Torrey Pines Weather

While there was a nice lull in this monster winter storm that hit Southern California Saturday night, more rain was in the forecast for some time after noon.

Although the forecast called for 2- to 3 inches of rain on the coast, only a half-inch hit the bluffs that hold the Torrey Pines golf courses, according to Stewart Williams, the PGA Tour's on-site meteorologist with Meteorlogix. He said the lull should last until early afternoon, but more rain is due to hit, with some of it possibly heavy.

"We were very fortunate here just getting that half-inch of rain," Williams said. "But those winds we predicted came in strong and did some damage. I recorded winds up to 41 mph overnight. But the storm was moving at 50 mph and the big band of rain moved so fast it didn't drop that much on this area. There are still flood warnings throughout the county, but as far as overnight rain, we just didn't get it here. Now the big question is how much we're going to play. We still could get 1-inch or more of rain this afternoon from this system. And between now and tomorrow, we still could get 2 inches of rain."

Williams showed the radar screen in his office that depicts the low pressure spinning off the California coast. Rain was pelting Santa Barbara at 8:30 Sunday, and he said it will only be a matter of time before that next band moves south and hits Los Angeles and San Diego.

"If we get a little sun and it heats it up, there's more of a chance for thunderstorms and lightning," Williams said. "We will not be messing around with that. As soon as it looks like lightning, we're out of there."

Pros teed off on time, with blue sky showing over the Pacific Ocean, and PGA tournament staff went into its "high and dry" set-up, according to tournament director Mark Russell of the PGA.

They shortened the par-3 11th that plays into the wind and moved the traditional pin placement on the 18th hole from the front left spot of the green to the back left side that will bring the back bunker into play, but take away balls spinning into Devlin's Billabong.

Meantime, fans were kept in line in the parking lot as tournament officials, City of San Diego golf staff and operations workers made the grounds safe. Tree limbs were blown down and the course was littered with debris. Carts were seen loaded with branches and bark from trees that were hit hard overnight.

Balboa Course superintendent Pat Segawa oversaw a crew take squeegees to the fairway on the first hole at Torrey South, where standing water puddled up. Segawa said it was being done more for aesthetic reasons because it wasn't in the pro landing area. He also said it will help the area dry out better and prevent damage when the course is open to the public on Monday.

"We're going to let the fans in, but we're not going to let them in the chalets or grandstands until they're certified," Lt. Dan Christman of the San Diego Police Department said around 8:30 Sunday morning. "We're not letting the fans on the grounds until all the electrical and structural units are checked and certified as safe."

Downie Nellie and her friend Hide Honda of Mission Bay was the first golf fan in line Sunday morning.

"I'm a big fan," Nellie said. "I was the only one on the shuttle bus at 6 this morning."

An operations worker was injured while trying to repair a tent near the 17th green. He was taken to the hospital, Lt. Christman said. His name and condition were unknown.

"I don't know his last name, but he was hurt pretty bad," said Doug Irwin of the operations staff. "One of the big tents hit him, and he had a busted up nose."

Security was tightened as the Elite security service moved about in carts and even Segways, those new-age scooters that allow you to stand in them and motor about. Brian Mulder of Elite used the cart path on the South Course to access areas throughout.

Up in the PGA's Enclave, which holds the PGA trailers and meteorologist, Mark Russell, the PGA tournament director, talked about how the tees and hole placements were changed on two tees due to the storm.

Russell said had the course gotten the rain that was forecasted, the tournament would have been delayed or play postponed today.

"We probably wouldn't be playing golf right now," Russell said.

Russell said the par-3 11th hole that will play into a strong ocean wind Sunday was shortened from 230 yards to 210 yards, with the tee markers placed in the middle of the up tee, about where the public plays from here. The pin position was moved from back right to front left.

"The hole placement was tucked behind the bunker back there," Russell said. "It's fine at 200 yards or so."

At 18, the traditional front left pin placement was moved to the back left side of the green.

"Mark Woodward said there is a possibility of water buildup there at the bottom of that green, and we don't want one hole to put us out of business," Woodward said.

Source: signonsandiego.com

Kirsten Haglund Chosen Miss America 2008

Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund, a 19-year-old aspiring Broadway star, was crowned Miss America 2008 on Saturday in a live show billed as the unveiling of the 87-year-old pageant's new, hipper look.

Haglund, of Farmington Hills, Mich., sang "Over the Rainbow" and walked a crowd-pleasing strut in a black and gold bikini to clinch the title. She beat Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash, the first runner up, and Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto, the second runner up for the $50,000 scholarship and year of travel that comes with the crown.

Haglund, who studies music at the University of Cincinnati, grew up in a pageant family. Her mother is an active volunteer, and her grandmother Iora Hunt, competed for the crown as Miss Michigan 1944. Hunt joined Haglund at a news conference.

"The only words that come to my mind is that this is a dream come true, not just for me but for my family as well," Haglund said. "I'm not just standing up here alone."

Haglund, a cheery, classic blond, wore a revealing silver sequined dress and black bikini during the evening gown and swimsuit portions of the pageant. As her platform issue, she promised to advocate for awareness of eating disorders, an illness from which she has recovered.

The crowning at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip was aired for the first time on TLC. It capped a four-week reality series, "Miss America: Reality Check," which followed the contestants as they were pushed to shed the dated look of Miss Americas past and adopt a more updated style.

The show was the latest in a series of attempts to find an audience with a younger demographic after more than a decade of declining ratings.

The 52 newly made-over aspiring beauty queens who sought the top tiara sported updated hairdos, sassy attitudes and red carpet-worthy fashion throughout the competition.

Usually tame by modern TV standards, the swimwear competition kicked it up a notch. Most contestants wore black bikinis, and some struck provocative poses and twirled as the audience howled. Contestants also wore blue jeans and added a bit of humor to the traditional opening number, the parade of states.

Haglund's moves won howls from the audience. "I think for the audience, the swimwear and evening wear was much more entertaining, am I right?" Haglund said when asked about the show's new look.

The changes included a chance for "Reality Check" viewers to text message votes for their favorite contestant. Miss Utah, Jill Stevens, an Army medic who served in Afghanistan, was named "America's Choice."

Stevens did not make to the final 10, but she took the disappointment with pluck. She dropped and gave the audience push ups before joining the other losers on a riser on the side.

Producers added a twist to the interview portion, as well. They asked people on the street to pose questions, and the results were edgier than usual. Contestents were asked about binge drinking, HIV and Britney Spears' pregnant younger sister, Jamie Lynn.

"No I don't think she should be fired," Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash said. "They're still people, they're still human beings. We all deserve second chances."

The long-struggling pageant had promised a new look for this year's beauty battle. "Entertainment Tonight" reporter Mark Steines was the master of ceremonies of the show. Clinton Kelly of TLC's hit "What Not to Wear" also helped with the hosting duties. Kelly had instructed the girls on how to update their looks during the reality show.

The pageant sounded different, too. A deejay spun dance music from turntables set up on stage. Contestants danced and waved to the audience during commercials breaks. The losers were seated on risers on one side of the stage, while the parents of the finalists, in black tie, were seated on the other.

The show was the latest in a series of attempts to find a new audience after more than a decade of declining ratings. The fading institution was dropped from network television in 2004. It spent a two-year stint on Country Music Television before being picked up last summer by TLC, a cable channel reaching 93 million homes in the U.S.

TLC added the pageant to its reality-TV stable, and announced plans to reinvent the look of the show and find an "It girl" ready for modern celebrity.

In addition to the $50,000 scholarship, Haglund will embark on a year of promoting the pageant, her platform issue and the Children's Miracle Network, a pageant partner.

Source: washingtonpost.com

About the conforming loan limits

Rates on jumbo loans got a lot more expensive after last summer's credit crunch, and the mortgage and real-estate industries have been calling for an increase to the conforming loan limit as a way to help more borrowers obtain favorable mortgage rates.

On Thursday, they had reason to believe their wish would be granted when a proposed economic stimulus plan included a new conforming loan cap.

According to the proposal, the temporary limit for loans that can be bought by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government-sponsored mortgage agencies, would be $729,750, or 125% of the median house price in the area.

The current conforming loan limit is $417,000; loans larger than that are considered jumbo and aren't eligible to be financed through government-sponsored enterprises. This summer, when the private, secondary mortgage market no longer had an appetite to invest in these loans due to questions about risk, jumbo loans got much more expensive for borrowers.

Under the proposal, limits for Federal Housing Administration loans would also increase to the temporary level; the current FHA loan limit is $362,790.

The Mortgage Bankers Association praised the proposed stimulus package.

"A temporary increase in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's loan limits, as well as a boosting of the FHA loan limit should return liquidity to a portion of the mortgage market that has essentially been at a standstill since August," said Kieran Quinn, MBA chairman, in a written statement. "This will be especially helpful to current and potential homeowners in areas of the country that have seen the largest price run-ups during the recent boom."

But the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight said that it was a mistake to increase the limit in the absence of comprehensive reform to GSEs Fannie and Freddie.

"To restore confidence in the markets we must ensure that the GSEs' regulator has all the necessary safety and soundness tools," OFHEO director James B. Lockhart said in a written statement. "Yesterday [Senate Banking Committee] Chairman [Christopher] Dodd talked about moving a GSE reform bill early this year. We are ready to work with him and the [committee]. We will also be working with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure that any increase in the conforming loan limit moves through their rigorous new product approval process quickly and has appropriate risk management."

Last week, in making its case for an increase to the conforming loan limit, the National Association of Realtors said that lifting the limit to $625,000 would "lower interest payments for consumers who get new 'GSE jumbo' loans, reduce the supply of homes on the market by one to one-and-one-half months, strengthen home prices by two to three percentage points, and increase economic activity by $42 billion."

The group also said that increasing the limit to that level would help reduce foreclosures by 140,000 to 210,000; it predicted the change would also produce an additional 348,000 home sales.

Source: MarketWatch

Tax Rebate for U.S. People

United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday, January 24, 117 million U.S. families would receive a tax rebate check under a deal reached to provide stimulus to the U.S. economy.

A fact sheet released by the California Democrat said the individuals would receive tax rebate of up to $600, while married couples would see help up to $1,200, plus $300 per child.

The document also said the limit on the size of mortgages that government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can buy would be increased for one year to $729,750 from the current $417,000.

Rebates will only be given to individuals who make $75,000 or less and working couples who earn less than $150,000.

The tax rebate checks could go out as early as June 2008.

Source: Reuters

Warren Jeffs' attorney asked to open sealed documents

Attorneys for jailed polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs are deferring to the "court's discretion" when it comes to releasing documents sealed in his bid for a new trial.

Jeffs, 52, was convicted in September of two first-degree felony counts of rape as an accomplice for his role in conducting a 200 arranged marriage between an unwilling 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin. He is serving two consecutive terms of five years to life in the Utah State Prison. A hearing to consider a new trial is scheduled March 6 at 9 a.m. in St. George.

Salt Lake City Attorney Jeffrey Hunt, who represents a media coalition including the Deseret Morning News, previously submitted an objection to the sealed filings and asked 5th District Judge James Shumate to open the documents and prohibit Jeffs from filing anything else under seal.

In a reply filed Thursday, Las Vegas attorney Richard Wright, who represented Warren Jeffs at trial along with Salt Lake City attorneys Wally Bugden and Tara Isaacson, said the sealed memorandum discussed a matter the court had earlier deemed confidential.

