Thursday, March 29, 2007
Coke is skin.
Coke And L'Oreal Partner On New Health Beverage
'NEW YORK -- Coca-Cola and L'Oréal are partnering to create a new health-and-beauty beverage to launch in 2008, sources said.
Currently called Lumaé, the nutraceutical drink was trademarked as a tea-based ready-to-drink beverage by Coca-Cola's Beverage Partners Worldwide division. The drink, which is still in the early stages of development, is expected to contain ingredients that will help women care for their skin, per a source.
L'Oréal is a leader in skincare, boasting such brands as Skinceuticals, Dermablend, La Rocher-Posay and Vichy thermal spa water.
Lumaé is expected to target active, influential, image-conscious women over the age of 25 who embrace health and wellness. Coke is interested in marketing and distributing Lumaé like a beauty brand instead of a soft drink. Early plans call for distribution in Saks Fifth Avenue (instead of Coke's usual venues, like 7-Eleven). This could ruffle bottlers' feathers, said a source, considering beauty salons and the like aren't the typical stops on a distributor's route. Product testing is expected to begin shortly.
Coke rep Ray Crockett said, "At any given time we have numerous products and flavors in development. For obvious reasons we don't comment on these."
BPW is a joint venture between Nestlé and Coke. Nestlé is a major L'Oréal shareholder owning roughly a quarter of its stock.
A similar product, Borba Skin Balance waters, has already cemented itself in Sephora stores. Launched in 2005, the portfolio of drinkable skincare products claims to help various conditions. "We pioneered the category," said company president Scott Vincent Borba. "Even if they come in at a lower price point, they'll never meet the clinical criteria that we have nor will they beat the emotional branding we have with our consumers."
Such nutraceutical products are already popular overseas. In Japan, for example, Coke has launched several entries including Love Body, which it claims not only burns calories, but contains an ingredient rumored to increase bust size.
Products like Lumaé were placed on the front burner by Coke's former head of marketing, strategy and innovation, Mary Minnick, who resigned last month. Anomaly, New York, is Lumaé's agency, a source said, but the firm did not return calls.'
At least I am worth $38 billion on Blogshares.
My blog is worth $7,339.02.
How much is your blog worth?
Labels: Blogs
Kinda like Ambien.
I'm too lazy to look it up, but Ambien was originally developed as an anti-psychotic. The drug companies behind it though, found out that in lower dosages, it made you sleepy. So it was re-marketed for it's new use.
Funnily enough, I just saw an episode of the Simpsons where Homer is a human test study person. The doctors gave him a pill that was for appetite supression. When a conveyor belt of food scuttled past with food, Homer just sat there.
Doc1: 'Homer, aren't you feeling hungry for any of the food in front of you?'
Homer: 'There's food!!! Where? Oh no! I'm blind!!!!! Wahhh'
Doc 2: 'Who's going to want to take a pill that makes you go blind?'
Doc 1: 'Let marketing figure that out.'
Tests quash new insomnia drug
'Trenton, N.J. - Merck & Co. and its Danish partner, pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck A/S, are putting to rest development of an insomnia drug that was in the final human testing stage after studies found safety problems, including hallucinations.
The companies said Wednesday they have stopped testing the drug, known by the chemical name gaboxadol, after a three-year partnership. Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck and Copenhagen-based Lund beck had planned this summer to apply for U.S. approval to sell the drug, which likely would have been the first of a new class of sleeping pills.
Anders Gersel Pedersen, Lundbeck's head of drug development, told The Associated Press about a half-dozen tests had shown gaboxadol met goals of inducing deep sleep and leaving patients rested in the morning. Recent tests found problems, though.
Pedersen said one study found limited effectiveness at low doses; another found it waned over time. A third, conducted on drug addicts taking high doses of gaboxadol - required by the Food and Drug Administration because of the risk of addiction with sleeping pills - found more, and more severe, side effects than in a comparison drug.
Those effects included hallucinations, agitation and dissociation from reality, he said.'
Labels: Ambien, Business, Drugs, Health, Television
Learned my lesson.
Just a little suggestion for fellow bloggers out there; you might want to copy your HTML code and save it somewhere. An errant keystroke made me just spend the last two hours trying to re-format my blog.
Labels: Blogs
He might look worse, bald.
Imagine The Donald without the hair ... it could happen
'INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Imagine The Donald - without the hair. It could become reality, thanks to World Wrestling Entertainment owner Vince McMahon.
On April 1, he and Donald Trump will have a wrestler compete on each's behalf in the "Battle of the Billionaires" at WrestleMania 23 in Detroit - the WWE's biggest annual pay-per-view event.
If Umaga beats Bobby Lashley, McMahon will give Trump what some might call a long-overdue buzz. If Lashley, Trump's rep, wins, McMahon will sport a new look.
Trump, the real estate mogul and star of NBC's "The Apprentice," knows his 'do isn't popular with some fans.
"A lot of people want to see it shaved," he told the Associated Press in a phone interview from his New York office. "I do get criticized, there's no question about it, although I've never had any problem with it. It certainly has seemed to work."
Trump deserves to be humiliated, McMahon said during an interview before an edition of "WWE Monday Night Raw" in Indianapolis.'
Labels: Celebrity Gossip
How could you miss seeing a 60 lb. rock in the way?
Bicyclist grateful for his helmet
'LITTLETON – Several teens face charges after police say they placed a 60 pound rock on a bike trail leaving a cyclist injured.
Police arrested the teens shortly after the incident Monday afternoon, and they have since been released into the custody of their parents.
Littleton Police say the accident happened on the Mary Carter Greenway/South Platte River Trail at West Belleview Avenue.
Denver resident John Cannon, 48, told police he was heading south on the concrete bike path when he collided with a large rock that had appeared to have been deliberately placed in the middle of the path.
"At the very last instant, I think I saw it when I heard the wheel hit it or the frame start to break, next thing I know I was upside down and on my head," said Cannon.
Cannon suffered a broken collar bone and bruised shoulder. He was transported to Swedish Medical Center Monday where he was treated and released. However, Cannon could be having surgery soon.
