Good, Pure and Wonderful

Awesome Deal Of The Day - Download Phil Wickham's Live Worship CD for FREE from his website. You only have to sign up for his free newsletter.

2008-08-16T09:58:00.002-04:00

My ears perked up the first time I heard Phil on my local K-Love station. Wonderful worship music, a high tenor voice that seems to lift into the clouds, and the lyrics - amazing. I went to I-Tunes and bought the song I heard but you can get it for free, plus 14 more. From your good friends at Jesus Freak Hideout and Phil himself. Cool.

Free Phil Wickham CD Download.

An Amazing New Search Engine - Searchme

2008-08-16T08:48:00.003-04:00

While Google still gives in my humble view the best search results on the internet, and kindly hosts this and my other blog for free, there's a new kid in town to shake things up and make things interesting. Searchme shows you the whole web page - I-Tunes Style - and it really is stunning, and fun to play with if you have broadband. If your on dial-up or in a hurry this is not a good choice, but it does render the images fast if your computer is good and your internet is good as well. You can also search for video and images.

Give it a try. Just don't leave Google out of the picture because they are great too.

SEARCHME - Visual Search Engine

‘Interval walking’ a more efficient way to lose weight

2008-08-16T08:39:00.002-04:00

Tired of the same old exercise routine? Changing it up could do more than just beat boredom. Interval walking may help jump-start your metabolism.

It's one thing to get your exercise through walking. But in his book "The South Beach Diet Super Charged," Dr. Arthur Agatston advocates something called “interval walking.”

“Instead of going at a steady state, warm up for three, four or five minutes,” Agatston explains. “Then, walk almost as fast as you can for 30 seconds. Then, recover for 30 seconds, a minute.”

Agatston suggests repeating the cycle throughout the workout. He says it's a more efficient way to lose weight.

“You will burn more calories, more fat, in less time,” he said. “The time will go much faster and you'll improve your fitness levels.”

26 fabulous freebies

2008-08-14T18:54:00.004-04:00

Cheapskate, skinflint, tightwad -- whatever you want to call us, we hate spending money and love finding a good deal. If we can save a few bucks, we're happy. And if we can get something for nothing, we're in heaven.

Even in these days of $400 haircuts and million-dollar starter homes, you can find plenty of things for nothing. We've pulled together a list of 26 of our favorite freebies, and they're not junk. These are valuable goods and services you'd actually want, from free music and movies to legal advice and financial services.

Check it out at MSN Money

U.S. green lights 'anything into oil' - Defense Department OKs facilities turning natural produce into energy

2008-08-14T18:37:00.002-04:00

Naturally occurring bacteria used to convert biomass into hydrocarbons.

A Georgia company looking to solve America's energy problem has finally teamed up with the federal government, hoping to make millions of barrels of oil every day from virtually anything that grows out of the Earth.

Bell Bio-Energy, Inc. says it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Defense Department to build seven test production plants, mostly on military bases, to quickly turn naturally grown material into fuel.

"What this means is that with the seven pilot plants – the military likes to refer to them as demonstrations – with those being built … it gives us the real-time engineering data that we need to finish the designs for a full-scale production facility," J.C. Bell, the man behind the project, told WND today.

"In 18 months or so, we will start manufacturing oil directly from waste and we will build up to about 500,000 barrels a day within two years. In another six months, we'll reach a million barrels a day."

7 Steps Newly Diagnosed Diabetics Should Take

2008-08-14T18:08:00.003-04:00

Diabetes sufferers may be able to give up their cake and eat it, too. According to a new study, people who lost weight in the 18 months after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes experienced sustained benefits even if they regained the weight later. They were up to twice as likely to reach their targets for blood pressure and blood sugar as those who didn't lose weight, although by the end of the four-year study, most of them had regained the weight they had lost.

Read More at USNews and World Report

Could It Be For Real? A Car Using Air And Gas Getting 106 MPG?

2008-08-13T15:10:00.002-04:00

You've heard of hybrids, electric cars and vehicles that can run on vegetable oil. But of all the contenders in the quest to produce the ultimate fuel-efficient car, this could be the first one to let you say, "fill it up with air." That's the idea behind the compressed air car, which backers say could achieve a fuel economy of 106 miles per gallon.

Plenty of skepticism exists, but with many Americans trying to escape sticker shock at the gas pump, the concept is generating buzz.

The technology has been the focus of MDI, a European company founded in 1991 by a French inventor and former race car engineer.

New York-based Zero Pollution Motors is the first firm to obtain a license from MDI to produce the cars in the United States, pledging to deliver the first models in 2010 at a price tag of less than $18,000.

The concept is similar to how a locomotive works, except compressed air -- not steam -- moves the engine's pistons, said Shiva Vencat, vice president of MDI and CEO of Zero Pollution Motors.

More from CNN

New Digital Praise® Guitar Praise™ Set To Take Center Stage With Kids, Families This Fall

2008-08-11T19:31:00.002-04:00

Digital Praise® Inc, the leader in Christian-themed, family-friendly entertainment software, today announced Guitar Praise™, its new inspirational PC guitar game, at the International Christian Retail Show 2008 in Orlando. Combining unique play features with a playlist of today's most popular Contemporary Christian rock hits, Guitar Praise gives Christian retailers a headlining opportunity to build on the $1 billion guitar game segment that continues to smash sales records among young consumers.

In creating Guitar Praise, Digital Praise has applied its intimate knowledge of player tastes gained through its #1 best-selling Dance Praise™ dance arcade game franchise. "Our research shows that 92% of Dance Praise families, and 100% of Dance Praise churches, are interested in Guitar Praise," said Tom Bean, President and CEO of Digital Praise, Inc. "People love the console guitar games on the market, but many would like more family-friendly songs and graphics. Guitar Praise gives kids, families and youth groups the play features they like best, plus some new twists as well as the best Christian rock titles out there today."

Guitar Praise features 52 of the most inspirational and pulsating tracks from the Christian rock world, all by the original artists. Today's most popular hits are combined with classics from the 80's and 90's; the playlist includes titles from Flyleaf, Skillet, Stellar Kart, tobyMac, Newsboys, Petra, 12 Stones, Spoken, Whitecross, Thousand Foot Krutch, Paul Baloche, David Crowder, and Red, plus many others.

Find out more about this great new program.

Former 'Lost Boy' Lomong chosen to carry U.S. flag

2008-08-08T16:25:00.004-04:00

Eight years ago, Lopez Lomong didn't even have a country. Now he'll be carrying the flag for his adopted nation, leading the U.S. Olympic team at opening ceremonies Friday night.

Lomong, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, won a vote of team captains Wednesday to earn the honor of leading America's contingent into the 90,000-seat Bird's Nest Stadium.

The 1,500-meter track runner will be the flagbearer only 13 months after becoming a U.S. citizen.

"It's more than a dream," Lomong said in an interview with The Associated Press moments after he got the news. "I keep saying, I'm not sure if this is true or not true. I'm making the team and now I'm the first guy coming to the stadium and the whole world will be watching me carry the flag. There are no words to describe it."

He was born in Sudan, separated from his parents at the point of a gun at age 6, and with the help of friends, he escaped confinement and made it to a refugee camp in Kenya. In 2001, he was brought to America as part of a program to relocate lost children from war-torn Sudan.

More of this wonderful story at ESPN

Third Day was on The Tonight Show last night. If you missed it, that's OK, because we have the VIDEO!

2008-08-08T16:11:00.004-04:00

Not only possibly the best band in Christian Music right now, but also one of the best bands in all of music right now, Third Day showed the Hollywood crowd a little bit about uplifting rock and roll. The crowd loved it, and you will too. Here is Third Day's Call My Name live, the first single from their new hit CD REVELATION. It is one of the best CD's you will ever hear in my personal opinion, so be sure to pick up a copy or two today, or head on over to I-Tunes or Amazon for the download.

A heartbreaking yet heartwarming story - Steven Curtis Chapman on Good Morning America

2008-08-07T19:25:00.004-04:00

No one could imagine an accident so terrible, as Maria, the child they adopted from China, now 5 years old and full of life and personality dies due to being ran over in an SUV by their youngest son. Amazingly it seems instead of tearing this family apart, this has brought them closer together. How you might ask? Only by the grace of God and the prayers of thousands of fans including myself. Get out your hankies for this video, this one is going to make you cry.

From YouTube and ABC News.

Two Dozen Uses For Toothpaste (Aside From Cleaning Your Teeth)

2008-08-07T18:08:00.003-04:00

Didn’t you know that toothpaste (despite its name) is for so much more than your teeth? It’s truly handy to have on hand (I pity the household - and their teeth - that has no toothpaste at all), because it is quite multi-functional. Here are a few ways you can get your toothpaste working extra hard for you:

Find out out Wisebread

Free Christian music download - Downhere's new single My Last Amen

2008-08-07T17:56:00.002-04:00

A great band from Canada with a unique sound, you will likely be hearing a lot more from Downhere over the next few months and years. Never turn down the chance to get a free legal download like this one.

Download the new single from DOWNHERE

Buy Free Movies from Blockbuster - You will have to pay for just the tax!

2008-08-07T17:48:00.004-04:00

What's better than cheap, pre-owned movies delivered to your door? Free ones. And for a very limited time, you can take your pick of hundreds of movies at Blockbuster for the cost of tax.

