GREEN DAY NOT AT WAL-MART

GREEN DAY REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE A CENSORED VERSION OF THEIR ALBUM . .

SO WAL-MART WON'T BE CARRYING IT:

GREEN DAY is upset with Wal-Mart, because the store refused to carry their new album, "21st Century Breakdown", unless the band offered them a CLEAN version.

The album has one of those old-school parental advisory stickers. And not only do those stickers still exist, but Wal-Mart actually has a BAN on albums that carry them.

(Singer) BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG says, "Wal-Mart's become the biggest retail outlet in the country, but they won't carry our record because they wanted us to censor it. [But] there's nothing dirty about our record. "They want artists to censor their records in order to be carried in there. We just said no. We've never done it before. You feel like you're in 1953 or something." (--I haven't had a chance to hear the album yet. But supposedly it features some curse words . . . and some "references considered adult", whatever that means.)

"21st Century Breakdown" has been moving well, despite the fact that Wal-Mart isn't stocking it. Since it dropped last Friday, it's sold over 215,000 copies. But Billy Joe is more concerned about how the censorship is affecting smaller, newer bands. He says, "What does that say to a young kid who's trying to speak his mind making a record for the first time? It's like a game that you have to play. You have to refuse to play it."

Wal-Mart has issued this ROBOTIC response: Quote, "As with all music, it is up to the artist or label to decide if they want to market different variations of an album to sell, including a version that would remove a [Parental Advisory] rating. "The label and artist in this case have decided not to do so, so we unfortunately can not offer the CD."

HUGE props to Green Day for standing up to The Man. Not a lot of rock bands will stand up to Wal-Mart and fight for the integrity of their artistic vision these days, and that ain't very rock and roll. Let's see how they do!

TIME FOR A ROMANTIC GETAWAY

FOUR TIPS FOR PLANNING A ROMANTIC GETAWAY:

#1.) SET A BUDGET. When you plan a romantic getaway, the first step is to set a budget . . . in terms of both money AND time. Figure out how much you can spend and how long both of you can be away from work and other responsibilities.

In terms of finances, there's no need to spend a fortune. You don't have to spend two weeks at a tropical paradise . . . even just a weekend getaway at a country B&B can be incredibly relaxing.

#2.) CHOOSE A SPECIAL LOCATION. The location for your getaway will depend largely on your budget. Staying at a B&B is a pretty reliable choice since they're designed for romance, but choosing a chain hotel instead can save you some money.

Once you've chosen where to stay, do some research on restaurants and stuff to do in the area. It's okay go with a clichéd romantic destination like Niagara Falls or Napa Valley for a wine tour, but look into out-of-the-way places too.

#3.) INCORPORATE EXTRA TOUCHES. It's the little things that your partner will really notice and appreciate. When you're packing, throw in some items . . . like massage oils or bubble bath . . . that will help set a romantic mood.

Once you're at your destination, request a special table at a restaurant or find the most picturesque spot to take a walk and have a picnic.--Also, try to include some sort of reminder of your history together . . . like ordering a bottle of the same kind of wine that you drank on your first date.

#4.) BE FLEXIBLE. When it comes to a romantic getaway, having a plan is important, but it's also good to allow some flexibility so you're not disappointed when your arrangements don't go exactly as planned.

Inevitably, something WILL go wrong . . . but just take it in stride and do whatever is needed to fix the situation. If you get stressed, uptight or angry, it'll kill the romantic mood for both of you. (Ask Men)

WHAT'S YOUR FAV COLOR?

CAN YOUR FAVORITE COLOR DETERMINE YOUR PERFECT JOB???

This is going to sound ridiculous, but there's a new online test you can take called the Color Career Counselor, which claims it can determine your perfect job based on . . . get this . . . your FAVORITE COLOR.

So how exactly does the test work? Basically, you start out by picking your favorite PRIMARY color (--either red, yellow or blue). Then you choose your favorite secondary color (--green, purple or orange) . . . and your favorite achromatic color (--black, white or brown).

Once you're finished choosing, the Color Career Counselor adds up your results . . . and spits out a list of careers that you might enjoy, given your personality. - Still not buying it?

Here's what each color supposedly says about your personality . . .

