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April 2008
What would you do to break a world record?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Magician David Blaine broke the Guinness World Record on April 20 for breath-holding — 17 minutes, 4 seconds.
His “lifelong dream” was captured during a broadcast of the “Oprah Winfrey Show.” (FULL STORY)
But is this self-imposed “oxygen hyperventilation” too far to go for a world record? What would you do to claim a record-breaking feat?
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Listen, would I lie to you?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I think that dress looks fab on you.
Really, would I lie?
There are times we’ve all be less than truthful - to avoid hurting someone’s feelings or to stay out of trouble. The truth, however, always surfaces.
Today is National Honesty Day, which is set aside to raise awareness about the importance of being honest. According to several internet sites, the day was established by M. Hirsh Goldberg, an author and former press secretary to a governor of Maryland.
Can you be totally honest for a day? When is it OK to tell to bend the truth?
Has honesty ever gotten you in trouble? Share your stories, but keep it clean.
Honestly.
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Six Flags ticket price takes plunge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While the cost of food and fuel is going up, the price of fun is going down.
Six Flags Over Georgia on Tuesday announced a $10 price cut for a regular adult admission ticket — from $49.99 to $39.99. The price reduction is for the rest of the 2008 season.
The Cobb County amusement park — home to 10 roller coasters including Superman: Ultimate Flight and The Great American Scream Machine — is currently open weekends. Full time operations are May 23 through Aug. 10.
For full schedule, www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.
For more metro Atlanta events, check out accessAtlanta.
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Flavor of Love: And then there were three
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I know I’ve poured plenty of Hatorade on the Thing Twins these last few weeks, but I actually felt bad for Thing 2, last night’s most recent casualty on the Flavor of Love.
After Flav gave her twin the boot the previous week, this week was her turn, thanks to the backstabbing efforts of Sinceer.
Speaking of Sinceer, the drunk doesn’t fall far from the bottle, judging from her father’s behavior when he, as well as the parents of most of the girls came to meet Flav. I can see why she has that sedated, mean-looking stupor all the time because he apparently has an appreciation for the sauce, too.
I thought for sure Flav would have kept Thing 2 around after meeting her parents. They all seemed to get along and vibed well together.
Seezinz’s parents looked like Cliff and Clair Huxtable and it was clear their grilling of Flav and his intentions toward their daughter was getting on his nerves. But what I thought saved her is her classiness and that fact that she is — or seems to be — the “nice” girl you can bring home to Mom. (In fact, Flav’s mom joined the girls, their parents and her son for dinner. And in case you were wondering, they look exactly alike except she’s about two feet shorter.)
That left Black, the only one of the girls whose family didn’t show. She claimed her mom couldn’t come because she was fighting a custody battle and her grandparents were to old to travel. I think they didn’t want to be the laughing stock of their hometown. I mean, as much as I enjoy the guilty pleasures of some reality TV, if I received a call from any one of them about being on one of those shows, I’d say no, too. Black is pretty to look at, but I didn’t think she brought anything to Flav.
So going into the final three, I thought it would be Seezinz, Thing 2 and Sinceer. Instead, it is Black, Seezinz and Sinceer.
I think Sinceer will sink her fangs into Black next and neutralize her. I predict the final two will be Seezinz and Sinceer a good ol’ fashioned battle of good vs. evil.
Of course, they’ll be duking it out next week in where else? Paris, the city of love, the city of light. The Parisians won’t know what hit them.
What do you think? Are you surprised at who made the top three? Who do you think will take the whole kit and kaboodle?
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What are you doing with your rebate check?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Get ready for those stimulus rebate checks from Uncle Sam. They’ll be distributed on a staggered basis electronically if you have direct deposit or through the mail if the IRS sends you a paper check tax refund.
