February 18, 2010
HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW
WINTER OLYMPICS UPDATE
A CRAZY GUY USED A HOMEMADE SECURITY BADGE TO CRASH JOE BIDEN'S BOX AT THE OLYMPICS:
Things have not gone smoothly at the Vancouver Olympics. Yesterday, Canadian police admitted that a mentally ill man used homemade credentials to crash JOE BIDEN'S box at the Opening Ceremonies on Friday. --Police say he had an ''infatuation'' with Biden. So he made a security pass at home by printing the words ALL ACCESS PASS from the Internet and LAMINATING it. --It got him through several security checkpoints and into the DIGNITARIES BOX. The guy got within 12 steps of Biden before security officers noticed that he, quote, ''didn't fit in'' and intercepted him. --Since it took them five days to even admit that it happened, it should come as no surprise that there aren't many details. --The guy was 48 years old, but police didn't release his name, or any information about his mental illness or infatuation. He didn't have a weapon, and the Vice President was never in danger. (CTV)
A BARRICADE COLLAPSED AT A FREE OLYMPICS CONCERT . . . PLUS A BREAKDOWN OF EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S GONE WRONG SO FAR:
Did we mention there have been some glitches at the Olympics? The latest glitch took place Tuesday night, when a concert barricade collapsed and injured 19 people. --The free late-night concert was in David Lam Park and featured a Canadian band called ALEXISONFIRE. --But in the middle of the band's first song, a barricade near the stage gave way, and the crowd spilled onto the ground. --The concert was cancelled, and so was the fireworks display that was scheduled to happen afterwards. Ten people were treated on site, and another nine were taken to the hospital for evaluation. (AP) (--Some of the other glitches that have taken place at this year's Olympics include: The torch malfunctioned at the opening ceremonies. A speed skating event was delayed for more than an hour when the Zamboni broke down . . .) (--The downhill ski events were postponed because of a snowstorm, and 20,000 snowboarding tickets were refunded because there was NO SNOW. A photographer accidentally turned on a sprinkler and flooded the luge track . . .) (--Officials screwed up the timing of a biathlon race, making 5 racers start at the wrong time. JOE BIDEN'S motorcade crashed and injured two gold medalists, someone tried to beat up MITT ROMNEY . . . a luger died on a practice run . . .) (--And a crazy guy used a homemade security badge to crash the Vice President's box at the Opening Ceremonies. But other than that . . . best Olympics ever.)
A CRAZY GUY USED A HOMEMADE SECURITY BADGE TO CRASH JOE BIDEN'S BOX AT THE OLYMPICS:
Things have not gone smoothly at the Vancouver Olympics. Yesterday, Canadian police admitted that a mentally ill man used homemade credentials to crash JOE BIDEN'S box at the Opening Ceremonies on Friday. --Police say he had an ''infatuation'' with Biden. So he made a security pass at home by printing the words ALL ACCESS PASS from the Internet and LAMINATING it. --It got him through several security checkpoints and into the DIGNITARIES BOX. The guy got within 12 steps of Biden before security officers noticed that he, quote, ''didn't fit in'' and intercepted him. --Since it took them five days to even admit that it happened, it should come as no surprise that there aren't many details. --The guy was 48 years old, but police didn't release his name, or any information about his mental illness or infatuation. He didn't have a weapon, and the Vice President was never in danger. (CTV)
A BARRICADE COLLAPSED AT A FREE OLYMPICS CONCERT . . . PLUS A BREAKDOWN OF EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S GONE WRONG SO FAR:
Did we mention there have been some glitches at the Olympics? The latest glitch took place Tuesday night, when a concert barricade collapsed and injured 19 people. --The free late-night concert was in David Lam Park and featured a Canadian band called ALEXISONFIRE. --But in the middle of the band's first song, a barricade near the stage gave way, and the crowd spilled onto the ground. --The concert was cancelled, and so was the fireworks display that was scheduled to happen afterwards. Ten people were treated on site, and another nine were taken to the hospital for evaluation. (AP) (--Some of the other glitches that have taken place at this year's Olympics include: The torch malfunctioned at the opening ceremonies. A speed skating event was delayed for more than an hour when the Zamboni broke down . . .) (--The downhill ski events were postponed because of a snowstorm, and 20,000 snowboarding tickets were refunded because there was NO SNOW. A photographer accidentally turned on a sprinkler and flooded the luge track . . .) (--Officials screwed up the timing of a biathlon race, making 5 racers start at the wrong time. JOE BIDEN'S motorcade crashed and injured two gold medalists, someone tried to beat up MITT ROMNEY . . . a luger died on a practice run . . .) (--And a crazy guy used a homemade security badge to crash the Vice President's box at the Opening Ceremonies. But other than that . . . best Olympics ever.)
AN AUSTRIAN WITH DIARRHEA WON SILVER IN THE BIATHLON:
You know how the Olympics coverage is filled with those profiles of athletes who had to overcome personal struggles to get there? They probably won't do one on CHRISTOPH SUMANN . . . but they should. --Christoph just won the silver medal for Austria in the 12.5 kilometer Biathlon. That's the one where they do cross-country skiing, and stop to shoot at targets with rifles. And he did it while suffering from DIARRHEA. --He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to complete the 33-minute race without taking a break, but he made it through, and only missed two of 20 targets. He finished 16.5 seconds behind the gold medalist. --After the race, he said, quote, ''I had some problems with my belly, and I went straight from the toilet to the track this morning.'' --Sumann isn't the only athlete fighting diarrhea this Olympics. British bobsledder ALLYN CONDON left the Olympic village for several days to avoid infecting his teammates. But he doesn't race until February 26th. (Reuters)
WINTER OLYMPICS MEDAL COUNT . . . WE'RE WINNING AGAIN:
The U.S. came back strong yesterday. We picked up SIX new medals to pull ahead of Germany in the overall medal count. By the end of the fifth day of competition, the Krauts were only able to pick up one new medal. Here's your medals breakdown . . .
#1.) The United States, with 14 medals . . . 5 Gold, 3 Silver, and 6 Bronze.
#2.) Germany with 10 medals . . . 3 Gold, 4 Silver, and 3 Bronze.
#3.) France with 7 medals . . . 2 Gold, 1 Silver, and 4 Bronze.
#4.) Canada with 6 medals . . . 2 Gold, 3 Silver, and 1 Bronze.
#5.) TIED at 5 medals apiece: South Korea with 3 Gold and 2 Silver; Norway with 1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 2 Bronze; and Austria with 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze.
YESTERDAY'S NEW MEDALS FOR THE UNITED STATES:
U.S. Olympians won three more Gold medals, another Silver, and two more Bronze yesterday. Here's a breakdown of the medal winning events for the United States on Day 5:
--Women's Downhill Skiing: GOLD, Lindsey Vonn
--Women's Downhill Skiing: SILVER, Julia Mancuso
(--Vonn has been struggling with a shin injury all week. She became the first American woman to win gold in the downhill. She and Mancuso are the first Americans to win gold and silver in any Alpine skiing event since 1984.)
