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"Hollywood Wheel Of Knowledge"..... Fun game

Grantz — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:51:55 -0800

Hollywood Wheel of Knowledge. The way this game works is each person guesses a letter. The former winner posts yes or no, until the Movie Title, Actor, or famous phrase from a movie is guessed. Each player can only guess one letter per day. But can guess the Answer as many times as they like. The correct guesser starts the new phrase, name or title. Ok, we'll get started.

A Movie

"__ __ __" .......... "__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __"

A--B--C--D--E--F--G--H--I--J--K--L--M--N--O--P--Q--R--S--T--U--V--W--X--Y--Z

The So-called International Community

samantha999 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:30:06 -0800

The So-called International Community

By Mona Charen

Just for a lark, I decided to google "international condemnations of Hamas" this morning. You can guess what came up, right? Naturally, searching for condemnations of Hamas, one finds only international condemnations of Israel. An Australian report noted that the "British Foreign Secretary David Miliband is calling for an urgent ceasefire, while Russia's Foreign Minister says he's told his Israeli counterpart to urgently halt the military action." The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, "strongly condemned Israel's disproportionate use of force," as did Brazil. Indonesia called on all countries to "sever all forms of diplomatic and business ties with Israel." French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who currently holds the rotating chair of the European Union, did call upon Hamas to halt its rocket attacks but also censured Israel's "disproportionate response."

Let's fantasize. Let's pretend that the "international community" (it's not a community, thus the quotation marks) actually lived by the principles it claims to advance. It happens that international communiteer par excellence, Jimmy Carter, (he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts") was in Syria on Dec. 14, meeting with Hamas leaders. Nobel laureate Carter was silent when Hamas announced its decision to allow an Egyptian brokered ceasefire with Israel to expire. Nor did he — or any international leader — comment upon the 4,000 rockets that Hamas has rained down on Israel just since 2005.

Hamas held an anniversary party of sorts during the time of Carter's visit. Marking the 21st anniversary of the organization's founding, Hamas staged a large demonstration in Gaza City that featured video connections to Damascus (where Carter was meeting with Khaled Meshaal). Ismail Haniyeh addressed the crowd of 300,000, promising more terror and violence toward Israel in the name of Allah. There was also a skit. A Palestinian dressed as Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier who was kidnapped and has been held by Hamas since 2006, was portrayed pleading for his life. "I miss my Mommy and Daddy," he sobbed into a microphone for the crowd's delectation. Search in vain for international condemnations.

The so-called international community has a script already prepared for any news from the Middle East. In this script, there is only Israeli violence, Israeli repression, Israeli guilt. The script reads as follows: Palestinian violence and terror against Israel is not to be condemned because it is the response to occupation and repression. On BBC radio, host Owen Bennett-Jones objected when Israel's ambassador to Great Britain pointed out that Hamas has been bombarding southern Israel with rockets on a daily basis. "But your analysis is seen by people around the world to be completely wrong-headed. The idea that Hamas sort of came from nowhere and radicalized Palestinian society overlooks the fact that Israel occupied and repressed these people for over 40 years."

In 2005, perhaps accepting Bennett-Jones's interpretation of history, Israel pulled out of Gaza completely, uprooting all of the Jewish settlers, and leaving the area completely to the Palestinians to administer. Rather than build a society of their own, Hamas, which controls Gaza — the Palestinian Authority controls the West Bank — has used its independence to launch a ceaseless barrage of missiles against Israel.

It's often pointed out that Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist. It's more than that. Hamas, with Iran's backing, is committed to Israel's violent destruction. Missiles have fallen on schools and homes. Hamas is explicit about desiring Israeli counterattacks, because while Hamas aims to kill Israeli civilians, they know that Israel tries very hard not to kill Palestinian civilians. But every Palestinian death at the hands of Israel is seen as a propaganda victory for Hamas — which is why they place their munitions and terrorists in mosques, hospitals, and homes crowded with children. Hamas representative Fathi Hamad stated it explicitly: "For the Palestinian people death became an industry, at which women excel and so do all people on this land: the elderly excel, the Jihad fighters excel, and the children excel. Accordingly (Palestinians) created a human shield of women, children, the elderly and the Jihad fighters against the Zionist bombing machine, as if they were saying to the Zionist enemy: We desire death as you desire life."

It's impossible for Israel to hit back at Hamas without harming and killing innocent civilians. As Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu has pointed out, by aiming at Israeli civilians and using Palestinian civilians as human shields, Hamas is committing a double war crime.

