Trader Joe’s Does Organic Right

I went shopping at Trader Joe’s the other night, and discovered a whole new type of grocery store. Granted I’d been in different ones a few times before, but I had never shopped there MYSELF. I went with a friend who is a vegetarian and swears by the chain. They have many different items that are organic, tasty, and also good for you. I picked up some ‘…this ___ walks into a bar’ cereal bars, which are organic, low in fat, and only 140 yummy calories a bar. I left the blank there because they come in different flavors. You can buy them in fig, strawberry, apple, and blueberry. I opened a box of the apple ones today and ate a bar for a snack. I must say, they are delicious! And not what you’ve come to expect from typical ‘filling’ in cereal bars, that use all those atrificial ingredients. I’ve had other cereal bars, and these by far are the best. Trader Joe’s also has a section of nutrition and energy bars. I also bought some Luna bars for women, and liked them so much I’d buy a whole box of them in Peanut Butter Cookie. The Trader Joe’s green and white iced tea with mint is also satisfying and refreshing, and is 0 calories per glass. Another item I bought was the Organic Honey & Oats cereal. Haven’t had that yet, but I’m sure it’s just as good. I’ll have it for breakfast tomorrow morning when I get in from work. Check out what Trader Joe’s has to offer at www.traderjoes.com, or visit one of their locations closest to you. For more information on Luna bars, go to www.lunabar.com.

                             

Mattingly May Be Best Choice

Don Mattingly, who has been the New York Yankees hitting coach for the past four years, and became Joe Torre’s bench coach this past season, seems to be the front runner to become new Yankees manager for next season. He visited with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner yesterday in Tampa, FL. Now that Torre is out of the picture, Steinbrenner has his sights set on Mattingly, as well as Joe Girardi who is now employed by the Florida Marlins. Tony Pena is supposed to be interviewed later today. In an article published today by the New York Post, Mattingly stated, ‘I played for the man (Steinbrenner) and coached for the man. This is a new situation and I spoke from the heart about how I feel.’ I think the Yankees would be making the right decision in choosing Mattingly because he is familiar with the franchise first hand. He also played a major role in the Yankees success over the years, and is a six time All-Star first baseman who won the 1985 AL MVP award. Mattingly has also expressed that he’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. Also shoved aside is the notion that Mattingly can’t fill Torre’s shoes, or isn’t ready for the new position. He seems to be welcoming the idea with open arms.

Donnie Bravo.

Investment Bidding War Over Facebook

Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook, can put on his happy ‘face’ now that huge conglomerates Microsoft and Google are in competition for investment rights over the second most popular social networking site. Second to, none other than MySpace, of course. A deal is expected to be reached in about 24-48 hours. Each company is vying to take a stake of between 5-10% in the site. Whichever company wins the bid, will not only become a part of the company, but will also hold hundreds of millions of dollars in  potential advertising revenue. According to an article in today’s New York Post, ‘Facebook is currently searching for a way to monetize the traffic on its site, with the company planning to make an online advertising announcement on November 6.’ May the best company win.

When I grow up, I want to be a self-made billionaire.

Squidbillies DVD Release

This outlandish cartoon series is hardly for kids, but is targeted toward adults who tune in late night to [adult swim] on the Cartoon Network, also home to the popular Aquateen Hunger Force. The volume one DVD was released on October 16th, and is available to be purchased for $29.98 SRP. This will include a 2-DVD set featuring twenty episodes. Also included are the original pilots, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, a featurette on how the show is made, and much more. So if you’re a fan of the [adult swim] shows, go out and buy this DVD set. Squidbillies definitely keeps their late night cartoon television ‘trash’ reputation going strong.

Proof that hillbilly squids too, can be successful.

Dogs Rule.

Pedigree dog food has a few new television and print ads out right now that are both cute and informative; a fine tribute to our four legged friends. They depict different breeds of dogs doing certain activities in the television commercials, while explaining how the dog food works in the dog’s favor, followed by the new slogan: dogs rule. The newest commercial that I’ve seen has a dachshund in it, with a voice-over, which is supposed to be the dog, telling someone to rub his belly. The dog wants someone to rub his belly because the point is to see how soft the coat is from eating Pedigree dog food.  The print ads feature dogs and explain how they’re loyal creatures and deserve the love and respect, as well as humanity, that they give to us. I’ve been to the website, and it has all kinds of different features. You can read about the ingredients Pedigree uses in their dog food for puppies, adult dogs, and overweight dogs. Not only are ingredients listed, but the amount you should be feeding the dog as well. You can buy merchandise, view the print ads as well as television commercial clips, get wallpaper for your computer, sign up for the newsletter, learn about promotions, and make donations. Visit www.dogsrule.com and take a look around. Buy your dog some food, buy yourself some merchandise. Or just see what you can do to help out dogs in your community. I love my doggies, even though one belongs to my mother, and the other my older sister. I love them as if they were my own. And we feed them Pedigree. Only the best for the best.

