Category Archives: pop culture

The Best Phil Factor Interviews

Posted on March 31, 2025 | 3 comments

In my 20 years of blogging I’ve interviewed a lot of very interesting, accomplished people. The world is full of them and some of them are also very nice and took some time to talk with a small time blogger. These are the top ten in no particular order. Each interviewee is awesome in their own right and specialty. Each of their names will by linked so you can read the interview if you want to.

Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize winner, author and columnist: Yes, in a complete shock to me, I interviewed a Pulitzer Prize winner for my blog way back in 2013.

Rick Reles, founder of the Bigfoot Field Researchers  Organization: Yup, I went from Dave Barry, the GOAT of columnists,  to Rich Reles, the GOAT of Bigfoot experts. And, isn’t Bigfoot the GOAT of paranormal creatures? I did an interview with Bigfoot too. When I emailed Rick and his colleague they were a little standoff-ish fearing that I wasn’t going to take their work seriously. I convinced them otherwise and Rick was great.

irishamerican.com

Larry Kirwan of Black 47: One of my passions in life is good music. You may not know about Larry’s band Black 47, which disbanded in 2014, but in the 90’s and early 2000’s, Black 47 was selling out places in New York City nightly with their Irish party rock music. I absolutely loved their music and am disappointed that I never got to see them live.

Marie Lanza, author, radio personality, producer and Zombie Queen: If you’re a human being alive in the United States you’ve probably seen, heard or read some content that she caused. Marie is so good that she’s had multiple appearances on The Phil Factor. My favorite was her Top Ten Things You Need To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse.

Robbie Rist: Actor, voice actor, and musician: As I made note of in the interview, if you didn’t know his name until now, you’ve probably seen or heard him. His career encompasses The Brady Bunch, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Doc McStuffins, Sharknado, Hallmark movies and music.

Rich Valdes, Demonologist and Exorcist: This interview was tremendously popular. If you’ve got an unwanted ghost or need an exorcism, this is your guy. In 2023 he was featured on Eli Roth’s Legion of Exorcists which you can find on The Travel Channel, Hulu, and HBO Max.

Jodyne Speyer, author, Huffington Post contributor and Hollywood costuming expert: Of course you’ve never heard of Jodyne unless you read her relationship book, Dump ‘Em. She’s also Sarah Silverman‘s sister and once interviewed Kato Kaelin!

news.uwlax.edu

The Dating Doctor: When I posted this interview in 2015 I was surprised at the response and number of views. People from all over the world were looking for love on ThePhilFactor!

Hugh Howey, author: To me, Hugh created the template for indie/self-publishing writers. I interviewed him when was just into the early years of his success and he struck me as a great writer with a good head for the business of publishing. The Silo series , based on his Wool book has a phenomenal cast and is on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

Christopher Moore, author: I’m not saying Christopher Moore is my favorite author, or that I saved the best for last, but I might have. He is on my personal Mount Rushmore of authors. So many great books, so much fun to read, and one of the nicest people I ever interviewed.

As many of you know, I like a good top ten list. This is a great top ten list and as I said, all of these wonderful people took the time to talk, email or message with me. Things like these wonderful artists interviewing with me is what keeps me hanging around the internet. I hope that you read and enjoyed some of the interviews you haven’t seen before.

Have a great Monday and thanks for reading! ~Phil

3 Comments

Posted in Humor, interview, pop culture

Tagged , ,

Throwback Thursday: There’s a New Pope

Posted on March 13, 2025 | Leave a comment

Proving that #ThePhilFactor is one of the oldest continuous running blogs on the interwebs, today’s Throwback Thursday post goes back to not the most recent Pope election, but the one in 2005. That’s right, The Phil Factor has now spanned two Popes and four Presidents.

In fact it was almost three Popes. Pope John Paul II died the day before The Phil Factor was born. Or did he die <em>so that</em> The Phil Factor could be born?  Hey, it’s the circle of life. I don’t make the rules. What I think I’m trying to say here is that God wants you to read The Phil Factor. It’s his favorite blog. In the picture below Pope Benedict is saying “All hail The Phil Factor!” He was speaking in Latin, but I’m pretty sure that’s what he said.

