Monday, November 15, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
10 Things We Can't Live Without - Yahoo! Finance
10 Things We Can't Live Without - Yahoo! Finance
Nearly everything had to go. A few months after losing her administrative job in the summer of 2008, 23-year-old Brianna Karp got rid of her furniture, a beloved piano, and most of her books so she could move back in with her parents. When that didn't work out, she moved into an old trailer a relative had left her, settling into an informal homeless community in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Brea, Calif. By the summer of 2009, she was living without electricity, regular showers, home-cooked food, and most basic conveniences.
[See 21 things we're learning to live without.]
Karp held tight to one appurtenance, however: her laptop computer. She spent hours at a nearby Starbucks, using the wireless network to surf for jobs. A friend suggested she start a blog about her life on the edge, which she called the Girl's Guide to Homelessness. It generated attention that helped land a part-time magazine internship. Then came an offer to write a book about her ordeal, which is due out in 2011--and might get turned into a movie. With some money from a book advance, Karp has upgraded to a better trailer, on a friend's property, and she's eyeing a Victorian fixer-upper she'd like to make her permanent home. Yet she craves few of the material things she's given up, while cherishing the friends and opportunities she's discovered online. "When you're in survival mode, you slash everything," Karp says. "That makes the online community that much more important. Online, somebody will always be there for me."
The grueling recession that began in 2007 has upended American priorities, with frugality now considered a virtue for the first time in decades. Despite recent upticks in spending, retail sales remain lower than they were three years ago. Sales of homes, cars, and appliances have plunged. Shoppers have cut back on toilet paper and cigarettes, once thought recession-proof. Even porn sales are down. Thrift, it seems, has no boundaries.
Yet Americans have clung dearly to a few surprising necessities, reflecting changes in American society that go far beyond penny-pinching. Food, clothing and shelter have long been the most obvious staples. But data that's finally rolling in as the recession winds down shows that we also require a bit of entertainment and a tasty beverage or two. Companionship is as important as ever--even if it's not human. And you can't even look for a job these days if you don't have Internet access. As we redefine what's really important, here are 10 new American essentials:
Portable computers. The iPad might be the latest must-have gizmo, but the power of computers transcends trendiness. Brianna Karp, for instance, discovered lots of homeless people online, many logging in through their own laptops, like her. Shipments of notebooks have skyrocketed over the last three years, with sales in 2010 likely to be double what they were in 2007, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Part of the jump comes from cheap netbooks, but portable computers of all sizes are becoming ubiquitous as we socialize, communicate, shop, get our news and increasingly live our lives online. Desktop sales, meanwhile, have been on a steady decline, as mobility trumps stability.
[See 7 new rules for getting ahead.]
High-speed Internet access. Lots of people have cut back on cable TV, telephone service, and even gas and electricity usage. But once you've got high-speed Internet access, you don't go back. In a Pew Research Center survey from last year, high-speed Internet was one of only three things people said was more of a necessity in 2009 than in 2006. Appliances like microwaves, clothes dryers and dishwashers, by contrast, were considered less essential in 2009 than they used to be. And data from the Telecommunications Industry Association shows that the rapid increase in broadband Internet subscribers barely slowed in 2008 or 2009. By 2013, more than 90 percent of all Internet connections in the United States will be high-speed.
Smart phones. Overall sales of cell phones dipped for the first time ever in 2009. But sales of smart phones--which can handle email, browse the Internet and do a variety of other things--rose by 7 percent, according to TIA. And sales could surge by 25 percent this year, as people who have been putting off mobile upgrades finally nab the iPhone or Blackberry of their dreams. Like portable computers, smart phones have become a lifeline for the harried multitaskers we pretend we're not.
Education. As Kevin and Deanna Daum were spiraling toward bankruptcy in 2009, they decided they could live without their two cars, their two residences, and most niceties. But they insisted on keeping up tuition payments for their son, then a senior at a private high school. Many Americans seems to feel likewise. While data doesn't readily show how much families spend on schooling, many families say they've given up other things in order to protect their kids' education, whether it's private school or college, tutoring, enrichment programs or school-related activities. Private school enrollments fell by less than one percent from 2008 to 2010, and college enrollments have gone up over the last couple of years. That's partly because jobs are scarce, but also because Americans simply value education. "This is an investment that pays off very well," says Sandy Baum, an economist at the College Board. "People are willing to borrow for it and they know that it's shortsighted to forego it."
[See how to rebuild after losing your fortune.]
Movies. Ticket sales dipped in 2008 but bounced back in 2009, hitting a five-year high. One big reason was Avatar and other 3-D films, which accounted for 11 percent of the box office take in 2009, up from 2 percent the year before. Any box-office increase is a victory for movie theaters, which until last year had been losing viewers to home theater systems and an expanding lineup of movies on cable and the Internet.
TV. Amercians are spending less on entertainment--but watching more TV. A recent survey by consulting firm Deloitte found that they typical American watches nearly 18 hours' worth of shows on a home TV each week, two hours more than a year earlier. One reason might be that more unemployed people are killing time at home. But TV might also seem like a cheap alternative to sports events, concerts and DVD purchases. And hard-core TV watchers can't be all that strapped, since sales of high-definition TV sets have risen steadily right through the recession.
[See new ways to make your fortune on the Web.]
Music downloads. The need for mobility applies to music, too. CD sales fell by 21 percent in 2009, but downloads of singles and entire albums rose by nearly as much. The Pew Survey comparing luxuries and necessities helps explain why: More people considered an iPod a necessity in 2009 than in 2006, despite the recession.
Pets. Fido sits at the table these days. Maybe even at the head of the table. While Americans have cut spending on themselves, spending on pet food, supplies, grooming, vet care and clothing (clothing?) has been rising uninterrupted by about 5 percent per year. Industry officials attribute this to the "humanization" of pets, which in turn has led many pet owners to close the "quality of life gap" between their animals and themselves. The iWoof can't be far behind.
Booze. Smoking less doesn't make us entirely virtuous. Americans have backed off the high-end booze, but we're drinking enough cheap stuff to make up for it, which is the usual trend during recessions. Beer and wine sales have inched up as well over the last few years. With bar and restaurant sales down, that suggests more people are drinking at home--while they watch TV, probably.
[See how to stay upbeat amid financial hardship.]
Coffee. Americans have actually followed that penny-pinching advice, and cut back on the $5 daily lattes. But they're compensating by brewing more of their own coffee. About 56 percent of American adults drink coffee, a proportion that hasn't changed over the last few years. But a recent survey by the National Coffee Association found that 86 percent of coffee drinkers make their own at home, up from 82 percent a year earlier. And those drinking coffee made someplace else (think Starbucks) fell from 31 percent in 2009 to 26 percent in 2010. Of course, if people are drinking more booze at home, then it makes sense that they'd be dosing themselves with more coffee, too. If the economy improves, maybe we'll need less of each.
Nearly everything had to go. A few months after losing her administrative job in the summer of 2008, 23-year-old Brianna Karp got rid of her furniture, a beloved piano, and most of her books so she could move back in with her parents. When that didn't work out, she moved into an old trailer a relative had left her, settling into an informal homeless community in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Brea, Calif. By the summer of 2009, she was living without electricity, regular showers, home-cooked food, and most basic conveniences.
[See 21 things we're learning to live without.]
Karp held tight to one appurtenance, however: her laptop computer. She spent hours at a nearby Starbucks, using the wireless network to surf for jobs. A friend suggested she start a blog about her life on the edge, which she called the Girl's Guide to Homelessness. It generated attention that helped land a part-time magazine internship. Then came an offer to write a book about her ordeal, which is due out in 2011--and might get turned into a movie. With some money from a book advance, Karp has upgraded to a better trailer, on a friend's property, and she's eyeing a Victorian fixer-upper she'd like to make her permanent home. Yet she craves few of the material things she's given up, while cherishing the friends and opportunities she's discovered online. "When you're in survival mode, you slash everything," Karp says. "That makes the online community that much more important. Online, somebody will always be there for me."
The grueling recession that began in 2007 has upended American priorities, with frugality now considered a virtue for the first time in decades. Despite recent upticks in spending, retail sales remain lower than they were three years ago. Sales of homes, cars, and appliances have plunged. Shoppers have cut back on toilet paper and cigarettes, once thought recession-proof. Even porn sales are down. Thrift, it seems, has no boundaries.
Yet Americans have clung dearly to a few surprising necessities, reflecting changes in American society that go far beyond penny-pinching. Food, clothing and shelter have long been the most obvious staples. But data that's finally rolling in as the recession winds down shows that we also require a bit of entertainment and a tasty beverage or two. Companionship is as important as ever--even if it's not human. And you can't even look for a job these days if you don't have Internet access. As we redefine what's really important, here are 10 new American essentials:
Portable computers. The iPad might be the latest must-have gizmo, but the power of computers transcends trendiness. Brianna Karp, for instance, discovered lots of homeless people online, many logging in through their own laptops, like her. Shipments of notebooks have skyrocketed over the last three years, with sales in 2010 likely to be double what they were in 2007, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Part of the jump comes from cheap netbooks, but portable computers of all sizes are becoming ubiquitous as we socialize, communicate, shop, get our news and increasingly live our lives online. Desktop sales, meanwhile, have been on a steady decline, as mobility trumps stability.
[See 7 new rules for getting ahead.]
High-speed Internet access. Lots of people have cut back on cable TV, telephone service, and even gas and electricity usage. But once you've got high-speed Internet access, you don't go back. In a Pew Research Center survey from last year, high-speed Internet was one of only three things people said was more of a necessity in 2009 than in 2006. Appliances like microwaves, clothes dryers and dishwashers, by contrast, were considered less essential in 2009 than they used to be. And data from the Telecommunications Industry Association shows that the rapid increase in broadband Internet subscribers barely slowed in 2008 or 2009. By 2013, more than 90 percent of all Internet connections in the United States will be high-speed.
Smart phones. Overall sales of cell phones dipped for the first time ever in 2009. But sales of smart phones--which can handle email, browse the Internet and do a variety of other things--rose by 7 percent, according to TIA. And sales could surge by 25 percent this year, as people who have been putting off mobile upgrades finally nab the iPhone or Blackberry of their dreams. Like portable computers, smart phones have become a lifeline for the harried multitaskers we pretend we're not.
Education. As Kevin and Deanna Daum were spiraling toward bankruptcy in 2009, they decided they could live without their two cars, their two residences, and most niceties. But they insisted on keeping up tuition payments for their son, then a senior at a private high school. Many Americans seems to feel likewise. While data doesn't readily show how much families spend on schooling, many families say they've given up other things in order to protect their kids' education, whether it's private school or college, tutoring, enrichment programs or school-related activities. Private school enrollments fell by less than one percent from 2008 to 2010, and college enrollments have gone up over the last couple of years. That's partly because jobs are scarce, but also because Americans simply value education. "This is an investment that pays off very well," says Sandy Baum, an economist at the College Board. "People are willing to borrow for it and they know that it's shortsighted to forego it."
[See how to rebuild after losing your fortune.]
