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Oddly Enough

News, but not the serious kind

July 1st, 2009

Well-rounded readers pick best posts…

Posted by: Robert Basler

This blog’s top five most popular posts for June reflected the well- rounded interests of my readers.

They clearly are absorbed by space, flocking to a post about chicks from other planets. Also the presidency - Obama eating a candy bar - and the legal system, in the form of the Phil Spector trial.

On top of that, they were fascinated by media coverage of a potential air mishap, and a post that combined travel, exercise and the arts.

It’s a wonder they don’t give college credit for reading this thing!

Here are the top five:

5. Hamana-hamana-hamana…

4. Just drive in circles while I finish my candy bar!

3. Stand up Mr. Spector. Oh, Sorry!

2. The real, actual, genuine arrival sign!

And the number one most popular post for June:

1. It don’t get no stupider than this!

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Above: Model presents the latest collection by Larisa Katz of the Netherlands during Bahrain Fashion Week in Manama, May 30, 2009. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Right: President Barack Obama eats a snack in his limousine as he arrives in Dresden June 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Fabrizio Bensch

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June 30th, 2009

Stand out, but not too much…

Posted by: Robert Basler

Blog Guy, you don’t know me… You never saw me, we never had this conversation. I know you help people with certain fashion needs find appropriate attire. I represent the 42 million people in the Witness Protection Program. When you’re disguised all the time, it’s not easy to look chic.

Wait a minute. There are 42 million of us?

Us? You’re in the program?  Hey, clever disguise, doing a blog that anybody in the world can read. Then you know we have parties, cruises, WPP discounts… So is anybody creating fashions for us?

You bet. Check out this stuff from a new collection unveiled in Paris a couple of days ago. It’s perfect! I bought six new outfits.

Fantastic! I’ll spread it around in our monthly newsletter! Hey, wait a minute, Blog Guy. I think I know you! Were you the dude who came with us on that trip to Belgium, and called yourself  Smitty? I remember that time you….

Shut UP! Thanks a lot. Now I have to start all over again.

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Models present creations by Israeli-American designer Alber Elbaz and Lucas Ossendrijver of the Netherlands for fashion house Lanvin as part of his men’s Spring-Summer 2010 fashion collection in Paris June 28, 2009.

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June 29th, 2009

Honey, where’s my pale cream tunic?

Posted by: Robert Basler

“Versace and Gucci…started their shows with men dressed in white or pale creams. Versace also showed comfort with unbuttoned tunics and safari-like jackets…”
Reuters story from Milan Fashion Week

Blog Guy, I know you write a lot about haute couture. Where do the big designers get ideas for their creations?

I hate to boast, but sometimes they get them from me. For instance, here’s me with Donatella Versace at a recent dinner. She complimented me on my rented tuxedo and said, “Bob, what kind of crapola should I sell next season?”

“Donna,” I replied,  “you can’t go wrong with whites and pale creams, unbuttoned tunics and safari jackets.”

Then, as you can see here, she smiled that radiant smile of hers and said, “Bob, you’re a genius! Why didn’t I think of that my own self?”

The rest is history, if you read the coverage of Milan Fashion Week.

Blog Guy, is even one PATHETIC word of that story true?

Not really, no. I did tell her to go with elastic waistbands because lots of guys are putting on weight and can’t buckle their belts anymore, but she didn’t listen to me.

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Above: photo by Maggie Fox

Left: Models present creations as part of the Versace Spring/ Summer 2010 men’s collection during Milan Fashion Week June 21, 2009. REUTERS/ Alessandro Garofalo

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June 26th, 2009

Just leave your parrot outside, sir…

Posted by: Robert Basler

Come in and have a seat, Mr. Johnson, and thanks for your application to join our little company.

Let’s see, it says here your last position was in Somalia! Well, that’s quite a long ways away, I guess. Iowa, or someplace?

And what line of work were you in over there? Ah, shipping-related? Interesting.

Your application says you were a freebooter, marauder, plunderer, corsair, brigand, picaroon… Those are all shipping terms, huh? Guess I’ll have to look some of ‘em up.

Says here you’re familiar with a Cutlass. Great! I’m an Oldsmobile man, too.

Now, I should warn you Mr. Johnson, we require our salesmen to actually wear pants on the job, so, you know, don’t be showing up here in your underwear like that.

I think that’ll do it for now, but I’ll need some references at your previous employer. Uh-huh? Dead? ALL of ‘em? Well, I guess we’ll just have to trust you then…

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Model presents creation as part of the Vivienne Westwood Spring/Summer 2010 men’s collection during Milan Fashion Week June 21, 2009. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

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June 24th, 2009

Get out of the way for courier couture!

Posted by: Robert Basler

Blog Guy, you’ve helped all kinds of professions find high-fashion attire to suit their needs. Ventriloquists, police decoys, even Smurfs. Can you help my proud profession, bicycle messengers?

I see you cycle couriers all over downtown areas, zipping along, always a violent curse on your lips. Do you have a slogan, like that rain and sleet one the postmen have?

“Get out of my way or I’ll kill you.”

Yeah, that seems to fit perfectly. I think I can help you. Check these outfits from the Emporio Armani show in Milan.