Blockbuster online has a large selection of new and pre-owned DVDs for you to purchase. You don't have to be a member to buy, but you do get a nice discount (5-10%) if you are. With Christmas less than 6 months away, I had been meaning to buy a few pre-owned DVDs to put in the kids' stockings, and with the latest in promo codes, I got them at a very nice price (FREE!)

Here's what you do: They Will be glad to tell you how over at Wisebread

Devout Heisman winner declines spot in 'Playboy' lineup

2008-08-01T18:03:00.002-04:00

One year after winning college football's highest honor, University of Florida star Tim Tebow was pulled from consideration for Playboy's pre-season All-American team because the magazine conflicts with his Christian beliefs, a school official confirmed.

Tebow, who last year became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, comes from a family of missionaries and is a devout Baptist. Assistant Sports Information Director Zack Higbee said he chose not to nominate his quarterback for the Playboy spread based on what he knew about Tebow's spirituality.

"I've been working with Tim since his first day here and I know his priorities and his family," Higbee said. "He has that trust in me to make the decision."

As a teenager, the home-schooled Tebow made annual trips to the Philippines, where his father, a minister, runs an orphanage. This year, he went on separate missions to the Philippines, Croatia, and Thailand.

Higbee said Tebow supported the move when told of it this month. Playboy Sports Editor Gary Cole downplayed the university's decision, however, and said that Tebow would not have made the team anyway.

Son of top Hamas leader converts to Christianity - 'I hope my father and family open their eyes to Jesus and the Kingdom of God'

2008-08-01T17:59:00.002-04:00

The son of one of the most popular leaders in the Hamas terrorist organization has moved to the U.S. and converted to Christianity, it has emerged.

In an exclusive interview with Israel's Haaretz newspaper, Masab Yousuf, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef, slammed Hamas, praised Israel and said he hoped his terrorist father will open his eyes to Jesus

and to Christianity.

"I know that I'm endangering my life and am even liable to lose my father, but I hope that he'll understand this and that God will give him and my family patience and willingness to open their eyes to Jesus and to Christianity. Maybe one day I'll be able to return to Palestine and to Ramallah with Jesus, in the Kingdom of God," Masab said.

Refurbished Dell Pocket DJ MP3 Players + $5 s&h - 5 Gigs for $25 or 20 Gigs for $40

2008-07-30T19:30:00.003-04:00

Creative.com offers the refurbished Dell Pocket DJ 5GB Digital Jukebox MP3 Player for $19.99. With $5 for shipping, that's nearly $175 less than what Dell charged for this MP3 player back in 2005. Features include a 4.4-oz. weight, 10-hour battery life, MP3 and WMA support, earbuds, 1.62" blue back-lit display, and USB 2.0 interface. A 90-day warranty is included, although it's unclear who supports it.

Other Dell DJ models are available (select them from the drop down menu): I bet this doesn't last very long. These will also likely double as a small portable USB hard drive as well.

MP3 Players from Dell at Dealtime

Do You want over ONE MILLION books for free? This is for real, but it's only good for a few days!

2008-07-30T19:17:00.002-04:00

So what's the catch? They are E-Books that you download for free. Until Aug. 4th The World eBook Fair is offering the free downloads from some of the worlds top E-Book providers. Load up while they are free, you don't see a deal like this every day.

FREE BOOKS! FREE BOOKS!

Happy Birthday NASA!

2008-07-30T17:50:00.003-04:00

50 years old and going strong, they have not only helped mankind reach beyond our planet on to others, but technologies they have developed have so enriched our lives it would be hard to think about modern life without them. The discovery channel will be noting their groundbreaking work over the next 90 days. Check out the link below for on-line video, articles and more. It's going to be some pretty cool stuff.

NASA - The first 50 years at The Discovery Channel

BlackLight's physics-defying promise: Cheap power from water

2008-07-29T20:46:00.001-04:00

Imagine being able to convert water into a boundless source of cheap energy. That's what BlackLight Power, a 25-employee firm in Cranbury, N.J., says it can do. The only problem: Most scientists say that company's technology violates the basic laws of physics.

Such skepticism doesn't daunt Dr. Randell Mills, a Harvard-trained physician and founder of BlackLight, who recently claimed that he has created a working fuel cell using the world's most pervasive element: the hydrogen found in water.

"This is no longer an academic argument," Mills, 50, insists. "It's proven technology, and we're going to commercialize it as quickly as possible."

For the first time in his company's 19 years of persistent trial and error, Mills says he has a market-ready product: a fuel cell that produces a chemical reaction to alter hydrogen atoms. The fuel cell releases heat that turns water into steam, which drives electric turbines.

The working models in his lab generate 50 kilowatts of electricity - enough to power six or seven houses. But these, Mills says, can be scaled to drive a large, electric power plant. The inventor claims this electricity will cost less than 2 cents per kilowatt-hour, which compares to a national average of 8.9 cents.

40 Positive Effects of a TV Free Week

2008-07-29T20:41:00.002-04:00

“What could you accomplish if you stopped watching TV? What would you do with all the extra time?” My wife asked me these questions two weeks ago. After a short discussion, we decided to find out for ourselves. We completely eliminated television from our lives last week. It turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience. We now have a plan to drastically reduce our future viewing habits.

See what this writer accomplished. Here are 40 positive effects from our week without television.

Get Rich By Saving Every $5 Bill

2008-07-26T12:12:00.003-04:00

There's a woman who saves every $5 bill she gets, blogs Get Rich Slowly. She's been doing so for three years and has saved $12,000.

JD at Get Rich Slowly also shares his wife's personal money saving trick:

For several years, Kris has been rounding every transaction up to the next dollar in her checkbook. If she spends $49.74 at the grocery store, she enters this in her checkbook as $50. If she spends $33.13 on gas, she enters it as $34. As a result, she saves an average of 50 cents every time she performs a transaction. In 2-1/2 years, Kris saved an extra $500 using this method. That's enough to treat herself to something nice.

Learn More tricks at Get Rich Slowly

Abortion clinic prayer vigils coming to 100 cities - For 40 days and nights, Christians will seek end of killing

2008-07-26T11:59:00.002-04:00

In two previous campaigns by Christians to disrupt America's abortion industry with continuous prayer, officials with the 40 Days for Life campaign say 35,000 have participated in vigils, 514 babies have been saved and five abortion industry workers have lost their jobs.

Now a third campaign is on the calendar, with a signup deadline of July 29 for cities to take part in the outreach. Most locations will have prayer warriors on the sidewalks outside abortion clinics 24 hours a day from Sept. 24 through Nov. 2.

Spokesman David Bereit said the first campaigns have seen 150,000 people praying and fasting for an end to abortion in the U.S., and half of the 35,000 marching in vigils were on the lines for the first time.

He also said two abortion centers have closed their doors following the campaigns.

"We have had 340 cities express interest [in the new campaign,]" he told WND. "We are well on our way to having more than 100 actually registered.

"It's a massive undertaking. People are committing to call on believers to pray and fast for 40 days – that's 960 hours with people physically present," he said.

South Dakota Remains First Abortion-Free State after Planned Parenthood Abortionists Refuse to Work

2008-07-24T19:48:00.004-04:00

On Monday, July 21, eight women arrived at the Planned Parenthood office in Sioux Falls abortions but were instead met with locked doors and a hand-written not indicating the only abortion clinic in South Dakota was closed.

Planned Parenthood remains closed for abortions after their abortionists, who are flown in from other states, refused of work under the new law that went into effect last Friday. The law orders abortionists to inform patients of the humanity of their babies and that the procedure could affect their mental health two hours before the abortion can be done. The law also provides that abortionists can be sued if they do not comply.

This law was the brain-child of attorney Harold Cassidy and passed with the help of determined pro-life leaders Dr. Alan and Leslee Unruh, who pushed for the regulation in the face of opposition even from those in the pro-life movement. The Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the way for the law's enactment last week.

In remains unclear if the Planned Parenthood office has permanently ceased the practice of abortion. However, several women who were scheduled for abortions this week went to a pro-life center instead where some have reportedly changed their minds about having abortions.

More at Christian News Wire

Who is this T. Boone Pickens guy and what is this plan of his?

2008-07-24T19:25:00.004-04:00

He is a Texas Oilman who has a very interesting plan to replace 20% of our electricity with wind power, while running our cars on natural gas. Sound a little crazy? Not really when you look at the facts. Can we afford to do it? Sure, it will cost almost what it cost to buy 2 years worth of oil, but as gas keeps getting higher and higher, and nations that hate us are possibly leading to our eventual financial collapse, the big question should be: Can we afford not to?

Find more videos like this on PickensPlan

The powerful T. Boone Pickens Plan

The 20 Best Curing Herbs

2008-07-24T19:21:00.001-04:00

Today, many people looking for alternatives to prescription and over-the-counter drugs are turning to herbs for relief from everyday ailments and chronic diseases. But, with so many herbs to choose from, how can one be sure which are the most useful and effective? For our Fifth Anniversary issue, Veggie Life clears up some of the confusion by gathering the most effective, well-researched herbs we've covered since our debut. There's a brief synopsis of each herb, including when and how to use them and recommended dosage for optimal healing power.

More from The Wellness Blog

Detoxify Yourself: 101 Tips to Remove the Poison from Your Body and Your Life

2008-07-24T19:15:00.002-04:00

With air pollution, harmful pesticides and an unhealthy diet, your body is probably full of chemicals and poisons that you don’t even think about. If you want to detox your entire body, mind, spirit and life, turn to this list, which has over 100 ideas for removing the poison.

