Funny Anti-Drunk Driving Videos from Around the World

Some serious issues need a little humor to appeal to people and get the point across. In an advertisement, one can smile or chuckle without losing the message the ad intends to convey.

Drunk driving campaigns is no stranger to using playful and humorous commercials in telling people it’s seriously not okay to not be sober and drive. Anti-drunk driving advocates have used traditional and creative channels and strategies to address the problem. Whether through counseling, education, and/or media intervention, statistics show there’s an improvement on drunk driving in the United States.

Based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s statistics, drunk driving fatalities decreased from 15,827 deaths in 1991 to 10,228 in 2010. Both numbers are even lower when the agency started tracking alcohol-impaired driving in 1982 that had 21,113 fatalities. (Sources: Century Council & NHTSA)

But enough with the serious stuff. Anti-drunk driving campaigns range from blood and gore to plain text. Here I will show you some don’t-drink-and-drive commercials and PSAs from around the world that humorously and wittingly tell us that getting behind the wheel while boozed out is the just the stupidest thing to do.

“The Assassination” – Denmark



This is a Danish drunk driving commercial that was banned perhaps for its violence and dirty language. But hey, it’s sure is hilarious. If you’ve got a boss like that, maybe I’d never even attempt to touch a glass. Take note, the Danish are pretty serious about their forsikring or auto insurance costs so the poor guy’s got to learn a thing or two.

“Now You See, Now You Don’t” – Brazil


No, the cyclist didn’t fall in a man-hole of beer. It is (infra)structurally unlikely. The ad is quite straightforward. We’re not sure if it was highly effective, but it can be given credit for its creativity.

“Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk” – USA


This one’s an oldie featuring the Star Wars Cantina produced for the Department of Transportation in 1979. Star Wars geeks love this.

“Legend” – New Zealand



“Want a chip?”
“You know I can’t eat your ghost chip.”
Genius.

“Black Thai” – Thailand



First, they were so drunk to even identify where the door is. Then, they carry their car home. I don’t know if you could (or should even) carry your car home when utterly drunk, but you shouldn’t drive, for sure.

Roan Manguera writes about comprehensive auto insurance guides and all things Danish for international readers.

SPOTLIGHT: Mark Poolos ~ Unbridled Enthusiasm Comedy Album

Mark Poolos ~ Unbridled Enthusiasm

Mark Poolos was born and raised in Edina, MI.  To start his career he co~starred in two independent films, "Attack of the Killer Snow Cone Zombies" and "Joanie Loves Furbies".  

After his final performances in those two films there wasn't a person who didn't know his name.  He did more films, some commercials and some theater but it wasn't enough.

Mark needed instant connection.  So, he began his stand~up comedy career.

In Marks comedy routine he melds observational humour, one~liners, family humour and homorous original songs with guitar accompaniment together, to create his own unique style of comedy.

He has been compared to the likes of Adam Sandler and Louie Anderson.

Mark is a true road dog, performing in over 40 states including Nevada, California and New York.  

Mark hopes to do a film in the future people have actually seen.

Check out Mark Poolos Website~!!

Find him on Twitter~!!

Grab a copy of Unbridled Enthusiasm

Ultra-Fandom: Five Perplexing Fan Followings

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Fandom is nothing new. There have been fan clubs popping up for all manner of TV shows, films, products and more for as long as people have had the means to share their interests. While most of these tend to fall within relatively tame boundaries, there are some fan followings that just take it to the next level. So read on and check out five media ventures that have found followings fanatical to the point of being just a bit puzzling!

The 'Bronies'

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It’s surprising at all that there’s a fan club for those devoted to My Little Pony. Kids love all that stuff, right? Well, not quite. There’s a clique amongst fans of this particular kids’ cartoon series known as the ‘Bronies’, who are adult, male fans who openly and proudly profess their love for the multi-coloured little equine critters. Activities of this loose association of fanatics mainly include hair-dyeing, dressing up, uploading videos of MLP collectables and getting together at annual conventions to discuss all things pony related.