--Men's Speed Skiing, 1000 meters: GOLD, Shani Davis
--Men's Speed Skiing, 1000 meters: BRONZE, Chad Hedrick
(--Davis also won gold in the 1000 meters in 2006, so he's the first person to win the event in two straight Olympics. He's also the guy who's been ''feuding'' with STEPHEN COLBERT.)
--Men's Snowboarding, Halfpipe: GOLD, Shaun ''The Flying Tomato'' White
--Men's Snowboarding, Halfpipe: BRONZE, Scotty Lago
(--White also won the gold in 2006. He hit something called a Double McTwist 1260 in his last run, which is apparently a big deal. He doesn't want to be known as The Flying Tomato anymore. Maybe we can call him Red Zeppelin.)
TIGER WOODS WILL BREAK HIS SILENCE TOMORROW:
TIGER WOODS will speak publicly tomorrow, for the first time since Thanksgiving, when his wife ALLEGEDLY went after him with a golf club, and the world learned about his many forays into THE WHORE ZONE. --He'll speak from the headquarters of the PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, at 11:00 A.M. Eastern. --Tiger's agent says, quote, "Tiger plans to discuss his past and his future and he plans to apologize for his behavior. --"While Tiger feels that what happened is fundamentally a matter between he and his wife, he also recognizes that he has hurt and let down a lot of other people who were close to him. --"He also let down his fans. He wants to begin the process of making amends and that's what he's going to discuss." --Tiger will NOT be taking questions. Sources say he'll just read a prepared statement.
WHAT DID ELIN NORDEGREN REALLY SAY TO RACHEL UCHITEL BEFORE SHE ATTACKED TIGER???
We've heard that ELIN NORDEGREN called RACHEL UCHITEL on her husband's phone and reamed her out before she went after him with that golf club. But what did she say??? --The "National Enquirer" claims to have the details. They say Elin called Rachel the B-word . . . and a, quote, "home-wrecking whore." --She also screamed, quote, "You're interfering with my family! You're ruining our lives! What's wrong with you? You're pathetic! Don't you realize there are children involved? Don't you care?"
IS TIGER WOODS ALREADY THE FAVORITE TO WIN THE MASTERS???
TIGER WOODS' agent announced yesterday that Tiger was going to speak tomorrow. He gave only a vague indication of what Tiger would talk about, and he didn't say one way or another what Tiger's career plans might be. --And yet TMZ says oddsmakers are already pegging him to win the Masters Tournament . . . which takes place in April. --The only one they mention by name is Sportsbook.com . . . which reportedly has Tiger as the heavy favorite, with PHIL MICKELSON in a distant second. (--There's talk now that Tiger will make his return to golf at the Tavistock Cup, a PGA-sponsored tournament that kicks off on March 22nd in Florida. If that's true, then it's obviously likely that he WILL enter the Masters.)
SPIKE TV IS DOING A NEW GOLF COMEDY FEATURING A SEX-ADDICTED CHARACTER NAMED TIGER:
Spike TV has ordered a new golf comedy featuring a sex-addicted character named Tiger. (???) --Tiger isn't the main character . . . or even a golfer. He's the caddy for a washed-up former U.S. Open champ played by JOHN SCHNEIDER . . . (--a.k.a. Bo Duke from the original "Dukes of Hazzard" TV series.) --The show is called "Back Nine", and it features Schneider's character traveling the country . . . accompanied by his sex-addicted caddy, of course . . . competing in small-time tournaments in order to work his way back up to the PGA Tour. --Now, here's the part that seems a little hard to swallow: Spike supposedly put this project on the fast track A YEAR AGO, and the Tiger character . . . who's black, by the way . . . was supposedly in the script even back then. --In other words, according to their timeline, the character existed LONG before anyone knew Tiger Woods was going through white women the way Adam Lambert goes through eyeliner. (--There's no word on a premiere date.)
LAUREN GRAHAM DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A FAILURE BECAUSE SHE'S SINGLE AT 42:
Former "Gilmore Girls" star LAUREN GRAHAM is 42 and unattached. And she hates it when people try to make her feel like a failure. --She says, quote, "What is so funny to me is I'm in a profession where two percent of people are working, yet there's still this implication that you're not completely successful if you're single and in your 40s. --"Well, why not? I wanted a horse when I was growing up too. Does that mean I'm not successful, because I don't have a horse?" --She adds, quote, "You learn to give yourself a break. I want to continue to celebrate where I am and not be apologetic. Whether I'm 43 or 60, I want to say, this is where I want to be in my life, because, hey, this is it." (--Lauren will be 43 on March 16th.)
REESE WITHERSPOON HAS A NEW MAN:
REESE WITHERSPOON has a new man. His name is Jim Toth, and he's a Hollywood agent. A so-called "source" says, quote, "They've been on at least 10 dates. They've been to each other's houses and out to dinner together. --"Jim is trying to keep it quiet, but he and Reese are together, he's told friends." (--Reese used to be married to her "Cruel Intentions" co-star Ryan Phillippe. They divorced in October of 2007.)
DID KIM BASINGER TIP OFF THE PAPARAZZI TO ALEC BALDWIN'S NON-SUICIDE ATTEMPT???
It's looking more like KIM BASINGER was the reason why the paparazzi were waiting for ALEC BALDWIN when he returned home from the hospital following his NON-suicide attempt. --Here's a quick recap of the circumstances surrounding that chaos: Alec and his daughter Ireland, who was at her mom's home in L.A., were having an argument on the phone. --Alec allegedly said something about ENDING IT before they hung up. Ireland tried to call him back later and couldn't get a hold of him, so she panicked and called 911. --Cops showed up . . . and took Alec to the hospital as a precaution. He was released an hour later, after doctors decided there was nothing wrong with him. --When Alec returned home . . . and this was in the middle of the night, mind you . . . the paparazzi were waiting for him. --The next day, Alec insinuated that Kim had something to do with Ireland calling 911 AND with the paparazzi being tipped off about it. And he may be right. --According to the "Chicago Sun-Times", a major New York paparazzo claims that Kim DID call him and the other photographers . . . and she did so almost immediately after Ireland called 911. --Kim's rep denies she had anything to do with it.
#1.) There's a story going around that CHARLIE SHEEN is being urged by, quote, "loved ones" to go to rehab for alcohol abuse. But Charlie's rep says, quote, "He is not going to rehab. Who told him to go to rehab? Correct answer: no one."
#2.) JESSE JAMES got his dog Cinnabun back. A woman found the dog a while ago, and held onto it until she saw its picture on a flier. She called Jesse yesterday morning and returned the dog. (--Cinnabun had been lost since January 25th.)
