Subscribe:

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Administrator Message: ICC WorldCup 2011 Watch Live Streaming @ Desi Xone For Desi Crowd


BIG BATTLE
 Howdy, Pals... 

Watch Cricket Live Action "PAKISTAN VS INDIA

tomorrow 30th March 2011

World Cup 2011 Live streaming is added in:

Enjoy the ICC World Cup series 2011 by watching live streaming at the blog.

Single Click and the show will begin

http://desixone.blogspot.com/p/worldcup-2011-live-score.html

Enjoy!

Desi Xone For Desi Crowd

Monday, March 28, 2011

Levi’s «After Dark»: two heroes, twenty five adventures




Two heroes
Levi's starts new interactive digital-campaign «We Rule the Night», devoted to a youth collection of jeans clothes «After Dark» (it's evening clothes for fashionable parties). Target audience — inhabitants of China and Hong Kong at the age of 18-24 years. Marketing materials have been developed by the Hong Kong agency TBWA + own division «Tequila».

Beef and Sweet Pepper Pasta

ingredients

  • 1 recipe Mealmaker Meatballs (see recipe below)
  • 8 ounces dried pappardelle pasta or fettuccine
  • 1 medium fennel bulb, trimmed and cut into thin, bite-sized strips
  • 1 medium onion, quartered and thinly sliced
  • 2 medium carrots, thinly bias-sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil
  • 1 26-ounce jar spicy red pepper pasta sauce or mushroom and ripe olive pasta sauce
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 4 ounces Italian fontina or mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 cup)
  • 2 ounces Parmesan or Romano cheese, finely shredded (1/2 cup)

Lemon-Roasted Potatoes

 
Sliced Baguette with Radishes and Anchovy Butter

yield: Makes 16 servings
active time: 25 minutes
total time: 25 minutes
The anchovy butter would also be terrific on steak or steamed green beans.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 to 3 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • Coarse kosher salt
  • 16 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices baguette
  • 10 radishes (such as French Breakfast), trimmed, thinly sliced on diagonal
  • Additional chopped fresh chives (for garnish)

Chicken Parmesan Burgers That The Whole Family Will Love!


Chicken Parmesan Burgers


yield: Makes 4 servings
active time: 35 minutes
total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:
10 1/2-inch-thick slices French bread (4 inches in diameter); 8 slices toasted, 2 slices (crust removed) diced
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons minced fresh basil, divided, plus 12 large basil leaves
3/4 cup purchased refrigerated marinara sauce
12 ounces ground chicken (white meat)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon grated onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces whole-milk mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
4 large radicchio leaves

Going Overboard for Indoor Pools

What is one of real estate's rare luxuries? How about your own golf course? Or maybe your own helipad? Or, better yet, your own indoor swimming pool.
Ah, now we're talking. Even the rich and famous would admit that having an indoor pool is one of life's luxurious amenities. Here are 5 homes that feature fabulous indoor swimming pools. Some have celebrity lineage, some are quite ornate, while others are simply well-appointed spaces to swim some precious laps. Take a look:

1. Greenwich, CT Home For Sale — $15,950,000
309 Taconic Rd, Greenwich, CT 06831
Notable: Not only does this 26,000-sq ft Mediterranean manor home have its own private theater and elaborate wine-tasting room, but it also boasts an elegant lap pool under a Tuscan-yellow arched ceiling.
This Greenwich, CT home was listed at $15.9 million

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Friday by Rebecca Black: What one mama has to say about this ear-bleeding teen pop song [video]



It's no secret that I am fan of some really god-awful pop music. I've shamelessly danced in the car to a Selena Gomez song. I find that blasting "Party in the U.S.A." makes cleaning a toilet much less of a chore. I volunteered to take my son and his friend to see that one girl from "iCarly" on her singing sensation tour. I even cried in the Justin Bieber movie.

My tolerance is remarkably high for terrible lyrics about first love, drum machines, and dance moves every kid in America will try to replicate at prom. Or at least I thought so until I heard "Friday" by Rebecca Black. Not only is this song cringe-worthy, it is a mind-worm that will get in your head and stay there until...well, next Friday.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Ty Murray Visits ABQ & many other happenings this weekend!

