RIHANN'S NEW TAT

RIHANNA NOW HAS A GUN TATTOOED ON HER RIBCAGE:

RIHANNA got herself some new ink this week. She now has a GUN on the side of her ribcage. We've got two pics of Rihanna at the tattoo parlor.

One picture shows the actual tattoo . . .

And the other shows what Rihanna was originally thinking of having done . . . which is TWO guns . . . one on the front of each shoulder.

A lot of people are UPSET over the fact that Rihanna got a gun tattoo and she's a victim of domestic violence. Do the two things really have anything to do with each other in Rihanna's case, or do people need to get lives and stop being so concerned about what celebrities are up to??? Discuss.

NOTHING CAN STOP YOU NOW!

FOUR TIPS ON HOW TO RECESSION-PROOF YOUR RELATIONSHIP:

#1.) BE HONEST. If your job is in turmoil or you're worried about cash flow, don't hold your feelings inside. Talk about it. It'll help ease the pressure, and prevent things from blowing up and creating problems in your relationship.

#2.) FIND ALTERNATIVES. Changing your financial lifestyle means cutting back . . . and expensive nights out together are going to be rare. But you can make up for it by getting creative with some cheap alternatives. --If you're used to eating out a few times a week, try cooking a meal together instead. If you used to go to the movies every weekend, join Netflix and buy a big pack of Jiffy Pop.

#3.) GET ACTIVE. Don't get stuck in the rut of being couch potatoes . . . get out there and explore. Go hiking, visit a used bookstore, or check out an art gallery. There are tons of fun, cost-efficient activities you can do together if you think outside the box.

#4.) MAKE A BUDGET. If you're in a long-term relationship, there are shared finances involved. So if you're serious about making a financial change, you BOTH have to be committed to it.

--Set aside some time to make a budget for both of you. Include all the essentials, but don't forget to add in a little wiggle room if possible. That way, when an unexpected expense comes up, it won't be as stressful. (Ask Men)

WHAT A SHOT!

***VIDEO OF THE DAY***

In this preview for Sunday's "60 Minutes", LEBRON JAMES makes a ridiculous underhanded shot from past half court . . . on the first take.

(--Note: He shoots the ball at :19.)(Search Terms: LeBron James hits incredible shot during 60 Minutes interview)

HOW TO GET THE KIDS OFF THE COUCH

***SIX WAYS TO GET THE KIDS OFF THE COUCH***

Kids seem like they're glued to the television these days, but getting them to take part in the great outdoors doesn't have to be so hard . . . especially now that the weather is getting nicer. Here are six ways to get your kids off the couch and out of the house . . .

#1.) SET A GOOD EXAMPLE. If your kids see you spending a lot of time in front of the TV, they'll do the same. So skip a few shows and do something with them outside.

#2.) OPEN A WINDOW. Kids won't be motivated to go outside if they can't actually SEE outside. The weather is getting warmer, so the next time you see your kids wasting a perfectly nice day, try opening a window. It's simple, but effective.

#3.) ASK THEM WHAT *THEY* WANT TO DO. You might be surprised at their answer. Say that you want to go outside, then ask them to come up with an activity. Kids have vast imaginations and might want to do something you'd never thought of.

#4.) START A TRADITION. Pick a place outside the house and make it YOUR spot. You can play catch at the park once a week, or have a picnic once a month. Whatever it is, make it a tradition . . . and make it outdoors.

#5.) TRADE A WALK FOR A TREAT. Instead of driving to the store, walk if it's not too far. Tell the kids they get to pick out a special treat if they join you, and pretty soon, they'll want to walk EVERYWHERE.

#6.) JUST TURN OFF THE TV. You might use it as background noise while you go about your day, but kids seem to be magnetically connected to the thing. So hit the power button. If the television is OFF, they just might have to do . . . something else. (SheKnows.com)

CELEB NEWS

KIM KARDASHIAN IS COOL WITH HER COTTAGE CHEESE:

Earlier this week, an unretouched photo of KIM KARDASHIAN from a "Complex" magazine photo shoot hit the Internet. And it showed Kim with a healthy helping of COTTAGE CHEESE on her legs. And Kim, God bless her, has no problem with you seeing it. She says, "So what: I have a little cellulite. What curvy girl doesn't!? How many people do you think are photoshopped? It happens all the time! --". . . I'm proud of my body and my curves and this picture coming out is probably helpful for everyone to see that just because I am on the cover of a magazine doesn't mean I'm perfect."

