BodyBugg - A New Obsession? We'll See.

Awww yeah, I did it! I still need eed to activate it, which has to happen tomorrow because the place I bought it didn't really give me all of the information - an ominous sign? Hmmm...

But, it comes highly recommended and not just by someone who gets paid to recommend it if you know what I'm sayin'. A friend has one, and he's had great success with it. 

Stay tuned, we can try this thing together. In the meantime, check this link to learn more about it and how it works, the video is pretty informative - oh yeah, I also got the display that you can wear as a watch. I'm sure I'll be obsessing over it in no time. 

Retractable Studded Snow Tires?

Check out this article from MSNBC talking about Q Tires. You install them just like you normally would install tires, but with these you can simply hit a wireless switch from inside your car and the studs pop out of the tire for increased traction control. The cost is about 30% more but if the safety-level also jumps, it could possibly be well worth the cost. 

I can't help but think of these when I read this article though - yeah, sometimes it's hard to be in my head. 

Up to the Mountain - Kelly Clarkson and Patty Griffin

Here's Kelly With Jeff Beck on guitar - it's just brilliant and is a strong homage to the lady herself, Patty Griffin. 

Below is the Patty Griffin version (which of course was first AND had Jeff Beck on the guitar for the recording), and is the one that I was listening to in the car this weekend and prompted this post. Just beautiful. This song was written by Patty and was inspired by part of Martin Luther King's "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech. 

Could You Pass 8th Grade...?

History?

How about math? Here's another math one - you know, to double-check.

What about science? 

You might be surprised - I sure was.

Crafty U - Book by Rosie

If you know anybody with kids that might like to do family crafting, this could be the answer for you (or them).

Click here to check out more information and to purchase the book - and yes, those are her kids. As a side-note, she hates her airbrushed picture too. 

Here's a little description:
From the super-crafty Moms and Dads to the not as crafty parents out there; one thing we all want is to spend more time with our kids. Rosie's new book was created to do just that - inspire families to spend time together crafting. Organized by season, many of the projects are super simple and require materials you already have laying around the house. From clay crafts and mosaics to tie-dye and jewelry-making, Crafty U will help your kids explore their creativity, express themselves, build confidence and most of all have fun! With over 100 crafts, you'll have plenty of projects for holidays, rainy days or any "crafty" day!

Ask a Sista - Part 3

I couldn't find Part 3 but now I found it - hallelujah! Love her.

Didn't see the other ones? Click here for those.

Another WTF Moment - Countrywide

The two top executives at struggling Countrywide Financial Corp., the nation's largest mortgage lender, are slated to receive a combined $19 million in payouts, a regulatory filing shows.

The payments are part of the company's pending takeover by Bank of America.

Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo is set to receive $10 million in stock, and President David Sambol will get about $9 million, according to documents Bank of America filed this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mozilo and Sambol, along with ex-Citigroup chief Charles Prince, came under fire this month by members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, who chastised the executives for helping foster the current mortgage crisis.

Between 2002 and the close 2006, these three execs were paid $460 million - yes, $460 million! That's a whole lot of houses huh?

Read the rest here on CNN.

GelaSkins For Your iPod

If done wrong, these types of things can be tacky, true. If done well, it could be just another statement of who you are and yes, that could still be tacky. But I digress and hell, sometimes I like tacky.

Check out GelaSkins to see more and click here to see the Nanami Cowdroy art it's based off of. 

And yes, they do have them for your iPhone (curse the iPhone!) - here's one:

Waterproof Juke Tower MP3 Speaker

I want one of these too, I feel very "Gimme gimme, gimme, gimme gimme, more" today. For this product, I have an excuse. See, my iPhone is on the fritz, the iPod part won't seem to play and I have no idea why. I reset to factory settings, I powered off (don't they always tell you that, so annoying!), and I tried being verbally abusive to no avail. 

