BRITNEY LOOSES HER HAIR

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO OF BRITNEY LOOSING A HUGE CHUNK OF HER HAIR!

BRITNEY SPEARS lost a chunk of hair during a stunt at her concert in Oakland on Wednesday night. Fortunately, it was just EXTENSIONS . . . not her real hair.

(--Here's a video . . . It happens as the guy is lifting her off the sled . . .)

CAN'T GET ENOUGH FACEBOOK

HERE ARE FIVE SIGNS THAT YOU'RE ADDICTED TO . . . FACEBOOK:

I don't know about you, but I just love Facebook. In fact, I love it so much . . . that it's starting to become a problem.

If you feel the same way, here are FIVE SIGNS that you might be ADDICTED . . . to Facebook.

#1.) You lose sleep over Facebook: Neglecting bodily needs like sleep is a sure sign of an addiction.

#2.) You're on Facebook for more than an hour a day: It's hard to say how much time is too much . . . to spend on Facebook. But, really, who needs to spend more than an hour a day on Facebook?

#3.) You've become obsessed with exes: It's okay to add an ex as a Facebook friend. But if you're neglecting your current partner to catch up with former flames . . . that's a problem.

#4.) You ignore work to go on Facebook: Priorities, people. Priorities.

#5.) You hate getting off Facebook: Look at it this way. If you prefer Facebook to REAL LIFE . . . you're a full-blown Facebook junkie. (CNN)

NO LIMITS FOR THIS GUY

A QUADRUPLE AMPUTEE IS GOING TO MAKE HIS AMATEUR DEBUT TOMORROW NIGHT . . . IN MIXED MARTIAL ARTS:

Two years ago, 23-year-old Kyle Maynard of Suwanee, Georgia was all set to make his amateur debut as a mixed martial arts fighter. But before he even got in the cage . . . Georgia state officials ruled that Kyle was ineligible to fight. Why? Because Kyle was born with a condition called congenital amputation . . . which left him with NO ARMS OR LEGS below his elbows and knees.

In other words, Kyle's a QUADRUPLE AMPUTEE. Officials for the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission say they denied Kyle's license to fight . . . for HIS OWN SAFETY. But, apparently, officials in Alabama aren't so concerned, because they've given Kyle the go-ahead to fight in an amateur mixed martial arts event tomorrow . . . called the Auburn Fight Night at Auburn University.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Kyle is going to get completely SMOKED . . . right? Well, maybe. But he might have a better shot than you think. Hear me out . . .

#1.) In high school, Kyle was a star wrestler and he finished his career with a varsity record of 35 wins and 16 losses.

#2.) Kyle can benchpress 360 pounds.

#3.) Kyle will be fighting in the 135-pound weight class . . . but he has the strength of a much larger man.

According to the referee scheduled to work Kyle's fight, "I think Kyle's going to win. If the opponent tries to engage him, Kyle is strong enough to take him down. "Kyle didn't have an accident part way through his life. He was born like this. He hasn't had to adjust, so he knows how to handle all the moves he needs." (Yahoo Sports)

(--First of all, I'd like to commend Kyle for his "balls of steel". Really. I've got full use of all my limbs . . . and you wouldn't catch me anywhere near a mixed martial arts fight. This says a whole lot about Kyle's character and determination. GO KYLE!!)

(--Check out some photos of Kyle. . .)

BULK UP WITH MORE GRAIN?

***FOUR TYPES OF GRAIN THAT WILL HELP YOU BUILD MUSCLE FAST***

Summer is right around the corner, which means more people are dieting and hitting the gym. If you're trying to lose weight, cutting carbs is okay. But if you're trying to increase muscle mass, a low-carb diet is a bad idea.

Carbohydrates give you the energy you need for an intense workout, and they help repair muscles afterward. Some carbs like chips and white bread are REALLY bad for you, but here are four types of grain you should be eating if want to build muscle fast . . .

