The Smarmy Carny

Snopes.com: Rumor has it.

Snopes is an urban legends reference page that I have been reading for almost ten years now.

You'll be surprised at what's true and what's not. Keep in mind that a story doesn't have to be false to be an urban legend. According to Snopes, here are the three conditions to be fulfilled for a story to be classified an "urban legend":

1. The story circulates widely.
2. The story is told and re-told with differing details.
3. The story is said to be true.

Some stories you've believed and retold others for decades turn out to be false. Stories you've rolled your eyes at turn out to be completely true. Here are some items that might surprise you:

• Does hair grow back darker/thicker after it has been shaved?
• Is celery a "negative calorie food"?
• Do the horses in Young Frankenstein neigh every time they hear Frau Blucher's name because "blucher" is the German word for "glue"?
• Will you get cramps if you go swimming less than 45 minutes/an hour after eating?
• Was a suicide captured in the background of The Wizard of Oz?
• Does eating turkey make you drowsy?
• Does the Swiffer WetJet pose a danger to dogs and other household pets?
• Did Kentucky Fried Chicken change their name to KFC to remove "Chicken" from their name because their mutant birds could not be legally considered chickens, or was it to remove "Fried" from their name in order to seem healthier?
• Was the Titanic screening The Poseidon Adventure when it hit the iceberg?
• Is Jell-O made from bones and hides?
• Was an actor killed during the filming of the chariot race in Ben Hur?
• Do Twinkies never expire?
• Was television's Mr. Ed a horse?

Snopes is an overall great site to spend time on. Whether you're looking for some interesting reading to pass the time or settling a bet on whether Pop Rocks and soda pop will kill you, Snopes is the place to be.

Head to Arby's on Thursday, March 9, 2006 between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for Free Chicken Tender Day! From the looks of it, they are promising "a free Chicken Tender," so I believe you only get a single nugget-sized piece, though I could be wrong.

Head over to the Arby's Chicken Naturals page for more details. While you're there, click on "TV" and check out the fun Hulk Hogan commercial they've got.

Just file this under D for "Dancing Fat Guys in Speedos Are Entertaining."

What would Tiny do for Pizza Schmizza?

Cold Stone's is yummier!

In honor of National Ice Cream Month, Cold Stone Creamery is having their Celebration of Ice Cream during the month of July. On July 2 between 10:00 and 12:00, CSC is giving free samples of the special July ice cream flavors.

Here are the five July flavors:

• Oatmeal Cookie Comfort - Oatmeal Cookie Batter Ice Cream with Apple Pie Filling, Caramel and Pecans
• Black Tie Affair - Black Licorice Ice Cream with Raspberries, Cherry Pie Filling and Whipped Topping
• Fruity Rainbow - Fruity Cereal Ice Cream with Froot Loops®, Strawberries and Blueberries
• Tangerine Sunset - Tangerine Sorbet with Strawberries, Marshmallow and Whipped Topping
• Wasabi Chill - Wasabi Ginger Ice Cream with Coconut, Raspberries and Pineapple

My personal favorite will have to be Oatmeal Cookie Comfort. How could you pass that up?

During this two hour period, Cold Stone Creamery will also be giving away one certificate good for free ice cream for a year! You must be present to win, which means your chances will be relatively good!

Again, this is all on Saturday, July 2 between 10:00 and 12:00. Don't miss out on Cold Stone Creamery's Celebration of Ice Cream!

Not this much, though!

Here's yet another delicious freebie from a company I don't care much for. The way I see Starbucks, they are exactly like the small, comfy coffe shops I prefer, except they they remove all the things I like about the small coffe shops in the first place. Of course, I have never been a coffee drinker, so I'm not too upset over Starbucks, but when I think about it, I get annoyed.

On July 29, Starbucks is hosting another "Ice Cream Social" and giving away a sample of their ice cream. The ice cream is blended with "real Starbucks coffee," whatever that means.

Here's the small print you don't want to ignore: "Sample size is approximately 4 oz. or less."

As usual, I suggest calling ahead to make sure your location is participating.

Click for full picture