<img class=”size-full wp-image-17739″ src=”https://thephilfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20221231T0445-OBIT-BENEDICT-1753610-scaled-1-e1741528479565.jpg&#8221; alt=”” width=”1200″ height=”967″ />

(4/19/2005) There’s a new Pope and it’s not me. <em>Again</em>. The whole process just pisses me off. It’s all political. It’s who you know. It’s who you kissed up to. Just because I’m not a glad handing Cardinal in the Catholic church I don’t even get a whiff of consideration for the job.

I didn’t even get a single write in vote. That is totally not fair. If I am ever elected Pope the first thing I’m going to do is revise that hat. It’s got to be a total pain in the ass to get through doorways wearing a 3 foot hat. I think a nice papal baseball cap worn backwards would be cool. It could have a big “V” on the front for Vatican. If I was Pope I’d also have one of those big foam No. 1 fingers for waving from the balcony to the millions of people who wait outside all the time. You know there is no way that the guy standing 800 rows back from the Vatican can see that little Miss America wave the Pope does. I’ve got a goatee. If I were Pope I’d keep that. A Pope with a goatee would be cool. Especially if it was me.

<img class=”size-full wp-image-17737″ src=”https://thephilfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/download-11-e1741528338873.jpg&#8221; alt=”” width=”1000″ height=”563″ /> Pope Benedict taking his first ever cell phone call from me.

To be honest, I added the two pictures to the post about ten years ago. In 2005, when I wrote this, I had no idea how to add pictures to my posts, and I’m not even certain that <a href=”http://Wordpress.com”>Wordpress</a&gt; offered that as an option.

As always, if you enjoy The Phil Factor please leave a comment, (like what you would do if you we’re Pope), and/or hit the Facebook share button below. Have a great Thursday and thanks for reading! ~<em>Phil</em>

Leave a comment

Posted in Humor, pop culture, Throwback Thursdays, Uncategorized

The Top Ten Perks of Being The Pope

Posted on March 9, 2025 | Leave a comment

10. He gets his own bobblehead: My head bobbles, but nobody is making toys out of it.

9. Chicks dig a guy with power: Dude can get anyone he wants in Vatican City. From what I hear, he’s got a serious habit habit, if you know what I mean (insert wink emoji here).  

8. I tried for years to Get McDonald’s to serve breakfast all day: One wave of his triton and it’s Egg McMuffin’s for dinner.

7. He gets featured on #ThePhilFactor again: Come back for my Throwback Thursday later this week to read a Phil Factor from the ancient days of the internet, 2005, featuring the newly elected Pope then.

6. The Popemobile! In the pantheon of super vehicles the Popemobile ranks right up there with the Batmobile and Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine.

5. He’s the real transgender pioneer: Enough with transgenders acting like they are so nouveau.  Male Popes have been wearing dresses for centuries. Speaking of that, when do we get a female Pope? If there were an attractive female pope, I might suddenly return to Catholicism. When I’m elected Pope or Sexiest Man Alive, whichever comes first,  I’ll change that rule.

4. He gets to use my middle name: When the Pope sends you a DM on Twitter asking if he can go by your middle name, you say yes.

Preview (3)

3. When he get’s the Kohl’s scratch off coupon he always seems to get 30%, and his receipt says he saved $482.00 just for buying a pair of socks.

2. Always gets first pick in his fantasy football draft. 

 

1. He’s so cool that he’s got a Ray-Ban endorsement! 

Have a great Sunday, thanks for reading and bless you! ~Phil

Leave a comment

Posted in Current Events, Humor, pop culture, Uncategorized

My Psychic Predictions for the 2025 Oscar Awards!

Posted on March 1, 2025 | 2 comments

In case you were wondering, yes, this picture has to go at the head of my predictions each year because that’s the contractual agreement I have with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. If they want my affiliation, then they’re going to have to put up with my nonsense.