#3.) MISCHA BARTON was asked about that odd little cigarette she was photographed smoking earlier this week. She said it was a ROLLIE. In other words, she's claiming it was a TOBACCO cigarette she'd rolled herself. (--You buying that???)
#4.) ANNA KOURNIKOVA'S mother, Alla, has been charged with a felony count of child neglect. As you may recall, Alla left her 5-year-old son Allan home alone while she ran some errands. --The kid ended up falling out a second-story window, then trying to nurse his wounds in the family swimming pool. He was found by neighbors crying and bleeding, and hospitalized for minor injuries. (--Allan is Anna's half-brother.)
NANCY KERRIGAN'S BROTHER MAY SOON BE OUT OF POLICE CUSTODY . . . AND BACK LIVING WITH HIS MOTHER:
NANCY KERRIGAN'S brother Mark may soon be out of police custody and back living with his mother . . . in the very house where he allegedly caused his father's death last month. --Yesterday, a judge amended the terms of Mark's bail, allowing him to move back home if he forks over 10-grand. --He'll have to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and submit to random drug and alcohol testing. -Mark was arrested on January 24th, after his 70-year-old father Daniel suffered a fatal heart attack following a physical altercation with Mark at their Boston-area home. (--Mark is 45.) --The coroner ruled Daniel's death a homicide, and Mark is expected to be charged with manslaughter. --Nancy and her mother refuse to blame Mark for Daniel's death, and have vowed to help him fight the charges.
BILL CLINTON BLAMES HIS HEART HEALTH ON FRIED FOOD AND ICE CREAM:
BILL CLINTON is home recuperating from his latest heart scare. And he's using himself as a lesson to others on the dangers of a poor diet. --He says, quote, "I'm very, very lucky that I didn't have a much worse set of circumstances. --"The root causes were the habits I acquired in my childhood, mostly the way I ate and the way it interacted with my own biology and propensity to produce bad cholesterol. --"I ate too much fried food, too much ice cream, too much everything." --He added, quote, "Many, many young people are facing exactly the same circumstances I did unless they change their eating and exercise habits. They may or may not be as lucky as I was."
JAMES CAMERON SAYS "AVATAR" IS HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT:
When JAMES CAMERON directs a movie, it can never just be a movie. It HAS to be something earth-shatteringly important. --Take "Avatar", for instance. It's so much more than entertainment. In Cameron's mind, it's an ENVIRONMENTAL CALL TO ACTION. --He says, quote, "When [Fox execs] read it, they sort of said, 'Can we take some of this tree-hugging, 'FernGully' crap out of this movie?' And I said, 'No, because that's why I'm making the film.' --"If you're tuned in to what's happening in 'Avatar', you start to feel a sense of moral outrage when you see the tree fall [destroying the Na'vi's home], and it's a compassionate response for these people. --"Then you feel a sense of uplift at the end as good vanquishes evil. If you put those two things together, it actually creates a ripe emotional matrix for people to want to do something about it. --"We're getting a tremendous amount of feedback from environmental groups, from people with specific causes. --"Whether it's indigenous people being displaced by companies to do mining or to do oil drilling, or if it's environmental groups saying, 'Let's do some curriculum around 'Avatar'.'"
THE LATE CAPTAIN PHIL HARRIS *WILL* BE FEATURED ON THE UPCOMING SEASON OF "DEADLIEST CATCH":
The late CAPTAIN PHIL HARRIS . . . who passed away last week . . . will still be featured on the upcoming season of his Discovery Channel series "Deadliest Catch". (--He died of complications from a stroke he suffered on January 29th.) --Executive producer Thom Beers tells "Entertainment Weekly" that they had finished filming the entire sixth season prior to Harris' stroke. --He adds that Captain Harris and his family DID allow their cameras to roll after the stroke . . . but no decision has been made on whether or not to air that footage. --He says, quote, "We were there the entire time. We were there in the hospital. When he came out [of a medically induced coma], he was trying to talk. He couldn't, but he was motioning with his hand to my producer and cameraman. --"We said, 'We want to give you your space and get out,' and he wrote on a piece of paper. It said, 'No, we need a great finish to this story.' He's just got out of a coma, and he's producing!" --Obviously, producers will leave it up to Harris' family as to whether or not to air the post-stroke stuff. The sixth season will premiere in April.
JON GOSSELIN AND TLC HAVE SETTLED THEIR DIFFERENCES:
JON GOSSELIN and TLC have settled their legal issues. (--TLC filed a breach of contract suit against Jon, for making money off unauthorized interviews and TV appearances. Jon countersued claming TLC ruined his "reputation.") --The network has released this statement: "TLC has reached a settlement with Jon Gosselin and will be undertaking procedural steps to conclude the litigation. --"All terms of the settlement are confidential. The whole Gosselin family remain under contract with TLC." --This deal means that KATE GOSSELIN is clear to do her spin-off reality show . . . and it could also pave the way for Jon to appear in something on TLC as well. There are no further details, and neither Jon nor Kate have commented.
SELENA GOMEZ SAYS MILEY CYRUS IS READY TO MOVE ON:
A while back, MILEY CYRUS announced that the upcoming fourth season of "Hannah Montana" would be her last. And if you were wondering if Miley was ready to adjust to life without the show . . . (???) . . . SELENA GOMEZ wants to reassure you. --She says, quote, "I think that [Miley is] growing with the show, and I think it's such a great platform for her. And she's lived up to it as wonderfully as she could, and I think she continues to carry it, but she's ready for other things."
#1.) JAY LENO'S bandleader (slash) sidekick KEVIN EUBANKS may not be leaving "The Tonight Show" permanently . . . just taking a reduced role. --He posted a Twitter message saying, quote, "I'll still be around on the show . . . but less as of now. I'll tweet when a definite plan is set." (--Yesterday, NBC confirmed that Kevin told them he wanted to, quote, "pursue personal touring and recording opportunities." NBC also said he'd be there when the "Tonight Show" returned on March 1st. But that's all we know for now.)
#2.) "Lost" executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse tell "Entertainment Weekly" that MAGGIE GRACE . . . who played Shannon . . . will be back on the show later this season. It's unclear how many episodes she'll appear in. --Cuse says they have a, quote, "good story" for her . . . but, naturally, wouldn't give any other details. Maggie was an original and regular cast member until Season Two, when Shannon was killed off. (--Shannon died in Sayid's arms after she was accidentally shot by Ana Lucia, who was played by MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ. Ana had mistaken Shannon for one of The Others.)
