TimesDispatch.com | AP News: "LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Anna Nicole Smith and TrimSpa Inc. have been sued in a class-action lawsuit alleging their marketing of a weight-loss pill is false or misleading.
Janet Luna and three people identified as her guardians were named in a lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges deceptive business practices and a violation of California's unfair competition law.
They are asking for unspecified damages, restitution and an injunction preventing Smith and New Jersey-based TrimSpa, maker of TrimSpa X32, from making claims that users of the pills can lose substantial amounts of weight.
Smith, 39, has endorsed TrimSpa and is a spokeswoman."
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
I'd Rather Shop for Clothes
Whereas some would rather read a good book.
Love is ... a pair of really good jeans - Yahoo! News: "NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters Life!) - For most women, the choice between sex and a new wardrobe is simple -- they go for the clothes.
Women on average say they would be willing to give up sex for 15 months for a closet full of new apparel, with 2 percent ready to abstain from sex for three years in exchange for new duds, according to a new survey of about 1,000 women in 10 U.S. cities.
Sixty-one percent of women polled said it would be worse to lose their favorite article of clothing than give up sex for a month."
Love is ... a pair of really good jeans - Yahoo! News: "NEW YORK, Feb 5 (Reuters Life!) - For most women, the choice between sex and a new wardrobe is simple -- they go for the clothes.
Women on average say they would be willing to give up sex for 15 months for a closet full of new apparel, with 2 percent ready to abstain from sex for three years in exchange for new duds, according to a new survey of about 1,000 women in 10 U.S. cities.
Sixty-one percent of women polled said it would be worse to lose their favorite article of clothing than give up sex for a month."
Ah, Democracy
U.S. military: Iraqi lawmaker is U.S. Embassy bomber� - CNN.com: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A man sentenced to death in Kuwait for the 1983 bombings of the U.S. and French embassies now sits in Iraq's parliament as a member of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's ruling coalition, according to U.S. military intelligence.
Jamal Jafaar Mohammed's seat in parliament gives him immunity from prosecution. Washington says he supports Shiite insurgents and acts as an Iranian agent in Iraq."
Jamal Jafaar Mohammed's seat in parliament gives him immunity from prosecution. Washington says he supports Shiite insurgents and acts as an Iranian agent in Iraq."
I'd Rather Read a Good Book
And you can buy one right here.
Sky News: When Sex Is Not Enough: "Most adults would prefer to cuddle up with a good book at bedtime rather than make love to their partner.
A survey of 2,000 people showed lovemaking was fourth in a list of 'favourite activities' when hitting the sack, behind reading, watching TV - and going to sleep.
Women were more likely to prefer to read at night, according to the survey by hotel chain Travelodge.
The most popular books of the moment were The Da Vinci Code, Lord of the Rings, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and Treasure Island.
Travelodge spokesman Wayne Munnelly said: 'Reading is the perfect way to wind down at the end of the day.
'Anxiety levels will drop as it provides a gentle distraction, pushing any worries out of your mind which will ultimately help you relax and fall asleep.'"
Sky News: When Sex Is Not Enough: "Most adults would prefer to cuddle up with a good book at bedtime rather than make love to their partner.
A survey of 2,000 people showed lovemaking was fourth in a list of 'favourite activities' when hitting the sack, behind reading, watching TV - and going to sleep.
Women were more likely to prefer to read at night, according to the survey by hotel chain Travelodge.
The most popular books of the moment were The Da Vinci Code, Lord of the Rings, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and Treasure Island.
Travelodge spokesman Wayne Munnelly said: 'Reading is the perfect way to wind down at the end of the day.
'Anxiety levels will drop as it provides a gentle distraction, pushing any worries out of your mind which will ultimately help you relax and fall asleep.'"
Bob Randisi Update Update
This just in: Vince Van Patten is appearing on Fox News Live on Wednesday, February 21 at 10:00 AM, not February 10 as stated in the previous post. Check it out.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Happy Birthday, Claude King!
Having just mentioned Claude King's recording of "The Comancheros" in connection with Stuart Whitman's birthday a few days ago, I still almost missed this opportunity to wish King a happy 84th birthday here on the 5th. The Whitman mention and the lyrics to "The Comancheros" are here. And of course I remember "Wolverton Mountain" and others. King also appeared in a movie called Swamp Girl. How could I have missed that one?
Croc Update
BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Crocodile disrupts swimming class: "A group of schoolchildren in Australia's Northern Territory has had a lucky escape.
