I don't know if peppermint tea would have helped with that massive traffic jam this morning, but maybe I would have been less stressed about it. It's worth a try, I guess. From Men's Health Magazine, 4 tips to help you get to work on time (or early)
Try these easy tips to shave a couple minutes off your morning routine:
Put your bedroom lamp on a timer
Set the light that is closest to your bed so it turns on when the alarm buzzes. When your eye detects an increased level of light, a signal is sent to the brainâs pinal gland. The gland then triggers serotonin, helping you to awaken.
Donât hit the snooze button
While it might be more satisfying to hit snooze and doze back off, thereâs no use wasting those extra minutes. The short amount of time between snooze alarms isnât enough time to for you to fall into REM sleepâthe kind of sleep that actually helps you feel rested, Gerard T. Lombardo, M.D., director of the Sleep Disorders Center at New York Methodist Hospital, told Menâs Health. It just makes you more drowsy.
Drink peppermint tea on your way to work
Peppermint tea has about half the caffeine as coffee and has been shown to improve concentration and performance. The scent of peppermint also makes drivers more alert and less anxious, according to a Wheeling Jesuit University study.
Buy a parking pass
The average commuter loses the equivalent of more than 6 days a year circling streets and spots looking for parking, a British poll found. Instead of wasting that time, shell out a few bucks to secure a spot in a lot near your company.
This almost takes the sting out of the Lakers beating the Blazers in the playoffs this year....Portland is a WAY more romantic city than L.A.! That's according to this article in Travel & Leisure magazine.
The Most Romantic Cities In America:
1) Honolulu
2) Charleston, South Carolina
3) San Francisco
4) New Orleans
5) Santa Fe, New Mexico
6) San Diego
7) San Antonio
8 ) Las Vegas
9) Miami
10) New York
11) Chicago
12) Seattle
13) Portland
Here's the bottom 3 (LEAST) romantic cities
Cleveland
Atlanta
Los Angeles
OK....as much as I LOVE my husband...I sometimes tease him by saying that the day he kicks the bucket, I'm hitting the golf course. ;-) Turns out.....that's a good strategy for finding a rich man to marry....according to this article, from Betty Confidential.
Here's an excerpt....click the link above for more!
3. Look For Millionaires Online: Want to hunt for a millionaire from the comfort of your own home? There are plenty of websites dedicated to hooking up wealthy men with eligible women. One of the best is Millionaire Match dot com, where a woman we interviewed met a millionaire she hit it off with on her third try. The site even has features to make sure your potential man is true, like their âCertified Millionaireâ status.
4. Hotel Lounges and Pools: Catching a traveling millionaire while he is relaxing grabbing a drink or some sun is a great time to start a conversation with your potential beau. Check out the Four Seasons, a favorite of millionaire locals and travelers in major cities, or find out what the top hotel in your area is, pull yourself up to the bar, order a drink and try to nab a millionaire before he checks out.
Read Sweet Sugar: Behind-the-Scenes at a Sugar Baby Party
5. Pals With Millionaire Men: There is nothing like a personal reference! Do you have a pal who met a great millionaire man and has a relationship that is chugging along? Donât be shy! Ask her to ask him if he has any single friends, and go on a double date. Being brought in by your pal and her man gives you instant credibility.
This woman and her daughter were kicked out of Disneyland Paris because she "looked too much like a princess" and they thought it would confuse kids. Ooooohh kaaaayyy.......first of all, she looks nothing like a princess....she looks like a woman in an old wedding dress....and if she wants to be the person that bored people in line make fun of, then whatever.....we need those people to amuse us when we have nothing else to do, right? ;-) Second....have you seen theoutfits they DO allow people to wear in Disneyland? I'm just saying that if they have a wedding dress rule, they should also have a spandex bike short rule. Third.....would you want to wear a wedding dress all day in Disneyland? If they would have let her be, she would have quickly tired of lugging all that material around and trying to cram it into the tiny cars for the rides. She would have been back at the hotel to change in an hour or two. That's my opinion, anyway....what do you think?
I'll never forget the first (and only) time I visited a nude beach. I was new here.....just moved up from California. Having grown up in a beach town, I missed the beach soooo much more that I thought I would. My friends took me to a beach (can't remember the name) on the Columbia and we went for a long walk.....a really long walk.....and somehow, we missed the clothing optional sign....but we certainly could not miss the guy who had opted for no clothes that day! Being caught by surprise, I'm sure we broke the important "no gawking" rule...but did you know there are other rules of etiquette when visiting a nude beach? If you're planning a trip to Rooster Rock or Sauvie Island once the weather warms up....read & learn!
Leave your dog HOME! Dogs like to sniff strangers. Enough said.
Gawking is impolite. If you want to go to the nudist beach for a thrill, do everyone a favor and buy a magazine instead.
Ask for people's consent before taking their photograph nude.
If you're sunbathing nude in a secluded area, leave a bathing suit on a rock to let others know they are approaching an unclothed person. If you're uncomfortable having your suit out of reach, bring a spare.
On a wide open beach, position yourself in the open so you can see people coming and put something on before they get there if you need to.
Get dressed before you leave the nudist beach.
Be friendly, but respect others' rights to privacy.
Avoid sexual activity. It's illegal and offensive.
Advances of an unwelcome or unwanted nature are not acceptable anywhere, and especially at a nudist beach.
Be Prepared. Sometimes, the nudist beach doesn't have any amenities. Bring water, food, towel, sunscreen and anything else you need.
Keep the nudist beach clean. If you carried it in, carry it back out.
According to a professional face reader (btw...doesn't that sound like a fun job?) YOU might not be on the career path that best suits you.....and all you need to do to find out, is look in the mirror. Check out this article below:
SAN DIEGO (Wireless Flash - FlashNews) â In todayâs tough job market, people can find their true calling by examining their own face.
Face reader Barbara Roberts, author of Face Reading: How To Read Anyone At A Glance (Roberts), says certain facial features make people adept at certain jobs.
Someone with close-set eyes, a narrow nose bridge, or a tall, wide forehead would do well in a computer/tech career.
Those with a widowâs peak or large ears would be highly successful in a music career.
Roberts says people meant to be interior designers or artists often have long, thin ears or fine hair.
Teachers, counselors, or anyone in communications usually have a rounded hairline, meaning theyâre great with people.
A ball on the tip of their nose means theyâre the âcenter of all newsâ and people often come to them with gossip.
Finally, those with thick hair and thick eyebrows â representing âphysical enduranceâ â are destined for outdoor jobs.
So your sweetie was "working late" and you want to know if he's telling you the truth? According to a "Human Lie Detector", it's easy to catch someone in a lie, because their body subconsciously gives them away!
Hereâs the list of things to watch for:
A change in the voiceâs pitch. A change in the rate of speech. A sudden increase in the number of âumsâ and âahs.â A change in eye contact. Normally, one makes eye contact one-quarter to one-half of the time. If suddenly, at the convenient moment to lie, heâs staring at you or looking away, beware. Turning his body away from you, even if just slightly. (Or placing objects in front of self in order to create a barrier of sorts â this could be paper, coffee cups, sugar dispensers, etc.) Suddenly being able to see the white on the top and bottom of a personâs eyes, not just the sides. A hand reaching, even if momentarily, to cover part of the face, especially the mouth. Nervous movement of feet or legs.
WooHoooo!!! Eating bacon makes your baby smarter!!! That almost makes up for the no caffeine, no sushi rules. ;-) Sadly, eating bacon does not make US smarter....but maybe the world of science will keep working on that one. ;-)
If you're curious about how it all works, check out the article below (from the UK Daily Mail newspaper)
Bacon and eggs could help pregnant women boost their baby's intelligence Women are usually given a list of foods to avoid during pregnancy and it is well documented that a pregnant woman's diet can affect her unborn baby.
Scientists have found that eating a plate of bacon and eggs could help pregnant women boost the intelligence of their unborn child
But the new study suggests that a chemical in pork products and eggs can help the baby's growing brain to develop.
Scientists at the University of North Carolina have discovered that the micronutrient, called choline, is vital in helping babies in the womb develop parts of their brains linked to memory and recall. In a study of the effects of choline on the brains of baby mice, those fed small doses of choline while in the womb had genetic differences to those given large amounts.Dr Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology journal, which published the research told The Telegraph: 'We may never be able to call bacon a health food with a straight face, but [similar studies] are already making us rethink what we consider healthy and unhealthy.'Other foods that contain a high level of the nutrient include liver, milk, chicken and nuts.Previous studies have suggested that large doses of choline could help protect against heart problems
Kate Gosselin is sporting a new look for the new year......long hair! What do you think? I think it makes her look younger....and a little like Carrie Underwood (never thought that before). Great timing, too! When everyone is wearing your hair for Halloween, it is definitely time to move on.
Anyone else starting 2010 with a fresh new look?
Yes, it's true. Seventeen year old Jon Bon Jovi was doing janitor duty at his cousin's recording studio, where Meco was there recording Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album (hey, back in the day, that was a pretty big deal! )
His cousin recommended Jon to Meko for the song "R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and Jon got the gig. I'm sure he was pretty excited at the time, but you don't hear him bragging about it to his friends these days! LOL! When you listen to it (above), you'll understand why.
Comcast polled 2500 customers about their favorite Holiday movies.
I strongly disagree with this, but the favorite holiday movie moment is:
Ralphieâs friend Flick is âtriple dog daredâ to put his tongue on a freezing pole, A Christmas Story (31%)
I HATE that scene! It just makes me cringe and hold my tongue EVERY time! LOL!
Here's the rest of the list:
Clark finally gets all of his outdoor Christmas lights to work, National Lampoonâs Christmas Vacation (17%)
Fred Gaily uses the Post Office to prove to the court that Santa Claus does exist, Miracle on 34 th Street (14%)
The Peanuts come together to decorate Charlie Brownâs little Christmas tree, Charlie Brown Christmas (11%)
Scrooge has a turn of heart and throws a holiday dinner for the Cratchits, A Christmas Carol (11%)
The Grinchâs heart grows and he returns all of the presents and trimmings to Whoville, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (7%)
Kevin puts aftershave on this face and screams, Home Alone (4%)
Buddy attacks the "fake" Santa, Elf (4%)
According to this article, we should have known Tiger Woods was cheater, because he has an animal name. I don't know....this seems a little far-fetched to me. Have you ever know someone with an animal name....and were they a cheater?
Men With Animal Names Cheat More
LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash - FlashNews) â Hereâs a wild notion: Men with animal names â like Tiger Woods â tend to cheat more.
Kerri Hopkins can analyze peopleâs personality traits based on the letters in their names.
She says monikers like Tiger Woods, Bear Grylls, Snoop Dogg, Matthew Fox, and Scott Wolf all represent guys who are likely to cheat on their spouses.
Tigerâs name implies that he never thought heâd get caught.
Man Vs. Wild survivor Bear Grylls just âwants to be lovedâ â even if it takes multiple partners.
The âDâ in rapper Snoop Doggâs name make him âdaring and defiantâ â not the kind of man that can be tied down.
Matthew Fox is âboldâ and Scott Wolf âloves playing the field,â so both are capable of having affairs.
For men with double animal names, like AOLâs Buck Wolf, settling down with one woman may be even tougher.
Women with animal names are just as bad, like gals named Kitty who are âtotal flirts.â
Hot on the heels of People Magazine's anuual sexiest man issue comes Moviefone's UNsexiest man in Hollywood list.....as voted on by thousands of visitors to their site. I still say I am crossing out Justin Long and replacing him with Dog The Bounty Hunter......but it's a pretty solid list overall. Who did they miss? who does not belong on here?
1. Gary Busey
2. Kevin Spacey
3. Justin Long
4. Paul Giamatti
5. Philip Seymour Hoffman
6. Randy Quaid
7. Michael Moore
8. Mickey Rourke
9. Joaquin Phoenix
10. John C. Reilly
Don't you wish you could prevent all diseases this way? Haha! Researchers in London have discovered that pregnant women can prevent certain birth defects by KISSING....a LOT....during pregnancy!
Here's the story from the UK's Telegraph newspaper:
A romantic gesture or a germ-spreading technique?
Kissing may have developed as a way for a man to help his partner build her immunity to a virus that's dangerous for a pregnant woman, reports London's Daily Telegraph. If the couple kisses for six months, then the virus is passed from the man to the woman and allows her time to build up protection against it, scientists theorize.
That virus, cytomegalovirus, can cause blindness and other defects in a baby born to a mom who contracts it during pregnancy. It's found in saliva and while it's normally not a problem, pregnancy is the exception.
"A pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her unborn baby," explains Dr. Tracy Zivin-Tutela, infectious disease specialist at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital. "Then it causes everything from problems with the developing nervous system to learning disabilities."
Could kissing be the answer? "Female inoculation with a specific male's cytomegalovirus is most efficiently achieved through mouth-to-mouth contact and saliva exchange," University of Leeds researcher Dr. Colin Hendrie wrote in the journal "Medical Hypotheses," as reported in the Daily Telegraph.
With worries about the H1N1 virus widespread, social smooching may be on the wane these days.
Does it make sense to minimize physical contact, not just kissing but hugs or handshakes?
If you are within 6 feet of someone who is actively infectious (coughing, sneezing, fever, runny nose), then you're at increased risk for getting the flu, Zivin-Tutela says. "That goes for the seasonal flu or the H1N1 flu," she explains. "The most important way to protect yourself is not to touch your hands, face and nose."
And that, she says, is good advice even if the people you're around don't appear to be sick. "A person can be very contagious for a day before the full-blown symptoms of the flu develop," she explains.
Hope you like sweet potatoes....because according to the cool kids at Mintel Inc (they track food trends), we will be eating a lot of them next year. Here's a rundown of their list of the top "IN" foods for next year, because I wouldn't want you to suffer the shame and embarrassment of serving an "OUT" food to your guests next year! ;-) haha!
Sweet Potato - Candied, fried, baked or boiledâ¦sweet potatoes are one of the most diversely prepared vegetables. Aside from being a delicious snack or side dish, they also will become known as the new functional food, as they are rich in dietary fiber, beta carotene and vitamins C and B6.
