watercooler-ammo

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Vices, paychecks, fate

Last year the Reason Foundation published a study arguing that drinkers earn more than non-drinkers (stressing that drinkers "who tipped a glass at home" earned less--and probably cried and Googled exes more?--than drinkers who jousted for social capital at functions). I wonder if that's doubly so in America's Drunkest Cities. Other studies have shown that smokers earn less than non-smokers--MSN says 4-11% less. But regardless of your vices, it seems that twenty-something women living in major U.S. cities... READ ON

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Predators and Pray?

If you're looking to put a little Jesus in your paintball routine, make sure to visit Wisconsin's Promised Land, the nation's largest Christian paintball park. Being neither a Christian, nor a Bible scholar, I was a little shocked by the idea, but apparently the facilities are going over incredibly well with pastors, youth group leaders and gun-savvy believers in the region. I guess it makes sense. Apparently, all warfare begins with a group prayer, curses aren't allowed (no... READ ON

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10 Oscar factoids that'll impress everyone you know today

While every Tom, Dick and Oscar is busy Academy-chatting around the water cooler today, I thought I'd arm you with some ammo from past years that'll have all your cohorts thinking you really know your trivia. 1) Composer/conductor John Williams has been nominated for 45 Academy Awards, the record for the most Oscar nominations for a living person. 2) Walt Disney, who picked up 26 Oscars out of 64 nominations (some say 59), holds the record for the most wins. 3) The youngest winner of... READ ON

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LEGO, weapons of moderate destruction

There are two types of kids in this world: those who spend their time building towns and castles and LEGO cities on a hill, and those who spend their time trying to figure out how best to tear down those towns, castles and elevated civilizations. Need proof? Let me point you toward evidence A) the LEGO flamethrower, and B) the LEGO 8-barrel rubberband chain gun (be sure to check out the videos). While I do find the MacGuyver-ness of it all somewhat thrilling, I'm also afraid of what I've been arming my... READ ON

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ENDORSEMENT OF THE DAY: Get some PES!

I stumbled across "The Twisted Films of PES" yesterday, and I was completely mesmerized. PES, or Adam Pesapane as no one calls him, is a stop-motion animator and director who seems to be taking the world by storm. His lovely pieces, which now appear as commercials, are the very definition of viral—things you instantly want to tell your friends about (hence this post!). I first read about his work in this great Print Magazine article, and it's definitely worth reading. In any case,... READ ON

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Watercooler Ammo: Whitney and Bobby

This time tomorrow, everyone at the office is sure to be talking about Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, as the 43-year-old pop singer reportedly filed for divorce today. But we've got something that'll surely impress the folks around the water cooler: a nifty song written about Whitney and Bobby that very few people know about. Written by singer-songwriter, Ethan Lipton, it's sure to become a huge hit now and you can say you heard it first over at mental_floss. I had the good fortune of seeing Mr.... READ ON

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Watercooler Ammo: It came from Maine

What is that thing? The monster from Maine (would that make it a "monstah?") that was found by the side of the road this week is probably just a wild dog, says the AP: Loren Coleman, a Portland author and cryptozoologist, said he didn't know for sure what the animal was based on his examination of its remains Wednesday. "I think this dead animal is a chow or chow-mix, a relatively small dog, that was feral, which is unusual for that area," he told the Sun Journal newspaper. ... Some say it's simply a... READ ON

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Watercooler Ammo: Don't be a pack rat

We're going all Lifehacker-y today for Watercooler Ammo, since some of you may be traveling for the weekend (and since all four of us will be traveling on Monday and Tuesday). Here's how to pack under the new "hand over the Burt's Bees and nobody gets hurt" rules, from the Philly Inquirer: * If you are not sure whether an item is banned from carry-ons, pack it with the luggage going on the plane. ... It can get confusing. Lipstick does not appear to be prohibited, but lip balm does. [Editor's note: What... READ ON

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Watercooler Ammo: Is this some kinda bust?

As you've doubtless heard if you have any interest in politics, sex, art, or other things that shouldn't be discussed at dinner parties, the Museum of Sex just revealed its new "presidential bust" of Hillary Clinton, and it's... busty. Rather than take the Wonkette approach (which titled its post on the subject "Bleaaaauuurrrrrrgh"), we thought we'd point you to some other disembodied heads of state: the Senate's gallery of vice presidents, which is decidedly (and thankfully) less sexualized. There you'll... READ ON

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Watercooler Ammo: The Vaughniston engagement

As Gawker pointed out, people will be talking about Jen and Vince at the watercooler today, so no matter what you thought of The Break-Up, you'd best be prepared. We'll provide some Jen-Hearts-Vince trivia after the jump, but what's really worth seeing is the wedding photo! That's right, they were secretly married, and we've got the exclusive! * Update: Oh no! Gawker says US Weekly might be wrong and there's no engagement! Where on earth could our photo have come from, then? We're so... READ ON