First from Erika Morphy at Forbes Dear Google, It’s Not You, It’s Us:

comScore dropped a lollapalooza on Google last week with its finding that as of January 2012 users were spending only 3.3 minutes on Google+ per month, on average.

Chitika [Insights] thinks that one of the factors behind the decline in Google+ activity is that people in general are reaching their saturation point with all things social media. We have LinkedIn, we have Twitter, clearly we are in love with Facebook. And apparently there is room for novel approaches to this space, such as Pinterest. But your standard, straightforward social network, no matter how glammed up with Hangouts and Circles? Maybe not.

A problem, however, with dismissing G+ is the manner in which Google integrates it into it search results. If you’ve noticed, the search giant seems to give a lot of cred to what your social – ahem – circles are sharing.

The other article come from Mashable’s Sam Laird: Pinsanity: How Sports Teams Are Winning on Pinterest:

Quickly shooting up the social media pyramid, image sharing network Pinterest has gained a reputation for largely being a repository for photos of wedding dresses and floral arrangements, due to its huge female user base.

But a budding trend shows that sports teams are hopping aboard the Pinterest bandwagon. Mashable spoke with marketing and engagement managers who say the network offers new ways to connect with and reward fans and provide different social opportunities. And they insist that Pinterest is not just a flash in the sports marketing pan.

The coverage is indicative of the eater’s global and diverse appeal beyond traditional male, sports publications.

Ross Egan has quietly labored for years in the West African nation of Dutannuru—a tiny republican democracy that emerged from the wreckage of a brutal civil war that claimed the brilliant engineer’s wife and child. When a neighboring despot threatens Dutannuru with renewed violence, Egan is abruptly thrust onto the world stage at the center of the deadly international crisis. His actions and resulting notoriety land him on the short list of individuals capable of challenging the incumbent for the presidency of the United States. A political neophyte, Egan is intrigued by the task of unseating a ruthless political operator seen by some as the most dangerously leftist president in the nation’s history. To win the White House, Egan must mount the most unorthodox presidential campaign ever attempted — and navigate through a daunting new world marked by character assassination, high-level corruption, armed raids, and political murder.

Tom will be speaking at The Heritage Foundation on February 8, one of the few – if not only – fictional writers to be invited to do so.

The book is now available for purchase on Amazon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tom Grace is the internationally bestselling author of The Secret Cardinal, Bird of Prey, Twisted Web, Quantum, and Spyder Web. His books have been translated into several languages, pirated, and placed in the library at the South Pole. He is an architect in private practice with projects ranging from private residences to genetic therapy labs. He lives in Michigan with his wife and children and is at work on his next novel. To learn more about Tom Grace, visit www.tomgrace.net.

Takeru Kobayashi announced live today on 94 WIP’s morning show with Angelo Cataldi that, for the first time ever, he will participate in station’s annual gala of AM gluttony, Wing Bowl.

Said Cataldi on Kobayashi’s participation, “Having the greatest competitive eater in history, Takeru Kobayashi, in the biggest competitive eating event in the world is the realization of a dream for me and everyone at WIP. Our crowd of 20,000 will finally get to see the great Kobayashi compete against Philadelphia’s best eaters…Thanks to Kobayashi, Wing Bowl 20 will be our most anticipated and spectacular event ever.”

During the event Team Kobi will be providing exclusive, unprecedented access to the action on his UStream channel (UStream.tv/KobiEats) and Facebook fan page (Facebook.com/KobiEats).

“Wing Bowl has proven to be a contest like no other. The sheer nature of eating chicken wings requires both stamina and technique,” said Kobayashi. “Ultimately this sport, like any other, is about the fans and I want to allow mine to tune in from around the globe and be as close to the action as possible.”

He adds, “Philadelphia has always held a place in my heart. I look forward to finally participating in this legendary contest, and adding a Wing Bowl title to my resume…perhaps even setting a world record.”

In keeping with his vow last month when he set the world turkey eating championship in New York City and volunteered at the Bowery Mission, Kobayashi will announce an initiative to use Wing Bowl to create awareness for hunger-related causes in the Philadelphia-area as a part of his participation.

Lucas spearheaded a tremendous event last night at the NFLPA headquarters along with New Media Strategies and SB Nation.  In addition to a sold out event featuring some of the DC area’s brightest minds in sports and media, over 7000 individuals watched live online via UStream.

You can read the NFLPA’s recap here.

Another here from Redskins.com.

On Wednesday evening, Takeru Kobayashi set a world record consuming 7.50 pounds of turkey Thanksgiving Eve before a live audience at Turtle Bay in New York City, as witnessed by third-party officiates RecordSetter.com and SB Nation Senior Correspondent Amy K. Nelson.  The event kicked off Kobayashi’s launch of his Facebook fan page (  and his UStream channel, both of which carried the record setting performance live to thousands across the globe.

Said RecordSetter.com Co-Founder and President Dan Rollman:

“Kobayashi ate 7.5 pounds of turkey in 10 minutes, a new RecordSetter World Record.  It was a true thrill watching the world’s greatest eater at the top of his game. He didn’t just beat the existing world record — he annihilated it.   Never in my life have I witnessed food disappear like that. The man is a true culinary Houdini.  We welcome Kobayashi into the RecordSetter.com community and can’t wait to work with him again in the future.”

At the event, Kobayashi announced his intent to travel the country, meet new fans and explore new foods, while raising awareness for anti-hunger initiatives.

Yesterday, on Thanksgiving Day, Kobayashi joined the likes of actor Stephen Baldwin and Chef Mario Batali in serving the less fortunate at New York City’s Bowery Mission’s Thanksgiving Day Banquet.

“It’s my intent to use my unique talent to help those less-fortunate than me.  I consider myself blessed and never for once take that for granted,” said Kobayashi.  ”That is what this holiday is all about.”

Since the launch of the UStream channel less than 48 hours ago, over 70,000 people have watched the record setting feat in between their travel, holiday meals, and Black Friday shopping sprees.

Official scoring breakdown from RecordSetter:

“The first turkey + platter weighed 10.25 pounds before the attempt, and 4.625 pounds after, meaning Takeru Kobayashi ate 5.625 pounds of the first turkey.

The second turkey + platter weighed 8 pounds before the attempt, and 6.125 pounds after, meaning Takeru Kobayashi ate 1.875 pounds of the second turkey.

Adding 5.625 pounds of the first turkey and 1.875 pounds of the second turkey, Takeru Kobayashi ate a total of 7.5 pounds within the 10 minute time limit, a new world record.”

More info here.