LYNXFAST

MY CAR NEEDS NEW ACCESSORIES

2010-05-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

Last year, I acquired a Chevy Tahoe it will be my service vehicle when I will be going to places. But after I acquired the car, I never changed anything on it. My friends keep telling me to make some changes to my Chevy Tahoe so that it would look good. Buying Chevy Tahoe accessories for my car need right now to make it more presentable. I really want to change the seat covers and the floor mat. Aside from that, headlights is also my concern because I want it big and bright. so that when I am driving I can see better while at night.

Just the other week, I saw my best friend driving his Chevy Tahoe in the neighborhood. Made some changes and added come accessories to his car. I was very impressed with the new look of his Chevy Tahoe. it is more rough and good looking. The accessories that he added enhanced the car's look and changed his driving experience. I already made some orders online for accessories for my Chevy Tahoe vehicle. I am expecting the accessories tomorrow. I am already very excited to place the accessories on my vehicle.

SHOPWIKI IS THE BEST PLACE TO SHOP ONLINE

2008-11-15T17:32:00.000-08:00

Shopping these days can be very tiring, especially in this time where malls are crowded and stores are packed with people buying their desired items. In a place like this, moving can be very hard because of the people that surrounds you. The result, you cannot fully roam the place and see the best deals in the store.

Shopping should not be tiring and it should always be convenient to the shopper. Shopwiki is the best place to shop for things that you want online. You can shop without leaving the comfort of your home. Recently, I bought a basketball and football for our Team Sports event this weekend. What I like about shopping using shopwiki is that I can select the items that I want hassle free and ceonvenient on my part because i stay at home while I do the shopping. For more information visit their website at www.shopwiki.com now.

NATALIE PORTMAN IN GLAMOUR WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARD.

2008-11-12T06:09:00.001-08:00

Natalie Portman keeps it simply chic in a black Jolibe dress at the 2008 Glamour Women of the Year Awards held at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Monday night. The 27-year-old actress completed her ensemble with black Punch Natalie Portman for Te Casan Vegan Shoes and Tiffany & Co. jewels.

ANGENLINA JOLIE LOOKS LOVELY AT THE MOVIE KUNG FU PANDA PREMIERE

2008-11-10T06:54:00.000-08:00

She is the real tob raider and the perfect woman to portray the role of Mrs. Smith. Even after she delivered her baby, Angelina Jolie looks lovely and more attractive as ever. Brad Pitt should take care of her. She is a priceless beauty. She wears skirts and her body looks like as if she had not delivered a baby. If I would be given a chance to have a date with this lady, I would definitely cherish it for the rest of my life.

TRUE FRIEND STORY

2008-09-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

This is one story that I would like to share to you all. A simple kindness means a lot to others. I got this nice story in the book Ripples of Joy. I hope you like it. READ HERE.

THE STATUE OF DAVID

2008-09-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

To read my post just click the picture or this LINK

CUBICLED IDEAS: COOL TOPICS

2008-09-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

CUBICLED IDEAS: COOL TOPICS

COOL TOPICS

2008-09-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

To read about cool topics please click this link.

THE PILOR SERIES PREMIERE

2008-09-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

In the first five minutes of this show, viewers are treated to a visual definition of the phrase "fish out of water."

I generally don't like any comedy that starts out with the the main character losing everything and starting her life all over again. In a drama, it kind of works that the hero has to go from town to town searching for something she lost. In a comedy, it just means that we'll be spending the next half hour watching the hero say things like, "What did I get myself into?"

HOLLY MADISON LOVING LUNCH

2008-09-11T03:55:00.000-07:00

Hugh Hefner’s main squeeze leaves the Ivy after having lunch with girlfriends. And normally I don’t go after the things celebs wear on the street, but when you go to the Ivy it’s basically the same thing as walking the red carpet. You KNOW you’re going to be photographed. So she’s fair game here.

HOLLY MADISON LOVING LUNCH

2008-09-11T03:54:00.000-07:00

HOLLY MADISON L

2008-09-11T00:55:00.001-07:00

NICOLE KIDMAN AND KEITH URBAN OUTING IN LONDON

2008-09-11T00:52:00.000-07:00

Making their first public appearance since she gave birth to baby Sunday Rose in July, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban spent Monday night at the National Movie Awards in London.

Wearing a gem-encrusted shift minidress from the Prada Resort collection, Nicole was on-hand as she presented the award for Best Musical to the Abba flick “Mamma Mia” at the glitzy ceremony.

LEARNING LOVE THE DIFFERENT WAY

2008-09-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

I love reading stories and this story that I am about to share to you is one that I got from reading the book, Ripples of Joy. Learn and feel the love and share it to others.

My recovery from an intricate foot surgery was long and difficult, and I was feeling very sorry for myself, confined, as I was to wheelchair or hopping about balanced on a walker. I despaired of ever walking again and enjoying normal mobility. To make matters worse, it was summer, and I missed being near the soothing seaside and watching the waves roll in.

One weekend, my daughter Cindy, her roommate Georgan, and their two handsome Labradors came to visit. They had driven from central California in a van large enough to accommodate all of us, including my wheelchair. When asked where I’d like to go for a drive. I immediately responded, “To the beach!”

“Dog’s Beach” is a special section of the coastline nearby where, for stretch of a mile, dog owners are allowed to bring their dogs. Naturally this is where we went, especially as the dogs had never experienced the ocean and the girls were eager to see their reaction.

My wheelchair could not manage the sand, so the girls set me on the sidewalk high above the water, where I had a good view and could watch them play fetch with the dogs. It was fun to see the girls toss a stick into the waves and see the dogs happily bark as they retrieved the sticks and brought them back for more of the game.

Their play had gone on for about ten minutes when one of the dogs, Sky, suddenly left the water’s edge and ran up the bank of sand to the sidewalk where I was sitting. She came up to me, laid her head on my lap, and gazed into my face with her beautiful eyes as if to say, “Are you all right? I know something must be wrong if you’re not down by the water with us.” I gave her a big hug and encouraged her to go back to play.

A few minutes later, Sky was back again, checking on me, head on my lap, and telling me with her eyes, “I care for you.” Those eyes of hers, those soulful eyes, brought me close to tears.

When we got home and the dogs and girls were hosed off and fed, I was relaxing in an armchair with my cast-enclosed foot up on an ottoman. Soon, Sky was at my armchair, her head up and her eyes telling me that she was still on duty watching out for me. So expressive were her eyes that I could almost hear her words of concern and support.

When the visit was over and the girls had gone back to central California, the memory of Sky stayed with me. She had taught me a lesson: just the expression of caring and concern had a salutary effect. It made me feel warm and secure-and yes, loved.

Time passed. I healed and went back to my work as a school librarian.

Back at work, I used the lesson that I learned from Sky to change how I dealt with staff and students. Where once I had passed another teacher with just a quick “Hi,” I now slowed down, made eye contact, asked “how’s it going today?” and waited for an answer. When students seemed overwhelmed by all the books to choose from, I took time to ask about their interests and guided them to books they might like.

Taking time and extra effort to show caring and support was more than its own reward. The staff now comes into the library with big smiles, and the kid think it’s a good idea to give me a hug as a thank you for the experience of a book they enjoyed.

I hope this will be permanent way of life for me-showing that I care. After all, what should Sky think if I failed to put into practice all she’s taught me?

ANNA KOURNIKOVA GYMCOHOLIC

2008-09-06T07:51:00.001-07:00

Anna Kournikova was spotted leaving a nearby gym in Miami, Florida yesterday. I got these photos from weblinkx that she looks thinner than usual. But she looks the same to me… What do YOU all think? She is said to be preparing for another tournament in tennis to improve her strokes and ball control. Be prepared is a good idea Anna!

CHRISTINA AGUILERA SEX IN NYC

2008-09-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

Settling nicely back into the role of world famous pop star, Christina Aguilera showed off her curves in a figure-hugging ensemble as she stepped out in New York City on Tuesday afternoon.

The “Genie In A Bottle” babe was reportedly venturing over to Macy’s for a promotional event, looking even sexier than she did prior to giving birth to her son, Max Bratman.

RIHANNA AT MCDONALDS

2008-09-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

Rihanna grabs a quick bite to eat at a McDonald’s in Uptown Manhattan on Tuesday morning. She was nice enough to stop to sign autographs for fans! Yesterday, the 20-year-old Barbadian beauty was at The Grove in Los Angeles shopping for a skateboard.

GAVIN ROSSDALE IS A GREEN LOVER

2008-09-01T18:50:00.001-07:00

Gavin Rossdale gets in some father-son bonding time with Kingston, 2, at Carbon Beach in Malibu, Calif., on Sunday afternoon. The pair was seen walking along the beach with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi. Gavin, 42, wore a “Go Green” t-shirt and even wore green board shorts to prove that green is his favorite color. His son rides with his dad with amazement of whats going on.

I WANT TO BECOME A MILLIONAIRE

2008-08-29T08:12:00.001-07:00

So, you want to be a millionaire.

It's a big goal, and for most people there are only four options to make it happen. You can inherit money, win money, save money or earn money.

In other words, you can inherit money from a rich relative, win the lottery, save for most of your life, or earn a million in your own business.

Inherit Money

This one is pretty straightforward. You either come from money or you don't. Movies are full of stories about people inheriting millions unexpectedly from long-lost relatives, but don't count on it. Even if you do have rich relatives, you could wait years and years before the millions become your own.

Bottom Line: It's not your money, so don't waste your life waiting for it.

Win the Lottery

The odds of winning the lottery in a single state lottery are about 18 million to one. Looking to win one of the multi-state Mega-Millions? Your odds of winning jump as high as 120 million to 1.

Your odds of being struck by lightening are about 2.65 million to one. You are 6 to 45 times more likely to be struck by lightening than to strike it rich on your next lottery ticket.

Bottom Line: Buying that lottery ticket is about as productive for your financial future as striking a match to that dollar and watching it burn.

Save Money

Finally, a guaranteed way to become a millionaire! If you discipline yourself to save and safely invest 10% of your income from the time you are 18, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you will have accumulated at least a million dollars by the time you are ready to retire at 65.

That means you need to be sensible and practical your entire life. No splurge spending on your dream car, or vacations in paradise. After all you are saving for your future!

Saving for your future is a great habit. But most of us just don't have the self-discipline to be successful at it. Personally, I would rather earn money fast so I don't have to sacrifice to save. I want to spend money on things that make my current life rewarding. Patience has never been one of my strong suits. If you can make the save and invest method happen, I applaud you.

Bottom Line: You can become a millionaire by saving wisely. But life is not guaranteed. How do you know you will be around to benefit from all your scrimping and saving?

Start Your Own Business

As far as I'm concerned, this is really your own option. The first three methods are either out of your control, or take so long that it may not be worth the wait. Generating extra income through your own business gives you the best odds of success.

Owning your own business gives you control over your income. Your success is solely dependent on your efforts. You don't have to be dependent on your boss for your next raise, fate to give you the winning ticket, decades of time to earn interest and dividends, or death to take away a family member.

Owning your own business also gives you the opportunity to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on ineffective marketing programs, training materials, and overhead expenses. If you have dabbled in business ownership at all, you know that running a business can cost big bucks, too.

Bottom Line: The best guarantee of generating income in a business is finding a product or service that people want to buy. Forget all that feel good fluff about "finding something you love". Get rolling by starting something that is tried and true, find someone experienced to help you along, and be willing to work.

Becoming a millionaire is a big goal. But there are more millionaires now than at any other time in history. If millionaire status is your dream, there is absolutely no reason why you can't achieve it.

At the same time, positive mental attitude and luck does not create millionaires. You have to have a plan and work your plan in order to make your dream a reality. Most importantly, expect that you will make mistakes, have to backtrack, and sometimes even have to start over.

Start researching your options now. Your best bet is to find a business you can start part-time. Keeping your day job limits your financial risk. Give yourself time to start making sales and generating income. If you don't need the business income to survive, you can invest everything back into your business at the beginning. This will give your business extra capital to grow more quickly.

It all starts with your vision. If you want it bad enough, and are willing to do more than want and dream, your vision can become your reality. Earning extra income is not dependent on luck or being born into the right family. You need to be willing to do whatever it takes, and stop settling for less.

Set aside just one hour a day to work on your business. I challenge you to schedule one hour each day as your Millionaire Hour. Start with research, but as soon as possible, find a product or service you can market, and start selling! Quit dreaming about being a millionaire, and start doing.

Where will you be one year from today if you have invested 365 hours into starting and running your own business? In five years, you would have worked a total of 1825 hours in your business, simply by spending just one hour a day, or seven hours each week on your business rather than the next prime time TV show.

Or, you can keep dreaming and keep on buying next week's lottery ticket.....

A PRO DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS EVA LONGARIA

2008-08-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

With the impending Presidential Election getting closer and closer, our favorite celebrities are stepping up to support their choice for President of the United States. And Eva Longoria was busy showing her support for the Democratic Party.

The “Over Her Dead Body” hottie was spotted dropping into the MySpace Café in the Corner Office Restaurant in Denver, Colorado, and her Presidential preference was clear.

HILARY DUFF IS SAD BECAUSE SHE WILL BE LEAVING LA AGAIN

2008-08-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Taking full advantage of the beautiful southern California weather earlier today, Hilary Duff was spotted out and about all by her lonesome. The “So Yesterday” songstress donned a beige striped tank top layered over a white tank top with a pair of jeans and sneakers as she made her way to a friend’s house.

HOT CHICK FOR THE DAY

2008-08-25T10:13:00.001-07:00

CARMEN ELECTRA IS AN ANGEL DISGUISE AS A MODEL

DANGERS OF BUYING FROM PIRATES

2008-08-25T09:40:00.001-07:00

One of the problems the filmmakers are facing is the rapid spread of pirated DVD and CD market. Thus it has become imperative to be cautious about the danger of producing, buying or using pirated products. Suppose you have bought a good looking, nice packed DVD, and when you come back home with it you find something disturbing. The cover, which is printed on the face of the DVD, is a cheap, ordinary looking one. Then you can be certain that the picture would be sub-standard and unclear.

Distributors generally would make good quality DVD cases for the packaging whereas a pirated DVD would be put in an ordinary DVD case.

All the DVDs are based on region codes. Most often the pirated DVDs contain non-existent codes which can be easily identified. You can play the supposedly region 1 DVD on any Region 4 player.

Another important problem you would witness is that the cover would not match the title and content of the DVD. The fonts used most of the time are blurry and are full of typographical errors. The original DVD should contain the DVD image that was given in the ad. Pirated DVDs seldom follow this and will have any picture on it.

One of the problems that the online sellers face is the selling of pirated DVDs through major online selling sites. The sites, which host the web selling, often do not have too much control over the merchandise. This leads to customer dissatisfaction over the sold product.

There are some precautions you can take while buying a DVD to check its originality. Find out the photos of the original DVD on the net. You can find it in other places also and can request it from the distributors or the reseller. If the reseller is genuine, then he can provide you with snapshots taken from different angles.

Do not forget to check the feedback of the seller from other customers. There might be a negative comment written on him. Some people have the habit of making comments before they go through the process of investigating the whole truth. Read the comments carefully as there might be some useful information shared in the small space.

Some sellers are there who try to make quick bucks by selling both original and pirated DVDs. They just mix the content and sell to unsuspecting consumers. As it is online, most customers do not take the pain to send the DVD back to the seller and ask for a refund.

Pirates, nowadays, have a full arsenal for creating pirated DVDs. They even have a factory to put a stamp on their own DVD and seal it. Most of the time, the seals are imitations of the original factory seal. This easily fools the buyer.

However, the reputed sellers do not indulge in any of these practices and you can rest assured that the product offered by them is 100% genuine.

LINDSAY LOHAN WEARS NO BRA

2008-08-23T12:50:00.001-07:00

Lindsay Lohan stepped out in L.A. once again shunning the restrictive confines of a bra. With this, L.A. has become a no bra zone. Take heed citizens, especially the hot ones, you are now required to forgo any breast support lest you want to suffer the consequences which involve whip cream and my tongue.

MY FAVORITE NFL GAMES ON TV

2008-08-22T05:47:00.001-07:00

I am a big fan of the National Football league (NFL). I like this sport because of the toughness of the players as they run from end to end to make a touch down. It is not just the physical abilities of the players playing but also the the mental strategy in creating a good play that converts to points.

To be able to see the game matches, I have acquired a NFL Sunday Ticket. This ticket enables me to watch all the games on TV in the comfort of my home. This is a DirectTV NFL Sunday Ticket as I watch the 200 games played in the season.

Having a DirectTV NFL Sunday Ticket is an advantage because I get to see almost all the games and get updated statistic of players and team standings in the season. The NFL TV Package is much cheaper and you will be able to watch the games as it is being played. Having a NFL TV in my house, I get to spend more quality time my with kids as we watch the games on our TV in our home.

REESE WITHERSPOON IS GETTING SEXIER NOWADAYS

2008-08-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Reese Witherspoon goes for a jog in Brentwood, Santa Monica yesterday morning. Maybe she is trying to drop a few pounds which she does not need too may I add. There is talk that she is planning to have a pose for a mens magazine. This information is not yet verified. Let's just wait until Reese, herself, answer this question

HILARY DUFF'S BLING RING

2008-08-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

They’ve been dating for more than a year now, and Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie look like they may be taking their relationship to the next level.