Of course ‘Dogs Rule.’ Duh.

I HEART Nano

I just got the new iPod Nano not too long ago, and absolutely love it. I’m new to the whole iPod thing, when everyone else had theirs years ago. Yeah, it took awhile for me to catch on, but now I see what the craze was all about. I can download music videos, music, television shows, and movies. It has a larger screen for viewing, and a more compact, small wide-body. It’s much different in appearance compared to the original Nano that was long and thin like the Samsung UpStage phone. I never have to go bored again on the train, or while on a long road trip. I never have to wonder what to do on my break at work. All I have to do is take out my Nano and entertain myself for a good hour or so. I currently only have seasons one and two of my favorite show downloaded on mine, South Of Nowhere. I gladly purchased season one, which had ten episodes, for $14.99. I paid $19.99 for season two, which had 12 episodes. Not bad, if I do say so myself. I’m now addicted to iTunes and want to buy all the movies and shows I like off if it. The only problem is, the Nano only holds so much. It’s Apple’s newest version of the iPod series of multi-media players, and it’s the cutest thing. It’s smaller than an actual iPod, the original, and comes in five different colors. I have the blue one. The sound quality is amazing, the picture is clear and brighter. You can buy one at Best Buy for $199.oo right now, which has 8GB. They also have a model that has less gigabytes, for $140.oo. Go check them out for yourself, at www.bestbuy.com, or www.apple.com. For all that’s new and available for download, go to www.itunes.com. Of course, if you have the iPod you know this already…You must download iTunes into your computer and plug the adapter into your system in order to get the songs, television shows, or movies into the iPod. But don’t worry, just use your booklet as a guide.

Brighter Display

iPod nano sports a larger, 320-by-240-resolution display that’s 65 percent brighter than before.

Newly Redesigned

In anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel, iPod nano is now 6.5 mm thin and even more beautiful.

I was here first. - The original Nano.

 

I’m the baby, gotta love me.

Trans-Fat Free, But Good Taste Remains

One thing I was worried about when restaurants decided to cut trans-fats from menu items, was the compromising of good taste. Surprisingly, I haven’t really tasted the difference. I visit places such as Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and KFC, and I can’t even tell that they’ve cut down on the artery clogging ingredient. The french fries still have that signature taste we all love, but the only real difference seems to be the salt factor. I’ve noticed less salt on french fries, as well as a blander taste as a result. The Wendy’s fries aren’t as soggy as before, either. I remember going to Wendy’s and sighing in disgust almost every single time because I wasn’t satisfied with the quality of my fries. The burgers pretty much still taste the same as well. I just had the new McDonald’s angus beef burger. I enjoyed it a lot, and it actually tasted like a burger you’d get at an actual ’sit down’ restaurant. I usually like to get my burgers from Burger King if I’m pressed for time and need a meal on the go. I would choose them over McDonald’s any day. My reason for this is, their burgers seem more ‘real’ to me. Maybe it’s because they use different grilling techniques, and their burgers are flame broiled. I recently had KFC after a long hiatus, and found that the chicken was just as crunchy and flavorful, and the sides seemed just as good without the trans-fat. Whatever the case may be, even if trans-fat has been cut from the menu items we got so accustomed to, there really isn’t a noticeable difference. So go out and eat, and eat up!

I didn’t get paid to cameo in this blog. - Shake

Beyonce To Promote New Samsung ‘B-Phone’ Ultra Music F300

Samsung has teamed up with Beyonce to promote the new model SGH-F300 cellphone. This model looks the same as the UpStage and is the same concept, but comes with a few different features. Ultra Music, the name for this whole partnership campaign and phone, will feature Beyonce in tv commercials, advertisements, global concert tours, different co-promotional activities and include her hit ‘Irreplaceable’ embedded in the phone when purchased. Talk about an incentive. Actually, if I hear that song one more time, I think I might…Anyway, that’s besides the point. I think Samsung might be onto something, here. They have one of the most successful singers out right now promoting an ultra cool product, and featuring it in a new color, purple. The new color option isn’t the only good thing about this phone. It also has music playing capabilities, with unmatched and almost perfect sound quality. ‘It is equipped with a digital power amp and offers a dedicated music user interface for a quick and easy way to navigate through the play list. In addition, the Ultra Music F300 includes a stereo FM radio and a Quick PC Sync function, allowing users to easily create and organize their music library. Samsung’s Ultra Music F300 is still rich in extra features consumers have come to expect, including a 2.0 mega-pixel camera, and microSD slot for memory expansion - all of this in an extremely portable 9.4 mm slim profile.’