This things looks pretty easy - you drag songs into a memory stick, put the memory stick in the speaker, and you're good to go. If you live someplace relatively moist (I was going to be sick and wrong and make a joke with that one), this could be good for outdoors too. Hey, I just noticed the time faintly in the background - now I must have one! Buy one for me here. 

This is Crazy - I Want One!

It looks like a simple little "piggy-bank" right? Not so. This could be a really unique gift for a kid or simply as a side-gift for someone that seems to have it all - I can think of one person in particular in my own life that's a tough one to buy gifts for.

Here are some details:

Facebook? How about Facebank! Because Facebank really does what it's supposed to do - a bank with a face that takes any change you feed it. Designed by Japanese designer Takada and shown on TV, this is the world's first interactive bank that can "eat" up to 30 500yen coins (quarters, etc). The eyes of the FaceBank are actually sensors. Activate the FaceBank by waving at it and it will eat your coins! A great gift idea to freak out your guests. Available only in Japan in blue, red, and white. Another gizmo first available from AC!

You gotta watch this. If you want it, you can buy it from Audio Cubes. 

Ronna and Bev Interview a Lesbian

I love these women, it's like Coffee Talk 2. "Do lesbians have brunch?" Classic!

BS Language Course

Do you find yourself saying any of these things in the workplace? I hear most of these things on a daily basis!

Tracy Chapman - The Promise and Baby Can I Hold You Tonight

How can you not be touched by her voice and the simplicity of the arrangement - sometimes less is more. 



This song below makes me weepy...

Earth Hour TONIGHT - Everybody, Let's Do It!

Tonight at 8pm!

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
We invite everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time)–whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town.

What will you do when the lights are off? We have lots of ideas.

Join people all around the world in showing that you care about our planet and want to play a part in helping to fight climate change. Don’t forget to sign up and let us know you want to join Earth Hour.

One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!

Earth Hour en Español.

Learn about Earth Hour events around the world.

Burn, Baby Burn

If you get a mild burn, you can toss the aloe vera and bring out the honey - according to Men's Health. In a review of 15 studies, some researchers in New Zealand discovered that burned skin covered with honey healed as much as 4 days faster than skin treated with antibiotic creams or sterile wound dressings. Apparently it has some pretty strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

So, find yourself mildly burned? Take the spoon of honey out of your mouth, cool your skin with cold water, apply some honey onto some gauze, apply to the burn. Don't forget to change the dressing twice a day - you know, like your mama taught you. 

Disclaimer time: I am not a doctor and while I can play one very convincingly, you need to check out the facts for anything healthcare related, including that rash you can't get rid of.

Take Note - Nava One Year of White Pages

Nava One Year of White Pages. 

A functional and conceptual gift, all in one! Twelve slender journals in moleskine-like (an oilcloth-covered cardboard) wrappers means one journal per month for your thoughts and drawings - 80 pages per month 

A special project produced by Nava Design in Milano, this system of agendas were created playing on the months of the year. Fine hole punches mark the different months. One hole for January, two for February and so on. 

The project was about taking a very practical item, and making it a clever and beautiful deisgn object.

4.75"x3.5", set of 12 notebooks.

Pack it around in your backpack, suit jacket, winter parka, whatever - but never miss an idea, an inspiration, or a quick opportunity to sketch a character on the public transport. 

To purchase, check out Peter Miller. 

Jeff Dunham-Achmed The Dead Terrorist

From Aimee for Jill.

2009 Ford Flex - Yay or Nay?

Check this out, it's supposed to blur the line between a minivan and an SUV. To me it blurs the line between Monster Truck Show or a trip to the Piggly Wiggly. 

It has seating for up to 7 across three rows and all but the driver seat will fold flat. This vehicle is said to produce more than 260 hp - lovely, just what we need more of. And I tried to find the mpg with no luck, so that's a big hmmm....

I'm glad the seats will fold flat because it will then allow me to hide from anyone that knows me because I wouldn't be caught dead riding in or owning one of these presumable gas-guzzling, hideous vehicles. Oops, was that too honest? I do like the color on this one though. 

