Roger King Bits

Artificial Christmas trees now dominate US holiday decorating, survey shows (83%)  https://fox40.com/news/artificial-christmas-trees-dominate-us-holiday-decorating-survey-shows/  Now with AI, things are about to get real!

Trouble in Toyland 2025: A.I. bots and toxics present hidden dangers this Christmas  https://pirg.org/california/edfund/resources/trouble-in-toyland-2025-a-i-bots-and-toxics-represent-hidden-dangers/  ( alt )

Ozempic Users Will Spend Twice as Much on Clothes This Black Friday  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sunlightcom-survey-finds-glp-1-users-will-spend-twice-as-much-as-non-users-on-clothes-this-black-friday-302613013.html  

 Apple Is Dead Serious About Its $230 iPhone Sock -  https://gizmodo.com/apple-is-dead-serious-about-its-230-iphone-sock-2000684177  Press Release:  https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/11/introducing-iphone-pocket-a-beautiful-way-to-wear-and-carry-iphone/

New trend: Filming yourself being bored - On TikTok, users are challenging themselves to sit idle — no devices, no books, no music, not even food or sleep — and simply stay free of distractions for a set period of time. -  https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/lifestyle/tiktok-boredom-young-people-filming-themselves-doing-nothing-rcna242385  

The Marine Corps was born in a bar -- the legendary Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, where the first Marines enlisted on November 10, 1775. The original building was torn down in 1781, but now, a brand-new Tun Tavern has opened just a block from the original site. Marine veteran Monty Dahm bought and rebuilt it as a tribute to patriotism and the Marines we've lost. A ceremony is being held today in...

Hey Alexa, what are some interesting facts about redheads?

Oreo Just Dropped 6 New Thanksgiving-Themed Flavors — Including Turkey & Gravy  https://www.today.com/food/holidays/oreo-thanksgiving-cookies-rcna241582  But wait, there's more!

One in six Americans think pets enjoy dressing up for Halloween. Nearly a third have dressed up a pet, or will this year.  https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/survey-results/daily/2025/10/29/b3f72/3  ( more ,  more )Here's a tune to celebrate!

( Audio ) Are aliens going to reveal themselves… today?  https://www.ladbible.com/news/science/3iatlas-comet-to-reach-earth-alien-spaceship-claims-884518-20251028  ( alt ,  alt )We have an update on the very latest about 3I/Atlas-

Starbucks CEO touts mind-reading ‘AI barista’ that predicts coffee orders before customers arrive  https://nypost.com/2025/10/21/lifestyle/starbucks-ceo-touts-ai-barista-that-predicts-coffee-orders/  

( Audio ) Kohler Wants to Put a Tiny Camera in Your Toilet and Analyze the "contents"-   https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/kohler-wants-to-put-a-tiny-camera-in-your-toilet-and-analyze-the-contents/  

United Captain Says His Plane Was Hit By Space Debris At 36,000 Feet — New Photos Show Cockpit Damage  https://viewfromthewing.com/united-captain-says-his-plane-was-hit-by-space-debris-at-36000-feet-new-photos-show-cockpit-damage/  (*If confirmed, would be  first time  it's ever happened.) We have audio from the in-flight announcement-

The Oxford English Dictionary defines fear as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm”. Fear is one emotion that is universal, experienced by all classes of people, be they old or young, poor or rich, educated or illiterate.

Happily ever ad-ter? Americans open to sponsored nuptials. 1 in 5 would let brand mascot officiate  https://talkerresearch.com/happily-ever-ad-ter-americans-open-to-sponsored-nuptials/  ( alt )You can hear it now...

Spanish chef makes burger so expensive you need an invitation to eat it ($11,000)  https://www.dexerto.com/food/spanish-chef-makes-burger-so-expensive-you-need-an-invitation-to-eat-it-3264104/  ( alt )

Will we look back at Sept 2025 as being the “ peak ” of social media? Kiss reality goodbye: AI-generated social media has arrived  https://www.npr.org/2025/10/03/nx-s1-5560200/openai-sora-social-media  

Starbucks is closing stores as part of a restructuring plan-

The Autumnal Equinox is upon us...brought to you by----

Jerry quits Ben & Jerry’s  https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/17/business/jerry-greenfield-quits-ice-cream-brand-intl-hnk Because sometimes feeling bad tastes so good!

The top things that make us lose focus at work include social media, phone dings, major news events, and chatty co-workers  https://bevi.co/blog/bevi-launches-focus-blend/   

Older Folks Are Listing Modern Stressors That Didn't Exist Back In Their Day  https://www.buzzfeed.com/aronawriting/things-young-people-stress-about-older-generations-reddit  Wouldn't it be great if there was a drug you could take??

Girl Scouts adding a new cookie to the lineup  https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/food/new-girl-scouts-cookie-exploremores  You'll have to wait until January, but here's a sneak peak-

Cheerful Music Could Be an Unexpected Cure For Car Sickness  https://www.sciencealert.com/one-kind-of-music-could-be-an-unexpected-cure-for-motion-sickness  ( alt )So when the road gets bumpy, let the beat save your seat!

Congrats! You made it through the summer reruns and binge watching crime dramas on Netflix- Vikings visit the Bears- Hey Alexa- how can I see the game?