Grapefruit

Grapefruit Diet Program – It Performs Only If You Follow This Trick

The grapefruit diet has come and the gone as a fad weight loss program numerous times throughout the years. The reality is that it does do the job to lose weight if you make a few significant changes to how you do it…and if you don’t the fat you lose not only comes back, but often adds even more weight than prior to starting! Let’s consider the alterations you need to make to have the grapefruit diet work to lose inches completely.

Grapefruit Diet Program – It Works Only If You Stick To This Hint

The grapefruit diet was initially introduced to the world by well known Italian actress Sophia Loren, all the way back in the 1960s. Loren said that grapefruit helped her maintain her youth and energy, as well as her bombshell figure.

The reality is that the grapefruit diet can not only stop you from weight loss, but can have you end up even heavier than before if you don’t go about it the right way. Ignore the hype and endless advertising, so many times we buy in to false claims and rubbish when it comes to diet programs that we should all be wary of anything promising amazing results from just eating or drinking one single food.

The Asian Way to Becoming Skinny and Keeping Weight Off Permanently

Grapefruit can assist with weight reduction only if it’s added to an already sound diet program, which is founded on principles that have helped women shed fat and decrease inches over the ages.

The common skinny Asian woman’s eating plan is heavy on healthy and organic foods, especially those with a protein base (tofu, soy, chicken, fish, lean meat, etc). This is the main reason why they’re able to get their flat belly back so rapidly after having a baby, and how they manage to never go hungry at a meal while still dropping pounds.

I do suggest that my clients add half a grapefruit to a serious breakfast meal that includes a protein base, as the enzymes in grapefruit help level our healthy blood sugar levels, as well as promote a solid profile of vitamins and nutrients in our system. I do not recommend they eat only grapefruit every day along with a few other add-ons as the normal grapefruit diet requires.

Any kind of diet regime where you’re required to eat primarily a single food or ingredient is normally doomed to fail, just because the weight loss is nearly always non permanent. Also it’s hard to eat the same thing again and again for weeks, our brain eventually fights back and makes our cravings even worse!

Grapefruit

Grapefruit Diet Program – It Performs Only If You Follow This Trick

The grapefruit diet has come and the gone as a fad weight loss program numerous times throughout the years. The reality is that it does do the job to lose weight if you make a few significant changes to how you do it…and if you don’t the fat you lose not only comes back, but often adds even more weight than prior to starting! Let’s consider the alterations you need to make to have the grapefruit diet work to lose inches completely.

Grapefruit Diet Program – It Works Only If You Stick To This Hint

The grapefruit diet was initially introduced to the world by well known Italian actress Sophia Loren, all the way back in the 1960s. Loren said that grapefruit helped her maintain her youth and energy, as well as her bombshell figure.

The reality is that the grapefruit diet can not only stop you from weight loss, but can have you end up even heavier than before if you don’t go about it the right way. Ignore the hype and endless advertising, so many times we buy in to false claims and rubbish when it comes to diet programs that we should all be wary of anything promising amazing results from just eating or drinking one single food.

The Asian Way to Becoming Skinny and Keeping Weight Off Permanently

Grapefruit can assist with weight reduction only if it’s added to an already sound diet program, which is founded on principles that have helped women shed fat and decrease inches over the ages.

The common skinny Asian woman’s eating plan is heavy on healthy and organic foods, especially those with a protein base (tofu, soy, chicken, fish, lean meat, etc). This is the main reason why they’re able to get their flat belly back so rapidly after having a baby, and how they manage to never go hungry at a meal while still dropping pounds.

I do suggest that my clients add half a grapefruit to a serious breakfast meal that includes a protein base, as the enzymes in grapefruit help level our healthy blood sugar levels, as well as promote a solid profile of vitamins and nutrients in our system. I do not recommend they eat only grapefruit every day along with a few other add-ons as the normal grapefruit diet requires.

Any kind of diet regime where you’re required to eat primarily a single food or ingredient is normally doomed to fail, just because the weight loss is nearly always non permanent. Also it’s hard to eat the same thing again and again for weeks, our brain eventually fights back and makes our cravings even worse!

New Years Eve 2011

MMXI Google Logo Celebrates New Year's Eve 2011: The Roman Numerals Decoded
Google.com logo is looking a bit different today.

The multicolored "Google" logo has been spiced up with fireworks and has seen a few of its letters replaced by 4 Roman numerals, "MMXI", to read "GMMXIE."

Judging from the top terms that have been keyed in to Google trends, Google users seem a bit confused by the numerals, some misreading the number as "GMMXLE," "MMXE," "MMX," "MMXL," "MMXLE," and "GMMXL."

It's the last day of 2010 and today's Google "doodle" is a nod at New Year's Eve and 2011.

"MXXI" are the Roman numerals for 2011. You can see for yourself using this Arabic numeral/Roman numeral conversion chart here.

Check out Google's Roman numeral New Year's eve logo below:

Its not Racism, its the Conflict Stupid

It not about race, really. Though that's what some would like you to believe. Of course, we identify ourselves as belonging to groups, have those we feel close to, and those we feel threatened by. And religion, well we all know what religion is about. Its about trying to make sense. Its about structure for those who need it, its also about identity, remembering the past, and living in the present, its about community, and its about continuity, being part of something greater than ourselves.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson: 5 Things About The Former Child Actress

Did you catch the lovely and talented Brie Larson on the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” last night? You were probably thinking that she looked familiar, even if you couldn’t quite place her. Well here’s Brie Larson’s abbreviated bio: She’s been acting in Hollywood since the age of Nine, most recently in the Michael Cera film “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.” She’s also a talented singer and appeared in one of the cheesiest movies of the early 2000s, which I can never quite manage to turn off when it comes on TV – “Sleepover.” Read on for 5 things you may not know about Brie Larson.

1. She plays Toni Collette’s daughter on Showtime’s “United States of Tara.”

2. She was cast on the Fox show “Schimmel,” starring late comic Robert Schimmel. The show was canceled before it ever aired after the comedian was diagnosed with cancer.

3. She toured with Jesse McCartney. (Insert joke here.)

4. She landed her first record deal at age 13.

5. She’s tried to seduce Ben Stiller and Michael C. Hall in film roles. Which is sort of creepy, but admirable that she’ll take chances.

Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard surprised to the find Obama 'very humble'

Country music legend Merle Haggard, who met U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this month, found him to be 'very different' from the way he is portrayed in the media.

"Not conceited. He's very humble about being the president of the US, especially in comparison to some presidents we've had who come across like they don't need anybody's help," the Politico quoted him as saying in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Haggard met Obama at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, where he was feted alongside Sir Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey, among others, for enhancing the country's cultural life.

"I think he knows he's in over his head. Anybody with any sense who takes that job and thinks they can handle it must be an idiot," he said.

Haggard said it was 'really almost criminal' how Obama was portrayed in the media.

"There seems to be no shame or anything. They call him all kinds of names all day long, saying he's doing certain things that he's not," he said.

The singer said he was 'very surprised' to find Obama 'very humble'.

"He had a nice handshake. His wife was very cordial to the guests and especially me. They made a special effort to make me feel welcome," he added.