‘Geesung Choi, President of Samsung Electronics’ Telecommunication Business, explained: “The Ultra Music is the perfect solution for all music lovers on the move. The combination of superior sound quality, dedicated user-friendly music controls, and mobile phone features will drive today’s music phone segment.”

He added: “Samsung is thrilled to be working with Beyonce because we share a lot in common - both have strong passion for music, video and entertainment, and are considered icons in our respective industries. We both aspire to deliver seamless satisfaction, bring music to life”.’

Well said. So be on the lookout for this phone in purple. Makes me wish I had waited to buy my phone, because I have the Samsung UpStage in red. Oh well, figures. They always come out with something new once I make a big purchase. Just my luck.

To the left, to the left. My phone is to the left.
 

Pucker Up

So, I get to be shallow every once in awhile, and write about celebrity mishaps. For Britney Spears, though, mishaps happen on a daily basis. This time, rebellion comes in the form of collagin lip injections. Is she an attention seeker or what? I feel sorry for her losing her kids and all. But come on now, she needs to shape up or she’ll never see those kids again. She needs to show improvement, and want to get the help she so desperately needs at this point, so she can be seen as a fit mother. I’m not one to criticize or judge, but she looks a mess, and is acting like one. My message to Britney Spears: This is your wake up call! She has a new album out in November, and already has a single released, ‘Gimme More,’ which is currently on the charts at number three. So a comeback right now is not a complete impossibility. I think she has it in her. She just has to want it ENOUGH. I think once she, and everyone else, puts the VMA performance behind them, then she can get on with her career. Until then, the demons will continue to haunt her.

‘Gimme More’ lip.

Drum Mania!

Nothing gets me more excited than going to the music store. I’m not talking about some mom and pop hole in the wall that only sells brass instruments and pianos. I’m talking about Sam Ash, or Guitar Center, with axes lining the walls from top to bottom, drum sets put on showcase. I walk in, and it’s like a kid in the candy store. I want! I want! My first initial response is to walk over to the drum sets and drum room. I’m disappointed lately because they only have digital drum sets to play in replacement of actual acoustic drum sets. I mean, I’ll play them. I have to get my fix somehow. But come on! Nothing beats a nice, tight acoustic set with a serious sounding bass drum for a real kicker. I’ve been shopping around, and doing my homework, because I’m looking to sell my beginner’s kit, and upgrade to something more, well…mature. Not only that, but my bass drum has this horrible echo and reverb when pounded. I’m looking for that full, satisfying sound that only a real drummer knows about. So only certain sets will do, and catch my eye. Not only does the set have to be aesthetically pleasing, but I also consider the quality to be of utmost importance as well. Right now I’m into brands such as ddrum, PDP, and TAMA. I plan on getting my new set rather soon, and I can’t wait. It’s actually a necessity for me to have a workable and reliable kit now that I’m auditioning for different bands. Keep it here for what I decide to buy. I’m even wondering myself what I’ll end up with. If you’re a music nut as well as a musician (they actually go hand in hand), go to Sam Ash’s website to check out their new gear (www.samash.com), or go to Guitar Center’s site (www.guitarcenter.com). Happy playing, and buying!

Decisions, decisions.

Fragrance Must-Haves

Some fragrances to be considered worthy of sharing a space on your dresser or beauty console may come as a surprise. For those of you who have an undeniable taste for the wood, spice, and floral scents, you have a lot to choose from this season. With designers and celebrities alike coming out with a whole lot of new scents, they’re yours for the picking. My top choice right now, believe it or not, is Britney Spears ‘Believe’ (no pun intended). It’s a playful scent, that packs a subtle punch. It’s floral, yet spicy enough for a night out on the town. Another favorite of mine is ‘Nina’ by Nina Ricci.  This scent lingers, and in a good way. It’ll make you more than happy to be smelling yourself all day. Others might even thank you, as well. ‘Nina’ is a fruity scent, with a spicy mixture. Other scents worthy of mention are Dolce & Gabbana ‘The One,’ Mariah Carey ‘M,’ Diesel ‘Fuel For Life’ men and women’s, Burberry ‘Brit’ for men, Hugo Boss ‘Hugo’ for men, Kenneth Cole ‘RSVP,’ Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. label’s ’L,’ and DKNY ‘Delicious Night.’ Wear any of these, and you’re bound to make tails wag and heads spin. Most are available at your local department stores. Try Macy’s (www.macys.com), or Douglas Cosmetics (www.douglascosmetics.com).

                    

‘Believe’ in me.

 

 ’Nina’ in a bottle.

 

‘L.A.M.B.’ in wolve’s clothing.