Cardamom - Known to be intensely aromatic with a strong, unique taste, cardamom will find a home in more than just ethnic fare. Cosmic Chocolate recently launched a chocolate bar flavored with cardamom and oranges.
Hibiscus - Commonly seen in teas, the USDA has said that consuming hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure. In the future, expect to see it become a common ingredient in the beverage market. Premium Essence Water from Hint now offers Hibiscus-Vanilla flavored water.
Cupuaçu - The taste of the Amazonâ¦cupuaçu is the next big superfruit. And when we say big, we mean big! It contains more than 10 vitamins and antioxidants, as well as essential fatty acids and amino acids. Musselmans launched a lime and cupuaçu flavored apple sauce showcasing this unique flavor.
Rose water - Rose water is no longer just a fragrance. You can look forward to finding it as a common flavor in ethnic foods or, like Ghalia Organic Desserts in Los Angeles discovered, you can add it to your brownie recipe for a subtle rose water flavor.
Latin - Latin spices will be heating up our palates next year, and you wonât have to dine out to get these exciting flavors. Whole Foods Market now offers a Mayan Ceviche; meanwhile, Icelandic Salsa Shrimp Cocktail features a spice packet loaded with the popular Latin flavor of cilantro.
In case you want to start cooking up some sweet potato goodness early and be ahead of the coolness curve....here is my fave sweet potato recipe!
Sweet Potato and Mushroom Lasagna
Serves 6
3 small sweet potatoes
4 oz. sliced cremini mushrooms
2 T olive oil
3 cloves garlic
15 oz. ricotta
8 oz. cream cheese
5 oz. goat cheese
¼ c. chopped basil
9 no-boil lasagna noodles
3 oz. grated mozzarella
Preheat oven to 400.
Peel and slice the sweet potatoes. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, minced, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the sweet potatoes and the mushrooms, and bake on a foil-lined cookie sheet for 20 minutes.
While the vegetables are roasting, mix ricotta, cream cheese, goat cheese, basil, 1 clove garlic, minced and salt and pepper to taste.
In a 10Ã6 lasagna pan, spread ¼ cheese mixture, then top with 3 noodles, add ¼ cheese mixture, then continue to layer with ½ sweet potatoes, 3 noodles, ¼ cheese, ½ potatoes, 3 noodles and ¼ cheese. Top with mozzarella.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
For a weeknight, the sweet potatoes and mushrooms may be roasted in advance and added to the casserole after being refrigerated all day. Likewise, you can build the lasagna, keep it covered in the refrigerator, and then bake when you get home. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to baking time if youâre baking a chilled lasagna.
Ummmmm....I can't really see MY man wearing this! Can you see your man rocking the cape? LOL! Seriously....Hot or Not? Post a comment and you could win a New Moon T-shirt! (waaaayyyy cooler than a cape!)
Q- According to a nationally known relationship expert, if a girl buys this, you can bet she is about to dump her man. What is it?
A - A new cell phone or pager.
There are actually 6 major signs you are about to be dumped, according to Lisa Dailey, syndicated dating columnist. Here's the list from one of her recent articles.
6 Signs You Might Be Heading for a Breakup:1. She's no longer interested in sex, or worse, she's recently learned some new tricks
A dramatic change in sexual behavior can mean two things: Either your sweetie is trying to avoid any situation where she might have to express emotion or attachment to you, or she's getting it somewhere else. Old dogs only learn new tricks if someone is teaching them.
2. Picking Stupid Fights
If he's picking silly fights, or there's an unusual increase in emotional distance, you've got bad news. If your guy or girl is picking stupid fights all the time, they may be trying to get you to make the first move.
3. He/she says, "I need some space" or "I think we should see other people."
By telling you he wants to see other people, he's not technically breaking up with you (so no big crying scene to endure) but he's given himself a way out. Of course, the second he gets a little distance, he's going to make a run for it.
4. She gives you that little pat on the back.
Watch out for this one. A person who gives you a hug while patting you on the back is indicating that they are uncomfortable with what they're doing. The bigger the pat, the more discomfort they feel. Could be the kiss in front of Aunt Mildred. Could be garlic breath. Could be you.
5. She buys a pre-paid cell phone or pager.
This is a really bad sign. Private investigators everywhere will tell you the pager purchase is a sign of impending heartbreak. Sure, it could be for work, but more likely, she's using it to get a head start on her post-you life.
6. He used to be a blue jeans kind of guy, and suddenly he's obsessed with Armani.
A person who is about to leave (or is cheating) will take greater care with his or appearance - updating his wardrobe, losing weight, working out and even changing cologne.
Shoko Nakagawa is a very popular Japanese singer/celebrity....with a wierd insect fetish. She loves to wear her beetle collection on her head....now, all the cool kids in Japan are putting bugs in their hair. Pleeeeeease don't let this become a trend here! I know I'll never do it.....but I don't want to see anyone else doing it, either....totally makes my skin crawl....just say no to bugs in your hair, kids!
According to a Citysearch article, The Heathman Hotel is the Portland spot you are most like to have a ghostly encounter. Our Crazy News Quiz winner says she and her husband have stayed in one of the haunted rooms and the ghost drank their water.
Here's her story
HEATHMAN STORYHere's a link to the Citysearch article.
You may also want to check out Chuck Palahniuk's book, "Fugitives & Refugees". It's all about Portland and he has a section on Portland's most haunted spots. Here's an excerpt:
** from the book, "Fugitives & Refugees" **
2. The Portland Memorial
It looks like an apartment building rising above SE Bybee Street, just before Bybee curves to merge with SE Thirteenth Avenue. A combination of towering and sprawling wings, built in Victorian, Art Deco, and Spanish styles, it houses more than 58,000 residents with room for another 120,000. It's a 3.5-acre city within the city. A city of the dead. Started in 1901, the Portland Memorial has expanded into a chilly, carpeted maze of marble, concrete, bronze, and brass. You'll find Tiffany stained-glass windows, Carrara marble statues and fountains. Overstuffed sofas and chairs sit in little groupings. Stairways wind up and down. The long vaults link together to make vistas that seem to stretch forever.
Within ten minutes you'll be confused and lost. After fifteen minutes you'll panic. But while you're hunting for the way out, look for the crypt of Mayo Methot, Humphrey Bogart's first wife. After she died in 1951, a dozen roses arrived here every week for decades. Also, look for the Rae Room, the memorial's biggest crypt. Lined with stained glass, the vault holds two freestanding sar-cophaguses and is opened only one day each year. The story is, George Rae married his maid, Elizabeth, twenty-six years his junior, so no family members will visit except on Memorial Day.
And, yes, this is the mausoleum I used as the basis for my second novel, Survivor. Part of the book I even wrote here, but the air is freezing and your fingers get stiff, fast. The Portland Cacophony Society (portland. cacophony, org) occasionally hosts outings to explore the labyrinth. On a rainy day it's a good place to walk, tracing the history of Portland's pioneer families. Or maybe just sit and read a spooky book, surrounded by the dead, in a huge window that looks over the black swamp of Oakes Bottom, toward the spinning colored lights of the amusement park.
The Portland Memorial is at SE Fourteenth Avenue and Bybee Street. For hours, call 503-236-4141.3. Mount Gleall Castle
In 1892 pioneer Charles H. Piggott set out to build a castle "in which no two rooms would be alike and in which there would be no angles or straight lines." To name it, he combined the first two letters of each of his children's first names: Gladys, Earl, and Lloyd. Using bricks from the brickyard he owned on Sandy Boulevard, he built his castle at 2591 SW Buckingham Avenue, on the hillside south of Portland State University. A year later, in 1893, Piggott lost his fortune and had to sell his dream home.
In the hundred-plus years since then, the castle has had almost as many residents. In the 1960s it was available as a fantasy rental, and Portland natives say the Grateful Dead crashed there long enough to give Piggott s castle the nickname "the Dead Castle." People also say Piggott's ghost has never left the turreted, brick castle, now painted white, with a sauna installed in the tower.
One explanation is the system of tin tubes that Piggott installed as an intercom system throughout the house. Supposedly, the system picks up noise from downtown and voices from far rooms, amplifies them, and carries them around the house. The intercom was removed in the 1920s, but the reports of strange noises and voices continue.4. Hoodoo Antiques
Nobody was more surprised than Mike Eadie, owner of Hoodoo Antiques, when people told him that a woman was lurking inside his shop late at night. When it was closed and locked, the alarms were set, and Mike was home with his wife, you could look in through the big display windows and see a woman in a long dress and a bonnet standing near the back of the shop.
Years ago, Eadie's mother-in-law, Ellen Wellborn, had an artist's studio in the Erickson s Saloon building nearby,
once a major combination of gambling hall, beer parlor, and whorehouse, boasting the longest bar in the world. In what was once a prostitutes crib, Ellen found a lovely pencil portrait tucked between the clapboards of the wall. The picture is oval, about six by four inches, and shows a young woman wearing a bonnet and a typical 1860s dark dress.
Ellen gave it to Mike, who's hung the small picture in his store, just inside the front door, but not so you can see it from the street. Even inside, unless you know where to look, you'd never notice it.
Since then, night after night, walking tours pass the shop and see someone inside. They insist she's not a reflection, the woman in a long dress and bonnet, standing in the shadows near the back of the store. Still, the motion detectors don't trip. And nothing is ever taken.
Hoodoo Antiques is at 122 NW Couch Street.5. Bagdad Theater
There are parts of the Bagdad Theater at 3702 SE Hawthorne Boulevard that the employees just don't go into.
Built by Universal Studios as a movie palace in 1927, the theater offered live vaudeville acts until the 1940s. Today it's a combination beer pub and movie theater. Behind the huge movie screen is a separate theater, closed since the 1970s, that may someday become condominiums and a rooftop bar. But right now, it's supposed to be haunted by the ghost of a movie projectionist who hanged himself behind the screen on Christmas Eve decades ago.
That story is decades old. Whenever the auditorium's cantankerous lighting system acts up, they've always blamed the suicide.
According to theater manager Jason McEllrath, someone hung a cardiopulmonary resuscitation dummy behind the screen. They hung it years ago, and the dusty, spooky thing still dangles back there, ready to scare the uninitiated.
The theater basements are another story. The front one, along SE Hawthorne, is pretty ordinary. However, the back basements under the stage and backstage . . . "That's just plain scary," Jason says. "There's no lights, and it's full of creepy junk. Doors that go nowhere. We just don't go down there."
Besides the unexplained lights flickering off and on, employees also report cold spots and chilly drafts in rooms with no ventilation.6. North Portland Library
A few years ago, this former Carnegie library at 512 N Killingsworth Street was renovated and security cameras were installed throughout. Every few seconds the view from a different one of the cameras appears on the video monitor behind the front desk. Soon after renovation, librarians watching the monitor saw an old man seated alone in the enormous second-floor meeting hall. The image only appears for a few seconds before the system cycles to the view from the next camera, but it shows enough to panic the staff. Still, every time they stampede upstairs to find the trespasser, they find the meeting room locked and empty.
Supposedly, the camera still shows the old man upstairs, but only occasionally, despite an increased effort to keep the room locked.7. Cathedral Park
This park gets its name from the towering gothic arches that carry the Saint John's Bridge overhead. These arches march through the park, creating a sort-of cathedral effect. It's a wide-open park of lawns and play equipment, but not long ago it was a wasteland of briar thickets and hobo jungles, warehouses, and old wharves.
For most of the twentieth century local kids earned summer money by picking strawberries, raspberries, and boysenberries on outlying farms. These kids would wait, early in the morning, on street corners where the "Berry Buses" would pick them up. The buses took them to work and brought them home.
In the 1930s a young girl was kidnapped while waiting for the Berry Bus in North Portland. According to local legend, she was taken to the bushes below the north end of the Saint John's Bridge, tortured, and killed. Even now that Cathedral Park is a nice garden and hosts a summer jazz festival, nearby residents say you can still hear that one girl screaming in the park on warm summer nights.8. Sauvie Island
Once called Wappato Island, this island between the Columbia River, the Willamette River, and the Multnomah Channel was home to a village of some fifty thousand members of the Multnomah tribe. Even before Portland was founded, smallpox brought by early explorers had left the island a deserted ruin of rotting huts and scarred survivors.
Today you can still find arrowheads scattered along the Columbia River beaches. Early morning joggers and late-evening walkers also report almost identical encounters with a naked Multnomah youth. The adolescent boy walks along the waterline and doesn't seem aware of anything except the river and the sand.
More recently, so many cremated nudists have been spread on "clothing optional" Collins Beach that most level areas above the tide line are layered in the telltale crunchy white grit of crushed bone.9. Heathman Hotel's Haunted Photograph
At first glance the photograph looks ordinary. It shows the wood-paneled Tea Court of the Heathman Hotel at 1001 SW Broadway. There are paintings by Andy Warhol. A crystal chandelier from the American embassy in Czechoslovakia. A big, blazing fireplace. Flowers, plants, chairs, and sofas. There's the grand piano where Sting and Wyn-ton Marsalis and Arlo Guthrie sit and play for hours when they stay here.
In the photograph it's September 21, 2001, and the hotel's previous owners are officially passing the keys to the new owners. Near the fireplace, just outside the circle of people, a soft, glowing figure stands beside a chair. It's nothing you'd notice at first, but it's there.
"A guy took this picture," says Jeff Jobe, the hotel's general manager, "and the ghost was there. We've tried to reason it away, but we can't. Those lamps in the photo only have thirty-watt bulbs in them."
Charles Barkley stays here, signing his name "Billy Crystal." Billy Crystal stays here, signing as "Charles Barkley." For satirist David Sedaris, the Heathman is a second home, the only place he'd want to live in the United States outside of New York City. Jeff says, "At some point in the history of the hotel, this became the place for authors to stay. It's just the buzz." In fact so many famous writers stay here, the hotel's library has collected some three thousand signed first editions.
It's easy to see why guests keep coming back-and why some guests have never left.
Larry Adams, the hotel's director of operations, can tell you the maids are a little squeamish about cleaning Rooms 803 and 703. If a guest is going to complain, chances are they're booked in 803 or one of the rooms directly below it. People return to 803 or 703 to find the bottles of water half drunk. Desks are moved. Beds are mussed. Towels used. Cups and glasses are turned over. The television is turned on or a chair is moved. Of course, they complain.