Movies. Ticket sales dipped in 2008 but bounced back in 2009, hitting a five-year high. One big reason was Avatar and other 3-D films, which accounted for 11 percent of the box office take in 2009, up from 2 percent the year before. Any box-office increase is a victory for movie theaters, which until last year had been losing viewers to home theater systems and an expanding lineup of movies on cable and the Internet.
TV. Amercians are spending less on entertainment--but watching more TV. A recent survey by consulting firm Deloitte found that they typical American watches nearly 18 hours' worth of shows on a home TV each week, two hours more than a year earlier. One reason might be that more unemployed people are killing time at home. But TV might also seem like a cheap alternative to sports events, concerts and DVD purchases. And hard-core TV watchers can't be all that strapped, since sales of high-definition TV sets have risen steadily right through the recession.
[See new ways to make your fortune on the Web.]
Music downloads. The need for mobility applies to music, too. CD sales fell by 21 percent in 2009, but downloads of singles and entire albums rose by nearly as much. The Pew Survey comparing luxuries and necessities helps explain why: More people considered an iPod a necessity in 2009 than in 2006, despite the recession.
Pets. Fido sits at the table these days. Maybe even at the head of the table. While Americans have cut spending on themselves, spending on pet food, supplies, grooming, vet care and clothing (clothing?) has been rising uninterrupted by about 5 percent per year. Industry officials attribute this to the "humanization" of pets, which in turn has led many pet owners to close the "quality of life gap" between their animals and themselves. The iWoof can't be far behind.
Booze. Smoking less doesn't make us entirely virtuous. Americans have backed off the high-end booze, but we're drinking enough cheap stuff to make up for it, which is the usual trend during recessions. Beer and wine sales have inched up as well over the last few years. With bar and restaurant sales down, that suggests more people are drinking at home--while they watch TV, probably.
[See how to stay upbeat amid financial hardship.]
Coffee. Americans have actually followed that penny-pinching advice, and cut back on the $5 daily lattes. But they're compensating by brewing more of their own coffee. About 56 percent of American adults drink coffee, a proportion that hasn't changed over the last few years. But a recent survey by the National Coffee Association found that 86 percent of coffee drinkers make their own at home, up from 82 percent a year earlier. And those drinking coffee made someplace else (think Starbucks) fell from 31 percent in 2009 to 26 percent in 2010. Of course, if people are drinking more booze at home, then it makes sense that they'd be dosing themselves with more coffee, too. If the economy improves, maybe we'll need less of each.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
70 years without eating? 'Starving yogi' says it's true - The Body Odd - msnbc.com
70 years without eating? 'Starving yogi' says it's true - The Body Odd - msnbc.com: "70 years without eating? 'Starving yogi' says it's true"
Prahlad Jani, an 82-year-old Indian yogi, is making headlines by claims that for the past 70 years he has had nothing -- not one calorie -- to eat and not one drop of liquid to drink. To test his claims, Indian military doctors put him under round-the-clock observation during a two-week hospital stay that ended last week, news reports say. During that time he didn’t ingest any food or water – and remained perfectly healthy, the researchers said.
But that’s simply impossible, said Dr. Michael Van Rooyen an emergency physician at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, an associate professor at the medical school, and the director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative – which focuses on aid to displaced populations who lack food and water.
Van Rooyen says that depending on climate conditions like temperature and humidity, a human could survive five or six days without water, maybe a day or two longer in extraordinary circumstances. We can go much longer without food – even up to three months if that person is taking liquids fortified with vitamins and electrolytes.
Bobby Sands, an Irish Republican convicted of firearms possession and imprisoned by the British, died in 1981 on the 66th day of his hunger strike. Gandhi was also known to go long stretches without food, including a 21-day hunger strike in 1932.
Sterling Hospitals / AFP - Getty Images file
Prahlad Jani was studied for two weeks.
Jani, dubbed "the starving yogi" by some, did have limited contact with water while gargling and periodically bathing, reported the news wire service AFP. While researchers said they measured what he spit out, Van Rooyen said he's clearly getting fluid somehow.
"You can hold a lot of water in those yogi beards. A sneaky yogi for certain," he said. "He MUST take in water. The human body cannot survive without it." The effects of food and water deprivation are profound, Van Rooyen explained. “Ultimately, instead of metabolizing sugar and glycogen [the body’s energy sources] you start to metabolize fat and then cause muscle breakdown. Without food, your body chemistry changes. Profoundly malnourished people autodigest, they consume their own body’s resources. You get liver failure, tachycardia, heart strain. You fall apart.”
The yogi, though, would already be dead from lack of hydration. If he really went without any liquids at all, his cardiovascular system would have collapsed. “You lose about a liter or two of water per day just by breathing,” Van Rooyen said. You don’t have to sweat, which the yogi claims he never does. That water loss results in thicker blood and a drop in blood pressure.
“You go from being a grape to a raisin,” Van Rooyen said and if you didn’t have a heart attack first, you’d die of kidney failure.
Prahlad Jani, an 82-year-old Indian yogi, is making headlines by claims that for the past 70 years he has had nothing -- not one calorie -- to eat and not one drop of liquid to drink. To test his claims, Indian military doctors put him under round-the-clock observation during a two-week hospital stay that ended last week, news reports say. During that time he didn’t ingest any food or water – and remained perfectly healthy, the researchers said.
But that’s simply impossible, said Dr. Michael Van Rooyen an emergency physician at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, an associate professor at the medical school, and the director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative – which focuses on aid to displaced populations who lack food and water.
Van Rooyen says that depending on climate conditions like temperature and humidity, a human could survive five or six days without water, maybe a day or two longer in extraordinary circumstances. We can go much longer without food – even up to three months if that person is taking liquids fortified with vitamins and electrolytes.
Bobby Sands, an Irish Republican convicted of firearms possession and imprisoned by the British, died in 1981 on the 66th day of his hunger strike. Gandhi was also known to go long stretches without food, including a 21-day hunger strike in 1932.
Sterling Hospitals / AFP - Getty Images file
Prahlad Jani was studied for two weeks.
Jani, dubbed "the starving yogi" by some, did have limited contact with water while gargling and periodically bathing, reported the news wire service AFP. While researchers said they measured what he spit out, Van Rooyen said he's clearly getting fluid somehow.
"You can hold a lot of water in those yogi beards. A sneaky yogi for certain," he said. "He MUST take in water. The human body cannot survive without it." The effects of food and water deprivation are profound, Van Rooyen explained. “Ultimately, instead of metabolizing sugar and glycogen [the body’s energy sources] you start to metabolize fat and then cause muscle breakdown. Without food, your body chemistry changes. Profoundly malnourished people autodigest, they consume their own body’s resources. You get liver failure, tachycardia, heart strain. You fall apart.”
The yogi, though, would already be dead from lack of hydration. If he really went without any liquids at all, his cardiovascular system would have collapsed. “You lose about a liter or two of water per day just by breathing,” Van Rooyen said. You don’t have to sweat, which the yogi claims he never does. That water loss results in thicker blood and a drop in blood pressure.
“You go from being a grape to a raisin,” Van Rooyen said and if you didn’t have a heart attack first, you’d die of kidney failure.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Smart Spending: Free treats and more for taxpayers - Yahoo! Finance
Had my free coffee this morning!: Free treats and more for taxpayers
NEW YORK (AP) -- Few truths are more universal: No one likes to pay taxes, and everyone loves to get things for free.
Restaurants and other retailers are offering freebies to reduce people's angst over their income taxes -- which must be postmarked or e-filed by Thursday.
From cupcakes and pancakes to dinners and coffee, the offers are meant to help people feel better as they help companies drum up business. No paperwork or proof is required for most of the offers.
Ice cream chain MaggieMoo's is giving away pieces of its new ice cream pizza in its second annual tax day giveaway. The company won't say what it cost to give away thousands of free scoops of ice cream at its 160-plus stores in 2009, but a spokeswoman says such promotions bring in new guests and new sales.
"They'll have free ice cream and then they'll get a drink or a smoothie or something else or take home an ice cream pizza," says Jenn Johnston, senior vice president of marketing for NexCen Franchise Management, the parent company of MaggieMoo's, Pretzel Time, The Athlete's Foot and other chains.
Here are some of the freebies and discounts on offer for tax season 2010.
-- FREE COFFEE AND TREATS
CINNABON: Get two free bite-sized cupcakes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at participating mall locations as part of "Tax Day Bites!" Flavors include Chocolate Passion, 24-Carrot Cake, Vanilla Bliss and Cinnacake Classic.
MAGGIEMOO'S: Get one free slice of ice cream pizza -- ice cream with red frosting to look like sauce and white chocolate to look like cheese -- at participating locations from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.
STARBUCKS: Get free brewed coffee all day Thursday if you bring your own mug, a promotion the cafe chain says is friendly to the environment as well as taxpayers.
-- DISCOUNTED MEALS
BOSTON MARKET: For a "last-minute tax break" -- one free meal for each one you buy Thursday through Sunday -- show this coupon: http://bit.ly/d1YlRO
IHOP: Expanding on the tax deduction parents get for kids, the restaurant chain is offering free dinner for one child age 12 or younger with each adult meal purchased 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. all month long.
MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S: The seafood restaurant is offering $10.40 dinner and drink specials in the bar on Thursday -- a nod to the 1040 tax form. Bar guests who come in April 15 also receive a $10.40 gift certificate for a later visit. And professional tax preparers, who may have to work right until the midnight deadline Thursday, get their freebie Friday: dessert on the house plus a $10.40 certificate if they show a business card.
P.F. CHANG'S: Get 15 percent off food purchases for dine-in or take-out, excluding alcohol and happy hour food and beverages.
-- STRESS RELIEF
HYDROMASSAGE: Get a free massage Thursday through Sunday at participating locations. The mall-based massage chain suggests calling ahead to book an appointment. Find a location at http://www.hydromassage.com/taxday.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Few truths are more universal: No one likes to pay taxes, and everyone loves to get things for free.
Restaurants and other retailers are offering freebies to reduce people's angst over their income taxes -- which must be postmarked or e-filed by Thursday.
From cupcakes and pancakes to dinners and coffee, the offers are meant to help people feel better as they help companies drum up business. No paperwork or proof is required for most of the offers.
Ice cream chain MaggieMoo's is giving away pieces of its new ice cream pizza in its second annual tax day giveaway. The company won't say what it cost to give away thousands of free scoops of ice cream at its 160-plus stores in 2009, but a spokeswoman says such promotions bring in new guests and new sales.
"They'll have free ice cream and then they'll get a drink or a smoothie or something else or take home an ice cream pizza," says Jenn Johnston, senior vice president of marketing for NexCen Franchise Management, the parent company of MaggieMoo's, Pretzel Time, The Athlete's Foot and other chains.
Here are some of the freebies and discounts on offer for tax season 2010.
-- FREE COFFEE AND TREATS
CINNABON: Get two free bite-sized cupcakes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at participating mall locations as part of "Tax Day Bites!" Flavors include Chocolate Passion, 24-Carrot Cake, Vanilla Bliss and Cinnacake Classic.
MAGGIEMOO'S: Get one free slice of ice cream pizza -- ice cream with red frosting to look like sauce and white chocolate to look like cheese -- at participating locations from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.
