Champagne II

Ohh Mental Floss.
Why are you teaching me so much about Champagne?
Like why there seems to be so much in the US but not so much in the rest of the world.

The United States never ratified the Treaty of Versailles—not because of the champagne clause, but because the Republican-controlled Congress didn’t want to see the formation of a League of Nations. And so, in America, it is perfectly legal to call your sparkling wine “champagne.” In fact, you can call your gym shoes champagne, if you’d like. (What better way to exercise your freedom of speech!)

Yep learning more about Champagne then I thought I might need to.

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Diseases Making A Comeback

Mental Floss has a list of Old-School Diseases that are coming back.
Got this image from it and while I knew a few of these, and even knew someone that got gout.
I will say I'm not concerned I might get rickets... stupid theatre lifestyle.
The list

Animal Signs

Mental Floss showed me some funny animal signs.
I've often wondered if various animals smell.
Although I will say my cat's breath smells like cat food.

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Mental Floss

I first ran into Mental Floss in the Lake City Library when I was between job, killing time, and trying not to give up on my move.
Sitting among homeless, students, and homeless students I read interesting articles, small factoids in margins, and was entertained while jobs passed me over.
It was good times.
Their blog is an addition to my daily reading.
This morning they presented 7 Unsung Events that Deserve Your Attention.
Great stuff.
The Red Bull Flutag, World Series of Mahjong, yoyo championship.
Number Six I will someday go to.

6. National Championship Chuck Wagon Cook-Off
Are you sick of going to cooking competitions that just end up being snooty and barely even involve rustic wagons? Then this is the event for you. Chuck wagon teams from around the country meet up in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration to revive “the skills that were used to keep the cowboys fed and fit.” The four-man teams each use a wood fire to make a meal that consists of chicken-fried steak, pinto beans, potatoes, a cobbler, and either biscuits or rolls. Better yet, this isn’t just some ivory tower competition where only the judges get to taste the food; the same chow is served to attendees as dinner. The rules seek to make each chuck wagon’s equipment as authentic as possible, including regulations on the metals used in cookware and the suggestion that each wagon carry a two-man crosscut saw. This event looks both interesting and delicious, so it’s worth checking out if you’re in the Lubbock area this weekend.

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Message in Bottles

I have a friend and we correspond by email but also by letter. Each year we send each other a letter about 9/11 because we spent time and got drunk that evening. It's one of those memories that stick with you and I try to keep it up. This year she sent me a letter in a bottle because how often does one get to find one?
Me: so far none.
Her: also zero.

Mental Floss ran this. Interesting stuff. In fact when I wander I've found letters on walks but so far nothing very good. Though I will say I heard about the Laura Buxton one. I believe it was on Radio Lab but I'm not sure. During it they brought up the similarities and played the story to make it the coincidence sound amazing but then play further interviews that showed they weren't so similar and it was just an odd coincidence.

Not unlike the fact there is a guy in Moses Lake with my same name and he has a criminal record and when I apply for things his info is brought up. Still some day I'll go there and try to party with him... or me... no idea but it'll be awesome.