They turned up at a Darwin pool early this morning to find that a crocodile had got there first.
The children noticed a dark shape in a shaded corner which then scuttled across the lawn and into the public pool.
Amid screams and shrieks, they quickly realised the shape in question was a crocodile.
The 1.6 metre reptile remained under water for more than two hours before it was tackled by a catcher who managed to tie it up, lift it from the pool and then take it to a nearby crocodile farm."
They turned up at a Darwin pool early this morning to find that a crocodile had got there first.
The children noticed a dark shape in a shaded corner which then scuttled across the lawn and into the public pool.
Amid screams and shrieks, they quickly realised the shape in question was a crocodile.
The 1.6 metre reptile remained under water for more than two hours before it was tackled by a catcher who managed to tie it up, lift it from the pool and then take it to a nearby crocodile farm."
Fifteen Geek Movies to see before You Die
TechBlog: Fifteen geek movies to see before you die: "Fifteen geek movies to see before you die
I am as much a film geek as a tech geek. In a previous life, I reviewed music and movies, and had lots more fun with the latter. If someone offered me a film-review job that paid my mortgage, I'd take it in a second, but I have a feeling that will remain a part of my past rather than become my future.
Sadly, most of the film reviews I wrote back then are not online . . . I'd love to share the absolutely horrible review I wrote of The Story of O for the Daily Texan, circa 1975. But alas . . .
Geeks and movies go together quite nicely. I've been thinking about films that reflect tech and geek culture, and have pulled together a list of 15 movies that should probably be on any geek's must-see list.
These are in no particular order, except that the first one is my No. 1 Must-Watch-for-Geek-Cred film."
I've seen 14 of these.
I am as much a film geek as a tech geek. In a previous life, I reviewed music and movies, and had lots more fun with the latter. If someone offered me a film-review job that paid my mortgage, I'd take it in a second, but I have a feeling that will remain a part of my past rather than become my future.
Sadly, most of the film reviews I wrote back then are not online . . . I'd love to share the absolutely horrible review I wrote of The Story of O for the Daily Texan, circa 1975. But alas . . .
Geeks and movies go together quite nicely. I've been thinking about films that reflect tech and geek culture, and have pulled together a list of 15 movies that should probably be on any geek's must-see list.
These are in no particular order, except that the first one is my No. 1 Must-Watch-for-Geek-Cred film."
I've seen 14 of these.
Happy Birthday, Margaret Millar!
The Bunburyist: "Author Margaret Millar, the wife of Lew Archer creator Ross Macdonald, was born on February 5, 1915. She died in 1994. Millar won an Edgar for Beast in View in 1956; other notable works include How Like an Angel and Beyond This Point are Monsters."
Permanent Housing -- Buy Now!
Missile Bases :: 20th Century Castles, Unique underground properties.
Thanks for your interests in our unique underground properties. Built at a cost of millions, these heavily reinforced historic structures were designed to withstand nuclear attack. They bring new meaning to the word "shelter". Centuries from now they will remain.
Very few of these first generation missile sites were built. All other sites decommissioned after 1965 are being destroyed to conform to international treaty agreements. No more structures of this size and strength are being built. Most of these properties are rough after 30 years of neglect, but with some clean up and reconstruction inside, their grandeur is restored.
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Top 10 Best Cleavages In Hollywood
Top 10 Best Cleavages In Hollywood | Frostfire: I report, you decide.
Scots Are the Grots
The Sun Online - News: The Scots are the grots!
SCOTS are the dirtiest people in Britain, according to a new survey.
A list of cities where folk wash least often was topped by Aberdeen, with Edinburgh and Glasgow next.
Don't mention this to Sunshine.
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Eggs-citing News
Fossilised dinosaur eggs found in MP : HindustanTimes.com: "n a remarkable feat, three amateur explorers have stumbled upon more than 100 fossilised eggs of dinosaurs in Madhya Pradesh. The eggs, belonging to the Cretaceous Era (approximately 144 to 65 million years ago), have been discovered in Kukshi-Bagh area of Dhar district, some 150 kms south-west of Indore.
The rare find is a significant step in the study of the pre-historic life in Narmada Valley.
'All the eggs were discovered from a single nesting site in a start to end exploration for 18 hours at the site in Kukshi-Bagh area, 40 kms from Manavar. As many as 6-8 eggs were found per nests,' an excited Vishal Verma of the Mangal Panchayatan Parishad, a group of amateur explorers, told Hindustan Times from near the site.