#1.) BULGAR. Most people have never heard of it. It's a form of whole wheat that's been cleaned, steamed, dried, and ground up. Sounds delicious, right? Actually, it's not bad, and since it's been precooked, it only takes about 10 minutes to prepare.

#2.) QUINOA. It's popular with vegetarians because it offers more protein than rice, and it's packed with amino acids. It's light and fluffy and has a mild nutty flavor. Quinoa is great for breakfast, but it can also be mixed with vegetables for lunch or dinner.

#3.) FLAX. It's a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fat, and fiber. Plus, it has lignans, which have been shown to reduce your risk of cancer. Add flax to a protein shake in the morning to boost your calorie intake and build more muscle.

#4.) MILLET. It's gluten-free and rich in B vitamins. It's also a good source of folic acid, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Millet is easy to digest, and it's often used in place of rice.

--The only downside is, millet tends to have a negative impact on the uptake of iodine to the thyroid, so people with thyroid issues might want to opt for a different grain. (AskMen.com)

NEAR MISS

A 102-POUND ARTILLERY SHELL FIRED FROM A MILITARY BASE NARROWLY MISSED A HOUSE IN MINNESOTA:

Two weeks ago, Rich and Kathy Nelson of Pillager, Minnesota were at home when a 102-pound ARTILLERY SHELL flew over their house . . . and landed in the woods behind their yard.

So where did the shell come from? Apparently, the Nelsons live about eight miles away from a military base called Camp Ripley . . . and the round had somehow flown off course during a test by a defense company called BAE Systems.

Kathy says, "At first when we called Camp Ripley, they said every round was accounted for, and my husband said, 'Oh no they're not.' -"That evening one of their guys came up our driveway and said, 'I'm wondering if we lost something,' and Rich said, 'You sure as heck did.'"

Fortunately, no one was injured . . . but the Nelsons say they're still waiting for an apology from officials at Camp Ripley. (--Yeah, probably don't hold your breath on that one.) (Star Tribune)

VIDEO OF THE DAY

NOW, THAT'S COOL!!

Someone rigged up this old computer hardware to play "Bohemian Rhapsody" by QUEEN.

(Search Terms: Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody" old school computer remix video)

YOUR LIFE IS IN THAT BAG

THE AVERAGE WOMAN'S PURSE WEIGHS SEVEN POUNDS:

According to a recent survey in the UK, the average woman's purse weighs SEVEN POUNDS . . . and contains:

--A cell phone
--Makeup
--A notebook
--A book or magazine
--A hairbrush
--An iPod
--An umbrella
--Keys
--A wallet
--Hand cream
--And painkillers

(Daily Express)

MCDONALDS DIET

A GUY ATE NOTHING BUT MCDONALD'S FOR 30 DAYS . . . AND *LOST* 15 POUNDS???

Have you ever seen the 2004 documentary "Supersize Me"? It's the one where that guy ate nothing but McDonald's for an entire month . . . got really sick . . . and gained 24 pounds? Well, recently, 40-year-old Doug Logeais of San Diego, California, tried out a similar diet . . . but got remarkably different results.

Listen to this . . . According to Doug, he ate nothing but McDonald's for breakfast, lunch and dinner for 30 days straight . . . and somehow LOST 15 pounds.

I know . . . you're not buying it. But just listen to what Doug ate:

#1.) For breakfast, Doug had a breakfast burrito with sausage and egg.
#2.) For lunch, he'd have either a grilled chicken snack wrap or a side salad.
#3.) And for dinner, Doug would always eat one of McDonald's larger salads.
#4.) Doug NEVER ate French fries.
#5.) Plus, he exercised several days a week.

Doug says, "I've struggled with my weight my whole life and if someone said something worked for them I would try it the next day. But ultimately it just wouldn't work for me. "I thought if I could actually eat at McDonald's and lose weight, I'd incorporate the best of both worlds. I'm eating at my favorite place and I'm losing weight. So that's where this whole project started."

(--I have to admit, my first reaction to Doug's diet was that he CHEATED. How can you call it a McDonald's diet if you don't eat the fries? Still, the guy ate McDonald's for 30 days and lost weight. And there's something to be said for that. I guess.)