But you will wait in vain for an international outcry.

Favorite Product Find(s) of '08

scully — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:33:12 -0800

With the ending of 2008 upon us, it got me thinking...what has been my favorite product(s) finds this year? I've compiled a list and would love to share:

Clarisonic - I can hear my skin thanking me for this
Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner
Bath Body Works Creamy Body Wash in Dancing Waters - love the clean fresh smell!
MAC Prep & Prime - it really has helped my oil slick situation
MAC Studio Fix Foundation
Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
Smashbox Eye Shadows - why did I wait so long to try?
Stila Smudgepot Liners
Clean and Clear Invisible Blemish Treatment - works like a charm every time!
Bobbi Brown Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Raspberry
DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask - I just received this for Christmas but I can tell we'll be friends forever
Eucerin Aquaphor

What about you? What have you found in 2008? I'd love to hear about it.....

The power of thoughts

lazybones101 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:59:10 -0800

I listen to a radio program called "Get Real Girls" Their webpage features a Get Real Girl of the week. This week is was a woman named Ann. Ann wrote the information below. It blew me away to realize the power of our thoughts. I wanted to share it with you. I am going to do my own test as Ann descibes. I am excited to see if I get the same results. I would love it if you did the experiment too. The results would certainly result in a fascinating discussion.

My awareness of the importance of Love and Gratitude was inspired after watching "What the Bleep Do We Know!?®". In this film, I was introduced to the work of Masaru Emoto and his book “The Hidden Messages in Water”. His message, in his words, "we must pay respect to water, and feel love and gratitude, and receive vibrations with a positive attitude. Then, water changes, you change, and I change. Because both you and I are water."

In Dr. Emoto's important studies he secured water samples from around the world. He placed the samples in bottles and subjected the water samples to positive words, visuals and music. When these samples were frozen and then thawed, Dr. Emoto's scientists took photos and these samples and the photos showed beautiful hexagonal images. He also subjected bottles of water from the same sources to negative words, visuals and music. These samples were also frozen and as they thawed photos were also taken of these images and these images were ugly, dark, unsightly blobs.

I was encouraged to conduct my own test, with cooked rice which proved “proof positive” and was the inspiration for Lovitude. The experiment started on April 15, 2005 through May 15, 2005. I took four cups of cooked rice and put two cups in one plastic covered container where I wrote Love, Thank You, Lovitude® and the Lovitude® symbol on this container.

I took the other two cups of cooked rice and put them into another plastic container and I didn't write anything on that container.

From April to May I greeted the rice with the positive words on it each day with my positive energy. I disrespected, "dissed", the rice with no messages. After one month the rice that I greeted with positive energy remained white, and it remains so today. The rice that I had dissed was black and molded and it remains so today.

"If your thoughts can do this to rice/water just think of what they can do to you and others around you". I know what negative thought energy can do to us.

Tips for sticking with New Year's resolutions

lazybones101 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:36:57 -0800

New Years is here. If you are like me you are wondering if you should even bother with New Year's resolutions. But hey, we can't give up on improving ourselves right?

How to stick to your New Year’s resolutions – 12 tips.
Taken from The Happiness Project Newsletter.

It’s almost New Year’s Eve, and that means it’s the season for resolutions. I’ve always been part of the 44% of Americans who make (and also break) New Year’s resolutions; I’m a big believer in the power of small changes to make us happier.

Along the way, and especially since I started my resolutions-based happiness project, I’ve hit on some strategies for helping myself stick to resolutions.

1. Be specific. Don’t resolve to “Make more friends” or “Strengthen friendships”; that’s too vague. To make more friends as part of my happiness project, I have several very concrete resolutions like: “Start a group,” “Remember birthdays,” “Say hello,” “Make plans,” “Show up,” and “No gossip.”

2. Write it down.

3. Review your resolution constantly. If your resolution is buzzing through your head, it’s easier to stick to it. I review my Resolutions Chart every night.

4. Hold yourself accountable. Tell other people about your resolution, join or form a like-minded group, score yourself on a chart (my method) -- whatever works for you to make yourself feel accountable for success and failure.

5. Think big. Maybe you need a big change, a big adventure – a trip to a foreign place, a break-up, a move, a new job. Let yourself imagine anything, and plan from there.

6. Think small. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that only radical change can make a difference. Just keeping your fridge cleared out could give you a real boost. Look close to home for ways to improve and grow.

