Asylum http://www.asylum.com Asylum http://www.asylum.com/media/feedlogo.gif Asylum http://www.asylum.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Today's Web Crush -- Peggy Wang, Blogger and Musicianhttp://www.asylum.com/2009/09/04/todays-web-crush-peggy-wang-blogger-and-musician/http://www.asylum.com/2009/09/04/todays-web-crush-peggy-wang-blogger-and-musician/http://www.asylum.com/2009/09/04/todays-web-crush-peggy-wang-blogger-and-musician/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

By day, Peggy Wang pretty much runs the Internet. A senior editor at Buzzfeed with a raunchy sense of humor that would make Andrew Dice Clay proud, it's her job to write funny one-liners about Web gems like Erotic Falconry, pictures of dogs going down on each other, and Shake and Bake Meth.

Much like Batman, Wang's life changes under the cover of darkness, when she plays the keyboard and sings backup vocals for an indie band called The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, whose debut album was named one of Pitchfork's best new releases of 2009. If only she were a professional badminton player, we'd be able to call her the elusive triple-threat. We recently talked to Peggy about going viral, life on the road, and pre-show boozing.Blogga, Please
Wang: "I've been at Buzzfeed for about three years now, and I still have trouble explaining my job to people I meet. That are like, my age.

We started out wanting to post more things that we really liked that people didn't know about but had potential to take off. Like a band or something. It's gone in a different direction, but I'm into it. I would say we've moved away from the whole tastemaker thing, and now it's moving the other way. Finding out about something and posting about it, checking out trends, blogging about Jon Gosselin's new girlfriend. It started out being more editorial and is now a community, which is a cool thing."

Peggy Wang

    On working for BuzzFeed: "Finding out about something and posting about it, checking out trends, blogging about Jon Gosselin's new girlfriend. It started out being more editorial and is now a community, which is a cool thing."

    Bonnie Biess, Asylum

    On her band's viral video: "It wasn't like we were trying to make a viral video or anything. If anything it was kind of the opposite. It was just a really really simple idea to go with a really simple song."

    Bonnie Biess, Asylum

    "I've completely stopped reading our reviews. I started out reading reviews, but in the last three months I stopped doing that. I took out my Google blog alerts on the band."

    Bonnie Biess, Asylum

    "The dynamic with my bandmates is actually awesome. It's a brother and sister vibe. I'm really low maintenance."

    Bonnie Biess, Asylum

    "I like drinking whiskey, I like drinking vodka, I like drinking rum, I like drinking gin -- whatever's in the green room."

    Bonnie Biess, Asylum

    "I don't like drinking beer. I have to drink too much of it before I get drunk, and by then I've gotten sick of it and full."

    Bonnie Biess, Asylum

    On not meeting Carson Daly: "We were standing in the hallway about to go on, and our drummer Kurt goes, 'So do we get to meet Carson or what?' And Carson walked past and was like, "No you don't," and kept walking."

    Bonnie Biess, Asylum



When You Become the Buzz
"We were early adopters of putting all of our songs online, having a MySpace page, having a band blog early on, and we became a blogged-about band. Last month, I ran into this one music blog editor and he was joking that he took credit for our band breaking through, because early on they wrote about us as a band to watch. I think that's the case with all indie bands that get popular these days, it kind of goes hand in hand now, being a blogged-about band."

3 Dudes, 1 Girl ... On the Road
"The dynamic with my bandmates is actually awesome. It's a brother and sister vibe. I'm really low maintenance. Maybe every once in awhile I'll feel left out. The guys will be geeking out about something that I don't know. Another thing is that I really like to go thrift store shopping on tour, and no one else really wants to do that. I usually just get vetoed. And I guess if you like have your period or something, nobody has a tampon. No tampons in the van. The guys also have worse eating habits than I do. Its like, okay, its 2am, do we really need to go to McDonalds? And then we're at McDonalds and everyone's eating French fries except me."