But when Larry or Jeff check the key card system, it shows no one has entered the room since the last time the guest left. "There's no way to fudge the system," Jeff says. "You just can't get in."
In September 1999, the psychic Char, author of Questions from Earth, Answers from Heaven, stayed in Room 703. Another psychic, Echo Bodiene, stayed in the room for a week to dialogue with the spirit. The two women agree it's the spirit of a man who jumped from Room 803, committing suicide and now haunting each room he looked into on his way down.
Larry says the man was scarred or deformed in some way. "People made fun of the way he looked, and he was tired of it," he says, adding the suicide took place not long after the hotel opened in 1927.
In 1975 a blind guest named Harris killed himself in Room 303. His body was found by housekeeper Fidel Semper, now retired from the hotel. Employees and guests also report cold spots in the hallways, phantoms breezing past them, and the sound of footsteps on the grand staircase when it's empty.
Now when a guest complains, Jeff shows them the key card records, saying, "Look. Here's the readout. Nothing was stolen. He only moves furniture." Assuring them, "He doesn't make noise. He only drinks the water."10. Lydia
A ghost named Lydia is supposed to haunt the Pied Cow Coffeehouse, a Victorian mansion at 3244 SE Belmont Street. The restaurant that occupied the space previously,
Butter Toes, is supposed to have also been host to Lydia's presence.11. The Haunted Bathrooms
In the bathrooms the trash lids start to swing by themselves. Water will start running in the bathroom sinks. You'll hear the sounds of someone doing their business in empty toilet stalls. Some mornings, the staff will arrive early to find the water running in sinks. Some nights, they'll hear the noise of parties in the private upstairs dining rooms that are empty.
At the Rose and Raindrop Restaurant, server Jenna Hill says, "A lot of people will go into the bathroom late at night and come out looking kind of pale."
Built by Edward Holman in 1880, the building at 532 SE Grand Avenue was for years the Barber and Hill Undertakers and Embalmers. In the dozen apartments above the restaurant, it's a given that clocks will reset themselves all the time. Mark Roe, an artist who sells his work at Portland's Saturday Market, remembers, "I had a girlfriend who lived in an apartment above the restaurant, and I'd stay overnight. You could still smell the formaldehyde coming up through the floors."
The building once housed the Nickelodeon Theater, one of Portland's first vaudeville and silent movie houses, as well as Ralph's Good Used Furniture store, owned by Ralph Jacobson, the man who taught the Hippo Hardware team their trade.
It was designed by Justus F. Krumbein, who also designed the original state capitol building. For several years it housed a restaurant called Digger O'Dells, named for the gravedigger character from the Life of Riley radio show in the 1940s.
The two private dining rooms-where you can hear mysterious parties at night-are named the Duffy and Baker rooms, after two traveling vaudeville troupes. Both rooms are directly over the haunted bathrooms. These, Jenna Hill says, are above the crematory ovens in the basement. Those ovens are walled over, she says, but still there.12. Unmarked Graves
Nobody wanted to work late nights at Michaels (the arts and crafts store) when it was located at NE 122nd and Sandy Boulevard. Lights and a loud compressor would turn themselves off and on at night. It seems that road widening has crowded the adjacent pioneer cemetery, and scores of graves have been misplaced. The rumor among Michaels employees is that their old parking lot is paving over a good share of those plots. As a result several lawsuits against the county are pending.
Several employees at the neighboring Kmart confirm these stories, mostly the lights and noise at night, but asked not to be identified. This outlet of Michaels has since moved a few blocks, to more peaceful ground along Airport Way.13. Maryhill Museum
"The first thing you need to learn is the difference between Maryhill myths and Maryhill reality," say Lee Musgrave, the media spokesman for Maryhill Museum.
Every year, people come visit this fine arts museum in the desert above the Columbia River, and they insist on the wildest things.
They insist that the builder, railroad magnate Sam Hill, kidnapped Queen Marie of Romania and kept her prisoner in a basement cell. And they insist the museum used to keep the world's largest sturgeon in a basement swimming pool. And the queen's gold gown on display in the main hall is covered with real diamonds that the museum staff replace with rhinestones whenever they need money to cover operating expenses. And Queen Marie was the lesbian lover of dancer Loie Fuller. And the place is haunted. Really haunted. A Druid funeral barge, acquired but never displayed, is still stored in pieces somewhere in the museum. And, and, and . . .
To start with, Lee says, "We don't even have a basement."
He explains how the huge Italian villa was built out of poured concrete, with the wooden floors laid over it. As the building heats and cools, it makes a lot of odd noises. He says, "I've been here in this building by myself at night, and I can tell you there are sounds that make you think there's someone in here with you."
Once, a constant knocking from the second floor turned out to be a raven caught between a window and an ornate iron security grille.
About the queen and Loie Fuller, the museums collections manager, Betty Long, says, "They were very personal. They were very warm. Loie Fuller was gay-that was established. She did have a lover. But there was no same-sex relationship between her and Marie."
Ironically, the true stories Betty and Lee offer are better than the rumors. The museum houses royal Romanian court furniture and artifacts, including the pen used to sign the Treaty of Ghent. For years the children and relatives of curators celebrated Christmas in the main hall, using that same priceless throne room furniture, the kids scribbling with the famous pen.
The museum collection includes chunks of the sailing ship Mayflower. It has the first Big Bertha shell fired during World War I. And a sizable collection of Rodin sculptures. And Native American artifacts. And Le Theatre de la Mode haute couture mannequins from 1946 Paris. Sure, they've collected a lot of items, but a ghost?
"I'm here at night for hours," Betty says, "and I don't scare easy. But one night I was working late and came downstairs to see Lee. We were alone in the building. I asked him, 'Why were you going up and down in the elevator so much?'"
Sitting here now, Lee laughs and says, "And I told Betty, 'I thought you were using the elevator . . .'"
To find Maryhill Museum, take Interstate 84 east for about two hours to exit 104. Turn left and cross over the Columbia River. Then follow the museum signs. They're open March 15 through November 15, 9:00 to 5:00, seven days a week.14. Suicide Bridge
The Vista Avenue Viaduct was built in 1926 to replace the wooden Ford Street Bridge. The arched, reinforced-concrete bridge connects Goose Hollow to Portland Heights and passes over SW Jefferson Street. The bridge's dramatic height-and the five lanes of pavement below it-have made it an inevitable magnet for local jumpers.15. Oscar
"At first we weren't allowed to discuss it," says Janet Mahoney, the room division manager for the Columbia Gorge Hotel. "The official policy was: Oscar does not exist. Now it's: Document every occurrence."
And document they do, starting from the early 1980s, when the hotel's third floor was renovated and opened to guests for the first time in fifty years.
Built in 1921, the forty-room Columbia Gorge Hotel was an isolated three-hour drive from Portland. That made it a favorite love nest for Hollywood types from noted sex maniacs Clara Bow and Rudolph Valentino to Jane Powell, Myrna Loy, and Shirley Temple. The hotel was dubbed "the Waldorf of the West" but was eventually forgotten and neglected as a retirement home. Restoration started in 1978, and the hotel again became a lovely clifftop retreat for guests including Burt Reynolds, Kevin Costner, Olivia Newton-John, and Terri Garr.
Trouble started a few years after the 1978 restoration, when they reopened the third-floor honeymoon suite. One day, in the few moments the third-floor hallway was empty, something turned every wall sconce upside down. Janet says, "It took the maintenance man half a day to turn them all back."
On another day, she says, "A guest comes in from the parking lot. She slaps her hands down on the counter and demands, 'Is there something I should know about? I just saw a woman with dark hair, in a white gown, throw herself from the tower and disappear.'"
According to Janet, a honeymoon bride in the 1930s killed her husband in the third-floor suite, then jumped from the hotel's tower, landing in the parking lot. Just recently, another honeymoon couple sat in bed and watched a woman in white emerge from their bathroom, stand looking at them for two minutes, and disappear.
AH over the third floor, water starts running in the bathrooms while the maids clean. Fires start by themselves in fireplaces. In empty rooms heavy furniture moves up against the door so no one can enter from the hallway.
"Nobody's ever gotten hurt," Janet says. "Nobody's ever had more than the wits scared out of them."
One bartender, Michael, stays over some nights and reports the television turning itself on and off and a phantom hand being placed on her face.
A hotel maid, Millie, nicknamed the spirit or spirits "Oscar" after she started finding flowers left every day in the exact same place on the attic stairs. In the attic, marbles roll out of the shadows. They roll uphill against the slanted floor.
To find the hotel, take Interstate 84 east for about 1.5 hours. Take exit 62 and turn left at the stop sign. Cross back over the freeway, toward the river, and turn left again. The hotel will be between you and the cliffs. It's that yellow building-with the tower.16. Powell's Rare Book Room
Employees swear that the ghost of Walter Powell, the bookstore's founder, still walks the mezzanine outside the Rose Room. Check for Walter near the drinking fountain. Steve Fidel in publicity says Tuesday nights are the most likely time. Also check out the sculpture of stacked books outside the northwest street door. Inside the carved stone are the ashes of a man who wanted to be buried at Powell's. The canister of his cremains sat on a bookstore shelf for years until it was sealed inside the new sculpture.
Q- Experts say the most popular Halloween costume for dogs this year is pumpkin, but this is going to be the most popular cat costume. What is it?
A - Vampire
Here's a dog modeling a vampire costume....cute!!!
BTW....here's that article about the pet psychic who says that our pets hate being dressed up....
Pet Costumes Are Undignified
MALIN, Ore. (Wireless Flash - FlashNews) â Dressing up dogs and cats in kitschy costumes on Halloween (Oct. 31) is just so undignified.
It may seem cute to stuff pets into a funny costume, but animal communicator Heidi Wright says furry friends not only find costumes itchy and uncomfortable, theyâre embarrassed by them.
In speaking to animals over the years, sheâs found that many pets get stressed out when forced into costumes.
She explains, âThey want to maintain their dignity. The animals Iâve talked to say theyâre really embarrassed. Cats hold it in, but they get so disgusted by having to wear costumes.â
Wright says putting pets in hats, stuffy get-ups, or in outfits meant for the opposite sex upsets them most.
They want to scratch their owners or hide as a result.
However, pets are willing to play nice if their master explains to them why theyâre wearing a costume and promises to take it off after a few pictures.
Q- Experts say that you are more likely to avoid getting a speeding ticket if your car is missing this. What is it?
A- Bumper stickers! Experts say you need to drive a car that does NOT stand out in any way. Bumper stickers are a sure way to catch a cop's attention (especially if you have some snarky saying about the police or government)
In researching this question, I found some articles with some great advice for avoiding tickets. ...and the hefty fines none of us can afford anyway!
From MSN Money: (click link for full article)
As long as running late is an American pastime, people will speed. And there are ways to protect yourself and your premiums. First, reduce your likelihood of getting snagged by the speed gun in these ways:
Penny-wise = pound foolish. Police will frequently key on an auto that has problems such as broken headlights, taped-over taillights or a missing front license plate. Spend $3 to replace a burned-out license plate bulb and you may save hundreds of dollars later, says Matisyahu Wolfberg, a policeman-turned-traffic defense attorney in New York.
Stay incognito, Part I. Driving an arrest-me red sports car doesn't guarantee you'll get pulled over, but it doesn't help avoid police, say defense attorneys. Ditto -- albeit to a lesser degree -- any expensive car. Consider a Camry over a Corvette and you may save money in more than the showroom. Stay incognito, Part II. Ignore the general pace of traffic at your own peril. "You're a pack animal; don't stick out of the pack," says Casey Raskob, a Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., attorney who focuses on traffic-related cases. Passing police cars is verboten. Stay in the right lane when possible. Keep your eyes peeled. Scan your rearview mirror often while driving. Look for possible spots far ahead where a patrol car could hide. Also, watch how professional truckers drive, and slow down when they do; they've got far more experience detecting Smokey. Don't be sticker shocked. Pasting a Police Benevolent Association sticker to the rear window isn't a license to speed. That jig is long up, says Raskob. Wisecracking bumper stickers -- "Bad Cop; No Donut" -- won't endear you to The Man, either.
Q- Researchers in Finland have discovered that women who eat a lot of this particular junk food while pregnant have less intelligent babies. What is it?
A- Black Licorice.
Whew! If the answer had been chocolate, this would have been a sad, sad day. Haha!You know, I knew there was a reason I hate black licorice!!! I mean, besides the fact that it tastes nasty. If there is any candy I could probably live without (and already am), it's black licorice.
Here's the story, in case you are expecting and a licorice lover!
Warning on liquorice in pregnancy
Eating 100g of pure liquorice a week could affect a child's development
Pregnant women who eat large amounts of liquorice could negatively affect their child's intelligence and behaviour, according to research.
Experts from Edinburgh and Helsinki universities studied eight-year-olds born in Finland, where consumption of liquorice among young women is common.
The children of women who ate a lot of liquorice when pregnant did not perform as well as other youngsters in tests.
Researchers said a component in liquorice may impair the placenta.
They said the component - glycyrrhizin - may allow stress hormones to cross from the mother to the baby.
This suggests the importance of the placenta in preventing stress hormones that may affect cognitive development getting through to the baby
Professor Jonathan Seckl
University of Edinburgh
High levels of such hormones, known as glucocorticoids, are thought to affect foetal brain development and have been linked to behavioural disorders in children in previous studies.
Of the children who took part in the Finnish study, 64 were exposed to high levels of glycyrrhizin in liquorice, 46 to moderate levels and 211 to low levels.
They were tested on a range of cognitive functions including vocabulary, memory and spatial awareness.
Behaviour was assessed using an in-depth questionnaire completed by the mother.
Shorter pregnancies
The results suggested that women who ate more than 500mg of glycyrrhizin per week - found in the equivalent of 100g of pure liquorice - were more likely to have children with lower intelligence levels and more behavioural problems.
The eight-year-olds were more likely to have poor attention spans and show disruptive behaviour such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the researchers said.
Professor Jonathan Seckl, from Edinburgh University's centre for cardiovascular science, said: "This shows that eating liquorice during pregnancy may affect a child's behaviour or IQ and suggests the importance of the placenta in preventing stress hormones that may affect cognitive development getting through to the baby."
