A Dose Of Reality

I was away on vacation when I found out that one of my favorite, contemporary actors was taken to the hospital due to an alleged attempt at suicide. Owen Wilson was apparently found by one of his brothers and a call was quickly made to 911 for assistance. Of course, it's all very murky as to what happened and we may never know the entire truth. His attorney only released a statement yesterday that the actor did not take an overdose of pills, did not have his stomache pumped and only had anti-depressants in his system which were prescribed by a doctor. The family has asked for privacy at this time. Is it just me or does it seem like there are an inordinate amount of celebrities going off the deep end these days. My initial reaction is what do they have to be so depressed about, but I suppose living in a fish bowl can have its disadvantages and having too much too soon is not such a good thing afterall. In any event, I only hope that this young man recovers quickly. He has so much ahead of him, it would be a damn shame if it ended all too soon.

A Walk To Remember

Years ago when I was first married, I began to see my mother-in-law change before my eyes. This once sweet and energetic little woman, became and introverted and solitary. She had become one of the many victims of Alzheimer's. Her death many years later, came as a blessing in disguise, as the disease had robbed her of her ability to communicate and her dignity and grace. There are few people in the world who haven't been touched by this disease in some way. If you have ever thought of how you can help, here's your chance. The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk is one of the largest events which not only raises much needed funds for research, care and support, but also raises awareness of the disease. Participants in the walk come from all walks of life, all cultures and all generations as the disease never discriminates and touches many. Since 1989, the Memory Walk has raised over $225 million. Personally, I've always been at a loss as to how I can make a difference in fighting this dreadful disease. Now I know that I can help by become a
Team Captain for the Memory Walk. Here's what I found out when I went to the website. All I had to do was type in my zip code. I immediately found several walks that were near my home which I can easily participate in. The best part is that I can get people from my office to walk with me as my team members and we can help raise money and awareness for Alzheimber's. I know I wouldn't have a problem getting people to join me. Unfortunately, I don't know many people who haven't been touched by this disease and as such, one can feel helpless at times. Now, we can all feel empowered by joining the walk, raising money and hopefully finding a cure once and for all. I hope other people will be inspired to join also after reading my post. Sometimes people feel that, as one person, they really don't make a difference, but here's a way that you can by either becoming a Team Captain or joining the walk as a team member. Helping others is a great way to feel good about yourself too!

She's No Felon

Lindsay Lohan has pleaded guilty to all the charges against her in the last fiasco resulting from a night of binge drinking, stolen vehicles and car chases. As a result of her plea bargain, all felony charges have been dropped. She will serve thirty-six months probation and must complete an eighteen month alcohol rehabilitation program which includes three day's service with the county coroner and a program where she will speak about the dangers of drinking while driving. Lindsay released a statement admitting how out of control her life has become due to her drug and alcohol abuse. Let's hope that with her parents finally coming to a amicable divorce agreement, that she can put all chaos behind her and finally heal along with the rest of her family. Here's hoping she also learns to surround herself with people who actually care about her.

Ninety Minutes In The Slammer

Nicole Richie reported for her four day jail sentence yesterday and served approximately ninety minutes of that sentence before being released. She was seen leaving the prison facilities with boyfriend, Joel Madden after spending a very short one and a half hours there. Could it be she got the royal treatment after the Paris Hilton prison fiasco? Maybe it's because Nicole is going into her fifth month of pregnancy. No one really knows, but she was seen leaving the prison facilities smiling. Nicole and Joel are expecting their first child early next year. The couple are very happy and Nicole's new best girfriend is actress, Sophie Monk, who is said to be engaged to Joel's brother Benji. Who knows...maybe there will be a double wedding for the foursome.

Life As It Should Be

This is the new campaign from Coke zero. Now you can share with your own friends just how you believe life should be by making your own video. You can add your own dialogue and edit in some cool black and white film clips. You can be your own producer and director and get a chance to share your creation with your friends and family. Your video will also compete with other videos for the highest rated! If you have an idea of "life as it should be", now you have the chance to share it with the rest of the world.

