Three for Thursday

Want proof that money can't buy everything? Alex Rodriguez, he of the $300 million contract, threw a post-All Star Game bash in New York. The only problem was, no one showed up! Swanky bars, girls, and one of the best ballplayers of all time apparently can't overcome the fact that most people think he's a huge d-bag. Even David Wright got Joba Chamberlain to go listen to 50 Cent.

A few weeks back, we brought you the story of Christopher Carter, the guy who tossed a fellow spin class-er who was grunting and shouting during the work out. Our hero, Carter, has asked a Manhatten DA to investigate whether the guy he admittedly tossed, Stuart Sugarman, perjured himself. This is based, in part, on a juror's statement calling Sugarman "a huge liar." Sugarman's lawyer calls this a stunt timed to coincide with Sugarman's civil case against Carter.

Three things should happen here. First, like Above the Law, I agree these two need to be paired in a reality show. Second, Carter is still my hero. Last, a national law should be passed preventing grown men from going to spin class. Sissies.

Lastly, Anheuser-Busch has been sold to the Europeans. Frankly, I don't care. Not a huge fan of St. Louis, personally, but beer can only get better because of this sale. I hope. Many (most?) of us prefer to spend our money on American-made and American-owned products. Anheuser-Busch is now a Belgian brand. As a beer drinker, I have one recommendation: start drinking local beer. Instead of downing a brew made on a factory line and sending your dollars to a corporate headquarters in Brussels, Toronto, or Rio, drink something local. It's better beer, and its good for your local economy.

Plug: if you're ever in Barre, Vermont, you gotta check out Stonecutter's Brewhouse. Go on a Wednesday for the best $2 pints you'll find anywhere.

Addendum: if Bud Light is removed from the market and its original maker cast into the depths of Hell, I will call the sale of Anheuser-Busch a good thing.

Written whilst listening to System of a Down's album System of a Down

Annoyed Gym-Goers of the World! Unite!

New York stockbroker and gym-goer Christopher Carter was acquitted of assault charges today stemming from an incident that took place in his spin class some months ago. In that class, investment firm partner Stuart Sugarman began grunting and yelling things like "You go girl!" and "Good burn!" until Carter had had enough, picked up Sugarman's exercise bike by the handles, and dropped it back down on the floor. Sugarman claimed afterwards that the incident left him with injuries that caused a herniated disc in his neck.

All I can think about is the movie Dodgeball.

As a four-year, federal work study veteran of undergraduate gyms, and a gym rat since I was 15, I must applaud Mr. Carter. I cannot count the times I've seen screaming, yelling, grunting meat head fools annoy people to the point where they won't come back to a gym. When I worked in gyms as an undergrad, a week couldn't go by without some obviously insecure and overweight freshman guy or girl being scared away from the gym by these (equally obviously insecure) dirtbags screaming and yelling. It was always sad to see them trudge out the door, discouraged from doing something really good for themselves. I, for one, appauld Carter. It's time someone took back the gym.

So, what's your gym story? What gets your goat at the gym?

Good burn!