More from Nursing School Search

Cut more than $1000 dollars from your budget? Try these tips!

2008-07-19T11:25:00.003-04:00

When it comes to cutting costs, consumers always look at the big stuff. Postponing that vacation. Keeping your car a few more years. Nixing the addition on the house.

But it's often the little things that can make an even bigger difference. For instance, Joseph Montanaro, a certified financial planner for USAA Financial Planning Services, says he saved $130 a month just by kicking his daily Dr Pepper habit. That's a savings of $1,560 over a year.

We calculated the savings you might see from making various adjustments over a period of one year, from carpooling to work, to drinking a cheaper cup of coffee, to taking a quicker shower. If you do all the things we suggest here, you could save at least $5,000 over a year's time. That's real money.

So, what lifestyle change can save you the most cash? Read on.

How much can you save over one year if you...

Find Out at Yahoo Finance

The Car of Tomorrow Has an Extension Cord

2008-07-19T11:16:00.004-04:00

Forget hydrogen. The car of the future has an extension cord and a great big laptop battery.

The next evolution of the automobile will be plug-in hybrids that get their juice from a household electrical outlet. They'll start rolling into showrooms within in 18 months. Experts say plug-in hybrids could account for about 20 percent of vehicle sales within a decade -- and half of all sales by 2050.

"It all boils down to the three ways electricity is better than gasoline," says Felix Kramer of Cal Cars, a plug-in advocacy group. "It's cleaner, it's cheaper and it's domestic."

Advocates say plug-in hybrids are the best chance to address global warming and wean the nation from oil. Consumers remain unsure about electric vehicles. Ethanol's a shaky proposition because of the food-for-fuel debate. And it'll be decades before hydrogen is a viable option. That, advocates say, leaves plug-ins as the best option. They'll go up to 40 miles on a charge; but they'll also have a gas engine to keep you going beyond that at 80 to 100 mpg or more.

Saving at the Supermarket: 15 Great Grocery Shopping Tips

2008-07-19T10:58:00.003-04:00

A shopping list is a useful way to remind yourself what you do and do not need to purchase. But most frugality experts emphasize shopping with a list because it prevents impulse purchases. Impulse purchases wreck grocery budgets. In Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping, Paco Underhill writes:

Supermarkets are places of high impulse buying for both sexes — fully 60 to 70 percent of purchases there were unplanned, grocery industry studies have shown us.

More than half of all grocery purchases are unplanned! No wonder creating and sticking to a list can bring down grocery costs.

But that’s not the only way to save money at the supermarket. Over the past two years, I’ve published a lot of tips for saving money on your grocery bill. Some of these have been obvious — others less so. All of them can help you save at the supermarket. Here are some of the best:

Josh Hamilton - An amazing story of faith and overcoming drug addiction

2008-07-15T17:52:00.003-04:00

Not a Great Night to be an Atheist

Josh Hamilton had a dream that he would be in Yankee Stadium in a Home Run Derby contest. The 27 year-old slugger from the Texas Rangers had his dream come true July 14, and he put on the greatest display of power and consistency in the history of the event. It wasn’t long ago that Hamilton wasn’t a professional baseball player at all. He was a cocaine and heroin addict. He had dropped out of baseball for three years.Once a prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays, Hamilton’s addiction cost him his job.

The thrill of being at the ball park was not as great as the craving for the next high. Drafted in 1999, he started using after an auto accident in 2001. Hamilton’s drug addiction led to a suspension by Major League Baseball for violation of the league's joint drug treatment and prevention program on February 18, 2004.

Read more, including the Happy Ending at Drug Addiction Support

Amazing Video Dept. See an Octopus squeeze through a one inch hole

2008-07-15T16:43:00.003-04:00

The variety of God's creation is just awesome. I love this little video. From Google Video.

Want to see Jars Of Clay in concert FOR FREE?

2008-07-15T16:36:00.002-04:00

With dozens of Christian music festivals taking place from coast to coast this summer, it's nice to find something unique about one.

Sonshine Festival, which takes place July 17-19 in Willmar, MN, kicks off Wednesday night, July 16, with a free concert by Jars of Clay. No tickets are required and everyone is invited. The folks at Sonshine Festival just want to show their appreciation to the community that has hosted their annual Christian music festival for the past 27 years.

The festival then kicks into high gear on Thursday, with a line up that includes artists like Jeremy Camp, Third Day, Newsboys, TobyMac, Pillar, BarlowGirl, Superchick, Thousand Foot Krutch, Kutless, David Crowder Band and Skillet.

For more information about the event, camping, or tickets to the festival visit the Sonshine Festival wesite.

From Beliefnet

HERO - Fort Worth dad deploying to Iraq, the country that took his son

2008-07-12T07:57:00.003-04:00

In a few days, Francisco Martinez will land in Iraq.

He is one of tens of thousands of men and women who, with various motivations, enlisted in the armed forces, knowing that they’d someday end up there.

For Martinez, Iraq is a kind of perdition, a receptacle for all the dark emotions, anguish and guilt that have buffeted him for the last three years.

When Martinez steps off the airplane, he will be in the country that took his only son, a 20-year-old skateboarder and budding graphic artist whose loss is felt every single day of his father’s life.

This deployment — in fact, his entire enlistment — is completely his doing. Nobody forced this on Martinez, except maybe the sniper who put one well-placed bullet in Spc. Francisco G. Martinez on March 20, 2005, in Ramadi.

See-Through Solar Hack Could Double Panel Efficiency

2008-07-12T07:33:00.002-04:00

If there's one thing most people know about solar cells, it's that they are too expensive.

Now, MIT researchers think they may have found a way to double the performance of solar arrays with cheap dyed glass and some tricks borrowed from fiber optics.

Their so-called solar concentrator could be placed on top of existing solar arrays. It could capture some wavelengths of visible light and guide them to high-voltage solar cells on the edges of the array, while still allowing the infrared light that largely powers current solar systems to pass through.

"If you stick one of these on top of existing solar panels, we think we could nearly double the performance of these systems with minimal added cost," said Marc Baldo, the lead researcher on the work.

The new research, published tomorrow in the journal Science, is another major advance in solar energy, a field that's received renewed interest due to concerns about climate change and rising fossil fuel prices. The new MIT technology marries the science behind two of the most promising ways of harnessing solar energy: light concentrators and thin-film solar cells.

More from Wired

Getting dream wedding dresses at bargain price

2008-07-12T07:23:00.003-04:00

The fairytale weddings that many couples have yearned for are starting to come back down to earth -- leveled by everyday problems like house payments and rising gas and food bills.

The wedding industry has long been considered one of most recession-proof. Most brides, grooms and their parents see the "big day" as a once-in-a-lifetime event not to be skimped on.

Check out these money saving tips from CNN

Son's Death In Iraq Drives Father To Build Life-Saving Robot

2008-07-07T19:25:00.002-04:00

It's called the LandShark, and the shopping cart-sized robot is a memorial to a young U.S. soldier killed in Iraq whose father is convinced the device can be effective in thwarting at least some of the explosive attacks that are aimed at U.S. forces in that war-torn country.

When Army Pfc. John Hart was killed in a 2003 ambush, his grief-stricken father, Brian Hart, decided to channel his heartache and anger into finding a way to help U.S. troops, who lacked proper armor and other protection.

"He asked me to help him," Brian Hart told The Associated Press, recalling a call he got from his son in Iraq. "Get us body armor and vehicular armor," the son requested.

"He thought he'd be killed on the road and in an unarmored Humvee," the father continued. "And a week to the day later, he was."

The elder Hart's solution was to create Black-I Robotics, a company that develops relatively inexpensive unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) aimed at combating the ever-more-effective and deadly improvised explosive devices that have caused the majority of casualties among U.S. military personnel in Iraq.

More from Information Week

The Origins of 10 of Your Favorite Muppets

2008-07-04T07:39:00.002-04:00

I, like a lot of you, grew up on Sesame Street and the Muppets. But do you ever stop to wonder where they came from? Some of the characters we know and love today were recycled from other T.V. shows and commercials Jim Henson worked on and others were invented by using whatever materials were around. Be prepared for a little nostalgia for today’s Q10. And don’t be offended if I left out some of your favorites (I know, Big Bird?!) – not all of the characters have interesting background stories. But if you know the story behind one that I left out, share with us in the comments!

Here's One Example -

10. Oscar the Grouch is performed by the same guy who does Big Bird, Carroll Spinney. Spinney said he based Oscar’s cranky voice on a particular NYC cab driver he once had the pleasure of riding with. He was originally an alarming shade of orange. In Pakistan, his name is Akhtar and he lives in an oil barrel. In Turkey, he is Kirpik and lives in a basket. And in Israel, it’s not Oscar at all – it’s his cousin, Moishe Oofnik, who lives in an old car.

More fun from Mental Floss

Why John McCain may still be alive - Billy Graham and McCain's Father Prayed for Son's Release from POW Camp

2008-07-04T07:33:00.003-04:00

The Reverend Billy Graham says he prayed for John McCain when he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam -- decades before the two finally met for the first time in North Carolina on Sunday.

Publicist Mark DeMoss says the 89-year-old evangelist told McCain that he met the senator's father, who was an admiral in Honolulu, during the Vietnam War.