The sealed memorandum in support of the new trial discussed a matter that Shumate, on his own accord, decided should remain confidential, Wright wrote.

"As such, defense counsel was not at liberty to disclose the memorandum to the public or media intervenor. In deference to the court's determination, the memorandum was filed under seal," Wright continued.

In spite of the judge's earlier decision, Wright said Jeffs "asserts no privacy interest in the confidential matters" discussed in the memorandum and "defers to this court's discretion" as to whether it should be disclosed in its entirety or in part to the public.

Hunt notes in his reply that since Warren Jeffs does not assert any right to privacy or fair trial interests, Shumate should release the documents in question.

"The public is entitled to know the specific grounds upon which the defendant asserts he is entitled to a new trial," Hunt writes. "Without access to defendant's legal memorandum, as well as the state's opposition and all related filings, the public and the news media are left in the dark about the basis of defendant's motion, the state's response, the record upon which the court will rule, and the reasons supporting its ruling."

The First Amendment right of access to court records and proceedings "exists precisely to safeguard the public's ability to obtain such information and to observe the work of the court," Hunt continues in asking Shumate to grant his request to provide access to any filings related to the case.

In a two-page document filed Dec. 4, defense attorneys argued that "errors and improprieties" occurred that substantially affected Warren Jeffs' right to a fair trial. The defense team also objected to portions of the jury instructions allowed by Shumate. A memorandum supporting those claims was filed under seal that same day.

A Washington County jury, selected from a pool of nearly 300 potential jurors, found Jeffs guilty following several days of testimony from current and former members of Jeffs' polygamist sect.

One juror was dismissed after the jury reported it was deadlocked on one of the counts. Another juror told Shumate the dismissed juror admitted she hadn't disclosed a sexual abuse experience during the jury selection process. The new jury returned a guilty verdict on both counts less than three hours after an alternate juror began deliberating with the group.

Source: deseretnews.com

Allan Melvin Died At 84 Yrs Old

Allan Melvin, a popular character actor who played Cpl. Henshaw on the classic 1950s sitcom "The Phil Silvers Show" and later portrayed Archie Bunker's neighbor and friend Barney on "All in the Family," has died. He was 84.

Melvin, who was in the original Broadway cast of "Stalag 17" in the early 1950s, died of cancer Thursday at his home in Brentwood, said his wife of 64 years, Amalia.

During his five-decade career, Melvin made guest appearances on numerous TV shows, including playing different roles on at least eight episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" and playing Dick Van Dyke's old Army buddy on "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

He also played Sgt. Charlie Hacker on "Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C."; portrayed butcher Sam Franklin -- Alice the housekeeper's boyfriend -- on "The Brady Bunch"; and continued playing Barney when the hit "All in the Family" became "Archie Bunker's Place."

Melvin, who appeared in only one movie -- the 1968 Doris Day comedy "With Six You Get Eggroll" -- also did voice-over work in cartoons, including providing the voices of Magilla Gorilla and Bluto on "Popeye."

He worked on numerous TV commercials as well, including playing Al the Plumber in the Liquid-Plumr commercials for 15 years.

After launching his show business career in the sound effects department of NBC radio in New York in 1944, Melvin began acting on radio soap operas and then moved into live television.

At the same time, he did movie star impressions in Manhattan in a nightclub act written by his friend Richard Condon, who later wrote "The Manchurian Candidate."

Melvin's stand-up act led to his winning "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" radio show in the late 1940s.

He was playing Reed in "Stalag 17," the hit 1951-52 Broadway play set in a German POW camp during World War II, when he first caught Silvers' attention.

"The Phil Silvers Show," originally titled "You'll Never Get Rich," was set on an Army base in Kansas and ran from 1955 to 1959.

As Cpl. Henshaw, Melvin was the right-hand man to Silvers' con-man extraordinaire, Sgt. Ernie Bilko.

"He was brilliant" as Henshaw, Mickey Freeman, who played Pvt. Zimmerman on the show, told The Times on Friday.

In recent years, when fans would ask Freeman how many surviving cast members were left, he would reply, "Allan Melvin and me -- that's a high mortality rate for a noncombatant unit."

Noting that Melvin "was a great mimic of voices," Freeman recalled an episode in which an officer arrived at Ft. Baxter to stop the men from gambling. One of the ways the officer did that, Freeman said, was to make them listen to his wife lecture on art.

But the woman had an unusual twitch -- pulling on her skirt -- and Bilko and the other soldiers placed bets on how many times she would do that during her lecture.

Freeman recalled that Melvin, as Henshaw, was positioned outside the lecture hall with a microphone, broadcasting to the other soldiers on the base -- " 'She's up to 42 now . . . 43 . . . 44, and she's not even breathing heavy.' He made a whole racetrack thing out of it," Freeman said. "He was wonderful."

Melvin was born Feb. 18, 1923, in Kansas City, Mo. His family soon moved to New York City, where he graduated from Columbia University as a journalism major.

Melvin retired from acting about 10 years ago -- long after becoming a household face who was used to people spotting him in public and saying, "Hey, Henshaw" or "Hey, Sam the Butcher."

"I've enjoyed the stuff I've done," he told People magazine in 1996, "but the one you're getting paid for, that's what you enjoy most."

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Hanson; and a grandson.

Services will be private.

Source: latimes.com

APRC and the 13th Amendment

The Peace Secretariat is surprised at the barrage of criticism directed recently at attempts to initiate a political solution to the country's current problems through the All Party Representative Committee.

This Committee has met nearly sixty times over the last eighteen months and has done yeoman service in attempting to achieve consensus amongst a range of political parties with very different ideas. It is a tribute to its Chairman, Prof Tissa Vitharana, and the participants, that they have agreed on many factors. Some others need to be settled, but all indications are that this will be done soon.

However, the APRC does not include all parties, and therefore implementation of its proposals may take some time. Both the UNP and the JVP have withdrawn from the APRC and, if any proposals require a two thirds majority of parliament, the support of at least one of these parties will be necessary. Whilst it is hoped that some support will be available, the lessons of history cannot be ignored. In both her first term and her second, President Kumaratunga thought she would get the support of the UNP for far-reaching constitutional reforms, but this was not forthcoming.

Whilst there may have been good reason for this, the action of several UNP members, in burning the proposals on the floor of the House in August 2000 on the grounds that they conceded too much to Tamils, speaks volumes for the breadth and quality of the opposition that may face any proposals put forward by the APRC.

The opposition of the UNP to President Kumaratunga's P-Toms agreement, now forgotten by those who blame only the JVP - which resorted to a legal remedy rather than insidious insinuation - confirms that the government would be unwise to put all its eggs into the basket of possible UNP support for constitutional changes.

This does not mean the government should not try, to institute such reforms as seem desirable. But it should also activate contingency measures to improve the situation regardless of the fate of major reform proposals. This is what last week's discussions were about, and it is sad that many commentators have sought to denigrate these efforts instead of looking at what is positive about them.

In short, the government plans to work in accordance with the simplest principles of problem solving, that any student of critical thinking has imbibed. Regrettably critical thinking was not taught before the nineties in Sri Lanka, so many commentators are not aware that, when you have a big problem, it makes sense to divide it into small problems and solve each of them as possible. Again, one needs to proceed from what one knows, arranged systematically, to deduce what one does not know; one proceeds from what is given, ordering it carefully, to derive whatever more seems desirable.

Hence the sensible suggestion that the 13th Amendment, which is now law in this country, should be activated in full. This was not done, for a variety of reasons which should be analysed at length, though this is not the appropriate place to do this. Suffice it to say that, because of unwillingness on the part of many Provincial Councils to take initiatives, accompanied by the natural unwillingness of central government ministers to yield their prerogatives, very little that could have been accomplished for the benefit of the people of the provinces was achieved. At the same time the signal achievement of perhaps the only Provincial Council Chief Minister who had far-reaching plans he implemented systematically - namely Jayawickrema Perera of the Northwestern Province who created what might be termed the brand Wayamba - indicates what can be done with concerted effort.

" The point is, if those further proposals cannot be implemented, immediately or even later, it is ridiculous to prevent some good being done on the grounds that better might just conceivably be possible."

There are several areas in which thorough implementation of the 13th amendment will suffice to empower people in areas in which they have previously been deprived. There are others in which appropriate regulations can be brought, under what is termed the concurrent list, with only a simple majority of parliament required for ratification, to increase regional powers and ensure that these will not be trespassed upon by the centre. Not only in areas such as Health and Education, where centralized decision making is obviously inappropriate, but even in fields such as Policing and Justice, the 13th amendment conferred powers that have not been implemented.

What is the problem about implementing these? The fear perhaps is that, after implementing these, the government will decide that nothing more need be done. That fear is understandable, given what happened in the past, but this is where the APRC would also have put further proposals on the table for consideration, proposals which it will not then be possible to ignore.

"There are several areas in which thorough implementation of the 13th Amendment will suffice to empower people in areas in which they have previously been deprived. There are others in which appropriate regulations can be brought, under what is termed the concurrent list, with only a simple majority of parliament required for ratification, to increase regional powers and ensure that these will not be trespassed upon by the centre. Not only in areas such as Health and Education, where centralized decision making is obviously inappropriate, but even in fields such as Policing and Justice, the 13th Amendment conferred powers that have not been implemented. "

The point is, if those further proposals cannot be implemented, immediately or even later, it is ridiculous to prevent some good being done on the grounds that better might just conceivably be possible.

Many years ago, there was a joke in circulation about a five story building in which women could shop for husbands. If they did not want someone from the first floor, they could go up to the second and so on, with the guarantee that what was on offer would get better. The only constraint was that they could not go back. So the first floor had loving husbands, the second rich and loving husbands, the third handsome and rich and loving husbands, the fourth sensitive and handsome and rich and loving husbands.

Naturally, the woman about whom the story is told went up to the fifth floor. There was a sign there that said that she was the three hundred and fifty thousandth seven hundred and ninety third woman to come to the fifth floor, which showed that some women could never be satisfied. The TNA may not have a choice, as to whether or not they can accept a compromise. But it is to be hoped that not all commentators, national and international, are quite like the apocryphal woman of this story.

Source: defence.lk

Ying Yang Twins at Matoaka Amphitheatre

Combined efforts by the UCAB and online voting by passionate student fans will provide the College with a unique and highly anticipated performance, as the Ying Yang Twins will bring their Southern crunk flavor to Matoaka Amphitheatre Saturday, March 29 at 8 p.m.

The pair of hip-hop artists from Atlanta — whose credentials include the smash hits “Wait (The Whisper Song)” and “Whistle While You Twurk,” as well as noteworthy collaborations with other crunk staples such as Lil’ Jon — were originally scheduled to visit the College last spring after more than 260 students voted on the website Eventful.com to have them perform.

The website describes itself as a forum that “empowers users to influence where their favorite performers, candidates and other celebrities appear by creating viral grass-roots campaigns to ‘demand’ them in their town.”

While performers are not obligated to appear based on demand, the Ying Yang Twins used Eventful.com to determine which universities it would add to its spring 2007 tour.

The website also stated that “W&M has been keepin’ it Crunk ever since Thomas Jefferson stepped foot on Campus,” implying that students would be wise to keep the crunk alive by voting for the group.