DIDDY SAYS HE'S HIP-HOP'S FIRST WEALTHY SHOW-OFF:
In a British radio interview . . . (--with Tim Westwood) . . . DIDDY bragged about being hip-hop's first wealthy show-off, and claimed that everyone else is copping his style. --He said, quote, "There's a lot of people that have emulated my style. And that's a positive thing, you're supposed to inspire people. But there's also a lot of cats that emulate the style and they not even really connecting in their head who they got it from. --"Anything they're doing right now as far as in the game, I started the jets, I started the yachts, I started owning the companies, I started the liquor, I started getting money, I started hiring us, empowering us . . . --"I started the whole vote campaign, anything that wasn't cool, anything that wasn't traveling, artists traveling overseas, getting that up, I mean, that's what I do, my style and my flavor and my swag is really unstoppable and second to none. --"I'm definitely one of the baddest mother(effers) to ever touch the face of the Earth."
NAZZY'S RANDOM STUFF
A GUY CALLED 911 TEN TIMES AND *STILL* DIED, BECAUSE PARAMEDICS WOULDN'T WALK THROUGH THE SNOW TO GET HIM:
The city of Pittsburgh has had an insane amount of snow this month, and it's causing all kinds of problems around the city. Just ask Sharon Edge, who lives in a suburb called Hazelwood. --On Friday, Sharon's fiancé, 50-year-old Curtis Mitchell, called 911 when he felt pain in his abdomen. But when the ambulance showed up, there was too much snow on the road to reach Curtis' house. --So rescue workers parked three blocks away and told Curtis to come to them . . . which he physically couldn't do. Eventually, they left without helping Curtis at all. But it doesn't end there . . .--Over the next three days, Sharon and Curtis called 911 NINE MORE TIMES, and emergency vehicles were sent to their house TWO MORE TIMES. --But each time, the EMTs said they couldn't get to Curtis because the ground was covered by 15 inches of snow. And each time they drove off without helping him. --In fact, at one point a medic even told the 911 dispatcher that if Curtis wanted help, quote, "he is just going to have to come down to the truck." --Finally, on Sunday morning . . . 30 HOURS after their first call to 911 . . . an emergency crew managed to make it to Sharon and Curtis' house. But by the time they got there, Curtis was already DEAD. --Sharon says, quote, "I sat up here with him, watching him die. They didn't do their jobs like they were supposed to . . . I'm very angry, I'm mad, I'm frustrated . . . --"He didn't have to die. And the way he died, he was in pain, a lot of pain, and he shouldn't have had to die like that. When you pass away, you [are] supposed to go in peace, and I don't think my man went in peace." --For the record, Pittsburgh's Public Safety Director says that what happened to Curtis is, quote, "unacceptable . . . You get out of the damn truck and walk to the residence . . . That's what needed to happen here." --It's not clear whether anyone will be punished because of the incident. It's also not clear exactly what caused Curtis' death. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette / KDKA News 2 - Pittsburgh)
ONE IN FIVE WOMEN THINK THEIR GIRLFRIEND IS FAT . . . BUT WOULD NEVER TELL THEM:
Just when it seems like women couldn't possibly treat each other any WORSE than they already do, we hear something like THIS . . . -According to a new survey in the UK, ONE in FIVE women secretly thinks her best friend is overweight . . . but would NEVER tell her. --And of the ONE in FOUR women who actually HAVE mustered up the courage to talk to their friend about her weight, 12% say she went, quote, "mental," while ONE in FIVE say it ended their friendship. (???) (Daily Express)
24% OF BRITISH PEOPLE WASH THEIR SHEETS JUST THREE TIMES A YEAR:
This survey took place in the UK, and we're not sure if the results would be similar here. But if they are, it's kind of gross . . . --According to a new survey, nearly ONE in FOUR British people . . . or 24% overall . . . wash their sheets just THREE times a year. --If you're wondering, you should wash your sheets in hot water at LEAST once a month. And ideally, you should wash them once a week. That way you'll avoid a build-up of dead skin cells, and the dust mites that feed on them. Nasty, but true. (Daily Telegraph / eHow)
THE WHITE HOUSE IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO MANAGE PRESIDENT OBAMA'S TWITTER ACCOUNT:
Earlier this week, the White House sent out a job posting for someone to become PRESIDENT OBAMA'S new social networks manager. --In other words, the White House wants someone to manage the president's Facebook and Twitter accounts. --According to the listing, some of the job qualifications are: --Excellent writing and editing skills with strong attention to detail. --Strong familiarity with social networks. --The ability to work hard and under deadline pressure. --Passion for engaging Americans in, quote, "advancing President Obama's agenda and changing the country." --And job candidates also must to be willing to relocate to Washington, D.C.
(--You can fill out the online application here . . .) http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/socnetsmanager
(AOL Jobs)
THE FIRST AMENDMENT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR TEACHERS ON FACEBOOK:
This is just a heads-up to let all you students know that you can complain about your teachers as much as you want on Facebook and Twitter. And there's nothing your school can do about it. Here's why . . . --In 2007, Katie Evans was a senior at Pembroke Pines Charter High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida (--about 20 miles north of Miami). --Katie had a teacher who she hated, so she created a Facebook page where she would vent her frustration. --But when the principal found out about the page, he removed Katie from her advanced placement classes and suspended her for three days. --So Katie filed a lawsuit claiming the school violated her First Amendment right to free speech. And on Friday, a judge ruled in Katie's favor. --According to the ruling, Katie's Facebook page, quote, "falls under the wide umbrella of protected speech. It was an opinion of a student about a teacher that was published off-campus, did not cause any disruption on-campus, and was not lewd, vulgar, threatening, or advocating illegal or dangerous behavior. --"In short, the potential spark of disruption had sputtered out, and all that remained was the opportunity to punish." In other words, it's your Constitutional right to make fun of your teachers on Facebook. (Miami Herald)
A NEW BILL IN VIRGINIA WOULD ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY TO USE CARPOOL LANES EVEN IF THEY'RE DRIVING ALONE:
I'll agree that members of the U.S. military should have certain perks. After all, it's their job to defend our country. But I really don't understand how THIS has anything to do with it . . . --Recently, a Republican named Chris Stolle introduced a bill in Virginia that would allow members of the military to use the CARPOOL LANE on their way to work, even if there's no one else in the car with them. --Chris says, quote, "If we can get some active duty military off the three-lanes and into those HOV lanes, it's going to make a lot less traffic congestion for everybody. Everybody benefits from that, not just the military." (???)--The bill still has to be approved in the Virginia state senate, but the general thinking is that it's a shoo-in. (--For the record, there are 22 active military installations in Virginia . . . including Quantico Marine Base, the Norfolk Naval Station, Langley Air Force Base, seven Army posts, and The Pentagon.)