Graham recalled that he and Admiral McCain prayed for young John McCain's release, and did so again at a subsequent meeting.

This past Sunday, DeMoss says the Republican presidential candidate prayed with both Billy and Franklin Graham during a 45-minute private meeting.

From Christian World News

Firefighter Lifts Car, Rescues Pinned Woman

2008-07-04T07:11:00.003-04:00

An Ocala firefighter lifted a vehicle about a foot off the ground, allowing other firefighters to free the arm of a driver who was involved in a crash.According to Ocala fire officials, two firefighters who were not at the fire station drove up on the crash, which took place on Northeast 36th Avenue, at about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday.An older model Chevrolet Blazer was on its side and two people were inside the sport utility vehicle, fire officials said. A small white car had apparently pulled out of a nearby convenient store parking lot and struck the SUV, causing it to flip, fire officials said.

The Blazer driver's arm became trapped between the vehicle and the pavement as the SUV overturned, firefighters said.Firefighters responding to the crash stabilized the overturned Blazer, but the driver could not be removed from the vehicle until her arm was freed, officials said.Firefighter Chris Hickman lifted the SUV about 12 inches off the ground, allowing other firefighters to free the driver's arm, officials said. The roof of the SUV was cut away by firefighters, and the woman was removed and airlifted to Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville, fire officials said. Her condition was not released.The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured.

From Local6.com

10 Fireworks Effects to Watch For

2008-07-04T07:03:00.004-04:00

I had no idea there were so many different types of effects and I definitely didn’t know they had names. To me, their names are, “The Ones That Do That Shooty Thing,” “The Ones That Scream” and “The Ones That Kind of Sparkle Out”. Very technical. If you’re like me, here’s a mini-lesson for you – try to spot them at whatever fireworks display you attend this weekend. I don’t usually do pictures with the Quick 10, but thought this post kind of warranted them.

From Mental Floss

Happy thoughts may dampen cravings for a Smoke

2008-07-01T15:56:00.005-04:00

Want to quit smoking? Next time the urge to light up strikes, think of snow-capped peaks instead of the fleeting pleasure of a white cigarette. That's the conclusion of a new brain study which shows that thinking happy thoughts could help dampen cravings.

Mauricio Delgado, a cognitive neuroscientist at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, and his colleague Elizabeth Phelps of New York University measured the brain activity of 15 volunteers as they played a simple game.

More at NewScientist

Also - Working Out May Help Prevent Addiction - From CNN

Americans' Charitable Giving Hits a Record

2008-06-30T16:08:00.002-04:00

Americans gave a record amount to charity in 2007, topping $300 billion for the first time, despite mounting economic worries.

Still, there are indications that slowing growth is taking a toll on giving. The 3.9% increase in donations last year was far less than spikes of roughly 10% and 13% in 2004 and 2005, respectively. In addition, researchers revised 2006's giving increase downward to a meager 0.4% from 4.2%.

Americans donated $306.39 billion last year, according to the closely watched annual report from the Giving USA Foundation, a nonprofit educational organization in Glenview, Ill. After adjusting for inflation, donations rose only 1% from the roughly $295 billion donated in 2006.

The report culls data from the Internal Revenue Service and Bureau of Economic Analysis, among other sources. The findings are preliminary estimates and subject to revision.

More at the Wall Street Journal

Accidental fungus leads to promising cancer drug

2008-06-30T16:00:00.002-04:00

A drug developed using nanotechnology and a fungus that contaminated a lab experiment may be broadly effective against a range of cancers, U.S. researchers reported on Sunday.

The drug, called lodamin, was improved in one of the last experiments overseen by Dr. Judah Folkman, a cancer researcher who died in January. Folkman pioneered the idea of angiogenesis therapy -- starving tumors by preventing them from growing blood supplies.

Lodamin is an angiogenesis inhibitor that Folkman's team has been working to perfect for 20 years. Writing in the journal Nature Biotechnology, his colleagues say they developed a formulation that works as a pill, without side-effects.

More at Yahoo News

State frees teachers to criticize evolution - Global warming, origins of life, cloning also may be scrutinized

2008-06-28T08:53:00.003-04:00

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal this week signed into law the Louisiana Science Education Act, which allows school districts to permit teachers to present evidence, analysis and critique of evolution and other prevalent scientific theories in public school classrooms.

The law came to the governor's desk after overwhelming support in the legislature, including a unanimous vote in the state's Senate and a 93-4 vote in the House.

The act has been criticized by some as an attempt to insert religion into science education and hailed by others as a blow for academic freedom in the face of pressure to ignore flaws in politically correct scientific theories.

Robert Crowther, director of communications for The Discovery Institute, a Seattle-based think tank on science and culture, called the act necessary.

Specifically, the act allows teachers in the state's public schools to present evidence both for and against Darwinian theories of evolution and allows local school boards to approve supplemental materials that may open critical discussions of evolution, the origins of life, global warming, human cloning and other scientific theories.

More from WorldNetDaily

Magnetic stimulation blocks migraine pain

2008-06-28T08:47:00.002-04:00

A hand-held device that painlessly sends a magnetic pulse into the head may offer some migraine sufferers relief, a small study suggests.

The device delivers a therapy known as transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. It sparks a magnetic pulse that, when held against a person's head, creates an electric current among the nerves cells of the brain.

This, in turn, disrupts migraines in the "aura" phase, before they trigger pain.

Though migraines strike without warning in most cases, some people experience an aura stage, which is marked by visual disturbances, like flashes of light or zigzag lines, or other sensations such as tingling or numbness.

For the new study, researchers recruited 201 patients suffering from migraine with aura, then randomly assigned them to use the TMS device or a "sham" device the investigators used for comparison. Patients were instructed to apply the device over the site of the migraine, at its onset.

It's Offical - The Critics are going CRAZY over Wall-E

2008-06-27T18:20:00.003-04:00

The site Rotten Tomatoes sets up its ratings on how many critics nationwide like or dislike a film. If it gets a 60 it gets a ripe tomato, and that's a good thing, because less than 60 gets you a rotten tomato. As of the time I'm posting to this blog, Wall-E has a 97, one of the highest ratings any film has ever gotten. And just wait till you read some of the reviews. Remember, this is a PIXAR film, that is fine and safe for the whole family.

The Reviews at ROTTEN TOMATOES

14 Simple Ways to Super Charge Your Brain

2008-06-26T16:54:00.007-04:00

Have you ever felt exasperated when you bumped into someone at the store but absolutely couldn't remember their name? Sure, it happens to all of us.

Despite being the strongest computer on the planet, our brains do lapse. It's hard to blame them really. As humans, we spend much of or existence stuffing our brains with stuff. Some stuff is worthless, some of it's meaningful, some of it, well, it's just stuff and there is an endless amount of it.

No matter how powerful our brains are, they need recuperation time, to be kept in shape, and even an occasional charge. Think of it as a tune up for your brain. Skipping brain maintenance is as silly as the person wandering the parking garage because they forgot where they parked. Is that you? Are you that person? Sure. We all are at some point. No worries, there is hope.

Now I am not a brain surgeon and I am not going to suggest you do anything surgical or dangerous. I am however an astute student of human behavior, so I always look for simple ways to super charge my brain.

Here are some things you can begin doing as soon as today to begin the great brain tune up.

From Dumb Little Man

Supreme Court finds individual right to own guns - YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY

2008-06-26T16:42:00.003-04:00

For the first time in U.S. history, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that individual Americans have the right to own guns for personal use, and struck down a strict gun control law in the U.S. capital.

The landmark 5-4 ruling marked the first time in nearly 70 years the country's high court has addressed whether the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects an individual right to keep and bear arms, rather than a right tied to service in a state militia.

In the majority opinion, Justice Antonin Scalia said the Second Amendment protected an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.

100 mpg? For 'hypermilers,' that sounds about right

2008-06-26T16:31:00.003-04:00

After a 29-mile jaunt from his Phoenix office to his home here, Louis Hudgin proclaimed his gas mileage "pitiful."

He averaged just 88.3 miles per gallon.

Most drivers would take a victory lap if they managed to squeeze that kind of mileage out of increasingly precious gasoline. Even on this, a bad day, Hudgin coaxed 28 mpg more out of his 2000 Honda Insight hybrid than its federal highway mpg rating.

Hudgin's disappointment — he usually averages about 100 mpg this time of year — stems from his pride in being no ordinary driver.

He's a hypermiler, part of a loose-knit legion of commuters who've made racking up seemingly unattainable mpg an art. And a sport.

Hypermilers practice such unorthodox techniques as coasting for blocks with their car's engine turned off, driving far below speed limits on the freeway, pumping up tire pressure far beyond car and tire makers' recommendations and carefully manipulating the gas pedal to avoid fuel-burning excess.

More at USA Today

Girl, 3, uses song lyrics to call 911 for mom

2008-06-26T16:26:00.003-04:00

A 3-year-old girl used the simple song lyrics "911 green" to call 911 and get help after her pregnant mother fainted. Jessica Eaves, 24, taught her daughter Madelyn the song a week before she fainted due to a medical condition called vasovogal syncope.

When Eaves fainted, Madelyn picked up her mother's BlackBerry phone and pressed 911 and the green button and was connected to a dispatcher.

In the recently released 911 call, Madelyn was able to answer questions about her house and cars outside that led emergency workers to the home.