The Juggalos

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We’re not sure why (we’ve never been huge fans) but the Insane Clown Posse are one of those who just managed to draw a huge fan following. Rather than meekly getting together to listen to ICP records and ruminate on the quality of the band, Juggalos don full face-paint in honour of their chosen idols and go into the world to sing their praises. Also having their own greetings and dress codes, the puzzling thing about the Juggalos is just that it’s hard to tell how serious they are. Is it a real, earnest lifestyle choice, or just some tongue-in-cheek fun? Impossible to say!


To get a feel for the Juggalo way of life, check out this hilarious sketch from Funny or Die:

The Trekkies

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Trekkies have been around for years, and everyone is familiar with the level of devotion and attention to detail brought to the table by these fans. Perhaps the original cult fan following, Trekkies have set the bar and defined the stereotype of all that is geeky. To this day, the Star Trek devotee remains symbolic of the sci-fi subculture, and parodies have cropped up in countless films and TV shows. With an encyclopaedic knowledge of every episode and a solid technical grasp of the show’s gadgets, Trekkies are known for their willingness to really go the extra mile and can often be seen at sci-fi conventions in immaculately presented costumes.


Whovians

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Whovians are dedicated fans of the British science fiction series, Doctor Who. Conventions are held worldwide with the first being held in 1977. Fanzines first appeared in the 1970s took the form of hand-written and mail-distributed newsletters. In recent years, since the show’s revival on the BBC, Dr Who fandom has grown hugely and now groups of fans can be found in costume, wielding sonic screwdrivers and congregating at numerous gathers for just such people.


WD-40

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Before you think this is a mistake, please note this is not a misprint. The water displacing spray does have a fan club, who would have thought? The fan club for this spray which was developed in 1953 is large and while the spray is useful to have in your toolbox, fans enjoy sharing their stories, tips and tricks and they even have their own newsletter. Hey, whatever floats your boat.

Want to get in on the Bronie action? Get the best broadband prices with broadband comparison from Broadband Choices.

Mother Of Pearl Mother's Day Series ~ Priceless Treasures ~ Cindy K. Stiverson

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series - a week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Sheila Walsh, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Bonnie St. John, and more). I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.

AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/6-5/13 and the winner will on 5/14. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

And to all you MOMS out there, Happy Mother's Day!


Priceless Treasure by Cindy K. Stiverson

We've heard it said and often find it true:
You don't know the value of a treasure until you're without it. 

We take for granted the things in life that seem so readily available.
   A paperclip or rubber band, to hold things together.
   A tissue or napkin, to wipe our nose to clean our face, to absorb our tears.
   A Bible to speak words of wisdom and instruction and life and love.

And a Mother, who is all these things and more.
   She is readily available.
   She holds things together.
   She wipes our nose, cleans our face (and our fingers, and, well…everything else!)
   She absorbs our tears and calms our fears.
  "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." (Proverbs 31:26)
   She loves.

Within hours after my mother passed into the gates of our heavenly home, I was missing her. Her quick wit…humor…charm. Her warm smile and melodious laughter, which served her well to the very end, as did our Lord Jesus Christ, who so graciously allowed her to slip quietly and peacefully into His arms.

She simply stopped breathing.

As I stood at her bedside in those priceless moments after her passing, I wanted to touch her skin as much as possible while there was still warmth in her body; to nuzzle my nose against her head and breathe in the scent of her hair while she was still there. Priceless treasures I was guilty of taking for granted, clouded by unmet needs. I was so consumed with what she was not, that I never fully appreciated who she was. It’s like I was blind, but now I see!

I see her strength, her commitment. Her perseverance…sacrifice…her unspoken love. I see how much she meant to me, how much she did for me, how much she taught me, and how much of the good in me was modeled by her.

She was a virtuous woman, as described in Proverbs 31 of the Bible.
“Her children stand and bless her… a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise (vs. 31).”


This last verse of the poem serves as an epitaph for the woman of virtue. It speaks of the legacy she leaves in her passing. It spurred me to write a personal epitaph for my mother, which I read at her funeral.

We publicly declare your praise today, 

and in the days to come,

for you deserve to be praised and blessed,

"We honor you, Mom, for all you have done!"

