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Do you call it Soda or do you call it Pop?

2009-02-07T17:56:00.004-05:00

(click map for larger image)

When on a hot summer’s day you buy a carbonated beverage to quench your thirst, how do you order it? Do you ask for a soda, a pop or something else? Americans drink so much of the carbonated beverages sold under such brand names as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Mountain Dew, and 7-Up that consumption averages 43 gallons per year for every man, woman, and child in the United States. This pop vs soda map details the areas where certain usages predominate.

Coke: this generic term for soft drinks predominates throughout the South, New Mexico, central Indiana and in a few other single counties in Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. ‘Coke’ obviously derives from Coca-Cola, the brand-name of the soft drink originally manufactured in Atlanta (which explains its use as a generic term for all soft drinks in the South).

Pop: dominates the Northwest, Great Plains and Midwest. The world ‘pop’ was introduced by Robert Southey, the British Poet Laureate (1774-1843), to whom we also owe the word ‘autobiography’, among others. In 1812, he wrote: A new manufactory of a nectar, between soda-water and ginger-beer, and called pop, because ‘pop goes the cork’ when it is drawn. Even though it was introduced by a Poet Laureate, the term ‘pop’ is considered unsophisticated by some, because it is onomatopaeic.

Soda: prevalent in the Northeast, greater Miami, the area in Missouri and Illinois surrounding St Louis and parts of northern California. ‘Soda’ derives from ’soda-water’ (also called club soda, carbonated or sparkling water or seltzer). It’s produced by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in plain water, a procedure developed by Joseph Priestly in the latter half of the 18th century. The fizziness of soda-water caused the term ’soda’ to be associated with later, similarly carbonated soft drinks.

Other, lesser-used terms include ‘dope’ in the Carolinas and ‘tonic’ in and around Boston, both fading in popularity. Other generic terms for soft drinks outside the US include ‘pop’ (Canada), ‘mineral’ (Ireland), ’soft drink’ (New Zealand and Australia). The term ’soft drink’, finally, arose to contrast said beverages with hard (i.e. alcoholic) drinks.

This article was found on the Firewire. A great blog with a lot of neat stuff in it!

Make Your Pet Talk

2009-01-30T15:15:00.003-05:00

Visit the following link http://www.talkingpets.org/ for some corny, yet satisfying funny pet talkin' action.

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The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks

2009-01-30T14:37:00.003-05:00

The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks is exactly that... a blog of entries that detail unnecessary quotation marks seen across the world. Hilarious. Reminds me of the people that use finger quotes when talking for no apparent "reason."

http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com/

Check it out.

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Nutritional Value?

2009-01-26T15:22:00.004-05:00

At this exact moment, I am sitting in the Niagara Falls Public Library, where I like to come from time to time to do some writing and to work on StenzTV, etc... A few minutes ago, I had walked past a man sitting at the tables and I noticed he had a large dictionary in front of him and he was writing down words. In that passing moment and with just a glance, it looked as if he was doing some research or attempting to do a little learnin'. Cool... come to the library and learn... take advantage of the billions of avenues of information.

I plug my laptop in and get settled in. While my laptop is booting up, I look over the top of my screen and see the man ripping up the piece of paper he was writing on. He then took a large chunk and ate it. Then he folded up the remaining piece (which was about 3/4 of a normal loose leaf sheet) and ate that. Then he closed the dictionary, got up and left.

I am not making this up.

I wonder what the words were that he was copying out of the dictionary?

Oh, and I'll leave out the obvious "Here is a man who really ate his words" joke... too easy.

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EMMET OTTER'S JUG BAND CHRISTMAS - BLOOPERS

2008-12-02T13:46:00.003-05:00

How friggin' awesome is this video? Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas specials... If you had HBO in the late 1970's or early 80's, I'm sure you are a fan of this Jim Henson special. If you haven't seen it, buy it!

How Many of You Are Out There?

2008-09-22T14:53:00.003-04:00

How many of YOU are out there? People with the same name as you are roaming the Earth, and this website will help you to discover just how many there are.

Every Single Thats What She Said...

2008-09-18T01:51:00.005-04:00

Every single Thats What She Said uttered on The Office. It might be a tad long, but trust me, it is great... thats what she said.

The EuroClub

2008-09-02T15:06:00.001-04:00

Hilarious Slow Motion - Fashion Model Crashes

2008-08-29T14:55:00.002-04:00

Not only is the video pretty funny, but the reaction of the news anchors adds to the fun.

