TRACKING SANTA - 2008

SANTA IS ON THE MOVE!

Ho Ho Ho! Santa is already on the go! You can track his magical journey here.. http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html

Make sure to leave out some cookies & milk tonight!! -- Nazzy

WONDERFUL LIFE - THE REMAKE??

RECASTING "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"

If you were going to recast the Jimmy Stewart holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life," who would you put in the leading roles? According to the E-Poll 2008 Holiday Survey, George Clooney is the top choice to portray Stewart's character of George Bailey, while Jennifer Aniston is the favorite for the role of his wife, Mary Hatch Bailey, originally played by Donna Reed. Respondents would cast Robin Williams as the angel Clarence Odbody, and would like to see Dakota Fanning as the Bailey's youngest daughter, Zuzu.

Meanwhile, Jack Nicholson gets the nod for the role of the evil money-hungry businessman Henry F. Potter, originated by the legendary Lionel Barrymore.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY SONGS

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS

Singing animals, both animated and real, provide some of the best holiday music. According to the TouchTunes 2008 Holiday Survey, Alvin and the Chipmunks' "Christmas Don't Be Late" tops the list of favorite rock and roll Christmas songs, capturing nearly 28-percent of the vote.

Coming in close second is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," which was picked by 25-percent of respondents, followed by Bon Jovi's "I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas" at 18-percent.

Meanwhile, "Jingle Bells" by The Barking Dogs takes fourth place on the tally as the choice for just under 16-percent.

Rounding out the top five is Elton John's "Step Into Christmas," the favorite for nearly 13-percent of those taking part in the survey.

The TouchTunes 2008 Holiday Survey of Favorite Rock and Roll Christmas Songs

1. Alvin and the Chipmunks, "Christmas Don't Be Late" - 27-point-six-percent

2. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" 25-point-three-percent

3. Bon Jovi, "I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas" - 18-point-two-percent

4. The Barking Dogs, "Jingle Bells" - 15-point-nine-percent

5. Elton John, "Step Into Christmas - 12-point-nine-percent

HIGH TECH HOLIDAY

New High Tech Gifts Big This Holiday Season

There are some high-tech ways to save money when it comes to communicating with family and friends this holiday season. High-tech guru Daniel Begun says an option is a web-cam and services like SKYPE.

Begun says other high-tech ways to stay in touch include photo-sharing websites such as smugmug.com or Phanfare.com. Sending free e-cards instead of traditional holiday greeting cards can save postage and can be sent on Christmas Day. Begun says online coupons can be found at Couponchief.com and refurbished cell phones work just as well as new ones and cost a lot less money.

IT'S THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS - DAY 3

Survey: Real Candles Light The Way For Chanukah

Tonight is the third night of Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights. The holiday recalls the miracle that occurred during the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple, when there was only enough oil to last for one day, yet it continued burning for eight days.

Jewish people around the world are marking the event with the lighting of the menorah, and most people prefer real candles for their eight-day celebration.

According to an informal survey at Yahoo.com, 50-percent of respondents say they use real candles instead of an electric menorah for the event. However, just over 35-percent note they use real candles for their ceremony, but like decorating their home for the holiday with an electric menorah in their window.

Here is a video of how to light your menorah...

HOW HIGH CAN A SHARK JUMP?

A SHARK AT THE ATLANTIS RESORT IN THE BAHAMAS JUMPED OUT OF ITS AQUARIUM . . . AND INTO THE HOTEL POOL:

At the risk of sounding dumb . . . do you think animals understand the concept of suicide? I ask because last week, a shark at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas somehow leaped out of its tank and onto a nearby water slide . . . which led to the hotel pool.

According to a statement released by the resort, "a 12-year-old reef shark jumped over an 18-inch wide and one-foot high sustaining structure into the resort's Leap of Faith water slide. "Once the shark fell onto the slide and into the chlorinated water, it was in significant distress. The Marine Aquarium Operations team responded immediately and was able to . . . return the animal to the main marine habitat in an attempt to resuscitate her.

Despite the team's best efforts to recover the animal, it DIED shortly after the occurrence . . . The entire team at Atlantis is saddened by the loss of this animal who had resided in the Atlantis marine habitat for over ten years."

The pool wasn't open at the time, and no one was injured (--other than the shark). (TMZ)

(--Take a look at some pictures of the shark and the rescue operation . . .)

Check out the Atlantis Resort's website: http://www.atlantis.com/explore/thebahamas.aspx

LAST MINUTE GIFTS FOR HIM

***SEVEN LAST-MINUTE GIFTS HE'LL LOVE ***

Guys are notorious for waiting until the week before Christmas to buy gifts. But let's be honest . . . women do it too. If you're still looking for something for the man in YOUR life, here are seven last-minute gifts that he'll love . . .

#1.) A POKER SET. Even if he's not a big card player, every guy should have one. You can get a set for under $20, but if you splurge on one with a classy case and properly weighted chips, you'll get to watch him smile even wider.