The “War, Inc.” hottie was spotted out to dinner with her hockey player boyfriend at Hollywood’s Il Sole restaurant last night with a ring on a very important finger.

RACHEL HUNTER IN LOVE

2008-08-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

In celebrity wedding news, model, actress and reality TV show host Rachel Hunter is all set to tie-the-knot with her hockey player boyfriend Jarret Stoll.

“She is engaged. She’s never been happier,” Hunter’s rep, Mike Heller, told press. “She has been with Jarret for a long time and everyone is thrilled for them.”

MELISSA LAWSON IN DEBUT

2008-08-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Nashville Star winner Melissa Lawson is about to reach a milestone on the road to country music stardom. The mother of five boys from Arlington, Texas, will debut at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday.

“Since I was just 17 years old, I have been performing on the Opry circuit in Texas,” Lawson said. “To be acknowledged by the Grand Ole Opry and asked to perform is such an honor.”

Lawson, who won a Toyota pickup truck (she gave it to husband Rick) and a recording contract when she won Nashville Star on August 4, released the single “What If It All Goes Right” the next day.

The song landed in the top spot on the iTunes country chart and hit Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart at No. 49 this week.

“This is more than I could have ever hoped for,” said Melissa Lawson, who also performed on the Today show on location at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, as part of her prize.

SWEATING PROBLEMS

2008-08-13T16:37:00.001-07:00

I'm going to take the time to show you how to stop a sweating problem. A lot of people are, around the world, suffer from overactive sweating. It is estimated that 2-3% of people are experiencing it and very few actually seek active treatment. This would probably explain why the medical community doesn't really have the slightest clue on what needs to be done. There idea of a solution is surgically remove sweat glands and other dangerous methods that don't really deal with why things happen. I'm going to talk to you about this excess sweating problem people have and show you that there is hope.

Most of my adult life, I've been sweating far too much. It is probably the biggest aspect in what has made me socially awkward. When you are excessively sweating, you just give people a different vibe and it is typically a negative one. This can lead to a lot of negative experiences. I know, when it comes to my career, that I've been passed over again and again for promotions precisely because of this. The sweaty guy just looks like they lack confidence or are in now way able to deal with a pressure situation.

I got to the point where I wanted to solve this sweating problem and move onto my life. I got all the books I could find on the topic and vigorously researched for solutions. I actually found out that the way I was eating, was really aiding in raising the temperature of my body. I started to change my diet around and my sweating disappeared with it.

ELLEN BURSTYN IN LAW & ORDER

2008-08-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

Filed under: Law and Order, Casting, Reality-Free. Recently, we told you about James Brolin appearing in a guest role on Law & Order: SVU, as a man from Elliot's past. Now, there'll be even more development for Christopher Meloni's character when Ellen Burstyn shows up on SVU to play Stabler's mother. Oh, and she's not your button-downed, upright all together mom. She's bipolar, which is to say that she has a serious psychological disorder.TVGuide.com reported that it learned that Ms. Burstyn's guest role will be very dramatic -- "explosive" -- and is slated for one episode. Thinking about what's been happening on SVU, the major storyline for Elliot has been revolving around his wife Kathy having another child. The baby has brought the Stablers back together after a separation.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER

2008-08-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven a its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water
treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT

1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water.

2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute.

3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours.

5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of
treatment required to
cure/control/ reduce main diseases:

1. High Blood Pressure - 30 days

2. Gastric - 10 days

3. Diabetes - 30 days

4. Constipation - 10 days

5. Cancer - 180 days

6. TB - 90 days

7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards - daily.

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times. It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life.

Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.

This makes sense .. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals ..not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.

It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks: Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.

Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.

60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this article shares it to everyone they know, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

JENNIFER ANISTON WANTS JOHN MAYER SO MUCH

2008-08-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Aniston's biological clock kicked into overdrive this week after seeing Brad Pitt in People magazine with his gaggle of kids. Apparently, she's ready to let her uterus be a vessel for John Mayer's offspring and prove she's not a barren witch that lives in a gingerbread house. It's made of graham crackers. Star reports. The 39-year-old actress feels that after all she has been through watching Brad and Angie's family grow, she'd love Brad to see photos of her holding her own baby and show him she's not the self-centered girl he had made her out to be.

"It's my turn now," she told a friend. And Jen believes the rocker is perfect daddy material.
"Jen feels so strongly that John is 'the one,' " says a source. "She knows he can handle being a dad." Nothing like having a child out of spite. Because that'll really teach Angelina Jolie a lesson and not fuck the kid up for life. Then again, Jennifer Aniston with prego boobs? Hmm.... The Superficial wishes John and Jennifer the best of luck in their endeavor and would like to point out you can't get pregnant reading this site (yet), so get crackin'. And, John, no showboating; this is serious business, so it'd probably be best if you left your guitar in its case. Harmonica too.

COURTNEY COX WITH HER DAUGHTER

2008-08-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

Looking both fantastic and in a cheerful mood, Courteney Cox was all smiles as she picked up daughter Coco from school in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The former Friends star has been keeping a low profile as of late, but will be returning to TV screens this fall in a guest role on the hit show Scrubs.

KIM KARDASHIAN BRIGHTENS THE TEEN CHOICE AWARDS

2008-08-06T07:06:00.001-07:00

Kim Kardashian keeps it simply chic at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards at Gibson Amphitheater on Sunday, August 3, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.The “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” hottie was spotted steaming up the blue carpet in a retro-‘60s-style strapless Bradley Bayou belted dress along with a pair of matching peep-toe heels.Kim is nominated for two surfboards this year: Choice TV: Celebrity Reality and Choice TV: Female Reality/Variety Star. In the category of reality star, she’s up against Dancing with the Stars’s Kristi Yamaguchi, America’s Next Top Model’s Whitney Thompson and The Hills stars Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag.Kim Kardashian At the 2008 Teen Choice Awards

NICOLE RICHE AND JOEL MADDEN AT LAX

2008-08-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Though she’s only six months old, Harlow Winter is getting plenty of time in the air traveling with her parents Nicole Richie and Joel Madden.

And last night, the happy family-of-three was spotted making their way out of the main terminal at LAX International Airport after arriving on a late-night flight.

RACHEL BILSON DINING AND SHOPPING

2008-08-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

Taking full advantage of the beautiful weather yesterday afternoon, Rachel Bilson was spotted hoofing it around Culver City, California.

The “Last Kiss” babe tried to hail a cab at one point, but then thought better of it and walked to meet a friend at There’s No Place Like Home restaurant.

JESSICA ALBA IS ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL

2008-08-01T03:59:00.000-07:00

Keeping a low profile as she focuses all of her energy on the challenges associated with being a first-time mother, Jessica Alba was spotted out briefly in Los Angeles earlier today.

Looking cute in her workout gear, big sunglasses and oversized headband scarf, the “Sin City” starlet was accompanied by her hubby Cash Warren - with baby Honor Marie nowhere in sight.

LINDSAY LOHAN IS BACK IN LA

2008-07-31T06:59:00.000-07:00

Following a trip out east to film scenes for “Ugly Betty”, actress Lindsay Lohan and rumored squeeze, DJ Samantha Ronson, have returned to Los Angeles - arriving at LAX Airport on Tuesday. After grabbing their luggage, the duo sat side-by-side as they enjoyed a smoke outside before heading off to an awaiting car.

EVA LONGARIA IS BEAUTIFUL WIFE

2008-07-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

If you see Eva Longoria on the street and she’s looking slightly less hot- don’t panic. It’s on purpose, and it’s all part of a new story arc for her character on “Desperate Housewives.”Eva Longoria has recently been spotted sporting a much shorter ‘do, and while many thought it was just part of her cooler new summer look- not so. Turns out Longoria’s character is supposed to look much more weary next season, from raising children, and that her more practical haircut is meant to match her state of mind. Liza Anderson, Eva Longoria’s rep, told People magazine, “She’s making herself look like that as her character has let herself go. Gabrielle has gained weight and cut her hair.

RACHEL BILSON GOOD DOG OWNER

2008-07-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Rachel Bilson walks her dog, Thurmen Murmen, and carries around a poop bag like a good dog owner on Sunday in LA.The 26-year-old former O.C. starlet didn't do much to fix her hair before walking her dog that morning.

MADONNA GETTING OLDER

2008-07-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

Last week we reported on a story that Madonna’s health was suffering from the stress of her “emotional affair” with Alex Rodriguez and the resulting fallout on her marriage.

The gossip has really been insane – partly because of the novelty factor (who the hell knew Madonna and A-Rod even knew each other?), how many people it ended up involving, and the way it managed to span at least three countries. You can argue whether or not Madge brought it on herself, but it seems pretty clear that she’s suffering from a good deal of stress as a result.

Madonna left the Kabbalah Center in New York City on Friday night looking “tired” as WENN kindly put it – and “looking borderline human,” as TMZ less charitably phrased it. Though I’m going to have to admit that TMZ’s description seems a little more accurate.

My first reaction was wondering if Madonna got terrible plastic surgery because her cheekbones are so prominent. But she’s been consistently photographed for the last several ways, so that’s nearly impossible. Looking at her closely, it seems pretty clear that Madge has lost some weight – nearly all of it in her face.

Considering she’s always been such a health freak and certainly didn’t need to lose a pound, I’m guessing it’s stress weight. Here’s Madonna Friday night.

PETRA NEMCOVA IN DANCE PRACTICE

2008-07-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

There’s something about the ocean air that makes hot models want to dance. And last night Petra Nemcova busted a move on a St. Tropez dance floor.

And she definitely wasn’t alone. The Czech supermodel (who broke up with James Blunt last year and was seen with Sean Penn during his separation from wife Robin) seemed to have attracted a mystery male party partner.

BROOKE HOGAN EYED BY PLAYBOY MAGAZINE

2008-07-25T00:45:00.000-07:00

Brooke Hogan has been offered the cover of the 55th Anniversary of Playboy. And she's actually considering doing it! I don't know why I just used an exclamation mark. Oh, that's right; I plan on jabbing it in my eye. NY Daily News reports: Brooke Hogan has been approached to pose nude for the famous men's magazine, her publicist told the Daily News on Wednesday. And she didn't say no.

The "Brooke Hogan Knows Best" star, 20, could use a boost for her stagnant singing career. Hogan's 2006 album "Undiscovered" reportedly sold just 127,000 copies. Hugh Hefner just heard this news and put down his pipe in disgust: "I never! The day Playboy runs photographs of trannies is the day Hugh Hefner succumbs to senility. I'll see to this." He immediately buzzes his secretary: "Get Marilyn Monroe on the line. Also, I've pooped again and want to watch cartoons." Video of Brooke discussing the photo shoot after the jump.

THE LAUREN CONRAD UNCOVERED AT LAX

2008-07-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

With all of the constant media attention they have to endure, sometimes it’s nice to try and slip away unnoticed. And yesterday, Lauren Conrad unsuccessfully attempted to fly under the radar at LAX International Airport.

The “Hills” cutie was spotted checking in for an outgoing flight as she laughed at an incoming text message on her mobile phone.

BRITNEY SPEARS SHOPPING ESCAPADE

2008-07-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

She’s been keeping super busy with a career comeback in the works and a custody battle that’s finally over. And yesterday (July 20th), Britney Spears treated herself to a day of shopping to unwind.

The “Gimme More” singer was spotted shopping in Calabasas with a couple of assistants, stopping into the M. Fredric boutique before emerging with a bag full of finds.

HILARY DUFF'S HAIR SALON AFFAIR

2008-07-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

Enjoying a beautiful sunny southern California afternoon yesterday, Hilary Duff was spotted grabbing a quick cup of coffee in Studio City before making her way to the Neil George Salon in Beverly Hills.

And the “War, Inc.” stunner was looking summer sexy in a blue and grey tank top teamed with a pair of white trousers and light brown heels as she chatted away on her mobile phone.

VANESSA HUDGENS MORNING PREPARATION BEFORE GOING TO THE GYM

2008-07-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

Grabbing her morning pick-me-up, Disney starlet Vanessa Hudgens was spotted dropping into her local Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Los Angeles on Friday (July 18).

Keeping things casual, the High School Musical singer/actress was dressed in workout clothes and a personal favorite, her pink Ed Hardy baseball cap.

NICOLE KIDMAN: SHOPPING FOR A BABY MATTRESS

2008-07-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

Fresh off of giving birth to daughter Sunday Rose a little over a week ago, Nicole Kidman made yet another public outing with hubby Keith Urban in Nashville on Wednesday (July 16).

The actress was dressed casually, while what’s left of her baby bump was visible beneath her loose fitting white shirt. The two did a little browsing at a mattress shop - walking in and out separately.

DENISH RICHARDS GOING TO COURT WITH STYLE

2008-07-18T06:38:00.000-07:00

It’s a seemingly endless battle, and once again this morning Denise Richards was spotted, joined by her father Irv Richards, on her way to a Los Angeles court.

The “Wild Things” actress looked more than a little annoyed to be headed back to court, sporting a black short sleeved scoopneck dress with matching high heels and black sunglasses.

MILEY CYRUS HITS THE PIER SET

2008-07-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

Taking a breather from shooting scenes, Miley Cyrus spent some quality time with her little sister Noah on the set of “Hannah Montana: The Movie” on Tuesday (July 15).

Situated at the Santa Monica Pier, the Cyrus siblings were arm-in-arm as they enjoyed one another’s company - hopping on a few roller coasters during a break in the action.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

2008-07-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

Cancer is one of the scariest diseases today for most people and being diagnosed with the dreaded word can stop us in our tracks. If there is a history of cancer in your family, like there is in mine, it's something you think about every time you find a lump, notice a new spot or have a pain that doesn't go away.

An article I found showed that Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and a network of collaborators estimated mortality for 12 types of cancer linked to nine risk factors in seven World Bank regions for the year 2001? The following are the nine factors they listed:
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Overweight/obesity
• Low fruit & vegetable intake
• Physical inactivity
• Unsafe sex
• Air pollutants
• Contaminated injection in a healthcare setting
• Indoor smoke from coal furnace or fireplaces

I found these to be pretty common across the board for the most part but a couple surprised me. Some we have no control over but five of the nine we can and should take a serious look at how they play a role in our own life. The following are some life changes to consider incorporating in your life that can make a significant difference in preventing disease. 5 things that you can do now that will reduce your risk of cancer:

1. LOOSE WEIGHT: Now we all know obesity can be the cause of many diseases and our diets play a big role in how our bodies react to disease. It has been proven that our western diet is one of the major problems with our constant consumption of fast food, greasy fried foods and the time saving prepared foods in our daily diet. The lack of exercise is also one of the nine key factors in obesity and can lead to disease. It's also well documented in the medical field that up to 40 percent of cancer cases can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. Loosing just 5-10% of your body weight can make a huge difference in how your body functions and will take the burden off organs trying to over compensate for that extra weight.

2. REDUCE STRESS: Let's face it we will all have stress on a daily basis probably for the rest of our lives what with today's hectic lifestyle, working long hours and driving in traffic dealing with the activities of our kids. There is good news though, we can learn how to deal with stress so the effect it has on our bodies is reduced to a minimum. If you control your emotions and thoughts surrounding the stressor, weather it's while you're driving in traffic or dealing with a boss that is blaming you for something he did or didn't do, you can change how you feel and the effect it has on your body. The following is a list of ways to control emotions that I found helpful.

• Take 15-30 minutes a day for yourself, try to clear your mind and visualize all stress leaving your body with every breath you exhale.
• Meditation
• Cat naps-small naps if you're able will really help your physical well being.
• Stop and notice how you're feeling when you're in a stressful situation then immediately change your feelings surrounding it.

What you'll find if you do one or more of these is that you will be able to control your emotions and how your body handles stress as it comes along. The key here is to not let the stress get to the point that is can affect your physical well being.

3. EAT HEALTHIER & EXERCISE: Even though some of us who are not over weight are still at risk due to poor diet. Our bodies are starved because of the lack of nourishment in the food we eat. According to a Swedish study published in the "Journal Diabetes Care" elevated blood sugar has the potential of increasing women's risk of pancreatic, skin, urinary tract, womb and breast cancer. We all know that a diet high in junk food and high levels of blood sugar can eventually cause Type 2 diabetes in some people. Also called adult onset diabetes, which happens when the body can no longer regulate hormone insulin, and has been shown to lead to increased cancer risk. However, the Swedish study demonstrated a correlation between blood sugar levels and cancer risk, independent of the occurrence of diabetes. Researchers studied nearly 65,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 60 for 13 years. They found that the 25 percent of women with the highest blood sugar had a 26 percent higher chance of developing cancer than the 25 percent with the lowest blood sugar levels. Breast cancer risk in particular was increased only among pre-menopausal women. Blood sugar levels did not correlate with cancer risk in men.

Our western diet of red meat, starch and sweets may also be a major cause of breast cancer among postmenopausal women. It could double the risk compared to a diet that's rich in vegetables. This is just another reason for people, and especially woman to make small changes that could make a big difference. A lot of women are eating a diet of soy and more fruits and vegetables but as we have discussed already that's not enough.

