The Real Media Tastes Vodka

Seems as BusinessWeek has also taken up vodka tasting (it is an admirable hobby). While STSS agrees with some of the results (like Ketel One getting 4 stars), we don't think our cheap fave Finlandia deserves only 2 stars.

For STSS results of our own vodka project, check out our tastings:
- Take Cinco de Mayo - Take 4 - Part Tres - Part Deux - Numero Uno
And more to come soon!

Sadder Than a Trip to Wally World

We've all seen the images of the post-Katrina New Orleans, but nothing brings the story to life like an empty, left-behind amusement park. I spotted Six Flags New Orleans on the edge of the city just last week, complete with a fenced-off entrance and tall weeds growing almost as high as the sign. It seems that roller coasters and other rides sadly handled the storm better than many area homes and businesses (good to know for amusement park riders for future references; obviously unfortunate for NO dwellers).

Gazing at this abandoned ferris wheel (with the seats still locked on) is sadder than when the Griswolds drove up to a closed Wally World. Now, the park's only visitors are surely just Daphne, Scooby Doo and the gang sifting around at night looking for a strange robot named Charley (see episode "Foul Play at Funland").

[FYI, the sign says "Closed For Storm." And, can't Dan Snyder do any better than this?]

Smells Like Poison

Yes, Bret Michaels is as greasy and make-upy in person as he is on TV. Just this week, everyone's fave 80s hair-band rocker was at the Cable Show, looking for new "contestants" for his show. Oops, I mean greeting hordes of adoring ladies -- and groping everyone of them (OK, well, maybe it was just deep hugging). I asked my coworker in this picture (I cropped her out with my excellent photo-editing skillz to protect the innocent) if Bret smelled, and she noted that she didn't sniff him. If you look closely, you will see armpit stains, just proving that he just seems like a dude who would be a little un-fresh.

[Thank you, A.S., for waiting in a long line to meet Bret, and sharing the photo.]

For the Love of Larry

Down here in New Orleans at the Cable Show, I've certainly seen my share of interesting personalities. Among the celebs appearing were Glenn Close, Dan Rather, and some other peeps that are surely nice and accomplished professionals. And then we got down to the real celebs like Larry Flynt, the Kardashians and everyone's fave member of Poison, Bret Michaels! Larry rolls around in the Hustler booth, complete with plastic Hustler babes, in his wheelchair. He may be plastic-free, but his hair is dyed a funky fake color. Maybe one day he'll take it all off in the name of cable tv. We can all dream.

Pizza-r Beer!

Since I normally post about food and booze it seems, perhaps I've found the food that ties both together. Yes, its Pizza Beer (or as my Long Island friend would say, pizza-r beer), a real product from some dude who wanted to add tomatoes, garlic and basil to everyone's favorite hoppy, yeasty liquid.

While it is only available online or in southern Illinois stores, I just might resist the shipping charges (and calories) to get some in my belly. I'm open to a lot of weird food, but this is perhaps where the line should be drawn.