The Next Internet Millionaire

Here is a great idea for a new and very different reality show. The show will feature twelve contestants who are going to compete for a grand prize of $25,000 and a joint venture with Joel Comm, the multi-millionaire internet guru. This is a ground-breaking reality show in the same vain as "The Apprentice" and "Survivor". It sounds like it will very exciting! It's a great show for fans (like me) of reality television who also want to learn how to make some money through the internet. Keep watching for The Next Internet Millionaire.

Can't Get Away From Ryan

Ryan Seacrest is literally everywhere. When he's not hosting his own radio show in Los Angelos, he can be seen daily on ENews! He also pops up in various other places like several entertainment news shows and has not only been a guest on Larry King's talk show, but he's filled in for him too. He's good at what he does, but too much of a good thing is not so good. Ryan is now slotted (possibly) to host the Emmy Awards Show. Frankly, I don't see him doing this, but if it's not him, it may be Jeff Foxworthy and I'm not a huge fan of his, but he has gained some fame from his Fox network game show. I guess we will all have to wait and see.

The Newest Technique In Surgical Weight Loss

It's becoming more and more popular for people to elect to have surgery to lose weight. You've seen it on television and read about it in magazines. Perhaps some of your friends have elected to have surgery like a few of mine have. From what I've seen, it can be very successful. Now there are surgery centers that exist in various parts of the country like Los Angelos, California; Houston, Texas and Tampa, Florida that only specialize in lapband surgery. This is a less invasive kind of surgery that is performed through laprascopy. A lapband is then secured around the the stomach, thereby creating a smaller pouch. The lapband is securely fastened during surgery. The result is a smaller stomach which means the patient feels fuller much faster after eating smaller meals and that is how the weight loss occurs. This surgery may not be for everyone, but for those who have struggled for years with obesity and failed attempts at dieting, this might just be the answer they have been searching for.

Harry May Be Over, But His Creator Is Not Done Yet!

Fans of Harry Potter are heartsick that the series has come to an end. Many wonder if author, J.K. Rowling is just teasing and will come out again with yet another in the series, but sources close to the author say "no". I seldom write about books or authors, but I am an avid reader and every once in a while I like to blog about what fascinates me. I was never a huge Harry Potter fan, but I do find it interesting to learn that J.K. has been seen around Scotland, apparently doing some research for her next novel. It's not at all about Harry Potter, but it will be a mystery, which she promises will be in her same imaginative writing style. She could easily retire on what she has earned from Harry Potter, but this once single mother who was living in poverty, will never give up on her passion........writing.

If You Believe Everything You Read...

then the only conclusion you can come to about Britney Spears is that she is quite the unfit mother and deserves to lose custody of her kids, but that's only if you really believe what you read. Allegations have been made, as reported in USA Today that she gives her kids coffee, makes them stay up late so they'll sleep late, has attempted to whiten her son's stained teeth and has yelled at them both that they were mistakes. My only hope is that none of these things are really true, but somewhere between the allegations and the denials lies the truth. Let's just hope that whatever decisions are made will be in the best interest of the children.

How To Brighten Up Your Garage

How's your garage looking these days? Probably not too great. I've been in lots of garages lately since getting into real estate and there are lots of things you can do to not only add much need storage space, but to add some style as well to an area that doesn't get much attention. These beautiful and sparkling diamond plate cabinets are so stylish that you can probably put them in places other than your garage. How about a high-tech kitchen or office? Where would you put these diamond plate cabinets? Just about anwhere would do I think.

The Color Of Hope

L'Oreal has made a committment to help educate women about ovarian cancer. In the last ten years, L'Oreal has raised over thirteen million dollars to not only help raise awareness, but to also help fund research for better therapies to treat ovarian cancer so women can live longer and with a better quality of life. Now, you can easily help the cause by purchasing this one of a kind 'Color of Hope' bracelet especially designed for L'Oreal to help raise money and awareness about ovarian cancer. You can order the bracelet in sterling silver and cubic zirconia or in diamonds by going to Color of Hope. Also, know the warning signs of ovarian cancer and check with your doctor if you have any of these unexplained symptoms:
*Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling or pain (prolonged)
*Vague, but persistent gastrointestinal complaints such as bloating, gas, nausea, indigestion and feeling of fullness.
*Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
*Persistent and unexplained changes in bowel or bladder patterns.

