Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

It's More Like a Cheddar Implosion

The contract has been signed and word is out. Kraft is sponsoring the upcoming demolition of Texas Stadium, former home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Our friend Maura Gast (CEO of the Irving CVB) has had to walk a tightrope during the three-way negotiations between the City, the Cowboys and Kraft because the sponsor was clear that, if word leaked out as to their identity, the deal was off.

This week, Kraft will be launching an essay contest for children as part of its "Cheddar Explosion" campaign for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. The winner? Uh-huh...they get to push the button to demolish one of the most iconic structures in all of football.

Congratulations to one of the hardest (and smartest) working women in Destination Marketing for pulling off a stunning coup that will earn Irving and Kraft sensational visibility when the stadium comes down.

Best Damn Snowball Fight

With roughly 15 inches of snow falling in Madison over the past 24 hours...why wouldn't students at the University of Wisconsin set out to break the world record for biggest snowball fight in history.

While these types of attempts are de rigueur at UW, video and YouTube now chronicle the attempts like never before.

I love the first video here, where fate, luck and whimsy come together to nail the videographer...who said, just moments before, "I am the target."

My Mom Just Poked Me

No...not MY Mom. She's not on Facebook (I don't think). But Outside Joke's is.

Hilarious video on how parents are screwing up the online world for their kids.

The Shat is da Bomb

Taking a few days off for the Thanksgiving holiday (though, I'm sure I'll show up on other platforms from time to time)...so, I'm shifting my "Funny Friday" post to today.

Jetpacks bemoans that he was late to the party on this one, as over 500,000 people have already viewed this great video mash-up of William Shatner (aka "the Shat"). Well, I was too...but laughed my ass off when I saw it last week.

And, dig those rad shoes he's wearing as he proclaims his lust.

Have a great weekend!

Alcohol-Fueled Overconfidance

The trailers for the movie Ninja Assassin portray the high-flying, high-skying acrobatic moves that have become de rigueur for the genre.

And, I'm sure, will inspire kids to try the moves much like the exploits of Spiderman has caused countless kids to think they can jump off roofs.

But adults? Ummm, yeah. News out of Seattle has it that a man who thought he was a ninja impaled himself on a fence after failing to clear said obstacle.

Best line of the story: A police spokesperson said that the man was "overconfident in his abilities," and that alcohol likely played a role.

It always does.

Thanks to Rob McNealy for the catch.

The Impact of Visitor Spending

My friend Tim Morrissey posted a great "shaggy dog" tale last week, taking a poke at the economics of the new administration. That it starts with the hospitality industry earns it Friday Funny status.

Enjoy...and have a great weekend.

Another Asinine Airline Action

Apparently (my alliterative addiction is clearly out of hand), some flight attendants (possibly drunk with the life-and-death power they wield over the helpless prisoners in their charge) are informing passengers that nothing can be placed in the seatback pocket during take-off and landing (otherwise known as a controlled decent of a falling object).

Huh? What about all the crap your bosses cram in there? SkyMall magazine. Your lame in-flight magazine (which only rookies that don't bring their own reading material scan). The ubiquitous barf bag. Oh, yeah...and the "what-to-do-if-the-shit-hits-the-fan" card.

But I can't slide my paperback novel in there?

Turns out that the FAA actually approved such a ban a few years ago. Most airlines aren't following the edict...but there is, apparently, a cadre of really pissed off flight attendants that are getting their rocks off by messing with unaware travelers.

My suggestion...when they tell you to take your stuff outta the pocket? Give 'em all the other stuff too.

'Cause that shit just ain't safe.

Thanks to Upgrade:Travel Better for the catch.

New Titles for Everybody

In our never-ending quest to rename jobs to make them sound better (like "sanitation maintenance engineer" for "garbage man" or "petroleum transfer engineer" for "gasoline attendant") we've gotten to a point where it's kinda hard to understand just what all of us do.

And, yes, I'm fully aware that the job titles here at Zeitgeist aren't very traditional...but they make people smile (and they are not at all PC).

I saw this one the other day...and if it wasn't for the logo, I'm guessing I'd really have to stop and think about just what a "Mobility Assistant" does.

Too Freaking Funny

OK...I live in Wisconsin. Thus, I bleed green and gold. The Brett Soap Opera? Yeah...we're pretty much over it.

I was in Minnesota last week when the whole Vikings thing went down. People there asked how I felt that our guy was now wearing purple. "We're over it," I said. We dealt with it last year.

And then, this Sears ad breaks...and I am laughing my ass off.

He knows he's a drama queen...and this is just too perfect.

What Did You Mean When You Said You're Sorry

Dave Carroll is back with Round Two in his "United Breaks Guitars" Trilogy. The first video has been viewed by just under 5 million people. The sequel is (at this moment) at 6,600.

Let's see how fast this one goes double platinum.

UPDATE: 30 minutes after posting...it's at 59,000 views :)