(WVEC News 13 - Hampton Roads)
A WOMAN SOLD HER SON'S OLD NINTENDO ON EBAY FOR $13,105:
If you still have some old toys lying around, it might be worth your while to look at what you've got in the attic or basement. Here's why . . . --Recently, an unidentified woman put her son's old Nintendo up for sale on eBay, along with five original games:
--"Major League Baseball"
--"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2"
--"Super Mario 3"
--"Super Mario Brothers / Duck Hunt"
--And an extremely rare game called "Family & Fitness: Stadium Events", which was originally marketed for something called the Family Fun Fitness pad, a precursor to the Power pad. --Not only was the woman able to sell the old Nintendo, she managed to scam some geek out of $13,105 because the "Stadium Events" game is that rare. (Boing Boing)
NAZZY’S SILLY VIDEOS OF THE DAY
#1.) A couple British news anchors thought the Ash Wednesday mark on JOE BIDEN'S forehead was a bruise, and joked that maybe he messed around on the luge at the Olympics. (--They mention it at :27, and apologize at 3:06.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLeJMoS-_Jo
(Search Terms: Kay Burley Joe Biden Sky News Ash Wednesday)
#2.) This bus driver in Taiwan apparently fell asleep at the wheel, and by the time he woke up, he'd crashed into at least ten cars. (--It shows it from two other angles at :29 and :59.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UReNC4opOA (Search Terms: Taiwan bus crash video)
You know how the Olympics coverage is filled with those profiles of athletes who had to overcome personal struggles to get there? They probably won't do one on CHRISTOPH SUMANN . . . but they should. --Christoph just won the silver medal for Austria in the 12.5 kilometer Biathlon. That's the one where they do cross-country skiing, and stop to shoot at targets with rifles. And he did it while suffering from DIARRHEA. --He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to complete the 33-minute race without taking a break, but he made it through, and only missed two of 20 targets. He finished 16.5 seconds behind the gold medalist. --After the race, he said, quote, ''I had some problems with my belly, and I went straight from the toilet to the track this morning.'' --Sumann isn't the only athlete fighting diarrhea this Olympics. British bobsledder ALLYN CONDON left the Olympic village for several days to avoid infecting his teammates. But he doesn't race until February 26th. (Reuters)
WINTER OLYMPICS MEDAL COUNT . . . WE'RE WINNING AGAIN:
The U.S. came back strong yesterday. We picked up SIX new medals to pull ahead of Germany in the overall medal count. By the end of the fifth day of competition, the Krauts were only able to pick up one new medal. Here's your medals breakdown . . .
#1.) The United States, with 14 medals . . . 5 Gold, 3 Silver, and 6 Bronze.
#2.) Germany with 10 medals . . . 3 Gold, 4 Silver, and 3 Bronze.
#3.) France with 7 medals . . . 2 Gold, 1 Silver, and 4 Bronze.
#4.) Canada with 6 medals . . . 2 Gold, 3 Silver, and 1 Bronze.
#5.) TIED at 5 medals apiece: South Korea with 3 Gold and 2 Silver; Norway with 1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 2 Bronze; and Austria with 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze.
YESTERDAY'S NEW MEDALS FOR THE UNITED STATES:
U.S. Olympians won three more Gold medals, another Silver, and two more Bronze yesterday. Here's a breakdown of the medal winning events for the United States on Day 5:
--Women's Downhill Skiing: GOLD, Lindsey Vonn
--Women's Downhill Skiing: SILVER, Julia Mancuso
(--Vonn has been struggling with a shin injury all week. She became the first American woman to win gold in the downhill. She and Mancuso are the first Americans to win gold and silver in any Alpine skiing event since 1984.)
--Men's Speed Skiing, 1000 meters: GOLD, Shani Davis
--Men's Speed Skiing, 1000 meters: BRONZE, Chad Hedrick
(--Davis also won gold in the 1000 meters in 2006, so he's the first person to win the event in two straight Olympics. He's also the guy who's been ''feuding'' with STEPHEN COLBERT.)
--Men's Snowboarding, Halfpipe: GOLD, Shaun ''The Flying Tomato'' White
--Men's Snowboarding, Halfpipe: BRONZE, Scotty Lago
(--White also won the gold in 2006. He hit something called a Double McTwist 1260 in his last run, which is apparently a big deal. He doesn't want to be known as The Flying Tomato anymore. Maybe we can call him Red Zeppelin.)
TIGER WOODS WILL BREAK HIS SILENCE TOMORROW:
TIGER WOODS will speak publicly tomorrow, for the first time since Thanksgiving, when his wife ALLEGEDLY went after him with a golf club, and the world learned about his many forays into THE WHORE ZONE. --He'll speak from the headquarters of the PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, at 11:00 A.M. Eastern. --Tiger's agent says, quote, "Tiger plans to discuss his past and his future and he plans to apologize for his behavior. --"While Tiger feels that what happened is fundamentally a matter between he and his wife, he also recognizes that he has hurt and let down a lot of other people who were close to him. --"He also let down his fans. He wants to begin the process of making amends and that's what he's going to discuss." --Tiger will NOT be taking questions. Sources say he'll just read a prepared statement.
WHAT DID ELIN NORDEGREN REALLY SAY TO RACHEL UCHITEL BEFORE SHE ATTACKED TIGER???
We've heard that ELIN NORDEGREN called RACHEL UCHITEL on her husband's phone and reamed her out before she went after him with that golf club. But what did she say??? --The "National Enquirer" claims to have the details. They say Elin called Rachel the B-word . . . and a, quote, "home-wrecking whore." --She also screamed, quote, "You're interfering with my family! You're ruining our lives! What's wrong with you? You're pathetic! Don't you realize there are children involved? Don't you care?"
IS TIGER WOODS ALREADY THE FAVORITE TO WIN THE MASTERS???
TIGER WOODS' agent announced yesterday that Tiger was going to speak tomorrow. He gave only a vague indication of what Tiger would talk about, and he didn't say one way or another what Tiger's career plans might be. --And yet TMZ says oddsmakers are already pegging him to win the Masters Tournament . . . which takes place in April. --The only one they mention by name is Sportsbook.com . . . which reportedly has Tiger as the heavy favorite, with PHIL MICKELSON in a distant second. (--There's talk now that Tiger will make his return to golf at the Tavistock Cup, a PGA-sponsored tournament that kicks off on March 22nd in Florida. If that's true, then it's obviously likely that he WILL enter the Masters.)
SPIKE TV IS DOING A NEW GOLF COMEDY FEATURING A SEX-ADDICTED CHARACTER NAMED TIGER:
Spike TV has ordered a new golf comedy featuring a sex-addicted character named Tiger. (???) --Tiger isn't the main character . . . or even a golfer. He's the caddy for a washed-up former U.S. Open champ played by JOHN SCHNEIDER . . . (--a.k.a. Bo Duke from the original "Dukes of Hazzard" TV series.) --The show is called "Back Nine", and it features Schneider's character traveling the country . . . accompanied by his sex-addicted caddy, of course . . . competing in small-time tournaments in order to work his way back up to the PGA Tour. --Now, here's the part that seems a little hard to swallow: Spike supposedly put this project on the fast track A YEAR AGO, and the Tiger character . . . who's black, by the way . . . was supposedly in the script even back then. --In other words, according to their timeline, the character existed LONG before anyone knew Tiger Woods was going through white women the way Adam Lambert goes through eyeliner. (--There's no word on a premiere date.)