--Here's that picture again . . . along with the more "perfect" Photoshopped version . . .)

====================================================================

VALERIE BERTINELLI will be 49 next month. Check her out on the cover of "People" magazine. Sure, there was probably some Photoshopping going on, but still . . . that Jenny Craig stuff really worked for her . .

===================================================================

ARE SEAN PENN, BENICIO DEL TORO AND JIM CARREY YOUR NEW THREE STOOGES???

This sounds thoroughly INSANE . . . but it's being reported by "Variety" . . . which is also known as the SHOWBIZ BIBLE . . . so we really have no choice but to believe it.

As you know, the FARRELLY BROTHERS . . . the men responsible for such comedy classics as "Dumb & Dumber" and "There's Something About Mary" . . . are working on a THREE STOOGES movie. It's not a biography. It's an ALL-NEW STOOGES ADVENTURE . . . with a new cast of Stooges.

And since it was announced a decade ago . . . (--Yes, it's taken this long to get this thing off the ground) . . . there's been all manner of speculation about the casting. Well, now we know a little more.

SEAN PENN is reportedly locked in to play LARRY . . . the curly-haired, middle stooge. And they're hoping to get BENICIO DEL TORO to play MOE, the leader of the stooges. --These sound like bizarre casting choices, but if you think about it, Sean and Benicio really, REALLY look like Larry and Moe.

But their choice for Curly is a little bit out of left field. They're in negotiations with . . . JIM CARREY. I get that Jim could probably pull off a great Curly IMPRESSION . . . but how is he going to achieve the look??? The word is that he's going to gain 40 pounds for the role . . . if he takes it.

(--Still, I don't see it. The real Curly was shaped like a beer keg and stood 5-foot-5. Carrey is thin, wiry and over 6-foot-1. All the Stooges were little short guys. And that just added to the comedy . . . because they were always being pushed around by bigger guys . . . and girls.) (--But Sean Penn is 5-foot-9, and Benicio del Toro is 6-foot-2. I guess they'll have to use some MOVIE MAGIC . . . or milk crates . . . to make these three guys look smaller than just about everybody else.) (--Whatever the case may be, below are some pictures of Moe, Larry and Curly . . . and Sean, Jim and Benicio . . . for comparison . . .)

Assuming that negotiations go as planned, the new Stooges flick will start production in the fall . . . and hit theaters sometime next year.

OCD IN DOGS

IF YOUR DOG CHASES ITS TAIL, IT MIGHT BE A SIGN OF . . . HIGH CHOLESTEROL, ANXIETY AND OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER???

Isn't modern medical science . . . with its ability to link seemingly random behavior with actual medical conditions . . . truly a thing of beauty?

Here's what I'm talking about . . . --Recently, researchers from the University of Uludag in Turkey took blood samples from 15 dogs that compulsively chased their own tails . . . and 15 dogs that behaved "normally". What they found is that the compulsive tail-chasers had considerably higher CHOLESTEROL LEVELS . . . than the "normal" dogs.

So what does that mean? According to the researchers, when a dog compulsively chases its own tail, it's the behavioral equivalent of humans who have panic attacks or develop obsessive-compulsive disorder . . . which have BOTH been linked to high cholesterol levels. In other words, if your dog is constantly chasing its own tail . . . you might want to take it to the vet to get its cholesterol checked. (Discovery)

(--Check out this video of a dog chasing its tail like crazy while another just watches . . .)

(--And in this one, the dog actually catches its own tail, and takes it over to his bed . . .)

TV SHOW MAP

WHERE DOES YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW TAKE PLACE?

This is pretty cool: Check out this map of the U.S. that someone put together . . . which shows where a bunch of TV shows have been set.

