Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Aug 10, 2011

Chocolate, Caffeine, Alcohol:

Working long hours puts you at a high risk for a drinking problem.
New Zealand researchers have found that working at least 50 hours a week makes you up to three times more likely to develop a problem with alcohol. The University of Otago study looked at data from more than one thousand people between age 25 and 30. It showed a significant link between long work hours and alcohol dependence. People who worked between 30 and 50 hours a week have about half that risk.
The study, soon to be published in the journal Addiction, also found that the risk was the same in both men and women. (Bartha)

Computers, and other techno-geek-a-zoid crap:

A new Harris Poll of more than two thousand adults finds 60% of drivers with cell phones use them while driving even though 91% of adults know it is unsafe to do so (particularly among younger drivers with cell phones, quelle surprise!). Almost a quarter of drivers with cell phones --some 22%-- send or read text messages while driving.
Some better stats: these numbers are down, the percentage of drivers with cell phones who use them while driving has fallen over the last two years, from 72% in 2009 to 60% now, and the segment who text while driving has shrunk a bit too, from 27% to 22%. (Kaye)

Backstage Bulletin:

THE MONKEES have canceled the rest of their 45th anniversary tour. There were a bunch of dates left into September, but DAVY JONES posted on his Facebook page, "It has been determined that the remainder of The Monkees' 2011 tour has been canceled." No reason was given, but it's been reported that Davy, Micky and Peter were not getting along. Big surprise there. (Marino)

Movies that will suck:

We may have hit rock bottom with this new idea for a movie.
Everybody's favorite first grade gimmick, FLAT STANLEY, is getting his own movie.
MovieFone reports the movie --just like the book series which began in 1964-- have the lead character flattened (although with visual effects) so that Flat Stanley can have a whole series of adventures.

Trolling for publicity:

Are you fed up with the direction this country is headed? Fear not --MICHAEL MOORE has hand-picked America's next Commander-in-Chief and his name is (wait for it...) MATT DAMON! The toothy actor is quite vocal when it comes to certain matters and even protested against standarized testing at a teacher's rally last month. The controversial filmmaker told an online audience on FireDogLake.com that Matt is "very courageous" and thinks Democrats need to take a cue from the GOP by running a candidate that will win. (Lee)

Filling a need (maybe):

Time for today's Idiotic Fun Footwear Idea: Baby's First Cleats.
That's right, you can now buy your baby cleats --cleats for soccer, baseball, football --even golf-- for infants up to 6 months old.
The company is called First Cleats, based in Kirkland, WA. Executive VP DIANA LYNN ULTICAN said she and her daughter first came up with the after watching the family children and grandchildren play sports. "We were having a get together one night and we thought about the idea for the shoes and getting new born babies on the path to athleticism."
The cleats are soft like a baby shoe ("fully chewable" says the website), but they aren't meant for walking in, only playing. They only come in sizes for newborns to six months, and they only come in pink and black. More colors to come.
Cost per pair: $30 bucks. Soccer retailers and baby clothing stores might carry them, or order online at FirstCleats.com. (Maiman)