At Last! We Can Legally Waste Time!

Why put off ‘til tomorrow something that can be done today? Because you were born this way! That’s right- a new study found procrastination may be genetic. Previous research has found that people who have a tendency to procrastinate also often behave impulsively. This new study found those two traits may originate from the same genetic roots. It makes sense, considering both habits likely have evolutionary implications- back when man’s main goal was basic survival, putting off long-term goals to satisfy immediate needs gave us an advantage. Here's more on the study. Are you a procrastinator? C'mon fess up! Drop us an email: johnadnjacklyn@kicks1063.com

Rascal Vanilli?

It's true! Rascal Flatts has admitted to lip-syncing their hit single "Rewind" during their performance on Sunday night's ACM Awards! Following their performance, social media was buzzing with claims that Rascal Flatts didn't actually sing the tune, and now the band has issued a statement on Facebook and Twitter confirming that the song was indeed lip-synced. Rascal Flatts' statement reads, "After having performed several shows earlier in the week, Gary (LeVox) lost his voice. So, instead of canceling our commitment to do the show, we made a last minute decision to lip-sync. We've never done it before, and we're obviously not very good at it. We look forward to singing live again in the very near future!" The trio will get that chance to sing live this week when they play a show in Laughlin, Nevada on April 12.  

Is This Movie Too Scary For Disney, And Therefore Your Kids?

Angelina Jolie’s latest movie Maleficent may not be the sure-fire box office hit some were expecting. The film stars Jolie as Disney’s infamous Sleeping Beauty villain and some insiders are suggesting the character may be too scary, which will cause the film to flop. Said one source, “it’s definitely in the ‘not a sure thing’ bucket.” Maleficent opens May 30th. Here's more on the story. So what do you think? Just looking at the pictures from the film, do you think it might be too scary for your kids? Drop us an email at johnandjacklyn@kicks1063.com.

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT?

I love dogs.  I would never want to hear of a dog suffering, particularly because of something my dog did to another one.  However, I had a very interesting story unfold this weekend that has me a bit nutted up to say the least.

On Saturday, I had a visit from the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department.  According to them, while I was away from home our dog, Bo "attacked" another dog that a woman from the neighborhood was walking in the street.

I immediately refuted the accusation, because we have a Pet Stop system, which is essentially an invisible fence surrounding our property.  Bo never leaves the yard.  Ever.

This deputy seemed unfazed by this fact and proceeded to inform me that those systems are not 100% foolproof and are no guarantee that a dog will stay in a yard.

I asked him if he was certain that it was our dog, as we have direct neighbors who also have a black lab, with a red collar.  He informed me that the woman stated, while there were two dogs of similar appearance on that street, it was the "thicker" of the two.  Great!  Now she's calling my dog fat too!  (I'm kidding.  He's seriously just big boned.)

The deputy informed me that when he drove up our driveway, Bo "charged" his vehicle and was barking viciously.  I felt a thin grin of pride turn the corners of my mouth upward.  I applaud Bo for that.  It's what he's supposed to do when a strange vehicle enters our property.  I asked the deputy when he got out of his vehicle, what Bo's demeanor was?  He said he was very happy and friendly.  (We taught Bo that police officers are your friends.)

I inquired with the deputy, where the alleged attack occurred.  I'm still not 100% clear as to where it happened, because the initial description when the phone call started made it sound like Bo charged out into the street, but toward the end of the discussion, it sounded like it allegedly happened at the end of our driveway.

I found this quite interesting, because about seven feet back from the end of our driveway is about as far as Bo will ever go in our yard, to avoid getting a zap at the property line.  I decided to test out his collar myself.  I took it off of him and we walked out to the end of the driveway.  When I reached that seven foot out mark, the collar began to beep quickly.  Bo turned on a dime and hightailed it back to the house.  I continued to walk toward the street, with two fingers on the prongs of his Pet Stop collar.  I got a sharp zap that shot up to my elbow.  Yep.  The thing was still working.

I'm telling you, it is impossible for Bo to have left our yard.  We literally have to load him up in our vehicle and DRIVE ACROSS the property line and unload him in the street to take him for a walk.  He will NOT leave the yard on his own.  The system works, just as you would expect it to for a dog that has lived within those parameters for about 6+ years.  He's not a stupid dog, despite the goofy face he often has.