STARBUCKS: Get free brewed coffee all day Thursday if you bring your own mug, a promotion the cafe chain says is friendly to the environment as well as taxpayers.
-- DISCOUNTED MEALS
BOSTON MARKET: For a "last-minute tax break" -- one free meal for each one you buy Thursday through Sunday -- show this coupon: http://bit.ly/d1YlRO
IHOP: Expanding on the tax deduction parents get for kids, the restaurant chain is offering free dinner for one child age 12 or younger with each adult meal purchased 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. all month long.
MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S: The seafood restaurant is offering $10.40 dinner and drink specials in the bar on Thursday -- a nod to the 1040 tax form. Bar guests who come in April 15 also receive a $10.40 gift certificate for a later visit. And professional tax preparers, who may have to work right until the midnight deadline Thursday, get their freebie Friday: dessert on the house plus a $10.40 certificate if they show a business card.
P.F. CHANG'S: Get 15 percent off food purchases for dine-in or take-out, excluding alcohol and happy hour food and beverages.
-- STRESS RELIEF
HYDROMASSAGE: Get a free massage Thursday through Sunday at participating locations. The mall-based massage chain suggests calling ahead to book an appointment. Find a location at http://www.hydromassage.com/taxday.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Signing James Toney is good business for UFC - News - FOX Sports on MSN
Signing James Toney is good business for UFC - News - FOX Sports on MSN
The Ultimate Fighting Championship made an interesting move this week with the signing of boxing great James “Lights Out” Toney.
Speculation surrounded the situation between Toney and UFC president Dana White for several months and reached a high point at the beginning of the year when the two discussed a possible deal that would make Toney the most notable boxer to make the move to any mixed martial arts promotion.
FOX SPORTS POLL
In MMA, James Toney will ...
62% Disgrace himself
32% Be decent
6% Be a very good fighter
Total Votes: 485
Toney is not necessarily MMA's highest-profile signing this year. That honor belongs to former college football great Herschel Walker, who won his debut fight in January.
While Walker is a tremendous athlete, his move to MMA seemed to be a publicity stunt of sorts for Strikeforce. Is that also true of Toney?
It’s going to be hard convincing anyone that the UFC signed the 41-year-old to be a large factor in any division, let alone a champion, although a pro boxing career that included 70 wins and a host of titles is a strong claim for legitimacy.
The most logical explanation is Toney's name recognition, and will be used, as did UFC with Kimbo Slice for its 10th season of "The Ultimate Fighter", to draw in the eyes of the fans and the green of their wallets.
After all, everyone is doing it.
The UFC signed current heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar after just one mixed martial arts fight. While there is no comparison between Lesnar and Toney, the UFC champion’s history and fan base carried over from his stardom with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Toney is in a similar situation. His career in boxing has been spent accumulating wins, belts, and, perhaps most importantly, an enormous fan base, which the UFC no doubt looks to use to its advantage.
Given the current state of boxing vs. mixed martial arts, there has never been a better time for a MMA promotion to grab a boxer from the sport's dwindling list of stars.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship made an interesting move this week with the signing of boxing great James “Lights Out” Toney.
Speculation surrounded the situation between Toney and UFC president Dana White for several months and reached a high point at the beginning of the year when the two discussed a possible deal that would make Toney the most notable boxer to make the move to any mixed martial arts promotion.
FOX SPORTS POLL
In MMA, James Toney will ...
62% Disgrace himself
32% Be decent
6% Be a very good fighter
Total Votes: 485
Toney is not necessarily MMA's highest-profile signing this year. That honor belongs to former college football great Herschel Walker, who won his debut fight in January.
While Walker is a tremendous athlete, his move to MMA seemed to be a publicity stunt of sorts for Strikeforce. Is that also true of Toney?
It’s going to be hard convincing anyone that the UFC signed the 41-year-old to be a large factor in any division, let alone a champion, although a pro boxing career that included 70 wins and a host of titles is a strong claim for legitimacy.
The most logical explanation is Toney's name recognition, and will be used, as did UFC with Kimbo Slice for its 10th season of "The Ultimate Fighter", to draw in the eyes of the fans and the green of their wallets.
After all, everyone is doing it.
The UFC signed current heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar after just one mixed martial arts fight. While there is no comparison between Lesnar and Toney, the UFC champion’s history and fan base carried over from his stardom with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Toney is in a similar situation. His career in boxing has been spent accumulating wins, belts, and, perhaps most importantly, an enormous fan base, which the UFC no doubt looks to use to its advantage.
Given the current state of boxing vs. mixed martial arts, there has never been a better time for a MMA promotion to grab a boxer from the sport's dwindling list of stars.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Is Nas Going To Jail? | Hello Beautiful
Is Nas Going To Jail? | Hello Beautiful: "Is Nas Going To Jail?"
Nas and Kelis drama continues…
Kelis’s lawyer filed a contempt motion against Nas last week because he owes over $200,000 in unpaid child support, along with attorney fees. As you all know, he was ordered to pay Kelis over $50k a month in child and spousal support last year and hasn’t been able to keep up with the payments. Even though Nas pleaded Not Guilty he could face jail time if convicted.
Meanwhile, Nas went in on a new song about his child support situation and Kelis’s alleged affairs in a new song titled “Strong Will Continue”:
Twisted and mangled, sort of like Bruce Lee life, cursed with his son Brandon. If that’s you and me Knight, I pray our fates greater. How in the hell am I supposed to stay comfy, when I pay child support, alimony monthly
…So I’ve stuck with some married women so fine, cheating while their husband rushing on the 40-yard line. Wonder if this is what my ex did the whole time.”
Nas and Kelis drama continues…Kelis’s lawyer filed a contempt motion against Nas last week because he owes over $200,000 in unpaid child support, along with attorney fees. As you all know, he was ordered to pay Kelis over $50k a month in child and spousal support last year and hasn’t been able to keep up with the payments. Even though Nas pleaded Not Guilty he could face jail time if convicted.
Meanwhile, Nas went in on a new song about his child support situation and Kelis’s alleged affairs in a new song titled “Strong Will Continue”:
Twisted and mangled, sort of like Bruce Lee life, cursed with his son Brandon. If that’s you and me Knight, I pray our fates greater. How in the hell am I supposed to stay comfy, when I pay child support, alimony monthly
…So I’ve stuck with some married women so fine, cheating while their husband rushing on the 40-yard line. Wonder if this is what my ex did the whole time.”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
avoid-an-audit-6-red-flags-you-should-Know: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
avoid-an-audit-6-red-flags-you-should-Know: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
If history is any indicator, less than 1% of Americans will be audited by the Internal Revenue Service in the coming year. And while some of these audits are totally random, and there's nothing that the individual taxpayer can do about them, many audits are actually instigated by the taxpayers themselves.
More from Investopedia.com:
• 9 Ways to Use a Tax Refund
• Top 10 Solutions for a Big Tax Bill
• 4 Can't-Miss Health Deductions
To that end, below is a list of "red flags" that can cause your return to be cherry picked by the IRS for review. Pay particular attention, as knowing what the flags are can keep you out of trouble.
1. Overestimating Donated Amounts
The IRS encourages individuals to donate things like clothes, food and even old automobiles to charities. It does this by offering a deduction in return for a donation. However, the problem with this system is that it is up to the taxpayer to determine the value of goods that are donated.
As a general rule, the IRS likes to see individuals value the items they donate at anywhere between 1% and 30% of the original purchase price (unless special circumstances exist). Unfortunately many, if not most, taxpayers either aren't aware of this, or simply choose to ignore this fact.
There are several other tips that the taxpayer can use to ensure that he or she is valuing donated goods at a "fair" price. Aside from the 30% and under rule mentioned above, consider having an appraiser write a letter. (In fact, for individual items valued at $5,000 or more, an appraisal is required.). Another benchmark the IRS uses that could come in handy is the willing-buyer-willing-seller test.
This means that taxpayers should value their goods at a point or price where a willing seller (who is under no duress) would be able to sell his property to a willing buyer (who also is under no duress to purchase the item). Using such a benchmark will keep you out of trouble and prevent you from placing an excessive value on your dad's old Frank Sinatra albums.
Popular Stories on Yahoo!:
• Best Time to Buy a New HDTV
• Tax Tricks You Might Not Know
• The Pentagon's Biggest Budget Buster
More from Yahoo! Finance
2. Math Errors
While this may sound simple, many returns are selected for audit due to basic math errors. So when filling out your tax return (or checking it after your accountant has completed the form) make sure that the columns add up. Also make sure that the total dollar value of capital gains and/or losses are properly calculated. Even a small error can raise eyebrows.
3. Failure to Sign the Return
A large percentage of folks simply forget to sign their tax returns. Don't be a part of that number! Failure to sign the return will almost guarantee that it will receive additional scrutiny. The IRS will wonder what else you might have forgotten to include in the return.
4. Under-Reporting Income
Tempting as it might be to exclude income from your tax return, it is vital that you report all money that you received throughout the year from work and/or from the sale of an asset (such as a home) to the IRS. If you fail to report income and you are caught, you will be forced to pay back-taxes plus penalties and interest.
How can the IRS tell if you've reported everything? In some situations it can't. After all, the system isn't perfect. However, a common way some individuals get caught is that they accept cash for a service they've performed. If the customer or individual who paid that individual the cash gets audited, the IRS will see a large cash disbursement from his or her bank account. The IRS agent will then follow that lead and ask the individual what that cash layout was for. Inevitably, the trail leads right back to the individual who failed to report that money as income.
In short, it's better to be safe than sorry. Make sure you report all of your income.
5. Home Office Deductions
Be careful with home office deductions. Excessive or unwarranted deductions can raise red flags. In addition, large deductions in proportion to your income can raise the ire of the IRS as well.
For example, if you earned $50,000 as an accountant (operating from home), home-office related deductions totaling $30,000 will raise more than a few eyebrows. Trying to write off the value of a new bedroom set as office equipment could also draw unwanted attention.
Deduct only items that were used in the course of your business.
6. Income Thresholds
There is nothing the individual taxpayer can do about this one, but if you earn more than $100,000 each year, your odds of being audited increase exponentially. In fact, some accountants put the odds of being audited at one in 72, compared to the one in 154 odds for people with lower incomes.
Other Sensitive Tax Areas
Partnership/Trust/Tax Shelter Risk
If you own shares in a limited partnership, control a trust or partake in any other tax shelter investments, you are more apt to be audited. While there may be no way to avoid such an audit, individuals that have a stake in such an entity should be aware that they have a target on their backs. They should also take even greater care to document deductions, donations and income.
Small Business Ownership
Small business owners are an easy target - particularly those with cash businesses. Bars, restaurants, car washes and hair salons are exceptionally big targets, not only because they deal in so much cash, but also because there is so much temptation to under-report income and tips earned.
Incidentally, other actions that go part and parcel with business ownership may draw unwanted IRS interest too, including putting family members on the payroll and over-estimating expenses.
In short, business owners must know that they can't "push the envelope". If they want to stay in business and avoid the scrutiny of an audit, it's best to remain on the straight and narrow.