(--Check out some "Before and After" pictures of Doug . . .)

http://www.mcdoug.blogspot.com/

(Daily Mail)

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES

JUST DANCE TO BEYONCE!

Recently, there was a "flash dance" in London, where 100 women suddenly burst into a rendition of BEYONCÉ'S "Single Ladies" dance . . . right in the middle of a public square.

(--It was for some Trident gum promotion . . .)

IDOL ON EBAY

THERE IS A TON OF FAN-CREATED "AMERICAN IDOL" MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE ON EBAY:

A lot of people are a little TOO obsessed with "American Idol" . . . but it takes a special level of obsession to SELL and / or PURCHASE fan-created "Idol" merchandise online. And yet, it seems pretty popular.

This week, MTV News scoured eBay for handmade "Idol" memorabilia based on the current contestants . . . and they found a few gems. Perhaps not surprisingly, ADAM LAMBERT had the most fan-created merchandise on eBay . . . with over 340 postings.

Here's what's interesting . . . (--aside from the fact that someone would repaint a Ken Doll to look like Adam Lambert, I mean) . . . If you rank the contestants by the number of items based on them that are for sale on eBay . . . . . they stack up in the EXACT order that most fans probably expect them to be eliminated. (--It makes sense, since the most popular contestants are obviously going to "inspire" the most merchandise.)

#1.) ADAM LAMBERT, more than 340 items. (--There are Adam-related mouse pads, watercolor paintings, necklaces, pins, stickers, T-shirts, earrings, photo books, beer cozies, pillow cases, mirror compacts, dog tags, shower curtains, and wall clocks.)

There are also special Nintendo DS cases featuring Adam's face . . . http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270376950556

And an "Adam Lambert Ring Of Fire Ken Mattel Doll" . . .http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260396681568

And a "Rare Adam Lambert No Boys Allowed Bedroom Floor Mat Rug" (???) . . .http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320361503021(--You'll notice that they incorrectly used "Your" . . . so if YOU'RE a stickler for grammar, you probably wouldn't want this rug in)

#2.) DANNY GOKEY, 42 items. (--There are Danny-related pins, photos, mouse pads, dog tags, hats, tote bags, paintings and a series of "Got Danny?" shirts.)

There are also Danny iron-on transfers . . . http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370190200603

#3.) KRIS ALLEN, 39 items. (--There are Kris-related photos, T-shirts, keychains . . . plus, a heart-shaped ladies charm watch, and a "limited edition" Kris photo mosaic.)--Kris also has his own "Ken Doll" . . .http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110378582380

#4.) ALLISON IRAHETA, 22 items. (--The best Allison-related item is a four-and-a-half-inch doll . . . with bright red hair, a flashy dress and black nail polish . . .)http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180348435565

#5.) LIL ROUNDS and ANOOP DESAI, tied with 12 items. (--There are Lil- and Anoop-related wristbands, homemade trading cards, art prints, caps, tote bags, and aprons . . . plus, there are also "Got Anoop?" and "Got Lil?" shirts.)--By the way, check out this SWEET Anoop light-switch cover . . . (???) . . . http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380118741498

#6.) And coming in last was MATT GIRAUD, who is only still around thanks to the JUDGES' SAVE. There are less than a dozen Matt-related items, but one of the things that IS available is his self-released debut album, "Mind, Body and Soul" . . . http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290310544268

OLD WIVES' TALES

***NINE OLD WIVES' TALES THAT AREN'T TRUE ***

Our parents told us all kinds of B.S. to make us behave when we were kids. But did you know that if you swallow your gum, it doesn't REALLY stay in your stomach for seven years? Here are ten more old wives' tales that don't hold up . . .

#1.) SITTING TOO CLOSE TO THE TV WILL RUIN YOUR EYES. You'll probably get a nagging headache, but sitting too close to the television won't cause any permanent damage to your eyes.

