"Music provides the soundtrack to our lives"
LL Cool J - "I Need Love"
November 5, 2009
Good One Jackass . . . . .
Adidas out at UCF after MJ’s son wears Jordans
"It might be the most expensive pairs of Air Jordans ever worn.
When Marcus Jordan took the floor Wednesday night for the University of Central Florida’s basketball team wearing Air Jordans, school sponsor adidas made it clear to the university that its deal with the school – a five-year contract set to expire next June – is now done.
“The University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to adidas,” the company said in a statement given to CNBC. “As a result, we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward."
Real classy move there slick, real classy. Let's see if and how your rich ass daddy will bail you out of this one. Dumbass.
(Yahoo)
"It might be the most expensive pairs of Air Jordans ever worn.
When Marcus Jordan took the floor Wednesday night for the University of Central Florida’s basketball team wearing Air Jordans, school sponsor adidas made it clear to the university that its deal with the school – a five-year contract set to expire next June – is now done.
“The University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to adidas,” the company said in a statement given to CNBC. “As a result, we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward."
Real classy move there slick, real classy. Let's see if and how your rich ass daddy will bail you out of this one. Dumbass.
(Yahoo)
How To Know If She's The One . . . . .
Romantic Love
In general, we men tend to have a very young, boyish, romantic notion of relationships. In the honeymoon phase of a new relationship, everything can be amazing. Fireworks, great sex, passion abound, lovey eye-gazing and more. But for most guys, this ends after a period of 1-6 months.
Then what? Because that feeling goes away, most men blame their girlfriend for the feeling going away. “I’m just not feeling it anymore.” “It was fun while it lasted.” “I think I love her, but I’m not in love with her,” and on and on.
So, these guys keep chasing that honeymoon, romantic feeling and have a hard time settling down with one woman.
For example, remember the movie Jerry McGuire? Some men think that there is actually one person who will make them feel perfect—everything will be okay. “If I just find the right person, she will satisfy the longing inside, fill the void, and as Jerry McGuire said, you’ll tell her she completes you.”
Do you see that this is a trap?
You know you are in a kind of romantic love-state when you are overcome with an almost euphoric, drug-like feeling.
Romantic love is where we become infatuated with a woman when we hardly know anything about her. Essentially we fall in love with our projections of who we think she is, rather than who she actually is.
Not once did any of these relationships last for me.
Perfect Love
When we are in a romantic love zone, we taste the possibility of perfect love.
Pefect love or absolute love is a term coined by psychology and Buddhist author John Welwood. Welwood describes it as “the perfect love we can know in our heart.” In other words, perfect love is like the sun, radiating and penetrating—always there, on fire.
We are all capable of perfect love and when we experience it we feel like we are coming home. Perfect love is a bit more grounded and penetrating than romantic love. Perfect love is who we are at our core.
Perfect love wakes us up to what is possible in a relationship with another person. This is what each of us longs for in every cell. We want this unconditioned love so badly we’d do anything for it. And when we experience it, we desperately attempt to hang on to the fleeting feeling.
But herein, is the trap. It is impossible for another human being to provide perfect love in an ongoing way.
Relative Love
Relative love is our ability to experience perfect love. Because we all have issues, wounds, and limitations in relationship to love, we remain clouded from consistently giving and receiving the perfect love that is always present.
Watch yourself in relationships. What patterns do you repeat? What ideas about love and women do you have? Do you ever get stuck and frustrated in intimate relationships? If so, that is relative love and it’s part of being human.
So why does this difference in love matter?
As Welwood states, “That is why it’s important to distinguish between absolute [perfect] and relative love — so we don’t go around seeking perfect love from imperfect situations.”
This is the great trap: In our society we are taught to believe that one person is supposed to meet our needs and make us happy so long as we both shall live. But let’s be honest. If you want to grow as a man and become stronger, more open, more whole, then having someone meet our every need probably isn’t best for you.
So, when you ask “Is she the one?” be honest about what you are expecting. Are you wanting perfect love from an imperfect person, which we all are?
Do you have any idea that it is possible to weather the storms and discover deeper and deeper love?
Once you begin to see the difference, you can make mature, conscious choices about the woman you are with.
Other Considerations . . . . .
The Grass is Greener
But what happens if I’m with one woman and I might be better suited for a different woman?
The “grass is greener” is a common phrase for many guys and can be incredibly stressful, causing many men great torment.
For example, within the long-term relationships I had, I always felt like the grass was greener somewhere else. I would freak out on a regular basis and ask “should I stay or should I go?”
I created a fantasy object in my mind. Because, if I had “that woman over there” then everything would be much better than right here, right now.
You see, we all want some other person such as a dream woman to enter our life and make everything better. It is the romantic in us that really does believe some other town or city, some other job, some other person holds the key, the answer.
Ambivalence and Fear
The grass is greener mentality is often merely an excuse to not relate to your fear and ambivalence. It was for me.
Try it because you might be scared. Scared of what? Scared to commit. Scared to experience giving and receiving relative love. Scared of what you or they might discover if you make the deep dive with another person.
