Sunday Overnight Open Thread - August 31, 2025 [Doof]

Howdy Hordelings! Hope you are enjoying your Labor Day weekend Sunday night. Last day of August. Almost the unofficial end of summer. Does that matter to you? Or is it just another day?

Feel Good Story

Referee Becomes A Hero On The Field After Saving Fellow Official’s Life—Twice

Today's good news story comes from Birmingham, Alabama.

What started as a routine Friday night high school football game in Sylacauga quickly turned into a life-or-death situation—until one referee’s quick actions changed everything.

During the matchup between Sylacauga and Central Coosa, official Joey Shellnut suddenly collapsed on the field. In an instant, fellow referee Lew Murphy jumped into action. Without hesitation, he began CPR and continued until Shellnut was revived—not once, but twice, according to bystander Jimmy Reynolds.

Murphy, who works at Walmart in Sylacauga, is now being celebrated far beyond the football field. His employer praised his courage and quick response in a heartfelt statement:

“Lew’s actions remind us all what it means to live our Walmart values: service to others, respect, excellence, and integrity. He is a shining example of how our associates go beyond the walls of our stores to care for people in the communities we serve. We are incredibly proud to call Lew part of our Walmart family. Please join us in celebrating his heroism and keeping Joey Shelnutt in our thoughts and prayers as he continues to recover.”

Nice story. News video segment at the link

Rise Up Against AI!

H/T to rickb223 in last night's Club ONT

Taco Bell AI drive-thru rollout stalls after trolls order 18,000 water cups

Taco Bell’s bold AI drive-thru experiment hit a wall after trolls exposed its flaws when one ordered 18,000 water cups in a viral prank that forced the fast food giant to rethink its high-tech rollout.

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Taco Bell, which has deployed voice AI at over 500 locations since 2023, has successfully placed over two million orders without many hitches.

But now, the prank has sparked online ridicule, as the tannoy sputters out before a human worker intervenes and asks “What can I get for you?.”

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While the prank was a deliberate exaggeration of what can go wrong with interacting with AI customer service, it flips the script on when customers ruffle their feathers over incompetent artificial service.

Video at the link

Theft Is Crime in Cali Again?

14 arrested in largest Home Depot theft ring ever, officials say

Authorities in Southern California announced Tuesday the arrest of 14 people accused of running what they called the largest organized retail theft operation targeting Home Depot in the company's history, with nine facing felony charges.

The suspects are allegedly linked to 600 thefts at 71 different Home Depots, with losses exceeding $10 million across multiple Southern California counties, officials said.

"They basically had been able to pull off over 600 different thefts from Home Depots in the surrounding counties," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. "They must have thought life was grand. They've been making millions of dollars, didn't look like anyone was going to stop them."

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Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said Ahl's "boosters" would systematically steal expensive electrical components like breakers, dimmers, and switches, sometimes hitting every Home Depot in Ventura County in a single day. The stolen goods were then allegedly delivered to Ahl's business or home in trash bags or Home Depot boxes. The boosters remain in custody at Ventura County jail with bail set at $250,000, police said.

Check out the whole thing

Retro Corner

Who had a similar setup? Go ahead and admit it!

This was a prime setup back in the day! pic.twitter.com/lhZflSWbTK

— LandOfThe80s (@landofthe80s) August 21, 2025

If you had that setup, you probably agree with this

pic.twitter.com/3aiXM7pUEU

— Retro Toys and Cartoons (@toys_retro) August 30, 2025

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Anyone remember this? I must admit, I do not.

🍎In 1978, PepsiCo introduced Aspen, an apple-flavored soft drink pic.twitter.com/uh9kyjGKQi

— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) August 30, 2025

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This!

'Ette Couture (Courtesy of Piper)

It's that time of the week - when we turn the ONT over to our good friend Piper for a bit. Here's this week's fashion pr0n.

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The Strangest Fashion Trends

Fashion is a playground of creativity, rebellion, and sometimes pure absurdity. From historical oddities to modern-day experiments, certain trends have left us baffled, amused, or outright speechless. Let’s deep dive into the weirdest fashion trends that have shaped wardrobes and raised eyebrows across time.

Codpieces: Renaissance Swagger
In the 15th and 16th centuries, men took “bold fashion” to new heights with codpieces—padded, often garishly decorated pouches worn over the crotch. Originally designed to cover gaps in tight hose, they evolved into status symbols, with some so large they doubled as storage for coins or snacks. King Henry VIII was a notorious fan, sporting codpieces that demanded attention.

Crakows: Medieval Toe-Tastrophe
In the 14th and 15th centuries, European elites rocked crakows, shoes with absurdly long, pointed toes—sometimes extending two feet or more. Stuffed with moss or hair to hold their shape, these “poulaines” screamed status but made walking a circus act. Some towns banned overly long tips, calling them a public nuisance. Imagine tripping over your own shoes as a flex.

Macaroni Fashion: Feathers and Flamboyance
In the 18th century, British dandies known as “macaronis” returned from European tours with a flair for the dramatic: towering wigs, vibrant silks, and accessories like feathers and ribbons. The look, mocked as effeminate, inspired the phrase “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Macaronis didn’t care—they were too busy being fabulous.

Hobbling Skirts: Waddling in Style
The early 20th century brought the hobble skirt, an ankle-length garment so tight at the hem it forced wearers to take tiny, shuffling steps. Some women even tied their knees together to maintain the silhouette, leading to accidents and stumbles.

Backwards Clothing: Wrong Is Right
Wearing jackets, shirts, or hats backwards became a thing in the late 2010s, with celebs like Celine Dion leading the charge. Designers like Public School created pieces meant to be worn “wrong,” with logos flipped or buttons on the back. It’s disorienting but undeniably cool.

Inside-Out Pants: Flipping Fashion
Born in punk and grunge subcultures, this trend was elevated by brands like Balenciaga, with deconstructed denim designed to look like a laundry mishap. Social media, especially X, buzzes with DIY hacks—think dyeing linings or adding studs. It’s chaotic, anti-establishment, and oddly chic, though fraying seams and scratchy fabrics can make it a tough wear.

Deconstructed Fashion: Unfinished Business
Beyond inside-out pants, deconstruction—frayed hems, exposed zippers, half-sewn jackets—is a high-art staple for brands like Comme des Garçons. It’s about embracing imperfection, making clothes look torn apart and reassembled wrong. It’s fashion as chaos theory.

Weird trends aren’t practical or anything new. Their audacity is the point—fashion isn’t just clothing; it’s performance art

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Thanks, Piper!

DJ Doof - Singing About Radio Edition

While we're on the subjects of radio and holiday weekends, here's a spoof Public Service Announcement that ran on local Baltimore radio back in the 80s or 90s. Possibly was run on other stations around the country too. Anyway - enjoy!

Tonight's ONT brought to you by Gen X

posted by Open Blogger at 10:01 PM

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