Still, I haven't heard another word about the incident--yet.  And I do hope that the little dog was not seriously injured.  I just don't like our dog being profiled as a degenerate that "attacked" another dog and he now has a "record" with the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department.  What is the statute of limitations on something like this anyway?  The woman apparently wanted me to pay for any vet bills, if she decided to take her dog in for examination.

Which brings me to my next thought.  I'm wondering if the neighborhood woman with the 10 pound Shitzu that was allegedly attacked by Bo, somehow didn't maintain control of her leash (assuming she had the dog on one) and her dog ran into our yard?  It seems plausible, given the skittish nature Bo has about leaving our property.  If that was the case, and her little dog is not seriously maimed, it stands to reason that it was not an "attack."  Bo is nearly 100 pounds.  I think he would eat a 10 pound Shitzu, if he was so inclined.  Instead, I'm guessing if the two interacted, it was probably some rough play?  It's hard to say.

The only thing I know for sure is that Bo did NOT leave our yard to "attack" another dog.  He would leave the yard for the garbage men, before he would for a little 10 pound dog, IF he was ever able to muster up the courage to leave our yard.  However, if another dog entered his yard--our property--is it our fault that there was an incident?  I honestly don't know the answer to that one.  Common sense would tell me that it is NOT our fault, but it would seem that common sense is becoming extinct in this world.

ARE YOU LOOKIN' AT ME?!

Sometimes I seriously think people have too much time on their hands.  There is speculation that marketers of cereal are doing some heinously sinister moves by having the characters on the boxes look downward in order to "make eye contact" with kids.  

While this concept has all of the makings for a great news exposé, I'm not sure that is exactly what's going on here.  It just seems like a bit of a stretch to me.

Here are a couple of examples from Kellogg's:

Admittedly, the characters eyes are gazing somewhat downward, but Toucan Sam is actually looking at the cereal.  Tony the Tiger could be looking at kids in the grocery store aisle, I suppose.  Perhaps he's trying not to devour the sugary goodness in the giant bowl in front of him?

Here are some examples from General Mills:

Clearly, the Trix Rabbit and the Honey Nut Bee are looking downward, but that's where the cereal is located.  And everyone knows that bees love honey and that Trix Rabbit never had any self-control anyway, so who can blame them?

How about Quaker Oats brands?

Again, it's pretty clear that Cap'n Crunch is eyeballing his sweet-molar-filling-deliciousness.  However, the Quaker Oat guy does seem to be attempting to make obvious eye contact.  Weird that kids don't seem to be clamoring for oatmeal though.  Hmmm…

What are your thoughts on this whole cereal box controversy with characters allegedly making eye-contact with your kids in the grocery aisle?  Drop us an email.

Bored with the "Jokes?"

I don't know about you, but I'm glad yesterday is done.  I've never been that big of a fan of April Fool's Day, and it's not because I don't enjoy the pranks and whatnot.  I just think it's gotten to be too cliché and cheesy over the years.  It's glaringly so, since the inception of social media.  Honestly, I get tired of the "I'm pregnant!" or other so-called pranks on there.

Please. Stop.  What ever happened to the jokes that were actually funny and not predictable or tired? 

I get it though.  It's challenging to come up with something good and memorable.  Doubtful anyone will ever top Brucie Bumchuckles and his phone bagging stunt from years ago, where massive amounts of people actually took the advice of the Bumchuckles produced PSA.

If you're going to do April Fool's jokes--go big, or go home.

Duck Dynasty Invades Texas

The gang from Duck Dynasty will be all over the NASCAR Sprint Cup race this weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway, as their company, "Duck Commander" will be sponsoring the event.  It's a natural tie-in, given the antics of the characters on the show.  Racing, rednecks, hunting and God are all commonalities between the two organizations.  

Here's a full rundown of the duties in which the folks from Duck Dynasty will be participating in addition to being the title sponsor of the race.

• Phil Robertson:  Honorary Starter
• Willie Robertson:  Trophy Presenter
• Uncle Si Robertson:  Grand Marshall
• Jase Robertson:  Intro of Top 10 Drivers
• Sadie Robertson:  Invocation
• Missy Robertson:  National Anthem

I'm looking forward to seeing the beards all over the pre-race ceremonies and in Victory Lane.  I thoroughly enjoy the show.  What about you?  Drop us an email.