LAUREN GRAHAM DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A FAILURE BECAUSE SHE'S SINGLE AT 42:
Former "Gilmore Girls" star LAUREN GRAHAM is 42 and unattached. And she hates it when people try to make her feel like a failure. --She says, quote, "What is so funny to me is I'm in a profession where two percent of people are working, yet there's still this implication that you're not completely successful if you're single and in your 40s. --"Well, why not? I wanted a horse when I was growing up too. Does that mean I'm not successful, because I don't have a horse?" --She adds, quote, "You learn to give yourself a break. I want to continue to celebrate where I am and not be apologetic. Whether I'm 43 or 60, I want to say, this is where I want to be in my life, because, hey, this is it." (--Lauren will be 43 on March 16th.)
REESE WITHERSPOON HAS A NEW MAN:
REESE WITHERSPOON has a new man. His name is Jim Toth, and he's a Hollywood agent. A so-called "source" says, quote, "They've been on at least 10 dates. They've been to each other's houses and out to dinner together. --"Jim is trying to keep it quiet, but he and Reese are together, he's told friends." (--Reese used to be married to her "Cruel Intentions" co-star Ryan Phillippe. They divorced in October of 2007.)
DID KIM BASINGER TIP OFF THE PAPARAZZI TO ALEC BALDWIN'S NON-SUICIDE ATTEMPT???
It's looking more like KIM BASINGER was the reason why the paparazzi were waiting for ALEC BALDWIN when he returned home from the hospital following his NON-suicide attempt. --Here's a quick recap of the circumstances surrounding that chaos: Alec and his daughter Ireland, who was at her mom's home in L.A., were having an argument on the phone. --Alec allegedly said something about ENDING IT before they hung up. Ireland tried to call him back later and couldn't get a hold of him, so she panicked and called 911. --Cops showed up . . . and took Alec to the hospital as a precaution. He was released an hour later, after doctors decided there was nothing wrong with him. --When Alec returned home . . . and this was in the middle of the night, mind you . . . the paparazzi were waiting for him. --The next day, Alec insinuated that Kim had something to do with Ireland calling 911 AND with the paparazzi being tipped off about it. And he may be right. --According to the "Chicago Sun-Times", a major New York paparazzo claims that Kim DID call him and the other photographers . . . and she did so almost immediately after Ireland called 911. --Kim's rep denies she had anything to do with it.
#1.) There's a story going around that CHARLIE SHEEN is being urged by, quote, "loved ones" to go to rehab for alcohol abuse. But Charlie's rep says, quote, "He is not going to rehab. Who told him to go to rehab? Correct answer: no one."
#2.) JESSE JAMES got his dog Cinnabun back. A woman found the dog a while ago, and held onto it until she saw its picture on a flier. She called Jesse yesterday morning and returned the dog. (--Cinnabun had been lost since January 25th.)
#3.) MISCHA BARTON was asked about that odd little cigarette she was photographed smoking earlier this week. She said it was a ROLLIE. In other words, she's claiming it was a TOBACCO cigarette she'd rolled herself. (--You buying that???)
#4.) ANNA KOURNIKOVA'S mother, Alla, has been charged with a felony count of child neglect. As you may recall, Alla left her 5-year-old son Allan home alone while she ran some errands. --The kid ended up falling out a second-story window, then trying to nurse his wounds in the family swimming pool. He was found by neighbors crying and bleeding, and hospitalized for minor injuries. (--Allan is Anna's half-brother.)
NANCY KERRIGAN'S BROTHER MAY SOON BE OUT OF POLICE CUSTODY . . . AND BACK LIVING WITH HIS MOTHER:
NANCY KERRIGAN'S brother Mark may soon be out of police custody and back living with his mother . . . in the very house where he allegedly caused his father's death last month. --Yesterday, a judge amended the terms of Mark's bail, allowing him to move back home if he forks over 10-grand. --He'll have to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and submit to random drug and alcohol testing. -Mark was arrested on January 24th, after his 70-year-old father Daniel suffered a fatal heart attack following a physical altercation with Mark at their Boston-area home. (--Mark is 45.) --The coroner ruled Daniel's death a homicide, and Mark is expected to be charged with manslaughter. --Nancy and her mother refuse to blame Mark for Daniel's death, and have vowed to help him fight the charges.
BILL CLINTON BLAMES HIS HEART HEALTH ON FRIED FOOD AND ICE CREAM:
BILL CLINTON is home recuperating from his latest heart scare. And he's using himself as a lesson to others on the dangers of a poor diet. --He says, quote, "I'm very, very lucky that I didn't have a much worse set of circumstances. --"The root causes were the habits I acquired in my childhood, mostly the way I ate and the way it interacted with my own biology and propensity to produce bad cholesterol. --"I ate too much fried food, too much ice cream, too much everything." --He added, quote, "Many, many young people are facing exactly the same circumstances I did unless they change their eating and exercise habits. They may or may not be as lucky as I was."
JAMES CAMERON SAYS "AVATAR" IS HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT:
When JAMES CAMERON directs a movie, it can never just be a movie. It HAS to be something earth-shatteringly important. --Take "Avatar", for instance. It's so much more than entertainment. In Cameron's mind, it's an ENVIRONMENTAL CALL TO ACTION. --He says, quote, "When [Fox execs] read it, they sort of said, 'Can we take some of this tree-hugging, 'FernGully' crap out of this movie?' And I said, 'No, because that's why I'm making the film.' --"If you're tuned in to what's happening in 'Avatar', you start to feel a sense of moral outrage when you see the tree fall [destroying the Na'vi's home], and it's a compassionate response for these people. --"Then you feel a sense of uplift at the end as good vanquishes evil. If you put those two things together, it actually creates a ripe emotional matrix for people to want to do something about it. --"We're getting a tremendous amount of feedback from environmental groups, from people with specific causes. --"Whether it's indigenous people being displaced by companies to do mining or to do oil drilling, or if it's environmental groups saying, 'Let's do some curriculum around 'Avatar'.'"
