Wind sweeps away a bounce house during an Arizona school's fifth-grade graduation party. At least no one was in it, and people only received minor injuries.
Someone sent me this video to check out and it haunted me. I thought about "being organized" and "doing with less", but this is taking it too far to the extreme. At least she seems really happy.
Now that heâs overtaken Roger Federer as #2 tennis player in the world and is unbeaten this year, has Novak Djokovic lost his mind? One can deduce such a thing after watching this latest stunt promoting Head tennis racquets that features the Serb (or a stunt double) playing a quick back-and-forth on the wings of an airplane.
I first saw this and only saw the part where his skis flew off, I thought he was seriously hurt or worse, then I searched and found the after landing scene and couldn't believe he was not hurt. Amazing!
THE REMOTE CONTROLLED BEER COOLERFather's Day is still more than two months away but maybe, just maybe, you can convince your wife or kids to give you an ADVANCE on your gift and get your hands on a remote controlled beer cooler.Hammacher Schlemmer is selling a remote-controlled, rolling beer cooler for just $69.95.It's got wheels. It's got a lining to keep your drinks cold. It can go on a porch. It can go in a living room. You can drive your beer to yourself and to your buddies.And, considering we've still got March Madness to enjoy until the championship game on April 4th, now is the PERFECT time to have this toy.
You know those cool guys who have their girlfriend sit on their lap? They are in pain unless they have this concept Hug Chair, a chair that lets your sweetie look and feel like someone is sitting on your lap but is actually buffered away on another part of the chair (on top, but not on top). And hey, if you don't have someone who wants to sit on your lap, it makes for a good laptop stand too
USta selects AUSTIN, TEXAS AS SITE OF DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS QUARTERFINAL BETWEEN THE U.S. AND SPAIN  Matches to be played at Frank Erwin Center at the University of Texas, July 8-10in the Hometown of Longtime U.S. Davis Cup Team Member Andy Roddick Jim Courier to lead U.S. Davis Cup Team for the first time in the U.S.  World No. 1 Rafael Nadal Expected to Lead Spanish Team Austin, Texasâ The USTA and U.S. Davis Cup Captain Jim Courier announced today that Austin, Texas has been selected as the site for the 2011 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal tie between the United States and Spain, July 8-10. The matches will be played at the Frank Erwin Center on The University of Texas at Austin campus. Austin is the hometown of U.S. Davis Cup stalwart Andy Roddick, who is second all-time in U.S. Davis Cup singles victories with 33.
Tickets go on sale the week of April 4.
On the other night's ABC Best in Film special, more than a half a million online votes determined...
* The favorite films of all-time are Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, The Godfather, Casablanca and E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial.
* Suspense -- Silence of the Lambs, Jaws, Psycho, The Shining and Pulp Fiction.
* Action -- Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Die Hard and Gladiator.
* Sci-fi -- Star Wars, E.T, Avatar, The Matrix and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
* Musical -- The Sound of Music, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain and West Side Story.
* Comedy -- Airplane!, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Some Like It Hot, Young Frankenstein and Tootsie.
* Horror -- The Exorcist, Halloween, Poltergeist, Carrie and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
* Animated -- The Lion King, Toy Story, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Fantasia.
* Characters -- Forrest Gump, James Bond, Scarlett O'Hara, Hannibal Lecter and Indiana Jones.
* Kiss -- Gone With the Wind, From Here to Eternity, Lady and the Tramp, An Officer and a Gentleman and Casablanca.
* Best lines -- Gone With the Wind's, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," Dirty Harry's, "Make my day," The Godfather's, "Offer he can't refuse," When Harry Met Sally's,
"I'll have what she's having," and Casablanca's, "Here's lookin' at you, kid."
The supermoon phenomenon was awaited with bated breath by avid moon watchers, astronomy enthusiasts and astrologers who had prophesied calamities on the occasion. The NASA had reassured people that the event, which is a coincidence of a full moon on lunar perigee, will not cause any catastrophes.
The celestial event has passed without causing anything untoward, but left in its trail spectacular visuals of the 'largest' moon in almost 20 years.
From Space.com
Thanks to a fluke of orbital mechanics that brings the moon closer to Earth than that it has been in more than 18 years, the biggest full moon of 2011 will occur on Saturday, leading some observers to dub it a "supermoon."
On Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the moon will arrive at its closest point to the Earth in 2011:Â a distance of 221,565 miles (356,575 kilometers) away. And only 50 minutes earlier, the moon will officially be full. [Photos: Our Changing Moon]
At its peak, the supermoon of March may appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than lesser full moons (when the moon is at its farthest from Earth), weather permitting. Yet to the casual observer, it may be hard to tell the difference.
The supermoon will not cause natural disasters, such as the Japan earthquake, a NASA scientist has stressed.
Spotting the supermoon
The moon has not been in a position to appear this large since March 1993.
In December 2008, there was a near-supermoon when the moon turned full four hours away from its perigee â the point in its orbit that is closest to Earth. But this month, the full moon and perigee are just under one hour apart, promising spectacular views, depending on local conditions. [Infographic: 'Supermoon' Full Moons Explained]
Although a full moon theoretically lasts just a moment, that moment is imperceptible to ordinary observation.
During the day or so before and after, most will speak of seeing the nearly full moon as "full," with the actual shaded area of the lunar surface being so narrow â and changing in apparent width so slowly â that it is hard for the naked eye to tell whether it's present, or which side it is.Â
Supermoon making waves
In addition, the near coincidence of Saturdayâs full moon with perigee will result in a dramatically large range of high and low ocean tides.Â
The highest tides will not, however, coincide with the perigee moon but will actually lag by up to a few days depending on the specific coastal location. For example, in Wilmington, N.C., the highest tide (5.3 feet) will be attained at 11:21 p.m. EDT on March 20.
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, it's time to salute some of Ireland's finest imports: the hot Irishmen. These guys bring new meaning to the phrase "Kiss me, I'm Irish." Here is a list by BettyConfidential.com called Colin Farrell and 10 Sexy Irish Stars. The obvious, Colin Farrell, made the title of the list but was apparently too hot to actually be on it ...(I somehow missed the list again this year?)10. Liam Neeson
9. Jonathan Rhys Meyers
8. Pierce Brosnan
7. Patrick Dempsey
6. Tom Brady
5. Cillian Murphy (Inception, The Dark Knight)
4. Tim McGraw
3. Chris Cornell
2. Damien Duff (Soccer Player)
1. George Clooney
My wife, after seeing the King's Speech,  has been talking about Colin Firth this Colin Firth that . . . and I know he's one of Terri's favorites. So when I ran accross some pictures of him and after talking about the "Fictional Men We Wish Were Real" and he was at the top of the list, decided to post these.
Enjoy!
We can never get enough cute-kid-with-pet videos. In this one, a little boy and his dog try to catch some Zs together. They're both sitting on the couch and can't seem to stay awake. The weird thing is they look surprisingly alike with their eyes closed.
Imagine you're a five-month-old baby and you're seeing your mother blow her nose for the first time. That's what's going on here, as little Emerson can't decide if the sound is funny or frightening.
Parents of picky eaters sometimes have to resort to trickery to get them to eat better. One "trick" that might encourage healthier appetites combines two techniques: enlisting kids' help with the cooking and mixing a sweet or surprise ingredient into the dish.
Modeling healthy eating habits and a positive attitude towards food should form the basis of your strategy for teaching your kids to eat well. Making your children eat what you eat and providing variety are also important.
But when your kids refuse, yet again, to eat what you offer and you start to fear they'll only eat chicken nuggets for the rest of their lives, you may be tempted to end the battle by smuggling healthy foods into dishes that they like, a la Jessica Seinfeld.
Perhaps you don't have to hide the healthy ingredients, though. Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan at the kitchn discovered one night that you can encourage your children to eat if you have them add the healthy ingredient into the dish (e.g., an apple in squash soup)âmaking it an intriguing game. It might not work every time, but getting your kids involved in the kitchen and making cooking fun is definitely worth a try (perhaps before you resort to hiding zucchini in brownies)
The original CNN video I posted has had over 6o million views, this one is every bit as dramatic.
- AT&T* today announced it has implemented international calling and texting support efforts for U.S. residential wireless and wireline consumers trying to connect with loved ones in Japan, following last week's tragic earthquake and tsunami.
Effective beginning last week, March 11, and continuing through March 31, AT&T wireless postpaid customers will not be charged for:
* International long distance usage from the United States and Puerto Rico to Japan
* Text messages to Japan, originated from a U.S. wireless number
In addition, and also effective March 11 through March 31, residential wireline customers can seek credits for up to 60 minutes of direct dial calling to Japan:
* Upon receiving their wireline bill, customers may call AT&T to receive adjusted calling for up to 60 minutes. In other words, no charges for up to 60 minutes of call time from the United States to Japan between March 11 and March 31.
For any of the above activity, customers will either see no charges reflected on their monthly statement, or they will see a full credit applied to their statement for activity between March 11 and March 31.
A massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Japan today (Friday), sending people into the streets and fearing tsunamis.
Those fears were realized in some regions, with water flooding coastal towns, sweeping away everything in its path, forcing some to take refuge on the roofs of buidlings.
There were also tsunami warnings issued for Russia, many Asia countries and Pacific islands, including Hawaii, as well as Chile, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Colombia.
According to early reports, the quake shook buildings and sent cars off bridges into the waters below. The epicenter was 230 miles from Tokyo, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It's believed to be the largest earthquake to ever hit Japan
Now, bodybuilding in general has gotten very extreme. The muscles that these competitors are able to create through training and medication are out of this world. The women bodybuilders especially, though, have come a long, long way -- to the point where they look seriously fierce.This year's Arnold Classic female winner, Iris Kyle, looks nothing short of shocking.We certainly live in strange times .
From MSN.com
If you don't want a traffic stop to cost you serious money, speak up! But what you say had better be good. These excuses worked for others -- and some were even true.
I'm late for a funeral
While driving to her grandfather's funeral, Karen Green of Portland, Ore., got lost -- twice.
 "I was running late and was speeding to try to make up time when I was pulled over," she says. "I told the officer that I'd driven for four hours and was risking missing my grandpa's service because of getting lost."
 Green also told him that she realized it was still not right to speed. "The officer told me I was lucky because he knew my story was true: He'd been one of the responding officers when my aunt called the authorities right after my grandfather passed away."
I'm such a clown
Barbilee Hemmings, aka Bubbles the Clown, was cruising along at 50 mph in a school zone on a school day when kids were present. As luck would have it, the Edmonton, Alberta, resident had left her license in her "real" pants.
 "I was in full makeup, colored hair and baggy pants, so when the officer walked up to my window, I stuck my head out and in my loudest 'Bubbles' voice said, 'Of course you can have a balloon animal, officer. Do you want a doggy or an airplane or a butterfly?'" Once he was able to compose himself and stop laughing, the cop let Bubbles go with a warning.
 I'm a woman of few words
Seif-Eldeine Och in Shrewsbury, Mass., says she has been pulled over 43 times in eight years, and has walked away 39 times ticket-free.
 "Whenever an officer asks, 'Do you know what you did wrong?' I promptly reply, 'Yes, officer, I was speeding and I'm sorry.'" Och never adds any details or offers excuses unless the officer asks for more information. "Less is definitely more."
I'm going to wet my pants
She was within a mile of her Fredericksburg, Va., house when Victoria Bors felt an urgent call of nature. She was preoccupied with getting home quickly, and it took a minute for her to notice the cop's lights flashing in her rearview mirror.
 "By the time the officer peered into my window, I was desperately trying to keep from squirming in my seat," she recalls. That's when Bors' 14-year-old daughter called out from the back, "She has to go to the bathroom!"
 "My 7-year-old echoed, 'She really has to go to the bathroom!'" When the officer asked if the story was true, a red-faced Bors answered sheepishly, "Yes."
 "I told him we were just two subdivisions away while lightly bouncing in my seat. Stepping away from the car and chuckling, he waved me on and told me to 'be careful,'" she says.
I feel awful -- just look at me
"I was [going] about 7 or 8 miles over the limit when I was pulled over," says Donna Maurillo of Scotts Valley, Calif. "I had bronchitis at the time, and as I pulled out my driver's license, I suddenly had a coughing fit. When I finally caught my breath, I handed the license to the officer. He stepped back and said, 'Never mind.'"
I was being sympathetic
Anne McDermott was talking on her cell phone while driving in Syracuse, N.Y., when a county sheriff stopped her.
 "I was talking to a friend but told the officer the caller was my sister who was inconsolable because she had just put her dog to sleep."
 The story was true -- sort of. "She did put her dog to sleep, but months earlier," admits McDermott.
 It turns out McDermott had spotted animal fur on the sheriff's uniform and gambled that he was a pet owner. "After a warning, he let me go," she says.
I'm not the only guilty party
Dan Johnson (not his real name) of Grand Rapids, Mich., was stopped because his license plate was not illuminated.
 "The officer asked if I knew that the light was out that should be illuminating the plate and I said that I never really walked around my car while it was running, but that I would make it a point to get it fixed the following day."
 Then Johnson started chuckling as he looked in his rearview mirror.
 "When the officer leaned over and asked, 'What's so funny now?' I pointed to my rearview mirror and asked the officer if he knew he had a headlight out!" Johnson was sent on his way with a "You have a nice evening," from the officer.
The music made me do it
Mary Babish was keeping the beat of the classic rock blaring from her car's speakers by speeding along a country road in Iowa.
 "When I was stopped, I quickly admitted to speeding, but explained that you can't drive slow to Aerosmith."
 Luckily, the officer was a fan and let Babish off with a warning.
I'm married to a cop
Lorna Derby's last name got her out of a ticket in Arlington Heights, Ill.
 "I blew past a cop when I ran a red light," she says. When she handed over her driver's license to the officer, Derby told him that she was married to a local cop.
 "I hoped he'd let the family member of one of his own go."
 Name-dropping helped, and she escaped with a warning.
 "Then I had to call my brother and explain that I was now his wife, not his sister!"
Holy pretty feet! This thing is funny!
Looks like we're not the only people who are obsessed with Toddlers & Tiaras. Tom Hanks and his "daughter" Sophie (played by young actress Nikki Hahn) deliver a hilarious sendup of the TLC reality trainwreck on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Anne Hathaway said last night âReally? Youâre going to do that to me in front of a billion people?â The âone billionâ statistic is one of those untruths that has become âtrueâ simply because people keep repeating it.
But the worldwide audience for the Oscars isnât even close to a billion, as a little common sense makes plain. In the United States, 43.5 million people watched the show last year. Thatâs a lot, but itâs 956.5 million short of a billion. Can the show really pick up that many viewers in countries that most of the films and people being honored are not from, and where the speeches are in a language that most of the population does not speak?
The reasoned guess was that someone must have extrapolated the 43.5 million domestic audience (15% of the US population) to 15% of the global population, which comes in at close enough to a billion.  It's difficult to see how anyone could have expected that 15% figure to be replicated outside of the US. Moreso, a third of the world's televisions sit in Chinese hands , and only 1% of those will be tuned in to the red carpet.
Rudyâs Ribfest â11 Draws NFL and former Longhorn Players
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AUSTIN, Texas â All four Austin area Rudyâs âCountry Storeâ and Bar-B-Q restaurants will be hosting the first ever Rudyâs Ribfest on Thursday February 24, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Ribfest is âall-you-can-eatâ St. Louis Ribs for only $20 per person benefitting Austin Habitat for Humanity. It will feature appearances by several former Longhorns and current NFL players including Quan Cosby, Justin Blalock, Kasey Studdard, Lamarr Houston and several others.
The NFL players and former Longhorns will serve as ârib-eating coachesâ for the four competing high school football teams. Each school will send five offensive linemen to a different Rudyâs location to represent them and participate in the rib-eating competition that will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The high school team with the most ribs eaten will receive the coveted âGolden Rib Trophy.â The four competing high schools are West Lake, Vandergrift, Anderson and Georgetown.
All proceeds for Ribfest will benefit Austin Habitat for Humanity to support them in their mission of eliminating poverty housing through the power of homeownership.
Interview with the colorful Mitch from Rudy's:Â rudys ribs
This could almost qualify as one's of Terri's Fabulous Find--Â
I would just love to have a place to put all my stuff I have to haul around. It would get a little hot in the summer.
The Storseisundet Bridge, or its real name Storseisundbrua, is a cantilever bridge which means that itâs built using structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end. That method resulted this time in a bridge that literally looks drunk, you get dizzy just by looking at it. The 280 yards long Storseisundbrua is located south of Kristiansund in Norway and is the the longest of the eight bridges that make up the âAtlantic Roadâ.
The Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, this top-of-the-line SUV is the most luxurious Range Rover ever. Land Rover has outfitted the SUV with a veritable first-class cabin that includes four individual buckets, separated front and back by middle console with aluminum tray tables and a drinks cooler in the back. The rear-seat passengers also get the use of a pair of Apple iPads docked into the front seatbacks, and the cargo area gets a yacht-inspired teak deck.
Oh, by the way, it's $170,000!
From Foxsports
A Scottish deerhound that loves to chase wild animals wound up catching her biggest prize yet.
A 5-year-old named Hickory pulled a huge surprise Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club, winning best in show and the title of America's top dog. She became the first of her breed to capture the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.
"I think Hickory could feel my lead that I was excited and went with it," handler Angela Lloyd said.
Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy thanked everyone at Madison Square Garden, then picked Hickory from a best-of-seven final show ring that truly sounded international - there was a Pekingese, Portuguese water dog, Chinese shar-pei, smooth fox terrier, bearded collie and black cocker spaniel.
A couple of those pooches on the green carpet ring with Hickory were among the country's top-rated show dogs. The 85-pound Hickory wasn't on that list, though she wagged her long tail the most at the end after beating out a total of nearly 2,600 entries.
Soulful Girl Sings Original Piece
9-year-old Heather Russell sings with a voice that is far more advanced than her age. The song is an original piece called "She Needs Love."
<a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&from=en-us_msnhp&vid=7e5f5337-d0d0-4906-8592-754172eaeb20&from=en-us&fg=dest" target="_new" title="Soulful Girl Sings Original Piece">Video: Soulful Girl Sings Original Piece</a>
Jim Gentil, a local Austin do-gooder,  sends out a free, weekly "Positive People Power" Newsletter.  I never fail to have a "ah-ha" moment and look forward to my email copy every Tuesday.
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I have never met Jim, I have conversed with him a few times via email, but he seems like a great guy to know. Here's a link to his website www.jimgentil.comÂ
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Here's a wonderful story about kids but applicable to all of us . . .
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Pulling Out Nails
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When I confronted my daughter after she hurt another child with a mean comment, she cried and immediately wanted to apologize. That was a good thing, but I wanted her to know an apology can't always make things better.
I told her the parable of Will, a 9-year-old whose father abandoned his mom two years earlier. Will was angry, and he often lashed out at others with hurtful words. He once told his mom, "I see why Dad left you!"
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Unable to cope with his cruel outbursts, she sent him to his grandparents for the summer. His grandfather's strategy to help Will learn self-control was to make him go into the garage and pound a two-inch-long nail into a four-by-four board every time he said a mean thing.
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For a small boy, this was a major task, and he couldn't return until the nail was all the way in. After about ten trips to the garage, Will began to be more cautious about his words. Eventually, he even apologized for all the bad things he'd said.
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That's when his grandmother stepped in. She told him to bring in the board filled with nails and instructed him to pull them all out. This was even harder than pounding them in, but after a huge struggle, he did it.
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His grandmother hugged him and said, "I appreciate your apology, and of course I forgive you because I love you, but I want you to know an apology is like pulling out one of these nails. Look at the board. The holes are still there. The board will never be the same. Your dad put a hole in you, Will, but please don't put holes in other people. You're better than that."
Don't have time to watch all the ads from the Superbowl? Were you too busy eating Buffalo Wings and missed a couple? Here they all are in 2 minutes. These are TV ads so remember some can be a little PG13 . . .
Free Conference on self empowerment. Guest Speakers, goody bags, tons of info.Â
Saturday, February the 12th, 2011
1.00 â 4.00 PM
At the Auditorium at Thompson Conference Center at University of Texas at Austin.
Munchkin is a very well-behaved Scottish Fold.
The Scottish Fold is a breed of cat with a natural dominant-gene mutation that makes its ear cartilage contain a fold, causing the ears to bend forward and down towards the front of their head, which gives the cat what is often described as an "owl-like" appearance
The Star Wars-themed commercial has also already become the most talked about ad on Twitter, according to the site "Brand Bowl 2011." It has over 13 million views.
The monster snow storm that roared threw a large portion of the country this week had just about everything you could expect in a winter storm; snow, sleet, ice, wind, and even thunder and lightning. Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel was clearly not expecting the latter as a bright flash and loud clap of thunder nearly made him lose his mind.
It's amazing that he doesn't curse!
Every successful band has its share of groupies that come out to every show. For Time Machine, a popular cover band in Dallas, their biggest groupies are a hysterical elderly couple that performs an interpretive dance to every song the band performs.
AUSTIN -Â
A statewide power emergency is now in effect. As a result, thousands of Austin Energy customers are without power.According to Austin Energy as of 5:40 a.m. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, enacted a system-wide emergency due to insufficient on-line generation to meet statewide demand. ERCOT
Austin Energy spokesman Ed Clark said that the emergency blackouts will last between 30 and 45 minutes. The utility is asking all customers to turn off all possible appliances.
Clark said that Austin Energy is turning off about 40 circuits at a time. There are between 1000 and 3000 customers per circuit.
The rolling blackouts are affecting other utilities in central Texas.
Clark told KXAN it is still uncertain when the power emergency will be over.
Since more and more Seniors are texting and tweeting there appears to be a need for a STC (Senior Texting Code). If you qualify for Senior Discounts this is the code for you. Please pass this on to other parents, and to their children and grandchildren so they can understand the texts.
ATD: At The Doctor's
BFF: Best Friend Farted
BTW: Bring The Wheelchair
BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth
CBM: Covered By Medicare
CGU: Can't get up
CGIP: Can't get IT up
CUATSC: See You At The Senior Center
DWI: Driving While Incontinent
FWB: Friend With Beta Blockers
FWIW: Forgot Where I Was
FYI: Found Your Insulin
GGPBL: Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low!
GHA: Got Heartburn Again
HGBM: Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO: Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out
LOL: Living On Lipitor
LWO: Lawrence Welk's On
OMMR: On My Massage Recliner
OMSG: Oh My! Sorry, Gas.
PIMP: Pooped in my pants
ROFL... CGU: Rolling On The Floor Laughing... And Can't Get Up
The American Kennel Club says the Labrador retriever is the most popular dog in America for the 20th straight year.
The German shepherd is ranked second, with the Yorkshire terrier third, the beagle fourth and golden retriever fifth.
The AKC also has added three dogs to its list of registered breeds.
They include an ancient Mexican breed, the Xoloitzcuintli (shoh-loh-eets-KWEEN'-tlee). The calm, "noble," pointy-eared dog â also called Xolo (SHOH'-loh), comes in three sizes. Some varieties are hairless.
The Norwegian Lundehund (LUN'-du-hun) is handsome, athletic and playful. The sure-footed dogs hunted Puffins on treacherous cliffs before the bird became a protected species.
The Entlebucher (ehnt-lu-boo-KAHR') Mountain Dog made its mark as a cattle herder in Switzerland. The floppy-eared breed is described as energetic, loyal and "persistent."