Ty Murray Visits ABQ & many other happenings this weekend!
Ty Murray Invitational

Date: March 25, 2011 - March 27, 2011

Time: Friday 8pm, Saturday 5:50pm, Sunday 2pm

Location: The Pit

Address: 1111 University Blvd SE

Admission: $15-$65

Neighborhood: Airport

Phone: 1 877-664-8661

www.pbrnow.com/competition/BFTS/eventload.cfm?id=3279#eventInfo
Description: Sandia Resort and Casino Presents the Ty Murray Invitational

Mark Your Calendars: Spa Week 2011 takes place April 11-17

Mark Your Calendars: Spa Week 2011 takes place April 11-17
Mark Your Calendars, spa fans - the long-beloved event (offering $50 spa treatments at select salons and spas) is back April 11-17, 2011. Booking is now open, so pick up those phones and dial. We've covered our favorite spas for this week in the past, so peruse the archives or click on the links below to decide where you'll choose for your day of relaxation this year.
Personally, you'll find us at the Red Door Spa in the Willard, enjoying the Stress Melter ritual, one of our faves.

The full list of particpants:

Which "Nude" Shade Is Right For You?

Which "Nude" Shade Is Right For You?
A.L.C Crepe Hardy Dress
Going ‘nude’ this spring is a must! We're not talking birthday suits...we're talking clothing! With all the hype surrounding fashionable nude hues this spring, you’re probably wondering, “How can I wear them without looking washed out?” Because nude entails a range of colors, from creamy beiges to cocoa browns, it’s important to pick a shade that will help you shine!
We asked Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Astrid Brucker, celebrity designer, and Katharine Polk, celebrity stylist, to fill us in on how to flatter your fabulous self.
The nude shade you pick should depend on your skin tone. Eiseman says that a great ‘nude’ on one person could look totally drab on another, so choose carefully and try before you buy. Never match directly to your skin – it’s guaranteed to wash you out.  Brucker says the secret is to play off the red or yellow tints within your own skin tone. If your skin is fair and rosy, go for a blue-colored nude or a green-tinted beige. If your skin has more of a yellow cast, warm nudes look hot, so try out tan shades (like Jennifer Lopez, below.) Peachy skin? Grab something peach that’s a little darker than your skin tone. And for those with darker skin, cocoa is always flattering!





Top 10 Beauty Must Haves

Top 10 Beauty Must Haves
When it comes to beauty products, we scour magazines, sift through samples and shop our hearts out. Finding your favorites takes dabbing, smudging, brushing…and time! From drugstore scores to boutique buys, here are my top ten tried and true faves!
Andrea Ducharme’s Top 10 Must Have Beauty Must Haves

Sexy Skirts

Sexy Skirts
Tire Skirt By Nuj Novakhett, $435
A good friend recently gave me some very simple style advice: When you walk out the door, you have to own it. Be completely confident! Chin up…and it will turn your style up a notch! These sisters couldn’t agree more. Combine that confidence with a piece that pops and you’ll really get heads turning! Here are some sexy, un-boring skirts that are sure to make a lasting impression.













Do It Yourself Beauty

Do It Yourself Beauty
We all have drawers full of lotions and potions that promise us perfection. But here’s a skincare secret: Some of the most vitamin and nutrient packed beauty remedies can be found right in your very own kitchen.
Want to mix things up this weekend? Invite the girls over, stock up on supplies and throw a spa-rty! Need some recipes to get started? Here are some fab formulas from L.A. based salon The Parlour on 3rd. With masks and conditioners that include things like avocado and honey, you might just find yourself tasting while you treat yourself to glowing skin and gossip. How delish!


From The Parlour on 3rd Eyelash Extension Expert, Calma Yom:
Eyelash Conditioner Recipe:
Mascara tends to dry out your eyelashes and can lead to brittle, damaged, and broken hair. Natural oils can help lubricate and condition eyelashes. Try this DIY recipe for eye-mazing results. Mix a 50/50 blend of sweet oil and apricot kernel oil. Coat your lashes lightly with a lash wand and leave overnight. Wash off in the morning before applying mascara. Use as a weekly lash conditioning treatment.

Shine On With Sequins

Shine On With Sequins


Drew Barrymore. Nicole Richie. Jennifer Lopez. Everybody’s doing it…wearing sequins, of course! If you think stars are the only ones with a license to shine, think again! From accessories to dresses (and everything in between) this trend isn’t fading anytime soon. We shine a light on how to get it “just right.”
1.) Avoid looking like a disco ball. Stick to one sequined item per outfit: a dress, a top, a skirt. Whatever you choose, it should be focal point. Also, choose a simple design or pattern to keep your “look” modern and fresh.

