Happy Hump Day

Happy Wednesday! After working Sunday, it's a short Wed and Thurs work week this week. Looking forward to attending the Western NC Bluegrass and BBQ Festival this weekend. http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/facilities/markets/asheville/documents/BBQ2010Flier.pdf
No one seems to want to go. I won't force my wife Jaye Deane to go if she doesn't want to. AM I NOT MERCIFUL?!?!?! (Joaquin Phoenix in 'Gladiator')
My sister Brenda is running in this weekend's "Cooper River Run"- http://www.bridgerun.com/ - Good luck Brenda!!

To my other sister, thanks for emailing me, Suzy!! MAKE ME SOME ADOBO!!


Here's some stuff I saw on the ol interweb today and this week...

More than 1 million baby slings made by Infantino were recalled Wednesday after claims linking them to three infant deaths. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said babies could suffocate in the soft fabric slings. The agency urged parents to immediately stop using the slings for babies under 4 months.
The recall involves 1 million Infantino "SlingRider" and "Wendy Bellissimo" slings in the United States and 15,000 in Canada

A story floating around the internet is stating that the food portions on the plates of Jesus and his disciples in the famous depiction of "The Last Supper" has increased over the years. Historians believe the actual meal was much less at that time than depicted in recent paintings.

Many outlets are reporting that actor Chris Evans (Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in the previous 'Fantastic Four' movies) has accepted the role of "Captain America for next year's origin movie and "Avengers" movie in 2012.

Box office totals are up a strong 9% from the comparable period last year. Speaking of which,

Movie w/ this weekend stake /// Overall
1. Alice In Wonderland $2,760,338 /// $268.2
2. Bounty Hunter, The $1,448,620 /// $22.1
3. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid $1,035,343 /// $23.2
4. Repo Men $605,025 /// $6.7
5. She's Out Of My League $591,781 /// $20.3
6. Green Zone $570,760 /// $25.4
7. Shutter Island $425,875 /// $116.2
8. Avatar $358,514 /// $737.3
9. Remember Me $272,797 /// $14.2
10. Our Family Wedding $240,718 /// $13.8


Since its Friday release, 'Twilight' fans have purchased 4 million copies of the 'New Moon' disc....

Whitney Matheson's blog over at USA Today's "Pop Candy" (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/popcandy/index) is reporting that Warner Bros. and Blockbuster have renewed their agreement, which means you can rent their titles before they're available on Netflix.

Sting, Elton John, Lady Gaga and Dame Shirley Bassey will perform together at Carnegie Hall, as part of the bi-annual Rainforest Fund benefit concert on May 13. The event will mark the 21st birthday of the charitable organization founded by Sting and Trudie Styler to help protect and preserve the world's threatened rainforest areas.

and finally, The Indian military has a new weapon against terrorism: the world's hottest chili. After conducting tests, the military has decided to use the thumb-sized "bhut jolokia," or "ghost chili," to make tear gas-like hand grenades to immobilize suspects, defense officials said Tuesday. The bhut jolokia was accepted by Guinness World Records in 2007 as the world's spiciest chili. It is grown and eaten in India's northeast for its taste, as a cure for stomach troubles and a way to fight the crippling summer heat. It has more than 1,000,000 Scoville units, the scientific measurement of a chili's spiciness. Classic Tabasco sauce ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units, while jalapeno peppers measure anywhere from 2,500 to 8,000. "The chili grenade has been found fit for use after trials in Indian defense laboratories, a fact confirmed by scientists at the Defense Research and Development Organization," Col. R. Kalia, a defense spokesman in the northeastern state of Assam, told The Associated Press.

Who Did YOU See This Year?

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U2 topped this year’s annual rankings for tours in North America. Despite disappointing sales for their new album, the Irish rockers were easily the most popular draw on the North American concert circuit this year, according to data issued on Wednesday. They sold $123 million worth of tickets, played to 1.3 million people at 20 shows on the North American leg of its world tour, and charged an average of $93.77. The average price on the band's 2003 tour, when it played 78 shows, was actually higher at $97.

Meanwhile Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band came in second with $94.5 million, said trade publication Pollstar. Among all-time tours, the U2 trek ranks at No. 5, Pollstar said. The Rolling Stones hold the record with $162 million from their 2005 outing. U2's 2005 tour is No. 3 on the all-time list with $138.9 million.

Piano men Elton John and Billy Joel's latest co-headlining stint came in at No. 3 in 2009 with $88 million, followed by rehabbed pop princess Britney Spears at No. 4 with $82.5 million, and hard-rockers AC/DC at No. 5 with $77.9 million.

Country star Kenny Chesney made the top 10 for the sixth consecutive year, landing at No. 6 in 2009 with $71.1 million.

As in years past, veteran rockers dominated the rankings, in part because they are able to charge more than developing acts. But the fresh-faced Jonas Brothers made No. 7 after selling $69.8 million in tickets to their young fans.

Fellow Disney star Miley Cyrus was No. 13 with $45 million, and country-pop starlet Taylor Swift was No. 35 with $25.5 million. Bongiovanni said he expected Swift to make the top 10 next year on the heels of a three-month North American tour that kicks off on March 4.

The top 10 was rounded out by the Dave Matthews Band at No. 8 with $56.9 million, Fleetwood Mac at No. 9 with $54.5 million, and Metallica at No. 10 with $53.4 million.

Pollstar editor Gary Bongiovanni said the overall concert business bucked the recession, mirroring a similar phenomenon at movie theaters. He said most people go to only one or two shows a year, and are willing to pay a premium for good seats.