7. Ask for help. Why is this so hard? But every time I ask for help, I’m amazed at how much easier my task becomes.

If you have an especially tough time keeping resolutions, if you have a pattern of making and breaking them, try these strategies:

8. Consider making only pleasant resolutions. We can make our lives happier in many ways. If you’ve been trying the boot-camp approach with no success, try resolving to “Go to more movies,” “Entertain more often,” or whatever resolutions you’d find fun to keep. Often, having more fun in our lives makes it easier to do tough things. Seeing more movies might make it easier to keep going to the gym.

9. Consider giving up a resolution. If you keep making and breaking a resolution, consider whether you should relinquish it entirely. Put your energy toward changes that are both realistic and helpful. Don't let an unfulfilled resolution to lose twenty pounds or to overhaul your overgrown yard block you from making other, smaller resolutions that might give you a big happiness boost.

10. Keep your resolution every day. Weirdly, it’s often easier to do something every day (exercise, post to a blog, deal with the mail, do laundry) than every few days.

11. Set a deadline.

12. Don’t give up if something interferes with your deadline.

13. “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” Thank you, Voltaire. Instead of starting your new exercise routine by training for the marathon, aim for a 20-minute walk each day. Instead of cleaning out the attic, tackle one bureau drawer. If you break your resolution today, try again tomorrow.

Take the TeamSugar Reader Survey!

TeamSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:19:49 -0800

Hey TeamSugar members, we would like to get each and everyone of you involved! We want to make sure that you are getting the most out of the TeamSugar community and the Sugar Network.

We would like to invite you to participate in our quick and painless 2008 Sugar reader survey. We aim to please, so give us the scoop on your likes, favorite features, where you spend your time online and even things you may dislike. By sharing your feedback, we'll be able to make sure your Sugar experience is the very best!

Show how much you care about TeamSugar by taking just a couple of minutes to fill it out. Click here to begin the survey!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDY!

jezrel — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:09:27 -0800

The 3rd of January is really a special occasion because it's all about a very special lady. She is amazing and lovely, gracious and kind-hearted. She looks lovely all the time, always dressed up, and impeccably, in a complete outfit perfectly accessorized!

For all that you have accomplished in life, for all that you are, for your great sense of fashion, and for the ways in which you continue to inspire us, make this birthday your happiest. And have many more, all of them in the best of health.

Happy birthday Sandy! You have our love and our admiration forever!

'Indulgent' parents fuelling bad behaviour in classroom

Lainetm — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:14:40 -0800

** Public Post **

From the Telegraph

Behaviour among schoolchildren is deteriorating as "over-indulgent" parents create a culture of disrespect, according to a study.

By Graeme Paton, Education Editor
Last Updated: 1:25PM GMT 29 Dec 2008

Some children grow up believing they are "irreproachable" because families are preoccupied with their rights rather than responsibilities, it is claimed.

Almost two thirds of teachers said behaviour among primary school pupils had worsened in recent years.

One in five face physical aggression - including hitting, kicking, spitting and destroying property - at least once a week.

Teachers said poor parenting and a "general lack of respect" for authority figures were the two main reasons for declining behaviour among five to 11-year-olds.

The findings - in a study by Channel 4's Dispatches and the NASUWT teachers' union - come just weeks after it emerged more than 4,000 children aged five and under were suspended from school last year.

In today's study, some teachers told how they were confronted by "screaming and shouting" mothers and fathers after attempting to discipline their child.

One said: "It is guaranteed that once a child is reprimanded we will have an irate parent banging on the door the next day demanding to know why and insisting that their child is not to blame."

Another told researchers: "It does come to the point where certain children get away with appalling behaviour just because we don't want the hassle of dealing with certain parents."

One teacher said most problems stemmed from "hugely over-indulged children who think they are the only person in the class".

Some 2,242 members of the NASUWT were surveyed about standards of behaviour in UK primary schools.

The results were analysed by Dr Chris Derrington, senior lecturer in education at Northampton University, for a Dispatches programme shown on Monday, January 5(NOTE: MUST LEAVE THIS IN).

Almost half of teachers said low level disruption occurred daily. This included inappropriate talking, calling out, disturbing others, children jumping out of seats and pupils having difficulty following instructions.

Two-thirds said standards had worsened over the course of their career. Teachers with more than 20 years' experience were most likely to report "significantly more challenging behaviour" now.