#2.) SWIMMING AFTER YOU EAT WILL GIVE YOU CRAMPS. Not true. According to the Mayo Clinic, it's perfectly safe to swim after a light meal. They DO suggest taking a break after eating a BIG meal, but it's not because you'll cramp up . . . it's because eating a ton of food makes you tired.

#3.) CHOCOLATE CAUSES ACNE. Nope. The American Academy of Dermatology says acne isn't caused by any specific type of food, including chocolate. Since it's linked to the levels of testosterone in your body, acne is beyond your control.

#4.) FEED A COLD, STARVE A FEVER. Starving yourself is never a good idea. When you're sick, your body needs nutrients. This old wives' tale may have started because, when you're really sick and have a fever, you usually can't keep anything down.

#5.) CRACKING YOUR KNUCKLES CAUSES ARTHRITIS. False. The president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation recently said there's no evidence that cracking your knuckles increases the risk of arthritis.

#6.) CARROTS IMPROVE YOUR EYESIGHT. Actually, this one's partially true. Beta-carotene and vitamin-A CAN improve your night vision. But dark leafy greens like spinach actually work better.

#7.) AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY. There's a little truth behind this old wives' tale too. Apples certainly aren't BAD for you, but eating one every day WON'T keep you from getting sick.

#8.) LIGHTNING WON'T STRIKE THE SAME PLACE TWICE. Wrong. According to the National Weather Service, it happens all the time. In fact, the Empire State Building is hit an average of 25 times a year.--And a former park ranger named Roy Sullivan was struck by lightning SEVEN TIMES between 1942 and 1977 . . . which is still the world record.

#9) YOU'LL GET SICK IF YOU GO OUT IN THE COLD WITH WET HAIR. No. Colds are caused by viruses, and having wet hair in the cold doesn't make much of a difference. So, pay ttention to how often you wash your hands, not your hair. (WomansDay.com)

KELLY CLARKSON'S NEW SONG

KELLY CLARKSON - I DO NOT HOOK UP

When KELLY CLARKSON drops a new album, one of the first people to purchase a copy is . . . Kelly Clarkson. (--Hey, you gotta represent, right?)

She explains, "Every time I have an album, I have to buy it the day it comes out. At midnight I buy it on iTunes and then I go buy it in the store. It's exciting."

By the way, Kelly just released the video for her new single, "I Do Not Hook Up".

Kelly Clarkson - New Music - More Music Videos

(--You can check it out at this link . . .)

http://www.mtv.com/videos/kelly-clarkson/374518/i-do-not-hook-up.jhtml

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM "CYBERCHONDRIAC"???

I just heard a new term and it really struck a cord with me . . . so I wanted to throw it your way and see if you have the same reaction.

The word is "cyberchondriac." It means people who use websites like Google and WebMD to try and self-diagnose medical conditions, but end up mistaking minor conditions . . . like headaches . . . for major ones . . . like brain tumors.

(--In case you haven't already figured it out, "cyberchondriac" is a play on the word "hypochondriac" . . . which is someone who is constantly worried that they're deathly ill, even if medical evidence suggests otherwise.)

OTHER FACTS YOU MAY FIND INTERESTING:

--A study last year found that ONE in every 50 search engine queries . . . is health-related.

--Overall, ONE in FOUR people have used the Internet to try and self-diagnose a medical problem. (Houston Press)

MAKE TIME FOR YOU

***FOUR WAYS TO SAVE TIME EACH DAY***

Are you having trouble getting everything done each day? Wouldn't it be nice to have some extra time?

Well, if you take a few small steps, you can CREATE that free time. Here are four different ways to save 30 minutes each day . . .

#1.) STOP TRYING TO BE PERFECT. If your kids do a bad job making their beds, resist the urge to remake them. You can waste a lot of time trying to make things perfect when you don't really need to.

Look at it this way . . . if something doesn't HAVE to be perfect, it probably SHOULDN'T be. So pick one or two tasks a day that take longer than they should, and "imperfect" them.