Tripoli

First Gulf Bank opens new branch of 1st Gulf Libyan Bank in Tripoli

(Source: Middle East Company News)trackingFirst Gulf Bank (FGB) recently celebrated the opening of its newest branch of First Gulf Libyan Bank (FGLB) at the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli.

As one of the leading banks in the UAE, First Gulf Bank (FGB) has Shareholder Equity of more than Dhs23bn making it 1 of the largest equity based banks in the UAE. Established in 1979 and headquartered in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, the bank provides financial services in various business and industrial areas with a wide network of branches across the Emirates, in addition to the bank's entities in Singapore and Libya and its representative offices in Qatar and India.

Today, FGB is recognised as a world-class organisation committed to maximising shareholders, customers and employees' value as it focuses on delivering banking products and the services that meet the Clients' requirements as well as the dynamic economy, perpetuate progress in the UAE. In line with its commitment to excellence the bank also continues to improve service standards, while simultaneously investing in HR, IT, and communication systems.

Mta

LIRR still suspended; MTA website sluggish

The Long Island Rail Road passenger service was still suspended in both directions Monday morning as the nation's busiest commuter rail system worked to clear snow from its tracks.

"Right now, we have no estimate of when service will resume," spokesman Sam Zambuto said. "We're continuing to work at clearing the third rail and switches."

When service does resume, Zambuto said it would operate on a holiday schedule. Service was still suspended as of 9 a.m. Monday.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transit Authority's website was experiencing heavy traffic and loading slowly or not at all for commuters trying to get the latest updates.

As much as 16 inches of snow fell in some parts of Long Island, as both Nassau and Suffolk counties were under a blizzard warning until 6 p.m. Monday night.

The rail service said that NY City Transit is honoring LIRR tickets for subway service at Penn, Atlantic Terminal and Jamaica.

In addition to the heavy snow, high winds that blew drifts onto the tracks also was a problem.

LIRR spokesman Joe Calderone said eleven trains did not reach their destination at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday and were stranded at stations across Long Island. Calderone said ten of those trains were moving "slowly" back to their origination and making all local stops.

"If it started from Ronkonkoma and is in Bethpage, they are moving back to Ronkonkoma," Calderone said.

Passengers on a train stuck at Hillside support facility will be taken by bus to Jamaica station.

There were also an unspecified number of people waiting at Penn Station. "We're working up a contingency plan right now," Calderone said.

"What we don't want is a train stuck between stations," he said. The railroad will continue to operate equipment trains through the night in an effort to clear the tracks.

Many of the regular trains have been outfitted with scraper shoes that scrape ice off the third rail, and the railroad has dispatched several pieces of heavy-duty snow-clearing equipment, including jet-powered snowblowers, hot-air jets, and "snow brooms" that operate on the rails, spokesman Sam Zambuto said.

About 400 LIRR employees are working on keeping the tracks clear and the trains running, Calderone said earlier in the evening. Officials had said that some branches would be closed if accumulations reached 10 to 13 inches.

John Gotti

Who is John Gotti?
 

John Joseph Gotti, Jr (October 27, 1940 - June 10, 2002) was the Boss of the NY City Gambino crime family after the murder of the previous boss Paul Castellano. John Gotti was the most powerful crime boss during his era. He became widely known for his outspoken personality and flamboyant style that eventually caused his downfall.
 

He was known by the media as "The Dapper Don" because he wore expensive clothes and "The Teflon Don" because the majority of attempts to convict him resulted in either a hung jury or an acquittal.

 In 1992, Gotti was convicted of 13 murders, conspiracy to commit murder, racketeering, obstruction of justice, illegal gambling, extortion, tax evasion, and loansharking where he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He died there 10 years later of cancer

In the news:

According to entertainment news, John Gotti's life will be in the big screen soon. It was said that  director Nick Cassavetes, director of the romantic drama movie 'The Notebook', is in talks to bring the story of Gotti Jr. to the screen in a film that will focus on his relationship with his notorious father.

Diana Taurasi

Diana Taurasi Fails Drug Test In Turkey

Perhaps the biggest star in the history of the UConn women's basketball and a perennial WNBA All-Star, has tested positive for a mild stimulant while playing in Turkey.

The positive test, 1st reported by The Associated Press, has resulted in her suspension by the league. She has not played in the last three games for Fenerbahce. Her lawyer, Howard Jacobs, told the wire service Taurasi's A sample came back positive resulting in her being provisionally suspended.

Taurasi has requested her B sample be tested. Jacobs said the substance "was not a steroid or recreational drug" but he refused to say identify it.

Taurasi is in her first season playing in Turkey after a long and successful career with Moscow Spartak, where she had played with Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson and many other WNBA players. She was in the best shape of her career this summer after losing nearly 30 pounds working with a personal trainer. In fact, ESPN The Magazine put her nude on the cover of its annual body issue this year.

Perhaps prophetically this summer, Taurasi told The Courant the grind of playing basketball continuously for seven straight years was beginning to wear on her.

She hinted the fatigue it was causing could eventually force her to skip either the European or WNBA portion of her seasons. "Physically, it's getting to be a problem," said Taurasi, who has won two Olympic gold medals. "You're seeing it around the league. You see it a lot where [players] are injured and getting hurt and making it difficult to play year-round. If you think about it, no other professional sport does it.

"I have done a lot in my career and at one point you have to make selfish decisions that help you. You're talking about a WNBA season, another World Championship and another overseas season. This is just a personal decision I'm going to have to make."

In the summer of 2009, Taurasi was charged with DUI after being stopped by police in downtown Phoenix. Taurasi called that incident "an embarrassing and unfortunate" situation. Her car was pulled over near Seventh Avenue and Camelback Road in Phoenix for speeding and lane violations. She refused a breath test after a police officer conducted several field-sobriety tests. The officer drew Taurasi's blood in a Phoenix Police Mobile DUI van.

Taurasi was subsequently suspended by the Mercury for two games without pay for conduct detrimental to the team.

"I am deeply sorry and embarrassed for causing this distraction for my teammates, the Phoenix Mercury, the WNBA, family and fans," Taurasi said at the time. "While I cannot say more with regards to the specifics of the case, I do want to make sure that everyone knows how much I appreciate their support and that I've learned a valuable lesson. I am committed to making sure a lot of good comes from this experience."

A Phoenix police report showed her blood-alcohol level was 0.17 percent, more than twice the Arizona legal limit at the time of her arrest.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who coached also coached Taurasi on this summer's FIBA World Championship team, made reference to his former All-American Tuesday night during his press conference following the Huskies' record-setting 89th straight win at the XL Center.

"I've been asked a million times, 'Who is better? Who is better? Who is better?'" said Auriemma of comparisons made between Taurasi and Maya Moore. "How are you going to compare them? But Maya Moore has done something that no one else has ever done in the history of college basketball [other than Tiffany Hayes]. She has been on a team that has won 89 straight games.

"Diana is in Turkey now probably. … I don't know what she does when she is not playing. I can only imagine. So I don't care if she hears this or not. She has never won 89 games in a row. So when people start asking me now who is the best player in Connecticut history, I'm going to say, 'Maya Moore.' And she is a lot nicer kid than that wise guy over in Turkey."

