Friday Web Stuff: Bad Brisket, Best Fall Beers and Hotel Robots
Men Splurging While Shopping … According to a new study, men are splurging while shopping these days — and actually spend more money treating themselves than women do. Researchers found that men are just as likely to spend money on “affordable luxuries” as women, but end up spending more money each time they splurge.
Insider Information … As legalized sports betting continues to expand, so does the possibility of corruption. Journalists are already seeing gamblers — and people who work at sports betting websites — reaching out to them, looking for insider information in hopes of getting an edge on bettors who don’t have this information.
Robots Helping Guests in Vegas … The Sphere at The Venetian Resort is a giant, high-tech music and entertainment arena near the Las Vegas Strip that features giant LED screens inside and out. Visitors to The Sphere — which is scheduled to open later this month — will also get to see Aura, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot. Five Aura robots, with life-like facial expressions and the ability to move around, will be located at The Sphere to greet guests as they enter and answer questions.
JUST ASKING: Scary Food
Hundreds of people attending a fall festival in Belgrade, Montana, got sick — because there was some bad beef brisket in the mix.
- Are there any foods you won’t eat — especially outside of your house — because of the chance of food poisoning?
- Did you have a bad experience with this food in the past? Or … Are you just being safe because of the food’s reputation?
- Even if it’s not a health or safety issue, are there any foods that actually scare you? What’s the issue? Is there no chance, not ever, not for any price, that you would eat this food?
SORT OF SPORTS REPORT
Tennis … While most athletes are not willing to admit that other athletes are better, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal recently tipped his cap to his greatest rival, Novak Djokovic. During a recent interview, Nadal admitted that Djokovic was the best. “I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics,” Nadal said. “In that sense, I think Djokovic has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable.”
Football … For the seventh season in a row, the University of Alabama has the most players in the NFL. Alabama had 57 players on NFL rosters when the season started, followed by Ohio State at 47 and Georgia at 46. LSU — with 43 — and Michigan — with 38 — rounded out the top 5. Clearly, those powerhouse programs are doing something right to prepare college kids to score big in the pros.
Hoops … Kiyan Anthony, the son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, is only a junior in high school. But he’s already signed an NIL deal — for underwear. He’s now a model for PSD underwear, joining the likes of current NBA stars Jimmy Butler and Trae Young, plus LeBron James‘ son Bronny James. Anthony is the 41st-ranked player in the class of 2025 according to ESPN and has been recruited to play basketball for his father’s school, Syracuse, plus Michigan, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, and Florida State.
BEST FALL BEERS
Some experts have spoken and have put together a list of the top five best fall beers:
- New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin
- Dogfish Head Punkin Ale
- Allagash Brewing Haunted House
- Southern Tier Pumking
- Alaskan Brewing Smoked Porter
Talk About It:
- These are all dark, heavy and flavored beers. Nothing “normal” about any of them.
- Back in summer, beer drinkers were not too interested in sipping “Punkin Ale” or “Smoked Porter” while sitting poolside.
- As the weather gets cooler, do your tastes in drinks — or in food — change much?
- Do you enjoy getting into seasonal food and drink, like all that pumpkin spice stuff?
- Or … Do you stick with your personal favorites, regardless of the weather?