Here's more of the list:
American Kennel Club 2010 Dog Registration Statistics
Historical Comparisons & Notable Trends
Gena, a 14-year-old crocodile at an aquarium in the eastern city of Dnipropetrovsk in Ukraine, has been suffering and refusing to eat after swallowing a woman's cell phone. A young woman, in her early 20s, was visiting the aquarium when she came across Gena. The woman, Rimma Golovko, was intrigued by Gena and wanted to take a picture of the croc opening his mouth on her cell phone. Golovko stretch her arm out towards the crocodile before accidentally dropping the phone. A curious Gena, of course, ate it.
Rimma, concerned for her phone, told aquarium workers what had happened - but they didn't believe her until the cell phone rang inside the crocodile's mouth: "But then the phone started ringing and the sound was coming from inside our Gena's stomach and we understood she wasn't lying," said an employee.
Golovko, who wants her sim card back, realizes the incident was her own fault. "This should have been a very dramatic shot, but things didn't work out," she said.
While it may be a small loss for Golovko, Gena is suffering quite a bit of trouble since swallowing the phone. He won't eat, hasn't had a bowel movement in an entire month, and is acting depressed and in pain. "The animal is not feeling well," said the anonymous employee. "His behavior has changed, he moves very little and swims much less than he used to."
From the Huffingtonpost.com
Everyone loves something they can't have, even if it's a wriggling fish in the mouth.
At least that's true for the Dogon people of Mali, who restrict fishing in the sacred Lake Antogo to once a year. On the appointed day, fishermen line up to rush the lake with baskets, clearing the entire lake in moments, reports the BBC.
In the amazing video below, watch the fishermen descend on the lake, holding the fish in baskets and even their mouths during the frenzy.
From the TheBlaze.com
Let me say off the bat, no one was hurt--wow!
A driver in Canada is lucky to be alive today after he captured video of an incredible accident while driving down the freeway on Friday. Matthew Krizsan installed a dash cam in his vehicle after getting in a previous accident, which came in handy on Friday when he captured a semi careening into (and blasting through) the center median and narrowly missing him and other drivers:
Krizsan credited an odd source for allowing him to avoid the accident. âEverything seemed to slow down and I think all those years playing video games as a kid paid-off,â he said in a phone interview with CTV.
Police say there were no serious injures and the semi driver was cited for careless driving.
What happens when you toss boiling water high into the -22F air? A giant cloud of snowball's worth of fun. The Northwest Territories haven't since this much excitement since the Klondike gold rush, am I right?
From the today showBeauty pageants evoke images of flawless women in amazing shape, perfectly made up and coiffed, right?
Yet one beauty queen vying for the Miss America title in Las Vegas this week has barely any hair on her head.
Kayla Martell, Miss Delaware, has been bald for half of her 22 years â she has alopecia areata, a rare condition that results in unexplained hair loss. But thatâs not stopping her from competing for her lifelong dream.
âBy the time I was 13, my hair was out completely,â she explained. âThe thought of getting a wig never crossed my mind at all. My mother first brought up the suggestion and brought home this awful brown wig. I donât know why, because Iâm naturally blonde and everyone in my family is blonde.
âI wore it to school, but took it off in the middle of the day, put it in my backpack and never looked back.â
Sylvia Mythen, a 70-year-old grandmother from Venice, Fl, has discovered what appears to be the world's first orange alligator.
She was returning from work on Thursday when she drove by the gator and promptly had to back up for a double-take. Luckily, Sylvia wasn't frightened enough to miss out on a great photo opportunity. "I thought this is great...I'm going to snap a picture and send it to my grandkids so they think I'm one of the coolest grandmas in Florida," she said.
A new dad is headed to court on Monday to argue that he shouldn't have received a speeding ticket when he rushed his wife, who was in labor, to the hospital in September.
John Coughlin of Londonderry, New Hampshire was clocked driving 102 miles-per-hour in a 55 zone by a state trooper, who attempted to pull him over. With his wife Angela screaming in the background, Coughlin called 911 to explain the situation. The trooper then escorted the couple to the hospital instead of pulling them over, but shortly after the baby was born, the trooper was waiting outside the hospital and handed John Coughlin a ticket, saying, "'Good news, congratulations on your son, and bad news, I'll see you in court." Coughlin pleaded not guilty to the speeding citation and will fight the ticket in court on Monday.
2011 may have found its first viral video star. Meet Ted Williams. No, not the cryogenically-frozen baseball legend; the homeless man on I-71 in Columbus, Ohio. What makes him so unique is his God-given gift of a spectacular voice that, after going viral, will undoubtedly get him an announcing gig.
What an amazing outcome for TED WILLIAMS, as his day with a video with over 7 1/2 million hits went viral and resulted in huge turnaround for the homeless airtalent who attracted worldwide attention Monday when THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH did a story on his situation.
UPDATE
WNCI a great radio station in Columbus interviewed TED, along with all three local network affiliates as well as INSIDE EDITION, CNN, and the TODAY SHOW, and the floodgates of opportunity opened wide.
Among the offers TED has:
- Arena announcer for THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS -- including a salary and they will buy him a house
- OHIO CREDIT UNION LEAGUE gave him $10,000 cash and a retainer deal for voicework
- ESPN is reportedly offering him a job
- MTV reportedly wants to discuss a reality series
- A free vacation trip to HILO, HI to voice a commercial ... and the list goes on!
 There once was an oyster whose story I tell,Who found that some sand had got into his shell.It was only a grain, but it gave him great pain For oysters have feelings although they're so plain. Now, did he berate the harsh workings of fate that brought him to such a deplorable state? Did he curse at the government, cry for election, And claim that the sea should have given him protection? No- he said to himself as he lay on a shell, Since I cannot remove it I shall try to improve it. Now the years have rolled around, as the years always do. And he came to his ultimate destiny: stew. And the small grain of sand that had bothered him so Was a beautiful pearl all richly aglow. Now the tale has a moral, for isn't it grand What an oyster can do with a morsel of sand? What couldn't we do if we'd only begin with some of the things that get under our skin? From the Jim Gentil (Mr. Positive) Newsletter
 Call Jim here in Austin 512-261-4940
The raw materials: rotisserie chicken (I used jalapeno honey)(I handpicked the chicken off the bone), bay leaves, carrots, celery, low sodium chicken stock (3) , sodium free chicken bouillon, rice, 1 medium chopped sweet Texas onion and a tub of Ana's Mild Salsa--oh yeah, and a crock pot!
Chop it up and throw it in.
Ana's Mild Salsa (not the one pepper on the lid)
I start the Crock pot out on high for 2 hours, them medium heat for another 4 hours
Trying to keep it low sodium
Half the cilantro goes in the beginning, the other half goes in with the sweet chopped onion at approx 30 minutes before serving
Just any ole rice thrown in (uncooked) and it cooks along with the soup. 1 cup of rice makes it a soup, a cup and a half to 2 makes it a hearty meal!
You can also add in some sausage at any stage of the cooking process. This was one of the best meals I've had in a while!
From the Huffington Post
If your holiday budget is in the red, here is some help to you save some green with these geeky/techie gifts
Go retro-geek with Polaroid's Classic Instant camera ($89.99) that delivers print photos on the spot. Choose from red, blue, or black.
Cell phones can collect more bacteria than a toilet seat, studies show. An ultraviolet sanitizing dock will zap those germs into the ether and preserve your health through the holiday season. Available from Brookstone for $49.95. [viaAOL]
Keep your hands toasty while you text with Freehands gloves for men and women. From $16.
Ditch those earbuds and play your music out loud with the Tunebug Vibe, a portable speaker that connects to computers and MP3 players. The $69.99 device amplifies sound by passing waves through whatever surface the Vibe rests on, be that a table, a watermelon or a book. The $99.99 Tunebug Shakespeaker attaches to bike or skating helmets and creates a surround-sound experience while you shred the rails.
Available for $49, Apple's latest iPod Shuffle features 2GB of storage space, a teeny form factor and an array of color options.
Rhema Marvanne, a 7-year-old YouTube star from North Texas with the voice of an angel.
This first grade gospel singer takes tremendous inspiration from her mother who sadly lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2008. It is Rhema's greatest hope to make her mother proud, both as a singer and as a servant of God, which is why she also performs for free at churches, non-profit organizations, charities and hospitals. Who wouldn't be proud of that?
There really is an Ana from Ana's Salsa. Here she is visiting the station with her husband Jim.
My son Franke (7 yrs old) really high in a tree at Bee Caves Park
Me on a big ole rock.
Some pricey wine I saw last night at Twin Liquors $1998.00
This is 24/7 Wall St.âs list of the devices that the smartphone has begun to replace, and in some cases, that process is so far along that the older products have almost disappeared.
GPS
The increase in smartphones with GPS capabilities poses a huge threat to standalone GPS devices. According to iSuppli, by the end of 2011 about 80% of phones will include GPS technology. According to the company, the number of navigation-capable smartphones being used by 2014 will be greater than the number of standalone devices. As a result, very few people will seek out GPS-specific devices such as those made by TomTom and Garmin.
Regular Cell Phones
Just as smartphones are making other single-function devices more and more obsolete, they are pushing regular, âfeaturelessâ cell phones out of the competitive marketplace. According to iSuppli, smartphone manufacturers Research in Motion and Apple claimed the fifth and sixth spots for top phone brands in the first quarter of 2010. Both companies exclusively produce smartphones. Nokia, however, saw its cell phone market share drop to 28.2% from 36.7%, underscoring its focus on non-smart phones. According to Gartner, third quarter sales of smartphones nearly doubled.
Watches
As more people have become equipped with mobile phones, fewer people have found a need to wear wrist watches. Â From 2001 to 2006, the amount that Americans spent on watches dropped 17%, according to Experian Simmons Research. Â This trend will most likely increase, as Tamara Sender of research group Mintel notes, âMany consumers have grown up with technology and are just as likely to associate the notion of checking the time with a mobile handset as with a watch and as they grow older this mindset will accompany them.â Â It should be noted that many luxury watch brands, such Rolex, have remained popular. Â This, however, is due to the fact that these watches are worn for fashion, not function.
PDAs
Personal digital assistants, the device that transformed personal organization in the 1990âs, are almost obsolete. Â The product was a stepping stone towards the superior smartphone. Â The Palm Pilot, which was the leading PDA, was successful because it possessed a number of features that are now included in most smartphones. Creator Palmâs performance in the face of the expanding smartphone market helps further illustrate the decline of the PDA. Â The company lost about half of its North American market share between 2008 and 2009, while smartphone sales increased 13.9% from the year before. Â As a result, Palm launched its latest smartphone in June 2009, the Pre.
MP3 Players
Companies that make MP3 players have sold fewer and fewer units ever since smartphones began to provide the service. This marks the first time since the inception of the Walkman that portable music players will exist with more than a singular function.  According to Deloitte, 42% of smartphone users have reduced or stopped using their portable digital music players because of their phonesâ music-playing capabilities.  Even the iPod, the biggest selling MP3 player of all time, had its lowest since 2006 in the most recent quarter.
Digital Cameras
As handset phone cameras improve in quality, the demand for separate, low-end digital cameras may begin to decrease. Â Many phones already have 5-megapixel camera capabilities. Market intelligence company iSuppli predicts that the average for phones will rise to 5.7 megapixels by 2013. Â Digital still cameras, however, averaged 7.6 megapixels in 2008 and may reach 13.9 in 2013. Â According to Pam Tufegdzic, consumer electronics analyst at iSuppli, âhandsets soon may begin to cannibalize the low-end of the DSC (digital still camera) market as they incorporate higher megapixels and flash capabilities.â Â This scenario does not seem too far off, as the recently released Nokia N8 smartphone features a 12-megapixel camera.
Read more: The Ten Businesses The Smartphone Has Destroyed - 24/7 Wall St.http://247wallst.com/2010/11/11/the-ten-businesses-the-smartphone-has-destroyed/#ixzz17Oan9zsT
If you're an Oprah fan, you no doubt look forward to her yearly list of "Favorite Things." Alas, all good things must come to an end. This year, we bid farewell to the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and her luxey list. But before her show signs off, Oprah has unveiled her list of "Ultimate Favorite Things." In the spirit of list-making, they've compiled a select list of Oprah's own ultimate faves. And if Oprah likes 'em, it's pretty much a given that those who receive these items will like them, too.
 There's a TV show in Norway called "Golden Times" about four guys who track down their childhood heroes. We're only telling you about it because this season's promo features a veritable AVALANCHE of random Z-list celebrities. You have to see it.
--It's a six minute long lip-synched version of the BEATLES song "Let It Be" . . . and it features the amazing talents of Roger Moore, Huey Lewis, Alfonso Ribiero, DolphLundgren, Philip Michael Thomas,Judd Nelson, Malcolm Jamal Warner . . .
--Kelly McGillis, Rick Schroder, Ricki Lake,Tonya Harding, Steve Guttenberg . . . and more. (--See? . . .)
How did 'Gylne Tider,' a TV show from Norway, convince stars like Glenn Close, Jason Alexander and Roger Moore to sing a Beatles classic to promote a show they've never seen?
For one celebrity at least, it was one big fraud. 'Married With Children' actor David Faustino tells the Hollywood Reporter that he was duped by the disarming Norwegians after they said the whole thing was for charity
Was Faustino the only star to get punk'd by the show? We'll hold judgment against 'Gylne Tider,' meaning "Golden Times," until other participants come forward with similar stories.
Until then, enjoy:
I don't know why this is so stuck in my head--maybe it's all the Christmas Commercials shot in Malls. This would be a good video to send to someone and label it as Aggie, Democrat, Republican, (insert fall guy here) etc., "________ stuck on an escalator".
From BabyCenter.comSophia knocked Isabella off her throne this year and elbowed her into the number 2 position. Aiden, meanwhile, rules the boys' list for the sixth year in a row.
New to the top 10 are Abigail, who floated up from the 11th-place spot she held last year, and Liam, who bounded up the ranks from his former spot 23.
Click on picture for larger view
From GizmodoRockefeller Center switched on its towering holiday gift to New York: a 74-foot spruce draped with 30,000 lights and 5 miles of wire. But New York's tree is not actually the biggest or the brightest on the block.
If you're looking for the tallest tree in America, visit Phoenix. Looking for the heaviest? Hitch a ride on over to San Francisco. Well surely, the brightest tree must be in the Big Apple, right? Nuh uh: Salt Lake City. In fact, despite its undeniably awesomeness, the only superlative that New York's Norway Spruce can rightfully own is that it uses the most electricity. Click on the image above for a supersized, super-in-depth view of the Nation's most favored pines.
Drew Brees, who led the New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl title last February â in many ways the culmination of his five-year quest to help revive the city after Hurricane Katrina â has been named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year for 2010.
Brees, 31, came to New Orleans in 2006, the year after the hurricane, and immediately felt a kinship. The city was in ruins â much like his own career, as he nursed a wrecked shoulder. But the team believed in him, and helped him orchestrate a parallel story of rebirth for himself and the city.
"It's an unbelievable honor, for everything that it stands for," Brees said of the Sports Illustrated award Tuesday morning on NBC's Today show.
In 1996, Westlake won its first, and only state championship. They beat an Abilene Cooper team by a score of 55-15 for the 5A Division II state championship. Cooper was led by future NFL runningback Dominic Rhodes. The Chaps were led by future Purdue standout and eventual Super Bowl-winning quarterback and MVP for the New Orleans SaintsDrew Brees. The game was played at Texas Stadium in Dallas. That 16-0 season was Westlake's only undefeated season. Drew Brees was backed by a powerhouse of senior talent.
Albert Einstein has long been considered a genius by the masses. He was a theoretical physicist, philosopher, author, and is perhaps the most influential scientists to ever live.
Einstein has made great contributions to the scientific world, including the theory of relativity, the founding of relativistic cosmology, the prediction of the deflection of light by gravity, the quantum theory of atomic motion in solids, the zero-point energy concept, and the quantum theory of a monatomic gas which predicted BoseâEinstein condensation, to name a few of his scientific contributions.
Einstein received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics âfor his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.â
Heâs published more than 300 scientific works and over 150 non-scientific works. Einstein is considered the father of modern physics and is probably the most successful scientist there ever was.
10 Amazing Lessons from Albert Einstein:
Follow Your Curiosity
âI have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.â
What piques your curiosity? I am curious as to what causes one person to succeed while another person fails; this is why Iâve spent years studying success. What are you most curious about? The pursuit of your curiosity is the secret to your success.
Perseverance is Priceless
âIt's not that I'm so smart; it's just that I stay with problems longer.â
Through perseverance the turtle reached the ark. Are you willing to persevere until you get to your intended destination? They say the entire value of the postage stamp consist in its ability to stick to something until it gets there. Be like the postage stamp; finish the race that youâve started!
Focus on the Present
âAny man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.â
My father always says you cannot ride two horses at the same time. I like to say, you can do anything, but not everything. Learn to be present where you are; give your all to whatever youâre currently doing.
Focused energy is power, and itâs the difference between success and failure.
The Imagination is Powerful
âImagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.â
Are you using your imagination daily? Einstein said the imagination is more important than knowledge! Your imagination pre-plays your future. Einstein went on to say, âThe true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.â Are you exercising your âimagination musclesâ daily, donât let something as powerful as your imagination lie dormant.
Make Mistakes
âA person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.â
Never be afraid of making a mistake. A mistake is not a failure. Mistakes can make you better, smarter and faster, if you utilize them properly. Discover the power of making mistakes. Iâve said this before, and Iâll say it again, if you want to succeed, triple the amount of mistakes that you make.
Live in the Moment
âI never think of the future - it comes soon enough.â
The only way to properly address your future is to be as present as possible âin the present.â
You cannot âpresentlyâ change yesterday or tomorrow, so itâs of supreme importance that you dedicate all of your efforts to âright now.â Itâs the only time that matters, itâs the only time there is.
Create Value
âStrive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."
Donât waste your time trying to be successful, spend your time creating value. If youâre valuable, then you will attract success.
Discover the talents and gifts that you possess, learn how to offer those talents and gifts in a way that most benefits others.
Labor to be valuable and success will chase you down.
Donât Expect Different Results
âInsanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.â
You canât keep doing the same thing everyday and expect different results. In other words, you canât keep doing the same workout routine and expect to look differently. In order for your life to change, you must change, to the degree that you change your actions and your thinking is to the degree that your life will change.
Knowledge Comes From Experience
âInformation is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.â
Knowledge comes from experience. You can discuss a task, but discussion will only give you a philosophical understanding of it; you must experience the task first hand to âknow it.â Whatâs the lesson? Get experience! Donât spend your time hiding behind speculative information, go out there and do it, and you will have gained priceless knowledge.
Learn the Rules and Then Play Better
âYou have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.â
To put it all in simple terms, there are two things that you must do. The first thing you must do is to learn the rules of the game that youâre playing. It doesnât sound exciting, but itâs vital. Secondly, you must commit to play the game better than anyone else. If you can do these two things, success will be yours!
From Lifehacker.comCyber Monday, for the unfamiliar, is the Monday after Black Friday and a day where online retailers offer steep discountsâessentially their version of Black Friday.
Hit Up The Deal Aggregators
Deal sites specialize in aggregating deals and organizing them so you can easily find what you're looking for. Great ones, that I have actually used and bought from include:
Slickdeals: Hit up the front page to check out a constantly updated roll of deals plus see expired deals to get a bead on what products are going for. Clicking on individual deals gives you additional information.
Fat Wallet: Another deal aggregator with a massive base of dealhounds, Fat Wallet collects hot deals on their front page.
DealNews: Dealnews lacks user forums but sports handpicked dealsâdeals good enough to score it the 3rd place in the Best Deal-Hunting Sites Hive Five.
Flash mobs are always surprising, entertaining and impressively arranged. Many have become viral videos and this recent one at a shopping mall food court is one of the best that we've seen. Unsuspecting shoppers taking a break for lunch are treated to a choral rendition of "Hallelujah."
Black Friday Ad Scans - BfAds.NetBBB Provides Shopping Advice for Black FridayPlan Ahead to Avoid Issues This Holiday SeasonAustin, TX â BBB receives hundreds of complaints every year from consumers who allege a variety of issues with retailers on Black Friday. Common disputes involve the advertised price of items, the availability of those items or failing to receive items after ordering in-store. According to the National Retail Federation, 138 million shoppers will descend on retail stores again this Friday morning, making it the busiest retail shopping day of the year.Â
Last year, $10.6 billion was spent on Black Friday according to reports by ShopperTrak. BBB offers consumers the following tips to help save time, stress and money on this busy shopping holiday:
· Start planning now. Many retail stores are already promoting Black Friday deals in ads and on their website. Take time to print out or clip ads for items you are interested in buying to help outline your shopping day in advance.
· Create a realistic budget. Know who you are buying gifts for and how much you are willing to spend before hitting the stores. As you buy gifts, keep track of the cost and to avoid impulse purchases and over-spending.
· Watch out for tricky advertising. Read the fine print on all advertised sales to make sure you are truly saving money. Watch for discrepancies in advertised prices and the prices on the shelf. Verify the real price before checking out.
· Never leave your purse or wallet unattended. Each store will be crowded and it can only take a few seconds for these items to disappear and for your accounts to be fraudulently charged.
· Read the details on gift cards. These can be found on the back of the card and will let you know the terms and conditions for using the card. There could be limitations to in-store purchases or exclusions on certain items.
· Ask about return policies. Understand the terms and conditions for each storeâs return or exchange policy. Some clothing items may not be returnable and certain electronics carry restocking fees.
· Pay with a credit card. These carry more protections than a debit card if a purchase becomes in question. Make sure to keep all receipts for return and/or dispute purposes.
· Think twice about store credit cards. Many retailers will offer discounts for signing up for their credit card, but these can sometimes carry high interest rates or annual fees. If you do not plan on shopping at a particular store very often or think you may forget to pay the balance, the credit card may not be financially beneficial for you.
To check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit BBB.
The Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Wednesday: Tips for Skywatching
This is the week that the famous Leonid meteor shower will be reaching its peak, and the best viewing of these ultra-swift "shooting stars" should come before dawn on Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 17 and 18).
There is always some uncertainty in the number of meteors the Leonid shower will produce, but the best consensus from most meteor experts indicates that this year viewers should expect to see approximately15 to 20 meteors per hour if they have clear skies.
Prime-time Leonid viewing this year will be around two to three hours before sunrise.
If you have a lawn chair that reclines, use it during your search for Leonid meteors since it will help keep your neck from getting stiff as well as make it easier to look at the night sky.
You don't need binoculars or a telescope for watching a meteor shower. In fact, using one makes it far less likely for you to see any meteors at all.
On the other hand, the Leonids are known for occasionally producing outstandingly bright meteors known as fireballs â brilliant meteors that explode in a fiery flash called bolides. Either of these kinds of meteors is capable of leaving an incandescent streak or trail behind it that can linger for many seconds, or even minutes. If you have binoculars, you can use them to get a close-up view of a luminous trail and watch as high altitude winds bend and distort it as it gradually fades from view.
How attractive are the people in your city? Travel & Leisuremagazine has released its best of 2010 edition, and thrown into the mix is its ranking of the cities with the most and least attractive people.According to readers, the city with the most attractive people is Charleston, South Carolina. The city with the least attractive people is Memphis, Tennessee. Here's how the rest of the lists shape up.Most Attractive
No one ever said life was easy, and there are an infinite number of awkward situations to remind you of that.Here are some situations that are always awkward:
 Wearing ski boots.
 Trying to introduce two people when you've forgotten both their names.
 Borrowing money.
 A boss who thinks he's funny, but isn't.
 Receiving praise.
 Having someone doing work in your house.