Statue Of Liberty

Statue of liberty | Statue of liberty facts | sunday school barbie

Statue Of Liberty :Made in Paris by the French sculptor Bartholdi, in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel (who was responsible for the steel framework), this towering monument to the liberty was a gift from France on the centenary of American independence in 1886. (vi) The symbolic value of the Statue of Liberty lies in two basic factors. The Statue of Liberty is a masterpiece of the human creative spirit.

The last question of the 2 hour special of ‘Million Dollar Money Drop’ was a question that every American show know. The knowledge of the correct answer shows our allegiance to this great nation and is required knowledge for ever immigrant to know.

The question was which hand does the statue of liberty hold the torch? Even if you have never seen the Statue of Liberty in person it is an American icon of great proportions. People died for this country and it's time to show some serious respect.

Zoe Buckman

David Schwimmer and Zoe Buckman expecting their 1st child

Friends star David Schwimmer and his wife, British photographer Zoe Buckman, are expecting their first baby together.

The actor’s rep told People that the couple “couldn’t be more thrilled”.  The 44-year-old married his 25-year-old girlfriend in June this year in a small secret ceremony. They met in London in 2007 while Schwimmer was directing the romantic comedy Run, Fat Boy, Run starring Simon Pegg and Thandie Newton, People reports.

Buckman was waitressing at the Cuckoo Club in London’s West End when she served Schwimmer. She later left her home in North London to move to Los Angeles to be closer to the star.

In March, the pair announced their engagement and in October a rep confirmed to People that they had been already been married for four months.

News of Schwimmer’s wedding surfaced on the same day as Courtney Cox, his on-screen sister Monica in the show Friends, announced she was separating from her husband of 11 years, David Arquette.

Schwimmer had spoken to People in 2006, expressing his wish to become a father, but in due time.

“I think it’s gonna have to wait until I settle down and have a family,” he said. “It will happen when it feels right. Maybe part of me is waiting for myself to slow down a little and be ready to stay put. I’m confident it’s gonna happen.”

Schwimmer, who is notoriously private, has been linked with a handful of glamorous women including Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia and model Gina Lee, according to the Daily Mail. Prior to meeting Buckman he was reportedly engaged to Israeli actress Mili Avital.

Other celebs who have recently announced they are pregnant include singers Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Pink, Ex-Miss California Carrie Prejean and Amazing Race couple Chad and Stephanie.

Trix Rabbit

The Million Dollar Money Drop question about the famous advertising icons like Trix Rabbit had forced us to the take some history lesson on what has happened in our society.

Smokey The Bear might be the winner in the Million Dollar Money Drop question but there are other interesting thing other than the Smokey Bear alone. Off course we are already aware about Ronald McDonald but what about the Trix Rabbit? Did he ever get as famous as the other 2 advertising icons?

Trix Rabbit is the famous advertising icons of Trix cereal that was made by General Mills for the North American and by Nestlé for the European, South American and Asian markets. The cereal consists of fruit-flavored, sweetened, ground-corn pieces. These were originally round cereal pieces, but were later changed to puffed fruit-shaped pieces. In January 2007, Trix Cereal company General Mills returned Trix cereal to their original shape.

The Trix Rabbit itself was made by Joe Harris who debuted in a 1959 Trix TV commercial. The rabbit was famous because it always tries to continually attempted to trick children into giving him a bowl of Trix cereal. He would be discovered every time; the children would tell him that he was a silly rabbit and that “Trix [were] for kids,” and take back their cereal. These ads would often end with the Trix Rabbit following up the kids’ “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!” slogan with “…and sometimes, for tricky rabbits!”.

The Rabbit originated as a puppet before he later became animated. He did however succeed in obtaining and eating the Trix on some occasions, including twice as the result of a box top mail-in contest (1976 and 1990) entitled “Let The Rabbit Eat Trix”. The results of the vote were an overwhelming “yes”, and the rabbit was depicted in a subsequent commercial finally enjoying a taste of Trix.

It seems that somehow, the Million Dollar Money Drop quiz question has managed to take us a few years back to learn the history of the famous advertising icons in our society, like the Trix Rabbit.

Bayer Aspirin

Bayer Aspirin and Heart Attacks

Did you know that one Bayer aspirin a day might keep the doctor away? Aspirin is an anticoagulant, which means it helps reduce blood clotting. It also has a similar pain relieving effect to the Paracetamol which makes it a very useful resource. Brands like Bayer Aspirin are widely available at pharmacists.

When administered to patients suspecting a heart attack, Aspirin has been proven to reduce the risk by up to 23% , and when taken for 30 days following a heart attack can minimalise the possibility of further attacks.



Studies into the use of Aspirin as a remedy for heart attacks have concluded that as many as 10,000 lives could potentially be saved every year.

Low doses of aspirin are recommended for the secondary prevention of strokes and heart attacks. For both males and females diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, aspirin reduces the chance of a heart attack and ischaemic stroke by about a 5th. 

This translates to an absolute rate reduction from 8.2% to 6.7% of such events per year for people already with cardiovascular disease. Although aspirin also raises the risk of hemorrhagic stroke and other major bleeds by about twofold, these events are rare, and the balance of aspirin’s effects is positive. Thus, in secondary prevention trials, aspirin reduced the overall mortality by about a tenth.

For persons without cardiovascular problems, the benefits of aspirin are unclear. In the primary prevention trials aspirin decreased the overall incidence of heart attacks and ischaemic strokes by about a tenth. However, since these events were rare, the absolute reduction of their rate was low: from 0.57% to 0.51% per year. In addition, the risks of hemorrhagic strokes and gastrointestinal bleeding almost completely offset the benefits of aspirin. Thus, in the primary prevention trials aspirin did not change the overall mortality rate. Further trials are in progress.

While UK doctors prefer to administer Paracetamol as a pain relief drug, US and continental doctors have a preference for Aspirin.

Most Common Password

Most Common Password of The Website Users Unveiled

Careless website users beware. A report has been released by the Wall Street Journal regarding the most common passwords from websites related to Gawker Media that hackers have uncovered.

The list is filled by passwords that websites warn people about before they register. Like their reminder of using unique combinations of letters and numbers and avoidance of common phrases and that the password must be at least eight characters.

From among the 188,279 hacked media, celebrity and gossip sites that are owned by Gawker, Lifehacker and Jezebel, here are the top 10 passwords:

012345
12345
password
12345678
lifehack
qwerty
abc123
111111
monkey
consumer 

Despite the fact that only those websites from Gawker Media are the ones related, this information is still disturbing. As you can see, the top three passwords are used by hundreds of users.

Hopefully, the websites that have such careless passwords are not highly personal as banking and credit companies’ websites. It is highly probable that users are particular with their security and observe measures on giving very personal information.

But to be highly sure, users are advised to observe recommended security measures at all times as every bit of information can be used against them by those who abuse the internet to accomplish their dirty deeds against website users.
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How Tall is Lebron James

Do height plays a key role in our life? Is it a matter of the life and death? If you are a basketball player, height is one of the major requirements in this game.  Some other notable sports superstars like Michael Phelps and Peyton Manning had been the talk of the web recently.  Currently, people are curious about the height of LeBron James.  So, How tall is LeBron?  Well, his listed height is 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m).  

By his height, he got an advantage and became known as “King James”. He had lead Cleveland Cavaliars to a good season last year and now he is one of the star players of Miami Heat.