Littleton Police say the trail dips down before the Belleview bridge to the point where a rider's vision is cut off from a late afternoon shadow, and with sunglasses it can be especially difficult to see dark objects on the path.
"It's perfectly reasonable to assume with all those conditions, that the rock sort of blended in and he just was not able to see it," said Sgt. Trent Cooper with Littleton Police.
Police arrested three juveniles, two of whom are 13 years old and one who is 15 years old. Two of them were cited with misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief charges. One juvenile was not charged.
Police say the two could face a fine of up to $1,000 for each charge.
Cannon's helmet shows a few scuffs on its shell and a number of cracks on the inside liner showing where his forehead pressed hard upon impact on the ground.
"That helmet probably saved my life or at least saved me from being a cripple," said Cannon.
Cannon is a veteran bicyclist and counts up "tens of thousands of miles from all over the world."
From Alaska, New Zealand, and Italy, but a quiet afternoon ride in Colorado turned out to be the one that will keep him off a bike for at least two months.
"I've ridden on all kinds of roads, steep up, steep down, under bridges, in the dark, but I've never seen anything like this before," said Cannon.'
'LITTLETON – Several teens face charges after police say they placed a 60 pound rock on a bike trail leaving a cyclist injured.
Police arrested the teens shortly after the incident Monday afternoon, and they have since been released into the custody of their parents.
Littleton Police say the accident happened on the Mary Carter Greenway/South Platte River Trail at West Belleview Avenue.
Denver resident John Cannon, 48, told police he was heading south on the concrete bike path when he collided with a large rock that had appeared to have been deliberately placed in the middle of the path.
"At the very last instant, I think I saw it when I heard the wheel hit it or the frame start to break, next thing I know I was upside down and on my head," said Cannon.
Cannon suffered a broken collar bone and bruised shoulder. He was transported to Swedish Medical Center Monday where he was treated and released. However, Cannon could be having surgery soon.
Littleton Police say the trail dips down before the Belleview bridge to the point where a rider's vision is cut off from a late afternoon shadow, and with sunglasses it can be especially difficult to see dark objects on the path.
"It's perfectly reasonable to assume with all those conditions, that the rock sort of blended in and he just was not able to see it," said Sgt. Trent Cooper with Littleton Police.
Police arrested three juveniles, two of whom are 13 years old and one who is 15 years old. Two of them were cited with misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief charges. One juvenile was not charged.
Police say the two could face a fine of up to $1,000 for each charge.
Cannon's helmet shows a few scuffs on its shell and a number of cracks on the inside liner showing where his forehead pressed hard upon impact on the ground.
"That helmet probably saved my life or at least saved me from being a cripple," said Cannon.
Cannon is a veteran bicyclist and counts up "tens of thousands of miles from all over the world."
From Alaska, New Zealand, and Italy, but a quiet afternoon ride in Colorado turned out to be the one that will keep him off a bike for at least two months.
"I've ridden on all kinds of roads, steep up, steep down, under bridges, in the dark, but I've never seen anything like this before," said Cannon.'
Labels: News
Huh.
Marines place more areas off-limits to tattoos
Corps extends ban to new body zones, angering many enlisted men
'Nadrchal said he is unsure whether he will re-enlist: “There’s all these little things. They are slowly chipping away at us.”
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway announced the policy change last week.
“Some Marines have taken the liberty of tattooing themselves to a point that is contrary to our professional demeanor and the high standards America has come to expect from us,” he said. “I believe tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values.”
The ban is aimed primarily at “sleeve” tattoos, the large and often elaborate designs on the biceps and forearms of many Marines. Similar designs on the lower legs will be forbidden as well. So will very large tattoos on the upper arm, if they are visible when a Marine wears his workout T-shirt. Small, individual tattoos will still be allowed on the arms and legs. (The Marines already ban them on the hands.)
Marines already tattooed are exempt from the ban but cannot add to their designs; anyone caught with fresh ink in the wrong places could be barred from re-enlistment or face disciplinary action. Getting a prohibited tattoo could constitute a violation of a lawful order, punishable by up to two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Brian Donnolly said.
Existing tattoos will be documented
Unit commanders must photograph and document sleeve tattoos to ensure Marines do not add to their ink.
The Marines and the other branches of the military already ban tattoos that could be offensive or disruptive, such as images that are sexist, vulgar, gang-related or extremist.'
Corps extends ban to new body zones, angering many enlisted men
'Nadrchal said he is unsure whether he will re-enlist: “There’s all these little things. They are slowly chipping away at us.”
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway announced the policy change last week.
“Some Marines have taken the liberty of tattooing themselves to a point that is contrary to our professional demeanor and the high standards America has come to expect from us,” he said. “I believe tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values.”
The ban is aimed primarily at “sleeve” tattoos, the large and often elaborate designs on the biceps and forearms of many Marines. Similar designs on the lower legs will be forbidden as well. So will very large tattoos on the upper arm, if they are visible when a Marine wears his workout T-shirt. Small, individual tattoos will still be allowed on the arms and legs. (The Marines already ban them on the hands.)
Marines already tattooed are exempt from the ban but cannot add to their designs; anyone caught with fresh ink in the wrong places could be barred from re-enlistment or face disciplinary action. Getting a prohibited tattoo could constitute a violation of a lawful order, punishable by up to two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Brian Donnolly said.
Existing tattoos will be documented
Unit commanders must photograph and document sleeve tattoos to ensure Marines do not add to their ink.
The Marines and the other branches of the military already ban tattoos that could be offensive or disruptive, such as images that are sexist, vulgar, gang-related or extremist.'
Labels: Military
So that's why he was on the show.
A quick two-step with Robbie Williams at 'Dancing With the Stars'
'Wondering what freshly rehabbed Robbie Williams was doing sitting in the audience for Dancing with the Stars last night? So were we, and because we just happened to be there, taking in all the frilly and fluorescent glory of no fewer than 11 competing couples, we went straight to the source to find out.
EW: What brings you out tonight, Robbie?
Robbie Williams: Well, I've met Joey [Fatone] quite a few times before. He's a really lovely guy. And I love rubbish television. So he and I were out in the same place last week [Hollywood hotspot Les Deux], and I thought I'd combine my liking Joey with my liking crap television by visiting both of the same time.