And this isn't the first time Madelyn has used a phone to call for help for her mother.

Eaves first learned of her condition a year ago and taught her daughter the lyrics "green, green, green."

When Eaves lost consciousness then Madelyn picked up a cell phone and pressed the green button which called the last person Eaves had called and that person called for help.

From Yahoo News

92% of Americans believe in God or a universal spirit, Pew survey finds

2008-06-23T20:24:00.003-04:00

Americans overwhelmingly believe in God and consider religion an important part of their lives, even as many shun weekly worship services, according to a national survey released today that also found great diversity in religious beliefs and practices.

Ninety-two percent of those interviewed for the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey said they believe in the existence of God or a universal spirit, and 58% said they pray privately every day. But California, like other states along the country's two coasts, resisted the prevailing national tendencies.

More from the LA Times

Build a Better Car Battery and a HUGE Cash Prize Could Be Yours

2008-06-23T20:18:00.002-04:00

In the 18th century the British parliament offered a £20,000 prize to anyone who figured how to solve the problem of calculating longitude. More recently, Netflix offered a million-dollar prize for improving its movie recommendation software. And now Senator John McCain is suggesting a new, national prize: $300 million for anyone who can develop a better, more efficient car battery.

“I further propose we inspire the ingenuity and resolve of the American people by offering a $300 million prize for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars,’’ Mr. McCain said here at California State University, Fresno.

“That’s one dollar, one dollar, for every man, woman and child in the U.S.,’’ he said. “A small price to pay for helping too break the back of our oil dependency, and should deliver a power source at 30 percent of the current costs.’’

He made the proposal as he spoke about improving enforcement of fuel efficiency standards, hastening the conversion of cars to flex-fuel vehicles, and offering tax credits to people who buy zero-emissions cars – stressing issues that are popular in California. (Last week, in Houston, he proposed lifting the moratorium on off-shore drilling for oil, which is considerably less popular here.)

Scientists find childbirth wonder drug that can 'cure' shyness

2008-06-23T20:11:00.002-04:00

It can turn anything from job interviews to the most routine of family gatherings into a sweat-inducing ordeal.

But a 'love drug' produced naturally by the body during sex and childbirth could offer hope to the millions of people blighted by shyness, scientists have said.

Investigators believe oxytocin - a natural hormone that assists childbirth and helps mothers bond with newborn babies - could become a wonder drug for overcoming shyness.

Jesus in China

2008-06-23T16:49:00.002-04:00

Christianity — repressed, marginalized and, in many cases, illegal in China for more than half a century — is sweeping the country, overflowing churches and posing a sensitive challenge to the officially atheist Communist Party. By some estimates Christian churches, most of them underground, now have roughly 70 million members, as many as the party itself. A growing number of those Christians are in fact party members.

Christianity is thriving in part because it offers a moral framework to citizens adrift in an age of Wild West capitalism that has not only exacted a heavy toll in corruption and pollution but also harmed the global image of products "Made in China."

More from The Chicago Tribune

Vitamin D May Help Patients Survive Cancer - New Report Suggests Sunshine Vitamin May Have Significant Cancer Benefits

2008-06-23T16:32:00.002-04:00

When Joanna Fuchs was diagnosed with colon cancer last year, a blood test revealed she was severely deficient in vitamin D.

"I was obviously very concerned and very worried," Fuchs said.

So, too, was her husband, Dr. Charles Fuchs of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, who is the senior author of a study published today that found colon cancer patients deficient in vitamin D were almost twice as likely to die over a 10-year period than patients with healthy levels of the nutrient.

"These findings make considerable sense," Dr. Fuchs said, "because in the laboratory we find that vitamin D reduces the growth of colon cancer cells, prevents its spread to other organs, and actually reduces the growth of blood vessels to these tumors."

Weight loss after gastric bypass controls diabetes

2008-06-21T10:01:00.003-04:00

Obesity surgery can cause type 2 diabetes to go into remission, but much depends on how much weight the patient loses within the first few months, a new study suggests.

Gastric bypass surgery for severe obesity has been shown to control type 2 diabetes, a disorder that commonly goes hand-in-hand with obesity. The procedure involves sectioning off a small portion of the stomach, creating a pouch that limits the amount of food a person can eat in one sitting.

The surgeon also adds a bypass that reroutes food past the rest of the stomach and part of the small intestine to limit calorie and nutrient absorption.

It's thought that the surgery creates hormonal changes that, in turn, improve diabetes control.

Idea of Offshore Drilling Seems to Be Spreading

2008-06-21T09:52:00.002-04:00

Gov. Charlie Crist stepped on the third rail of Florida politics this week when he abandoned his opposition to drilling offshore for oil and natural gas. But surprise, surprise, he did not die. His call for cautious reconsideration, in fact, is spreading.

In the Capitol and along the coast here minds once closed to offshore drilling have been cracked open by the prospects of safer drilling technology and an awareness that dependency on foreign oil has heavy costs.

“It’s something we need to do because of the bigger picture,” said State Senator Burt L. Saunders, chairman of the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee. “We need more energy independence.”

Governor Crist’s position appears to line up with Senator John McCain’s call for an end to the federal moratorium that prevents coastal drilling. With President Bush now in support, Democrats say the proposal is a gimmick that will blow back against the Republicans.

More from the New York Times

Dale Earnhardt Jr Hypermiles to Victory in NASCAR Racing

2008-06-19T11:24:00.002-04:00

Who says racing has nothing to do with fuel economy? Honestly, I was rather shocked to hear about the prominence of hypermiling techniques in racing, especially NASCAR. Perhaps the revolution is hitting home with more people than the news would lead us to believe. Here’s the word direct from Earnhardt and ESPN:

Knowing the race was going to be extended beyond its scheduled 200 laps, Eury told Earnhardt to shut the engine off and coast whenever he could under the caution flag in a desperate effort to save more gas.

For those of you who don’t know already, this technique is oftentimes called “Pulse & Glide,” and is widely used by ecodrivers looking to get better gas mileage. P&G works by making your engine work only when it’s most efficient, and shutting it off at other times.

More from Ecomodder

Coffee drinkers may live longer than non-drinkers

2008-06-19T11:00:00.002-04:00

Middle-aged adults who enjoy a few cups of coffee every day apparently have a lower risk of dying from heart disease than people who don't drink coffee, researchers reported Monday.

The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, come from two studies that followed nearly 128,000 U.S. health professionals for more than two decades.

The researchers found that men and women who regularly drank a few cups of coffee each day were slightly less likely to die during the study period -- mainly due to a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

More at Revolution Health

What's the big deal about agave?

2008-06-19T10:55:00.002-04:00

As Prevention’s nutrition director, Grocery Guru columnist, and the R.D. behind the Flat Belly Diet, I receive a lot of info from food companies about new products hitting store shelves, and I’ve noticed a few trends, particularly in the past six months.

More and more companies are ditching artificial or highly processed ingredients (yay!) and embracing natural ones; and one of the most interesting swaps has been agave in place of sugar. This plant-based sweetener is now an additive in everything from granola to ketchup.

It’s sweeter than sugar, so less is needed in its place (use 1/3 cup of agave syrup for every 1 cup of sugar in recipes). One tsp of syrup contains about 20 calories and can be used in a variety of ways, including in hot or cold beverages (it dissolves in both perfectly), baking, marinades and sauces, and in cold desserts (like sorbet or pudding).

More at Shine

Power User's Guide to Firefox 3

2008-06-18T17:29:00.003-04:00

You already know about Firefox 3's marquee new features, but now it's time to dig deep and unearth the shortcuts, tweaks, and even Easter eggs that Mozilla marketing doesn't mention. In honor of today's official release of Firefox 3—at 10AM Pacific Time—let's dive in past Firefox 3's most talked-about feature-set into its lesser-known power uses, tricks, and customizations.

From Lifehacker

8 ways to cut summer energy bills

2008-06-18T17:25:00.002-04:00

With summer finally kicking into gear across the country, you can almost hear the gentle hum of air conditioners ratcheting up. And with it climb home energy bills.

These days, the average household spends $1,900 annually on energy (based on electricity and gas usage), according to the Environmental Protection Agency. But much of that is money wasted, energy conservationists say.

The good news: Cutting back doesn't mean you need to be a tree-hugging naturalist, suffering stoically as you read by candlelight. These days, you can do right by the environment and your pocketbook without any major lifestyle sacrifices. In fact, by taking some relatively painless steps, you can cut your bills by one-third or more.

Here are eight easy ways to save this summer (including a few tips that will work year-round).

From MSN

Check out the American Film Institute's Top 10, in 10 different Genres

2008-06-18T17:19:00.004-04:00

The show was on CBS last night but check out the website for all the selections, and you can watch clips too.

AFI Website

NY health official: Higher tax helps smokers quit

2008-06-16T18:49:00.002-04:00

New York smokers have been sent outside in all kinds of weather, coughed at in disdain, and now they are burdened with the most expensive cigarette taxes in the nation. Now, to add cost to injury, the state is declaring its highest-in-the-nation cigarette tax a success.

The number of calls to the state's Smoker's Quitline quadrupled to nearly 10,000 calls during the week of June 2, when the full $2.75-a-pack tax kicked in, New York Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines said. Fewer than 2,300 people called for help during the same week in 2007.