4. TAKE A GOOD SUPPLEMENT: We all know taking vitamins to supplement what we don't get in our food is not only essential it's mandatory in our changing world. There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to supplements and to get every nutrient our body needs you could spend a small fortune every month and still not know if it was enough or if it was the right nutrient to do the job. The ideal is that we find one that delivers all the nutrition we need while being easy to take without breaking the bank.

5. STOP SMOKING: This is a big one not only will it reduce your chances of getting cancer it will help many other areas you don't even realize. I'm an ex-smoker and I can tell you until I quit I didn't realize how many health issues I had that were exacerbated by smoking and improved once I quit. Not only has it slowed the aging process, smoking can age the skin and cause wrinkles, but I found I slept better and we all know that deeper sleep can greatly improve our overall health. These five things can reduce your risk of getting cancer but the most important hands down is nutrition. I have spent a lot of time researching what the body needs to function at its peak and I found that the nutrients we consume are handled differently by each person. What causes this is our assimilation and how readily we can absorb the nutrition we put in our mouths. If a person has a digestive problem then takes a supplement, let's say vitamin c, they would only absorb a small amount in the blood stream and the rest would be flushed through their system. A liquid supplement is going to be more easily absorbed since it will go directly to the blood stream then a tablet that has to be broke down in the stomach then absorbed so this is a good choice of many.

The key here is to start somewhere, if you eat healthier, get exercise, lose weight (if needed), handle stress and stop smoking you will reduce your chances of getting cancer significantly but giving the body the nutrition it needs to work as it was designed to is the most important thing you can do. Most of us take better care of our car then we do our own body and this is evident when you look at how many people have chronic diseases today compared to fifty years ago. The time to change is today.

10 COMMANDMENTS TO BE MADE IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE

2008-07-14T07:02:00.000-07:00

1. Be Passionate

Be passionate about your goals so that you are motivated to achieve them. Scratch off any goals on your list that you are not willing to do anything it takes to accomplish them.

2. Be Realistic

When you choose goals for yourself, it is okay to dream, but you want to be as realistic as possible. You do not want to become discouraged when you don't achieve a specific goal. Choose time frames that are reasonable and goals that are a stretch from where you are today.

3. Write your goals down

Writing your goals down will lead to an increased chance of achieving them. Write them all down and then prioritise them in order of personal importance.

4. Be Detailed

Every goal should have a time frame and amount assigned to them. For example, "I would like to increase sales by 10% by the end of the year"; instead of, "I would like to increase sales for my business".

5. Be Accountable

To become successful at achieving your goals, you will need to hold yourself accountable by scheduling regular check points for progress review.

6. Ask for Help

Mentors and other professionals are valuable tools to help you in achieving your goals.

7. Have Integrity

Do what you say that you are going to do.

8. Be Persistent

Keep going until you reach your goals. Don't give up prematurely.

9. Be Prepared for Failure

If you fail, set a new goal and keep going. Most successful people fail at some point, and most business owners will tell you that they have failed numerous times on the way to becoming successful.

10. Reward Yourself

Choose a reward for each goal that will encourage you to work hard to achieve them. You are more likely to work hard when there is a reward at the end of the process.

JESSICA SIMPSON'S NEW PERFUME FRAGRANCE

2008-07-14T05:11:00.000-07:00

New promos of Jessica Simpson lying down on a bed of silk satin sheets have surfaced, presumably for her new Fancy perfume. This is all part of the 28-year-old aspiring country singer’s fragrance development deal with Parlux, the same company who works with heiress Paris Hilton for her fragrances.

Jess has said, “With Fancy, I wanted to create a pretty fragrance, one that I could be just as comfortable wearing on the red carpet or every day with my favorite jeans. For me Fancy is just that–fancy. This is a special fragrance–personal, whimsical, playful and romantic with a heart of gardenia, an essence I truly cherish.”

MY ZENNI OPTICAL EYEGLASSES

2008-07-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

Zenni Optical was on Fox News! These were the exact words my son told me after he saw the news. I have been wearing optical eyeglasses since college. Before changing to Zenni Optical, I used to wear the old fashioned eyeglasses that my grandfather gave me. It used to look good but later on, it has become funny looking. What I like about optical is the Incredible Stylish New Frames from Zenni that makes wearing eyeglasses cool. Before wearing eyeglasses was a foolish thing to do. But now, it has become part of the fashion world. I am wearing the Zenni Optical $8 Rx Eyeglasses and it look good to me. I always recommend to my friend who are wearing eyeglasses to shift and use Zenni Optical Eyeglasses. For more information about the optical wear, visit www.zeenioptical.com

MILEY CYRUS ENJOYING AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS THEME PARK RIDE

2008-07-09T09:59:00.001-07:00

Enjoying the summer California weather, Miley Cyrus stepped out on Tuesday afternoon with her mother Tish and family for a day at the Universal Studios Theme Park in Los Angeles.

Over the course of her afternoon, the Hannah Montana singer/actress was seen entering the park’s newest attraction, The Simpsons’ Ride, signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans along the way.

JENNIE GARTH FLYING WITH HER FAMILY AND KIDS

2008-07-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from her busy schedule with the new “Beverly Hills: 90210” spin-off, Jennie Garth was spotted with her husband Peter Facinelli and daughters Lola Ray, Luca Bella, and Fiona Eve arriving at LAX International Airport yesterday.

And the mother-of-three was looking like she had her hands full as she sported a flirty blue casual spaghetti strap sundress along with a green scarf and movie star sunglasses.

LINDSAY LOHAN'S DARING PICTURE

2008-07-03T07:00:00.001-07:00

This picture was taken when Lindsay Lohan was still starting in the Hollywood entertainment world. Young and dangerous. The perfect description for this young woman.

UPGRADE YOUR LAPTOP COMPUTERS

2008-06-30T04:19:00.000-07:00

If you are bored with using the same old technology of your laptop, and disturbed by its day by day decreasing speed, then it is the right time to have your laptop upgraded. But before you proceed with upgrading, you should search for all the criteria that needs to be upgraded to give a new look plus more capacity to your laptop. Several things can be upgraded in laptops such as, memory, the video card, the processor, the hard disk etc. Therefore it is essential for you to be sure of your motive for upgrading your laptop.

You can upgrade the memory or the RAM very easily by opening a partition in the laptops bottom. Here you can add to or remove the memory. The RAM can be decided by you at the time of the purchase of the laptop. However, there is a similar RAM contained in the laptop so that you can utilize it when you feel you need to upgrade your laptop memory. Apart from that you can buy the RAM from a number of stores. These are available in a variety of bytes and can be installed in the laptop very easily. You may be able to install it yourself, but if you are not sure of how to do it seek the help of a skilled technician.

Along with the memory you can upgrade the video card of your laptop too. The newly manufactured and hi tech laptops offer these options to the user. However, this was not so easy or not available in the earlier designs of laptops. For upgrading laptops with their video cards you will have buy a new and better chip to replace the old one As it was said before, not all types of laptops have such facilities for replacement. if you are not sure about yours, you should consult your manufacturer about this issue

Like the memory and the video card you can enhance the hard disk drive too. Based on the manufacturer, you have the opportunity of upgrading the hard disk size. You can choose to change the hard disk by going for the larger sizes and in that respect the best thing will be to consider the external drives first. The external drives are the USB drives and though this may hamper the portability of the laptop, it is still considered to be good.

Based on the information above, it is very clear that upgrading laptops is not a very difficult task. However it is true that in certain instances the help or the suggestion of the manufacturer is a must. Otherwise if you are familiar with the type of laptop you own, then nothing should prevent you from upgrading it by yourself.

UPGRADING YOUR LAPTOP IS EASY

2008-06-29T00:22:00.000-07:00

CINDY MARGOLIS IS A COVERGIRL

2008-06-25T00:58:00.000-07:00

Cindy Margolis has been around on the Internet quite some time now and she’s still got it going on! If you haven’t picked up the July 2008 edition of Playboy Magazine yet, you’re missing some damn good articles if ya know what I mean!?

You know I’m not bullshitting you when I say the articles are good. I once read an article on “How to be a Playa” and as you can see it’s paid off. Yeah ladies you know what I’m talking about…it’s business time!

NADINE VELAZQUEZ IS MAXIM COVERGIRL FOR AUGUST

2008-06-25T00:55:00.000-07:00

You know I really have it tough with this job. I’m stuck at my computer at least 16 hours a day scrounging up great pictures like these of Nadine Velazquez. Sure I get to see these hotties wearing skimpy bikinis, but it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

First of all I get cramps in my hands and fingers, then I’m going blind having to stare at the computer screen all day. The job is tough, but there’s no one else that will do it, so I’m just stuck like Chuck!

CARMEN ELECTRA GOES WILD

2008-06-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

She’s usually posing for photogs or prancing around in aerobic striptease videos, but over the weekend Carmen Electra was all about playing some cards.

The former Baywatch babe was spotted at the Seminole Hark Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood on Sunday as the first legal Blackjack table was unveiled. Carmen Electra is still one hot chick.

LINDSAY LOHAN GOES FOR SAM RONSON

2008-06-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Continuing to spark interest as to the extent of their relationship with one another, Lindsay Lohan and gal pal Samantha Ronson were side-by-side in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon (June 21).

The inseparable pair were first spotted out on a shopping trip to Kidrobot on Melrose Ave before LiLo headed off to get ready for a night of work - shortly thereafter making her way to the set of “Labor Pains”.

KATE HUDSON AND LANCE ARMSTRONG TOGETHER AND STRONG

2008-06-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

There’s nothing like a loud heavy metal concert to really set the mood for a night of romance. And last night Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong were spotted rocking out together, following their return from Canada.

The “Fool’s Gold” babe and her cycling beau were seen heading over to Madison Square Garden in New York City to see Iron Maiden live in concert. And they didn’t look too happy to see the paparazzi waiting for them.

TOM BRADY AND GISELE BUNDCHEN ENJOY THE FATHERS DAY CELEBRATION

2008-06-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

He became a daddy this past August 22nd, and yesterday Tom Brady celebrated Father’s Day with his son John Edward Brady and girlfriend Gisele Bundchen.

The NFL stud and his Brazilian beauty girlfriend looked like a picture of domestic bliss as they enjoyed time with the baby in Los Angeles, California. But all too soon, John Edward’s nanny arrived to pick up the child and return him to his mother Bridget Moynahan.

MEET THE BECKHAMS

2008-06-13T08:50:00.001-07:00

David and Victoria Beckham take their three sons Brooklyn, 9, Romeo, 5, and Cruz, 3, for a fun-filled day at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., on Wednesday afternoon.

The Beckham clan spent over six hours there. The excitement of the day took its toll on lil’ Cruz who took a little nap in his stroller.

Becks recently replaced his pal Sir Elton John as one of the 10 most powerful celebrities in the world. The soccer star has jumped from 15th to 5th on this year’s annual Forbes celebrity list. Victoria,appears as part of the Spice Girls in 50th place.

KIM KARDASHIAN VESUS EVE LONGARIA

2008-06-13T08:47:00.001-07:00

Celebrity Pictures source: SohhIt always interests when Hollywood stars end up wearing the same thing, like there’s many designers and many dresses and ensembles, how does that happen? Maybe great minds think alike, or maybe a hot dress is just a hot dress. So goes the case for both Eva Longoria Parker & Kim Kardashian who were both caught wearing this very chic Navy Ungaro gown. Eva donned it first at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards, while Kimmy was seen in hers just Wednesday night at the Monte Carlo Television Festival.

SOUVENIR SHOP

2008-06-10T04:51:00.000-07:00

These hats are for sale. These hats are just some of the products that are being sold at the souvenir shop at Eden Nature park. Aside from the hats, there are also t-shirts, bags and other native products. The products that the souvenir shop is selling are very affordable and durable. During my visit there are some foreigners buying in the store.

SANDRA McCOY AND JARED PADALECKI - THE WEDDING IS OFF!

2008-06-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Rumors has been around the Hollywood entertainment world this love team is over. Sandra McCoy and Jared Padalecki have already broadcast their planned wedding. Maybe it's just too early for the wedding announcement. As they say nothing in this world remain constant except change.

CAREGIVER

2008-06-07T23:54:00.001-07:00

I am a caregiver. My forty-year-old husband, David, has a little known genetic disease called Huntington’s disease. He can do almost nothing for himself.

I can tell you that caregivers experience a wide range of emotions, depending on the largely upon the person whom we are caring. Lately, I have to admit; I’ve been feeling there’s really no reward for what I am doing.

David has difficulty feeding for himself, and swallowing is accomplished only with great deal of effort. One day, with more food landing on his shirt than in his mouth, David and I were going through the usual “ change the shirt” game.

“David lift up your arms,” I pleaded. And then, “if you do, we can go and have ice cream.”

David’s garbled speech made his response to my urging impossible to comprehend. I did figure out, however, that he had no intention of lifting his arms or cooperating as I changed his shirt.

I felt myself tense up, and I sighed in frustration. I didn’t need this today. Try as I would, I simply couldn’t understand what he was saying. And we weren’t moving any near our goal-getting him into a clean shirt.

‘David,” I finally said, “my job is to feed you, make sure you take your medications, and help your doctors and nurses. Your job is to help me help you. You need to lift your arms, please.”

With an endearing smile so like that of the man I had married before the ravages of Huntington’s disease took him away, David said, “No. My job is to say ‘I love you’ in as clear voice as possible.”

Care giving is not something I would ever choose to do. Imagine most people would not choose what is usually an almost thankless job-especially without pay. Still, there are rewards. Remembering David’s smile and his comment about his “job” is a nice memory I can pull out on days when things get really tough. We all have our Jobs, and David’s job is to say, “I love you.”

David, I love you too.

JESSICA SIMPSON WILL BE THE NEXT COUNTRY MUSIC SENSATION

2008-06-07T23:49:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago she began her transition from the pop music genre to the world of country music. And last night Jessica Simpson took another big step.

The “With You” songstress made a surprise appearance at the CMA Music Festival, showing up at the VAULT Concert Series at Nashville’s LP Field.

ADWARE,S SPYWARES AND ANTI-VIRUSES

2008-06-06T10:46:00.001-07:00

Adware, spyware and computer virus share some similarities, one of which is that all three are major nuisances for computer users. Let's differentiate the three.

Spyware is software that does not intentionally harm your computer. What they do is that they create pathways wherein someone else aside from the computer owner can communicate with the computer. Normally spywares record the various types of web sites you visit which are later used by web advertisers to allow them to send you unwanted emails and pop-ups.

This is why spyware are usually frowned upon and greatly avoided. They are more intrusive than adware. Spyware have their own separate executable programs which allow them to record your keystrokes, scan files on your hard disks and look at other applications that you use including but not limited to chat programs, cookies and Web browser settings.

The spyware then will send the information that it had gathered to the spyware author. The agent will then use this information for advertising and marketing purposes. They even sell the information to advertisers and other parties.

Adware, on the other hand, are more legitimate form of freeware. Similar to spyware, adwares are advertising materials which are packaged into a software or program and are installed automatically once that particular program or software is added into the computer system.

Some forms of adware, on the other hand, download advertising contents as a particular application is being utilized. It is quite unfortunate that most of the adware programs take the form of spywares that is they track and report user information to program authors.

Some signs of spyware infections include pop-up ads that seem to be not related to the site you are viewing. More often than not, spyware pop-ups are advertisements about adult contents. Also if you notice your computer slowing down, there's a big chance that spywares and its other components have found their way in your operating system. When the Windows desktop also takes a longer time to load, its best to scan your computer for possible spyware infections.

Meanwhile, viruses are destructive form of software. They were purely designed and created for one purpose alone: to wreck havoc to your computer. They destroy whatever they come in contact to and will initiate self replication and infect as many components of the computer's operating system or network as possible.

Nowadays, a lot of anti-virus software also provides spyware and adware scanning and removal utilities. Some programs, however, are focused on located and deleting or destroying spyware and adware programs. Whether is an anti-virus software or a anti-spyware dedicated scanner, they both search your computer and identify any spyware and virus installed on your system.

They then remove it as well as their components located in the system registry among other places in your computer. It is therefore, good to regularly update your virus or spyware scanner to ensure that your computer is protected from the thousands of spyware and viruses in the internet. Never be fooled from ads that claim that their products only contain adware.

These adware maybe spyware in disguised and are just waiting to be deployed for them to gather your information. Learn to setup firewall systems and always block pop-up blockers to minimize computer infection and ensure the security of all your computer files.

ADWARE, SPYWARES AND ANTI-VIRUS

2008-06-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

THE WOMAN IN 10-C

2008-06-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

I made my way to the back of a small commuter plane, thirty-seat twin-engine propeller jet. I plunked into seat 10-A, grateful to see there was an empty seat between me and a woman in seat 10-C. I was looking forward stretching out and relaxing during the hour-and-a-half flight home to Madison from Cincinnati.

I smiled and nodded to the woman in seat 10-C. She appeared to be in her late fifties and had salt-and-pepper hair. She nodded back. As I buckled my seat belt, I felt her looking at me expectantly, as if she wanted to chat, so I asked pleasantly, “Have you heard how the weather in Wisconsin?”