The College placed first in the contest, with a current total of 284 votes. Close runners-up included Tallahassee, Fla., and Morgantown, W.V., with 198 and 160 votes, respectively.

The unrelated Twins agreed to appear at the College last spring, but a scheduling error required that they appear in Germany on the date they had originally scheduled the Williamsburg performance.

An apology letter, sent to Assistant Director of Student Activities Joe Lowder from Amy Hanks Public Relations, a representative for the duo, stated that the Ying Yang Twins would add the College to a future tour and acknowledged “full responsibility for the situation.”

UCAB Music Committee Chair Jeanna Occhiogrosso ’08 confirmed that the Twins would perform, and said that while UCAB had no direct role in attracting them initially, they began working with the group when the College won the contest.

“We were really anxious to get them to sign that contract,” Occhiogrosso said. “They’re clearly a respected duo in the music industry, and I’m both pleased to bring them to campus and really excited to see the show.”

Junior Music Committee member Kate Matthews ’09 said in contrast to past performers at the College, the Ying Yang Twins may attract a different crop of concert-goers who are familiar with the duo’s club-banging beats and simple vocal hooks.

“They’re a novelty,” she said. “People have danced to their music a lot at frat parties and other places.”

Occhiogrosso agreed with Matthews. “I think the Ying Yang Twins may have a flashier, more commercial look and sound than the other bands we’ve had at the college recently,” she said.
Members of UCAB were quick to point out that although the Ying Yang Twins concert is certainly a big-name event, there will still be the annual spring concert, which the College traditionally holds in April.

Occhiogrosso said that students could expect a much different act for the regular spring concert, though UCAB members would not comment on what bands they are considering.

“We are always aiming to please a wide group of music tastes,” Occhiogrosso said.

Source: flathatnews.com

Ravens hire Harbaugh

So much for the mistaken notion that the Ravens did not have a "Plan B."

Barely a day after they were left at the altar by Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, the Ravens announced the hiring of Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach John Harbaugh to replace Brian Billick as head coach.

Apparently, owner Steve Bisciotti's gut has a second gear.

He didn't hesitate when that gut told him to fire Billick on New Year's Eve. He didn't dither when it told him to offer the job to Garrett on Tuesday, though Garrett's gut apparently told him to stay in Dallas and become the highest-paid assistant coach in the history of the NFL. And Bisciotti didn't hesitate this time after spending today with the affable Harbaugh, who becomes the third coach in club history.

Harbaugh agreed to terms about 5:30 p.m., so maybe Bisciotti's gut also told him the search was threatening to hold up dinner. (But then, maybe I'm the only one who makes decisions that way.)

In the end, he went outside the box and took a chance on a coach who had not yet climbed to the coordinator level, but that shouldn't come as any great surprise if you were listening when the owner explained himself Dec. 31. He said he would be looking for "the next Hall of Fame coach," which was widely interpreted as a preference for an up-and-coming coaching prospect instead of a seemingly safer option like Marty Schottenheimer.

Garrett certainly fit that description and Bisciotti obviously felt he was the best man for the job, which left the search committee open to speculation that it had put too much emphasis on the team's first choice.

In some circles, there was even the notion that the Ravens had been "used" by Garrett to leverage his position with the Cowboys.

The funny thing is, both notions may bear some degree of truth, but that is not proof of some kind of flaw in the Ravens' decision-making apparatus. The NFL is all about the "next man up," and Harbaugh was identified as that guy before Garrett turned down the job, so it wasn't as if the front office got caught in some kind of administrative vacuum and had to settle for a second-tier coach.

It's very possible that Harbaugh was the best choice all along. It's a process that can only be judged in hindsight anyway.

There was no shame in focusing on the No. 1 candidate in their search and making a strong play for him as soon as he was available. Garrett was the guy just about everyone in the NFL viewed as the top up-and-comer in the game. Perhaps the Ravens miscalculated his interest in coming to Baltimore, but you can't blame the Ravens for not knowing something that wasn't knowable.

They knew Garrett also was being pursued by the Atlanta Falcons and would likely get a big counteroffer from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. If they had decided at that point to go after someone else because of the possibility Garrett would not accept the job, that -- not the eventual outcome -- would have been a sign of organizational weakness.

Bisciotti made his best play and, failing that, quickly moved ahead. Garrett also made his play, and only he knows if he was sincerely seeking the Ravens' job when he arrived here for his second interview. I'm pretty sure Harbaugh doesn't care, though it's always nicer to be the first one invited to the prom.

The idea that Bisciotti was so focused on "Plan A" and didn't see any of this coming is a little ridiculous. It wasn't that complicated, and even if it were, Bisciotti is not some rookie corporate executive. He is an aggressive guy who played his hand all the way to the river. If you lose, and you've still got chips, you forget about it and look at new cards.

He admitted at the outset that he depends a lot on his instincts, which have served him very well during the whole of his professional life. I think that's preferable to the rumors (now debunked) of a more Machiavellian approach that allegedly included a clandestine golf outing with former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher while Billick was still in place.

It would have been great if the Ravens could have wrapped up their coaching search earlier, but that's why they call it a search, because you have to find the right guy. Bisciotti originally thought that was Garrett, but found out quickly that it would have to be somebody else.

There is no perfect system for choosing a coach and no sure things. The Ravens may someday look back at Garrett's decision to turn down the job as the best thing that ever happened to the organization. That depends on how well the search committee has done its job and whether Bisciotti's gut is still giving him good advice.

Source: baltimoresun.com

Improve my FICO scores

Q.: I've recently begun paying off debts that were listed on my credit report for more than a few years. Is it safe to assume that as I pay them off, they will automatically be removed from my report, or do I need to do more to ensure they are noted as paid and/ or removed? Also, should I wait to get a new credit card until after most of the debt is paid because I'll probably get a better interest rate -- or is it a bad idea to wait?

A.: If the debts you mentioned went to collections, paying them off will not remove them from your credit file for seven years.

You can write to each debtor, asking it to adjust the information it is reporting to the three credit bureaus. This is known in the industry as a goodwill letter. There's no guarantee they'll agree, but it may be worth a try. Go to www.myfico.com and search under "goodwill letter.'' You will likely find some sample letters.

Depending on the severity of your situation, those debts may not have affected your score as much as you might suspect. A score is determined by so many factors it's impossible to say how important any single one is. The importance of each depends on the overall information in your credit report.

If you have many collection items on your report, removing one of them may not affect the score very much. Just remember that improving your score is a process, so your score should improve as you continue to do the right things.

If you have had problems, I wouldn't wait to get the new credit card. You want to reestablish your credit history by opening a new account and paying it on time as soon as possible. Just don't open a lot of new accounts in a short period. That can further damage your score.

Q.: When I purchased my first home a couple years ago, I had good credit scores of around 740. I have not missed or been late on any mortgage or credit card payments. But since then I have opened six new credit cards to take advantage of 0% interest offers and other sign-up bonuses. I'm concerned about how these new cards have affected my scores and wonder whether I should start closing accounts. Can you recommend a credit score counseling service? I would like to have a detailed review of my credit situation with a plan to increase and maintain a high credit score.

A.: You don't need to hire a service to accomplish what you can easily do on your own.

First of all, answer your own question about what's happened to your scores by purchasing your scores from MyFico.com. So far, MyFico.com is the only place where you can buy true FICO scores from all three major credit bureaus. (The bureaus themselves may sell you credit scores, but they're often not the same FICO scores used by most lenders.)

You'll pay about $50 for your FICO scores and credit reports. Included in the package will be "reason codes" that will alert you to what's hurting and helping your scores.

Typically, opening a new account can ding your score by a few points, and the damage is multiplied when you open several accounts in a short period of time. You can offset the harm somewhat by handling your new credit responsibly: making payments on time and never using more than about 30% of your available credit limits. (You can boost your scores even more by keeping your so-called credit utilization to 10% or less of your limits.)

If you want to improve your scores, resist the urge to open any more new accounts but don't close any old accounts. You can't help your credit scores by closing accounts, but you can hurt them.

You'll find more information about building and maintaining good scores in my book "Your Credit Score: How to Fix, Improve and Protect the 3-Digit Number That Shapes Your Financial Future," available in many libraries and bookstores.

Credit card spigot not easy to control

Q.: In a recent column you ripped someone who had run up credit card debt that resulted in 29.9% interest as having fallen into a trap "largely of your own making." At least when the mob was in the loan shark business, the victims didn't have to put up with your kind of holier-than-thou claptrap. The near-criminal bank and credit card companies that prey on the poorest seriously need regulating. I have no credit card debt and have not had any for 20 years, but that's easy if you have a high-paying job and an education. It's not so easy for those on the margins.

A.: You probably remember the good old days, when many states capped how much lenders could charge. The U.S. Supreme Court essentially eliminated such usury laws in 1978, and lenders have been on a tear ever since.

The change helped expand the availability of credit, which has been a double-edged sword. Only 38% of households had a credit card in 1977, according to the Federal Reserve; today, three-quarters of households have at least one card. Only about 1 in 10 of the lowest-income households had a credit card in 1977; today more than 40% do.

As the availability of credit soared, so did the number of bankruptcies. Instead of reinstating interest rate caps, though, Congress chose to make filing bankruptcy tougher for many families. Lenders responded to the tougher bankruptcy law by extending even more credit, including sending more than a billion credit card offers a year to the highest-risk households (those already tapping more than 30% of their available credit lines).

Congress is finally examining some of the credit card companies' most egregious practices, but it's unclear how much regulation lawmakers are willing to impose.

So it remains important for people to protect themselves by not carrying balances on their credit cards.

Credit cards can be a huge convenience, a tool for building credit histories and a source of emergency cash, but regularly carrying balances on them is simply a recipe for disaster. That's true for people in every income bracket, which is why it's so important for every responsible consumer to learn to live within his or her means.

Source: startribune.com, latimes.com

BMW of North America received 370 crashed models

BMW NA (BMW USA) loses 370+ cars because of a tipped cargo ship at port in Jersey city. 70 of the cars are total losses.

Majority of the destroyed vehicles were brand new E92 / M3s. You should give your dealer a call if you're expecting a new BMW for a while, because you can be one of the many "lucky" guys.

Shipping company’s insurance contractor is responsible with the bill.

Those cars not damaged beyond repair will be fixed at BMW’s Elizabeth Receiving facility and sold as new cars. Cars that are deemed beyond repair will be crushed.



Source: thecarfanatic.com

Where can I buy HGH?

There are hundreds of new Human Growth Hormone (HGH) supplements on the market today due to their explosive popularity. A quick Internet search turns up thousands of sites offering "incredible deals" and "limited time offers" on everything from sprays to lozenges to effervescent tablets. However, because of the sudden market saturation of HGH supplements it can be difficult to know where to shop for the safest, most effective products.

One helpful resource is a respected online directory, such as the Open Directory Project, also known as “DMOZ.” The directory is available in many different languages so almost anyone can access this wealth of information. A search for Human Growth Hormone on DMOZ turns up about twenty Web sites where purchase information can be found about many different HGH products.

Another good resource for HGH products is the television. Many home shopping channels offer special programs that focus on health products. These programs often feature HGH products as part of their inventory. These television programs sometimes offer deeply discounted prices on the products they sell and it is possible to get two-for-one deals on some brands of HGH supplements.

