Random Randomness

Russian fans told Welsh whisky will ward off flu Aug 3, 1:31 pm EDT MOSCOW (AP)—Russian soccer fans heading to Wales for next month’s World Cup qualifier are urged to take precautions to ward off swine flu: Drink Welsh whiskey

“Welsh whisky is on offer to Russian supporters as a disinfectant,” Alexander Shprygin, head of the national team’s fan club, said Monday. “This will relieve any symptoms.”

Russia’s top doctor advised the country’s citizens to avoid traveling to Britain, but “nothing will stop the Russian fans,” Shprygin said.

Britain’s Health Protection Agency has said the number of new swine flu cases reached 110,000 in the last week of July. Fifty-five swine flu cases have been confirmed in Russia.

Hundreds of Russian fans are expected to travel to Cardiff for the Sept. 9 qualifier. Russia is in second place with 15 points in Group 4 of European qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa next year, a point behind Germany. Wales is fourth with nine points.

The Apocalypse is Upon Us

Yesterday, over at Ngewo's Dirty Little Mind, Josh put up a "review" of Ancient Astronauts on the History Channel. I also watched the show and I was, frankly, concerned that perhaps I was watching a different show than he (how did he manage to misinterpret all of the obvious conclusions?):

1. I was worried that maybe he was using all of his big-brained PSU math-skills in an attempt to obfuscate the fact that the Atlanteans knew that limestone is a much better pyramid-ing material than the best plasti-adobe found on Xylon-Gamma 4.
2. I was very troubled that, apparently, the Mayans were "nut jobs" because of depictions of a god pedalling a spaceship.
3. But, I was most taken aback by the fact that my learned associate from the east, he of the trips to the pyramids, the fantasizer of winged goddesses, the one who knows first-hand that no run-of-the-mill deity can save you and and your Yaris from a protective mama bear would quote any "bible" that mentions anyone named Ezekiel or Enoch while completely ignoring the prophet von Däniken.

As I was mulling all this over, and questioning all that I believe because of the use of so-called "facts" to confuse me, it became clear that he must be acting in concert with some deep-cover alien cell waiting for the return of the mother ship. Creating a subterfuge, as it were, to conceal the existence of "visitors". How else to explain this piece of other-worldly goodness I first found in one of his posts and then, subsequently, was emailed to me:

This can only mean one of two things:

1. The end of the world is indeed upon us, or
2. Rick Astley's pedalling on back to town and he's pissed.

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On a totally unrelated note (does best Rod Serling/Twilight Zone impression) submitted for your approval.....

I ain't sayin, I'm just sayin.

The Eighties are Coming! The Eighties are Coming!

It seems the Iggle has taken another step in trying to drag the region kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Another Pittsburgh-Area Giant Eagle Wants To Sell Beer (WPXI) NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. -- Yet another Pittsburgh-area Giant Eagle is pushing for beer sales at its store in New Kensington. Officials have confirmed that they are attempting to transfer a liquor license from outside the city. A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10 in the matter. The Giant Eagle in Allegheny Township has already applied for liquor license transfers. In both cases, beer would be sold inside the store's café, not the regular checkout lines. Other Giant Eagle stores applying for liquor licenses include Pin Township, Robinson Township, West View and Monroeville.

And, of course,

However, some in the alcohol business are already opposing the plan.

Could it be? Soon we can get a sixer with our Isaly's Chipped Ham 'n nat?

Naturally , beer sales will be limited to separate cafe areas, with prepared foods for on-site consumption and limited to 2 six packs to go. But its a start.

Naturally, the old arguments are back (from munhallnewswatch.com):

• "I'd be afraid of the prices because you can go to a little neighborhood bar and get a decent price where Giant Eagle, they're not into it for the neighbors," says Ziggy Zelena of Munhall. "They're into it to make money."

Gotta find out where the Zigster drinks. Sounds like he was probably slumped over an Old German draft and a shot of Imperial. Hey Ziggy- if your bar's managed to stay open without worryin' about making money, they'll be just fine.

• "It will hurt very much," says small business manager Isolina Varrasso of Capri Pizza, which also operates a bar. At Capri Pizza, the sale of six-packs at Giant Eagle will hurt sales but opponents say the best reason for the state ICB to turn down Giant Eagle is greater access for underage purchases."I think it will be very easier for them to buy beer as a younger kid," says Varrassa, "and a lot of kids these days they look way older."

This is the funniest argument. The clerks at Giant Eagle, Sheetz, 7 Eleven, etc. already do more "carding" than most bars. Hell, I was at my local Iggle the other day (god, I spend alot of time there) and a guy got carded for pipe cleaners!

• The Malt Beverage Distributors Association is challenging each license transfer to go before the LCB. Mary Lou Hogan, executive secretary and counsel for the Philadelphia-based distributors association, said grocery chains are stripping away beer sales from neighborhood businesses that only can sell it by the case or keg, without having to follow the same rules such as limits on hours.

I have to wonder just how much case and keg sales would be affected by a place that sells six-packs. Oh, wait a minute, it's happening now! Those places are called BARS. Think about it. How many bars are currently coexisting with distributors now?

• Peggy Alston worries sales will fall at her family’s Pike Beverage Outlet, a distributorship about two miles from Giant Eagle’s Settlers Ridge site. “I’m not allowed to sell flowers or groceries or baked goods for extra income, but Sheetz and then Wegmans and now Giant Eagle can get licenses to sell beer,” she said. “It’s another slap in the face for small businesses, and for the customers it will mean limited choice and service.”

Probably my favorite argument : "... another slap in the face for small business." I have to wonder how many "small businessmen" are so bound by their principles that the stopped eating bread when Jenny Lee closed? Or, stopped buying music when National Record Mart shut down? Hell, Peggy probably has a pantry full of Wal-Mart and Sam's labels herself. Principle is a great thing until hypocrisy is the easier path.

The bottom line is this: Pennsylvania will eventually move into the New Millenium. Those businesses that can adapt will survive those who can't won't. (Sounds kinda survival of the fittest to me). It's called a Market Economy folks.

And being able to have a beer with your pot pie in the Giant Eagle cafe while your spouse does the hunting and gathering for the week isn't gonna lead to the fall of the Commonwealth.

Just make sure you don't have that one too many and you find yourself at home watchin' rasslin with this guy: