This seems like a Saturday Night Live spoof commercial — but it’s REAL!  Congrats to the goofy bastards who invented Snuggie and are probably making millions.

Note: I removed the video because it played automatically (and that might get annoying).  But definitely check out the video on the Snuggie website — it’s a hoot.

I love nudity in general, but especially nudity gags.  I tip my hat drop my trousers to the folks at Nike.  Enjoy!  (And thanks, Beefer, for introducing me to this video.)

Man, I love Chicago-style hot dogs.  This past winter my roommate Randy introduced me to an old, classic, hole-in-the-wall, family-run hot dog joint here in Arlington Hts. called Peep’s.  Thank you, Randy!!!  This is my new favorite hot dog joint (and best friend).

A reviewer on Yelp wrote this about Peep’s:  “Peep’s has been kicking 10 kinds of ass since I remember first going there in the 70’s when it was a little trailer on the corner.”

Here’s a brief photo essay on Peep’s.

Below Randy grabs his hot dog.  I’ve never seen him happier, ever.

I’ve never been happier.  This is the look of:  “My life suddenly has meaning (and taste).”

In case you were wondering what goes on a Chicago-style hot dog, here’s your answer.

The best bar stool.  I could sit there forever.

Notice that the sign says “BURRITOS ARE BACK.”  I don’t know where they went, but who cares.  The point is, they’re back!

As I continue to search for a full-time job, I continue to learn about job searching (lucky me).

I’m finding it challenging to write a cover letter and resume that stands out — and that will get me an interview.

I’m now more tempted than ever to do crazy things (such as the Redbox photo shoot), or write crazy things (see cover letter below), to get noticed.

Perhaps, though, if I just follow Guy Kawasaki’s resume writing advice, I’ll land a big fish.

As a side note, I’m often very tempted to write funny, somewhat crazy cover letters, just to see if I get any response.  As an example, here’s the opening paragraph of the cover letter I wrote for a “beer ambassador” job with Karl Strauss Brewing Company, which is based in San Diego.

Dear Karl Strauss Staff,

I’m trying to stay seated as I type — this is my dream job!  If you have any doubt how PASSIONATE I am about good, micro-brewed beer, ask my good buddy Scotty (847-508-4215) how much crap I give him for drinking Coors Light.  On top of that, I absolutely LOVE Karl Strauss beers (especially the Red Trolley Ale!).

As you may know, I’m looking for a job.  I’ve sent out a ton of resumes and haven’t gotten much response.  It’s hard out there for a pimp.

I’m starting to get desperate creative.  With more gusto than ever, I’m trying to figure out what to do in order to stand out from the crowd.  How do I get potential employers to notice me and respond?!?

Recently Redbox, which is based here in the Chicago area, posted a job opening for an “interactive marketing associate.”  I was excited because not only was I qualified for the job, but I love Redbox (what’s not to love about $1 movie rentals?) and use their service regularly.  A perfect fit!

So my roommate Randy and I drove to the nearest Redbox … to do a photo shoot.  We had a blast.

I planned to use the photos to get noticed by the hiring manager at Redbox.  Brilliant.

Unfortunately later that afternoon I discovered that Redbox wasn’t hiring for that position anymore.  Crap.

Well, why waste the photos (which were beautifully directed and shot by Randy).  So, below, enjoy a brief slideshow.

I’ve been job searching up the big wazoo, and today I stumbled upon a job opening at closerlook, Inc., a relationship marketing company based here in Chicago.

To learn more about the company, I poked around closerlook’s website.  First of all, I enjoyed their blog — it’s  really funny, especially the post called “Sweatin’ to the Melvins,” and the writing is excellent!  But then I discovered their holiday videos!

Apparently each year closerlook makes a holiday video as a gift to its clients.  The video from 2008, “The Amazing Amazer,” is one of the funniest videos I’ve ever seen.  Hysterical!

Needless to say, I want to work for this kind of company (and I want to spend most of my time making holiday videos).

A couple days ago I posted a video of actor Matt Damon sharing what he thinks about vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

In response, my friend Laurie posted the following comment:

Alright. I must comment on Hollywood stars spouting off about their political beliefs. Let me just say this as clearly as I can … I DO NOT CARE to hear your personal rantings on t.v. interviews, award shows, or in any other form of media. Is this because I’m a Republican? Maybe. But I also don’t think fame suddenly gives you intelligence.

Well, Laurie, you and my favorite guru, ed fargle, are on the same page about this.

Years ago a reader of ed’s advice column named James VanNatter asked ed the following question:  Why are movie and rock stars always being asked their opinions on the deep issues of the day?

Check out ed’s response.

Today’s a big day for the Chicago Cubs — and for all of us Cubs fans! The playoffs start today, and the Cubs are hosting the Dodgers at good ole Wrigley Field.

I’m excited, yes, and terrified. I’ll be watching, cheering … and shaking nervously.

It’s been 100 years since the Cubs have won the World Series.

Are the Cubs cursed? And do I secretly like it that way? Yikes! I don’t even wanna go there.

Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly, who I enjoy, recently created a funny video about the Cubs’ curse. I thought I’d post it here as a way of defying the curse, like “Hey, Curse, you don’t scare me … I can laugh about you cause I know you don’t exist.” (You don’t exist, do you?)

Update: unfortunately the video I originally posted here is no longer available from ESPN.com.

In the U.S. presidential race, I’m stunned by the lack of experience of two of the candidates, Sarah Palin and Barack Obama.

I can, however, imagine Obama as president (for several reasons, which I won’t get into here).

I can’t imagine Palin as vice president or president (though I love her Upper Midwest-like accent!). Maybe that’s because I don’t know enough about her or about politics. Maybe after the debates I’ll change my mind.

For now, though, her candidacy seems like a joke and perhaps even an act of disrespect for the offices of vice president and president. Or, perhaps even more accurately, it’s like a really bad Disney movie, as actor Matt Damon points out in the video below.

After a nine-year hiatus, ed fargle is back … well, almost back.

About 11 years ago, when I was working at Crosswalk.com, my buddy Jeff Winkle and I decided to create a fictional character named ed fargle, who was an eccentric guru and advice columnist.

ed’s advice column ran on Crosswalk.com for almost 3 years, until I left Crosswalk to move to NC. Then Tribune Media Services (the syndication arm of Tribune Media Company) became interested in ed and decided to shop it around, to see if any websites (especially online newspapers) wanted to pick it up. It didn’t go anywhere.

But … Wink and I recently decided to bring ed back to life, just for fun.

Wink, who’s a Classics professor at Calvin College, is ed fargle. He writes the columns and draws the cartoons. Brilliant, nutty stuff!

I recently built a temporary site at edfargle.com, where you can get a little taste of ed. ed won’t officially launch until later this fall.

You may want to start with ed’s bio — it’ll give you some context for ed’s columns.

I hope you get a kick out of ed … I know I do!!!