The study blamed increasing severity of bad behaviour among a minority of pupils - rather than deteriorating standards among all children.

Some teachers blamed a rise in the number of pupils with diagnosed behavioural problems now being educated in ordinary schools instead of special needs units.

Four in 10 said poor parenting or a lack of respect towards authority was to blame.

"Comments support a popular notion that parents and society have become over child-centred and preoccupied with 'rights' rather than responsibilities," said the report. "There is a view that some children believe they are irreproachable as a result. The two most common attributions are therefore linked as many teachers blame parents for acting as bad role models in the way they interact with teachers and other forms of authority.

"Other respondents alluded to the notion of wider, societal influences such as negative role models in the media, which were felt to fuel a culture of disrespect."

Some teachers said children started school aged five unprepared for formal education.

"Difficulty in following instructions was often linked by respondents to poor listening skills and short attention span," said the report. "Several teachers made reference to the fact that pupils in the early years arrive at school with very poor social skills."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/4014598/Indulgent-par...

Favorite Online Recipe Site?

Lainetm — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:14:38 -0800

I've been trying to dig up a few new recipes, to vary my old standbys.
I like Allrecipes.com, because they have a good, broad selection, user reviews and comments, and you can save the recipes to your "recipe box" (if you register, which is free). I've never gotten any spam from the site. You can also print them in any of three formats: full page, 3 x 5 card, or 4 x 6 card.

I occasionally browse the Food Network site, too. Very rarely, epicurious.com.

Anyone else have a favorite online recipe or menu planning resource?

Why our country is in trouble

lazybones101 — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:00:51 -0800

A DC airport ticket agent offers some examples of 'why' our country is in trouble!

1. I had a New Hampshire Congresswoman ask for an aisle seat so that her hair wouldn't get messed up by being near the window. (On an airplane!)

2. I got a call from a candidate's staffer, who wanted to go to
Capetown. I started to explain the length of the flight and the
passport information, and then she interrupted me with, ''I'm not
trying to make you look stupid, but Capetown is in Massachusetts .''

Without trying to make her look stupid, I calmly explained, ''Cape Cod is in Massachusetts, Capetown is in Africa ''

Her response -- click.

3. A senior Vermont Congressman called, furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando.

He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that's not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state.

He replied, 'don't lie to me, I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state!'' (OMG)

4. I got a call from a lawmaker's wife who asked, ''Is it possible to
see England from Canada ?''

I said, ''No.''

She said, ''But they look so close on the map.'' (OMG, again!)

5. An aide for a cabinet member once called and asked if he could rent a car in Dallas.When I pulled up the reservation, I noticed he had only a 1-hour layover in Dallas.
When I asked him why he wanted to rent a car, he said, ''I heard Dallas was a big airport, and we will need a car to drive between gates to save time.'' (Aghhhh)

6. An Illinois Congresswoman called last week. She needed to know howit was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:30 a.m., and got to Chicago at 8:33 a.m.I explained that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois, but she couldn't understand the concept of time zones. Finally, I told her the plane went fast, and she bought that.

7. A New York lawmaker called and asked, ''Do airlines put your
physical description on your bag so they know whose luggage belongs to whom?'' I said, 'No, why do you ask?'

She replied, ''Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said (FAT), and I'm overweight. I think that's very rude!''After putting her on hold for a minute, while I looked into it. (I was dying laughing). I came back and explained the city code for Fresno, Ca. is (FAT - Fresno Air Terminal), and the airline was just putting a destination tag on her luggage.

8. A Senator's aide called to inquire about a trip package to Hawaii. After going over all the cost info, she asked, ''Would it be cheaper to fly to California and then take the train to Hawaii?''

9. I just got off the phone with a freshman Congressman who asked, ''How do I know which plane to get on?'' I asked him what exactly he meant, to which he replied, ''I was told my
flight number is 823, but none of these planes have numbers on them.''

10. A lady Senator called and said, ''I need to fly to Pepsi-Cola,
Florida. Do I have to get on one of those little computer planes?''
I asked if she meant fly to Pensacola, FL on a commuter plane.
She said, ''Yeah, whatever, smarty!''

11. A senior Senator called and had a question about the documents he needed in order to fly to China. After a lengthy discussion about passports, I reminded him that he needed a visa. 'Oh, no I don't. I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those.'' I double checked and sure enough, his stay required a visa.

When I told him this he said, ''Look, I've been to China four times.
and every time they have accepted my American Express!''