M - Vanity Fair

Madonna, save the world, yes please. Fierce, tranny mess, in a good way.  Here she is on the cover of the next Vanity Fair for their "Green Issue". 

Pre-order her new cd, Hard Candy on either Amazon or iTunes - release date 4/29. It's gonna be hot.

Wii Fit: Wiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!

I love my Wii, but I will really love it when I can do this.

Or this...

Check out the video of what you'll be able to do. Release date: 5/2008 and if you buy it from Amazon, buy it via my site - pwetty pwease.

A Window or a Light? How About Both

Seeing the light … the Lightway absorbs the sun during the day and becomes a light at night. Damien Savio, 23, has developed a window which stores energy from the sun during the day and then becomes a light at night. Just four hours of direct sunlight can produce a 60 watt-strength light which will last six hours. As the window absorbs solar energy during the day, it is stored in a battery hidden in the window frame. This means it can be used as a light at any future time.

Mr Savio created the Lightway for his industrial design degree. It has been nominated as a finalist in the Australian Design Awards-Dyson Student Award, which will be announced in May.

Another cool thing about it: He used louvre windows to develop his concept "because they looked good" and also because the panels are removable, so they can be carried around like a torch.

His invention, which he calls the Lightway, has the potential to cut household energy use by 22 percent. He's currently working on the patent so hopefully we'll see this kind of product in the foreseeable future.

(source: The Sydney Morning Herald)

Yet Another Reason to Avoid Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart insurance is suing a disabled worker because she received a settlement from a trucking company that settled with her due to an accident. She can barely function and will need care probably for the rest of her life, but now Wal-Mart is suing to get that money back from the settlement. In fact, probably more than that now that she had to pay expenses, lawyer fees, etc. 

What do you think? I think it's SHADY and shameful on Wal-Mart's part. 

For more information on Wal-Mart and their shady ways, click here. 

Wall-E Trailer #2 - Release Date 6/27/08

This is gonna be a big one folks - I mean, it's Pixar and nobody adds such adorable personalities to their characters, whether they're fish, cars, machines, or superheroes!

The line starts here.

Mamma Mia! Trailer #2 - Release Date 7/18/08

Can Meryl Streep do everything? I'm not a huge fan of ABBA in general, even if I'm genetically predispositioned to be. But I saw Mamma Mia! on Broadway in New York City and I was in the 4th row and like people often say, my life was never to be the same. There's just something about feeling that energy, hearing the instruments in the orchestra, and experiencing something so close to you. Magical really.
Anyway, the movie's about a girl who has potentially three fathers because her mom was a straight up ho - she wants to find out which one, invites all three to her wedding, and hilarity ensues. Somehow it works really well so enjoy the trailer and I defy you to not tap your foot.

Sally Kern - Part 2

Here is everyone's favorite Oklahoma Representative having a debate about what she meant during her private speech about the "homosexual agenda". I love how she seems to think we have this master plan or something, it's kind of funny. You know what my master plan is each day? It's like this: How can I get through the workday, get my ass to the gym, and what am I going to eat for dinner? Oh yeah, and how can I keep my dogs Edna and Wilbur from eating my socks?" Crazy huh? Hide your kids!

Click here to read the article and see the video. Notice how she's double-talking, I love it. Squirm pretty lady, squirm!

PETA Wants Respect from Aretha

I love this article from Hollywood Rag!

PETA has offered to pay Aretha's back taxes if she stops wearing fur forever and donates her old furs back to PETA. She owes nearly $19,000 and if she doesn't pay, bye bye to her house.

Love it!

Louis Vuitton first TV ad [where will life take you?]

I really like this ad, the only drawback is that it's a Louis Vuitton ad because seemingly, Louis Vuitton has nothing to do with the "journey" alluded to in the commercial. If one wants to be literal, I might wonder how much traveling one could do after buying LV luggage because they would be flat broke - well, unless one went to Canal Street - holla! 