Creepy Real Life Homer Simpson

2008-08-18T23:09:00.006-04:00

D'oh! The real life Homer Simpson, along with a slew of other creepy cartoon renditions can be found at Pixeloo. The site has some really cool graphic art and a bunch of other amazing stuff.

A Dooo-rear, dooo-rit... A Dooo-rear, dooo-rit

2008-08-16T15:38:00.011-04:00

The legendary California bay area group who showed us how to do the Humpty Dance, introduced us to 2Pac and told us to "Doowutchyalike" has announced their retirement. Frontman Shock G, better known as the legendary Humpty Hump, is taking his own advice and now wants to do what he likes: serious musicianship and Hollywood. Check out the full article here. Peace... and Humpty-ness Forever!

Anatomical Renditions of Cartoon Characters

2008-08-16T13:14:00.007-04:00

Take a look at this useless, but quite interesting site. The artist, Michael Paulus, took renditions of popular cartoon characters and imagined/illustrated the bone structures underneath the comic skins.

From the site, "These Icons are usually grotesquely distorted from the human form from which they derive. I decided to take a select few of these popular characters and render their skeletal systems as I imagine they might resemble if one truly had eye sockets half the size of its head, or fingerless-hands, or feet comprising 60% of its body mass."

The artist's main site is: http://michaelpaulus.com/.

Sparking a Dynasty

2008-08-14T11:41:00.006-04:00

NFL Rule 3, Section 21, Article 2, Note 2:

It applies if the quarterback brings his arm forward in a passing motion, but then changes his mind and tries to keep hold of the football rather than making a pass. In this situation, if the quarterback loses the ball while stopping his passing motion or bringing the ball back to his body, it is still considered a forward pass (and thus an incomplete pass if the ball hits the ground), even if the ball is moving backwards at the time the quarterback loses it.

Just wanted to clear that up for Savino before this 2008 NFL season begins. LET'S GO PATRIOTS!

Soggy

2008-08-13T16:51:00.003-04:00

Everything is friggin' soggy... will the rain ever cease? I was trying to keep the faith (see post below) but this is ridiculous. How about a nice week of constant sun and 90 degree weather - you know, SUMMER!

The Bottom of the 'Net

2008-08-11T16:35:00.003-04:00

This is an actual human that lives somewhere on the planet Earth. He is out there somewhere just walking around, mixed in with all the rest of the humans. He has the ability to simply walk up to the front door of your house and knock.

Just thought I'd give ya somethin' to think about.

Amy Winehouse

2008-08-04T00:50:00.001-04:00

This is your face on crack... and heroin... and Jack Daniel's...

KIDS - JUST SAY NO... (I say'a nooo, nooo, noooo)

For Those Who Complain About the Rain...

2008-07-31T17:55:00.002-04:00

I heard someone complaining about the fact that it has rained at least once a week this entire Summer so far... I'm posting the above photo just as a reminder that the glass is half full... it could be worse... um, it will be worse. ENJOY THE SUMMER!

Actual Vintage Ad

2008-07-31T17:40:00.003-04:00

After complaining of a sore throat yesterday, my doctor suggested I try smoking Camels for 30 days. He said that it should help sooth my "T-zone." Thanks Doc!

(Click on the ad for a larger version - you can see the illustrated "T" over the smoking model's face... little does she know that 30 years later, her "T" zone would have to be removed)

Nobody Beats The Biz - by Curt Pasisz

2008-07-31T14:26:00.004-04:00

THE BIZ - circa 1986

Yes, he sang “Oh baby you, you got what I need,” but Biz Markie’s greatest achievement was his seminal debut album “Goin’ Off.” Released in early 1988 on Cold Chillin’ Records due to the strength of a couple of radio singles, nobody in their right mind would have expected it to be one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all-time. Countless rappers have sampled from this album. A lot of said samples were used first by the Biz, culled from his extensive record collection, which has become big enough for him to buy a house to store them in.

At the time that his songs were first being heard throughout the boroughs of New York, Biz was a 23 year-old kid just having fun with his cousin and friend. And that was the strength of not only “Goin’ Off,” but the focal point of his whole career. The guy literally spit rhymes, some which could be amongst the goofiest of all time. He was known to take the stage dressed in a diaper and bonnet, complete with baby bottle, but when the beats hit and his flow started, it all came together and opened a lot of eyes, ears and minds. If any other rapper in history had tried to rap over these beats, I guarantee the album would have flopped.