12. A New Mexico Congresswoman called to make reservations, ''I want to go from Chicago to Rhino, New York .'' I was at a loss for words. Finally, I said, ''Are you sure that's the name of the town?'' '

'Yes, what flights do you have?'' replied the lady. After some
searching, I came back with, ''I'm sorry, ma'am,I've looked up every airport code in the country and can't find a rhino anywhere.'
''The lady retorted, ''Oh, don't be silly! Everyone knows where it is.
Check your map!''

So I scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, ''You don't mean Buffalo, do you?''
The reply? ''Whatever! I knew it was a big animal.''

Now you know why the Government is in the shape that it's in!

Could anyone be this DUMB?

YES, THEY WALK AMONG US, ARE IN POLITICS, AND THEY CONTINUE TO BREED

My first post

QueenMargot — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:21:33 -0800

As I didn't want to bother my friends, I didn't sent an invitation to this group. But as I think some of us sometimes need to be accepted or even admired by other people, so I decided you can be part of this.

This is only a group to tell nice and sweet things about all of us, so if you are going to be rude, please stay away from here.

I'm home alone, and I was wondering what happened to some very dear friends who are not here anymore or almost never log in: Aurora, Cocca, mocelebgossisme, ishop2much, ohohmommio,
krEnElk, fashion_addict.

Does anyone of you know anything about them?

Water bottles cause wrinkles (around the mouth)

CCee — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:51:05 -0800

Hey ladies,

I saw this and I had to tell you guys, it's not too late to make it your new years resolution to stop drinking from a water bottle.

Did you know? Will you change your hydration habits?

2009 Beauty Resolutions?

sofi — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 11:26:31 -0800

So how about some beauty resolutions from all the BPJs out there? It doesn't matter if it is big or small, but do tell what you are going to do/try differently in 2009 in regards to your beauty regimen?

For me, I think I finally have to jump on the mineral makeup bandwagon and see what all the fuss is about. I know I am missing out on something, and I think part of me was afraid of falling and all the cash I'd have to spend on my new obsession-lol!

Is this what it takes to be popular?

Brendelwoman — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:05:15 -0800

PUBLIC

"Michelle Obama's 7 Secrets of a Sexy Marriage" is one of the articles featured on the December or January cover issue of Women's Health. I don't understand it and feel like it jumps the line into inappropriate. We live in a country that worships celebrities so much that we have to make our politicians sexy and hip in order for them to be likable. How about smart and right for the job? I think we have other things to focus on in this country besides the Obama's sexy marriage. It's also just too much information about this couple that is supposed to be leading our country in just a couple weeks. Ew.

I have not bothered to read the full article itself because I find it so WRONG. I suppose there are millions waiting for these secrets but for me I think it further illustrates the problems with journalism. Have you read the article? Tell me what you think - good or bad.

How long does it take you to put on your make-up?

misfitgirl — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:38:48 -0800

I think many of us have read/heard that your make-up should only take 10 minutes in the morning. I am reminded of this because I was flipping through the Jan. issue of InStyle and saw a quote from Bobbi Brown that said your eyes should take you 3 minutes tops, 5 minutes for an evening look.
I've got to admit, I take longer than the experts advise. Probably 20 minutes on a weekday (it's kind of hard to say, I'm always doing 17 things at once in the morning) and I'd say up to an hour if I really want to do something special (rare, haha). How do you ladies fare?

Russian gas disruption spreads across Europe

ccpdm — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:24:42 -0800

By Christian Lowe Jan. 6, 2009

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia sharply cut gas flows to Europe via Ukraine on Tuesday in a dramatic worsening of a pricing dispute with Kiev that threatened to disrupt supplies as far west as Italy and Germany.

The escalation in the price dispute and severe cold weather drove the British gas market, Europe's biggest and most liquid, to its highest level since October.

Officials from the Eruropean Union, which is dependent on Russia for a quarter of its gas, met both sides in the dispute on Tuesday and the bloc urges them to find a solution this week.

The Czech Republic, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said it was considering the "extreme option" of a three-way EU-Russia-Ukraine summit.

"The only solution is to get straight to the negotiating table," Czech Industry Minister Martin Riman said after talks with Alexander Medvedev, the deputy CEO of Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom.

"The Russian side... is ready for this step. We are too and I expect the Ukranian side, after the talks in Kiev, is also ready," said Riman after meeting Medvedev in Berlin. Earlier in the day he met Ukrainian officials in Kiev.