The research comes after a study which suggested that liquorice consumption was also linked to shorter pregnancies.
The results of the study are published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Women's Health magazine did a sleep survey and found some interesting things! For example, the average woman hits the snooze bar 3 times each morning (ok, I must say I am waaaayyy above average on this one, haha!). They also found that the average bed time is 11pm and the average wakeup is 6am. The most common nightmare is someone chasing after you.....and as far as reeeeallly good dreams go.....35% of us have had a celeb hook up dream. What celebs do women dream of most often?
1- Brad pitt
2 - Matthew McConaghey
3- Robert Pattinson (??!!??!!!)
Seriously ladies? You would rather dream of this:
instead of this?
Hmmmmm.....maybe they dream about Robert because they can't escape him in real life! Haha! Dude is everywhere.
Q - The word police have come out with their annual list of the most politically incorrect words of the year. This topped the list for 2009. What is it? *hint* it's actually 2 words.
A- Swine Flu
What? Are they afraid they'll offend the pigs or something?
Here are a few others from the Global Language Monitorâs list of the top âpolitically (in)correctâ words of 2009
âMinority.â Talking about minorities is considered insensitive to minorities since this can make them feel like minorities.
âSaint.â I don't get what is wrong with this one....isn't "Saint" a nice thing?
âPolitically Correct.â The term itself can now be considered politically incorrect. Yeah, I don't get this one either.
âFounding Fathers.â Though the Declaration Of Independence was signed by men, this country was founded by some pretty amazing women as well!
âSenior Citizen,â which Loughborough University suggests replacing with âolder person.â
If you're going on a first date soon, you might want to take a minute to read what Juliet A. Boghossian, a behavioral food expert, has to say about what you can learn from your date's behavior around food!
For example, if your date tells you he often orders the same dish at most restaurants, chances are heâs not a risk taker and finds comfort in routine. Someone who hesitates when trying unfamiliar foods probably has a fear of change, so if youâre looking for a partner up for anything, keep searching. But those craving stability should look no farther, says Boghossian.
Menu Manners
Pay attention to the way your date orders his or her food. Menu preferences can indicate the way a person operates outside of the restaurant, too. According to Boghossian, if someone likes to order something new, they are likely to â challenge [his or her] partner to new heights.â Excitedly exploring uncharted food territory often extends into an openness to change and new experiences in life.
Sometimes people let their true colors show during the first date, unintentionally or not. Boghossian feels that if your date does any of the following things, it can give you an idea about your love match compatibility.
Good signs:
Makes frequent eye contact during dinner, especially when youâre talking
Tries to match you in terms of eating pace
Waits until youâve both received your meals before eating
Asks you about your favorite foods, restaurants, or anything that demonstrates an active interest
Offers a sample from his/her dish
Hmmm...proceed carefully:
Focusing on the food instead of conversation (or you)
Starts eating when youâre still waiting for your meal
Doesnât make eye contact
Eating at a haphazard pace, not paying attention to how youâre eating
Run away! He (or she) is not worth your time:
Orders for you when youâve given no preference
Being rude or aggressive toward the host and/or waiter
Makes snide comments about the way you eat
Forgets wallet or purse, making you pay for the meal
Remembers wallet or purse, but assumes youâll pay for the meal anyway
GERMANY!! They get "top honors" because their men are too smelly! Hmmmm....do you think it could have something to do with all that beer & sauerkraut? ;)
Nearly 15,000 women in 20 countries were asked to rate their countrymen's *ahem* bedroom skills and here's how they stacked up!
WORLD'S WORST LOVERS: 1. Germany (too smelly)
2. England (too lazy)
3. Sweden (too quick)
4. Holland (too dominating)
5. America (too rough)
6. Greece (too lovey-dovey)
7. Wales (too selfish)
8. Scotland (too loud)
9. Turkey (too sweaty)
10. Russia (too hairy)
WORLD'S BEST LOVERS
1. Spain
2. Brazil
3. Italy
4. France
5. Ireland
6. South Africa
7. Australia
8. New Zealand
9. Denmark
10. Canada
Have you seen this guy on the news? Geoff Ostling, a retired school teacher from Down Under who is inked just about everywhere below the neck (including "down under") is donating his skin to a museum in Australia once he dies. Cool or creepy? Check out the pix below or click this link for the not safe for work ones.
Q- Many parents do this, but they might want to stop, as researchers say it makes your kids less intelligent. What is it?
A- Spanking.
Oh how I wish this study had come out when I was a kid. In fact, I just may send a copy to mom & dad today with a note that says "thanks a lot!" haha! This is already somewhat controversial, but the researchers bring up some interesting evidence for trauma having an adverse effect on the brain. Check out a story on the study, as well as a discussion on the Today show here.
If you think the creepy guys that hit on you via myspace are bad, check out the video below! See, it could always be worse. Haha!
The Found Footage Festival is coming to Portland (Laurelhurst Theater) in December and if you've never checked it out, you MUST! Basically, what they do is go to garage sales, thrift stores, store liquidations, etc and find comedy GOLD in old video tapes. Now in it's 4th year, they are getting videos sent to them from all over the world. Check out the clip below for a taste of the awesomeness! These guys clearly have nothing to offer, yet still have high expectations for the lady they choose to date (some things never change, right ladies?). It looks like an SNL skit, but I assure you it's real, authentic 80's cheese...and it's spectacular! Do you think ANY of these guys got ANY takers??? I seriously doubt it...but it's funny to imagine WHO would have seen this back in the day and thought "mmmhmmm, now that's my dream man!". LOL!
Video Dating - Found Footage Festival
Q - According to a new book, you can tell a lot about a person's character by looking at facial features and if you want a generous man, you need to find a man with big ________. What is it?
A - Lips!
What do your lips say about you?
According to renowned face reader Barbara Roberts, author of Face Reading: How To Know Anyone At A Glance (Roberts), the size and shape of your lips speak volumes about what kind of partner you are!
For instance, a person with thin lips is often âbusiness- like and terse,â and loves talking about work on a date.
Roberts says someone with a wide and full mouth, like President Barack Obama or Julia Roberts, is typically a very generous partner.
Someone with a narrow upper lip and full lower lip is trustworthy and someone with a tiny, tight mouth like Donald Trump can be self-absorbed.
For the complete picture on someone, Roberts recommends looking at a person's entire face, though, not just the lips. She's been on several tv shows to read faces and talk about it. Check out the clips below!
He's the world's tallest man....8 feet 2 inches tall! Poor guy...no woman will date him because he's "scary". Ok...good point....but I'm sure there are other advantages to being so freakishly tall, right?
BTW....in case you are curious about some of the other people in the world who probably aren't any luckier in love than this guy, here's a story about the world's newest Guiness Book entries...complete with a pic of world's longest ear hair guy! eeeeew!
Q- According to a top Hollywood stylist, this 80's fashion horror is baaaaack. It's also the top fashion trend for women this fall. what is it?
A- Shoulder pads. (eeeeek!)
victoria beckham
Rihanna
Yes. Really. There are many articles out there about this evil fashion industry plot to make us look stupid yet again ;-) ....but this article by the La Times goes a bit deeper into the "WHY" the scary 80's clothes are back.
Ok....some of these actually look good (fried avocado bites....mmmmm) ...others, not so much (that pic of chicken fried bacon is making my stomach want to run and hide)
If you want to check out the entire article, it's here.
Nothing from the Oregon State Fair made the list....not sure if we should be bummed or relieved!
Hot Beef Sundae!
Fried avocado! (maybe it's good they don't have this one at the OR State Fair. yum!)
Fried Coca Cola! Ironically, this one makes me thirsty!
Chicken Fried Bacon! Just call the ambulence now.
I found this today on Careerbuilder.com and had to laugh. A looooong time ago, at my first radio job, I used to work with someone who used to talk about everything on this list! I know this may shock you, but....I couldn't stand the guy....imagine that! Here's the full list with explanations from Careerbuilder.com, so you never have to be "that guy".
You're welcome. ;-)
Don't ever discuss with your co-workers:
1. Salary information
What you earn is between you and Human Resources, Solovic says. Disclosure indicates you aren't capable of keeping a confidence.
2. Medical history
"Nobody really cares about your aches and pains, your latest operation, your infertility woes or the contents of your medicine cabinet," Lopeke says. To your employer, your constant medical issues make you seem like an expensive, high-risk employee.
3. Gossip
Whomever you're gossiping with will undoubtedly tell others what you said, Solovic says. Plus, if a co-worker is gossiping with you, most likely he or she will gossip about you.
4. Work complaints
Constant complaints about your workload, stress levels or the company will quickly make you the kind of person who never gets invited to lunch, Solovic warns. If you don't agree with company policies and procedures, address it through official channels or move on.
5. Cost of purchases
The spirit of keeping up with the Joneses is alive and well in the workplace, Lopeke says, but you don't want others speculating on the lifestyle you're living -- or if you're living beyond your salary bracket.
6. Intimate details
Don't share intimate details about your personal life. Co-workers can and will use the information against you, Solovic says.
7. Politics or religion
"People have strong, passionate views on both topics," Solovic says. You may alienate a co-worker or be viewed negatively in a way that could impact your career.
8. Lifestyle changes
Breakups, divorces and baby-making plans should be shared only if there is a need to know, Lopeke says. Otherwise, others will speak for your capabilities, desires and limitations on availability, whether there is any truth to their assumptions or not.
9. Blogs or social networking profile
What you say in a social networking community or in your personal blog may be even more damaging than what you say in person, Solovic warns. "Comments online can be seen by multiple eyes. An outburst of anger when you are having a bad day ... can blow up in your face."
10. Negative views of colleagues
If you don't agree with a co-worker's lifestyle, wardrobe or professional abilities, confront that person privately or keep it to yourself, Lopeke says. The workplace is not the venue for controversy.
11. Hangovers and wild weekends
It's perfectly fine to have fun during the weekend, but don't talk about your wild adventures on Monday, Solovic advises. That information can make you look unprofessional and unreliable.
12. Personal problems and relationships -- in and out of the office
"Failed marriages and volatile romances spell instability to an employer," Lopeke says. Office romances lead to gossip and broken hearts, so it's best to steer clear. "The safest way to play is to follow the rule, 'Never get your honey where you get your money.'"
13. Off-color or racially charged comments
You can assume your co-worker wouldn't be offended or would think something is funny, but you might be wrong, Solovic says. Never take that risk. Furthermore, even if you know for certain your colleague wouldn't mind your comment, don't talk about it at work. Others can easily overhear.
I say no! He is getting off way too easyand you can tell in this video, he knows it. He's trying really hard not to laugh when they interview him....jerk. What do you think?
Q-If you need to get out of work early today, there is a woman in NY who will sell you a fake ______, guaranteed to get you out of work whenever you need to!
A - It's a fake kid!
Here's what you get (for a mere $19.95): a framed photo of a small child for your desk; "kid art" to hang in your cubicle; and a list of kid-related excuses to use on the boss.
Now, on the surface, it seems like 20 bucks is cheap for a no-backtalk, no-expensive braces, no-stress child.....BUT....what about the stress of always having to pretend you have a child that doesn't really exist? What if they ask you about your Christmas plans and you tell them you are going to Vegas to party....then you've got a lifetime of "eeew, bad parent" dirty looks from your co-workers! No thanks!
However....if you think this could be the best 20 dollar investment of your life....here's the link!
His name is Jon Gosselin.
Haha! Seriously though, before I met Patrick, I dated a few losers and I'll bet you have, too! This article does a great job of identifying the big red flags o' loser-ness! I'll bet you recognize a few exes in this. I did. If you recognize your current man (or woman)...RUN to dump them! Life is too short for losers!
*thanks to thefrisky.com for the article*
He Hates Whatever You Want To Do, But Doesnât Have Anything Better: He complains about you dragging him out to a party, a store, anything that makes you happy. But what would he be doing if you didnât make the plans?
Your Friends Donât Like Him, And You Donât Like His Friends: If youâve banned his BFF from ever stepping foot in your house again, thatâs a sign. But really, the writing on the wall is when the people you like to surround yourself with donât like him.
He Lies All The Time, But Heâs Still Not Good At It: You watch him bold-face lie to his friends and family and you know he does it to you too. Whatâs the point of having people into your life if you donât want them to trust you?
Heâs A Freeloader: Cheapskates are bad, freeloaders are worse. You know he could contribute, but heâs selfish and has an out-of-wack sense of entitlement.
Fashion (Non)Sense: His style is dumb and his clothes are always dirty. He doesnât take care of himself. Plus, he acts like a child anytime he has to dress up and will avoid it at all costs.
He Wonât Try New Things: Weâre all creatures of habit, but this guy just isnât up for anything new. Heck, heâs probs been doing the same things since puberty.
He Corrects You A Lot: In private, in public, he doesnât care. He thinks youâre wrong, all the time.
He Doesnât Take Criticism: Itâs funny, as much as he likes to dish it, he canât take it. He thinks heâs perfect.
He Makes Fun Of Successful People: He never likes someone who is doing well âcause heâs jealous, obvi. Whether heâs dissing someone on TV or your new business contact, he just thinks no one is as cool as him.
Mother Dearest: His mother does his laundry or something else super crazy, and yet, he still rolls his eyes at her and treats her like sheâs incompetent. Or worse yet, worships her to the point of hiding behind her and her arguments.
His Coworkers Hate Him: He canât hold down a job and when he gets fired, no one cares.
He Points Out Hot Chicks Constantly: He talks to you like youâre his guy friend, but youâre not. Sure, you can appreciate that there are good-looking ladies other than you out there. But he should shut his damn mouth.
"Best" & "Mullet"
30 year old, Nate Schoenfeld won this year's "Best Mullet" contest at the Iowa State Fair this weekend. Check out his "Camaro Cut"...yes, that is his non-photoshopped Facebook profile pic....I'll bet the ladies are lining up to run their fingers through that one!
Here are the details of his big win! Btw...the article says that mullets are making a comeback....scary!
p.s. this article says mullets in diguise are the hot new hairstyle for women....eeek!
Q- According to an online dating advice article, the number one food guys should NEVER order on a first date is ___________ ??