“No, I haven’t,” she replied.
“Hope it’s not icy,” I said. She offered no response.

Maybe I read her wrong, and she doesn’t want to talk. Rather glad that I wouldn’t have to keep up a conversation, I closed my eyes to rest. Within a few moments, I heard her say something softly.

“Pardon me?” I asked.
“I said you have a lovely skin,” she repeated.
“Thank you.” I smiled. She half smiled and nodded but didn’t say any more, so I closed my eyes again.
“You have to take care of you skin like yours.”

I opened my eyes. “Pardon me?” I wasn’t sure I had heard her correctly.

“Skin like your…you’re so fair-skinned. You have to use sunscreen.”
“Right. Of course, with the crummy weather we’ve been having lately, I don’t have to worry about the sun these days!” Then I thought. Why is this lady so interested in my skin? Is this the best she can do to strike up a conversation?

“Do you have children?” she asked.

Well, at least she’s moving on to a topic I enjoy talking about, I thought. “Yes, I do. Three.”
“Do they have skin like yours? Fair?”
“Uh, yes they do, pretty fair.”
“Do you put sunscreen on them?”

Aha! I’ll bet this lady is trying to sell me some kind of skin-care program! I knew she wanted to talk! Not only is she going to try to sell me products, I’ll bet she’s going to try to talk me into joining a network marketing scheme before we land!

“Yes, I do,” I said aloud. “I always use sunscreen. In fact, I have a whole cupboard full of sunscreen: waterproof, sensitive skin, you name it, we’ve got it. We are always ready for any skin-care emergency!” I closed my eyes again, hoping she’d gotten the message that I sensed she was looking at me. I opened my eyes and she quickly looked away, her face tensed. I noticed her hands clenched in her lap, her knuckles white.

“Excuse me,” I asked. “Are you…alright?”
She looked as if she was trying to speak. “I…I…”
“Ma’am?” she seemed ill. “Ma’am, are you feeling okay?”
“I - I’m sorry. I just…I just came from…my daughter’s. My daughter just passed away.”

I gave a little gasp. I felt ashamed. Here I was thinking the poor woman was trying to sell me something, when she needed was to talk. “I’m sorry,” I said softly. I didn’t know what else to say. After a long pause I asked, “Your daughter…she lived in Cincinnati?”
The woman nodded.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated. “I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re going through.”
She nodded. I wanted to say something to comfort but had no words.

“She and her husband have two children. Boys. They are a blessing.”
“I’m sure they are. How old are they?”
“Nine and eleven.’
“Do you have any pictures of your grandsons?”
“Yes.” She smiled and took out her wallet, which was filled with school photos of the boys.
“They are blond like their mother. Suzanne was fair. She…she died of sin ca She smiled and took out her wallet, which was filled with school photos of the boys.
“They are blond like their mother. Suzanne was fair. She…she died of skin cancer. That’s why I hope you…take care of your skin.”
I swallowed hard, but my eyes filled and tears overflowed.
I wiped my eyes and extended my hand. ‘My name is Cheryl.”
She took my hand and. “I’m Louise.”

We talked for an hour. About the recent months she had spent with her dying daughter. About the unfathomable pain-and the sweet moments of surprising joy. About her grandsons, her family, and her two dogs. About my children. Sometimes we laughed.

“Well be arriving in Madison in about ten minutes,” the pilot announced.

I noticed you have a guitar,” Louise remarked.
“Yes, I sing a bit.”
“What kind of songs do you sing?”
“Mostly songs I write.”
“You write songs! Would you sing something?”
“Well, I…” I looked around. At least we were in the very last row of seats. Perhaps I wouldn’t be heard over the roar of the engines.
“If you don’t mind a cappella, I’ll sing you the chorus of a song I’ve been working on.”

Drop a stone into the water, and in a moment it is gone,
But a hundred ripples circle on and on and on and on.
Yes, a hundred ripples circle on and on and on…
A hundred ripples circle on and on and on…

She squeezed my arm. “That was beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I answered, feeling a little embarrassed.
We would be landing in a few minutes. I was glad that the whine of the engines made it nearly impossible to talk. I looked out the window as we approached the runway. The plane came on a stop, and the lights came on. We got our bags from the overhead bins, chatting about the rain while we waited to get off the plane. As we entered the terminal, I warned Louise to drive carefully in the freezing drizzle.

“My neighbor is coming to pick me up. There is she.” Louise said, pointing
“Well, take care, Louise.” I gave her a quick hug.
She nodded. “You know,” she said, squeezing my hand. “Your song…the ripples…Love is like that, isn’t it? It goes on and on and on. Love never dies.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. Her neighbor approached us, and we exchanged greetings. As I walked away, I thought about the stone in the water. I thought about Louise’s remark, how love never dies. And how every act of love we express can have ripple effect.

You never know what ripples your word or actions might make in the lives of others.

Offer one small act of kindness and in a moment it is gone
But a hundred ripples circle on and on and on.
A hundred ripples circle on and one and on….

Such a wonderful story to tell. This story is from the book of Cheryl Kirking, Ripples of Joy.

CHARLIZE THERON SAYS MARRIAGE ISN'T FOR HER

2008-06-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

Despite having been with Irish-actor boyfriend Stuart Townsend for seven years, Charlize Theron feels no seven-year itch to wander – or to get married, either.

“I think if you are in a one- or two-year relationship, love is enough. You can thrive on that,” the Monster Oscar winner, 32, tells Glamour for its July issue.

But, adds Theron, “when you hit years three and four, you realize that if you’re going to live with somebody … you have to be nurtured emotionally and spiritually, and you have to be intrigued. Because if that intrigue runs out, you’re not going to want to go home anymore.”

As for why Townsend is the special one for her, Theron says, “He’s got beautiful feet and hands.”

Only what if he should feel a seven-year itch? “I’ve always said that I worry about being with a man who doesn’t flirt,” she says. “I love that Stuart can watch tennis and tell me that he’s got a crush on a tennis player. We’re not meant to just like one person. But [that] doesn’t mean you go and build a life with another person.”

Echoing her previous sentiments, Theron, who costars with Will Smith in the upcoming Hancock, notes she is not ready for marriage. “Even when I was a little girl I never dreamed of the white dress and all of that,” she says.

“I want to be clear: I am not judgmental about [the institution of] marriage. I am judgmental about how our government doesn’t want to see the reality of gay and lesbian marriages.”

NICK CANNON MADE OUT WELL WITH HIS WIFE

2008-06-05T08:39:00.000-07:00

According to the National Enquirer via MNSBC, the recently wed Nick Cannon has been having the time of his life with his newfound wealth courtesy of Mariah Carey. Most recently, Nick was seen test-driving a $120,000 Maserati Quattroporte. A vehicle he may add to his armada. Nick currently owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Cadillac Escalade along with four other luxury cars.

“Nick’s having a field day with Mariah’s moolah!” a friend of the diva told the Enquirer. “His head is spinning with the possibilities her black Amex card affords. For now, Mariah is being indulgent with his spending spree, but at the same time, it’s sent up a red flag.”

Another Mariah pal points to Nick’s wedding bling, a heavily bejeweled band, as the sort of thing he expects Mariah to provide. “It’s garish and tacky - and yet another example of Nick’s extravagance at Mariah’s expense,” the source told the magazine. “It’s as if Nick is trying to spend as much as he can as fast as he can - because deep down he knows the gravy train could stop at any time.”

Nick will probably deny these claims saying it’s merely a coincidence. He was about to buy another $120,000 car anyway as we are all apt to do. In fact, if you want to know what’s really going on, just ask Nick himself. You can find him next door swimming in his vault of gold coins or on his golden bidet, drying his ass with $100 bills.

KATHERINE HEIGL LOOKS UGLY IN BLUE

2008-06-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Katherine Heigl films with Gerard Butler on the set of their upcoming movie The Ugly Truth filming on location in a hot air balloon in Temecula, California on Tuesday.

Katherine, 29, attended the Chrysalis Awards, held Saturday night. Katherine joked, “[Married life] is great, except that I’ve lost my husband, so it could be over now, I guess!”

On starring in Grey’s Anatomy and a busy movie schedule, she said, “It’s a real blessing because I love both and so I can do them both and not be completely ready to blow my brains out.”

LOHAN PREFERS TO DO HER SHOPPING AT NIGHT

2008-06-05T08:35:00.001-07:00

She’s a self-professed shopaholic, and it appears that Lindsay Lohan has replaced her nighttime barhopping with some late night spending excursions.

The “Mean Girls” actress and her BFF Samantha Ronson were spotted at the Mayfair Market combing the racks and walking away with bags full of hot finds.

HIGH YIELDING INVESTMENT PROGRAMS

2008-05-31T01:10:00.000-07:00

A High-Yield Investment Program (HYIP) is a type of scam. At one time, it was used to refer to an investment program which may have offered a high return on investment. The term "HYIP" was abused by the operators of scams to camouflage their scams as legitimate investments. Due to this overuse by scammers, HYIP has almost become synonymous with Scam or Ponzi.

Most HYIPs disclose little or no detail about the underlying management, location, or other aspects of how money is to be invested (often because money is not actually invested), and relatively little information (other than asserting that they do various types of trading on various stock and other exchanges) on how they actually generate the returns they purport. They are sometimes presented with some form of an emotional appeal, appeals for faith, and promises that they will help investors achieve financial freedom.

Online HYIP schemes rarely last for more than a couple of years and typically accept small deposits while promising astoundingly high returns. An overwhelming number of cases suggest that HYIPs are Ponzi schemes, in which new investors provide the cash to pay a profit to existing investors, which they typically then withdraw. This approach allows the scam to continue as long as new investors are found and/or old investors leave their money in the scheme, known as compounding (because even higher profits are promised). The SEC has said the following on the matter: "These fraudulent schemes involve the purported issuance, trading, or use of so-called 'prime' bank, 'prime' European bank or 'prime' world bank financial instruments, or other 'high yield investment programs.' ('HYIP's) The fraud artists... seek to mislead investors by suggesting that well regarded and financially sound institutions participate in these bogus programs."

The introduction of e-currencies has made it possible for HYIPs to operate on the internet and cross international boundaries, and to accept large numbers of small investments. HYIPs usually accept deposits by either e-currency, like e-gold, and INTGold, or use specialist third party payment processors like AlertPay, SolidTrustPay, CEPTrust, TriStarMoneyChangers and StormPay. HYIPs typically offer a significant incentive commission (for example, 9% of invested funds) for members to attract and refer new investors.

Arguably, the largest HYIP scam that has existed on the internet was PIPS (People in Profit System or Pure Investors). The investment scheme was started by Bryan Marsden in early 2004, (according to the Wayback Machine record of http://pureinvestor.com) and spanned more than 20 countries. PIPS was investigated by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2005 which resulted in Marsden and his wife being charged in a Malaysian court with 97 counts of money laundering involving more than RM77 million - US$20 million. Even after these charges were brought forth many of Marsden's followers/investors continued to support him and believe they would see their money some day. This behavior and denial could be seen and still is seen on hyip forums.

As a result of online forums and monitoring sites which have made HYIP investors more aware of their nature, a different sort of "honest" HYIP began springing up in the early months of 2006. Basically, the HYIP owner calls his or her program a "ponzi-structured game" where one should "not invest money one cannot afford to lose", and where there is "never a guarantee of earnings or refunds". They promise to pay out up to (for example) 95% of deposits, the rest going to hosting or other fees and the owner's profit.

In such "games", the first participants ("investors") may make a good profit and are encouraged to refer other people to the program because of referral commission, the fact that they have already made back their principal and are playing with profit, and that the more people who deposit money, the more money can be paid out to participants. In theory, strategies can be developed to maximize profit using these games (but, of course, since this is a zero-sum game, such strategies work by taking advantage of ignorance or errors by others). Some forum users may gain a reputation whereby others will trust their word that they have been able to withdraw their profits, encouraging others to invest in the hopes that more will invest after them and that they can therefore make a profit. As these games are by definition Ponzi schemes, it is inevitable that the vast majority of investors who are not at the top of the pyramid will lose their money.

These "games" might be considered as lotteries. However, the odds of winning cannot be determined, as one cannot know whether one is playing early enough to win money (that is, whether a sufficient number of new participants will follow). Thus, these activities are unlike a lottery or other forms of gambling, where a player has an equal chance of winning no matter when a ticket is bought, or where the odds of the game are known.

HYIP monitors, or HYIP listing/rating sites, are personal or commercial websites that list and/or promote HYIPs for referral commissions. The monitor charges each HYIP a listing fee which is usually then invested into that program, although there exist free listings and occasionally monitors which invest their own money. The monitor then labels the HYIP as "Paying" or "Not paying/Scam" depending on whether interest is received within the terms specified by the program. Monitors also allow other HYIP investors to rate and comment on the programs, based on factors such as promptness of payouts and responsiveness of the HYIP administrator. Programs with higher ratings achieve higher rankings on the monitor sites, which coupled with a "Paying" status may entice more investors who rely on the monitor.

In most cases, HYIPs only pay monitor sites to keep their "Paying" status visible, but do not pay other investors. As HYIP monitors are not affiliated with the HYIPs themselves, they are unable to prevent investors from being scammed; they neither help to recover lost funds nor track down the scammers. Promoting or perpetuating Ponzi schemes is a criminal offense punishable by jail terms or fines in most countries. That the monitor sites place disclaimers saying that they "do not promote the programs advertised on their website" does not absolve them from criminal liability.

In order to generate a "paying" status early (so that future visitors will see it) and maintain it for the longest possible time, newly opened HYIPs list their site quickly as well as constantly pay monitors their interest on time. Added to the fact that many monitors invest the listing "fee", and that a commission is received on each deposit made by people who visit the HYIP via the monitor, they are the most likely to profit when a program runs out of funds.

HYIP owners can manipulate monitors and forums, by paying people to comment positively or by using a range of IP addresses or proxy servers in different locations so that "paying" votes appear to come from around the world. This allows the HYIP to rise up the rankings more quickly than others, giving investors a false sense of security. Additionally, even if they know it will scam in the future, some investors will also rate new HYIPs positively until the HYIP stops paying, because they want more people to invest after them in the hopes that the program will last longer. Future scammers can also build up a good reputation on forums for a large payoff once most forum members trust them.

The problem is seen as many monitors appear only to make certain programs more acceptable and trustworthy. It basically shows the true face of the HYIP scene.

THE MAGIC OF CURRY POWER IN COOKING

2008-05-31T01:09:00.000-07:00

Curry powder is a mixture of spices of widely varying composition developed by the British during their colonial rule of India.

The word "Khari" from which "curry" is derived, comes from Southern India and refers to a sauce of any kind. "Curry powder" was developed by the British, who wished to take the taste of Indian food home, without having to utilize fresh spices. As a result "curry powder" in the Western world has a fairly standardized taste, but there are literally millions of curry flavors in India.

Curry powder was largely popularised after World War II, when immigrants from Southeast Asia moved to the UK. Still, curry powder did not become standardized, as immigrant households often had their own blends of curry powder.

The late 60s and early 70s saw a large increase of Indian food consumption by the UK populace. This also led to an increase of Indian restaurants. The tradition of keeping special blends of curry powder simply became uneconomical, and curry powder became increasingly standardized.

Indian cooks often have readier access to a variety of fresh spices than their native UK counterparts, and are more likely to make their own mixtures. Indeed, most Indian cooks will have their own specific mixtures for different recipes. These are often passed down from mothers to daughters.

Most recipes and producers of curry powder usually include coriander, turmeric, cumin, and fenugreek in their blends. Depending on the recipe, additional ingredients such as ginger, garlic, fennel seed, cinnamon, clove, mustard seed, green cardamom, black cardamom, mace, nutmeg, red pepper, long pepper, and black pepper may also be added.

It is also the name given to a different mixture of spices that include curry leaves, which is used in South and East Indian cuisine.

WENTZ IS ASHLEE SIMPSON'S NEW FAMILY NAME

2008-05-29T23:44:00.000-07:00

Wearing a big smile on her face, Ashlee Simpson was spotted out for a bite to eat at Outback Steakhouse in Burbank, California on Tuesday afternoon.

The newly married “Outta My Head” singer is still beaming over her recent nuptials and honeymoon, also announcing to People magazine plans to officially take husband Pete Wentz’s name.

SEAL KISSES HIS WIFE HEIDI KLUM IN THEIR CAR

2008-05-28T01:29:00.000-07:00

Always the romantic husband, Seal was spotted planting a passionate kiss goodbye onto Heidi Klum as he dropped her and the kids off at LAX airport on Sunday (May 25). And with the family out of town, Seal (born Sealhenry Olusegun Olumide Samuel) will have the quiet time necessary as he prepares for a big concert on Saturday as part of the 2008 Black & White Ball.

ASHLEY TISDALE PERFECT WORKOUT

2008-05-28T01:25:00.000-07:00

Recently returned from a family trip to Santa Barbara over the weekend, Ashley Tisdale was spotted heading off to the gym in Universal City, California on Monday (May 26). Carrying a bottle of Fiji water, her wallet and car keys in hand, the Disney star has been enjoying a break in her schedule following the filming of “High School Musical 3”.