After compiling 10,000 status updates on Facebook for the phrases âbreak upâ and âbroken up,â folks made the following discoveries: 1). A ton of people break up before social occasions like Spring Break and the summer, 2). Mondays arenât just the start of the work week â thereâre the end of many a relationship, 3). People have the decency not to dump their significant others on Christmas Day.
For the quickest and easiest way to figure out your polling location today
just Google the word âvote.â A little search box with a vote
button next to it will appear. Type in your home address and youâll get a handy
Google Map showing you your nearest place to go vote.
Google
from Gizmodo
The Allure of the Sea, Royal Caribbean's $1.5 billion dollar "superliner," took off for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, making it under Denmark's Store Belt Bridge with 1.5 inches to spare. Not bad for a ship that's almost 3,000 feet high.
Some people think a time traveler has been caught on film because a news film from 1928 has surfaced in which a woman walks by who appears to be talking on a cell phone.That claim has been disproved, though, because lip readers have determined that the woman on the cell phone is saying, "Buy lots of stock, there's no way the market could crash next year and bring on a world-wide depression!"
Everybody has a certain point of view when it comes to horror movies. Some like slasher pics, others like psychological thrillers. And, still others, love the classics.
According to the users of IMDB.com [Internet Movie Data Base] here are the top rated horror movies of all time:
1. Psycho (1960)
2. Alien (1979)
3. The Shining (1980)
4. Diabolique (1955)
5. The Thing (1982)
6. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
7. The Exorcist (1973)
8. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
9. Frankenstein (1931)
10. Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922)
11. Faust (1926)
12. Werckmeister Harmonies (2000)
13. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
14. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
15. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
16. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
17. Ghost Stories (1964)
18. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
19. Onibaba (1964)
20. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
This along with the "I'm Not a Witch" song below are extremely catchy tunes that once you play them you can't get them out of your head. I think the musical arrangement and the autotuning is genius! See if you don't agree!
This is real. Solar Power and WiFi on his shopping cart. Wonder if he's checking his email, watching YouTube videos or playing Farmville in Facebook?
The first cellphones weren't part of the Gordon Gekko, Zack Morris family. They were rugged, shock-proof, vacuum-tubed rigs that hijacked nearby radio waves, built so powerfully that car headlights dimmed when you talked. And this was half a century ago.
The always fascinating Pew Internet & American Life Project details these dinophones, for which calls had to be manually paired by a remote operator. They were huge. They were heavy. They were very expensive. And yet, by 1964, there were 1.5 million people using them in the USârunning on AT&T's "Improved Mobile Telephone Service" tech. To have had to rely on one of these beasts on a regular basis sounds like it might have been a painâbut boy, are they gorgeous. [Pew via Boing Boing]
Who do you think of when you hear âhunk?â
Brad Pittâ¦Â Jude Lawâ¦Will Smithâ¦
What about those stars we are fascinated by, not because of looks, well, maybe because of looks. I am thinking of an accident on the freeway; you know the kind, so disastrous that you just canât look away. Yeah, youâre there. Now thinkâ¦
Rowan Atkinson
Willem Defoe
Paul Giamatti
Don Knotts
Michael Moore
Clint Howard
Steve Buscemi
If you haven't experienced the Trolololo Guy, you haven't lived. It's from 1966, has had millions of hits and has been parodied multiple times; even once by Jimmy Kimmel with Oscar winner Christoph Waltz. Here's the actual man, Eduard Khil commenting about his attention on YouTube
Ask the Allergist - Dr. Roby talks about current Austin Allergy Problems, how we can self-medicate, what's the difference between an Antihistamine and a decongestant- The Roby Institute 4407 Bee Caves Road #122 West Lake Hills, TX 78746 512-338-4336
It scares the heck out of me that Sesame Street is pretty much priming a bunch of toddlers to become "True Blood" fans (especially considering they deemed Katy Perry too scandalous).
The Super Harvest Moon! For the first time in two decades, the Sun sunk as the full Moon rose exactly opposite to it on the day that summer ended, creating a strange 360-degree twilight show.
Yesterday was the autumnal equinox and a Super Harvest Moon crossed the sky after almost 20 years since the last time it happened. When the Sun started to set on the Western horizon, a full moon rose opposite to it in the East, reflecting the light of our home star.
Being close to the horizon, the orange Moon is gigantic thanks to a psychological effect called the Moon illusion. The sky was illuminated by the Sun and the Moon at the same time, creating a weird 360-degree effect that is rarely seen.
Undercovers [series premiere] J.J. Abrams directs the pilot of this spy drama about a seemingly normal married couple who are in fact former CIA spies (Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw). They decide to become reinstated after a friend and fellow spy goes missing.
Better With You [series premiere] A comedy about a family with three different couples at various stages in their romantic relationships. Starring Jennifer Finnigan, Joanna Garcia, Debra Jo Rupp, Jake Lacy, Josh Cooke and Kurt Fuller.
The Defenders [series premiere] Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell star in this comedic drama about two Las Vegas defense attorneys and their eccentric client lists.
The Whole Truth[series premiere] A drama starring Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney that presents a felony case from both the defense and the prosecution's perspective.
More TV premieres tonight, including The Biggest Loser and Glee. Dancing with the Stars will send its first celeb home tonight.
New on DVD today: Robin Hood (Russell Crowe, Two-Disc Unrated Director's Cut); Ondine (Colin Farrell); 30 Rock: Season Four; Castle: The Complete Second Season; Community: The Complete First Season; How I Met Your Mother: Season Five; Spartacus: Blood and Sand - The Complete First Season; Desperate Housewives: The Complete Sixth Season; Hell's Kitchen: Season 3 Raw & Uncensored Â
The Hills: Season 6; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Year 11; Modern Family: The Complete First Season; Two and a Half Men: The Complete Seventh Season
The Event[series premiere] A conspiracy thriller that follows a man (Jason Ritter) searching for his missing fiancee (Sarah Roemer). He unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history. Also starring Blair Underwood, Laura Innes, Scott Patterson and Zeljko Ivanek.
Â
FOOD
Food Network Special: America's Best: Comfort Food [one-hour special presentation]
Mike & Molly[series premiere] A working class Chicago couple who meet and fall in love at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting. Starring Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy.
Hawaii Five-O [series premiere] A modern spin on the classic series about an elite federalized task force fighting crime in Hawaii. Starring Alex O'Loughlin, Daniel Dae Kim, Scott Caan and Grace Park.
Â
NBC
Chase [series premiere] A drama about a team of U.S. marshals hunting down America's most dangerous fugitives. Starring Kelli Giddish, Cole Hauser, Amaury Nolasco and Jesse Metcalfe.
Let yourself dance freely--you never know who maybe watching.
This adorable, homemade-looking video of a dancing toddler has the Internet buzzing. And just before the two-minute viral video comes to an end, you realize that it's actually an ad for Samsung.
New on DVD today: Letters to Juliet (Amanda Seyfried); Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Jake Gyllenhaal); Just Wright (Queen Latifah, Common); Glee: The Complete First Season;It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season Five;The Big Bang Theory: TheComplete Third Season; Designing Women: Season Four; Fringe: The Complete Second Season; The Good Wife: The First Season; Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Sixth Season Â
Claire ChamplinAge: 30
Hometown: Reno, Nev.
Connection to your Teammate: Best Friend/Co-host Â
Current occupation: Home Shopping Television Host
Favorite hobbies: Snowboarding, horseback riding and traveling
Achievements: My career is my biggest achievement
I have screaming kids and I agree with this restaurant owner!
If you have a child that has a history of screaming during meals, don't plan on visiting Ole Salty restaurant in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Brenda Armes, the restaurant's owner, was tired of listening to customers complain about screaming youngsters, so she instituted a new policy and posted signs at the restaurant, which read, "Screaming children will not be tolerated." While Armes says the new policy has been good for business and some customers are pleased with the policy, not everyone is happy about it. Said Amy Heflin, a mother of two, ""I've never seen a restaurant say, don't bring your screaming kids in here. You can't help it if your kids scream."
If you've ever been on a cruise, you know that sometimes the ship encounters some very mild turbulence. Passengers on a cruise liner off the coast of New Zealand got a lot more than they expected when unusually-rough waters shook the Pacific Sun cruise ship around for a minute. Dozens of passengers suffered injuries. Footage of the incident was captured on the ship's internal closed-circuit television, and that crazy video has surfaced on the Internet.
Why weren't the tables, chairs and most of all the PIANO bolted down?
Update: - Crews are shutting down 183 at Anderson Mill. - Two people drove through the barricades at 2222 and 360. Swift rescue crews out looking for people. One woman managed to escape. It's unclear how many others may be missing.
SEND DIP
Well-intentioned Americans send lots of care packages to troops in war
zones, but it seems they sometimes forget to think about what young people
might miss from home. Soldiers in war zones often wonder what people are Â
thinking when they send a big stack of AARP magazines or a box of toothpaste, or  even a âHello Kittyâ t-shirt. Cookies are a popular item, and while no
soldier would reject the treats, it seems they have more than enough.
Meanwhile, dipping tobacco is in short supply. âIf they really want to support
their troops,â says one soldier in Afghanistan, âfolks should quit it with all
the other stuff and just send more dip.â
Source: Atlantic, 9/6/1
We were get ready to do the following story when I pulled out this little visual aide.
Are You Salty or Sweet??---MOODS & FOOD
Why do some people bury their sorrows in a tub of ice cream, while others
grab a bag of chips to sooth their soul? Researchers believe that feelings
of stress, frustration, irritation or self-disgust make people want chewy,
crunchy or textured foods like candy bars, pizza or nuts. Empty or restless
feelings like boredom, depression, fatigue or loneliness makes us want
soft, creamy comfort foods or childhood favorites like ice cream, cake or
homemade bread.
Source: Life is Hard, Food is Easy, by Linda Spangle
When it comes to adorable animals, we'd challenge you to find anything cuter than a baby otter. It's not just because they're fuzzy and small, it's that 9 times out of 10 they look completely pissed off. Take this little guy, for example. He's not too pleased about being weighed in a container of hay, but who would? Still, we could look at that adorable scowl all day. (Via Cute Overload)
The beer is placed inside a pocket of salty, pretzel-like dough and then dunked in oil at 375 degrees for about 20 seconds, a short enough time for the confection to remain alcoholic.
When diners take a bite the hot beer mixes with the dough in what is claimed to be a delicious taste sensation.
The fried treat is just part of the offerings at this year's Texas State Fair.
Features information on Dallas' annual fair including history, daily schedule, livestock and creative arts competitions, exhibitions, vendors, and "Big Tex"
CELEB PIC OF THE DAY: Demi Moore
Apparently 47 is the new 14. Mimicking an attention-starved teen, DemiMoore snapped some sexy pics of herself from her bathroom mirror -- and then posted them on Twitter.
Just TRY fighting the urge to dance after watching this amazing supercut. The video features dance scenes from just about every movie in existence, all set to the obligatory Kenny Loggins' classic "Footloose." Can you name all the movies to which these dance scenes belong? It's quite a challenge, but the bigger challenge is resisting the urge to dance like Kevin Bacon halfway through the video. (Via The Daily What)
Â
Barney, Chico, Pico, and now, Chico again.So far he's the smartest, sweetest, and craziest dog we've ever had. It was hard to get a pic of him on my iPhone, because as Ava was trying to pose with him, Franke was getting him all riled-up. Â
Remember your reaction to your first taste of lemon? These babies are all trying their very first lemon, and are wincing at its sourness, discovering very early that not all things in life are sweet.
Read more: Grandparents.com
ORGANIC WORTH IT?
Wondering if organic produce is really worth the extra cost? The short
answer: it depends, because fruits and veggies contain differing amounts of
pesticides. Hereâs what you should buy organic because they are normally
loaded with pesticides: celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries,
nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, cherries, collard greens, potatoes,
and grapes.
Source: Womanâs Day, 10/1/10
We mentioned this on the air and people have been calling and emailing and adding to our list.
I said I noticed how different my kid's hi-tech lunch boxes were compared to the old brown paper sacks I used to carry and it got me thinking of some things todayâs kids will never experience:
camera film
landline phones
music videos on MTV
being lost (thanks to GPS)
tan M&Ms (which disappeared in 1995)
Terri mentioned VHS and cassette tapes
Callers added:
Typewriters
No caller ID
Paper Dictionaries
When a âgeekâ and a ânerdâ were one and the same
Having to manually unlock a car door.
Writing a check.
Looking out the window during a long drive.
Finding books in a card catalog at the library.
Swimming pools with diving boards.
Hershey bars in silver wrappers.
Waiting for the television-network premiere to watch a movie after its run at the theater.
Relying on the 5-minute sport segment on the nightly news for baseball highlights.
Neat handwriting.
She sure is cute and smart!
A three-year-old girl is being called a hero after taking action Friday that possibly saved her father's life. After her father collapsed, Alesaundra Tafoya walked by herself two blocks from her Manteca, California home to the local fire station, where she told the firefighters that her dad had frozen and wouldn't wake up. Alesaundra then walked the firefighters to her home where they found Frank Tafoya in need of medical care. The elder Tafoya had accidentally taken a mixture of medication and collapsed.
PASSWORD HELPER
Privacy experts say you should change your computer passwords at least
once every six months, but how can you come up with one you can remember? Try
this: Take a favorite song lyric and use the first letter of each word as
the password. For instance, if you use the National Anthem, your password
would be OSCYSBTDEL
BBB Gives Consumers Savvy Shopping Tips for Tax-Free Weekend
Annual Sales Tax Holiday Runs August 20th â 22nd
Austin, TX - The 12th annual Sales Tax Holiday, or Tax-Free Weekend, begins this Friday, August 20th and runs until Sunday, August 22nd. Consumers can expect to save approximately $8 for every $100 they spend on most clothing, footwear and school supplies priced under $100. A full list of items that qualify can be found on the Texas Comptrollerâs website here.
According to Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, shoppers are expected to save $59 million this weekend on tax-exempt items. Many stores will offer extended hours or additional back to school sales to help consumers take advantage of this once-a-year tax-free event. BBB advises consumers to plan ahead, stick to a budget and pay close attention to advertisements to make the most of this weekendâs deals.
Safe Shopping Tips:
1. Take inventory. Before hitting the stores, take inventory of items you already have. There may be leftover supplies from the previous school year that can be used. Look around the house for reusable items such as backpacks, lunchboxes, calculators and rulers.
2. Set a budget. Decide how much you are willing to spend per person a few days in advance. Include children in the process of creating the budget to teach them responsible money management.
3. âBack to School Saleâ doesnât mean tax-free. Retail stores may advertise back to school sales because they know consumers are buying items for the upcoming school year. Those discounts will still have taxes applied to them unless the item appears on the State Comptrollerâs tax-free list.
4. Shop with a list. After taking inventory, create a shopping list and stick to it. This will help you stick to your budget, avoid costly impulse purchases and ensure nothing is forgotten.
5. Know what your childâs school allows. Schools will often provide parents with a list of required items for the school year which can help determine what needs to be purchased. These lists are also available at many retail stores and on school websites. Additionally, many schools have specific dress codes, so keep these restrictions in mind before spending money on clothes that may not be allowed.
6. Check for refund and exchange policies. Some stores will give extra incentives and discounts to bring in customers. Be sure those additional savings can be exchanged or refunded if there is a problem with any item purchased. Keep in mind some items may be non-refundable or have restocking fees associated with a return.
Melissa from the Majic Sales Department provided me with a little impromptu taste test this morning. Everyone around the station knows how much I like salsa, from years of sampling the finalists from the Hot Sauce Festival.
I've been in the studio and have had hot sauce so firey it made me cry. One year as I'm describing the flavor of one entry on the air it waas so spicey I lost my voice.
When it comes to the brand I eat at home I want FRESH, NATURAL and delicious.
Ana's had everything I love!
I had a tough decision between the mild and the hot--I loved them both! Ana's is made right here in Austin and is available at HEB and other great stores.
www.anasfoods.com
CRIME WATCH: Most-Stolen Cars
The Highway Loss Data Institute has compiled its list of the Top 10 cars most-likely to be stolen. Topping the list is the Cadillac Escalade.
Here's the complete list:
1. Cadillac Escalade
2. Chevrolet Silverado
3. Dodge Charger
4. Chevrolet Avalanche
5. Infiniti G37 coupe
6. GMC Sierra Crew Cab
7. Nissan Maxima
8. Hummer H2
9. GMC Yukon XL
10. Chevrolet Tahoe
The cars least-likely to be stolen are the Volvo S-80, Saturn Vue and Nissan Murano.
I am going to be heading to France, Italy, Austria, Germany and Slovakia. We are going to be based in Bratislava, Slovakia with a day trip to Hungary and a couple of days trip the the Polish Mountains.
I will be taking movies, pictures and posting a trip diary here on the Majic Website under "Alex's European Vacation".
See you back on the air Monday August 9th with my new co-host Terri McCormick!
A young Southern Right Whale is seen jumping out of the water between Robben Island and Blouberg, off Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday. The whale then landed on a yacht belonging to Ralph Mothes and Paloma Werner, breaking the steel mast. The whale swam away and the couple was not injured.
Yesterday I shared the video of a hiker at Yosemite National Park who became excessively emotional about seeing a double rainbow. The clip has received more than a million views, so naturally, someone has created a great remix of the video which has also gone viral. This is something called autotuning, where they make anyone sing or say anything in key to music. I think you'll like this.
Everyone's talking the "double rainbow guy." He's the hiker whose excitement reached extreme levels when he saw two rainbows that had formed side by side. I'm so happy that he caught this hysterical moment on video.
The Worst Things You Can Say To a Bride and Groom
Well wishes and congratulations? Yes, these are always appropriate at a wedding. These doozies? No, no and no. Just don't do it. Most of the time it's okay to speak up â but in some cases, it's better to hold your peace. Be a model wedding guest by avoiding these conversational land mines.
1. "So baby comes next, right?"
We know, we know â first comes love, then comes marriage. But you know what? Next comes whatever the bride and groom want, which may be buying a home, working toward a big promotion, or something else entirely. Everyone's got their own schedule and life goals, which may or may not include the pitter-patter of little feet. â
2. "I can't believe you're settling down! I remember when ... "
Just because you remember the bride when she was a total wild child or can provide the story behind the groom's fraternity nickname doesn't mean you should. it's not the best time to air out their dirty laundry.
3. "Can you help me with ... ?"
When you're at a wedding, it's pretty easy to look to the bride and groom as the ones who are in charge and running the show â after all, it's their big day. For the same reason though, they're going to be pretty busy (and by "pretty busy," we mean "really busy
4. "Why wasn't so-and-so invited?"
Word to the wise: If you notice that someone you thought would be at the wedding isn't there, there's usually a reason. he wedding day is definitely not the time to bring it up.
5. "Wow, when you think about how many couples divorce ... "
Today of all days, the D-word is off limits. No matter what you might think about statistics, or the bride's or groom's past or family life, or your own experiences, just don't go there
6. "Tonight's going to be a big night for you, huh?"
Please, no speculation about the bride and groom's after-hours activities. If you want to talk about what a big night it is, focus on what's already happening â the fabulous food, the killer band, the great time all the guests are having. Lose the innuendo and congratulate the bride and groom on pulling off an amazing wedding.
Crashing the Choir
Lenny Kravitz was walking down a New Orleans street when he heard a familar song and decided to stop and help out. This is very cool!
It's Gary Busey's 66 birthday today, here's a shot of his family . . . Where's George when you need him?And with the hot weather my mind is on the beach . . .
THINGS YOU'LL NEVER HEAR A DAD SAY
Here are the top things you'll never hear a dad say:
10. "Well, how 'bout that? I'm lost! Looks like we'll have to stop and ask for directions."
9. "You know Pumpkin, now that you're 13, you'll be ready to start dating boys who drive. Won't that be fun?"
8. "I noticed that all your friends have a certain hostile attitude. I like that."
7. "Here's a credit card and the keys to my new car. GO CRAZY!!"
5. "Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend. You might want to consider throwing a party."
4. "Well, I don't know what's wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies -- ya know -- that makes it run or something. Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks."
2."What do you wanna go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend."
1. "What do I want for Father's Day? Aahh -- don't worry about that. It's no big deal." (OK, they might say it. But they don't mean it.)
TRAITS OF A GREAT FATHER
Happy Father's Day Weekend!
According to AskMen.com, here are some traits of a good father:
He's a good disciplinarian
He allows his kids to make some mistakes
He's open-minded
He teaches his children to appreciate things
He accepts that his kids aren't exactly like him
He spends quality time with his children
He leads by example
He's supportive and loyal
He challenges his kids
He teaches his children lessons
He protects his family at all costs
He shows unconditional love
FATHER'S DAY: Have A BBQ For Dad
According to HitchedMag.com, here are some ways to make this Father's Day barbecue a celebration for Dad that he will never forget:
Take control of the grill, but ask Dad's input -- Your kids can research easy recipes and contribute to the barbecue by making Dad's favorite foods, with your supervision.
Prepare a speech -- If you want to do something extra special for Dad this year, prepare a toast for the occasion. Allow the kids to make their own toast, mentioning a special experience or memory.
Drinks on the house -- Offer plenty of cold beverages, but don't feel pressured to set up an entire bar. Serve your husband's favorite beer and a few other offerings such as soda or lemonade. Let guests know they can help themselves.
Buy Dad the perfect gift -- Staying with the barbecue theme, find an inexpensive apron that the kids can decorate themselves. The gift doesn't have to be expensive, just thoughtful.
Add a little spice to the day -- Have friends and family bring their own bottle of homemade barbecue sauce for everyone to sample and let Dad be the official judge.
FATHER'S DAY: Do's & Don'ts of Father's Day Gifts
Father's Day is this Sunday. Time to show dad the love. Time to reward dad for all the hard work he's put in, day after day, year after year, without one shred of complaint. Here are tips for Father's Day shopping this year...
Don't Give:
A Necktie -- Stay away from clothing gifts that can be worn to work or even during the week.
An indoor grill -- Dad likes fat and dad doesn't like cooking his meat indoors. This might very well be the worst gift you could give a man.
Flowers -- If you can't store it in a box, dad won't know what to do with it.
Jewelry -- Giving your dad a pinky ring will make him think he totally screwed up raising you.
Do Give:
A Hawaiian Shirt -- Shirts that you don't have to tuck in make dad happy.
An Outdoor Grill -- Dad will love you forever.
A Swiss Army Knife -- If he's not doing this already, dad will eventually be picking at his cuticles for entertainment. He's going to need a quality tool for this purpose.
A Box of Omaha Steaks -- Mmmmmmmmm. Meat.
Googler catching some rest. When Richard walked past the pod later, he said a pair of female legs were sticking out from the pod.
This contraption is a MetroNap EnergyPod. Metronap says it "harnesses science and NASA technology" to deliver a refreshing nap for users.
On its site, Metronap says, "Occupants are reclined into the optimal napping position to promote blood circulation and reduce pressure on the lower back and ambient sounds help nappers drift into light sleep."
The Chinese are always quick to embrace bizarre trends, and it is not unusual for owners to take their dogs to grooming parlours where they are not only given a shampoo and trim, but a multi-coloured dye job as well."
Is this sad? The dogs look happy . . ..
Fashion-conscious men seem to be discovering the delights of a few extra inches!
Fashion-conscious men get a lift as the man-heel makes its entrance From the Times Online
"Hot in Cleveland" (June 16, at 9 p.m. on TV Land)
Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick star as a trio of friends from Los Angeles who unexpectedly find themselves stuck in Cleveland and really popular, so they decide to stay. Betty White co-stars as the caretaker of the house they rent.