Try it because you are ambivalent. In other words, part of you wants the dive deep in a committed partnership with a woman, and part of you wants to be forever free to roam the global landscape of women everywhere.
What you can do?
1. Get real. Stop looking to Hollywood and romance novels for examples of relationships. Instead, look around at real people in real life. Who do you want to emulate?
2. Man up. The little kid in you wants an omniscient woman (like the cosmic mother) to fill all of your needs. But remember, you are not a kid, you are a man. Act like one.
3. Ask yourself what kind of love are you chasing? Short term, romantic love? Or long term relative love wherein you and your partner have to do some work to access the perfect love that exists between you.
4. Stop looking to women to make you feel okay. Look to yourself. Get your own business in order, clean up the mess, stand tall and then you will attract a good lover.
5. Find man friends that support you to push your edges. Men who also make other women wrong are not helping you find the right woman. Get other men that are not afraid to call bullshit on you and your games.
6. Own your fear. Remember, most guys have fear come up in relationships and with intimacy. Nothing is wrong with your fear, just take full responsibility for it, rather than pretending like you are not afraid.
7. Own your ambivalence. We want the best of both worlds. Men want to have their cake and eat it too. I want to be in a deep, loving relationship and I want to also be alone, feel freedom, and live on an island in the middle of nowhere.
8. Challenge your own beliefs. Do you really believe that by finding “the one” that it will somehow solve your problems and make everything in your life okay?
(PrimerMagazine)
Official "Shotgun" Rules . . . . .
The Theory
The term "Shotgun" refers to the front passenger seat of an automobile. "Calling Shotgun" is the act of claiming the position of Shotgun for one's self. As this position is the most coveted of all positions when riding in a car, the following list of rules has been created to ensure that Shotgun can be acquired in a fair and equitable manner by any passenger of an automobile.
The History
The history of calling "Shotgun" goes back to the days of covered wagons and the Wild West. On a trip across the plains, the driver of a wagon would hold the reins of his horse team and concentrate on driving. This left him and the occupants of his wagon susceptible to sneak attacks from bandits and thieves. To avoid this atrocious circumstance it became necessary for one person to sit next to the driver with a shotgun and fend off the enemy.
Defending against bandits is no longer the priority of Shotgun however, but it has evolved into a pre-driving ritual that is experienced before almost every car ride across America and even the world. Because of the obvious evolution that has already occurred with Shotgun, we ask you to consider Shotgun as a living entity and be aware that it is always changing for the better good of society.
The Rules
The following rules have been created through many years of exploring the ritual of Shotgun and are designed with the idea of fairness to all as the main priority. They are also the most complete and comprehensive listing of Shotgun rules available today.
You Must Say The Word "Shotgun"
You must say the word "Shotgun" to stake your claim on Shotgun. This must be done clearly and loud enough so that at least one other to-be occupant of the vehicle can hear you. No variations of this word are acceptable. After you have rightfully called Shotgun, you have exclusive rights to Shotgun for that ride. However, if no one hears you call Shotgun it is still fair game for everyone.
The Deed Must Be Done Before Shotgun May Be Called
For these rules to work properly, it is essential for you to understand and accept the concept of the "Deed". Shotgun may only be called after the "deed is done". Simply stated, the deed is any activity or objective that directly precedes the ride in the automobile. The deed can be anything ranging from a visit at a friend's house, to a shopping trip at the mall, to a visit to the Grand Canyon. We cannot stress how important this is because this establishes a Shotgun-calling time frame that ensures everyone has an equal chance of recognizing when to call Shotgun.
There is no crime greater than calling Shotgun on Monday in reference to the ride to the concert on Friday. Some people choose to play this way, and they are fools.
You Must Be Outside To Call Shotgun
The best way to establish exactly when the deed is done is to define this moment as the instance that you have left the building in which the deed took place. All passengers need not to have exited, but someone must hear you call Shotgun.
Some people choose to use a variation of this rule and require that all occupants be out of the building before Shotgun can be called. This does not work. It leads to everyone calling Shotgun at the same time and often ends in physical violence.
The Barefoot Rule
Since you must be outside to call Shotgun, some people will just grab their shoes, jump outside, and call Shotgun before putting their shoes on. This has been deemed "gaping", and is not a legal procedure. You must have your shoes on, if you choose to wear any, before you may call Shotgun.
The Re-entry Rule
If you call Shotgun and then go back inside for some reason, you must re-call Shotgun after leaving. After you have re-entered the building, Shotgun is once again fair game to all.
Poker Rules
If you are looking for rules for different kinds of poker, rather than shotgun and rock paper scissors, you can try Pokerlistings.com. They supply the rules for all popular variants of poker.
When The Deed Is Outdoors
If the deed takes place outdoors, which it often does, the completion of the deed must be agreed upon when Shotgun is called. Any major disputes over the completion of the deed, as with any discrepancy, can be easily settled with a quick round of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
The Line-Of-Sight Rule
In the situation of the deed being a hike or other extensive outdoor activity, you may not call Shotgun until the automobile is within your sight. This rule needs only to be used when the passengers are outside for a long time and have traveled long distances from the car, as with a day of snow skiing.