Lebron James, Michael Phelps, Peyton Manning and Alex Rodriguez, they are giants of their games. Lebron James towers on the basketball court, Michael Phelps is tall drink of water in the pool, Peyton Manning reigns tall on the football field and Alex Rodriguez is at the height of his game on the baseball diamond.  So how tall are these sports super stars?

How Tall is Lebron James, Michael Phelps, Peyton Manning & Alex RodriguezPosted by SunnyChanel

Alex Rodriguez is 6′3″
Peyton Manning is 6′5″
Michael Phelps is 6′ 4″
LeBron James is 6′ 7″

It looks like size does indeed matter! Especially in these games, these players got not only game, but they got height.

Survivor Redemption Island

'Survivor: Redemption Island' Trailer and Rules Revealed

"Survivor" has done all-star editions, pitted the young and the old, and put heroes and villains at the each other's throat. In its 22nd year, the reality show is in need of a big twist in the rule and so the producers came up with "Survivor: Redemption Island". Fresh off crowning Jud 'Fabio' Birza as the "Nicaragua" winner, CBS releases the trailer while EW publishes an interview with host Jeff Probst.

The trailer shows a familiar terrain because the new season was also shot in San Juan del Sur Beach in Nicaragua. But there will be a separate island which would accommodate the outcast. "How it works is very simple," Probst explained to EW. "When you're voted out at Tribal Council, you don't go home. You are not out of the game. You go to Redemption Island and you live alone."



"And at a certain point in the game another person will join you. You will compete in a duel. The winner stays. The loser goes home. So you're continuing to live out there on your own with very basic supplies. But you're still in the game. And at a certain point you'll be allowed to reenter the game and have a shot at the money."

Probst admitted that they did try a similar format previously but there was a flaw. "We did a haphazard version of Redemption Island a few years ago called the Outcasts and it didn't work and it didn't please the audience and there was one fundamental flaw: We didn't tell people up front it was going to happen," Probst said.

"I just told everybody [at the opening] it's going to happen," the host said after filming. "Make no mistake: When you're voted out, you're not going home, and somebody that you vote out could come back and bite you in the ass. So I have no problem with people coming back into the game because everybody knows up front. A rule can't be unfair if you know going in. It's an equal opportunity."

Saying this is exciting, Probst had to admit, "We have no idea what's gong to happen. It's a big risk. It could fail miserably. I don't think it's going to." The new season which was shot in August will premiere on February 16, 2011.

Troy University

Troy will hit the floor at 1:00 pm Sunday afternoon against the Kangaroos

The Troy University women's basketball team will be looking to bounce back from a sluggish second half against the University of North Florida, when the take on the Kangaroos of the University of Missouri Kansas City on Sunday afternoon.

The game tips at 1 pm (EST) and is the second time this season that the Trojans will be playing on back-to-back days. Troy (2-8), who has lost 2 consecutive games, will be looking to hit stride in their final game in Jacksonville before heading north to Washington, DC on Monday.

In their last outing, junior DeAngela Sword (Montgomery, Ala./Pensacola JC) led Troy with 18 points on 7-of-18 shooting from the floor, while Tenia Manuel (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg HS) recorded her second career double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Troy, who never led in the game, found themselves down by as many as six in the 1st half; however, they were able to stay within reach with timely baskets and defensive stands. But it was the 15 turnovers, and the timing of those turnovers, in the 2nd half that did the Trojans in.

Meanwhile, UMKC turned a 3-point halftime lead into a nine-point victory over Bethune-Cookman in the opener of the Osprey Holiday Invitational Saturday afternoon. The game was marred by a period of time in the second half with fouls, a time period in which UMKC was able to pull away and hold off a late Bethune-Cookman rally.

The Trojans are led by senior Donette McNair (New London, Conn./New London HS) with 14.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this season.

The game can be heard on WTBF-94.7 FM beginning at 12 noon (CST), as there will be no pregame show due to church services on WTBF during the morning hours. Live stats will be provided by the University of North Florida for the game.

Shelley Malil

"The 40-Year-Old Virgin" Actor Shelley Malil Sentenced To Life After Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend

Shelley Malil, an actor who appeared in the Steve Carell comedy "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," has been sentenced to life imprisonment Thursday for stabbing his ex-girlfriend more than 20 times. He was convicted in September of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

The jury had heard that Malil, 45, stabbed Kendra Keebe inside her own home after he saw her drinking wine with another man in 2008. She suffered punctured lungs and cuts to her back, chest, neck, and arms.

He was also charged with burglary for stealing marijuana and other items from her home 2 days before the attacked. He was acquitted of that charge.

His lawyer argued that despite stabbing Keebe multiple times, Malil never intended to kill her.

Malil, who played one of Carell's co-workers in the 2005 comedy, apologized before the court, saying he wanted to go to prison to "make sure I make right from the wrong that I did."

He will be eligible for parole in 12 years, though he could complete his entire sentence in nine years, taking account time already served and good behavior.

Candice Crawford

Tony Romo Engaged to Candice Crawford

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has been in and out of gossip headlines for the past few years now for his relationships with noteworthy women. Now the headlines can focus on just one woman.

The currently injured star quarterback decided to pop the big question to girlfriend Candice Crawford on Thursday night. The quarterback proposed to Crawford at five 60 in Dallas, according to KDAF television in Dallas (you can check the rock out there), for whom Crawford works as a reporter. 

Crawford is also a former beauty queen, having won the Miss Missouri United States of America crown in 2008 and competed in the Miss USA pageant. The couple's engagement was reported by TMZ, as well.

The 2 were celebrating Crawford's 24th birthday when she said yes.

The quarterback previously made tabloid headlines when dating old flame, singer and actress Jessica Simpson.

Romo has been sidelined with an injured left clavicle since Week seven of the season. He has been rehabilitating well, but there is still no timetable for a return this year. With the Cowboys out of the playoff hunt with a 4-9 record, it looks like Romo will have some extra time to spend with Crawford over the next few months.

Gwinnett County Schools

Roads, sleet and freezing rain cause school closings in Atlanta

Old Man Winter seems to have a grip on the Atlanta that just will not go away. Icy roads and a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain have caused several major Atlanta school systems to announce school closings for Thursday, December 16th.

As of 11:00 p.m. the following metro Atlanta school systems have announced school closings or delayed openings for Thursday, December 16th:

* Carroll County  3-hour delayed opening
* Cherokee County – Closed
* Cobb County  2-hour delayed opening
* Decatur City Schools  2-hour delayed opening
* Forsyth County  2-hour delayed opening
* Fulton County – Closed

With a tricky weather forecast, other school systems, including Georgia’s largest school system Gwinnett County, may still announce school closings.

Recognitions abound on BOE agenda

During its meeting Thursday, the Gwinnett County Board of Education will honor 32 school and 3 central office teams that raised at least $10,000 for Relay For Life.

In all, the 116 school system teams raised more than $1 million for the American Cancer Society fundraiser.

The recognition is an annual event for the school board. Historically, the school system has generated about half of the money raised in Gwinnett’s Relay For Life.

The school board will also pay tribute to several educators who have recently won awards, including Kelly Stopp, a Meadowcreek Elementary reading teacher who received a Milken Educator Award; Mindy Lewis, a content assessment specialist honored as the Georgia Outstanding Social Studies Educator of the Year; art teachers Lauren Phillips and Dallas Gillespie, who received accolades from the Georgia Art Education Association; and Susan Opferman, named the Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals.