"Not everyone that tries, quits," Daines said. "We estimate about 140,000 New Yorkers will successfully quit smoking. We may have more than a million try to cut down or stop, but this is how you get people to try: give them multiple chances and multiple reasons to stop."

Honda releases the zero-emission FCX Clarity

2008-06-16T18:33:00.003-04:00

Honda's new zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese production line Monday and is headed to southern California, where Hollywood is already abuzz over the latest splash in green motoring.

The FCX Clarity, which runs on hydrogen and electricity, emits only water and none of the gases believed to induce global warming. It is also two times more energy efficient than a gas-electric hybrid and three times that of a standard gasoline-powered car, the company says.

Honda expects to lease out a "few dozen" units this year and about 200 units within a year. In California, a three-year lease will run $600 a month, which includes maintenance and collision coverage.

"It's so smooth," said Harris, who played villainness Marie Warner on the hit TV show "24." "It's like a future machine, but it's not."

More from the Chicago Tribune

Tired of high gas prices? Ten ways to save.

2008-06-16T17:41:00.002-04:00

As the nation's economic woes mount, many Americans plan to stay close to home this summer. Six in 10 Americans say they will spend less on vacations this summer or not take one at all, according to a new report by TrueCredit.com.

Among those rethinking travel plans, 72 percent cited fuel costs as their primary concern. Indeed, a family planning a 1,000-mile road trip, for example, can expect to pay at least $600 more than they did last year.

But paying more than $4 a gallon at the pump shouldn't be an excuse to nix the family vacation. With just a few minor changes, motorists don't have to buy a hybrid to increase fuel economy by up to 50 percent. So before hitting the road, check out these 10 tips to lower your gasoline bill:

From CSM

Conservatives really are nicer people, latest research shows

2008-06-16T17:33:00.002-04:00

There is plenty of data that shows that Right-wingers are happier, more generous to charities, less likely to commit suicide - and even hug their children more than those on the Left.

Those surveyed were asked: 'Is it your obligation to care for a seriously injured/ill spouse or parent, or should you give care only if you really want to?' Of those describing themselves as 'conservative', 71 per cent said it was. Only 46 per cent of those on the Left agreed.

To the question: 'Do you get happiness by putting someone else's happiness ahead of your own?', 55 per cent of those who said they were 'very conservative' said Yes, compared with 20 per cent of those who were 'very liberal'.

HERO - Hiker sacrificed self to save wife on Mtn. Rainier

2008-06-14T15:14:00.002-04:00

A hiker who lost his life high on Mount Rainier lay down in the snow and used his body's warmth to save his wife and a friend from the 70-mph winds of a freak June blizzard, national park officials say.

When it became obvious the trio of friends could not find their way back to base camp in whiteout conditions, they dug a snow trench with their hands. Then 31-year-old Eduard Burceag lay down on the snow and his wife and a friend lay on top of him. Later, when they begged him to switch places, Burceag refused, saying he was OK.

"In doing so, he probably saved their lives," park spokesman Kevin Bacher said Thursday.

Mariana Burceag, also 31, survived the storm, as did the couple's good friend, Daniel Vlad, 34.

More at AZCentral

New Fuel Cell System 'Generates Electricity with Only Water, Air'

2008-06-14T11:59:00.003-04:00

Genepax Co Ltd of Japan explained the technologies used in its new fuel cell system "Water Energy System (WES)," which uses water as a fuel and does not emit CO₂.

The system can generate power just by supplying water and air to the fuel and air electrodes, respectively, the company said at the press conference, which took place June 12, 2008, at the Osaka Assembly Hall.

The basic power generation mechanism of the new system is similar to that of a normal fuel cell, which uses hydrogen as a fuel. According to Genepax, the main feature of the new system is that it uses the company's membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which contains a material capable of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through a chemical reaction.

Although the production cost is currently about ¥2,000,000 (US$18,522), it can be reduced to ¥500,000 or lower if Genepax succeeds in mass production. The company believes that its fuel cell system can compete with residential solar cell systems if the cost can be reduced to this level.

From TechOn

Cut your grocery bill in half - No, REALLY!

2008-06-14T11:52:00.003-04:00

Nearly $5 for a box of cereal is outrageous - and it's probably only going to get worse. But there's a crop of new online resources that can help take the sticker shock out of food shopping.

The average U.S. household spent $3,240 on groceries last year, according to the American Express Everyday Spending index, and prices have risen substantially since then.

Of course, clipping coupons can help, but it's time consuming and tedious. The good news is that now there are Web sites that can help make saving much easier.

Finally the Goverment does something good. FCC to tackle some high cell phone fees

2008-06-14T11:38:00.004-04:00

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission laid out a plan Thursday to regulate the high fees that cellular phone companies charge consumers for canceling their contracts early.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin's proposal was similar to an industry plan put forward last month.

Companies charge early termination fees that can range from $150 to $225 to recover the cost of cell phones, which they subsidize under long-term service contracts, according to wireless companies. The fees also defray costs for signing up new customers, companies said.

Martin's plan would require the fees be related to the actual cost of the phones. A fee for a $50 phone would be higher than for a $5 phone, he said.

Martin said such fees should be pro rated, or reduced over the time of the contract. The nation's two largest wireless carriers have both begun pro rating fees with other national carriers promising to follow.

I hope this goes through.

From AP

Land of the Free - Vacations!

2008-06-14T10:01:00.003-04:00

Gas at $4 a gallon? A trip around the country can still be a bargain. These 25 destinations teach a little bit about history, science, nature, and culture -- without costing a cent. Too bad you will still have to pay to get there.

By the way, if your coming through Eastern or Southern KY be sure to check out, Cumberland Falls, Natural Bridge and the The Red River Gorge. They are all great and they are all free too.

From Readers Digest

Drinking four cups of tea a day cuts heart attack risk

2008-06-12T16:27:00.002-04:00

Drinking four cups of tea a day cuts the risk of a heart attack, according to a review of studies by the British Nutrition Found-ation.

The review suggests that tea can also improve your mood, strengthen bones, boost hydration and increase alertness, reports the Daily Express.

For her study, Carrie Ruxton, a dietician and member of the independent Tea Advisory Panel, reviewed existing scientific literature on black tea, the type found in most teabags in Britain. The advantageous properties include reducing the risk of a heart attack.

More at Yahoo News

A Few Massive Storms Won't Stop The Ichthus Festival - Christian music festival to begin Thursday as planned

2008-06-12T15:21:00.003-04:00

Bad weather has cometh to the Ichthus Festival yet again.

An overnight storm destroyed more than two weeks of preparation for the annual Christian music festival, which starts Thursday in Wilmore. High winds tossed tables, chairs and tents, destroying about 90 percent of the setup.

But as he surveyed the barren festival grounds Tuesday, Ichthus executive director Jeff James said he expects the festival to start Thursday as planned.

"I've gone through some of this every year," he said, unfazed. Nearby, a telephone pole was snapped into three pieces. Several dozen volunteers and workers were resurrecting mangled tents.

Ichthus has had a history of bad luck with weather, earning the nicknames "Mudthus" and "Ickythus."

In 2005, the festival saw a severe thunderstorm Friday night and snow the next day. In 2004, rain created a logistical nightmare getting people into the campsite, and a severe thunderstorm caused evacuation of the campground in 2002.

More at Kentucky.com

Visit the Ichthus Festival Site

The BIG Picture Blog

2008-06-11T18:11:00.002-04:00

Ready for some really nice large photography. Boston.com has an awesome new blog of the best pictures that come their way. It's pretty cool. Click it and check it out.

THE BIG PICTURE BLOG

Stinky Feet

2008-06-11T18:04:00.003-04:00

Funny Pic. I thought you would enjoy this one.

Pediatrician Says Try Discipline before Ritalin

2008-06-11T16:40:00.002-04:00

"Could it be that America would rather give unruly kids a pill than a swat?"

That's what Dr. Lawrence Diller asks in a recent article. The behavioral pediatrician in Walnut Creek, Calif., said he thinks Ritalin is prescribed too often.

"There's good solid evidence that when you give parents permission to give one or two smacks on the child's bottom if the child defies the rules of the timeout procedure, the family is more often successful with the approach," he told U.S. News & World Report. "Nobody wants to be pro-spanking. I'm not pro-spanking. I just think a well-thought-out spank ain't so bad and shouldn't be banned."

Dr. Bill Maier, psychologist in residence at Focus on the Family, said: "Spanking is most effective when used rarely, judiciously and as a 'backup' measure for other forms of discipline such as consequences and timeout.

"A parent should never spank a child if their anger is out of control, and they should always follow up with a loving embrace and a review of family rules."

From CitizenLink

3 Internet providers agree to block child porn

2008-06-10T16:36:00.002-04:00

Internet providers Verizon, Sprint and Time Warner Cable have agreed to block access to child pornography and eliminate the material from their servers, New York's attorney general said Tuesday.

The companies also will pay $1.1 million to help fund efforts to remove the online child porn created and disseminated by users through their services, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said. The changes will affect customers nationwide.

Investigators said they found 88 newsgroups devoted to child pornography in an investigation over six to eight months. More than 11,000 images were collected using software that identifies child pornography by tracking patterns in the pixels of the images, Cuomo's office said.

Cuomo said the companies acted immediately when told of the concern. He said it was essential to work with the Internet providers rather than trying to prosecute thousands of users.