Pocket Reference Guide
Are you enjoying reading these rules? Help support ShotgunRules.com by purchasing one of our exquisite rule books. They are very durable, and designed to be water and wrinkle resistant. Buy one today!
Miscellaneous
Hand On Door
Shotgun can no longer be called once someone's hand is holding the shotgun door handle. This officially stakes their claim to Shotgun and calling it at this time is just redundant. This is one scenario where a person does not actually have to say Shotgun to get the seat. This rule's importance is that no one has to be around for you to stake your claim to Shotgun, whereas usually one other would-be occupant must be present for you to call it.
Sit Down
If you manage to sit in Shotgun before anyone has called it, you keep the position even if someone else calls shotgun after you sat down. This is very similar to the Hand on Door rule, where you do not actually have to say Shotgun nor does anyone else have to be present for you to claim it.
The Balk
This rule is applied when you have called Shotgun and are waiting for the doors to be unlocked. If you lift the handle while the doors are being unlocked and therefore cause the Shotgun door to remain locked, then you are "voided" for that ride. At this time Shotgun is available for all of the other passengers to call.
Garages
If you enter a garage that is connected to a house or building without having to go outside, then you may call Shotgun as soon as you enter the room. This only applies to small attached garages. Parking structures and detached garages are always considered as being outdoors, even if they are underground.
Multiple Cars
In the situation where a group of people are travelling in multiple cars, you must specify which car you are calling Shotgun for. For example: if the two drivers are named "Bob" and "Sue", then someone must say "Shotgun Bob" or "Shotgun Sue" depending on which car they would like to ride in.
Shotgun Abandonment
If the Shotgun occupant exits the car to accomplish a deed, Shotgun becomes eligible to the remaining passengers in the other seat(s). Once Shotgun is available, you must call Shotgun before the other occupants. Often times there is discrepancy regarding when Shotgun actually becomes available. Several attempts have been made to clearly define this point, yet no truly fair rule can be applied here. For this reason, one game of Rock, Paper, Scissors is usually the easiest way to solve the problem. Exception: If the Shotgun rider abandoned the seat to do a deed for the driver, i.e. purchasing cigarettes or pumping gas, that person retains Shotgun.
Other Seats
Once the Shotgun seat has been called by someone, the other less prestigious seats in the car may be claimed using the same rules as calling Shotgun. For example: you can say "back-right" or "back-center". In addition, you may also negate calls such as "not back-center" which would put you in any seat except for the back-center.
Remain Seated
If you choose to remain in the automobile while the other passengers accomplish their deed, you may retain full rights to Shotgun. Often times not everyone needs to go inside when completing menial deeds. It can be abused however when a certain person is willing to wait in the car for extensive periods of time in order to retain the rights to Shotgun. This type of person is considered to be a "Shotgun Gaper".
The Shotgun Gaper
Gapers (gay-pers) are people who prioritize Shotgun much more than a normal human being. These people will alter their usual behavior and even undermine their own ethics in order to gain the rights to Shotgun. They do this through legal means such as sprinting for an exit, and therefore they cannot be voided. The term gaper was originally given to Will Henderson who once rode Shotgun for 2 months straight. The advantage to being a Shotgun Gaper, of course, is you always get Shotgun. Being a Shotgun Gaper, however, is frowned upon.
If you know any Gapers and disapprove of their gaping ways, visit our Gaper page. There you will find tips and tactics to help you beat the Gaper at their own game.
Voiding
Whenever you break a Shotgun rule as stated in this guide, you may be voided from receiving Shotgun privileges for that ride. Although somewhat discretionary, voiding automatically applies if you call Shotgun while indoors, or if you do not have your shoes on and call Shotgun, or if you display any other blatant disregard for Shotgun protocol. In circumstances of minor Shotgun rules infractions, voiding may not need to be exercised. Being void only applies for the ride directly after the voiding has occurred and after that ride you may regain full Shotgun privileges. Once someone has been voided, then all of the other passengers are free to once again call Shotgun in the correct manner.
Discrepancies
If a discrepancy ever occurs, and they commonly do, over who rightfully gets Shotgun, it is usually settled with a single game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. A common application of this procedure takes place after two people call Shotgun at the exact same time. Click here to play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors against the computer. Also consider buying one of our professionally printed rulebooks to help settle disputes on the road.
Special note regarding discrepancies: many people use a "driver override" rule that says the driver of the car settles any discrepancies. The driver override rule also says that a driver has the final say about who gets to ride Shotgun. This version of the rule is very subjective and defeats the purpose of calling Shotgun. Rock, Paper, Scissors is a much more fair and objective way of settling any disputes.
New Rules
Because Shotgun is a living entity and constantly changing, new rules always need to be created. Any group of people is welcome to implement their own rule if the situation arises. A new rule will often be created following a major discrepancy. The important thing to remember about this is that the new rule does not take effect until the next car ride.