When you actually receive it is based on the last two digits of your Social Security number and if your tax return was processed by April 15. Those with direct deposit should expect to see their electronic deposits between April 28 and May 16. Those who receive paper checks will get their stimulus rebates beginning May 16 on through July. Here’s the link for specific dates when you can expect yours:
I know the president is hoping to kick start the economy by encouraging us to spend that money since consumers account for about two-thirds of economic activity. But a lot of my friends plan to park that money in the bank for their rainy-day funds or pay down bills. Mine is already accounted for. I’ll be spending it overseas during my upcoming holiday — good for France’s economy but not necessarily helpful to the USA’s economic malaise as President Bush is hoping.
So what to do?
Scott Martin, a senior associate of the Henssler Financial Group, a Kennesaw-based money management firm with $1.22 billion in assets under advisement, suggests the following:
Begin by investing in or starting a retirement account (think Roth or Traditional IRA). You might be able to have your rebate check deposited directly into your retirement account.
Save for university. OK, so $300 or $600 may not even pay for a semester’s worth of text books but, again, if you invest early, particularly in a state sponsored 529 college savings plan, you can build up that tuition money to finance your kids’ college bills later on. There also are some tax advantages, too. In the Georgia sponsored 529 plan, that money grows tax-deferred and when you pull it out if you use it for a qualified educational expense, it’s tax free, too.
Invest in yourself. You could use that money toward taking a class or two in your field, or get a certificate in your line of work. Beefing up or broadening your skills could make you more attractive internally if your company is looking to cut positions or more marketable to a new employer. There also are potential tax deductions for education-related expenses
Put money away for a rainy day fund. “A lot of people are living their lives hoping it doesn’t rain,” he says. He acknowledges that not everyone can sock away three to six months living expenses away in one fell swoop. What you can do is build toward a short-term goal. Perhaps but away enough money — using your tax rebate as the catalyst — so that you have one month’s mortgage payment saved. Then make your next goal to be twice that. Whatever you decide to save, just make sure you do it regularly either on a weekly or monthly basis. “Whether it’s $5 a week or $5 a month its starting the habit to save. That’s what important.”
Pay off your debt. But if you don’t have a retirement account, set that up first. Then pay off your debt. If you have a retirement account but don’t have a rainy fund, he advises to pay off the debt first before saving for emergencies, unless you’re disciplined enough to do a little bit of both by not making more charges to your credit cards.
Have you received your check? What it the amount you expected? More or less? What do you plan to do with the money?
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Star Jones is dating whom?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First it was “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Longoria and San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker. Then pop star Jessica Simpson and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo paired up.
Now reports say that Star Jones has found her own star athlete. And the (ahem) lucky guy is? Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
Newspapers such as the Detroit Free Press as
well as radio host Patty
Jackson say the couple
is dating. The news first
hit the streets last week when gossip site Mediatakeout.com reported that the 46-year-old TV
personality had been picking up Wade after Miami’s home games. Maybe he mistook her for his mom — she is 20 years older.
Both Jones and Wade are on the rebound — Jones recently filed for divorce from her husband, banker Al Reynolds, while Wade and his wife, Siobhan, have been separated for close to a year — so it’s conceivable the two could be together. Then again, so is the idea of pigs flying.
So what do you think? Does the thought of Jones with Wade, or anyone, make you throw up in your mouth a little bit? Or does that cougar deserve a pat on the back for landing such a marketable sports star? And what could he possibly be thinking?
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Should wild animals be kept in captivity?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A 700-pound grizzly bear named Rocky, who recently appeared in the Will Ferrell sports comedy “Semi-Pro,” attacked and killed a California trainer Tuesday during the filming of an advertisement. (Click here for the story.) Some animal rights groups use incidents such as this to support their argument that wild animals shouldn’t be kept in captivity. What’s your take on the issue? For zoo workers and other animal caretakers, is the risk of being attacked just an occupational hazard? Or should the animals not be kept in captivity in the first place?
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Delta reports $6.4 billion loss
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta Air Lines reported a $6.4 billion loss in the first quarter, due to a huge jump in fuel prices and a decline in the carrier’s market value.
The airline lost $274 million, or 69 cents a share, in the first quarter in its day-to-day operations, according to an article by AJC reporter Jim Tharpe. Analysts expected a loss of 49 cents a share, excluding one-time items.
