Full time blog

Louisiana oil spill - o my god!!

2010-05-04T06:09:00.000-07:00

Louisiana oil spill may be five times bigger than previously thought
Oil from the wrecked Deepwater Horizon rig is feared to be gushing into the Gulf of Mexico at five times the latest estimate of the US Coastguard, according to satellite imagery studied by industry experts.

The catastrophic explosion that caused an oil spill from a BP offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico has reached the shoreline early Friday morning. The leak is currently releasing 5,000 barrels of oil per day, and efforts to manage the spill with controlled burning, dispersal and plugging the leak were unsuccessful Thursday. This oil spill is on track to become the worst oil spill in history, surpassing the damage done by the Exxon Valdez tanker that spilled 11 million gallons of oil into the ecologically sensitive Prince William Sound in 1989. Unlike the Exxon Valdez tragedy, in which a tanker held a finite capacity of oil, BP's rig is tapped into an underwater oil well and could pump more oil into the ocean indefinitely until the leak is plugged.

The view from space indicates that the oil may be leaking at a rate of 25,000 barrels a day, dwarfing the figure of 5,000 barrels that US officials and the British oil giant BP have used in recent days.

That would mean that some nine million gallons may already have escaped from the underwater well following the April 20 explosion that killed 11 rig workers. It suggests the disaster will almost certainly prove greater than the Exxon Valdez tanker spill off Alaska in 1989, which released 11 million gallons and was the worst previous spill at sea.

You may feel that getting your ex back is an impossible task.

2010-05-04T05:40:00.000-07:00

You may not realize that your courage and conviction can help you to get things back to where they were once before perhaps not as difficult as you think too. You can do this by following 3 important tips.
First, don't act desperate. Regardless of what you see on dating television or read in books, acting desperate does not help you in getting your ex back. In reality, it only drives your ex further and further emotionally away from you, they being glad they dumped you and your neediness. If your goal is to get back with your ex, then take some time for yourself away from your ex to collect your thoughts and come up with a viable plan that will help you to achieve that goal.
Second, identify the factors that caused your relationship to fail. By seeking out these factors, you can put every effort into working on the relationship and making it succeed where the relationship once failed. However, if it isn't addressed and you both decide to try again, the chances of the problem to resurface is likely. It is best to resolve any of these issues that are plaguing your relationship as soon as you can.
Third, don't make promises you can't or don't intend to keep. Lying does nothing for the relationship or for your character. Work on the problem that caused your relationship to suffer, work on tip two suggests you do, don't do changes for the short term. When a change is made short term, those problems that once were will resurface. You want a long term solution that doesn't leave room for big problems later on down the road. Working on them now and keeping up those variations you have made will keep you from backsliding.
By following the 3 tips above, you can work at getting your ex back but it is a continuous work in progress. Never assume that your relationship is back on track if you don't spend time working on it during the split.