Pic from ABC7 News

My how The Phil Factor Oscars Predictions have grown over the years. I can no longer host them in my garage as I did one year. Now, you’ll have to watch them virtually like we did during COVID. Speaking of pandemics, what’s your over/under on how many of our Hollywood friends walk out of the Dolby Theater with bird flu? My prediction for that is 7.

Here’s my first prediction: As a nod to the great Gene Hackman, his and his wife’s seats will still be in the auditorium empty. Paranormal experts watching The Oscars will report that for a split second in the third hour of the ceremonies, a brief shimmer of Gene and his wife will be seen in the audience or on stage.

Some of you love the movies and others love the psychic predictions, so lets get right down to my predictions, and possibly some extra-curricular activities that happen behind the scenes. Due to budget cuts intended to increase my revenue I will only psychically predict the 5 major awards.

Macaulay Culkin and his younger brother Kieran Culkin. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin for putting up with the world’s weirdest brother and succeeding in life anyway.

Pic courtesy of Facebook

Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana and Isabella Rossellini finish in a dead heat. (No offense meant Gene Hackman) What? Too soon?

Zoey Saldana about to hit Chris Rock. Pic courtesy of People.com

Best Actor: 

I don’t need to be psychic to pick this one, but I will anyway. I almost ruled him out because of the Jenner affiliation, but he’s a young kid and doesn’t know any better. The Jenner’s have been chasing Grammy’s and Oscar’s for decades. I also almost ruled him out due to his pretentious name spelling. He grew up going to Laguardia High School. I’m sure his peers and teacher’s loved Ti’mo’thee .Yes, I’m giving the Best Actor to Tim’othe’e Ch’alam’et, but for which movie? A Complete Unknown of course, which is what he’ll be after Kylie Jenner is done with him in court. Twenty years from now when we see him playing Olivia’s troubled nephew in a Law and Order SUV episode, we’ll all say, “Hey, isn’t that guy that won an Oscar a long time ago? Yes, 85 years old Olivia Benson will still be solving sex crimes like a perverted Murder She Wrote Jessica Fletcher.

Best Actress: 

This was the toughest for my psychic brain to sort out. I think it’s the most competitive award this year. A strong case could be made for each of them, I’m feeling that the winner will be …

Demi Moore for her starring role on General Hospital. She saved that damn show. When I came home from school every day my sister and mom were watching and if Demi Moore was on screen I’d sit down and watch the rest of that episode. So, it may be a little belated, but Demi’s riveting turn in The Substance earned her this award.

Picture from The Enterprise World

Best Picture: First here’s why all the others won’t win: Emilia Perez was done in by some very bad tweets. The Brutalist was so brutally long that it needed an intermission. I loved that but the iffy AI accent sunk this. I’ll watch it at home when I can put my intermission wherever the hell I want to.

The Substance is a substantial film, but I’m not feeling this Debbie Downer flick raising the trophy. Conclave is definitely hovering near winning and could slip in the door if some voters blink. A Complete Unknown is also a great pic highlighted by Timmy Charcuterie’s acting and singing.  Nickle Boys?  Nope. I wouldn’t even bet a dime on it. Not that it’s a bad picture, I’m just not feeling it for Best Picture.  Dune Part II? Sounds like a beach themed Pauley Shore movie sequel from the 90’s. Sorry Paul, but when it’s true it’s true. I’m Still Here? No you’re not. Wicked was wickedly promoted but was a snoozer like that time Dorothy and the gang fell asleep in the poppy field. I also slept like I was drugged through Wicked. I wish a house had fallen on that movie.

Pic from Everything Movies Reviews

And The Phil Factor Best Picture prediction winner will be Anora! Why? I don’t know. I didn’t see it, but when I looked into the future, there it was.