(--Here's the link . . .)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3365570828_118b5ea272_b.jpg

LOVE AT 1ST SIGHT

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT TAKES MEN 8.2 SECONDS:

People are always talking about how they fell in love "at first sight". But that begs the question: Can you really fall in love with someone the first time you see them?

Well, according to a new study published in the "Archives of Sexual Behavior", you CAN . . . at least if you're a MAN.

Researchers used hidden cameras to track the eye movements of more than a hundred students as they talked to actors of the opposite sex . . . and then asked them to rate the actors' attractiveness. What they found is that when a guy is physically attracted to a woman, he'll gaze into her eyes for an average of 8.2 SECONDS. --But when he's NOT attracted to her, his gaze only lasts 4.5 SECONDS.

But listen to this . . . A woman will look at a man for the exact same amount of time . . . regardless of whether she finds him attractive or not. --In other words, when a guy is attracted to a woman . . . he'll let her know by holding eye contact with her. But when a woman is attracted to a man, she won't do anything to tip him off. (--Yep, no surprises there.) (Daily Telegraph)

3-WAY PHOTO FINISH

A HORSE RACE IN PENNSYLVANIA ENDED IN A THREE-WAY TIE (AND WE'VE GOT A PHOTO OF THE FINISH):

On Tuesday, a harness race at the Meadows racetrack (--just southeast of Pittsburgh) ended in a tie between THREE HORSES . . . named TSM Goldenridge, Serious Damage and Teen Elvis.

To give you an idea of just how rare that is, the Meadows racetrack has been open for 46 years . . . and in that time there's NEVER been a three-way tie. (WTAE News 4 - Pittsburgh)

(--Check out this rare three-way photo-finish. . .)

FREE TAX HELP

***FOUR WAYS TO GET FREE TAX HELP***

If you have less money than usual this year, but aren't comfortable doing your taxes by yourself, you CAN get help with your tax returns without hiring a high-priced accountant. Here are four low-budget options you should consider at tax time . . .

#1.) COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. They're usually set up at libraries, shopping malls, and other public locations. They're generally staffed with volunteers who CAN'T answer complex questions, but who CAN help guide you through a simple return.

#2.) FREE HELP FOR LOW-TO MODERATE-INCOME FILERS. The IRS sponsors the "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program," which is available to people who earn $42,000 a year or less. To find out more, call 1-800-829-1040.

#3.) AARP ASSISTANCE FOR ALL AGES. The AARP program gives special attention to people over 60. But with 7,000 locations nationwide and 33,000 volunteers, they'll help anyone who brings in a simple tax return. To find out more, visit AARP.org.

#4.) GET HELP ONLINE. The IRS has deals with 19 tax software companies, and if you made $56,000 or less last year, you can use online versions of programs like TurboTax for free. Look for the "Free File" icon on IRS.gov to find out more. (Associated Press)

SOME PEOPLE HAVE WAY TOO MUCH TIME

CELEBRITIES RIDING INVISIBLE BICYCLES . . . ???

You may not find this the least bit funny . . . and I would understand if you didn't. But for some reason, I was THOROUGHLY AMUSED by this . . . so I'm assuming that at least some of you will feel the same way . . .

A website called HolyTaco.com took pictures of various celebrities riding bicycles . . . and Photoshopped out the bicycles. If you get it, great. But if not, don't hate on those of us who find it funny. We're not hurting anyone. Enjoy . . .

SMELL THIS

***FIVE SCENTS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR MOOD***

The best way to boost your mood, relieve stress, and beat cravings might be right under your nose. Tapping into your sense of smell is one of the fastest ways to change your perspective or even your behavior. Here are five scents that can brighten your day . . .

#1.) IF YOU WANT A QUICK PICK-ME-UP, TRY A LITTLE PEPPERMINT. It stimulates the region of the brain that controls how tired you feel, and when your energy level is low, peppermint candy or gum might work better than a cup of coffee.

