Friday, October 31, 2014

Free For All

It seems like the scene out of a movie, but apparently, it's real life.

According to the Washington Post,

A door malfunction on an armored vehicle sent money flying along Interstate 270 on Friday morning.

The incident, which began about 8 a.m., initially was thought by officials to involve the crash of an armored vehicle that was headed northbound on I-270 near Route 80 in Urbana.

The driver of the vehicle, which was owned by Canada-based GardaWorld, was in the far left lane of the interstate when a lock on a door of the Ford E-350 van malfunctioned. A bag of cash fell out, sending bills flying.


Drivers stopped, got out of their vehicles and started grabbing the cash, police said. So many vehicles stopped that they essentially shut down the northbound lanes of the road. No one was injured. When a fire official also stopped and turned on the emergency lights of his vehicle, drivers fled onto Route 80 with money, police said.

Something seems fishy. How do locks on armored trucks like this suddenly "malfunction?" And are you allowed to keep money that you find flying about? Do you have to declare it on your tax return?

Thursday, October 30, 2014

KC Trolling

I love myself some intelligent sports fans.

Steve Perry, a diehard SF Giants fan, had been making his presence known throughout the playoffs. And he ultimately did get the last laugh, but this is pretty good.

Steve Perry

Garth Brooks spent time with the Royals spring training back in 2004, so I guess, that's the best KC can do. But trolling Steve Perry from like 20 feet away is pretty solid.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

GAME 7

This is one of my favorite sports moments of all time. I hope tonight's game can live up to expectations.



PS - Tim McCarver totally called exactly what was going to happen.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Friday night comedy

David Testroet is coming to the Black River Bar & Grill on the north side of La Crosse this weekend. Want to win tickets to check him out? Head to the contest page.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Oscar Tavares

I hate the St. Louis Cardinals. I really do.

But more than anything, it comes out of a deep-seeded respect for the way they run their franchise. I hate them because they're so good at what they do.

Oscar Tavares was a shining example of that.

Just 22 years old, Tavares made an impact with the Cardinals this season and was poised to be a nuisance for the Brewers and the rest of the MLB for a long time.

Tavares died Sunday in a car crash in the Dominican Republic.

It's an impossible situation to try to handle. First and foremost, his family having to deal with their loss, but the Cardinals' family too.

It also put the journalists at FOX in a tough spot, having to handle, verify, and relay the news during the broadcast of a World Series game. And, to use a baseball cliche, they knocked it out of the park.

Journalists are people too, as evidenced by the emotion you can see in Erin Andrews' eyes here.

Watch the video, it's worth it.


Friday, October 24, 2014

Bueller? Bueller?

I don't call into work all that often, as the nature of my profession (and good health! knock on wood) doesn't really allow me to, but if I were going to, I might use one of these.



According to Career Builder, here's a list of the top 10 most unbelievable excuses used this year for calling in sick.

When asked to share the most dubious excuses employees have given for calling in sick, employers reported hearing the following real-life examples:
-Employee just put a casserole in the oven.
-Employee's plastic surgery for enhancement purposes needed some "tweaking" to get it just right.
-Employee was sitting in the bathroom and her feet and legs fell asleep. When she stood, up she fell and broke her ankle.
-Employee had been at the casino all weekend and still had money left to play with on Monday morning.
-Employee woke up in a good mood and didn't want to ruin it.
-Employee had a "lucky night" and didn't know where he was.
-Employee got stuck in the blood pressure machine at the grocery store and couldn't get out.
-Employee had a gall stone they wanted to heal holistically.
-Employee caught their uniform on fire by putting it in the microwave to dry.
-Employee accidentally got on a plane.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

High Life Heist

YOU MESS WITH HIGH LIFE, YOU MESS WITH ME.

Well, kinda. 


Van Thomas was trying to live the American dream. After years as a trucker, he bought a semi three weeks ago and started a company of his own.

Thomas was traveling from Texas to Pompano Beach and was on his last stop before a delivery in Orlando when his entire truck and alcohol cargo was stolen.

"I don't mean to cry about it but I'm just trying to do the best I can and make a better life," Thomas told WFTV.

Inside the truck was 44,000 pounds of Miller High Life, which comes out to about 9,700 four-packs.


Just when Thomas thought he lost everything, he received a phone call telling him the truck and most of the cargo had been located.

"Oh, my God. That's beautiful," he said.

The call came in from detectives that the truck had been found in Miami.

I'm not sure I see the upside to stealing 38,000 beers. It's not like you're gonna be able to sell them second hand, and you can't even make a dent in the supply before it goes skunky. Glad the guy got his truck back though, even though only "most" of the beers were returned.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Jesus pay my tab

I don't think "Jesus take the wheel" and "Jesus pay my tab" have the same sentiment.

Oklahoma's KOKH TV reports that after drinks and a meal Kristi Rhines told workers at a restaurant in Lawton that Jesus Christ would pick up her tab. Apparently, she explained that she was married to Jesus and that he would enter the restaurant with the money. Police were called to the scene and confirmed that Rhines didn't have any cash on hand to pay the bill. She was arrested on a fraud charge.


