Move Over, Angry Birds, Here Comes Dierks!

There's a new bird on the block. Dierks Bentley has created an interactive game in support of his brand new album Riser. The game is called Riser Bird and is based around the thunderbird image that represents the album project. Dierks says, "There are so many addicting games about birds right now, and we thought it would be funny to create our own Riser Bird game. I'm all about finding interesting ways to get music out to the fans, and this is just supposed to be fun." Fans playing the game can preview the new music throughout the bird's journey as they try to conquer each level. Gamers can share their high scores and enter to win the grand prize trip to attend an upcoming "Riser Tour" rehearsal. Five additional fans will also win autographed copies of the new album. Riser Bird can be played by logging on to www.riserbird.com.

Where's My Thin Mints!

Now here's an app you can really get into! Take it from the Girl Scouts themselves and “Be Prepared” – by getting this sweet new app! The Girl Scout Cookie Locator helps you find where Girl Scout Cookies are being sold near you, as well as when you can get them. The app locates specific sites - like churches and shopping centers- where Scouts are setting up shop, making it ideal for Thin Mints fiends who don’t personally know any Girl Scouts or someone who does. It also includes a countdown clock so you can get hyped for cookie season. We would definitely use this app...a lot! Here's the link to get the app.

Does This Egg-Cite You?

This may finally answer the age-old question, “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Hampton Creek Foods, a company that is working on developing an entirely plant-based egg, recently scored more than $20 million in funding from a wealthy Asian investor. The San Francisco-based company already produces egg-free products for use in certain foods. But their long-term goal is to make the entire egg industry “obsolete,” replacing it with chicken-free eggs that are “cheaper, healthier and more humane.” C'mon, a fake egg?! Do we really want to replace the lowly egg? Not only are we talking about fried, scrambled and over-easy, but what about all the things that call for eggs as am ingredient, like cookies. What do you think of this? Would you eat "fake" eggs? Do you think using real eggs is "inhumane" to the chickens? Drop us your thoughts: johnandjacklyn@kicks 1063.com.

By the Numbers

While many fans and critics of NASCAR spent hours leading up to the Daytona 500, debating the return of the #3 to the Sprint Cup Series, the son of the legendary driver of said #3 put up some tremendous numbers of his own, after following through with a promise.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. said prior to the Daytona 500, that if he won the prestigious race, he would FINALLY join Twitter.  He had set up the account, but never sent one tweet.  Fans and industry insiders have been hounding him for years to do so, but leave it to him to create even more buzz around his first ever tweet on the social media outlet.

With the long rain delay, stretching the race into the late hours, under the lights at Daytona, Earnhardt fans were at fever pitch, when the final caution flag flew, setting up a green-white-checkered finish.  Earnhardt delivered, sending fans into a frenzy, as he crossed the finish line, grabbing the checkers and etching his name into the record books.

Earnhardt walked into the media center after all of the Victory Lane hullabaloo, letting out a huge "Woooooo!"  and announced to the media there, that he "bet someone ain't come in here and screamed in 30 years!"  Which is likely true and refreshing to see such joy from a winner of the historic race.

True to his promise, at approximately 1:32am, our local time, he tweeted for the first time ever:  

He's boasting well over 254,000 followers as of 6am this morning and he just sent his second tweet, which also included a photo of his car in Victory Lane.  With any luck, his activity will prompt more people to join Twitter, as I thoroughly enjoy the brevity of 140 characters.  It leaves less opportunity for dirty laundry diatribes from people!

Oh, Baby!

If you’ve ever wished your food was more like a dirty diaper, you’re in luck! Researchers say baby poop may be the key to making sausage healthier. Bacteria from the baby waste could potentially transform cured meats like pepperoni and salami into foods that have health benefits similar to probiotic yogurts. The two kinds of bacteria used most often in probiotics are much more abundant in infant feces than adult excrement, so scientists gathered samples from healthy infants and made sausages with it. They found that not only were the sausages better for you, they also tasted just like regular, non-poop sausages. Not sure if they’ll be able to market that to normal consumers, though!  

Love Is In The Air!