#2.) IF YOU'RE FEELING STRESSED, LAVENDER CAN HELP. It has a mild sedating effect on the emotional center of the brain. Light a candle, or better yet, use some lavender-scented bath oil. The heat from the bath will reinforce the effect.

#3.) TO INCREASE BRAIN POWER, TRY SOME CINNAMON. Studies show that people are more alert when they've been exposed to it. That's because cinnamon's aroma appears to increase blood flow and provide your brain with more oxygen.

#4.) IF YOU'RE ON A DIET, TRY VANILLA. In a Brown University study, women who wore a vanilla-scented patch started losing weight without even trying. It's because vanilla is a common ingredient in sweets, and the scent alone can satisfy cravings.

#5.) IF YOU'RE FEELING DEPRESSED, TRY CITRUS. We associate its scent with morning time, and we associate morning time with new beginnings. Try using a citrus-scented body wash in the shower, OR go 'old school' and just have a glass of juice. (QuickandSimple.com)

HOW TRUE IS THIS

THIS VIDEO IS NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM REAL LIFE!

Here's an animated short for everyone who hates Twitter. A guy tries to explain to his co-worker why the social networking service is so important, but ends up realizing that he doesn't have any real friends.

(--Warning: This video contains mild profanity.)

HELLO? IS ANYONE THERE?

HERE ARE SOME TRICKS TO HELP YOU GET A REAL PERSON WHEN YOU'RE CALLING CUSTOMER SERVICE:

#1.) If you're having trouble getting through, try calling the Retentions Department, the New Service Department . . . or the Collections Department. Why? People in these departments tend to answer calls quickly. And when they transfer you to the department you actually need . . . you'll automatically jump to the head of the line.

#2.) If you get caught in a maze of computerized phone prompts, hit "zero", the "star button" or the "pound sign" over and over . . . and you'll probably be routed directly to an operator.

#3.) Learn to speak Spanish. Why? Because the Spanish option usually has shorter wait times . . . and your operator will probably be bilingual anyway.

#4.) Mumble or speak nonsense. The logic is that if the voice robot on the other end of the line can't understand you . . . it'll be forced to transfer you to an actual person.

#5.) Some Interactive Voice Response systems are programmed to put anyone who uses PROFANITY at the front of the line . . . so you might want to try cursing.

#6.) Many companies allow customers to schedule a customer-service call time on their website . . . so you won't have to wait on hold. And if your problem isn't urgent, you might consider sending an email instead of calling on the phone.

#7.) Or just don't pay your bill. That way, the company will call YOU.

(--Take a look at all the tips here . . .)http://www.voip-news.com/feature/50-plus-pbx-hacks-030308/ (Voip News)

SEEING-EYE PONY

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A SEEING-EYE PONY???

We're all familiar with seeing-eye dogs. But it turns out dogs aren't the only service animals available to the disabled. --Enter Tabitha Darling of Fort Worth, Texas. Tabitha is legally blind . . . and she also has a bone condition which makes it painful to walk. --So to help her get around, Tabitha got a seeing-eye PONY named Trixie, which she can legally ride around indoors . . . under the Americans with Disabilities Act. --Tabitha says, quote, "[Trixie] means the world to me. [She's] not just a working animal, but, well, my friend." (WFAA News 8 - Dallas / Fort Worth)

(--Check out a picture of Tabitha and Trixie doing a little shopping . . .)

GRANDPARENTS TO THE RESCUE

GRANDPARENTS SAVE THEIR KIDS NEARLY $74 BILLION A YEAR . . . BY HELPING THEM CARE FOR THEIR GRANDKIDS:

This study took place in the UK, but we have no doubt the results hold true here in the States. According to a recent study by HSBC Bank, the average grandparent puts in nearly 16 hours a week caring for their grandkids . . . which saves their children almost $74 BILLION every year in child care costs and other expenses. (Daily Mail)

(--In other words, if your parents help you take care of your kids, you really need to do something nice for them . . . because they're saving you massive amounts of dough.)

DOES SOMEONE OWE YOU MONEY?