Video: A first look at 'Hot in Cleveland'
"Last Comic Standing" (June 14, at 8 p.m. on NBC)
Craig Robinson of "The Office" and "Hot Tub Time Machine" takes over hosting duties for the comedy search's seventh season, while Andy Kindler, Greg Giraldo and Natasha Leggero will serve as judges.
"You Don't Know Jack" (June 28, at 8 p.m. on HBO)
Barry Levinson ("Rain Man") directs this biopic of Jack Kevorkian, aka Dr. Death, who is portrayed in this made-for-HBO film by Al Pacino.
"Man v. Food" (June 16, at 8 p.m. on Travel) and "Top Chef" (June 16, at 9 p.m. on Bravo)
Two of cable's best food shows will go head-to-head as they premiere new seasons (thank God for DVRs). Adam Richman, the man of "Man v. Food" (pictured), will travel the country to take on... more more of the nation's biggest food challenges, while the latest season of "Top Chef" heads to Washington, D.C., where guests this season will include astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough.
"Mad Men" (July 25, at 9 p.m. on AMC)
Don Draper's personal and professional lives came to a simultaneous boil in the Season 3 finale, as he prepared for a divorce from Betty and also exited Sterling Cooper to start a new firm. Though the timeline for where Season 4 begins has... more not been revealed, Jon Hamm confirmed it won't begin the very next day. "Time moves on," he told Collider.com about the new season. "You can't go back in time. Everything has a consequence, and the last episode of the last season is no exception."
Burn Notice" and "Royal Pains" (June 3, at 7 p.m. on USA)
Two cable faves return with back-to-back premieres, and both offer up a nice roster of guest stars. Burt Reynolds will head to "Burn Notice" as a fellow burned spy. He'll serve as a sort of cautionary tale for Michael... more Westen. "He's not precisely like Michael," creator Matt Nix told EW. "He's Michael should Michael succumb to some of the demons that haunt ex-spies." Meanwhile, Mary Lynn Rajskub of "24," Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden and Henry Winkler will appear on "Royal Pains" (pictured), with Winkler playing pops to Hank and Evan.
Video: See full episodes of 'Royal Pains'
"True Blood" (June 13, at 8 p.m. on HBO)
The wait is over! Though the first few episodes of Season 3 will reveal who kidnapped Bill and who was behind it, mum's the word from us.
Bachelor Pad" (Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. on ABC)
It's sort of "Big Brother" meets "The Bachelor" all-stars, as 20 former contestants (including some now-single former winners) from the ABC dating series move into a house where they'll compete in a series of challenges inspired by ... moresome of the show's more dramatic events. Chris Harrison, host of "The Bachelor," will host this as well.
'The Gates'
Sun., June 20 at 10PM ET on ABC
A new family, the dad is the police chief, stir up trouble in the private gated community where 'Twilight' supernatural drama meets hijinks and mysteries a la 'Desperate Housewives.'
'Rookie Blue'
Thurs., June 24 at 8PM on ABC
Missy Peregrym and Gregory Smith star in this drama about young, sexy rookie cops right out of police academy. Look for this series to follow on the job drama as well as off-duty happenings, but the focus is on the badge.
'Losing It with Jillian'
Tues., June 1 at 9PM on NBC
'Biggest Loser' trainer Jillian Michaels traveled the country to whip eight families into shape.
1930s MARRIAGE TEST
The UK's Daily Telegraph published a "Marital Rating Scale" used by American marriage counselors in 1939 to grade the performance of wives.
The scale awards wives points (or "merits") for positive traits and deducts points ("demerits") for negative traits.
Here Are Some Of The Merits:
* A good hostess -- even to unexpected guests
* Has meals on time
* Can play a musical instrument
* Dresses for breakfast
* Neat housekeeper
* Personally puts children to bed
* Never goes to bed angry, always makes up first
* Asks husband's opinion regarding important decisions and purchases
* Good sense of humor
* Religious
* Lets husband sleep late on Sunday and holidays
Here Are Some Of The Demerits:
* Slow in coming to bed -- delays until husband is almost asleep
* Doesn't like children
* Fails to sew on buttons or darn socks regularly
* Wears ragged dresses and aprons around the house
* Wears red nail polish
* Often late for appointments
* Seams in hose often crooked
* Goes to bed with curlers in her hair or too much face cream
* Is a backseat driver
* Flirts with other men at parties or in restaurants
* Is suspicious and jealous
2010 Memorial Day Events in Austin, TX
Spend the day boating on Lake Travis with friends and family.
Volente Beach Water Park on Lake Travis opened 7 days a week starting May 29, 2010 (Hours of operation: 10am â 8pm)
Barenaked Ladies playing at Bass Concert Hall on May 31, 2010
WWE â World Wrestling Entertainment at Erwin Center on May 31, 2010
Kerrville Folk Festival (May 27, 2010-June 13, 2010)
Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival (May 28 & 29)
Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels, TX (Starting this weekend, hours of operation extended to 10am to 8pm.)
Head to New Braunfels and float the Guadalupe and Comal rivers
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Country music fans have come to expect a little eccentricity from legendary crooner Willie Nelson, but he pulled off a real shocker this time: He cut his hair.
"Oh Noooooo!," wrote one fan who saw a picture of Nelson's new do on the website of Nashville television and radio personality Jimmy Carter.
Nelson's waist-deep, reddish pigtails have long been one of the singer-songwriter's signature features. But spokeswoman Elaine Schock said Nelson, who's been hanging loose in Hawaii, got his hair cut in the past couple of weeks.
Schock said the Texas-born performer didn't make a big fuss about the makeover and thought he might have grown tired of dealing with long locks. She said, "there's a lot of maintenance."
I know this is silly that I like this so much. It's a nice break from the real world.
Achieving world peace may still be an extremely lofty and unattainable goal, but you've got to feel a little better about our chances after watching this video. A cat and a dog, sworn enemies since the beginning of cats and dogs, are not only getting along but they're making out like they're at a junior high dance.
Britain's Got Talent has produced another Susan Boyle-esque Internet sensation, only this one is old enough to be Susan Boyle's mother. 80-year-old Janey Cutler of Scotland stunned the audience and judges with her remarkable performance.
Here are eight funny and wise relationship tips from real-life couples.1. Indecisive? Try the "5-3-1" game: The first person offers 5 choices, the other gets to vote two off, and the first chucks 2 more -- boom! No more "Where you do want to eat?" "I don't care, what do you want to do?"2. The person who cooks shouldn't do the dishes. It's only fair!3. Every co-habiting couple needs a separate room with a door that shuts, even locks. Napping, reading, listening to music, wrapping presents, having private phone conversations, or sulking are all fair game in there.4. "Thank you" -- thank each other for everything. It's simple courtesy. No need to faux-fawn over an emptied trash, just a "thank you" will do.5. Don't tell them they're wrong about insignificant things. Your guy says that Steven Spielberg directed Star Wars, um, no need to tease that it was George Lucas (or that even you know tha t...) Maybe skip correcting grammar in public, too.6.Let it go when someone admits to being at fault, especially if it's minor. One couple suggested the person who was wrong has a silly task to perform (a song-and-dance) post apology. Now you have a goofy inside joke rather than an "I told ya so" and resentment.7. Think before you speak. A difficult conversation can cloud thinking, Take a minute and speak when you can say what you mean rather than blurt out something thoughtless just to fill the silence.8. Play the "He's Not an Jerk game." Imagine you're a writer and your partner is the protagonist -- that way you have to consider their point-of-view and make them sympathetic to readers. Bet you understand them better all of a sudden.Source:YourTango.com
 A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?" ã
God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you." ã
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy." ã
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. ã
And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy." ã
Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?" ã
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak." ã
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" ã
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray." ã
"Who will protect me?" ã
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life." ã
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.." ã
Erma Bombeck on MothersErma Louise Bombeck (February 21, 1927 â April 22, 1996), was born Erma Fiste. She's the beloved American humorist whose newspaper column, At Wit's End grew to such popularity that it became nationally syndicated in 1965.As a woman and mother, you'll probably find good humor in her quotes. So enjoy these Erma Bombeck quotes!
ã
All of us have moments in our lives that test our courage. Taking children into a house with white carpet is one of them.
-- Erma Bombeck
Everyone is guilty at one time or another of throwing out questions that beg to be ignored, but mothers seem to have a market on the supply. "Do you want a spanking or do you want to go to bed?" Don't you want to save some of the pizza for your brother?" Wasn't there any change?"
-- Erma Bombeck
Have you any idea how many children it takes to turn off one light in the kitchen? Three. It takes one to say, "What light?" and two more to say, "I didn't turn it on."
-- Erma Bombeck
I remember buying a set of black plastic dishes once, after I saw an ad on television where they actually put a blowtorch to them and they emerged unscathed. Exactly one week after I bought them, one of the kids brought a dinner plate to me with a large crack in it. When I asked what happened to it, he said it hit a tree. I don't want to talk about it.
-- Erma Bombeck
Kids have little computer bodies with disks that store information. They remember who had to do the dishes the last time you had spaghetti, who lost the knob off the Tv set six years ago, who got punished for teasing the dog when he wasn't teasing the dog and who had to wear girls boots the last time it snowed.
-- Erma Bombeck
Most women put off entertaining until the kids are grown.
-- Erma Bombeck
Mothers have to remember what food each child likes or dislikes, which one is allergic to penicillin and hamster fur, who gets carsick and who isn't kidding when he stands outside the bathroom door and tells you what's going to happen if he doesn't get in right away. It's tough. If they all have the same hair color they tend to run together.
-- Erma Bombeck
My kids always perceived the bathroom as a place where you wait it out until all the groceries are unloaded from the car.
-- Erma Bombeck
My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch on fire or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one cares. Why should you?
-- Erma Bombeck
No one ever died from sleeping in an unmade bed. I have known mothers who remake the bed after their children do it because there's a wrinkle in the spread or the blanket is on crooked. This is sick.
-- Erma Bombeck
The age of your children is a key factor in how quickly you a re served in a restaurant. We once had a waiter in who said, "Could I get you your check?" and we answered, "How about the menu first?"
-- Erma Bombeck
When mothers talk about the depression of the empty nest, they're not mourning the passing of all those wet towels on the floor, or the music that numbs your teeth, or even the bottle of capless shampoo dribbling down the shower drain. They're upset because they've gone from supervisor of a child's life to a spectator. It's like being the vice president of the United States.
-- Erma Bombeck
When your mother asks, "Do you want a piece of advice?" it's a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway.
-- Erma Bombeck
Who, in their infinite wisdom, decreed that Little League uniforms be white? Certainly not a mother.
-- Erma Bombeck
For Immediate Release: May 1, 2010
Media Inquiries: Elaine Ganz Bobo, 240.620.6896, Elaine.Bobo@fda.hhs.govÂ
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
FDA provides consumer advice following recall of products for infants and children
Working in consultation with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), McNeil Consumer Healthcare is implementing a voluntary recall of infant and childrenâs liquid products due to manufacturing deficiencies which may affect quality, purity or potency. Following McNeilâs recall announcement on Friday evening, the FDA is providing additional advice to consumers.
âWe want to be certain that consumers discontinue using these products and that they know what to do if they have concerns about a specific product,â said Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. âWhile the potential for serious health problems is remote, Americans deserve medications that are safe, effective and of the highest quality. We are investigating the products and facilities associated with this recall and will provide updates as we learn more.â
What products are affected by this recall?
The products include certain liquid infantâs and childrenâs Tylenol®, Motrin®, Zyrtec®, and Benadryl® products. For a complete list of recalled products, please see the recall notice1.
Why were these products recalled?
McNeil Consumer Healthcare is initiating this voluntary recall because some of these products may not meet required quality standards. As a precautionary measure, parents and caregivers should not administer these products to their children. Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than specified; others contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles. While the potential for serious medical events is remote, FDA advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use.
What can I use instead of the recalled products?
There are a number of other products on the market, including generic versions of the recalled products, which are intended for use in infants and children and are not affected by the recall. FDA recommends that you check the labeling of these products. If you have any questions, you should discuss this with your pharmacist or other health care professional. FDA does not anticipate that there will be a shortage of alternative products.
Can I give my child adult strength Tylenol® or Motrin® products that are not being recalled?
No. Consumers should not give drug products to infants and children that are not intended for those age groups. This could result in serious harm.
What should I do if I have some of the medication at home?
FDA recommends that consumers stop using these products.
For further instructions, see McNeilâs website at: www.mcneilproductrecall.com2I gave my child some of the medication. What do I do? Is my child at risk?
According to the information the FDA has received at this time, the potential for serious medical problems is remote. If your child exhibits any unexpected symptoms after use of any of the recalled products, contact your health care professional.
If I think my child may be having an adverse reaction to one of the products involved in this recall, who should I notify?
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products may be reported to FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, or by fax, using the contact information at the bottom of this sheet. The agency asks health care professionals and consumers to report any adverse reactions to the FDAâs MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch3.
From the Associated Press
BARNSTEAD, N.H. â A diminutive horse born in New Hampshire could lay claim to the world record for lightweight foal. The pinto stallion named Einstein weighed just 6 pounds and measured 14 inches tall when he was born Friday in Barnstead, N.H. Those proportions fit a human baby just about right but are downright tiny for horse, even a miniature breed like Einstein.
Dr. Rachel Wagner, Einstein's co-owner, says the Guinness Book of Records lists the smallest newborn horse as weighing in at 9 pounds.
Breeders say that unlike the current record holder, Thumbelina, Einstein shows no signs of dwarfism. He's just a tiny horse.
Someone sent me a copy of this pooch saying that it was from the Russian Secret Service. I went to my favorite rumour, scam, urban legend debunking site SNOPES and got the real answer.
Wendy, the bully whippet in this photograph, lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and is remarkable even for a bully whippet in that she has two mutated copies of the gene and is therefore a "double-muscled" bully whippet who weighs twice as much as a standard whippet. She was the subject of a number of news features in mid-2007, including articles in the New York Times, the UK's Daily Mail, and the Victoria Times Colonist, the latter of which described her thusly:
Wendy is a 27-kilogram rippling mass of muscle. Forget the so-called six-pack stomach: Wendy has a 24-pack. And the muscles around her neck are so thick, they look like a lion's ruff.
"People have referred to her as Arnold Schwarzenegger," says doting owner Ingrid Hansen, stroking Wendy's sleek black coat and white chest.
Last weekend, two college teams, Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic, took advantage of the inclement weather and put on a talent show. There were dance-offs, wrestling matches, theatrical performances -- basically what you'd expect to find at a traveling carnival.
This is the difference between PRO and Amateur sports. The insane thing is that if this was MLB, the players would have gotten in trouble from their team because they probably would have voilated some sort of clause in their contract, because "may" have gotten hurt doing this. They probaby also would have gotten in trouble from the league for it as well.
Wow! William Shatner is still enjoying the spotlight. Last night on Lopez Tonight, the former "Captain Kirk" duetted with the "Taiwanese Susan Boyle," Lin Yu Chun, on the '80s classic "Total Eclipse."
We get pictures from everywhere, phones, friends, relatives and use them for a myriad of diffrent reasons, email, texts, printing, reports and sometimes you need to edit them. You know, to crop out an ex, brighten-up a dark shot or to add a crazy effect.
I know of and have used two FREE online photo editors and they are easy.
The first is called PicniK, it's simple, basic, free and fun.
The second one is called Lunapic and while it does all the same things as Picnik, it has a lot more special effects.
Here are some samples:
Click on a picture to see the cool effect.
[gallery link="file" columns="7"]
We can all agree that it's not nice to laugh at other people's sorrow, but have you seen this video? It's a clip taken from a recent episode of A-&-E's Intervention, showing a heart-wrenching scene between a father and his son. Viewers had tears welling up in their eyes until they heard the father cry. So while it's usually wrong to laugh at others' pain, I say go ahead this time. I'll give you a pass.
A recent English Premier League soccer match became one of the funniest shows on TV when a sideline reporter was asked to comment on the game which he clearly had not been paying much attention to.
We're getting close to wedding season. Maybe you're a groom to be. If so, here are some things to NOT say to your bride on the wedding day:
1. Please don't end up like your mother.
2. Wow. That bridesmaid dress really brings out your sister's great figure.
3. Can the cake cutting wait for a minute or two? I've gotta go re-fill my flask.
4. Honey, I know it's not the best time ... but there's something I really need to tell you about the bachelor party.
5. Have you given any thought yet to any of the meals you'll be cooking me over the next 60 years?
6. Seriously. How many dudes have you been with? I've got a bet with your dad.
7. Wait, I was supposed to actually memorize those vow things? I thought that was a joke.
8. I know you said my ex couldn't come to the actual wedding, but I seriously thought it was OK if she came to the reception.
9. Was the dress not available in your size?
10. So, do you think we'll last?
Source: GroomsAdvice.com
The Apple I-Pad is out and there are a number of questions that techies have about the new tablet computer like; "How much will it cost to repair a broken I-Pad screen?" "Will the I-Pad push app prices up?" And perhaps the most important question; "Will it blend?" Luckily, Tom Dickson can answer that last question.
I was surprised there were people still waiting in line to buy the iPad Monday at noon. (Late early adapters.)
It felt good at 1.5 pounds, light enough to hold for a while and yet enough heft that it didn't feel like a toy or cheaply made.
Man, it was pretty. . . and pretty fast.
I'm not as stealthy as I thought I was shooting from the hip.
From the site lone-star.net where there is an even bigger, more comprehensive list.
City: Austin
Crossroads: FM 3347 SW of RR 962W. Also RR 962W and 71 east to US 281
Comments: We drove around Texas Hill Country south of Highland Lakes all day Sunday March 28 and saw few BBs except on FM 3347 southwest of RR 962W and east of intersection RR 962W and 71 to US 281. The BB on FM 3347 are in full bloom and the drive down to Walnut Creek is lovely. 3/30/2010
Crossroads: 1431 from Lago Vista west to Marble Falls
Flower Types: bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, and others
Comments: The drive from Lago Vista to Marble Falls is nice anytime of the year, but made even better each spring when the wildflowers are in bloom, and they are in bloom now. 3/29/2010
City: Round Rock
Crossroads: 29 & 281, 16, 71
Flower Types: bluebonnet, paintbrush, goldeneye phlox
Comments: billions now & billions more to come On both sides of hwy 29 from Bertram to Llano Hwy 29 from Georgetown, out past Llano, then right on Hwy 71 at the "Y". Next, wander up past Pontotoc (neat old buildings there), and stop at the Union Band Cemetery, just before Fredonia, where you bank left on RR 356, coincidentally called bluebonnet Rd. 3/29/2010
 City: Burnet
Crossroads: Highway 29, west of Burnet to Lake Buchanon
Flower Types: bluebonnets
Comments: Highway 29 West of Burnet (towards Inks Lake) has absolutely stunning bluebonnets. Just beautiful. Only a couple spots to safely pull over though. Highway 281 between Burnet and Lampasas has absolutely nothing (was reported by Texas Highways April issue - as a great wildflower route - it has all been mowed down) 3/28/2010
Crossroads: IH35 South of Ben White Blvd/Hwy 71
Flower Types: bluebonnets/indian paintbrush
Comments: more and more popping up everyday! 3/27/2010
City: Burnett
Crossroads: 29 & 2341
Flower Types: bluebonnets & variety of others
Comments: Hwy 29 between Burnett & Llano is great for bluebonnets. Also 2341 off 29, the road to Canyon on the Eagles has lots of bluebonnets and various others - very pretty! 3/24/2010
Crossroads: 306 from IH 35 to 2673
Flower Types: bluebonnets
Comments: Lots of flowers on the roadsides and out in the pastures. Also along Hunter Road between New Braunfels and San Marcos. Especially nice bluebonnet and paintbrush mix in front of the cement plant entrance. 3/22/2010
City: Austin
Crossroads: 2244 and Mopac
Flower Types: bluebonnets
Comments: There are bluebonnets blooming all along Mopac but there is a beautiful section in front of a baptist church at the 2244 exit off of Mopac. 3/21/2010
City: Llano
Crossroads: Countywide along 29, 16, & 71
Flower Types: bluebonnets, indian paint brush, mountain pink
Comments: It's getting colorful in the hill country 3/20/2010
City: Manchaca
Crossroads: On 1626 between Brodie Lane and Ranch Road 967
Flower Types: blue bonnets
City: Austin
Crossroads: IH 35 at the Rundberg exit and FM 969 near FM 973
Flower Types: bluebonnets!!
Comments: Both sides northbound and southbound on IH 35 at Rundberg exit. They are here!!! 3/15/2010
Telephone Numbers for Wildflower Viewing Updates
Texas: (800) 452 9292 The Texas Department of Transportation - Travel Information Line
(512) 292-4200 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Composer and conductor Eric Whitacre has created a virtual choir comprised of 185 singers from 12 different countries. Each of these people sent Whitacre a video of themselves singing. Whitacre then pieced them all together to create this incredible performance.
KILL THE CLUTTER ... IN 5 MINUTES A DAY
Spring is here ... and that means spring-cleaning! But that doesn't have to mean hours and hours of intense cleaning. You'd be amazed at how much you can accomplish in just 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
The 5-minute purge makes a big difference. Here's how:
1. Set a timer for 5 minutes.
2. Grab a medium-sized trash bag. You'll use this to throw things away or drop them off at Goodwill or give them to someone, whichever makes more sense for you.
3. Pick your target. Make sure to keep it small so you can be thorough, like one drawer in the kitchen, one shelf of books or DVDs, your office desktop, etc.
4. Toss anything you haven't used in 6-12 months. Things you felt like you needed to keep yesterday you may be able to toss today. Be ruthless!
5. When the timer goes off, STOP. If the bag is full, put it in the trash or in your car to drop off at Goodwill). If the bag isn't full, keep it nearby so you can fill it the next day.
Source: MSN Lifestyle
I'm looking for any edge I can get. I'm on this mad quest to improve my tennis game and have been putting in the time to see improvements. At 50 my flexability is not what it used to be, plus I can feel myself tensing up during critical moments on the court. I bought the DVD this weekend called "Yoga for Tennis". I watched it last night (didn't work out to it, just watched it) and it looks pretty tough--real tough. I believe it's what I need to do to get to that next step.
Here's a great video about the mind body connection:
We all know that videos featuring cats or babies are always cute, right? So what happens when you get a video featuring a cat and a baby? Why, you get one of the cutest videos ever, right? In this one, a baby squares off with the household pet for a little Greco-Roman wrestling.
Wow, this was tough! I was going to do a top 5, then a top 10, I'm currently on a top 13 and I can stop there (I'm slightly triskaidekaphobic). Here's where I am so far and they are in no particular order:
1. Brick House - Commodores It's mighty mighty.
2. Flashlight - Parliament
3. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
4. Stomp - Brothers Johnson
5. Car Wash - Rose Royce
6. Pick Up the Pieces - Average White Band
7. Got to Give It Up Part I - Marvin Gaye
8. Night Fever - Bee Gees
9. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - McFadden and Whitehead
10. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
11. Thank God It's Friday - Love and Kisses
12. Livin' it Up (Friday Night) - Bell and James
13. I'm Your Boogieman - KC & the Sunshine Band
Today memory was a big topic on the show and one of these stories confirms what my wife has been saying about me for years, but the first story tells a cool way that friends can help our brain power . . ..FRIEND MEMORY
Get together with your friends. Itâll help your memory. In a Harvard
study, scientists found people who reported being the most social had memories
that were 50 percent better than those who spent time alone. Sharing
personal info and stories helps increase the number of brain neurons you have.
Source: Womanâs World, 3/15/10
MIDDLE-AGED GUYS NEED TO BRACE THEMSELVES FOR ABSENT-MINDEDNESS
According to a new British study, older men are more likely to suffer from to absent-mindedness than women.