THE LATE CAPTAIN PHIL HARRIS *WILL* BE FEATURED ON THE UPCOMING SEASON OF "DEADLIEST CATCH":
The late CAPTAIN PHIL HARRIS . . . who passed away last week . . . will still be featured on the upcoming season of his Discovery Channel series "Deadliest Catch". (--He died of complications from a stroke he suffered on January 29th.) --Executive producer Thom Beers tells "Entertainment Weekly" that they had finished filming the entire sixth season prior to Harris' stroke. --He adds that Captain Harris and his family DID allow their cameras to roll after the stroke . . . but no decision has been made on whether or not to air that footage. --He says, quote, "We were there the entire time. We were there in the hospital. When he came out [of a medically induced coma], he was trying to talk. He couldn't, but he was motioning with his hand to my producer and cameraman. --"We said, 'We want to give you your space and get out,' and he wrote on a piece of paper. It said, 'No, we need a great finish to this story.' He's just got out of a coma, and he's producing!" --Obviously, producers will leave it up to Harris' family as to whether or not to air the post-stroke stuff. The sixth season will premiere in April.
JON GOSSELIN AND TLC HAVE SETTLED THEIR DIFFERENCES:
JON GOSSELIN and TLC have settled their legal issues. (--TLC filed a breach of contract suit against Jon, for making money off unauthorized interviews and TV appearances. Jon countersued claming TLC ruined his "reputation.") --The network has released this statement: "TLC has reached a settlement with Jon Gosselin and will be undertaking procedural steps to conclude the litigation. --"All terms of the settlement are confidential. The whole Gosselin family remain under contract with TLC." --This deal means that KATE GOSSELIN is clear to do her spin-off reality show . . . and it could also pave the way for Jon to appear in something on TLC as well. There are no further details, and neither Jon nor Kate have commented.
SELENA GOMEZ SAYS MILEY CYRUS IS READY TO MOVE ON:
A while back, MILEY CYRUS announced that the upcoming fourth season of "Hannah Montana" would be her last. And if you were wondering if Miley was ready to adjust to life without the show . . . (???) . . . SELENA GOMEZ wants to reassure you. --She says, quote, "I think that [Miley is] growing with the show, and I think it's such a great platform for her. And she's lived up to it as wonderfully as she could, and I think she continues to carry it, but she's ready for other things."
#1.) JAY LENO'S bandleader (slash) sidekick KEVIN EUBANKS may not be leaving "The Tonight Show" permanently . . . just taking a reduced role. --He posted a Twitter message saying, quote, "I'll still be around on the show . . . but less as of now. I'll tweet when a definite plan is set." (--Yesterday, NBC confirmed that Kevin told them he wanted to, quote, "pursue personal touring and recording opportunities." NBC also said he'd be there when the "Tonight Show" returned on March 1st. But that's all we know for now.)
#2.) "Lost" executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse tell "Entertainment Weekly" that MAGGIE GRACE . . . who played Shannon . . . will be back on the show later this season. It's unclear how many episodes she'll appear in. --Cuse says they have a, quote, "good story" for her . . . but, naturally, wouldn't give any other details. Maggie was an original and regular cast member until Season Two, when Shannon was killed off. (--Shannon died in Sayid's arms after she was accidentally shot by Ana Lucia, who was played by MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ. Ana had mistaken Shannon for one of The Others.)
DIDDY SAYS HE'S HIP-HOP'S FIRST WEALTHY SHOW-OFF:
In a British radio interview . . . (--with Tim Westwood) . . . DIDDY bragged about being hip-hop's first wealthy show-off, and claimed that everyone else is copping his style. --He said, quote, "There's a lot of people that have emulated my style. And that's a positive thing, you're supposed to inspire people. But there's also a lot of cats that emulate the style and they not even really connecting in their head who they got it from. --"Anything they're doing right now as far as in the game, I started the jets, I started the yachts, I started owning the companies, I started the liquor, I started getting money, I started hiring us, empowering us . . . --"I started the whole vote campaign, anything that wasn't cool, anything that wasn't traveling, artists traveling overseas, getting that up, I mean, that's what I do, my style and my flavor and my swag is really unstoppable and second to none. --"I'm definitely one of the baddest mother(effers) to ever touch the face of the Earth."
NAZZY'S RANDOM STUFF
A GUY CALLED 911 TEN TIMES AND *STILL* DIED, BECAUSE PARAMEDICS WOULDN'T WALK THROUGH THE SNOW TO GET HIM:
The city of Pittsburgh has had an insane amount of snow this month, and it's causing all kinds of problems around the city. Just ask Sharon Edge, who lives in a suburb called Hazelwood. --On Friday, Sharon's fiancé, 50-year-old Curtis Mitchell, called 911 when he felt pain in his abdomen. But when the ambulance showed up, there was too much snow on the road to reach Curtis' house. --So rescue workers parked three blocks away and told Curtis to come to them . . . which he physically couldn't do. Eventually, they left without helping Curtis at all. But it doesn't end there . . .--Over the next three days, Sharon and Curtis called 911 NINE MORE TIMES, and emergency vehicles were sent to their house TWO MORE TIMES. --But each time, the EMTs said they couldn't get to Curtis because the ground was covered by 15 inches of snow. And each time they drove off without helping him. --In fact, at one point a medic even told the 911 dispatcher that if Curtis wanted help, quote, "he is just going to have to come down to the truck." --Finally, on Sunday morning . . . 30 HOURS after their first call to 911 . . . an emergency crew managed to make it to Sharon and Curtis' house. But by the time they got there, Curtis was already DEAD. --Sharon says, quote, "I sat up here with him, watching him die. They didn't do their jobs like they were supposed to . . . I'm very angry, I'm mad, I'm frustrated . . . --"He didn't have to die. And the way he died, he was in pain, a lot of pain, and he shouldn't have had to die like that. When you pass away, you [are] supposed to go in peace, and I don't think my man went in peace." --For the record, Pittsburgh's Public Safety Director says that what happened to Curtis is, quote, "unacceptable . . . You get out of the damn truck and walk to the residence . . . That's what needed to happen here." --It's not clear whether anyone will be punished because of the incident. It's also not clear exactly what caused Curtis' death. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette / KDKA News 2 - Pittsburgh)
ONE IN FIVE WOMEN THINK THEIR GIRLFRIEND IS FAT . . . BUT WOULD NEVER TELL THEM:
Just when it seems like women couldn't possibly treat each other any WORSE than they already do, we hear something like THIS . . . -According to a new survey in the UK, ONE in FIVE women secretly thinks her best friend is overweight . . . but would NEVER tell her. --And of the ONE in FOUR women who actually HAVE mustered up the courage to talk to their friend about her weight, 12% say she went, quote, "mental," while ONE in FIVE say it ended their friendship. (???) (Daily Express)
24% OF BRITISH PEOPLE WASH THEIR SHEETS JUST THREE TIMES A YEAR:
This survey took place in the UK, and we're not sure if the results would be similar here. But if they are, it's kind of gross . . . --According to a new survey, nearly ONE in FOUR British people . . . or 24% overall . . . wash their sheets just THREE times a year. --If you're wondering, you should wash your sheets in hot water at LEAST once a month. And ideally, you should wash them once a week. That way you'll avoid a build-up of dead skin cells, and the dust mites that feed on them. Nasty, but true. (Daily Telegraph / eHow)
THE WHITE HOUSE IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO MANAGE PRESIDENT OBAMA'S TWITTER ACCOUNT:
Earlier this week, the White House sent out a job posting for someone to become PRESIDENT OBAMA'S new social networks manager. --In other words, the White House wants someone to manage the president's Facebook and Twitter accounts. --According to the listing, some of the job qualifications are: --Excellent writing and editing skills with strong attention to detail. --Strong familiarity with social networks. --The ability to work hard and under deadline pressure. --Passion for engaging Americans in, quote, "advancing President Obama's agenda and changing the country." --And job candidates also must to be willing to relocate to Washington, D.C.