Thanks for reading, enjoy The Oscars, and feel free to place your bets based on my predictions. Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading! ~Phil

2 Comments

Posted in Current Events, Humor, pop culture, psychic

It’s Groundhog Day 2025!

Posted on February 2, 2025 | 16 comments

The two best Phil’s ever! Punxsutawney and Me

In case you didn’t know, it’s Groundhog Day!

Who doesn’t love this old movie? Especially since Bill Murray‘s character was named Phil. And, the groundhog is also named Phil. Coincidence? I think not. This post was originally written for #ThePhilFactor on Feb. 2, 2006 and I now post it every year, over and over, just like Phil’s Groundhog Day in the movie.

(Feb. 2, 2006) Last week I waxed philosophic about the idiocy known as The Dr. Phil Show. This week, and today in particular it’s Punxsutawney Phil. Groundhog Day the movie: Good idea. Groundhog Day the tradition: Stupid idea.

The dimwitted people of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania have been shoving a rodent through a hole in a tree stump for almost 200 hundred years to find out if there will be 6 more weeks of winter. Hey morons, you live in the Northeast! There’s always 6 more weeks of winter! Check the calendar! It says that Spring starts on March 21st. That’s 7 weeks from now. You don’t need a rat being spooked by his shadow to figure this one out.

I’m always a sucker for a good Phil pun

At this point I’m getting tired of all these wanna-be Phil’s trying to horn in on my fame. If, coincidentally, a shot were to ring out in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania today and a certain rodent were to explode in a puff of fur, I was kidding when I wrote this. Although, over the last few years, I have had to travel to Punxsutawney for work, but I make sure to cover my tracks. No harm meant, just a joke. You’ll all be my alibi right?

I’m curious, for those of you from other countries, do you have a Groundhog Day? As always, if you enjoyed this vintage Phil Factor feel free to share it via the social media buttons below. Come back Saturday for a brand new Phil Factor. Have a great Sunday! Phil

16 Comments

Posted in Holiday humor, Holidays, pop culture

Tagged , ,

New Years Eve For Boomers!

Posted on December 30, 2024 | 2 comments

Congratulations! Your Pontiac Fiero has taken you past the threshold of normal adulthood. Now as a bona fide Boomer, you’re faced with the perplexing challenge of navigating New Year’s Eve like an adult adult. (yes, I meant to say adult twice) Fear not boomer-in-training; I’m here to help you gracefully waltz into the new year without tripping over your slip-on Skechers. (BTW, Skechers feel free to contact me if you’d like to sponsor The Phil Factor.)

1. The Wardrobe Dilemma: Pajamas or Actual Pants?

So you invited neighbors Barb and George over for drinks and watching the apple, ball, or sponsored logo drop in Times Square. Now you face the age-old question of what to wear. As a Boomer, the struggle is real—do you opt for the sophistication of actual clothes or succumb to the allure of cozy pajamas? The answer: both. Consider rocking the “business casual on top, party on the bottom” look. That way, when the clock strikes twelve, no matter where you are, you can triumphantly kick your guests out and declare, “I’m ready for bed!” It’s your living room and you can damn well wear whatever you want. Pro tip: pajama jeans! (Also Phil Factor sponsor opportunity available)

Pic from MarketWatch.com

2. Decoding the Art of Adult Conversations

Gone are the days of discussing the latest video games or keeping up with current music. As a Boomer, your conversations now revolve around mortgage rates, the stock market, and the enigma that is Boomering. (Yep, I invented the verb “Boomering” copyright pending.) Navigate the party small talk with poise, dropping gems like, “Have you diversified your investment portfolio lately?” or “Here’s how I get more calcium in my diet…” That’s always a crowd pleaser.

Pic from X.com

3. The Midnight Toast: A Symphony of Wine Glasses

Let’s be honest, we’re probably not staying up until midnight, right? But we can pretend we are and toast at 10:00. In our twenties, the midnight toast involved questionable shots and clashing beer mugs. Now, as a Boomer, it’s all about the symphony of wine glasses clinking together. Pro tip: choose a wine that pairs well with Boomering, like a robust red that complements the complex flavors of your frustration with the internet and “kids these days.”

