AC SHOWCASE FEATURE ARTICLE

It's self-promotion time! I just got the honor of AC Showcase Feature Article. It is my first time receiving this honor and I am very excited.
Read the article here: New York's Ten Best Restaurants for Luxury Food: $120 - $1000 Food Items.

Thanks!

~Dani

The Pina Colada Song in Real Life

In this news item by Ananova, a Bosnian couple is divorcing after discovering the person they fell in love with and were carrying on an online affair with - was each other! Read the article here.

What jumped out at me in this story was the fact that this couple looked outside the marriage for communication and comfort - found it in each other - then divorced over that discovery.

It illustrates that clearly that couple had what it took to communicate, understand, support, and love one another - they just needed to drop the selfishness and animosity to do so.

But instead of smacking themselves on the forehead and realizing the BLESSING they discovered in their mistakes (as in the Pina Colada song) - the blessing which could make them whole again; and instead of being grateful they did not fall (further) into the sin of adultery- they decided to let pride and shame and selfishness take a tighter hold of their hearts and divorce.

How terribly, terribly sad; and what a truly educational example this could be - to anyone who will learn the lesson.

For your enjoyment: The Pina Colada Song by Rupert Holmes
Video from YouTube user Geocon8

Fashion Sense for Women in Their 40's

Photo by Photografia Privata
A recent episode of Oprah featured fashion expert Tim Gunn giving tips for women in their 40's. From the Oprah show website, he is said to have given the following advice,

"Women in their 40s should always try to avoid horizontal stripes, jackets that hit at mid-thigh, pleated pants, double-breasted blazers, Capri-length pants and low-rise jeans."

Now, it has always been my personal understanding of fashion that the key elements are the current trends, age-appropriateness, and how it flatters your figure/camouflages your flaws. Some of the items on the list do not fit, in my understanding, the 'age-appropriateness' element, which leaves me scratching my head.

For example, what I have always been told about fashion and horizontal stipes is that you NEVER wear them unless it is on an area of your body you want to make look bigger/wider. For those with a very small bosom, wearing a shirt with horizontal stripes can make them look fuller in the chest. A woman with a very full bosom would obviously want to avoid horizontal stripes, and perhaps even opt for vertical stripes in order to make her bosom appear a little minimized.

The low-rise jeans I can understand as not being age-appropriate, but all of the other things on the list seem to be more fashion-appropriate or figure-appropriate issues.

This brings up the question of how important fashion and what fashion 'experts' say is to you.

How much credence do YOU give to their advice?
Which ones do you avidly follow?
Which ones do you think are quacks?

SOURCE:

Project Makeover. The Oprah Winfrey Show.
http://www.oprah.com/beauty/bestof/20070205/beauty_20070205_284x426_201.jhtml?promocode=CNNgunnDL
Accessed November 11, 2007

"And They Call it Otter Love . . ."

A video on Youtube featuring two otters at the Vancouver Aquarium holding hands as they float in the water has become a quick fan favorite. But are the otters really 'in love' or is there something more to the story?

The video that started it all:

Video created and posted on Youtube by CynthiaHolmes.


To quote Paul Harvey, and now, 'The Rest of the Story' from CBCtv:



To find out more about otters, which are on the endangered species list, please check out the Endangered Species Handbook

To help otters or any other endangered or threatened species, please check out the World Wildlife Fund website.

To find out how to support the Vancouver Aquarium, please check their website, which also features webcam viewing of the belugas and the otters.

To watch a short documentary about the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the repercussions of it, please watch this video by journeymanpictures.

Video Games Equal Outdoor Exercise?

Photo Copyright ® 2007 Playworld Systems®, Inc.

First, we had the Nintendo WII™ which was heavily promoted as a way to make playing video games more 'healthy' as it would require bodily movements in order to play.

Now we have NEOS coming to a playground or park near you soon. Tested to withstand inclement weather of all sorts, this new form of playground equipment contains nine game programs children (and adults) can play.

Fox News has a video segment available online which shows an interview with the president of the company, Matt Miller. During the interview children are shown playing with the NEOS system. The video may be watched by clicking HERE.

More information about the system or the company may be obtained from the company website at www.playneos.com

If you are interested in getting a NEOS System for your school or community, you can apply for a grant HERE.

What do you think about outdoor video game play?

Recall Mania

Photo by Chance Agrella
It seems like recalls are in the news on an almost weekly basis lately. Today I read about yet another food recall: this one on frozen pizzas. It got me thinking about all the previous recalls, and wondering what the problem is, specifically, that is creating this environment of it being 'easier to get forgiveness than permission'. It seems that it is 'easier' to get lax on adhering to regulations in an effort to make more money, and then only do 'clean up' if there are problems which can be traced back.

Basically people have to die first. Multiple people. The deaths have to all be linked back to the product, too.

What alarms me is the number of E-Coli contamination recalls as of late. Do you know what is behind E-Coli contamination? People not washing their hands. Such a simple thing can prevent the spread of it, and yet it keeps happening. Are people really this disgusting?

Even more frightening is the number of recalls which are NOT making headlines. If you want to keep up-to-date on the latest recalls, you can check the US Consumer Product Safety Commission website for current and past recall notices. You can also report problems via their website. It seems as of late, E-Coli and lead paint are the most common recall issues, followed by fire hazards and fall hazards.

Also on the CPSC website is a section for kids about safety. It is really cute and educational. Click Here to explore it.


UPDATE NOVEMBER 3, 2007:
Yet another food recall. This one is for E-Coli contamination of beef. Read about it HERE.


What do you think about all the recalls? And what do you think should be done to help prevent this growing problem?

More Human Tetris and Other Japanese TV Fun!

The long-awaited day has arrived: a new episode of Human Tetris is available! WOO HOO! I am NOT a big fan of television, but I admit, I am completely addicted to this show.

Human Tetris 4 from Youtube user aaaaaaa4000


I have also discovered some other funny Japanese television shows and skits.

Matrix-style Couple Food Fight from Youtube user cariba2332


Human Pac-Man from Youtube user theproz

As far as Japanese television, and any international television shows, really, there are some shows which are really risque or even sick . . .and others are just downright creative and hysterically funny.

American television producers could learn a lot from the good, clean fun of international entertainment.

What do you think about international television versus American television?

Like what I wrote and want to buy me a cherry coke?