Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Feb. 2, 2003

Such a card

We know it's Groundhog Day, and we certainly mean no disrespect toward everyone's favorite meteorologically inclined rodent, Punxsutawney Phil. But if it's all the same with our loyal readers, Sun Lite would rather forgo the weather-predicting hullabaloo and instead take aim at the other February celebration (sorry, Mr. Presidents), Valentine's Day.

Expensive jewels, overpriced flowers and tooth-rotting candy aside, this year, as usual, it's all about the cards. If, however, you find yourself without a sweetie on whom to bestow sappy sentiments (consequently, your mailbox will likely also be empty), there are some cards that may help you land a loved one.

The name about says it all: 52 Card Pick Up. More like a deck of cards than a gushy Valentine, each card in the stack features a "conversation starter" for potential use during dating-scene situations, as well as other tongue-tying occasions.

Here's the scenario: You nursing an icy-cold one at the bar when you spot "the one" across the room. But the liquid courage that would otherwise give you the gumption to lift your sorry self off the stool and make a move hasn't kicked in yet. What to do? Whip out the deck and select a convenient opening statement "What are you waiting for?"; "Sushi on Saturday?"; "I'm the world's best (fill in the blank)," among 49 others. Have the waiter/waitress deliver it with an elixir on you, of course then sit back and wait for the magic to begin or to get doused with the drink you just bought, whichever happens first.

The cards come in four versions Classic Collection of Really Good Lines; Collegiate Collection; Dude Deck; and Babe Box. The makers, Thinking Cap Inc. of Greenville, S.C., claim it's already popular at some bars and nightclubs where the decks are sold and presumably used. Decks are also available online ($11.90) at www.play52cardpickup.com.

No autographs, please

If your beloved is the sick-and-twisted type, chances are a Valentine dripping with the standard hearts-and-flowers mush won't cut the mustard. In that case, "I love you" may prove to be conveyed quite nicely with a pack of Starz Behind Barz cards.

These playing cards the brainchild of a Las Vegas company that goes by the same name are adorned with the mugshots of celebrity lawbreakers and include descriptions of the paparazzi-hounded perps' alleged offenses.

Does it surprise anyone that two mug shots of the picked-on Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson, serve as the deck's joker cards? (In case you've been living under a rock, Jackson has twice been on the receiving end of child molestation accusations.)

The lineup for the ace cards isn't much prettier: basketball star Kobe Bryant (accused of sexual assault); actors Matthew McConaughey (marijuana possession) and Hugh Grant (sexual solicitation); and rapper Eminem (gun possession).

Some other highlights (lowlights?) of the deck include a card dedicated to the chairman of the board, Frank Sinatra, detailing his 1938 seduction charges. Also making the grade is a 1977 traffic violation incurred by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.

Former ice skater Tonya Harding; rocker Ozzy Osbourne; "The Matrix" star Keanu Reeves; and Paul Reubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman) are also featured in the deck, which costs $6.95 (plus shipping and handling) and is available at www.StarzBehindBarz.com.

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