The head of Ukraine's state energy firm said he would fly to Moscow on Thursday.

Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the crises, which has struck at the height of the European winter and spread alarm across the continent.

EU members Austria and Romania said deliveries were down 90 percent and 75 percent respectively, and German energy firms said there could be gas shortages in Europe's biggest economy if the dispute dragged on and sub-zero temperatures persisted.

"Even our possibilities will reach their limits if these drastic cuts in shipments last and if temperatures continue to stay at very low levels," E.ON Ruhrgas Chief Executive Bernhard Reutersberg said.

Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Macedonia, Greece and Croatia said Russian gas flows via Ukraine had halted, creating what Bulgaria called a "crisis situation" in the middle of winter.

An Italian source close to the matter said Gazprom would only be able to guarantee less than 20 percent of the expected gas supplies to Italy on Tuesday, and the industry ministry said Rome planned to increase gas imports from alternative suppliers.

France said supplies had plunged 70 percent although its economy is less vulnerable than Germany and Italy as 80 percent of its electricity is produced by nuclear energy.

BLAME GAME

Day-ahead baseload gas touched a session high of 73 pence on the dispute and by late trade was 7.75 pence, or 12.76 percent higher, on the day at 68.50 pence per therm.

Gazprom said it supplied 65 million cubic meters (mcm) to Europe on Tuesday through ex-Soviet neighbor Ukraine, a fall of 78 percent from the 300 mcm it had been shipping since the dispute erupted on January 1.

"According to the latest information, Ukraine is stealing about 15 percent of the gas that moves to the Russian-Ukraine border," Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller told Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin.

Gazprom had previously accused Ukraine of shutting down three Russian export pipelines early on Tuesday and said it was a hostage of Kiev's "irresponsible behavior." It said it would try to use alterntive delivery routes to avoid a crisis.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said Moscow would continue cutting gas supplies to Europe or stop them altogether and the government ordered regional utilities to start using fuel oil instead of gas.

Neighboring Slovakia will declare a state of emergency, Czech news agency CTK reported. Poland cut gas supplies to industrial clients, while Serbia and Bosnia said Russian supplies had completely stopped.

JAN. 1 CUT

The dispute threatens to worsen Russia's ties with the West, already fraught after its war with Georgia last year.

Europe's heavy dependence on Russian energy - and vulnerability to supply disruption - was highlighted when Moscow reduced volumes to Ukraine on New Year's Day after failing to reach agreement with Kiev over gas prices.

But most bigger EU countries say they have large amounts of gas stockpiled after several mild winters and have access to supplies from sources such as Norway and Algeria.

"If there are significant drops in supplies to the European Union, the key question is whether it goes on for a very long time. But it would have to go on for weeks or months for serious problems to arise for Western European customers," said Simon Blakey, director of European research at Cambridge Energy Research Associates.

Russia and Ukraine have clashed repeatedly on a range of other issues, particularly the ambition of Ukraine's pro-Western leaders to join NATO.

The disruption comes at a bad time for Europe, which is experiencing a cold snap likely to drive up gas demand.

"We are in a crisis situation," Bulgaria's Economy Ministry said in a statement. State firm Bulgargaz told industrial users it was suspending or cutting supplies to a minimum and urged them to switch to alterntive fuels like oil. Two fertilizer companies had to halt production.

Worries about European gas supplies, coupled with Israel's military operation in Gaza, have pushed oil prices up to a three-week high close to $50 a barrel. Russia, whose main export is oil, stands to benefit from a recovery in prices.

Pink 'Barbie' Doll Lips

almost famous — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:49:58 -0800

So here's what I use to achieve the perfect baby pink/Barbie doll lips.
Nyx Lipstick in Thaila (I used a pink gun to point out the color I use)

AndMega Shine gloss in Beige.

I really don't need too much lipstick nor gloss to to achieve such pigmented color. I will say that this lippie showed up vivid pink on me because of my skin tone. On fair skinned women, it will show up a nude pink color. All I had to do was dabble on the Beige lip gloss over the lipstick to get the slick, wet look. Using the gloss over such a creamy lipstick, really doesn't feather the lipstick i.e. Feathering is having the product on the inner lip, slowly creating a new unwanted lip line. So I love NYX lipsticks and looking to get more of their lippies.

For the polish go to ----> http://almostfamous.onsugar.com/2665258
Thanks for viewing!

