
Sunday, March 30, 2008
BodyBugg - A New Obsession? We'll See.

Retractable Studded Snow Tires?

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.
Crafty U - Book by Rosie

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
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.
Read the rest here on CNN.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
GelaSkins For Your iPod


Waterproof Juke Tower MP3 Speaker
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.
Ronna and Bev Interview a Lesbian
BS Language Course
Tracy Chapman - The Promise and Baby Can I Hold You Tonight
This song below makes me weepy...
Earth Hour TONIGHT - Everybody, Let's Do It!
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 EspaƱol.
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.
Take Note - Nava One Year of White Pages

Friday, March 28, 2008
2009 Ford Flex - Yay or Nay?


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".
Wii Fit: Wiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!
A Window or a Light? How About Both

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.
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.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Yet Another Reason to Avoid Wal-Mart
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
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
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!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
L.A. Face - Hillary Swank
Greyhound Lovers Rejoice
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?
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

Ion Portable PA System for iPod


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.
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.
New Signature for Work - Give it a try.
PGo Green! Please consider the environment before printing me and/or my attachments.
Wanted: New Vacuum
Street Smarts Can't Be Beat
Monday, March 24, 2008
La PequeƱa As Hillary Clinton
Part 2 with her buddy!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
VW TDI Hybrid - Should Toyota Be Worried?


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!
iMac LowKey Stand - Your Keyboard Will be Homeless No 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.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Flashback Madonna Tour: The Girlie Show 1993
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!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
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)
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!
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
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Starbucks Changes
Click here to see some of the upcoming Starbucks changes. Unfortunately, better coffee was not one of them.
Bear Stearns - Another Company Led into the Fire
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.
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours (AOL Session)
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.
EPA Hides the Ball in Analysis of Global Warming Bill
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
In Treatment - HBO
10 Chinese Etiquette Tips
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.
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.
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.
4000 Dead
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
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Wendy Ho - I Stole Your Purse
Monday, March 17, 2008
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:
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?