Going Viral ... That's Like Swine Flu, Right?
"Our video 'Everything With You' really helped, but in a weird way. (It now has over 220,000 views on YouTube, possibly because it features Peggy frolicking on the beach with a lady friend.)

It wasn't like we were trying to make a viral video or anything. If anything it was kind of the opposite. It was just a really really simple idea to go with a really simple song. It wasn't like the OK Go video where they were on the treadmill or anything like that. My friend Art directed it and he'd never done a music video before. And like everything with the band, things just kind of fell into place randomly."


Beware of Crazy Germans
"On tour in Germany I had this one older guy come up to me, and he just wouldn't leave me alone. Then he told me how he had been let out of the psyche ward for one day only to come see us play. I was trying to be really polite, and there were people around, but I think eventually one of my friends came over to me and said, we need you over there ... "

Then Again, Blogs Will Probably Eat Your Soul
"I've completely stopped reading our reviews. I started out reading reviews, but in the last three months I stopped doing that. I took out my Google blog alerts on the band.

But I also thought that after our first tour, I was using it as constructive criticism, reading blog reviews and stuff, but then after our 2nd tour, I felt like it would make me feel really self-conscious to read things like that. And I get really sensitive when people post mean things.

I have music blogs in my RSS feed that I read anyway, and usually when I see a picture of us, I'm like, oh next item, next item."

You Know What Helps Calm the Nerves? Lots of Booze.
"I like drinking whiskey, I like drinking vodka, I like drinking rum, I like drinking gin -- whatever's in the green room. When you play festivals and stuff, they'll give you a bottle of hard liquor, and I don't really care what it is.

I don't like drinking beer. I have to drink too much of it before I get drunk, and by then I've gotten sick of it and full. Sometimes I do like drinking beer if I'm starving.

I used to drink a lot before we performed, just to get over my shyness. But now I've gotten used to it and feel a lot more comfortable out there. I never thought I'd get to that point. It's cool, now I don't have to get wasted and play all the notes wrong."

Carson Daly Sucks.
"We performed on Late Night With Carson Daly awhile back, which was cool. We did not meet him. We didn't even get an awkward post-performance handshake! We were standing in the hallway about to go on, and our drummer Kurt goes, 'So do we get to meet Carson or what?' And Carson walked past and was like, "No you don't," and kept walking. That was our one encounter with Carson. He kinda said it with a twinkle in his eye, he wasn't being totally rude or anything ... He's really tall.

Then he proceeded to introduce us as the next band out of Brooklyn, the home of The Strokes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Thanks, Carson."

 

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]]>buzzfeedpeggy wangPeggyWangthe pains of being pure at heartThePainsOfBeingPureAtHeartAlex Moaba2009-09-04T11:00:00+00:00Obama Awkwardly Honors NASCARhttp://www.asylum.com/2009/08/21/obama-awkwardly-honors-nascar/http://www.asylum.com/2009/08/21/obama-awkwardly-honors-nascar/http://www.asylum.com/2009/08/21/obama-awkwardly-honors-nascar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Democrats' health-care bill is in danger of collapsing, dragging President Obama's approval rating down with it, but HEY -- look at that really cool car!

This was the scene yesterday at the White House, as the Commander-in-Chief honored NASCAR and its 2008 Sprint Cup points champion, Jimmie Johnson, in a ceremony specifically designed to make rednecks forget their seething hatred of the president for at least 10-15 minutes.

(And to get Obama on "SportsCenter," as it's been well over a month since the MLB All-Star Game and eons since Barack-Etology.)

Check out the awkward footage after the jump.Johnson brought his championship number 48 car along and answered Obama's cerebral questions, like "How fast does this thing go?" The president said the car looked "spiffy" and in his prepared remarks requested Johnson not burn donuts in the South Lawn.