--If, as a primary color, you prefer YELLOW: You're information-driven

--If you prefer BLUE: You're idea-driven

--If you prefer RED: You're results-driven

--If, as a secondary color, you prefer GREEN: You realistically evaluate situations

--If you prefer PURPLE: You like fact-finding responsibilities

--If you prefer ORANGE: You scrutinize how feasible a task is

--If, as an achromatic color, you prefer BLACK: You appreciate value above all else

--If you prefer WHITE: You like having options

--And if you prefer BROWN: You like accomplishing tasks

(--You can take the Color Career Counselor test here . . .)http://www.careerpath.com/career-tests/colorcareercounselor.aspx(AOL News)

FUN IN THE SUN

***SUNSCREEN TIPS FOR MEMORIAL DAY***

Memorial Day weekend goes hand in hand with spending time in the sun. For a lot of us, it's the first time this year we'll be outdoors all day. That equals A LOT of sunburns. Make sure you protect yourself.

Here are six sunscreen tips just in time for Memorial Day . . .

#1.) APPLY SUNBLOCK 30 MINUTES BEFORE HEADING OUTDOORS. And re-apply it every two hours, regardless of the SPF level. Over time, sweating, toweling off, and getting touched by other people reduces your protection.

#2.) USE SUNSCREEN EVERYWHERE. Don't forget your ears, head, hands, and feet. And made sure you use a lip balm too. Some cotton clothing gives you less protection than an SFP 15 sunscreen, so it's important to put it on even if you're wearing a t-shirt.

#3.) USE ENOUGH. Apply at least an ounce every two hours. Just slather it on. If you don't use enough, you'll be sorry. And remember that waterproof sunscreen isn't REALLY waterproof, so apply more after you go swimming or if you start sweating a lot.

#4.) MAKE SURE THE SUNBLOCK IS STILL GOOD. Just like food, it has an expiration date. The FDA requires sunscreen to last at least three years, but if you have a three-year-old bottle, you haven't been using enough.

#5.) USE A HIGHER SPF IF YOU ALSO USE BUG SPRAY. Some insect repellents reduce the effectiveness of your sunscreen, so use at least an SPF 30, not SPF 15.

#6.) USE THE RIGHT SPF. If you're fair-skinned, have blond or red hair, and blue or green eyes, you're at a higher risk for sun damage. Anything less than SPF 15 is worthless.And SPF 15 is only okay if you're spending a few HOURS in the sun.

If you'll be out all DAY . . . like a lot of people will be this weekend . . . be safe and use an SPF 30 or 50, especially on your face, shoulders, and back. (The Complete Sheet)

AMERICAN IDOL

KRIS ALLEN IS YOUR NEW "AMERICAN IDOL":

In what has to be considered a HUGE upset, KRIS ALLEN is your new "American Idol". He defeated ADAM LAMBERT . . . who's been treated as the Anointed One by the media AND the "Idol" judges since about Week 2 of the competition.

Almost 100 MILLION votes were received . . . which is an "Idol" record. There's no word how many votes each contestant got. Nobody was more shocked than Kris. When he found out he'd won, he said, quote, "It feels good, man, but Adam deserves this. I don't know what to feel right now, this is crazy."

Last night's show was LOADED with guest stars . . . most of whom performed with this season's Top 13 finalists. The guests included the Black Eyed Peas, Lionel Richie, Kiss, Rod Stewart, Keith Urban, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Martin, Carlos Santana, Jason Mraz, David Cook, Queen and Queen Latifah . . . By the way . . . there was an edit during the Peas' performance of "Boom Boom Pow". For a few seconds, the sound dropped out, and the picture cut to an "American Idol" logo. Well, Fox claims it was WILL.I.AM'S call to edit out an expletive.

Perhaps the show's most AWESOME moment was when RYAN SEACREST brought out BIKINI GIRL . . . a.k.a. KATRINA DARRELL . . . and gave her another shot at singing MARIAH CAREY'S "Vision of Love". As you may recall, Katrina and KARA DIOGUARDI almost ended up in a CAT FIGHT during the auditions, when Kara told Katrina that the song was too big for her. That resulted in an impromptu sing-off. Well, as Katrina . . . (--who was sporting new breast implants, by the way) . . . was making another losing attempt to conquer the song last night, Kara came out from the backstage area and turned it into an impromptu duet. And while it could have all been planned, I'm pretty sure Katrina had NO IDEA that was going to happen. She looked both SHOCKED and PISSED. And she never recovered. By the way, Kara wore a long coat with a BIKINI underneath. "Idol" told her they'd give money to a charity for her if she flashed it onstage. She did . . . and she looked HOT.