Demise of the Office Christmas Party

Grandpa — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:05:34 -0800

Demise of the Office Christmas Party

December 1 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 1
RE: Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party
will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the
banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. No host bar,
but plenty of eggnog! We'll have a small band playing
traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't Be
surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!

December 2 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 2
RE: Christmas Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our
Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an
important holiday which often coincides with Christmas,
though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on
we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy
applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this
time.

Happy now?

December 3 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics
Anonymous requesting a nondrinking table ... you didn't
sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but
if I put a sign on a table that reads "AA Only" you
wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle
this? Somebody?

December 7 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse company we are! I had no idea that December
2 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids
eating, drinking and sex during daylight hours. There goes
the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon
this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim
employees' beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's can hold off on
serving your meal until the end of the party the days
are so short this time of year or else package
everything for takehome in little foil swans. Will that
work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters
Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and
pregnant women will get the table closest to the
restrooms. Did I miss anything?

December 8 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 8
RE: Holiday Party

So December 22 marks the Winter Solstice...what do you
expect me to do, a tapdance on your heads? Fire
regulations at Luigi's prohibit the burning of sage by our
"earthbased Goddessworshipping" employees, but we'll try
to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the
band's breaks. Okay???

December 9 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 9
RE: Holiday Party

People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having
our CEO dress up like Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of
"Santa" does happen to be "Satan," there is no evil
connotation to our own "little man in a red suit." It's a
tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family
feuds over the Thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on
Valentine's Day. Could we lighten up?

December 10 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 10
RE: Holiday Party

Vegetarians!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're
going to keep this party at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue
whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the
table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so
quaintly put it, and you'll get your freaking salad bar,
including hydroponic tomatoes. But you know, they have
feelings too. Tomatoes scream when you slice them. I've
heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right now!

December 14 Memo

FROM: Teri Bishops, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Pat Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pat Lewis a
speedy recovery from her stress related illness and I'll
continue to forward your cards to her at the sanatorium.

In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our
Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd
off with full pay.

We hope that this change does not offend anyone.

John Travolta's son dies...

Whiplash — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:13:25 -0800

Wow, so sad.

http://www.fadedyouthblog.com/73939/john-travoltas-son-dies/

Minnesota, another Washington State, Chicago style politics at its best (worst)

Grandpa — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:49:35 -0800

Republican Norm Coleman led by 725 votes on election day.
But after the recounts, the democrats in Minnesota mysteriously discovered nearly a thousand votes to give Al Franken a lead in the US Senate race over Coleman.
Today Minnesota state officials are going to declare Al Franken the winner.
Reuters reported:

Democrat Al Franken will be declared the winner of the tight U.S. Senate contest in Minnesota, emerging from a ballot recount with a slim margin over Republican Norm Coleman, state officials said on Sunday.

But Coleman, the incumbent, has asked Minnesota's supreme court to require that a few hundred additional absentee ballots be included in the recount -- and he could then ask the court to investigate the contest all over again.

"At the moment, Franken has a 225-vote lead," after the weekend counting of what were deemed the last uncounted absentee ballots, said Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, a Democrat who oversaw the process.
It's hard to see this one slip away.
But, once again, when Coleman only led by 725 votes after the election you knew this senate seat was lost.
That's how dems roll.

More... The Wall Street Journal reported today that 25 precincts now have more ballots than voters who signed in to vote.
And, there's this:

Last month, Mr. Franken's campaign charged that one Hennepin County (Minneapolis) precinct had "lost" 133 votes, since the hand recount showed fewer ballots than machine votes recorded on Election Night. Though there is no proof to this missing vote charge -- officials may have accidentally run the ballots through the machine twice on Election Night -- the Canvassing Board chose to go with the Election Night total, rather than the actual number of ballots in the recount. That decision gave Mr. Franken a gain of 46 votes.

Meanwhile, a Ramsey County precinct ended up with 177 more ballots than there were recorded votes on Election Night. In that case, the board decided to go with the extra ballots, rather than the Election Night total, even though the county is now showing more ballots than voters in the precinct. This gave Mr. Franken a net gain of 37 votes, which means he's benefited both ways from the board's inconsistency...

Minnesotans like to think that their state isn't like New Jersey or Louisiana, and typically it isn't. But we can't recall a similar recount involving optical scanning machines that has changed so many votes, and in which nearly every crucial decision worked to the advantage of the same candidate. The Coleman campaign clearly misjudged the politics here, and the apparent willingness of a partisan like Mr. Ritchie to help his preferred candidate, Mr. Franken. If the Canvassing Board certifies Mr. Franken as the winner based on the current count, it will be anointing a tainted and undeserving Senator.
Shameless.