The World's Busiest Airports

The World's Busiest Airports

The World's Busiest Airport is right here in the U.S.A. In fact, 5 of the top 10 are red, white and blue.
The Airports Council International, which governs about 1650 airports across the globe, just released the preliminary numbers for 2010.
Here are the Top 10
#1 Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport  handles the most traffic with 89,331,622 passengers
#2 Beijing Airport - 73,891,801 passengers
#3 Chicago's O'Hare Airport - 66,665,390 passengers
#4 London Heathrow: 65,884,143 passengers
#5 Tokyo Narita - 64,069,098 passengers 
#6 Los Angeles - 58,915,100 passengers
#7 Paris Charles de Gaulle - 58,167,062 passengers
#8 Dallas Fort Worth - 56,905,066 passengers
#9 Frankfurt - 53,009,221 passengers
#10 Denver - 52,211,242 passengers
A whopping 4.7 billion passengers traveled by air in 2010.  Thats a 6.3% increase despite the economy, and natural disasters and winter storms that halted travel.

Technology On-Board The Disney Dream

Technology On-Board The Disney Dream

 
When people think of Disney, images of colorful cartoon characters or magnificent theme parks usually spring to mind. Behind every one of its family-friendly creations, there lies most innovative state-of-the-art technology. The folks at Disney refer to it as "magic", and there's no shortage of it aboard the newly berthed, Disney Dream.
I had a chance to hop on-board for the inaugural voyage, and here's a sampling of my favorite high seas technology that made the voyage fun:

 

Stateroom Wave Phones

Forget extending your cell coverage or upgrading the cost data plan, Disney has the perfect no-cell phone solution for families who want to keep connected while on the high seas. They're called "wave phones" and each room comes equipped with a pair. Each are tied to a stateroom number and allows cruisers to simply call other members in their party - or pretty much anyone on the vessel, even leaving text messages. My wife found it invaluable on those nights when she sent me up onto the main deck in search of late night snacks. She could easily ring me up to add more food items to the list. (Of course, that's before we realized that room service was free!)

Worst Online Pickup Lines

Worst Online Pickup Lines
When my friend joined an online dating service, she quickly became inundated by emails from potential suitors--which was great! Not so great? The number of letters with big, waving red flags. With everything from misspellings and grammar mistakes to out and out queries for sex on the first date--there were only a few she deemed worthy of a reply.
I don't blame the guys who sent them. Many of them were probably pretty good catches in real life. The problem is, not everyone's good at expressing themselves through an email or IM chat. After all, it can be hard enough to approach someone in real life, when you can rely on attraction, body language and the spoken word to get your message across.
So how do you attract the person you're interested in online, without scaring them away?
We asked SpeedDate co-founder and president Dan Abelon for some tips.

Why Is He Still Listed as 'Single' on Facebook?

Why Is He Still Listed as 'Single' on Facebook?
Here’s a common online scenario that can quickly become a hot button issue in a real-life relationship: You’re proud of your man and want to share it with everyone who gets your status updates, but when you glance at his profile, he’s still listed as 'Single'. What gives?
Before you get unnecessarily worried, or fire-off an easily misunderstood text message, take a moment to consider the reasons why he may not have made the switch.

 

From Gal Pal to Girlfriend...in 3 Easy Steps

From Gal Pal to Girlfriend...in 3 Easy Steps
You're already best buds. But when you look at him, you want something more. So how do you turn that BFF into a BF--and go from gal pal to girlfriend?
We asked Galtime Dating Coach Dr. Jenn Oikle, PhD of My Soulmate Solution for some pointers. First up--how do you know if your guy pal may be looking for more?
"He’s really engaged in the friendship- making equal investments in time, energy, attention, and emotion," Dr. Jenn says. "He calls to make plans, he lets you know he’s thinking about you (calling, text, sending links he thinks you’ll like), he calls just to check in and see how something went that you told him you were doing. He asks your support on things going on in his life (troubles at work, with dating, etc)."
But don't beat around the bush, she insists. If you really want to know, you've just got to come out and ask! Of course, many of us are scared to lay all our cards out on the table. After all, no one likes to be rejected--especially by a friend. But Dr. Jenn says it can be worth the risk.
"There is always the chance you could lose the friendship through awkwardness," she says. "But if done right, you really have nothing to lose!"
So are you ready to take the first steps? Dr. Jenn breaks it down for us with steps that won't scare your guy away.

A Coffee a Day Keeps the Doctor Away?