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THE TOP-EARNING FORMER "AMERICAN IDOL" STARS:

We all know that you don't have to WIN "American Idol" in order for the show to launch your career. Sure, the success can be short-lived but others have been able to sustain some SERIOUS momentum.

So how much are the most successful former "Idols" raking in???

Check this out:

--CARRIE UNDERWOOD has topped a "Forbes" list of The Top-Earning "American Idol" Stars. Over the past year . . . (--from June of last year up to the present) . . . Carrie has reportedly banked around $14 MILLION. That includes revenue from things like album sales, live performances and tours, sponsorships, and various TV, movie, and stage acting gigs over the past year.

--Here's their list of The Top-Earning "Idols":

#1.) CARRIE UNDERWOOD, $14 million . . . (--WON Season Four.)
#2.) JENNIFER HUDSON, $5 million . . .(--came in seventh on Season Three.)
#3.) KELLY CLARKSON, $4.2 million . . . (--WON Season One.)
#4.) JORDIN SPARKS, $3.1 million . . . (--WON Season Six.)
#5.) KELLIE PICKLER, $2.3 million . . . (--came in sixth on Season Five.)
#6.) CLAY AIKEN, $2.2 million . . . (--came in second on Season Two.)
#7.) CHRIS DAUGHTRY, $2 million . . . (--came in fourth on Season Five.)
#8.) DAVID COOK, $2 million . . . (--WON Season Seven.)
#9.) DAVID ARCHULETA, $1.3 million . . . (--came in second on Season Seven.)
#10.) TAYLOR HICKS, $300,000 . . . (--WON Season Five.)

(--If you want more information on all this, hit up Forbes.com, here . . .)
http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/18/top-earning-american-idols-business-media-idols.html

DO YOUR HOMEWORK - OR ESLE!

WOULD YOU SHACKLE YOUR KID WITH A BALL-AND-CHAIN TO GET THEM TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK???

Parents . . . if you have a hard time getting your kids to sit still and do their homework . . . there's a product on the market you might find useful.

It's called the Study Ball, and it's basically an old-school, prison-style ball-and-chain that you can attach to your kid's ankle . . . in order to get them to sit down and study.

The Study Ball . . . which weighs 20 pounds . . . has a digital timer on it that can be set for up to FOUR HOURS. Once the timer has expired, the Study Ball automatically unlocks. And just in case you're worried that shackling your kid is a fire hazard or something, the Study Ball also comes with a key . . . which allows parents to "free" their kid at any point. (WMAR News 2 - Baltimore)

(--You can buy the Study Ball for $115 here . . .)
http://www.curiosite.com/scripts/product/enproduct.php?idproducto=19126738

DO YOU HAVE BAD BREATH?

THERE'S A NEW PRODUCT THAT CAN TELL WHETHER YOU HAVE BAD BREATH:

There's nothing worse than leaning in for a kiss, only to learn that your breath . . . or the other person's breath . . . totally REEKS. That's what makes THIS product so genius . . .

Researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel have just invented a new, disposable BREATH TEST . . . called the Okay-To-Kiss kit . . . which can tell you if your breath stinks.

So how does this baby work? According to one of the product's inventors . . . a guy named Mel Rosenberg . . . "All a user has to do is dab a little bit of saliva onto a small window of the Okay-To-Kiss kit. "Okay-To-Kiss will turn blue if a person has enzymes in their mouth produced by the Gram-positive bacteria. The presence of these enzymes means that the mouth is busily producing bacteria that foster nasty breath." And if the Okay-To-Kiss doesn't detect Gram-positive bacteria . . . meaning your breath doesn't stink . . . the window will remain CLEAR.

Right now, the Okay-To-Kiss kit's patent is still pending. (Live Science / Top News)

BE NICE TO YOUR GUY

***FOUR THINGS TO NEVER JOKE ABOUT WITH A GUY***

For most men, a good sense of humor in a woman ranks pretty high. Right up there with nice - well you know! But some things are no laughing matter to a guy. So when you're making lighthearted jokes about a man, stay away from these supersensitive subjects . . .

#1.) HAIR LOSS. With the exception of Vin Diesel and a few others, men with shiny chrome domes aren't thought of as the sexiest men alive. Men stress about the status of their hairline, so if he's thinning even a little bit, it's probably a sore subject.

#2.) HIS PATHETIC PAYCHECK. It's a little stone age, but most men still like to think THEY'RE the ones who bring home the bacon. If his salary is less than impressive and his wife or girlfriend jokes that she's a sugar mama, he's bound to feel emasculated.