‘The One’ and only.

                

Infection Control

My concern at the moment is this anti-biotic resistant strain of bacteria called MRSA. Apparently, it’s becoming more of an epidemic here in the tri-state area of New York and Connecticut. Some students have recently been diagnosed with the serious infection. Some warning signs are fever, and blotchy, pimple like sores on the skin. This usually happens when the bacteria enters the system from an open cut or wound on the skin. We naturally have certain bacterias on our skin that the body reacts to and fights off without notice. Someone with a healthy immune system usually can avoid any signs or symptoms of an infection. But when an infection such as MRSA enters the system, the particular strain cannot be fought with anti-biotics, which makes it harmful, and sometimes deadly. Ways to avoid any type of infection is to always wash your hands. This is the best defense against any virus or infection. Another thing to avoid is wearing another person’s clothing, and having contact with a person’s skin or clothing who may have a virus or infection. If you happen to have a cut or open wound, cover it up or bandage it until it heals. Everyone should be aware of this fast growing epidemic, and take the precautionary measures in order to prevent the spread of this infection.

 

We’re microscopic, and you can’t stop us.

South Of Nowhere Takes A Break

I am so addicted to this show, as is everyone else I speak to about it. I just can’t get enough, and am incredibly sad that it is now on a hiatus until February of next year. Last year’s season left fans wondering what happend in the aftermath of the prom night shooting. I’m not here to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen the show since then. But I promise you you’re in for plenty of surprises. Epsiodes from season three, which is the current season, can be viewed at www.the-n.com under ‘The Click.’ I’ve watched them, and have been rooting for Spencer and Ashley to get back together. Since I hadn’t seen season one or two at all, I sought out ways to be able to view them from the internet. When I found out I could download them from iTunes, I immediately went out and bought myself the new iPod Nano so I could have them all to myself for whenever I wanted to watch the past episodes. So yes, I am without a doubt a diehard fan. Never have a I watched a show where it totally engrossed me in the plot. The acting is great, and not sappy or typical of a teenage drama. And the show deals with real issues that teens and adults face in everyday life, and deals with them with humility and tact.

Long live South Of Nowhere. I hope it sticks around for many more seasons. I recently found out that season four will begin next August. I already can’t wait, and season three hasn’t even finished yet!

‘Spashley.’ What a combination.

Tila Tequila Has A ‘Shot’ At Success On New Reality Show

Tila Tequila, self proclaimed sex siren of MySpace, and who also models for a living, has found a new home for herself doing a  reality show on MTV called A Shot At Love. This is another reality based television show with a little bit of a twist. Tequila reveals a secret to her male and female contestents . Early on in one of the episodes, she has the men and women come together without them knowing exactly what’s going on. She then claims that she’s been meaning to tell them all something…that she’s ‘bisexual.’  The response is most definitely filled with mixed emotions. Male egos get in the way, and the females are grossed out that guys are involved, and feel she should be with a woman. And so the drama ensues. I guess MTV thought this would make for interesting television. It certainly is a switch from VH1′S Flavor Of Love with Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav, and Rock Of Love with Bret Michaels of Poison fame. Tequila herself proclaims that this show is ‘the ultimate battle of the sexes,’ and that this show is ‘like the Real World on crack.’ To my surprise, Tequila actually seems to have some brains. I didn’t really know much about her before this show aired. But when she speaks, she does seem to have things well thought out, and actually seems to take an interest in her contestant’s feelings. What’s puzzling to me about all of these reality shows with ‘famous’ people, is that they can’t find someone on their own to date. What do they expect to find when casting for these types of shows anyway? Most people do it just to get on television, and to get the exposure. Most are hungry for their own fame. How can someone expect to find love while filming a televison show? That’s why whoever gets picked rarely stays dating the ‘celebrity.’ Most of these shows feature washed up has beens, which says a lot. Tequila wasn’t even that well known until she did this show, afterall. We’ll see what happens. It’s my new guilty pleasure. So, whether you tune in or tune out, keep it here for updates.

 

Hit me with your best ‘Shot.’

www.tila.mtv.com

Hoops and YoYo Bring The Cuteness

These two little cartoon characters are cute as can be, and marketable as well. I first discovered them when my girlfriend sent me an e-card from Hallmark. Apparently, they are featured on many different e-cards that you can send out. They have e-cards for birthdays, get well, christmas, special occasions, and just because. I wanted to find out more about them, and where they originated from. What I found, was that they have different products available to purchase, as well as their own blog. They have Hoops and YoYo stuffed animals, bags, and more. If you want to see more of Hoops and YoYo, go to www.hoopsandyoyo.com, or send out an e-card featuring this dynamic duo at www.hallmark.com.