Advertisements for HGH supplements can also be found in many fitness and bodybuilding magazines, along with dozens of other nutritional supplements. HGH is commonly used by bodybuilders to drop body fat and gain lean muscle mass. A quick review of some of the most popular fitness magazines should yield several options for purchasing HGH.

Many nutrition stores also offer HGH supplements. A search in the local yellow pages should offer a number of nutrition stores to choose from. These stores often offer a variety of HGH supplements to their customers who want to lose body fat and gain muscle mass as part of their fitness program.

Source: EzineArticles

People in Texas Town Report Seeing UFO

In this farming community where nightfall usually brings clear, starry skies, residents are abuzz over reported sightings of what many believe is a UFO.

Several dozen people — including a pilot, county constable and business owners — insist they have seen a large silent object with bright lights flying low and fast. Some reported seeing fighter jets chasing it.

"People wonder what in the world it is because this is the Bible Belt, and everyone is afraid it's the end of times," said Steve Allen, a freight company owner and pilot who said the object he saw last week was a mile long and half a mile wide. "It was positively, absolutely nothing from these parts."

While federal officials insist there's a logical explanation, locals swear that it was larger, quieter, faster and lower to the ground than an airplane. They also said the object's lights changed configuration, unlike those of a plane. People in several towns who reported seeing it over several weeks have offered similar descriptions of the object.

Machinist Ricky Sorrells said friends made fun of him when he told them he saw a flat, metallic object hovering about 300 feet over a pasture behind his Dublin home. But he decided to come forward after reading similar accounts in the Stephenville Empire-Tribune.

"You hear about big bass or big buck in the area, but this is a different deal," Sorrells said. "It feels good to hear that other people saw something, because that means I'm not crazy."

Sorrells said he has seen the object several times. He said he watched it through his rifle's telescopic lens and described it as very large and without seams, nuts or bolts.

Maj. Karl Lewis, a spokesman for the 301st Fighter Wing at the Joint Reserve Base Naval Air Station in Fort Worth, said no F-16s or other aircraft from his base were in the area the night of Jan. 8, when most people reported the sighting.

Lewis said the object may have been an illusion caused by two commercial airplanes. Lights from the aircraft would seem unusually bright and may appear orange from the setting sun.

"I'm 90 percent sure this was an airliner," Lewis said. "With the sun's angle, it can play tricks on you."

Officials at the region's two Air Force bases — Dyess in Abilene and Sheppard in Wichita Falls — also said none of their aircraft were in the area last week. The Air Force no longer investigates UFOs.

One man has offered a reward for a photograph or videotape of the mysterious object.

About 200 UFO sightings are reported each month, mostly in California, Colorado and Texas, according to the Mutual UFO Network, which plans to go to the 17,000-resident town of Stephenville to investigate.

Fourteen percent of Americans polled last year by The Associated Press and Ipsos say they have seen a UFO.

Erath County Constable Lee Roy Gaitan said that he first saw red glowing lights and then white flashing lights moving fast, but that even with binoculars could not see the object to which the lights were attached.

"I didn't see a flying saucer and I don't know what it was, but it wasn't an airplane, and I've never seen anything like it," Gaitan said. "I think it must be some kind of military craft — at least I hope it was."

Source: Associated Press

UFO over University of Texas Campus

'Nannies for hire' review

Nannies4hire.com is a successful Nation-wide online nanny and family database that offers a state-of-the-art database for families and nannies. As part of our database you can conveniently search for a nanny or family who matches your needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week on our secure site.

Nannies4hire has been affiliated with the nanny industry since 1987 and are proud members of the International Nanny Association (INA). Our staff brings over 15 years of successful ownership know-how in the nanny industry which, combined with the knowledge and understanding of nannies experiences, has helped produce one of the best online databases available. We have welcomed aboard thousands of families and nannies and our list continues to grow every day.

Our database is designed to swiftly assist families in finding a quality nanny for their specific needs and requirements and offer nannies an enjoyable employment experience. We offer a secure feeling with the hiring process offering an easy to use online investigation service. Registered families may also search by detailed characteristics to help pinpoint the perfect nanny for their family.

Helpful tools are also available to registered families and nannies, including sample interview questions, a sample reference form and a sample contract. Nannies4hire also gives you advice, tips and information that will help you and your nanny connect on a social and personal level.

Mona Lisa del Giocondo Identity

The dating of Leonardo's most famous paintings, and the identification of the depicted with Lisa del Giocondo by the discovery of a handwritten entry in an early pressure from the Heidelberg University Library.

Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci's portrait of a young woman, is regarded as the most famous paintings in the world.

The identification is depicted with the Mona Lisa, the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo, based on her age of the information by Giorgio Vasari (1511-74), in its 1550 first published Künstlerviten than previously only source of the portrait of a name There, while an approximate dating between 1503 and 1506. It is this identification some 50 years younger than her subject. Because Vasari also for his penchant for Anekdotischen know, existed until now doubts about the reliability of its information. Because Leonardo himself mentioned the Mona Lisa in his drawings and notebooks with no word.

Sparse information in other sources from the years 1517, 1525 and 1540 can be great leeway for interpretation, so that different versions of the identification exist. One possibility under discussion is the representation of a fictitious Frauenbildnisses, one of Leonardo in the picture put women's ideal.

All doubts about the identity of the Mona Lisa eliminated a source, Dr. Armin Worse for cataloguing a Heidelberger early pressure (7,620 mark D qt. INC), and discovers - with a brief comment - in Inkunabelausstellung catalogue to the University Library in May 2005, has published. In the 1477 printed edition of Cicero found a note from the Florentine firm officials Agostino Vespucci, the Leonardo with Apelles, the largest ancient painters, and compares stating that those currently being used in a portrait of the Mona Lisa worked. Vespucci Margins from October 1503 allows a precise dating of the painting and confirmed definitely Vasaris indication of 1550, which was displayed Lisa del Giocondo.

The detailed scientific positioning in the research landscape has since 2005. Several articles on this Fund and its importance for the art historical research are to be expected.

Source: huliq.com

Vytorin and its sister drug Zetia

A controversial study showing that the blockbuster cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin failed to slow the buildup of artery plaques more than a cheaper statin is certain to provoke questions among heart patients taking Vytorin or its sister drug Zetia. USA TODAY asked Steven Nissen, the Cleveland Clinic's chief of cardiology, and Roger Blumenthal of the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease and the American College of Cardiologyprevention committee, for some answers.

Q: Why was the study controversial?

A: The two drugs are among the most widely used of all prescription medicines. Yet, although the drugs have been shown to reduce cholesterol, their manufacturers acknowledge that they've never been shown to prevent heart attacks or other life-threatening events. Lipitor and other statin drugs, in contrast, have demonstrated their effectiveness in many studies.

A congressional committee said in December it will investigate allegations that the companies that make the drugs, Merck and Schering-Plough, delayed releasing data from the study, completed in April 2006.

Q. What's the difference between cholesterol-lowering statins and Vytorin and Zetia?

A. Statins block the formation of bad cholesterol, or LDL, in the liver, while Zetia blocks its absorption in the intestines. Vytorin is simply Zetia combined with a statin called Zocor, which is now available in generic form as simvastatin. About 60% of patients who take Zetia take it with Zocor as Vytorin.

Q: Who participated in the study?

A: The study involved 720 patients with very high levels of cholesterol from an inherited form of heart disease. The study was designed to prove that Vytorin could slow the growth of plaque in carotid arteries supplying the brain more than simvastatin alone.

Q: What were the findings?

A: The researchers found that even though Vytorin dramatically reduced bad-cholesterol levels, it did not slow the growth of artery blockages more than generic Zocor. "It's certainly not an alternative to high doses of statins, which we know work," Nissen says.

Q: Are other studies in the works?

A: Three bigger studies are underway that will test whether Vytorin can prevent heart attacks, strokes and other events in thousands of patients. The results from those studies won't be released until 2011.

Q: How can it be that a drug that dramatically lowers bad cholesterol doesn't reduce plaques?

A: The answer isn't clear. Some drugs are simply more effective than others. Statins may reap their benefits not just by lowering bad cholesterol but also by raising good cholesterol and fighting artery inflammation. Zetia and Vytorin, which work differently, only lower bad cholesterol.

Sometimes drugs do everything that's asked of them and still fail to perform. Pfizer's experimental drug torcetrapib dramatically raised good cholesterol, as doctors had hoped it would. But lab tests don't tell the whole story. Unfortunately, the drug had deadly side effects that killed its chances of approval.

Q: How do the drugs' manufacturers explain their failure in this study?

A: Lee Davies, a spokesman for the two firms' joint venture, says the patients presented a major challenge, partly because their cholesterol was so high. Also, most of them had already been treated with statins, making it harder to see any additional benefit.

Q: What's the bottom line for patients?

A. Zetia and Vytorin should not be used as first-line drugs, Blumenthal says. They're most useful for patients who aren't getting all the help they need from statins and for those who can't tolerate statins' side effects, including liver problems.

Source: usatoday.com

Episode Preview American Gladiators

Third episode of American Gladiators Preview

Last week, life coach Siene Silva took on Christie Phillips, a karate instructor and mother of two, while Satellite Engineer Adonis Locket fought radiation control technician Jeff Big Country Chapman for the men's side. Tonight, another round of rough competition will take place as a soccer mom attempts to defeat a rodeo queen.

Episode 3 features Monica Carlson as she battles it out with rodeo pro Belinda Gavin. Carlson is a 32-year-old mother of twins and a former Portland Trailblazer dancer, while Gavin is a 36-year-old bull rider originally from Australia.

On the men's side, Adam Levin, who lost his home in the Hurricane Wilma, goes up against high school teacher Sharaud Moore. Levin is a 29-year-old shark fisherman who moved to Bedford, Texas in attempt to start a new life. Moore, on the other hand, is a 30-year-old teacher who specializes in algebra and is one of the original “Freedom Writers.”

Described by the network as “one of the hardest hitting episodes to date,” this installment finds the gladiators as they defend their arena with increased strength and viciousness, while they try to make their contenders pay the price.

Hosted by wrestling icon Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, American Gladiators matches a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the show's own "gladiators" in contests of strength and agility. In the end , the winners will receive $100,000, a 2008 Toyota Sequoia, as well as the right to become a Gladiator in season 2, which is scheduled to be taped in spring 2008 for a summer airing.

Fans can catch American Gladiators tonight at 8pm EST on NBC.

Source: buddytv.com

LaMonte Reed helping families with computers

There are many low-income families that do not have a computer, but LaMonte Reed is on a mission to change that.

Reed, a volunteer with the nonprofit Sisterhood Inc., collects used computers, refurbishes them, and distributes them to families in Burlington City and Willingboro.

In the past year and a half, Reed has given away about 50 such computers.

Reed, a computer technician and videographer from Burlington Township, said it is important for every family to have a computer in this technological age. He said children especially need computer access to work on school assignments and conduct research on the Internet.

In return for a computer, the Sisterhood asks each family to volunteer time at the organization, or make a small donation of $50 to $100. Reed said the contribution is determined on a case-by-case basis and no one is turned away.

Reed credited his friend Joe Steele for starting the program about 10 years ago. When Steele began working as a teacher at the Burlington County Special Services School in Lumberton, he could no longer dedicate the time necessary to the computer program, and he asked Reed to take over. Reed said he enjoys the work.