Of course this album has a special place in my heart; that’s why I’m writing about it. But I’m not going to apologize for being biased. Today’s hip-hop could use a swift kick in the ass. This is the kind of album that, if listened to by the right person, could turn the clock back on rap music.

1988 was a time when you could write a rap called “Pickin’ Boogers” and not only get away with it, but be successful as well. As much as people wanted to dismiss the Biz as a joke, people ate it up, much like Big Daddy Kane eating a Biz booger, the product of a high school prank.

As I mentioned, Biz brought in his cousin T.J. Swan, and a D.J. named Cutmaster Cool V to work on the album with him. To say T.J. was not a singer is an understatement. But again, it worked. The play between the two of them, mixed with the solid beats from Cool V made for a fresh alternative to any other music of the era, not exclusive to rap.

And while the Biz’s lyrics weren’t very deep, he rapped about what he knew. “Albee Square Mall” is a perfect example. He loved to go there. He named the stores that he loved. It was one big shout out; his version of a love letter to New York.

“The Vapors,” probably his most well known song besides “Just a Friend,” features a James Brown sample that turned out to be brilliant for a hip-hop song. The Biz definitely had an ear for what would sound good with a beat and some rhymes added to it.

“Make the Music with Your Mouth Biz” showcased the Biz and his “inhuman orchestra” beat box ability. I’ve seen it imitated in many movies and TV shows, which shows just how far this album reached. I actually just saw it parodied on “The Boondocks” on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. Hopefully, the younger generation will wonder what it was and do some investigating.

“Nobody Beats the Biz” is again, simple, but terrific. Of course, he was doing a parody of a commercial jungle for New York and New Jersey stores called the Wiz. Again, the man rapped about what he knew. It seems like child’s play, and in a way, it was. I think that it made everyone forget their preconceived notions about what rap should be while letting them shed their inhibitions at the same time. Name any rapper that can do that now, I dare you.

These are the standout songs on the album, but the rest of the songs that fill out “Goin’ Off,” including the title track are far from filler. There is not one that I have ever fast-forwarded through. That makes me feel old, but I only have two cassette tapes left from back in the day, and “Goin’ Off” is one of them. Buy the CD, buy the iTunes version, but do yourself a favor – listen to the “Soothing Sounds of Marcel Hall,” the name of a mixtape of his greatest hits I once received. Did you really think Biz Markie was his real name?

While this was supposed to be just an old-school album review, Biz Markie has a special place in my life, so I had to give him all the props I could. With a rap style which has never even attempted to be duplicated, Biz Markie will go down in history as the most unique emcee of all-time. It’s a shame that he’s become a full-time D.J. and has all but given up making new records, but I bet you the parties he works are some of the best ever. Much love Marcel.

Buy the album here: http://www.amazon.com/Goin-Off-Biz-Markie/dp/B0000010E6... no really, buy the album!

Visit The Biz's site: http://www.bizmarkie.com/

Their Ads vs. Our Reality

2008-07-30T15:05:00.005-04:00

Its Summer and the grills in Niagara Falls are alive, with the smells of sirloin. So why on Earth would anyone visit Burger King when they have the option to slap a heavenly patty of red meat on the backyard barbeque? Because I ran out of propane. Minutes later I find myself at the Military Road Burger King ordering one of those Steakhouse Burgers... ya know the ones that are advertised every five minutes on network television? Well, if you haven't seen it, here is how the King presents it:

After seeing how awesome it looked on TV and in print ads, it had to be mine! Unfortunately, what I got instead was this:

If I really could "have it my way," I would go with the one I thought I was buying, the big fluffy, juicy burger with fresh lettuce and crisp bacon like they show in the ads... not the sloppy mess that I received. Ah well, teaches me the value of my backyard grill. This experiment was inspired by the Ads vs. Reality site, where you can find a bunch of these types of comparisons.

More Ads Vs. Reality... The Lying Colonel

2008-07-28T19:04:00.017-04:00

Sinead got me craving KFC yesterday, so on the way home from the Chambers abode, I stopped for a little bucket of southern fried chicken parts. To my dismay, the headless voice on the ordering menu stated in a crackled tone, "SORRY - WE ARE OUT OF CHICKEN." Hmmm... 8pm on a Sunday night, and they are out chicken? Kentucky Fried Chicken... is out of chicken? Wow. My cholesterol thanks you Colonel Sanders, but my taste buds are flipping you the bird (pun INTENDED). After being denied some of that grease dunked fowl, I remembered a couple photos I had on file of my last KFC order several months ago (intending on posting it then!).