Guys are notorious for forgetting birthdays, anniversaries and even friends' names. When they're younger, it might be because of laziness. When they're older, scientists say it's because the brain is slowing down.
The researchers found that by the age of 50, women's verbal memory outperforms men by a big margin.
Source: Guardian.co.uk
THINGS GUYS DON'T UNDERSTAND ABOUT WOMEN
Guys are simple. Women are complicated -- if not totally maddening.
According to Lemondrop.com, here are some things about women that guys just don't understand:
   * What does our zodiac sign have to do with anything?
   * Why do you need so many pillows?
   * Why are greeting cards so important?
   * Why do you need to post everything on Facebook?
   * Is that a purse or a suitcase?
   * If you don't like her then why is she your "friend"?
Source: Lemondrop.com
Ava turned 5 years old today and last night her mom and I set out dresses her mom bought and a card. Ava keeps asking if I got her the dresses and I keep avoiding the question:
Hear it here>Â Ava's Birthday Call
You may think you go through life demonstrating decent manners, but there's a good chance you're guilty of making one of these Top 10 etiquette mistakes:10. Failing to introduce people. (It's always awkward if you don't introduce two people when you're their only shared acquaintance.)9. Not excusing yourself to take a cell phone call. (This is especially aggravating at the dinner table.)8. Arguing over a dinner check. 7. Being late.6. Not giving up your seat to someone who needs it more.5. Treating service staff poorly.4. Always talking about yourself.3. Being a slob at the gym (sweating on equipment, hogging machines)2. Grooming in public. (Yes, we're talking to you ear cleaner, nail clipper, tooth flosser. Save it for the bathroom.)1. Eating with your mouth open.Source:AskMen.com
Winter weather closings, delays, do to winter weather
Schools
* ACC will reopen all campuses and centers at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Classes scheduled to begin before 9 a.m. are canceled.
* Austin AISD anticipates operating on a normal schedule on Wednesday, .
* Concordia University classes and offices will open at 10am on Wednesday at the main and North Lamar campus.
* Dripping Springs ISD will have a two hour delayed start on Wednesday. Buses will run two hours late.
* Eanes ISD They will also operate on a two-hour delayed start on Wednesday.
* Elgin ISD On Wednesday, classes will begin two hours later than normal. Buses will also run two hours later than usual.
* Georgetown ISD Georgetown ISD schools and offices will operate on a two hour delayed start Wednesday All buses will run 2 hours late.
* Granger ISD: Opening at 10 am on Wednesday
* Hutto ISD: All elementary schools will start at 10:30 a.m. and secondary schools (middle and high), they will start at 10:45 a.m.
* Leander ISD will have a two hour delayed start on Wednesday. Buses will run two hours behind their normal schedule. All morning only classes such as Pre-k classes are cancelled, as are morning practices and activities. Afternoon Pre-k will be held as normal.
* Pflugerville ISD Will start school two hours late on Wednesday.
* Round Rock ISD Will have late starts on Wednesday. K-5 will start at 9:45 a.m and dismiss at 2:45 p.m. Morning PreK will run from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Afternoon PreK will run from 12:45-2:45 p.m. Morning PPCD will run from 9:45-11:45 a.m. Afternoon PPCD will run from 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
* Taylor ISD They'll run buses two hours later than normal Wednesday.
* Wimberley ISD Buses will run 2 hours late on Wednesday with the school start time of 10:00 a.m.
"Snowmageddon" is unleashing a second round of snow on Washington, D-C today -- while the city continues to dig out from more than two feet of snow from last weekend's storm. One D-C resident turned his video camera on last weekend and created a time-lapse, or "snowlapse," video showing the white blanket being draped over the nation's capital.
Â
The Mid-Atlantic States got slammed with a winter blast over the weekend that brought upwards of 30-inches of snow to some areas. The storm was appropriately referred to as "snow-mageddon" or "snowpocalypse." Riding the wave of panic was local Baltimore meteorologist Jim Kosek, who did little to calm people's nerves about the impending blizzard.
One reason the Super Bowl is so popular is because there's something for everyone. Sure, there's a football game being played. But, there's also tons of food and, of course, the commercials.On Monday, people may or may not be talking about the game -- but they will be talking about the ads.BleacherReport.com put together a great list of the top 25 Super Bowl commercials of all time. Here's a rundown of the top ten:10. Wasssssup -- Budweiser (2000)
9. Zebra Replay Ref -- Budweiser (2003)
8. Terry Tate Office Linebacker -- Reebok (2003)
7. Walk-In Fridge -- Heineken (2007)
6. Jordan v. Bird In a Game of HORSEÂ -- McDonald's (1993)
5. Michael J. Fox Gets a Pepsi (1987)
4. Cindy Crawford Drinks a Pepsi (1992)
3. Budweiser's 9/11 Tribute with Clydesdales kneeling (2002)
2. Budweiser Frogs (1995)
1. Apple 1984 (1984)Source:Â Â Â Click here for a link to the TOPÂ 25 and videos > Bleacher Report
From Delish.com
As the economy sags and millions of Americans lose their jobs, it can be hard to afford the often-premium price charged for organic foods. But, based on Environmental Working Group's latest compilation of government data about pesticide residue. The fruits and vegetables on this list were the least likely to have pesticides detected on the parts you eat, after typical washing, whether or not they're certified organic.
Buy Regular vs. Organic (save money!):Â Onions,avacados,sweet corn, cabbage, brocoli, water melon, pineapple, aspargus, mangos, peas, sweet potatoes, kiwi, egg plant and papayas.
The Best Foods to Buy in the Organic Aisle
Not all of us can afford to go 100% organic every time we shop. The solution? Focus on those foods that come with the heaviest burden of pesticides, additives, and hormones. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that consumers can reduce their pesticide exposure by 80% by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating only the cleanest. Here is the "dirty dozen," plus a few more foods it's best to shop for in the organic aisle:
Peaches, apples, peppers, celery, strawberries, nectarines, cherries, all green leafy vegetables, grapes, carrots, pears, potatoes, tomatoes, pears, meat, and milk coffee.
Dance Like No One is Watching
My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. "This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace.
The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician.
His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me. "Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion.
I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister's family lives.
I thought about all the things that she hadn't seen or heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special. I'm still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life.
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event-such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it.
My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now. I'm not sure what my sister would've done had she known that she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted.
I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I'm guessing - I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with - someday. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write - one of these days.
Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband often enough how much I truly love him. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special.
Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God. You've got to dance like nobody's watching, and love like it's never going to hurt....
People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there.
~ Author Unknown ~
Â
Super Bowl Sunday has become a HUGE day for eating.You can go one of two ways ...You can get all fancy-pants with the food. For example, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse suggests shrimp and chorizo tapas, sausage and pepper po-boys, spicy pork wraps and black bean cakes.Or, you can keep things simple with chips, guacamole, burgers and chili.Either way, there's a good chance you're going to stuff yourself -- and regret it the morning after.Check It Out: Click here for Emeril's crazy, fancy food ideas.Check It Out: Click here for basic Super Bowl grub ideas.
Controversy #1. Is it Groundhog or Groundhogs? Either way, the day definitely is the Groundhog's Day (it is Groundhog).
Controversy #2. Where and what is the "West Pole"? This became an issue today where I found numerous news stories and press releases that "Bee Cave Bob" the weather/spring predicting Armadillo will emerge from wherever armadillo's emerge from at 11:30 this morning and will predict Texas Spring. This all sounds good and fine here's the perplexing line from the press release:
Texans to celebrate first 'Armadillo Day'Â Bee Cave Bob is scheduled to come out at 12:30 p.m. at the West Pole on the 98th Meridian in Bee Cave, Texas.
Someone figured if there's a North Pole and a South Pole, then there oughta be a West Pole and an East Pole. It was kind of a joke, but was certified by the Texas Legislature in 2007.
Where is the 98th Meridian and when did we start using it as a directional waypoint? Take a right at the 98th meridian?
And their map shows it's somewhere out in Bee Caves around Lowes in the Shops at the Galleria.
Six more weeks of winter is not something that Austinites like to hear, especially after the sub-freezing temperatures we experienced the first week of January. But today, Punxsutawney Phil (the most famous groundhog) DID see his shadow meaning six more weeks of winter.I WILL find where the West Pole is today and post pictures--Alex
We did this on the air the other day and had several requests for copies. I know I was surprised when I first saw the list. If you would listen to the kids you would think all they wanted was expensive do-dads . . . this is heartwarming and so true.The Top Things Children Really Want Their Parents to Do With Them
Many moms today feel as if they are not good mothers unless they are racing around, shuttling their children from lessons to practices, and back to lessons again. What do you think matters most to your children? You driving them to lessons and practices? Or the smile and hug you greet them with after school?
If you guessed the latter, you are correct.
Here is a list of the top things students around the world said they desire most from their mothers.
1. Come into my bedroom at night, tuck me in and sing me a song. Also tell me stories about when you were little.
2. Spend quality time just with me, not with my brothers and sisters around.
3. At dinner talk about what we could do together on the weekend.
4. Cuddle under a blanket and watch our favorite TV show together.
5. Discipline me. It makes me feel like you care.
6. Leave special messages in my desk or lunch bag.
Children are incredibly wise and tend to see the world more simply than we do. Perhaps it is time we start taking their advice.
Stubbâs Bad to the Bone Smackdown â  Bad to the Bone on Friday, January 15, 6 â 9:30 pm.  RESCHEDULED TO FEB 27 DUE TO WEATHER Stubbâs outdoor stage in downtown Austin is host to some of the nationâs hottest bands and will turn into a kitchen arena where three of the stateâs highest profile chefs will battle it out, each choosing a preferred ingredient to stump their competitorsâ culinary prowess. The chefs will create a dish that includes all three of the chef-picked ingredients which could range from diverse edibles such as grapefruit to cauliflower to oysters.
Bad to the Bone tickets are $35 and available at www.stubbsaustin.com. Ticket sales will benefit the Sustainable Food Center which helps more than 20,000 Central Texans access healthy, affordable and locally grown food annually.
Today we had live in studio Executive Chef/Owner Shawn Cirkiel of parkside and Susan Leibrock of the Sustainable Food Center.Chef Competitors: Shawn Cirkiel of parkside, David Bull of Bolla, Paul Petersen of Rickâs Chophouse and TLCâs Pit Masters Judges: Addie Broyles â Food Writer for Austin American Statesman, Tyson Cole â Executive Chef/Co-Owner of Uchi, Larry McGuire â Chef and Co-Owner of Lamberts and Perlaâs, Laura Kelso â National Food Writer and founder of Dishola.com Secret Ingredients: Shawn Cirkiel: Tangarines, David Bull: Goatâs Milk, Paul Petersen: Achiote Seeds Sustainable Food Center: The event benefits the Sustainable Food Center which is a non-profit organization that creates opportunities for individuals to make healthy food choices and to participate in a vibrant local food system. http://www.sustainablefoodcenter.org/http://www.parkside-austin.com/
The Best TV Of The Decade??????
This list is plain wrong.
Everybody made decade best-of lists. There's plenty of room for debate on subjects such as sports and music and TV.
A paper published a list of the top 20 TV shows of the decade. That list includes:
1. The Sopranos
2. Lost
3. The Wire
4. Mad Men
5. American Idol
6. Deadwood
7. Sex and the City
8. Arrested Development
9. Friday Night Lights
10. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
11. Freaks and Geeks
12. The West Wing
13. The Office
14. 30 Rock
15. Survivor
16. Battlestar Galactica
17. The Shield
18. Dexter
19. CSI
20. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
NEW YEAR'S: Crazy New Year's Rituals
Here in America, our New Year's Eve rituals are pretty ordinary. We get together with friends, drink a lot, wait for midnight and then go home. But in other parts of the world, there are New Year's rituals that are downright bizarre.
Take Spain, for instance, where it is customary to quickly eat 12 grapes -- one at each stroke of the clock. Each one signifies good luck for one month of the coming year.
In Finland, people predict their fortunes for the coming year by pouring molten tin into a container of water and interpreting the shape the metal takes after it hardens. A heart or ring shape means a wedding, a ship signifies travel. A pig means lots of good food.
Fun times in Belarus, where a pile of corn is put in front of each unmarried woman. A rooster is then let loose. Whatever pile he approaches first shows which woman will be the first to marry.
In Central and South America, people wear special underwear. Red underwear for love and yellow underwear for money.
Â
For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santaâs Christmas Eve flight.
The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.
Here's the link to Norad: http://www.noradsanta.org
JUST FOR FUN: REASONS SANTA IS REALLY A WOMAN
Think about it ... Christmas is not only warm, fuzzy and nurturing -- but it involves lots of planning and organization ... which means a woman has to be in charge of it!
Here are some other reasons why Santa can't possibly be a man ...
   * Men can't pack a bag.
   * Men would rather be dead than caught wearing red velvet.
   * Men would feel their masculinity is threatened ... having to be seen with all those elves.
   * Men don't answer their mail.
   * Men would refuse to allow their belly to be described as a "bowlful of jelly."
   * Men aren't interested in stockings unless somebody's wearing them.
   * Having to do the "Ho Ho Ho" thing would seriously inhibit their ability to pick up women.
   * Being responsible for Christmas would require a commitment.
Thank you CNN Money! How much...and how to give
Tipping experts said, and tip recipients implied, that cash is the best way to say happy holidays.
Hilka Klinkenberg, founder of Etiquette International, once gave one of her doormen CDs because they had often discussed opera, while the other men received cash. "He looked at me crestfallen," she said. "Tipping is not a time to try and be original."
Whether we tip with a song or a grumble, handing over the envelope should be done graciously.
Klinkenberg said to also include a short note thanking the recipient for their hard work, and to give the tip in person whenever possible.
Other tipping tips include
 If you frequent a restaurant daily, it's a good idea to tip your regular waiter. An extra $5 in a card is a kind gesture at your regular lunch spot, while at the Four Seasons you could shell out $40-$50, plus similar amounts to the maitre d and captain.
Don't forget the snowplow man. He comes when you're in a bind, every year, every time it snows.
You don't have to give as much to the new hairdresser, doorman, etc. because you haven't forged a relationship with them yet.
Alcohol is not recommended. Just because you may enjoy the extra splash of cheer, it might not be right for someone else.
 Otherwise, when in doubt, follow the table below. Â
CHILD CARE
Babysitter
1 evening's pay + small gift from child
Au pair
1 week's pay or a gift + small gift from child
Nanny
1 week's to 1 month's pay + small gift from child
Daycare providers
$20-$70/each + small gift from child
Child's teacher
Gift (but check school's policy to see if it's allowed)
Coaches, tutors, music teachers,
ballet instructors, etc:
A small gift from the child
Â
HOME/CAR CARE
Housekeeper
1 week's pay or more (depending on length of service)
Trash collectors
$15-$20 each
Parking attendants
$10-$35 each or up to half a month's parking bill for the group if they regularly provide extra service
Gardener
$20-$50. If the gardener's last job before spring is a fall clean up, it's best to tip in the fall
Â
APARTMENT SERVICE
Doormen
$25-$100 each (those who provide the most service for you should get more than those whom you barely see)
Superintendent/custodian
$50-$300 (tip more if there's no doorman and the service has been particularly attentive, but tip less if you tip throughout the year)
Porters/handymen
$10-$50 each
Elevator operators
$15-$40 each
Â
PERSONAL CARE
Hairdresser
Cost of 1 cut (or $20-$100) if you go frequently + small gift
Manicurist
Cost of 1 session (or $10-$50) + small gift
Personal trainer
$25 up to 1 week's pay (or cost of 1 session)
Massage therapist
$50-$100 or cost of 1 session
Â
PET CARE
Dog groomer
Small gift + 1/4 to 1/2 the cost of 1 session
Dog walker/regular dog sitter
Cost of 1-2 week's pay (as with a nanny, a small gift is optional)
Â
DELIVERY SERVICES
U.S. mail carrier
Gifts under $20*
UPS
Company policy discourages drivers from accepting tips, but they can accept something of nominal value. Tipping guides offer $15 as a guideline, but the amount and choice of gift are up to you.
FedEx
Company policy does not permit cash tips, but a gift worth up to $25 is okay.
Paper carrier
$15-$25 for daily delivery ($5-$15 for weekend delivery)
*Civil servants are not allowed to receive cash tips. But if you wish to recognize your mail carrier, the U.S. Postal Service asks that your gratuity not exceed $20 in cash value.
An email from Michael Regert solved a mystery:
Thank you for sharing the Soldierâs Silent Night. I had never heard this before (not sure why since itâs been out). You mentioned people have trouble finding this song. Hereâs the official link:
 http://www.soldiersilentnight.com/
Here is a letter from Dan and a must-see Holiday Spectacle! Alex & Kim,
  Alex I heard you talking about our street and the lights. Yes, we are still decorating out the whole street from top to bottom. This is our 10thyear of putting this all together and it continues grow bigger each and ever year. We are also still a proud sponsor and collection center for Williamson Countyâs âBrown Santaâ Thanks for talking it up and I know in years past both of you have visited the neighborhood with your families. The neighborhood is located in Cedar Park âChinati Courtâcross streets are Sun Chase and Cypress Creek. Iâll forward some pictures we took Thanksgiving weekend high above the street in the 85 ft lift we rent ever year for a week from âSunbelt Rentalsâ Thanks again & hope to see you all out here again this year!!
                                                                                                        Dan
Kim Stewart has been begging me to bring the kids by to check out her Christmas Light display.  I loaded up the family last night and we headed over after Kim's remote at Twin Liquors. Needless to say I was speechless!
You can bet I wasn't leaving there without snapping a picture.
I DON'T HAVE THE HEART TO TELL HER THAT IT MIGHT BE A "TAD" OVER THE TOP . . ..
Every now and then we hit on a topic that is just so true. Please take note and we'll listen.
TALK TO YOUR MAN SO HE'LL LISTEN
Ever feel like you're talking to a wall when you're trying to say something important to your guy? Follow these tips from Women's Health and he'll tune in instead of out:
1. Talk side-by-side. If you're broaching a sensitive subject, avoid doing it face-to-face. Looking him directly in the eye can make him feel threatened, so talk to him while you're doing something side-by-side, like walking, driving or sitting on the sofa.
2. Cut to the chase. To ensure that he hangs on your every word, make your point as quickly as possible -- grab his attention using direct statements and don't drag your feet!
3. Let him know you need to vent. When a woman presents a man with a dilemma, he interprets it as a request to fix her problem, not simply to listen. Clue him in by letting him know what you need before you make your point.
4. Stroke his ego. If it seems like he ignores you every time you ask for a favor, you may need to butter him up more. Men are competitive and compliments help them feel important and superior. Positive reinforcement and a vote of confidence are key!
I've had a few requests for this, here it is in it's original form (I edited it a little to keep it family friendly):
According to AttuWorld.com, it's not difficult to make a woman happy. A man only needs to be:
1. a friend
2. a companion
3. a lover
4. a brother
5. a father
6. a master
7. a chef
8. an electrician
9. a carpenter
10. a plumber
11. a mechanic
12. a decorator
13. a stylist
14. a psychologist
15. a pest exterminator
16. a psychiatrist
17. a healer
18. a good listener
19. an organizer
20. a good father
21. very clean
22. sympathetic
23. athletic
24. warm
25. attentive
26. gallant
27. intelligent
28. funny
29. creative
30. tender
31. strong
32. understanding
33. tolerant
34. prudent
35. ambitious
36. capable
37. courageous
38. determined
39. true
40. dependable
41. passionate
42. compassionate
Without forgetting to:
43. give her compliments regularly
44. love shopping
45. be honest
46. be very rich
47. not stress her out
48. not look at other girls
And, at the same time:
49. give her lots of attention, but expect little yourself
50. give her lots of time, especially time for herself
51. give her lots of space, never worrying about where she goes
While understanding how important it is to:
52. never forget birthdays, anniversaries and arrangements she makes
On the other hand, here's how to make a man happy:
1. Show up naked
2. Bring food
Source: Attuworld.com
We talked about this on the air this morning and I have received about a half dozen emails asking for more details, or if I could repeat what we said. I love this, Kim agreed, these are words we all have to remember. Send it to someone you know.
8 THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT MARRIAGE
Sure, everyone imagines the fairy tale ending, happily ever after part of getting married -- but after the two of you ride off into the sunset -- the reality of real life will inevitably come crashing through.
But it's not a bad thing ... Sometimes it's the least romantic parts of marriage that will teach you the most about true love ...
Here are 8 facts about marriage that the fairy tales leave out ...
1. You will look at the person lying next to you and wonder, "Is this it? Forever?" No matter how great your spouse is, they don't make you happy every moment of every day. But let go of that sugarcoated fantasy of marriage and realize it's a journey filled with equal parts excitement and tedium.
2. You'll work harder than you ever imagined. Early on, when people say, "Marriage takes work," you assume "work" means being patient and compromising with one another. As two people grow and evolve, the real work of marriage is finding a way to relate to and nurture each other in the process.
3. You will sometimes go to bed mad (and maybe even wake up madder). Whoever said, "Never go to bed angry," doesn't know what it's like inside a bedroom where tears and accusations have been flying for HOURS! If this scenario sounds familiar, here are three words for you: "Sleep on it." The truth is that you need to calm down and gain perspective. You need to just give it a rest.
4. You will go without sex -- sometimes for a long time -- and that's OK. Don't kid yourself; no one is doing it as often as pop culture would have you believe. Instead of worrying about how much you think you "should" be having sex, keep the focus on figuring out your own rhythm.
5. Getting your way is not as important as finding a way to work together. When it comes to certain disagreements, there is no right or wrong -- there is simply your way of looking at things and your spouse's. Sincerely acknowledge their point of view, and it'll be easier for them to hear yours.
6. A great marriage doesn't mean no conflict -- it means a couple keeps trying to get it right. As important as it is to strike a balance, it's also important to have a big, fat fight every now and then. Because when you fight, you don't just raise your voices -- you raise real -- sometimes buried -- issues that challenge you to come to a clearer understanding of you, your spouse, and your relationship.
7. You'll realize that you can only change yourself. Transforming someone else is truly an impossible task. And you will come to realize, sooner than later if you're lucky, that it is far easier to change the way you respond to them.
8. As you face your fears and insecurities, you will find out what you're really made of. Many of the deepest frustrations in your relationship are an opportunity for you to confront yourself. You'll learn to love your quirks and be compassionate toward yourself, just as you're learning to do with your spouse.
Source: Redbook
On a recent trip to the zoo, I tried my hand at wildlife photograpy. I actually reread the owners manual and tried my best for a "Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom Moment".
What a great lazy life this guy has.
The symbol of America!
Nice hairdo.
WHAT IS A VET?
Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a aged scar, a certain look in the eye.
 Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together,a piece of shrapnel in the leg, or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity. Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem. You can't tell a vet just by looking.
What is a vet?
He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating
two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run
out of fuel.
He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.
She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.
He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL.
He is the Quantico drill instructor that has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.
He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand. He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.
He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.
He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the
nightmares come.
He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.
He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known. So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You.
 That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".
Remember November 11th is Veterans Day.
THOUGHTS ON VETERANS DAY
General Douglas MacArthur
It is the SOLDIER, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the SOLDIER, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the SOLDIER, not the campus organizers, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the SOLDIER, who salutes the flag, who serves the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag. AMEN.
A guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier must take a special kind of person.