(--You can fill out the online application here . . .) http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/socnetsmanager
(AOL Jobs)
THE FIRST AMENDMENT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR TEACHERS ON FACEBOOK:
This is just a heads-up to let all you students know that you can complain about your teachers as much as you want on Facebook and Twitter. And there's nothing your school can do about it. Here's why . . . --In 2007, Katie Evans was a senior at Pembroke Pines Charter High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida (--about 20 miles north of Miami). --Katie had a teacher who she hated, so she created a Facebook page where she would vent her frustration. --But when the principal found out about the page, he removed Katie from her advanced placement classes and suspended her for three days. --So Katie filed a lawsuit claiming the school violated her First Amendment right to free speech. And on Friday, a judge ruled in Katie's favor. --According to the ruling, Katie's Facebook page, quote, "falls under the wide umbrella of protected speech. It was an opinion of a student about a teacher that was published off-campus, did not cause any disruption on-campus, and was not lewd, vulgar, threatening, or advocating illegal or dangerous behavior. --"In short, the potential spark of disruption had sputtered out, and all that remained was the opportunity to punish." In other words, it's your Constitutional right to make fun of your teachers on Facebook. (Miami Herald)
A NEW BILL IN VIRGINIA WOULD ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY TO USE CARPOOL LANES EVEN IF THEY'RE DRIVING ALONE:
I'll agree that members of the U.S. military should have certain perks. After all, it's their job to defend our country. But I really don't understand how THIS has anything to do with it . . . --Recently, a Republican named Chris Stolle introduced a bill in Virginia that would allow members of the military to use the CARPOOL LANE on their way to work, even if there's no one else in the car with them. --Chris says, quote, "If we can get some active duty military off the three-lanes and into those HOV lanes, it's going to make a lot less traffic congestion for everybody. Everybody benefits from that, not just the military." (???)--The bill still has to be approved in the Virginia state senate, but the general thinking is that it's a shoo-in. (--For the record, there are 22 active military installations in Virginia . . . including Quantico Marine Base, the Norfolk Naval Station, Langley Air Force Base, seven Army posts, and The Pentagon.)
(WVEC News 13 - Hampton Roads)
A WOMAN SOLD HER SON'S OLD NINTENDO ON EBAY FOR $13,105:
If you still have some old toys lying around, it might be worth your while to look at what you've got in the attic or basement. Here's why . . . --Recently, an unidentified woman put her son's old Nintendo up for sale on eBay, along with five original games:
--"Major League Baseball"
--"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2"
--"Super Mario 3"
--"Super Mario Brothers / Duck Hunt"
--And an extremely rare game called "Family & Fitness: Stadium Events", which was originally marketed for something called the Family Fun Fitness pad, a precursor to the Power pad. --Not only was the woman able to sell the old Nintendo, she managed to scam some geek out of $13,105 because the "Stadium Events" game is that rare. (Boing Boing)
NAZZY’S SILLY VIDEOS OF THE DAY
#1.) A couple British news anchors thought the Ash Wednesday mark on JOE BIDEN'S forehead was a bruise, and joked that maybe he messed around on the luge at the Olympics. (--They mention it at :27, and apologize at 3:06.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLeJMoS-_Jo
(Search Terms: Kay Burley Joe Biden Sky News Ash Wednesday)
#2.) This bus driver in Taiwan apparently fell asleep at the wheel, and by the time he woke up, he'd crashed into at least ten cars. (--It shows it from two other angles at :29 and :59.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UReNC4opOA (Search Terms: Taiwan bus crash video)
FOUR HEALTH PROBLEMS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE:
Apparently, some illnesses travel in pairs. Doctors don't know much about WHY it happens, they just know that people who have one condition often have the other. --So according to Prevention.com, here are four health problems you should never ignore, because they might be a sign you have something even worse . . .
#1.) MIGRAINES. If you have one every few months, you're 50% more likely to have a heart attack. And if you have at least one migraine a week, you're three times more likely to have a stroke.
#2.) HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. According to a ten-year study by Harvard Medical School, if your blood pressure is constantly high, you're twice as likely to develop diabetes, regardless of how much you weigh. -But you can reduce your risk by getting more exercise, losing weight, eating less salt, and quitting smoking.
#3.) PSORIASIS. The rough, itchy patches of skin are uncomfortable, but according to a five-year study of 500,000 people, they might also increase your heart attack risk. It all depends on how bad your psoriasis is. If it's severe, your risk is doubled. --They're not sure WHY it happens yet. But they think your arteries might get inflamed when your body tries to fight off the disease.
#4.) ASTHMA. Studies show a strong connection between asthma and psychological problems like depression and anxiety. Researchers think one can lead to the other. --If you have breathing problems, it can cause anxiety. And if you have anxiety, it can cause breathing problems. So if you think you have either, ask your doctor about both.
Apparently, some illnesses travel in pairs. Doctors don't know much about WHY it happens, they just know that people who have one condition often have the other. --So according to Prevention.com, here are four health problems you should never ignore, because they might be a sign you have something even worse . . .
#1.) MIGRAINES. If you have one every few months, you're 50% more likely to have a heart attack. And if you have at least one migraine a week, you're three times more likely to have a stroke.
#2.) HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. According to a ten-year study by Harvard Medical School, if your blood pressure is constantly high, you're twice as likely to develop diabetes, regardless of how much you weigh. -But you can reduce your risk by getting more exercise, losing weight, eating less salt, and quitting smoking.
#3.) PSORIASIS. The rough, itchy patches of skin are uncomfortable, but according to a five-year study of 500,000 people, they might also increase your heart attack risk. It all depends on how bad your psoriasis is. If it's severe, your risk is doubled. --They're not sure WHY it happens yet. But they think your arteries might get inflamed when your body tries to fight off the disease.
#4.) ASTHMA. Studies show a strong connection between asthma and psychological problems like depression and anxiety. Researchers think one can lead to the other. --If you have breathing problems, it can cause anxiety. And if you have anxiety, it can cause breathing problems. So if you think you have either, ask your doctor about both.
posted by Nazzy @ 6:22 AM
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