Romance is female blue pills

2009-08-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

Being old in the tooth, I rarely pay any attention to the musings of the latest young pop stars. Although their music is no doubt enjoyable to young consumers, what they have to say is usually brainless. After all, they have only been around for twenty years or so and, in that time, they have seen little but piles of money rolling in through the door. What can these upstarts tell an old guy like me? Well, it seems thereв_Ts this publishing industry which exists to tell the stories of these latest celebrities. Their every move is photographed. Their every word is recorded. They are the style leaders and gurus for their generation. And, every now and again, the words from one of these role models leaks through into the conventional media. Taken by surprise, I find myself agreeing with Natasha Bedingfield. To be honest, I had to google her. Yes, I am that disconnected from the real world. It seems she has produced two albums, the last one featuring the encouraging, "I Wanna Have Your Babies". Anyway, this young lady of 26 summers has just found Mr. Right and demonstrates she has a wry sense of humor. It seems her fiancГc is hotter than David Beckham! Iв_Tm sure Victoria is relieved to hear that although quite how she knows how hot the older David can be is anyoneв_Ts guess. But it was the headline that caught my eye. Romance is female buy viagra.в__ So there you have it. Whereas we poor men have to keep popping the little blue pills, all women need to get in the mood is a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates. Well, thatв_Ts young love for you. In the interview, sheв_Ts proud of the fact that they write each other little love letters. It seems they still talk to each other. Heв_Ts charming and funny. I think I did that once. Well, I can do charming and, if in the mood, funny. But both at the same time is a real challenge. But her intended seems able to sweet talk entertainingly. Ah, the things you can do when youв_Tre young and in love. Except thereв_Ts a lesson there for us older men as well. Itв_Ts too easy to get wrapped up in the selfish point of view. Iв_Tm having troubles so all I need to do is order some cheap viagra online and then Iв_Tll be alright. Whereв_Ts the mention of my partner in all this. Relationships have two partners. Itв_Ts no good one getting in the mood with artificial aids if the other is experiencing one of her headaches. Natasha is right that both should be working towards the same end. We men should therefore take the time to remember the days of romance. It starts with talking to your partner, sharing the problems and asking for help. When she turns out to be on your side, you need to say thank you with a present. Yes, itв_Ts only a token and she should know you still love her, but it never hurts to produce evidence every now and again. Then when the romance is doing its
buy cheapest viagra act for her, you can take one of the little blue pills and enjoy the results.

Viagra for women is the latest drug, which can be considered a part of a large campaign that is a scam and deception to the female population who seek to have medical intervention for a specific purpose. The claims that a discount viagra for woman is viable and effective has been tested by reputable laboratories all over the country and yielded a negative result. The government have also intervened with the distribution and selling of the so called
buy viagra online for woman. Basically, the general findings regarding this drug resulted to the conclusion that it is not applicable to the female gender and it has no qualities of a sexual stimulant claimed to be effective for woman.

Any Children Questions about credit cards

2009-07-24T16:07:00.000-07:00

Credit Card ReceiptsQ: Do credit card receipts hold enough information for someone to steal your identity?
A: We called Visa for the answer to this question. It says that since 2005, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act has kept consumers safe. The Act was designed to reduce identity theft. It prohibits businesses from printing more than 5-digits of a customer's credit card on any receipt. So as long as there's no additional information on a receipt, there's no reason to worry about identity theft.

Requirements For The Front SeatQ: Is there are age, height, or weight restrictions for front seat passengers in cars?
A: We contacted Virginia, DC, and Maryland for the answer to this question. All three say that there is no legal age, height, or weight when children are able to sit in the front seat, except for rear-facing infants. However, the DC Department of Motor Vehicles, Maryland State Highway Administration, and Virginia DMV all require that children below the age of eight be properly restrained in a car seat or booster. Virginia recommends that all children below the age of thirteen sit in the back seat, and Maryland and DC advise that any children younger than twelve not be allowed in the front.

Tax RecordsQ: How do I handle the tax records of my deceased in-laws?
A: We called the Internal Revenue Service to get this answer. The IRS does not normally require relatives to keep tax records of their deceased family members. However, if the person owed additional tax, did not report income, filed a fraudulent return, or did not file a return at all, then the family should hold on to the records for at least three years. The IRS will audit a deceased person if it's suspicious about their Federal Tax Return.

New Credit Card And Your Credit ScoreQ: Does opening up a new credit card affect your credit score even if you make all your payments on time?
A: We went to Transunion to understand how credit scores are really calculated. It warns that opening up a new line of credit can damage a credit score if multiple accounts are opened within a short period of time. Lenders could perceive these consumers who open various accounts as being credit hungry. Opening low-limit credit lines will not do much damage to a credit score. But utilizing a high percentage of your given credit limit can lower your credit score.

Refreezing MeatQ: Can you refreeze meat once it's been thawed?
A: We went to the The U.S.Department of Agriculture for the answer. It says freezing the meat inactivates any microbes that exist in the food. If thawed, these microbes, such as bacteria, yeasts and molds, can become active again and lead to foodborne illnesses. The USDA states if food is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking.