A Site For Goth Singles

Now there's a site for goth singles to meet for dating, fun or serious relationships. Here, you can meet like-minded singles who share the same interests like yourself. You can sign up for the site in minutes and it's absolutely free. You can clearly see the profiles, many of which contain more than one photo, read their descriptions and decide for yourself if you want to send them a private message or a "flirt". Profiles are always being updated so you can continuing looking for that special someone for goth dating. If you are not sure if you want to immediately contact someone, you can add them to your blackbook or IM them to see if they are right for you. Many of these singles share the same taste in clothes, hair and music which can run the gamut from techno to punk. If you are looking for someone in your geographical area, and specify age, gender, etc. You can look as often as you like as profiles are being updated constantly. You have nothing to lose as the site is completely free to join. Sometimes it's difficult to meet people who share the exact same interests as you. Now you have the ease of meeting people without ever leaving your own home.

Ashley All Grown Up

There are twenty-something starlets in the gossip columns every single day with nothing good to show for it. Then there are the Olsen twins. Now, twenty-one, these young women are still hard-working trendsetters who own their own billion dollar company, Dualstar Entertainment. Marie Claire just featured, Ashley Olsen on the cover of their magazine complete with fashion photo spread and interview. Diving right into the fashion world and well beyond their clothing line for young girls featured at Walmart Ashley has two clothing lines, one called 'The Row' and a new contemporary line called 'Elizabeth and James' after her other not-so-famous siblings. Some pieces from 'The Row' were sent to model Lauren Hutton, who loved them so much, she claims she slept in them. Ashley has grown into a truly remarkable young woman who could easily be held up as a role model for every young girl. She is very self-possessed and claims her bond with her sister, Mary-Kate, goes beyond words.

Reaching Out To Potential Customers

I've only been a real estate agent for the past month, but I've learned that one of the most valuable tools is direct mail marketing. It's really the only way I can offer my services to people on a broad basis without having to physically go door to door introducing myself. As a result of learning about direct marketing through mailings, my biggest concerns are with Mailing Lists. It's really crucial to have the most updated lists available so I'm not wasting my time or money on dead-end leads. Of course, I rely on the internet, like so many other people, to provide me with information regarding direct marketing, but it's difficult to find a reliable source. Now there is one that uses something called "ResponseCom" which is a vast database of proven direct mail responders. Also, this site offers lists that target specific groups for customized mailing lists, telemarketing lists and fax lists. Direct mail marketing can be very time consuming and costly, so it's really important to find a service that has proven to help their customers experience higher response rates, profitability and new business opportunities. It's really become a vital part of sales in almost every industry out there.

Viva Las Vegas Baby!

There are still literally millions of Elvis Presly fans around the world, even so many years after his passing. Now, fans have something to celebrate. Walmart is now offering a deluxe edition of Elvis Presly - Viva Las Vegas and you can only buy it through them. This two CD set contains previously unreleased cuts from the live show from Las Vegas. It sounds amazing. You will also receive a free Elvis ring and wallpaper. This sounds like a great collector's item for diehard fans and for not-so-diehard fans like me. You can order the set online right here.

What An Eating Disorder Looks Like

Courtney Love has been looking scarily skinny these days. However, Ms. Love has denied that she has any eating disorder and that she has gained ten pounds thanks to Sprinkles cupcakes. She had reportedly lost over fifty pounds on a diet of some sort of shakes, fish and veggies. In any event, I think most stars who are accused of having an eating disorder usually deny it, along with all those other stars who deny having any kind of addiction, yet enter rehab after rehab. If you aren't a celebrity, be happy about that.