Question:
How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?Answer:
21 steps. Â It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.Question:
How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?Answer:
21 seconds alluding to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.Question:
Why are the guard's gloves wet?Answer:
The gloves are moistened to prevent the guard losing his grip on the rifle.Question:
Does the guard carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?Answer:
The guard carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.Question:
How often are the guards changed?Answer:
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.Question:
What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?Answer:
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5'10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."Other requirements of the Guard:
A guard must commit two (2) years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. Â They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. Â There are only 400 presently worn. Â The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet.  There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as the guards come to a halt.There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.  Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.  Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV.  All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are:  President Taft, Joe E. Lewis (the boxer) and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, (the most decorated soldier of WWII) of Hollywood fame.The military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Hurricane Isabel were given permission to suspend the assignment.  The guards respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!"Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldeir was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24 hours a day 7 days a week since 1930.
One of the hardest days ever for me on the Radio was this past Friday Morning.  I was so profoundly saddened by the events that had taken place on Thursday afternoon that I was almost unable to speak. I didn't have it in my heart to do our normal light-hearted material. I was afraid to talk about the tragedy out of fear of breaking down in tears.All this from a guy that broadcast live the events of 9/11. That was different to me in the respect that I was telling all that I saw and heard as it was unfolding. I felt a duty to keep people informed and if you can remember that morning, we didn't know what was coming next.  Last Friday Morning however, we did know what was coming next . . . incredible pain and suffering and the grieviously slow process of healing.  I was like everyone else, shocked and saddened by an incomprehensible event. I know our Ft. Hood family could use our help. Here are some of the ways I've found we can:H-E-B will donate $50,000 to the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and launch an in-store tear pad campaign benefiting the organization in response to the tragedy at Fort Hood. Â
 All monies will benefit Fort Hood fund established to appropriately memorialize the recent tragedy, and care for the affected soldiers and their families. One hundred percent of all funds received will go to meet these needs.
 The campaign offers H-E-B customers an opportunity to join H-E-Bâs aid by adding a donation in increments of $1, $3, or $5 to their total grocery bill.
The Blood Center of Central Texas said because of all the donations it has received, the center's blood supply has been replenished. In its Special News Update, the center reports an adequate supply of blood, thanks to dedicated blood donors throughout the year and recently in response to the Fort Hood shooting.
Instead of giving blood, several agencies are looking for donations.
Donations can be made to the following local charities.
⢠Mail checks to the Fort Hood Chaplain's Fund:
Chaplain's Fund Office
Bldg 44, 761st Tank Battalion Avenue
Fort Hood, TX 76544-5000
Make checks payable to "CTOF" (Chapel's Tithes and Offerings Fund) with a note on the memo line stating "Nov. 5 Tragedy."
⢠Contributions on behalf of Fort Hood soldiers can also be made to the Fisher House:
Fisher House
Bldg 36015
Fisher Lane
Fort Hood, TX 76544
Fisher House phone numbers (254) 286-7927 or (254) 286-7929.
⢠Donations can be made to the local branch of the American Red Cross
Killeen Red Cross
208 W. Ave. A
Killeen, TX 76541
Phone (254) 200-4400
⢠Donations can be made to the USO:
USO Fort Hood
Building # 1871, 50th St.
Fort Hood, TX 76544
Call (254) 768-2771
Last night my 6 year-old boy Franke finally decided to pull out that dangling tooth he's had for the past week.
He also tried to negotiate with the "tooth fairey".
How much does a tooth go for these days?
Lisa Starr was in today for today for Wet Nose Wednesday (your chance to adopt a dog or cat from the Austin Humane Society) and she brought along these great tips and I just wanted to pass them along!Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pets
Halloween is a time of fun and excitement for children, adults and even pets. However, for many family pets it is also a time filled with stress, fear and anxiety. While dressing up is fun for people, sometimes dogs and cats can become scared by face make-up and costumes, causing them to react in a frightened manner. To ensure a safe and fun Halloween for your pets, family, and your trick-or-treaters, the Austin Humane Society recommends the following options for Halloween pet safety:
Prior to the arrival of trick-o-treaters:Take Your Dog for a Walk: By doing so, your dog will burn off some extra energy and feel slightly more relaxed before the evening begins.
During and After Halloween events:
Contain the dog and cat inside the house. Crate the dog and put the cat/kitten is a safe place with the door closed: Dogs need to feel secure while also protecting their domain. To ensure a safe evening for your family and trick-or-treaters, consider crating your dog with his favorite blanket and soft chew toys. Place your cat in a separate room, with the door closed. With the front door opening and closing frequently to trick or treaters, a cat and/or small dog can easily run out the front door. Be sure to leave plenty of food, water and toys to keep your dog or cat occupied and re-assure them often by visiting the room.
Backyard: We strongly recommend your dog not be permitted to roam through the backyard as this may disturb or frighten trick-o-treaters approaching your home. Additionally, the dog may become highly frustrated and anxious as the number of individuals entering your premises and, unfortunately, in rare cases, the dog may suffer injury or harm as they may try to dig under or jump the fence.
Place All Candy Out of Reach: Because chocolate can be fatal to dogs and cats, move all candy out of their reach. Additionally, be sure all candy wrappers and foil are discarded properly as wrappers and foil can result in intestinal blockage or suffocation if your pet consumes it. If you suspect your pet ate any amount of candy or digested wrappers, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Decorations: Because dogs can be overly excitable during the Halloween events, it is highly recommended that all Halloween decorations be removed from any area in which the dog may come in contact. Of particular concern are items which the dog may hit with a wagging tail or candles which may have been lit through the night.
More Halloween Factors to Consider:
1. People in costumes. Even familiar friends and beloved family members can be frightening to a pet when in costume. Or, your pet may mistake a costume for a toy and tug or jump on you or a child.
2. Costumes for pets. Nothing is cuter than a pup or kitty in costume, but be sure the costumes are safe! Tight fitting costumes (with or without elastic) can be a choking hazard. Loose pieces can be chewed off or swallowed, causing an intestinal obstruction that needs expensive surgery to correct.
3. Open doors. Don't open the door if your pet is nearby and can escape. Even the best behaved pet can become confused or agitated with a lot of children coming and going on Halloween. Make sure your pets are wearing collars with ID tags and current rabies tags -- just in case they make a break for it through an open door.
4. Unusual noises. Laughing trick-or-treaters, people screaming when they get scared -- these can make your pet anxious and unsettled. A frightened dog can snarl or snap at strangers or friends.
5. Candles. Keep an eye on lit candles, especially when your pets are around. A curious cat can burn a paw or tail on a lit candle.
6. Mischief makers. Local troublemakers may be out in full force smashing pumpkins, wrapping houses in toilet paper, tossing eggs at cars or even taunting pets.
 Let's me just say right off that I love technology. I paid $350 for a 300 baud modem and sold it 2 years later for $10 (and was lucky to get that). I paid about the same for my first hard drive back in 1988 and it was a whopping 20 megs! This past weekend I got an 8 gig memory stick (thumbdrive) for $14 at Walmart.When it comes to technology the only thing that stays the same is the fact that nothing does. So with that in mind here are some fearless predictions: 8 Common Computer Technologies That Will Be Surprisingly Replaced in 10 Years
From Tech Radar September 30, 2009
A lot has changed over the last 10 years. What computer technology of today will become redundant over the next decade?
1. Keyboard and mouse
The keyboard and mouse you use every day will not exist in 10 years, replaced by highly-detailed touch interfaces -- multi-touch systems that support highly complex gestures, such as circling a group of photos, tossing them around, and clicking to remove smudges.
2. Public Wi-Fi
WiMax networks that run in major cities will negate the need for a local hotspot. And as cities develop smart grids that allow citizens to see their power usage in real-time, electric cars report mileage and traffic info over wireless, and streaming video systems replace telephone networks, a widespread wireless network won't just be an emerging tech idea -- it will be a requirement.
3. Landline phone
In 10 years they won't exist anymore, mostly because smartphones will finally take over. Companies have already switched almost entirely to IP-based telephony.
4. Optical discs
In the future, more ubiquitous fiber networks will make broadband faster. Software video distribution networks will finally negate the need for optical discs.
5. Standard game controllers
Game controllers will morph into something more radical, a combination of the Nintendo Wiimote with accelerometer sensors, video systems that scan your body movements and various hardware add-ons.
6. Desktop PCs
Desktops will still be useful for engineers, developers, and video production artists for some time to come. But for most computer users, the desktop already is dead -- netbook and notebook sales are rising fast. Processors and graphics chipsets in notebooks can now compete with desktop equivalents. And portability is no longer just a market segment; every computer user has realized the benefits.
7. Operating systems
An OS will have to exist to manage memory and core functions. But the bloatware of today will be replaced by an extremely thin OS that may not even have a name.
8. Blogging
One reason blogging has become so popular has to do with the one-way nature of web communications. You post your thoughts, and people read them. In 10 years, the web will become much more interactive, leading to better overall information sharing.
Took the kids fishing the other night--sort of. When you take a 4 year-old and 6 year-old fishing there's a lot of hook baiting, but fishing, not so much.
We used to live by Lake Travis and we would go fishing on a neighbor's dock often, so the kid's know it and love it. We went to the Low Water Crossing Bridge below the Mansfield Dam and I'm not sure wha was going on because it smelled like raw sewage.
Other than that we had a blast!
I ran across this great information in Shape Magazine, I couldn't find a place to bring it up on the air but I thought it was too good not pass along.
Alex
RELATIONSHIPS: 7 Ways To Get Closer
Wanna show how much you care? Try some of these tips to get closer to your guy or girl.
1. Find nonverbal ways to connect with your partner after a fight.
Feelings of fear and shame drain blood from the area of the brain that regulates language, which means no one is making much sense. Bring your sweetie a cold drink (for example) to remind them that things are okay.
2. Do something nice for your significant other's family and friends.
Want a powerful way to bond? Show your guy/gal that you care about the people important to them.
3. Stay in the present.
Obsessing about the past and future could rob you of happiness right now. Are you getting what you want or need right now? Then consider taking things a day or moment at a time.
4. Take 10
Unwind and cozy up. Transition from the pressures of the outside world and compose yourself to be with your mate -- much the way you'd take "a breather" if you had a crazy morning just before a big presentation.
5. Stop saving lovemaking for last
Men's testosterone levels are highest in the morning, and you (both) aren't exhausted from a long day -- so try sex in the morning. You can even set the alarm 15 minutes early to ensure some alone time.
6. Work it out
The stress hormone Cortisol is a big libido killer in women -- and exercise can help to banish it.
7. Don't shrug off contact
"When you've had that kind of day, just letting your partner massage your shoulders or stroke your arm can relax you," says Ann Kearney-Cooke, Ph.D. "It doesn't have to lead to sex -- but you'll find it often does, because touch can comfort, console,
Source: Shape.com
SCHOOL DAZE: Plenty Of Teens Can't Name First President Of United StatesÂ
Kids these days.
Oklahoma high school students were recently surveyed and the results were rather disturbing.
Three-quarters of those surveyed could not name George Washington as the nation's first president.
The questions on the survey were taken directly from the test immigrants have to take in order to become citizens of the United States. While 92 percent of the people who take the citizenship test pass on their first try -- the Oklahoma students did not do as well. Only about three percent of the students surveyed would have passed the citizenship test.
The questions asked included:
  1. What is the supreme law of the land? The Constitution
  2. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? Bill of Rights
  3. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? House, Senate
  4. How many justices are there on the Supreme Court? 9
  5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson
  6. What ocean is on the east coast of the United States? Atlantic
  7. What are the two major political parities in the United States? Republican, Democrat
  8. We elect a U.S. senator for how many years? 6
  9. Who was the first President of the United States? George Washington
 10. Who is in charge of the executive branch? President
Source: News 9
Kim's dad sent me this video and I did some checking and as hard as it is to believe, it seems to be real.It's short, jaw-dropping, and something I would never do.
LOSER ALERTAre you dating a loser? Check out some of the signs you might be ...1. He Hates Whatever You Want To Do, But Doesn't Have Anything Better: He complains about you dragging him out to a party, a store, wherever. But he never plans anything ...2. Your Friends Don't Like Him, And You Don't Like His Friends: If you've banned his buddies from ever stepping foot in your house again, that's a sign. But really, the writing on the wall is when the people you like don't like him.3. He Lies All The Time, But He's Still Not Good At It: You watch him bold-face lie to his friends and family ... you know he does it to you too. 4. He's A Freeloader: Cheapskates are bad, freeloaders are worse. You know he could contribute, but he's selfish and has a twisted sense of entitlement.5. Fashion (Non)Sense: His style is awful and his clothes are dirty and wrinkled. He doesn't take care of himself. Plus, he acts like a child anytime he has to dress up and will avoid it at all costs.6. He Won't Try New Things: We're all creatures of habit, but this guy just isn't up for anything new.7. He Corrects You A Lot: In private, in public -- he doesn't care. He thinks you're wrong, all the time.8. He Doesn't Take Criticism: As much as he likes to dish it out, he can't take it. He thinks he's perfect.9. He Makes Fun Of Successful People: He never likes someone who is doing well 'cause he's jealous, obviously. Whether he's dissing someone on TV or your new business contact, he just thinks no one is as cool as him.10. Mother Dearest: His mother still does his laundry and makes his dinner ... yet, he still rolls his eyes at her and treats her like she's incompetent. Or worse yet, he worships her to the point of hiding behind her.11. His Co-workers Don't Like Him: He can't hold down a job and when he gets fired, no one cares.12. He Points Out Hot Chicks Constantly: He talks to you like you're his guy friend, but you're not. Sure, you can appreciate that there are beautiful women other than you out there. But he should keep his mouth shut about them. Source:TheFrisky.com
I think I want to post this on my refrigerator too, just so I can reminded of it!--Alex
âI am going to share something with you I heard a long time ago. I am doing it from memory, so hopefully I remember it all.
There are no perfect parents because there are no perfect people. My mom made this and other statements to many people over the years and had them posted up on the fridge.
1. I will not focus on anything but the positive characteristics in my children. If I focus on the negative, and expect them to continue to have the traits which I wish they didnâtâ¦I am taking away their hope and my own.
2. I will communicate with my children. Children are directly effected by the circumstances in my life, so communicating both the good and bad will empower them to be able to identify and express their own emotions.
3. I will listen to my children. Even if I disagree with them whole heartedly I will listen to their complete though before voicing my own.
4. I will not tolerate disrespect of my children towards myself or my spouse. If children disrespect us and get away with it, they will carry that into adulthood.
5. I will spend alone time with each of my children individually each and everyday. When there are multiple children in the house, they feel like they share everything and this will ensure they do not feel like they share part of my love instead of all of it.
6. I will make my child perform chores and be involved in everyday family life. When children seclude themselves without a sense of responsibility, they are denying the reality of life.
7. I will always protect my child from any abuse. Emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual abuse are all equally important and will be dealt with without hesitation.
8. I will not argue with my spouse in front of, within sight of, or within hearing distance of my child. If they see your relationship as a model for love, I must ensure they get the best idea of what a marriage is so that they can make good decisions when it comes to picking a mate.
9. I will always, and as often as I can, tell my children I love them.
Offer Sound Reasoning with Lowball Craigslist Offers from Lifehacker.com
Haggling on Craigslist is a fine and worthy pursuit, but you might be short-circuiting your best efforts if you blindly submit lower prices to even the most motivated sellers. Wired magazine drops some mental science on the psychology of bartering.
Research studies have shown that those who hold property would often rather just hold onto it than sell it for what they think it's worth, even if it means keeping an item of absolutely no value to them.
So what does one do to get beyond the emotional attachment a Craigslist seller may have to their outdated but lovingly used MacBook? Tell them in straight-up fact speak why it's not worth as much, but do it politely.
Don't lowball without providing a solid rationale. Negotiate in the most personal medium possible - in person, preferably, but on the phone can work too. And play to their reactions. "A counteroffer should tell your opponent that you respect their view," says Yale University economist Keith Chen.
The suggestion that asking a good number of questions can, in some cases, get the seller into a frame of mind that makes them want to close the deal while they're doing a lot of explaining
I love clouds. Clouds can tell of impending rain, snow or wind. There are summer clouds, winter clouds, happy clouds and scary clouds. I thought you'd like to see these new kind of clouds.
From  http://www.guardian.co.uk/
No new cloud type has been officially classified since 1951 but Gavin Pretor-Pinney who runs the Cloud Appreciation Society believes that there is a new cloud that deserves international recognition. He calls it asperatus, which means rough in Latin, and he is working with the Royal Meteorological Society to have it officially classified by the World Meteorological Organisation in Geneva
Here are the questions we asked on the air:
QUIZ: EMMYS The Emmy Awards are on Sunday, September 21, on ABC.Which show this year has the most nominations: Mad Men, Damages, or 30 Rock?(ANSWER: 30 Rock with 17)
What classic show is the all-time Emmy champ with 37 awards: The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cheers, or Frasier?(ANSWER: Frasier)This is the 6th year an Emmy will be awarded to Best Reality Competition Program. True or false: The Amazing Race has won this category every year? (ANSWER: True)Interviewed on the afternoon when Emmy nominations were announced, one Reality Host nominee joked he celebrated by "drinking since this morning. I'm really hammered now." Was it: Tom Bergeron, Howie Mandel or Jeff Probst?(ANSWER: Tom Bergeron)
NBC (The Office and 30 Rock), Fox (Arrested Development), and CBS (Everybody Loves Raymond) have won recent Emmys for Best Comedy, but ABC has not won in that category since 1988. What series won that year: Barney Miller, Roseanne, or The Wonder Years?(ANSWER: The Wonder Years)
Who is the only actor on Lost nominated for an Emmy this season: Matthew Fox (Jack), Michael Emerson (Ben), or Terry O'Quinn (Locke)?(ANSWER: Michael Emerson)
Here is the whole list:
The Emmy Awards are on Sunday, September 21, on ABC.
1. Sunday is the 60th annual Emmy Awards. True or false: The first year, the Emmy for Most Outstanding Television Personality went to Milton Berle?
(ANSWER: False, he didn't win until the second year.)
2. Which show this year has the most nominations: Mad Men, Damages, or 30 Rock?
(ANSWER: 30 Rock with 17)
3. This year the Emmys are being co-hosted by the five nominees in the new Best Reality Host category: Heidi Klum, Jeff Probst, Tom Bergeron, Howie Mandel, and Ryan Seacrest. Who hosted last year: Jon Stewart, Ellen DeGeneres, or Ryan Seacrest?
(ANSWER: Seacrest)
5. Which late night host is NOT nominated for an Emmy this year in Best Variety Series: Stephen Colbert, David Letterman, Bill Maher, or Conan O'Brien?
(ANSWER: Conan O'Brien, although he is up for a writing Emmy.)
6. What classic show is the all-time Emmy champ with 37 awards: The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cheers, or Frasier?
(ANSWER: Frasier)
8. This is the 6th year an Emmy will be awarded to Best Reality Competition Program. True or false: The Amazing Race has won this category every year?
(ANSWER: True)
10. Interviewed on the afternoon when Emmy nominations were announced, one Reality Host nominee joked he celebrated by "drinking since this morning. I'm really hammered now." Was it: Tom Bergeron, Howie Mandel or Jeff Probst?
(ANSWER: Tom Bergeron)
15. NBC (The Office and 30 Rock), Fox (Arrested Development), and CBS (Everybody Loves Raymond) have won recent Emmys for Best Comedy, but ABC has not won in that category since 1988. What series won that year: Barney Miller, Roseanne, or The Wonder Years?
(ANSWER: The Wonder Years)
17. Who is the only actor on Lost nominated for an Emmy this season: Matthew Fox (Jack), Michael Emerson (Ben), or Terry O'Quinn (Locke)?
(ANSWER: Michael Emerson)
18. Jon Stewart is nominated for an Emmy for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program. Is it for hosting The Daily Show or for hosting the Oscars?
(ANSWER: The Oscars)
20. Who is hosting the pre-Emmy interview show Sunday on ABC: Kelly Ripa, Barbara Walters, or Jimmy Kimmel?
(ANSWER: Jimmy Kimmel)
22. William Shatner won Emmys for playing Denny Crane on both The Practice and Boston Legal. Who is the only other actor to win Emmys for playing the same role on two different shows: Richard Belzer, Kelsey Grammer, or James Spader?
(ANSWER: James Spader -- also for The Practice and Boston Legal)
We did a great job on Wednesday of collecting more than 150,000 pounds of food and supplies over $300,000 in cash for the people suffering the effects of Hurricane Ike. The need, however, continues and unfortunately they will for some time to come.
Here are some other places where we can help out:  Â
 AUSTIN MALLS ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR HURRICANE IKE RELIEF
Barton Creek Square, The Domain and Lakeline Mall Host Food Drives to Benefit
Capital Area Food Bank
WHAT: The community is urged to support Barton Creek Square, The Domain and Lakeline Mall as they host food drives to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.  Non-perishable food items are being collected at each mallâs respective Simon Guest Services. Â
Items that are in most need for Hurricane Ike relief efforts include:
1) bottled water
2) granola bars
3) canned meats (pop-top lids)
4) peanut butter
5) diapers & wipes (adult and baby)
6) personal care items (toothpaste, toothbrush, feminine products, soap, shampoo, conditioner, etcâ¦)
Most needed items:  peanut butter, larger-size diapers and dog foodWHEN: During regular mall hours through Sunday, Sept. 21WHERE: Barton Creek SquareThe Domain  Lakeline Mall
As we sit here wondering where any of the wind or rain was from Hurricane Ike, the answer continues to make world headlines. People really need our help--perhaps like never before.Majic has teamed up with the Capital Area Food Bank and we have a huge Hurricane Relief Drive tomorrow (Wednesday 9-17) at the HEB in the Tech Ridge Shopping Center 6am to 7pm. Here is a way you can help right now through the Food Bank. This is all from their website: Â
As of 3:00 PM Sept. 15 Donations depleted. Urgent call for more donations. As of 2:00 p.m. the Food Bank is unable to fulfill emergency boxes onsite.
Donate Emergency Items               Â
Items requested:
               1) bottled water
               2) granola bars
               3) canned meats (pop-top lids)
               4) peanut butter
               5) diapers & wipes (adult and baby)
               6) personal care items (toothpaste, toothbrush, feminine products, soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)
Most needed items: Peanut Butter, Larger-size Diapers & Dog Food (many evacuees have dogs).Every $5 donated provides $20 worth of nutritious food.Donate online and specify the donation go to Hurricane Ike relief.Â
Donate at the Food Bank through Friday, September 19 and at the H-E-B at Parmer Food Drive on Wednesday, September 17. A drop box is available at the Food Bank for after hours donations. Â
Volunteer
Adult volunteers are needed to help with:
evacuee intake
traffic control
collecting food and financial donations
distributing 25 lb. food boxes to evacuees
Shift times:
Tuesday, September 15Â through Friday, September 18
Capital Area Food Bank
8201 South Congress Avenue (between William Cannon & Slaughter Lane).
Today through Friday, September 19
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
H-E-B on Parmer, Wednesday, September 17
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
This came from Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. If you know someone in the path of Ike you might want to pass it along. Preparing for Hurricane Ike
LISTEN to local emergency officials, and follow their instructions. Listen to local TV and radio.
HAVE A PLAN of action for any emergency. If you must relocate, have a predetermined destination, route and alternate route -- whether out of the area or to the nearest shelter.
SHELTER
If you take shelter in your own home, find an interior room nearest the center of the home with no windows. Bathrooms are usually safest because the plumbing strengthens the walls. Use plywood and hurricane clips (plylocks) to safeguard your home from high winds.
Put your yard furniture and anything else that could turn into a missile into your garage or storage. Tie things down if needed.
