University of Sleep

US colleges are becoming increasingly concerned about sleep deprivation among their students.

'Wellesley College spreads the message by throwing dorm pajama parties with tea and popcorn.'

Yeah....I'm sure that sends them directly to REM mode.

'Tufts University passes out sleep masks, ear plugs, and a CD of relaxation tracks.'

This is college not a nursing home.

'Bentley College holds a weeklong contest called the Biggest Snoozer, and gives away memory foam pillows and white noise machines to students who log the most hours of shut-eye.'

Look out Japan...here we come! We're coming after your jobs!

'And Massachusetts Institute of Technology has enlisted the help of far-flung parents, alerting them to watch for warning signs such as e-mails sent at 4 a.m.'

I have a feeling the future rocket scientists of the world can find some ways around that one.

Now....let's break it down for a second. Colleges are there to prepare the youth of our country for life after college (the real world). You do a lot of things in college that don't prepare you...but that's the ultimate purpose. You might get a nice cushy job in the real world, where you can roll into work at 10am, read blogs all day, take a 2 hour lunch break, and punch out at five. But, when we talk about preparing our youth to be the next leaders of our country...we're talking about a tall order. Do you think the leaders of our country get a solid 8 hours every night and a 20 minute nap every afternoon?

The real world is tough. Do doctors take a break during surgery because they are short on sleep? Does a criminal lawyer not pull an all nighter to prepare his cross examination? Does our military delay an attack for some shut eye? Is Congress taking naps instead of passing a rescue passage? (well...)

We are really getting soft around here. We don't keep score in youth sports. We require chaperones at high school football games . We encourage our college students to sleep more. If anybody should need less sleep it's college kids. If anybody should be pushed, it's college kids. And, now colleges are rewarding its students for laziness? Are you SERIOUS?

If this continues, a common exchange in classrooms around the country could sound like this...

Joe Student: 'Professor...I'm not prepared for discussion today. I was tired. And, I just needed 5 more hours to earn a free sub at Quiznos.'

Professor: That's OK Joe. Get em' next time.

College calling sleep a success prerequisite [boston.com]

Starbucks Cuts The Cheese

Starbucks announced that they will be replacing their breakfast sandwiches with new sandwiches made with a different cheese. The move was made because the old cheese was said to have overpowered the desired coffee aroma in Starbucks establishments.

In a related move, the state of Wisconsin is removing all Starbucks from within its borders.

Starbucks to introduce new breakfast sandwiches[Yahoo Business]

As always, we at The 360 try to keep you up to date of all the goings on at Starbucks.

Top 10 Reasons a Sox/Dodgers World Series Is a Lock

The champagne has been bicoastally poured. The Red Sox have a ticket to October, and so do the Dodgers. The baseball gods are combining forces and pushing these two teams on an impenetrable track to what would truly be a bizarro World Series.

Top 10 reasons why the Red Sox will play the Dodgers in the World Series

10. Torre and Francona...8 World Series appearances between them
9. Best hitter in baseball right now...Manny
8. Still Mr. Clutch...Big Papi
7. Derek Lowe has heard good things about private parties at the Liberty Hotel
6. If you drive from St. Louis to Denver to Los Angeles, it will take you exactly 24 hours. 24 was Manny's # in Boston. It's undeniable scientific proof.

5. Adam Ethier's shot to broaden his food blog with Boston cuisine.
4. The 20th anniversary of Gibson's HR
3. The X factor...Julio Lugo
2. It's what Boston teams do in the 21st century

and the #1 reason why the Red Sox will play the Dodgers in the World Series...

1. The Cubs Won't Win The Pennant...That's One Down


Who do you see advancing to the World Series?

U.S.A. Back on Top, Take That Other Countries

Uncle Sam and a French Ninny

By Kodiak in Cambridge

The United States took back the Ryder Cup last weekend and I'm thrilled. Finally we have something to be proud of. It has been a tough run for good old America lately, so it's nice to see our golfers beat that smug Euro-trash. The quality of play was excellent and this years uniforms were much better than many we have seen in the past.

Half Beer Half Amazing

By Kodiak in Cambridge

Here's my favorite drink. It's known as the "Bismark" or "Black Velvet." I know it sounds strange, but it's heaven in a glass....

Fill a pint or Martini glass half full with champagne (the dryer the better, but doesn't have to be expensive). Then pour Guinness into a spoon so it slowly fills the glass, same principle as a black and tan. Drink contents then repeat 4-5 times, and enjoy. From my home bar to yours.

Dive of Death not that Deadly

David Blaine

By Kodiak in Cambridge

Mystifying magic man David Blaine disappointed the crowd in Central Park and the live television audience last night with a pathetic "trick." For those of you lucky enough to have not watched the two hour special, I'll recap what happened. First he hung upside down for sixty hours in New York City. Doctors said he could go blind or have permanent organ damage due to disruptions in his circulation. Well, he did it and he did not go blind, but he also got down every fifty minutes to walk around, hydrate and relieve himself. Wow. It's still impressive in a way, but come on. It's not a true stunt unless you end up without your vision and covered in piss.

Footage of his hanging was spliced with him doing card tricks and illusions involving bottle caps that he performed for folks on the streets of Harlem and Coney Island. Most were pretty cool and people rightly freaked out. All of this led up to his "Dive of Death." There was a countdown throughout the broadcast, and the announcer toted it as his most dangerous stunt ever attempted. Hmmm, OK. At the moment of truth, he leaped from a forty foot scaffold and was caught by wires attached to a harness he was wearing which then raised him into the air as the camera panned away, the announcer proclaiming that Blaine "disappeared into the atmosphere." If disappearing into the atmosphere means being hoisted off camera then that was the best illusion I've ever seen. Thanks for wasting my time, you sir, are no Amazing Randy.

Hurley Leaves The Island...Celebrates at Fenway

Seen celebrating at Fenway Park last night....Hurley (aka Hugo) with Dustin Pedroia and a bottle of champagne.