An iPhone That's Twice as Fast at Half the Cost

2008-06-10T15:32:00.002-04:00

Apple, Inc.'s new iPhone 3G will go on sale in the U.S. on July 11 at $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model. It's faster and cheaper than Apple's original iPhone and comes with GPS, support for Microsoft Exchange, and automatic switching between Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE networks. And iPhone 3G runs hundreds of third-party applications.

Apple introduced the iPhone 3G on Monday. The new model has the original features that consumers raved about, but is twice as fast and half the price as the first-generation iPhone.

In the U.S. the new iPhone 3G is priced at $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model. The phone goes on sale in the U.S. on July 11.

The iPhone 3G has built-in GPS for expanded location-based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software with support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. It can run hundreds of third-party applications built with the recently released iPhone software developers kit (SDK).

"Just one year after launching the iPhone, we're launching the new iPhone 3G that is twice as fast at half the price," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "iPhone 3G supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync right out of the box, runs the incredible third-party apps created with the iPhone SDK, and will be available in more than 70 countries around the world this year."

Ever Wonder About The History Of The Food You Eat? Check Out The Food Timeline

2008-06-09T20:28:00.003-04:00

Ever wonder what foods the Vikings ate when they set off to explore the new world? How Thomas Jefferson made his ice cream? What the pioneers cooked along the Oregon Trail? Who invented the potato chip...and why?

Welcome to the Food Timeline! Food history presents a fascinating buffet of popular lore and contradictory facts. Some people will tell you it's impossible to express this topic in exact timeline format. They are correct. Most foods we eat are not invented; they evolve.

This list is amazing, and almost everything in it is likable to a large article. You know you want to know how long people have been eating Ice cream, or when Dr. Pepper, Crisco or Gummi Bears were invented (Hint: It's likely much earier than you think!)

The Food Timeline

Get Rid Of Ants Without An Exterminator

2008-06-09T20:06:00.003-04:00

Has warm weather brought a plague of ants down upon your home? We've talked about deterring ants with baby powder, but frugal blog fivecentnickel.com shares the following more aggressive method:

First, pick up some boric acid powder (available at most drug stores) and mix a small amount of it 50:50 with table sugar. There's nothing particularly scientific about this ratio, so it's fine to just eyeball it. Next, put some of this mix into a small container such as the the cap from a milk jug or the lid from a 2 liter bottle. Finally, drizzle some water into it to make a slurry (i.e., a thick suspension). That's it — you're now ready to kill some ants.

Some ants feed off fats and grease instead of sweets, so you can make this mixture with peanut butter instead of sugar should the first round of ant warfare prove ineffective.

From Lifehacker

Check Out The New XO Laptop Design

2008-06-09T19:56:00.005-04:00

One Laptop per Child designer Yves Behar (watch his TEDTalk) shares exciting news about the top-to-bottom redesign of the XO laptop -- sometimes called the "$100 laptop." He writes: With the XO (1.0), we pushed the boundaries of what a laptop could be by lowering the cost dramatically, being green (no heavy metals, lowest energy consumption ever), and a human-driven unique design approach.

Now, with XOXO (2.0), we are challenging what a truly collaborative and creative computing experience could be ... a true departure from the traditional keyboard and screen layout, a new way to interface and play with data, information and communication:

- imagine if your learning machine was an un-interrupted screen one could interface with from any direction

- imagine if it was a reading experience just like a book, and at the same time a seamless large visual tablet

- imagine if children could play board games sitting across from each other (or computer games).

Someday all laptops may be able to do tricks like these.

From blog.ted.com

People with type 2 diabetes can help control the disease by taking better care of their teeth and gums

2008-06-08T16:25:00.003-04:00

That's the case dentists were expected to make at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting in San Francisco this weekend.

"Several recent studies have shown that having periodontal disease makes those with type 2 diabetes more likely to develop worsened glycemic control, and puts them at much greater risk of end-stage kidney disease and death," George W. Taylor, an associate professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan schools of Dentistry and Public Health, said in a prepared statement. "Given the numerous medical studies showing that good glycemic control results in reduced development and progression of diabetes complications, we believe there is the potential that periodontal treatment can provide an increment in diabetes control and subsequently a reduction in the risk for diabetes complications," he said.

Intensive periodontitis intervention, for example, can significantly lower one's levels of A1C, a measure of long-term glucose control.

Adam Sandler Beaten by Family Friendly Panda

2008-06-08T14:40:00.003-04:00

The Friday night box is in, and the winner is clear: a Panda has beaten Adam Sandler.

In a marketing war that pitted Paramount vs. Sony the former won with "Kung Fu Panda," an animated film that should have continued its conquest all day Saturday and Sunday. The $20 million Friday night take points to a near $60 million win for Dreamworks Animation — distributed by Paramount — and Jeffrey Katzenberg. The title character is voiced by funnyman Jack Black. It's gotten a very critic friendly 84% rating at movie web site Rotten Tomatoes.

From Fox News

Rotten Tomatoes Review section for Kung Fu Panda

Why Pay Four Bucks A Gallon For Gas When You Can Ride The Bus FOR ONE BUCK

2008-06-08T14:23:00.004-04:00

The new BoltBus, is a joint venture between industry leaders Greyhound and Peter Pan that began operations in March. "It's brand-new, there's a lot more room between the seats and they have wireless Internet access," he says.

Spurred partly by the soaring cost of taking the car on that weekend road trip, bus ridership is up across the country for the first time in 50 years — a 13% increase this year compared with 2006, according to a DePaul University study. Now major operators are vying for a slice of the growing market for non-stop service between major cities — previously the purview of niche operators catering primarily to immigrants and low-income populations. Both BoltBus and Megabus, which is owned by the Scotland-based Stagecoach Group, are winning over new customers with sleek coaches touting $1 fares from New York to D.C., Chicago to Cleveland and Kansas City to St. Louis. More than a cheap ride, the vehicles feature amenities unheard of on traditional bus lines — including real flush toilets, wider seats and power outlets for all.

Not all seats cost $1, of course. Megabus, which launched in the U.S. in 2006 and has carried more than one million passengers since then, guarantees just two seats on each bus for a dollar. Then prices inch up to $7, $10, $15 and $20, before topping out at $25 on the longest routes. (BoltBus guarantees just one $1 seat per bus. "It's our marketing gimmick," admits Peter Picknelly, president of Peter Pan, which co-owns Bolt. Still, even the top prices are a bargain compared to Greyhound's standard $43 fare between Minneapolis and Chicago or $40 fare from Washington to New York City. The rides are also quicker than Greyhound because there are no stops along the way. And though cheap bus lines that run from New York City's Chinatown can compete in price, they don't have the same amenities or offer a guaranteed, reserved seat.

Mike Huckabee knows how to save a life - PERFORMS HEIMLICH ON NC LT. GOV. CANDIDATE

2008-06-08T13:37:00.002-04:00

He may not be the next president, but he’s a savior to at least one.

Former Arkanas Gov. Mike Huckabee performed the Heimlich maneuver on a choking Robert Pittenger during Saturday’s North Carolina GOP convention breakfast, Huckabee’s former campaign spokeswoman confirmed Sunday.

Huckabee was the keynote speaker at the convention, and was sitting next to the Pittenger, who’s running for the lieutenant governor’s seat, when Pittenger began choking.

Huckabee noticed Pittenger couldn’t breathe and took action, giving Pittenger the heave in the chest needed to dislodge the offending food bit.

“I’m glad that Mike was in the right place at the right time and continued to lead by example,” former South Carolina Lt. Gov. candidate Mike Campbell told The Palmetto Scoop. “We all know that [Huckabee] is pro-life, and once again he has lived up to it.”

The newspaper noted that Pittenger apparently suffers from acid reflux, which likely caused the incident to occur. It added that Huckabee, who is also known for losing 110 pounds and promoting healthy living, was trained as an EMT in college and this may not be the first time he’s sprung to action when needed.

From Fox News

Get Ready To Save Some Serious Money - It's The Hillybilly Housewife's Guide to feeding 4 to 6 People for $45 a Week

2008-06-07T19:07:00.004-04:00

One trip for 4 to a decent restaurant for 4 people can cost you Forty-Five dollars or more so how can you feed the whole bunch for a week on the same amount. The simple answer is you plan ahead, use simple ingredients, and cook from scratch. Actually, due to the cost increases in groceries lately, if you have to buy everything on the list it will likely now cost you more, but chances are you already have some of these items, so it may even cost you less.

Check this out, even if you don't follow the whole plan your likely to find lots of good ideals here.

The plan from the powerful wisdom of The Hillbilly Housewife

Link to the sites' front page.

9 Ways To Save At The Movies

2008-06-07T18:57:00.003-04:00

Summer means movies, but don't get stuck paying $12 per ticket or $7 for a bag of popcorn. Instead, check out these nine ways to slash your movie budget without missing any summer blockbusters.

Check out nine good money savers at The Consumerist

Decalogues everywhere, with thanks to the ACLU! Project Moses promoting God's Laws with Ten Commandments monuments

2008-06-07T18:05:00.003-04:00

Thousands of stone Ten Commandments monuments on highly visible properties in communities across the nation, millions of smaller plaques in Christian and Jewish homes, and a massive bronze showing the biblical image of Moses holding the stones on which God wrote… The target of the ACLU? Nope. Thanks to the ACLU! Joe Worthing, the executive director for Project Moses, says his organization, only a few years old, is well on its way to reaching many of its goals of placing Ten Commandments monuments all over the nation, and it's because of a complaint from the ACLU.