THERE'S A WEBSITE YOU CAN USE TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE OWES YOU MONEY:

If someone owed you money, you'd want to know about it . . . right? Of course you would . . . because who couldn't use a little extra cash? --

With that in mind, we heard about a website . . . called www.MissingMoney.com . . . that can help you track down, "lost or forgotten assets."

That's just another way of saying they can help you find out if anyone owes you money. (Yahoo Buzz) (--Find out if anyone owes you money here . . .)http://www.missingmoney.com/

FUNNY VIDEO OF THE DAY

THIS IS TOO FUNNY!

This commercial for Samsung uses real baby animals in miniature human settings to show the many alternate uses for their phones, including a movie screen for hamsters, a photo booth for puppies, and a fireplace for kittens.

(--Note: Don't miss the hedgehog that starts at 1:03.)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev-opyE2AeU(Search Terms: Samsung 38 cute animals 1 cool screen 8 different uses video)

TURNING BAD INTO GOOD

***FOUR WAYS TO MAKE THE BAD ECONOMY GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH***

The economy is in bad shape, but that doesn't mean YOU have to be. You don't need to have a lot of money to take care of your body. So here are four ways you can make the bad economy GOOD for your health . . .

#1.) WATCH LESS TV. Cable companies are losing a lot of subscribers. And at $100 a month, it's no wonder. Maybe you should cancel YOURS: research shows that people who watch more than two hours of TV a day are much more likely to be overweight.

#2.) GET A BETTER WORKOUT. Canceling your gym membership can save you $50 a month, but it DOESN'T mean you have to stop working out. Running on a treadmill is good, but when you run outdoors, you actually get a better workout.

-Plus, breathing fresh air and soaking up the sun increase your endorphin levels, which makes you feel stronger and gives you more energy.

#3.) EAT HEALTHIER. If you have less money, then you're probably not going out for dinner very much. And that's GOOD for your health. Restaurant food is generally higher in salt and fat. And a meal at a restaurant usually has TWICE as many calories.

#4.) INCREASE YOUR WILLPOWER. Research shows that if you start keeping track of your finances and following a budget, you'll gain more willpower at the same time. And that makes it easier for you to stay on a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

--Plus, learning to make conscious choices teaches you about self-control. And that will help in every area of your life. (Yahoo.com)

SAY YOUR PRAYERS

THERE'S A WEBSITE THAT WILL SAY YOUR PRAYERS FOR YOU:

Has your schedule gotten so busy that you just can't find the time . . . to PRAY?

If so, you're in luck. There's a new website called www.InformationAgePrayer.com which will actually recite your prayers for you . . . for a fee, of course.

According to the website, Information Age Prayer is a, quote, "prayer supplement service [meant] to extend and strengthen a subscriber's connection with God . . . --"[It's] a subscription service utilizing a computer with text-to-speech capability to incant your prayers each day [which] gives you the satisfaction of knowing that your prayers will always be said even if you wake up late, or forget."

In other words, Information Age Prayer is a website that allows you to outsource your prayer responsibilities.

So what sort of prayer packages does Information Age Prayer offer?

-- You can buy a month's worth of "The Lord's Prayer" for just $3.95.
-- You can get up to FIVE "Get Well" prayers a day . . . for just $9.95 a month.

-- "Hail Mary" prayers come on the cheap at just SEVEN CENTS apiece.

-- A prayer for world peace will cost you $3.95 a month . . . and you can buy a prayer for your children for just $1.99 a month.

-- And . . . for Muslims who like to sleep in . . . Information Age Prayer will point their speakers toward Mecca and recite your morning "Fajr" prayer . . . for just $3.95 a month.

--There's only one problem with all this: You don't actually get to hear the prayers you select the site to "say" for you . . . you just have to trust that they'll do it for you each day . . . after you pay them. The website's terms of service says, quote, "Your privacy is protected, all prayers are not audible outside of the Information Age Prayer location." Sounds kind of shady, right? Don't worry. In the middle of this bad economic downturn, I'm sure no one would dream of shamelessly taking advantage of your well-intentioned religious convictions, just to make a profit. (France 24)

(--You can outsource your prayers here . . .)http://www.informationageprayer.com/

OBAMA'S APOLOGY

OBAMA APOLOGIZED FOR HIS SPECIAL OLYMPICS COMMENT . . . AND WAS CHALLENGED TO A BOWLING MATCH BY A SPECIAL OLYMPIAN:

Last Thursday, BARACK OBAMA became the first active president in U.S. history to do late-night TV . . . when he sat down for an interview with JAY LENO on "The Tonight Show".