MADONNA AND SHARON STONE CHAM CANNES CROWD

2008-05-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

When it comes to entertaining crowds of people, Madonna knows what she’s doing. And with her latest film effort “I Am Because We Are” she’s doing her part to change hearts as well.

The Material Girl, along with hubby Guy Ritchie, were spotted at the 61st Annual Cannes Film Festival earlier today for the movie’s premiere. “I Am Because We Are” is, “a look into the lives of Malawi’s 1 million plus orphans in the wake of the AIDS pandemic. It offers hope and real solutions to the challenges that people face living in extreme poverty.

BECOMING A MILLIONAIRE IS EASY AS 1 2 3

2008-05-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

BOBBY FISHER THE CHESS ICON

2008-05-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

THE GUY IN THE LEFT IS BOBBY FISHER

Robert James "Bobby" Fischer (March 9, 1943 – January 17, 2008) was an American-born chess Grandmaster, and the eleventh World Chess Champion.

Fischer became famous as a teenager as a chess prodigy. In 1972, he became the first, and so far the only, American to win the official World Chess Championship, defeating defending champion Boris Spassky in a match held in Reykjavík, Iceland. The match was widely publicized as a Cold War battle. He is often referred to as one of the greatest chess players of all time.

In 1975, Fischer failed to defend his title when he could not come to agreement with the international chess federation FIDE over the conditions for the match. He became more reclusive and played no more competitive chess until 1992, when he had a rematch with Spassky. The competition was held in Yugoslavia, which was then under a strict United Nations embargo. This led to a conflict with the US government, and he never returned to his native country.

In his later years, Fischer lived in Hungary, Germany, the Philippines and Japan. During this time he made increasingly anti-American and antisemitic statements. During the 2004–2005 time period, after his US passport was revoked, he was detained by Japanese authorities for nine months under threat of extradition. He was then granted Icelandic citizenship and released to Iceland by the Japanese authorities. He lived in Iceland from 2005 until his death in 2008.

Robert James Fischer was born at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Regina Wender, was a naturalized American citizen of Polish Jewish descent, born in Switzerland but raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She later became a teacher, a registered nurse, and a physician. Fischer's birth certificate listed Wender's husband, Hans-Gerhardt Fischer, a German biophysicist, as Fischer's father. The couple married in 1933 in Moscow, USSR, where Wender was studying medicine at the First Moscow Medical Institute. They divorced in 1945 when Bobby was two years old, and he grew up with his mother and older sister, Joan. In 1948, the family moved to Mobile, Arizona, where Regina taught in an elementary school. The following year they moved to Brooklyn, New York, where Regina worked as an elementary school teacher and nurse.

A 2002 article by Peter Nicholas and Clea Benson of The Philadelphia Inquirer suggests that Paul Nemenyi, a Hungarian Jewish physicist, may have been Fischer's biological father. The article quotes an FBI report that states that Regina Fischer returned to the United States in 1939, while Hans-Gerhardt Fischer never entered the United States, having been refused admission by US immigration officials because of alleged Communist sympathies. Regina and Nemenyi had an affair in 1942, and he made monthly child support payments to Regina. Nemenyi died in March, 1952.

In May 1949, the six-year-old Fischer learned how to play chess along with his sister in instructions found in a chess set that was bought at a candy store below their Brooklyn apartment. He saw his first chess book a month later. For over a year he played chess on his own. At age seven, he began to play chess seriously, joining the Brooklyn Chess Club and receiving instruction from its president, Carmine Nigro. He later joined the Manhattan Chess Club, one of the strongest in the world, in June, 1955. Other important early influences were provided by Master and chess journalist Hermann Helms and Grandmaster Arnold Denker. Denker served as a mentor to young Bobby, often taking him to watch professional hockey games at Madison Square Garden, to cheer the New York Rangers. Denker wrote that Bobby enjoyed those treats and never forgot them; the two became lifelong friends. When Fischer was thirteen, his mother asked the Master John W. Collins to be his chess tutor. Collins had coached several top players, including future grandmasters Robert Byrne and William Lombardy. Fischer spent much time at Collins' house, and some have described Collins as a father figure for Fischer. The Hawthorne Chess Club was the name for the group which Collins coached. Fischer also was involved with the Log Cabin Chess Club. Another mentor and friend during those years was the broadcaster and author Dick Schaap, who often took Fischer to basketball games of the New York Knicks.

Bobby Fischer attended Erasmus Hall High School at the same time as Barbra Streisand. The student council of Erasmus Hall awarded him a gold medal for his chess achievements. Fischer dropped out of Erasmus in 1959 at age 16, the minimum age for doing so, saying that school had little more to offer him.

When Fischer was 16, his mother moved out of their apartment to pursue medical training. Her friend Joan Rodker, who had met Regina when the two were "idealistic communists" living in Moscow in the 1930s, believes that Fischer resented his mother for being mostly absent as a mother, a communist activist and an admirer of the Soviet Union, and that this led to his hatred for the Soviet Union. In letters to Rodker, Fischer's mother states her desire to pursue her own "obsession" of training in medicine and writes that her son would have to live in their Brooklyn apartment without her: "It sounds terrible to leave a 16-year-old to his own devices, but he is probably happier that way.

Fischer's victory in the US Championship qualified him to participate in the 1958 Portorož Interzonal, the next step toward challenging the World Champion. The top six finishers in the Interzonal would qualify for the Candidates Tournament. Prior to the Interzonal, he played two short training matches in Yugoslavia. He drew both games against Dragoljub Janosevic. Then he defeated Milan Matulovic in Belgrade by 2.5-1.5. Once the Interzonal started, Fischer again surprised the pundits, tying for 5th and 6th places, with 12/20, after a strong finish. This made Fischer the youngest person ever to qualify for the Candidates, a record which stood until 2005 (it was broken under a different setup by Magnus Carlsen). It also earned him the title of Grandmaster, making him the youngest grandmaster in history at 15 years and 6 months. This was a record that stood until 1991 when it was broken by Judit Polgar. In addition, Fischer remained the youngest grandmaster in the world until Florin Gheorghiu earned the title in 1965.

Before the Candidates' tournament, Fischer competed in the 1958-9 US Championship (winning 8.5/11) and then in international tournaments at Mar del Plata, Santiago, and Zurich. He played unevenly in the two South American tournaments. At Mar del Plata he finished tied for third with Borislav Ivkov, half a point behind tournament winners Ludek Pachman and Miguel Najdorf. At Santiago, he tied for fourth through sixth places, behind Ivkov, Pachman, and Herman Pilnik. He did better at the strong Zurich event, finishing a point behind world-champion-to-be Mikhail Tal and half a point behind Svetozar Gligoric.

Fischer had, up to this point, dressed like a normal teenager, in jeans and casual shirts, at chess tournaments, but was influenced by veteran Grandmaster Miguel Najdorf, whom he met at Mar del Plata, to improve his appearance. Najdorf dressed well in fine suits. Fischer's strong performances increased his income, and he soon became known for his elegant dress at major events, built up an extensive wardrobe of custom-made suits, and took considerable pride in his image as a young professional.

At the age of 16, Fischer finished a creditable equal fifth out of eight, the top non-Soviet player, at the Candidates Tournament held in Bled/Zagreb/Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1959. He scored 12.5/28 but was outclassed by tournament winner Tal, who won all four of their individual games.

In 1960, Fischer tied for first place with the young Soviet star Boris Spassky at the strong Mar del Plata tournament in Argentina, with the two well ahead of the rest of the field, scoring 13.5/15. Fischer lost only to Spassky, and this was the start of their relationship, which began on a friendly basis and stayed that way, in spite of Fischer's troubles on the board against him.

Fischer struggled in the subsequent Buenos Aires tournament, finishing with 8.5/19 (won by Viktor Korchnoi and Samuel Reshevsky on 13/19). This was the only real failure of Fischer's competitive career. According to Larry Evans, Fischer's first sexual experience was with a girl to whom Evans introduced him during the tournament. Pal Benko says that Fischer did horribly in the tournament "because he got caught up in women and sex. ... Afterwards, Fischer said he'd never mix women and chess together, and he keep that promise." Fischer concluded 1960 by winning a small tournament at Reykjavik with 4.5/5, and defeating Klaus Darga in an exhibition game in West Berlin.

In 1961, Fischer started a 16-game match with Reshevsky, split between New York and Los Angeles. Despite Fischer's meteoric rise, the veteran Reshevsky (born in 1911, 32 years older than Fischer) was considered the favorite, since he had far more match experience and had never lost a set match. After 11 games and a tie score (two wins apiece with seven draws), the match ended prematurely due to a scheduling dispute between Fischer and match organizer and sponsor Jacqueline Piatigorsky. The hard-fought struggle, with many games being adjourned, had delayed the original match schedule, causing some logistical challenges for site bookings. Reshevsky received the winner's share of the prizes. Fischer later made up with Mrs. Piatigorsky by accepting an invitation to the second Piatigorsky Cup, Santa Monica 1966, which she helped to sponsor.

Fischer was second behind former World Champion Tal at Bled 1961. He defeated Tal head-to-head for the first time, scored 3.5/4 against the Soviet contingent, and finished as the only unbeaten player, with 13.5/19.

In the next World Championship cycle, Fischer won the 1962 Stockholm Interzonal by 2.5 points, scoring 17.5/22, making him one of the favorites for the Candidates Tournament in Curaçao, which began soon afterwards. He finished fourth out of eight with 14/27, the best result by a non-Soviet player but well behind Tigran Petrosian (17.5/27), Efim Geller, and Paul Keres (both 17/27). Tal fell very ill during the tournament, and had to withdraw before completion. Fischer, a friend of Tal's, was the only player who visited him in the hospital.

Following his failure in the 1962 Candidates (at which five of the eight players were from the Soviet Union), Fischer asserted, in an article entitled The Russians Have Fixed World Chess, which was published in Sports Illustrated magazine, August 1962, that three of the Soviet players (Tigran Petrosian, Paul Keres, and Efim Geller) had a pre-arranged agreement to draw their games against each other, in order to save energy and to concentrate on playing against Fischer, and also that a fourth, Victor Korchnoi, had been forced to deliberately lose games to ensure that a Soviet player won the tournament. It is generally thought that the former accusation is correct, but not the latter. (This is discussed further at the World Chess Championship 1963 article). Fischer also stated that he would never again participate in a Candidates' tournament, since the format, combined with the alleged collusion, made it impossible for a non-Soviet player to win. Following Fischer's article, FIDE in late 1962 voted a radical reform of the playoff system, replacing the Candidates' tournament with a format of knockout matches.

Fischer defeated Bent Larsen in a summer 1962 exhibition game in Copenhagen for Danish TV. He also defeated Bogdan Sliwa in a team match against Poland at Warsaw later that year.

Fischer's career-long stubbornness about match and tournament conditions was again seen in the run-up to his match with Spassky. Of the possible sites, Fischer preferred Yugoslavia, while Spassky wanted Iceland. For a time it appeared that the dispute would be resolved by splitting the match between the two locations, but that arrangement fell through. After that issue was resolved, Fischer refused to play unless the prize fund, which he considered inadequate, was doubled. London financier Jim Slater responded by donating an additional US$125,000, which brought the prize fund to an unprecedented $250,000. Fischer finally agreed to play.

The match took place in Reykjavík, Iceland, from July through September 1972. Fischer lost the first two games in strange fashion: the first when he played a risky pawn-grab in a drawn endgame, the second by forfeit when he refused to play the game in a dispute over playing conditions. Fischer would likely have forfeited the entire match, but Spassky, not wanting to win by default, yielded to Fischer's demands to move the next game to a back room, away from the cameras whose presence had upset Fischer. The rest of the match proceeded without serious incident. Fischer won seven of the next 19 games, losing only one and drawing eleven, to win the match 12.5-8.5 and become the 11th World Chess Champion.

The Cold War trappings helped serve to make the result somewhat of a media sensation. This was an American victory in a field that Soviet players had dominated for the past quarter-century, players closely identified with, and subsidized by, the Soviet state. The match was called "The Match of the Century", and received front-page media coverage in the United States and around the world. With his victory, Fischer became an instant celebrity. Upon his return to New York, a Bobby Fischer Day was held, and he was cheered by thousands of fans, a unique display in American chess. He received numerous product endorsement offers (all of which he declined) and appeared on the covers of Life and Sports Illustrated. With American Olympic swimming champion Mark Spitz, he also appeared on a Bob Hope TV special. Membership in the United States Chess Federation doubled in 1972 and peaked in 1974; in American chess, these years are commonly referred to as the "Fischer Boom." Spassky, referring to professional chess, later summarized: "He made chess popular, briefly, and he made us all rich men."

Fischer won the 'Chess Oscar' award for 1970, 1971, and 1972. This award, started in 1967, is determined through votes from chess media and leading players.

Fischer was also the (then) highest-rated player in history according to the Elo rating system. He had a rating of 2780 after beating Spassky, which was actually a slight decline from the record 2785 rating he had achieved after routing Taimanov, Larsen, and Petrosian the previous year. Because of his accomplishments up to this point in his life as a pioneer of professional chess, some leading players and some of his biographers rank him as the greatest player who ever lived. Many other writers say that he is arguably the greatest player ever, without reaching a definitive conclusion. Leonard Barden wrote, "Most experts place him the second or third best ever, behind Kasparov but probably ahead of Karpov."

Forfeiture of title to Karpov

Fischer was scheduled to defend his title in 1975. Anatoly Karpov eventually emerged as his challenger, having defeated Spassky in an earlier Candidates match. Fischer, who had played no competitive games since his World Championship match with Spassky, laid out a proposal for the match in September 1973, in consultation with a FIDE official, Fred Cramer. He made the following three principal demands:

1. The match should continue until one player wins 10 games, without counting the draws.
2. There is no limit to the total number of games played.
3. In case of a 9-9 score, champion (Fischer) retains his title and the prize fund is split equally.

A FIDE Congress was held in Nice in June 1974, headed by FIDE president Max Euwe and consisting of both US and USSR representatives. It ruled that the match should continue until six wins, not 10. However, Fischer replied that he would resign his crown and not participate in the match. Instead of accepting Fischer's forfeit, FIDE agreed to allow the match to continue until 10 wins, but ruled it should not last longer than 36 games and rejected the 9-9 clause. In response, Fischer sent a cable to Euwe on June 27, 1974:

As I made clear in my telegram to the FIDE delegates, the match conditions I proposed were non-negotiable. Mr. Cramer informs me that the rules of the winner being the first player to win ten games, draws not counting, unlimited number of games and if nine wins to nine match is drawn with champion regaining title and prize fund split equally were rejected by the FIDE delegates. By so doing FIDE has decided against my participating in the 1975 world chess championship. I therefore resign my FIDE world chess champion title. Sincerely, Bobby Fischer.

In a letter to Larry Evans, published in Chess Life in November 1974, Fischer claimed the usual system (24 games with the first player to get 12.5 points winning, or the champion retaining his title in the event of a 12-12 tie) encouraged the player in the lead to draw games, which he regarded as bad for chess. Not counting draws would be "an accurate test of who is the world's best player."[82] Former US Champion Arnold Denker, who was in contact with Fischer during the negotiations with FIDE, claimed that Fischer wanted a long match to be able to play himself into shape after a three-year layoff.

Due to the continued efforts of US Chess Association officials, a special FIDE Congress was held in March 1975 in Bergen, North Holland in which it was accepted that the match should be of unlimited duration, but the 9:9 clause was once again rejected by a narrow margin of 35 votes to 32. After no reply was received from Fischer, Karpov officially became World Champion by default in April 1975. In his 1991 autobiography, Karpov expressed profound regret that the match did not take place, and claimed that the lost opportunity to challenge Fischer held back his own chess development. Karpov met with Fischer several times after 1975, in friendly but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to arrange a match. Garry Kasparov has argued that Karpov would have had a good chance to defeat Fischer in 1975.

PARIS HILTON DONT LOOK GOOD WITH HER BOYFRIEND

2008-05-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

We may be sick of looking at Paris Hilton, but when she appeared at Selfridge's in London to promote her fragrance, they had to close the crowded street down. Apparently she figured that if she wore a goofy hat like Sarah Jessica Parker she'd get more attention and it worked. The Brits aren't wild about Benji Madden - one reporter said his tattoos make him look like a burn victim.( Paris definitely has bigger feet than her boyfriend.) In summation, a lot of people stopped to gape at Paris, but perfume sales were reportedly disappointing.

CAR TIPS MADE EASY

2008-05-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

Simple car tips for you will help when you are driving. This is a very informative post that I would like to share. read and be aware.

#1-crumple zones-A mainstay in todays automobiles, this is the harmonic flow of numerous body panels and brackets that absorb the energy normally associated with a crash. Parts like the hood, bumper and fenders are engineered to crumple like an accordion, therefore taking the brunt in any accidental situations.

#2-Wraparound Headlights-Just like its name implies, it's a one piece headlight design that integrates the low beam, high beam, and turn signals. The headlights wrap around from the front or back of the car to the sides. Not only are the halogen headlights brighter and wider with the use of reflective cuts in the chamber, but folks driving along our blind spots can easily know our lane changing intentions. As a result, causing less accidents.

