Linkapalooza – Random Bits

Brian — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:23:08 +0000

The Milwaukee Airport realizes what an annoying hassle it is to have to remove shoes and belts, empty pockets, submit to pat-downs, and whatever other useless security theater tactics the Gestapo feel like putting you through, and so they offer a “Recombobulation Area” where you can undo the various indignities and be on your way to far-flung destinations looking kempt and heveled once again.

Speaking of which, this shoulder-holster rig for your electronic gadgets will undoubtedly make you feel fucking cool, but it will probably also keep you off of most major air carriers in the United States for the forseeable future. Plus it will immediately brand you as a total douchebag if you actually wear it. You can, however, pack hand grenades in your check-in bags without any trouble, or even any additional baggage handling fee.
Mental Floss has a post today that tries to explain the origins of various nicknames people have for their localities. For example: “Nutmeggers” for people from Connecticut, the “Nutmeg State” or “Sooners” for people from Oklahoma because so many Oklahoma settlers jumped the gun on the state’s homesteading law. Conspicuously missing from the list: Massholes and Maine-iacs.

Fans of Big Band Era music will know the Glenn Miller standard “PEnnsylvania 6-5000″. Futility Closet passes along the trivia factoid that the number was and still is the main telephone number for the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City. The hotel has been using that phone number since it first opened in 1919, and is the phone number in longest-continual service in New York, if not the world.

BrianKaneOnline » PEnnsylvania6-5000