4. Crafting Resolutions: From Skydiving to Financial Savvy:

While your younger self might have resolved to skydive or backpack across Europe, your grown-up resolutions are more practical. Consider pledging to finally organize  your decades old junk drawer, conquer the art of meal prepping, or become a master at assembling IKEA furniture without a single leftover screw.

5. Countdown Contemplations: Balancing Excitement and Responsibility

As the countdown commences, the challenge is to balance the excitement of the impending new year with how much stress you think your heart can tolerate. Take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments, like successfully adulting your way through tax season or paying for your daughters wedding in Maui.

Pic from Insider.com

6. Champagne Popping Mastery: No Eye Injuries, Please!

Boomers pop champagne with the finesse of seasoned sommeliers. Ensure a smooth and injury-free cork release by holding the bottle at a 45-degree angle, gripping the cork firmly, and twisting the bottle—not the cork. Remember, no one wants to start the new year with a champagne-induced black eye. Pro-tip: If you go cheap enough, you can find champagne with a screw cap. Don’t worry, Barb and George won’t know the difference and they may be dozing off on your couch by this time

7. Post-Celebration Recovery: The Hangover Survival Kit

In our twenties, a hangover was a badge of honor. As a Boomer, if we made the mistake of one too many drinks, it’s a serious matter that requires a well-prepared survival kit. Stock up on electrolyte-infused beverages, pain relievers, and a gourmet breakfast delivery service, because pancakes delivered to your door are the epitome of Boomer luxury.

So there you have it—the essential guide for Boomers navigating the temporary, whimsical world of New Year’s Eve. Remember, being a Boomer doesn’t mean losing your sense of humor; it just means you’ve upgraded from partying all night to laughing about it the next day. Here’s to embracing the chaos, celebrating the wins, and proving that being a Boomer can be as hilarious as it is rewarding.

Cheers to Boomering in 2025! Thanks for reading and Happy New Year! ~Phil

2 Comments

Posted in Current Events, Holidays, Humor, pop culture, Uncategorized

Tagged , ,

My Life-Long Friend Judy Izzum

Posted on December 26, 2024 | Leave a comment

That pic above is the kind of information I didn’t have as a kid. I grew up as a Catholic kid in a middle class neighborhood in upstate New York. So, you would think that if I’m in New York there would be a lot of Jewish people around. You are sadly mistaken.

New York is a pretty big state. There’s upstate and downstate.  Downstate is New York City, Long Island and a couple counties just north of New York City. That whole area is a five hour drive from where I live. The downstate area is filled with many unique, wonderful cultures, and the Jewish community is one of them. The upstate part of New York is more homogenized, although there are some quirky cultural things going on in different places.

This one is available on Amazon

When I grew up, I didn’t think that I knew anyone that was Jewish. I was sheltered.  My Irish Catholic mother was too busy training me to be the next Pope. It wasn’t until I went away to college at 17 that I really discovered the Jewish religion. Many of my college friends were from downstate and chose to go to college upstate.

For me it was fun learning about the Jewish religion from my friends, and I was thrilled one year when my friend gave me a dreidel and taught me the song: “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, I made it out of clay, and when it’s dried and ready, oh dreidel we will play.” Thank you my college friend Gary. That song has been in my head every December since we met.

After having many Jewish friends in college and learning what surnames were most likely to be Jewish, I realized that I had had Jewish friends my entire life and just didn’t know it.

As an adult I’ve always craved learning about other cultures and religions because I felt like I grew up very generically.  Go watch That 70’s show. I think the parents in that show were modeled after my parents. In the picture below, I was most likely to be Eric (actor Topher Grace) in the top right.


At the end of the day though, there’s very little difference between religions and the people that practice them. Every religion has different repetitive, quirky traditions and every religion in  the world is based on the “magic guy in the sky” premise, so who cares if someone wears a different hat or says a different prayer? At 17 I thought my Jewish friends were this new and interesting novelty when it turned out that I had Jewish friends my whole life.