Green Ways To Stay CoolQ: Are there "green" ways to keep cool as the weather gets hotter?
A: We turned to the Alliance to save energy for this question. It says ceiling and other fans provide cooling and circulation and can cut down on air conditioning.Also, keeps lamps or TVs away from your thermostat because of the heat they generate. Shade the east and west facing windows to keep the sunshine down.And delay heat-producing activities such as dishwashing and clothes-drying until evening hours. You may also want to keep curtains closed during daytime hours, and install awnings on south-facing windows. And planting shade trees can also help.

What are the differences between high school dating and college dating

2009-07-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

You have a lot more options of who to date in college and it's more about really finding someone who's personality you like as opposed to high school where it's just about dating someone who's hot (this isn't the case for everyone I know but when I was in high school that's pretty much how it was!) Also in college it's much easier to date because you're free from your parents.

The difference between them is that the collage girls have more *** on them rather than high sckool girl

High school dating is generally perceived to be all about fame,look and lust. Usually teenagers don't know what they think or feel ,but want what they can not have or not ready for.

When it comes to High School dating "Love" doesn't exist. College dating might be more deep and Love will be prominent. This might not be true in all cases ,but certainly in most cases.

What percentage of your dates come from online dating sites

2009-07-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

What is your take on this? Which method do you prefer and what proportion of your dates come from online sites?

I would say most of my dates (80-90%) come from online dating sites since it is more convenient (although I do not want to be dependent on it). However, some sites are riddled with spammers, so it definitely has it's faults. The traditional way of meeting people (face to face at parties, etc.) is still probably preferred.

In my time, I've met plenty of girls online but it never seem like dating. It seemed like a hook-up for sex only. However, doing more online dating than meeting a nice russian woman the normal way, such as in the mall or at a cafe, will make you lose your style with approaching women. Lower your percentage of online dating and increase your confidence in approaching women.

Lily Allen dating decorator

2009-07-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

The 'Fear' singer - who has previously dated Chemical Brothers star Ed Simons, record executive Seb Chew and art dealer Jay Jopling - is reportedly romancing house painter Sam Cooper after wanting a boyfriend who was closer to her own age and out of the limelight.A source said: "Lily is tired of only ever being involved with well-known men. She wanted to go out with someone her own age who isn't involved in music or media."Sam works hard as a painter and decorator and leads a totally normal life. Lily is completely smitten with him. They have known each other for a while but have only just started dating properly."The couple made their first public appearance on Tuesday (21.07.09) when they joined artist Damien Hirst - a friend of the 24-year-old singer's family - for dinner at London restaurant Scott's.Despite Sam reportedly being just a few years older than the 'Smile' singer, Lily recently said she expected her next lover to be 60 years old.She said: "It's funny because my boyfriends have gone up in terms of age and how much money they make."Lester Lloyd was a 20-year-old DJ and had no money, Seb Chew was 30 and had a bit more as a record executive, Ed Simons was 40 and had a bit more and Jay is pushing 50."That means the next one is probably going to be 60. I like them old and rich."The International Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg, Austria, said it had discovered two new works by Mozart. MoreDamon Albarn has buried hopes of any future shows with Blur saying he doesn't want to "ruin" what had been achieved. MoreBritain's Tracey Emin and Antony Gormley and South Africa's Marlene Dumas are among the artists who have contributed. So, many russian women wait you...

How many dates do people nowadays wait to have sex when first dating?

2009-06-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

Well it depends on the quality of the dates. If you connected and had deep conversation within three dates then that's fine. If you go on ten dates and never had any real connection or spark, then why would you get in bed. Its really case-by-case basis. Another thing, at the age of 30s, usually its fewer dates especially if you hit it off from the start. The first date is never advisable because it might give the impression that that's what you're in for or that you sleep around too. Having sex too early and then having a serious relationship should not affect the relationship. If both parties are serious about each other, time is not a factor, just feelings.