Also on the agenda, the school board will hear an update on the Vision for Public Education in Georgia report and vote on revisions to the petition to make the Gwinnett County Online Campus a charter school.

The school board meeting begins at 7 p.m. Thursday in the board room of the Instructional Support Center.

Three Simple Tools for Examining Israel's Actions

This is a short article that lays down three points of reference that can be used to understand Israel's actions.

The most fundamental problem almost everybody has when the subject of Israel's actions is involved is simply understanding what really happened. In the vast majority of cases the media and outside observers tend to make judgments by the results of an event. Bloody children, a large body count, large scale destruction, and automatically assign blame to whom they presuppose the aggressor, without really taking the time to ask some very fundamental questions that quite honestly are the absolute minimum needed to understand what actually took place. Context all to often is completely stripped from events and the world community makes judgments by what they see, without context, and without accurate framing.

WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks' Assange to learn bail fate on the Thursday

Julian Assange will find out on Thursday if he will be granted bail, court officials said, as his lawyer complained about lack of access to the founder of the WikiLeaks website.

A hearing at the High Court in London will determine if Assange will be allowed to leave Wandsworth prison after lawyers acting for Sweden challenged a British judge's order that he be freed under stringent conditions.

Sweden wants Britain to hand over Assange for questioning over allegations he sexually assaulted two women in Stockholm in Aug, but the 39-year-old Australian's supporters insist the process is politically motivated.

As Assange woke up to spend another day in prison, WikiLeaks continued to release United States diplomatic cables, with one showing a former Thai prime minister accusing Queen Sirikit of being behind a 2006 coup that ousted his predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra.

In a highly charged court hearing on Tues, Assange was granted bail on condition he pays a security of £200,000 with an additional £40,000 guaranteed in sureties.

A collection of celebrity supporters including maverick United States film director Michael Moore, British director Ken Loach, campaigning socialite Bianca Jagger and journalist John Pilger have helped put up the money. Assange's lawyer Mark Stephens said half of the cash required by the court had been collected.

Stephens dismissed suggestions that Assange would try to flee the country if released on bail.

"The suggestion that he's a flight risk is faintly ludicrous," he told BBC TV. "I can't get access to him," he said. "I will not be able to take instructions from him."

He said the bail condition that Assange will have to wear an electronic tag would allow British authorities to locate him at all times.

But he complained that the prison continued to make it difficult for lawyers to meet Assange and prepare his legal case.

He accused Sweden of failing to "abide by the umpire's decision" in appealing against the bail verdict.

Sweden will pursue its demand for extradition in court hearings next year.

If Assange is released on bail, he will have to reside at the country estate of Vaughan Smith, a former army officer who founded the Frontline Club, a media club where WikiLeaks has based part of its operations.

Smith told BBC Radio that Assange was "very committed and courageous", but had been portrayed by some as "a Machiavellian, cold, string-puller". "I have obviously taken a very public position to say I support him as an individual -- that's not to say that I agree with everything that is being leaked," he said.

"But certainly, as a person, I think it's very important he receives proper justice."

While Assange remains in prison, his organisation released more classified information which is believed to have been obtained from a US soldier who has since been arrested.

The newest cables Wednesday showed Samak Sundaravej, who was Thailand's prime minister for seven months in 2008, alleged that Queen Sirikit had been the driving force behind a 2006 military coup which ousted Thaksin.

Another cable revealed Washington's fears about the failure of west African governments to tackle increased drug trafficking.

Much of the concern focuses on Ghana, which sits at the centre of a new cocaine transit zone, according to cables published in The Guardian.

The release of the cables has enraged Washington, where some Republicans have called for Assange to be indicted for espionage.

Biggest Loser Winner 2010

'The Biggest Loser' Season 10 Finale -- And the Winner Is

Well, it has been a long road on 'The Biggest Loser' (Tue., 9PM ET on NBC). But the season came to an end tonight. 4 contestants remained: Ada, Elizabeth, Frado and Patrick. But only one could take home the $250,000 grand prize.

"This is it," host Alison Sweeney said. "We're all down to this final weigh-in." And so, your winner of 'The Biggest Loser,' Season 10 was ...

... Patrick House! The 28-year-old father lost 181 pounds, a whopping 45.25 percent of his starting body weight. Confetti fell from the ceiling, as his family member in the audience embraced. Patrick started the show at four hundred pounds and he leaves weighing 219 -- and with a quarter of a million dollars lining his pockets. He beat out Alfrado "Frado" Dinten, who came in second after losing 162 pounds.

Ada Wong came in 3rd, losing 99 pounds. Elizabeth Ruiz lost 77 pounds and was eliminated by the viewers before the final weigh-in. Meanwhile, back at his house in New Jersey, bartender and recruiter Mark Pinkhasovich won the $100,000 stay-at-home price. Though he was eliminated just before the finale, Mark dropped 213 pounds -- over half of his original starting weight.

Patrick is currently a stay-at-home kind of guy himself. He's an unemployed former salesperson who lives in Vicksburg, Mississippi. "2010 was a rough year for me," he told Alison Sweeney. "Winning this gives me freedom." And Patrick may not be a stay-at-home dad for much longer. He's been offered a job at the Mindstream Academy in South Carolina, a school that specializes in helping overweight teens.

Congrats to Patrick, and congratulations to all the other players! 'The Biggest Loser' returns on Jan. 4, and the theme for the next season is "Couples."

Biggest Loser Winner 2010

'The Biggest Loser' Season 10 Finale -- And the Winner Is

Well, it has been a long road on 'The Biggest Loser' (Tue., 9PM ET on NBC). But the season came to an end tonight. 4 contestants remained: Ada, Elizabeth, Frado and Patrick. But only one could take home the $250,000 grand prize.

"This is it," host Alison Sweeney said. "We're all down to this final weigh-in." And so, your winner of 'The Biggest Loser,' Season 10 was ...

... Patrick House! The 28-year-old father lost 181 pounds, a whopping 45.25 percent of his starting body weight. Confetti fell from the ceiling, as his family member in the audience embraced. Patrick started the show at four hundred pounds and he leaves weighing 219 -- and with a quarter of a million dollars lining his pockets. He beat out Alfrado "Frado" Dinten, who came in second after losing 162 pounds.

Ada Wong came in 3rd, losing 99 pounds. Elizabeth Ruiz lost 77 pounds and was eliminated by the viewers before the final weigh-in. Meanwhile, back at his house in New Jersey, bartender and recruiter Mark Pinkhasovich won the $100,000 stay-at-home price. Though he was eliminated just before the finale, Mark dropped 213 pounds -- over half of his original starting weight.

Patrick is currently a stay-at-home kind of guy himself. He's an unemployed former salesperson who lives in Vicksburg, Mississippi. "2010 was a rough year for me," he told Alison Sweeney. "Winning this gives me freedom." And Patrick may not be a stay-at-home dad for much longer. He's been offered a job at the Mindstream Academy in South Carolina, a school that specializes in helping overweight teens.

Congrats to Patrick, and congratulations to all the other players! 'The Biggest Loser' returns on Jan. 4, and the theme for the next season is "Couples."