In my earliest of memories, 

You worked so hard, striving for the rest.

You persevered through great trials

and did your very best.

I know you are being rewarded

in ways far beyond our reach.

We honor you now by practicing what you've taught,

and even what you preached!

You've stood for us for all these years,

Today, we stand for you!

I pray that our applause on earth

will reach your heavenly ears.

With the reading of this poem, I asked everyone to stand. We clapped our hands in celebration and praise of the life of my mother, Margaret Alice Stiltner.

Imagine our surprise to discover that she had left a poetic epitaph for us! She had clipped it from an old magazine and framed it. I found it when I was cleaning her home, on a nightstand by her bed. My mother was never versed at expressing emotion. This was her sweet way of kissing us good-bye: a priceless treasure to remember her by.

###

Cynthia (Cindy) Stiverson is a speaker, writer, and artist.  In 1998, she founded Woven: Women of Virtue Network, a spiritual formation and friendship ministry. She pastors the women at Newark Church of the Nazarene in Ohio. She is currently working on her fourth Woven Workbook, and also a book for mothers and daughters on the subject of sexual abuse. Cindy considers raising her daughter, speaker/author Nicole Braddock Bromley, to be her greatest achievement. She loves the men in her life, hubby Mark, grandbabes Jude and Isaac, and son-inlaw Matthew. You can find more of Cindy at www.WovenWomen.blogspot.co m and www.CynthiaStiverson.com

Exciting News – the latest Pearl Girls book, Mother of Pearl: Luminous Legacies and Iridescent Faith will be released this month! Please visit the Pearl Girls Facebook Page (and LIKE us!) for more information! Thanks so much for your support!

Funniest College Mascots in the USA

College mascots serve an important function in representing the school and giving the students and alumni a symbol to remind them of their loyalty to their fine educational institution.

However, not all college mascots are brave warriors, fighting Irish or keen-eyed hawks. Some of them are just completely bizarre.

The Stanford Tree
While he’s not completely official, the Stanford Tree is a fixture amongst Stanford student life. The bright green tree costume is made anew each year, but features a scary wide smile and enthusiastic dance moves. The tree is also somewhat of a renegade, frequently arrested for drunken behavior and public disorder.

Sammy the Banana Slug of UC Santa Cruz

When you think of sporting prowess and athletic skill, you probably don’t think of a fat yellow slug, but that’s the mascot of UC Santa Cruz. The students started using the slug as a satirical commentary on the overemphasis that many schools place on athletics, but Sammy soon won their hearts and minds, with students ignoring a university sponsored ‘sea-lion’ impostor in the eighties and continuing to proudly call themselves the slugs.


Scrotie of the Rhode Island School of Design
Scrotie is, as his name suggests, a human wearing a costume that depicts a scrotum and penis. College students are known for their juvenile sense of humor, and Scrotie has them rolling in the aisles at every sporting event. Representing the ‘Nads’ hockey team and the ‘Balls’ basketball team Scrotie is not officially recognized, but is well-known to students, who cheer him on as he supports their teams. It’s probably not a good idea to bring children to the games, as awkward questions could lead to some embarrassment!

The Boll Weevil of UA Monticello
Don’t mock the Boll Weevil – sure, he’s less than 6 millimeters in length, but this tiny pest packs a serious punch. The boll weevil is in fact the most dangerous pest in the USA (if you are a cotton plant). If you are not a cotton plant or a cotton farmer you probably don’t have much to worry about.

The Fighting Pickle of North Carolina School of the Arts

If there’s a lesson to be learned at NC School of the Arts it is “never let students pick anything.” This lesson was learned in the seventies when students voted for a new official mascot. The joke entry of a large anthropomorphic pickle, representing teams to be known as ‘Fighting Pickles’ won. Whoever organized that contest must have felt pretty foolish.

If the prospect of being represented by these crazy mascots on your campus freaks you out, you might want to consider an online college degree – no need to worry about pep rallies or weird mascots!

Your next step should probably be learning more about an online college degree, now that you know about college mascots. Post written by guest blogger James Tennant.