This reminds me of Charlotte off "Sex and the City". Always looking for the perfect answer regarding dating, relationships, or sex. The thing is, I don't think there is any cut and dry answer to any of these questions

But, thats YOUR EXPERIENCE. There is no real time and anybody who tries to give you a number of weeks, days, minutes or months is an idiot, straight up. When you are comfortable is the real answer. I will say that having sex on the first date brings your chances down to have a real relationship. Not because it cant happen, but because of the way that both parties think. How many time has he or she down this? And they always have doubts. But reality is if people want to make it work, they make it work. The number one reason for break up is communication. Sex is up there on the list but still. if people communicate they can get around most of their difference. So the real answer is whenever you are ready. Whether you have sex on the first date or 3 weeks later, its still sex. Nothing has changed. its only in your head.

Michael Jackson: A Legend with Soulful Voice of an Angel

2009-06-25T23:34:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson won 13 Grammys and scored 17 No. 1 hits, with and without his brothers. He died at age 50 in Los Angeles. Michael Jackson, the child singing sensation with the soulful voice of a fiery angel who went on to moonwalk his way to the title "King of Pop" by recording the best selling album in music history, died Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 50.Admirers around the world mourn Michael Jackson's death.Michael Jackson has been a legend since childhood. Check out pictures of his star-studded, and sometimes troubled, life.It marked a sudden end to a life that veered too often into a bizarre, scandal-plagued soap opera over the 27 years since the release of “Thriller.” His death came as he was planning a comeback he hoped would cement his legacy as the leading entertainer of his time -- as well as the head of a musical dynasty that gave the world the Jackson 5 and his superstar sister, Janet.Michael Joseph Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958, the seventh of nine children of Joe and Katherine Jackson, a God-fearing couple from hard-scrabble Gary, Indiana.Joe Jackson, a steel mill worker, was a stern, belt-wielding taskmaster who molded Michael and his older brothers, Tito, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon through sheer terror, intimidation and determination into the Jackson 5. By the time he was 10, Michael was the group’s frontman -- frontboy, really -- providing the leading vocals on such hits as “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and the ballad “I’ll Be There.”The Motown act soared to international superstardom, thanks to a string of hugely successful albums, appearances on numerous TV programs -- there was even a Jackson 5 cartoon show -- and near-constant touring. It seemed at time that young Michael, who had the poise of a performer far beyond his years and experience, was being robbed of his childhood – a theme that would come to haunt him in the years to follow.With Jackson nearing adulthood, and the Jackson 5 past its pop prime as a kiddie act, he began striking out on his own, appearing in the 1978 movie version of "The Wiz." He played the Scarecrow to the Dorothy of Diana Ross, the Motown mother figure whom he worshipped. Some would say he wanted to sculpt his face to look like her.Jackson established himself as a major songwriter and musical force in his own right with the 1979 album “Off The Wall.” The record, produced by Quincy Jones, who would become Jackson’s new mentor and father figure, yielded such genre-bending, danceable hits as “Rock With You” and “Don’t Stop 'Til You Get Enough.”But that was just a taste of the greatness to come.In 1982, Jackson, again with Jones by his side in the recording studio, released “Thriller,” which would go onto spawn nearly as many hits as tracks on the album. The gamut of pop was incredible – he dabbled with hard rock on the driving “Beat it,” which featured a blistering, but radio-friendly guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen; the dance-hit title track birthed perhaps the most adventurous and famous music video of all time; “The Girl is Mine” paired him on a sappy, earworm of a love song with Paul McCartney.But Jackson re-invented pop music with his biggest hit of all: “Billie Jean,” which combined a Sly Stone-like funk groove and searing falsetto vocal with an R&B and rock sensibility that could get the dead tapping their toes. His moonwalking-filled performance of the song on a TV special celebrating Motown’s 25th anniversary established him as the pre-eminent star of his time – and maybe the most electrifying performer ever."Thriller" sold 27 million copies in the U.S. alone, and 51 million overall, giving it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the top selling album of all time. He sold some 