A Coffee a Day Keeps the Doctor Away?
Ever been told by a doctor that you should stop drinking coffee? It seems that we are always telling patients too much caffeine is bad for you. That may be true, but it appears that one or two cups of coffee a day has some benefit.
According to a study in the American Heart Association drinking coffee appears to offer some protection against stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in women in the US. Researchers followed 34,670 women for an average of 10 years. The women reported how much coffee they drank at the start of the study and then medical records were evaluated the next 10 years. Researchers reported that women that drank a cup or two daily had less strokes by 22-25%. This was compared to women that drank less coffee or no coffee.

Add an Easy Splash of Color to Your Table

Add an Easy Splash of Color to Your Table
Cute.
And DIY-able!
1. Wrap differently-sized twine balls in colorful yarn (some completely, some only partially).
2. Maybe throw some spray glue and glitter on there (why not?).
3. Tie balls together with fishing wire.
4. Use more fishing wire to hang the whole thing from a ceiling fixture.

7 Hot Fictional Husbands We Wish Were Real

Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen, Twilight

He could bite us any day — and not just because we know he’s a vampire with willpower like no other. Indulging your danger fantasies without the whole might-wind-up-dead side effect? So hot.


Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice

Get out the smelling salts: No Mr. Darcy before or after him will ever come close to capturing his intensity — or making us swoon. By the time he finally unleashes the red-hot emotions roiling beneath his surface, you’ll be practically ready to (oh, yes!) explode.

You & the 'other woman': A lesson in etiquette




It starts with that grating feeling in the pit of your stomach, works its way up to the base of your neck, and shakes your intuition awake. Your man is seeing somebody else — you think. Besides running up on him vigilante-style with Joey Greco and his Cheaters camera crew in tow, your other option is to do your own behind-the-scenes investigative work to confirm your suspicions. You know the drill: check pants pockets, sniff shirts, rifle through car consoles, dig in gym bags, scan store receipts, crack Facebook passwords, read text messages.

Those who seek shall almost always inevitably find, so when we gals uncover proof of his doggishness, our first step is usually one of two things: a) confront him, or b) confront the other woman.
Sometimes she’s completely unaware that the dude has a girlfriend or, even worse, a wife. In that case, it’s kind of hard to hold her responsible when your man has worked just as hard to deceive her as he did to deceive you. But sometimes she’s just a bold, brash, and brazen heifer who could give two pieces of nothing about y’all being in love since college, your two kids, or the house you just bought together in your hometown. She’s just trying to get hers.

10 Bachelorette Party Dos and Don'ts


Do: Communicate
Whether it's your best friend or your sister who's in charge of planning the festivities, talk to your girls about what you envision for the party. Do you feel like going out, or getting pampered -- or both? This is also your opportunity to lay down a few ground rules. Don't be afraid to set boundaries! Totally against any fake penises making an appearance? You're allowed to say so, and even to ban them -- nicely, of course. On the other hand, if you’re not offended by a little phallic paraphernalia, let them know that too.


Don't: Be Bossy
While your thoughts and suggestions are welcome (and even helpful) to whoever is planning the party, that doesn't mean your ideas should include a full, preplanned itinerary you just happened to go ahead and put together.

Do: Give Your Girls Options
If your dream single-girl trip involves plane tickets and hotel rooms for everyone, offer a few budget-friendly alternatives closer to home. Maybe you'd love to head to Napa, but a local winery would be just as fun.

Good or Bad? Why not both?


So, I’ve been reading these articles lately. Why some men like innocent girls, and why others prefer bad girls. All of a sudden, I had a thought come to mind: why not be a bit of both? That does make sense, doesn’t it?
If you had to put me in a category of good vs. bad, I would most likely be put into the good category. And I’m a really passive aggressive person when it comes to my bad side. I’m not great at expressing my feelings, especially when they’re not good ones. I might mumble what I have to say. I might even put on a sour face. But that’s all you would ever see from me. I’m working on that though.
Anyway, back to my point. What kind of person do you think of when you hear innocent? I think of a little girl whose world is not tainted at all. You just can’t apply that to most women (or men, for that matter). Most women have gone through some life changing experience, no matter how small it might be. The shy girls don’t really want to talk about it, and you might think they’re innocent.

Anyone can see you naked on Facebook: New software lets pervs doctor your pics

This woman's expression does not reflect the face most 
women would make if they knew they were being 'False 
Flesh-ed'. (image via SomeCards.com via FalseFlesh.com)
This woman's expression does not reflect the face most women would make if they knew they were being 'False Flesh-ed'


You know that dream where everyone you've ever known can see you naked? It's just come true, thanks to Facebook and some sleeze-ball programming wizards. FalseFlesh is a new software program that super-imposes nude body doubles on totally PG profile photos.