EW: Any idea what the reaction has been in England to Heather Mills being on the show?
RW: I honestly don't know. I've been living here for the last few years.
EW: But the show is popular in the UK, right?
RW: I know it was massive three years ago, and today, it was exciting as well. I wouldn't mind checking out American Idol myself.
EW: Did you ever have a chance to work with Simon Cowell?
RW: No, but I've met him a few times and I like him. Simon was quoted as saying, "Britney Spears and Robbie Williams just need to get their s--- together and go spend a few weeks with their mothers." He's usually right about things, he's probably right about that.
EW: How are you doing post-rehab?
RW: It's going really good. I got the train back on the track. I've been sober since February 13. Almost two months and look at me, I'm brand spanking new again!
EW: You're not releasing your latest album, Let's Swing Again, in the US. Why?
RW: I decided about four albums ago that I like living here. I get to be Batman by day. I've gotten to the point where I'm famous enough to enjoy my celebrity and do fun stuff without all the crap that goes with it. And it would be insane to invite what I have in the rest of the world into this country, so I'm not gonna bother promoting or releasing records here.
EW: So it was a life decision that didn't really have to do with your career?
RW: Absolutely, and I don't regret it.
It's worth noting that, some three hours later, Robbie was back at Les Deux again for the Tudors premiere party. There, he was spotted in deep conversation with Lindsay Lohan, perhaps offering his own post-rehab tips?'
Labels: Television
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Are you smarter than a blogger?
Found via The Rob Log - 'Triviality':
'1. There are 10 daily questions, and you earn 100 points per correct answer.
2. HOWEVER, you lose a point for each second you're logged in.
Therefore, if you get 9 correct answers in 84 seconds, your score will be 816. Follow?
3. The top 50 players each day earn points.
4. HOWEVER, only the top 10 daily players earn significant points (and the points are calculated based on the number of daily players).
Therefore, if you are in 10th place and, say, Sid-O-Rama plays later in the day and outscores you, your daily point total could drop from 10 to 4. This is what we call 'The Ledge': that steep tumble you take when you're knocked out of the Top 10. Follow?
5. You can play as little or as often as you like.
6. HOWEVER, the scores accrue throughout the month, so if you're in the competition to win, you should try to play every week day. This is especially important because, when the game starts in earnest in April, I'm thinking of awarding some random and probably valueless prize... and you wouldn't want to be robbed of a random and probably valueless prize, would you? I mean, isn't that why people compete for blog awards?
7. And one more thing: everyone will be getting the same questions. So don't cheat, cheaters. FYI, the Game Administrator -- which would be me -- will be banninating if people start treating TRIVIALITY like they treated The Malcontent's March Gayness competition. In other words, no cheatin' Queerties allowed!'
Undecided - 'Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder'
Idolator has a link to their new single [wondered when they were going to put out a new album] here. I haven't passed judgement on this yet. I admit, sheepishly, I liked some of their stuff on 'Songs About Jane'.
That is until I killed the CD by overplaying it, coupled with radio overplaying their stuff. Especially, 'She Will Be Loved', which I loathe to this day.
That and finding out Adam was hanging out with Celebutards, like she-who-shall-not-be-named, and HoHan.
That is until I killed the CD by overplaying it, coupled with radio overplaying their stuff. Especially, 'She Will Be Loved', which I loathe to this day.
That and finding out Adam was hanging out with Celebutards, like she-who-shall-not-be-named, and HoHan.
Labels: Music
'Dank you, come again'.
Real Kwik-E-Marts? Woo-Hoo!
7-Eleven may convert some stores to coincide with 'Simpsons Movie'
'It appears as though the world's largest convenience store will get Simpsonized, though 7-Eleven Inc. said the deal isn't done yet.
But at a company event yesterday in Richmond, officials showcased their planned promotional ef- forts with major upcoming films, including "The Simpsons Movie."
If all goes as planned, the convenience store chain plans to refit 11 stores across the U.S. -- Richmond is an unlikely choice -- to resemble the front of the Kwik-E-Mart, the convenience store that Homer and other characters frequent in the classic cartoon TV series.
Customers also will be able to buy products inspired by the nearly two-decades-old show, including KrustyO's cereal, Buzz Cola and iced Squishees (the cup says Squishee, but the contents will be Slurpee).
The chain also will use pictures of Simpsons characters to promote 7-Eleven's line of fresh foods, such as placing the face of Homer and his classic "Mmmm . . . sandwich" quip on sandwich wrappers.
Details of 7-Eleven's plans were showed to employees in a booth at a company event at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. It was unclear yesterday which 11 stores of the more than 4,700 nationwide would receive a cartoony facelift or sell inventory of the Simpsons-inspired products.
The movie hits theaters July 27.'
Labels: Movies, Television
Crazy
'This is a deep fryer that uses a goldfish tank with live goldfish. Oil and water don't mix, so the 163 degree oil stays on top. The fish eat the greasy food flakes that fall through, stay away from the surface, and can happily live for 5-10 years.'
Fast Food Deep Fryer Using Live Goldfish Tank
Fast Food Deep Fryer Using Live Goldfish Tank
Damn you Einstein's!
Now I remember why I stopped going to you. You always screw up my order. I wish there was Moe's on the way in to work.
Labels: Food
Hack
And this marks the last time he will ever be acknowledged on Bon Jour, Pee Wee.
Labels: American Idol
Speaking of animal cruelty....
This is a pretty disturbing PETA video, narrated by Alec Baldwin, about how we get some of our meat. Warning, it's pretty graphic, and depressing.
Labels: Animals
Bok.
Behavior | Ranking |
---|---|
No change in behavior from the time the birds enter the gas until they fall over (lose posture) | Excellent |
Gasping only, with no other change in behavior from the time the birds enter the gas until they fall over (lose posture); Most birds with no wing flapping and a few birds with weak intermittant flapping | Acceptable |
Gasping, combined with continuous wing flapping from the time the birds enter the gas until they fall over (lose posture) | Not Acceptable |
All birds flap continuously or attempt to climb out of the container from the time the birds enter the gas until they fall over (lose posture) | Serious Problem |
I don't buy it.