750 million records in total, placing behind only the Beatles and Elvis.The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer won 13 Grammys -- eight for "Thriller" alone -- and scored 17 No. 1 hits, with and without his brothers.Jackson's influence reached far beyond the sales figures and awards. His innovative music videos were a staple of MTV in the 1980s, as the music network became a powerful symbol of youth culture. His dance moves, from moonwalking to the crotch grabbing antics that made the old ladies blush, were widely imitated on stages and club floors around the world. His noveau-Sgt. Pepper military jacket, aviator sunglasses and his ever-present white glove shook the fashion world, earning him the nickname "The Gloved One."Perhaps most significantly his music and popularity bridged racial and ethnic chasms like no other artist before or since.In the years following “Thriller,” Jackson would produce more hit albums, including, “Bad” and “Dangerous.” He co-wrote the 1985 single "We Are the World," which brought together a supergroup of stars from across a wide musical spectrum to raise millions for starving people in Africa.But the news that would dog Jackson in the last half of his life centered around, at best, his eccentricities as a boy who never grew up, and at worst, a perpetrator of unspeakable child abuse. Fans were more likely to see his picture in the Star or National Enquirer than Billboard or Rolling Stone as odd behavior mushroomed into outright scandal.There was his incredibly shrinking and shape-changing nose. There was his ever-lightening skin, which he attributed to a condition called vitiligo.There was his reported attempt to buy the Elephant Man's bones. He succeeded in buying the publishing rights to the Beatles' catalog, infuriating McCartney, who felt Jackson went behind his back.There was the Peter Pan-inspired Neverland Ranch, complete with rides, and a menagerie – including a chimp named Bubbles. There were sleepovers by child stars, like Macaulay Culkin, and lesser-known kids – including a 13-year-old boy who charged Jackson molested him. The case was settled out of court in 1994. Similar accusations would haunt Jackson a decade later, painting him as a sicko who plied a young cancer survivor with wine he called "Jesus juice." A circus of a trial ended with his acquittal in 2005.Then there were the apparent sham marriages, one to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis, another music king whose downfall and early death he would come to mirror. Jackson and Lisa Marie, whose awkward kiss at the 1994 MTV Music Award was a less-than-convincing declaration of their love, broke up after two years. He later married -- and divorced -- his dermatologist's nurse, Debbie Rowe. Jackson fathered three children -- two of whom he named Prince Michael.He would walk the streets with a surgical mask over his face, and even donned a burka. He dangled his infant son from a hotel balcony in Germany in 2002 – the most public and craziest of the stunts that had more people calling him Wacko Jacko than the King of Pop.Jackson's 2001 album "Invincible," proved anything but -- it was a $30 million flop that effectively put his music career on hiatus. Beset by money and seemingly insurmountable image problems, Jackson -- once the highest paid entertainer in the world -- sold Neverland in 2005. He started showing up in Bahrain, where a prince later accused him of defaulting on a $7 million loan.While fans and the press should have learned never to be shocked by Jackson, he surprised entertainment world recently by signing on for a series of 50 shows beginning this summer in London. The concerts were set to start July 13, though there was talk of postponements amid reports of Jackson suffering from an undisclosed illness. Tickets were snapped up by fans uncertain whether they were going to witness the greatest comeback in pop history or another ring in what had become a traveling circus.Now the world will never know whether the boy who never grew up would end his career as a man worthy of his title as King of Pop, or as a sad court jester.

WOW - "Cash for Clunkers"!

2009-06-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

Congress has passed the Automotive Stimulus bill "Cash for Clunkers" and is a plan aimed at stimulating car purchases in America. The program provides $4,500 in credit to owners who trade in a current car for a more fuel-efficient and environmentally vehicle. The program will provide the $4,500 to owners whose current car gets less than 18mpg and if they buy a car with more than 10mpg improvement in mileage over their previous vehicle. If a buyer chooses a car with 4mpg more in economy than their current car, they can get $3,500 in credit. SUV and Truck owners also qualify under different procedures. Congress hopes the programs will remove some of the most polluting vehicles from the streets and stimulate the hard hit automotive industry at the same time.