Things were going along pretty smoothly until Leno asked Obama about his bowling skills . . . or lack thereof. (--You might remember that during the presidential campaign, Obama made an attempt at bowling . . . and he ended up with major gutterballs.)

Obama told Leno that he'd been practicing and his game had improved . . . but that his bowling performance was still, quote, "like [the] Special Olympics or something." (--Here's the clip . . . .)

--Anyway, shortly after the interview, Obama's people released a statement explaining that his comment was a, quote, "off-hand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics."

But just to make sure there were no misunderstandings, Obama personally put in a call from aboard Air Force One to APOLOGIZE to the chairman of the Special Olympics . . . a guy named Tim Shriver . . . and to invite some Special Olympians to the White House. According to Tim, Obama apologized, quote, "in a way that I think was very moving . . . He diot intend to humiliate the population, didn't want to embarrass or give anybody any more reason for pain or kind of suffering."

-Then, on Friday, 35-year-old Kolan McConiughey . . . a Special Olympian from Ann Arbor, Michigan challenged Obama to a bowling match. Kolan says, "[Obama's] cool, but he can't beat me . . . He bowled a 129. I bowl a 300. I could beat that score easily." And Kolan's not joking. --Kolan's average bowling score is 220 . . . and since 2005, he's bowled FIVE PERFECT GAMES. Kolan also pointed out that if Obama really wants to improve his game, he needs to, "buy a new pair of shoes, a bowling ball and [he] needs to practice every day."

--There's no word on whether Obama will take Kolan up on his challenge. (--But for some reason we doubt he will.) (Detroit News / Atlanta Journal-Constitution / New York Post / Yahoo News)

(--Check out a picture of Kolan in action. . .)

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT A RADIO STATION'S CALL LETTERS STAND FOR???

Have you ever wondered HOW or WHY a certain radio station chose its call letters (--meaning "W-blank-blank-blank" or "K-blank-blank-blank")? Well, we tracked down a list that includes hundreds of radio stations . . . which explains what exactly the station's call letters stand for and why they were chosen.

(--Take a look at this list here . . .) http://nelson.oldradio.com/origins.call-list.html (Boing Boing)

- Still looking into where WJYY got it start.. Remember when we used to be "JOY-FM"? LOL!!

WORKWEEK SURVIVAL

***FIVE WAYS TO SURVIVE THE WORKWEEK***

Monday through Friday can be rough. But if you add a few exciting activities to your routine, you won't have to merely live for the weekend. Here are five easy ways to help you survive the workweek . . .

#1.) STOP HITTING THE SNOOZE BUTTON. Too many people make mornings more stressful than they really are. But if you get up 15 minutes earlier, you'll be more calm and relaxed and won't start your day stressed out.

#2.) MAKE WEEKEND PLANS IN ADVANCE. Start scheduling your Saturday and Sunday activities at the beginning of the week. Talking to friends about the fun stuff you'll do over the weekend will build anticipation and make the week fly by.

#3.) TAKE A REAL LUNCH BREAK. Instead of scarfing down an energy bar and a bag of chips at your desk, go out to lunch with your co-workers. It gives you an opportunity to recharge your batteries. Plus, it helps you bond with your colleagues.

#4.) DO SOMETHING ON WEDNESDAY. Hit a bar for happy hour or invite friends over for dinner. Having something to do on Wednesday will give you something to look forward to on those miserable Mondays and Tuesdays.

#5.) START A WEEKLY TRADITION. It could be pizza and movies with your friends or a standing Thursday night date with your significant other. If you set aside one night a week, you'll make sure there's always something fun on the horizon.
(Cosmopolitan.com)