The whole thing struggled to break through a thick cloud of awkwardness, making it perhaps the weirdest presidential event since George W. Bush awarded the Medal of Honor to Ice Cube for his heroism in the groundbreaking Gulf War documentary, "Three Kings."

 

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]]>2008SpringCupbarack obamaBarackObamajimmie johnsonJimmieJohnsonNASCARsprint cupSprintCupwhite houseWhiteHouseAlex Moaba2009-08-21T11:00:00+00:00We Asked the Internet What to Get Your Dad, Part Deuxhttp://www.asylum.com/2009/06/12/we-asked-the-internet-what-to-get-your-dad-1/http://www.asylum.com/2009/06/12/we-asked-the-internet-what-to-get-your-dad-1/http://www.asylum.com/2009/06/12/we-asked-the-internet-what-to-get-your-dad-1/#commentsFiled under:

Screen Junkies
The Venture Bros.: Season Three ($30.99)

This little collection has been out since March, but it's the first season of Adult Swim's super-clever, pop culture reference-filled series to arrive on Blu-Ray. Plop down on the couch with Dad and have some laughs. Then when it's over, casually mention to him that the show's prominent theme of failure reminds you of your relationship with him, and that no matter how smart he thinks he is, he was never a good parent. Then go throw a football around or something.

Asylum
Heineken BeerTender ($199)

Sure, you can see a Heineken logo all over the page, but we had a BeerTender in the office way before they paid us to talk about it. Having a mini-keg of beer at your fingertips (on the clock or off) has inspired us so much we're pitching in to get one for all our dads.
LikeCool
Beer Holster ($40)

The Beer Holster keeps your beer ready for a quick draw whenever the need arises. It also frees your hand. Made of rugged leather, it snaps onto any standard belt and the adjustable nylon strap wraps around the thigh for additional support.

Switched
Retro Computer Keyboard

There's nothing better to remind Dad he's getting on in his years -- or that the '80s were a mellower, less texting-and-Twitter-crazed time -- than a retro computer keyboard. Yes, you could buy a mint-condition vintage 1985 IBM M keyboard from a place like Clicky Keyboards, but if you want something shinier, then spring for a brand-spanking-new DAS Keyboard, which uses gold-plated mechanical switches so that keys emit a noisy, 1980s-style click. Either way, Dad's gonna be glad you didn't get him another phone (or some other texting device he can't figure out).

Men's Fitness
Breville Ikon Juice Fountain ($199)

Juicers are a great way for Dad to get an abundance of nutrients without having to choke down a whole plate of vegetables. The only problem is that some juicers can be loud, hard to clean, and don't always extract all the juice. This is not the case with Breville's Ikon Juice Fountain. With five speeds and a 900-watt motor, this stainless-steel powerhouse can make an 8-ounce glass of pure juice in five seconds, and dishwasher-safe parts ensure a quick cleanup.

 

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]]>fathers dayFathersDaygiftsAlex Moaba2009-06-12T13:30:00+00:00We Asked the Internet What to Get Your Dadhttp://www.asylum.com/2009/06/12/we-asked-the-internet-what-to-get-your-dad/http://www.asylum.com/2009/06/12/we-asked-the-internet-what-to-get-your-dad/http://www.asylum.com/2009/06/12/we-asked-the-internet-what-to-get-your-dad/#commentsFiled under:

Father's Day is coming up around the bend, which means it's time to buy a thoughtful gift for the guy who taught you how to throw a baseball, tie a tie and get discreetly inebriated at family functions. There was a time when you could make him a lame book of coupons filled with scraps of paper that promised to do things like "mow the lawn" or "take out the trash," but you're a little older now, and your dad probably spends his days cursing the tens of thousands he's shelled out on your college education, legal bills and numerous other incidentals that have piled up over a childhood well spent.

So how to repay the man who taught you everything? It's a big question, so we asked some of our friends around the Internet for some Father's Day gift suggestions.