Cliff Lee

In signing with Phillies, Cliff Lee chases memory of the World Series run, but he may regret decision

Cliff Lee yawned and chewed gum while his glove, a basket hanging near his chest, snagged the Johnny Damon popup. It was Game 1 of the 2009 World Series at Yankee Stadium, and Lee was in the 6th inning of a masterpiece sublime enough to include that iconic moment. In the outfield and dugout, his teammates laughed and marveled at Lee's nonchalance.

That catch represented the peak of an otherworldly postseason for the lefty, and defined Lee for the Philadelphia public as a Phillie forever. It had the same effect on the pitcher, whose hurt was raw when the Phils traded him to Seattle in December to make room in the payroll for Roy Halladay. 12 months later, clearly still pulled by the memory of a heightened experience, Lee did what professional athletes almost never do: He prioritized desire over dollars.

Of course, the approximately $100 millions that the Phillies will pay Lee over the next 5 years is more than almost anyone would make in 5 lifetimes, but that's almost irrelevant in baseball. Athletes are among the most competitive people in this competitive country, and in their business, contracts indicate status and success nearly as much as titles do. Lee could have become one of the highest-paid athletes in the world had he signed with the Yankees. No matter how much he will make, it could not have been easy to turn down so much more.

Instead of doing that, he will try to recreate his favorite memory. It's a nice narrative, even a noble impulse, but it is fraught with risk and potential disappointment. The Phillies are already altered from the team Lee joined in July 2009, when he was traded from Cleveland.

The Phils' lineup is reduced, due to age and attrition. Jayson Werth, Lee's good friend and the team's only righthanded power hitter, is gone, having decided to accept a Publishers Clearing House check for $126 million from the Washington Nationals. Infielders Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are aging, and could not make it through last season without suffering serious and nagging injuries. This month, centerfielder Shane Victorino turned 30, the last Phils starter to cross the precarious boundary. Decline awaits in a few years, if not sooner.

Derek Jeter can't play shortstop in a year or 2? Move him somewhere else, and sign an All-Star replacement. CC's arm is dead after all those innings? Well, when is King Felix a free agent?

Unlike the Yankees, the Phils will not be able to buy their way out of a rebuilding phase. Had Lee signed with New York, he would have received the implicit promise of $200 million payrolls every season, enough to purchase playoff contention despite an abundance of aging regulars.

The Yankees would have given Lee not just more money, but the security of knowing he wouldn't ever be stuck for long on an irrelevant team. The Phillies might be great next year, and a rotation beginning with Halladay, Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt sounds like one of the best ever. But what if it doesn't immediately click, due to injuries or inconsistency or other human frailty (remember, that group without Lee was supposed to win a World Series this year)?

This Phils team has a one-year window before it sees sweeping change. Oswalt, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez, Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson have potentially expiring deals, and could follow Werth out of town in eleven months. Halladay, Hamels and Victorino might follow in the ensuing years. And Cliff Lee might be stuck chasing the ghosts of an elusive memory, and wishing he had just taken the money.

Blade Star

The 'Blade' broke? Snipes will find low pay in prison

When actor Wesley Snipes enters prison Thursday, he will leave behind his wife, young children and celebrity neighbors in the wealthy Florida enclave made infamous by next-door neighbor Tiger Woods.

The prison camp in Lewis Run in northwestern Pennsylvania pales by comparison, but is still worlds away from the harsh prison fortresses depicted in the Snipes films "Undisputed" and "Brooklyn's Finest." Federal Correctional Institution McKean, a minimum-security camp, does not have fences around its perimeter. The 300 nonviolent inmates live in barracks that feature two-man rooms, daily showers and double-feature movie showings Friday through Sunday. Alas, no NC-17, R or X ratings allowed, which knocks out much of Snipes' action-heavy repertoire.

The most jarring aspect of the celebrity's stay might be the 5 daily head counts, 3 during the overnight hours. And Snipes, who earned a reported $13 millions for the "Blade: Trinity" sequel, will have to adjust to earning just pennies an hour handling kitchen, laundry or other campus chores. And, he can spend just $290 a month at the prison commissary.

Snipes has appeared in dozens of studio films, from "White Men Can't Jump" and "Demolition Man" in the early 1990s to the blockbuster Blade trilogy.

None of which will score him any points at McKean, officials insist.

"We recognize that he's high profile, but we treat all our inmates the same," spokeswoman Shirley White told The Associated Press last week.

"I'm an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance," said Snipes, who had pursued theater and dance from an early age, attending the vaunted High School for the Performing Arts in New York City.

According to United States. prosecutors, the actor failed to file any tax returns for at least a decade, and owed $2.7 millions in taxes on $13.8 millions in income from 1999 to 2001 alone. Snipes, a dues-paying member of a tax-protest group that challenges the government's right to collect taxes, described himself at his 2008 sentencing as a naive truth-seeker.

Tuesday night, he told CNN's "Larry King Live" that he wasn't nervous about reporting to prison.

On Wed, he made a last-minute request for a new trial. In the emergency motion, Snipes said that the judge erred by not allowing defense attorneys to interview jurors about misconduct allegations. At McKean, if he reports as scheduled, he can pursue his spirituality at weekly meetings of nearly any religious group imaginable, from Wiccans to Jehovah's Witnesses to Spanish-speaking Evangelical Catholics.

The martial-arts enthusiast can get his exercise playing sand volleyball or indoor basketball, or work out on an elliptical machine or stair climber. And he can tap into his fun side through badminton, bocci or bridge.

Should he pull a muscle in a pickup game, the payment required at the infirmary is just $2.

But it is not all fun and games.

The daily wake-up call is at 6:35 a.m. The mundane jobs run 7 hours a day. There's little fashion flair to the prison-issued khakis. And contact in the visitors room is limited to "a kiss," according to the prison handbook. Snipes has tried to delay his arrival while he takes his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. But the trial judge said he had gotten a fair trial.

U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges saw in Snipes "a history of contempt" for U.S. tax laws, the judge said at sentencing. Never mind that the actor, changing course, had delivered $5 million in checks to the IRS that day. Hodges imposed consecutive one-year terms for the 3 misdemeanor convictions.

"Someday, every fighter loses," says the prison boxer Monroe Hutchens, played by Snipes, in 2002's "Undisputed." ''In the end, everybody gets beaten. The most you can hope for is that you stay on top a while."

Jessica Simpson Engagement

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson announce engagement

After a string of toxic relationships and love life highs and lows, Jessica Simpson has finally settled down with NFL player Eric Johnson.
A rep for the couple has confirmed the pair’s engagement over the weekend, saying they were excited over the news. The blonde bombshell and her beau begun dating back in May and have been serious ever since.

Jessica stepped out to promote her clothing line at Dillard’s department store in Kansas City on Saturday sporting a gorgeous Neil Lane three-stone engagement ring featuring a central ruby flanked by 2 diamonds. The singer was absolutely glowing and smiling ear to ear, it’s obvious she's in a really good place.

This news comes less than two weeks after Jessica’s ex-husband Nick Lachey and co-star of reality show ‘Newlyweds’ announced his engagement to Vanessa Minnillo at which Jessica insisted she “could not be more happy for Nick.”

