Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Farting

We all do it. And apparently, it's good for you, to a point.

According to a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, eating gas-inducing food help gets microbes into our gut, and those microbes help prevent infection, protect our intestines and boost the immune system.

And according to said doctor, "A healthy individual can have up to 18 flatulences per day and be perfectly normal."

Does that mean we're supposed to keep track? A little fart chart, of sorts?

File:Fart.svg

Here's more, according to NPR:

All these microbes are gas-making fools. They eat up unused food in your large intestine, like fiber and other carbohydrates we don't digest, and churn out a bunch of gases as waste.

But that's not all they make. They also produce a slew of molecules (called short chain fatty acids) that may promote the growth of other beneficial bacteria and archaea.

And the more fiber you feed these friendly inhabitants, the more types of species appear, studies have found. This bump in microbial diversity has been linked to a slimmer waistline.

And if your gas is a bit smelly? Well, if it's from the sulfur compounds in vegetables, it's a good sign. More fiber equals more gas, which keeps those microbes moving.

So while it may always be culturally embarrassing, it's good for you! So fart away.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Beer Mile

So the Grandad's Half Marathon is this weekend, and one event I didn't see was the Beer Mile.

Don't know what that is?

It's running a mile on a track, while drinking a beer each lap. 4 laps, 400 meters each, 4 beers.

Oh, and do it in less than 5 minutes.

WHY ISN'T THIS AN OLYMPIC EVENT?

Who wouldn't watch?

Friday, April 25, 2014

Drowning

This is equal parts fascinating and interesting and terrifying and kinda morbid.

http://sortieenmer.com/

It's a simulator of what it would be like to drown in the middle of the ocean. It's kind of like a HOLY BLEEP moment when you're done watching.

Or, you can watch someone else watch it. He kind of has a potty mouth though, so this is my NSFW LANGUAGE tag.



Enjoy. Or be afraid. Or whatever.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

100 Most Influential

What is most interesting to me about the list of the 100 most influential people in the world, according to TIME magazine, is the process of whittling down the 7 billion people in the world today to just 100 on this list. The influence of no two people is the same, and for the magazine to give a unique take on each of the 100 is fascinating. There is a guest writer for each person on the list to obviously give a glowing review, but there are plenty of dissenting opinions that won't make the magazine.

Take Scott Walker for example.

Some people think he's the scum of the earth and want him out of office. Some people think he's presidential material. NJ governor Chris Christie, who penned the homage to Walker, falls into the second category.

For good or bad (depending on, Walker is influential, but someone like Beyonce on the cover? A little different. 

Barack Obama, Pope Francis: yes, very influential. 

Miley Cyrus? You tell me.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Colbert on Letterman

Last night was sort of an unofficial passing of the torch for David Letterman, as Stephen Colbert joined the set of Late Night as himself. And the fact that I have to say "as himself" is something, because he's rarely been seen out of his Colbert Report character.

Take a look:



There's a Top 10 list, selfies, a story of Colbert's first application to the Late Show, plus a really good interview.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

NESSIE

Boooooooooooooooooo.

I knew it was too good to be true.

Meaning I knew it wasn't even remotely true.

Apparently, this isn't the Loch Ness monster. SHOCKING, I know.

Apple Maps Debunking Nessie

Nope, just wake from a boat.

The Daily Mail concluded that it was Nessie after a six-month analysis. (Really? Six months to determine that?)

One day later, Metabunk.org shoots that theory down. Read more here: https://www.metabunk.org/threads/debunked-photo-of-nessie-in-apple-maps-satellite-image-of-loch-ness-boat.3474/

Brewers suspensions

The suspensions from this weekend's Brewers-Pirates kerfuffle finally came down, and they weren't too bad, all things considered.

For the Brewers: Carlos Gomez got 3 games for his role, and Martin Maldonado got 5 games for doing this to Travis Snider's face.



Snider got a two game suspension, while Pirates catcher Russell Martin will sit one game.

Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole, who instigated the whole brouhaha, gets nothing. I get that it is tricky to suspend someone who plays once every five days, but come on. And sure, he only mouthed off, but you can't yell fire in a crowded movie theater.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Boston Marathon

I've learned quite a bit about the Boston Marathon in the past year, especially about how important today, Patriots Day, is to the city and the community. The events last year were tragic, and it was good to see Boston rebound this year bigger and better than ever.

That being said...

Those runners are crazy! I saw that a guy I knew from college ran the marathon today in 3:04. That's a SEVEN MINUTE MILE average for 26.2 miles. I don't think I could run a seven minute mile if my life depended on it. And he was no where near the winning times!
4-21-14-meb-flag
Photo from USA Today Sports

It took the winning male 2 hours and 8 minutes (congratulations Meb! First American male to win since 1983) to win. That pace is better than five minutes per mile. Pure insanity.

It's the most primitive of sports - no equipment is needed - yet I'm fascinated by it.

Congrats to all who competed today. You're all crazy.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Walkman

Want to watch something that will amuse you and make you feel really old at the same time?

These kids have no idea what a Walkman is and can't figure out how to operate it.

Blood Moon

So I got up to look at the lunar eclipse last night, or the so-called "Blood Moon" - and it was...ok. I mean, sure it was neat, but I think I'm more of a solar eclipse fan.

Anyway, I was mindlessly sleep-tweeting at 3:30 in the morning, and apparently having a conversation with a friend in Hawaii. I didn't really remember doing it until I woke up to this picture.

Embedded image permalink

Taken with a cell phone, it not only captures the lunar eclipse, but that dot up above is Mars. Taking pictures of Mars with a cell phone. Just think about that. I was baffled by it for a good while, and I still am. Crazy where we've come.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Box office winners

Not liking the weather? Check out a movie!

From EW:  Captain America: The Winter Soldier warded off newcomers this weekend and remains king of the hill with $41.4 million in its second weekend of release. The Marvel actioner dropped just 56 percent from its opening weekend and the film’s domestic total now stands at $159 million - close to 90 percent of the lifetime gross of the original, thank you very much - with global receipts already pushing $476.7 million.



1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier - $41.4 million

2. Rio 2 - $39 million

3. Oculus - $12 million

4. Draft Day - $9.5 million

5. Divergent - $7.5 million

I've heard Winter Soldier is actually really good, and not just for a comic book movie. And a friend texted me this weekend saying that I'd like Draft Day, which I didn't have very high expectations for.  But alas, seeing a movie with that mindset might make it better?

Friday, April 11, 2014

What do you call a donut with no holes?

I'm a big believer in going with your gut, especially when it pertains to sports gambling. If I make a decision, I can't stray from it, because if my original pick would end up being correct, I'd hate myself forever.

But taking your gambling advice from a danish? I'm not sure.



27-year old Rob Price took the above picture as a sign to wager on Rory McIlroy to win this weekend's Masters. And he - quite literally - put his money where his mouth is.

Here's what Price told The Mirror:  "I was going to put some money on Rory to win The Masters this year anyway, but I'm pretty superstitious so when this happened instead of putting 120 Euro [$167 US] down, I decided to go big and put 1,200 Euro [$1670 US]."

Almost $1700 on a danish!

If it pays off, he'll pocket close to $20,000. It'd be a nice payday, but jeepers.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Colbert to succeed Letterman

CBS announced this morning that it would be Stephen Colbert taking over for David Letterman (called it! Scroll down to my post from April 4).



I'm stoked.

My schedule allows me (forces me?) to stay up late and thanks to the wonderful invention that is DVR, I find myself watching a lot of late night television. I think Colbert and Jimmy Fallon will be great as friendly rivals, and will force each other to continually up their game, for which everyone will benefit.

The "old guard" is behind us, and that's ok. Many people still revere Jay Leno and David Letterman, but their time has come and gone. Colbert, Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers and Conan O'Brien all on every night? Lots of options to pick from, which is never bad.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Soaked in Bleach

I don't know what to believe from this trailer, but it looks extremely interesting.