Take away the branding and you have a beautiful commercial. Enjoy!

L.A. Face - Hillary Swank

You will want Botox after this video, TRUST. This is an all-time favorite of mine, I just love it!

Greyhound Lovers Rejoice

How are Greyhounds so fast and so lean, but so damned lazy? I love them, I think they're funny. This video shows a time-elapsed typical evening for a Greyhound, have a look.

Below is another video of a Greyhound named Lilli, she clearly just took a hit of something but I don't want to start any rumors you know? *cough* crackhead *cough*

Need a Style Makeover? Who Doesn't?

Click here to try on many different hairstyles that you see many of your favorite celebrities wearing.

Disclaimer: It works best for women, although men can do it too. Here I am, looking a little Axl Rose with just a tiny bit more sheen than he might have.

American Idol Castoff

Who got kicked off? No, not Paula and her hideous outfits - she should be banished for those alone. 

Click here to find out.

And for kicks, here's a little pic to enjoy. Not that kind of enjoy, you sick bastards. 

Ion Portable PA System for iPod

I don't work for Urban Outfitters, I just think this is kind of cool. It's by the same company that makes those little devices that allows you to convert your records into a digital format. Anyway, here's the link for the PA System. 

$219 to be a mobile party - holla!

The Flying Alarm Clock

Oh yeah, and I'm not talking about what happens when you throw it.  Over at Urban Outfitters, aka the "I'm too old to be still shopping here" store, they have this little gem that has an annoying alarm sound and simultaneously, the little propeller flies into the air and you have to retrieve it in order to shut the alarm off - I assume by putting it back into the base. 

$24 bucks is such a small price to pay if it wakes you in time to go slave at a corporation in order to keep the suits rich while you barely scrape by. Right? 

Cable Manager

No, it's not a position I'm applying for or anything - although I do feel I could successfully leave someone waiting in their home for several hours at a time while I travel around the city hooking shit up. 

This is actually a cool little solution for those pesky wires that make you feel totally ghetto even when you've got some hot equipment. Or, uh, maybe that's just how I feel. Anyway, over at Cable Organizer you can pick these little suckers up. Call them, if only because the operator standing by (in the pic) looks really excited to talk to you. 

New Signature for Work - Give it a try.

Many people like to print their emails, and in some cases that's entirely appropriate - but when it's not truly necessary, maybe this little reminder will be of value. A friend of a friend at work saw this at the tail end of an email and I thought maybe we could all give it a try.

PGo Green! Please consider the environment before printing me and/or my attachments.

Fast fact: When you recycle 117 lbs. of paper, you save one 30-foot all, 30-year old tree. Crazy huh?

Wanted: New Vacuum

Help Needed: My vacuum has stopped working and even when she is working, she's constantly taking nap breaks. Suggestions welcome. 

XOXO,

C

Street Smarts Can't Be Beat

You gotta always have time for the cute, innocent stories right?

There was a farmer who stepped onto a train at North Station in Boston, headed back to his home in Quechee, Vermont. Pretty soon, a well-dressed Boston banker sat next to him. A few minutes later the banker said, “You look like an intelligent sort. I’ll tell you what. Since we have to spend some time together, let’s play a game.” The farmer replied, “What kind of game do you have in mind?” “Well,” said the banker, “one of us will ask the other a question. If the other fella can’t answer it, then he pays a dollar.” The farmer thought for a minute and then replied, “That doesn’t sound fair to me. You are college-educated and live in Boston. I only attended grammar school and live on a small dairy farm. If I ask you a question and you can’t answer, you pay me a dollar. If you ask me a question and I come up short, I’ll pay you 50 cents.” The banker agreed and asked the farmer to pose a question. The farmer started right out, “What has three legs and can fly?” The banker looked a bit surprised, thought for a minute, scratched his head, and said, “I have no idea. Here’s your dollar.” The farmer then said, “OK, now it’s your turn.” The banker looked straight at the farmer and asked, “Well, what is it that has three legs and can fly?” The Vermonter shot back, “Damned if I know. Here’s your 50 cents!”