Married to Jesus. Hmmm. If that excuse doesn't work in the south, I doubt it'd work anywhere.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Eddie Vedder

Eddie Vedder is the man.

vedder gossard
Photo/OnMilwaukee.com

Plenty of Packers players took in Pearl Jam's show at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee last night, and they got Eddie, a diehard Bears fan, to rock the Green and Gold.

Even though Matt Flynn was there, and having a great time, it wasn't his #10 jersey that Vedder was wearing. It was one that the Packers players had made up in honor of Pearl Jam's debut album.

Aaron Rodgers said that the show was "unbelievable." Check out the review here.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Football weekend

I was emotionally invested in two football games this weekend, and it's crazy how different my emotions towards both ended up playing one. 

Let's first start with the second one: Green Bay vs. Carolina on Sunday afternoon. It was a case of Aaron Rodgers being on his game, the defensive front making plays and the Lambeau crowd taking the Panthers completely out of the game. The game was over as soon as Jordy Nelson beat Roman Harper for the 59-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter. Carolina stood no chance of coming back. Five touchdowns by five different Green Bay players. I even fell asleep for a bit in the third quarter. The Packers took care of business, and it was relatively drama free.

How good was James Starks on Sunday? (photo/Racine Journal Times)

The first game I watched start to finish was the Notre Dame vs Florida State game on Saturday night. I'm a huge ND football fan, so it was a game I had not only been anticipating all week, but all season as well. A chance to knock off the defending champs on the road doesn't come around too often. The Fighting Irish played extremely well, and had the ball in their hands with a chance to win the game with the clock winding down. High. Drama. I was as tense as I've been in a long time (well, probably since the Packers beat the Dolphins last week, but who's keeping track, anyways) and I even had a brief moment of exuberance! before it was wrenched away from my leaping heart. (Right or wrong, HOW DO YOU CALL THAT PENALTY THERE. Jeeze.) As the 4th and goal pass from the 18 fluttered into the FSU defender's arms, I went silent. No yelling, no groaning in discontent. It was crushing. All I did was make a stiff whiskey drink and watch the Food Network. Ugh. I spent a good deal of Sunday and this morning reading about the game and the last call and the game winning play that wasn't, and it's no less crushing than it was a day-and-a-half ago. So this is me venting. Grrrrr.

The game winning touchdown that wasn't. (photo/RedEye Chicago)


Friday, October 17, 2014

Gone Girl

I went to go see Gone Girl last night at Marcus Cinemas, and I was very excited to do so.

I had some pretty high expectations based off of what people had been saying on social media, and for the most part, the movie lived up to the hype it had been getting. I did have a few takeaways, however...


1) The movie had me checking my phone to see what time it is, which I take as an indication that it might be a bit too long.

2) On the same token, I still wanted more from the movie. There were certain aspects of plot points that I want elaborated upon, but alas, they didn't come. The movie probably would have been much better as an HBO miniseries, but as a friend told me this morning, what good movie wouldn't? (I should probably read the book.)

3) David Fincher is the man. There's just something to the way he shoots movies. Wow.

4) The acting was actually really good. Ben Affleck was awesome, Rosamund Pike wasn't someone I knew but I thought she was also very good. NPH worked in his role, and I came away really liking Tyler Perry as well.

5) I'm not sure it's good enough to come away with any of the top Oscar wins, but it was good enough for some nominations and maybe a win for cinematography or something like that.

All in all, it's a captivating story line that was done well. Worth a few hours at the theatre.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

EBOLA

I really hope we look back at Ebola and can say it was much like the swine flu, the bird flu, anthrax and SARS in that it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.

Unsurprisingly, there are people trying to profit from the craze or hysteria or whatever you want to call it.

I wonder how many of these I'll see out and about for Halloween.

costume

If you need to re-use your Breaking Bad-themed outfit, this might be the way.

Read more about strange Ebola related items for sale here: http://mashable.com/2014/10/16/ebola-panic-fueling-rise-in-alarmist-products/

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Tom Wrigglesworth

This is the greatest.

British comedian Tom Wrigglesworth bears a bit more than a passing resemblance to a certain Packers quarterback.

Here's his quest to not only meet Aaron Rodgers, but also immerse himself into the Green Bay culture.



It's 10 minutes long, but it's certainly worth your time.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Nightm-air

Well this is up there with every air traveler's worst nightmare.

According to NBC News:

An American Airlines flight from San Francisco to Dallas made an emergency landing at SFO after panels inside the plane's cabin began to come apart in mid-air, the airline confirmed Monday afternoon.

AA Flight 2293 landed without incident at about 2:15 p.m., an hour after takeoff, and taxied to the gate, according to FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor.

The plane's captain decided to return to San Francisco "after several interior wall panels came loose while in the air," American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said.

That's exactly what you want to see when you're at 30,000 feet: the walls of the plane starting to come apart.

I can't imagine that feeling.