A - Soup.
The list can be found here on the askmen.com website. The top 10 goes like this:
1- soup (messy & no one looks good eating it)
2- salad (she will think you are cheap and finicky)
3- buffalo wings (messy and it's "party food", unsophisticated)
4 - corn on the cob
5 - tacos
6 - lobster
7 - fish sticks (she will think you don't try new foods)
8 - vanilla ice cream (she will think you are boring)
9 - milk
10- Big Mac
Here's why Askmen.com says soup is worse than tacos, buffalo wings, or corn on the cob for first date fare:
First rule of thumb: You never want to eat more or less courses than your date. For example, if she gets an appetizer, then you should also get an appetizer (sharing is also acceptable). Same goes for soup or salad. There is nothing more uncomfortable than watching someone eat while trying to have a conversation. If you are ordering a first course, avoid every type of soup. Soup is never a good idea on a first date. Itâs messy, itâs hot and itâs incredibly hard to eat while maintaining any semblance of coolness. Ever tried to look smooth while shoving ice cubes in your mouth because the top of your mouth is singed? The combo of slumping over and slurping is not a good look. Donât you dare pick up and sip from that bowl.
What she will think of you: She will think you donât care about how you look in front of others. If you are willing to sip, slurp, singe, and spill on a first date, imagine how youâll act the first time you meet her friends or parents.
Seriously....would you actually wear these? They were designed by a grandpa in Everett, WA (ummm....first fashion red flag right there....haha!). He was hanging out in a park, watching ladies walk by when he got the idea (CREEPER!)
*note* If you actually think this is an awesome way to flirt with creepy guys in the mall, park, whatever.....you can own a pair of these beauties for a mere $150 (that's the cheap pair...they go up to $569). Here's the website!
BTW....YOU MUST SEE THE VIDEO TO SEE "EM IN ACTION AND GET THE FULL NAUSEATING EFFECT!
Some of these are kind of obvious (bartender, doctor, celebrity)....but I would have never guessed glassblowers get so much .....*ahem*.... attention! Here's the list (and a link to the story)
Architect
Glassblower
Firefighter
Doctor
Celebrity
Librarian
High-Ranking Soldier
Porn Star
Model
Hotel Concierge
Photographer
Bartender
Musician/DJ
Personal Trainer
Delivery Boy
Pilot/Flight Attendant
Furniture Craftsman
Q- One of the most viral videos on the internet right now features a guy in a leotard, showing off a somewhat useless, but highly entertaining skill. What is his stupid human trick?
A- Catching a laptop with his butt. (YIKES!)
Check out the video below and you tell me....is this real or fake?
I think it's fake, but if it's real, I feel sorry for this guy who has obviously devoted waaaaayy too much time developing a "skill" that's never going to help him in life.....unless, of course, he is suddenly attacked from behind by laptop throwing ninjas. ;-)
Q- A new study shows that if a girl wants to lose weight, she should do this every day at lunch. What is it?
A- Take a guy with her!
According to a new study from researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, women order smaller and lower-calorie meals when dining with men than we do when eating with just girls.
In fact, the more men at the table, the fewer calories consumed.
In case you're wondering, guys actually eat MORE calories when dining in the presence of us girls, according to the journal, "Appetite".
Q- What celebrity has recently been immortalized in a series of paintings that feature himself naked....with unicorns...and sometimes pancakes?
A- President Obama (poor man!)
This artist, Dan Lacey, is mostly known for paintings of celebs with pancakes on their heads....until recently, when he discovered that he likes painting nude Obamas! Yikes! I'll post some of his "safe for work" paintings here. The more disturbing ones are his website & blog.
Here's my fave!
I like this one, too! No naked, just Susan Boyle & her singing cat!
Seriously, he puts pancakes on just about everyone!
This is the least disturbing of the nude Obama paintings....BTW, WHY is Dr. House in this? LOL!
Q- Pottytime just got a whole lot more entertaining with this new invention. It's a toilet with a built in _____________.
A- Aquarium!
Yes, this is for real! It's called the Fish-n-Flush. The inventor says kids really love it, but there is one drawback.....people never want to leave the bathroom. Great! Thanks for inventing somethat that enables our men to hog the bathroom even more, right ladies? ;-)
Q- After making it's debut at the Minnesota state fair last year, this food-on-a-stick item was a huge success and has spread to state fairs everywhere this summer. What is it?
A- Chocolate covered bacon on a stick!
Mmmmm....I didn't think it was possible to make bacon any more awesome than it already it, but this might just be my dream junk food. Call me with you idea of a perfect junk food or post it in the comments below....OR, you can just check out the video below.....a taste test of the chocolatey, bacony goodness....
This city has more bizarre theme restaurants than any other city. In this city, you can eat with vampires, live animals, or even Jesus! Where is it?
Tokyo, Japan
There is a book coming out in August about Tokyo's crazy restaurants. In the meantime, several TV shows have done stories about some of them, including a restaurant where you eat out of toilets! Check out the videos below...if you're eating lunch, don't watch the toilet restaurant one 'til you are done! I think the Ninja one is kind of cool, actually...
OK...Monday night was BRUTAL! It never cooled off so we got like, an hour of sleep. We don't have AC, so we checked into the Hotel Monaco last night to take advantage of their air conditioning and it was sooooo nice to get a good night's sleep....but I do have to go home to no AC, so I have been googling all sorts of "How To Stay Cool" tips and this was a pretty interesting list! See if there are any you can use!
P.S. Add YOUR tip for staying cool and you could win Miley Cyrus tickets! Post your tip in the comments and I will choose a winner by 5pm! If you don't want Miley tix, I can substitute tix for The Script. So add your tip and help those of us with no AC keep our sanity!
Some of these tips are stuff I never would have thought of. I hope they help!
Ball up and soak a t-shirt in the sink, wring it out, put it on and sit in a lawn chair (or other chair that lets air through to you) in front of a fan. Re-wet as it dries. Make sure not to soak it with cold water. It can be colder than you think. Instead use lukewarm water so you get cool without freezing. Using a synthetic shirt will ensure no "wet T-shirt" look.
Wet your wrists and other pulse points with cold water. Use a piece of ice wrapped in a face cloth to continue after the coolness wears off. Constantly cooling off the wrists will also cool off the body. Never use just ice; make sure it is wrapped in a towel or something similar.
Wear a short sleeved shirt and put water on the sleeves. If there is a breeze or fan blowing on you, you can actually get cold. Use a squirt bottle, the sink or hose if outside to keep your sleeves wet. If you are outside and wearing long pants and you put water on your legs, the water will cool your legs.
Hold a cold beverage on your neck to cool yourself. A cold object, such as a soda can, held against the neck cools the blood to the brain very quickly.
A bandana, soaked in water and tied about the neck cools quickly and protects against sunburn.
Fill your bathtub with cool water and get in. Once you are used to the temperature, let some water out and refill with cold water. Keep doing this until you are sufficiently cold. Your body will stay cool for a long time after you get out.
Sweat it out. Water vapor produced by sweating actually takes heat away from your body if it is exposed to air and allowed to evaporate. The best thing to do is to put your sweaty self in the path of a cool breeze or fan.
Drink water, even if you are not thirsty! You must replace fluids lost in perspiration to prevent dehydration. Oral re-hydration may be accomplished by drinking an electrolyte-balanced beverage. The electrolytes help to make sure you don't lose vital minerals through sweating. Adding ice will also help cool you off. Avoid lemonade, iced tea, and other sugary drinks.
Take off your shoes or hat while indoors! Much of the body's heat is released through the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, and the scalp. Keeping these areas cool makes a surprising difference.
Wear Light Colors: Darker colors will absorb the sun's rays and be warmer than light or white clothing, which reflects light and heat. Wear natural summer clothing.
Desert cultures have learned cover up skin to keep cool.Cover Up: Covering up may actually keep your cooler, especially if the heat is low in humidity. In the scorching temperatures of the Middle Eastern deserts, traditional cultures wear clothing covering from head to toe. By protecting your skin from the sun beating down, you'll also shade your skin. Be sure your clothing is natural fabrics, and loose.
Avoid direct sunlight. Stay in a shaded area if possible. Exposure to direct sunlight increases the heat index, so that your body may experience temperatures even higher than the air temperature! If you must go outdoors, go in the morning or evening. A wide-brimmed hat is good. Light-weight, loose-fitting cotton clothing should be worn. Put on sun cream.
Go downstairs. Warm air is less dense than cooler air so it ends up layered on top of the downward moving cooler air. If you're in a house, for example, get lower than the roof. Make your way to the basement or lower level. It will be cooler there. Position a fan in an upstairs window to draw off heat collected in upper rooms--set it up so that it sucks air from indoors and pushes it outdoors.
Keep the air flowing. Turn on the ceiling fan or box fan in the room. In the evening, open windows and use fans to create a cross-breeze, circulating cooler evening/night air through the rooms. As soon as the sun hits the building the next morning, close all windows, blinds, and curtains, and keep doors and windows closed throughout the day until it is cooler outside than it is inside. Then you can open everything up again and cool off to be prepared for the next day. Leaving kitchen cabinets open all night helps too; if you leave them closed, they store the heat and your house won't cool off as much.
Turn off electrical heat sources.Turn off the stove or other sources of heat. Don't use the stove or oven to eat--eat out, eat cold food, or use the microwave. Incandescent light bulbs also create heat. Turn off your lamps, as well as your computer when you're not using it.
Use a hint of mint.Try a few minty or menthol products to cool your skin: slather on lotion with peppermint (avoid your face and eyes), shower with peppermint soap, use a minty foot soak, and powders with mint. Mint refreshes the skin and leaves a nice cooling sensation.
Try a heat snorkeling system. Take a glass and fill it almost to the brim with ice cubes. Then hold it up to your mouth and blow gently into the cup. The ice causes the air you are blowing into the cup to cool down drastically, and since the air only has one way out of the cup (the hole which should now be aiming right at your face) the cold air is forced out over your skin. This is a great alternative to air conditioning and is very simple.
Breathe like a yogi. Try the yoga practice of shitali pranayama. Sit down cross legged and take a few deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Roll your tongue into a tube with the tip outside the mouth. Continuing slow deep breath, breath in through the tube and then move your chin to your chest as you breath out through your nose. Do that 5-10 times and you should start to feel cooler. Dogs often use their tongues to cool themselves; perhaps this yoga practice comes from noticing that.
Eat spicy food. It's not a coincidence that many people in hotter regions of the world eat spicy food. Spicy (hot to the taste) food increases perspiration which cools the body as it evaporates. It also can cause an endorphin rush that is quite pleasant and might make you forget about the heat.
Use alcohol--rubbing, that is... Take ordinary rubbing alcohol and a wash-cloth and pour some alcohol onto the cloth and rub it onto your face, being careful not to get any in your mouth or eyes, and stand in front of or under moving air and the evaporating alcohol makes it feel around 30 degrees.
Put a freeze on things. Get a 1 or more 3 liter bottles, fill them mostly full of water, freeze them, then place them in a large bowl (to catch dripping water). Position a fan to blow on them. As the ice in the bottles melts, the air cools around them. The fan will blow that air at you. The water in the bottles can be frozen overnight and used again, repeatedly. This will supplement your AC if you have it, and will serve as a ad hoc AC until you can get a decent AC system.
Think cool. Read books about climbing Mount Everest, visiting Norway, or watch "March of the Penguins", "Ice Age", or "The Day After Tomorrow". You might not be physically cooler, but if your mind envisions a cold environment, you might feel a bit cooler.
Find a shaded area and set up water misting system that connects to an ordinary garden hose that can be found at home improvement stores. Then, just sit there and let the mist cool you off.
Sit Still. Do not try to fan yourself because it can make you hotter. Trying to move while feeling hot can make you feel hotter.
After seeing this last night on Conan, I think ALL political speeches should be performed by William Shatner and his bongos...LOL!
P.S. leave a comment and you could win Miley Cyrus tickets!
I'm still having a hard time believing that a burrito will help anyone sleep at night, but a NYC dietician says it does! The NY Daily News featured an article today that lists the best and worst foods for a good night's sleep. Click the link above if you want to read the whole article. Since we'll need all the help we can get sleeping this week (especially those of us without AC).....I'll post the highlights below!
Foods for Sleep: The Good
Bean Burritos
Carbohydrates are "calming foods" says Annemarie Colbin, the founder and CEO of the Natural Gourmet Institute, a health-minded culinary school on W. 21st Street, because they help the body increase its absorption of the sleep-friendly neurotransmitter called serotonin. Like all dieticians, she recommends choosing nutrient-packed whole grains like beans, barley, brown rice and whole wheat bread over refined carbs like pasta, but all can help you reach a sounder snooze.
A Turkey Sandwich
That Thanksgiving joke about turkey and tryptophan is true: The amino acid â it's found in poultry, eggs, soy and seafood -- gets turned into serotonin in your body, says Mary Jane Detroyer, a Manhattan registered dietician and exercise physiologist. Tofu, scrambled eggs and fish are smarter sleep choices than beef or pork, and you can always follow it up with that old standby, the glass of warm milk: Yes, it has tryptophan, too.
Bananas
Like pasta and brown rice, sugars are also carbohydrates, says Colbin, and they can help calm you down before bedtime. She recommends sating your sweet tooth with natural, nutrient-rich desserts like bananas and dates.
Tofu and Veggie Stir-Fry
Heavy, high-fat, protein-packed meals are harder for your body to digest, says Detroyer. Eating lighter at night helps you rest, she says, and you'll get more bang for your bedtime buck if you consider the carb and tryptophan quotient of dinner, too. A tofu stir-fry loaded with veggies is filling and has both, as does pasta with cheese or scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast.
Two Warm Oatmeal Cookies and Chamomile Tea
Sometimes you need to tell your body it's bedtime, says Heather Bauer, a registered dietician and the founder of Nu-train, a nutrition counseling center in Manhattan: "Create a calming pre-sleep ritual each night," she says, "that you know will help relieve you of the stress from your day." Food can play a part, like carb-friendly oatmeal cookies dunked in a warm, caffeine-free quaff. Chamomile tea, in particular, is known for its soothing qualities
Foods for Sleep: The BadDouble Chocolate Mousse
An espresso late at night isn't a smart idea for the majority of sleepers. But chocolate and green tea have caffeine too, says Mary Jane Detroyer. "Caffeine takes about six hours to leave your body," she says, so if you know caffeine affects your slumber, end your meal with blueberry pie rather than double dose of chocolate.