Dog performs 'Heimlich' on choking owner
'CALVERT, Md. (AP) - Toby, a 2-year-old golden retriever, saw his owner choking on a piece of fruit and began jumping up and down on the woman's chest.
The dog's owner believes the dog was trying to perform the Heimlich maneuver and saved her life.
Debbie Parkhurst, 45, of Calvert told the Cecil Whig she was eating an apple at her home Friday when a piece lodged in her throat. She attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver on herself but it didn't work. After she began beating on her chest, she said Toby noticed and got involved.
"The next think I know, Toby's up on his hind feet and he's got his front paws on my shoulders," she recalled. "He pushed me to the ground, and once I was on my back, he began jumping up and down on my chest."
That's when the apple dislodged and Toby started licking her face to keep her from passing out, she said.
"I literally have pawprint-shaped bruises on my chest. I'm still a little hoarse, but otherwise, I'm OK," Parkhurst said.
"The doctor said I probably wouldn't be here without Toby," said Parkhurst, a jewelry artist. "I keep looking at him and saying 'You're amazing.'"'
'CALVERT, Md. (AP) - Toby, a 2-year-old golden retriever, saw his owner choking on a piece of fruit and began jumping up and down on the woman's chest.
The dog's owner believes the dog was trying to perform the Heimlich maneuver and saved her life.
Debbie Parkhurst, 45, of Calvert told the Cecil Whig she was eating an apple at her home Friday when a piece lodged in her throat. She attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver on herself but it didn't work. After she began beating on her chest, she said Toby noticed and got involved.
"The next think I know, Toby's up on his hind feet and he's got his front paws on my shoulders," she recalled. "He pushed me to the ground, and once I was on my back, he began jumping up and down on my chest."
That's when the apple dislodged and Toby started licking her face to keep her from passing out, she said.
"I literally have pawprint-shaped bruises on my chest. I'm still a little hoarse, but otherwise, I'm OK," Parkhurst said.
"The doctor said I probably wouldn't be here without Toby," said Parkhurst, a jewelry artist. "I keep looking at him and saying 'You're amazing.'"'
Labels: Animals
I was just talking about this.
'Some movie companies are dropping efforts to save money by outsourcing the job of writing subtitles for English-speaking films shown in foreign-language countries, and vice-versa, according to the London Times.
Dialogue was lost in translation. “Jim is a Vietnam Vet” became “Jim is a veterinarian from Vietnam,” according to the paper, and “She died in a freak rugby accident” became “She died in a ruby match for people with deformities.”'
MSNBC
Dialogue was lost in translation. “Jim is a Vietnam Vet” became “Jim is a veterinarian from Vietnam,” according to the paper, and “She died in a freak rugby accident” became “She died in a ruby match for people with deformities.”'
MSNBC
Labels: Movies
Panda Porn
Porn is a tough sell for bashful panda
But Thai zookeepers keep showing videos, hoping he’ll get in mating mood
'CHIANG MAI, Thailand - Chuang Chuang the panda has been spending his days in front of a big-screen television watching panda porn.
Authorities at the Chiang Mai Zoo in northern Thailand hope the images will encourage him to mate with his partner, Lin Hui, and serve as an instructional lesson in how to do it right.
So far, it’s been a tough sell, the zoo’s chief veterinarian, Kanika Limtrakul, said Tuesday.
“Chuang Chuang seems indifferent to the videos; he has no reaction to what he’s seeing on TV,” Kanika said. “But we’re continuing to show him videos and hoping they will leave an impression.”
Pandas are threatened by loss of habitat, poaching and a low reproduction rate. Females in the wild normally have a cub once every two to three years.
There are as few as 1,600 giant pandas in the mountain forests of central China, according to the zoo. An additional 120 are in Chinese breeding facilities and zoos, and about 20 live in zoos outside China.
Zoo officials say Chuang Chuang will be reunited with his partner in about another week. The two pandas have been kept separate since late last year as part of efforts to spark some romance between them.'
But Thai zookeepers keep showing videos, hoping he’ll get in mating mood
'CHIANG MAI, Thailand - Chuang Chuang the panda has been spending his days in front of a big-screen television watching panda porn.
Authorities at the Chiang Mai Zoo in northern Thailand hope the images will encourage him to mate with his partner, Lin Hui, and serve as an instructional lesson in how to do it right.
So far, it’s been a tough sell, the zoo’s chief veterinarian, Kanika Limtrakul, said Tuesday.
“Chuang Chuang seems indifferent to the videos; he has no reaction to what he’s seeing on TV,” Kanika said. “But we’re continuing to show him videos and hoping they will leave an impression.”
Pandas are threatened by loss of habitat, poaching and a low reproduction rate. Females in the wild normally have a cub once every two to three years.
There are as few as 1,600 giant pandas in the mountain forests of central China, according to the zoo. An additional 120 are in Chinese breeding facilities and zoos, and about 20 live in zoos outside China.
Zoo officials say Chuang Chuang will be reunited with his partner in about another week. The two pandas have been kept separate since late last year as part of efforts to spark some romance between them.'
Labels: Animals
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Thankfully.
'Although we think fireworks are really fun to watch in the sky, we don't accept fireworks on our planes under any conditions.'
Frontier
Labels: Air Travel
Look ma! A robot!
'Having been forced to abandon his grand plans for LeprechaunWorld and Wet N' Wild: Bahrain because of a tragic lack of imagination on the part of his host nations, Michael Jackson is seeking to set up shop in the only place where no vision is deemed too ambitious to be realized: Las Vegas.
Jackson is reportedly mulling both a Vegas show and the only kind of monument that can adequately celebrate his current levels of crazy: a 50-foot robot. With lasers!
50-Foot Jackson To Terrorize Las Vegas
Jackson is reportedly mulling both a Vegas show and the only kind of monument that can adequately celebrate his current levels of crazy: a 50-foot robot. With lasers!
50-Foot Jackson To Terrorize Las Vegas
Labels: Celebrity Gossip, Robots
They do now.
