Four (or Five!) Reasons Why

….Kids’ Birthday Parties Are Out of Hand

1. The money spent on birthday parties is insane. It’s not uncommon for parents to drop $500 on a party and all the “necessary” entertainment such as clowns and activities.

2. Loot bags are literally loot bags, stuffed with all kinds of items that could be considered gifts as opposed to thank you trinkets.

3. The money spent on presents keeps going up. The idea of spending $10 on a modest gift is a non-starter given everyone else is spending $30, $40 or $50 on a gift. Of course, the child receiving the gift will often turf the gift to play with the box that it came in.

4. It’s no longer enough to put on a birthday party that features traditional games such as pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs or egg races. Now, you’ve got to go to some kind of adventure or activity centre that has all kinds of things to do. It’s not a cheap thing to do, and most children are overwhelmed rather than overjoyed.

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….Why Crossword Puzzles Are So Popular

1. Crosswords are excellent mental exercise - whether you’re looking for a quick workout (something in your local newspaper) or a marathon (a challenging weekend crossword in places such as the New York Times).

2. They’re a personal challenge on a daily basis in which success is quietly celebrated while failure is not losing but rather an opportunity to learn and an incentive to do better the next day.

3. In an increasingly multi-tasking world, crosswords offer a much-need break because they require focus and time to think. It’s not like you can do a crossword, have a conversation, surf the Web and watch TV at the same time.

4. You can compete with yourself or with other people. A good example is the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament run by the NYT’s crossword guru, Will Shortz. Now in its 32nd year, it’s a three day crossword extravanganza that offers a $5,000 first prize and, more important, the opportunity to socialize with other crossword fanatics.

5. Anyone can do a crossword, which gives them universal appeal. Whether you have a PhD in English or you’re a truck driver waiting for your next load, crosswords appeal to everyone and anyone.

More: Crosswords date back to England in the 19th century but didn’t become a craze until 1913 when a journalist, Arthur Wynne, created the first modern crossword, which made its debut on December 21 in the New York World.

This Just In: Maybe what the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament needs to add some sizzle is do what the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition is doing: get a hot “sideline” reporter such as Erin Andrews!

Technorati Tags: Crossword Puzzles

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….Maxwell Smart is Better than Bond

1. Maxwell Smart while a regular guy as opposed to the suave, debonair and handsome James Bond. As a result, it’s easier to relate to Maxwell Smart, who often bumbled around before defeating the evil KAOS forces.

2. His gadgets were fun as opposed to corny/unbelievable. The Shoe Phone, for example, was a stunning piece of technology that arguably was ahead of its time as a mobile communications device. Meanwhile, James Bond had a team of scientists in a well-funded lab dreaming up elaborate new gadgets and products that he usually used once before they were tossed aside or blew up.

3. Maxwell Smart was a one-women guy - Agent 99. Meanwhile, James Bond was always playing the field looking for the next score while he was supposed to be working and saving the world from evil. Of course, many of the Bond Girls were delectable but Barbara Feldon (aka Agent 86) was pretty good looking as well.

4. He drove a cooler car - a 1965 Sunbeam Tiger. Meanwhile, James Bond couldn’t decide on what he wanted to drive. He pretty much drove anything and everything.

For more details about Maxwell Smart, check out the unofficial Maxwell Smart Site, Would You Believe.

Technorati Tags: James Bond, Maxwell Smart

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…Aquaman Is The Lamest Superhero Of All Time

1. How much crime actually happens under water? Maybe Black Manta trying to torch the ocean. Maybe the occasional renegade, nuclear-powered submarine captain with a hate on for the world. Maybe Captain Highliner and Captain Crunch finally settling their longstanding feud in a messy battle royale. Seriously - what evil mastermind plans to take over the waterways of the world?

2. When they were handing out superpowers, Aquaman was clearly last in line. The ability to extract oxygen from the water. Check. The ability to withstand deep sea pressure and extreme cold. Check. The ability to speak with sea creatures. Check. The ability to swim really fast. Check. Ready to save the world? Check! And while he does possess superhuman strength, what is there to lift or throw underwater?

3. All superheroes have an Achilles heel. It’s the law of being super. Superman has Kryponite. Spiderman has Mary Jane. Ironman was susceptible to the bottle. Aquaman - he grew weak when he was away from water for too long and would die unless he was in contact with it at least once an hour. WIthout super speed, all you had to do was run away for a while before he had to retreat to the ocean.

4. Sidekicks are pretty common, but admittedly they’re not particularly cool. That’s why they’re sidekicks. But Aqualad?

5. Aquaman is, by far, the most ridiculed superhero ever. He has been mocked on South Park, Family Guy, and Robot Chicken, to name but a few. If you are truly super, you don’t get teased so badly.

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…. Airline Movies Are Terrible

1. Airlines have to serve the broadest audience possible so they need to show movies that appeal to children, teenagers and adults. As a result, you usually get some terrible comedy such as Wild Hogs. (Note: How John Travolta and William H. Macy were convinced to star in Wild Hogs is totally beyond me! Maybe the idea of spending a few months riding motorcycles in the desert was too enticing a gig to pass up)

2. Airlines can’t show movies with sex and/or violence, which eliminates a massive number of movies that are downright fun. Wouldn’t it be great to see a film starring “The Rock” rather than Ann Hathaway?

3. All the airlines are watching their costs oh-so-closely so it’s not like they’re going to actually pay the studios to show first-run movies. Instead, we get movies that have already been shown at theaters, which means most people have seen them.

4. Most important, airlines know that flying is dull, dull, dull so no matter what movie they choose show, people will still watch them just to have something to do. I mean, I watched Alvin and the Chipmunks yesterday.

Technorati Tags: Airlines, puppy

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