Beyonce

Beyonce is 'used to' the pregnancy rumors

"At this point, they say that I have been pregnant like 8 times, so I am kind of used to it," the 29-year-old singer said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I just hope that one day when I decide to be pregnant that people are happy for me. ... One day hopefully I'll be. It is part of being a celebrity, I guess."

Beyonce is delivering something else -- a concert DVD titled, "I AM ... WORLD TOUR," which goes on sale Friday. Footage from the DVD will air Thursday, the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., in her second prime-time television special on ABC, "Beyonce's I'm ... World Tour," but this time, she shows a more personal side.

"I felt like I have done so many different things, it's time for me to show a bit of who I'm. The hardest thing was showing that, because a lot of things that I filmed, I filmed in my computer, and I'd never have gotten so open if someone else was in the room," she explained at her DVD premiere Sunday.

Beyonce produced, directed and edited "I AM," which follows the singer on her world tour, which started in March 2009 and ended in February.

Salvia Herb

Miley Cyrus smoking Salvia Herb and passes the bong video

Recently Miley Cyrus caught on tape smoking Salivia Herb and passing the bong to a friend. We're not sure if the girl in those nude leaked pics is actually Miley Cyrus, but we do know for sure that the girl smoking salvia herb in the video before passing it to a friend is for sure Miley Cyrus.

Once again the famous celebrity gossip website TMZ has done it, when they obtained a video showing Muley Cyrus inhaling Salvia Herb from a bong.

Now most of you may not know what Salvia herb actually is…Salvia herb is a plant that cause hallucinogenic effects.

According to reports the video was shoot on Nov 23, 2010 shortly after Miley Cyrus turned 18, during a party at her home in LA where Salvia herb is legal.



Miley Cyrus smoking Salvia Herb video shows the famous singing sensation inhaling from a bong pipe, while someone lighting the bowl for her and then passing it to a friend.

In the video Miley Cyrus could be heard clearly saying, ‘OKAY I'm about to lose it now’, right after coughing and letting out a big laugh.

Abbas as Arafat, and Rewarding Palestinians for Refusing to Negotiate

Over the past few months we've been witness to a very interesting string of events. One in which not only have the Palestinians refused to negotiate, but they've been supported by the current American administration in this refusal. Yet somehow, the majority of the world continues to blame Israel for an impasse in "peace" talks.

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera Racy Photos creating stir over internet

Christina Aguilera Racy Picture are creating stir over the internet. Christina Aguilera Racy Photos which surfed over the internet yesterday on Wednesday Dec 8, 2010 shows the 29-year-old actress/singer bisexual semi-nude.

It appears that the Christina Aguilera Racy Photos were taken in a wardrobe room.

Would it be correct to say that Christina Aguilera became the latest and greatest celebrity to share her walk-in-closet racy photos with the world? If yes then that’s what they're.

In one photo Christina Aguilera Racy Photos could be seen wearing a white see-through t-shirt with jeans, while in another she could be seen wearing a white robe in which she could be seen naked from her waist down, wearing small panties.

However one of Christina Aguilera Racy Photos which is creating buzz over the internet shows the sexy siren wearing rhinestone chains and pasties while sitting on a Lucite stool and touching herself provocatively.

John Lennon

John Lennon Quotes to Remember

Time goes by in the blink of an eye, and one of the best John Lennon Quotes rings a similar tone "Living is easy with eyes closed". It is been almost 3 decades since the death of John Lennon and it seems like yesterday he was making history with his music and free spirit.

Lennon was the father of two children and husband of Yoko Ono. He brought a message of peace to all and is remembered as one of the most influential musicians of all time.

Check out a few of our favorite John Lennon quotes below. We are sure you've a bunch of your own.

“Living is easy with eyes closed.”

“One thing you can’t hide – is when you’re crippled inside.”

“God is a concept by which we measure our pain.”

“War is over … If you want it.”

“I get by with a little help from my friends.”

John Lennon will continue to bring his message of peace through his music for all to hear.

Pearl Harbor Day

Pearl Harbor Day to be marked quietly by survivor of attack

There may be no official ceremonies in Mobile today to mark the 69th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, but at least one survivor already has his eyes on big events expected in 2011. Ret. U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Howard Bakeman, 92, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, was stationed in Pearl Harbor when Japanese bombers attacked by air on December 7, 1941.

“Tomorrow is going to be a routine day,” Bakeman said Monday. “I am not disappointed. I know what it's. I have got a Pearl Harbor survivor badge. I’m looking forward to next year.”

Bakeman said he was in the cafeteria at “0800 hours” when a cook came in and warned they were being fired on. He and others initially thought that the approaching planes were a bomber squad arriving from California.

At 11 a.m. today on the USS Alabama, a brief announcement of the anniversary will be made and a “moment of remembrance” will be observed, said Bill Tunnell, executive director of Battleship Memorial Park.

“Next year,” Tunnell said, for the 70th anniversary, “we'll have a full ceremony honoring the surviving Alabama members. Most of the Pearl Harbor survivors are older than 85 and not all mobile.”

Bakeman, however, still drives his Cadillac to places such as the post office and to eat at a favorite Chinese restaurant on Airport Boulevard.

A Boston native and Mobile resident for 40 years, his sedan features United States. Army flag decal, as well as others identifying him as a war veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor. Bakeman said that he attends every military funeral he can, regardless of whether he knows the deceased or the family. “There Is not a lot you can do,” he said. “You do what’s proper. I figure I owe it to these guys.”

The attack on Pearl Harbor caused more than 2,300 American military deaths, according to the National Park Service. Of those, 1,177 were crewmembers on the USS Arizona.

The Sunday morning attack plunged the US into World War II.

Bakeman said that strangers still stop him to offer appreciation for his military service:

“They embarrass me sometimes. When you sign (up) there’s no fine print or guarantee you're not going to get into a firefight. When you come from a military family, maybe you've a different concept. I had a mission to accomplish.”

american pickers

Good PR Could Help Revive Bushkill Park

Things did not look that rosy for Bushkill Park this Summer, when owners Sammy Baurkot and the Neal Fehnel had to put on hold their project of reviving the park because of lack of funds.

In 2004, when , Hurricane Ivan struck, the old amusement park in Forks Township was flooded. Its iconic Haunted Pretzel ride has been completely destroyed, and many of its other rides suffered irreparable damages. So the park closed, and ulterior attempts to reopen it were unsuccessful: poor management being one of the main reasons.

When Walt Reis and Frank Clever reopened the park in 2006, without its Haunted Pretzel, Bumper Cars and The Whip rides, the number of visitors during the season was way below expectations. Debt closed the park down completely, and vandalism destroyed its remaining attractions, including “Bar’l of Fun” one of America’s oldest fun-houses.

But things could take a better turn for Bushkill Park. The venue was recently visited by Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, the stars of American Pickers, a documentary reality television series on History Channel, that focuses more on antiques and collectibles. Wolfe and Fritz explore people’s homes, barns, sheds, and other outbuildings in search for other peoples’ “junk” – in many cases valuable collectibles. The two run a home-business, Antique Archaeology, in Le Claire, Iowa. The show on History Channel, which debuted January 18, 2010, has made a huge difference in their business, making Antique Archaeology an internationally recognized brand. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are also synonymous with their business. Their interest for any random venue in the world can instantly capture media and public attention. This is what happened yesterday, after the third season of American Pickers debuted with A Banner Pick, featuring the Bushkill Park in Easton, and some of its vintage sideshow banners.

