Tonight I got a text message from my mother-in-law. Thanksgiving this year was just going to be my family and my in-laws. 6 of us. Not much different from any night when we have dinner. When my in-laws heard a colleague was renting her condo at Breezy Point, they thought it would make the day more special. Cool.
“Just arrived at the condo. Guess what? No oven to cook ‘Tom’ in!!”
WHAT?
Thanksgiving is pretty much about the dinner. Well, and giving thanks. But mostly about the dinner.
“There is a microwave - it is also a convection oven. No way the turkey will fit in it. Maybe we can cut Tom in half?”
I suppose this year I can give thanks for… trying?
“ Hello DeRusha,
I hope all is well. I am not sure if you had a chance to check out Puppetry of the Penis when it first came to NY several years ago. But this August the boys from down under (brothers, Simon and Justin Morley) will bring the ancient art of genital origami back to NYC (then to the rest of the country).
I hope you will able to join us. Let me know what performance works.
Puppetry of the Penis is a non-sexual, totally funny girl’s night out. I hope you will be able to join us. Our Penis Puppeteer are available to discuss this ancient high art and tutorials are available.
I look forward to hearing from you.
All my best,
Joe
Joe Trentacosta
springerassociatespr
1501 Broadway, Suit 506, NYC 10036
— I didn’t know the Penis Puppeters called me “DeRusha”
There was a time when people who were angry about a minor error in one of my TV reports, they didn’t have a lot of options.
- Complain to their spouse
- Pick up the phone and call the newsroom
- Write a letter
Today, with e-mail, viewers can send obnoxious notes without even thinking about it. For example, this note:
Hi
Spelling is obviously no longer considered to be a part of good journalism.
Power Point bullet highlights can be useful, but I would recommend doing a spell check first or it only magnifies errors.
You had Suprise. Most 5th graders can spell this word correctly - s u r p r i s e
Good Luck with your career
Steve K****
Minneapolis
I responded in a nice way, taking responsibility. I wish I could have responded like this.
Hi. (note the period I put after the word “Hi.” It’s called a sentence. Look into it.)
Courtesy is obviously no longer considered to be a part of good citizenship.
I don’t type the words on the screen, so I’m not sure you can associate one mispelled word with journalism. Also, most people in TV can’t spell at a 5th grade level, so cut us some slak.
Good Luck with being a douche.
Jason D
WCCO
“ Jason, I’ve got a Good Question for you, if nuclear power is so safe and efficient, why is the International Space Station powered by solar? Thank you.
— Pat Walker, Anoka. (And Pat, Thank you. I think a nuclear power plant in space is a brilliant idea.)