Exceptions
Although the Shotgun rules have been created with ultimate fairness in mind, there are situations where exceptions need to be implemented.
Significant Others
This is the most important exception. If a significant other (SO) is included in the group of automobile passengers and this person is the SO or potential SO of the driver, then they get automatic Shotgun privileges.
Multiple Calls
There is a rare exception where more than one person may have rightfully called Shotgun. This happens when multiple groups of people are meeting at a car, and both groups had someone claim Shotgun. If it can not be determined who made the call first, then the only fair way to settle the dispute is with Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Owner-Driver Switch
If someone is driving an automobile other than its owner and the owner becomes a passenger, then the owner automatically gets Shotgun. When applied, this rule shows respect to the owner of the car.
The Long Haul
The rules listed above have been designed around the shorter trip (less than 1 hour). For longer journeys it is best not to use these rules because the incentives to be a gaper are too great. Rather, you should divide Shotgun equally among those who want it.
Pocket Reference Guide
We are selling a miniature Shotgun Rulebook containing the full text from the website. Buy it and put it in your glovebox to settle disputes and educate your friends with the proper Shotgun calling procedures. Click here to find out more about the guide and to purchase your copy today!
(Neatorama)
For The Mature Palate Of An Alcohol Connoisseur . . . . .
An Introduction to Scotch Whisky
"It’s a scary step to take. The jump from 5 to 40+% alcohol, the distillation process, the regions and production methods. The more you learn, the more you start to see the similarities between beer and whisky. Both industries are controlled by a handful of large corporations. Both products use the same primary ingredients – barley, water, and yeast (the exception being hops) – and the tasting skills largely carry over. In what follows I hope to demystify the world of whisky a bit and give you some suggestions for taking your first steps into the world of whisky."
Whiskey or Whisky?
Whisky goes by many names. That produced in Scotland is termed “scotch” or “scotch whisky.” In Ireland and the US an “e” is added to make “whiskey.” While most whiskies are made with barley, those made with corn and rye are called bourbon and rye, respectively. Additionally, many whiskies are blends from various distilleries and maltings; those made only from a single distillery are called “single malt.” Put that all together, and you can deduce that the infamous “single malt scotch” is simply whisky made in Scotland from a single distillery.
How It’s Made
I’ll admit to not knowing any of the above when I first started enjoying whisky. I don’t think I even put together that the Canadian Club (rye) and the Buffalo Trace (bourbon) on my shelf were in the same family of spirits. Only through learning the process of making whisky did I really understand.
First, barley is soaked and allowed to germinate slightly before heat is applied to cease the germination. If this heating is done with peat moss, the whisky will take on a smoky, oily character. Next, the dried barley (now called malt) is ground up, heated in hot water (where it becomes wort), and allowed to ferment using yeast (where it becomes wash). Once fermented, the alcohol is extracted from the wash, which has 5-8% alcohol. Since alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water (78 vs. 100 degrees Celsius), you can easily extract the alcohol by heating the wash to just below 100 degrees Celsius and capturing the boiled alcohol in the form of steam. This steam is then condensed to create a liquid with much higher alcohol content. After repeating the distillation process 1 or 2 more times, the resulting liquid is then stored in oak barrels for a few years (depending on the country), at which point it can be officially called “whisky”!
Different Varieties
While whisky is produced in Japan, the US, Ireland, and elsewhere, the most famous of all is Scotland. Traditionally divided into geographical regions, the diversity within regions makes broad generalizations useless. A couple points still hold, though. Firstly, the Lowlands of the south-east are known for producing mild whiskies, while the islands of the west are known for strong, peaty whiskies. Let’s take a look at a few delicious and easily accessible whiskies and how they epitomize the regions in which they’re from.
(JustAGuyThing)
Fanning The Already Intensely Burning Flames Of Divorce . . . . .
Court denies Jamie McCourt's bid to get job back as Dodgers CEO
"LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt lost her bid to be reinstated as the team's chief executive Thursday during a hearing in the couple's messy divorce.
After arguments from both sides about whether Frank McCourt's decision to fire his wife should stand, Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ruled that no state law supports Jamie McCourt's bid to get her job back."
(SI)
"LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt lost her bid to be reinstated as the team's chief executive Thursday during a hearing in the couple's messy divorce.
After arguments from both sides about whether Frank McCourt's decision to fire his wife should stand, Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ruled that no state law supports Jamie McCourt's bid to get her job back."
(SI)
More Participants Will Provide You With More Accurate Numbers . . . . .
Nearly 10 Percent of the Adult Population Are Virgins
Based on: "a survey of [only] 7,000 American adults."
(Asylum)
Based on: "a survey of [only] 7,000 American adults."
(Asylum)
The New Modern Way Of Hinting You Want To Break Up . . . . .