So why does the IRS seem to be cracking down more and more on individuals and small business owners these days? It's simple. According to the IRS there is roughly an annual $300 billion gap between what Americans pay in taxes versus what they owe. That equates to about $2,680 per household. The Congress knows this too, and given the deficits the United States government has run up over the past 20 years, there is enormous pressure on legislators and the IRS to collect all tax funds.
Being Audited
What should you do if you are audited? Be honest with the auditor and respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible. Don't be afraid to show all of your documentation. If possible, have a qualified accountant and/or tax attorney represent you.
Bottom Line
Audits have and will remain a part of the tax collection process for a long time to come, but that doesn't mean that you have to be among the "lucky" few to be chosen. The key to avoiding an audit is to be honest, document your deductions, donations and income.
ADVERTISEMENT
RATES
See today's average rates across the country.
Mortgage
Loan Type Today Last Week
30 Year Fixed 5.08% 5.07%
15 Year Fixed 4.41% 4.49%
1 Year ARM 3.99% 3.79%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 5.90% 5.88%
5/1 ARM 4.05% 4.07%
3/1 ARM 4.57% 4.67%Source: Bankrate Home Equity
Loan Type Today Last Week
$30K Home Equity Loan 8.25% 8.27%
$50K Home Equity Loan 8.18% 8.18%
$75K Home Equity Loan 8.20% 8.21%
$30K HELOC 5.19% 5.18%
$50K HELOC 4.92% 4.92%
$75K HELOC 4.93% 4.93%Source: Bankrate Savings
Savings Type Today Last Week
6 month CD 0.88% 0.89%
1 year CD 1.29% 1.30%
3 year CD 2.05% 2.05%
MMA 0.90% 0.87%
$10K MMA 0.98% 0.96%
$25K MMA 1.16% 1.15%Source: Bankrate Auto
Loan Type Today Last Week
36 Month New Car Loan 6.38% 6.43%
48 Month New Car Loan 6.51% 6.56%
60 Month New Car Loan 6.54% 6.59%
72 Month New Car Loan 6.03% 6.03%
36 Month Used Car Loan 6.96% 6.99%
48 Month Used Car Loan 6.86% 6.89%Source: Bankrate Credit Cards
Card Type Today Last Week
Business Credit Cards 11.32% 10.74%
Low Interest Credit Cards 12.17% 12.17%
Cash Back Credit Cards 12.56% 12.49%
Balance Transfer Credit Cards 12.71% 12.40%
Reward Credit Cards 13.77% 13.47%
Airline Credit Cards 14.17% 14.17%Source: CreditCards.com
View rates in your area
Sponsored by:
Experian - 598 is Bad, 700 is Good. See CREDIT SCORE now $0
MOST POPULAR ARTICLES
Wall Street set for flat open with eyes on Greece
Reuters - Wed, Feb 10 - 9:08am ET
Rentech Announces Results for First Quarter of Fiscal 2010
Business Wire - Wed, Feb 10 - 9:00am ET
StemCells, Inc. Announces First Human Neural Stem Cell Transplant in Landmark Myelination Disorder Trial
GlobeNewswire - Wed, Feb 10 - 9:00am ET
Apple: It's The New Microsoft
Silicon Alley Insider - Wed, Feb 10 - 8:45am ET
View more popular articles
MORE FROM YAHOO! SOURCES
If history is any indicator, less than 1% of Americans will be audited by the Internal Revenue Service in the coming year. And while some of these audits are totally random, and there's nothing that the individual taxpayer can do about them, many audits are actually instigated by the taxpayers themselves.
More from Investopedia.com:
• 9 Ways to Use a Tax Refund
• Top 10 Solutions for a Big Tax Bill
• 4 Can't-Miss Health Deductions
To that end, below is a list of "red flags" that can cause your return to be cherry picked by the IRS for review. Pay particular attention, as knowing what the flags are can keep you out of trouble.
1. Overestimating Donated Amounts
The IRS encourages individuals to donate things like clothes, food and even old automobiles to charities. It does this by offering a deduction in return for a donation. However, the problem with this system is that it is up to the taxpayer to determine the value of goods that are donated.
As a general rule, the IRS likes to see individuals value the items they donate at anywhere between 1% and 30% of the original purchase price (unless special circumstances exist). Unfortunately many, if not most, taxpayers either aren't aware of this, or simply choose to ignore this fact.
There are several other tips that the taxpayer can use to ensure that he or she is valuing donated goods at a "fair" price. Aside from the 30% and under rule mentioned above, consider having an appraiser write a letter. (In fact, for individual items valued at $5,000 or more, an appraisal is required.). Another benchmark the IRS uses that could come in handy is the willing-buyer-willing-seller test.
This means that taxpayers should value their goods at a point or price where a willing seller (who is under no duress) would be able to sell his property to a willing buyer (who also is under no duress to purchase the item). Using such a benchmark will keep you out of trouble and prevent you from placing an excessive value on your dad's old Frank Sinatra albums.
Popular Stories on Yahoo!:
• Best Time to Buy a New HDTV
• Tax Tricks You Might Not Know
• The Pentagon's Biggest Budget Buster
More from Yahoo! Finance
2. Math Errors
While this may sound simple, many returns are selected for audit due to basic math errors. So when filling out your tax return (or checking it after your accountant has completed the form) make sure that the columns add up. Also make sure that the total dollar value of capital gains and/or losses are properly calculated. Even a small error can raise eyebrows.
3. Failure to Sign the Return
A large percentage of folks simply forget to sign their tax returns. Don't be a part of that number! Failure to sign the return will almost guarantee that it will receive additional scrutiny. The IRS will wonder what else you might have forgotten to include in the return.
4. Under-Reporting Income
Tempting as it might be to exclude income from your tax return, it is vital that you report all money that you received throughout the year from work and/or from the sale of an asset (such as a home) to the IRS. If you fail to report income and you are caught, you will be forced to pay back-taxes plus penalties and interest.
How can the IRS tell if you've reported everything? In some situations it can't. After all, the system isn't perfect. However, a common way some individuals get caught is that they accept cash for a service they've performed. If the customer or individual who paid that individual the cash gets audited, the IRS will see a large cash disbursement from his or her bank account. The IRS agent will then follow that lead and ask the individual what that cash layout was for. Inevitably, the trail leads right back to the individual who failed to report that money as income.
In short, it's better to be safe than sorry. Make sure you report all of your income.
5. Home Office Deductions
Be careful with home office deductions. Excessive or unwarranted deductions can raise red flags. In addition, large deductions in proportion to your income can raise the ire of the IRS as well.
For example, if you earned $50,000 as an accountant (operating from home), home-office related deductions totaling $30,000 will raise more than a few eyebrows. Trying to write off the value of a new bedroom set as office equipment could also draw unwanted attention.
Deduct only items that were used in the course of your business.
6. Income Thresholds
There is nothing the individual taxpayer can do about this one, but if you earn more than $100,000 each year, your odds of being audited increase exponentially. In fact, some accountants put the odds of being audited at one in 72, compared to the one in 154 odds for people with lower incomes.
Other Sensitive Tax Areas
Partnership/Trust/Tax Shelter Risk
If you own shares in a limited partnership, control a trust or partake in any other tax shelter investments, you are more apt to be audited. While there may be no way to avoid such an audit, individuals that have a stake in such an entity should be aware that they have a target on their backs. They should also take even greater care to document deductions, donations and income.
Small Business Ownership
Small business owners are an easy target - particularly those with cash businesses. Bars, restaurants, car washes and hair salons are exceptionally big targets, not only because they deal in so much cash, but also because there is so much temptation to under-report income and tips earned.
Incidentally, other actions that go part and parcel with business ownership may draw unwanted IRS interest too, including putting family members on the payroll and over-estimating expenses.
In short, business owners must know that they can't "push the envelope". If they want to stay in business and avoid the scrutiny of an audit, it's best to remain on the straight and narrow.
So why does the IRS seem to be cracking down more and more on individuals and small business owners these days? It's simple. According to the IRS there is roughly an annual $300 billion gap between what Americans pay in taxes versus what they owe. That equates to about $2,680 per household. The Congress knows this too, and given the deficits the United States government has run up over the past 20 years, there is enormous pressure on legislators and the IRS to collect all tax funds.
Being Audited
What should you do if you are audited? Be honest with the auditor and respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible. Don't be afraid to show all of your documentation. If possible, have a qualified accountant and/or tax attorney represent you.
Bottom Line
Audits have and will remain a part of the tax collection process for a long time to come, but that doesn't mean that you have to be among the "lucky" few to be chosen. The key to avoiding an audit is to be honest, document your deductions, donations and income.
ADVERTISEMENT
RATES
See today's average rates across the country.
Mortgage
Loan Type Today Last Week
30 Year Fixed 5.08% 5.07%
15 Year Fixed 4.41% 4.49%
1 Year ARM 3.99% 3.79%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo 5.90% 5.88%
5/1 ARM 4.05% 4.07%
3/1 ARM 4.57% 4.67%Source: Bankrate Home Equity
Loan Type Today Last Week
$30K Home Equity Loan 8.25% 8.27%
$50K Home Equity Loan 8.18% 8.18%
$75K Home Equity Loan 8.20% 8.21%
$30K HELOC 5.19% 5.18%
$50K HELOC 4.92% 4.92%
$75K HELOC 4.93% 4.93%Source: Bankrate Savings
Savings Type Today Last Week
6 month CD 0.88% 0.89%
1 year CD 1.29% 1.30%
3 year CD 2.05% 2.05%
MMA 0.90% 0.87%
$10K MMA 0.98% 0.96%
$25K MMA 1.16% 1.15%Source: Bankrate Auto
Loan Type Today Last Week
36 Month New Car Loan 6.38% 6.43%
48 Month New Car Loan 6.51% 6.56%
60 Month New Car Loan 6.54% 6.59%
72 Month New Car Loan 6.03% 6.03%
36 Month Used Car Loan 6.96% 6.99%
48 Month Used Car Loan 6.86% 6.89%Source: Bankrate Credit Cards
Card Type Today Last Week
Business Credit Cards 11.32% 10.74%
Low Interest Credit Cards 12.17% 12.17%
Cash Back Credit Cards 12.56% 12.49%
Balance Transfer Credit Cards 12.71% 12.40%
Reward Credit Cards 13.77% 13.47%
Airline Credit Cards 14.17% 14.17%Source: CreditCards.com
View rates in your area
Sponsored by:
Experian - 598 is Bad, 700 is Good. See CREDIT SCORE now $0
MOST POPULAR ARTICLES
Wall Street set for flat open with eyes on Greece
Reuters - Wed, Feb 10 - 9:08am ET
Rentech Announces Results for First Quarter of Fiscal 2010
Business Wire - Wed, Feb 10 - 9:00am ET
StemCells, Inc. Announces First Human Neural Stem Cell Transplant in Landmark Myelination Disorder Trial
GlobeNewswire - Wed, Feb 10 - 9:00am ET
Apple: It's The New Microsoft
Silicon Alley Insider - Wed, Feb 10 - 8:45am ET
View more popular articles
MORE FROM YAHOO! SOURCES
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Apple iPad Reviews: The Critics Weigh In - PCWorld
Apple iPad Reviews: The Critics Weigh In - PCWorld
Now that the mania of Apple's iPad (such a bad name) announcement has begun to calm and people are checking bank accounts instead of RSS feeds for more information, big-name critics are pulling out their swords and taking swings at Apple's latest creation. The overall reaction has been, in a word, underwhelming. What was hotly anticipated has mostly turned into cold soup. So what happened and what is being said?