La Pequeña As Hillary Clinton

I love this person, there's something very sweet and creepy and funny about her/him.



Part 2 with her buddy!

INCREDIBLE TORNADO VIDEO!! May 4, 2007 - Ellis Co., OK

In honor of my upcoming Dallas visit in May!

Happy Easter!

Madonna - 4 Minutes (HQ)

Click here to give it a listen. 

VW TDI Hybrid - Should Toyota Be Worried?

Check out this interesting article from Inhabitat:

Volkswagen has just recently unveiled a TDI hybrid version of their cute and sporty Golf model that can achieve 83mpg. Will this be the one to de-throne the Prius?

While at the moment, this is a concept, the Golf TDI Hybrid is a 1.2 liter, 3 cylinder advanced diesel engine with an electric motor that produces no more than 89g/km of CO2. Like other hybrids, as soon as the vehicle drops below a certain speed, it switches to its electric motor, essentially turning into an almost emission free vehicle.

The zippy little car comes with a recovery system to recharge the battery using the cars braking system. The car’s design is slightly different from the standard Golf model, with a slightly different grill design and small air intakes to improve the aerodynamic qualities of the car.

So how does it compare to the Prius? According to VW, this vehicle is capable of achieving 82mpg while the Toyota Prius only reaches 55mpg. That’s a pretty impressive difference. But now rumors are flying around of a 100mpg plus Prius model. Needless to say, this is a competition that we are happy too see.

Take a Picture, It Will Last Longer

So sweet this idea from Cookie Magazine is. If you are feeling a little less than amorous towards the object of your pictures, you could use a giant black marker for the edges and make a big ol' black heart - your choice. Love is grand!

Dream Kitchens

From Waterhouse Designs UK. LOVE this one.

This one's from Global Design Solutions. 

iMac LowKey Stand - Your Keyboard Will be Homeless No More

This stand is designed specifically for Apple slim keyboard's fans. Not only this beautiful stand provides an ergonomical view of your iMac or Apple Display, it helps organizing your desktop at the end of the day like never before. The perfect height of the stand provides a "home" for your keyboard, nothing will ever seem to be out of place on your desk any more.

The LowKey Stand is constructed of 0.1085" thick steel, powder-coated in aluminum color matching that of the iMac or Apple Display. This stand spreads out the entire length of the slim keyboard and 9” deep, creating a sturdy structure, which can support any size of Apple Display or iMac.

No more reaching behind your iMac or Apple Display, Macessity's 4-port front access USB 2.0 hub provides an easy hook up for your favorite toys or gadgets. This hub is self-powered, and elegantly integrated to the LowKey Stand, giving it a contemporary touch.

Buy one here at MACESSITY.

Flashback Madonna Tour: The Girlie Show 1993

My favorite performances down below and as a side-note, this was right after her SEX book and her career was deemed "over".

Rain: I like it when she gets to the "Just My Imagination" part - you'll see (around the 3:39 mark if you must).



Justify My Love: Costumes are amazing, the colors are brilliant, and the what I call "Beach Musical Section" at the end wraps it up perfectly.


Holiday: Military-style, cool flag linings in the peacoats, and amazing that she can sing at all while doing that. One of my all-time fav's all the way to the end.


Why's It So Hard - her tribute song to friends she lost from AIDS. Note: Carrie Ann Inaba is right around the 1:15 mark - she's now on Dancing with the Stars and she's beautiful!

Watch This! The Fall - Trailer (5/9/08 Release)

The visuals alone make it seem like it'll be worth it. I knew I recognized the visuals from somewhere, stylistically! This film is directed by Tarsem Singh, he directed The Cell with Jennifer Lopez back in 2000 - oddly, I didn't even see the whole thing. Here's a brief synopsis:

Los Angeles, circa 1920‘s, a little immigrant girl finds herself in a hospital recovering from a fall. She strikes up a friendship with a bedridden man who captivates her with a whimsical story that removes her far from the hospital doldrums into the exotic landscapes of her imagination. Making sure he keeps the girl interested in the story, he interweaves her family and people she likes from the hospital into his tale.