It's Not Too Soon For Halloween

One of my favorite, all-time scary movies is "Halloween". The original that is, where we first meet the mentally unstable Michael Myers and where I was first introduced to one of my favorite actresses, Jamie Lee Curtis. No one can scream like she can. To this day, my daughter and I watch the "Halloween" marathon which always runs right around Halloween. Of course, we've seen them countless times, but it's just good, family fun and a great thing to share with my daughter who is a big fan of all scary movies. Now, it seems that there will be a new version of "Halloween" directed by Rob Zombie, which will be released this year. You can see a trailer for the upcoming movie here:
This is a movie I definitely plan on seeing, but I do expect that Rob Zombie will be taking this re-make to another level. It will probably be bloodier than the original, but then again, we have much better technology today than years ago. I suppose there will also be some humor as well and perhaps a bit of a satirical approach. Whatever it is, I do expect it will be good fun and a great way to celebrate one of my all-time favorite holidays, Halloween, with Halloween the movie. One thing I noticed about this new version is that it has an interesting cas which included Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Loomis and Danielle Harris who appeared in "Halloween 4" and "Halloween 5" as Laurie Strode's daughter. Since that character was killed off, she now returns as seventeen year old Annie Brackett, even though in real life she is really thirty. Also, Clint Howard is in this movie playing Dr. Kopelson. Most people know Clint from all the movies he appeared in, directed by his brother, Ron. For those who don't know Rob Zombie, he's appeared in many other movies and television shows, and is a talented musician as well. I'm really looking forward to this new version of "Halloween" and October can't come soon enough for me.

You're Not The Boss Of Me

I had another blog that I was keeping and I let it go for a while. Now that I'm working in real estate, I've decided to get back into blogging about that. I'd love if you would visit my other blog at You're Not The Boss Of Me and visit my realtor's website too while you're at it at H&G Sells Homes. Thanks!

Dating Comes In All Sizes

There's a dating site that caters to bbw dating. This unique site helps men and women of all sizes meet for fun, romance or long-terms relationships. The site is free to join and easy to navigate. This site boasts great profiles with photos. Some profiles have multiple photos and the profiles contain clear descriptions of all bbw singles. Are you looking for a big, beautiful babe or a BHM (big, handsome man)?. You don't have to look any further than here. It takes minutes to sign up and you can search for prospective dates right in your geographical area by typing in your zip code. Profiles are constantly being updated and you can refresh the profiles as often as you like to see who's new to the site. If you see someone that interest's you, you can send them a message or send them a flirt as an ice breaker. You can search member's by nicknames and check out who's online at any given time. Dating sites like this make it so much easier to search for people with similar interests or for specific types. It's a great time saver too for busy singles who don't have much spare time to find compatible people.

The Perfect Push-up

If you thought that no one could improve upon a push-up, think again. Enter
the Perfect Push-up. This innovative product, developed by a former Navy Seal, is designed so that your wrists actually rotate while pushing up and then down, activating far more muscles than with a traditional push-up. The results are no less than spectacular and you know you have to trust someone who served in the armed forces. I actually caught the inventor on The Danny Deutch Show and I was very impressed with him. He also has invented other products that you may see in the future that work on the same concept of rotating muscles so you get more of a workout in less time. If you want to participate in Danny Bonaduce's perfect push-up challenge, you can do that by just clicking here.

Celebrity Shorts

Two major celebrities are in the news today. Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie have hit a snag in their attempts to adopt another child. Apparently, the government official from Malawi who had been monitoring the adoption, was detained from making another trip to England. The Malawi government feels that this man had begun to personalize his relationship with Madonna as they allege this man had taken money and a plane ticket. Another official has been assigned to make the trip, but this may hold up the finalization of the adoption in the long run.......Actress Lindsay Lohan has allegedly entered yet another treatment facility in Utah. The actress has reportedly entered an intense thirty day program, but the facility is yet another upscale lodge which has attracted other celebrities and boasts lavish private rooms, hot tubs, etc. No actual confirmation has been made by any of Ms. Lohan's reps.