If I was Jewish, this would be me every December

If I was Jewish, the above pic would be me every December. During the holiday season when Hanukkah and Christmas overlap, it feels like Hanukah doesn’t get the big publicity that Christmas does, and that’s a shame because they have 8 days of one holiday. If that’s not an excuse to day drink, I don’t know what is.

Anyway, I just want to say Happy Hanukkah to all the Jewish friends that I’ve had in my life, even the ones that I didn’t know were Jewish. Now that they know I know, I hope they don’t expect eight presents times the number of years that I didn’t know they were Jewish.

If I could ask my Jewish friends two things: 1. Could you decide on one spelling of your holiday? And 2. Could you make Hanukkah start on the same date every year?

Shalom and Happy Chanukah my friends~ Phil

Leave a comment

Posted in Humor, pop culture, Uncategorized

Tagged , ,

My 2025 Psychic Predictions

Posted on December 24, 2024 | 3 comments

I know you’re wondering, “is this guy really a psychic?”  Guess what? I wonder that too. In 2014, my first post about psychic predictions was intended to be all jokes. But one of the absurd predictions involving Justin Bieber and the Kardashian’s came exactly true. So I decided to publish my psychic predictions every year and I keep getting more things right!

Pic from Psychic4Insight.com

As I’ve said every year, some of these predictions are intended to be completely humorous and others are completely serious. If it popped into my head as I’m writing this, I’m going to put it in here, because no matter how absurd an idea might be, it might also be true.

Donald Trump; The Geographic President? Because he forgot to insult the native Inuit/Alaskans during his first term in office, he wants the Alaskan mountain named Denali to go back to the name Mount McKinley, the name it had before 2015. Are we sure he’s not going to turn around and name it Mount Trump? Or is that the name of the wall at our southern border? He has also said he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

He also wants to take back the Panama Canal, which the United States gifted full ownership of to Panama in 1999. He has talked about buying Greenland and taking over Canada. None of those things will happen in 2025. Prediction: In a ridiculous waste of time, he will get the mountain re-named, but the Gulf of Mexico will keep it’s name, the Panama Canal will remain in possession of Panama, and Greenland and Canada will not come under American control.

2025: The Year of Pete Davidson: In the past I have made a few jokes at Pete’s expense. Prediction: In 2025, Pete will come roaring back in the eyes of the public and will be recognized for his talent rather than his dating accomplishments. Pete, thanks for reading. I got your back.

Thank you Daily Mail online for this perfect picture. Also, thanks for the drinks your staff bought for me at the hotel bar in Rome in 2009.

Is The World Going To End? I enjoy my celebrity psychic predictions, but this is the most important prediction. Someday, life on Earth will end, and the December before it happens, I’ll tell you. Today is not that day my friends. Neither is any of the 365 days in 2025.  Sure the possibility of a nuclear war is looming, but it won’t be the end of humanity in 2025.

Putin taking a holiday. Even detestable dictators need a break now and then. Pic courtesy of Getty Images

Putin, Ukraine, and the war: As allies continue to abandon him, the Russian leader will spontaneously quit his job and retire to Margaritaville, Cancun. While he may not be the most popular guy at the pool bar, surprisingly, he tips well.

Yes, the scenario in the previous paragraph is just wishful thinking. I’ve never done this, but I’m going to roll over my 2024 prediction that the Ukraine war will end and Vladimir Putin will pass away under suspicious circumstances. I have a strong feeling on this one.

Pic from USA Today

The Royals are always one of my favorite topics. In 2025 King Chuck and Camilla will face medical challenges. I’m more worried about Camilla than I am about Chuck. Rumors of marital troubles between Prince Harry and Meghan will stir the media at some point. Oddly, during the damp season in London, King Charles will spend a few weeks at Margaritaville, Cancun.