Photoshop-hounds with way too much time on their hands have been doing this kind of thing for years, but FalseFlesh is the first shortcut to doctored nudity. "It's like X-ray vision!" claims the product site, in a blatant attempt to appeal to a comic-book obsessed demographic. And it's not just for perverts and geeks, but future stylists and plastic surgeons too!  "FalseFlesh also allows you to modify other physical attributes of the subject such as clothing style and even body type."

The last thing the internet needs is more ways for people to exploit each other. Posting doctored nude photos of someone is a personal and potentially legal violation. Despite being labeled an "adult editing" tool, the $50 software is a magnet for a young audience who spends a majority of their time socializing online. And it's bound to put some dangerous, cyber-bullying ideas into a few kids' heads.

As much damage as False Flesh could wreak on the internet, it does give back in one way: the product testimonials, which may or not all be written by one person.

Latest wedding craze: $10,000 light bulbs

Would you pay someone to light your wedding? 
(Think Stock Photos)
Would you pay someone to light your wedding?


We knew Chelsea Clinton's wedding wasn't cheap, but a lighting designer? According to The New York Times, the latest addition to big spender weddings is expensive lighting. Clinton had her own personal bulb-man, Bentley Meeker bask her guests in a flattering light. (In fairness she did have international press chomping at the bit for pictures of her high-profile crowd.) But Meeker, who also lit a Grammy party and several HBO premiere events, was brought on to cultivate the perfect vibe for Clinton's big day. “It’s not illumination for visibility; it’s illumination for atmosphere,” he told the Times.

Some designers double as planners and florists, others are called in by planners to "art-direct" the event.
One couple had their lighting expert ship a 500 pound crystal chandelier to their reception tent on a Hawaiian Island. Others have paid bank for color changing lighting–a la Broadway theatrics— as the evening unfolds. All told, the cost to bathe your guests in a healthy glow can run up to $10,000. But the Times also mention a couple who did their own lighting design with the help of $100 worth of LED lights and candles from Target. It was a little more work, a whole lot cheaper, and just as effective.
Either way, if you're planning a wedding, prepare to be convinced by your prep team you 'have' to have custom lighting. “If guests feel like they look good, they’ll stick around and have fun,” Mr. Meeker added. Is that what keeps people around, or is it the open bar?

10 Places Every Kid Should See

Grand Canyon (Ariz.)



Grand 
Canyon

Two years ago, we picked the American landmarks every kid should see, from Ellis Island to Redwood National Park. Our new and improved 2011 lineup takes that challenge even further, by highlighting how our country's top sights cater to kids' abbreviated attention spans. From roasting marshmallows around a campfire to playing dress-up at Monticello, these cool, interactive activities ensure that the younger set will enjoy these must-see spots as much as their parents do.

During the day, stroll the 4-year-old Skywalk, a U-shaped, glass-bottom observation deck that juts 70 feet over the canyon's West Rim and sits 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. Come sunset, hit Grand Canyon Apache Stables, where, for $25.50 per person, you can hitch a one-hour ride on a horse-drawn wagon that ends around a campfire. Tip: BYO marshmallows and hot dogs so you can cook up a nighttime snack. Skywalk Package including mandatory Legacy pass.

The National Mall (D.C.)

Riding the streets of Washington, D.C., in a boat on wheels might sound cheesy, but cruising the Potomac River in one is pretty sweet. Set in a WWII-era amphibious vehicle, the 90-minute D.C. duck tour covers both land and sea. The first leg hits the history-packed National Mall—look for the 19-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol building, and the Smithsonian museums—and then switches to a scenic river trip. Highlight: The boat pauses at Gravelly Point, a park located just a few hundred feet from the runway at D.C.'s Reagan National Airport, so you can watch roaring planes take off and land.

Friday, March 25, 2011

The Classic Silk Blouse Makes a Comeback


Rosario Dawson, Zoe Saldana, Malin Ackerman 
WHO'S WEARING IT: Zoe Saldana, Rosario Dawson and Malin Ackerman

HOW TO WEAR IT: Thanks to the ever-popular menswear trend, stars like Zoe and Malin are taking advantage of the über soft classic to add a feminine element to the look. Since Malin's black trousers were wide leg, she didn't have to do much to girlie them up. But if you're wearing cropped pants, like Zoe's, take her lead and create the illusion of a plunging neckline by unbuttoning a few more clasps than usual to avoid looking like a paper boy! For a ladylike style, emulate Rosario and pair the top with a high-waisted skirt and pumps or flats. And remember: the key is to pick a silk blouse that's flowy and loose, not too baggy.
 