But Delta, which recently announced plans to merge with Northwest Airlines, also reported a $6.1 billion non-cash charge relating to the decline in Delta’s market value due to sustained record fuel prices.
Delta, like other carriers, is also worried about a weak economy, which could cut into passenger demand.
What do you think about the latest news from Delta? Are higher ticket prices making you rethink flying? Are you an employee and worried about your job?
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What do you think of Clinton win?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sen. Hillary Clinton won Pennsylvania and is back in the game. What do you think of the victory? Will it make a difference in the long run? What is your prediction for the next few weeks?
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Flavor Flav chops down Tree
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The “Tree” was chopped down. Flavor Flav apparently can’t share the spotlight so Tree, who apparently has modeled for magazines and tried out for the “America’s Next Top Model” reality show, had to be axed.
It’s funny how prickly some of these used-to-be-big stars always get bent out of shape of when, in their attempt to extend their 15 minutes of fame, someone else tries to ride their coattails.
So of course, Tree had to leave the mansion. He also didn’t like her talking about the ghetto in a negative light because he felt she was being “uppity” and snooty. (Trust me Flav, you don’t need help in putting anyone in a negative light. The mouth grille, Crayola colored pimp suits and near-minstrel like antics are doing a great job. But it’s entertaining.)
So even though Sinceer is a conniving, back-stabbing, alien-looking alcoholic of a creature, he kept her on, along with Black, Thing 2 (I’ll get to her in a second) and Seezinz.
No wonder he can’t find love, he’d rather be with a drunk than a woman who can at least hold a job and an intelligent conversation. And he seems to think he really can find love with these women, most of whom are out to further their careers.
Now to Thing 2. (I actually believe she is trying to find true love as ugly attracts ugly.) The poor girl obviously hasn’t experienced anything good in her life.
She got some alone time with the hardest working ugly man in the reality TV business and they ended up in a romantic kiss. I kept thinking, what if they got married and had a baby? That”s way too much ugly between those two for the baby to come out looking anything but.
Most women I know would rather drink battery acid before locking lips with Flavor Flav, but the desperate have no shame. She compared it with losing her maidenhood. If that’s the case, perhaps the ugly men of the world do have a chance.
What do you think? Was he right in letting Tree go? Was she too snooty?
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Can you go without TV for a week?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Can you go without your television fix for a week?
AJC reporter Jill Vejnoska writes about the Center for Screen-Time Awareness’ “TV Turnoff Week.”
The Washington, D.C.-based organization urges folks to take control “of the electronic media in their lives, not allowing it to control them,” according to its website.
On the surface, it seems pretty easy - go without the TV for a few days - but not if you’re addicted to “Top Chef” or a closet “Flavor of Love” fan. Can you go without a daily dose of Obama, Clinton and McCain on Fox and CNN? And thank God, “The Wire” ended it’s fifth season just in time!
Tell us, what shows can you go without and which ones require a step program for withdrawal?
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Have you become more green?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How (if at all) has your attitude towards conservation and Earth Day changed? Do you have any tips to help conserve more and maybe save a few bucks at the same time?
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Did you feel the Illinois quake?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake rocked Illinois Friday morning, and the rumbling was felt by people up to 450 miles away, including reports from Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Des Moines, Iowa. There were no reports of serious injuries.
The U.S. Geological Survey had recieved more than a dozen reports by 7:30 a.m. from metro Atlantans who felt the quake. Those reports came from Alpharetta, Suwanee, Cumming, Marietta, Canton, Lithia Springs, Hiram, Woodstock, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Buford and Atlanta. The quake was also felt in extreme North Georgia in Ringgold and Dawsonville, according to the USGS.
Did you feel the quake? If so, tell us about it.
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Have you had to choose between work and love?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Have you ever been in a dilemma because of the feeling in your heart versus the rules of the job?
That’s what’s happened to Georgia’s DOT board chairman Mike Evans, who was working with DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham. Evans announced today he will resign from the board because the two have developed a relationship.
No decision was made or announced on Abraham’s future with the department. Both are single.
