Maybe the casino will return your money?

By Vick Mickunas | Sunday, November 8, 2009, 12:38 PM

“More Information Than You Require” by John Hodgman (Riverhead Books, 656 pages, $15).

In 2005, John Hodgman wrote a book called “The Areas of My Expertise.” Then he appeared on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” to promote it. He got into an odd conversation about his absurd fantasy that hoboes attempted a takeover of the U.S. government in 1932. Since then, Hodgman has upon occasion returned to that program as a “resident expert” and delivered more of his silly deadpan humor.

The most notable thing about that first book is that it contains so little factual info. Hodgman makes it all up as he goes along. That is why he is so darned funny.

His second book, “More Information Than You Require,” takes readers on yet another wobbly walk through Hodgman’s wacky world of nutty ideas and ludicrous notions. Here are a few random gems from his latest book:

Apparently, he still has a thing for hoboes. The first chapter is “The presidents of the United States: Are they the new hoboes?” Another chapter is “The mole-men: Are they the new hoboes?”

In his chapter “The future and other superstitions” the author advises that “a baby who smiles at himself in the mirror will become an actor.

If he is born with teeth, go ahead and retire. BUT I WARN YOU: You have a scary baby. A baby who frowns at himself in the mirror will become a writer.”

He offers a few tips on how we can protect ourselves from identity theft. My favorite one is “ it may seem like common sense, but don’t forget to shred your passport and all your money and never speak your name aloud.”

In his chapter about gambling, Hodgman makes a few astonishing claims about what casinos don’t want gamblers to know.

He claims that “most casino floors are built at a gentle tilt, giving the house an edge on craps, roulette, marbles, and paper-boat races.”

He also makes the hilarious assertion that “if you ask nicely enough, the casino is required by federal law to give you all your money back.”

“More Information Than You Require” was just re-issued in paperback. The hardcover version came out last year. This updated edition contains some additional material.

The appendix reveals one inspiration for this one; “When my publisher first asked me to describe my vision for a second book of complete world knowledge, I answered with eight simple words: ‘more of the same, but twice as long.’ ”

Hodgman continues: “While ‘The Areas of My Expertise’ was wholly thorough and satisfying and false in every way, I also knew it had one flaw; it did not have enough pages in it. My concern was that, unless my work was excessively long, it might seem like a sane person had written it.”

The book is jammed with photos, charts, tables, illustrations, graphs and a few naughty jokes. Hodgman has clearly outdone himself here. Prepare to be amused.

Hodgman will visit Books & Co. 
this Thursday- at The Greene in Beavercreek at 7pm.

Vick Mickunas

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The pumpkin catapult…

By Vick Mickunas | Saturday, November 7, 2009, 07:21 PM

smashing pumpkins

My neighbor has a catapult. We spent some time over at his farm today firing jack-o-lanterns at a target across the field. It was fairly amazing.

I took this photo of a pumpkin flying out of the catapult. It flew quite a distance before smashing into oblivion. The kids loved it. So did I.

Vick Mickunas

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Borders shrinking quickly…

By Vick Mickunas | Friday, November 6, 2009, 12:33 PM

Times keep getting tougher in the book biz. The Borders bookstore chain is shrinking. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Borders now plans to close 200 of their Waldenbooks stores. “ laying off approximately 1,500 employees, many of whom work part-time.

At a time when the Internet allows consumers access to a vast number of titles, mall bookstores have long been losing favor because of their limited assortments.”

When you obtain books do you buy them primarily in stores, on-line, or do you borrow them from your local library?

To read the rest of the article click HERE:

Vick Mickunas

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Is it time to break up the Yankees?

By Vick Mickunas | Thursday, November 5, 2009, 10:25 AM

Did you watch it? Did you observe the New York Yankees as they steamrolled their way to the World Series title this year?

The strategy finally paid off. After enduring almost a decade of frustration, the Yankees bought themselves another championship. They have more money to spend than any other team. They have been spending it and spending it until finally they had assembled a team that could obliterate any opposing team.

The Yankees did not win every game this year. They didn’t win every post season game. But they won enough of them.

Which to my way of thinking begs the question; is it time to break up the Yankees? Is it time for the commissioner of baseball to reclaim his spine and the integrity of the game and finally do something about this bully franchise? Is it time for a salary cap in baseball?

I think this subject would make for a great book. What do you think?

Vick Mickunas

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The library is a special place…

By Vick Mickunas | Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 07:02 PM

so special

I love a good library. I was pleased to see that I’m not alone in my love. Miami Valley residents voted overwhelmingly to support their local library systems on election day. Thank you for that.

I’m reading a mighty fine book, “The Library - an Illustrated History” (Skyhorse Publishing) by Stuart A. P. Murray. I love it.

Can you ever get enough of a good library? Or for that matter, a good librarian? I can’t.

Vick Mickunas

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At long last, Sarah Palin’s concession speech…

By Vick Mickunas | Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 11:14 AM

While we count the days until Palinmania erupts with the approaching publication date for Sarah Palin’s memoir “Going Rogue” have you ever wondered what she would have said if John McCain had allowed her to give speech a year ago on election night?

Palin had written a victory speech and a concession speech just in case. She never gave either speech. John McCain silenced her after their defeat.

To read what she would have said if she had been allowed click HERE:

Vick Mickunas

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What’s the deal with Issue 3 ?

By Vick Mickunas | Monday, November 2, 2009, 03:02 PM

Over the last several hours I have been sitting here trying to write a book review. But the phone keeps ringing. Most of the calls are robo-calls. I have had 8 calls so far today from machines that are encouraging me to vote yes on Issue 3 tomorrow.

I haven’t gotten one single call telling me to vote against it? I find that peculiar. I haven’t been paying much attention to Issue 3. I have been following Issue 2 but not 3.

I know one thing though; there sure seems to be an awful lot of money riding on Issue 3 passing? There’s a lot of money being spent to encourage my fellow Ohioans to pass this ballot initiative. Who is paying for all these phone calls and TV ads?

Being a bit of a contrarian and a suspicious one at that I think I’ll be voting against Issue 3. When all these robo-calls are imploring me to do this one thing I think I’ll just do the other. My suspicions about this Issue 3 have been fully aroused by this flurry of annoying robo-calls.

Now that I have gotten that off my chest maybe I can go back to writing my book review?..uh oh, there’s the phone again…..

Vick Mickunas

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