'Grandad Chien said: "We don't even know who the baby's father is, only that he's a married man. If she brought home an illegitimate son, I would have committed suicide. It would have destroyed the reputation of our family.
"Our two youngest daughters still don't know that their sister has had a baby and that they are aunties." '
THE mother of the latest child adopted by Angelina Jolie is a money-hungry heroin addict who NEVER signed the papers to give up her son.
"Our two youngest daughters still don't know that their sister has had a baby and that they are aunties." '
THE mother of the latest child adopted by Angelina Jolie is a money-hungry heroin addict who NEVER signed the papers to give up her son.
Labels: Celebrity Gossip
Speaking of Daft Punk....
they're going to be playing at Red Rocks. How funny, since I just wondered the other day what they have been up to. Bjork's coming as well, but her last album is just too far out for me.
Neato
Netflix lets workers hold own leashes
'Los Gatos, Calif. - When it comes to vacation, Netflix has a simple policy: Take as much as you'd like.
Just make sure your work is done.
Employees at the online movie retailer often leave for three, four, even five weeks at a time and never clock in or out. Vacation limits and face-time requirements, says Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings, are "a relic of the industrial age."
Across America, executives are searching for ways to keep experienced baby boomers at their companies and attract younger workers, many of whom are used to controlling which songs they listen to and where they get their news.
Netflix's time-off rules - or lack thereof - are part of a broad culture of employee autonomy instilled in the company when Hastings founded it a decade ago.
The executives trust staffers to make their own decisions on everything - from whether to bring their dog to the office to how much of their salary they want in cash and how much in stock options.
"We want our employees to have great freedom - freedom to be brilliant or freedom to make mistakes," Hastings said.
Though cultural change is hard to measure, some of America's largest businesses are experimenting with unconventional time-off rules and benefits. New Brunswick, N.J., health-care giant Johnson & Johnson has an ever-expanding stable of work-life balance programs, including an extra week's paid vacation for new moms and dads, and for parents adopting.
"Companies are trying to give people more responsibility, more freedom and more flexibility," said Carol Sladek, a principal at Lincolnshire, Ill., human-resources consulting firm Hewitt Associates.
To be sure, Netflix's time-off policy is rare and only applies to its 300-plus salaried workers, not the much larger hourly workforce.
Experts said it's hard to imagine a bigger Fortune 500 company adopting the idea.'
'Los Gatos, Calif. - When it comes to vacation, Netflix has a simple policy: Take as much as you'd like.
Just make sure your work is done.
Employees at the online movie retailer often leave for three, four, even five weeks at a time and never clock in or out. Vacation limits and face-time requirements, says Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings, are "a relic of the industrial age."
Across America, executives are searching for ways to keep experienced baby boomers at their companies and attract younger workers, many of whom are used to controlling which songs they listen to and where they get their news.
Netflix's time-off rules - or lack thereof - are part of a broad culture of employee autonomy instilled in the company when Hastings founded it a decade ago.
The executives trust staffers to make their own decisions on everything - from whether to bring their dog to the office to how much of their salary they want in cash and how much in stock options.
"We want our employees to have great freedom - freedom to be brilliant or freedom to make mistakes," Hastings said.
Though cultural change is hard to measure, some of America's largest businesses are experimenting with unconventional time-off rules and benefits. New Brunswick, N.J., health-care giant Johnson & Johnson has an ever-expanding stable of work-life balance programs, including an extra week's paid vacation for new moms and dads, and for parents adopting.
"Companies are trying to give people more responsibility, more freedom and more flexibility," said Carol Sladek, a principal at Lincolnshire, Ill., human-resources consulting firm Hewitt Associates.
To be sure, Netflix's time-off policy is rare and only applies to its 300-plus salaried workers, not the much larger hourly workforce.
Experts said it's hard to imagine a bigger Fortune 500 company adopting the idea.'
Labels: Business
Monday, March 26, 2007
People are dumb.
'Elaine Larabie said Saturday she ate some dog food last week in an effort to convince her terrier, Missy, to do the same. Soon afterwards, both Larabie and Missy found themselves in hospital -- Larabie at an after-hours emergency room, and Missy at Ottawa's Alta Vista Animal Hospital.
Initially, the devoted dog owner did not think dog food made her sick.
"I thought I caught a virus, but then I realized I ate the food, and put two and two together," she said.
For three days, she suffered a range of "confusing" and "embarrassing" symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting and foaming of the mouth.
She also had problems urinating. She had blood work done last Wednesday and is now awaiting the results of those tests.'
Initially, the devoted dog owner did not think dog food made her sick.
"I thought I caught a virus, but then I realized I ate the food, and put two and two together," she said.
For three days, she suffered a range of "confusing" and "embarrassing" symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting and foaming of the mouth.
She also had problems urinating. She had blood work done last Wednesday and is now awaiting the results of those tests.'
Woman Hospitalized After Eating Single Bite Of Tainted Dog Food
Labels: Animals, Dumb People
Ironically, I'm addicted to a show, about addiction.
No matter how bad I think I have it, all I have to do is watch A&E's 'Intervention', to make me feel better about myself.
Last night I watched an episode where this guy was addicted to OxyContin. It's amazing what the show gets away with.
During one point, we see 'Ryan', go in to a restaurant's restroom, and cook and shoot up. How did no one in the restaurant think it was fishy, that a camera guy followed a kid in to the bathroom?
We then see Ryan bitch and moan, about getting his next fix for the next 30 minutes.
The family starts the intervention, only after getting Ryan's step-dad to admit he has a drinking problem, too, and needs to get rehab help.
Ryan agrees to go, but as we find out at the end of the show, he gets kicked out of one facility, and disappears from the second one, after not returning from visiting his girlfriend.
I like how every episode doesn't always end on a happy note.
There was this one where this ex-gym teacher was addicted to meth. She lived with [antagonized] her mom. That episode made me think how scary it is, that you could pop out a kid, and then have to deal with a drug addict. Yikes.
Labels: Drugs, Television
Tagged!
Crazy Eddie over at The Maverick Life, tagged me with 'NAME THE TOP 7 SONGS I'M CURRENTLY LISTENING TO'.
