New Jogging "Path"

I am NOT a runner, but for those who do enjoy running or jogging, here's an interesting area to run in (or use as a unique obstacle course).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071214/wl_mideast_afp/lifestyleiraqunrestjogging;_ylt=Ah0w08dWIDk8USyx6nlrzauShMgF

I Am Legend... What a Thriller

The new Will Smith flick, I Am Legend, is looking good so far in this weekend's box office.

Based on the Richard Matheson novel of the same title, is the story about a man who may or may not be the last human survivor of a virus with "vampire like" side effects in the near future.

Dealing with a possibilty of solitude for the rest of his life and then dealing with the "mosters" that evolved from the virus, Robert Neville (Will Smith), is trying to survive and do what is "right" for the human race.

The novel I Am Legend is also the basis of the 1971 movie The Omega Man and it looks like they have done the novel justice once again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Legend_%28film%29

To see the first three minutes of the movie: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/First-3-Minutes-Of-I-Am-Legend-Online-7203.html

Glow in the Dark Cats - One step closer to the Three Eyed Fish

Something odd I came across today. Instead of finding the naked pictures of Marcia Cross, I found this.

South Korea's Ministry of Science and Technology recently released pictures of these genetically modified and then cloned cats on Tuesday. The scientists have found a way to grow a red florescence protein in these cats, causing the weird red glow on their noses, ears and "low fur" areas.

If the research can be proved by another group of scientists, this could help with research or even cloning endangered cats like the leopards and tigers (what's next, a liger?).

See for yourself: http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKSP8875720071214

New Batman Movie - WOW!

I've been surfing around and have been teased with pictures from the newest Batman movie (The Dark Knight release date 18 July 2008). Everything I have seen is totally amazing!

This is NOT the Batman we grew up with starring Adam West as the Caped Crusader. He (Christian Bale) appears to be dark and tormented (as the previous movie) as he teams up with Lt Gordon (Gary Oldman) and the new District Attorney, Harvey "Two Face" Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to try to defeat the psycho bank robber, The Joker (Heath Ledger).

From everything I have seen so far, Heath Ledger has completely embraced the role as The Joker. No longer is he the pretty boy from A Knight's Tale, but a truly twisted character.

I can not wait to see this movie!

Here are more details on casting, etc. : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/

And two cool clips (but no idea how long those links will be good for):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNiVYYkzfNg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgOi9sXSY6I&NR=1

Ol' Blue Eyes... the stamp

Cool postal news: As a "Jersey Girl" this is pretty cool. The post office has announced that next year they will be issuing a Frank Sinatra stamp, just in time to celebrate his birthday!

Read more:

In memory of a dear friend's dear Mini Cooper

It's been a Mini kind of day today.

I saw this and just had to post it. Good friends our of ours had a Mini Cooper named El Guapo. (Yes, many Mini owners name their cars) Unfortunately El Guapo met a very untimely death when he was broadsided and then flooded while at the repair shop. He was a speedy car and protected his owner with its last purr of the motor.

Of course, this is only for information and not for those under 21 and a reminder to NEVER drink and drive!

Great, just what I needed.

It figures, just as I'm trying to finish up my holiday shopping, I hear the weather report. Let's just say that the weatherman and Mother Nature aren't going to be my friend over the next few days.

Ok, first we have the Midwest Ice storm making it's way toward the coast. Oh joy - NOT!!! They say that the band of weather stretchers from the Mid-Atlantic (my area) all the way up to New England. They are even predicting 6-10 inches of snow between the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania all the way up to the Berkshires in Massachusetts.

If that wasn't enough, this weekend, Sub Tropical Storm Olga is going to mix with a low pressure system in the South and we end up getting (let's say it all together now) NOR'EASTER! Yup, and possibly more snow.

Well, kiddies, if you are living in the areas between the Mid-Atlantic and New England, get your salt, snow shovels and snow blowers ready and make sure to have enough milk, bread and toilet paper. I sure hope they are wrong, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared and stay safe.

http://www.accuweather.com/news-top-headline.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&date=2007-12-11_14:39&month=12&year=2007

Cool Holiday Gift!

I just found this vid about one of the coolest toys I've seen all holiday season. Its a totally customizable toy Mini Cooper from RidemakerZ. Just like a real Mini Cooper, the child or child at heart can make their mini Mini Cooper just as unique (or more so) with less of a dent to your wallet than a full size Mini Cooper.