“I feel I am on this Earth to help other people,” he said.

Reed has outfitted a computer lab at the Sisterhood office, located at the corner of York and East Broad streets in Burlington City, where he teaches children how to use the computers.

He has dreams of someday opening a school for adults, where he can teach them how to become computer technicians.

“We are trying to show them there is another way,” he said. “They can make $100 a day without selling drugs or beating someone up.”

Reed said the Sisterhood collects old computers from the Burlington County Special Services School, the Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, Pa., the Burlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington County, and individual donors. He thanked the principal of the Burlington County Special Services School in Lumberton, Paul W. Houser, for his support.

About a month ago, Reed said he donated 20 computers to a charitable foundation, which sent them to a high school in Nigeria. He said he is always looking for more computer donations.

“Other people's junk is our gold,” he said.

Reed also is in need of volunteers to help him make repairs. He said he would be happy to teach volunteers how to do the work.

Anyone interested in donating an old computer, or in need of a computer, should contact Reed by calling the Sisterhood at (609) 747-9333.

Source: phillyburbs.com

2008 Detroit Auto Show

North American International Auto Show holds media previews from Sunday, Jan. 13, through Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Cobo Arena in downtown Detroit.

World automakers will unveil more than 50 new production and concept models, executives will discuss industry prospects
in a challenging year for the U.S. economy, and analysts will assess the outlook.

Following is a diary of some of the key events for Monday, January 14 (all times EST/-5 GMT):

8:30-8:55 a.m. - Lincoln press briefing.

9:05-9:30 a.m. - Cadillac/General Motors press briefing.
Vice chairman Bob Lutz.

9:40-10:10 a.m. - Maserati news conference (marcel)

10:45 a.m. - Automotive entrepeneur Malcolm Bricklin showing
off plug-in hybrid prototype.

10:50-11:15 a.m. - Toyota press briefing.

11:25-11:50 a.m. - Changfeng press briefing.

12:35-1:00 p.m. - Saturn/GM press briefing. Head of North
American operations Troy Clarke.

1:10-1:40 p.m. - Ferrari news conference.

1:45-2:10 p.m. - Chrysler press briefing.

2:20-2:45 p.m. - Mazda press briefing.

3:30-3:55 p.m. - Geely Motors press briefing.

4:00 pm-6:00 p.m. - Presidential candidates Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and John McCain make walkthrough visits of Auto
Show display floors.

Reuters

Roger Avary, Writer of Pulp Fiction, Arrested

Oscar-winning screenwriter Roger Avary has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and driving under the influence after a Ventura County car crash that killed a man and injured Avary's wife, authorities said.

Roger Avary, 42, was the driver in the single-car collision shortly after midnight Sunday in Ojai, said Capt. Ross Bonfiglio of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

Andreas Zini, 34, was killed in the accident. Zini is a resident of Italy who was apparently visiting the couple. Firefighters cut Zini from the car with Jaws of Life, and he died several hours later at Ventura County Medical Center.

Avary's wife Gretchen, 40, was ejected from the car and found in the road by deputies, Bonfiglio said. She was hospitalized in stable condition.

Avary was booked but later released on $50,000 bail, Bonfiglio said.

Avary won an Academy Award along with Quentin Tarantino for writing "Pulp Fiction," and was also a co-writer of the recent epic "Beowulf." He and his wife live in Ojai, a popular artists' colony and tourist destination 14 miles north of Ventura.

Associated Press

2008 Golden Globe Awards - The Winners

Britney Spears did nice with Atonement - which by the way has an UK director and largely British cast - catching Best Film (Drama).
Sweeney Todd Johnny Depp) won Best Film (Musical or comedy).
Johnny Depp also won Best Actor at Musical or comedy category, while Daniel Day Lewis was given Best Actor (Drama) for There Will Be Blood.

Full Winners list:

Best film (drama): Atonement

Best film (musical or comedy): Sweeney Todd

Best director – film: Julian Schnabel - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best actor (drama): Daniel Day Lewis - There Will Be Blood

Best actress (drama): Julie Christie - Away from Her

Best actor (musical or comedy): Johnny Depp - Sweeney Todd

Best actress (musical or comedy) : Marion Cotillard - La Vie en Rose

Best supporting actor: Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men

Best supporting actress: Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There

Best foreign language film: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (France and US)

Best animated feature film:

Best screenplay: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen - No Country for Old Men

Best original score: Dario Marianelli - Atonement

Best original song: Guaranteed - Into the Wild

Homeowners secured loans

At present, availing desired financial aid has become the most problematic and time consuming task; however, many banks and financial institutions claim to provide the finest financial services but in reality, very few people get the real benefit of these schemes.

The only thing that hampers them is arrangement of collateral, as arranging collateral to justify the proposed quote is quite bothering task. Since most of the borrowers possess home property, banks and financial institutions smoothen their way by providing them with loan against their home property.

Such loans that are pledged against home property are called secured loans for homeowners; these loans are affordable and help the borrower in settling his or her financial requirements without putting any extra burden of high interest rate. The basic intention behind offering these loans is to help those homeowners, who cannot afford to pay high interest rate of unsecured loans.

With these loans, homeowners can use their equity in home property; in fact, these loans are tailored with a motive to make people realize the power of their home equity. Secured loans for homeowners are also available for bad credit borrowers.

Therefore, if your bad credit history is restraining you from availing any financial facility, then apply for these loans to smash all your financial barriers. For availing these loans you just need to possess a home property, as these loans are pledged against only home properties. For people, who have any CCJ against them, these loans are the perfect way to reestablish their financial status.

With secured loans for homeowners, a borrower can meet his or her multiple requirements therefore, if you a homeowner with any inevitable financial requirement, then these loans can help you in arranging suitable finance to meet every requirement.

With these loans, the lenders toss away their inhibitions and lend generously to every borrower, as they possess the collateral to recover the loan amount in case of default payment. Since lenders do not restrict the usage of the loan amount through any clause, these loans can be used for any purpose by the borrower.

We know that all the lenders are cautious businessmen and they give priority to those borrowers, who are capable of reducing the risk through keeping high valued collateral. Taking this fact into consideration, these lenders offer loan amount according to the value of the collateral. However, it is for sure that with secured loans for homeowners you will get maximum monitory benefits on your home equity.

For availing this loan, you must possess home equity of worth £100 000. The lender can lend you seventy or eighty percent of this amount; however, if you possess excellent credit history, then this amount can extend up to 125% of this amount. Basically, approval of the loan amount depends on the value of your property and credit history, as these factors decide over the issue of reliability and repayment capacity of the borrower. As far as the repayment term is concerned, you can be rest assured that repayment term will never increase you financial burden.

How to fight off the Seven Deadly Sins

The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a classification of vices that were originally used in early Christian teachings to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen man's tendency to sin. (Wikipedia)

The start of the new year is the time when we plan to be better people — nicer, skinnier, more careful people. Self-help books and service magazines offer a lot of lists, but you might want to check yourself against something that has stood the test of time: the Seven Deadly Sins, a popular topic in art and drama of the Middle Ages.

And in the interest of free choice, here are some modern suggestions for fighting them off — or indulging them.

LUST
Fight back

Feeling tempted by the fruit of another?

If you are a believer in the Bible, perhaps carrying it with you would help inspire you to remove yourself from a potentially sticky situation. The credit card-sized Itty Bitty Bible ($10) opens to reveal a 1  1/4 -inch piece of film inscribed with all the words from the Old and New Testaments, reduced by 285 times, according to maker Amazing Faith.

You can’t read it without a microscope. But Amazing Faith assures, “Have faith. It’s all in there.”

“Since it fits right into your pocket you can carry your faith with you at all times,” says Jaime Hovan, a spokesperson for the company.

It comes in both King James and Catholic Latin versions.

Give in
Make love on luxury.

The super-duper mattress race shows no signs of ending in 2008.

Italian mattress designer Magniflex is introducing a platinum bed at the Las Vegas Furniture Market this month, more extravagant than its Gold Mattress, a bed with a 22-karat gold fiber cover. “Each piece is thermo-regulating, anti-bacterial, odor-proof and anti-stress and is customized to fit the comfort levels of the consumer,” says Henry Burney, U.S. sales representative for Magniflex.

The bed will retail for approximately $75,000.

SLOTH
Fight back

Don’t just sit there — Autom-ize!

Get some motivation and support with the Autom, a robotic weight loss coach making test runs in Boston homes. Dieters input food and exercise, and the Autom provides encouragement and advice, such as “Congratulations, you’re doing a good job at meeting your diet goals that you’ve set for yourself,” or after eating a gallon of ice cream, “Everyone has a few days over their goals. Let’s try to make tomorrow a good day for your diet.”

Give in

If you are going to sit around, at least multitask.

Brookstone sells the OSIM uHarmony Massage Chair: It reclines to 175 degrees and has pre-programmed massages, built-in heat and a place to plug in your MP3 or CD player. “But even more important is the heat function because so many of our customers have said they wanted a massage chair with heat,” says Robert Padgett, spokesman for Brookstone. “It helps to relax them even more.”

Relaxation does come at a price. The uHarmony Massage Chair costs $3,995.

PRIDE
Fight it

Get rid of those painful 3-inch stilettos.

Swallow your pride and bring your gently used shoes to Kenneth Cole New York stores from Jan. 19-27. Instead of taking up precious closet space, they’ll go to someone who will wear them. The company is partnering with Help USA, a provider of housing and services for the homeless.

In the past 15 years, Kenneth Cole has collected more than 1.5 million pairs of shoes for the organization. And donors will get a coupon for a 20 percent discount on their next Kenneth Cole purchase.

Give in

Fashion takes a turn toward modesty in 2008, but there are always items that will get you noticed. Accessories — especially handbags, jewelry and shoes — seem to be a weakness for many, and they can add flash to an otherwise buttoned-up, eco-friendly, minimalist-luxury outfit.

WRATH
Fight it

Sure, we all are under a lot of stress these days. But don’t pull an Alec Baldwin and take out your anger on someone you love. Try the increasingly popular art of meditation. “Visualize a rainbow,” David Fontana suggests in his new book Meditation Bliss: Inspirational Techniques for Finding Calm ($9.95). “Rainbows are … said to purify space, and to have healing and tranquilizing properties.”

Or take a lesson from spiritual guru Deepak Chopra. At the Chopra Center Web site, you can take the Dosha Quiz at store.chopra.com/dosha- survey.asp to find out about mind-body balance and how to help improve awareness of both.

If do-it-yourself meditation is too much, try your local spa. According to the International Spa Association, 57 percent of U.S. spas that offer mind, body and spirit programs conduct meditation training.

Give in

That’s right. Let it out. Unleash your pent-up anger by joining a constructive cause — volunteering for the presidential candidate of your choice. Yes, in case you haven’t heard, there’s an election in 2008.

All the major candidates’ Web sites offer forms to get involved, with a wide variety of options. If you want to put your money where your mouth is, you can try the 2008 Presidential Candidate Hot Sauces from Dave’s Gourmet. All the leading candidates are represented with their pictures and pithy quotes on individual jars of cayenne-based sauce, pictured below. The company is counting each bottle sold as a vote and will see how well hot sauce purchasing choices reflect the real polls.