How To: Ruin a Relationship in 3 Easy Steps
Step 1: Be Too Available
Step 2: Use Facebook
Step 3: Constantly Compare Her To Your Ex-Girlfriend
(HolyTaco)
Step 1: Be Too Available
Step 2: Use Facebook
Step 3: Constantly Compare Her To Your Ex-Girlfriend
(HolyTaco)
Social Network Popularity Contest Perspective . . . . .
It wasn’t all that long ago that Digg captured our collective imagination. In fact, even last year Google thought it was important enough to seriously consider buying Digg, only to back out at the last minute. Digg was the future of news. It was crowdsourced, democratic editorial.
Comscore worldwide data says Digg, Twitter and Facebook have 32 million, 58 million and 411 million unique monthly visitors (September 2009), respectively. Google Trends says much the same thing, but the growth over time is fascinating visually. We started with Digg, then added Twitter, and then added Facebook. In the end, Digg and Twitter are just footnote blips in the chart.
About a third of all Internet users worldwide visited Facebook in September 2009, says Comscore. A year ago it was 17%. And what about Digg? They grew from 15 million worldwide unique visitors a year ago to 32 million today. And they tripled page views to 171 million. So it’s not really about Digg doing anything wrong. They just pale in comparison to the guys currently in the spotlight – Twitter and Facebook.
If you could only use one service, which one would you choose?"
(TechCrunch)
Comscore worldwide data says Digg, Twitter and Facebook have 32 million, 58 million and 411 million unique monthly visitors (September 2009), respectively. Google Trends says much the same thing, but the growth over time is fascinating visually. We started with Digg, then added Twitter, and then added Facebook. In the end, Digg and Twitter are just footnote blips in the chart.
About a third of all Internet users worldwide visited Facebook in September 2009, says Comscore. A year ago it was 17%. And what about Digg? They grew from 15 million worldwide unique visitors a year ago to 32 million today. And they tripled page views to 171 million. So it’s not really about Digg doing anything wrong. They just pale in comparison to the guys currently in the spotlight – Twitter and Facebook.
If you could only use one service, which one would you choose?"
(TechCrunch)
Some Internal Memo's Really Need To Stay Internal . . . . .
Leaked AT&T Memo Outlines Spin Tactics Regarding Verizon Lawsuit
"Channels: COR, DMDR, LD, and NR Internal
Roles: Reps & Above
Markets: All
Contact: Your Manager
AT&T filed a lawsuit on November 4, 2009 against Verizon's "There's a Map for That" advertising campaign. Independent research shows that the maps in the advertisements mislead consumers into believing that we do not offer any wireless service in the vast majority of the country. In fact, AT&T's 2.5G EDGE network covers 1.75 million square miles of the United States, reaching some 296 million people, roughly the same number reached by Verizon's network. This network supports popular services like e-mail, surfing the Web, texting, and voice calling, including the activities shown in the Verizon TV advertisements. In addition, our 3G service, the nation's fastest, is available in more than 9,400 cities and towns.
We filed the lawsuit in Federal District Court in Atlanta and asked that Verizon be prohibited from misleading consumers regarding the scope of our wireless network.
How should I respond to customers who ask about the lawsuit?
While we cannot speculate on the complaint filed, it is a great opportunity to remind customers of AT&T's many advantages that over 81 million customers enjoy, including:
* Best Network
* The best coverage worldwide (More Bars in More PlacesTM).
* The nation's fastest 3G network and the only national 3G carrier providing simultaneous voice and data usage.
* The most devices that work in the most places including Japan and South Korea (3G 2100 MHz device required).
* The nation's largest wireless and wireline broadband provider.
* The nation's largest company-owned and operated WiFi network with more than 20,000 hotspots, including Starbucks, McDonald's and Barnes and Noble, as well as access to over 120,000 hotspots around the world.
* The leading provider of local and long distance voice services.
Greatest Value – The fairest value with Rollover® allowing customers to keep their unused minutes month to month.
Best Products - The most innovative exclusive devices such as the iPhoneTM 3GS.
Most Convenient Services
* The most customer friendly free self-service tools with *Services for checking usage, paying bills, and adding features.
* The most convenient and cost-effective way for customers to manage their accounts with Combined Billing for wireless and wireline products.
* Industry leading 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
As always, if you have an inquiry from the media, please refer them to your local media relations team member."
(Gizmodo)
"Channels: COR, DMDR, LD, and NR Internal
Roles: Reps & Above
Markets: All
Contact: Your Manager
AT&T filed a lawsuit on November 4, 2009 against Verizon's "There's a Map for That" advertising campaign. Independent research shows that the maps in the advertisements mislead consumers into believing that we do not offer any wireless service in the vast majority of the country. In fact, AT&T's 2.5G EDGE network covers 1.75 million square miles of the United States, reaching some 296 million people, roughly the same number reached by Verizon's network. This network supports popular services like e-mail, surfing the Web, texting, and voice calling, including the activities shown in the Verizon TV advertisements. In addition, our 3G service, the nation's fastest, is available in more than 9,400 cities and towns.
We filed the lawsuit in Federal District Court in Atlanta and asked that Verizon be prohibited from misleading consumers regarding the scope of our wireless network.