#2.) A STUB HUB GIFT CERTIFICATE. StubHub.com's a great website that offers discounted tickets to sporting events and concerts all over the country. It's hard to predict WHEN he'll be able to go, but a gift certificate lets him choose what he sees and when. --You can get a gift certificate at StubHub.com for anywhere between $25 and $500.

#3.) A SWISS ARMY KNIFE. He probably has an old one sitting in the back of his sock drawer . . . but rest assured . . . it's NOTHING like this. For $80, you can buy him the new "Swiss Flash". --It still has old standards like the screwdriver and scissors set . . . but it's also added some modern touches including an LED light and a removable four-gigabyte hard drive to plug into his computer.

#4.) A HOT-SAUCE-OF-THE-MONTH MEMBERSHIP. For whatever reason, guys LOVE hot sauce. So, if you want to get him something he'll enjoy every day . . . or if you just want to torture him for the next six months . . . SweatNSpice.com can do it for $140. (I WANT THIS!!)

#5.) A BATH ROBE. It'll keep him warm every time he takes a shower in the morning, but he'd probably never think to buy one for himself. To spice things up, wear it when you give it to him . . . and don't wear anything else underneath. (Hubba Hubba)

#6.) ESPN'S "ULTIMATE REMOTE". It's not cheap, but it's also not a normal remote control. For $300, it controls all of his electronics . . . gives him access to updated stats and scores . . . and even lets him browse the Internet.

#7.) THE GODFATHER TRILOGY. It's always a popular gift this time of year . . . and that's because 99% of men LOVE IT. A new version with more perks just came out, and you can buy it basically anywhere.--The only drawback is . . . it's nine hours long . . . and he might make YOU watch too. (Cosmopolitan.com)

HAPPY HANUKKAH

MERRY MICROWAVE CHRISTMAS

A VERY UNIQUE WAY TO CELEBRATE:

Here's a Christmas message from a company named AKQA. A group of people hook up 49 microwaves and time them to sort-of play "Jingle Bells".

(--Note: The "song" starts at :56.)(Search Terms: Happy Christmas from AKQA)

NICE PARKING JOB BUDDY!!

WANT TO BUY BUMPER STICKERS THAT SAY "I PARK LIKE AN IDIOT" . . . SO YOU CAN PUT THEM ON OTHER PEOPLE'S CARS???

It's not that hard to park a car . . . so it blows my mind that there are so many morons out there who just can't seem to get the hang of it.

That's why I'm going to buy a pack of bumper stickers that say "I Park Like An Idiot", and every time I see some idiot's bad parking job . . . I'm going to put one on the guy's bumper. (Uncrate)

(--You can pick up a 20-pack of these bumper stickers for $10 here . . .)http://iparklikeanidiot.com/

NASTY MALL FOOD

CHECK OUT A LIST OF THE WORST MALL FOODS:

Did you go to the mall this past weekend to get some last-minute shopping done? If so, here's a list of the LEAST HEALTHY mall foods . . . which you might want to avoid.

#1.) Worst Chinese Meal: Orange Chicken from Panda Express. This meal has 500 calories and 27 grams of fat . . . which is the equivalent of NINE strips of bacon. Instead, try the Broccoli Beef, which has only 150 calories and SEVEN grams of fat.

#2.) Worst Snack: Glazin' Raisin Pretzel from Auntie Anne's. --Just one of these things has 510 calories . . . which is the equivalent of TWO slices of pizza from Pizza Hut. Instead, try the Jalapeno Pretzel, which has only 270 calories.

#3.) Worst Slice of Pizza: Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza from Sbarro. --This behemoth has 890 calories. That's the equivalent of THREE Snickers bars or 15 KFC Hot Wings. Instead, try a slice of New York-Style Thin Crust Pizza, which has 460 calories.

#4.) Worst Side: Ranch and Bacon Fries from Steak Escape. --This filth has 71 grams of fat and 1,044 calories . . . which is more than HALF your daily allowance. That's the equivalent of 23 Chicken McNuggets. Instead, try the Smashed Potatoes, which have ZERO grams of fat and only 246 calories.

#5.) Worst Drink: Grape Expectations Two from Smoothie King. -A 40-ounce cup of this slop has 1,096 calories and as much sugar as 13 Dunkin' Donuts. Instead, try the Slim-N-Trim Orange-Vanilla smoothie which has only 250 calories.

#6.) Worst Breakfast: Caramel Pecanbun from Cinnabon. --One of these has 1,100 calories and 56 grams of fat. That's the equivalent of EIGHT White Castle hamburgers. Instead, try the Cinnabon Stix, which have 379 calories and 21 grams of fat.

#7.) Worst Soup: Macaroni and Cheese Stew with Bread Bowl from Au Bon Pain. --One large order has 1,120 calories 42 grams of fat and 3,070 milligrams of sodium . . . which is the equivalent of 22 small orders of McDonald's French fries. Instead, try the Old Fashioned Tomato Soup, which has only 200 calories and less than HALF as much sodium (Yahoo News)