Obama has accepted an invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup final

2009-06-22T05:13:00.000-07:00

US President Barack Obama has accepted an invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup final in Johannesburg on 11 June. "But you know that heads of state are extremely busy and hopefully his schedule will allow him to attend," he added. Blatter was replying to questions relating to security and how confident Fifa was of a successful World cup being hosted by South Africa. The opening ceremony would be performed at the new ultra modern 100 000-seater Soccer City. The match would feature either hosts Bafana Bafana or defending world champions Italy. Obama, whose father was born in Kenya, had never visited Africa as the leader of the free world. Blatter again stressed he had full confidence in South Africa's ability to host a successful World Cup. "In past years the reason that the World Cup has never been staged in Africa is because people in the rest of the world did not trust Africa. "I trust Africa and South Africa. It is time the rest of the world did the same. The world will see a fantastic spectacle in Africa in 2010. South Africa are going to make everyone proud of Africa." The test event, the Confederations Cup, was a success on and off the field and augured well for the 2010 showpiece. "The Confederations Cup is a sort of dress rehearsal where we can iron out problems. It has been a major success. My worry at the start of the competition was that some stadiums were not full, and that has been rectified by the local organising committee. "Now that Bafana Bafana are through to the semifinals we can expect full houses during the semifinals and final." Blatter, paraphrasing Obama, said: "South African can do it." Problems that arose with ticketing and transport would be solved by 2010, he added. The world soccer chief added that it was not about Fifa making millions of dollars from the Confederations Cup and World Cup in South Africa. He explained: "The finances are not as important as it is to give something back to Africa, and that is what Fifa is doing with the 2010 World Cup. Africa deserve to stage the World Cup." He reiterated that under no circumstances would vuvuzelas be banned at the World Cup. Foreign media and teams competing in the Confederations Cup had complained about the "buzzing noise" at matches. "Banning them no, in fact I will blow one of the vuvuzelas at my press conference in Johannesburg on Friday. Vuvuzelas make the South Africa game come alive. It is part of the local culture and adds to the flavour of SA soccer."

Obama to announce agreement with drug companies

2009-06-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama will make a formal announcement Monday welcoming the weekend agreement by the pharmaceutical industry to help close a gap in prescription drug coverage under Medicare.The president has invited Barry Rand, head of the senior citizens' advocacy group AARP, to appear with him.The drug companies have pledged to spend $80 billion over the next decade to help reduce the cost of drugs for seniors and pay for a portion of Obama's health care legislation.The deal was struck with Sen. Max Baucus, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, as well as the White House.Their industry shrinking, their projects on hold, their access to capital choked off, a subdued and sparse group...

Why does Obama support Bush's policy of endless detention in Afghanistan but not at Gitmo

2009-06-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

Bagram Air Base, the main US air base in Afganistan, was attacked with rockets. Two US soldiers were killed and six personnel were wounded. This attack is considered quite rare. Bagram is 40 kilometers northeast of Kabul...

I have heard from him in a little over a month... its tearing me apart and i dont know what to do or how to handle any of this... what should i do? He was supposed to be back in december of last year but was forced to stay for another six months. i spoke to him after the news but now its been over a month since ive last heard from him... some friends tell me to move on but the ones that are also in the service tell me not to listen to them.. im just so confused all over this..

What do you feel about Sunday's upcoming match? EGYPT v. US

2009-06-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

if egypt won usa after the win of egypt....will they play spain or the 2nd on group a1? pls answer fastif italy against brazil and we won us by bigger score we can draw with brazil by points but we will have more goals coz now egypt have "4 goals" and scored on us 4 so we r "0" brazil is"4" so it depends on italy to win brazil like 2-0 and we must win usa 3-0