With Leather
18-Ounce German Glass Boot ($19.95)

You know your dad has always wanted to consume alcohol out of a glass boot. Well, now he can! With this glass boot, your dad is bound to be the Übermensch at your next alcohol-friendly family function. Or he can just reenact scenes from his favorite Jay Chandrasekhar movie! This German-style stein holds 18 ounces of a beverage of your choice. Just don't try to put it on! Your father already has more money than you do. Spite him with something cheap, useful, and dishwasher safe!


Click here to see nine more must-have Father's Day gifts ...

Walyou
Personal Steak Branding Iron ($15)

Every man loves his steak done his way and would just love this branding iron. With it, any chef could customize a word or short phrase and make sure that their steak is known as their steak without any mistake.

American Mustache Institute
Yodeling Pickle ($11.36)

For my dollar, nothing says, "I love you, Dad," quite like either your son growing a mustache at age 7 or, secondarily, a yodeling pickle. Never heard a pickle yodel? Well, it's quite a treat. A yodeling pickle has multiple uses -- yodeling, pickling and troll dancing.

Current Comedy
320-Ounce Box of Charleston Oysters ($59.38)

I was prowling eBay to find something to get for my dad, then I stumbled upon this gem: 320 ounces of Charleston Seafood Oysters. That is 20 lbs. of shellfish! It's the gift that keeps on giving. Your dad can cook these fellas up (with all that curry powder you bought him last year), then crush the shells and turn them into jewelry, just in time for your mom's birthday. Your dad will love it! (May require refrigeration.)

StyleCrave:
Beer of the Month Club Subscription ($20.98 and up)

Is your dad the beer drinkin' type? This gift will not only make his Father's Day, but it'll keep on giving every month after that. The Beer of the Month Club sends 12 beers a month from breweries around the world directly to Dad's doorstep. From $20.98 a month, you can choose from 12 domestic beers, 12 international beers or a mix of both. Cheers!
See five more Dad-worthy gifts next ...

 

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]]>Alex Moaba2009-06-12T13:30:00+00:00Asylum's Best-Case Scenario for the 2009 MLB Seasonhttp://www.asylum.com/2009/04/09/asylums-best-case-scenario-mlb-preview/http://www.asylum.com/2009/04/09/asylums-best-case-scenario-mlb-preview/http://www.asylum.com/2009/04/09/asylums-best-case-scenario-mlb-preview/#commentsFiled under: ,

While flipping between games on opening day, we heard some announcer say that the baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint. Unfortunately, living in modern times has robbed us of our patience for marathons. They take freakin' five hours. And while we enjoy basking in the warm patriotic glow of our national pastime, we got to wondering what would have to happen for baseball to hold our sustained attention for the full seven-month season. Join us on an elaborate eight-point prophecy, which could make that impossibility suddenly very possible.

8. While out recovering from hip surgery, Alex Rodriguez will join the cast of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" to address unresolved psychological issues stemming from his past steroid abuse. There he will begin a love affair with Lindsay Lohan. The couple will release a sex tape by the All-Star Break.

7. Manny Ramirez will invest a substantial portion of his newly minted $50-million contract on the purchase of a medical-marijuana club in downtown L.A. Their top-selling strand will be called "Manny Being Manny." Ramirez will also hit 36 home runs, convert to Scientology and make a cameo on HBO's "Entourage," though he won't know he's on the show, or know what the show is.

Check out the critical final six points including Pedro digging up his late little friend, after the jump.
6. Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez will face a sexual-harassment suit after asking a female front-office employee if she'd "fancy a mustache ride." He now works exclusively for the Hair Club for Men.

5. Still unsigned at this writing, Pedro Martinez will be arrested by Dominican authorities for attempting to dig up the remains of his late midget friend and good-luck charm, Nelson de la Rosa.
4. Joba Chamberlain will start yelling "I'm Kenny Powers" and "I got my pitch back!" after dramatic strikeouts. He will also grow a formidable mullet.