Has anything similar ever happened to you? How did you deal with it? What would you do differently?
Post your stories here. Would you talk to a reporter about how you or people you’ve known have dealt with these delicate situations? If so, email Helena Oliviero at holiviero@ajc.com.
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Are you a ‘down-loader’ or ‘record-buyer’?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday, April 19, is Record Store Day, a national celebration with special events, sales, performances and limited edition releases available at indie music stores coast to coast (click here for more info).
Atlantans are lucky. We have quite a few remaining indie retailers (see Map), and to celebrate Record Store Day, Criminal Records in Little Five Points will give music lovers a day of live music that includes some of Atlanta’s best local talent.
So are you a “down-loader” and a “record-buyer” or exclusively one or the other? Do you visit our local independent record stores?
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What do you think of ‘upscale’ McDonald’s?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
McDonald’s appears to be following Starbucks’ successful “third-place” concept — making the store a customer’s preferred place to be after home and work, which it effected through comfy furniture, wi-fi and other domesticizing elements.
In Catherine Fox’s story “McDonald’s style makeover for the grown-ups,” Max Carmona, McDonald’s senior director for restaurant design, says the goal was to create “a younger, more relevant look.”
The new interiors include pendant lamps, bistro-style seating and fresh flowers in vases. But the most dramatic change is the disappearance of the double-mansard red roof, McDonald’s signature since 1969.
Take a look at photos of the remodeled McDonald’s in Dunwoody and tell us what you think.
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It’s tax D-Day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s tax D-Day. Have you filed your return yet?
Are you one of the many U.S. taxpayers who wait until the last minute to file? Or, do you plan to file an extension? Do you plan to leave work early to work on your returns? Still looking for paperwork?
If you’re getting a refund, how do you plan to spend the money? Will you owe?
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The Delta-Northwest merger: A view from two cities
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta and Minneapolis share a competitive history beyond the airline industry.
There was the legendary ‘91 World Series — with its extra innings and final at-bat victories — won by the Twins over the Braves. And the ‘98-99 NFC Championship, when the upstart Falcons stunned the Vikings in overtime.
Some see the Delta-Northwest merger as an Atlanta victory over Minneapolis. Others view it as both cities sharing a common future.
How do you see it? What would you — as an Atlantan — say to a Minneapolis resident about this latest episode involving our two cities?
Join in the Minneapolis Star Tribune blog discussion
See more merger coverage.
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Flavor Flav: Oops, there’s goes Thing 1
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I used to think being a star would be cool. Fame, perhaps some fortune and all the attention that came with it seemed like it could be a never-ending high of fun.
But then reality TV cured me of my desire for my 15 minutes of fame.
Last night’s installment of Flavor of Love reiterated that. No amount of fame or fortune is worth having all my business out there for the world to see.
Flav brought the ex-boyfriends of all the girls for a spill the beans about them in a bizarro version of the Newlywed Game.
We found out a few things: Prototype is the jealous type; Black is a psychopathic stalker (who among us hasn’t date one of those); Thing 1 is nasty, and Tree talks to God. (Of course, that begs the questions: Did God tell her to compete on Flavor of Love? Is a fan?) She’s also crazy, if her ex is to be believed.
And if that wasn’t drama enough, the twins — Thing 1 and Thing 2 — got into it with Seezinz, And where the Things go, Sinceer, the Klingon posing as a human woman, follows. She, too joined in the hijinx and ganged up on Seezinz (who, to be honest, did start some mess).
In the end, Seezinz showed some class and apologized to the Things — they refused to accept, of course. It didn’t matter, Flav got rid of Thing 1 because of her way-too-recent fling with her ex-boo, which was a bit to close to when she and her twin decided to vie for Flav’s heart.
He also told Prototype to hit the exit door. She apparently didn’t like all his drinking and smoking, which don’t seem all that bad considering he used to be a crack addict.
True, these women and many others on reality TV know by now that you pretty much open up your veins to publicly scrutiny and possible ridicule when you go on these shows. Still, it seems despite that, many want their chance to be water cooler and blob topics.