The best thing is, Mini Cooper USA and RideMakerZ donated over $50,000 worth of these cool cars to the Marine Toys for Tots campaign. That's about 2000 of the mini Mini's that are going to be in the hands of needy kids.

http://www.ridemakerz.com
www.miniusa.com

What is... call 9-1-1?

Sad news for you Jeopardy fans. It has been reported that the Jeopardy host, Alex Trebeck is in the hospital recovering from a heart attack he had on 10 December.

Send out those good healing "vibes" and we hope you get better Alex!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071211/tv_nm/trebek_dc_4

The best cookbook EVER!

I jumped in with both feet this year into my holiday cookie baking. I have a nice collection of cookbooks that I have collected over the years but I find myself going back to the same one over and over again.

The Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book is a kitchen bible. Yes, its that one with the red gingham cover - or pink gingham - that you see stacked up in every single book store and grocery store. It tells you everything you need. Nice basic recipes, like pie dough and stuffing, and life saving charts on things like how long to cook a turkey and at what temperature. I made three different batches of cookies so far this year and they turned out perfectly.

There aren't too many "fancy" recipes inside but its chock full of regular every day kind with a few special occasion recipes in there too. This is NOT Martha Stewart's cook book or some fancy chef from Food TV but there are lots of choices inside the pages.

Its a hard bound book with a three ring binder. This is wonderful because the book will lie flat and the pages will not turn on you. Inside the cover and throughout the book, there are tables and various other bits of information that you might possibly need. (I always forget how many teaspoons are in a tablespoon.) The pages are also pretty resilient. Mine has gone though the "ringer" and is still in decent shape.

My mother still has her original copy of the same cookbook and still uses it, and when my children strike out on their own, they will be receiving a copy as well.

This book is not really for the home chef that seems to have every cook book ever written (because they probably already have it). But this is a wonderful cook book that has served me well over the years and will continue to do so until I can't cook anymore

My mother may have been right!

As a kid, my mom always stressed eating healthy (despite the pictures of the Monk Fish she showed me) and going out to "play". Now two studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine and conducted by the National Institute of Health-AARP of members between the ages of 50 and 71 years old have may have proved her right. (Note: My mother is the healthiest person I know and doesn't need to loose another pound.)

The first study focused on the validity of ye ol' Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean Diet focus on the diet of those of that region and how they seem to defy the laws of averages with their lower rates of heart disease and other "health problems".

The focus was on those who ate a diet rich in veggies, fruits, whole grains and healthy oils (aka low saturated fat - fish, olive and nuts). Those who used the Mediterranean Diet were 20% less likely to die of a "health related death".

The second study focused on exercise. Although this is only half of my personal downfall (being a "lazy American") those who exercised moderately (30 min most days - i.e. walking) were 27% less likely to die, period. BUT every little bit did actually help. If the activity level went up to what they considered "vigorous", chances went up to 32%.

Couch potatoes have no fear. Even those who exercised "less than average" were 19% less to die.

So my little ones, like I tell my kiddos, being the Hot Mama I am, go out and move more and eat less and eat smart in 2008.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20071210/mediterranean-diet-adds-years-life?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Hot Mama's Holiday Gift Guide: Clinique Happy Custom Bottle

In this crazy season of holiday shopping, I stumbled upon this cool gift that you can get for a lucky lady on your list from the comfort of your own computer, the Clinique Happy Custom Bottle.

Without having to schlep out to the malls and brave both the weather and the parking lots, you can get this cool gift shipped to either you or the lucky (and happy) recipient in 7-10 BUSINESS days. Upload a lovely or embarrassing photo to the site and poof, instant gift.

In case you are not familiar with the Happy fragrance I quote from the Clinique website description: "a chic, modern, multi-layered floral with sparkling, lingering fragrance of Ruby Red Grapefruit, Boysenberry Bush Flower and Hawaiian Wedding Flower". Sounds lovely and refreshing to me. But even after that stellar description, if you want to find out what it really smells like, next time you are in the mall (and you know that you're going to be there anyway), pop into any of the major department stores and take a whiff.

Here's the link to Clinique and tell them Sarchix sent ya.

http://www.clinique.com/custom_bottle/index.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY4884&PRODUCT_ID=PROD12303

Things that go BUMP in the Night

A&E has joined the rest of the networks with their own otherworldly offering, "Paranormal State". The cameras follow the student members of Penn State's Paranormal Research Society as they investigate possible events from "the other side".

Yes, its another show about real live "Ghostbusters" much like the Sci Fi channels "Ghost Hunters" (Plumbers by day, ghost hunters by night). But I like this twist, students doing the investigating.