Robert Pattinson & Reese Witherspoon

robert pattinson reese witherspoon entertainment weekly

Pattinson talked with EW last week about his upcoming film Water for Elephan(in theaters April 22), in which he plays a traveling-circus veterinarian who falls for the show’s star attraction, played by Reese Witherspoon.
Robert talked with EW about what his future will hold once Twilight has ended. “You can never really predict what an audience wants or how to maintain a career,” he says, “other than doing what you think is cool.” But, Pattinson laughs, “Generally, what I think is cool is what everyone else hates.”

One thing that Robert won’t miss when filming of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn wraps up next month — the contact lenses he’s had to wear to play Edward. “My God, I’ll be glad to see the last of those,” he says. “I actually want to get some kind of plastic explosive. I want to reanimate them into something so I can kill them. It’s so embarrassing for me — after so many years, it’s still a process every single morning. Everybody else has figured out how to do it, and then there’s two people holding me down because I can’t do it myself.”

Mother Crackhead: Linnocent “has never wavered regarding her innocence”

linnocent2
Will the crack hilarity never end? At the end of April, we’re now facing the first motions of The Crack Trial of The Century when our beloved Lindsay Lohan faces trial for her crack thievery and her multiple probation violations. Linnocent is still in NYC, as far as I know, with her mother and some of her siblings. There have been reports all over New York that she’s still partying her crack off and back to drinking, if not drugging. Linnocent is celebrating her innocence, it would seem. Mother Crackhead agrees - she’s given a new interview to Radar where she discusses her darling crackhead daughter’s decision to not cop a plea:

We Think Big, Huge.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have been celebrities since before they can remember, and unlike some former child stars, the twins, now 24, have come through the fame gauntlet (relatively) unscarred. Though there have been a few bumps in the road, the two are now respected fashion designers -- and the best bit is, they actually design the clothes themselves. In a revealing interview with Vogue, the two open up about their style, their business empire, and each other.


The History of Popcorn and the Movies

Ever wonder why popcorn and the movies go together like Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio? Here’s a brief history of the duo.

Popcorn wasn’t introduced to the general public as a snack food until around 1840, when it first made appearances at fairs, carnivals, and rallies. In 1885, with the invention of the first portable popcorn machine, its popularity increased dramatically. Popcorn vendors followed the crowds, set up shop, and introduced popcorn neophytes to the joys of butter, salt, and crunch. It was a cheap and tasty hit.

As fate would have it, the popcorn boom coincided with the dawn of nickelodeon (or dime) theatres. Vendors, quick to spot an opportunity, sold their treats outside of the movies. Though patrons loved it, the mess left behind, the smell of the machines, and popcorn’s association with burlesque irritated movie theatre owners, especially as the fancier theaters of the 1910s and 20s were built.


4 great ways to end a date

4 great ways to end a date


Janet loved seeing the Russian painting exhibit with John; John thought the bicycle ride after the museum visit made for the best first date he’d ever had. She liked him, and he liked her. And both of them wanted to go out again. So why did they put themselves through the agony of waiting a few days to call and follow up with a second-date request? Well, most of us don’t want to expose our feelings before the other party does. It’s uncomfortable to be vulnerable — and what if we get rejected?

If you’ve ever been in this situation — and we bet you have — let me help. I wrote the book Lucky in Love: 52 Fabulous, Foolproof Flirting Strategies for Every Week of the Year, and I have some advice for you. Here are my four favorite ways to make it clear you’ve had a blast and would be game for another go.

Live Like a Pop Diva

     Lady Gaga, Sheryl Crow and Alicia Keys show us how it's done

View of Lady Gaga's Pool at her $4.5 million Los Angeles home for sale

The term “diva” is derived from the Italian word for “goddess” and was originally used to refer to divinely talented and fanatically celebrated female opera stars. The term is now used more widely to describe gifted women performers in all musical genres.
Modern-day divas are also known for their fine tastes and high style. So when a diva moves house, the property she leaves behind will fit even the most discriminating buyer.
Here are five properties on the market that have served as homes to music’s biggest divas.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Before You Choose That College...

As college acceptance letters start to roll in, parents will soon have a better idea of their children's educational options for the years ahead.
But before students select a college and head off to school, financial advisers say there are a few things many families need to consider about how to handle the costs, get the most for their money and protect themselves against unexpected developments.
Below, five advisers share their words of advice for parents and their college-bound children.
 
