Morning Brew for 12/11

Good news, I woke up this morning and it was exactly 0 degrees. Which means that it's time for a new post! I can't believe how cold it has been in Utah this week. You know it's bad that you are excited that it is 14 degrees on your way to the office.

Before we get started just wanted to wish a Happy Hanukkah to everyone who is lighting their first candle tonight.

-I don't know how many of you use Amazon's Kindle, but it really is a first class device. The USA Today ran an article today comparing all of the e-reader devices out there. Pretty interesting stuff, and definitely a must read if you are planning on picking one up for the holiday season.

-Oh, Jersey Shore! While I haven't had a chance to catch last night's all new episode (a full recap will come on Monday), that doesn't mean there is a lack of coverage today. Apparently the Jersey Shore Visitors and Convention Bureau, are not thrilled with how the city is being projected. I'm shocked! I mean, why wouldn't you want to be projected as the Guido capital of the United States? You obviously have some fantastic bars, and t-shirt stores, why wouldn't someone want to travel there? I know I do, I need to get my fist pumping on!

-Planning on grabbing a Frosty from Wendy's on your next trip through Tokyo? Not so fast my friends! The company announced today that it is removing it's 71 restaurants from Japan by as early as the end of the month. No specifics are given in the article, but I'm sure McDonald's long standing tradition in Japan played a large role in the company's decision.

-The man who is accused of making secret video tapes of ESPN's Erin Andrews, is set to plead guilty to interstate stalking charges. Michael Barrett is accused of altering the peep hole in 3 different hotels that Andrews was staying in and secretly taping her in the nude while she was in the "privacy" of her hotel room. He could face up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

-The Tiger Woods saga continues to get weirder by the second. ESPN's Bill Simmons, is calling it the story of the decade. I mean can anyone really argue that?

-

Weekend Update

Sports
-Too many links from the NBA Playoff games this weekend, so I'll just link you over to NBA.com's Playoff Coverage. Nice to see Detroit put up a fight in game 4 at home against Cleveland... eh... not so much. Double OT classic in Chicago, looks like we've got a series there. Houston is one win away from advancing to the 2nd round, good thing T-Mac is hurt, they might actually win. Kobe... psh.

-The most over hyped, and overrated event of the year happened over the weekend, the NFL Draft! How excited am I that I no longer have to watch NFL live 4 months before the start of the season? At least we got to watch Erin Andrews do what she does this weekend. Oh, and yes that's former Provo Angels outfielder Quan Cosby with her.

Entertainment
-Beyonce is number 1 at the box office. Her new movie, Obsessed, pulled in $28.5 million to capture the box office crown. Zac Efron's movie, 17 Again, came in 2nd place with a respectable $11.7 million.

-This weekend's movie for me was Observe and Report. As much as I like Seth Rogen, this was BY FAR his worst movie. No point, and lots of wiener. Not a good combo.

-Sad news from Hollywood over the weekend, former Golden Girls actress, Bea Arthur died at the age of 86. Arthur won two Emmy Awards, and was best known for playing Dorothy on Golden Girls.

News
-There have been 73 confirmed cases of the Swine Flu around the world over the weekend, 40 of in the United States. The European Union Health's Commissioner has warned against travel to Mexico. President Obama has stated that the outbreak has caused for a heightened state of alert. Yikes.

-Good news for Verizon Wireless customers, apparently the wireless company is in talks with Apple to sell the iPhone as early as next year. Apple's exclusive deal with AT&T runs out next year, the question will remain whether or not that deal is extended.