Fritz and Wolfe paid $700 for these, a sweet bargain, if you consider their real value. The banners, made by the O. Henry Tent & Awning Co., were appraised at $5,000 to $6,000 each. The appraiser said that they were the work of sideshow sign artist Fred Johnson, and to Fritz and Wolfe’s delight, the signs sold for $10,000 at an online auction. The two pickers went back to Bushkill Park and gave Neal Fehnel $5000 from the win. You can only imagine the park owner’s joy – a hope for the park’s future:

2010 Bowl Matchups

Bowl Games 2010: A First Look at This Year's Best Non-BCS Matchups

The Bowl games 2010 schedule has been finalized, and there are some incredibly intriguing matchups on the slate across the board.

While most of the BCS games promise to be fantastic games, there are some non-BCS games that have some serious potential as well.

The best of the non-BCS games appears to be the Capital One Bowl, featuring the Michigan State Spartans and Alabama Crimson Tide. Both teams spent most of the season ranked in the top 10, and while both had BCS hopes dashed late in the season, a strong bowl bid would go a long way towards soothing those wounds.

Missouri takes on the Iowa Hawkeyes in a seldom seen border clash in the Insight Bowl. Both teams started the year strong, but the Hawkeyes faded badly down the stretch and are looking to make amends here. Beating the 10-2 Tigers would be a great place to start.

Finally, there's the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl, which might as well be called the "Non-automatic Qualifiers just missing out on a BCS" Bowl. In it, 10-2 Utah takes on 11-1 Boise State, in a game neither one particularly wants to be a part of, given the seasons they've had.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt Has Been Visiting A Psychic

Just recently reports came in that Brad Pitt has been seeing a psychic and that he has been getting some guidance about his the relationship with Angelina Jole. He's getting some help from a spiritual adviser and the adviser confirmed that he was going to her for readings.

The adviser went on to further say that he knows him personally and thinks that he's a very spiritual person. Some people said that they're worried about the relationship that he's with Jolie but the adviser said that he can't talk about the relationship nor what is going on because it would break his confidentiality and that he doesn't want that. Brad feels that the adviser is a source of inspiration, and comfort during very hard times and that he's really helped him.

People hope that this adviser is able to help the relationship with Angelina and Brad because they've kids and they need to learn how to stay together through everything regardless of what all happens. They need to be strong and loving parents which can only be truly accomplished if they love each other deeply but if they do divorce they still need to learn how to get along together for the kids.

Katia Zatuliveter

United Kingdom MP's assistant, Katia Zatuliveter, a spy for Russia

A RUSSIAN working in the House of Commons is to be deported from Britain after security services arrested her on suspicion of espionage.

Katia Zatuliveter, who works for the Mike Hancock, a Liberal Democrat member of the Commons defence select committee, is to be expelled after MI5 decided the 25-years-old was secretly working for the Russian intelligence service as a "sleeper". MI5 believes she was deliberately targeting Mr Hancock, 64, who's strong Russian interests and a reputation as a womaniser.

Her arrest is believed to be the first time since the end of the Cold War that someone working in parliament has been accused of spying for the Russians.

Ms Zatuliveter, who was vetted before taking up her post, was arrested by police and Border Agency officials last week and is being held at a secure facility awaiting deportation to Russia. It's believed she was working for the SVR, Russia's foreign intelligence service.

A source said: "Her presence here is not considered to be conducive to national security. There was unhappiness about what she could have access to. The intention is to show her the door."

Questions on defence have been issued to government departments from Mr Hancock's office in recent weeks, including requests for an inventory of Britain's nuclear weapons arsenal, details of nuclear material outside international safeguards and the locations of all submarine bases worldwide. Ministers declined to answer some of the questions.

Mr Hancock said last night that Ms Zatuliveter wasn't a spy and would be appealing against the deportation order. He said she had done nothing wrong and was sure she would be vindicated.

The Russian was stopped while re-entering Britain at Gatwick airport in August. Before releasing her, security officials questioned her extensively about her activities for Mr Hancock. Sources said the MP first employed Ms Zatuliveter after meeting her in Strasbourg, where he often travels on business related to his position on the Council of Europe.

"She would walk around in very short skirts and high heels with Hancock and they would be seen having lunch together," said one Westminster source.

"Certainly, some thought she was charming and intelligent."

Mr Hancock, who also sits on the Western European Union assembly on security and defence, is vice-chairman of the parliamentary all-party group on Russia.

Other members have noted his pro-Putin stance, but the MP denies he's any undue bias towards Russia. There is no suggestion that he has been deliberately acting contrary to Britain's interests. The MP is on police bail after being arrested over an alleged indecent assault on a female constituent.

The case of Ms Zatuliveter confirms fears by MI5 that Russian spies are actively campaigning to target individuals in Whitehall and Westminster.

"There are now dozens of Russian agents in Britain, either living here or working here," said Oleg Gordievsky, a former KGB officer who defected to Britain in 1985. "They've people in parliament and in important companies. They're targeting MPs, particularly those in sensitive positions. It's scandalous that the security service would allow a Russian to work for somebody on the defence committee."

Britney Spears Boyfriend Beaten Report

Britney Spears Says ‘Kiss Her Lily White Ass’ After Boyfriend Beaten Report

Britney Spears is a little ticked off about recent reports of the being beaten by her boyfriend Jason Trawick. The source of the news came from her child-hood friend Jason Alexander who she was married to for only 55 hours before having the marriage annulled in 2004. Jason Alexander apparently spoke to both Star Magazine and Radar Online with the story that Trawich was beating on Spears.

In a recorded audio, a woman could be heard saying, “That f-cker isn't my fiance.” As the second voice asks the woman believed to be Britney Spears about Trawick proposing to her on a beach or somewhere. The response back was, “…before or after he beat on me?”

Meanwhile, Britney Spears’ camp claims that it is not the Pop star and that legal action will be taken. Star Magazine says that Jason Alexander who passed a lie detector test stands behind his story.

As for Britney Spears’ thoughts on this, she responded via Twitter and told Star, Radar, Jason Alexander and the rest of the “liars” to kiss her lily white Louisiana ass!

In the midst of this all, Britney Spears had enough time to announce that she's afresh album coming out in March.

Cartoons From The 90 s

Cartoons From the 90’s Facebook Meme: Is Good Cause For Kids A Hoax?

You have undoubtedly noticed the Facebook cartoon profile pics for many of your friends over the past day, including the likes of cartoons from the 90’s Rugrats and Arnold, Cat and Dog, Doug, and my personal favorite, from the cartoons from the 80’s, the Muppet Babies. If you have not figured it out, this meme is supposed to be in support of fighting violence against children. But is it a hoax of sorts?

The status update people are putting in reads like this: “Change your facebook profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday (December 6), there should be no human faces on facebook, but a stash of memories. This is for eliminating violence against children.”

But KnowYourMeme.com notes this may simply be the reincarnation of an unsuccessful meme a couple weeks ago, which also urged people to change their Facebook pics to cartoons. People may have just added the “eliminating violence against children” note to try to make it more popular.

In the end it probably does not matter – even if it was not originally designed that way, the tagline is getting spread. Did you change your profile?