Well, even if you don’t “follow football very much,” you’re probably aware that CBS aired a little scrimmage last night called “The Super Bowl.” And even if you don’t read the sports page, you’re probably seeing lots of headlines about the all-important Super Bowl ads. Our own Leader-Telegram has once again hauled out UW-Eau Claire professors to provide some local analysis - but all anyone really wants to know is “which ones were funny and where are they on YouTube?”

I’m seeing plenty of talk about the Pop Secret “human dolphin” one and the one with Leno, Oprah, and Letterman all on a couch. But I happened to be watching the game when the “Doritos Samurai" ad ran, and I gotta say ... I laughed my attractive butt off. What I didn't realize at the time is the commercial was part of a contest run by whatever mega corn processor invented Doritos – and it was shot by two unemployed guys over in Minneapolis. The ad placed 17th in the contest overall, winning the two at least $25,000. The Star Tribune has the nacho-licious scoop:

• Minnesota's only team to make it to the Super Bowl, "technically unemployed" Minneapolis film makers and best friends Ben Krueger and Cole Koehler, got their 30 seconds of fame Sunday night, even though they didn't score the big payoff. Their "Snack Attack Samurai" Doritos commercial was seen on the most watched TV show on the planet, the Super Bowl.
• ...  Their ad was filmed at the Uppercut Boxing Gym in northeast Minneapolis in four hours, using Minneapolis actors and friends. It cost less than $1,000.

Check out the full article for a cool video on the commercial. And if you wanna actually watch the commercial, click ... here.

Have you ever thought to yourself, “You know, I would really like to sit down and have an informal discussion with my state representative?” Because it would be a pretty crazy coincidence if you have. It turns out Rep. Jeff Smith is holding “office hours” events from now until Nov. 1 at two local restaurants to try and ensure his re-election in November give constituents an opportunity to drop in and chat.

Even if this is a bid to get more votes, events like this are a great way to get everyday people (even political amateurs) involved by asking questions and discussing issues important to them. And really, it doesn’t get much easier than this, so save your lame excuses about having to wash the dishes or do a load of whites. It can wait. Really, it can.

The events are going down the first Monday of every month at Altoona Family Restaurant (8-9am) and the second Thursday of every month at Brackett Tavern (4:30-5:30pm) in Fall Creek.