Chapter 27 - Trailer (3/28/08 Release)

Creepy stuff, and Jared Leto looks to have turned out an amazing performance. Here's the synopsis:

First-time writer/director Jarrett Schaeffer takes the reins for this haunting look at the mental collapse of Mark David Chapman in the days leading up to the murder of legendary musician John Lennon. Jared Leto stars as the man whose awe of Lennon and unrelenting drive to achieve infamy pushed him to pull the trigger on the former Beatle, and Lindsay Lohan stars as the devoted Lennon fan who befriended the killer on that fateful New York weekend.

Photo to Tile - Presto!

Can you believe this? There is a company out there that will take your photograph and make a tile out of it. Photo Form of Scottsdale, Arizona, can make tiles in bronze, brass, nickel/silver, copper and ceramic. 

If you check out the site, you will see that there is no limit but the imagination. They have made tiles out of photographs of coral, water and arial shots of a stadium (above).

Source: Apartment Therapy 

Starbucks Changes

Click here to see some of the upcoming Starbucks changes. Unfortunately, better coffee was not one of them.

Ashton Kutcher - Nice boots man.

Look at that sand!

The World According to Americans

True? Maybe.
Funny? Kinda.
Sad? Oh yeah.

(click picture to enlarge) You will note that someone let their finger off the shift bar too soon and instead of ! they got 1. LOL - I hate it when that happens.

Bear Stearns - Another Company Led into the Fire

WTF is going out with corporate America? CEO's and executives are taking big money, whether a company is doing well or not! They run the companies into the ground, use smoke and mirrors to make it seem like they're not getting any compensation, and laugh all the way to the bank. It's total bullshit! In the case of Bear Stearns, shareholders are likely to end up with about $2 dollars a share when not long ago it was comfortably above $100 a share and at one point, at about $160 a share.

But don't you worry for the "leaders" of this company, they'll still get megamillions as part of their compensation packages. 

Here's an excerpt from the BusinessWeek article: 

PLUMP BONUSES
At Bear, it was taken for granted that executives had a large stake in the company. Chief Executive Officer Alan Schwartz owns more than 1 million shares and employees own one-third of the shares outstanding. "They wanted people to have skin in the game," explained Chris Whalen of risk management consultant Institutional Risk Analytics and a former Bear employee.

But don't cry for Cayne and his cadre of Bear big shots. Their paper wealth may have disintegrated but for years leading up to Bear's collapse they had been the beneficiaries of one of the most generous compensation packages in the industry. Over five years, from 2002 through 2006, Cayne took home total compensation—salary, bonus, restricted stock, and stock options—worth a combined $156 million. Current CEO Schwartz made $141 million. Former Co-President Warren Spector, deposed after the hedge fund debacle, did the best of them all, reaping $168 million.

The biggest chunk of pay came in the form of bonuses, which for Bear execs were relatively easily obtained. Through 2005, bonuses were based on the completion of any one of nine metrics, a tactic that virtually guaranteed that targets would be met, according to a report from independent research firm the Corporate Library.

From 2002 through 2005, Bear Stearns proxy statements show that Cayne and his lieutenants, Schwartz and Spector, took home bonuses of between $9 million and $12 million each.

All together now!

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours (AOL Session)

I'm a huge fan, always have been - I've seen him in concert and I just love his voice and the sort of sit-around-and-sing-on-the-island type of music. Purity. Check out his official page. 

Who Got Kicked Off American Idol?

"Who cares?" is not a contestant.

If you do care, click here. 

Bamboo - Did you know?

• Bamboo ia actually a grass and grows at phenomenal rates, up to a foot in a single day.

• Bamboo can be harvested for use on 5 yr. growth cycles, unlike tradition hardwoods which have cycles 10 to 15 times longer.