3. The federal government's perjury case against Barry Bonds will completely unravel by midseason, at which time the Pittsburgh Pirates will sign him to a one-year deal. He will team with Rinku and Dinesh to lead the team to their first .500 season in 17 years. Sadly, no one will notice.
2. The new Yankee Stadium will be foreclosed on when the SEC reveals that the Steinbrenner family has been operating an illegal Ponzi scheme for the last 25 years. Hank will flee to Aruba, but not before leaving a floater in Brian Cashman's private restroom.

1. President Obama will demand the resignation of Commissioner Bud Selig for presiding over a 10-year period of corporate greed and insufficient oversight. Selig's successor will be Jose Canseco, famed truth-teller and MLB statesman, who will offer to serve for an annual salary of $1 and openly urge players to take steroids for America's entertainment.

Are you excited the 2009 baseball season has begun? Click here to weigh in on our reader poll.

 

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]]>baseballmlbpreviewAlex Moaba2009-04-09T10:30:00+00:00Governor Blago's Top 10 Craziest Momentshttp://www.asylum.com/2008/12/11/governor-blagos-top-10-craziest-moments/http://www.asylum.com/2008/12/11/governor-blagos-top-10-craziest-moments/http://www.asylum.com/2008/12/11/governor-blagos-top-10-craziest-moments/#commentsFiled under: ,

This week, the nation was introduced to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, the most batsh*t crazy elected official in America. Arrested this Tuesday on corruption charges after an FBI wiretap revealed he was trying to auction off President-elect Obama's vacated Senate seat, the man we affectionately call Blago has ignited one of the most entertaining political scandals in recent memory.

Sure, he may have betrayed the public trust, but let's take a moment to be thankful for the treasure trove of comedic gold the man has brought to these dark, uncertain times. Blago's desperate schemes range from the ridiculous to the sublime, and we feel it our civic duty to highlight the choicest nuggets from the saga of Illinois's future ex-governor -- just so we'll all be on the same page for jokes going forward.

1. Nice hair, Blago

The day before he went down with a thud, Blago put on a clinic in self-denial when he invited the government to tap his phones (they already were), and insisted there was "nothing but sunshine hanging over me." The leather jacket was a nice touch.



Read more of Governor Blago's top 10 craziest moments ...
2. What do you want Blago? "The world, Chico, and everything in it ..."

Two days after Obama's election, Blago realized there might be something in this for him.

"I've got this thing and it's f--ing golden," Blagojevich bragged. "I'm not giving it up for f--ing nothing. I'm not gonna do it. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me there." (Blago-speak for appointing himself Senator).

When warned by his Chief of Staff to avoid "making it look like some kind of selfish grab for a quid pro quo," Blago responded: "I want to make money." A nice cushy job paying $250-300k, more precisely.

3. Blago wants to fix health care

Blago thought he could leverage the Senate Seat into a spot in Obama's cabinet. Secretary of State and Defense were already taken, but ...

"Rod Blagojevich indicated in the call that if he was appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services by the president-elect, then Rod Blagojevich would appoint Senate candidate 1 to the open Senate seat," the complaint read.

4. Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean you aren't being watched ...

Blago warned others to be careful what they say. "(S)ome of this stuff's gotta start happening now ... right now ... and we gotta see it. You understand? ... You gotta be careful how you express that and assume everybody's listening, the whole world is listening. You hear me?"

5. Blago unleashed

Blago, frustrated that Obama wouldn't play ball, got a little worked up.

"They're telling me to suck it up for two years and just give this motherf--er [the President-elect] his senator. F-- him. For nothing? F-- him."

6. CEO Blago

The next day, Blago had an ingenious idea to shake down the wealthiest men in America. He told advisers to tell Obama to ask Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to put $10, $12, or $15 million into a dummy corporation that he would be placed in charge of.