How should I respond to customers who ask about the lawsuit?
While we cannot speculate on the complaint filed, it is a great opportunity to remind customers of AT&T's many advantages that over 81 million customers enjoy, including:
* Best Network
* The best coverage worldwide (More Bars in More PlacesTM).
* The nation's fastest 3G network and the only national 3G carrier providing simultaneous voice and data usage.
* The most devices that work in the most places including Japan and South Korea (3G 2100 MHz device required).
* The nation's largest wireless and wireline broadband provider.
* The nation's largest company-owned and operated WiFi network with more than 20,000 hotspots, including Starbucks, McDonald's and Barnes and Noble, as well as access to over 120,000 hotspots around the world.
* The leading provider of local and long distance voice services.
Greatest Value – The fairest value with Rollover® allowing customers to keep their unused minutes month to month.
Best Products - The most innovative exclusive devices such as the iPhoneTM 3GS.
Most Convenient Services
* The most customer friendly free self-service tools with *Services for checking usage, paying bills, and adding features.
* The most convenient and cost-effective way for customers to manage their accounts with Combined Billing for wireless and wireline products.
* Industry leading 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
As always, if you have an inquiry from the media, please refer them to your local media relations team member."
(Gizmodo)
This Idea Needs Some More R & D Time . . . . .
Inflatable Seatbelts...Really Ford?
"Times are tough for the automotive industry. Consumers have less money, the environment has less tolerance and nothing short of new engineering paradigms can fix any of it. You know, stuff like inflatable rear seatbelts.
The next-generation Ford Explorer will come with rear seatbelts that inflate in an accident, just like an airbag. But the intent isn't to absorb a body hurling through the car, softening the blow into a seat or steering wheel. Instead, the airbag simply multiplies the surface area of the belt against your body during an impact by five times.
It makes crashes more comfortable on the body, reducing "head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries," according to Ford. I can't argue with that lest I sound like I hate humanity (which I do, but kids and old people are OK with me). However, I CAN argue with their second point:
Ford claims that, since these belts are naturally more comfortable in trials, they should have a positive impact on the low 61 percent rear belt usage rate in the US.
If all we need is a softer seatbelt to fix that stat, I have a feeling that can be accomplished for a lot less than America will spend on 60-millisecond-deploying seatbelt airbags."
(Gizmodo)
Another Silly Study About iPhone Users Habits . . . . .
Silly study looks at iPhone users’ dating habits.
"One stat to whet your beak: one in three iPhone owners have admitted to breaking up with their significant other via text message."
• One in three iPhone owners say that owning old gadgets would turn them off from a potential significant other
• One in five iPhone owners have admitted to viewing porn on their iPhone
• One in four iPhone owners have broken up with a signifant other because they spend too much time on their mobile device
• iPhone owners prefer people who own “cool gadgets” over a college degree
(CrunchGear)
"One stat to whet your beak: one in three iPhone owners have admitted to breaking up with their significant other via text message."
• One in three iPhone owners say that owning old gadgets would turn them off from a potential significant other
• One in five iPhone owners have admitted to viewing porn on their iPhone
• One in four iPhone owners have broken up with a signifant other because they spend too much time on their mobile device
• iPhone owners prefer people who own “cool gadgets” over a college degree
(CrunchGear)
Social Networking Is Benefical To Your Real Life Social Life . . . . .
"Online social network use isn’t detrimental to your actual social network"
• People who use mobile phones have a 12 percent larger discussion circle (people you talk to about Important Stuff) than non-mobile users
• The diversity of a person’s “core network” is 25 percent larger for mobile phone users, and 15 percent larger for basic Internet users
• People who use social networks tend to have “real” social networks that are more diverse than people who don’t
• Internet users are no less likely to have a chat with their neighbor than someone who doesn’t use the Internet all that much
(CrunchGear)
New Brazilian Restaurant Opening At Universal City Walk Nov 5th . . . . .
Samba opens at Universal CityWalk
"Try several variations on the Caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil. Samba Brazilian Steakhouse and Lounge, which opens on Universal CityWalk on Wednesday, November 4th, will be mixing up well over a dozen variations on this refreshing beverage, including a jalapeno-meets-cucumber and -- wait for it -- Caipiroska Bubble Gum."
"Please note: While the dancing and martial-arts performance will take place on CityWalk and is open to the general public, Samba is having a private party on November 4th, and will officially be open to the public starting on the evening of November 5th."
(NBC4LA)
2009 Golden Steering Wheel Award Winner Is . . . . .
2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG wins the ‘Golden Steering Wheel 2009' award
"According to more than a quarter of a million readers, “Bild am Sonntag”, “Auto Bild” and 25 associated European publications awarded the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing is the world’s best super sports and received the “Golden Steering Wheel” – one of the most important automotive awards in Europe.
Eleven sports cars competed for this award, but it appears that almost one third of all votes were cast in favour of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The new German sports car evokes memories of the the legendary 300 SL “Gullwing” sports car of the 1950s but excels when it comes to lightweight construction, superior driving dynamics and exemplary safety."