How about you? Would you want to be on a reality TV show? Would you want to star in your own? What would you call it? What wouldn’t you want revealed?
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Delta deals for Northwest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Who are the winners in the Delta-Northwest deal? Losers? Will this combination work? What does the new company need to do as first steps? As an air traveler, are you worried about how this will affect you? Have your say …
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Are young women taking over country scene?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Young women appear poised to take over today’s country music scene.
In a genre that’s been dominated by men of late (all five nominees for the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year were men this past year), the ladies seem to be ready to change that in the next generation, starting with the CMT Music Awards on Monday.
Taylor Swift, 18, won the night’s biggest category, Video of the Year, along with Female Video for her hit “Our Song” and said afterward: “I wrote that song in the 9th grade for a talent show.”
We’re sure Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Sugarland, who were all beaten out by Swift, were thrilled to hear that.
Meanwhile, former ‘American Idol’ contestant Kellie Pickler, 21, took home three awards — Breakthrough Video, Tearjerker Video and Performance of the Year for “I Wonder.”
And all of this took place in a show hosted by 15-year-old sensation Miley Cyrus (and her dad).
Do you think this is a one-time phenomenon, or are the women getting ready to take the reins away from the men for a while? Did you watch the show? What did you think of the festivities in general?
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Have you tried a meal delivery plan?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Want to control your portions but don’t know where to start? Dietitian-approved fresh-prepared meal programs such as Good Measure Meals and Fresh ‘n Fit Cuisine deliver calorie-calculated breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks to metro area customers hoping to lose weight, lower their cholesterol or simply eat and feel better. (Read the Better Health story Read about these plans.) Of course, fresh meals delivered to your door can’t be cheap. That would make it too good to be true, right? These plans starts at about $20 a day when you begin with a few weeks of meals. The Better Health Tryout Team put Good Meaure Meals and Fresh ‘n Fit Cuisine to the test. Read their thoughts on each.
Have you tried the local or national meal delivery programs? If so, what did you think?
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Mariah Carey releases 11th studio album Tuesday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mariah Carey, the singer known for her glass-shattering high notes, wetsuit-tight minidresses and one very public career meltdown, has a new album in stores Tuesday. It’s called “E=MC2” but has nothing to do with frizzy-haired physicists. In this case the equation stands for the “emancipation of Mariah Carey to the second power”; you can’t produce those results in a lab, but still, we’re glad her emancipation is still going strong since her last album.
Relatively speaking, of course.
She uses lots of Atlanta talent on the new record. (Click here for a gallery of who helped her out.)
Listen to two of her new songs, “Touch My Body” (video) and “Side Effects” with Young Jeezy (audio) and tell us what you think.
RELATED LINK:
• REVIEW: Mariah Carey’s “E=MC2”
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Making It Home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Doretha Rease, a retired housekeeper, lived in a dilapidated house in a dicey neighborhood of inner city Atlanta. But she didn’t want to leave, even after she was widowed and a great niece offered to move her to the suburbs. Would you chose to live out your days in a marginal neighborhood, as she did? Would you pay to rebuild her 100-year-old house, as her niece did?
• Visit the ‘Making it Home’ Web site
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Pittsburgh
Should Jones’ teammates lose their medals?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The International Olympic Committee has demanded that Marion Jones’ teammates in two relay events return their medals.
IOC officials disqualified Jones’ teammates in the 1,600-meter and 400-meter relays in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Jones admitted last year that she used performance-enhancing drugs at the time of the Games.
The runners had previously refused to give up their gold and bronze medals, saying it was unfair to punish them for Jones’ doping.
One of Jones’ relay teammates is Chryste Gaines, an academic adviser in the Georgia Tech athletic department who has already said she won’t return her medal. Gaines ran a leg on the 400 relay. After track’s world governing body (IAAF) had recommended that Jones’ teammates return their medals, Gainestold the AJC in March that she intended to keep her bronze.
“I’m not giving anything back, ” said Gaines, who also won gold in the 400 relay in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. “Nope, I’m not giving it back. It’s been sitting in my house seven years. What does it mean to anyone else?”