You can track the spicy-lection at davesgourmet.com.

ENVY
Fight back

Get over yourself and stop pining for greener grass. Try giving to others instead of focusing on your own supposed needs. Time magazine named VolunteerMatch (volunteermatch.org) one of the top 10 Web sites of 2007.

Give in

Feeling green? Wallow in it. There’s always somebody richer, younger, prettier and smarter than you, so envy knows no limits. Log on to Facebook, the social networking story of 2007, and load up on applications that show just how you compare to others in every category from college football scorecasting, to politics, to rock, paper, scissors.

GLUTTONY
Fight it

For the best taste, most hot chocolate should be made with whole milk. But Godiva’s new formula for hot cocoa is equally good with 2 percent milk, the company says. The cocoa makes a rich and creamy drink and comes in four flavors — milk, dark and the new caramel or mocha. Each 14-ounce tin costs $10 and is sold at Godiva stores or at godiva.com.

Give in

Of course, hot chocolate can also be an over-the-top treat — load on the whipped cream, marshmallows and shots of flavored syrups.

But the seriously gourmet may now prefer “drinking chocolate.” New “single-origin” hot chocolates have labels that read like wine bottles and tell you where the chocolate comes from and what flavor notes it imparts.

GREED
Fight it

Here’s a way to cut down on your own greed, or at least make it work for a good cause.

Treat your calories like cash. Any time you break your diet, charge yourself a standard amount of cash, say, 1 cent for every calorie in a forbidden treat. Donate the proceeds to your local food pantry or a national program for feeding the needy, such as America’s Second Harvest, which serves a network of 200 member food banks and food rescue organizations in 50 states. There’s an easy online donation form at secondharvest.org.

Give in

If you are lucky enough have a big food allowance, there are now no shortage of businesses that want to help you get all rich food, all the time.

There’s a food of the month club for just about anything: Start with the Italian Wine of the Month Club ($199.95 a month plus shipping and handling for three “Platinum Membership” bottles a month). For something to munch on with your wine, try Stonewall Kitchen’s Specialty Food Club ($320 for 12 months of goodies).

This article was formerly published on kansascity.com.
The beautiful ilustrations of the Seven Deadly Sins belong to Marta Dahlig.

New Zealand’s Mike Aish won the 2008 Phoenix Marathon

Mike Aish captured the rock and roll Arizona Marathon on Sunday with a time of 2:13:20. He was 50 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Dejene Yirdawe.

The past 4 rock n roll marathons had been won by Africans with the last 3 being won by Ethiopians. On Sunday Mike Aish broke free of Yirdawe with just under 2 miles left.

On women’s category it was Adanech Zekiros who became the 5th African to win the Phoenix Marathon with a course record time of 2:31:14. This was her second consecutive victory at the race. Zekiros was followed by two Ethiopians as well, Salomie Getnet and Asnakech Mengistru made it 2nd and 3rd.

Green Bay Packers Al Harris best interception

4 years after creating one of the most unforgettable plays in Green Bay Packers playoff history, Al Harris stepped at a press conference this week and categorically declared he wouldn't answer the questions about it. But he did, of course.

In Packer country, Al Harris is known for intercepting a Matt Hasselbeck pass and running fifty-two yards in extra time to beat the Seattle Seahawks (33-27) in game back in 2004. Seattle and Hasselbeck announced that “we want the ball, and we’re going to score”. This statement wound up being spread on national TV. They are returning to Lambeau Field on Saturday for a National Football Conference divisional playoff. And the genial Al Harris covered questions about the interception as dexterously as he handles wideouts. His reputation as one of the best cover corners developed from that play in Green Bay’s last playoff triumph, and culminated this season in his first Pro Bowl selection.

Harris, 33 yrs, is the oldest starter on a defense that shares credit for the Green Bay Packers’ 13-3 regular season record with Brett Favre and the super powered offense. The defense will be loaded with slowing Deion Branch. This guy returns after missing two games with a right calf strain, and the offense of Coach Mike Holmgren.

Although Harris and Aaron Kampman are the Packers’ only defensive Pro Bowlers, alternates included Woodson, linebackers Nick Barnett and A. J. Hawk and free safety Nick Collins.

A freshman starter, Atari Bigby had 4 of his team-leading 5 interceptions in December. Atari Bigby may not be far behind. Woodson, the only other starter over 30, had 4 interceptions. Coach Mike McCarthy announced Woodson missed practice Wednesday with knee and toe soreness but he should play.

The Yearling APG Adelaide Sale Details

The 1st chance to buy yearlings suitable for the rich Australian Pacing Gold series comes along this Sunday. There are a number of APG graduates in the Adelaide yearling sale that will be held from 2PM at the Magic Millions sales complex in Morphettville.

Only graduates of the Gold catalogue are qualified to begin in the related $2million race series for two and three year olds, integrating the rich Gold two year old bonuses. There are twenty-one Gold-eligible youngsters ready to go under the beat in Adelaide. The 14 colts and 7 filies represent the mating of some fine bloodlines.

The draft includes colts by Art Major, Blissfull Hall, Courage Under Fire, Grinfromeartoear, Life Sign, Modern Art, Panorama, Presidential Ball, Totally Western and Young Rufus. Fillies are by Artesian, Blissfull Hall and Life Sign. Life Sign is one of the Australia most popular sires and is best represented in Adelaide. Has 7 entrants.

Catalogues are available for the Australian Pacing Gold round by freecalling 1800 280 699.

The 2008 APG yearling sales dates are:

* MELBOURNE - Inglis Sales Complex, Oaklands Junction, Saturday 2nd February 2008
* BRISBANE - Rocklea Showgrounds, Rocklea, Sunday 10th February 2008
* SYDNEY - Newmarket Sales Complex, Randwick, Sunday 17th February 2008
* CONCORDE PARK - Shepparton, Victoria, Sunday 24th February 2008

APG eligible yearlings will also be offered at the following sales:

* ADELAIDE - Magic Millions Complex, Morphettville, Sunday 13th January 2008
* LAUNCESTON - Inveresk Showgrounds, Saturday 19th January 2008
* WA NATIONAL - Claremont Showground, Wednesday 30th January 2008
* PERTH - Belmont Park Racecourse, Sunday 3rd February 2008

If you want the APG contact details, here they are:

David Boydell, APG General Manager:

* Address: PO Box 588, Moonee Ponds, Victoria 3039
* Phone: (03) 9372 9833
* Fax: (03) 9370 3955
* Mobile: 0404 557 440

What is a slam book or slambook?

Have you been heard this question before: "What is a slam book or slambook?". Personally, I did, and I found out some answers.

Wikipedia says:

Slam Books are traditionally spiral-bound notebooks passed among Junior high school students who add comments, often anonymously. Now aday they are often on the internet and are now made and edited by high school students as well as junior high students. Around since at least the 1940s, slam books typically list one person, topic or question per page, and several readers write their comments, which are often harsh and slam the person listed. Questions focus on the group's social structure, teachers and fads, such as, who is most popular or worst dressed, or whether they like/dislike a specific teacher, administrator or celebrity. Many internet based slam book sites exist.

Slam books are so-called because they:

1. "slam" students and teachers
2. are slammed shut when teachers are nearby

Most popular among teens and young adolescents, slam books are notorious (and thus intriguing) for insulting and humiliating their subjects, which is why schools have banned them.

Other slam books, however, aren't mean-spirited or designed to humiliate, and include gentler, tamer questions, such as, "What pet would you like to have?" or, "What's your favorite movie?"

Though traditional slam books are passed in the hallway among students in their peer group or clique, online slam books are becoming global. The owner signs up and send around a virtual notebook, whether within their continent or internationally, and once completed, it returns to the original author, full of comments.

So now when your kid uses the word or the expression, you know what is all about. :-)

Monounsaturated fats are good in our diet

Let's talk about good fats because they are an important factor in our lifes. The cholesterol does a very good job in the body, facilitating in the make-og cell membranes and some hormones same as Vitamin D. So cholesterol is good for something afterall, neither are we keeping all the fats away. But we must be selective and try to feed our bodies as best we can.

Many of these can be found in foods that most of us love. Avocados and nuts are quality examples of foods with good fats. Unsaturated fats-polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats typically come from plant-derived oils. Few examples: soybean, sunflower, peanut, canola and olive oils. There's some scientific research showing that consuming small amounts of these unsaturated fats on a daily basis helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. It's best to try and integrate them into your cooking and baking. It is easier than you think. Olive and peanut oil can be expensive, but canola oil comes more cheaper.

Saturated fats (red meats, eggs, etc) and trans fats, on the other hand, are bad for us. These have been associated to heart attack, stroke, and even cancer. Just substituting as little as thirty calories of carbohydrates/day with the equivalent amount of trans fats practically doubles the risk of heart disease. But replacing the same ratio of carbohydrates with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats reduces the risk of heart disease by as much as 30% to 40%.

Now I want to share with you a program that personally saying, gave good results on me. A full program & e-books for fat loss and weight control, remarcably excellent. Give it a try and you'll have the results you want to have.

NFL Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders & Neal McCoy at halftime

Sunday, Neal McCoy will take his place on the stage at Texas Stadium. He's about to perform during halftime at the NFL NFC divisional-round playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants.

McCoy was personally invited by the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and will be coupled by his band and two hundred soldiers to entertain the 64,000 fans. The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders will execute a specially-choreographed act.

What the hell is the four girls finger paint video all about?

To be sincere with you, I didn't watched the video, and I advice you to do the same. The net is screaming about it, YouTube is full of reactions to this movie, but nobody shows it. Why? Because it's F***ING DISGUSTING!

Why I'm reclaiming that even I didn't saw the movie? Well look at what people say about it:

Some guy on theforum.com: "Brazilian puking scatfest. No thanks." Sounds cool, right?

Another one talking about it on YouTube and saying: "i just checked it out... its from an infamous internet porno movie called SWAP.avi. My f***ing roommate downloaded it and burned it to dvd and watched it on my tv. He insists that I should watch it. You thought a minute of it was bad, this is a fucking half hour porno! 30 minutes of shit swapping n the such!"

What a hell is that?!

Better: "Imagine if the Holocaust was a 63 minute long video about pooping. Now imagine your mother drowning in a bathtub full of diarrhea. This is the sexual content of SWAP.avi." (somethingawful.com)

Maybe I must of chosen the title to this: The SHIT review! I can't believe it!

Skater Christopher Bowman Died By Drug Abuse

Former U.S figure skating champion Christopher Bowman delighted fans and colleague skaters with his style on the ice. But he was as well known for his struggles with drugs and alcohol. Now the champ known as "Bowman the Showman", 40 yrs old, has been found dead at a hotel in San Fernando Valley. Authorities say a drug overdose could be the cause.

Christopher Bowman was pronounced dead Thursday at 12:06 p.m. The decease was being investigated as a possible drug overdose, but authorities weren't able to provide more details. An autopsy is planned for this weekend.

Police Sgt. Francisca Wheeling reported that Bowman's body was found by a friend Thursday morning at a Budget Inn in the North Hills area.

Christopher Bowman had a part in the TV series "Little House on the Prairie" for one season and appeared in dozens of commercials. He got into training after his skating career was finished.

Lately, Christopher had returned to acting and he had a character as an assistant coach in the upcoming "Down and Distance" movie, starring Gary Busey.