(Autospies)
Possibly The Next Great North American Supercar . . . . .
HTT Plethore LC-750
"Comprised of a carbon fiber architecture and body with an integrated (and supposedly soon-to-be) FIA-certified roll-cage, the Plethora could be the first production vehicle simultaneously approved for both the road and the track, and since high-level competition is close to Chartrand's heart, it's a necessity -- he wants to see the Plethore competing in the American LeMans series.
To hang with the big boys at the upper echelons of motorsport, the Plethore has to be more than a lightweight body (2,535 pounds) and a massive stance (89 inches in the rear). So Chartrand has mounted the Corvette ZR1's LS9 longitudinally amidships and tweaked output to 750 hp. As with all start-ups, HTT plans to offer an even hotter version to the public, putting out a claimed 1,300 hp with the help of a set of turbos.
Currently channeling all that grunt to the ground is a six-speed manual, but there are plans to offer a six-speed sequential gearbox along with a limited-slip differential. Double wishbones are fitted at all four corners to keep the 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) wheels in constant contact with the ground, with AP Racing brakes sized 15-inches in front (six-piston caliper) and 13-inches (four-piston caliper) in the rear.
Although the astronomical output and production-intensive architecture are the cornerstones of the project, the interior -- with its central mounted driving position, room for two occupants (sounds familiar) and roof-mounted switchgear -- are some of the more impressive details. That, and the hydraulically actuated doors, which swing upwards and close at the touch of a button.
Chartrand claims that production will begin sometime late this year, with a price tag of around $600,000 for the standard, 750-hp version and close to $1m for the 1,300-hp variant."
(Autoblog)
Porshe Is Heading Down A Path Of Uncertainty Without A Map . . . . .
Seven new Porsche models reportedly due over next four years... could there be more?
"It doesn't seem that long ago that Porsche was a two-car company. But since then, the German automaker has come out with the Cayenne and the Panamera, taking it into new territory – for better or worse. Now that it's part of the Volkswagen Group, sources expect Porsche to begin expanding its lineup even more, and British rag Autocar has what they're calling a comprehensive outline for seven new models in the works at Stuttgart that will arrive over the course of the next four years.
Starting with next year, we should see V6 engines on offer in the Panamera, including gasoline and – in certain markets anyway – diesel-burning sixes. The same year should bring the new Cayenne, the third-generation model, with a more curvaceous body to look even more like a 911 on stilts.
Two years from now in 2011, we should be seeing a hybrid version of the Panamera coupling either a V6 or V8 engine to an electric motor for green propulsion. An all-new 911 is due by the summer of 2012, and is expected to be a significant departure from the existing model, both longer and wider with an all-new design – but don't expect the rear-engine set-up to go anywhere.
2013 could see the debut of the so-called Roxster, a baby brother to the Cayenne likely to share its platform with the Audi Q5, as well as the anticipated successor to the 928, based on the Panamera and arriving in both coupe and convertible body-styles. To Autocar's list we'll add the electric sportscar currently under development, the Boxster Spyder that we previewed earlier this morning, and the rumored RS Spyder-based supercar to succeed the departed Carrera GT, giving the Germans a more grandiose expansion plan than we've seen in over 60 years."
(Autoblog)
Slightly Suffering From Some Food Withdrawal . . . . .
I woke up this morning and realized something. It is SEMA week, and I am waking up at home! It finally hit me, an entire SEMA show is coming and going and I will not be there to take part in it. Is that a symptom of withdrawal?
The funny thing is, I am not disappointed one bit that I will not be able to attend the show itself. If you have ever been to SEMA before, yes it is a great experience. One show that every car enthusiast should have the pleasure of attending at least once in their lifetime.
What I am disappointed in is that I will not be able to wine and dine elaborately in Las Vegas. There is just something about eating the food in Las Vegas. Even though I can just as easily eat the same cuisine here in Socal, something about the ambiance and the enhanced dining experience that is Las Vegas makes the food a little bit more tasty. Not to mention, a meal always tastes great when the food tab can be itemized on the expense account or is payed for my someone else on their expense account.
Here's some pictures of the Las Vegas cuisine that is making me miss going to SEMA.
The funny thing is, I am not disappointed one bit that I will not be able to attend the show itself. If you have ever been to SEMA before, yes it is a great experience. One show that every car enthusiast should have the pleasure of attending at least once in their lifetime.
What I am disappointed in is that I will not be able to wine and dine elaborately in Las Vegas. There is just something about eating the food in Las Vegas. Even though I can just as easily eat the same cuisine here in Socal, something about the ambiance and the enhanced dining experience that is Las Vegas makes the food a little bit more tasty. Not to mention, a meal always tastes great when the food tab can be itemized on the expense account or is payed for my someone else on their expense account.
Here's some pictures of the Las Vegas cuisine that is making me miss going to SEMA.
A Proud Moment In Japanese Sports History . . . . .