So here goes:
I've got a strange mix of house and oldies on my mp3 player.
So here goes:
1. Beyonce - 'Deja Vu' [Freemasons Remix]
2. Honey Dijon - 'All We Need'
3. The Bellamy Brothers - 'Let Your Love Flow'
4. Scissor Sisters - 'Paul McCartney'
5. Fedde Le Grande - 'The Creeps'
6. Sinead O'Connor - 'Troy' [Push Remix]
7. Siouxsie And The Banshees - 'Kiss Them For Me'
I've got a strange mix of house and oldies on my mp3 player.
What's with all these people...
cooking dead people lately? There was just that guy in Houston who admitted he bbq'd that woman. Then the guy in N'Orleans who cooked his girlfriend. Yeesh.
Housewife convicted of frying husband
'SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Brazilian housewife was convicted and sentenced to 19 years in prison Friday for killing her husband, chopping his corpse into small pieces and frying it.
Rosanita Nery dos Santos, 52, was sentenced by Judge Casio Miranda in northeastern Bahia state after a 15-member jury found her guilty of killing retired police officer Jose Raimundo Soares dos Santos, court spokesman Francisco Ribeiro said.
Authorities said the killing occurred almost two years ago in Vila Sao Cosme, a lower middle-class neighborhood in the Bahia state capital of Salvador, 930 miles northeast of Sao Paulo.
"On June 23, 2005, Rosanita Nery dos Santos drugged her husband and stabbed him to death while he slept," Idmar Bonfim, a spokesman for the Salvador Civil Police Department said. "She then hacked his body into more than 100 pieces, which she boiled and fried before hiding them in plastic bags underneath the staircase of her house."
He said police discovered the body parts after receiving an anonymous phone call.
Bonfim said the killing was either part of a black magic ritual or an attempt "to get her hands on his life insurance money worth about 70,000 reals ($34,000)."
Citing testimony from the woman's relatives, he said she may have committed the crime "to avenge many years of humiliation from her husband." He did not provide further details.
Santos denied killing her husband but said she chopped up his body, Bonfim said.
"She claims masked assailants entered her house, killed her husband and then forced her to cut up the body and fry it because that would prevent the stench of a decomposing body from alerting neighbors."'
Labels: Odd News
Maybe it's Stuart Little.
Mouse makes off with man's dentures
WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) - Never underestimate a mouse's determination.
'There's a mouse in Bill Exner's house that he says he has captured three times. Each time, the mouse escaped, and the last time the rodent made off with his lower dentures.
Exner, 68, said he and his wife Shirley scoured his bedroom after the dentures disappeared from his night stand.
"We moved the bed, moved the dressers and the night stand and tore the closet apart," he said. "I said, 'I knew that little stinker stole my teeth' - I just knew it."
They found a small opening in a wall where they suspected the mouse was coming and going, and their daughter's fiance, Eric Holt, stepped in to help.
"He brought a crowbar and hammer and he sawed off a section of wood and pulled up the molding and everything," Exner said. "It was quite a job."
They retrieved the dentures, and Holt suggested his future father-in-law boil them in peroxide and whatever else he could find for to disinfect it.
The mouse apparently isn't done. It frequently comes out and stares at Exner, his wife said.
"He's taunting him - I swear he's taunting him," Shirley Exner said.'
WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) - Never underestimate a mouse's determination.
'There's a mouse in Bill Exner's house that he says he has captured three times. Each time, the mouse escaped, and the last time the rodent made off with his lower dentures.
Exner, 68, said he and his wife Shirley scoured his bedroom after the dentures disappeared from his night stand.
"We moved the bed, moved the dressers and the night stand and tore the closet apart," he said. "I said, 'I knew that little stinker stole my teeth' - I just knew it."
They found a small opening in a wall where they suspected the mouse was coming and going, and their daughter's fiance, Eric Holt, stepped in to help.
"He brought a crowbar and hammer and he sawed off a section of wood and pulled up the molding and everything," Exner said. "It was quite a job."
They retrieved the dentures, and Holt suggested his future father-in-law boil them in peroxide and whatever else he could find for to disinfect it.
The mouse apparently isn't done. It frequently comes out and stares at Exner, his wife said.
"He's taunting him - I swear he's taunting him," Shirley Exner said.'
You think?
'"It suddenly dawned on me that most people running from the law don't eat out, they order pizza," said Brown, whose county is north of Cincinnati.'
Pizza boxes carry 'deadbeat' mug shots
Pizza boxes carry 'deadbeat' mug shots
Labels: Dumb Quotes
Yikes.
This is by where I live.
Police: Light Rail shooting may be connected to 3 other cases
'DENVER – Police are trying to determine whether Sunday's triple shooting at a Light Rail station may be linked to three other similar cases.
In Sunday's incident, three out-of-state college students were taken to the hospital after being robbed then shot at the Light Rail station at 25th and Welton early Sunday morning.
Denver Police say the shooting occurred at around 5 a.m. after the three students had attended a concert at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom at 2637 Welton St.
"This is a very brazen act, the victims were unfortunate in one aspect, but fortunate in another: They are going to survive," said Det. Virginia Quinones from Denver Police Dept.
Police say the shooting may be connected to three other cases in which two armed men confronted victims on the street or at a bus stop or train station within the last three days.
In all four cases, the two armed men demanded money and in one instance took other items as well.
Two incidents were reported on Friday within ten minutes of one another. The first occurred at 541 E. 14th Ave. at 5:10 a.m., then ten minutes later, another incident was reported at 1402 Pearl St.
On Saturday at 1:55 a.m. a third incident was reported at 1085 Colorado Blvd.
Then on Sunday, two armed black men wearing ski masks, approached three college students and demanded their money. The victims complied but were still shot, one in the neck, one in the back, and one in the face.
"What's very tragic even though the victims complied, the suspects still shot each victim," said Quinones.
All three were taken to Denver Health Medical Center where they are listed in stable condition.
Police say they are searching for two armed black males. The first is described as 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighing between 180 and 190 pounds with brown eyes, possibly pock marked face, with dark clothing and wearing either a black ski mask, or a blue bandana.