#3.) HIS MOM. HE'S allowed to joke about his mom's awful cooking and obsession with daytime television, but if anyone else does it, it's a different story. Most men get defensive about their moms, and making jokes can quickly start a fight.

#4.) HIS UNIT. Joking about how underwhelming a guy's manhood is might seem lighthearted, but if there's any truth to it . . . or even if there's not . . . he won't think it's funny at all. So keep quiet about his privates. . . unless you plan on lying, and saying it's enormous. (Cosmopolitan.com)

HOLLYWOOD DIRT (5-20)

PATRICK SWAYZE IS *NOT* DEAD!!

PATRICK SWAYZE is NOT dead. The rumor spread across the World Wide Web of Misinformation yesterday, but it's not true.

Patrick's rep said, "This is to confirm that Patrick Swayze did not pass away this morning, contrary to severely reckless reports stemming from a radio station in Jacksonville, Florida. "Patrick is alive, well and is enjoying his life, and he continues to respond to treatment."(--On the ledt is a a picture of Patrick and his wife Lisa on their ranch last week. He looks like he's in pretty decent shape, considering the circumstances . . .)

By the way . . . A&E announced its fall schedule last week, and Swayze's show, "The Beast", wasn't on it. But A&E says it has NOT made a final decision in the show's future yet.

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

POOR, POOR, PITIFUL JESSICA BIEL IS TOO PRETTY:

PATRICK SWAYZE may have stage 4 cancer, and DAVID HASSELHOFF may be unable to stop drinking himself to death . . . but JESSICA BIEL is a celebrity with a REAL problem: SHE'S TOO PRETTY. She says, "It really is a problem. I have to be blunt."

We've heard about this "problem" before. Basically, Jessica is saying she's too sexy to get decent movie roles. She says, quote, "I'm in there with everybody else, fighting for the good parts. Yes, 'The Illusionist' has made a difference . . . but a huge, massive difference, so I can pick and choose what I want? No. "I just want an opportunity. If you don't like the audition, don't hire me! But if you don't want to even see me . . . that's hurtful. And why? You know nothing about me!"

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IS PAULA ABDUL LYING ABOUT HER PLANE CRASH???

PAULA ABDUL has been talking a lot lately about that plane crash she was in back in the early '90s . . . and how it resulted in her needing multiple back surgeries. (--Somewhere between 13 and 15. The number varies from interview to interview.)

Well, one thing nobody has done is CALL HER OUT and make her PROVE she was in a plane crash. But maybe somebody SHOULD . . . because there appears to be evidence that this plane crash NEVER HAPPENED. Paula has been saying that the crash happened in 1993 on her birthday, which is June 19th . . . SOMEWHERE IN IOWA.

Well, the National Transportation Safety Board keeps a list of all plane crashes . . . and there's NOT one anywhere in the state of Iowa on June 19th, 1993. In some articles, Paula says the crash took place in 1992. But according to the NTSB, there hasn't been a plane crash in Iowa on a June 19th from 1990 through 1995.

You can check for yourself at either of these two searchable databases . . . http://ntsb.gov/ntsb/month.asp or http://ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp

If you've been wondering why we only heard about this plane crash YEARS after it supposedly happened, Paula says it's because she KEPT IT OUT OF THE MEDIA. She was on tour, and at the height of her career, and she didn't want people knowing about it. In fact, she claims she was back onstage within days of the crash.

(--Paula probably could have kept the media from knowing she was in a plane crash. But she couldn't have kept the media from knowing there WAS a plane crash. And even if she could, I don't think she had the pull . . . even in her "Straight Up" days . . . to get the NTSB to pretend it never happened.)

Also . . . Paula claims that her plane was bound from St. Louis to Denver. Would it have any reason to fly over Iowa??? (--Iowa borders Missouri on the NORTH. Denver is DUE WEST. I've heard of some crazy stopovers, but this one would make ZERO SENSE.)

So the question remains . . . Was Paula Abdul in a plane crash??? (--I say the jury is still out. Remember, we're depending on Paula Abdul for the actual details. So, you know, trying to sleuth this thing out relying on HER memory is a pretty daunting task.)

WHAT'S YOUR CODE?

28% OF PEOPLE CAN CORRECTLY GUESS THE ANSWER TO A FRIEND'S SECRET SECURITY QUESTION ONLINE:

You know how when you forget your password to a secure online website, you have to answer one of those security questions . . . like "What's your mother's maiden name?" . . . in order to reset your password?

