I completely forgot about posting these pictures.

Earlier this month, Charles Gibson anchored ABC World News from Indianapolis. And I was there.

We showed up at around 3:00pm to shoot behind-the-scenes for some upcoming promos. And ended up spending the day at the location (the St. Clair St. bridge). The part I was most looking forward to, was the close of the show. When Charlie says, “I’m Charlie Gibson, and I hope you had a good day. For all of us at ABC News, have a good night.” That’s my favorite part of the show.

And I got to see him say it. He was 10 feet from me.

Awesome.

Well, not exactly.

Starting next Monday (July 7th), 6News at 7:00 will be sponsored solely by Chevrolet. When I say “solely” I mean whatever that word means.

There’s going to be one 90 second commercial break in the middle of the show, and that’s it. No other, “we’ll be right back” or “stay tuned or else we’ll come kidnap your dog.” Just one break. Featuring one of Chevrolet’s “MVPs of MPG.”

As part of the arrangement, RTV6 is producing those 90 second commercials. We’re going to feature a different car each day (Monday-Thursday), and then wrap it all up with all four cars on Friday.

We shot all of the spots last week using a local showroom (can’t say which dealer, because it’s supposed to look generic). If you can guess the dealership we used when the spots run next week, you’ll win something. But it probably won’t be worth anything.

Of course, one commercial break wouldn’t be enough incentive to get most people to watch a newscast, so there’s this additional gem:

The single-sponsored week of news will also feature the Gas Card Watch & Win contest. Right now viewers can register to win $100 gas cards by visiting the theIndyChannel.com. 6News Chief Meteorologist Kevin Gregory will announce a registered name during his forecast that week. That person will have six minutes to call and claim the $100 gas card.

-rtv6gm.com (the blog of RTV6 General Manager and Vice President Don Lundy)

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

This one caught me really off-guard the other day.

Usually two or three times a week, I make the treacherous trip down to the basement of the station. There could still be Asbestos lurking in the rafters, I’m not sure. But I do know that I have to go down there. That’s where they hide the candy.

I approached the vending machine. Trembling, I opened my wallet. I think my blood sugar was probably low; I mean I do get excited about Zingers, but not like that.

As I went to browse the bottom row, checking to see if we had Vanilla or Chocolate Zingers this week, I quickly glanced across the chip selection. You never know when you’ll need a bag of chips after the sugar rush is gone. Nothing truly interesting to see, but wait. “Did I just see a Burger King logo?” My eyes darted back to the center of the case. Thinking someone managed to get a Whopper wrapper into the vending machine I had to look. But to my surprise and disgust I saw…

Ketchup & Fries flavored chips from Burger King. Yes, you read it correctly. I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

I didn’t even give them a try. And the only reason they got a second and third glance was so that I could grab my camera. That kind of flavor atrocity is on the same level as Steak-flavored ice cream or Long John Silvers.

If you’ve tried them, let me know. But I have a feeling you might be even more sane than me.

Earlier this week, I was standing in line at Walgreen’s. While I was waiting, I took a few moments to admire the delicious looking candy, cough syrup and nail clippers that occupy the “impulse buy rack.” All I could think was, “Wow, for some reason I really feel the need to buy a 5-pack of 10 minute VHS tapes.”

That feeling soon passed. Why?

Because of the greatest impulse buy item. Ever.

The Walgreen’s brand One-Step Pregnancy Test.

And not just any pregnancy test. Apparently this one is so good (or bad) you should buy two! I mean, c’mon. Who wouldn’t want to buy more and save? You’re saving $2, hell buy four.

Working these Mecum Auto Auctions up at the State Fairgrounds, I’ve had a chance to see some amazing cars. Here are just a handful of the ones going up on the block tonight (LIVE on HD Theater at 8:00 pm).

Another exciting week concluded on Saturday. I was planning to write this (ridiculously short and simple) post from the Indiana State Fairgrounds before our most recent Mecum Auto Auction on HD Theater, but ended up getting distracted by work (silly work).

I must say that the funniest part of the week had to be a trip to the restroom at the Fairgrounds. The auction show took place in the Chicken Coop, and this was the sign on the wall in men’s room.

I don’t know if it’s referring to cows, some weird sexual act, or the bathroom attendants that (by the condition of the bathroom) did not exist. But just so you know, don’t do it in there.

You don’t say? Well she is the perfect celebrity to promote that condition.

Ever feel trapped at work?

Being on time while traveling is always important.

It’s even more important when you travel to Peoria, Illinois.

