Snack Tricks

It all started during Movie Night #42 (working title: Return of the Return of the Snacks).
One bowl of popcorn.
One very bored plush dog.
One burning question: What are the odds of catching popcorn in your mouth on the first throw?

Pandy says I could’ve just googled it. But where’s the fun in that? I decided to do my own hands-on (or rather, mouth-open) experiment.

Phase 1: Establishing the Hypothesis

Hypothesis: I, Doggie, can catch at least 70% of tossed kernels in my mouth.
Pandy’s Counterpoint: “Your snack-to-floor ratio is… let’s say, statistically concerning.”
Mini Blue’s Contribution: glows chartreuse in doubt.

Phase 2: Materials & Methods

• 1 Large Bowl of Popcorn (buttered, for optimal motivation)

• 1 Willing Participant (me)

• 1 Reluctant Safety Officer (Pandy)

• 1 Data Logger (Mini Blue, glowing red for “miss” and green for “hit”)

• Floor space cleared for safety (and post-experiment snack salvage)

Phase 3: The Trials

Trial 1: 5/10 caught. I blame the lighting.
Trial 2: 6/10 caught. “You’re improving,” Pandy said… while sweeping up.
Trial 3: 4/10 caught. Mini Blue glowed purple, which I think means “disappointed.”

Phase 4: Safety Briefing

Pandy insisted I include this section:

• Do not throw more than one kernel at a time.

• Do not attempt while lying down.

• Do not use caramel corn without proper jaw warm-up.

• Always have a buddy nearby to prevent snack-related incidents.
  
  

Phase 5: Conclusions

My final catching rate: 50%.
Pandy says this is “barely passing.”
I say this means twice the popcorn fun — one for my mouth, one for later (or the five-second rule).

Mini Blue’s glowing verdict: teal. Which I’m pretty sure means scientifically satisfying.

If readers would like to replicate this study, I recommend starting with air-popped popcorn… or marshmallows, if you value your plush dignity.