In the upcoming days where it looks like the Hollywood Writers strike will never end, this could be a fresh twist on the reality TV that we will be offered mixed in with the sea of network repeats.

The show premiers on 10 December on A&E at 10pm (Eastern).

http://www.aetv.com/paranormal-state/

The Philadelphia Experiment - In My Own Backyard

Kinda. I live not too far from the Philadelphia Navel Shipyard which this urban legend is based out of. Who knows if its really true but there are several key things that will make you go hmmmmm.

The Philadelphia Experiment refers to an event that may or may not have happened in the fall of 1943. According to the story, the USS Eldridge and her crew were subject to experiments in time travel. As the experiment progressed, it appeared that the Eldridge faded away, only to reappear in Norfolk, VA and the return to Philadelphia. Depending on the reports, there were crew members that were found embedded into the ship upon its return to Philadelphia.

Fact 1: The Philadelphia Navel Shipyard does exist and is STILL OPEN to this day for both commercial and navel operations.

Fact 2: Albert Einstein worked at Princeton University, which is about an hour to hour and a half from the Philly Ship Yard and the closest Navel Shipyard to Princeton. Einstein came up with the Unified Field Theory. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Field_Theory)

Fact 3: The Philadelphia Experiment is sometimes referred as Project Rainbow.

Fact 4: In 1943-44, Einstein worked part time for the Navy's Bureau of Ordnance. There he officially worked on theoretical research on explosives and explosions.

Now, for every fact there are several counter facts and theories to prove and disprove this amazing event.

...But, one last thing to ponder. If the Philadelphia Experiment is only an amazing science fiction tale, then why did L Sprague de Camp, Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov (all classic authors of science fiction) work as ENGINEERS at the Philly Ship Yard at the same time and then write such fantastic stories.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Heinlein-decamp-and-asimov.jpg

Brain Fitness Program... New Year's Resolution?

Ok, despite the plucky title, this concept has serious merit.

Scientific Learning Corp. has deveoped a computer program that exercises processing skills in the brain and works to "trigger change in the brain and provide an optimal foundation for learning and reading success." The company also did studies on dyslexic childeren and found thier program helped "rewire children's brains — correcting the sound processing problem and improving reading".

As a parent, this is certainly something to look into and pay attention to.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071206005212&newsLang=en

For your very own James Bond like escape!

Troy Widgery of Jetpack International (Jet P.I.) have just launched probably the coolest thing out there on the market. Yes, its a jet pack, pretty much like we saw James Bond pilot back in the 1960's in "Thunderball" but its actually out there to purchase for the "regular guy or gal".

Well, maybe not the "regular" guy or gal with a price tag of $200,000 but you do get two weeks of training with it. The jet pack is fueled by rocket fuel and has a capacity for a 9 minute flight. The fuel costs for an average flight is about $20.

Eric Scott had the coolest job. He was the test pilot and now is seen doing appearances around the world. (Did you see him make an entrance during Monday Night Football??)

If you want to see a video of the flight: http://money.cnn.com/video/#/video/fsb/2007/11/28/fsb.next.little.thing.jet.pack.fsb

More info: http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/19/smbusiness/jet_pack.fsb/

Amanda Sells the Shirt off her Back, Kinda

Amanda Bynes launched her clothing line with the store Steve & Barry last August and is still promoting her line.

Unlike many of the Hollywood personalities that have their own "line" of clothing, Amanda has really impressed me. Instead pushing clothes that are too grown up for the pre-teen girls and young teens, she has offered a sensible, mix and match line of clothing that is ACTUALLY AFFORDABLE for the average person. There are no $40 sweatshirts or $75 pair of jeans that are being sold to girls who will outgrown them within a year (if their parents are lucky). All the clothes are under $20!

On both design and price, I will be going out of my way this crazy holiday season to purchase some items from her line for my own daughter this year.

http://americajr.com/news/amandabynes1207.html

http://www.dearbyamanda.com/

Don't mean to say "told ya so" but.....

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,140419-c,techindustrytrends/article.html

Reported as rumor yesterday, it is now confirmed that Comp USA will be closing their brick and mortar stores!

It's sad to see another physical store close like this. Where else am I going to get a power supply when I want it RIGHT NOW!?!?!

Yet ANOTHER car recall

When the heck are the car manufacturers going to get their act together and figure out how to make cars that work!