Steak Frites
A lot of us eat a small bowl of pasta for lunch, saving the meat and potatoes for dinner. But in terms of sleep, says Annemarie Colbin, we're getting it backwards. Carbs are calming, she says, while proteins in meat provide energy. Suppers high in salt might also keep you up: "It raises your blood pressure," says Colbin, "so then you get more energized."
Pepperoni Pizzas at Midnight
"You don't want to eat a large, heavy, rich meal late at night because that disrupts your sleep," says Detroyer. But going to bed hungry can keep you up too: Go with a lighter snack around 150 to 200 calories with calming properties, she says â like carb-friendly bowls of warm oatmeal or Cheerios and reduced fat milk, or a little hummus and whole wheat pita -- or plan the feast a little earlier in the evening. (She's got plenty of recipe ideas, by the way, at www.maryjanedetroyer.com.)
Three Glasses of Water
Most of us know that alcohol affects the quality of rest, says Heather Bauer, and it "often causes you to awaken in the middle of the night." But the latter can happen if you over-hydrate, too: Drink all that water in the morning, not right before bed.
Super Hot Salsa
Have heartburn? Then skip spicy or irritating foods like chilies, high-acid tomatoes, chocolate and fresh mint, says Bauer, if not altogether, then at least a few hours before bedtime. And if you know your body doesn't react well to garlic, onions or other foods, she says, don't eat them just before your head hits the pillow.
Avoid too much alcohol
While alcohol can send you to sleep, it doesn't help you get the kind of deep sleep you need to let your brain perform essential work on your resting body.
So while a snifter of a good Scotch before you retire each night probably won't rob you of your beauty sleep, there are other drinks that are better at bedtime.
Q- According to a new survey out of the UK, we forget AT LEAST 3 things a day....and this tops the list for most forgotten. What is it?
A- Where we left our hot tea (or coffee, since this is the U.S.)
Here's a link to the story! Apparently, technology is to blame. We have more to keep track of, so it's easier to forget stuff. If you don't have time for the whole story, here's the top 25 most forgotten things!
TOP 25 "MOST FORGOTTEN"
1. Letting a hot cup of tea go cold
2. Where you put your keys
3. What you went to the shop for
4. Washing in the washing machine
5. Taking food out of the freezer
6. Charging your mobile / iPod
7. Not swearing in front of the kids
8. Replacing toilet roll
9. Where you parked the car
10. Friend's kids birthday
11. Watering the plants
12. Your age
13. Friend's birthday
14. Recording your favourite programme
15. Burning toast
16. Write a Thank You letter
17. Names of friend's children
18. Buying milk
19. Locking the car
20. Where you put your wallet
21. Food in the oven
22. Buy a lottery ticket
23. Put the toilet seat down
24. Take the washing in
25. Turn off a tap
Seriously?!?! Is Lady Gaga trying to be the new Bjork or something? This has to be the worst celeb outfit I have ever seen...bring back the swan dress!
Honestly....the swan dress was cuter!
Have you ever had a picture taken of you at precisely the WRONG moment? Haha! Ok...then you will feel bad for our pres.....who, I'm certain was just thinking those sandals do NOT go with that dress...
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Actually, he was helping another lady down the stairs. I knew it! He was being all boy-scouty....NOT creepy....the French pres on the other hand....well......check out this video...LOl!
Q - According to a recent study, if you are asking someone for a favor, they are 50% more likely to say "yes" if you do this while asking. What is it?
A - Speak into their right ear.
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Scientists studied people in clubs in Italy and noticed something about those who bummed cigarettes. When they spoke into someone's right ear, they actually scored cigarettes 50% more often than those who sent their requests to the left ear. Here's a link to the story.
Hmmmm....I'll be honest....i'm trying to think of how I can prevent my boss from turning his head next time I'm asking for a raise! Haha!
Q - The star of this very successful tv show has NO IDEA why anyone watches it. In a recent interview, he admitted "my show is awful". What's the TV show?
A - The Jerry Springer Show
Can you believe that show is still on the air? 18 seasons now, but 2009-2010 MIGHT be it's last (let's hope!)
According to a recent online survey, "The Jerry Springer Show" isn't the worst show on tv, though. That "honor" belongs to "According To Jim". Check out the list below. What do YOU think the worst show on tv is?
According to Jim
The Jerry Springer Show
American Idol
The Real World
The Bachelor
WWE Raw
CSI Miami
Survivor
Saturday Night Live
The Simpsons
Power Rangers
Larry King Live
Cops
If you think about it....it's fitting that many of the tributes to Michael Jackson that are popping up everywhere are unusual...even a little odd...somehow, I think MJ would have loved these bizarre displays of affection. He was, after all, someone who certainly knew how to capture attention in unusual ways.
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This is the wierdest one I have seen so far....I hope it lasted longer than it took to build it!
This is from a vigil in China. I'm not sure wearing something that reminds everyone of Michael's later, more bizarre life chapters is the best tribute...but.....maybe that is the Michael they loved best.
A bunch of people showed up at UCLA Medical Center yesterday to hold up one glove in tribute. I found this one oddly touching....maybe I'm just a little wierd, too.... ;-)
If you find any more pics of odd MJ tributes on the web, email me the link! sjstewart@1051thebuzz.com
Q - If you love BBQ, but NOT the mess, you need to try this new product, which promises all the flavor of a cookout WITHOUT the mess. What is it?
A- Meat flavored water.
I know....GROSS! At first, I thought this had to be a joke, but it is a real product....introducing Meatwater! They have around 30 or so different flavors....from fish-n-chips to escargot....icky! They say the cheesburger flavor is their best-seller. Check out their website for more info on how to get them....really, WHO buys (and drinks) this stuff?
Q- In a recent poll, 25% of expectant dads said they didn't plan on having to buy this when their partner was pregnant, but they ended up being forced to buy ________________. What is it?
A- New clothes (aka a "paternity wardrobe")
The survey says that men gain, on average, 14 pounds (and 2 inches around the middle) when their partner is pregnant. Most of them say it's because they were craving more snacks!
Q - Trip Advisor just released a list of the ten wierdest hotels in the world. Only one U.S. Hotel made the list. It's in Idaho and it's shaped like a ____ . What is it shaped like?
A- A dog!
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Is it just me or does it look like you have to enter and exit the Dog Park Bark Inn through the beagle's bootay? Yikes! Here's the link, in case you are planning a visit to Cottonwood, Idaho and it's your lifelong dream to stay in a giant dog!
In case a cave or a jungle treehouse is more your speed, here's the whole Travel Advisor list!
TripAdvisors' Top 10 weirdest hotels:
1. Gamisaru Cave Hotel, Ayvla Village, Cappadocia, Turkey.
2. Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, Dubai
3. Silken Puerta America, Madrid, Spain
4. Hotel de Glace, Quebec, Canada
5. Malmaison Oxford Castle, England
6. Tea Factory, Sri Lanka
7. Huvafen Fushi, Maldive Islands
8. Imperial Boat House Hotel, Koh Sumui, Thailand
9. Ariau Jungle Towers, Brazil
10. Dog Bark Park Inn, Idaho, US
Q- An 18 year old in Romania is suing her tattoo artist for giving her more than she bargained for. She asked for 3 of these, but he gave her 56. What are they?
A- Stars on the face!
18 yr old Kimberly says she asked for 3 stars on her face.....took a nap...and woke up with 56 of them! The tattoo artist says he gave her EXACTLY what she asked for. Her dad & boyfriend freaked out....which is why she is probably suing tattoo guy. She says she is too embarrassed to go out in public now....sounds like a case of extreme tattoo regret to me.....exactly why I won't get one.....and oh, yeah, there is the pain issue.....
Here's a link to story if you want to read more!
Check out the pics below! Does she look embarrassed & humiliated (or even sad)Â to you? Nope! Love the broken "sexy" belt buckle, too, btw. Ha!
Q: Two championships were won this weekend. The Lakers took the NBA crown, while over in the UK, a new world champ was crowned in the sport of ________________?
A: Toe Wrestling (ick!)
"Nasty" Nash took the title away from The "Toeminator" over the weekend. Here's a link to an article about Nasty Nash. He has been toe wrestling for 15 years and has endured 9 broken toes for the love of the sport. I don't see why people are into this sport. It's kind of boring...in fact, it just looks like two grown men playing extreme footsie....but see what you think in the video clip from this weekend's contest.
Apparently, Jay Leno is not as creeped out by other people's toes as most of us are. He toe-wrestled Nasty Nash back in '97 when he won his first championship. Check out the video below.
Q- Police in a small Ohio town are high-fiving today after catching a guy they've been after for two weeks! His crime was asking total strangers what they think of his outfit. What was he wearing?
A- Women's swimsuits
Haha! You can check out the video below. Can I just say that I have seen much worse swimsuit displays at Waterfront Park? Poor fella....
....and can I also ask how it took TWO WEEKS to find this guy? It's not like he blends into the crowd. Enjoy the video goodness below!
Q: According to a dating expert, there are 4 red flags that guys look for when thay are on a date with YOU, ladies. This is the number 1 "big red flag" on the list. What is it?
A: Loving your pets a little too much.<
Here's the article Written by Oliver "Ali" Nejad for FNC iMag (Fox News Channel):
Gentlemen, over the course of our dating careers one of the easiest things we've learned to pick up on are "green flags," or signs that a woman is willing or ready to accept our advances toward her. This is partly because we are constantly looking for these sorts of signs. They lead us to that which we are hoping to experience: a successful romantic pursuit. What we fail to do as well as this however, is look for "red flags," or reasons why we should abandon the SS Future Fling with the fervor of Titanic passengers.
Red flags take many forms, most of which we will gladly dismiss or overlook in favor of making things work with someone initially, but will only prove to light a retroactive bulb in our heads down the line when we realize we could've predicted the incompatibility. So to help temper our compatibility biases, I have assembled the following typical red flags (at least for me):
1) Pets: If a woman shows a remarkable, borderline inordinate amount of affection for her pet, it is tempting to regard her as a very sweet person. Trouble is you will often find yourself riding backseat while Fido rides shotgun in the love-mobile. Pay attention to moments spoiled by her need to get away and feed/water/walk the dog, and you won't be rolling your eyes down the line when you find yourself in a veterinary waiting room with an engagement ring in your pocket.
2) PIMs: Personal Information Managers can take many forms. Devices that come to mind are Crackberrys and iPhones, but I am going to lump social networking sites into the mix as well: Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster just to name a few. If a woman spends several hours a day on these sites, or more criminally several minutes a date texting/emailing etc., you'll find yourself wishing you had the pet problem instead. This sort of attention deficit will eventually wear thin on you, and isn't likely to be something you can wean her off of anytime soon. Even the most low maintenance of us have a certain amount of need to be focused upon, especially early on when we are looking to engage someone in informative conversations about one another.
3) LTR Talk: When conversation that revolves around a Long Term Relationship rears its head early in your dating, it's generally a sign of a presumptuous and possessive woman. This type can take the form of smitten-kitten or pants-wearer but in either extreme is equally as dangerous. If it's reciprocal love at first sight then more power to you both, but if the affair is one-sided, get the hell out of Dodge! Who wants to hear what the kids you didn't even know you were having are going to be named? Or where the wedding you didn't even sign on for will be held? You can bank on a total lack of control and reasonable freedom in a relationship with these types, and last I checked that didn't graft well onto the archetypal male.
4) Lack of Intelligence: This is the trickiest of the red flags. Many men have been conditioned to have an affinity for the less intelligent woman because she is almost always less challenging and opinionated, making for more deference and agreeability - less threatening attributes to our male bravado. But don't be fooled into thinking that this is something you will carry a preference for deep into a relationship. In fact, the burdens and challenges couples inevitably face will be shouldered exclusively by you in such an arrangement. These pairings are thoroughly devoid of a sense of "team." Experience tells us that we do best when we're pushed a little, and that is something the ditzes haven't figured out yet.
Q: Packing for a beach trip just got easier, thanks to a new invention.....it's sandals with a built-in _____________. What is it?
A: Metal detector. Check out the hotness in the pic below. Ladies, would you date a man that wears these in public? Just add 1 mesh half-shirt + 1 fanny pack and that = irresistable!  LOL!
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If you are convinced this is the best invention ever, here's where you buy them.
Q-Scientists studying wild dolphins in Tampa Bay have discovered that they share a behavior with your pet dog or cat. Unfortunately, when dolphins do this, people are getting hurt. What is it?
A- Begging for people food. Check out the pic below of one of the dolphins in their study. He wants that beer! Yikes!
Q: In Malaysia, if you are caught doing this in public, they will not only fine you....they will also publicly embarrass and humiliate you. What is it?
A: Litter.
The story is below. You might also want to rethink calling your wife "ugly" in Malaysia. They'll put you in jail for that.....which is nothing compared to what your wife might do to you.....and of course, you'd probably deserve it. ;-)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia â After flyers failed to stop litterbugs, the frustrated mayor of a Malaysian town told his officials to blow the whistle on offenders â literally.Khazali Din, mayor of the northern Alor Star city, said Thursday that those who throw garbage on the streets will be greeted with a sharp whistle blown by patrolling city officials, and a fine of up to 300 ringgit ($85)."I've been trying so many methods, but they failed. I think this is the best way because people will feel shy or embarrassed when they are caught red-handed," he said.The whistle offensive started Monday, but Khazali said his officers are not yet adept at pouncing on offenders, so no one has been caught yet.The litter monitors must learn to act "on the spot, on the dot," he said, adding that the city will give the whistle campaign until at least the end of the year to show results.Some offenders may be let off with a warning, without having to face the full music, he said.