Find out where the nearest shelter is before you need to go there. If you feel unsafe in your home, go to the shelter early.
DO NOT drive and DO NOT go outside if you can avoid it.
Make sure you have your pets secured indoors.
LIGHT
If you haven't purchased a good LED flashlight, do it. They are more than ten times more efficient than a regular flashlight and the bulbs last hundreds of times longer.
WATER
You should have water on hand for at least 3-7 days (one gallon per person per day) with the ability to filter and chemically treat more water after that.
Clean the bathtub with bleach and dishwashing soap thoroughly and rinse well. Then fill with water before a storm or disaster. You can drink the water (preferably still with boiling or chemical treatment) and or use it to wash dishes in a bucket or flush the toilet by pouring it into the tank.
Everyone should have a gallon or two of regular (non scented) household bleach on hand. You can use this to make water safe to drink (16 drops per gallon of water and let sit for 30 minutes) Here's the formula htt p://www.rense.com/general2/watrpur.htm
Water in store bought plastic jugs will last for years if kept in the dark. Water in cans will last for years anywhere.
FOOD
Food that doesn't need cooking is the best and safest bet. You should have non-perishable food on hand for at least two weeks.
Power bars keep a long, long time and are handy in an emergency to keep you going.
If you have pets, don't forget to stock up for them, too.
COMMUNICATIONS
Cell phones and cordless phones are very unreliable in emergencies. Land lines are more robust.
A small battery powered radio will be great company. Newer models are also available that do not need batteries.
To learn more about hurricane preparedness and your community's vulnerability to these disasters, visit the National Hurricane Center.
Evacuation Plans
Due to changes in the track of Hurricane Ike and the expected storm surge of up to 15 ft. in some areas, as of this time, Harris County and City of Houston officials are calling for the evacuation of citizens residing in Zones A & B of the evacuation plan.
A mandatory evacuation has been called for noon today for residents living in zip codes 77586 (Zone A), 77058, 77059, 77062, 77520, 77546, 77571, 77598 (Zone B).
Harris County will begin evacuating citizens with special needs that registered with 2-1- 1 as soon as possible. Those not registered should call 3-1-1 immediately if they need help evacuating.
The routes identified for emergency evacuation by the state are Interstate 10 West to San Antonio, Interstate 45 North to Dallas, Interstate 59 North to Nacogdoches and Highway 290 West to Austin or Waco. The Texas Department of Public Safety will stage contraflow in coordination with local plans when needed. Refueling stations will be placed along the routes.
In order to minimize traffic of highways, emergency officials recommend that major employees allow non-essential personnel to not report to work on Friday. However, service providers such as grocery stores, restaurants and service stations are encouraged to remain open to serve the public.
Those who have registered already with the state's 2-1-1 system can expect to be picked up and transported to one of the transportation staging areas for evacuation.
Any other special needs persons who need help evacuating need to call 3-1-1.
Sadly, the closest thing we have to an actual "Fantasy Dancing With the Stars" is betting on inappropriate behavior backstage -- and the betting has already begun! Oddsmakers at BetUS.com have posted odds on the Dancing With the Stars couple most likely to hook up backstage. The favorite is none other than Lance Bass - who is openly gay - and Kim Kardashian, paying 5 to 1 odds.  Their top 5 pairs Most Likely to hook up backstage
Lance Bass - Kim Kardashian 5/1
Lance Bass - Misty May Treanor 8/1
Toni Braxton - Rocco Dispirito 10/1
Toni Braxton - Jeffrey Ross 10/1
A tie: Lance Bass - Toni Braxton 15/1, and Lance Bass - Brooke Burke 15/1Â
As if that weren't enough, Dancing With the Odds betting odds being offered at BetUS.com include which of the contestants is most likely to be arrested for a DUI after the start of the show. Their top 5 people Most Likely to be arrested for DUI after start of show
Sadly, the closest thing we have to an actual "Fantasy Dancing With the Stars" is betting on inappropriate behavior backstage -- and the betting has already begun! Oddsmakers at BetUS.com have posted odds on the Dancing With the Stars couple most likely to hook up backstage. The favorite is none other than Lance Bass - who is openly gay - and Kim Kardashian, paying 5 to 1 odds.  Their top 5 pairs Most Likely to hook up backstage
Lance Bass - Kim Kardashian 5/1
Lance Bass - Misty May Treanor 8/1
Toni Braxton - Rocco Dispirito 10/1
Toni Braxton - Jeffrey Ross 10/1
A tie: Lance Bass - Toni Braxton 15/1, and Lance Bass - Brooke Burke 15/1Â
As if that weren't enough, Dancing With the Odds betting odds being offered at BetUS.com include which of the contestants is most likely to be arrested for a DUI after the start of the show. Their top 5 people Most Likely to be arrested for DUI after start of show
I thought I heard something about a new Round Rock Wine restaurant but I can't remember where or what information there was. There is something going on this weekend but I have not information. Do you know anything about this?
Thanks,
Rosario
My response was:
Maria,We talked about âCRUâ a wine bar in the Domain (Kim loves it).I donât know the one you were talking about but there is this one also :Â
The Storseisundet Bridge, or its real name Storseisundbrua, is a cantilever bridge which means that itâs built using structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end. That method resulted this time in a bridge that literally looks drunk, you get dizzy just by looking at it. The 280 yards long Storseisundbrua is located south of Kristiansund in Norway and is the the longest of the eight bridges that make up the âAtlantic Roadâ.
The Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, this top-of-the-line SUV is the most luxurious Range Rover ever. Land Rover has outfitted the SUV with a veritable first-class cabin that includes four individual buckets, separated front and back by middle console with aluminum tray tables and a drinks cooler in the back. The rear-seat passengers also get the use of a pair of Apple iPads docked into the front seatbacks, and the cargo area gets a yacht-inspired teak deck.
Oh, by the way, it's $170,000!
From Foxsports
A Scottish deerhound that loves to chase wild animals wound up catching her biggest prize yet.
A 5-year-old named Hickory pulled a huge surprise Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club, winning best in show and the title of America's top dog. She became the first of her breed to capture the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.
"I think Hickory could feel my lead that I was excited and went with it," handler Angela Lloyd said.
Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy thanked everyone at Madison Square Garden, then picked Hickory from a best-of-seven final show ring that truly sounded international - there was a Pekingese, Portuguese water dog, Chinese shar-pei, smooth fox terrier, bearded collie and black cocker spaniel.
A couple of those pooches on the green carpet ring with Hickory were among the country's top-rated show dogs. The 85-pound Hickory wasn't on that list, though she wagged her long tail the most at the end after beating out a total of nearly 2,600 entries.
Frozen hippos sent in by Kimberly Jolly
Â
Wednesday Feb 2nd 2011 3PM
and frommy iPhone . . .
Beauty pageants evoke images of flawless women in amazing shape, perfectly made up and coiffed, right?
Yet one beauty queen vying for the Miss America title in Las Vegas this week has barely any hair on her head.
Kayla Martell, Miss Delaware, has been bald for half of her 22 years â she has alopecia areata, a rare condition that results in unexplained hair loss. But thatâs not stopping her from competing for her lifelong dream.
âBy the time I was 13, my hair was out completely,â she explained. âThe thought of getting a wig never crossed my mind at all. My mother first brought up the suggestion and brought home this awful brown wig. I donât know why, because Iâm naturally blonde and everyone in my family is blonde.
âI wore it to school, but took it off in the middle of the day, put it in my backpack and never looked back.â
From Treehugger.com
Photo by Andy Heatwole
The raw materials: rotisserie chicken (I used jalapeno honey)(I handpicked the chicken off the bone), bay leaves, carrots, celery, low sodium chicken stock (3) , sodium free chicken bouillon, rice, 1 medium chopped sweet Texas onion and a tub of Ana's Mild Salsa--oh yeah, and a crock pot!
Chop it up and throw it in.
Ana's Mild Salsa (not the one pepper on the lid)
I start the Crock pot out on high for 2 hours, them medium heat for another 4 hours
Trying to keep it low sodium
Half the cilantro goes in the beginning, the other half goes in with the sweet chopped onion at approx 30 minutes before serving
Just any ole rice thrown in (uncooked) and it cooks along with the soup. 1 cup of rice makes it a soup, a cup and a half to 2 makes it a hearty meal!
You can also add in some sausage at any stage of the cooking process. This was one of the best meals I've had in a while!
Franke and Ava at the Lakeway Lights
Ava is a Rockettes Fan (Chico just likes getting his picture taken)
Via InOverYourHead and Alltop.com
Go retro-geek with Polaroid's Classic Instant camera ($89.99) that delivers print photos on the spot. Choose from red, blue, or black.
Cell phones can collect more bacteria than a toilet seat, studies show. An ultraviolet sanitizing dock will zap those germs into the ether and preserve your health through the holiday season. Available from Brookstone for $49.95. [viaAOL]
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
My son Franke (7 yrs old) really high in a tree at Bee Caves Park
Me on a big ole rock.
Some pricey wine I saw last night at Twin Liquors $1998.00
From Wall Street 24/7
  
From BabyCenter.com
Sophia knocked Isabella off her throne this year and elbowed her into the number 2 position. Aiden, meanwhile, rules the boys' list for the sixth year in a row.
New to the top 10 are Abigail, who floated up from the 11th-place spot she held last year, and Liam, who bounded up the ranks from his former spot 23.
Things not to feed to your pets:
Click on picture for larger view
From Gizmodo
Rockefeller Center switched on its towering holiday gift to New York: a 74-foot spruce draped with 30,000 lights and 5 miles of wire. But New York's tree is not actually the biggest or the brightest on the block.
If you're looking for the tallest tree in America, visit Phoenix. Looking for the heaviest? Hitch a ride on over to San Francisco. Well surely, the brightest tree must be in the Big Apple, right? Nuh uh: Salt Lake City. In fact, despite its undeniably awesomeness, the only superlative that New York's Norway Spruce can rightfully own is that it uses the most electricity. Click on the image above for a supersized, super-in-depth view of the Nation's most favored pines.
Drew Brees, who led the New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl title last February â in many ways the culmination of his five-year quest to help revive the city after Hurricane Katrina â has been named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year for 2010.
Brees, 31, came to New Orleans in 2006, the year after the hurricane, and immediately felt a kinship. The city was in ruins â much like his own career, as he nursed a wrecked shoulder. But the team believed in him, and helped him orchestrate a parallel story of rebirth for himself and the city.
"It's an unbelievable honor, for everything that it stands for," Brees said of the Sports Illustrated award Tuesday morning on NBC's Today show.
In 1996, Westlake won its first, and only state championship. They beat an Abilene Cooper team by a score of 55-15 for the 5A Division II state championship. Cooper was led by future NFL runningback Dominic Rhodes. The Chaps were led by future Purdue standout and eventual Super Bowl-winning quarterback and MVP for the New Orleans Saints Drew Brees. The game was played at Texas Stadium in Dallas. That 16-0 season was Westlake's only undefeated season. Drew Brees was backed by a powerhouse of senior talent.
Albert Einstein has long been considered a genius by the masses. He was a theoretical physicist, philosopher, author, and is perhaps the most influential scientists to ever live.
Einstein has made great contributions to the scientific world, including the theory of relativity, the founding of relativistic cosmology, the prediction of the deflection of light by gravity, the quantum theory of atomic motion in solids, the zero-point energy concept, and the quantum theory of a monatomic gas which predicted BoseâEinstein condensation, to name a few of his scientific contributions.
Einstein received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics âfor his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.â
Heâs published more than 300 scientific works and over 150 non-scientific works. Einstein is considered the father of modern physics and is probably the most successful scientist there ever was.
10 Amazing Lessons from Albert Einstein:
From Lifehacker.com
Cyber Monday, for the unfamiliar, is the Monday after Black Friday and a day where online retailers offer steep discountsâessentially their version of Black Friday.
BBB Provides Shopping Advice for Black Friday
Plan Ahead to Avoid Issues This Holiday Season
Austin, TX â BBB receives hundreds of complaints every year from consumers who allege a variety of issues with retailers on Black Friday. Common disputes involve the advertised price of items, the availability of those items or failing to receive items after ordering in-store. According to the National Retail Federation, 138 million shoppers will descend on retail stores again this Friday morning, making it the busiest retail shopping day of the year.Â
Last year, $10.6 billion was spent on Black Friday according to reports by ShopperTrak. BBB offers consumers the following tips to help save time, stress and money on this busy shopping holiday:
· Start planning now. Many retail stores are already promoting Black Friday deals in ads and on their website. Take time to print out or clip ads for items you are interested in buying to help outline your shopping day in advance.
· Create a realistic budget. Know who you are buying gifts for and how much you are willing to spend before hitting the stores. As you buy gifts, keep track of the cost and to avoid impulse purchases and over-spending.
· Watch out for tricky advertising. Read the fine print on all advertised sales to make sure you are truly saving money. Watch for discrepancies in advertised prices and the prices on the shelf. Verify the real price before checking out.
· Never leave your purse or wallet unattended. Each store will be crowded and it can only take a few seconds for these items to disappear and for your accounts to be fraudulently charged.
· Read the details on gift cards. These can be found on the back of the card and will let you know the terms and conditions for using the card. There could be limitations to in-store purchases or exclusions on certain items.
· Ask about return policies. Understand the terms and conditions for each storeâs return or exchange policy. Some clothing items may not be returnable and certain electronics carry restocking fees.
· Pay with a credit card. These carry more protections than a debit card if a purchase becomes in question. Make sure to keep all receipts for return and/or dispute purposes.
· Think twice about store credit cards. Many retailers will offer discounts for signing up for their credit card, but these can sometimes carry high interest rates or annual fees. If you do not plan on shopping at a particular store very often or think you may forget to pay the balance, the credit card may not be financially beneficial for you.
To check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit BBB.
Stinky the Garbage Truck
Imaginext Bigfoot the Monster
Sing-A-Ma-Jigs
The Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Wednesday: Tips for Skywatching
This is the week that the famous Leonid meteor shower will be reaching its peak, and the best viewing of these ultra-swift "shooting stars" should come before dawn on Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 17 and 18).
There is always some uncertainty in the number of meteors the Leonid shower will produce, but the best consensus from most meteor experts indicates that this year viewers should expect to see approximately15 to 20 meteors per hour if they have clear skies.
Prime-time Leonid viewing this year will be around two to three hours before sunrise.
If you have a lawn chair that reclines, use it during your search for Leonid meteors since it will help keep your neck from getting stiff as well as make it easier to look at the night sky.
You don't need binoculars or a telescope for watching a meteor shower. In fact, using one makes it far less likely for you to see any meteors at all.
On the other hand, the Leonids are known for occasionally producing outstandingly bright meteors known as fireballs â brilliant meteors that explode in a fiery flash called bolides. Either of these kinds of meteors is capable of leaving an incandescent streak or trail behind it that can linger for many seconds, or even minutes. If you have binoculars, you can use them to get a close-up view of a luminous trail and watch as high altitude winds bend and distort it as it gradually fades from view.
How attractive are the people in your city? Travel & Leisure magazine has released its best of 2010 edition, and thrown into the mix is its ranking of the cities with the most and least attractive people.
According to readers, the city with the most attractive people is Charleston, South Carolina. The city with the least attractive people is Memphis, Tennessee. Here's how the rest of the lists shape up.
Most Attractive
The Allure of the Sea, Royal Caribbean's $1.5 billion dollar "superliner," took off for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, making it under Denmark's Store Belt Bridge with 1.5 inches to spare. Not bad for a ship that's almost 3,000 feet high.
Everybody has a certain point of view when it comes to horror movies. Some like slasher pics, others like psychological thrillers. And, still others, love the classics.
According to the users of IMDB.com [Internet Movie Data Base] here are the top rated horror movies of all time:
1. Psycho (1960)
2. Alien (1979)
3. The Shining (1980)
4. Diabolique (1955)
5. The Thing (1982)
6. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
7. The Exorcist (1973)
8. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
9. Frankenstein (1931)
10. Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922)
11. Faust (1926)
12. Werckmeister Harmonies (2000)
13. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
14. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
15. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
16. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
17. Ghost Stories (1964)
18. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
19. Onibaba (1964)
20. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Willem Defoe
Paul Giamatti
Don Knotts
Michael Moore
Clint Howard
Steve Buscemi
Surprising!
Â
 
Wondering if organic produce is really worth the extra cost? The short
answer: it depends, because fruits and veggies contain differing amounts of
pesticides. Hereâs what you should buy organic because they are normally
loaded with pesticides: celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries,
nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, cherries, collard greens, potatoes,
and grapes.
Source: Womanâs Day, 10/1/10
Rachel Bilson VS Mandy Moore VS Selena Gomez
Helen Hunt vs Leelee Sobieski
 
Bradley Cooper vs Ralph Fiennes
Eric Dane vs Leonardo Dicaprio
Roselyn Sanchez vs Nicole Scherzinger
Ewan McGregor vs Kenneth Branagh
 If you like these check out the whole site at http://www.inmirror.com/separated-at-birth
I said I noticed how different my kid's hi-tech lunch boxes were compared to the old brown paper sacks I used to carry and it got me thinking of some things todayâs kids will never experience:
camera film
landline phones
music videos on MTV
being lost (thanks to GPS)
tan M&Ms (which disappeared in 1995)
Terri mentioned VHS and cassette tapes
Callers added:
Typewriters
No caller ID
Paper Dictionaries
When a âgeekâ and a ânerdâ were one and the same
Having to manually unlock a car door.
Writing a check.
Looking out the window during a long drive.
Finding books in a card catalog at the library.
Swimming pools with diving boards.
Hershey bars in silver wrappers.
Waiting for the television-network premiere to watch a movie after its run at the theater.
Relying on the 5-minute sport segment on the nightly news for baseball highlights.
Neat handwriting.
Annual Sales Tax Holiday Runs August 20th â 22nd
Austin, TX - The 12th annual Sales Tax Holiday, or Tax-Free Weekend, begins this Friday, August 20th and runs until Sunday, August 22nd. Consumers can expect to save approximately $8 for every $100 they spend on most clothing, footwear and school supplies priced under $100. A full list of items that qualify can be found on the Texas Comptrollerâs website here.
According to Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, shoppers are expected to save $59 million this weekend on tax-exempt items. Many stores will offer extended hours or additional back to school sales to help consumers take advantage of this once-a-year tax-free event. BBB advises consumers to plan ahead, stick to a budget and pay close attention to advertisements to make the most of this weekendâs deals.
Safe Shopping Tips:
1. Take inventory. Before hitting the stores, take inventory of items you already have. There may be leftover supplies from the previous school year that can be used. Look around the house for reusable items such as backpacks, lunchboxes, calculators and rulers.
2. Set a budget. Decide how much you are willing to spend per person a few days in advance. Include children in the process of creating the budget to teach them responsible money management.
3. âBack to School Saleâ doesnât mean tax-free. Retail stores may advertise back to school sales because they know consumers are buying items for the upcoming school year. Those discounts will still have taxes applied to them unless the item appears on the State Comptrollerâs tax-free list.
4. Shop with a list. After taking inventory, create a shopping list and stick to it. This will help you stick to your budget, avoid costly impulse purchases and ensure nothing is forgotten.
5. Know what your childâs school allows. Schools will often provide parents with a list of required items for the school year which can help determine what needs to be purchased. These lists are also available at many retail stores and on school websites. Additionally, many schools have specific dress codes, so keep these restrictions in mind before spending money on clothes that may not be allowed.
6. Check for refund and exchange policies. Some stores will give extra incentives and discounts to bring in customers. Be sure those additional savings can be exchanged or refunded if there is a problem with any item purchased. Keep in mind some items may be non-refundable or have restocking fees associated with a return.
Melissa from the Majic Sales Department provided me with a little impromptu taste test this morning. Everyone around the station knows how much I like salsa, from years of sampling the finalists from the Hot Sauce Festival.
I've been in the studio and have had hot sauce so firey it made me cry. One year as I'm describing the flavor of one entry on the air it waas so spicey I lost my voice.
When it comes to the brand I eat at home I want FRESH, NATURAL and delicious.
Ana's had everything I love!
I had a tough decision between the mild and the hot--I loved them both! Ana's is made right here in Austin and is available at HEB and other great stores.
www.anasfoods.com
CRIME WATCH: Most-Stolen Cars
The Highway Loss Data Institute has compiled its list of the Top 10 cars most-likely to be stolen. Topping the list is the Cadillac Escalade.
Here's the complete list:
1. Cadillac Escalade
2. Chevrolet Silverado
3. Dodge Charger
4. Chevrolet Avalanche
5. Infiniti G37 coupe
6. GMC Sierra Crew Cab
7. Nissan Maxima
8. Hummer H2
9. GMC Yukon XL
10. Chevrolet Tahoe
The cars least-likely to be stolen are the Volvo S-80, Saturn Vue and Nissan Murano.
The Worst Things You Can Say To a Bride and Groom
Well wishes and congratulations? Yes, these are always appropriate at a wedding. These doozies? No, no and no. Just don't do it. Most of the time it's okay to speak up â but in some cases, it's better to hold your peace. Be a model wedding guest by avoiding these conversational land mines.
1. "So baby comes next, right?"
We know, we know â first comes love, then comes marriage. But you know what? Next comes whatever the bride and groom want, which may be buying a home, working toward a big promotion, or something else entirely. Everyone's got their own schedule and life goals, which may or may not include the pitter-patter of little feet. â
2. "I can't believe you're settling down! I remember when ... "
Just because you remember the bride when she was a total wild child or can provide the story behind the groom's fraternity nickname doesn't mean you should. it's not the best time to air out their dirty laundry.
3. "Can you help me with ... ?"
When you're at a wedding, it's pretty easy to look to the bride and groom as the ones who are in charge and running the show â after all, it's their big day. For the same reason though, they're going to be pretty busy (and by "pretty busy," we mean "really busy
4. "Why wasn't so-and-so invited?"
Word to the wise: If you notice that someone you thought would be at the wedding isn't there, there's usually a reason. he wedding day is definitely not the time to bring it up.
5. "Wow, when you think about how many couples divorce ... "
Today of all days, the D-word is off limits. No matter what you might think about statistics, or the bride's or groom's past or family life, or your own experiences, just don't go there
6. "Tonight's going to be a big night for you, huh?"
Please, no speculation about the bride and groom's after-hours activities. If you want to talk about what a big night it is, focus on what's already happening â the fabulous food, the killer band, the great time all the guests are having. Lose the innuendo and congratulate the bride and groom on pulling off an amazing wedding.
Where's George when you need him?
And with the hot weather my mind is on the beach . . .
THINGS YOU'LL NEVER HEAR A DAD SAY
Here are the top things you'll never hear a dad say:
10. "Well, how 'bout that? I'm lost! Looks like we'll have to stop and ask for directions."
9. "You know Pumpkin, now that you're 13, you'll be ready to start dating boys who drive. Won't that be fun?"
8. "I noticed that all your friends have a certain hostile attitude. I like that."
7. "Here's a credit card and the keys to my new car. GO CRAZY!!"
5. "Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend. You might want to consider throwing a party."
4. "Well, I don't know what's wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies -- ya know -- that makes it run or something. Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks."
2."What do you wanna go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend."
1. "What do I want for Father's Day? Aahh -- don't worry about that. It's no big deal." (OK, they might say it. But they don't mean it.)
TRAITS OF A GREAT FATHER
Happy Father's Day Weekend!
