Shit People Say in Las Vegas

The "Shit People Say" meme had to finally get around to Las Vegas, didn't it? And this one--while maybe not as technically well made as some--is right on the money. I've lived here for over 17 years, and I've heard every one of these. George Carlin used to have a great bit on it (he played Vegas often), with one of the "shit people say" lines being, "Remember that money I told you not to let me have under any circumstances? Give that to me now."

Most Overused Movie Line Ever? "You Look Like Sh*t!"

Actually I always thought it was "Let's get outta here" or a variation, but there you go. . .

Featured Site: TV Tropes

Wow. In my last post, I mentioned "Wiki-holes" and their many cousins on the internet. Basically, it is the phenomenon of getting sucked into a site so deeply that you look at the clock and it is hours later. One thing leads to another and the day (or night) is gone.

My last post got me enmeshed in yet another hole, a TV Tropes-hole. The site is dedicated to the conventions and contrivances in story-telling, mostly in TV but in other genres as well. And I'm telling you, one link leads to another. Basically, the site is for people who are too smart for the source material.

The job of a work of fiction is to engage your "willing suspension of disbelief." But if the writing or acting is bad, you get sucked out of that story zone. TV Tropes points out all the ways that can happen, and more. The terminology and the various sources sited land squarely in my pop culture sweet spot. Maybe yours too. Here's just an example of the types of entries you'll find at TV Tropes. . .

[Excerpt]

Tropes are devices and conventions that a writer can reasonably rely on as being present in the audience members' minds and expectations. On the whole, tropes are not clichés. The word clichéd means "stereotyped and trite". In other words, dull and uninteresting. We are not looking for dull and uninteresting entries. We are here to recognize tropes and play with them, not to make fun of them. . .

Go on, you'll have fun (and lose several hours) at: TV Tropes

Top 10 Most Annoying Phrases

One of my biggest pet peeves is back as number one in a top 10 list of "most annoying phrases." That pet peeve? The phrase, "at the end of the day." I've already written about it before (yes three times), so no need to expound upon it again. But I'm glad to see that others agree with me!

[Excerpt]

Oxford Researchers List Top 10 Most Annoying Phrases

1 - At the end of the day

2 - Fairly unique

3 - I personally

4 - At this moment in time

5 - With all due respect

6 - Absolutely

7 - It's a nightmare

8 - Shouldn't of

9 - 24/7

10 - It's not rocket science

More at: Wired