Bollywood actress and dancer, Malaika Arora

Bollywood! Yes, I’m dipping my psychic toe into the Bollywood celebrity pool. Prediction: Popular actress Malaika Arora will begin dating Pete Davidson Rahul Khanna . If there’s a cougar in Bollywood, it’s Malaika and she would meet her perfect match in the younger Khanna.

 Does anyone else remember this short lived 2012 ABC show? It was titled The Neighbors. It’s fun. Find it on streaming and watch. Pic from Ron Tom/ABC

One last prediction: This is the year aliens become real! Yes, I said it and I’m not taking it back. They’ve been in the news for the last few years, and in 2025 we will all know for certain that they exist. With that acknowledgement, countries will display unprecedented unity at the United Nations to discuss and cooperate while Donald Trump tries to make the aliens pay tariffs and taxes for entering the United States.  He will also claim dominion over their planets.

Thank you for reading and feel free to stay for apps and drinks later by the pool! ~Phil

3 Comments

Posted in Current Events, Humor, pop culture, Uncategorized

Tagged , ,

Grading My 2024 Psychic Predictions

Posted on December 21, 2024 | 8 comments

That’s me in the crystal ball. I’m not the lady

Unlike most psychics, I am not afraid to review and grade my predictions for last year. If you haven’t read my 2024 psychic predictions, and want to before I tell you what I got right and wrong, CLICK HERE

(Image credit: G. Baden/Corbis via Getty Images)

1. Life on Earth will continue: Yes. I know this prediction seems like low hanging fruit, but if you search online, the psychic predictions trend is in favor for Earth’s demise. For the last eight years I have gone against the psychic community trends and predicted that this ball of dirt and apes will be here when you read my predictions next year. Grade: A+

Was I right? Maybe…

2. Lizzo will trim down with a semaglutide med, become a spokesperson for that med, and date Pete Davidson.

Was I right? Kind of. Lizzo did trim down and in an episode of South Park Cartman’s mother and friend were prescribed a weight loss medication named “Lizzo.” Here’s the video of her reaction:

She may not have become a spokesperson or admitted to using a semaglutide, but she was tied to it in pop culture and the news. I’m calling that a 50% win for my psychic powers. I saw it coming didn’t I? Grade: B, because I was wrong about her and Pete Davidson.

The war in Ukraine will end and Putin will die: I got this one wrong, although there is currently talk of a negotiated end to the war and Putin has put out his demands for the end of the war. Obviously Putin isn’t dead yet. I’ll give myself a D on this one because Putin publicizing his demands is a step towards the end. And, hey, we still have 9 days left in the year. I could still be right about his death and the war.

Royal Accounts 2019-20. EMBARGOED TO 0001 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25 File photo dated 25/12/18 

All about the Royals! I didn’t notice this, but the credits to that photo above says “dated 25/12/18.” Did I somehow pull a picture from the future? My first Royal prediction was that 76 year old King Chuck would live through this year, and he has. I also predicted that there would be rumors of marital troubles between Prince William and his wife Kate, and there was. I was spot on right about that, but it wasn’t true and I was sad to later hear about Kate’s cancer battle.

I also predicted that Prince Harry and Meghan would resolve their troubles with the family and they did. I did predict that Meghan and Harry would allow cameras into their life as they directed their own reality show. Sadly I was wrong on that so far, but I’m still hoping. Overall, I got everything right except the reality show. For my Royal predictions, I give myself a B+.

The American Presidency: I predicted that neither Trump nor Biden would be President of the United States. Joe Biden did withdraw eight months after my prediction, and although Trump won the election, he doesn’t take office until Jan. 20th, so it remains to be seen if I was right about him becoming President. Not that I would ever root for anyone’s death, but that assassination attempt almost made this prediction completely correct. Grade: B, but if Trump does not become President, in January, this changes to an A+.