Bowman had a girl with his former wife, Annette Bowman.

Sophie Stout first woman coaching Stonewall Jackson

When Sophie Stout found out that she's the first woman to coach Stonewall Jackson, she felt an intense sense of purpose.

Sophie Stout, 40 yrs old, has lived in this division of Virginia for almost three years of her life. She has learned mathematics to area children for 7 yrs, and also trained boys and girls in basketball and volleyball for nearly 20 yrs. Sophie hit more than a thousand points playing guard from 1981 to 1985 at Strasburg High where her picture is incased in glass outside the school.


From the 514 public high schools in Virginia, Maryland and the District, Sophie Stout is one of two women coaching first team boys basketball, the other is Dana Johnson, who coaches at Western High in Baltimore. There have only been three women coaches in Division I men's college basketball, each of whom was an assistant.

Stout was chosen over three male candidates for the job at Stonewall Jackson, a school of 549 students just off Interstate 81 in the northern Shenandoah Valley.

Kenny George and his biggest feet

Kenny George, the tallest basketball player in the country, has 7 feet 7 inches and 360 pounds. He will enter the Bulldogs’ game Wednesday night against top-ranked North Carolina. Close the end of a recent overtime triumph against Buffalo, Kenny George received a standing ovation for his 21-point, 10-rebound, 6-block performance.

Kenny George leads the nation in blocked shots per game (5.4).

A week later, on Saturday night, George’s dunk with 26.8 seconds left gave Asheville (11-3) the lead for good in a 61-58 victory at South Carolina.

As with a lot of the highly tall basketball game players before him, including Gheorghe Muresan, Manute Bol and Shawn Bradley, such sizing adds serious drawbacks. From buying shoes to going out with his pals can be difficult for Kenny George.

By his senior year, his feet grown beyond size 23, the biggest athletic shoe ever made. In search of a size 25 has been appealed to college and N.B.A. teams. Weeks later, Shaquille O’Neal sent some pairs of his size 22’s to Chicago. These have been shipped to a New York City shoemaker who reshaped them into 25’s.

Nike makes 12 pairs of shoes of size 26 for Kenny George. They're the only ones he wears.

People believe his shoe will go into the Hall of Fame because of its size.

Paris Hilton lesbian?

Paris Hilton made some waves rumors that she is lesbian after she attended the season premiere of Showtime’s “The L Word”. This show is about a group of lesbian women and their mates.

Paris wants to be on the show. Hilton also allegedly got a bit close with Katherine Moennig. Witnesses said the couple danced, did shots, and constantly whispered in each others ear.

Paris Hilton and Kate Moennig were holding hands. Last week Hilton was photographed kissing an unknown woman in a club.

Christina Aguilera pregnancy show up

The heavily pregnant Christina Aguilera showed up in Santa Monica with her husband, Jordan Bratman, just days before she has apparently booked herself in for a Caesarean section.

It was reported that Christina Aguilera had planned to gave birth to her baby on January 10.

The singer and her husband are said to be looking at the names Jackson, Jake and Max for their first child.

Catch below the sexy pic with Christina Aguilera pregnant.

Paparazzi drove Britney Spears home

Fabricio Mariotto, one of the paparazzi that was after Britney Spears gave her a lift home after she burst a tyre on her car on Tuesday. Mariotto has taken over his opportunity to take some less-than-flattering photo shots of the 26-year-old pop singer, who was all about to falling out of her transparent top.

Britney took a ride with paparazzi Fabricio Mariotto who drove her back to her Los Angeles home.

Pics below:

Bitten Clothing by Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker from "Sex and the City" (known as Carrie in the movie) has opened her newly clothing line called "Bitten".

"Bitten" is not only available at expensive stores from major cities, far-out of reach of the mediocre shopper. As a matter of fact, you can find Sarah Jessica Parker's new Bitten fashions at Steve and Barry's. And Steve and Barry's is the only shop you'll find new line "Bitten" so start looking up the closest location!

So what makes this fashion line different than the other celebrity ones? Well, let's start with the fact that the sizes range from 2-22 - an immense modification from the usual celebrity lines that supply the thin shopper!

Jessica Parker said she made the line for normal women who desired to appear stylish but did not have the money for high-dollar pieces. The collection includes everything from shirts, shoes, pants and jackets. Most pieces are $20 and under.

Our favorite "Sex in the City" character Sarah Jessica Parker received the illustrious Fashion Icon Award in 2004 from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Taking a remind from her fashion-obsessesed persona Carrie, Sarah Jessica Parker chose to produce her own fashion line of affordable sportswear that any woman can and should be able to wear without a fortune in your pocket.

Rich Goose Gossage In Hall Of Fame

The National Baseball Hall of Fame declared today that former San Diego Padres pitcher Rich “Goose” Gossage has been choosed to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

He will be "seated" into the Hall on July 27 at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York.

Gossage will be rewarded along with one of his early managers, Dick Williams, who was elected last month by the Veterans Committee.

Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn, former manager Billy Southworth and former proprietors Walter O’Malley and Barney Dreyfuss, all passed away, will be enshrined too at the ceremonial occasion that will include the presentation of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for baseball writing to the late Larry Whiteside. The Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting will be declared on February 19.

Elvis Presley 73rd Birthday

A Mississippi Blues Trail marker will be positioned Tuesday at the Tupelo birthplace of the known legendary singer Elvis Presley. Born Jan. 8, 1935 this would have been his 73rd birthday.

The ceremonial occasion will honor the magnate of rock-and-roll for his share to America’s blues heritage.

The public is invited to the event set for 1 p.m.

Elvis Presley 1st encountered the blues in Tupelo, and it persisted central to his music throughout his musical career. Presley and his family domiciled in many homes in Tupelo that were next to black vicinities. An adolescent Elvis and his buddies would often listen to the sounds of blues and gospel singing streaming out of churches, clubs and other locales.

Passim his career blues kept to be a main ingredient in his live performances till his death at Graceland on 16 August, 1977. Elvis is buried in a small garden beside the known white column house in Memphis.

Hillary Clinton Crying

Hillary Clinton Tears Up & Gets Emotional on Campaign Trail.

Democratic presidential campaigner Hillary Clinton was near crying during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. Poll shows Hillary is ahead Barack Obama by a wide margin.

How Bostonist.com said:

The tears don't come at a good time because they look like a play for sympathy in the polls. Mitt Romney cried, and it didn't suit him, either. When a person who has been through the fire like that--and any politician running for a position this high has been through the fire--the time for crying is over. Plenty of awful things have been said, and those people are tempered steel. Any amount of crying will come off as false. If a candidate is going to cry, he or she should do it in a hidden "crying room" protected by armed guards. But crying? No way. Not the time for it.

You can see Hillary Clinton almost on tears in this YouTube video:

Moon Area School District teacher accused of sexual abuse

Highschool teacher Beth Ann Chester has been accused with sexual abuse of minors after directing nude pictures of herself to a 14-year-old student.

Beth Chester was a health and physical-education teacher in Moon Area School District in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Authorities said she began exchanging text messages with the boy student in late October and the naked pics of herself were forwarded December 22. The boy's parents found them 4 days later.

The parents attended to see the teacher and Ann Chester resigned the following day. The teacher is now held on a $50,000 bail bond in Allegheny County Jail.

There's no acknowledged proof that Chester had physical contact with the boy.

There have been several alike incidents recently where female person teachers had intimate contact with their scholars.

Arlington mayor sexy pics on Myspace

Arlington mayor Carmen Kontur-Gronquist made a disturbance with her MySpace webpage. There you could catch photographs of her clothed only in a black bra and panties on one of the town's fire engines.

At present just her friends have entree to the webpage, but some people in this Oregon residential area are still disturbed.

Resident Lorena Woods told the pics reflect badly on Arlington, particularly because she was photographed on the fire truck engine. "This isn't the way we want our city to be portrayed" Lorena Woods said.

Carmen Kontur-Gronquist, who's as well the fire department's administrator secretary, said the pics were shot before she was elected mayor three years ago, and she saw no grounds to take them out from the web after taking authority.

Lara Logan interview with Musharraf

Lara Logan secured an exclusive interview with Pervez Musharraf, the indented Pakistani president who's come under vivid criticism since Benazir Butto deceased during a suicide attack on 27 December. Lara Logan is the chief foreign correspondent for CBS News.

The interview — the 1st since Butto’s death — will be displayed on the network’s flagship newsmagazine “60 Minutes” on Sunday evening.

Marty Crandall arrested for assaulting girlfriend

Marty Crandall, The Shins keyboardist, has been arrested after a violent incident involving his girlfriend, Elyse Sewell.

Marty Crandall (the hairy dude from picture below) was taken into police custody in Sacramento, CA on January 4 night following a violence dispute in a hotel room. It has been heard that the keyboardist was intoxicated and assaulted her.

Sewell, featuring in ‘America’s Next Top Model’ said she “escaped from the room through a blitzkrieg of violence”. She also placed pics of her hard bruised arms.

Elyse was also arrested after Crandall pointed police a bite mark she inflicted. She said was self-defense. She has been released, while Marty Crandall continues to remain in custody at Sacramento County Jail. The bail bond is set at $25,000.

According to the police force report, Crandall is scheduled to show in court on January 8 at 1.30pm.

21 Movie - MIT Blackjack Team

The SXSW opening night movie will be Robert Luketic's "21". This film is based on Ben Mezrich's book "Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions" which followed how the MIT Blackjack Team analysed card counting. This guys, supported by anonymous investors, gained huge amounts before the Vegas casinos got it.

In the "21" Movie plays Kate Bosworth, Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne.

Who Killed Ted Ammon?

Danny Pelosi, an electrician who got married Generosa Ammon 3 months after Ted Ammon, her multimillionaire married man, was clubbed to death in his Long Island house, was condemned of second-degree murder on Dec. 13, 2004.

Wall St. big businessman Ted Ammon was murdered in his extended East Hampton estate in October 2001.

To read full story, click here.

Overused expressions of 2007

Overused phrases chosen from thousands used around the world.

“Perfect storm” crowned this year’s banished-word list. I will admit I have used this set phrase from time to time and probably believed I was ingenious in doing so, least ways the 1st time I utilized it.

Perfect storm comes to to the simultaneous happening of events which, claimed one by one, would be far less powerful than the outcome of their rarefied chance combination. Estimate I will have to take this out of my vocabulary. As Bob Smith said, “it’s time for ‘perfect storm’ to get rained out.”

Jeff Garcia is back

The Giants are acquainted with Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia in the furious card playoffs. He has confronted them twice on distinct teams:

San Francisco: On 5 January, 2003 Jeff Garcia calls up the 49ers from a 38-14 deficit to a 39-38 triumph. The Niners hit 25 unanswered points in the 2nd half, including a 26-yard Garcia-to-Terrell Owens touchdown pass, a 14-yard Garcia TD run, and a different Garcia TD pass with a minute left. A unskilled break down on a Giants basket attempt with 6 seconds left seals San Francisco's victory.

Philadelphia: On 7 January, 2007, just prior to halftime, Garcia leads the Eagles on an eighty yard touchdown drive to apply them a 17-10 leading. The Giants eventually tie it at 20, but Garcia leads a 10-play, 46-yard drive that finishes with David Akers 38-yard field goal when time expires. Eagles 23 and Giants 20.

