Christina Pazsitzky performs at Chicago Improv

Christina Pazsitzky was the headliner of the Chicago Improv tonight.  She's known from the Chelsea Lately show. 

Before Christina, the featured comic, Chicago native Brian Aldridge, delivered an outstanding performance.  You can check out his website here.  His style reminded me of Daniel Tosh, bar the megaton of vulgarities.
 
Right from the start, Pazsitzky tried to shock when she exposed her belly displaying the results of wine and mozzarella sticks diet from her recent tour.  Yes, it was funny. 

I think the story about her Hindu stepfather taking a number two standing up on the toilet was true given a fact that  toilets in India are just squatting holes.  Yes, you can learn about important cultural differences at the comedy club.

The closer, however, was the best.  Pazsitzky actually invited a young couple on the stage in order to make fun of a guy and ask him to perform a fake proposal.  But wait, that wasn't a joke.  The guy actually took a knee and proposed to his girlfriend with a ring.  She couldn't believe it, but she said yes.  Yes, the guy expected some action tonight.  Naturally. 

Election 2012: Who do you side with?

My friends just sent me this great quiz from isidewith.com to check on your political and social views.  The quiz is interesting and results may surprise you.  

Who knew: I found out that Gary Johnson is my guy.

Alonzo Bodden at the Chicago Improv

Last Friday, Chicago Improv comedy club hosted Alonzo Bodden, the third season winner of the Last Comic Standing.  First of all, the guy is tall.  6' 4" to be exact. 

Check out the video on The Kevin Nealon Show when Bodden talks about Google.  Yes, he was still in the process of writing that piece.  And why is Kevin Nealon uncomfortable in his little director's chair? 

About half way through the gig, some girl from the first row decided that some of the jokes were too much, and she asked Bodden to take a notch or two down.  I haven't seen that before at the comedy club.  Yes, the disapproving reaction of the crowd happens but a single person?  Anyone else had seen that? 

I have to admit, Bodden handled that criticism skillfully.  The girl was happy, and the comic could move on to the sport jokes.  Crown just went along with the jokes and laughs. 

Although, I prefer a more physical stand-up, he's material was decent.  Add a glass of wine, plate of hummus, and gorgeous date, and my evening was complete.

Hurricane Sandy aftermath: What country will offer assistance first?

Hurricane Sandy left a huge path of destruction.  Estimating the damages will be almost impossible, since the effects of the hurricane will be felt for years to come.  Stock market, tourism, casinos, tax revenues, jobs, insurance costs, infrastructure, and human factor.  First careful estimates are in already.  The Huffington Post reports:

As a wide swath of the eastern seaboard begins to recover from what's estimated to be at least $20 billion in hurricane-related damages, the help is pouring in. Federal recovery dollars are being funneled to state agencies, nonprofits are accepting donations, first responders are caring for the injured and neighbors are helping neighbors.

One burning question comes to mind: which countries will jump in first to offer any form of help to the United States?

United States provides tons of assistance after every major disaster all over the world.  We all know that.  This is a payback time.  Who's first?  Going once, going twice...

The coldest Six Flags Fright Fest 2012 in Chicago

Last Sunday, October 28th, it was the last day of the Six Flags Fright Fest 2012.  Chicago's Six Flags, located about an hour north of Chicago in Gurnee, IL, was probably the coldest venue out of the 13 parks with temps around 40s.  Speak up Montreal if you dare! 

The Zombie

The People

The Scarecow

The Pond

Regardless of the temperature and chilling wind, the place was packed. Getting to the parking’s lot took 30 min.  Inside, all the pre-teens and teens with light jackets, no hats or gloves, looked like red popsicles.  All the rides were open but the lines were just ridiculous.   At least the Halloween costumes were decent.  And yes, those dressed up guys really scared a lot of people.  Haven't stayed for the evening parade but people were still pouring in around 6 PM. 

I'll visit again.  This time when it's nice and warm.

Chicagoland Barnes & Nobles among hacked stores

Major Chicago newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times, report the latest hacking scandal, this time at the popular bookstore chain, Barnes & Noble. Read about it here.

Barnes & Noble Inc. said Tuesday that devices used by customers to swipe credit and debit cards have been tampered with in 63 of its stores in nine states, including seven in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Photo by tnimalan at sxc.hu

Card swipers were outfitted to steal the credit and debit card numbers with pin combinations.  Obvious question is, who and how installed those devices?  You cannot trust your own employees these days?  Why do I care so much?  Because, I've purchased books and magazines in of those stores on several occasions!

But more pressing question is: why it took Barnes & Noble 5 weeks to release that information to the public?   They disconnected the swipers on September 14th, but knew about even earlier.  So much for letting loyal customers double check their statements and switch their cards in a timely manner.

Is convenience trumping the awareness and danger of the cashless society?  Not likely.  The crooks are just getting better at their game.  With a wide access to the latest online technology and sophisticated electronics, scamming people became an easy income source.

 Remember the Subway stores hacking scandal?  Fortunately, the black hats were caught.  Ars Technica reports about the investigation:

Two Romanian men have admitted to participating in an international conspiracy that hacked into credit-card payment terminals at more than 150 Subway restaurant franchises and stole data for more than 146,000 accounts. The heist, which spanned the years 2009 to 2011, racked up more than $10 million in losses, federal prosecutors said.

What can you do to protect your online activities and your credit/debit car info?
The big 4 include:

• Use stronger online passwords. Use my tips here.
• Use credit cards instead of debit cards whenever possible.  By law, you are only responsible for $50 or fraudulent purchases. 
• Replace your debit card if you think it was compromised.  I was able to replace my debit card in one of the Chicagoland Chase bank branches the same day the news broke out.  It took literally 5 minutes to print the card and setup new PIN.  On Chase website, look for a branch that "Offers Instant Debit Card Replacement".
• Use Radio-frequency identification (RFID) shield to protect your credit cards with RFID chips and the new RFID passports.  Even the simple credit card shield sleeve will protect you from the electronic pickpocket.  

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are coming up, following by the Kwanzaa-Hanukkah-Christmas shopping spree.  Stay aware you laptop Jedi knights with your plastic swords.  We don't want Luke to overcharge his father.

Mitt Romney and Obama Style YouTube Gangnam spoofs

If you haven't seen the Mitt Romney Style and Obama Style spoofs of the Gangnam Style by Psy, prepare yourself for a treat.  The videos are hilarious!