Braunie

I've been very conflicted about Ryan Braun. I love the Brewers, but knowing that their star player has been tied to and suspended for various performance enhancing drugs? Well, it sucks. I don't know how to feel.

I think his punishment has fit the crime, so to speak, but Braun could have done more to help repair his image. Yesterday was an example of how good he can be, hitting three very different pitches out of Citizens Bank Park for a three-homer day against Philiadelphia. It's as tough a crowd as they come, and he responds with a career day. And I don't think that's purely coincidence.

Do I hate the guy? No. Do I hate what he did? Yes. Do I still love watching him play? Absolutely.

I don't know how to defend him. I really don't. Hopefully his "clean" play will take care of that for me.
Photo from nesn.com

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Search costs

I know the huge public interest for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight has tapered off a bit, but the fact of the matter is, the plane is still missing.

By no means am I saying to stop the search, but it is getting expensive.

Here are the figures, according to the NY Daily News:

At a conservative count, at least $30 million has been invested in the search so far, according to an analysis by the Associated Press.



But with several nations involved in combing a remote and inaccessible stretch of the Indian Ocean for plane debris and the elusive black box, exact costs are hard to come by.

The Pentagon and the U.S. Department of Defense have together contributed just shy of $7 million as of last week.

Australia may be bearing some of the largest costs, according to the AP.

It takes $550,000 a day to keep its ship HMAS Success in the search. Australia’s second vessel, HMAS Toowoomba, costs $380,000 a day.

But those figures are just for fuel, servicing and crew salaries.

Additional costs that are hard to calculate are linked to the ships’ upkeep and administration, AP said.

Monday, April 7, 2014

The Boss

Bruce Springsteen covered Van Halen's "Jump" at the March Madness Music Festival in Dallas last night.

I have to say I like the original better, but Bruce's performance is still enjoyable.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Betting odds on replacing David Letterman

There are lots of things that fascinate me, but two things near the top of the list are gambling and late night television.

Yesterday's news that David Letterman will be retiring in 2015 has sparked debate as to who CBS will tap to replace him on the "Late Show" with odds that accompany said replacement.



Here's a look at some of those odds, per the Las Vegas Bovada;

Stephen Colbert 3:1

-My pick to replace Letterman, and I think he'd take it. Bigger audience, out of Jon Stewart's shadow, and with a few tweaks, his "Colbert Report" schtick could translate.

Craig Ferguson 7:2

-The "logical" pick, perhaps, as it would simply be a promotion from his "Late Late Show" within the same network. I just don't think he has enough pull to bring in consistent viewers.

Chelsea Handler 5:1

-Maybe too raunchy for non-cable? Although it'd be entertaining as hell.

Conan O'Brien 6:1

-Certainly has the experience, and he worships at the altar of Letterman. Would be interesting, considering all that transpired with NBC.

Jon Stewart 7:1

-He'd be good, but I think he loves skewering people too much to give up his massively successful cable show.

Jerry Seinfeld 9:1

-One of the best comedians ever, and I think he'd be a natural. I'm not sure he wants that daily grind though.

Chris Rock 15:1

-He's gotta be looking to get back into the spotlight, no?

Howard Stern 40:1

-A phenomenal viewer, but how would he have to censor himself for national TV?

Jay Leno 50:1

-Not going to happen.

Other names that I've heard that are interesting: Ellen Degeneres, Aisha Tyler, Amy Poehler, John Oliver, Tina Fey, Louis CK and Neil Patrick Harris. NPH is especially intriguing given his likability, youth and history with CBS (HIMYM), but I'd really like to see Tina Fey or Amy Poehler considered too. Lots of options (potentially) here for CBS.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Cubs Fail

As a Brewers fan, this makes me happy.



On the right is Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, wearing the correct team uniform for the day.

On the left is outfielder Junior Lake who is not.

They literally bring this upon themselves.