2024 will be the year of U.F.O.’s  is what I predicted, and within two weeks of that prediction, there were reports of aliens in Miami. In November the United States Congress held U.F.O./alien hearings where they grilled military personnel on what is being hidden and what they know about alien spacecraft visiting Earth. Then, over the last three months the Northeast part of the United States has been inundated by drones/unidentified  aerial phenomena. Are these unknown craft alien remote reconnaissance? Grade: A

2024 will be a year of climate change cooperation: I wasn’t wrong on this one. In 2024  worldwide, a record amount of renewable electricity was generated, and over 30% of the worlds electricity came from renewable sources. It reached over 50% in Europe at one point and once Portugal ran completely on renewable energy sources for six full days. Grade A+

The A.I. Threat: I predicted that there would be some type of security incident or threat created by A.I. Fortunately I was wrong about that. Grade: F

Overall, I feel like I deserve a B+ on my 2024 predictions. What do you think? Feel free to give me a grade in the comments. Come back on Tuesday for my #2025psychicpredictions!

Have a great Sunday, and thanks for reading! ~Phil

8 Comments

Posted in Current Events, Humor, pop culture

Tagged , , , ,

Ten Weird Holiday Traditions From Around The World!

Posted on December 21, 2024 | 5 comments

My first baby picture! (pic credit to https://www.artstation.com/yoneyu )

Ten Weird Holiday Traditions From Around the World

10. South Africa: In South Africa deep fried caterpillars are the traditional holiday meal. Who knows why? Maybe they believe that eating caterpillars symbolically will make their life turn into a butterfly or some such nonsense. Or maybe caterpillars are just really tasty. Who are we kidding? Anything deep fried IS really tasty.

sundried-emperor-moth-caterpillars-photo-credit-gizmag

9. Catalonia, Spain: I’ve been to Catalonia, but not during the holidays when children beat a decorated log that poops out candy. It’s called Caga Tio.

If you want to buy one of these, it’s available from Amazon in the U.K.

8. Caracas, Venezuela: Residents of this one town, Caracas, go to Christmas Eve mass on roller skates.

this-one-caracas

7. Germany: In Germany they hide a pickle in the Christmas tree and the first child to find it gets a small gift. I would bet that in German bars around the holidays  “Hey gorgeous, how would you like to play hide the pickle?” is an overused, and probably unsuccessful pick up line.

6. Ukraine: In the Ukraine, instead of tinsel and lights they decorate their Christmas trees with fake spider webs and spiders. Apparently they watch The Nightmare Before Christmas  a little too often.

Let’s hope this year they catch an evil Russian dictator in their webs

5. China: In China families bring their pets, dogs, cats, and birds to a special mass on Christmas Eve to have them blessed. In Chinese culture it is believed that animals are more susceptible to demonic possession and the ceremony is thought to “cleanse” them for the coming year.  That is why most households have a “lucky cat” statue to ward off evil spirits.

lucky-chinese-cat-27637011

4. Estonia: Families go to the sauna together. I’m cool with going to the sauna, but with my family? Ugh.

This is like one of those awkward Christmas family pictures

3. Great Britain: Tradition dictates that each member of the family must stir the Christmas pudding in a clockwise direction and make a wish. Reportedly 90% of wishes are “I wish is wasn’t cold and rainy.”

funny-picture-weather-in-england

2. Guatemala: They sweep out their houses on Christmas Eve, with brooms they borrowed from the Norwegians, creating a pile of dirt in front of their home. Then they burn an effigy of the devil on top. Geez, Guatemala, lighten up, it’s Christmas! It’s supposed to be fun.

1. Greece: In a twisted version of Elf on the Shelf, the Greeks tell their children that the Kallikantzaroi, a race of evil goblins that live underground, come to the surface to wreak havoc during the twelve days of Christmas. Nice, parenting by terror. What’s more traditional than that? I think that Greece and Guatemala should just get together and terrify their into submission.

Well, one of those ten is a fake. Which one do you think it is? Check the first comment below for my answer. Have a great Saturday! ~Phil

5 Comments

Posted in Holidays, Humor, pop culture, Uncategorized

Tagged , ,