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Daily Dirt for Saturday, March 12, 2022

At least one analyst predicting gas could each ‘$6.50 or $7 a gallon‘
You may have to be digging even dipper into your wallet for the future fill-ups as the gas station. Welcome to today’s three thoughts and Vol. 233 of The Daily Dirt. 

1. I think it’s safe to say we are all concerned with the rising price of a gallon of gas.

I think it’s also safe to say we have no idea how high that figure will go, considering the ongoing news out of Ukraine is hardly positive in nature. Couple that with how Russia’s Vladimir Putin might strike back at the U.S. and other western countries for their mounting sanctions and we have the highest amount of global uncertainty since probably World War II.

Here’s how a number of analysts have viewed the current situation in recent days:

“My guess is that you might get to $6.50 or $7 (a gallon, if oil prices were to eclipse $150 a barrel).” — Dan Dicker, energy markets analyst.

“The gas price surge feels like the beginning of a grim third chapter in the pandemic era: 2020 brought the deadly virus; 2021 the devastating economic aftershocks; and 2022 marks the start of Europe’s largest ground war since WWII, which is compounding the pain wrought by the crises leading up to it. And that reality will slap us all in the face every time we go for a drive.” — Allison Morrow, CNN business writer.

“Unless something drastic happens, we are headed for average pump prices in the $4.50-$4.75 gallon range for motor fuel and beyond $5 a gallon for diesel.” — Tom Kloza, head of global energy analysis at Oil Price Information Services.

“Given Russia’s key role in global energy supply, the global economy could soon be faced with one of the largest energy supply shocks ever.” — Goldman Sachs, American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City.

“As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to evolve and we head into a season where gas prices typically increase, Americans should prepare to pay more for gas than they ever have before.” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.com.

2. More from our continuing quest to find the strangest-named towns across the country:
Nothing, Ariz.: “C’mon, Arizona, get some self-esteem,” writes Sarah Crow of bestlifeonline.com. Well, she’s got a point.

Greasy Corner, Ariz.: Would be a great name for a downtown restaurant, eh?— Nowhere, Colo.: See Nothing, Ariz.

Ty Ty, Ga: I like this name a lot, and I’m not exactly sure why.

Neutral, Kan.: See Nothing, Ariz., and Nowhere, Colo.

Hell for Certain, Ky.: Have you ever been to Kentucky? I have. The name is accurate.

Embarrass, Minn: This town is noted as the coldest in the entire state, with an average annual temp of 34. degrees.

Buttzville, N.J.: No comment needed.

Boogertown, N.C.: Apparently, the name is tied to a legendary boogeyman.

Difficult, Tenn.: Yes, yes it is.

3. The best of “Found on Facebook” this week:

Gold medal: “When a short person waves at you, it is called a microwave.”

Silver medal: “The word ‘queue’ is just a ‘q’ followed by four silent letters.”

Bronze medal: “I got thrown out of my local park after arranging the squirrels by height. They didn’t like me critter sizing.”
Steve Thought O’ The Day — Steve once tried arranging squirrels by height. The squirrels, however, thought he was nuts (or possibly that he had nuts) — and attacked.

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Daily Dirt for Sunday, March 13, 2022

Yes, Abcde is actually a name; Hank, Bill, Katharine and Suzanne? See ya! It’s bad news today for guys named Hank … Welcome to today’s three thoughts and Vol. 234 of The Daily Dirt. 

1. Not too long ago in this space, we introduced the most popular boys and girls names parents are choosing these days.

Today we go the opposite route and show you some of the least popular names parents are selecting for their newborns.

“The past decade has been focused on choosing names that are either unique or have a unique spelling for a traditional name,” according to hubbleconnected.com. “Aaron became Aryn, Jackson became Jaxon. In a world where uniqueness and individuality reign, names like Abcde, pronounced Ab-si-dee, are applauded and defended.”

With that in mind, here are some of the LEAST popular boys names at the moment:

BOYS: Hank, Stewart, Melvin, Bill, Graham, Dale, Gary, Ben, Brad and Carl

GIRLS: Chelsey, Janet, Katharine, Kristen, Donna, Jordan, Lorraine, Suzanne, Abbey, Ann

2. As hard as it may seem to believe, many of college football’s major programs are now in the midst of spring practice. Here are some interesting storylines:

For the first time since 2019, college football begins virtually free of a pandemic scare.

The most interesting coaching change is found at Southern Cal, where Lincoln Riley relocated after a successful stint at Oklahoma. USC won’t win the national championship this season, but it’s coming. Riley is both a gifted coach and recruiter.

The whole college world will be watching Ohio State’s (alleged) upgrade on defense after hiring coordinator Jim Knowles away from Oklahoma State. The Buckeyes should have little trouble scoring with an offense that includes the return of Heisman Trophy finalist C.J. Stroud at quarterback, elite running back TreyVeyon Henderson and skilled wide received Jaxon Smith-Njigba 

Brian Kelly moves from coaching Notre Dame to LSU. Am I alone, or does this have the feel of a disaster-in-waiting?

Texas A&M might be the team to beat as the season unfolds. Not only did the Aggies bring in the highest-graded recruiting class in college history, but they have an excess of talent returning. And don’t forget, Texas A&M beat Alabama a year ago.

My pick for a semi-surprise as far as the national championship is concerned is Florida, where Billy Napier takes over as coach. The Gators, like USC, will soon be a national power again.

Alabama coach Nick Saban is now 71, but shows no signs of slowing down. And that’s not good news for the rest of the college football.

3. We’ve had some regular fun with some of the worst advertising slogans, but today we’re doing a 360 and providing some of our all-time favorites:

Gold medal: “Nike: Just Do It”.  The slogan is first for a reason — “It’s iconic and it’s everywhere,” according to wordstream.com.

Silver medal: “Lay’s: Betcha You Can’t Eat Just One”. It has always tantalized us, making us feel those Lay’s chips are addictive. And, well … they are.

Bronze medal: “Burger King: Have It Your Way”. The “your” pronoun has always been a key to this slogan’s success.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Steve has never had a burger any other way than his way.