The 2009 World Championship Series MVP is a historical choice. The chosen player was Hideki Matsui of the World Champion New York Yankees. He is also the first MVP of Japanese ancenstry! Congrats to him!
2009 World Series Afterthoughts . . . . .
1. Peter Gammon's of ESPN on the post game show had an interesting observation on why Alex Rodriguez finally had a successful post season and was able to finally win a championship ring with the Yankees. He said that by Rodriguez getting busted for using performance enhancing drugs was the best thing that could have happened to him. Why? Because it freed him up to be the player that he once was. He was no longer having to live with the heavy weight of the mistakes of his past.
2. By finally winning a World Series ring this year, does this change Rodriguez's Hall of Fame status from first ballot nominee to potential shoe in?
3. Where does Derek Jeter's 5th championship ring put him amongst the all time Yankee greats? He's definitely one of the top 10, and he won't be able to crack the top 5 because no one will ever be able to replace those Yankee gods. But where do you place him on the list now?
4. Is the current quartet of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte the best Yankee championship quartet of all time with their combined 20 world championship rings? Each of those players has won 5 championship rings each, all while playing on the same championship teams together in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009.
5. Why is it when the Yankees spend a gang of $$$ on their players payroll and win a world championship, critics say they bought their championship? But if any other team in any other sport (except for soccer, see the 2009 Real Madrid payroll) does the same thing, they spent wisely?
2. By finally winning a World Series ring this year, does this change Rodriguez's Hall of Fame status from first ballot nominee to potential shoe in?
3. Where does Derek Jeter's 5th championship ring put him amongst the all time Yankee greats? He's definitely one of the top 10, and he won't be able to crack the top 5 because no one will ever be able to replace those Yankee gods. But where do you place him on the list now?
4. Is the current quartet of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte the best Yankee championship quartet of all time with their combined 20 world championship rings? Each of those players has won 5 championship rings each, all while playing on the same championship teams together in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009.
5. Why is it when the Yankees spend a gang of $$$ on their players payroll and win a world championship, critics say they bought their championship? But if any other team in any other sport (except for soccer, see the 2009 Real Madrid payroll) does the same thing, they spent wisely?
The Empire Is Back On Top Of The Baseball World . . . . .
(picture courtesy of SI)
Here's a great financial scenario question for you. What are the gains that you expect to yield in major league baseball from the financial investment portfolio of a brand new $1.5 billion stadium and a $200 million dollar plus payroll for the season? Well if you are the 2009 New York Yankees, your return on your extremely risky portfolio and insanely large financial investment is the result that you envisioned and would not settle for anything less when investing that kind of money. And that ultimate gain is a World Series Championship!
What a way to christen their new billion dollar stadium. The Yankees won the championship series clinching game of their 27th overall franchise world championship on their home turf. The "Empire" rules the professional baseball world once again.
The F1 Off-Season Sure Has Been A Busy One . . . . .
F1 is in desperate need of some positive publicity after all the negative publicity it has gotten recently in the press. How bad do they need it? Well 2 long time participating manufacturers have pulled out of the sport indefinitely (BMW and Toyota). Bridgestone Tires just announced this week that they will no longer be continuing their sponsorship as the exclusive official sanctioned tire of the sport (Autoblog). And now word comes today that Renault is rumored to be leaving the sport as well (Autoblog).
What more drama will F1 be facing in the remaining time this off-season? Who will be participating in 2010? What drama will the 2010 season bring? Well, we soon shall see as F1 is planning on releasing their 2010 schedule of events and list of participants sometime in December. Stay tuned. I am.
BMW M3 GTS Coupe . . . . .
BMW M3 GTS unveiled!
Thank you BMW for finally figuring out what you were going to do with this car!
"The eye-catching orange paintjob is a throwback to extreme Bimmers of yore. But after you look past the timely Halloween color scheme, you'll notice a set of exclusive 19-inch competition alloys – coated with 225/35 rubber up front and 285/30 in the rear – protruding out of the bulging bodywork, housing six-piston calipers up front and four in the rear and mounted to yellow springs and an adjustable suspension. You can hardly miss the giant front splitter and rear wing protruding from either end, and the interior's been stripped down with contoured racing buckets, an emergency cut-off switch and a fire extinguisher taking the place of the air-con, nav and radio, along with mounting points for a roll cage and six-point harnesses and a Macrolon rear windscreen to replace the stock glass, helping the M3 GTS tip the scales at just 1490 kg (3285 lbs), some 419 lbs less than the stock M3 coupe's 3704-lb curb weight.
First deliveries are scheduled to begin in Germany next May, carrying a sticker price of 115,000 euros (about $170k) before taxes. Official engine specs haven't been released, but we're still looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of 450 horsepower from an enlarged 4.4-liter V8, driving through the Bavarian automaker's 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox."
Unfortunately no word if the car will be available stateside in the U.S. just yet. Uh, hello BMW? There are some American's who still have way too much $$$ to spend and would like to spend that very expendible $$$ with you!
(Autoblog)
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