The ministry was launched by John Menghini, an Overland Park, Kan., businessman, who was disturbed by a news story about the ACLU demanding and getting the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from a Kansas City courthouse.

The result was Project Moses, which works to install 900-pound stone monuments to God's Laws on church and other private properties in prominent civic locations across the country. Hundreds already are installed, as well as thousands of smaller stone plaques that are offered to families for their homes.

"The ACLU is not the problem [with removing the Ten Commandments from America]," Worthing told WND. "We need to send them a thank you. They awakened a sleeping giant.

More at WorldNetDaily

Edison, Make Way for the L.E.D.’s

2008-06-07T15:54:00.002-04:00

If you’re looking for the latest advancements in incandescent light bulb technology, one place you don’t want to go is to a lighting trade show. I learned that in about five minutes last week, while touring the aisles of Lightfair, the lighting industry’s big convention, held this year in Las Vegas.

In case you didn’t know it, Thomas Edison’s invention, in use for more than 100 years to illuminate virtually everything, is quickly heading for the exits. What will eventually take its place is the light-emitting diode (L.E.D.) bulb, made up of tiny light sources the size of a head of a pin that use a fraction of a regular light bulb’s electricity, produce little heat, and last for tens of thousands of hours of use.

L.E.D.’s are not widely used today because of their high cost: An L.E.D. bulb can run as high as $90. Even if they would save money in the long run, few people are willing to spend that much up front.

But costs will come down, and when they do, expect to see the end of what is in essence an interim technology: the compact fluorescent bulb. Fluorescents, while using much less power than incandescent light bulbs, are sometimes too bulky, often can’t be dimmed and produce light that is less pleasing than incandescents.

More at the New York Times

Joel Osteen’s Audio Podcast Hits #3 on iTunes

2008-06-07T08:05:00.003-04:00

Joel Osteen Ministries announced today that their audio Podcast reached No. 3 in the list of all Podcasts on iTunes this week. Joel Osteen’s audio Podcast has been in or near the top 10 on iTunes since January of 2007. Over 42 million people have requested the audio Podcast of Joel Osteen’s television program in the past year, one of the top five in the world.

“We were very excited to see our Podcast rise this high in the rankings,” stated Jeana Lawrence, Director of Marketing and Communications for Lakewood. “It reminds us how important it is to provide people a number of ways to hear Joel’s message of hope.”

Joel Osteen’s audio and video Podcasts have consistently grown in popularity since they were first launched in early 2006. With more than 4 million requests per month, the Podcast is a frequent top 10 download among all categories on iTunes and consistently stays at or near the No. 1 spot in the inspirational category.

iTunes offers 30-minute Podcasts of Joel Osteen’s weekly television message in audio or video format, downloadable to iPods, PCs or MP3 players for free. In addition, viewers and listeners can access Joel Osteen’s sermons at JoelOsteen.com.

From PR.Com

Photoscape Fixes and Enhances Your Pictures - AND IT"S FREE!

2008-06-06T11:49:00.005-04:00

Windows only: Freeware image editor Photoscape offers a large array of features packaged with a simple and intuitive user interface. View and organize your photos in Photoscape, correct red eye and white balance, crop, add text and frames, and more all from the basic editor. Photoscape also has a batch editor for quickly processing large volumes of pictures, a file renamer, RAW to JPEG processor, screen capture tool, image splitter for printing pictures across multiple sheets, and the ability to create animated GIFs.

There's an abundance of freeware options for all of the above tasks, but Photoscape combines dozens of photo editing jobs into a single and easy to navigate workspace. Photoscape is a free download for Windows only. Note, This file is just over 13 Megs. so if you are on dial-up it will take over half an hour.

From Lifehacker

Link to Free Download

A $10 Mosquito Net Is Making Charity Cool

2008-06-06T09:51:00.002-04:00

Donating $10 to buy a mosquito net to save an African child from malaria has become a hip way to show you care, especially for teenagers. The movement is like a modern version of the March of Dimes, created in 1938 to defeat polio, or like collecting pennies for Unicef on Halloween.

Unusual allies, like the Methodist and Lutheran Churches, the National Basketball Association and the United Nations Foundation, are stoking the passion for nets that prevent malaria. The annual “American Idol Gives Back” fund-raising television special has donated about $6 million a year for two years. The music channel VH1 made a fund-raising video featuring a pesky man in a mosquito suit.

It is an appeal that clearly resonates with young people.

Shroud of Turin to Go on Display in 2010

2008-06-06T09:43:00.003-04:00

Pope Benedict says the Shroud of Turin will go on rare public display in 2010.

The shroud, which is revered by many Christians as the burial cloth of Jesus, was last was shown to the public in 2000.

More than 1 million visitors viewed it in Turin cathedral during a special display for the new millennium Holy Year.

Believers say the image on the cloth was left by Christ's body after he was taken off the cross.

More from Christian World News

Golfers Live Longer Than Other People

2008-06-05T20:29:00.003-04:00

People, who play golf, can expect to increase their life expectancy up to five years, scientists suggest.

The study conducted at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden found that irrespective of the sex, socioeconomic status and age, golfers show 40 percent lower death rate in comparison to other people.

It is widely known that exercises improve health, still the health effect of different physical activities was not clear. The study included the data from 300,000 golfers to find the potential health effects. The team of scientists revealed that death rate among golfers was 40 percent lower in comparison with other population. This means that golfers have a five years increase of life expectancy.

Professor Anders Ahlbom, the leading author of the study together with his colleague Bahman Farahmand said that the results of the study show that golf has a number of aspects that contribute to better health. First of all, the golfer spends at least four or five hours outside during a round of a game, walking fast pace for up to seven kilometers. Also people can play golf till their old age and benefit from other social and psychological effects.

The findings showed that other factors such as sex, age and socioeconomic status do not influence the death rate of golfers. It was also suggested that golfers having blue-collar jobs had more benefits than those who have white-collar job. And the greatest health benefits were seen among golf players with the lowest handicap.

From Infoniac.com

101 Fantastic Freebies

2008-06-05T20:08:00.002-04:00

Whether you're partial to online services or to downloadable software, we have the Web's best free stuff and it'll keep you productive, secure and entertained.

Free. It's the magic word for an ever-expanding wealth of downloadable software and online services. Free doesn't necessarily mean good, however, and hunting for freebies can mean sifting through a lot of junk.

That's where we come in. We surfed, clicked and installed to find sparkling free gems capable of planning your time, keeping you in touch and tuning and securing your PC, not to mention glitzing up your desktop, helping you stay productive and entertaining you with music, videos, photos and games. We paid special attention to programs and services you may not have heard of before. We also singled out two free offerings -- one download and one online service -- as the best of the bunch.

More from MSN

Grandfather builds Web browser for autistic boy

2008-06-05T20:01:00.002-04:00

John LeSieur is in the software business, so he took particular interest when computers seemed mostly useless to his 6-year-old grandson, Zackary. The boy has autism, and the whirlwind of options presented by PCs so confounded him that he threw the mouse in frustration. LeSieur tried to find online tools that could guide autistic children around the Web, but he couldn't find anything satisfactory. So he had one built, named it the Zac Browser For Autistic Children in honor of his grandson, and is making it available to anyone for free.

LeSieur's quest is a reminder that while the Web has created important communication and educational opportunities for some people with cognitive impairments, computers can also introduce new headaches for families trying to navigate the contours of disability.

The Zac Browser greatly simplifies the experience of using a computer. It seals off most Web sites from view, to block violent, sexual or otherwise adult-themed material. Instead it presents a hand-picked slate of choices from free, public Web sites, with an emphasis on educational games, music, videos and visually entertaining images, like a virtual aquarium.

Other programs for children already offer that "walled garden" approach to the Web. But LeSieur's browser aims to go further: It essentially takes over the computer and reduces the controls available for children like Zackary, who finds too many choices overwhelming.

More at Yahoo News

Mother's anger turns to delight after her baby survives an abortion

2008-06-05T16:58:00.002-04:00

Finley Crampton really shouldn't be here. Although his parents would have loved another child, they knew their baby could inherit a life-threatening kidney condition – and they couldn't take the risk.

After all, their first son had died of the condition and the second was born with serious kidney damage.

So when Finley's mother, Jodie Percival, became pregnant while on the Pill, she and her fiance Billy Crampton, 35, made the agonising decision to abort this child.

'Deciding to terminate at eight weeks was just utterly horrible but I couldn't cope with the anguish of losing another baby,' said Miss Percival, 25.

However, Finley had other ideas. And some time after the operation, Miss Percival felt a fluttering in her stomach.

Eventually her doctor sent her for a scan – and she discovered she was 19 weeks pregnant.

The child had survived the abortion and thrived in the womb. 'I couldn't believe it,' said Miss Percival. 'This was the baby I thought I'd terminated.

More from The Mail Online

We have reached another Milestone - BECAUSE OF YOU!

2008-06-05T14:17:00.003-04:00

This blog and its sister blog DAYS OF CAUTION has now reached a total of over 25,000 hits earlier today, with over 800 hits yesterday alone. We only got started in Feb. of this year, so while this is small potatoes compared to other sites, it still seems to be pretty good for us. Keep coming back, spread the blog with your friends, and I'll let you know when we reach our next big goal of 100,000. Thanks so much, it happened because of YOU!