So I went to my grandmother's house yesterday and while traveling with my dad (two hour trip to Nashville and then a 2 hour flight to Baltimore) we discussed why and how a reporter went to a man in the MidWest to talk about his view of the end of the world - which would be happening today. Please realize that I get every cynical bone in my body from that side of the family -which meant many a smirk during this conversation from both myself and my father.

Apparently, at this very moment, the earth is on one side of the Sun and all the other planets are in alignment on the other side of the sun. This man has the notion that the universe has transformed into some sort of cosmic seesaw - and we are about to topple into the next galaxy. Earthquakes, floods, the seventh sign, group hugs at the end of Jerry Springer shows - apparently everything catastrophic to the world was going to happen at 4am this morning. Um. Sure. Ok, but I'm glad I didn't cancel my dental appointment over it.

So anyway, my dad and I were having a big guffaw over this and I was thinking to myself how sad it was for that reporter. I mean, I am sure there was some sort of drawing of straws to see who would "end up" with this loser of an assignment. In fact, it probably went something like this:

Boss: Well, I got three assignments here - one on the not very important but annoying "iloveyou" virus, one on the deer that got into the Baltimore Airport, and then I have one on this nut in Utah talking abou the end of the world. What does everyone want to do?

Reporters 1, 2, and 3: (shouting and reaching for everything but the assignment about the fruit in the mid west)

Boss: Actually, this can be settled quite easily - Reporter 1 - you take the virus story, Reporter 2 - you take the story on the deer and Reporter 3 - you get the guy in Utah - I trust you will be on time tomorrow when I hand out the next assigments.

Reporters 1 and 2 skip merrily off in the hall while Reporter 3 curses the world he lives in and hopes the man in utah's predictions are right - 3 days before his interview is scheduled to air.

He obviously had to keep a straight face during this interview and act as if everything this man was saying was completely the truth - even if the men in white coats had the next interview with him. And then, after having introduced his own tape of the interview - had to be awake and aware during the exact time that his career would hit the toilet. I think the only way anyone could get ME to do an interview with a person predicting the end of the world - would require me getting a follow up interview with this person- just in case. Surely the guy would agree to that? It's not like he had anything planned anyway.

So I guess count your blesssings that the world isn't in any apparent danger (at least none that that was predicted for today) and just in time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. And since I can't get out and get schnookered, I expect all of you to drink a shot of whatever for me :)