• Certain timber bamboos have better tensile strengths than iron or steel on a strength per weight basis.

• Bamboo has over a thousand household and industrial uses including high quality paper.

• Bamboo is at the center of a sustainable eco-ethical industry worldwide and that new industrial applications are being developed every year.

Check out the beautiful Grasswood Cabinets and other furniture that you can buy. The point is though, if you can, use a renewable resource. 

Herding Cats

Gorgeously Green - Check this site out!

Gorgeously Green: Be Gorgeous, Be Green.

Check it out.

EPA Hides the Ball in Analysis of Global Warming Bill

Garbage In – Garbage Out: Politically Driven Assumptions Lead to Misleading Results

WASHINGTON (March 14, 2008) -- EPA’s just-released analysis of Senate Bill S. 2191 (“Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008”) hides the key conclusions of its own experts, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

The only case EPA analyzed that makes reasonable assumptions reflecting current economic conditions and technological realities shows that achieving the goals of the Climate Security Act is readily achievable and affordable, but this conclusion is buried beneath multiple other cases in the report, according to Dan Lashof, PhD, the science director of NRDC’s Climate Center.

“Once again, political forces in the Bush administration are distorting the work of EPA’s own economic and scientific staff,” Lashof said.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.

(source: NRDC)

Etsy - Your place to buy and sell all things handmade

I was browsing around online and found this really cool site where you can buy a bunch of handmade stuff - whether it be soaps, pet supplies, blankets, or even portraits of your beloved animals. 

It's not just your regular online retailer, it's also a community of vendors who all believe in handmade products. Have a look over at Etsy's. 

In Treatment - HBO

HBO allowed the first 15 episodes of In Treatment to be downloaded to your Tivo for free, and then to watch more you have to watch HBO - not a big deal to me, I mean, at least you got 15 for free right? Try before you buy I suppose. 

But here I go, saying a probably unpopular thing:  I hate the show! I love Gabriel Byrne in general and the shows are only 30 minutes long. It explores the psychosis of a different set of patients each time, and it is meant to be fascinating. I have to say though, I found the first two episodes with Blair Underwood to be so annoying I couldn't even watch it. Narcissism at its worst! I'm kind of a "get to the point" kind of guy and this show is the exact opposite of that, you are supposed to be enthralled by the process of delving into the psyche to get to the real problems. Unfortunately, I was already agitated and lost interest long before that. 

Click here for a preview. I suspect that many people love it or will love it, I'm just sad to report that I deleted the rest of the episodes and I'm not going to be one of them. 

10 Chinese Etiquette Tips

1. Banquets
You don't have to eat everything (you can't possibly anyway, there will be too much food). But try a little of every dish by putting some on your plate or rice bowl. You don't have to eat it, but as foreign guest, you're supposed to be served first. If you don't try something, your host will be embarrassed—and most likely, will put it on your plate for you.

2. Bargaining
Open air markets, privately run stores are best for bargaining. (Large department stores have set prices.) Remember to establish a friendly rapport first. You are creating a relationship with the merchant, not a price war. Think of it this way: Bargaining is to the Chinese what seduction is to the French. Shouting, arguing, and pointing are not very seductive. Smiling, being friendly, offering to buy more for a better price are. And don't be afraid to ask, "Can you offer me a better price?"

3. Cars
Never, ever assume pedestrians have the right of way. Cars will not necessarily stop for you. Cross with a group if possible at a designated crosswalk. A car won't stop for a single person necessarily but will stop for a group because the driver doesn't want the car to be dented. Chinese really love their cars.

4. Chopsticks
Don't point with them at other people's faces. Don't stab your food with them like toothpicks. Don't lick them. And by all means don't stick them upright in your rice bowl—that's how the Chinese honor the dead at graves.

5. Face
Never shout even when someone has done something wrong. Losing your temper will only make the other person feel that he or she has lost face (i.e. dignity) and will often cause that person to refuse to take responsibility for a problem . Best to smile, keep friendly, and persistently ask the person to *help you* solve whatever problem has arisen.