7. Blago laid out his top three criteria for naming Obama's successor:

A) "Our legal situation"
B) "Our personal situation"
C) "My political situation"

8. Blago in 2016!

With his plans crumbling around him, Blago decided he might as well just become the president. He informed his advisers that he'd like to "remake his image in consideration of a possible run for president in 2016."

9. Blago attemps to take down all of Chicago

Steamed about negative press, Blago set his sites on the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Cubs. He and his wife decided that he'd hold up the sale of the Cubs if he couldn't get certain members of the Tribune Editorial Board fired.

Mrs. Blago: "Hold up that f--ing Cubs s-- ... F-- them."

Blago: "Our recommendation is fire all those f---ing people, get 'em the f--- out of there and get us some editorial support."

10. Is this a joke?

The castle came crashing down in a 6 a.m. phone call from the feds, who informed Blago they were outside his house with a warrant for his arrest. Waking up from last night's slumber, Blago simply asked, "Is this a joke?"

Blago, if you only knew.

 

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]]>corruptioncrazyprofanityrod blagojevichRodBlagojevichAlex Moaba2008-12-11T17:30:00+00:00Makers of Jack Daniels Doing Just Fine in the Downturnhttp://www.asylum.com/2008/12/08/makers-of-jack-daniels-doing-just-fine-in-the-downturn/http://www.asylum.com/2008/12/08/makers-of-jack-daniels-doing-just-fine-in-the-downturn/http://www.asylum.com/2008/12/08/makers-of-jack-daniels-doing-just-fine-in-the-downturn/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

America finally got some good economic news last week when Brown-Forman, the makers of Jack Daniels, announced their profits were up 13 percent in the second quarter.

Chief Executive Paul Varga credited the strong performance to "the stability of our company, the strength and resiliency of our brands and people, and the quality of our cash flows and balance sheet." That could work. Or maybe it's the fact that millions of newly jobless, formerly productive members of society are now spending their days in rocking chairs, drinking whiskey and cursing at their TVs.

One question remains -- how long can a nation of unemployed derelicts afford to keep drinking top-shelf booze, or mid-shelf for that matter? If we're really looking forward to a lost decade like we saw in Asia in the 1990s, it might be time to drop the Johnnie Blue and start acquiring a taste for the cheap stuff. Let's not forget that the last time one of these depression things happened, people took to making gin in their bathtubs.

With that in mind, check out our guide to the 10 best recession-proof whiskeys to get you through the downturn, after the jumpThe Top 10 Cheap Whiskeys to Get You Through the Recession

1. Old Grandad Kentucky Straight Bourbon ($13) -- Your grandpa probably drank this while listening to FDR's Fireside Chats.

2. Wilson ($10) -- Regardless of price, no better whiskey in the world. At least that's what it says on the label.

3. Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon ($13) -- Little-known fact: Lincoln actually fought the Civil War so he could keep drinking Rebel Yell.

4. Black Velvet Canadian Whisky ($10) -- Downside: may cause blindness. Upside: will get you drunk.

5. Fighting Cock 6-Year-Old Bourbon ($18) -- Taste aside, good for a night's worth of whiskey-dick jokes.

6. Old Crow Kentucky Straight Bourbon ($10) -- Comes in a glass bottle, and that's worth 5-10 cents in some states.

7. Rittenhouse Rye ($20) -- Hard to find, but worth looking for. Won the 2006 San Francisco Spirits Competition. Bonus: lets you say you're getting 'Rittenhoused.'

8. Early Times Bourbon ($10) -- Be careful drinking neat, but tastes good with ginger ale. And if it makes you puke, you're just one step closer to making a nice hearty stew.

9. George Dickel Tennessee Whisky ($21) -- Strong flavors, goes down smooth, catchy name.

10. Canadian Mist ($10) -- By drinking it, you're doing your part to keep NAFTA viable.

Got a favorite cheap brand of hooch to keep you warm through the downturn? Leave your personal favorite in the comments.

