Content for Wednesday, Sept 29
Skittles Brings Back Lime Flavor After 8-Year Hiatus
Skittles is permanently bringing lime back. Back in 2013, Skittles replaced lime with green apple. Since then, lime has returned from time to time for limited-run products. Mars Wrigley, which makes the candy, released a statement saying "Green Apple has had a good run but the fans have spoken and it's time for lime to return to the rainbow.” Original Skittles flavor packs and sour Skittles flavor backs, both featuring lime, will start popping up on shelves next month, with a national roll-out following over the course of the year.
People Prefer ‘Less is More’ When it Comes to Decor
A recent survey found that nearly 3 in 5 describe their home décor style as “minimalist,” compared to only 3 in 10 who use the term “maximalist.” The study also examined the personality differences between self-identified minimalists and maximalists. Maximalists are much more likely to refer to themselves as “creative” and be satisfied with their lives than minimalists. 44% of the poll are reluctant to use personal photos in their home décor. Half are self-conscious about their appearance and 45% say they don’t have quality photos or many recent ones to choose from. 63% want to create more of relaxing space, more so than functional or luxurious.
Miracle Whip Trends On Twitter, Causing Great Debate On The Condiment
Miracle Whip was trending on Twitter which led to a great debate about the condiment. Users first pointed out that Miracle Whip was trending under "entertainment" instead of "food" which everyone thought was odd. The topic apparently originated when actress Yvette Nicole Brown posted about putting Miracle Whip on tuna salad… sparking the debate. Some users were very anti-Miracle Whip including one person who wrote "Miracle Whip is disgusting and will never be mayonnaise. That's it. That's the tweet." But some stood up for the condiment including one person who wrote, "People be on the Internet trashing Miracle Whip while they have a couple jars of the stuff sitting in their kitchen."
(Cute, or Creepy?)... Amazon Unveils Robot That Autonomously Monitors Your Home
Amazon had their fall product event, where they unveiled a bunch of new gadgets, including a home robot named Astro.
Amazon’s Astro is equipped with a rotating screen that’s mounted onto a base with wheels. Amazon designed the robot to appear animated and friendly, with eyes and expressive body movements that respond to user interaction. For those worried about privacy, Amazon said Astro’s camera, microphone and motion sensors can be switched off by pressing a button. Users can also designate “out of bounds zones,” or certain rooms that are off limits to the robot. The Astro costs $999.99 and is available via invitation only. Amazon didn’t reveal a release date for the robot, but it said it will begin granting invitations later this year. Here’s everything Amazon announced: - Amazon Astro home robot - Its first smart thermostat. - The Echo Show 15, a big Amazon Echo Show that you can hang on the wall. - A ‘Hey Disney’ Amazon Echo partnership with Disney. - Amazon Glow, a video calling device that projects games that kids can play with others - A new Halo View fitness tracker and Halo Fitness and Halo Nutrition services. - Amazon will now let customers sign up to buy the Ring home security drone.
People Who Can’t Fit into Jeans they Wore at 21 Risk Getting Diabetes
People are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if they can no longer fit into the jeans they were wearing when they were 21. A health expert said if people can no longer fit into the same-sized jeans then they are “carrying too much fat”. During his study, he found that people of normal weight with type 2 diabetes could “achieve remission” by losing weight. 66% of people managed to “get rid” of their condition by losing 10 to 15% of their body weight. Remission means having blood sugar levels under control and patients no longer needing any medication.
Mail Delivery About To Get Slower, Temporarily More Expensive
The mail is about to get even slower. The Postal Service said beginning on Friday, they will “implement new service standards for First Class Mail and Periodicals.” Some of the changes will result in increased transit times for cross-country and other long-distance deliveries, although they say 61% of first class mail and 93% of periodicals will not be affected by the changes. The Postal Service also revealed that beginning October 3rd and ending on December 26th, there will be a temporary increase in prices on all commercial and retail domestic packages due to the holiday season.
Housing Market So Hot, Burned House Going For Almost $400K
A home in Massachusetts seriously damaged by fire is going for nearly $400,000.
The online listing for the burned three-bedroom, 1,857-square foot home starts with a call out to contractors, stating: “House is in need of a complete renovation or potential tear down and rebuild. Buyer to do due diligence. House being sold as is.” Realtors say the high price of the burnt house is evidence of how hot the housing market is.
NBA: LeBron James Says He Got COVID Vaccine, But Won't Urge Others To Do Same
NBA star LeBron James is vaccinated, but he said he will not tell others to do the same because it’s not his job. The Lakers star told reporters he was initially skeptical of the shots, but decided to get them after doing his research. LeBron said he had no interest in pleading with others to follow in his footsteps and believes it's a decision each person must make on their own. He said, “We're talking about individuals' bodies. We’re not talking about something that's political, or racism, or police brutality. Things of that nature. We're talking about people's bodies and well being. So, I don't feel like, for me personally, that I should get involved in what other people should do for their bodies and their livelihoods.” LeBron compared it to giving out job advice and how he would never tell someone how to choose their own career paths. He said, “You have to do what's best for your family. So, I know what I did for me and my family. I know some of my friends and what they did for their families. But as far as speaking for everybody and their individualities and things that they want to do, I don't feel like that -- that's not my job.” He said the Lakers never talked as a team about getting the vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccine Third Shot Side Effects On Par With Second Dose
The side effects of the COVID booster shot are similar to that of the second dose of the vaccine. Researchers at the CDC looked at over 22,000 people who received a third dose of the vaccine. They found the frequency and type of side effects were similar to those seen after the second vaccine doses and were mostly mild or moderate and short-lived. Most reports of pain after the additional dose were characterized as mild-to-moderate reactions (51.4% and 41.9%) compared to 6.7% who reported severe pain.
Bill Cosby Thinks R. Kelly Got Railroaded in Federal Sex Crimes Trial
Bill Cosby thinks R. Kelly got a raw deal with a guilty verdict in his federal sex crimes case and he's blaming Gloria Allred and systemic racism. Cosby’s spokesman was asked what his reaction was to Kelly’s conviction on all 9 counts. He said Cosby said, “The guy was railroaded." Gloria represented alleged victims in both Cosby’s case and Kelly’s. Cosby’s spokesman said she’s running a familiar playbook. The spokesman doesn’t think Kelly will actually be sentenced, because an appeals court will overturn the conviction.