Back in April, I wrote about three original games that you need to incorporate into your life. Well, it’s been a few months now, and three more have come to mind.

Grocery Carting
Grocery shoppers are notorious for walking away from their (unguarded) cart to grab a few items throughout their shopping stint. The goal here is to place an item in the unguarded cart without them knowing and see if they check out with it. Obviously, the more absurd the item, the more points you get. Getting them to check out with an extra jar of pickles is one thing, but watching them pay for an 18-pack of Natty Light they didn’t want is a thrill unlike any other.

Reunion
If you’re hanging out with Neil, and Neil sees someone he went to school with (say, Samantha), get Neil to tell you as many details as possible about her (teachers she had, neighborhood she grew up in, etc). Then, you excitedly approach Samantha as though you haven’t seen her in years, reminiscing about those classes you had together, the neighborhood memories, the one slow dance you shared Sophomore year (your favorite dance ever!), followed by an apology for “that mean thing” you said about that haircut she had in middle school. If you get her to say that she remembers you, you win.

Fourth Meal Call*
Make a pact with three or four of your friends that each of you get one Fourth Meal Call a year. What this means is that at any time, you can call one of the other members of the pact, say “fourth meal”, and they have to meet you at Taco Bell in 15 minutes. It doesn’t matter if they were sleeping, in the middle of a talkument with their spouse, at a concert, or even getting married. They have to stop what they are doing and meet you at the Bell for a gordita and some cinnamon twists. Oh, and try to convince them that them paying was part of the pact too.

In the comments section, either let us know of another original game, or go play one of these and tell us about your experience.

*It is helpful to have a good punishment in place for those who refuse to follow through on the pact. I got the call around 2am one morning and just pretended I didn’t have good enough service to understand what they were saying. North meal? I’m sorry, I don’t know what that means. Goodbye.
___

NOTE: There are a lot of videos today, but they’re all great. Find the time to watch them.

1. Favorite Video – Autotune the Webby Awards (from the Autotune the News people)

2. Favorite Idea – The Fun Theory (thanks Blake)

3. Favorite Pearl Jam Translation -

4. Favorite Commercial – Tie between Miller Light and Discovery Channel

5. Favorite Cause – Help Portrait (watch how it plays out)

6. Favorite SNL Moment – Firelight (only funny if you’ve seen Twilight)

___

10. Dennis Reynolds
Actor: Glenn Howerton
Show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Watch: Thursdays, 10pm, FX
Prior Role of Note: Dr. Nick Cooper in ER

9. Jack Donaghy
Actor: Alec Baldwin
Show: 30 Rock
Watch: Thursdays, 9:30pm, NBC
Prior Role of Note: Adam Maitland in Beetlejuice

8. Phil Dunphy
Actor: Ty Burrell
Show: Modern Family
Watch: Wednesdays, 9pm, ABC
Prior Role of Note: Leonard in The Incredible Hulk

7. Abed
Actor: Danny Pudi
Show: Community
Watch: Thursdays, 8pm, NBC
Prior Role of Note: Josh in The Bill Engvall Show

6. Cameron Tucker
Actor: Eric Stonestreet
Show: Modern Family
Watch: Wednesdays, 9pm, ABC
Prior Role of Note: “Beergut” in Ninja Cheerleaders

5. Gregory House
Actor: Hugh Laurie
Show: House
Watch: Mondays, 8pm, FOX
Prior Role of Note: “The Gentleman on the Plane” in Friends (also this)

4. Ari Gold
Actor: Jeremy Piven
Show: Entourage
Watch: HBO
Prior Role of Note: Spence Kovak on Ellen and The Drew Carey Show

3. Tracy Jordan
Actor: Tracy Morgan
Show: 30 Rock
Watch: Thursdays, 9:30pm, NBC
Prior Role of Note: “Hustle Man” in Martin

2. Charlie Kelly
Actor: Charlie Day
Show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Watch: Thursdays, 10pm, FX
Prior Role of Note: Jeremy on Law & Order

1. Andy Bernard
Actor: Ed Helms
Show: The Office
Watch: Thursdays, 9pm, NBC
Prior Role of Note: James on Arrested Development

Who else should have made the list?
___

More is not always better. Unfortunately, some companies have ignored this principle altogether and adopted the less-popular creed “it doesn’t matter how irrational the end result will be, more is our best option.” Here are a few examples that come to mind…

Razor Blades
The Mach 3 is almost laughable now. Three blades? What, is Clinton still in office? The new standard is a minimum of five blades, multiple lubricating strips, and a colorful, aerodynamic handle (incase you’re shaving at high speeds). Where is this going? By the time I teach my boys how to shave, I’ll be showing them how to put on their razor mask (416 blades) and shake their head up and down for the closest shave yet (which will still be the tag line).

Chicken Soup for the Soul
I’m in the process of developing a theory that if you don’t fit into a Chicken Soup for the Soul category, you are the most worthless person on the planet. Sure, that may sound harsh, but I don’t even think I’m offending anyone. We may have reached the point where it is physically impossible to avoid being categorized by CS for the S. Isn’t that a sign of end times?

NOW
My friend (and financial adviser) Justin told me he just saw a commercial for NOW That’s What I Call Music 32. Thirty-freaking-two! Where will the line be drawn? I bet the only person who owns every NOW album has also seen every episode of Survivor.

Ply
Hey Charmin, we were fine with two-ply. I’m not sure who told you we needed more, but that person cannot be trusted. Instead of progressively adding more and more ply (to the point that we’ll be wiping with a beach towel), why don’t you concentrate your efforts on something more practical, like, I don’t know, massaging toilet paper or toilet paper with apps.

What else?
___

1. Favorite Video Series – Shane (thanks Hayne)

2. Favorite Author – A.J. Jacobs

3. Favorite iPhone App/Website – Evernote (dorky, I know)

4. Favorite Magazine - Esquire

5. Favorite Comments – These ideas for potential Trivial Pursuits (keep them coming!)

6. Favorite Save – Phil Jackson

___