Laziness is the mother of invention

If I was to have guessed, I would have thought this came from Wisconsin. Ohio I guess is not too surprising.

Thanks to CNN for reporting this one:







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Ohio man seeks trial over getting DUI on motorized barstool


(CNN) -- An Ohio man says he is seeking a jury trial on a charge of driving under the influence that was slapped on him after he crashed the vehicle he was piloting -- a barstool.

The barstool was welded to a small metal frame attached to a five-horsepower lawnmower engine.

"It was just an accident. I mean a little minor accident," Kile Wygle, 28, explained in an interview this week with CNN affiliate WSYX.

His homemade vehicle was made from a barstool welded to a small metal frame attached to a five-horsepower lawnmower engine, four wheels and a lawnmower steering wheel, according to the Newark, Ohio, police accident report.

Officers responding to a report of a crash with injuries March 4 said they found Wygle nursing his injuries and highly intoxicated. According to the police report, when asked how much he had had to drink, Wygle responded, "a lot."

He crashed during his attempt at a U-turn while speeding down the street in front of his home -- a daring move from atop the specialized barstool even for the most nimble and sober of men. Measuring 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, and after having consumed what he later told an officer was 15 beers, Wygle appeared to be neither.

He was treated at a hospital for minor injuries.

According to the police report, Wygle claims his unique vehicle can reach a speed of 38 miles per hour, though at the time of the crash he was going around 20.

He entered a plea of not guilty.

Fabulous returns!

From People Magazines, TV Watch

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Project Runway is returning to television this summer — and it will air on Lifetime.

According to the network, legal battles surrounding beleaguered reality show’s already-filmed sixth season have been amicably resolved. “The Weinstein Company will pay NBCU for the right to moveProject Runway to Lifetime. All of the parties are pleased with the outcome,” the networks say in a joint statement.

Changing gears, the upcoming season of Project Runway relocated from New York to Los Angeles, though it will continue to be hosted by Heidi Klum and judged by Michael Kors and Nina Garcia.Tim Gunn will also mentor the designers. As usual, the finale was shot during New York Fashion Week — this year on Feb. 20.

But ongoing legal disputes prevented producers from revealing any information about the cast, and the three final collections were shown blindly, with their designers unidentified. International Herald Tribute editor Suzy Menkes acted as the guest judge at the show.

In addition, sources close to the show have told PEOPLE that Project Runway’s season 6 will utilize “local resources” in Los Angeles — namely focusing more on Hollywood — and will feature appearances by Christina Aguilera, Eva Longoria Parker and Rebecca Romijn.

Project Runway producer Harvey Weinstein expressed his appreciation for the resolution to the legal battle. “I want to personally congratulate Jeff Zucker and NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff for resolving this in a professional manner,” he said in a statement.

No additional details about the cast or specific airdates have been released.

On Tuesday, Bravo, Runway’s original home, announced details about its new design competition,The Fashion Show, and introduced the cast. That show, featuring Kelly Rowland and Isaac Mizrahi, will air May 7.

According to Lifetime, the network will also air a companion series, Models of the Runway, alongside Project Runway. “All of us at Lifetime are thrilled to move forward with Heidi, Tim, Nina, Michael, The Weinstein Company and the entire Project Runway team,” network president and CEO Andrea Wong said in a statement. “We are proud to add these shows to our growing slate of original programming.” - Brian Orloff

On being let go

As many of you know, I am searching for a new job.  My job was eliminated on March 31, but for some reason, I am not bothered by this in the least bit.  I am doing fine.  This surprises no one more than I.  

I think the reason I have been able to accept that I know the reasons, and I know why my position was chosen.  I worked in New Business Development, which was half Mergers and Acquisitions and half on launching new product platforms.  Since October-November, my employer, like all others is saving cash, which cuts down on M&A activity, so half my job was gone then.  The other part - new platforms and alliances - has been going well, but the timeline to realize revenue on both these activities takes a long time.  So when times are tough and cuts have to happen, companies cut the activities which are not producing revenue today.  If I was in my boss's position, I would have cut my job, too.  

So in terms of a mourning period, it has been basically zilch.  I saw this coming and I understand why it happened, which makes focusing on a new job that much easier.  I hold no ill will or bitterness to the company or my division, which is why I would be willing to work here again, should another opportunity come up.  In fact, I have been focusing most of my efforts internally.  For the next 45 days (or till May 15th), I am still an employee, with full rights and benefits, but with no job responsibilities.  It is a nice thing my employer does; the remove all work related responsibilities when your job is eliminated - all save one - finding a new job.  They let me keep my office, phone, computer, etc, and provide outsource assistance.  The whole process has been very fair and pleasant, plus, I have had great support and assistance from coworkers, friends, my boss and the VP.  I have been going into work every day, keeping normal hours.  I have been treating this like a job and networking like crazy.  My schedule most days is as busy as it was when I had a job.  So in this regard, all is well.

My first priority is exploring options for work internally.  I still think it is a good company and for the next month or so, I am still an insider who can take advantage of opportunities there and maybe find something I like.  Now that that network is in place, it is time to start working on the outside world.  I recognized about two years ago that my career development had gotten stale.  I was very happy and lucky to get the job I had last year and I would not have traded it even if I knew how high this risk of getting let go would have been.  I felt very fortunate to have that job, which I got because a former boss was hiring me for the position.  He knew that I could do the job even if my resume might not show it.  When I got the job, I was very happy but felt very fortunate, as I don't think I could have gotten the job without his help.  My career needed a kick in the pants, and this job did it.  Now, it is up to me to do that myself.

The real tough question to answer is do I want a New Job or Something New; I have thought about starting my own business; maybe this is the time to do it?  I have no real responsibilities.  Should I be using this time to pursue those options?  Or, is it time for me to move?  I came to Minnesota for a job, but it has grown on me and I have a lot of friends here.  I never expected to be here this long, and if this had happened in November, no way I would be considering staying here.  If I was to move, I am not sure where I would go.  I have always thought I would move back East, but what about San Fran and the West Coast?  I have connections there, too.  

It is both a blessing and curse to have the world of options open to you.  I am not complaining, mind you.  I like the freedom I have, but it is tough to narrow down what you would do next and where, when you have nothing really holding you back.  It is equally fun, exciting, frightening, and perplexing all at the same time.  

Anyway, I'll try to post more updates on what I am doing, but thank you all for the calls, messages, and kind words of support.  They have helped tremendously.   I have had one interview internally, and one informational/screening interview externally.  I am feeling good and I seem to be keeping the positive mojo going.   I'll continue to post as things develop, but for all of you who have helped with either contacts, calls, texts or messages (too many to count), thanks very much! Tis' appreciated.