Here are some pictures from passenger James Wilson:

Monday, October 13, 2014

Streaker

I help out in the sports department at the Tribune and the thing that was the biggest talking point from the weekend wasn't Logan's demolition of Central to retain this year's Ark of Victory (well done, Rangers), but rather it was the 17-year old that decided to have a little fun by streaking at the game. The reason I mention that I work at the Trib is to say that in monitoring social media, it was immediately flooded by the #FreeEthan hashtag. The majority of high schooler voiced their support for the young man, while a select few decided to take the high and mighty approach in saying that he was a disgrace, or whatever.

I'm of the opinion that the streaker needs some punishment, but only really a slap on the wrists. By all accounts, he's a pretty good kid that got caught up in trying to do something funny. And to most, he succeeded.

It's understandable if the city wants to slap a disorderly conduct and lewd behavior fine on him, but it shouldn't go much more than that. Give him some community service to do as well, if you well. But the "crime", if you want to call it that, was momentarily and had very little lasting effect. In a way, the punishment should be as well. Nothing on the permanent record, no sex offender registry, none of that. It was a kid doing things that, every once in a while, kids are bound to do.

And, because, for the most part...

Friday, October 10, 2014

Putin's tiger

It's getting to the point where you could make up something completely bizarre about Vladimir Putin, and there's a good chance that I'd believe it.

Here's an example, via BBC News:

A Siberian tiger released into the wild by Russian President Vladimir Putin has wandered across the Russian border and into China, according to officials.

The endangered animal, named Kuzya, was one of three tigers freed by Mr Putin in May.


But forestry officials said the big cat had now entered Chinese territory after crossing from the wilds of eastern Siberia in search of food.

Chen Zhigang, director of the Taipinggou nature reserve in north-eastern China, said that the tiger would not have to worry about finding food as cattle would be released into the reserve if necessary.

So Putin released a tiger as a part of a publicity stunt, and now it's hungry. But don't worry, they're gonna release cattle into the wild too for food. 

What's he gonna do next?


Thursday, October 9, 2014

Taco John's

Big thanks to Taco John's for bringing some of their boneless wings into the studio today.

Lots of good flavors, and you can find your match here: http://www.tacojohns.com/wingsquiz

Here was the result of my quiz:


The Sweet Chipotle BBQ were very tasty, but I like to be adventurous and had the habanero and ghost pepper wings too. Not too spicy, but a good little punch. A tasty lunch, thanks Taco John's!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Poo Poo Ca Choo



Well, this story stinks.

Via the Hull Daily Mail (in the UK):

A MAN who claims he is abused because he is a dwarf has been warned by a judge he could be jailed after a dirty protest in a Hull council office.
Ian Salter-Bromley, 54, exposed himself and spread excrement and urine in the main reception and toilets of Hull's Wilson Centre after he went in to complain, Hull Crown Court heard.
Salter-Bromley, who is 4ft, outraged staff on two separate visits, pulling his arm back as if to punch a female receptionist and telling an Asian man: "You should go back to your own country."
Salter-Bromley appeared at court for sentencing after being found guilty of being in contempt of a court injunction granted to city council staff to protect them from his repeated abuse.

Now, it's not niced to be picked on, but you also can't take a dump on the floor at City Hall. Although, that would be an interesting way to protest a parking ticket.

Monday, October 6, 2014

JJ Watt

I love JJ Watt. He makes Wisconsin proud, for a number of reasons. He's a phenomenal NFL player, charitable, hard working, etc.

But he's also a Wisconsin boy through and through. He eats the way a top-tier athlete should, but he dreams about what he shouldn't be eating too.

Check out what he told ESPN's Michelle Beisner.

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Watt would you like to eat?


That's right: "Burgers, brats, cheese curds, beer, and ice cream."

I might have that for dinner, just because I can.

Friday, October 3, 2014

BUCKY

I love that there are people whose job it is to make things like this.



That's right. Wisconsin is as singular a color as they come when it comes to college football allegiances. BOOM.

According to the New York Times:

The most consistently loyal fans in America live in Wisconsin. More than 87 percent of fans in some Wisconsin ZIP codes support the Badgers, a level that isn't reached anywhere else, our estimates show. That's why the red in the map is so dark. Though the numbers aren't nearly so high elsewhere, Wisconsin territory also stretches into Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan.

Now stomp Northwestern on Saturday, would ya?

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Porsche

Everyone loves a good heist movie. And Gone in Sixty Seconds, even though it has Nicolas Cage, is surprisingly watchable.

This story, out of Memphis and courtesy of the Commercial Appeal, sounds like it's a part of a plot for a movie.

The seven Porsches stolen Tuesday from a dealership on Covington Pike were newer models with an estimated value of $646,367, according to a police incident report on the heist.

Memphis police said Wednesday that they have recovered five of the seven Porsches stolen and have detained four people in connection with the crime.

The cars stolen were: four 2014 Porsche Panamera's; a 2015 Porsche Panamera; a 2015 Porsche 911 and a 2013 Porsche 2013, according to the incident report.
2015 Porche Panamera...I'd probably steal it too