Here's the other story:
Â
Malaysian men who call their wives ugly could go to jail
Men in Malaysia who call their wives ugly could find themselves thrown into prison. The government is being asked to consider criminalising 'emotional violence'. Women's groups say husbands who demonstrate a pattern of causing psychological damage should face counselling, fines or jail. Offenders could include a man who 'tells his wife she is ugly or humiliates her until she feels emotionally pressured', the head of the government's Women's Development Department said during a conference on violence against women. Noorul Ainur Mohamad Nur said emotional abuse could deeply scar a woman's dignity and self-confidence. About 90 per cent of some 800 women who called the country's Women's Aid Organisation for help last year reported being psychologically abused, though some were also physically assaulted. The Women's Development Department proposed the legislation after lobbying from human rights groups.There were no immediate details about when Parliament would discuss the plan.
Q: According to a top celebrity stylist, you can tell everything you need to know about this celebrity's personality by taking one look at her hair.
Â
A: Kate Gosselin (From "John & Kate plus 8")
Here's the article:
Â
LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash) â If the world wants answers from tabloid TV mom Kate Gosselin, all we have to do is examine her hair.
     According to celebrity hairstylist Billy Lowe, a personâs hairstyle says a lot about their personality and lifestyle, and the Jon And Kate Plus Eight momâs smooth in the front, spikey in the back âdo is full of secrets.
     Lowe says the outdated â80s hairstyle has tons of âdisconnects,â very reflective of Gosselinâs troubled marriage.
     The rough spikes in the back may be indicative of her prickly personality and the smooth bangs â perhaps a sign of Gosselin putting on a good front for the cameras â make the âdo a complete donât.
     Lowe says the style is far too âharshâ and lacks feminine softness.
     Itâs also not conducive to Gosselinâs busy lifestyle, since coiffing it every day without help could take hours.
     Lowe thinks the âdo is probably the result of an impulse decision on Gosselinâs part, who probably thought itâd be easy to maintain at first.
I am at Lexi Dog on 6100 SW Macadam Ave. Portland, OR 97239 (503-327-8219).Im Chico, a handsome lil hot rod looking to put your heart in overdrive. You may have heard that I traveled quite a distance to arrive here at the Oregon Humane Society;...
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According to a recent article, the real reason some people are "unlucky in love" is NOT because they aren't doing the right things on a date......they are simply picking the WRONG people to focus their romantic attention on.
How do you...
Sheryl's got your Hollywood news and your favorite Buzz artists, every weekday from 10am-3pm. Thanks for spending your workday with her!
This almost takes the sting out of the Lakers beating the Blazers in the playoffs this year....Portland is a WAY more romantic city than L.A.! That's according to 
OK....as much as I LOVE my husband...I sometimes tease him by saying that the day he kicks the bucket, I'm hitting the golf course. ;-) Turns out.....that's a good strategy for finding a rich man to marry....according to this article, from Betty Confidential.
Here's an excerpt....click the link above for more!
3. Look For Millionaires Online: Want to hunt for a millionaire from the comfort of your own home? There are plenty of websites dedicated to hooking up wealthy men with eligible women. One of the best is Millionaire Match dot com, where a woman we interviewed met a millionaire she hit it off with on her third try. The site even has features to make sure your potential man is true, like their âCertified Millionaireâ status.
4. Hotel Lounges and Pools: Catching a traveling millionaire while he is relaxing grabbing a drink or some sun is a great time to start a conversation with your potential beau. Check out the Four Seasons, a favorite of millionaire locals and travelers in major cities, or find out what the top hotel in your area is, pull yourself up to the bar, order a drink and try to nab a millionaire before he checks out.
Read Sweet Sugar: Behind-the-Scenes at a Sugar Baby Party
5. Pals With Millionaire Men: There is nothing like a personal reference! Do you have a pal who met a great millionaire man and has a relationship that is chugging along? Donât be shy! Ask her to ask him if he has any single friends, and go on a double date. Being brought in by your pal and her man gives you instant credibility.
According to 
I'll never forget the first (and only) time I visited a nude beach. I was new here.....just moved up from California. Having grown up in a beach town, I missed the beach soooo much more that I thought I would. My friends took me to a beach (can't remember the name) on the Columbia and we went for a long walk.....a really long walk.....and somehow, we missed the clothing optional sign....but we certainly could not miss the guy who had opted for no clothes that day! Being caught by surprise, I'm sure we broke the important "no gawking" rule...but did you know there are other rules of etiquette when visiting a nude beach? If you're planning a trip to Rooster Rock or Sauvie Island once the weather warms up....read & learn!
Leave your dog HOME! Dogs like to sniff strangers. Enough said.
Gawking is impolite. If you want to go to the nudist beach for a thrill, do everyone a favor and buy a magazine instead.
Ask for people's consent before taking their photograph nude.
If you're sunbathing nude in a secluded area, leave a bathing suit on a rock to let others know they are approaching an unclothed person. If you're uncomfortable having your suit out of reach, bring a spare.
On a wide open beach, position yourself in the open so you can see people coming and put something on before they get there if you need to.
Get dressed before you leave the nudist beach.
Be friendly, but respect others' rights to privacy.
Avoid sexual activity. It's illegal and offensive.
Advances of an unwelcome or unwanted nature are not acceptable anywhere, and especially at a nudist beach.
Be Prepared. Sometimes, the nudist beach doesn't have any amenities. Bring water, food, towel, sunscreen and anything else you need.
Keep the nudist beach clean. If you carried it in, carry it back out.
According to a professional face reader (btw...doesn't that sound like a fun job?) YOU might not be on the career path that best suits you.....and all you need to do to find out, is look in the mirror. Check out this article below:
SAN DIEGO (Wireless Flash - FlashNews) â In todayâs tough job market, people can find their true calling by examining their own face.
Face reader Barbara Roberts, author of Face Reading: How To Read Anyone At A Glance (Roberts), says certain facial features make people adept at certain jobs.
Someone with close-set eyes, a narrow nose bridge, or a tall, wide forehead would do well in a computer/tech career.
Those with a widowâs peak or large ears would be highly successful in a music career.
Roberts says people meant to be interior designers or artists often have long, thin ears or fine hair.
Teachers, counselors, or anyone in communications usually have a rounded hairline, meaning theyâre great with people.
A ball on the tip of their nose means theyâre the âcenter of all newsâ and people often come to them with gossip.
Finally, those with thick hair and thick eyebrows â representing âphysical enduranceâ â are destined for outdoor jobs.
So your sweetie was "working late" and you want to know if he's telling you the truth? According to a "Human Lie Detector", it's easy to catch someone in a lie, because their body subconsciously gives them away!
Hereâs the list of things to watch for:
A change in the voiceâs pitch.
A change in the rate of speech.
A sudden increase in the number of âumsâ and âahs.â
A change in eye contact. Normally, one makes eye contact one-quarter to one-half of the time. If suddenly, at the convenient moment to lie, heâs staring at you or looking away, beware.
Turning his body away from you, even if just slightly. (Or placing objects in front of self in order to create a barrier of sorts â this could be paper, coffee cups, sugar dispensers, etc.)
Suddenly being able to see the white on the top and bottom of a personâs eyes, not just the sides.
A hand reaching, even if momentarily, to cover part of the face, especially the mouth.
Nervous movement of feet or legs. 
WooHoooo!!! Eating bacon makes your baby smarter!!! That almost makes up for the no caffeine, no sushi rules. ;-) Sadly, eating bacon does not make US smarter....but maybe the world of science will keep working on that one. ;-)
If you're curious about how it all works, check out the article below (from the UK Daily Mail newspaper)
Bacon and eggs could help pregnant women boost their baby's intelligence
Women are usually given a list of foods to avoid during pregnancy and it is well documented that a pregnant woman's diet can affect her unborn baby.
Scientists have found that eating a plate of bacon and eggs could help pregnant women boost the intelligence of their unborn child
But the new study suggests that a chemical in pork products and eggs can help the baby's growing brain to develop.
Scientists at the University of North Carolina have discovered that the micronutrient, called choline, is vital in helping babies in the womb develop parts of their brains linked to memory and recall.
In a study of the effects of choline on the brains of baby mice, those fed small doses of choline while in the womb had genetic differences to those given large amounts.
Dr Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology journal, which published the research told The Telegraph: 'We may never be able to call bacon a health food with a straight face, but [similar studies] are already making us rethink what we consider healthy and unhealthy.'
Other foods that contain a high level of the nutrient include liver, milk, chicken and nuts.
Previous studies have suggested that large doses of choline could help protect against heart problems
Ralphieâs friend Flick is âtriple dog daredâ to put his tongue on a freezing pole, A Christmas Story (31%)
I HATE that scene! It just makes me cringe and hold my tongue EVERY time! LOL!
Here's the rest of the list:
Clark finally gets all of his outdoor Christmas lights to work, National Lampoonâs Christmas Vacation (17%)
Fred Gaily uses the Post Office to prove to the court that Santa Claus does exist, Miracle on 34 th Street (14%)
The Peanuts come together to decorate Charlie Brownâs little Christmas tree, Charlie Brown Christmas (11%)
Scrooge has a turn of heart and throws a holiday dinner for the Cratchits, A Christmas Carol (11%)
The Grinchâs heart grows and he returns all of the presents and trimmings to Whoville, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (7%)
Kevin puts aftershave on this face and screams, Home Alone (4%)
Buddy attacks the "fake" Santa, Elf (4%)
According to this article, we should have known Tiger Woods was cheater, because he has an animal name. I don't know....this seems a little far-fetched to me. Have you ever know someone with an animal name....and were they a cheater?
Men With Animal Names Cheat More
LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash - FlashNews) â Hereâs a wild notion: Men with animal names â like Tiger Woods â tend to cheat more.
Kerri Hopkins can analyze peopleâs personality traits based on the letters in their names.
She says monikers like Tiger Woods, Bear Grylls, Snoop Dogg, Matthew Fox, and Scott Wolf all represent guys who are likely to cheat on their spouses.
Tigerâs name implies that he never thought heâd get caught.
Man Vs. Wild survivor Bear Grylls just âwants to be lovedâ â even if it takes multiple partners.
The âDâ in rapper Snoop Doggâs name make him âdaring and defiantâ â not the kind of man that can be tied down.
Matthew Fox is âboldâ and Scott Wolf âloves playing the field,â so both are capable of having affairs.
For men with double animal names, like AOLâs Buck Wolf, settling down with one woman may be even tougher.
Women with animal names are just as bad, like gals named Kitty who are âtotal flirts.â
Hot on the heels of People Magazine's anuual sexiest man issue comes Moviefone's UNsexiest man in Hollywood list.....as voted on by thousands of visitors to their site. I still say I am crossing out Justin Long and replacing him with Dog The Bounty Hunter......but it's a pretty solid list overall. Who did they miss? who does not belong on here?
1. Gary Busey
2. Kevin Spacey
3. Justin Long
4. Paul Giamatti
5. Philip Seymour Hoffman
6. Randy Quaid
7. Michael Moore
8. Mickey Rourke
9. Joaquin Phoenix
10. John C. Reilly
Don't you wish you could prevent all diseases this way? Haha! Researchers in London have discovered that pregnant women can prevent certain birth defects by KISSING....a LOT....during pregnancy!
Here's the story from the UK's Telegraph newspaper:
A romantic gesture or a germ-spreading technique?
Kissing may have developed as a way for a man to help his partner build her immunity to a virus that's dangerous for a pregnant woman, reports London's Daily Telegraph. If the couple kisses for six months, then the virus is passed from the man to the woman and allows her time to build up protection against it, scientists theorize.
That virus, cytomegalovirus, can cause blindness and other defects in a baby born to a mom who contracts it during pregnancy. It's found in saliva and while it's normally not a problem, pregnancy is the exception.
"A pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her unborn baby," explains Dr. Tracy Zivin-Tutela, infectious disease specialist at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital. "Then it causes everything from problems with the developing nervous system to learning disabilities."
Could kissing be the answer? "Female inoculation with a specific male's cytomegalovirus is most efficiently achieved through mouth-to-mouth contact and saliva exchange," University of Leeds researcher Dr. Colin Hendrie wrote in the journal "Medical Hypotheses," as reported in the Daily Telegraph.
With worries about the H1N1 virus widespread, social smooching may be on the wane these days.
Does it make sense to minimize physical contact, not just kissing but hugs or handshakes?
If you are within 6 feet of someone who is actively infectious (coughing, sneezing, fever, runny nose), then you're at increased risk for getting the flu, Zivin-Tutela says. "That goes for the seasonal flu or the H1N1 flu," she explains. "The most important way to protect yourself is not to touch your hands, face and nose."
And that, she says, is good advice even if the people you're around don't appear to be sick. "A person can be very contagious for a day before the full-blown symptoms of the flu develop," she explains.
Hope you like sweet potatoes....because according to the cool kids at Mintel Inc (they track food trends), we will be eating a lot of them next year. Here's a rundown of their list of the top "IN" foods for next year, because I wouldn't want you to suffer the shame and embarrassment of serving an "OUT" food to your guests next year! ;-) haha!
Sweet Potato - Candied, fried, baked or boiledâ¦sweet potatoes are one of the most diversely prepared vegetables. Aside from being a delicious snack or side dish, they also will become known as the new functional food, as they are rich in dietary fiber, beta carotene and vitamins C and B6.
Cardamom - Known to be intensely aromatic with a strong, unique taste, cardamom will find a home in more than just ethnic fare. Cosmic Chocolate recently launched a chocolate bar flavored with cardamom and oranges.
Hibiscus - Commonly seen in teas, the USDA has said that consuming hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure. In the future, expect to see it become a common ingredient in the beverage market. Premium Essence Water from Hint now offers Hibiscus-Vanilla flavored water.
Cupuaçu - The taste of the Amazonâ¦cupuaçu is the next big superfruit. And when we say big, we mean big! It contains more than 10 vitamins and antioxidants, as well as essential fatty acids and amino acids. Musselmans launched a lime and cupuaçu flavored apple sauce showcasing this unique flavor.
Rose water - Rose water is no longer just a fragrance. You can look forward to finding it as a common flavor in ethnic foods or, like Ghalia Organic Desserts in Los Angeles discovered, you can add it to your brownie recipe for a subtle rose water flavor.
Latin - Latin spices will be heating up our palates next year, and you wonât have to dine out to get these exciting flavors. Whole Foods Market now offers a Mayan Ceviche; meanwhile, Icelandic Salsa Shrimp Cocktail features a spice packet loaded with the popular Latin flavor of cilantro.