Well, according to researchers from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University, those security questions aren't all that secure after all. Listen to this . . .

A recent study found that 28% of "trusted friends" were able to correctly guess the answer to another person's secret security questions. And even people who aren't "trusted friends" can still guess the correct answer 17% of the time.

Overall, 30% of people correctly guessed how another person answered the question: "What is your favorite town?"

40% correctly guessed the answer to the question: "What is your pet's name?"

45% correctly guessed the answer to the question: "What city were you born in?"

And 57% correctly guessed the answer to the question: "What is your favorite sports team?"

A guy named Stuart Schechter co-authored the study. He says, "Secret questions alone aren't as secure as we'd like our backup authentication to be. "Nor are they reliable enough that their use alone is sufficient to ensure users can recover their accounts when they forget their passwords."

In other words, the answers to your secret questions aren't so difficult that other people are unable to guess the answers. But they're not so obvious that you're sure to remember them either. (Technology Review)

(--Which, of course, begs the question: Then what good are security questions anyway?)

SMALL FRY

AN AVERAGE SERVING OF FRENCH FRIES IS NEARLY THREE TIMES LARGER NOW THAN IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO:

Let's face it . . . Americans love large portions of fatty, unhealthy foods . . . and that's just the way it has always been. Or is it?

Well, we tracked down an article comparing average portion sizes today with average portion sizes from 20 years ago . . . and, actually, that doesn't seem to be the case. Check it out . . .

20 years ago, an average bagel was THREE inches in diameter and had 140 calories. Now, an average bagel is SIX inches in diameter and has 350 calories.

20 years ago, an average cheeseburger had 333 calories. Now, an average cheeseburger has 590 calories.

20 years ago, an average portion of spaghetti and meatballs had 500 calories. Now, an average portion of spaghetti and meatballs . . . which includes two cups of pasta with sauce and three large meatballs . . . has 1,025 calories.

20 years ago, an average serving of French fries was 2.4 ounces and had 210 calories. Now, an average serving of French fries is 6.9 ounces with 610 calories.

20 years ago, an average turkey sandwich had 320 calories. Now, an average turkey sandwich is nearly a foot long and has 820 calories. (Yahoo Shine)

(--Check out some photos of serving sizes 20 years ago . . . compared to those today . . .)

PAPER PLANES

A GUY IN JAPAN SET A NEW WORLD RECORD OF 27.9 SECONDS FOR THE LONGEST FLIGHT BY A PAPER AIRPLANE:

Some people dream of becoming president. Others want to cure cancer. Then there are people like Takuo Toda of Japan who want nothing more . . . than to build the best PAPER AIRPLANE ever.

I know, it seems like a pretty lame goal. But to Takuo . . . who's the chairman of something called the Japan Origami Airplane Association . . . it's been a lifelong goal.

And now Takuo's goal has been fulfilled, because Guinness World Records has just recognized Takuo's paper airplane flight of 27.9 SECONDS at a competition in Hiroshima last month . . . as the LONGEST FLIGHT EVER by a paper airplane. (--Good work, Takuo . . . I guess.)

(--Check out a picture of Takuo and his record-setting paper airplane below. . .)(Daily Telegraph)

WILL SHE BE THE BEATBOX BATTLE WORLD CHAMP?

BOOM-CHICKA BOOM-BOOM!

This 17-year-old Canadian girl named Julia Dales won the wildcard portion of the Beatbox Battle World Championships tryout and will be competing in the world championship on May 28th.

(Search Terms: Julia Dales beatbox wildcard audition video)

BANKRUPTCY

***HOW TO SURVIVE BANKRUPTCY***

Chances are, more people will file for bankruptcy this year than any other year in U.S. history. The process can get ugly, so if you're considering it, here's some advice on how to get through a bankruptcy filing and start rebuilding for the future . . .

#1.). TALK TO EXPERTS. Before you do anything, get some advice. You're required to go through credit counseling before you file for bankruptcy. You can meet with a counselor in person, or in most cases, you can do it over the phone for free.

To find an expert in your area, check out the National Foundation for Credit Counselors at www.NFCC.org. Also, groups like Debtors Anonymous can help you address your bad spending habits. With their help, you might even be able to avoid bankruptcy altogether.

#2.) ADDRESS YOUR MISTAKES. If you're filing for bankruptcy, chances are you made some BIG ONES. After you file, you won't have any credit to fall back on, so it's important to address your bad habits and rid yourself of them as soon as possible.