There is, without a doubt, much disappointment surrounding the iPad. Bloggers curb-stomped it for its shortcomings:
No multitasking
No Adobe Flash (yet)
No camera or iChat capabilities
No HDMI port
4:3 aspect ratio
Still dependent on AT&T's 3G service
Dependence on adapters
... and the list goes on.
What I found interesting is that the "big-name" critics took a more compassionate view of the iPad. David Pogue from the New York Times outlined three phases of "the standard Apple new-category roll-out," starting with feverish speculation and hype, then hands-off negativity, then release-date positivity. Pogue urged caution from the knee-jerk types: "it's too early to draw any conclusions." Furthermore, he writes, "as we enter Phase 2, remember how silly you all looked when you all predicted the iPhone's demise in that period before it went on sale."
Om Malik had a positive take on the iPad over at Gigaom. He loved the single button, landscape and portrait modes, Web browsing experience, Maps, and the ability to "plow through" e-mails. Still, a hint of wariness came at the end of Malik's brief first impression when he said, "If I didn't own a Kindle or an iPod touch, the decision to buy an iPad would be an easy one. But I own both, and even if I only owned one of them, it would be a tough decision."
Who better to weigh in on the iPad than Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak? In this video, Wozniak commented on the possible future of the iPad but lamented its productivity capabilities -- specifically its inability to edit movies or fiddle with music.
Tech guru Walter Mossberg approached his first impressions of the iPad evenly without making overly harsh judgments. The keyboard and the tablet's size, in his opinion, may be the iPad's biggest downfall. "Finally, while it's too early for me to say without lots of testing, the size of the iPad's virtual keyboard may be a liability. I found it almost too wide for thumb typing, and a colleague who's a whiz at touch typing and tried it briefly found it awkward to type on. Apple is offering an auxiliary physical keyboard that docks with, and charges, the iPad. But you won't want to lug that around."
You might be wondering where TechCrunch's Michael Arrington fits into this hoopla. As of this writing, Arrington hadn't given his two cents (or two thousand dollars) to the iPad, though he's likely writing his tome now. I'm more interested than usual about Arrington's take given that his own tablet, the CrunchPad, went down in flames.
Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times ran down the laundry list of oft-repeated iPad shortcomings, but hinted at its hopeful possibilities. "... depending on how it's exploited, eventually it could be much more."
The round-up of other influential tech blogs brought the same lukewarm response I believe we should expect from what looks to be a wishy-washy on-the-fence device. Gizmodo, quite simply, hated it. In a very long, multi-person take, Engadget was kinda "meh." ZDNet, like many, urged caution. And the editors here at PC World teetered toward the negative in multiple editorial takes.
So that's the general take on Apple's latest product. What's even more appealing to me is getting the audience's reaction. So what do you think about the iPad?
Now that the mania of Apple's iPad (such a bad name) announcement has begun to calm and people are checking bank accounts instead of RSS feeds for more information, big-name critics are pulling out their swords and taking swings at Apple's latest creation. The overall reaction has been, in a word, underwhelming. What was hotly anticipated has mostly turned into cold soup. So what happened and what is being said?
There is, without a doubt, much disappointment surrounding the iPad. Bloggers curb-stomped it for its shortcomings:
No multitasking
No Adobe Flash (yet)
No camera or iChat capabilities
No HDMI port
4:3 aspect ratio
Still dependent on AT&T's 3G service
Dependence on adapters
... and the list goes on.
What I found interesting is that the "big-name" critics took a more compassionate view of the iPad. David Pogue from the New York Times outlined three phases of "the standard Apple new-category roll-out," starting with feverish speculation and hype, then hands-off negativity, then release-date positivity. Pogue urged caution from the knee-jerk types: "it's too early to draw any conclusions." Furthermore, he writes, "as we enter Phase 2, remember how silly you all looked when you all predicted the iPhone's demise in that period before it went on sale."
Om Malik had a positive take on the iPad over at Gigaom. He loved the single button, landscape and portrait modes, Web browsing experience, Maps, and the ability to "plow through" e-mails. Still, a hint of wariness came at the end of Malik's brief first impression when he said, "If I didn't own a Kindle or an iPod touch, the decision to buy an iPad would be an easy one. But I own both, and even if I only owned one of them, it would be a tough decision."
Who better to weigh in on the iPad than Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak? In this video, Wozniak commented on the possible future of the iPad but lamented its productivity capabilities -- specifically its inability to edit movies or fiddle with music.
Tech guru Walter Mossberg approached his first impressions of the iPad evenly without making overly harsh judgments. The keyboard and the tablet's size, in his opinion, may be the iPad's biggest downfall. "Finally, while it's too early for me to say without lots of testing, the size of the iPad's virtual keyboard may be a liability. I found it almost too wide for thumb typing, and a colleague who's a whiz at touch typing and tried it briefly found it awkward to type on. Apple is offering an auxiliary physical keyboard that docks with, and charges, the iPad. But you won't want to lug that around."
You might be wondering where TechCrunch's Michael Arrington fits into this hoopla. As of this writing, Arrington hadn't given his two cents (or two thousand dollars) to the iPad, though he's likely writing his tome now. I'm more interested than usual about Arrington's take given that his own tablet, the CrunchPad, went down in flames.
Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times ran down the laundry list of oft-repeated iPad shortcomings, but hinted at its hopeful possibilities. "... depending on how it's exploited, eventually it could be much more."
The round-up of other influential tech blogs brought the same lukewarm response I believe we should expect from what looks to be a wishy-washy on-the-fence device. Gizmodo, quite simply, hated it. In a very long, multi-person take, Engadget was kinda "meh." ZDNet, like many, urged caution. And the editors here at PC World teetered toward the negative in multiple editorial takes.
So that's the general take on Apple's latest product. What's even more appealing to me is getting the audience's reaction. So what do you think about the iPad?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Floyd Mayweather Jr-Shane Mosley bout official - News - FOX Sports on MSN
Floyd Mayweather Jr-Shane Mosley bout official - News - FOX Sports on MSN
LAS VEGAS (AP)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. finalized a deal Wednesday to fight Sugar Shane Mosley on May 1 in a welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) agreed to the 12-round bout last week, but hadn't formally signed the contract for the former pound-for-pound champion's second fight back from a brief retirement.
"This one is definitely for the fans, as I wasn't going to waste anyone's time with a meaningless tuneup bout and asked to fight Shane immediately," Mayweather said. "I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won't be great enough to beat me."
Although the fight is an intriguing matchup between two veteran welterweights who have been circling each other for a decade, the dangerous Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) still isn't Mayweather's first choice.
Mayweather agreed to the bout only after several weeks of negotiations with Manny Pacquiao failed to produce an agreement on what's likely to be the richest fight in boxing history, if it ever occurs. Pacquiao balked at Mayweather's stringent drug-testing demands, and instead will fight welterweight Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium.
Mayweather and Mosley agreed to participate in Olympic-style drug testing for their fight, saying they hope to set a new standard for safety in boxing. Mosley has acknowledged using steroids before a victory over Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, but claims he did so inadvertently under the direction of the BALCO lab.
Mosley was scheduled to fight Andre Berto on Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay before Berto dropped out while dealing with the earthquake in Haiti, his family's home country.
"I have always wanted to fight Floyd, and now it is finally coming true," Mosley said. "I am already in great shape and ready to show everyone on May 1 that I am stronger, faster and better than he is. I will have no problem beating him."
Mosley, the 38-year-old WBA welterweight super champion, has been vocal about his desire to meet Mayweather ever since Mayweather celebrated his ring return last September with a one-sided victory over Juan Manuel Marquez. Mosley, a partner in Golden Boy Promotions, jumped into the ring after Mayweather's win and called out the unbeaten fighter.
But Mayweather appeared to be focused on the biggest payday of all against Pacquiao until his hard line on drug testing scuttled the fight and prompted Pacquiao to sue much of Mayweather's camp, claiming several members had defamed him by intimating he uses performance-enhancing drugs.
"Shane Mosley is one of the greatest fighters of this era, and I commend him for not only agreeing to the fight against Mayweather, but also agreeing to participate in a testing process that can only help the integrity of the sport," Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said.
Mayweather didn't sign the deal until five days after Mosley formalized his commitment last Friday, prompting worries for Mosley's management and Schaefer, who represented Mayweather throughout the torturous negotiations with Pacquiao's promoters at Top Rank. Schaefer had hoped to get both fighters to Miami this week to promote the bout to the assembled fans and media at the Super Bowl.
Just a few days ago, Schaefer publicly acknowledged he was worried Mayweather might be having second thoughts about a tough fight against Mosley, who has only improved with age.
Mosley's only loss since late 2004 is a narrow, competitive decision to Miguel Cotto in November 2007. He has fought just twice since then, stopping Ricardo Mayorga and former champion Antonio Margarito, although Mosley was scheduled for fights against Zab Judah and Berto that were canceled by his opponents.
Mayweather should have the services of Roger Mayweather, his uncle and longtime trainer. Roger Mayweather has a June 1 trial date in Las Vegas on several serious charges related to accusations of beating and choking a female boxer last summer at an apartment he owned.
LAS VEGAS (AP)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. finalized a deal Wednesday to fight Sugar Shane Mosley on May 1 in a welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) agreed to the 12-round bout last week, but hadn't formally signed the contract for the former pound-for-pound champion's second fight back from a brief retirement.
"This one is definitely for the fans, as I wasn't going to waste anyone's time with a meaningless tuneup bout and asked to fight Shane immediately," Mayweather said. "I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won't be great enough to beat me."
Although the fight is an intriguing matchup between two veteran welterweights who have been circling each other for a decade, the dangerous Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) still isn't Mayweather's first choice.
Mayweather agreed to the bout only after several weeks of negotiations with Manny Pacquiao failed to produce an agreement on what's likely to be the richest fight in boxing history, if it ever occurs. Pacquiao balked at Mayweather's stringent drug-testing demands, and instead will fight welterweight Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium.
Mayweather and Mosley agreed to participate in Olympic-style drug testing for their fight, saying they hope to set a new standard for safety in boxing. Mosley has acknowledged using steroids before a victory over Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, but claims he did so inadvertently under the direction of the BALCO lab.
Mosley was scheduled to fight Andre Berto on Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay before Berto dropped out while dealing with the earthquake in Haiti, his family's home country.
"I have always wanted to fight Floyd, and now it is finally coming true," Mosley said. "I am already in great shape and ready to show everyone on May 1 that I am stronger, faster and better than he is. I will have no problem beating him."
Mosley, the 38-year-old WBA welterweight super champion, has been vocal about his desire to meet Mayweather ever since Mayweather celebrated his ring return last September with a one-sided victory over Juan Manuel Marquez. Mosley, a partner in Golden Boy Promotions, jumped into the ring after Mayweather's win and called out the unbeaten fighter.