#3-Breakaway Motor Mounts-These mounts attach the engine to the frame of the car. They're not noticeable, but the life saving impact is huge. In a front impact collision, they're specifically designed to break the engine away from the frame and with the forward motion, will make the engine slide underneath the car at a 45 degree angle. Making it less likely to have an engine sitting in your lap when the crash comes to a halt.

#4-steel belted radials-It's pretty obvious, our tires are very important safety features, it is what keeps the car on the road. Tires are built with steel fibers built right in, how do they help? Well, motorists will have the peace of mind that their tires will hold up in even the most extreme conditions. Those belts will also give these tires a longer lasting life span. Less maintenance in the long run.

#5-ventilated disc brakes-Equally important as the tires are, disc brakes stop the car. Brakes are constructed of a rotor, pads, and calipers for short. The rotors are engineered with internal vanes, to help vent out the heat. And this will help defend against fade and making it less likely to repair the brakes often.

#6-Side Impact Door Beams-Like the crumple zones, this aids in absorbing energy in a side impact collision. They are steel intrusion beams built inside the door for extra reinforcement. Every car and truck have these.

#7-Laminated Windshield-This might be important, it is the very object that keeps bugs out of our teeth, and the rain out of our hair. The windshield is made up of two pieces of tempered glass with a laminate sheet in between. This is a glass sandwich that holds together well when sharp or heavy objects smash into it. There's no shattering or large pieces of glass flying about.

#8-Tempered Safety Glass-The other glass that gives us 360 degrees of protection is also designed with safety in mind. Automotive glass is heat tempered, so that when it breaks, it shatters into a multitude of small cubes. The small cubes won't cut or injure the occupants.

#9-Child Safety Door Locks-As this name indicates, they are small locks in the inside door jams of the rear two doors(4 door sedan or suv only). Lock them up and the little guys in the back seat can't unlock and pull the inside door handles while we are driving.

#10-5 mph bumpers-I would classify this as a safety item for the car itself. In the event a driver lightly hits a lightpole, grocery cart, etc. at 5mph or under, it is unlikely there will be any major structural damage. These days, the government mandated limit to follow is 2.5 mph, most automakers have the 5 mph variety.

#11-Center High Mounted Brake Light-It's actually just a 3rd brake light mounted higher than the two main brake lights, and most autos have them. They're main purpose is to make drivers behind the motorist aware of their braking intentions, normally cars 6-10 back can see this clearly.

#12-Safety Cage Construction-Think of a built in rollcage, it's the main exo-skeletal feature that provides the most protection. In every accidental situation, this protects 360 degrees. We can even literally turn a car or truck upside down on its roof, the cage will support 1.5x it's own weight. There's nothing more important.

AUDRINA PATRIDGE - THE BIKINI BABE

2008-05-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

The Hills star Audrina Patridge shoots her first movie role in a green bikini in Hawaii on Thursday.

The 23-year-old reality TV star shot scenes for the direct-to-DVD film The Reef, the sequel to Into the Blue (Jessica Alba, Paul Walker). Audrina plays a beach beauty whose boyfriend spoils her rotten.

Pal Lauren Conrad has said of Audrina’s new movie role: “I’m so proud of her! She moved to L.A. to become an actress and it’s so exciting to see it really happening to her.”

JENNIFER ANISTON AND JOHN MAYER LOVING EACH OTHER

2008-05-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

After a romantic weekend in Miami to a concert in Orlando Tuesday night, it was time for America's hottest new couple to hit a new city yesterday. John was spotted going solo in Soho during the day, but when night fell, the twosome headed to the Waverly Inn where they were sure to be spotted even though they left the restaurant separately. Our favorite new couple is showing no signs of slowing down yet, and now that production for Marley and Me has moved to Philadelphia, we wonder how long it will be before Jen and John trade their swimsuits and Manhattan nights for cheese steaks in the city of brotherly love.

MAILBOX AND BEYOND

2008-05-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

I was lucky to be able to acquire a house. The house was one of the many foreclosed properties of the bank that was for bidding to the highest bidder. I am so excited to move to the new place. I have already visited the house and it looks great. It is an old style house that has four bedrooms and two restrooms. It is quite big for a single guy like me.

I have already bought paints and other carpentry materials for the house. I am planning to remodel the house so that it would look new. I have already bought my address plaques so that my friends will know my address. My brothers also gave me something that is very useful. They gave me two house numbers for my new house. It is because my house is located at the corner. With two house numbers, it will be very visible. I bought personally my mailbox. My mailboxes are very important because it is the thing that would protect your mails and other important documents that are mailed to your residence. I receive a lot of mails from my friends. That is why I must have a mailbox. My mailbox is one of the quality whitehall products. There are other whitehall products that you can choose from that are very fit for your house.

Everything is already prepared and after the renovation is completed, I will be moving soon. If you are looking for mailboxes, address plaques and house numbers for your home, I would suggest you visit www.mailboxandbeyond.com

PROSTATE CANCER

2008-05-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. It occurs when cells of the prostate mutate and begin to multiply out of control. These cells may spread (metastasize) from the prostate to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms.

Rates of prostate cancer vary widely across the world. Although the rates vary widely between countries, it is least common in South and East Asia, more common in Europe, and most common in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is least common among Asian men and most common among black men, with figures for white men in-between. However, these high rates may be affected by increasing rates of detection.

Prostate cancer develops most frequently in men over fifty. This cancer can occur only in men, as the prostate is exclusively of the male reproductive tract. It is the most common type of cancer in men in the United States, where it is responsible for more male deaths than any other cancer, except lung cancer. In the UK it is also the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Around 35,000 men in the UK are diagnosed per year; where around 10,000 die of it. However, many men who develop prostate cancer never have symptoms, undergo no therapy, and eventually die of other causes. That is because malignant neoplasms of the prostate are, in most cases, slow-growing, and because most of those affected are very old. Hence they often die of causes unrelated to the prostate cancer, such as heart/circulatory disease, pneumonia, other unconnected cancers or old age. Many factors, including genetics and diet, have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is most often discovered by physical examination or by screening blood tests, such as the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test. There is some current concern about the accuracy of the PSA test and its usefulness. Suspected prostate cancer is typically confirmed by removing a piece of the prostate (biopsy) and examining it under a microscope. Further tests, such as X-rays and bone scans, may be performed to determine whether prostate cancer has spread.

Prostate cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, occasionally chemotherapy, proton therapy, or some combination of these. The age and underlying health of the man as well as the extent of spread, appearance under the microscope, and response of the cancer to initial treatment are important in determining the outcome of the disease. Since prostate cancer is a disease of older men, many will die of other causes before a slowly advancing prostate cancer can spread or cause symptoms. This makes treatment selection difficult. The decision whether or not to treat localized prostate cancer (a tumor that is contained within the prostate) with curative intent is a patient trade-off between the expected beneficial and harmful effects in terms of patient survival and quality of life.

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive organ which helps make and store seminal fluid. In adult men a typical prostate is about three centimeters long and weighs about twenty grams. It is located in the pelvis, under the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder during urination and semen during ejaculation. Because of its location, prostate diseases often affect urination, ejaculation, and rarely defecation. The prostate contains many small glands which make about twenty percent of the fluid constituting semen. In prostate cancer the cells of these prostate glands mutate into cancer cells. The prostate glands require male hormones, known as androgens, to work properly. Androgens include testosterone, which is made in the testes; dehydroepiandrosterone, made in the adrenal glands; and dihydrotestosterone, which is converted from testosterone within the prostate itself. Androgens are also responsible for secondary sex characteristics such as facial hair and increased muscle mass.

Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Often it is diagnosed during the workup for an elevated PSA noticed during a routine checkup. Sometimes, however, prostate cancer does cause symptoms, often similar to those of diseases such as benign prostatic hypertrophy. These include frequent urination, increased urination at night, difficulty starting and maintaining a steady stream of urine, blood in the urine, and painful urination. Prostate cancer is associated with urinary disfunction as the prostate gland surrounds the prostatic urethra. Changes within the gland therefore directly affect urinary function. Prostate cancer may also cause problems with sexual function, such as difficulty achieving erection or painful ejaculation. The Vas deferens deposits seminal fluid into the prostatic urethra and secretions from the prostate gland itself are included in semen content, which is why Prosate Cancer can affect sexual performance and cause painful ejaculation.

Advanced prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body and this may cause additional symptoms. The most common symptom being bone pain, often in vertebrae (bones of the spine), pelvis or ribs. Spread of Cancer into other bones such as the femur is usually to the proximal part of the bone. Prostate cancer in the spine can also compress the spinal cord, causing leg weakness and urinary and fecal incontinence.

Prostate cancer is classified as an adenocarcinoma, or glandular cancer, that begins when normal semen-secreting prostate gland cells mutate into cancer cells. The region of prostate gland where the adenocarcinoma is most common is the peripheral zone. Initially, small clumps of cancer cells remain confined to otherwise normal prostate glands, a condition known as carcinoma in situ or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Although there is no proof that PIN is a cancer precursor, it is closely associated with cancer. Over time these cancer cells begin to multiply and spread to the surrounding prostate tissue (the stroma) forming a tumor. Eventually, the tumor may grow large enough to invade nearby organs such as the seminal vesicles or the rectum, or the tumor cells may develop the ability to travel in the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Prostate cancer is considered a malignant tumor because it is a mass of cells which can invade other parts of the body. This invasion of other organs is called metastasis. Prostate cancer most commonly metastasizes to the bones, lymph nodes, rectum, and bladder.

The specific causes of prostate cancer remain unknown. A man's risk of developing prostate cancer is related to his age, genetics, race, diet, lifestyle, medications, and other factors. The primary risk factor is age. Prostate cancer is uncommon in men less than 45, but becomes more common with advancing age. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 70. However, many men never know they have prostate cancer. Autopsy studies of Chinese, German, Israeli, Jamaican, Swedish, and Ugandan men who died of other causes have found prostate cancer in thirty percent of men in their 50s, and in eighty percent of men in their 70s. In the year 2005 in the United States, there were an estimated 230,000 new cases of prostate cancer and 30,000 deaths due to prostate cancer.

A man's genetic background contributes to his risk of developing prostate cancer. This is suggested by an increased incidence of prostate cancer found in certain racial groups, in identical twins of men with prostate cancer, and in men with certain genes. In the United States, prostate cancer more commonly affects black men than white or Hispanic men, and is also more deadly in black men. Men who have a brother or father with prostate cancer have twice the usual risk of developing prostate cancer. Studies of twins in Scandinavia suggest that forty percent of prostate cancer risk can be explained by inherited factors. However, no single gene is responsible for prostate cancer; many different genes have been implicated. Two genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) that are important risk factors for ovarian cancer and breast cancer in women have also been implicated in prostate cancer.

Dietary amounts of certain foods, vitamins, and minerals can contribute to prostate cancer risk. Men with higher serum levels of the short-chain ?-6 fatty acid linoleic acid have higher rates of prostate cancer. However, the same series of studies showed that men with elevated levels of long-chain ?-3 (EPA and DHA) had lowered incidence. A long-term study reports that "blood levels of trans fatty acids, in particular trans fats resulting from the hydrogenation of vegetable oils, are associated with an increased prostate cancer risk." Other dietary factors that may increase prostate cancer risk include low intake of vitamin E (Vitamin E is found in green, leafy vegetables), omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fishes like salmon), and the mineral selenium. A study in 2007 cast doubt on the effectiveness of lycopene (found in tomatoes) in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. Lower blood levels of vitamin D also may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. This may be linked to lower exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, since UV light exposure can increase vitamin D in the body.

There are also some links between prostate cancer and medications, medical procedures, and medical conditions. Daily use of anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen may decrease prostate cancer risk. Use of the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as the statins may also decrease prostate cancer risk. More frequent ejaculation also may decrease a man's risk of prostate cancer. One study showed that men who ejaculated five times a week in their 20s had a decreased rate of prostate cancer, though others have shown no benefit. Infection or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) may increase the chance for prostate cancer. In particular, infection with the sexually transmitted infections chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis seems to increase risk. Finally, obesity and elevated blood levels of testosterone may increase the risk for prostate cancer.

Research released in May 2007, found that US war veterans who had been exposed to Agent Orange had a 48% increased risk of prostate cancer recurrence following surgery.

Prostate cancer risk can be decreased by modifying known risk factors for prostate cancer, such as decreasing intake of animal fat.

One research study, by the Cancer Council Victoria, has shown that men who report that they regularly ("more than five times per week") masturbate have up to one third fewer occurrences of prostate cancer. The researchers hypothesize that this could be because regular ejaculation reduces the buildup of carcinogenic deposits such as 3-methylcholanthrene is produced from the breakdown of cholesterol, which could damage the cells lining the prostate. The researchers also speculated that frequent ejaculation may cause the prostate to mature fully, making it less susceptible to carcinogens. It is also possible that there is another factor (such as hormone levels) that is a common cause of both a reduced susceptibility to prostate cancer and a tendency toward frequent masturbation. There is also some evidence that frequent sexual intercourse is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer, although contrarily the risks associated with STDs have been shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Once the lining of the prostate is affected with cancer, the only known treatments are surgery and radiation therapy. Both may limit the ability to have erections afterward.

Several medications and vitamins may also help prevent prostate cancer. Two dietary supplements, vitamin E and selenium, may help prevent prostate cancer when taken daily. Estrogens from fermented soybeans and other plant sources (called phytoestrogens) may also help prevent prostate cancer The selective estrogen receptor modulator drug toremifene has shown promise in early trials. Two medications which block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, finasteride and dutasteride, have also shown some promise. The use of these medications for primary prevention is still in the testing phase, and they are not widely used for this purpose. The problem with these medications is that they may preferentially block the development of lower-grade prostate tumors, leading to a relatively greater chance of higher grade cancers, and negating any overall survival improvement. Green tea may be protective (due to its polyphenol content), though the data is mixed. A 2006 study of green tea derivatives demonstrated promising prostate cancer prevention in patients at high risk for the disease. In 2003, an Australian research team led by Graham Giles of The Cancer Council Australia concluded that frequent masturbation by males appears to help prevent the development of prostate cancer. Recent research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that taking multivitamins more than seven times a week can increase the risks of contracting the disease. This research was unable to highlight the exact vitamins responsible for this increase (almost double), although they suggest that vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene may lie at its heart. It is advised that those taking multivitamins never exceed the stated daily dose on the label. Scientists recommend a healthy, well balanced diet rich in fiber, and to reduce intake of meat. A 2007 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that men eating cauliflower, broccoli, or one of the other cruciferous vegetables, more than once a week were 40% less likely to develop prostate cancer than men who rarely ate those vegetables. Scientists believe the reason for this phenomenon has to do with a phytochemical called Diindolylmethane in these vegetables that has Anti-Androgenic and immune modulating properties. This compound is currently under investigation by the National Cancer Institute as a natural therapeutic for prostate cancer. Australian research concluded that the more men ejaculate between the ages of 20 and 50, the less likely they are to develop prostate cancer. The protective effect is greatest while men are in their twenties: those who had ejaculated more than five times per week in their twenties, for instance, were one-third less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer later in life. The results contradict those of previous studies, which have suggested that having had many sexual partners, or a high frequency of sexual activity, increases the risk of prostate cancer by up to 40 per cent. The key difference is that these earlier studies defined sexual activity as sexual intercourse, whereas the latest study focused on the number of ejaculations, whether or not intercourse was involved.

Prostate cancer screening is an attempt to find unsuspected cancers. Screening tests may lead to more specific follow-up tests such as a biopsy, where small pieces of the prostate are removed for closer study. Prostate cancer screening options include the digital rectal exam and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Screening for prostate cancer is controversial because it is not clear if the benefits of screening outweigh the risks of follow-up diagnostic tests and cancer treatments.

Prostate cancer is usually a slow-growing cancer, very common among older men. In fact, most prostate cancers never grow to the point where they cause symptoms, and most men with prostate cancer die of other causes before prostate cancer has an impact on their lives. The PSA screening test may detect these small cancers that would never become life threatening. Doing the PSA test in these men may lead to overdiagnosis, including additional testing and treatment. Follow-up tests, such as prostate biopsy, may cause pain, bleeding and infection. Prostate cancer treatments may cause urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Therefore, it is essential that the risks and benefits of diagnostic procedures and treatment be carefully considered before PSA screening.

No major scientific or medical organizations currently support routine screening for prostate cancer.

* In 2002, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded that the evidence was insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening for prostate cancer using PSA testing or digital rectal examination (DRE). The previous 1995 USPSTF recommendation was against routine screening.
* In 1997, American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines began recommending that beginning at age 50 (age 45 for African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, and since 2001, age 40 for men with a very strong family history of prostate cancer), PSA testing and DRE be offered annually to men who have a life-expectancy of 10 or more years (average life expectancy is 10 years or more for U.S. men under age 76) along with information on the risks and benefits of screening. The previous ACS recommendations since 1980 had been for routine screening for prostate cancer with DRE annually beginning at age 40, and since 1992 had been for routine screening with DRE and PSA testing annually beginning at age 50.
* The 2007 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline recommends offering a baseline PSA test and DRE at ages 40 and 45 and annual PSA testing and DRE beginning at age 50 (with annual PSA testing and DRE beginning at age 40 for African-American men, men with a family history of prostate cancer, and men with a PSA = 0.6 ng/mL at age 40 or PSA > 0.6 ng/mL at age 45) through age 80, along with information on the risks and benefits of screening. Biopsy is recommended if DRE is positive or PSA = 4 ng/mL, and biopsy considered if PSA > 2.5 ng/mL or PSA velocity = 0.35 ng/mL/year when PSA = 2.5 ng/mL.
* Some U.S. radiation oncologists and medical oncologists who specialize in treating prostate cancer recommend obtaining a baseline PSA in all men at age 35 or beginning annual PSA testing in high risk men at age 35.