#3.) START REBUILDING. Bankruptcy is tough, but life goes on. So start applying for credit again. You won't be approved for a while, and when you are, your interest rates will be through the roof. But eventually, you'll need credit to buy a computer, a car, or a home.

So don't bury your head in the sand and resolve that credit cards are evil. Credit isn't the problem. Overspending is.

#4.) DON'T DO IT AGAIN. Learn to make better financial decisions and stay within your budget. Use a computer program like Quicken, or pick up some self-help books. Filing for bankruptcy the second time is even harder . . . so make sure you never have to do it again.(AskMen.com)

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

ELEMENTARY MY DEAR WATSON

On Christmas Day, Sherlock Holmes officially becomes an ACTION HERO, with the release of GUY RITCHIE'S "Sherlock Holmes", starring ROBERT DOWNEY JR. Here's the first trailer . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8OM1BA2PIU

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LINKIN PARK'S NEW "TRANSFORMERS" SONG HAS HIT ITUNES:

LINKIN PARK'S latest track, "New Divide" . . . which is the theme song for the movie, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" . . . is now available on iTunes.

(--If you'd like to check it out, a sample is streaming on their website . . .) http://linkinpark.com/

(--"New Divide" will also be on the movie's soundtrack, which drops on June 23rd. The movie opens later that week.)

TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE

A GUY IN ATLANTA USED TWITTER TO . . . SAVE A WOMAN'S LIFE???

Over the past few months, we've heard an awful lot about Twitter . . . and how great it is. But I have to admit, this whole Twitter thing has seemed pretty useless to me . . . until NOW.

Here's why . . . On Friday, Kwanza Hall of Atlanta, Georgia, was walking down the street when he noticed an unidentified woman flopping around on the ground having a SEIZURE.

Anyway, Kwanza's cell phone battery was almost out of juice, and he was worried that if he called 911, he'd get put on hold . . . and his cell phone would go dead before he could report the emergency.

So, instead, Kwanza used his phone to post an update on Twitter . . . which read, "Need a paramedic on corner of John Wesley Dobbs and Jackson Street. Woman on the ground unconscious. Please ReTweet." Get this . . .

Within a few seconds, dozens of Twitter users reposted Kwanza's tweet (--which is what status updates are called on Twitter) . . . and a bunch of people called 911.

A few minutes later, paramedics showed up to help the woman and . . . thanks to Kwanza's Twitter update . . . she's expected to be OK. (WSB-TV News 2 - Atlanta)

Read more here: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/19492556/detail.html

FUNNY VIDEO OF THE DAY

HOW DID HE DO THAT?

Somehow, a full-grown cat completely fits into a tiny fish bowl. What I wanna know is, how did the cat get out??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dna0oWu_EU
(Search Terms: cat in goldfish bowl video)

K-9 FRIENDLY CITY'S

THE MOST DOG-FRIENDLY CITY IN THE U.S. IS . . . SAN FRANCISCO:

Yesterday, www.DogFriendly.com released its annual list of the ten most dog-friendly cities in the U.S. . . . based on the quality of dog-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, parks, attractions, stores, dining and other things to do with your dog.

--Here are the TEN most dog-friendly cities in the U.S.:

#10.) Ann Arbor, Michigan
#9.) New York City
#8.) San Diego, California
#7.) Chicago, Illinois
#6.) Charleston, South Carolina
#5.) Portland, Oregon
#4.) Northern Virginia (--The entire area . . . we suppose???)
#3.) Boston, Massachusetts
#2.) Austin, Texas
#1.) San Francisco, California
(PR Newswire)

WOOF!!

CRANK THE AC

AIR CONDITIONING IN CARS CAN FILTER OUT 80% OF GERMS, SPORES AND OTHER NASTY STUFF IN THE AIR:

This summer, if you're driving along and your allergies start to act up . . . there's a simple thing you can do to help ease your suffering. What is it?

Turn on the air conditioning.

At least that's according to researchers from Hannover Medical School in Germany, who've found that using the air conditioning in your car can filter out 80% of all germs, fungal spores, particles and other nasty stuff . . . from the outside air. (Yahoo News)

HOW TO SPOT A LIAR

***NINE WAYS TO SPOT A LIAR***

Everybody lies, but some lies are bigger than others. If you suspect your significant other of lying to you about something MAJOR, there are some telltale signs you should be looking for.

