Reason #52 that you should become an UFO...

After reading the "Bites on Today" story about annoying ways co-workers eat lunch, I think they are missing one of the biggest and worst offenses to the senses, burnt popcorn.

The problem with burnt popcorn is that the person making it usually sets the microwave on 5 minutes and walks away. At around 3:30, the popcorn is popping strong or on it's last kernels. By 4 minutes, all you hear is the hum of the microwave and thats when it happens. 60 seconds of nonstop, unadulterated burning action wreaking havoc on those who dare to walk past the break area.

By the end of the 5 minute burn, the person who put the popcorn in the microwave has either forgotten that they put it in there, realizes they did and rushes in to see what they can salvage or the worst thing of all... Pretend it wasn't them. They stay quiet. Working along as if they never left their desk meanwhile a foul bomb has been released throughout the office and terrorizing nostrils.

The smell dissapates after 30-40 minutes so it won't ruin your whole day. However, for office space veterans, there may be 3 or more incidents a week and by the end of the week, becoming your own boss and being an UnFranchise® Owner sounds like a great idea. Work your own hours and you'll get to make your own rules... and rule #1 would probably be no popcorn in the microwave.


*Image from Bloomimage/Getty Images/BloomImage RF

The annoying ways our co-workers eat lunch

MTV VMAs go from 'shock and awe' to 'cute and aww'

I rarely ever watch the MTV Video Music Awards. I love to wait til the next day and catch the highlights of what everyone is buzzing about. This year's advertising commercials are definitely surprising in that aspect. I almost want to say they are 'purrfect.'

Instead of ridiculous antics and hosts that may need all 30 seconds of the commercial to remember who their names are, they've been replaced with cats and dogs.

Check out these commercials and tell us what you think.

*Image from WireImage/MTV

Meow! Kittens and puppies re-enact VMA moments

No Labor Day plans? Time for a cookout.

Of course the beach will be packed. It is every Labor Day weekend. However, there are other options for traditional end of summer. How about a cook out? Now, how about getting cashback for it?

I remember a time when folks knew their neighbors and would select certain times a year to have a neighborhood cookout. Why not try that again with a Market America twist?

Take a look at the Grocery tab on your portal. I went straight for the meats section. Osso buco, NY strip steaks, filet mignon spring rolls, black angus burgers and mussels. Can you imagine that spread on a weekend afternoon?

There are more than enough groceries on your portal to make your neighbors love you while they are over at the house and to be jealous of you when they leave. Top it off with a variety of MA wines and you'll have the perfect "staycation" without ever leaving the house. Food, drinks and friends delivered to your doorstep.

Have food fight, will travel.

It was 1994 at a Boy Scout camp. I was dinged with a tater tot and then a piece of cantaloupe during breakfast. The scout next to me tried to get away from the onslaught so he stood up in a quick motion knocking me backwards off the picnic table bench. As I was going down, I picked up the bowl of grits and tossed it in the general direction of the offending scouts. It hit their scout leader. What happened next was a food fight you only see in movies.

Even after having to apologize and spend half a day cleaning the mess hall, that was fun. So much so that I would do it again. Eggs in a sling shot, punkin chunkin (throwing pumpkins), baked bean bombs and the ever so classic, pie to the face. These actions bring out the most immature, carefree laugh I could ever get. And that's why I would love to take a trip to Spain for the La Tomatina festival.

In it's basic form, La Tomatina revolves around throwing tomatoes at everyone in 1 to 2 hour increments. A huge truck drives down the street dumping tomatoes out which are immediately thrown at by spectators or tossed up into the air in celebration. Bring a pair of goggles and prepare to get messy. Check out the video here.

In Gloucestershire, England, they have an annual Cheese rolling event where participants chase a rolling cheese wheel down a hill. I'm sure it's fun to compete, but being a spectator would provide for all the entertainment you'd need. See the video here.

Is there a crazy food festival that you have always wanted to attend? Tell us about it and plan your next trip with ma|Travel!

*Image from Juanjo Valverde/MSNBC

World's weirdest food festivals

Never too early for wedding reception planning

I knew it was going to happen at some point. My girlfriend made a light joke about us getting married. Rather than the stereotypical male response of leaving the room or changing the subject, I had one thought. What would we serve at the reception?

That makes me think of a country farm style wedding on picnic tables and a hootenanny in the barn once the ceremony was over. Nothing like down home farm cooking.

I know shrimp cocktail is played out, but I still like it. It could easily be replaced with a shrimp civeche.

I would also like an Asian themed flaming hibachi style setup as seen in some Japanese restaurants. Some folks don't know how to use chopsticks, however a set of His and Hers for the bride and groom would be kind of interesting.

The first time I heard of the baked potato bar, I thought it would be interesting. Unfortunately, with all the fixings I would pile on my baked potato I can imagine my mother screaming at me from across the room with a look of horror on her face. Some meals aren't meant for social gatherings.

In this MSNBC story, they talk about 10 wedding food cliches and how to avoid them. What is a twist or a new idea you would have for a wedding reception?

*Image from MSNBC/Bvdc/FeaturePics stock

10 wedding food cliches (and how to avoid them)