Category: Columns

Fidget spinners: Harmless fun or the end of society as we know it?

~ nickc324 ~ 23 Comments

After reading and hearing a lot about fidget spinners recently, I decided to take the responsible action of testing one out.

And then I tested it some more.

And then I continued my thorough examination.

And when I was asked to return it, I continued to spin it, balance it and watch it spin around and around and around because fidget spinners are the bee’s knees of today’s toys.

I will go out on a limb here and admit that I love fidget spinners. I realize that adults enjoy making fun of them, but these toys are extremely amusing and satisfying. The only problem I have with them is when I am asked to give one back. Continue reading “Fidget spinners: Harmless fun or the end of society as we know it?” →

What you learn in school, even preschool, will take you far in life

~ nickc324 ~ 8 Comments

With another school year now underway, it’s a great time to reflect once again on just how important education is.

I know school can be tough whether you are in college, high school or younger, but the skills you learn at any educational level are going to help you in countless ways.

For example, over the summer my brother Marty came across one of my educational diplomas and he and I were both was amazed at just how much I learned at that prestigious academic institution. Continue reading “What you learn in school, even preschool, will take you far in life” →

Did cavemen create the original clickbait? And is it the secret to staying healthy?

~ nickc324 ~ 5 Comments

Hey you there! Yeah, you, reading the Internet! Look over here!

I know you want to read the news or check out the crazy antics of America’s cats, but you’ll have to wait for a moment while I draw you into my website with headlines about items I know you’re interested in reading about.

It’s the biggest scandal no one is talking about! The answers you need to know in order to protect your family! Continue reading “Did cavemen create the original clickbait? And is it the secret to staying healthy?” →

The eclipse, Kyrie Irving and crowded sidewalks all fall under this column’s Path of Totality

~ nickc324 ~ 2 Comments

With summer coming to a close, it’s a good time to pile together a few random thoughts about recent events here in Athens, Ohio and around the country.

  • It’s amazing how Athens can go from a quiet summer city to a packed university town in one day. The streets and sidewalks are suddenly jammed with people and it pretty much changed overnight, just as it does several times each year. It’s one of many things that I like about Athens, but it’s always an adjustment.
  • The eclipse on Monday was interesting, but I’ll be honest, I was a little worried about germs with everyone sharing eclipse glasses. I hope we never have a big eclipse during flu season.

Continue reading “The eclipse, Kyrie Irving and crowded sidewalks all fall under this column’s Path of Totality” →

Traditional mail: Excitement in every package or are letters for babies?

~ nickc324 ~ 1 Comment

My mail is usually pretty boring, but recently we received a pretty interesting delivery.

This letter was from the National Opinion Network – Infant Division, which led to several questions:

Do they have infants running a whole division at the National Opinion Network? How does that work? Is there a huge office full of babies working on these letters? What does their break room look like? Continue reading “Traditional mail: Excitement in every package or are letters for babies?” →

Throwing shade at the solar eclipse

~ nickc324 ~ 7 Comments

On Aug. 21, the United States will see a solar eclipse and it apparently is a very big deal.

But is it really?

On this day, the moon will pass in front of the sun and completely obscure it. The entire country is supposed to get dark, and in a 70-miles-wide path across the continental U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina, it will be a total eclipse. This means that it will go from daylight to twilight quickly, the birds will start singing like it is night, the temperature will drop and that Bonnie Tyler song will be played over and over on the radio. Continue reading “Throwing shade at the solar eclipse” →

Trump’s phone style works great in real life; it’s the best style ever

~ nickc324 ~ Leave a comment

Phone call photoIn order to make everything great again great (megag), I have decided that it would be best to emulate our country’s top leader when making my own phone calls. And since the President’s phone conversations to foreign leaders have been printed in some amazing articles, I have also decided to release my own transcripts. Continue reading “Trump’s phone style works great in real life; it’s the best style ever” →

Fun night out features Copperheads baseball, fireworks and a new record I set

~ nickc324 ~ 4 Comments

Even when I am not trying, I am setting records.

The other night, for example, I went to see a Southern Ohio Copperheads baseball game with my lovely wife and her equally lovely mother, and we had lovely (but not as lovely was my wife and mother-in-law), time at the ballpark.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the Copperheads, they are a summer baseball team based in Athens, Ohio. The team is made up of college all-stars from around the region, and they play in a wooden bat league against teams also filled with college all stars. Continue reading “Fun night out features Copperheads baseball, fireworks and a new record I set” →

Would you rather be too hot or too cold? And other important summer questions

~ nickc324 ~ 2 Comments

Summer gives you a lot of time to relax, think and ponder over important questions like the following:

Would you rather be too hot or too cold? I hear this question asked a lot and I can tell you the correct answer is no. I would rather not be too hot or too cold. Continue reading “Would you rather be too hot or too cold? And other important summer questions” →

Just like Kyrie Irving, I am requesting a trade

~ nickc324 ~ Leave a comment

While much of the sports world has been debating the merits NBA star Kyrie Irving’s surprising request for a trade, I have decided to also request a trade.

Irving is one of my favorite players, and I’m sure that he would agree that I am just doing what is best for my brand. I need to look out for my family and my legacy, and right now that means doing what is best for Nick Claussen.

I have few simple requests: Continue reading “Just like Kyrie Irving, I am requesting a trade” →