But Mayweather appeared to be focused on the biggest payday of all against Pacquiao until his hard line on drug testing scuttled the fight and prompted Pacquiao to sue much of Mayweather's camp, claiming several members had defamed him by intimating he uses performance-enhancing drugs.
"Shane Mosley is one of the greatest fighters of this era, and I commend him for not only agreeing to the fight against Mayweather, but also agreeing to participate in a testing process that can only help the integrity of the sport," Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said.
Mayweather didn't sign the deal until five days after Mosley formalized his commitment last Friday, prompting worries for Mosley's management and Schaefer, who represented Mayweather throughout the torturous negotiations with Pacquiao's promoters at Top Rank. Schaefer had hoped to get both fighters to Miami this week to promote the bout to the assembled fans and media at the Super Bowl.
Just a few days ago, Schaefer publicly acknowledged he was worried Mayweather might be having second thoughts about a tough fight against Mosley, who has only improved with age.
Mosley's only loss since late 2004 is a narrow, competitive decision to Miguel Cotto in November 2007. He has fought just twice since then, stopping Ricardo Mayorga and former champion Antonio Margarito, although Mosley was scheduled for fights against Zab Judah and Berto that were canceled by his opponents.
Mayweather should have the services of Roger Mayweather, his uncle and longtime trainer. Roger Mayweather has a June 1 trial date in Las Vegas on several serious charges related to accusations of beating and choking a female boxer last summer at an apartment he owned.
Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr. to finally have rematch - News - FOX Sports on MSN
Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr. to finally have rematch - News - FOX Sports on MSN
Seventeen years after their first fight, Bernard Hopkins will meet Roy Jones Jr. in a rematch in April in Las Vegas.
The rematch is scheduled for April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
The 45-year-old Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion. He defeated Enrique Ornelas by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight bout in Philadelphia in December.
"A rematch with Roy has been in the back of my mind for a long time and it's finally going to happen," Hopkins said in Monday's release announcing the bout. "I have accomplished a lot in my career since that night in Washington, D.C., in 1993, and I am going to end this thing between me and Roy once and for all."
The 41-year-old Jones (54-6, 40 KOs) is coming off a loss to Australian Danny Green in the first round, also in December.
On May 22, 1993, in Washington, D.C., Hopkins lost a unanimous decision to Jones for the vacant IBF middleweight crown.
"We're giving the fans what they want to see. They deserve this fight and why not supply the fans with what they demand?" Jones said.
Seventeen years after their first fight, Bernard Hopkins will meet Roy Jones Jr. in a rematch in April in Las Vegas.
The rematch is scheduled for April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
The 45-year-old Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion. He defeated Enrique Ornelas by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight bout in Philadelphia in December.
"A rematch with Roy has been in the back of my mind for a long time and it's finally going to happen," Hopkins said in Monday's release announcing the bout. "I have accomplished a lot in my career since that night in Washington, D.C., in 1993, and I am going to end this thing between me and Roy once and for all."
The 41-year-old Jones (54-6, 40 KOs) is coming off a loss to Australian Danny Green in the first round, also in December.
On May 22, 1993, in Washington, D.C., Hopkins lost a unanimous decision to Jones for the vacant IBF middleweight crown.
"We're giving the fans what they want to see. They deserve this fight and why not supply the fans with what they demand?" Jones said.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
10 iPhone shortcuts for new owners | News | TechRadar UK
10 iPhone shortcuts for new owners | News | TechRadar UK
Apple is known for loading its software with handy shortcuts and tricks to make your life easier. You will struggle to find a definitive list of these in the documentation, and many people actually discover them by accident.
With the iPhone and iPod touch, Apple designed a whole new operating system. Essentially a stripped down version of Mac OS X, the iPhone/iPod OS has some great hidden shortcuts and timesavers, which could make your everyday use of the device quicker and easier.
The revolutionary Multi-Touch interface isn't just designed to be tapped, there are actually a host of gestures and movement combinations that perform specific actions. And despite only having two hardware buttons, these work differently depending on how you press them.
Some of the tips related to making calls will only work on an iPhone, of course, but most of these shortcuts will also work on the iPod touch.
01. Show iPod controls
The iPod application has the ability to run in the background. If you're using a different app and you want to pause or skip a track, double tap Home to display iPod controls.
02. Tap the title bar
Scrolling to the top of a page in Safari can be slow. Double-tap on the title bar where the time is displayed and you will jump back to the top. This also works with SMS conversations.
03. Control iPod when locked
If your iPhone/iPod touch is locked but you need to change the volume, pause or skip tracks, double-tap Home and you can control the iPod app and see what track is playing.
04. Make calls from Safari
Phone numbers in Safari display as links. If you press and hold on the number for a couple of seconds, it will display in a pop-up window. This also works with web links.
05. Quick delete button
You can delete items by swiping your finger across the right side of emails, SMS conversations or podcasts when in List view. Videos are marked and erased at the next sync.
06. Quickly add suffixes
In Mail, press and hold on the .com button to reveal .net, .edu .org and .co.uk shortcuts; just select to enter them. This also works when entering URLs in Safari.
07. Force quit apps
If an app freezes, press and hold the Home button for around six seconds to force quit it. If an app quits repeatedly by itself it probably needs updating by the developer.
08. Fix Caps Lock
With Caps Lock Enable on (Settings > General > Keyboard), double-tap Caps Lock to fix it on or off. If it's off, click and hold Caps Lock then slide over to a letter to capitalize it.
09. Alternative characters
When you are typing, you may want to use non-standard letters. Press and hold certain letters including A, E, I, O or U to access alternative versions for different languages.
10. Configure iPod controls
In the iPod app, go to More > Edit. From the resulting screen you can drag and drop shortcuts into the four slots at the base of the screen for the things you access most often.
Apple is known for loading its software with handy shortcuts and tricks to make your life easier. You will struggle to find a definitive list of these in the documentation, and many people actually discover them by accident.
With the iPhone and iPod touch, Apple designed a whole new operating system. Essentially a stripped down version of Mac OS X, the iPhone/iPod OS has some great hidden shortcuts and timesavers, which could make your everyday use of the device quicker and easier.
The revolutionary Multi-Touch interface isn't just designed to be tapped, there are actually a host of gestures and movement combinations that perform specific actions. And despite only having two hardware buttons, these work differently depending on how you press them.
Some of the tips related to making calls will only work on an iPhone, of course, but most of these shortcuts will also work on the iPod touch.
01. Show iPod controls
The iPod application has the ability to run in the background. If you're using a different app and you want to pause or skip a track, double tap Home to display iPod controls.
02. Tap the title bar
Scrolling to the top of a page in Safari can be slow. Double-tap on the title bar where the time is displayed and you will jump back to the top. This also works with SMS conversations.
03. Control iPod when locked
If your iPhone/iPod touch is locked but you need to change the volume, pause or skip tracks, double-tap Home and you can control the iPod app and see what track is playing.
04. Make calls from Safari
Phone numbers in Safari display as links. If you press and hold on the number for a couple of seconds, it will display in a pop-up window. This also works with web links.
05. Quick delete button
You can delete items by swiping your finger across the right side of emails, SMS conversations or podcasts when in List view. Videos are marked and erased at the next sync.
06. Quickly add suffixes
In Mail, press and hold on the .com button to reveal .net, .edu .org and .co.uk shortcuts; just select to enter them. This also works when entering URLs in Safari.
07. Force quit apps
If an app freezes, press and hold the Home button for around six seconds to force quit it. If an app quits repeatedly by itself it probably needs updating by the developer.
08. Fix Caps Lock
With Caps Lock Enable on (Settings > General > Keyboard), double-tap Caps Lock to fix it on or off. If it's off, click and hold Caps Lock then slide over to a letter to capitalize it.
09. Alternative characters
When you are typing, you may want to use non-standard letters. Press and hold certain letters including A, E, I, O or U to access alternative versions for different languages.
10. Configure iPod controls
In the iPod app, go to More > Edit. From the resulting screen you can drag and drop shortcuts into the four slots at the base of the screen for the things you access most often.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Fantasia: "I Couldn't Afford To Buy A Pizza" | Hello Beautiful
Fantasia: "I Couldn't Afford To Buy A Pizza" | Hello Beautiful
If you missed Fantasia’s appearance on Wednesday’s “Oprah,” the singer sat down with the queen of daytime TV and discussed her family and financial woes.
Fantasia says she started feeling the pressure as sole breadwinner for her family. Her financial problems—including almost losing her home—made headlines. Fantasia gained 30 pounds, and her reputation took a hit when she missed numerous performances of The Color Purple. “I was on Broadway for a year,” she says. “Toward the end, I kind of lost control. Everything was going down the drain.”
If you missed Fantasia’s appearance on Wednesday’s “Oprah,” the singer sat down with the queen of daytime TV and discussed her family and financial woes.
Fantasia says she started feeling the pressure as sole breadwinner for her family. Her financial problems—including almost losing her home—made headlines. Fantasia gained 30 pounds, and her reputation took a hit when she missed numerous performances of The Color Purple. “I was on Broadway for a year,” she says. “Toward the end, I kind of lost control. Everything was going down the drain.”
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Five Myths About Drinking Water : NPR
Five Myths About Drinking Water : NPR
Is bottled water better for you than tap? Or should you choose vitamin-enriched water over sparkling? Experts say, skip it all. None of these products are likely to make you any healthier. Below, we look at five major myths about the benefits of drinking water.
But first, how do you know if you're drinking enough water? Experts say there's an easy way to judge. If you're not thirsty, you're fluid intake is likely "just right."
Myth No. 1: Drink Eight Glasses Each Day
Scientists say there's no clear health benefit to chugging or even sipping water all day. So where does the standard advice of drinking eight glasses each day come from? "Nobody really knows," says Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a kidney expert at the University of Pennsylvania.
Myth No. 2: Drinking Lots of Water Helps Clear Out Toxins
The kidneys filter toxins from our bloodstreams. Then the toxins clear through the urine. The question is, does drinking extra water each day improve the function of the kidneys?
"No," says Goldfarb. "In fact, drinking large amounts of water surprisingly tends to reduce the kidney's ability to function as a filter. It's a subtle decline, but definite."
Myth No. 3: Lots of Water Equals Healthier Skin
The body is already 60 percent water. So, if you take a 200-pound man, he's 120 pounds of water.
Adding a few extra glasses of water each day has limited effect. "It's such a tiny part of what's in the body," says Goldfarb. "It's very unlikely that one's getting any benefit." His full editorial is published in the current issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
One study published in 2007 on the cosmetic benefit of drinking water suggests that 500 ml of water increases capillary blood flow in the skin. "But it's unclear whether these changes are clinically significant," says Goldfarb.
Myth No. 4: Drinking Extra Water Leads to Weight Loss
A more accurate statement may be: Drinking water is a helpful tool for dieters.
"Water is a great strategy for dieters because it has no calories," says Madeline Fernstrom of the University of Pittsburgh. "So you can keep your mouth busy without food and get the sense of satisfaction."