#2.) TURN OFF YOUR PHONE. Just thinking about it might make you nervous, but here's a news flash . . . you don't NEED your cell phone 24 hours a day. Our parents and grandparents did just fine without them. And they got things done because they didn't have phone calls and text messages constantly distracting them.

#3.) ORGANIZE YOUR EMAIL. Don't waste time with junk mail or emails you don't need to read. Most programs and websites make it easy to get organized. They can even automate it. If you take a half hour to do it, it'll make your online life a lot easier.

#4.) GO IT ALONE. Two heads are usually better than one, but if you postpone a task to wait for someone else, you can easily make a small project take all day. If you REALLY want to get something off your plate, sometimes it's better to do it yourself. (Yahoo.com)

WHO YA GONNA CALL?

BILL MURRAY HOOKED A TEE SHOT . . . AND HIT A WOMAN IN THE HEAD IN HER FRONT YARD:

(--Yeah, you're not gonna hear any "Caddyshack" jokes about this one . . .) During a Pro-Am event in Florida on Friday, BILL MURRAY hooked a tee shot so badly that it crossed the street and smacked a woman in the head as she stood in her front yard.

58-year-old Gail DiMaggio was watching the Outback Pro-Am from what she probably THOUGHT was a safe distance, when Murray's slice took her out. She fell to the ground but didn't lose consciousness.

Murray's caddy took him to Gail's yard in a golf cart, where he got down on the ground next to her and tried to cheer her up. Gail told reporters, "He leaned down next to me, [asked] 'How many fingers?' Then he just starts his comedy routine. He lifted my shirt. He gave me belly-tickles. He was great! "If you're going to get hit in the head by a ball it might as well be Bill Murray, who is the reason I was out here to begin with."

Murray signed his scorecard for Gail before she was taken to the hospital to treat what turned out to be a minor head injury. She ended up with six stitches.

(--You can watch a news report of the incident . . .) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1XYgSLidic

Yesterday, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks almost shanked one at Gail. But when Murray stepped back up to the tee, she stayed inside her enclosed porch. Before teeing off at the start of the day yesterday, Murray told the crowd, "This one is for a little girl in a hospital."

KEEP IT TOGETHER

***FIVE WAYS TO STAY ORGANIZED***

When little chores pile up, they become overwhelming. But if you find ways to keep those chores in check, you'll be less stressed and more capable of tackling bigger, more-important issues. Here are five practical ways to take care of the little things in life . . .

#1.) FOLLOW THE "ONE-MINUTE RULE". Don't postpone any task that can be done in less than a minute. Throw all your dirty laundry in the hamper, or sort through junk mail as soon as you get it. Doing little tasks like that quickly adds up in the long run.

#2.) TIDY UP BEFORE BED. Take five to ten minutes before bed each night and pick up around the house. Putting things in order is calming, and it can help you sleep better. Plus, waking up to a tidy house is a great way to start your day.

#3.) DO A DAILY ERRAND. Keep a list of things that need to be done but aren't urgent. Then do one every day. One errand is manageable, and if you keep at it, you'll end up running through your list.

#4.) BEFORE YOU KEEP ANYTHING, ASK YOURSELF, "DO I NEED THIS?". Most people accumulate junk. But if you throw out and recycle your old bill stubs and magazines, your house will remain clutter free, and you'll have less tidying to do.

#5.) KEEP A DAILY NOTEPAD. Instead of writing notes and phone numbers on whatever scrap of paper happens to be closest to you, train yourself to write them all in one place.

At the end of the day, copy anything you need to keep, then toss the list so you can start fresh the next day. (Yahoo.com)

BEER BELLY

THE AVERAGE BEER DRINKER CONSUMES 44,200 EXTRA CALORIES A YEAR . . . AND PUTS ON 12 EXTRA POUNDS:

If you're trying to lose some weight . . . (--and who isn't?) . . . then the first thing you might want to cut out of your diet is . . . ALCOHOL.

