1. Hats Off to Pennsylvania Polka (Stanky and his Coal Miners Polka Band) For one thing, it’s by the band that gets my award for best name, the Stanky and his Coal Miners Polka Band. For another thing, the patriotic theme makes you think you’re about to be listening to some nice drum and fife [...]

10. Honesty Everyone knows you won’t get anywhere if you tell the truth at all times. Granted, not everyone aspires to be a politician or a lawyer. But just like Bobby McFerrin asserted in Square One TV that, “anything you wanna be, you’ve got to know math” (see clip on YouTube if you’re feeling nostalgic), [...]

8. Fondue Any meal composed almost entirely of melted cheese automatically earns a spot in my heart, as well as on this list. However, I’m not falling for those trendy restaurants that serve up various versions of fondue that in no way resemble real fondue, like chocolate or broth for dipping meat into. Yes, I [...]

7. Cats Much has been written about the independent and sassy nature of cats, but they’re also really cute when they’re little.  Plus, as any cat owner will tell you, they’re extremely communicative and in tune with human emotions.  I guess that explains why they’re considered a womanish pet. 6. Dogs Dogs are also very [...]

Certain genres of film require a level of timeliness, a sense that the world of the film is very much like your own.  Stephen King has noted that he scatters common brand names throughout his stories to lend a sense of familiarity and reality, thereby making the horror all the more horrific.  Indeed, it seems like [...]