Since there is no firm evidence or general agreement that the benefits of PSA screening outweigh the harms, major scientific and medical organizations recommend that clinicians use a process of shared decision-making that includes discussing with patients the risks of prostate cancer, the potential benefits and harms of screening, and involving the patients in the decision.

However, because PSA screening is widespread in the United States, following the recommendations of major scientific and medical organizations to use shared decision-making is legally perilous in some U.S. states. In 2003, a Virginia jury found a family practice residency program guilty of malpractice and liable for $1 million for following national guidelines and using shared decision-making, thereby allowing a patient (subsequently found to have a high PSA and incurable advanced prostate cancer) to decline a screening PSA test, instead of routinely ordering without discussion PSA tests in all men = 50 years of age as four local physicians testified was their practice, and was accepted by the jury as the local standard of care.

An estimated 20 million PSA tests are done per year in North America and possibly 20 million more outside of North America.

* In 2000, 34.1% of all U.S. men age = 50 had a screening PSA test within the past year and 56.8% reported ever having a PSA test.
* In 2000, 33.6% of all U.S. men age 50–64 and 51.3% of men age = 65 had a PSA test within the past year.
* In 2005, 33.5% of all U.S. men age 50–64 had a PSA test in the past year.
o 37.5% of men with private health insurance, 20.8% of men with Medicaid insurance, 14.0% of currently uninsured men, and 11.5% of men uninsured for > 12 months.
* In 2000–2001, 34.1% of all Canadian men age = 50 had a screening PSA test within the past year and 47.5% reported ever having a screening PSA test.
* Canadian men in Ontario were most likely to have had a PSA test within the past year and men in Alberta were least likely to have had a PSA test with the past year or ever.

Digital rectal examination (DRE) is a procedure where the examiner inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to check the size, shape, and texture of the prostate. Areas which are irregular, hard or lumpy need further evaluation, since they may contain cancer. Although the DRE only evaluates the back of the prostate, 85% of prostate cancers arise in this part of the prostate. Prostate cancer which can be felt on DRE is generally more advanced. The use of DRE has never been shown to prevent prostate cancer deaths when used as the only screening test.

The PSA test measures the blood level of prostate-specific antigen, an enzyme produced by the prostate. Specifically, PSA is a serine protease similar to kallikrein. Its normal function is to liquify gelatinous semen after ejaculation, allowing spermatozoa to more easily navigate through the uterine cervix.

The risk of prostate cancer increases with increasing PSA levels. 4 ng/mL was chosen arbitrarily as a decision level for biopsies in the clinical trial upon which the FDA in 1994 based adding prostate cancer detection in men age 50 and over as an approved indication for the first commercially available PSA test. 4 ng/mL was used as the biopsy decision level in the PLCO trial, 3 ng/mL was used in the ERSPC and ProtecT trials, and 2.5 ng/mL is used in the 2007 NCCN guideline.

PSA levels can change for many reasons other than cancer. Two common causes of high PSA levels are enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)) and infection in the prostate (prostatitis). It can also be raised for 24 hours after ejaculation and several days after catheterization. PSA levels are lowered in men who use medications used to treat BPH or baldness. These medications, finasteride (marketed as Proscar or Propecia) and dutasteride (marketed as Avodart), may decrease the PSA levels by 50% or more.

Several other ways of evaluating the PSA have been developed to avoid the shortcomings of simple PSA screening. The use of age-specific reference ranges improves the sensitivity and specificity of the test. The rate of rise of the PSA over time, called the PSA velocity, has been used to evaluate men with PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml, but it has not proven to be an effective screening test. Comparing the PSA level with the size of the prostate, as measured by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, has also been studied. This comparison, called PSA density, is both costly and has not proven to be an effective screening test. PSA in the blood may either be free or bound to other proteins. Measuring the amount of PSA which is free or bound may provide additional screening information, but questions regarding the usefulness of these measurements limit their widespread use.

Treatment for prostate cancer may involve watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy including brachytherapy, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), chemotherapy, cryosurgery, hormonal therapy, or some combination. Which option is best depends on the stage of the disease, the Gleason score, and the PSA level. Other important factors are the man's age, his general health, and his feelings about potential treatments and their possible side effects. Because all treatments can have significant side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, treatment discussions often focus on balancing the goals of therapy with the risks of lifestyle alterations.

The selection of treatment options may be a complex decision involving many factors. For example, radical prostatectomy after primary radiation failure is a very technically challenging surgery and may not be an option. This may enter into the treatment decision.

If the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, treatment options significantly change, so most doctors who treat prostate cancer use a variety of nomograms to predict the probability of spread. Treatment by watchful waiting, HIFU, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, and surgery are generally offered to men whose cancer remains within the prostate. Hormonal therapy and chemotherapy are often reserved for disease which has spread beyond the prostate. However, there are exceptions: radiation therapy may be used for some advanced tumors, and hormonal therapy is used for some early stage tumors. Cryotherapy, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapy may also be offered if initial treatment fails and the cancer progresses.

BLOGGERWAVE

2008-05-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Blogging is fun and exciting because you get to express you feel and think about. Blogging was introduced to me by a good friend of mine. Since then I never stop blogging and my friends are very excited to read my article post every day. Aside from the expressing of ideas and thoughts, blogging is also a way to generate income and make money. A blogger is paid in every article post that she/he writes about. A blogger starts to earn when he/she becomes a Bloggerwave writer. Bloggerwave is a trusted site in which gives a blogger the opportunity to earn and generate income in every article that is posted in their blog. Be a Bloggerwave writer and start earning now. For more information this visit www.bloggerwave.com

HILARY DUFF PREPARES FOR MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATION

2008-05-12T09:46:00.001-07:00

After arriving in Los Angeles on Saturday following a trip to New York City, Hilary Duff wasted no time getting back to her shopping needs.

Looking stylish in a pair of black leggings, a grey sweater, scarf, pair of shades and toting a Chanel handbag, the Lizzie McGuire starlet first stopped by the Neil George hair studio.

HELLO KITTY TELEPHONE

2008-05-11T00:59:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I went to my dentist for my regular dental checkup. While waiting for my turn at the bed, I noticed this strange looking device. I asked my dentist's secretary if this telephone looking device is real and it is. This is a Hello Kitty telephone unique and simply amazing look for a telephone unit.

CARROTS DELIGHT

2008-05-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

The carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a root vegetable, usually orange or white, or red-white blend in colour, with a crisp texture when fresh. The edible part of a carrot is a taproot. It is a domesticated form of the wild carrot Daucus carota, native to Europe and southwestern Asia. It has been bred for its greatly enlarged and more palatable, less woody-textured edible taproot, but is still the same species.

It is a biennial plant which grows a rosette of leaves in the spring and summer, while building up the stout taproot, which stores large amounts of sugars for the plant to flower in the second year. The flowering stem grows to about 1 metre (3 ft) tall, with an umbel of white flowers.

Carrots can be eaten in a variety of ways. They are often chopped and boiled, fried or steamed, and cooked in soups and stews, as well as baby and pet foods. A well known dish is carrots julienne. Grated carrots are used in carrot cakes, as well as carrot puddings, an old English dish thought to have originated in the early 1800s. The greens are edible as a leaf vegetable, but are rarely eaten by humans. Together with onion and celery, carrots are one of the primary vegetables used in a mirepoix to make various broths.

Ever since the late 1980s, baby carrots or mini-carrots (carrots that have been peeled and cut into uniform cylinders) have been a popular ready-to-eat snack food available in many supermarkets.

Carrot juice is also widely marketed, especially as a health drink, either stand-alone or blended with fruits and other vegetables.

The carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from ß-carotene, which is metabolised into vitamin A in humans when bile salts are present in the intestines. Massive overconsumption of carrots can cause hypercarotenemia, a condition in which the skin turns orange (although this is superior to overdose effects of vitamin A, which can cause liver damage). Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals.

Lack of Vitamin A can cause poor vision, including night vision, and vision can be restored by adding Vitamin A back into the diet. The urban legend that says eating large amounts of carrots will allow one to see in the dark developed from stories of British gunners in World War II who were able to shoot down German planes in the darkness of night. The legend arose during the Battle of Britain when the RAF circulated a story about their pilot's carrot consumption as an attempt to cover up the discovery and effective use of radar technologies in engaging enemy planes. It reinforced existing German folklore and helped to encourage Britons - looking to improve their night vision during the blackouts - to grow and eat the vegetable.

Ethnomedically, the roots are used to treat digestive problems, intestinal parasites, and tonsillitis or constipation.

Falcarinol, a seventeen-carbon diyne fatty alcohol was isolated from carrot and red ginseng (Panax ginseng). It was shown to have potent anticancer properties on primary mammary epithelial cells (breast cancer).

The wild ancestors of the carrot are likely to have come from Afghanistan, which remains the centre of diversity of D. carota, the wild carrot. Selective breeding over the centuries of a naturally-occurring subspecies of the wild carrot, Daucus carota subsp. sativus has produced the familiar garden vegetable.

In early use, carrots were grown for their aromatic leaves and seeds, not their roots. Some relatives of the carrot are still grown for these, such as parsley, fennel, dill and cumin. The first mention of the root in classical sources is in the 1st century CE. The modern carrot appears to have been introduced to Europe in the 8-10th centuries; Ibn al-Awam, in Andalusia, describes both red and yellow carrots; Simeon Seth also mentions both colours in the 11th century. Orange-coloured carrots appear in the Netherlands in the 17th century. The Dutch were the first to make the orange carrot. They Dutch made the orange carrot to be less bitter than the yellow varieties.

In addition to wild carrot, these alternative (mostly historical) names are recorded for Daucus carota: Bee's-nest, Bee's-nest plant, Bird's-nest, Bird's-nest plant, Bird's-nest root, Carota, Carotte (French), Carrot, Common carrot, Crow's-nest, Daucon, Dawke, Devil's-plague, Fiddle, Gallicam, Garden carrot, Gelbe Rübe (German), Gingidium, Hill-trot, Laceflower, Mirrot, Möhre (German), Parsnip (misapplied), Queen Anne's lace, Rantipole, Staphylinos, and Zanahoria.

The parsnip is a close relative of the carrot, as is parsley.

Carrot cultivars can be grouped into two broad classes, eastern carrots and western carrots. More recently, a number of novelty cultivars have been bred for particular characteristics.

The world's largest carrot was grown in Palmer, Alaska by John Evans in 1998, weighing 8.6 kg (19 lb).

The city of Holtville, California promotes itself as "Carrot Capital of the World", and holds an annual festival devoted entirely to the carrot.

Eastern carrots

Eastern carrots were domesticated in Central Asia, probably in modern-day Afghanistan in the 10th century, or possibly earlier. Specimens of the eastern carrot that survive to the present day are commonly purple or yellow, and often have branched roots. The purple colour common in these carrots comes from anthocyanin pigments.

The western carrot emerged in the Netherlands in the 15th or 16th century, its orange colour making it popular in those countries as an emblem of the House of Orange and the struggle for Dutch independence. The orange colour results from abundant carotenes in these cultivars. While orange carrots are the norm in the West, other colours do exist, including white, yellow, red, and purple. These other colours of carrot are raised primarily as novelty crops.

The Vegetable Improvement Center at Texas A&M University has developed a purple-skinned, orange-fleshed carrot, the BetaSweet (also known as the Maroon Carrot), with substances to prevent cancer, which has recently entered very limited commercial distribution, through J&D Produce of Edinburg TX. This variety of carrot is also known to be high in ß-carotene which is an essential nutrient. The high concentrations of this nutreint give the carrot its maroon shade.

Western carrot cultivars are commonly classified by their root shape:

* Chantenay carrots are shorter than other cultivars, but have greater girth, sometimes growing up to 8 centimetres (3 in) in diameter. They have broad shoulders and taper towards a blunt, rounded tip. They are most commonly diced for use in canned or prepared foods.
* Danvers carrots have a conical shape, having well-defined shoulders and tapering to a point at the tip. They are somewhat shorter than Imperator cultivars, but more tolerant of heavy soil. Danvers cultivars are often pureed as baby food.
* Imperator carrots are the carrots most commonly sold whole in U.S. supermarkets; their roots are longer than other cultivars of carrot, and taper to a point at the tip.
* Nantes carrots are nearly cylindrical in shape, and are blunt and rounded at both the top and tip. Nantes cultivars are often sweeter than other carrots.

While any carrot can be harvested before reaching its full size as a more tender "baby" carrot, some fast-maturing cultivars have been bred to produce smaller roots. The most extreme examples produce round roots about 2.5 centimetres (1 in) in diameter. These small cultivars are also more tolerant of heavy or stony soil than long-rooted cultivars such as 'Nantes' or 'Imperator'. The "baby carrots" sold ready-to-eat in supermarkets are, however, often not from a smaller cultivar of carrot, but are simply full-sized carrots that have been sliced and peeled to make carrot sticks of a uniform shape and size.

Carrot flowers are pollinated primarily by bees. Seed growers use honeybees or mason bees for their pollination needs.

Carrots are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including Common Swift, Garden Dart, Ghost Moth, Large Yellow Underwing and Setaceous Hebrew Character.

Food enthusiasts and researchers have developed other varieties of carrots through traditional breeding methods. Novelty carrots are also grown throughout Western Europe in flower pots and are noted for their distinctly minty flavour.

One particular variety lacks the usual orange pigment from carotenes, owing its white colour to a recessive gene for tocopherol (Vitamin E). Derived from Daucus carota L. and patented (US patent #6,437,222) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the variety is intended to supplement the dietary intake of Vitamin E.

In 2005, China was the largest producer of carrots and turnips, according to the FAO. China accounted for at least one third of the global output, followed by Russia and the United States.

In 2005, a poll of 2,000 people revealed that the carrot was Britain's third favourite culinary vegetable.

For the purposes of the European Union's "Council Directive 2001/113/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption" carrots can be defined as a fruit as well as a vegetable. This is because carrot jam is a Portuguese delicacy.

UPGRADING YOUR LAPTOP

2008-05-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

TOURS AND ACCOMODATIONS

2008-05-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

Our business community has again chosen me and 7 others to be part of the delegates to visit several countries to represent our business circle. I was not expecting to be selected because I never applied for it. But I am glad to be chosen again for this trip.

The trip will be scheduled in 4 places. The first stop was in Paris. After arriving in Paris, we immediately looked for a list of Paris Hotels so that we can book our accommodation. When we were in Paris, I immediately invited my companions to look at the Eiffel Tower. It is because this tower has become the top symbol of Paris. We also visited the Notre Dame Cathedral. We stayed in Paris for two days before we proceeded to our next location. Our job is to present our business circle and that is what we do when we were in Paris. After we were through meeting with several business communities in Paris, We immediately went to London. Arriving in London, we immediately looked for list of London Hotels to select where we are going to stay. We have to stay in London for 3 days to attend to the chamber meet. Every time I have the opportunity to travel abroad I always make sure that I have to see the beautiful tourist spots of the location where I am in. I went to the Kensington Gardens. The garden is very beautiful and grounds were well maintained. A good place to relax and unwind for the hectic schedule. The third destination of our business tour was in Birmingham. Birmingham hotels are easy to find and accommodation is excellent. After we parked our baggage, we dined at Davenport’s Pizza Place for a fuel to our hungry stomachs. Our stay in Birmingham is too short because we have to move to another location. We stayed there just for one night. The last part of our business tour was in Manchester. When we arrived in Manchester, the chamber of commerce president immediately welcomed us to their business circle. They were very hospitable enough in booking our accommodation and selected the best among Manchester Hotels. After the business meet, my companions and I went to the Manchester City Art Gallery and took some picture at the Imperial Chinese Arch for our lasting remembrance of our stay.

The whole trip was an experience that I will never forget. Thanks to Cheaperthanhotels.co.uk our accommodations were booked safely and fast. This is a good site to use when visiting places. For more information about hotel accommodations, visit www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk

PROSTATE CANCER

2008-05-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. It occurs when cells of the prostate mutate and begin to multiply out of control. These cells may spread (metastasize) from the prostate to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms.

Rates of prostate cancer vary widely across the world. Although the rates vary widely between countries, it is least common in South and East Asia, more common in Europe, and most common in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is least common among Asian men and most common among black men, with figures for white men in-between. However, these high rates may be affected by increasing rates of detection.