But water is not magical, she adds. Other zero-calorie options such as diet sodas are fine, too.
Myth No. 5: It's Easy to Get Dehydrated During a Workout
Dehydration sets in when a person has lost 2 percent of his or her body weight. So for a 200-pound man, this means losing 4 pounds of water.
Marathon runners, bikers and hikers all need to recognize the signs of dehydration. "It is also obvious that individuals in hot, dry climates have increased need for water," says Goldfarb.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that athletes drink 16 ounces of fluids a couple of hours before starting sports practice.
But for a stroll in the park, no water bottle is necessary. Goldfarb's advice: Just drink when you're thirsty.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
BallerStatus.com » The Game Slams Education System: ‘School Was a Government Plot To Keep Track of Us’
BallerStatus.com » The Game Slams Education System: ‘School Was a Government Plot To Keep Track of Us’
The Game is not one to bite his tongue, no matter what the topic is. Most recently, the Compton rapper slammed the education system, saying that once you hit a certain grade level, school doesn't help much.
He even adds that school is Uncle Sam's way of keeping tabs on kids on a regular basis.
"After you learned how to read and do addition, what else did we need school for that we use in everyday life as an adult?" Game asked in a tweet (@IHateGame).
"I think school was a government's plot to keep track of us and program our lives. Up at 7, out at 3PM five days a week."
While Game questioned a school's use in life as an adult, he did explain why he thinks it great -- it gives him a break from his kids.
" ... Them two dudes is animals!" he tweeted, regarding his two sons. "I get it, school is a babysitter. Martin Luther King said: 'The reason we in school 13 yrs is because, that's how long it take to DESTROY a child's mind."
Before ended his rant, Game made sure to send a message to the kids following his tweets ... that is to "STAY IN SCHOOL!"
"Kids, STAY IN SCHOOL," he wrote. "We all gotta do it. I'm from Compton, so maybe it was just our school system that ain't really do sh** for us. My teachers wore khaki suits n ere'thang."
The Game is not one to bite his tongue, no matter what the topic is. Most recently, the Compton rapper slammed the education system, saying that once you hit a certain grade level, school doesn't help much.
He even adds that school is Uncle Sam's way of keeping tabs on kids on a regular basis.
"After you learned how to read and do addition, what else did we need school for that we use in everyday life as an adult?" Game asked in a tweet (@IHateGame).
"I think school was a government's plot to keep track of us and program our lives. Up at 7, out at 3PM five days a week."
While Game questioned a school's use in life as an adult, he did explain why he thinks it great -- it gives him a break from his kids.
" ... Them two dudes is animals!" he tweeted, regarding his two sons. "I get it, school is a babysitter. Martin Luther King said: 'The reason we in school 13 yrs is because, that's how long it take to DESTROY a child's mind."
Before ended his rant, Game made sure to send a message to the kids following his tweets ... that is to "STAY IN SCHOOL!"
"Kids, STAY IN SCHOOL," he wrote. "We all gotta do it. I'm from Compton, so maybe it was just our school system that ain't really do sh** for us. My teachers wore khaki suits n ere'thang."
Friday, January 29, 2010
Mosley vs. Berto Fight Cancelled
"Mosley vs. Berto Fight Cancelled"
For the second time this month, a major boxing match has been cancelled. First, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather shut down their proposed March mega-fight (and we’re still not sure who to blame). That could’ve been the biggest draw of all-time. Now, Andre Berto, with much better reason, has had to cancel his January 30 bout with “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Pacquiao and Mayweather were bickering over blood tests. Berto had to withdraw from his Welterweight Championship Unification fight with Mosley because the catastrophic earthquake that recently struck Haiti (and thus deeply affected his family who resides there) left him physically and emotionally unable to prepare.
Shane Mosley vs. Andre Berto Cancelled / Image: Zuma Press
It was too late to find a substitute, so the fight is off. A disappointed “Sugar” Shane said:
“I’m disappointed that the fight has been called off, but I understand that Andre is going through a very difficult time. My heart goes out to him, his family and the people of Haiti during the aftermath of this terrible tragedy. I’m sorry for the losses that Andre and all of the Haitian people are suffering. I have everyone in my prayers.”
This is certainly a huge disappointment to boxing fans. But when you put things into perspective, the fight doesn’t matter. The terrible tragedy that has occurred (and continues to occur) in Haiti is so far beyond this. Click here for information, resources, and ways you can help survivors of the Haiti earthquake. Additionally, you can join Andre Berto in supporting Haitian relief by sporting his new vintage t-shirt. All proceeds will go directly to the America"
For the second time this month, a major boxing match has been cancelled. First, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather shut down their proposed March mega-fight (and we’re still not sure who to blame). That could’ve been the biggest draw of all-time. Now, Andre Berto, with much better reason, has had to cancel his January 30 bout with “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Pacquiao and Mayweather were bickering over blood tests. Berto had to withdraw from his Welterweight Championship Unification fight with Mosley because the catastrophic earthquake that recently struck Haiti (and thus deeply affected his family who resides there) left him physically and emotionally unable to prepare.
Shane Mosley vs. Andre Berto Cancelled / Image: Zuma Press
It was too late to find a substitute, so the fight is off. A disappointed “Sugar” Shane said:
“I’m disappointed that the fight has been called off, but I understand that Andre is going through a very difficult time. My heart goes out to him, his family and the people of Haiti during the aftermath of this terrible tragedy. I’m sorry for the losses that Andre and all of the Haitian people are suffering. I have everyone in my prayers.”
This is certainly a huge disappointment to boxing fans. But when you put things into perspective, the fight doesn’t matter. The terrible tragedy that has occurred (and continues to occur) in Haiti is so far beyond this. Click here for information, resources, and ways you can help survivors of the Haiti earthquake. Additionally, you can join Andre Berto in supporting Haitian relief by sporting his new vintage t-shirt. All proceeds will go directly to the America"
Friday, January 22, 2010
Woman Kills Boyfriend By Sitting On Him! | Hello Beautiful
Woman Kills Boyfriend By Sitting On Him! | Hello Beautiful:
"And only gets probation!
This story is too crazy to make up!
Mia Landingham�plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Last summer, she sat on boyfriend Mikal Middleton-Bey, with whom she shared 3 children with, as he was face first on the couch.
Investigators say Middelton-Bey was 5′10″ tall and weighed 126 pounds while Landingham is 5′9″ tall. It’s not clear how much Landingham weighs. A police scale went up to 350 pounds – that wasn’t enough to accurately weigh the Cleveland woman.
She was�sentenced to three�years probation and 100 hours of community service."
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Who tops the latest MMA pound for pound rankings? - News - FOX Sports on MSN
Who tops the latest MMA pound for pound rankings? - News - FOX Sports on MSN
10. Jake Shields (Strikeforce) — (24-4-1)
The former EliteXC welterweight champion, and natural welterweight, recently added another belt to his collection defeating Jason "Mayhem" Miller to win the vacant Strikeforce middleweight championship. Look for him to return to the cage for his first title defense against the newly acquired free agent Dan Henderson.
9. Jon Fitch (UFC) — (21-3, 1 NC)
Fitch’s handy work is not always pretty, but it is certainly effective. He is one of just four fighters ever who have won eight or more consecutive fights in the UFC along with Anderson Silva, Royce Gracie, and Lyoto Machida. Overall, he has won 11 of his 12 fights in the UFC losing only to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 87.
8. Shinya Aoki (DREAM) — (23-4-1 NC)
Aoki is arguably the best 155-pound fighter in the world not named B.J. Penn. After dominating Japan, the submission specialist is flirting with the idea of coming to the United States to take on current Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez in a potential unification bout.
7. Gegard Mousasi (Strikeforce/DREAM) — (28-2-1)
This Fedor Emelianenko disciple is a superstar in the making. After storming on the scene and winning the 2008 DREAM middleweight tournament he made a seamless transition to the United States and the Strikeforce light heavyweight division, capturing the 205-pound title in his debut. What is scary is that he has yet to reach his full potential at the age of 26.
6. Jose Aldo (WEC) — (16-1)
Aldo is coming off the biggest win of his career defeating long time WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown in dominant fashion to become the new title holder. He is (6 – 0) since joining the WEC and has won all of his fights by knockout. At the ripe old age of 23 he is fast becoming one of the best all-around fighters in the world.
5. Lyoto Machida (UFC) — (16-0)
The undefeated Machida is coming off an unimpressive and controversial unanimous decision victory over a very game Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 104 in what was undoubtedly his toughest fight in his UFC career. This karate specialist, known to many simply as “The Dragon,” should be better prepared for the rematch that is likely to take place sometime during the first half of 2010.
4. B.J. Penn (UFC) — (15-5-1)
FOX SPORTS POLL Who's the best pound-for-pound MMA fighter? Fedor Emelianenko Anderson Silva Georges St-Pierre Penn is considered by many to be the top lightweight fighter in the history of the sport. After back-to-back victories over top contenders Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez this veteran continues to impose his dominance time in and time out. He has not lost at 155-pounds since November 2001.
3. Georges St-Pierre (UFC) — (19-2)
St-Pierre has been making it look easy for some time now in one of the deepest divisions in the UFC. He's successfully defended his welterweight title three consecutive times. He's putting his belt on the line against British striker Dan Hardy at UFC 111 on March 27.
2. Anderson Silva (UFC) — (25-4)
After what many called lackluster performances against Patrick Cote and Thales Leites, Silva reminded everyone why he is still the most dangerous striker in the world with a thorough dismantling of Forrest Griffin at UFC 101. He has yet to lose a fight in the UFC.
1. Fedor Emelianenko (Strikeforce) — (31-1, 1 NC)
After roughly a decade in MMA, Emelianenko is still at the top of his game. Had it not been for a controversial stoppage due to a cut early in his career his record would be unblemished. He has simply done it better and longer than anyone else on the list.
10. Jake Shields (Strikeforce) — (24-4-1)
The former EliteXC welterweight champion, and natural welterweight, recently added another belt to his collection defeating Jason "Mayhem" Miller to win the vacant Strikeforce middleweight championship. Look for him to return to the cage for his first title defense against the newly acquired free agent Dan Henderson.
9. Jon Fitch (UFC) — (21-3, 1 NC)
Fitch’s handy work is not always pretty, but it is certainly effective. He is one of just four fighters ever who have won eight or more consecutive fights in the UFC along with Anderson Silva, Royce Gracie, and Lyoto Machida. Overall, he has won 11 of his 12 fights in the UFC losing only to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 87.
8. Shinya Aoki (DREAM) — (23-4-1 NC)
Aoki is arguably the best 155-pound fighter in the world not named B.J. Penn. After dominating Japan, the submission specialist is flirting with the idea of coming to the United States to take on current Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez in a potential unification bout.
7. Gegard Mousasi (Strikeforce/DREAM) — (28-2-1)
This Fedor Emelianenko disciple is a superstar in the making. After storming on the scene and winning the 2008 DREAM middleweight tournament he made a seamless transition to the United States and the Strikeforce light heavyweight division, capturing the 205-pound title in his debut. What is scary is that he has yet to reach his full potential at the age of 26.
