At Least His Sense of Humor Wasn’t a Liability

After moving from El Segundo to the Bay Area, Frank McDonald applied for car insurance from a local company. One of the questions on the form was, “Do you ever suffer from blackouts?” McDonald asked the agent, “Does this include rolling blackouts?” (P.S.: The company issued the wisecracking McDonald a policy anyway.)

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NO LONGER A HANG-UP: You may be old enough to remember when the phone companies used to complain about people calling directory assistance. I remember one 411 recording that tried to make you feel guilty by beginning something like this: “Thank you for checking your directory first.”

Back then information calls were free. Now the phone companies can charge for them. Which would explain a current Pac Bell billboard encouraging people to dial directory assistance. “You’re not lazy,” it says. “You’re a convenience enthusiast.”

And you’re real subtle, Pac Bell.

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DINING GUIDE FOR THE DARING: Today’s selections (see accompanying) were offered by Steve Done of Riverside, who found a sauce that would also qualify as a dressing, and Marilyn Arnold of Simi Valley, who spotted a cake that is poinsettia-free. Wendy Mollett of L.A., meanwhile, noticed a job opening for a salesperson who, oddly enough, is also expected to cook Chinese.

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ON THE ROAD: Daniel Connelly of Santa Ana sent along “the picture story of a pleasant interlude my wife and I had in England--all due to a great road sign” (see photo).

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THE CAR CULTURE: Crossroads, Southern California Rideshare’s publication, offers these hints that you’re spending too much time in your car:

* You tell your kids to buckle up at the dinner table.

* The floor mats in your car all say “Welcome.”

* Dipping into your savings means raiding the coins in your ashtray.

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Harvey’s e-mail: steve.harvey@latimes.com.