Hunter S.

007 Speakeasy Crawl

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We dropped into our local community’s annual 007 Speakeasy Crawl recently. Organizers created six hidden bars in the backs of businesses or where you wouldn’t ordinarily expect to find a bar. Like in an animal-feed store. Starting in a sketchy alley, we followed the clues from one crowded speakeasy to another. All offered a choice of two cocktails with catchy names like Aston Martin (vodka martini), Heartbreaker (Negroni), and Skyfall Sour (bourbon and lemon). 007 posters adorned many of the walls. One stop offered a lively game of Craps. We will be back for the sequel next year.

  • Jet Cannon

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AI Whiskey Master

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The 1440 Daily Report covered an interesting study regarding Artificial Intelligence’s ability emulate sensory perception and perform pretty darn well!.

“A machine learning program was able to meet or outperform professional tasters in identifying whiskey notes, according to a new study. The demonstration marks a milestone in sensory perception using artificial intelligence. Data analysts tested their program on 16 whiskey samples (seven American, nine Scotch) previously categorized by 11 human experts. The program—using statistical models and neural networks—identified molecules in each whiskey and used them to predict the sample’s top five flavor notes. Researchers compared these findings against the top five flavor notes aggregated from human experts’ descriptions.  This type of analysis has historically been challenging; while some chemical mixtures—like vanillin—are directly associated with a specific aroma, others—like whiskey—can rely on over 40 compounds. Notably, the program found molecules like menthol and citronellol unique to the American whiskeys and associated with “caramel-like” notes. Methyl decanoate and heptanoic acid, unique to Scotch whiskeys, were more likely to be associated with apple-like or solvent-like notes.”

So is even better whiskey in our future? Will computers become alcoholics?

– Jet Cannon

Sent from my iPhone

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Healthy High

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Look what happens when one invokes Artificial Intelligence to discover ways Buzzed Boomers can feel better without drugs or alcohol:

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that can help seniors manage stress and pain, and improve their mood and sleep: 

  • Exercise Regular physical activity releases endorphins that can help with stress management.Some good exercises for seniors include:
    • Walking 
    • Swimming 
    • Yoga 
    • Gardening 
    • Weight training with dumbbells, ankle weights, resistance bands, or other equipment 
  • Laughter Deep, long-lasting belly laughs can boost endorphins 
  • Relaxation techniques Deep breathing, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery can help reduce stress and improve sleep 
  • Social connections Regular social interaction with friends, family, and community groups can provide emotional support and a sense of belonging 
  • Other activities Eating chocolate, saliva-inducing foods like ice cream and French fries, or adding a little spice to meals can also release endorphins 

Other ways to increase endorphins include: 

  • Breathing in lavender or using it as an essential oil
  • Adding ginseng to your recipes
  • Listening to your favorite music
  • Reciting a daily quote that is meaningful to you
  • Going outside and moving
  • Finding something or someone that makes you laugh
  • Acupuncture, an alternative treatment that uses thin needles to stimulate pressure points

    This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. Generative AI is experimental and could end up taking over the entire world and beyond!

    • Jet Cannon

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    Boosting Memory

    Trending /

    Not getting enough flavanols — natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables and even chocolate — could be driving that age-related memory loss, according to U.S. News.  “This is the first time we can conclude that flavanols are acting as a nutrient for the aging brain,” said Dr. Scott Small, a professor of neurology and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.  Besides berries and dark chocolate, other flavanol-containing foods include apples — particularly the peels — grapes, citrus fruits, cocoa and green tea. Good vegetable sources of flavanols are onions, hot peppers, kale, broccoli, rutabagas and spinach, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    “I believe that you could consume enough flavanols to prevent yourself from being deficient,” Small said. However, he urged people not to focus on getting this nutrient through chocolate.

    “There’s no way you can eat enough chocolate to have this benefit. In fact, if you tried, you would die first,” Small said.

    But what a way to go!

    – Jet Cannon

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    Feelin’ Stronger Every Day

    Music /

    Finally, a useful study. Loudwire.com reports, “Your favorite music shouldn’t just sound good, it should also make you feel good. A new study by WithinHealth has revealed which rock and metal bands make people feel the most confident about themselves and their bodies. The five rock artists that make people have the most confident are Queen, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Pink Floyd, according to the study, and the five metal artists that make people feel the best are Metallica, Tool, Nirvana, Five Finger Death Punch and Avenged Sevenfold.”

    Read the article here for more on the study.  Go forth and conquer!  

    – Jet Cannon

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    Sleep, Exercise, And Survive

    Fitness /

    Sleeping too much or too little is bad for our health.  But moderate exercise can counteract the bad stuff.  “The new research builds upon a large body of work showing just how critical both sleep and fitness are for overall health. Various studies show that healthy amounts of each individually are linked to increased longevity. And at least one suggested that sleep problems tended to increase the chances a subject would die during the follow-up period but that regular exercise helped eliminate that risk.”  Read all about it in this New York Times article.  

    – Jet Cannon

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    NYC Bagels, Pizza, And Vodka

    Food and Drink /

    Vine Pair asked bartenders about the best new vodkas that earned a spot on their bar.  Read all about it here.  This one was particularly intriguing to us as a fan of New York fine cuisine.

    “The best new vodka on my bar would be ALB Vodka. It’s a local vodka made in Albany, N.Y., and uses water from the same reservoir that holds the water that makes NYC bagels and pizza taste so great.” —Mathew Scherl, general manager & beverage director, Lagos Restaurant & Lounge, New York City

     

    • Jet Cannon

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    Fast Coffee

    Caffeine, Fitness /

    How does a coffee snob take their coffee? Seriously. Very seriously.

    Giving fasting a try this year? Health.com says, “That even during a fast, you can have that morning cup of joe. Coffee is a low-calorie option that fits into any fast and provides a nice pick-me-up with its boost of caffeine. It also has several other benefits, such as containing essential B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium. However, coffee is healthiest black or with just a splash of milk or milk replacement. Too much creamer or sweetener fills the cup with sugar, negating any benefits.”

    – Jet Cannon

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    Free Lunch

    Food and Drink /

    You can still get free hot dogs with your beer at Rudy’s Bar & Grill in New York City.  A classic dive bar with duct tape holding the seats together and superb drink specials like the Mexican Hat Dance, Rudy’s is a model for dive bars across America.

    Two foreigners arrive in America for the first time, in New York City. They step out into the city and see a hot dog stand. One says to the other “wow – they eat dogs in America? Well I guess we should give it a try”. They each get a hot dog and sit down to eat. After a minute of just staring at his hot dog, one turns to the other and says “hey… what part did you get?”.

    Special thanks to Roving Dive Bar Correspondent, Hunter S. 

    – Jet Cannon

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    More Smoke

    Music /

    A savvy Buzzed Boomer pointed us to a 1989 Smoke on the Water tribute/fundraiser featuring some classic rock stars including Brian May, Alex Lifeson, Tommy Iommi, Chris Squire, Ian Gillan, Bruce Dickinson, Paul Rogers, Keith Emerson, Geoff Downes, and Roger Taylor. Not a bad lineup. Enjoy.

    • Jet Cannon
    Photo: Rockandrollgarage.com

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    Be My Baby

    Music /

    We weren’t the only ones who lusted after Ronnie Spector. John Lennon, David Bowie, and Keith Richards were ahead of us in line. Brian Wilson called Be My Baby the greatest pop recording ever made. Rest In Peace, Ronnie.

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