years:

Premium Saltines, reclosable pack
You open 'em up, and you close 'em back.
No crackers to split up, they're evenly stacked,
And they stay fresh
'til
The very last cracker.
Premium Saltines.

I suspect it was originally broadcast as part of some sort of under-funded government mind-control plot.

Evil Laughter

Am I wrong to hate someone I don't know just because of their laugh? Some guy here at work has a loud, obnoxious laugh, more of a roaring chuckle, actually, and I detest him. Each laughing outburst starts with a short, open-mouthed "heh, heh..." and quickly becomes an endless, tight-lipped "hnnc, hnnc, hnnc, hnnc, hnnc, hnnc, hnnc, hnnc, hnnc, hnnc, hnnc, hnnc..." that echoes loudly in his, apparently, hollow skull. At this very moment he stands in the door to the Dilbert cubicle across from mine, periodically laughing insanely at minor points of humor that he himself has made. This scenario repeats often, and on a daily basis.

Now, I like people to be happy. I, myself, have a warped and active sense of humor. I often stand around in the hallway laughing at stupid jokes and outrageous observations. So maybe this is karma.

I still despise the guy. I get a strong, strong urge to mimic him loudly. I resist. He laughs. I get the urge again. I clamp my hands over my ears and can still hear him. Finally, finally he strolls away. Blessed (relative) silence.

On a related note, this looks like a good book. I think I'll look it up at the library.

And I'll Bet He Was Bald

Otzi the Iceman wasn't some chickensh*t sheep herder who fell in a hole. He was a warrior or adventurer (or outlaw) killed in battle. What a great story someone needs to write. hmmmm. Or maybe Robert E. Howard already did with the Conan stories.

And he sure looks bald to me...

Iraqi Euphoria Continues

Why am I not surprised? Apparently many reporters are greatly exagerating the "anti-American" demonstrations. According to this article, they still love us there.