Saturday, September 10, 2011

Stupid Product: My Airport Butler

I just returned from two different plane trips with the kids, so I looked at this press release item with interest:




It's called "My Airport Butler." It's a $20 "instant table top surface wherever you travel. How many times have you been stuck at the airport if your flight is delayed or cancelled, your hands are full and you have nowhere to put your coffee, food, newspaper, laptop or other devices?" The website admonishes you "DON'T PUT YOUR COFFEE ON THE FLOOR!!!!!!" Really? That's what I did and it worked out just fine. As for that deck of cards we were playing, I just put my computer case on my lap, and the kids and I had a FREE flat surface to use. And your newspaper? What's wrong with on your lap, in your carry-on, or just next to you?

Would you trust your lunch on this? Maybe if it was in a bag and you weren't eating it, but does this look stable enough to hold more than a cell phone?

If you like that one, you might want to buy "My Smart Snacker." That way, when you're driving, you can hold your drink AND Cheetos at the same time.


Find Stupid Products on Facebook.

Friday, September 9, 2011

How not to write a press release

Here's an example of how not to write a press release - the band name (and identifying words) have been changed to protect the guilty. All spacing and punctuation is from the press release:


Hello Writers of  Frisco Kids
The Giraffe Necks will be playing (branch) Library August 28th at 3:00 pm

 THE GIRAFFE NECKS, San Francisco's giraffe-faced pop stars playing their own combination of hard-rocking kid’s hits and favorites from the 60's, 70's, and 80's.
The catchy tunes, giraffe fun, and kooky kids will spiral into an interactive sing along dance party for all ages.

  Here is Our first Official Video     (Editor note: I deleted the link because the video was pretty bad)  

 We would appreciate any promotion you could give before our show next Sunday.
 If you would like an exclusive story about the colorful past of The Giraffe Necks.
I would be glad to give you an interview .
   Attached is my personal Bio That brags about my personal past and where I am at now.
 It needs to be updated and focus on The Giraffe Necks.  
          I hope to hear from you.
                    Thank you for your time .
                                              Sincerely
                                                      (band leader name)

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Stupid Product: Rock Paper Scissors Card Game


When I came across the Rock Paper Scissors card game while on vacation (it was one of the few game options in the condo-rental closet), I thought there had to be a catch. Tell me this game does more than what you can easily do with your hands. Especially since you have to buy it.

Nope.

The description from the card maker: "here's the fast & fun CARD VERSION of the game kids have played for generations. Each player lays down a card. If your card beats your opponent's card, you take it. When all cards have been played, the player who has collected the most cards wins the game!!"