'The eggs are from upper cretaceous era when the dinosaurs were yet to be extinct. These eggs can be categorised in three types of soropaud dinosaurs, which were herbivorous. These animals used to come from far away areas to lay eggs on the sandy banks of the rivers in this area, identified scientifically as Lameta bed,' Verma said."
Key quote: "The eggs are from upper cretaceous era when the dinosaurs were yet to be extinct."
Gee. Ya think?
The rare find is a significant step in the study of the pre-historic life in Narmada Valley.
'All the eggs were discovered from a single nesting site in a start to end exploration for 18 hours at the site in Kukshi-Bagh area, 40 kms from Manavar. As many as 6-8 eggs were found per nests,' an excited Vishal Verma of the Mangal Panchayatan Parishad, a group of amateur explorers, told Hindustan Times from near the site.
'The eggs are from upper cretaceous era when the dinosaurs were yet to be extinct. These eggs can be categorised in three types of soropaud dinosaurs, which were herbivorous. These animals used to come from far away areas to lay eggs on the sandy banks of the rivers in this area, identified scientifically as Lameta bed,' Verma said."
Key quote: "The eggs are from upper cretaceous era when the dinosaurs were yet to be extinct."
Gee. Ya think?
Bob Randisi Update
Bob Randisi is the author of more books than I can count, much less consider writing. He's been publishing stories and novels for well over 25 years under many different names, but lately things have started to break his way for novels done under his real moniker. Here's a little update from Bob:
"Vince Van Patten will be appearing on Fox News Live on Sat. Feb 21, 10:00 Pacific time, specifically to discuss our Texas Hold'em mystery The Picasso Flop. With a little bit of luck he'll even mention my name.
Also, my first Rat Pack book shipped so well and was reviewed well enough for SMP to want two more. That's four, counting the one I just delivered. The first two are Everybody Kills Somebody Sometime and Luck Be a Lady, Don't Die. The third will be Hey There, You with the Gun in Your Hand."
Check 'em out.
Check 'em out.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Janet Maslin's Tribute to Sidney Sheldon
From the NYTBR: Sartre and star fever, side by side: this was Mr. Sheldon at his risible but lovable high-low best. He was both literate and lurid, and he made that combination hard to resist. He achieved his effects by using a secret weapon: his nostalgic appreciation of Thomas Wolfe, Sinclair Lewis, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and their storytelling skills. Thus equipped, and endlessly interested in the rich, powerful and tragic, he brought class to trash. And he did it with consistent professionalism, turning himself into a legitimate brand name. If that sounds like no great accomplishment, think about how rarely an author does it right.
Bonus: the commentary includes a Paris Hilton slam. Will the persecution never end?
Bonus: the commentary includes a Paris Hilton slam. Will the persecution never end?
I Wish I Were Still Blogging about Paris Hilton
Because if I were, I'd certainly link to today's Doonesbury. (Luckily for all of you, this link will be to a different strip tomorrow.)
It's Almost Too Late . . .
. . . but maybe you can get your vote in.
FTTW - a daily magazine: "Time to Vote: Worst Songs of the 70's
The nomination process is over and now that all those songs got stuck in your heads, we will make a half hearted attempt to apologize.
Sorry.
Really.
Vote as many times as you want. If clicking 'Paradise By The Dashboard Light' for four straight hours is your thing, then go for it. We're sure one of the editors of FTTW will be right behind you.
Poll stays up til Sunday 2pm. We're closing early this week because most of you will be doing Super Bowl partying Sunday anyhow."
FTTW - a daily magazine: "Time to Vote: Worst Songs of the 70's
The nomination process is over and now that all those songs got stuck in your heads, we will make a half hearted attempt to apologize.
Sorry.
Really.
Vote as many times as you want. If clicking 'Paradise By The Dashboard Light' for four straight hours is your thing, then go for it. We're sure one of the editors of FTTW will be right behind you.
Poll stays up til Sunday 2pm. We're closing early this week because most of you will be doing Super Bowl partying Sunday anyhow."
The Times, They Are A-Changin'
We may have talked about this before, but I believe there were a lot paperback covers in, say, the 1970s that nobody would dare to use today. I don't know if we've become more prudish (possible) or just more politically correct (also possible). For example, there's this cover from a 1975 Ballantine pb. Would anyone use this in 2007? I have my doubts.
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