According to AskMen.com, here are some traits of a good father:
He's a good disciplinarian
He allows his kids to make some mistakes
He's open-minded
He teaches his children to appreciate things
He accepts that his kids aren't exactly like him
He spends quality time with his children
He leads by example
He's supportive and loyal
He challenges his kids
He teaches his children lessons
He protects his family at all costs
He shows unconditional love
FATHER'S DAY: Have A BBQ For Dad
According to HitchedMag.com, here are some ways to make this Father's Day barbecue a celebration for Dad that he will never forget:
Take control of the grill, but ask Dad's input -- Your kids can research easy recipes and contribute to the barbecue by making Dad's favorite foods, with your supervision.
Prepare a speech -- If you want to do something extra special for Dad this year, prepare a toast for the occasion. Allow the kids to make their own toast, mentioning a special experience or memory.
Drinks on the house -- Offer plenty of cold beverages, but don't feel pressured to set up an entire bar. Serve your husband's favorite beer and a few other offerings such as soda or lemonade. Let guests know they can help themselves.
Buy Dad the perfect gift -- Staying with the barbecue theme, find an inexpensive apron that the kids can decorate themselves. The gift doesn't have to be expensive, just thoughtful.
Add a little spice to the day -- Have friends and family bring their own bottle of homemade barbecue sauce for everyone to sample and let Dad be the official judge.
FATHER'S DAY: Do's & Don'ts of Father's Day Gifts
Father's Day is this Sunday. Time to show dad the love. Time to reward dad for all the hard work he's put in, day after day, year after year, without one shred of complaint. Here are tips for Father's Day shopping this year...
Don't Give:
A Necktie -- Stay away from clothing gifts that can be worn to work or even during the week.
An indoor grill -- Dad likes fat and dad doesn't like cooking his meat indoors. This might very well be the worst gift you could give a man.
Flowers -- If you can't store it in a box, dad won't know what to do with it.
Jewelry -- Giving your dad a pinky ring will make him think he totally screwed up raising you.
Do Give:
A Hawaiian Shirt -- Shirts that you don't have to tuck in make dad happy.
An Outdoor Grill -- Dad will love you forever.
A Swiss Army Knife -- If he's not doing this already, dad will eventually be picking at his cuticles for entertainment. He's going to need a quality tool for this purpose.
A Box of Omaha Steaks -- Mmmmmmmmm. Meat.
Googler catching some rest. When Richard walked past the pod later, he said a pair of female legs were sticking out from the pod.
This contraption is a MetroNap EnergyPod. Metronap says it "harnesses science and NASA technology" to deliver a refreshing nap for users.
On its site, Metronap says, "Occupants are reclined into the optimal napping position to promote blood circulation and reduce pressure on the lower back and ambient sounds help nappers drift into light sleep."
Fashion-conscious men get a lift as the man-heel makes its entrance From the Times Online
"Hot in Cleveland" (June 16, at 9 p.m. on TV Land)
Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick star as a trio of friends from Los Angeles who unexpectedly find themselves stuck in Cleveland and really popular, so they decide to stay. Betty White co-stars as the caretaker of the house they rent.
Video: A first look at 'Hot in Cleveland'
"Last Comic Standing" (June 14, at 8 p.m. on NBC)
Craig Robinson of "The Office" and "Hot Tub Time Machine" takes over hosting duties for the comedy search's seventh season, while Andy Kindler, Greg Giraldo and Natasha Leggero will serve as judges.
"You Don't Know Jack" (June 28, at 8 p.m. on HBO)
Barry Levinson ("Rain Man") directs this biopic of Jack Kevorkian, aka Dr. Death, who is portrayed in this made-for-HBO film by Al Pacino.
"Man v. Food" (June 16, at 8 p.m. on Travel) and "Top Chef" (June 16, at 9 p.m. on Bravo)
Two of cable's best food shows will go head-to-head as they premiere new seasons (thank God for DVRs). Adam Richman, the man of "Man v. Food" (pictured), will travel the country to take on... more more of the nation's biggest food challenges, while the latest season of "Top Chef" heads to Washington, D.C., where guests this season will include astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough.
"Mad Men" (July 25, at 9 p.m. on AMC)
Don Draper's personal and professional lives came to a simultaneous boil in the Season 3 finale, as he prepared for a divorce from Betty and also exited Sterling Cooper to start a new firm. Though the timeline for where Season 4 begins has... more not been revealed, Jon Hamm confirmed it won't begin the very next day. "Time moves on," he told Collider.com about the new season. "You can't go back in time. Everything has a consequence, and the last episode of the last season is no exception."
Burn Notice" and "Royal Pains" (June 3, at 7 p.m. on USA)
Two cable faves return with back-to-back premieres, and both offer up a nice roster of guest stars. Burt Reynolds will head to "Burn Notice" as a fellow burned spy. He'll serve as a sort of cautionary tale for Michael... more Westen. "He's not precisely like Michael," creator Matt Nix told EW. "He's Michael should Michael succumb to some of the demons that haunt ex-spies." Meanwhile, Mary Lynn Rajskub of "24," Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden and Henry Winkler will appear on "Royal Pains" (pictured), with Winkler playing pops to Hank and Evan.
Video: See full episodes of 'Royal Pains'
"True Blood" (June 13, at 8 p.m. on HBO)
The wait is over! Though the first few episodes of Season 3 will reveal who kidnapped Bill and who was behind it, mum's the word from us.
Bachelor Pad" (Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. on ABC)
It's sort of "Big Brother" meets "The Bachelor" all-stars, as 20 former contestants (including some now-single former winners) from the ABC dating series move into a house where they'll compete in a series of challenges inspired by ... moresome of the show's more dramatic events. Chris Harrison, host of "The Bachelor," will host this as well.
'The Gates'
Sun., June 20 at 10PM ET on ABC
A new family, the dad is the police chief, stir up trouble in the private gated community where 'Twilight' supernatural drama meets hijinks and mysteries a la 'Desperate Housewives.'
'Rookie Blue'
Thurs., June 24 at 8PM on ABC
Missy Peregrym and Gregory Smith star in this drama about young, sexy rookie cops right out of police academy. Look for this series to follow on the job drama as well as off-duty happenings, but the focus is on the badge.
'Losing It with Jillian'
Tues., June 1 at 9PM on NBC
'Biggest Loser' trainer Jillian Michaels traveled the country to whip eight families into shape.
The UK's Daily Telegraph published a "Marital Rating Scale" used by American marriage counselors in 1939 to grade the performance of wives.
The scale awards wives points (or "merits") for positive traits and deducts points ("demerits") for negative traits.
Here Are Some Of The Merits:
* A good hostess -- even to unexpected guests
* Has meals on time
* Can play a musical instrument
* Dresses for breakfast
* Neat housekeeper
* Personally puts children to bed
* Never goes to bed angry, always makes up first
* Asks husband's opinion regarding important decisions and purchases
* Good sense of humor
* Religious
* Lets husband sleep late on Sunday and holidays
Here Are Some Of The Demerits:
* Slow in coming to bed -- delays until husband is almost asleep
* Doesn't like children
* Fails to sew on buttons or darn socks regularly
* Wears ragged dresses and aprons around the house
* Wears red nail polish
* Often late for appointments
* Seams in hose often crooked
* Goes to bed with curlers in her hair or too much face cream
* Is a backseat driver
* Flirts with other men at parties or in restaurants
* Is suspicious and jealous
Spend the day boating on Lake Travis with friends and family.
Volente Beach Water Park on Lake Travis opened 7 days a week starting May 29, 2010 (Hours of operation: 10am â 8pm)
Barenaked Ladies playing at Bass Concert Hall on May 31, 2010
WWE â World Wrestling Entertainment at Erwin Center on May 31, 2010
Kerrville Folk Festival (May 27, 2010-June 13, 2010)
Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival (May 28 & 29)
Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels, TX (Starting this weekend, hours of operation extended to 10am to 8pm.)
Head to New Braunfels and float the Guadalupe and Comal rivers
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Country music fans have come to expect a little eccentricity from legendary crooner Willie Nelson, but he pulled off a real shocker this time: He cut his hair.
"Oh Noooooo!," wrote one fan who saw a picture of Nelson's new do on the website of Nashville television and radio personality Jimmy Carter.
Nelson's waist-deep, reddish pigtails have long been one of the singer-songwriter's signature features. But spokeswoman Elaine Schock said Nelson, who's been hanging loose in Hawaii, got his hair cut in the past couple of weeks.
Schock said the Texas-born performer didn't make a big fuss about the makeover and thought he might have grown tired of dealing with long locks. She said, "there's a lot of maintenance."
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Erma Louise Bombeck (February 21, 1927 â April 22, 1996), was born Erma Fiste. She's the beloved American humorist whose newspaper column, At Wit's End grew to such popularity that it became nationally syndicated in 1965.
As a woman and mother, you'll probably find good humor in her quotes. So enjoy these Erma Bombeck quotes!
ã
All of us have moments in our lives that test our courage. Taking children into a house with white carpet is one of them.
-- Erma Bombeck
Everyone is guilty at one time or another of throwing out questions that beg to be ignored, but mothers seem to have a market on the supply. "Do you want a spanking or do you want to go to bed?" Don't you want to save some of the pizza for your brother?" Wasn't there any change?"
-- Erma Bombeck
Have you any idea how many children it takes to turn off one light in the kitchen? Three. It takes one to say, "What light?" and two more to say, "I didn't turn it on."
-- Erma Bombeck
I remember buying a set of black plastic dishes once, after I saw an ad on television where they actually put a blowtorch to them and they emerged unscathed. Exactly one week after I bought them, one of the kids brought a dinner plate to me with a large crack in it. When I asked what happened to it, he said it hit a tree. I don't want to talk about it.
-- Erma Bombeck
Kids have little computer bodies with disks that store information. They remember who had to do the dishes the last time you had spaghetti, who lost the knob off the Tv set six years ago, who got punished for teasing the dog when he wasn't teasing the dog and who had to wear girls boots the last time it snowed.
-- Erma Bombeck
Most women put off entertaining until the kids are grown.
-- Erma Bombeck
Mothers have to remember what food each child likes or dislikes, which one is allergic to penicillin and hamster fur, who gets carsick and who isn't kidding when he stands outside the bathroom door and tells you what's going to happen if he doesn't get in right away. It's tough. If they all have the same hair color they tend to run together.
-- Erma Bombeck
My kids always perceived the bathroom as a place where you wait it out until all the groceries are unloaded from the car.
-- Erma Bombeck
My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch on fire or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one cares. Why should you?
-- Erma Bombeck
No one ever died from sleeping in an unmade bed. I have known mothers who remake the bed after their children do it because there's a wrinkle in the spread or the blanket is on crooked. This is sick.
-- Erma Bombeck
The age of your children is a key factor in how quickly you a re served in a restaurant. We once had a waiter in who said, "Could I get you your check?" and we answered, "How about the menu first?"
-- Erma Bombeck
When mothers talk about the depression of the empty nest, they're not mourning the passing of all those wet towels on the floor, or the music that numbs your teeth, or even the bottle of capless shampoo dribbling down the shower drain. They're upset because they've gone from supervisor of a child's life to a spectator. It's like being the vice president of the United States.
-- Erma Bombeck
When your mother asks, "Do you want a piece of advice?" it's a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway.
-- Erma Bombeck
Who, in their infinite wisdom, decreed that Little League uniforms be white? Certainly not a mother.
-- Erma Bombeck
From the Associated Press
BARNSTEAD, N.H. â A diminutive horse born in New Hampshire could lay claim to the world record for lightweight foal. The pinto stallion named Einstein weighed just 6 pounds and measured 14 inches tall when he was born Friday in Barnstead, N.H. Those proportions fit a human baby just about right but are downright tiny for horse, even a miniature breed like Einstein.
Dr. Rachel Wagner, Einstein's co-owner, says the Guinness Book of Records lists the smallest newborn horse as weighing in at 9 pounds.
Breeders say that unlike the current record holder, Thumbelina, Einstein shows no signs of dwarfism. He's just a tiny horse.
Someone sent me a copy of this pooch saying that it was from the Russian Secret Service. I went to my favorite rumour, scam, urban legend debunking site SNOPES and got the real answer.
Wendy, the bully whippet in this photograph, lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and is remarkable even for a bully whippet in that she has two mutated copies of the gene and is therefore a "double-muscled" bully whippet who weighs twice as much as a standard whippet. She was the subject of a number of news features in mid-2007, including articles in the New York Times, the UK's Daily Mail, and the Victoria Times Colonist, the latter of which described her thusly:
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It felt good at 1.5 pounds, light enough to hold for a while and yet enough heft that it didn't feel like a toy or cheaply made.
Man, it was pretty. . . and pretty fast.
I'm not as stealthy as I thought I was shooting from the hip.
From the site lone-star.net where there is an even bigger, more comprehensive list.
City: Austin
Crossroads: FM 3347 SW of RR 962W. Also RR 962W and 71 east to US 281
Comments: We drove around Texas Hill Country south of Highland Lakes all day Sunday March 28 and saw few BBs except on FM 3347 southwest of RR 962W and east of intersection RR 962W and 71 to US 281. The BB on FM 3347 are in full bloom and the drive down to Walnut Creek is lovely. 3/30/2010
Crossroads: 1431 from Lago Vista west to Marble Falls
Flower Types: bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, and others
Comments: The drive from Lago Vista to Marble Falls is nice anytime of the year, but made even better each spring when the wildflowers are in bloom, and they are in bloom now. 3/29/2010
City: Round Rock
Crossroads: 29 & 281, 16, 71
Flower Types: bluebonnet, paintbrush, goldeneye phlox
Comments: billions now & billions more to come On both sides of hwy 29 from Bertram to Llano Hwy 29 from Georgetown, out past Llano, then right on Hwy 71 at the "Y". Next, wander up past Pontotoc (neat old buildings there), and stop at the Union Band Cemetery, just before Fredonia, where you bank left on RR 356, coincidentally called bluebonnet Rd. 3/29/2010
 City: Burnet
Crossroads: Highway 29, west of Burnet to Lake Buchanon
Flower Types: bluebonnets
Comments: Highway 29 West of Burnet (towards Inks Lake) has absolutely stunning bluebonnets. Just beautiful. Only a couple spots to safely pull over though. Highway 281 between Burnet and Lampasas has absolutely nothing (was reported by Texas Highways April issue - as a great wildflower route - it has all been mowed down) 3/28/2010
Crossroads: IH35 South of Ben White Blvd/Hwy 71
Flower Types: bluebonnets/indian paintbrush
Comments: more and more popping up everyday! 3/27/2010
City: Burnett
Crossroads: 29 & 2341
Flower Types: bluebonnets & variety of others
Comments: Hwy 29 between Burnett & Llano is great for bluebonnets. Also 2341 off 29, the road to Canyon on the Eagles has lots of bluebonnets and various others - very pretty! 3/24/2010
Crossroads: 306 from IH 35 to 2673
Flower Types: bluebonnets
Comments: Lots of flowers on the roadsides and out in the pastures. Also along Hunter Road between New Braunfels and San Marcos. Especially nice bluebonnet and paintbrush mix in front of the cement plant entrance. 3/22/2010
City: Austin
Crossroads: 2244 and Mopac
Flower Types: bluebonnets
Comments: There are bluebonnets blooming all along Mopac but there is a beautiful section in front of a baptist church at the 2244 exit off of Mopac. 3/21/2010
City: Llano
Crossroads: Countywide along 29, 16, & 71
Flower Types: bluebonnets, indian paint brush, mountain pink
Comments: It's getting colorful in the hill country 3/20/2010
City: Manchaca
Crossroads: On 1626 between Brodie Lane and Ranch Road 967
Flower Types: blue bonnets
City: Austin
Crossroads: IH 35 at the Rundberg exit and FM 969 near FM 973
Flower Types: bluebonnets!!
Comments: Both sides northbound and southbound on IH 35 at Rundberg exit. They are here!!! 3/15/2010
KILL THE CLUTTER ... IN 5 MINUTES A DAY
Spring is here ... and that means spring-cleaning! But that doesn't have to mean hours and hours of intense cleaning. You'd be amazed at how much you can accomplish in just 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
The 5-minute purge makes a big difference. Here's how:
1. Set a timer for 5 minutes.
2. Grab a medium-sized trash bag. You'll use this to throw things away or drop them off at Goodwill or give them to someone, whichever makes more sense for you.
3. Pick your target. Make sure to keep it small so you can be thorough, like one drawer in the kitchen, one shelf of books or DVDs, your office desktop, etc.
4. Toss anything you haven't used in 6-12 months. Things you felt like you needed to keep yesterday you may be able to toss today. Be ruthless!
5. When the timer goes off, STOP. If the bag is full, put it in the trash or in your car to drop off at Goodwill). If the bag isn't full, keep it nearby so you can fill it the next day.
Source: MSN Lifestyle
Wow, this was tough! I was going to do a top 5, then a top 10, I'm currently on a top 13 and I can stop there (I'm slightly triskaidekaphobic). Here's where I am so far and they are in no particular order:
1. Brick House - Commodores It's mighty mighty.
2. Flashlight - Parliament
3. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
4. Stomp - Brothers Johnson
5. Car Wash - Rose Royce
6. Pick Up the Pieces - Average White Band
7. Got to Give It Up Part I - Marvin Gaye
8. Night Fever - Bee Gees
9. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - McFadden and Whitehead
10. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
11. Thank God It's Friday - Love and Kisses
12. Livin' it Up (Friday Night) - Bell and James
13. I'm Your Boogieman - KC & the Sunshine Band
FRIEND MEMORY
Get together with your friends. Itâll help your memory. In a Harvard
study, scientists found people who reported being the most social had memories
that were 50 percent better than those who spent time alone. Sharing
personal info and stories helps increase the number of brain neurons you have.
Source: Womanâs World, 3/15/10
MIDDLE-AGED GUYS NEED TO BRACE THEMSELVES FOR ABSENT-MINDEDNESS
According to a new British study, older men are more likely to suffer from to absent-mindedness than women.
Guys are notorious for forgetting birthdays, anniversaries and even friends' names. When they're younger, it might be because of laziness. When they're older, scientists say it's because the brain is slowing down.
The researchers found that by the age of 50, women's verbal memory outperforms men by a big margin.
Source: Guardian.co.uk
As the economy sags and millions of Americans lose their jobs, it can be hard to afford the often-premium price charged for organic foods. But, based on Environmental Working Group's latest compilation of government data about pesticide residue. The fruits and vegetables on this list were the least likely to have pesticides detected on the parts you eat, after typical washing, whether or not they're certified organic.
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Texans to celebrate first 'Armadillo Day'
 Bee Cave Bob is scheduled to come out at 12:30 p.m. at the West Pole on the 98th Meridian in Bee Cave, Texas.
Someone figured if there's a North Pole and a South Pole, then there oughta be a West Pole and an East Pole. It was kind of a joke, but was certified by the Texas Legislature in 2007.
Where is the 98th Meridian and when did we start using it as a directional waypoint? Take a right at the 98th meridian?
And their map shows it's somewhere out in Bee Caves around Lowes in the Shops at the Galleria.
Six more weeks of winter is not something that Austinites like to hear, especially after the sub-freezing temperatures we experienced the first week of January. But today, Punxsutawney Phil (the most famous groundhog) DID see his shadow meaning six more weeks of winter.
I WILL find where the West Pole is today and post pictures--
Alex
Â
Stubbâs outdoor stage in downtown Austin is host to some of the nationâs hottest bands and will turn into a kitchen arena where three of the stateâs highest profile chefs will battle it out, each choosing a preferred ingredient to stump their competitorsâ culinary prowess. The chefs will create a dish that includes all three of the chef-picked ingredients which could range from diverse edibles such as grapefruit to cauliflower to oysters.
Bad to the Bone tickets are $35 and available at www.stubbsaustin.com. Ticket sales will benefit the Sustainable Food Center which helps more than 20,000 Central Texans access healthy, affordable and locally grown food annually.
Today we had live in studio Executive Chef/Owner Shawn Cirkiel of parkside and Susan Leibrock of the Sustainable Food Center.
Chef Competitors: Shawn Cirkiel of parkside, David Bull of Bolla, Paul Petersen of Rickâs Chophouse and TLCâs Pit Masters
Entertainment Tonight, January 6, 2010
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This list is plain wrong.
Everybody made decade best-of lists. There's plenty of room for debate on subjects such as sports and music and TV.
A paper published a list of the top 20 TV shows of the decade. That list includes:
1. The Sopranos
2. Lost
3. The Wire
4. Mad Men
5. American Idol
6. Deadwood
7. Sex and the City
8. Arrested Development
9. Friday Night Lights
10. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
11. Freaks and Geeks
12. The West Wing
13. The Office
14. 30 Rock
15. Survivor
16. Battlestar Galactica
17. The Shield
18. Dexter
19. CSI
20. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
NEW YEAR'S: Crazy New Year's Rituals
Here in America, our New Year's Eve rituals are pretty ordinary. We get together with friends, drink a lot, wait for midnight and then go home. But in other parts of the world, there are New Year's rituals that are downright bizarre.
Take Spain, for instance, where it is customary to quickly eat 12 grapes -- one at each stroke of the clock. Each one signifies good luck for one month of the coming year.
Tipping experts said, and tip recipients implied, that cash is the best way to say happy holidays.
Hilka Klinkenberg, founder of Etiquette International, once gave one of her doormen CDs because they had often discussed opera, while the other men received cash. "He looked at me crestfallen," she said. "Tipping is not a time to try and be original."
Whether we tip with a song or a grumble, handing over the envelope should be done graciously.
Klinkenberg said to also include a short note thanking the recipient for their hard work, and to give the tip in person whenever possible.
Other tipping tips include
 If you frequent a restaurant daily, it's a good idea to tip your regular waiter. An extra $5 in a card is a kind gesture at your regular lunch spot, while at the Four Seasons you could shell out $40-$50, plus similar amounts to the maitre d and captain.
Here is a letter from Dan and a must-see Holiday Spectacle!
 Alex & Kim,
  Alex I heard you talking about our street and the lights. Yes, we are still decorating out the whole street from top to bottom. This is our 10thyear of putting this all together and it continues grow bigger each and ever year. We are also still a proud sponsor and collection center for Williamson Countyâs âBrown Santaâ Thanks for talking it up and I know in years past both of you have visited the neighborhood with your families. The neighborhood is located in Cedar Park âChinati Courtâcross streets are Sun Chase and Cypress Creek. Iâll forward some pictures we took Thanksgiving weekend high above the street in the 85 ft lift we rent ever year for a week from âSunbelt Rentalsâ Thanks again & hope to see you all out here again this year!!
                                                                                                        Dan
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What a great lazy life this guy has.
The symbol of America!
Nice hairdo.
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Last night my 6 year-old boy Franke finally decided to pull out that dangling tooth he's had for the past week.
He also tried to negotiate with the "tooth fairey".
How much does a tooth go for these days?
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Haggling on Craigslist is a fine and worthy pursuit, but you might be short-circuiting your best efforts if you blindly submit lower prices to even the most motivated sellers. Wired magazine drops some mental science on the psychology of bartering.
Research studies have shown that those who hold property would often rather just hold onto it than sell it for what they think it's worth, even if it means keeping an item of absolutely no value to them.
So what does one do to get beyond the emotional attachment a Craigslist seller may have to their outdated but lovingly used MacBook? Tell them in straight-up fact speak why it's not worth as much, but do it politely.
Don't lowball without providing a solid rationale. Negotiate in the most personal medium possible - in person, preferably, but on the phone can work too. And play to their reactions. "A counteroffer should tell your opponent that you respect their view," says Yale University economist Keith Chen.
The suggestion that asking a good number of questions can, in some cases, get the seller into a frame of mind that makes them want to close the deal while they're doing a lot of explaining