Take a Coffee Break!

momTO1kitty — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:27:37 -0800

I had never been much of a coffee drinker until my trip to Hawaii last year. While I was there I discovered the delicious and rich flavors of Kona coffee, only available from the Hawaiian Islands. Since then, just the smell of fresh coffee beans or coffee brew makes my mouth water.

Coffee drinkers are a dedicated bunch. They set their automatic Cuisinart coffee maker to brew their morning coffee the same way they set their alarm to wake them up in the morning. Or they stop at their favorite coffee franchise, like Starbucks, every morning on their way to work.

I don't need too much caffeine in the morning, so I like to stick with my one cup coffee maker. Though I like my Keurig coffee maker, I thought it would be nice to try some other types of coffee. I decided to get some suggestions by looking at what kinds of coffee people are searching for on AOL Search.

For a special treat, I am excited to try some of the gourmet coffee that showed up on the top searched list. Number seven, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, has regional exclusivity like Kona coffee and a deliciously unique flavor. Gevalia Coffee carries a wide variety of gourmet flavors and roasts, including seasonal flavors. I was also interested in getting some green coffee beans and roasting my own coffee. What could be fresher?

If I need a cup of joe on the go, drive thru coffee, like Dunkin Donuts, is the fastest and I can get some breakfast. Green Mountain Coffee, number one on the list, is also great with food and is served at a lot of restaurants because they sell wholesale coffees.

Top 10 searches for coffees:
1. Green Mountain Coffee
2. Starbucks Coffee
3. Caribou Coffee
4. Gevalia Coffee
5. Peet's Coffee
6. Dunkin Donuts Coffee
7. Blue Mountain Coffee
8. Maxwell House Coffee
9. Folgers Coffee
10. Senseo Coffee

Source

Who'd have thunk it?

ccpdm — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:51:10 -0800

Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3- and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer.

I always liked Lee Marvin but didn't know the extent of his Corp's experiences. In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces, they were often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions. Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher Naval award - the Medal of Honor.

If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery. Following is dialog from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. His guest was Lee Marvin.

Johnny: "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima, and that during the course of that action, you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."

Lee: "Yeah. I got shot square in the bottom, and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting shot hauling you down. But, Johnny, at Iwo, I served under the bravest man I ever knew. We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red Beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere, he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his mens' safety was more important than his own life. That sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi, we passed the Sergeant, and he lit a smoke and passed it to me lying on my bellly on the litter, and said, 'Where'd they get you, Lee?' 'Well, Bob, if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!' Johnny, I'm not lying. Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew."

The Sergeant's name was Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo.

On another note, there was this wimpy little man (also passed away) on PBS, gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he protrayed to our kids. But Mr. Rogers was a US Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam, with over 25 confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV to cover the many tattoos on his forearms and biceps.

He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat. After the war, Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian minister and therefore, a pacifist. Vowing to never harm another human, he also dedicated the rest of his life to trying to help lead children on the right path in life. He hid away the tattoos and his past life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm.

America's real heroes don't flaunt what they do. They quietly go about their day-to-day lives, doing what they do best. They earned our respect and the freedoms that we all enjoy. Look around and see if you can find one of those heroes in your midst. Often they are the ones you'd least suspect but would most like to have on your side if anything every happened. Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With encouragement, they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers.

Ellie Nesler dies at 56

Lainetm — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:59:36 -0800

I don't know if any of you remember this case.
Ellie Nesler was briefly a sort of folk here when she shot and killed her son's accused molester in open court.

"Ellie Nesler, the mother who took the law into her own hands in a Northern California courtroom by shooting to death the man who allegedly molested her young son, has died. She was 56."

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-nesler30-2008d...

Details that are not reported in the linked article:
** Daniel Driver, the accused molester, repeatedly taunted Nesler, saying things like how enjoyable her son was.
** Her son was so traumatized by the proceedings that he became physically ill, and it was questionable whether he would be able to testify...which may well have meant that Driver would walk free.
** Driver had been previously convicted of child molestation but had not served any time (as best I can determine).

This is a really tragic case in which there were no winners, only losers.

Snow Sculptures

saynogirl — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:18:48 -0800

Source: http://oursurprisingworld.com/30-snow-sculptures/