Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/9/2010

After being harassed by unruly fans at the Australian Open and not having any officials intercede, American tennis star Andy Roddick went off on the chair umpire: "Do you have ears connected to your head? Can't you hear them yelling? Do you want me to send you a fax or an e-mail so you'll know when I want you to do something?"

Birthdays:
Bart Starr b. 1934
Robert Newhouse b. 1950
M.L. Carr b. 1951
Muggsy Bogues b. 1965
Sergio Garcia b. 1980

Packers Fact:
After winning Super Bowl II in the 1967 season, the Packers didn't win another postseason game until drubbing the St. Louis Cardinals 41-16 in the opening round of the 1982 Super Bowl tournament.

BETTER THAN A PIE IN THE FACE

This book brings an era of American history and culture to life (though the author, himself the impresario of a successful vaudeville troupe, insists that vaudeville is not dead). With roots that reach way back to Punch and Judy and commedia dell’arte, vaudeville emerged as the dominant form of entertainment from about 1881 to 1932, and its influence reaches far beyond—even to today. There could be no better chronicler of this vibrant, colorful, and funny medium than Trav S. D. (the nom de plume of Travis Stewart).

NO APPLAUSE—JUST THROW MONEY: THE BOOK THAT MADE VAUDEVILLE FAMOUS, by Trav S. D. (Faber & Faber, 2006)

TITAN IPA

Great Divide Brewing Co., Denver, Colorado

A brilliant amber sunset in every glass, with a foam formation intriguing as a bank of clouds. Caramel malt emerges from an earthy foundation, followed by citrus, floral, honey, and grassy hop. Malt sweetness engages as hop bitterness slides easily to the back of the tongue. A happy aftertaste tempers the abrupt bitterness with soothing, silky malt goodness. And as with all classically wonderful IPAs, the thrill of the cycle beckons: Continue.