And some entertainment for you guys, a beautiful sexy photo with Carmella Decesare, the wife of Jeff Garcia.



Source: Courant.com
Picture: Statleader.com

Matt Hasselbeck Pro Bowl

At the Seahawks’ holiday party last month, teammates brought in Matt Hasselbeck onto the dancing floor. A crowd got together around.

There went Matt Hasselbeck, 32 years old, a quarterback whose coach formerly compared his running style to a “giraffe on ice skates”. All the agitating and wobbling left teammates questioning if they were witnessing an audition for “Dancing with the Stars.”

“It wasn't pretty, but I was proud of him,” receiver Nate Burleson said. “How many Pro Bowl quarterbacks would get down like that?”

In an N.F.L. postseason great upon quarterbacks of national renown, in a Seahawks season hinging upon his right arm, Hasselbeck transudes a less-celebrated, apologetic cool.

He has neither a comb nor the highest Q rating in his family. As a matter of fact, the Hasselbeck clan created national news this week, and he was not a piece of it. In case you lost it, Elisabeth Hasselbeck is coming back from maternity go away to her position as a co-host on “The View”.

Source: NYTimes

Will Smith - I Am Legend

Will Smith already has it all: the picture-perfect family unit, a cinema career that blends in commercialised hits with artistic acclamation, the casual raid into music, where he marked his 1st success.

In his latest movie, "I Am Legend" one of Hollywood's most consistent box-office draws acts as the man who may be the only human being survivor of a worldwide infestation. The 39-year-old's golden touch would be annoying, if he were not such a nice guy.

Even his few drops, such as "The Legend of Bagger Vance," have inclined toward financial responsibility, since those more character-driven pieces are filmed on lower budgets than his $100-million-plus spectacles and Will Smith taking a much lower payroll check up front.

Wyoming Caucuses Results

The truly fanatical guys among us are catching today's Wyoming Republican caucuses an event with rules more arcane than Iowa's and even the possibility of an upset by Ron Paul or even vigorous Wyoming campaigner Duncan Hunter.

The major news outlets will not be tracking the results, but they will be available live at the Wyoming GOP website. If it's any indication of the media balckout of the event, the WY GOP is trying to have all the results in by 3 pm so that the New York Times can run the results in the morning!

Wyoming will really produce dozen RNC delegates, the same total as New Hampshire. Only they'll be opted by individuals that have already been choosed over the past two yrs.

It is not clear what effect the Wyoming caucus will have. Most coverage of the event has centered on the truth that nobody is covering the Wyoming caucus. Anyhow, Wyoming will still stay on as a footnote mostly because everybody believes it's not so important. Iowa and New Hampshire are as well little states, significant simply because they know how to boss around a calendar. But their competitions are absorbed in history and legend.

Brown Sugar Jewelry by Justine Simmons

A couple of weeks before Holidays my wife kept talking of Brown Sugar Jewelry, I'd have to enounce that I'm not unique when I evidenced my married woman that I had no thought what they were. However I accepted this as an immense hint and decided to do the decent thing and get her the gift that she hinted at.

On exploring I attained the site www.carolynkoslen.com, she has a range of 5 distinct jewelery products by Brown Sugar Charm Necklace, Brown Sugar Single Necklace, Brown Sugar Bracelet, Brown Sugar Earrings and Brown Sugar Ring. I'd have to tell that I was surprised when I saw the costs of the items, but I sustained to buy one for her.

The jewelery collection by Carolyn Koslen is immense and I must state the pieces are splendid, it's really easy to navigate around the web site, and the color scheme is very girlie which is ideal for the destined customer. If you'd wish to discover more about the Carolyn Koslen Jewelry Collection, they've set up a new design web log.

You can check more at www.carolynkoslen.com

Alessija Dorfmann kicked out of army because of silicone implants

A woman has been kicked out of army because she has silicone breast implants.

Alessija Dorfmann, 23, said: “I am devastated. It has always been my dream to be a soldier and have a great figure.

“Now my fake boobs have cost me my job.”

She has appealed against the ruling by top brass in Hamburg, Germany, who said implants increased risk of injury.

Gumball 3000 The 2008 Rally

The Gumball 3000 is an yearly 3000 land mile (5000 km) international rally which goes on public streets, usually in Europe.

Though set up as a rally without any official clocking, or trophies for passing check points 1st, on the rally, a lot of players have been ticketed for speeding and additional traffic infractions by the police forces in countries they transited, automobiles have been confiscated and the 2007 rally was called off after a car participating in the rally was implied in an accident that wiped out two bystanders.

Though the organisers are careful to accentuate that there's a rally and not a race, it was a race on public roads.

Gumball 3000 began to inform preceding Gumballers about their programs for the 2008 Gumball championship. Although the smash on the Gumball 2007 made a lot of people question if they should continue at all, the organizers are sure the 10th edition of the Gumball 3000 is a heavy reason for festivity. For now the itinerary is supposed to go from San Francisco (United States) to Beijing (China). From San Francisco the drivers will go to Las Vegas. From LV all cars will be piloted to Shanghai while all the Gumballers establish a stay in North-Korea (as promised for the 2006 Gumball 3000). After a short stay in North Korea the Gumballers will be reunified with their automobiles in Shanghai for the last drive to Beijing.

The Gumball 2008 entrance money fee will be £60.000 (€90.000 or $130.000). It has been said that is a really small chance the Gumball 2008 itinerary will include citys from Europe. The competition will happen in August 2008 instead of April/May 2008.

Brian Wansink the America's Nutrition Swami

Brian Wansink, The Author of 'Mindless Eating' Changes the Way America Thinks About Food & Eating

Here we go again. It is that time of the year when we feel the consequence of our holiday excess and terror kicks in. As we try to discover our “tight abdominals”, we find out they're buried by yet more layers of fat. We scour the supermarket checkout stands for the freshest, quickie dieting. We sign on for gym memberships and physical fitness classes, with a pecking remembering of however we usually give up a month later.

Every New Year, a lot of Americans create weight loss their number 1 resolution. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight and diet and food companies blasted zero time pushing their products even as the ball fell.

If low-calories cereals and diet programs do not work for you, meet writer and consumer-behavior expert Brian Wansink, who's been getting people to modify what they act on a reasonably small scale -- in laboratories and classrooms in a few of the country's best universities.

He recently became brain of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, a position he names "the Nutrition Swami."

Causing Americans to eat better and less is a intimidating statement. Brian Wansink thinks dieting is intended to go wrong. Everything battles against them: our bodies, our minds and most especially our environment.

And so instead of employ a nutritionist for the task, the governing preferred Brian Wansink, one of the world's leading authorities on consumer behavior and writer of the bestseller "Mindless Eating."

So why not buy this guy's book and see what he's got to offer. Seems like a good idea, right?

I know he's selling it through Amazon. Give it a search below!

Glenn Beck Talking About Unskilled Surgery That Brought Him Suicidal Thoughts

Glenn Beck Is Talking In A Movie Recording About Unskilled Surgery and Medication That Brought Him Suicidal Thoughts.

Glenn Beck has recorded a monologue on the apparently unskilled surgery experience he had at a hospital and posted it on YouTube. He talks of meditating suicide because of pain and medication. He claims his care at a yet-to-be-named hospital "phenomenally bad".

He advanced, "I have stories that will melt your brain". The hospital in question as well seemingly takes care of "the President of GE", as Glenn Beck said.
He's off the air this week and he will be back on Monday. The YouTube ramble is a tease for his return. He as well posted a note on his site that is ending: "Join me for my NEW PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE, OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND BLOOD SHOOTING FROM PLACES BLOOD SHOULD NOT SHOOT OUT OF."

So, we're waiting for the moment of truth, Monday, January 7.

Amy Fisher promoting her sex tape

Former "Long Island Lolita" Amy Fisher is linking her married man in attempting to commercialize a sex tape, saying, "I always wanted to be No. 1 at something, but I didn't think it would be something like this."

Fisher enunciated her husband, Louis Bellera, traded the sex tape to Red Light District video of L.A. in august when he and Amy Fisher were splitting up. They've since conciliated, and Amy Fisher stated she accepted a six-figure payout instead of fighting and have the video pulled out from the World Wide Web.

As a adolescent, Fisher was placed to prison for 7 yrs for shooting in the head Mary Jo Buttafuoco, the married woman of her former lover, Joey Buttafuoco. Buttafuoco, more than twice her age, served time for statutory rape for consuming sexual act with a 16-year-old girl.

Fisher, 33, is the author of two books and worked as a editorialist for the Long Island Press. Lately, she appeared as a famous person guest at various clubs.

She acknowledges explaining what she makes and how come she is famous will be hard to do when her 6-year-old son and 3-year-old girl get aged.

The tape called "Amy Fisher Caught On Tape" is available from Red Light District, like stated upper.

Bellow you can find the cover of the tape and screenshot pictures.






More? Watch the interview of Amy Fisher at the ABC 'Good Morning America'

Even more? Click here you turned on guys :)

Britney Spears taken to hospital after a breakdown

Britney Spears has been brought to a hospital for psychiatrical evaluation after a "repulsion" with the police.

I think everyone heard of Britney Spears - Kevin Federline custody battle. According to the latest reports, Britney Spears was hospitalized after a four-hour long repulsion with the police for refusing to hand over her two sons to ex Kevin Federline. The official statement by the Los Angeles Police Department: "Around 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 3rd, police were called to Spears' home in Studio City, California, about a custodial dispute regarding Britney Spears's children. While officers were on the scene, they observed Ms. Spears under the influence of an unknown substance. She is now being taken in for an evaluation, more than likely to a hospital. There were no reported injuries to anyone involved including the children."

Reports say that Britney Spears was scheduled to hand over the kids to Kevin Federline, who has temporary custody of their two sons, but she rejected, which led to the cops and ambulances to show up in front of her home. She ultimately ceased and was strapped to a gurney and taken to a infirmary for evaluation. Some say that Jayden James, Britney's youngest son, was also hospitalized, but this has not been confirmed yet.


Photos: photobucket.com

Vivica Fox rumour oral sex involved

When you discover rumors that a freshly sex videotape possibly leaked out on the cyberspace, you instantly think of stars like Paris Hilton, Pamela Anderson or Laura Andresan. What you do not anticipate to discover is a name like Vivica A. Fox.

The 43-year-old star actress who was busted for DUI last year (btw she escaped with a three-year probation) has a completely brand-new set of concerns for 2008. Mass media articles are propagating full force that Ms. Vivica Fox may be leading in a new movie - this time a porn one involving oral sex.

Hollyscoop.com, along with many other media outlets, importune that a sex tape recording having the early Dancing with the Stars contestant is about to come out. In the recording, an obviously exalted Vivica can be seen on her knees servicing a full oral sex to a male friend who sneakily recorded the bump on his cell phone.

The man, who domiciliates in Atlanta, e-mailed the tape to friends who e-mailed it to Vivica A. Fox. She rapidly sent on the taping to a friend at the Atlanta police department.

But, after all, on that point no proof that the woman in the video is Ms. Fox.

Till photographs are brought out (or an actual video recording for that matter) we are attending this story is constructed.

Attention!! For a full list of blonde hot girls ready to entertain you guys, enter here.


Source: Egossip.com
Photo: Askmen.com