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and the results of a new survey on romance arrive just in time. The poll asked 1,000 married couples about the keys to romance…so listen up and take notes. The ingredients for a happy relationship include…

-Kissing 10 times per week

-Saying “I love you” 10 times a week

-Sex three times a week

-Three date nights a month

-Ten deep and meaningful conversations a month

-Three arguments a month

-Two vacations (together) a year

-Three shared hobbies or interests

And according to a separate study, another path to romantic bliss is going on double dates. Research shows couples who go out with other couples feel better about their own relationships afterwards.

What do you think are the keys to a happy relationship? Do you agree with this breakdown? Do you ever go on double dates? Do double dates make you feel better about your relationship?

Up in Arms

So, this happened over the weekend.

U.S. figure skating team Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir did a routine to "Skyfall," the theme song from the most recent James Bond movie.  In light of the subject matter, the pair got into character, which is standard fare for these productions.  You might notice that Shnapir is sporting a gun holster… without a gun.

It wasn't long before social media was alight with the discussion about it.  Many thought it was a nice touch to give a nod to "Agent 007," while others were upset and found it unnecessary and insulting that the U.S. would be represented this way.  What do you think??  Drop us an email.

America the Beautiful?

I'll admit it, when I heard the Coca-Cola ad during the Superbowl, with all of the different cultures singing "America the Beautiful," in different languages it was a bit of a jolt to me.  I wasn't offended, per se, but it struck me as odd.  Sort of like wearing someone else's underwear.  Not that I have done that.

I suppose, mostly because hearing that song in a language other than English wasn't what I was accustomed to hearing.  It was a visually beautiful ad and the voices were on perfect pitch.  However, at the time, I pondered what the end game was on this ad.  Let's be honest, ad agencies don't make decisions willy-nilly.  There is a well thought out plan behind every piece of a production.  Dare we say it?  Advertising agencies are calculated in their decisions.

As is the case these days, most of us have our social media accounts opened up during a major event, so we can share our thoughts, sarcasm or insight, on what is unfolding live in front of us.  My Twitter feed lit up with comments about that Coca-Cola ad and many of them were filled with vitriol.

If we were to sing the much beloved Chinese song, "Battle on Shangganling Mountain" in English.  It would likely be met with Chinese eyebrows being raised and perhaps some jail time, mostly because they wouldn't know how to take it.  For the record, that song is pro-communist and a victory celebration, depicting when the Chinese took up arms against the "American Imperialists" at Triangle hill (Shangganling) during the Korean War.

As a side note, did you know that a Chinese pianist played that song at the White House in 2011?  That strikes me as distasteful, but perhaps I would be called a racist by some for feeling that way?

We are teaching our children to be tolerant of others.  This is a good thing, in my opinion.  However, it begs the question, are we allowed to have opinions on things?  Being tolerant and having an opinion are NOT mutually exclusive.  You may not like something, but are you required to shut your mouth, because someone else doesn't agree with your point of view?  Are we teaching our children to just be quiet if they disagree with someone?  I'd rather have a child who can have an educated opinion and debate things with others.  I'd rather have a child who has the intestinal fortitude to stand up for their beliefs.

We are all entitled to our opinions.  No where does it say we all have to agree on everything.  Just the fact that we're having this dialogue about the commercial and what it meant to each other is good.  If you're casting a blanket judgement over others because of how that ad made them feel, then shame on you.  You're behaving exactly as you profess those who spoke out against the ad.  I ask again, are we not entitled to our opinions?

Are there people in your circle of family and friends that agree with EVERYTHING that you believe?  I mean EVERYTHING.  I'll be the first to raise my hand and say NO.  I have similar views on many things with a handful of people in my world.  I vehemently disagree with several people in my circle on some of their views, but I'm not about to chastise them for having opinions.  Actually, I enjoy talking to those folks the most.  It's engaging to hear other views on things, why they feel the way they do and the backstory as to why that feeling resonates so strongly.

If someone wants to act like an asshat, in my opinion, they are free to do so.  I don't have to agree with them and I might very well agree with them later on a whole different topic.  Just because someone has a different opinion than you on an issue, doesn't mean that you have to tear them down for that.  It makes you into that judgmental person that you profess to be speaking out against.

Silencing those who disagree with your views only narrows your own world view.  I'd rather keep an open mind and hear as many different angles on a subject.  How about you?  Drop us an email.