Here are nine ways to spot a liar . . .

#1.) WATCH THEIR LEGS. Most liars change their body language in one way or another: shifty eyes, higher vocal pitch, perspiration, and heavier breathing. But what about their legs?

When someone wraps their legs around the legs of a chair or stool, it indicates they're either not telling you the truth, or they're holding back some important details.

#2.) WAIT FOR A LONG PAUSE. Ask a simple, straightforward question like, "Where were you last night?" or "Are you cheating on me?" If the answer is preceded by a long pause, or if the person repeats the question before answering, it spells trouble.

#3.) MAKE THE PERSON LIE IN REVERSE. If someone is telling you a story that sounds bogus, ask questions that make the person retell the story in a different order.

A person who's concocted a fake story can probably tell it again in the SAME order. But for most liars, it's almost impossible to keep things straight if they have to tell the story in reverse.

#4.) NOTICE WHEN THEY SHRUG THEIR SHOULDERS. If a person says something definitive but shrugs their shoulders at the same time, watch out. The movement indicates that the person is subconsciously uncommitted to what they just said.

#5.) LISTEN FOR THE WORD "BUT." When someone uses phrases like, "I know you'll think this is strange, BUT . . ." or "You're not going to believe this, BUT . . ." chances are, whatever comes next is a lie.

While you're at it, listen for imprecise pronouns. To deal with their guilt, liars use "you," "we" and "they" instead of "I" and "me." And if they keep using phrases like, "to tell you the truth" and "to be perfectly honest" . . . forget about it.

#6.) WATCH THE PERSON'S TONGUE. If you ask a question and the person momentarily flicks out their tongue or licks their lips before answering, then they probably think they're about to get away with something.

#7.) DON'T BE FOOLED BY EYE CONTACT. If someone looks you in the eye, it might seem like they're telling the truth. But when people are intent on proving their sincerity, they'll stare for an uncomfortably long time to prove they have nothing to hide.

#8.) WATCH THE PERSON'S HANDS. A liar knows that they're lying. So they'll often bring a hand to their face . . . to scratch their nose, rub their eyes, or stroke their chin. It's a subconscious attempt to "block" the lies coming out of their mouth.

#9.) PROVE THAT PART OF THE STORY IS A LIE. When you're telling the truth, you might realize you left something out, or said something wrong. It's natural. But liars are reluctant to admit making a mistake . . . because they don't want to be found out.

So if you call someone out on PART of what they said . . . and they STILL refuse to change their story . . . chances are, the rest of the story is BS too.(Cosmopolitan / Forbes)

THIS LITTLE PIGGY

DID YOU HEAR THAT?

The ears on these sleeping piglets start moving around like crazy whenever someone makes noise.

(Search Terms: piglets react to any sound video)

WHO'S TO BLAME?

SHOULD PARENTS BE FORCED TO PICK UP TRASH . . . IF THEIR KID CONSTANTLY MISSES SCHOOL???

Here's our Question of the Day: If a kid constantly misses school . . . should the PARENTS be the ones who pay the consequences?

The reason I ask is because, right now, officials in Hamilton County, Tennessee are thinking about punishing parents whose kids consistently miss school . . . by forcing them to pick up litter on Saturday mornings.

And if the Saturday morning litter pickup doesn't get their kids back in school . . . parents could even be sentenced to PRISON.

A Juvenile Court administrator named Chris Albright came up with the plan. He says that right now, parents are given fines when their kids miss too much school. But the problem with fining parents is that most of them never pay up because, "they just don't care." (Chattanoogan)

HOW TO GET THAT RAISE

***HOW TO ASK FOR A RAISE IN A BAD ECONOMY***

Do you think you deserve a little more money for a hard day's work? Forty percent of U.S. companies have announced a freeze on pay raises this year, so if you're thinking about asking for a raise, here are eight things to consider . . .

#1.) PERFORMANCE. Think about why you deserve more money, so you'll be able to explain it clearly to your boss. Be ready with examples of how you've helped the company and how you'll do so in the future.

#2.) PAY. Knowing how your salary stacks up to others can help you decide if a raise is warranted. Websites like PayScale.com let you look up salary ranges by job title, experience level, and geographic area.

#3.) SKILL LEVEL. Do you perform at a higher level than coworkers with similar job duties? If so, you have a MUCH better chance of getting a raise. If not, you should probably put in a few extra hours before you ask for more money.

#4.) COMPANY CLIMATE. If your company has announced layoffs, salary freezes, or wage cuts, you CAN still ask for a raise. But if you do, be prepared to show how you make your company stronger and more profitable. If you don't, forget about it.

#5.) TIMING. If you just did something spectacular at work, it might be the perfect time to ask for a raise. If you performance has been GOOD, but not GREAT, you should probably wait until your performance review.

In the meantime, sit down with your boss and ask what you can do to help your company thrive. It's even okay to ask how you can increase your chances of getting a raise in the near future.

#6.) POPPING THE QUESTION. If you DO ask for a raise, focus on selling yourself and your value to the company. Present your case in a humble manner and rehearse what you're going to say before you say it to your boss. And whatever you do, DON'T BEG.

#7.) THINK OF ALTERNATIVES. If a raise is completely out of the question, think of other ways you can be compensated. Your boss might be willing to give you more vacation days, or a better title, which can eventually lead to more money.

HOW BIZARRE NEWS (05/18/09)

THERE'S A NEW HEAT-SENSING BRA THAT PUSHES A WOMAN'S BREASTS UP WHEN HER BODY TEMPERATURE RISES:

Ladies . . . if you have a hard time finding bras that have perfect support , then I've got just the thing for you. A Slovenian bra-maker called Lisca lingerie has just come out with a new heat-sensing bra . . . called the Smart Memory Bra . . . which changes shape according to a woman's body temperature. So when a woman is working out and her body temperature increases, the Smart Memory Bra constricts providing better support. And when her body temperature returns to normal, the bra relaxes . . . and the woman's breasts returns to normal.

According to a company spokesperson, "[The Smart Memory Bra] is made of special memory foam which reacts to body temperature and moulds to the shape of the breasts. As a woman's body changes, so does the size of the bra. "That's the advantage of this bra . . . [And the Smart Memory Bra] is healthier than an ordinary bra because it will always provide the perfect fit." (Sun)

(--You can buy the Smart Memory Bra for about $50 here . . .)http://www.lisca.com/index.php?page=dalila---smart-memory-bra-3&lang=en_US&local=F

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MORE THAN 2,500 PEOPLE IN INDIANA STOOD IN LINE LAST WEEK TO GET THEIR HANDS ON A NEW, SPECIAL-ISSUE . . . PENNY???

Whenever I get a few pennies back with my change, I do what most people do . . . and throw them in the ashtray. That's why it amazes me that last Thursday, more than 2,500 people flocked to Lincoln City, Indiana and stood in line for up to SEVEN HOURS . . . just to get their hands on a new ABE LINCOLN-themed penny.

Now, I know what you're thinking . . . "First of all, why would anyone stand in line just for a stupid penny? And, secondly, aren't ALL pennies, technically, Lincoln pennies?" Well, those are both good questions. But, apparently, the new penny is part of a series of pennies depicting Lincoln in different phases of his life. For example, the penny these people were waiting for . . . the "Indiana" penny . . . shows Lincoln sitting on a log reading a book. (--Thrilling, no?) (Evansville Courier & Press)

-- Just so we're clear, it actually costs 1.26 CENTS to mint a penny . . . and every year, the U.S. takes a $100 MILLION LOSS just to mint a bunch of coins that are going to end up in the cushions of your couch anyway.

(--Check out some photos of the new pennies . . . and the insane line of people waiting to get the "Indiana" one . . .)

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A RESORT IN MEXICO IS OFFERING A "FLU-FREE GUARANTEE" . . . IN AN ATTEMPT TO ATTRACT TOURISTS:

I'm going to assume that if you're planning a vacation right now . . . you're probably not considering Mexico as a destination. Am I right? Because why risk going to Mexico . . . and getting SWINE FLU?

That's why . . . in an attempt to lure tourists back to the area . . . one resort in Cancun, called The Royal, has started offering a "FLU-FREE GUARANTEE". Get this . . . Anyone who comes down with swine flu within 14 days of leaving The Royal . . . will get THREE FREE ANNUAL VACATIONS at the resort.

Or look at it this way: The state where Cancun is located . . . called Quintana Roo . . . has only had 11 confirmed cases of swine flu, so your chances of getting infected are pretty low. But even if you do get swine flu while staying at The Royal, you still have about a NINE in TEN chance of surviving, which . . . let's be honest . . . makes this a pretty sweet deal. (Financial Times)

(--Check out The Royal Cancun's website here . . .)http://www.royalcancun.com/