1. THE ADVICE: Encourage your child to select a career first, and then a school.
THE REASON
Many parents and children approach college as a time to sort things out, to delve into a lot of areas and see which ones the child finds most inspiring. Greg Gilbert, an Atlanta-based financial adviser, sees it differently.
College, he says, is preparation for a career. But children often first think about what school they want to attend and then determine what career they will pursue. That can result in wasted time and money.
Thinking first about career options "helps children focus their college experience instead of hopping around from school to school," says Mr. Gilbert. It also may help cut down on costly extra classes in college and reduce or eliminate the need to retrain in the future, he says.
Of course, many high-school students have no idea what kind of work they want to do after college. Mr. Gilbert recommends that clients have their children work with a professional career counselor who can walk them through career options. In addition, he recommends that children shadow or at least visit with their parents' friends or other professionals in their field of interest and try to get volunteer or paid experience in the given field as early as possible.
"The key is not just saying 'Oh, I want to do this,' but instead, really actively vetting out the [career] idea to see if it's the right choice," he says.

French Newcomer Dives Into the Fourth 'Pirates' Film


Astrid Berges-Frisbey Walt Disney Pictures For young actors and actresses -- both in the U.S. and across the globe -- a break in a Hollywood movie can be the culmination of a lifelong dream. Especially if it's means working for two months in Hawaii on the fourth "Pirates of Caribbean" movie alongside Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz.
That dream became reality for 24-year-old Astrid Berges-Frisbey when she was cast as the ethereal mermaid Syrena in this summer's "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Born in Spain and raised in France, Berges-Frisbey makes her English language debut in the highly-anticipated sequel. But don't think she spent every free moment lounging around the beaches of Oahu where much of the film was shot. According to the studio, Berges-Frisbey was prohibited from spending too much time in the sun and ruining her pale complexion.
To see why mermaids are so important to the story of "On Stranger Tides," watch the exclusive new theatrical trailer below. And keep reading to learn more about this young European actress who is just getting her feet wet (so to speak) in America.
Astrid Berges-Frisbey originally hails from Barcelona but now resides in Paris. She made her acting debut in 2007 on French television, and has since appeared in films alongside notable talents Isabelle Huppert, Vincent Perez and Daniel Auteuil. She was already fluent in French, Spanish and Catalan, but she had to brush up on English after being cast in "On Stranger Tides."
Berges-Frisbey's character Syrena is one of eight mermaids featured in the film, but she plays a vital role in the story. Both Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and the villainous pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane) are hunting for the Fountain of Youth, and as Jack learns from Angelica (Penelope Cruz), you need a mermaid. Syrena is captured, and she develops a relationship with another new character, a missionary named Philip (Sam Claflin).
The actress told Digital Spy that the mermaids in the world of "Pirates" are different from what you're used to seeing in movies. She said, "It's not the pretty girl with a tail and her legs together, it's more kind of a woman-fish." She went on to say that when underwater, the mermaids will be entirely computer generated, like the skeleton pirates and Davy Jones's crew from the early films.

Audition to Become a Reality TV Star: A List of Shows Seeking Contestants

Ever dream of being a reality TV star? Fantasize about having your heart broken by an eligible bachelor or being the next singing sensation? Here's a list of casting details for some of the top reality TV shows.

"The Bachelor" on ABC
Brad Womack recently proposed to Emily Maynard in the "most dramatic rose ceremony ever." But before the last petal falls off the stem, ABC is casting the next set of potential young lovers. If you want to find the man or woman of your dreams while America watches, check out "The Bachelor" casting website. Applicants must be single, over 18, and not running for any political office (that's what it says, folks). There will be open casting calls in nine major cities during the months of May and June. To date the only location announced is a New York City audition on June 23. And if you're not interested yourself but have an idea for the perfect candidate, you can also nominate someone — and they don't even have to know. Check the casting site for more details and to find an audition in a city near you.

American Castles for Sale

If you think castles only exist in Europe, think again. Surprisingly, there are many castles in the U.S. and some are even for sale.
While these castles can weather storms, are they recession proof? Unfortunately, they are struggling to find buyers just like most other high-end homes and, according to Erin Diaz of Beaches & Backroads Realty, people are missing the boat. "I think we forget that people were on the ocean a century ago, hand-building these castles with these incredible details. These structures can withstand salt water, hurricanes and Mother Nature much better than other wooden structures. And there's a misconception that castles are dark and dingy, but these properties are gorgeous and they're mostly re-done."
Although modern-day castles are still being built, suburbia-style, we chose the 10 below due to their age and historic significance. These are not fortified with moats, or men dumping boiling oil from above, but they were all built around the start of the 20th century by those who were captured by the grandeur of dramatic fortress-like structures so prevalent centuries ago.

