Happy Hour

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Here's a Question

It's a crazy day around here with all the 11 lists, so this week I only have one question for you: do you have any Friday Happy Hour questions you'd like to see asked? See the previous transcripts for inspiration. And if you see a question in the comments you just can't wait to answer, have at... READ ON

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The Longest You've Gone Without Power

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... Photokanok / Shutterstock.com 1. There are still hundreds of thousands of people in the East without power after last weekend's early snowstorm. We were lucky—here in my New Jersey satellite office, we were only electricity-free for about 24 hours, but friends a few miles away are... READ ON

Article

That House in Your Neighborhood That Didn't Have Candy

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. Every neighborhood has that house that goes off script on Halloween. Maybe it's a dentist who gives away toothbrushes, or the family who gives out cash. Or something way cooler than fun size candy. What did the non-candy houses in your area offer up instead? 2. Think back to your CD... READ ON

Article

Made-Up Words That Make You Cringe

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. Last week we discussed intentionally misspelled words that drive you crazy (KidzTyme, wyngz, etc.) Along those lines, what are your least favorite made-up or mashed-up words, like Xfinity or emotrics ("analytical measurement of emotions")? 2. For everyone who works or has worked in a job... READ ON

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Intentionally Misspelled Words That Drive You Crazy

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. Many stores switch around a few letters in their names to stand out (or because they couldn't get a good domain name). Kids becomes kidz. Time becomes tyme. KidsTime becomes KidzTyme. Are there any intentionally misspelled — or unintentionally, I guess — business names that make you... READ ON

Article

The Halloween Costume You're Most Proud Of

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. Two years ago, we asked for pictures of your best Halloween costumes. Let's do that again! If you're particularly proud of a costume, specifically a nerdy one, we'd love to see it (and show the others). Send those photos to flossyjason@gmail.com with Halloween in the subject and we'll... READ ON

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Authors You've Met and Whether You Liked Them

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. "Author Day" was an annual tradition during my time at Valleyview Middle School in Denville, NJ. One year we had Jerry Spinelli, who wrote Maniac Magee. Paula Danziger was the next headliner. I remember she told us one of her former students was a kid named Ian Ziering, who was on this new... READ ON

Article

Where Were You on 9/11?

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. On Monday, September 10, 2001, I started a job with Duke University's Office of Student Development. I was paid $9.68/hour to answer the phones and greet visitors and, on my second day, try to convince panic-stricken parents all over the world that Durham, North Carolina, was not under... READ ON

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The Haiku Trivia Contest!

Let's do something a little different this week. Haiku Trivia! I've got a $50 mental_floss store shopping spree for the person who tells us the most amazing fact in haiku form. A couple runners-up will win mental_floss t-shirts. Examples: Salvador Dali wore a homemade scent made of fish glue and manure * Carly Simon’s dad is the “Simon” portion of Simon & Schuster Your turn! We won't be grading your haiku skills too harshly. You need not include any words that indicate the... READ ON

Article

If Libyan Rebels Raided Your Home...

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. Yesterday we learned that Qaddafi has a photo album filled with pages of pictures of Condoleezza Rice, which probably hurts his chances of wooing her. If the Libyan rebels raided your house, what's the one thing you wouldn't want them (and international news organizations) to find? 2. On... READ ON