6. Male-female relationships
Alas, the image of the loose American woman perpetuated by Hollywood movies is alive and well globally including in China. If a man makes unwanted advances to you, say loudly the Chinese word for "No," (bu) which is pronounced like the English word "Boo!" If you say it forcefully, it will be in the correct tone. If you are a man, don't be touchy-feely with Chinese women lest they think you are propositioning them.

7. Public displays of affection
While younger Chinese can be as openly demonstrative as Westerners, if not more so, older Chinese are not used to PDAs. Be aware of your surroundings. Around older Chinese anything more than holding hands with your partner or a quick peck on the check might embarrass people.

8. Respect for elders
It's fine to open doors and give up a seat to an older person of either gender. And don't be offended if younger Chinese—male or female—offer you an arm going up stairs or other assistance if you are older. They don't think you're infirm. They're just trying to be polite.

9. Smiling
Chinese smile for more reasons than Americans. A smile can mean the person is embarrassed, trying to be helpful, curious, happy or friendly. In the middle of an argument, smiling means that the speaker doesn't want this to become personal. When all else fails, smile in China. It shows you have no ill intentions and can work wonders in getting better service.

10. Tipping
If you plan to return to a restaurant, then tip. Guidebooks say not to, but in fact most Chinese know enough about the Western world to know that tipping is practiced regularly in other countries. Tips are rarely (in our experience, never) refused and create goodwill.

(Source: Budget Travel)

4000 Dead

five years

1825 days

3 die every 24 hours

husbands - daughters
sons - mothers

6 times as many wounded
missing limbs
broken spirits
splintered souls

this intentional war
unnecessary
illegal

the men and women serving
a hero each
bring them home
now

From Rosie's site. 

Wendy Ho - I Stole Your Purse

HYSTERICAL. Here's her MySpace page. (a little foul language, you've been warned) 

Z-100 in NYC has the new Madonna song, "4 Minutes" in high-quality - finally!

 

Have a listen by clicking here.

 

I think it's HOT.

Squirrels - A Few Questions Answered

I love squirrels, I think they're funny. I love how resilient they are and the other day I was wondering where they go at night? I mean, I have an idea but was curious to know the actual fact about where they make their beds. For that question and some others, see below:

Why do squirrel have big bushy tails?

A squirrel's tail is used primarily for balance which enables the squirrel to maneuver quickly through the trees without falling. It is also used as a parachute should the squirrel fall, as a blanket in the winter time and to communicate with other squirrels.

How fast can a squirrel run?

There is a story of an Illinois state police officer that once clocked a gray squirrel, with his radar gun at 20 mph, as it was running across a highway. Other research has shown similar speed for gray squirrels.

Do squirrels ever fall?

Yes, squirrels do fall sometimes. They rarely get hurt from short falls because they use their tails as a parachute and usually land on their feet. However, they can sustain severe spinal injuries from an awkward landing.

Can squirrels swim?

Yes. They use a "dog paddle" motion and use their tail as a rudder. However, swimming is very strenuous for a squirrel and is not done unless it is a necessity.

Do squirrels fight?

They play fight when they are young and they will fight for real during mating season. Normally, squirrels are not aggressive, although they will chase or nip at other squirrels that are feeding in their territory.

Where do squirrels sleep?

They sleep in nests which are made of twigs and leaves and the interior is lined with fur, feathers or other soft material for comfort. There are normally two exits in the nest, and they are built high in a tree between two strong branches. They build their nests high enough to provide protection from ground predators, yet not too high or the nest will be destroyed by the winds. Squirrels also will build a nest in a hollowed-out tree cavity.

Where can I find White Squirrels?

There are four towns in the United States that use white squirrels as their claims to fame. These four towns are Olney, IL, Marionville, MO, Brevard, NC, and Kenton, TN. 

For more FAQs, click here.