The second man is described as between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing between 178 and 180 pounds with short black hair, dark clothing wearing black or dark gray ski mask.
In one instance, police say the armed men shot the victim from a blue Honda with tinted windows. Authorities say it was the only instance involving a vehicle.
Police say one of the men is possibly armed with a revolver, likely a small caliber weapon, and the other is armed with a knife.
Police say service at the Light Rail station was shut down on Sunday for about four hours and the station reopened at about 9 a.m.
Bob Cito lives in the neighborhood and occasionally rides the Light Rail.
"I think the Light Rail is a tremendous plus for the city but if it gets a bum rap, then it's not gonna be used to its full advantage," said Cito.
The victims' names were not immediately released.
It was not immediately known which college the students attend.'
Jeff Koons
'New Hoover convertibles, green, red, brown, new Hoover deluxe shampoo polishers yellow, brown doubledecker'
'Michael Jackson and Bubbles'
'Puppy'
I saw 'Iconoclasts: Tom Ford + Jeff Koons' over the weekend, and I am conflicted about Koon's work. I like some of his stuff, but others, like the vacuum cleaners, are just pseudo-art. Like Warhol, and Basquiat, I think Koons is following in the same tradition of marketing the hell out his concepts.
Oh, and I didn't think it was possible, but I think I fell just a little more in love with Tom Ford. Hubba.
Oh, and I didn't think it was possible, but I think I fell just a little more in love with Tom Ford. Hubba.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Queue to pee.
Helen has a post about a coworker sending out quiz emails and I thought it was 'what is the longest sentence you can type using only one row of letters on a keypad?'.
My response:
'I try to pity you.' can be typed on one line.
You can also write: 'Teepee it.'
Ooh, this is kind of fun.
'Rope it up.'
'Queue to pee.'
'Tier two putter' [although that's not really a full sentence.
Ha.
Labels: Blogs
A different type of 'Crazy Cat Lady'.
Woman buys over $1K in recalled pet food
'BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) - A woman said she was so worried about reports of tainted pet food she spent more than $1,000 buying all the product she could find at her local Wal-Mart.
Margaret Trask said she filled a shopping cart full of canned pet food made by Canadian company Menu Foods at the Beaufort Wal-Mart after hearing about the recall Friday.
She returned Wednesday morning to buy more food and came back that night to buy even more, but Trask said store officials asked her to leave. She said store employees were taking some of the food off the shelves.
Trask plans to throw the food away so no animals eat it. She figures she spent more than $1,000.
Some of the 60 million cans and pouches of food have been blamed for kidney failure in scores of animals and killed at least 16 pets.
Not all the food Trask bought was included in the recall.
Trask also took out classified ads in at least two local newspapers, listing all off the recall pet food brands.
"A lot of people don't know about the recall," Trask said. "I don't know what else to do."'
'BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) - A woman said she was so worried about reports of tainted pet food she spent more than $1,000 buying all the product she could find at her local Wal-Mart.
Margaret Trask said she filled a shopping cart full of canned pet food made by Canadian company Menu Foods at the Beaufort Wal-Mart after hearing about the recall Friday.
She returned Wednesday morning to buy more food and came back that night to buy even more, but Trask said store officials asked her to leave. She said store employees were taking some of the food off the shelves.
Trask plans to throw the food away so no animals eat it. She figures she spent more than $1,000.
Some of the 60 million cans and pouches of food have been blamed for kidney failure in scores of animals and killed at least 16 pets.
Not all the food Trask bought was included in the recall.
Trask also took out classified ads in at least two local newspapers, listing all off the recall pet food brands.
"A lot of people don't know about the recall," Trask said. "I don't know what else to do."'
Labels: Animals, Crazy People
It's possible.
Ambien is some scary shite. I did a bunch of random things I never remembered in the morning, while on it. I even OD'd on it because I took the whole bottle, while I was 'asleep'. [Check other articles I have posted about it, on here under the Ambien tag].
School board president using Ambien as defense
'BENNETT – A school board president accused of attacking his estranged wife claims he was on Ambien and doesn't remember the incident.
Brent Walden was arrested on February 19, one day after Bennett Police say he broke into his estranged wife's home.
Police say he attacked both her and a male friend who was there.
When entering his defense in Thursday's preliminary hearing, Walden said he had taken Ambien that night and does not remember going to his wife's home.
Walden says he and his wife separated on December 15 and he had been taking Ambien since then to help him sleep.
Walden does not deny the incident happened, but says he has no recollection of it.
"The scary part about Ambien is, you don't know. I didn't even know that was a side effect or a possibility," said Walden.
According to Walden, there have been times where he had woken up after taking Ambien where his keys and shoes had moved, and he even found himself sleeping in another location.
He is no longer taking Ambien, but says he is on a different medication.
During the encounter at his wife's home, Walden was injured and suffered a black eye.
In the police report, it says just before Walden left his wife's home, he apologized and shook hands with her male friend.
Walden says he was called by his father-in-law the day after the incident to tell him police were looking for him.
His wife says since she left him in December, he has been harassing her. She also claims he was harassing her earlier in the evening on February 18 before the incident.
Walden faces charges of second-degree burglary, third-degree assault and first-degree criminal trespass.
He is the Bennett School Board president and says he hopes he can stay in the position.
"I do believe that everything I've ever done on the school board has been honorable and respectable," said Walden.
Walden's attorney says they may join a class-action lawsuit involving Ambien.'
'Hercules Unchained'
The Mystery Science 3000 version, thankfully, as the movie is dumb, and confusing. But Joel and the Bots make it pretty funny. Steve Reeves, hubba hubba.
Labels: Movies, Mystery Science 3000
Update: 'Turkey Ham'
Turkey Ham
'A meat product made from the thigh meat of a turkey.
It is cured and smoked, which allows it to be eaten right from the package if desired.
The size and shape of turkey ham depends on how the meat is processed and it is generally available in whole or half portions.
Turkey ham is approximately 95 percent fat-free, which makes it a low-fat alternative to pork ham.
It can be served hot or cold and sliced thick or thin.'