No Love For Sherri

For weeks now there has been speculation that the last seat to be filled on 'The View' was for Sherri Shepherd. Sherri who was most recently seen in the movie "Who's Your Caddy" and from the now defunct sitcom, "Less Than Perfect", was often a fill-in host for the seat vacated by Star Jones. Supposedly, producers for 'The View' were in talks with Sherri's management, but talks stalled when the actress insisted she get the same two million dollar salary as Whoopi Goldberg. They were offering one million which is nothing to sneeze at. All I can say is "Get a clue girl; you're no Whoopi Goldberg".

Nicole Fesses Up

In an exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer which will air on 'Good Morning America' tomorrow morning, Nicole Richie will finally fess up that she is pregnant and that Joel Madden, her steady boyfriend, is the father. She says she is entering her fourth month of pregnancy and is prepared to serve her four days in jail. She will also discuss why she believes that there are so many problems with today's young starlets. Hopefully, Nicole will remain clean and sober now that she is expecting a baby and that she is eating healthy. Personally, I wish her well. I believe she is a very smart lady, but has just had a bad run of luck due to poor choices.

Investing In A Shinier Future

Finding sound investments in this day and age is very tricky. Anyone who watches the stock market on a regular basis will know what I mean. The market, once bullish, seems to be turning back to it's bearish ways in the wake of the news about the unstable housing market. So what should you do with your money during these times. One way to invest is in silver. Silver is available in coin or ingot form. Ingots are generally silver ingots of pure bullion cast in a convenient size and shape. Coins have a currency value or they are actually defined as ingots. Now is the best time to invest in silver. The demand for silver world wide is actually greater than the production making it a sound investment over time. The fact is that the above-ground silver stockpiles are dwindling making silver more valuable than ever. Furthermore, the U.S. government is a silver buyer, which also makes silver an outstanding value. Investing in silver bars is a great way to diversify our investments in today's volatile market. It is a very safe investment and something that you can proudly pass on to generations to come.

What The Haiku????

Would someone please tell me what the heck Rosie is saying about Paul Abdul on her blog? At Rosie, once again it appears that Rosie O'Donnell is targeting Paula Abdul, although one can't really tell if she's sympathizing with her or dissing her. In any event, I doubt that Paula has anything to worry about. The general consensus on Rosie these days is that she may need to up her medication or change therapists. She is the poster child for the walking wounded who insist on holding onto their anger so that they can use it against others. Let's hope that she is restricted to keeping her opinions only to her ridiculous blog.

A Rosier View Without Rosie

Before I get to my next post about Paula Abdul and Rosie O'Donnell (Miss Haiku herself), it was officially announced today that Whoopi Goldberg will be the new host/moderator of 'The View', the seat formerly held by Rosie and Meredith Viera before her. Upon the announcement, Whoopi made her debut and promises to be much less controversial, but still topical. For those who don't already know how talented this woman is, she has won an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar. She is also the host of her own syndicated radio show and a former talk show host of her own television show. She's a writer, comedian and actress and is a welcome addition to the battle-scarred View cast. The next seat is anticipated to be filled by Sherri Shepard who has filled in as a co-host 'The View' on many occasions. She is also a comedian and appeared on the show the day that Rosie had a stand-off with Elizebeth and added some levity to the tension-filled studio. Yes, 'The View' is much rosier these days without Rosie.

Fashion By Design

Belisi is a great site for fashionistas who want some great buys in unique silk scarves, pocket squares for men and much more. This sleek site also offers a New Purse Designer Collection, which I'm very excited about as handbags are my passion. This is a great site for gift givers who don't know what to choose for that special someone as you can purchase a giftcard and allow the recipient to choose something that is especially unique for them. There's so much more to this site though. When you click on 'share the love' you will find yourself in a place that is made just for people like you who love fashion. There are Belisi blogs like The Diva's Dream where you can get the latest in fashion tips from the diva herself. And so you won't get too bored while you're shopping or perusing the blogs, there's Belisi radio which features the hottest jazz artists as well as classic and timeles music. You can create an account and even upload your photo which will earn you some points. Belisi is not just a place to shop for great designer fashions for both men and women, it's really a complete lifestyle for those who love designer looks.
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