Hand to Mouth Transfer Speed
Posted by: j_john
A great article appeared in the NY Times about eating contests.
I especially enjoyed the factual information provided about stomach capacity and the quote about Kobayashi talking to his stomach. Then they bring in the amazing female competitor storyline--her average daily meal is a "one-pound burger, two large orders of French fries, a large order of onion rings, a 15-piece serving of chicken tenders and a shake." What a combination.
Next Up, a Dozen?
Posted by: j_john
I'd been waiting to post something about my doughnut street-eating contest accomplishments until I had some new photos to link to, but seeing as I don't know when that will happen I better get this down before important details are forgotten.
About a month and a half ago 4 Portland residents and one vistor from L.A. decided to test out the new all-night doughnut shop in downtown--Voodoo Doughnuts. Male bravado or just a healthy appetite caused K. Mikey Merrill to proclaim his ability and desire to consume a dozen of their sugary treats. After bowing out with only 7 doughnuts consumed, I stepped in and put 8 in my belly. Check out the photos here.
Jumping ahead one sweaty month later, I was called upon to defend my title. It seemed a group of people had gathered to celebrate Cabel's birthday, and after a few drinks the topic of our streeteating contest came up. Possibly fueled by their alcohol consumption a couple of challengers stepped up, claiming their ability to easily defeat and dethrone me. When one of the newcomers quit early in the competition it became a two-man gluttonous showdown. Despite the best efforts of my friends and amused onlookers to throw me off of my game (not to mention that the pre-chosen concoctions included some interesting combinations--chocolate and parmesan cheese anyone?), I was able to shut out the noise and zone in with a zen-like concentration on the task at hand--eating those doughnuts!
One of my challengers bested my record of 8 doughnuts consumed on a downtown street corner, so I calmly continued my mission with a renewed purpose--I knew I would not fail. Sure enough, a few minutes later I was placing the last marshmallowy, chocolaty, super-sugary sweet bits of doughnut number 10 into my overly dry mouth (and mister "9" doughnuts was ridding himself of the contents of his belly). I regained my title and gladly accepted a complimentary bottle of water.
Oh, and a few days later I stepped on a scale and I had lost 2 pounds from the previous week!
Life as a Soda Outcast
Posted by: j_john
Okay, so pretty much everyone I know says that when it comes to a carbinated cola beverage, they prefer the taste of Coke over Pepsi. I, however, prefer the sweet, sweet taste of Pepsi cola. This seemingly small acknowledgment has made me an outcast and has forced me to endure a tremendous amount of ridicule from my Coke drinking friends. What is it about the Coke beverage that makes people so hostile? Perhaps it is the tremendous marketing job that Coca-Cola has implimented, making them the most recognizable brand in the entire world. As soda drinkers, it seems we are led to believe that there is only one choice to be made--you must drink Coke. Apparently I have decided to defy those odds with my Pepsi preference. Am I a deviant? I think not. Am I an original? Perhaps. The truth remains, I like my Pepsi, and anyone who can't handle that can go stuff their face with a warm Caffeine Free Diet Coke.
Anyway, the impetus for my soda themed post is the introduction of Pepsi Vanilla. Upon entering my local Target store on Wednesday I was amazed and overjoyed to see the brilliant new bottles of this vanilla-flavored soda proudly displayed for all to see. I took a couple 2-liters to the checkout counter and asked the young Target employee when they had started selling them. He was perlexed at my inquiry, shrugging and unable to offer any adequate response. A teenage girl behind me interjected, saying that it had been "out for a long time." Ha! I think not, young lady--after getting home and spending time on the Interweb I soon discovered that I was one of the lucky few to sample the brand new beverage in it's initial shipment. After finding a suitable glass and ice-cubes, I poured myself a generous amount, immediately appreciating the vanilla aroma. I slowly sipped the cola, and not surprisingly, found it to be an amazing treat for my taste buds. What wonder! I thought that my mild enjoyment of Vanilla Coke had ended my fascination with new cola combinations...yet I was wrong---behold the savior, it's name is Pepsi Vanilla!!!!!!
Check out some legit words from a Pepsi exec:
Pepsi Bottlers Meet in Las Vegas: " Pepsi Vanilla logo (photo) shows word 'Pepsi' in white; 'Vanilla' in cream color. Below Pepsi globe icon are words: 'Smooth Vanilla Cola.' BD estimates Pepsi Vanilla regular/diet volume in 2003 will be 30 mil cases. Executive. 'With Pepsi Vanilla, we'll reclaim our fair share of the cola category -- and then some. We deserve it, and we plan to take it -- with no regrets,' declares Pepsi North America senior vp/chief marketing officer Dave Burwick. Adds: 'We've run some fantastic test markets for Coke. We've shown them the way in bottled water, in lemon cola ... It's about time they returned the favor.' Adds re Pepsi Vanilla, 'it's a smoother, better-balanced vanilla, with a directional win against Vanilla Coke.'
A Match Made in Heaven
Posted by: j_john
My favorite brand of shoes, adidas, signed my favorite basketball player, Kevin Garnett.
This is a great decision for adidas, aiding them in their quest to gain ground on the huge lead that Nike has built as # 1 in the athletic shoe industry, especially in basketball. So, Kevin's new deal leads this guy on ESPN.com to comment that Garnett switching from Nike to And1 and then to adidas will hurt his credibility among shoe buyers.
I don't see that situation as being a big issue with people. If the shoes look good (which they will) and they are endorsed by a legit dude (which they are), then they will sell. Lots. Adidas wisely dumped Kobe, now they have McGrady, Duncan and most importantly Garnett. I can't wait to see the custom shoes they design.
I Would Feel Lame If I Called Myself a Bjork Fan and Didn't Buy Everything
Posted by: j_john
An excerpt from an amazing interview with Bjork:
Q: Like, you wake up and you never know what's going to happen. Maybe you might put out 47 DVDs tomorrow or something?
A: Yeah, it's exciting.
Q: No, that's really what happened.
Check out the full interview:
Bjork speaks.
I'm glad someone else out there is adressing this bounty of releases dilemma-- I have shown restraint by purchasing only 8 Bjork DVDs, 6 albums, 1 compilation and 7 singles--there are so many deeper superfans out there that make me look like a mild appreciator. Bjork? Yeah, she's okay I guess.