Here are five American castles for sale:

Searles Hopkins Castle is selling for $11 million in Great Barrington, MA.



America's Cleanest Cities, 2011

Here are the Five Cleanest Cities in America:

Cleanest Cities
No. 5: Las Vegas, NV
No. 5: Las Vegas, Nev.
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev.
Air quality rank: 40
Water quality rank: 12
Superfund rank: 7
Pounds of on-site toxic releases (2009): 1.3 million

Monday, March 21, 2011

Greet the Martyrs' mothers with a mother's day wish

Mother's day greetings

As Mothers’ Day approaches, we stand by the mothers of the martyrs who gave their lives for our countries across the Arab world to be free and strong. Share your wishes to them on Mothers’ Day. It will make a difference.

Dear Moms, We Are All With You

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Biggest Facebook Security Threats


Forget those phishing emails that attempt to get your credit card or bank sign-in information. When crooks want to know how to get into your bank account, they post a message on Facebook. These messages appear so innocuous and so appropriate in the Facebook setting that you are likely to not only get conned, but pass on the scam.
Facebook is the new frontier for fraud, says Tom Clare, head of product marketing at Blue Coat, an Internet security company that does annual reports on web threats. In just this past year social networks have soared to 4th from 17th most treacherous web terrain -- behind porn and software-sharing sites, which you probably know to avoid.
What makes Facebook so treacherous? Us.
It starts with the fact that we are inundated with requests to set up passwords to get into our work computers, our online bank accounts, Facebook and every other web-based subscription. So what do we do? We use the same password.
"Crooks understand that most users use the same password for everything," says Clare. "If they can get your user credentials for your Facebook account, there's a good chance that they have the password for your bank account."

7 signs your honey may cheat

7 signs your honey may cheat

Most of us — even the not-so-jealous types — know that feeling of, “Is my sweetheart really working late… or could this person be two-timing me?” I’ve counseled many individuals dealing with this concern, so let me share my knowledge with you about the signs that someone is cheating (or seriously contemplating it). Use this information and insight — and either stop worrying or have a serious talk with your partner!

Sign #1: Your sweetie keeps you a secret from his/her family and friends
Cheaters keep you in the dark while they play in the light. Your relationship won’t work if you’re getting what I call the Shadow Treatment. The Shadow Treatment means that you are often kept waiting in the wings while your mate is out socializing. Think about it: Are there gatherings of friends, family reunions or workplace parties that you are not invited to? Do you only meet some of your honey’s network of friends? If you are kept on the sidelines, there’s probably a good reason. Maybe your sweetie is on the prowl for someone else. Or perhaps there is already someone else and so your role in his or her life can’t be made public. Anytime you are kept on the fringes once you believe you are an exclusive couple, be suspicious. And know that the only way to end Shadow Treatment is to stop accepting it. Once you challenge it, you will either be fully accepted in your sweetheart’s life… or know it’s time to leave.

See the First Photo of Adrianne Palicki as Wonder Woman

Last month, NBC's "Wonder Woman" reboot cast its titular superheroine, with "Friday Night Lights" star Adrianne Palicki stepping into Lynda Carter's invisible plane. Today, the production has released its first image of Palicki in costume as Wonder Woman...and here she is!

Wonder Woman

As James Hibberd notes on EW.com, "NBC promises the project, if picked up to series, will offer a serious, non-campy take on the DC Comics character."

I'm not entirely sure how that pledge jibes with this image. I understand that this take on Wonder Woman's look is congruent with her costume in the comic books, but the only thing less practical for crime-fighting than vinyl leggings is a bustier (and don't even get me started on the high-heeled boots). A "serious, non-campy" vigilante has to be dressed for speed and flexibility — and, one would hope, utility.

So if this pilot — and, with it, this get-up — makes it to series, I guess we should just wish good luck to Palicki's stunt double, and to the NBC censor who's definitely going to have to spend a lot of time pixelating her costume malfunctions.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Lisa-Marie Lipscomb

Lisa-Marie 
Lipscomb

We saw glimpses of her yesterday in this video and here is a better look of this Phoenix born 16 year old Ford new face beaut Lisa-Marie Lipscomb. Shot by Danno Watts.

Lisa-Marie Lipscomb Lisa-Marie Lipscomb