'A meat product made from the thigh meat of a turkey.
It is cured and smoked, which allows it to be eaten right from the package if desired.
The size and shape of turkey ham depends on how the meat is processed and it is generally available in whole or half portions.
Turkey ham is approximately 95 percent fat-free, which makes it a low-fat alternative to pork ham.
It can be served hot or cold and sliced thick or thin.'
Labels: Food
The Supremes - 'The Happening'
Ever been listening to a song, and actually pay attention to the lyrics? I was listening to this the other day and thought how odd that the music is all jovial and such, but the lyrics are pretty negative. About how basically if you're happy now, just wait, because that's all going to change:
'Hey life, look at me
I can see the reality
'Cause when you shook me, took me, outta my world
I woke up
Suddenly I just woke up to the happening
When you find that you left the future behind
'Cause when you find a tender love
You don't need to take care of
Then you better beware of the happening
One day you're up
When you turn around
You find your world is tumbling down
It happened to me and it can happen to you
I was sure, I felt secure
Until love took a detour, yeah!
Riding high on the top of the world it happened
Suddenly it just happened
I saw my dreams torn apart
When love walked away from my heart
And when you lose a precious love you need to guide you
Something happens inside you, the happening
Now I see life for what it is
It's not a dream
It's not a bliss
It happened to me and it can happen to you
Ooh, and then it happened
Ooh, and then it happened
Ooh, and then it happened
Is it real?
Is it fake?
Is this game of life a mistake?
'Cause when I lost the love
I thought was mine for certain
Suddenly it starts hurting
I saw the light too late
When that fickle finger of fate
Yeah! It came and broke my pretty balloon
I woke up
Suddenly I just woke up
So sure, I felt secure
Until love took a detour
'Cause when you got a tender love
You don't take care of
Then you better beware of
The happening'
'Hey life, look at me
I can see the reality
'Cause when you shook me, took me, outta my world
I woke up
Suddenly I just woke up to the happening
When you find that you left the future behind
'Cause when you find a tender love
You don't need to take care of
Then you better beware of the happening
One day you're up
When you turn around
You find your world is tumbling down
It happened to me and it can happen to you
I was sure, I felt secure
Until love took a detour, yeah!
Riding high on the top of the world it happened
Suddenly it just happened
I saw my dreams torn apart
When love walked away from my heart
And when you lose a precious love you need to guide you
Something happens inside you, the happening
Now I see life for what it is
It's not a dream
It's not a bliss
It happened to me and it can happen to you
Ooh, and then it happened
Ooh, and then it happened
Ooh, and then it happened
Is it real?
Is it fake?
Is this game of life a mistake?
'Cause when I lost the love
I thought was mine for certain
Suddenly it starts hurting
I saw the light too late
When that fickle finger of fate
Yeah! It came and broke my pretty balloon
I woke up
Suddenly I just woke up
So sure, I felt secure
Until love took a detour
'Cause when you got a tender love
You don't take care of
Then you better beware of
The happening'
Labels: Music
Turkey Ham?
I had a sandwich on the way in, and it was made with turkey ham [?]. I don't get it. How can turkey be ham? I get 'turkey sausage', and 'turkey bacon', but turkey ham is like someone making turkey tomatoes.
Labels: Food
Thursday, March 22, 2007
The Bucketheads - 'These Sounds Fall In To My Mind'
BBC just played Chicago's 'Street Player' and reminded me of this. Chicago is the main sample in 'These Sounds'.
Labels: Music
Detroit, New Jack City
'Detroit's problems sound a lot like what we have in the area where I live. We have lots of abandoned houses in the city of Birmingham. Part of the problem is crime. A $25 grand, 3 bedroom house might sound sweet, but it gets old having to hit the deck two or three times a night when someone on the block starts shooting.'
Clearance Items
Labels: Detroit
I'm on a Royksopp kick.
I'm not as familiar with this song as the others, but the video is beautifully trippy.
'49 Percent'
'49 Percent'
Labels: Music
I've posted this before....
but it's such a cool song and video. I noticed the other day, this is in the Geico Caveman-at-the-airport commercial.
Royksopp - 'Remind Me'
Alternate version:
Labels: Advertising, Music
Hot Tubs And Hooch Kill
Woman found dead in hot tub; alcohol believed factor
'GRAND JUNCTION (AP) - A Mesa County woman found dead in a hot tub had alcohol in her system, and authorities say that likely contributed to her death.
A friend found the body of 44-year-old Debbie Moore early Monday when he went out to put the cover back on the spa.
Forty-eight-year-old Lane Tucker says he and his wife got into their hot tub Sunday evening along with Moore and another man - after they'd all started drinking.
Mesa County Coroner Rob Kurtzman says preliminary toxicology reports show Moore did have alcohol in her bloodstream.
Kurtzman warned that mixing alcohol and hot tubs puts people at greater risk for injury or death.'
Toddlers Maim
Dad says 2-year-old son shot him
'MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minneapolis police are trying to find out how a 2-year-old boy allegedly ended up with a gun and shot his father.
The 24-year-old man walked into Abbott Northwestern Hospital last Saturday with a gunshot wound to his arm. The man told police that his 2-year-old son had taken the gun from his mother's purse and fired it at him.
"I cannot think of the last time a 2-year-old was involved in a shooting," Lt. Amelia Huffman, a police spokeswoman, said Tuesday. "It's a pretty rare thing, thankfully."
Huffman said the 22-year-old mother was home but not in the room at the time. A 4-year-old child also was in the house, but there was no other witness to the shooting.
Police were investigating whether there was any child endangerment, since the 2-year-old apparently was able to reach a gun. No was arrested or charged.
The type of gun involved wasn't disclosed.
However, Joe Penaz, who teaches local gun safety classes at gun clubs and gun stores, said that it was possible for a small child to fire a gun if it was an automatic, which are as light as 7 ounces.
"Women seem to gravitate to small automatics," he said. Penaz said he carries an automatic that requires only 16 ounces of pressure on the trigger to fire.
Huffman said the incident underscores the importance of safety when a gun is in a household. "If you keep a firearm, keep it locked up," she said.'