In case you want to start cooking up some sweet potato goodness early and be ahead of the coolness curve....here is my fave sweet potato recipe!
Ummmmm....I can't really see MY man wearing this! Can you see your man rocking the cape? LOL! Seriously....Hot or Not? Post a comment and you could win a New Moon T-shirt! (waaaayyyy cooler than a cape!)
According to a Citysearch article, The Heathman Hotel is the Portland spot you are most like to have a ghostly encounter. Our Crazy News Quiz winner says she and her husband have stayed in one of the haunted rooms and the ghost drank their water.
Here's her story
Q- Experts say that you are more likely to avoid getting a speeding ticket if your car is missing this. What is it?
A- Bumper stickers! Experts say you need to drive a car that does NOT stand out in any way. Bumper stickers are a sure way to catch a cop's attention (especially if you have some snarky saying about the police or government)
In researching this question, I found some articles with some great advice for avoiding tickets. ...and the hefty fines none of us can afford anyway!
Q- Researchers in Finland have discovered that women who eat a lot of this particular junk food while pregnant have less intelligent babies. What is it?
A- Black Licorice.
Whew! If the answer had been chocolate, this would have been a sad, sad day. Haha!You know, I knew there was a reason I hate black licorice!!! I mean, besides the fact that it tastes nasty. If there is any candy I could probably live without (and already am), it's black licorice.
Here's the story, in case you are expecting and a licorice lover!
Warning on liquorice in pregnancy
Eating 100g of pure liquorice a week could affect a child's development
Pregnant women who eat large amounts of liquorice could negatively affect their child's intelligence and behaviour, according to research.
Experts from Edinburgh and Helsinki universities studied eight-year-olds born in Finland, where consumption of liquorice among young women is common.
The children of women who ate a lot of liquorice when pregnant did not perform as well as other youngsters in tests.
Researchers said a component in liquorice may impair the placenta.
They said the component - glycyrrhizin - may allow stress hormones to cross from the mother to the baby.
This suggests the importance of the placenta in preventing stress hormones that may affect cognitive development getting through to the baby
Professor Jonathan Seckl
University of Edinburgh
High levels of such hormones, known as glucocorticoids, are thought to affect foetal brain development and have been linked to behavioural disorders in children in previous studies.
Of the children who took part in the Finnish study, 64 were exposed to high levels of glycyrrhizin in liquorice, 46 to moderate levels and 211 to low levels.
They were tested on a range of cognitive functions including vocabulary, memory and spatial awareness.
Behaviour was assessed using an in-depth questionnaire completed by the mother.
Shorter pregnancies
The results suggested that women who ate more than 500mg of glycyrrhizin per week - found in the equivalent of 100g of pure liquorice - were more likely to have children with lower intelligence levels and more behavioural problems.
The eight-year-olds were more likely to have poor attention spans and show disruptive behaviour such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the researchers said.
Professor Jonathan Seckl, from Edinburgh University's centre for cardiovascular science, said: "This shows that eating liquorice during pregnancy may affect a child's behaviour or IQ and suggests the importance of the placenta in preventing stress hormones that may affect cognitive development getting through to the baby."
The research comes after a study which suggested that liquorice consumption was also linked to shorter pregnancies.
The results of the study are published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
instead of this?
![swine-flu[1]](http://blogs.1051thebuzz.com/files/2009/10/swine-flu1.JPG "swine-flu[1]")
Q- Many parents do this, but they might want to stop, as researchers say it makes your kids less intelligent. What is it?
A- Spanking.
Oh how I wish this study had come out when I was a kid. In fact, I just may send a copy to mom & dad today with a note that says "thanks a lot!" haha! This is already somewhat controversial, but the researchers bring up some interesting evidence for trauma having an adverse effect on the brain. 
victoria beckham
Rihanna
Yes. Really. There are many articles out there about this evil fashion industry plot to make us look stupid yet again ;-) ....but 
I found this today on Careerbuilder.com and had to laugh. A looooong time ago, at my first radio job, I used to work with someone who used to talk about everything on this list! I know this may shock you, but....I couldn't stand the guy....imagine that! Here's the full list with explanations from Careerbuilder.com, so you never have to be "that guy".
You're welcome. ;-)
Don't ever discuss with your co-workers:
1. Salary information
What you earn is between you and Human Resources, Solovic says. Disclosure indicates you aren't capable of keeping a confidence.
2. Medical history
"Nobody really cares about your aches and pains, your latest operation, your infertility woes or the contents of your medicine cabinet," Lopeke says. To your employer, your constant medical issues make you seem like an expensive, high-risk employee.
3. Gossip
Whomever you're gossiping with will undoubtedly tell others what you said, Solovic says. Plus, if a co-worker is gossiping with you, most likely he or she will gossip about you.
4. Work complaints
Constant complaints about your workload, stress levels or the company will quickly make you the kind of person who never gets invited to lunch, Solovic warns. If you don't agree with company policies and procedures, address it through official channels or move on.
5. Cost of purchases
The spirit of keeping up with the Joneses is alive and well in the workplace, Lopeke says, but you don't want others speculating on the lifestyle you're living -- or if you're living beyond your salary bracket.
6. Intimate details
Don't share intimate details about your personal life. Co-workers can and will use the information against you, Solovic says.
7. Politics or religion
"People have strong, passionate views on both topics," Solovic says. You may alienate a co-worker or be viewed negatively in a way that could impact your career.
8. Lifestyle changes
Breakups, divorces and baby-making plans should be shared only if there is a need to know, Lopeke says. Otherwise, others will speak for your capabilities, desires and limitations on availability, whether there is any truth to their assumptions or not.
9. Blogs or social networking profile
What you say in a social networking community or in your personal blog may be even more damaging than what you say in person, Solovic warns. "Comments online can be seen by multiple eyes. An outburst of anger when you are having a bad day ... can blow up in your face."
10. Negative views of colleagues
If you don't agree with a co-worker's lifestyle, wardrobe or professional abilities, confront that person privately or keep it to yourself, Lopeke says. The workplace is not the venue for controversy.
11. Hangovers and wild weekends
It's perfectly fine to have fun during the weekend, but don't talk about your wild adventures on Monday, Solovic advises. That information can make you look unprofessional and unreliable.
12. Personal problems and relationships -- in and out of the office
"Failed marriages and volatile romances spell instability to an employer," Lopeke says. Office romances lead to gossip and broken hearts, so it's best to steer clear. "The safest way to play is to follow the rule, 'Never get your honey where you get your money.'"
13. Off-color or racially charged comments
You can assume your co-worker wouldn't be offended or would think something is funny, but you might be wrong, Solovic says. Never take that risk. Furthermore, even if you know for certain your colleague wouldn't mind your comment, don't talk about it at work. Others can easily overhear.
Here's what you get (for a mere $19.95): a framed photo of a small child for your desk; "kid art" to hang in your cubicle; and a list of kid-related excuses to use on the boss.
Now, on the surface, it seems like 20 bucks is cheap for a no-backtalk, no-expensive braces, no-stress child.....BUT....what about the stress of always having to pretend you have a child that doesn't really exist? What if they ask you about your Christmas plans and you tell them you are going to Vegas to party....then you've got a lifetime of "eeew, bad parent" dirty looks from your co-workers! No thanks!
However....if you think this could be the best 20 dollar investment of your life....
Haha! Seriously though, before I met Patrick, I dated a few losers and I'll bet you have, too! This article does a great job of identifying the big red flags o' loser-ness! I'll bet you recognize a few exes in this. I did. If you recognize your current man (or woman)...RUN to dump them! Life is too short for losers!
*thanks to thefrisky.com for the article*
He Hates Whatever You Want To Do, But Doesnât Have Anything Better: He complains about you dragging him out to a party, a store, anything that makes you happy. But what would he be doing if you didnât make the plans?
Your Friends Donât Like Him, And You Donât Like His Friends: If youâve banned his BFF from ever stepping foot in your house again, thatâs a sign. But really, the writing on the wall is when the people you like to surround yourself with donât like him.
He Lies All The Time, But Heâs Still Not Good At It: You watch him bold-face lie to his friends and family and you know he does it to you too. Whatâs the point of having people into your life if you donât want them to trust you?
Heâs A Freeloader: Cheapskates are bad, freeloaders are worse. You know he could contribute, but heâs selfish and has an out-of-wack sense of entitlement.
Fashion (Non)Sense: His style is dumb and his clothes are always dirty. He doesnât take care of himself. Plus, he acts like a child anytime he has to dress up and will avoid it at all costs.
He Wonât Try New Things: Weâre all creatures of habit, but this guy just isnât up for anything new. Heck, heâs probs been doing the same things since puberty.
He Corrects You A Lot: In private, in public, he doesnât care. He thinks youâre wrong, all the time.
He Doesnât Take Criticism: Itâs funny, as much as he likes to dish it, he canât take it. He thinks heâs perfect.
He Makes Fun Of Successful People: He never likes someone who is doing well âcause heâs jealous, obvi. Whether heâs dissing someone on TV or your new business contact, he just thinks no one is as cool as him.
Mother Dearest: His mother does his laundry or something else super crazy, and yet, he still rolls his eyes at her and treats her like sheâs incompetent. Or worse yet, worships her to the point of hiding behind her and her arguments.
His Coworkers Hate Him: He canât hold down a job and when he gets fired, no one cares.
He Points Out Hot Chicks Constantly: He talks to you like youâre his guy friend, but youâre not. Sure, you can appreciate that there are good-looking ladies other than you out there. But he should shut his damn mouth.
Q- According to an online dating advice article, the number one food guys should NEVER order on a first date is ___________ ??
A - Soup.
The 
Seriously....would you actually wear these? They were designed by a grandpa in Everett, WA (ummm....first fashion red flag right there....haha!). He was hanging out in a park, watching ladies walk by when he got the idea (CREEPER!)
*note* If you actually think this is an awesome way to flirt with creepy guys in the mall, park, whatever.....you can own a pair of these beauties for a mere $150 (that's the cheap pair...they go up to $569). 
Q- According to a new survey out of the UK, we forget AT LEAST 3 things a day....and this tops the list for most forgotten. What is it?
A- Where we left our hot tea (or coffee, since this is the U.S.)
The survey says that men gain, on average, 14 pounds (and 2 inches around the middle) when their partner is pregnant. Most of them say it's because they were craving more snacks!
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Here's the article Written by Oliver "Ali" Nejad for FNC iMag (Fox News Channel):
Gentlemen, over the course of our dating careers one of the easiest things we've learned to pick up on are "green flags," or signs that a woman is willing or ready to accept our advances toward her. This is partly because we are constantly looking for these sorts of signs. They lead us to that which we are hoping to experience: a successful romantic pursuit. What we fail to do as well as this however, is look for "red flags," or reasons why we should abandon the SS Future Fling with the fervor of Titanic passengers.
Red flags take many forms, most of which we will gladly dismiss or overlook in favor of making things work with someone initially, but will only prove to light a retroactive bulb in our heads down the line when we realize we could've predicted the incompatibility. So to help temper our compatibility biases, I have assembled the following typical red flags (at least for me):
1) Pets: If a woman shows a remarkable, borderline inordinate amount of affection for her pet, it is tempting to regard her as a very sweet person. Trouble is you will often find yourself riding backseat while Fido rides shotgun in the love-mobile. Pay attention to moments spoiled by her need to get away and feed/water/walk the dog, and you won't be rolling your eyes down the line when you find yourself in a veterinary waiting room with an engagement ring in your pocket.
2) PIMs: Personal Information Managers can take many forms. Devices that come to mind are Crackberrys and iPhones, but I am going to lump social networking sites into the mix as well: Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster just to name a few. If a woman spends several hours a day on these sites, or more criminally several minutes a date texting/emailing etc., you'll find yourself wishing you had the pet problem instead. This sort of attention deficit will eventually wear thin on you, and isn't likely to be something you can wean her off of anytime soon. Even the most low maintenance of us have a certain amount of need to be focused upon, especially early on when we are looking to engage someone in informative conversations about one another.
3) LTR Talk: When conversation that revolves around a Long Term Relationship rears its head early in your dating, it's generally a sign of a presumptuous and possessive woman. This type can take the form of smitten-kitten or pants-wearer but in either extreme is equally as dangerous. If it's reciprocal love at first sight then more power to you both, but if the affair is one-sided, get the hell out of Dodge! Who wants to hear what the kids you didn't even know you were having are going to be named? Or where the wedding you didn't even sign on for will be held? You can bank on a total lack of control and reasonable freedom in a relationship with these types, and last I checked that didn't graft well onto the archetypal male.
4) Lack of Intelligence: This is the trickiest of the red flags. Many men have been conditioned to have an affinity for the less intelligent woman because she is almost always less challenging and opinionated, making for more deference and agreeability - less threatening attributes to our male bravado. But don't be fooled into thinking that this is something you will carry a preference for deep into a relationship. In fact, the burdens and challenges couples inevitably face will be shouldered exclusively by you in such an arrangement. These pairings are thoroughly devoid of a sense of "team." Experience tells us that we do best when we're pushed a little, and that is something the ditzes haven't figured out yet.
If you are convinced this is the best invention ever, 
Here's the article:
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LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash) â If the world wants answers from tabloid TV mom Kate Gosselin, all we have to do is examine her hair.
     According to celebrity hairstylist Billy Lowe, a personâs hairstyle says a lot about their personality and lifestyle, and the Jon And Kate Plus Eight momâs smooth in the front, spikey in the back âdo is full of secrets.
     Lowe says the outdated â80s hairstyle has tons of âdisconnects,â very reflective of Gosselinâs troubled marriage.
     The rough spikes in the back may be indicative of her prickly personality and the smooth bangs â perhaps a sign of Gosselin putting on a good front for the cameras â make the âdo a complete donât.
     Lowe says the style is far too âharshâ and lacks feminine softness.
     Itâs also not conducive to Gosselinâs busy lifestyle, since coiffing it every day without help could take hours.
     Lowe thinks the âdo is probably the result of an impulse decision on Gosselinâs part, who probably thought itâd be easy to maintain at first.