Chrylser is recalling over 575,000 cars because "in a limited number of cases, long-term wear on the shift assembly can erode the height of the shift blocker, creating the potential that the vehicle could shift out of park without the key in the ignition," Chrysler said in a statement.

(Read more here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071207/bs_nm/chrysler_recall_dc_3)

Take my advise, buy a Mini Cooper - solid cars that are cute and WORK!!!

Harold and Kumar 2 Trailer!!!

Ok, there is not too much of a plot here but the movie still looks funny. Harold and Kumar are probably the smarter counterparts of Bevis and Butthead (or at least the live action version).

The title, Harold and Kumar 2: Escape from Guantanamo Bay, sums up what appears to be the basic plot line. Harold and Kumar are on their way to Amsterdam but thier bong (that they are trying to light up in the airplane bathroom) is mistaken as a bomb. They are thought to be terrorists and shipped off to Guantanamo Bay. Somehow they escape and end up in a car (again) with Neil Patrick Harris.

Sure, its a "stoner" movie, but its a funny "stoner" movie that will hit theaters on 26 April 2008

View the trailer here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/haroldandkumar2/

To see the BEST movie poster EVER: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Harold-and-Kumar2_poster.jpg

CompUSA rumor!

It saddens me to even think that CompUSA may be closing for good, but it looks like it very well may be happening. (And yes, I will be calling my friend that works at the local store tomorrow.)

Read here to find out more about another store that very well may be going the way of the dodo. http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/05/rumor-compusa-going-out-of-business-in-january/

Hopefully there will be some awesome sales coming in the future.

Sex and the City: The Movie Trailer

Its been a while since the ladies of Sex in the City have entertained us with their glamorous lives in New York City.

From the few things I have read about this movie, it looks like a movie length episode with all our favorite actors. Sarah Jessica Parker reprises her role as Carrie Bradshaw, Kim Cattrell as Samantha Jones, Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes and Kristan Davis as Charlotte York-Goldenblatt. Many of the supporting cast are also returning including Chris Noth known only to viewers as Mr Big. More cast and crew can been viewed here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000774/

As of now, the release date for the movie is 30 May 2008, which for anyone in the US, is the weekend AFTER Memorial Day.

The trailer can be viewed here: http://movies.aol.com/movie/sex-and-the-city-2008/30247/main

Go Speed Racer, GO!

The first pictures of the new movie "Speed Racer" are out! This is NOT a cartoon but a live action movie.

It looks campy and quite cute, just like the old cartoons. Emile Hirsch is cast in the title role of Speed, Christina Ricci as Trixie, Matthew Fox as Racer X and, yes, a live monkey as Chim Chim and is directed by the Wachowski brothers, who brought us "The Matrix" trilogy. Full cast and crew info can be found at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0811080/.

The trailer is scheduled to be played during “Entertainment Tonight” THIS EVENING!!!!

For more info: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007/12/whoa-speed-race.html

Sgt America or Miss America?

This is a first! One of the favored contestants in the 2008 Miss America pageant is a Sergent in the Army.

Miss Utah, also know as Sgt Jill Stevens serves in the Utah National Guard's 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment and attended nursing school at Southern Utah University. If that isn't enough, this amazing woman has been deployed to Afghanistan, caring for the troops over there and is a marathon runner, completing 12 so far.

If this GI Jill can't get her fellow troops motivated, I don't know if anyone can.

Sgt Stevens has a blog running about her experiences as she "fights" for the title of Miss AMerica. It can be found at http://www.army.mil/gijill/.

Omaha Shooter Wepon and Suicide Note!

Omaha Mall shooter weapon and body count released to the public. The quick ID of the shooter was due to a subside note that was turned into the authorities.

Updated: Dec 5, 2007 11:17 PM

Omaha (KPTM) - Omaha Police Chief Thomas Warren says that today's shooting was "done by one shooter, and one shooter only".

In a Wednesday night press conference, Chief Warren said that the first shooting victim was found shot to death on the second floor of Von Maur. Several victims were found shot to death in the customer service area of Von Maur on the third floor.

The shooter, 20 year-old Robert Hawkins, was found in the store with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Warren says Hawkins was found with a SKS Assault rifle.

Among the dead are 5 unidentified females, 3 unidentified males, and the suspect.

Police do not know which of the victims were store employees or customers.

Warren says the shooting does appear to random and without provocation.

Police were able to recover Hawkins' vehicle, a green Jeep Cherokee at the mall, which they searched.

They were able to ID the suspect at the scene because of a suicide note that was recovered and turned over to police.

http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=7457887