This is the bucket of chicken they advertise you'll be getting with the big 'ole crispy, juicy pieces:

Here is one of the actual pieces that was nestled in the bucket of artery clogging doom:

Does this skanky little parakeet wing look anything like the giant crispy pieces offered in the bucket above? Not even close. After cracking past the crispy coating, nothing was inside but a small puff of day-old air... just like in the cartoons. So basically, my 4 piece dinner was only a 3.25 piece. First that, now the fact that they "ran out of chicken" on a weekend...DAMN YOU COLONEL!

Invasion of the Parking Meters

2008-07-21T12:32:00.012-04:00

When I approached this parking meter in downtown Niagara Falls the other day, it demanded that I tell it the location of John Connor. Hasta la Vista Baybeeee...

Were the old parking meters that have been around since the Model T that imperfect? Ya know, drop in a few coins, turn the dial... I don't think those ever failed and they definitely weren't so friggin' intimidating. I think I would look for a different place to park rather than have to confront (and learn the language of) these cyborgs. I can imagine someone just giving up and moving their car instead of chancing a ticket. You don't know if you are doing things correctly or not - or if these behemoths even work!?

Burgertime in Niagara Falls

2008-07-19T20:36:00.006-04:00

Dear God,

Thank you for making Summer the season of grilling. Although I have been doing a damn good job downing burger after burger so far this summer, along with glops and globs of macaroni and potato salads, I am ashamed to admit that I have to give up. I am throwing in the towel. It isn't even August yet and I may have eaten the equivalent of an entire herd of cattle so far since the first barbeque of the year. It has gotten so bad that after slapping a mosquito that had bitten me last night, it splattered ketchup.

However, a hot dog would be quite tasty right about now...

The Dark Knight - Movie Review

2008-07-19T19:25:00.008-04:00

Just watched this Summer's biggest movie, BATMAN - THE DARK KNIGHT on the Transit Road Imax's 50ft screen. I'm not sure if seeing this latest superhero offering was any better being that it was being shown on a screen that is 5 stories high, but I do think that this is the best of all the latest superhero inspired offerings.

As promised, Heath Ledger's performance is outstanding and he deserves all the praise he posthumously receives. His psychotic Joker really is the center of this film and I recommend spending the price of the ticket, whether you go to the Imax or wait a month or two and see it at the Four Seasons for half the price... either way, go see it.

I favor DC Comic superheros over the offerings of Marvel, so maybe I'm a little bias, but this movie blows away any other comicbook inspired film ever made. Yeah, I said it, EVER! One small warning though, leave the kids at home - definitely not a child friendly flick - this movie is just as dark and gory as any horror film, which makes it all the better.

Is There Still an Innocent Soul Out There Who Isn't "Connected?"

2008-07-18T21:29:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I witnessed a neighborhood kid skateboarding down the street while typing on his cellphone/sidekick. His mother should be should be oh-so-very proud of his multitasking abilities! Today, the Ice Cream Man came clanging loudly (turn down the treble!)and all the children swarmed this sugar peddling pied piper, waving their moist dollar bills at him, sweaty Kool-Aid smiles eager to beat the summer humidity - and now, while that sight may not be too peculiar, the sight of three of the children talking on cellphones while they waited their turn was peculiar indeed.
Maybe there is a line between somewhat peculiar and downright annoying... either way, I am leaning far right on this issue, my vote is for DOWNRIGHT ANNOYING.

I guess I'll need to get used to these sights, it is obviously the way of the times... things change pal, change with 'em. Everyone is connected to a cellphone tower in one way or another, even my techno-ignorant Dad. He was quite proud the other day after he told me to "scroll down" while I was going through his contact list, "Ha! Hear that Son? I know what scroll down means!"

I don't want to have to answer the phone every time someone calls me. I don't want to have to reply to your text message because I know that you know that I read your text and still haven't replied. I don't want to see your not-funny Internet forwarded jokes. I want phone cords and rotary dials!

However, I will let the wave of cell phone contamination wave over me. I will give in... but that doesn't mean I am not gonna get really irked when the girl behind the counter at Wilson Farms is yapping on the rhinestone-studded cellphone while she rings me out, never bothering to make eye contact or break the conversation long enough to say thank you. Is there such a thing as Cellphone Rage?