If Gaines refuses, it would likely complicate her goal of qualifying for this year’s Olympic track team.
They have hired a lawyer and the case could go the to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The move could affect the standing of dozens of athletes. For instance, Jamaica, which won the silver medal in the 1,600-meter relay could move up to gold.
But is it fair? Should Jones’ teammates have to give up their medals? Does her admission of steroid use taint the outcome of those relays?
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How are you pinching pennies?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In these challenging economic times, you could help fellow AJC readers with ideas on trimming their grocery, travel or transportation bills. Tell us what you or your family are doing to save here and there.
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Flavor Flav: Hotlanta is out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I knew it had to happen. The combination of Hotlanta’s personal drama (her drinking, her childrens’ fathers, her eviction from her Marietta apartment), her mouth and the other girls’ jealousy worked against her last night.
I always liked her the best out of the bunch: She wasn’t perfect, she had flaws but you always knew where you stood with her.
Clearly, Flav felt her, too since he let her keep her clock even though her gave her the heave-ho. I think he wasn’t too keen on someone giving it to him just as well as he could dish it out.
With her gone, I’m putting my hopes behind Seezinz; she’s pretty and smart. The Klingon — also known as Sinceer — as well as the Thing twins are still in the game and the only reason I can come up with for why they’re still in it is because he has a thing for not-quite-fully-human-looking women.
Tree sounds like a man to me. Other than Seezinz, Black is the only other girl that seems to worth the trouble.
Do you think Flav made the right choice? Who is your favorite among the girls who are left?
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Dear John via text
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In a people.com story, Carrie Underwood revealed that she and “Gossip Girl” star Chace Crawford broke up through text messages.
The country star and former “American Idol” winner says the split was completely mutual, but Crawford’s sister said the breakup was harder on him, maybe because he didn’t get to say goodbye to Underwood face to face.
In the digital age, is it OK to break up with someone via text? Would you do it? Has anyone done it to you?
Permalink | Comments (38) | Post your comment | Categories: Text messaging
What keeps you motivated?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Working out can be hard work. But that doesn’t mean you have to dread it. Because, let’s face it, when we dread something, we usually avoid it. And that’s what many of us are doing with our exercise routines.
To help those who still need a little exercise utopia, “My Favorite Workout” will feature Atlantans who have found their favorite workout.
For those who found the right exercise routine, what works for you?
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Higher prices pinching your wallet?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rising gas and food prices putting the squeeze on your wallet?
Food prices jumped at the fastest clip in nearly two decades in 2007, and it’s likely they’ll do the the same this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. AJC reporter Elizabeth Lee reports that higher energy costs are putting the squeeze on the costs of other goods, including food.
Add to that the cost of gasoline and general concerns about the economy. Based on a new survey, the national average price for gasoline rose 5 cents over the last two weeks.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline on Friday was just under $3.32 a gallon, mid-grade was $3.44 and premium was $3.55, according to the Lundberg Survey of 7,000 stations nationwide released Sunday. Read more about it.
Consumers are spending less and what they do spend doesn’t go as far.
Are you eating out less? When do you do eat out do you go for the local buffet instead of a fancy steakhouse?
How do you control costs? Are you worried about the economy going into a tailspin?
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How does your office cope with spring break?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s spring break and that means thousands of metro Atlanta students - and their parents - are taking time off.
Does you office resemble a ghost town this time of year?
There are clear benefits - less traffic, the boss may be away and shorter lines at local lunchtime eateries.
But it may also mean more work for your cubicle mates left behind. If you’re still at the office, do you work harder or less when it’s spring break?
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How do you work around higher gas prices?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nationally, gas prices continued to rise, increasing 0.2 cent overnight to $3.289 a gallon, according to an AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.
The rise in fuel prices has only heightened consumer worries about inflation and consumer spending. Truckers say rising diesel prices could also affect that industry, which is used to carry most of the nation’s food and consumer and industrial goods. This could drive up costs for those products. Read the AP story about gas prices.