Why? Because, according to Britain's Department of Health, the average wine drinker takes in 2,000 extra calories a month . . . or 24,000 extra calories a year . . . just from alcohol.

Over the course of a year, those extra calories add up to SEVEN extra pounds of FAT. And drinking just FIVE BEERS a week adds an extra 44,200 calories a year from alcohol . . . which is the equivalent of eating 221 doughnuts.

Overall, that adds up to 12 extra pounds of fat a year . . . or one pound a month. And listen to this . . . If you drink an average of two glasses of wine every day . . . which is about one bottle every two days . . . then by the end of the year you'll have packed on an additional 28 POUNDS in fat just from alcohol. (Daily Telegraph)

(--If you're wondering, an average 4-ounce glass of wine generally has about 100 calories . . . and an average beer contains about 170 calories.)

HOW BIZARRE NEWS (4/20/09)

JUSTICE FROM BED

A German judge has ordered her trials to be held by her bedside after being hospitalised with a broken hip. Karin Walter, 59, ordered lawyers, witnesses and handcuffed defendants to take part in the hearings at St Vincenz hospital in Limburg.

The first case involved Christopher Gross, 24, and Mary Fiedler, 35 who are accused of killing their eight month old daughter Siri. Another featured a man who punched a bouncer in a pub fight and a third where a 71-year-old man is accused of the attempted murder of a taxi driver.

Under German law, all the charges would have been scrapped if the judge had been unable to continue with the trials. "The judge has to stay immobile for a long time but she is determined to remain working on these cases," said a court source.

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A PREGNANT WOMAN HAD HER CAR AND PHONE STOLEN . . . BUT SHE TRACKED DOWN THE THIEF BY TRACING HIS PHONE CALLS:

Last Monday, a thief in Joliet, Illinois (--about 50 miles southwest of Chicago), stole a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder that belonged to Mike and Lindsay Ryan.

Now, most of us in that situation would probably just file a police report, let the insurance company know what happened . . . and start looking for a new car. But not Lindsay. Lindsay was determined to get her car back.

So what did she do? It seems that when the Pathfinder was stolen, Mike's cell phone was inside it. So Lindsay decided to check the phone records online to see if the thief had been dumb enough to use it. And guess what? He WAS. Lindsay started dialing the phone numbers the thief had called, and eventually tracked him to ONE phone number . . . which she proceeded to call 38 times over the next few hours. And when someone finally answered, Lindsay said, quote, "Your number is on my husband's cell record 18 times. I know you know where my Pathfinder is, and where the boy who stole it is. If you don't tell me, you will be charged as an accomplice in this auto theft."

Five minutes later, the thief HIMSELF called Lindsay. According to Lindsay, he said, quote, "You're a crazy [blank] for calling us 38 times [and] keeping us up all night. You can have your car back." Then he told her where she could pick up the car. --Now, the police have issued an arrest warrant for the unidentified 14-year-old boy who's suspected of stealing Lindsay and Mike's SUV. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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IT TURNS OUT LAUGHTER REALLY *IS* THE BEST MEDICINE:

We've all heard that "laughter is the best medicine", right? Well, according to a new study . . . there might actually be some truth to that. Listen to this . . . --Researchers from Loma Linda University split 20 high-risk diabetes patients into two groups . . . and gave each the exact same treatment.

The ONLY difference was that one group was ALSO asked to watch comedy of their own choosing for at least 30 minutes a day, usually sitcoms or funny movies. So what happened? After just two months, the comedy-watching group had already lowered their stress levels. And after a year, their levels of GOOD cholesterol had risen by 26%.

Meanwhile, the group that DIDN'T watch comedy boosted its levels of good cholesterol too . . . but only by 3%. And in the comedy group, the risk of inflammation and cardiovascular disease decreased by 66%. But it only decreased by 26% in the group that didn't watch comedy.

A guy named Lee Berk led the study. He says, quote, "The best clinicians understand that there is an intrinsic physiological intervention brought about by positive emotions such as mirthful laughter, optimism and hope." --In other words, laughter really is good for your health. (Live Science)