Like your drinks both cheap and unhealthy? Check out our round-up of the deadliest drinks folks have dared to consume in the gallery below.

Most Dangerous Drinks

    Ethanol/Grain Alcohol It is illegal to sell this 190-proof "drink" in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Obviously, the liver has lobbyists in those states.

    Jeff Gentner, AP

    Moonshine Prohibition caused people to take all sorts of odd steps to get their buzz on. For those who took the Bo and Luke route, a shoddy brew included methanol (a.k.a. wood alcohol) that acts in a few hours and can cause blindness. Perhaps that allowed them to not realize they were making out with cousin Daisy.

    Hector Mata, AFP / Getty Images

    Hjemmebrent Norway's Moonshine goes a bit further, being distilled to 96% alcohol. In Tara Grescoe's book "The Devil's Picnic," drinking hjemmebrent is described this way: "You were sober then you were drunk. It was grim, goal-oriented, and a little sad. And the hangover was like no other." Scary. We can't imagine anything worse than a PBR hangover.

    vgb.no

    Blood Religious groups and tribes, including the Suri of Ethiopia, have been drinking blood for centuries. For some it's a ritual, for others it's just a great way to risk contracting Hepatitis B and C.

    Corbis

    Coca Cola Coca-Cola launched the disastrous "New Coke" in 1985, but in truth, the stuff we'd been consuming for decades was new. The true original version had cocaine in it. If Coca Cola still had cocaine in it, the world would be a sleepless wasteland of rambling teeth grinders.

    AP

    Black Drink Made from roasted leaves of the Yaupon Holly, Native Americans males consumed the Black Drink in a ritualistic manner, substituting it for coffee or tea. They purged themselves after imbibing for hours at a time, leading to the berry's appealing Latin name, "Ilex vomitoria."

    wikipedia.com

    Jolt Cola Jolt Cola's slogan is "all the sugar and twice the caffeine." But if you consider that a few of the symptoms of caffeine overdose include restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, increased urination, gastrointestinal distress, muscle twitching, irritability, and irregular heart beat, a cold Jolt doesn't sound so good.

    AP

    Bombes Enterprising bar owners in Greece originally came up with Bombes -- a mixture of alcohol and cheap, dangerous industrial spirits. These drinks are so lethal that the government had to step in, because the loss of bar patrons due to death wasn't enough to keep them from being served.

    Fox Photos / Getty Images

    Bud Extra A couple of years back, someone at Budweiser came up with a plan to keep beer drinkers from passing out. They called it "B to the E," and injected it with ginseng and high levels caffeine. In June 2008, Anheuser-Busch pulled the product in response to public criticism, which was completely warranted.

    AP

    Kumis Though not technically a danger to your physical health, there's something psychologically troubling about sipping Kumis, a booze made from fermented mare's milk. Russians have been drinking from the horse's teat for centuries, but we'll pass.

    wikipedia.com

 

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]]>acoholbourboncheap whiskeyCheapWhiskeyeconomizingeconomywhiskeywhiskyAlex Moaba2008-12-08T17:30:00+00:00Aussie Politicians May Have to Stop Boozing and Legislatinghttp://www.asylum.com/2008/12/04/aussie-politicians-may-have-to-stop-boozing-and-legislating/http://www.asylum.com/2008/12/04/aussie-politicians-may-have-to-stop-boozing-and-legislating/http://www.asylum.com/2008/12/04/aussie-politicians-may-have-to-stop-boozing-and-legislating/#commentsAustralian lawmakers are looking into requiring members of Parliament to be breathalyzed before voting on legislation.

The new initiative comes the morning after Nationals MP Andrew Fraser came straight from a Christmas party to a legislative session and proceeded to get into a shoving match (pictured here) with a female colleague. Not cool, dude, not cool.

 

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]]>australiabreathalyzerdrinkdrinkingparliamentAlex Moaba2008-12-04T16:15:00+00:00