Always make sure you know which way is north, because there Daylight Saving Time springs forward. But when you’re heading west, prepare to fall back.

Today started out as a great day.

Okay, maybe not great, but decent.

Before work, I took care of a bunch of phone calls I had forgotten to return. Mailed my W2′s, receipts and whatnot to my accountant. Completed and mailed the form to change the address on my voter registration to somewhere else. Deposited freelance money. And fed my Starbucks addiction.

Then work rolled around; I finished dubs I’d been putting off, finished four promos in record time and started work on 18 other projects left to be done.

Pretty good day, right? Getting things done, making money; can’t complain about that. Until I went out to my car for dinner:

Scratches. Through the paint. Down to the plastic on the bumper. My new car. The new car I just bought four weeks ago. The car I’m enduring the pain of a BMV visit to register tomorrow. Damn.

Apparently, while pulling out of the spot next to me, another driver dragged the back end of their car across the front of mine. Now they were very kind, offered to pay for the damages in a note they left on my windshield with their phone number and name. Unfortunately, I couldn’t read their name.

So now, a week that was building up to a trip to Michigan this weekend is actually building up to an early BMV visit on Thursday, then a meeting for an estimate on the damage Friday morning. Plus, I have to call the person at some point to figure out what I’m going to do about this situation.

Great.

In my travels, I’ve seen some funny things. Some very funny things. Especially when it comes to gas stations and fast food restaurants along the highway.

Usually it involves a “tooth count” (anything less than 12 is acceptable). However, this situation involved no teeth. There’s always hilarious things to be seen in gas station bathrooms, but this one takes the cake..

I’ve been searching for the “Health and Beauty Section” of that BP for the last 8 weeks and have yet to find it. I figure it has to be somewhere between the corn nuts and the malt liquor.

Can’t go wrong with All Abouts.

Seriously? That’s where you’re going to park.
In the second row, in front of the restaurant across two spots?
Douche.

So, my tofu wasn’t very filling. And what’s the perfect late night snack to feed your hunger when you’re near downtown?

White Castle at 16th and Illinois.

But, there was something strange that made me stop in my tracks. The message on the sign on 16th Street said “Valentines Reservations.” So the first thought that went through my mind (after “WTF?”) was “Okay, this has to be a joke.” So I pulled around and ordered some nasty goodness.

I thought the reservations message was merely a joke, until I got home and opened up my sack. Inside, I found an actual invitation to Valentine’s Day at White Castle. No shit. So, if you and your special someone want memories of the homeless people aroma, Slyders and diarrhea, I’ve got just the thing. Pencil in some time on February 14, 2008 between 5:00 and 8:00 pm. Here’s what they’re promising:

• Romantic atmosphere in our dining room
• Table side service
• Tablecloths and candlelight
• Photo opportunities
• An more!
• Reservations are required so call today! Seating is limited!

I made my best attempt of eating tofu. But you can see from the photo, that my best was not quite good enough. Or really anywhere in the neighborhood of good enough.

I got through three pieces of tofu before my squeaky chewing said that this stuff was not supposed to be eaten by me.

Silly people at the noodles place. They mixed up our orders. I blame them. In fact, perhaps there’s more to this story. Perhaps it’s a conspiracy.

You see, back in 1984 tofu-fever was spreading through the coasts of the United States. It wasn’t until a secret society tricked President Reagan into eating grilled tofu on national television that the epidemic spread to the Midwest, which is odd considering this region of the country produces so many soy beans. The President’s brave and selfless act made blue-collared Americans stand up and take notice. Everyone was hit with the craze. It was as big as bell bottoms, pogs, and Pokemon. And the secret organization continued their struggle to replace all chicken in the United States, with tofu. All without you ever finding out.

In 1994, the secret society (going by the name “Commune of United Nationalists for Tofu”) made great steps forward, by replacing school lunch chicken nuggets with tofu nuggets. Now the generation that ate tofu disguised as chicken is all grown up. They don’t know the difference between a real chicken wing and tofu wrapped around a dog’s chew toy. Whenever ol’ grandma complains that “chicken doesn’t taste the same as it used to,” they blame it on her getting senile and lock her in an old folks home.

You see, that was the Commune’s real objective. To get old folks locked up. Everyone knows chicken tastes like everything, so psychiatrists started using the Wing Test to determine senility. If a senior citizen said that chicken has changed, they need to be locked up, as they are a dangerous to themselves and others.

Now you know.

Think this could end up on Wikipedia? I mean, everything there is true.