6. Jose Aldo (WEC) — (16-1)
Aldo is coming off the biggest win of his career defeating long time WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown in dominant fashion to become the new title holder. He is (6 – 0) since joining the WEC and has won all of his fights by knockout. At the ripe old age of 23 he is fast becoming one of the best all-around fighters in the world.
5. Lyoto Machida (UFC) — (16-0)
The undefeated Machida is coming off an unimpressive and controversial unanimous decision victory over a very game Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 104 in what was undoubtedly his toughest fight in his UFC career. This karate specialist, known to many simply as “The Dragon,” should be better prepared for the rematch that is likely to take place sometime during the first half of 2010.
4. B.J. Penn (UFC) — (15-5-1)
FOX SPORTS POLL Who's the best pound-for-pound MMA fighter? Fedor Emelianenko Anderson Silva Georges St-Pierre Penn is considered by many to be the top lightweight fighter in the history of the sport. After back-to-back victories over top contenders Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez this veteran continues to impose his dominance time in and time out. He has not lost at 155-pounds since November 2001.
3. Georges St-Pierre (UFC) — (19-2)
St-Pierre has been making it look easy for some time now in one of the deepest divisions in the UFC. He's successfully defended his welterweight title three consecutive times. He's putting his belt on the line against British striker Dan Hardy at UFC 111 on March 27.
2. Anderson Silva (UFC) — (25-4)
After what many called lackluster performances against Patrick Cote and Thales Leites, Silva reminded everyone why he is still the most dangerous striker in the world with a thorough dismantling of Forrest Griffin at UFC 101. He has yet to lose a fight in the UFC.
1. Fedor Emelianenko (Strikeforce) — (31-1, 1 NC)
After roughly a decade in MMA, Emelianenko is still at the top of his game. Had it not been for a controversial stoppage due to a cut early in his career his record would be unblemished. He has simply done it better and longer than anyone else on the list.
Manny Pacquiao to fight Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium - News - FOX Sports on MSN
Manny Pacquiao to fight Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium - News - FOX Sports on MSN
Manny Pacquiao will fight March 13 at Cowboys Stadium, but it won't be against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
FOX SPORTS POLL My interest in a Pacquiao-Clottey bout is ... Very high High Average Low None
A spokesman for Pacquiao's promoter says the fighter will take on Joshua Clottey at the new $1.2 billion stadium in a welterweight bout. The fight was finalized Sunday after contentious negotiations for a megafight with Mayweather fell apart over a dispute over blood testing.
Promoter Bob Arum was in Texas over the weekend to wrap up details for the fight, which will be the first boxing match in the stadium. Spokesman Lee Samuels said the stadium will be scaled to seat 50,000 for the fight.
Clottey is coming off a split decision loss to Miguel Cotto in June. Cotto went on to fight Pacquiao, losing when the fight was stopped in the final round.
Manny Pacquiao will fight March 13 at Cowboys Stadium, but it won't be against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
FOX SPORTS POLL My interest in a Pacquiao-Clottey bout is ... Very high High Average Low None
A spokesman for Pacquiao's promoter says the fighter will take on Joshua Clottey at the new $1.2 billion stadium in a welterweight bout. The fight was finalized Sunday after contentious negotiations for a megafight with Mayweather fell apart over a dispute over blood testing.
Promoter Bob Arum was in Texas over the weekend to wrap up details for the fight, which will be the first boxing match in the stadium. Spokesman Lee Samuels said the stadium will be scaled to seat 50,000 for the fight.
Clottey is coming off a split decision loss to Miguel Cotto in June. Cotto went on to fight Pacquiao, losing when the fight was stopped in the final round.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Pacquiao sues Mayweathers for defamation - Boxing - Yahoo! Sports
Pacquiao sues Mayweathers for defamation - Boxing - Yahoo! Sports
Boxer Manny Pacquiao made good on his threat and filed a defamation lawsuit against rival Floyd Mayweather Jr., as well as members of Mayweather’s family, his team and Golden Boy Promotions for allegations he says they’ve made that he uses or has used performance enhancing substances.
Despite the federal suit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas, promoters on both sides of the heated dispute say it doesn’t necessarily kill the fight.
Pacquiao and Mayweather, widely considered the two best fighters in the world, are close to a deal to fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on March 13 in what is expected to be the largest-grossing bout in history.
But the fight has come aground following a request by Mayweather that Pacquiao submit to Olympic-style drug testing that would be administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and which would include random blood and urine draws.
Pacquiao has agreed to submit to any testing requested by the Nevada Athletic Commission, which has regulatory jurisdiction over the fight, including random blood and urine draws. He has balked at agreeing to any outside agency.
His attorney, Daniel Petrocelli, said he felt the odds of a jury being empanelled and the case moving forward are “extremely high.”
“The statements the defendants made are absolutely false and nothing is more damaging to an athlete than to accuse him or her of cheating,” Petrocelli said in a telephone interview.
“Anyone who knows Manny is fully aware that he is one of the hardest-working athletes in the world, he prepares endlessly and his successes are the results of hard work and natural talent. As a result, he had no choice but to respond to these allegations legally.”
The suit names as defendants Mayweather; his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr.; his uncle and lead trainer, Roger Mayweather; Mayweather Promotions, his promotional company; Richard Schaefer, chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions.
The suit says “Golden Boy, Schaefer, de la Hoya, and the Mayweathers conspired to destroy Pacquiao’s reputation and call into question his victories over Golden Boy fighters, his career in general, and his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time.”
Schaefer declined Wednesday to react to the suit and said his attorneys would respond appropriately. Mayweather attorney John Hornewer said he advises the fighter in boxing-related matters only, would not be involved in defending the lawsuit and had no comment on it.
However, Schaefer did say that he remains hopeful that despite the suit and despite the vitriol between the sides that a deal can be salvaged and the fight still be held as planned. He said he has turned negotiations on Mayweather’s side over to Bruce Binkow, Golden Boy’s chief marketing officer. Top Rank president Todd duBoef is negotiating with Binkow on behalf of Pacquiao.
“I still hope that somehow a compromise can be found and that this fight can be saved,” Schaefer said. “I fully realize that this fight not happening is not only a big blow for the fight but it has much bigger, much more serious ramifications. I don’t even want to think about what’s next for Floyd, what this, what that.
“I want to exhaust any and all possibilities to get the fight done. Everything I have is going into finding a way to make this fight and getting a compromise that is acceptable to all parties.”
Arum said he is no longer considering Paulie Malignaggi as an alternative opponent for Pacquiao on March 13. He said he did research and discovered that few believe Malignaggi would have been a credible opponent.
Instead, Arum said if a Mayweather fight can’t be made, he’ll try to finalize a deal for a fight between Pacquiao and Yuri Foreman, who holds a super welterweight belt and who is promoted by Top Rank.
“Our preference if we go to Foreman would still be to fight March 13 at the MGM, but if there were another event on that night, we could go to March 20 at the Thomas & Mack (in Las Vegas),” Arum said.
But Arum said he’s still agreeable to a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight if Mayweather’s side will agree to all the testing be administered by the Nevada commission.
Pacquiao submitted a urine sample on Thursday morning Manila time, Arum said, at the request of the Nevada commission.
He said that if Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada commission, ordered any subsequent tests, Pacquiao would submit to them.
“All they have to do is to agree that the testing and everything else in this fight is under the jurisdiction of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and we will have a deal,” Arum said. “Kizer is the regulator in charge of this fight and Manny would comply with any request he made, as he always has.”
Boxer Manny Pacquiao made good on his threat and filed a defamation lawsuit against rival Floyd Mayweather Jr., as well as members of Mayweather’s family, his team and Golden Boy Promotions for allegations he says they’ve made that he uses or has used performance enhancing substances.
Despite the federal suit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas, promoters on both sides of the heated dispute say it doesn’t necessarily kill the fight.
Pacquiao and Mayweather, widely considered the two best fighters in the world, are close to a deal to fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on March 13 in what is expected to be the largest-grossing bout in history.
But the fight has come aground following a request by Mayweather that Pacquiao submit to Olympic-style drug testing that would be administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and which would include random blood and urine draws.
Pacquiao has agreed to submit to any testing requested by the Nevada Athletic Commission, which has regulatory jurisdiction over the fight, including random blood and urine draws. He has balked at agreeing to any outside agency.
His attorney, Daniel Petrocelli, said he felt the odds of a jury being empanelled and the case moving forward are “extremely high.”
“The statements the defendants made are absolutely false and nothing is more damaging to an athlete than to accuse him or her of cheating,” Petrocelli said in a telephone interview.
“Anyone who knows Manny is fully aware that he is one of the hardest-working athletes in the world, he prepares endlessly and his successes are the results of hard work and natural talent. As a result, he had no choice but to respond to these allegations legally.”
The suit names as defendants Mayweather; his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr.; his uncle and lead trainer, Roger Mayweather; Mayweather Promotions, his promotional company; Richard Schaefer, chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions.
The suit says “Golden Boy, Schaefer, de la Hoya, and the Mayweathers conspired to destroy Pacquiao’s reputation and call into question his victories over Golden Boy fighters, his career in general, and his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time.”
Schaefer declined Wednesday to react to the suit and said his attorneys would respond appropriately. Mayweather attorney John Hornewer said he advises the fighter in boxing-related matters only, would not be involved in defending the lawsuit and had no comment on it.
However, Schaefer did say that he remains hopeful that despite the suit and despite the vitriol between the sides that a deal can be salvaged and the fight still be held as planned. He said he has turned negotiations on Mayweather’s side over to Bruce Binkow, Golden Boy’s chief marketing officer. Top Rank president Todd duBoef is negotiating with Binkow on behalf of Pacquiao.
“I still hope that somehow a compromise can be found and that this fight can be saved,” Schaefer said. “I fully realize that this fight not happening is not only a big blow for the fight but it has much bigger, much more serious ramifications. I don’t even want to think about what’s next for Floyd, what this, what that.
“I want to exhaust any and all possibilities to get the fight done. Everything I have is going into finding a way to make this fight and getting a compromise that is acceptable to all parties.”
Arum said he is no longer considering Paulie Malignaggi as an alternative opponent for Pacquiao on March 13. He said he did research and discovered that few believe Malignaggi would have been a credible opponent.
Instead, Arum said if a Mayweather fight can’t be made, he’ll try to finalize a deal for a fight between Pacquiao and Yuri Foreman, who holds a super welterweight belt and who is promoted by Top Rank.
“Our preference if we go to Foreman would still be to fight March 13 at the MGM, but if there were another event on that night, we could go to March 20 at the Thomas & Mack (in Las Vegas),” Arum said.
But Arum said he’s still agreeable to a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight if Mayweather’s side will agree to all the testing be administered by the Nevada commission.
Pacquiao submitted a urine sample on Thursday morning Manila time, Arum said, at the request of the Nevada commission.
He said that if Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada commission, ordered any subsequent tests, Pacquiao would submit to them.
“All they have to do is to agree that the testing and everything else in this fight is under the jurisdiction of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and we will have a deal,” Arum said. “Kizer is the regulator in charge of this fight and Manny would comply with any request he made, as he always has.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)