“You touch my bike and I’ll stick this handlebar so far up…”

Hey, is that another one of your slogans?

No, I’m just sayin’ that to you personally…

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Above: A rider performs during Emporio Armani Spring/ Summer 2010 men’s collection during Milan Fashion Week, June 23, 2009.

Right: Models present creations…REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

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June 23rd, 2009

You call for some professional whippers?

Posted by: Robert Basler

Afternoon, Mr. Johnson, we’re the whippers you called for. You know, from Acme Whipping and Lawn Care.

You probably saw our ad in the Yellow Pages: “Acme, we can whip anybody!”

Dressed funny? Heck no, this is normal whipper attire for summertime. We do most of our work outdoors. Matter of fact, these are spanking-new duds we bought at the Milan Fashion Show, over there in Italy.

Zorro? Nah, that’s just Floyd in that black mask. He’s got some warrants out on him and it’s easier if he just hides his face.

So, whatcha got that needs whippin’, Mr. Johnson? Some adulterers? Horse thieves? Liberals?

Oh, I know what you’re wonderin’ about, Mr. Johnson. This long string dangling out of my shorts. It’s just my little joke. Go ahead, pull it. See what happens!

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Models present creations as part of the Vivienne Westwood Spring/Summer 2010 men’s collection during Milan Fashion Week June 21, 2009. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

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June 22nd, 2009

How can we horn in at parties?

Posted by: Robert Basler

Blog Guy, my friend and I are two young women who have a musical duo. We play violin and tuba.

Interesting, I’m betting there isn’t much competition in that niche market.

No, indeed. If you want a violin and tuba duo, you pretty much have to come to us.

Here’s our problem. When we show up to play a gig we like to be treated like guests until it’s time for our show, but we stick out like a sore thumb with our instrument cases. Suggestions?

Yeah, I know a hairdresser who can help hide your horn and violin until it’s time to perform. Nobody will even guess what you do.

That’s fantastic! Of course, the duo may not last much longer anyway. My partner dreams of living in the Caribbean. She wants to take her tuba to Aruba.

Don’t tell me she likes to scuba!

Okay.

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Models present creations during a hair show in Budapest June 20, 2009. REUTERS/ Karoly Arvai

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June 19th, 2009

Okay, let’s see which of you tramps lights up!

Posted by: Robert Basler

They’ve just unveiled a prototype dress designed to light up when the wearer’s mobile telephone rings. As high-tech gadgets go, I just don’t see this one catching on.

Where to begin? Do you want folks to know how pathetically unpopular you are when you hang out with the gang and your dress doesn’t light up once?

And if your phone DOES ring a lot, do you want to endure the searing pain of a bunch of Sylvania lightbulbs burning into your flesh, just to announce each call?

Here what I see happening if this catches on.

Say you’re a trashy floozy having an affair with a married guy, and you agree to meet him at a crowded nightspot. But then his wife shows up with his phone and hits last number dialed, and you’re so busted, glow worm! Then there’s a screaming catfight, hair gets pulled, clothes get torn, beer bottles get broken…

Okay, so maybe the idea isn’t all bad.

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Tennis player Maria Sharapova with the light-up dress at a boutique in London June 17, 2009. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

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June 10th, 2009

Check the clavicles on that babe!

Posted by: Robert Basler

Fashion staff, this new push-up product of ours is going to turn the beauty business upside down!

Look at this pathetic Victoria’s Secret model showing off their push-up bra. Who needs that? Bosoms are SO last year. Just ask any guy.

Which is where our product comes in. Get ready for the age of the CLAVICLE! That’s right, collar bones ARE the new breasts!

See the hot model in the photo below? See how sensuous her clavicles look when they’re pushed up by our new miracle garment?

Now, for under $30, every woman in America can look like she’s had expensive Clavicle Enhancement Surgery, just like the movie stars have.

It’s a new ballgame, guys. Second base now starts at the neck!

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Above: Victoria’s Secret Angel Miranda Kerr introduces their new line of Dream Angel push up bras in New York April 7, 2009. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Left: A model presents a creation from Teca’s 2010 spring/summer collection during Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro June 7, 2009. REUTERS/Alex Carvalho

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June 8th, 2009

“Hamana-hamana-hamana”

Posted by: Robert Basler

Oh my God!

Ralphie, what’s wrong?

That chick coming this way. That’s my Internet date! I recognize her from her picture, and I think she’s really pissed!

No! Nobody uses their real picture online! What does she think YOU look like?

I may have sent her a shot of Hugh Jackman. What the hell am I going to say to her? What if the OTHER stuff she told me about herself is true, too?

Like what?

Like she’s a Supreme Imperial Goddess from another galaxy and she’s here to meet guys to see if her people will let us live! She says she has SUPERPOWERS! Do you think she does?

Are you out of your mind, Ralph? Look at her! How could she NOT have superpowers? You think maybe she’ll just kill YOU and spare the rest of us?

Hamana-hamana-hamana

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A model presents the latest collection by Larisa Katz of the Netherlands at a show during Bahrain Fashion Week in Manama, May 30, 2009. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

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