You can also find out about Atlanta prices here
How are you keeping gas costs lower? Are you car pooling to work or working from home more? Are you thinking of trading in that gas guzzler for a more efficient car? Or, are you consolidating errands and making fewer unnecessary trips?
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Your opinion: Who are Georgia’s guitar heroes?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Thursday, 12 metro Atlanta contestants will compete in the Guitar Hero III finals at the Loft. They may be the guitar stars of tomorrow — and in honor of that event, we take a look at Georgia’s own “Guitar Heroes.” (Don’t forget to check accessAtlanta Friday to find out who won and for photos of the event.)
Who’s the best among Georgia guitarists? Who’s underrated? What songs or live performances best demonstrate their ability?
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Are you in the mood for nachos?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you’re in the mood for some nachos, you might want to check out this accessAtlanta article, which includes a few locations for some choice chips.
We’re not talking about the stuff you get at the movies. Nachos connoisseurs know there’s more to the dish than melted cheese — and orange-stained fingers afterward. Where do you go to get your nachos fix? Who has the best in town?
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Flavor of Love: What’s so real about this reality show?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Once again, Hotlanta manages to hang on. But I doubt her luck will last much longer; she’s much too self-destructive and brings too much drama wherever she goes.
Who knows? Maybe that’s why Flav keeps her around. At least he seems to have some standards.
Prancer would have stayed in the house but she lied during her performance in the Flavor Flav “hip hopera” insinuating that she had slept with him, when in fact, they hadn’t. Evidently, a real lady never kisses and tells. And Flav doesn’t like liars so she had to go.
Besides, he has four new girls who came on last wee to spice things up. The four new contestants, “Black,” “Prototype,” “Luscious D” and this mannish-looking Amazon he named “Tree” seem to be giving the old girls a run for the money.
They’re certainly cleaner if their distaste for the fruit flies, maggots and gnats they found in the kitchen is any indication.
But don’t count the old girls out. Besides Hotlanta, Sinceer, who looks like Maya, the alien from “Space: 1999,” Seezinz (my now-favorite) and the twins — Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Do you think any of the new girls are an improvement over the old ones? Were you glad to see Prancer gallop off into the sunset of Realty TV has-beens?
Some of you guys say this show and others like it, reinforce old stereotypes about black Americans and black people in general.
True, television and the movies are rife with examples of stereotypes: From hot-blooded Latinos, who always seem to be armed with knives and the pretty-but-dumb blonds, to the slow-witted country bumpkins with the thickest (and usually fake) Southern accents and Italians whose career prospects seem limited to being mafia hoods.
But we live in a pretty mobile society and we’re likely to meet different types of people, even here in metro Atlanta. I grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. and northern New Jersey and I met all sorts of people so television really didn’t shape my views of different races or ethnic groups.
I have to admit, though, TV did shape my view initial (and erroneous) view of southerners because I hadn’t met any until my junior year at university. Up until then, and before moving down here, my basic understanding of the region came from watching “Roots,” “Mississippi Burning,” “Birth of a Nation” and Oprah Winfrey’s infamous jaunt into Forsyth County for her talk show.
But now, in the 21st century is TV the primary vehicle by which we form our impressions of other groups? Do you think a TV show can be representative of any one ethnic group or race or religion? Is TV your main source of insight into how (pick any group) “those people” are?
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The joke’s on you today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Careful.
You may be the unwitting victim of an April Fool’s gag today. So don’t believe the caller who claims you just won $1 million in a publisher’s giveaway or tickets to the Alicia Keys concert. Or, at least double check before you start screaming in the office.
A quick Google search shows various thoughts about when April Fool’s Day, also known as All Fool’s Day, began. According to Encylopedia Britannica Online, the modern April Fool’s Day may have started in France when the Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582, moving New Year’s Day from March 25 to January 1. People who continued to observe the end of New Year Week on April 1 were called fools. “The timing of the day also may be related to the vernal equinox (March 21), a time when people are said to be fooled by sudden changes in the weather,” according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
Have you played the fool more than once? What’s the best practical joke you ever played on someone and how have you been duped?