Prostate cancer develops most frequently in men over fifty. This cancer can occur only in men, as the prostate is exclusively of the male reproductive tract. It is the most common type of cancer in men in the United States, where it is responsible for more male deaths than any other cancer, except lung cancer. In the UK it is also the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Around 35,000 men in the UK are diagnosed per year; where around 10,000 die of it. However, many men who develop prostate cancer never have symptoms, undergo no therapy, and eventually die of other causes. That is because malignant neoplasms of the prostate are, in most cases, slow-growing, and because most of those affected are very old. Hence they often die of causes unrelated to the prostate cancer, such as heart/circulatory disease, pneumonia, other unconnected cancers or old age. Many factors, including genetics and diet, have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is most often discovered by physical examination or by screening blood tests, such as the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test. There is some current concern about the accuracy of the PSA test and its usefulness. Suspected prostate cancer is typically confirmed by removing a piece of the prostate (biopsy) and examining it under a microscope. Further tests, such as X-rays and bone scans, may be performed to determine whether prostate cancer has spread.

Prostate cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, occasionally chemotherapy, proton therapy, or some combination of these. The age and underlying health of the man as well as the extent of spread, appearance under the microscope, and response of the cancer to initial treatment are important in determining the outcome of the disease. Since prostate cancer is a disease of older men, many will die of other causes before a slowly advancing prostate cancer can spread or cause symptoms. This makes treatment selection difficult. The decision whether or not to treat localized prostate cancer (a tumor that is contained within the prostate) with curative intent is a patient trade-off between the expected beneficial and harmful effects in terms of patient survival and quality of life.

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive organ which helps make and store seminal fluid. In adult men a typical prostate is about three centimeters long and weighs about twenty grams. It is located in the pelvis, under the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder during urination and semen during ejaculation. Because of its location, prostate diseases often affect urination, ejaculation, and rarely defecation. The prostate contains many small glands which make about twenty percent of the fluid constituting semen. In prostate cancer the cells of these prostate glands mutate into cancer cells. The prostate glands require male hormones, known as androgens, to work properly. Androgens include testosterone, which is made in the testes; dehydroepiandrosterone, made in the adrenal glands; and dihydrotestosterone, which is converted from testosterone within the prostate itself. Androgens are also responsible for secondary sex characteristics such as facial hair and increased muscle mass.

Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Often it is diagnosed during the workup for an elevated PSA noticed during a routine checkup. Sometimes, however, prostate cancer does cause symptoms, often similar to those of diseases such as benign prostatic hypertrophy. These include frequent urination, increased urination at night, difficulty starting and maintaining a steady stream of urine, blood in the urine, and painful urination. Prostate cancer is associated with urinary disfunction as the prostate gland surrounds the prostatic urethra. Changes within the gland therefore directly affect urinary function. Prostate cancer may also cause problems with sexual function, such as difficulty achieving erection or painful ejaculation. The Vas deferens deposits seminal fluid into the prostatic urethra and secretions from the prostate gland itself are included in semen content, which is why Prosate Cancer can affect sexual performance and cause painful ejaculation.

Advanced prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body and this may cause additional symptoms. The most common symptom being bone pain, often in vertebrae (bones of the spine), pelvis or ribs. Spread of Cancer into other bones such as the femur is usually to the proximal part of the bone. Prostate cancer in the spine can also compress the spinal cord, causing leg weakness and urinary and fecal incontinence.

Prostate cancer is classified as an adenocarcinoma, or glandular cancer, that begins when normal semen-secreting prostate gland cells mutate into cancer cells. The region of prostate gland where the adenocarcinoma is most common is the peripheral zone. Initially, small clumps of cancer cells remain confined to otherwise normal prostate glands, a condition known as carcinoma in situ or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Although there is no proof that PIN is a cancer precursor, it is closely associated with cancer. Over time these cancer cells begin to multiply and spread to the surrounding prostate tissue (the stroma) forming a tumor. Eventually, the tumor may grow large enough to invade nearby organs such as the seminal vesicles or the rectum, or the tumor cells may develop the ability to travel in the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Prostate cancer is considered a malignant tumor because it is a mass of cells which can invade other parts of the body. This invasion of other organs is called metastasis. Prostate cancer most commonly metastasizes to the bones, lymph nodes, rectum, and bladder.

The specific causes of prostate cancer remain unknown. A man's risk of developing prostate cancer is related to his age, genetics, race, diet, lifestyle, medications, and other factors. The primary risk factor is age. Prostate cancer is uncommon in men less than 45, but becomes more common with advancing age. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 70. However, many men never know they have prostate cancer. Autopsy studies of Chinese, German, Israeli, Jamaican, Swedish, and Ugandan men who died of other causes have found prostate cancer in thirty percent of men in their 50s, and in eighty percent of men in their 70s. In the year 2005 in the United States, there were an estimated 230,000 new cases of prostate cancer and 30,000 deaths due to prostate cancer.

A man's genetic background contributes to his risk of developing prostate cancer. This is suggested by an increased incidence of prostate cancer found in certain racial groups, in identical twins of men with prostate cancer, and in men with certain genes. In the United States, prostate cancer more commonly affects black men than white or Hispanic men, and is also more deadly in black men. Men who have a brother or father with prostate cancer have twice the usual risk of developing prostate cancer. Studies of twins in Scandinavia suggest that forty percent of prostate cancer risk can be explained by inherited factors. However, no single gene is responsible for prostate cancer; many different genes have been implicated. Two genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) that are important risk factors for ovarian cancer and breast cancer in women have also been implicated in prostate cancer.

Dietary amounts of certain foods, vitamins, and minerals can contribute to prostate cancer risk. Men with higher serum levels of the short-chain ?-6 fatty acid linoleic acid have higher rates of prostate cancer. However, the same series of studies showed that men with elevated levels of long-chain ?-3 (EPA and DHA) had lowered incidence. A long-term study reports that "blood levels of trans fatty acids, in particular trans fats resulting from the hydrogenation of vegetable oils, are associated with an increased prostate cancer risk." Other dietary factors that may increase prostate cancer risk include low intake of vitamin E (Vitamin E is found in green, leafy vegetables), omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fishes like salmon), and the mineral selenium. A study in 2007 cast doubt on the effectiveness of lycopene (found in tomatoes) in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. Lower blood levels of vitamin D also may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. This may be linked to lower exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, since UV light exposure can increase vitamin D in the body.

There are also some links between prostate cancer and medications, medical procedures, and medical conditions. Daily use of anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen may decrease prostate cancer risk. Use of the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as the statins may also decrease prostate cancer risk. More frequent ejaculation also may decrease a man's risk of prostate cancer. One study showed that men who ejaculated five times a week in their 20s had a decreased rate of prostate cancer, though others have shown no benefit. Infection or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) may increase the chance for prostate cancer. In particular, infection with the sexually transmitted infections chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis seems to increase risk. Finally, obesity and elevated blood levels of testosterone may increase the risk for prostate cancer.

Research released in May 2007, found that US war veterans who had been exposed to Agent Orange had a 48% increased risk of prostate cancer recurrence following surgery.

Prostate cancer risk can be decreased by modifying known risk factors for prostate cancer, such as decreasing intake of animal fat.

One research study, by the Cancer Council Victoria, has shown that men who report that they regularly ("more than five times per week") masturbate have up to one third fewer occurrences of prostate cancer. The researchers hypothesize that this could be because regular ejaculation reduces the buildup of carcinogenic deposits such as 3-methylcholanthrene is produced from the breakdown of cholesterol, which could damage the cells lining the prostate. The researchers also speculated that frequent ejaculation may cause the prostate to mature fully, making it less susceptible to carcinogens. It is also possible that there is another factor (such as hormone levels) that is a common cause of both a reduced susceptibility to prostate cancer and a tendency toward frequent masturbation. There is also some evidence that frequent sexual intercourse is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer, although contrarily the risks associated with STDs have been shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Once the lining of the prostate is affected with cancer, the only known treatments are surgery and radiation therapy. Both may limit the ability to have erections afterward.

Several medications and vitamins may also help prevent prostate cancer. Two dietary supplements, vitamin E and selenium, may help prevent prostate cancer when taken daily. Estrogens from fermented soybeans and other plant sources (called phytoestrogens) may also help prevent prostate cancer. The selective estrogen receptor modulator drug toremifene has shown promise in early trials. Two medications which block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, finasteride and dutasteride, have also shown some promise. The use of these medications for primary prevention is still in the testing phase, and they are not widely used for this purpose. The problem with these medications is that they may preferentially block the development of lower-grade prostate tumors, leading to a relatively greater chance of higher grade cancers, and negating any overall survival improvement. Green tea may be protective (due to its polyphenol content), though the data is mixed. A 2006 study of green tea derivatives demonstrated promising prostate cancer prevention in patients at high risk for the disease. In 2003, an Australian research team led by Graham Giles of The Cancer Council Australia concluded that frequent masturbation by males appears to help prevent the development of prostate cancer. Recent research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that taking multivitamins more than seven times a week can increase the risks of contracting the disease. This research was unable to highlight the exact vitamins responsible for this increase (almost double), although they suggest that vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene may lie at its heart. It is advised that those taking multivitamins never exceed the stated daily dose on the label. Scientists recommend a healthy, well balanced diet rich in fiber, and to reduce intake of meat. A 2007 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that men eating cauliflower, broccoli, or one of the other cruciferous vegetables, more than once a week were 40% less likely to develop prostate cancer than men who rarely ate those vegetables. Scientists believe the reason for this phenomenon has to do with a phytochemical called Diindolylmethane in these vegetables that has Anti-Androgenic and immune modulating properties. This compound is currently under investigation by the National Cancer Institute as a natural therapeutic for prostate cancer. Australian research concluded that the more men ejaculate between the ages of 20 and 50, the less likely they are to develop prostate cancer. The protective effect is greatest while men are in their twenties: those who had ejaculated more than five times per week in their twenties, for instance, were one-third less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer later in life. The results contradict those of previous studies, which have suggested that having had many sexual partners, or a high frequency of sexual activity, increases the risk of prostate cancer by up to 40 per cent. The key difference is that these earlier studies defined sexual activity as sexual intercourse, whereas the latest study focused on the number of ejaculations, whether or not intercourse was involved.

Prostate cancer screening is an attempt to find unsuspected cancers. Screening tests may lead to more specific follow-up tests such as a biopsy, where small pieces of the prostate are removed for closer study. Prostate cancer screening options include the digital rectal exam and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Screening for prostate cancer is controversial because it is not clear if the benefits of screening outweigh the risks of follow-up diagnostic tests and cancer treatments.

Prostate cancer is usually a slow-growing cancer, very common among older men. In fact, most prostate cancers never grow to the point where they cause symptoms, and most men with prostate cancer die of other causes before prostate cancer has an impact on their lives. The PSA screening test may detect these small cancers that would never become life threatening. Doing the PSA test in these men may lead to overdiagnosis, including additional testing and treatment. Follow-up tests, such as prostate biopsy, may cause pain, bleeding and infection. Prostate cancer treatments may cause urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Therefore, it is essential that the risks and benefits of diagnostic procedures and treatment be carefully considered before PSA screening.

No major scientific or medical organizations currently support routine screening for prostate cancer.

* In 2002, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded that the evidence was insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening for prostate cancer using PSA testing or digital rectal examination (DRE). The previous 1995 USPSTF recommendation was against routine screening.
* In 1997, American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines began recommending that beginning at age 50 (age 45 for African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, and since 2001, age 40 for men with a very strong family history of prostate cancer), PSA testing and DRE be offered annually to men who have a life-expectancy of 10 or more years (average life expectancy is 10 years or more for U.S. men under age 76) along with information on the risks and benefits of screening. The previous ACS recommendations since 1980 had been for routine screening for prostate cancer with DRE annually beginning at age 40, and since 1992 had been for routine screening with DRE and PSA testing annually beginning at age 50.
* The 2007 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline recommends offering a baseline PSA test and DRE at ages 40 and 45 and annual PSA testing and DRE beginning at age 50 (with annual PSA testing and DRE beginning at age 40 for African-American men, men with a family history of prostate cancer, and men with a PSA = 0.6 ng/mL at age 40 or PSA > 0.6 ng/mL at age 45) through age 80, along with information on the risks and benefits of screening. Biopsy is recommended if DRE is positive or PSA = 4 ng/mL, and biopsy considered if PSA > 2.5 ng/mL or PSA velocity = 0.35 ng/mL/year when PSA = 2.5 ng/mL.
* Some U.S. radiation oncologists and medical oncologists who specialize in treating prostate cancer recommend obtaining a baseline PSA in all men at age 35 or beginning annual PSA testing in high risk men at age 35.

Since there is no firm evidence or general agreement that the benefits of PSA screening outweigh the harms, major scientific and medical organizations recommend that clinicians use a process of shared decision-making that includes discussing with patients the risks of prostate cancer, the potential benefits and harms of screening, and involving the patients in the decision.

However, because PSA screening is widespread in the United States, following the recommendations of major scientific and medical organizations to use shared decision-making is legally perilous in some U.S. states. In 2003, a Virginia jury found a family practice residency program guilty of malpractice and liable for $1 million for following national guidelines and using shared decision-making, thereby allowing a patient (subsequently found to have a high PSA and incurable advanced prostate cancer) to decline a screening PSA test, instead of routinely ordering without discussion PSA tests in all men = 50 years of age as four local physicians testified was their practice, and was accepted by the jury as the local standard of care.

An estimated 20 million PSA tests are done per year in North America and possibly 20 million more outside of North America.

* In 2000, 34.1% of all U.S. men age = 50 had a screening PSA test within the past year and 56.8% reported ever having a PSA test.
* In 2000, 33.6% of all U.S. men age 50–64 and 51.3% of men age = 65 had a PSA test within the past year.
* In 2005, 33.5% of all U.S. men age 50–64 had a PSA test in the past year.
o 37.5% of men with private health insurance, 20.8% of men with Medicaid insurance, 14.0% of currently uninsured men, and 11.5% of men uninsured for > 12 months.
* In 2000–2001, 34.1% of all Canadian men age = 50 had a screening PSA test within the past year and 47.5% reported ever having a screening PSA test.
* Canadian men in Ontario were most likely to have had a PSA test within the past year and men in Alberta were least likely to have had a PSA test with the past year or ever.

Digital rectal examination (DRE) is a procedure where the examiner inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to check the size, shape, and texture of the prostate. Areas which are irregular, hard or lumpy need further evaluation, since they may contain cancer. Although the DRE only evaluates the back of the prostate, 85% of prostate cancers arise in this part of the prostate. Prostate cancer which can be felt on DRE is generally more advanced. The use of DRE has never been shown to prevent prostate cancer deaths when used as the only screening test.

The PSA test measures the blood level of prostate-specific antigen, an enzyme produced by the prostate. Specifically, PSA is a serine protease similar to kallikrein. Its normal function is to liquify gelatinous semen after ejaculation, allowing spermatozoa to more easily navigate through the uterine cervix.

The risk of prostate cancer increases with increasing PSA levels. 4 ng/mL was chosen arbitrarily as a decision level for biopsies in the clinical trial upon which the FDA in 1994 based adding prostate cancer detection in men age 50 and over as an approved indication for the first commercially available PSA test. 4 ng/mL was used as the biopsy decision level in the PLCO trial, 3 ng/mL was used in the ERSPC and ProtecT trials, and 2.5 ng/mL is used in the 2007 NCCN guideline.

PSA levels can change for many reasons other than cancer. Two common causes of high PSA levels are enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)) and infection in the prostate (prostatitis). It can also be raised for 24 hours after ejaculation and several days after catheterization. PSA levels are lowered in men who use medications used to treat BPH or baldness. These medications, finasteride (marketed as Proscar or Propecia) and dutasteride (marketed as Avodart), may decrease the PSA levels by 50% or more.

Several other ways of evaluating the PSA have been developed to avoid the shortcomings of simple PSA screening. The use of age-specific reference ranges improves the sensitivity and specificity of the test. The rate of rise of the PSA over time, called the PSA velocity, has been used to evaluate men with PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml, but it has not proven to be an effective screening test. Comparing the PSA level with the size of the prostate, as measured by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, has also been studied. This comparison, called PSA density, is both costly and has not proven to be an effective screening test. PSA in the blood may either be free or bound to other proteins. Measuring the amount of PSA which is free or bound may provide additional screening information, but questions regarding the usefulness of these measurements limit their widespread use.

Treatment for prostate cancer may involve watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy including brachytherapy, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), chemotherapy, cryosurgery, hormonal therapy, or some combination. Which option is best depends on the stage of the disease, the Gleason score, and the PSA level. Other important factors are the man's age, his general health, and his feelings about potential treatments and their possible side effects. Because all treatments can have significant side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, treatment discussions often focus on balancing the goals of therapy with the risks of lifestyle alterations.

The selection of treatment options may be a complex decision involving many factors. For example, radical prostatectomy after primary radiation failure is a very technically challenging surgery and may not be an option. This may enter into the treatment decision.

If the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, treatment options significantly change, so most doctors who treat prostate cancer use a variety of nomograms to predict the probability of spread. Treatment by watchful waiting, HIFU, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, and surgery are generally offered to men whose cancer remains within the prostate. Hormonal therapy and chemotherapy are often reserved for disease which has spread beyond the prostate. However, there are exceptions: radiation therapy may be used for some advanced tumors, and hormonal therapy is used for some early stage tumors. Cryotherapy, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapy may also be offered if initial treatment fails and the cancer progresses.