What NOT to put on your Resume.

It never hurts to update your resume yearly, even if you're not looking for a job. Just having it on hand at a moments notice can be very helpfull, especially in todays job marketplace. Follow these 10 tips to create a Resume that STANDS OUT!

Thinking about doing the "diet" soda thing in the new year?

While it has few to no calories - you may still put on weight from simply switching to "diet".

Check out some tips to avoid falling into the "diet" soda pitfall.

Angel in Hospital Hallway?

Do you believe in Angels? One family believes they say one on the monitor at a hospital while their daughter was getting care. Very interesting story here.

Man Throws NOTHING away for one year

A man is making headlines and hoping that you will do the same. Live amongst garbage for one year.... Honestly... I think I had an uncle who did this. I choose not to go down that road thank you very much. (read full story here)

Just got that HDTV? Its almost out of date... 3-D HDTV is onthe way!

Just spent a months paycheck on that new 1080p HDTV?

Guess what! Its going to be out of date soon. 3-D HDTV Here we come!

(READ MORE HERE)

This is your captin: "I'm not qualified to land the plane"

Yep... it happened - "Unfortunately, I'm not qualified to land the plane in Paris."

How many "sick bags" do you think they went through on the rest of this flight? (Get the Full Story Here)

Do Sharks like POP Christmas Music?

SCIENTISTS are to test whether sharks enjoy listening to Christmas pop songs, it was revealed yesterday.
They will also find out whether the fish prefer Slade's Merry Christmas Everyone to Cliff Richard's Mistletoe and Wine. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Does it work?

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The maker of the cold remedy Airborne has agreed to pay $7 million to settle allegations by 32 attorneys general that it made false claims about its products.
As a part of its multistate settlement, Airborne Health Inc. agreed to discontinue claims about the "health benefit, performance, efficacy or safety" of its products in preventing and treating ailments, Legal Newsline reported Tuesday.
"Consumers who purchased Airborne to treat their colds were not getting their money's worth as there is no proof that Airborne can lessen your cold symptoms," Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said.
The legal news service said the $7 million settlement is the largest payment to date in a multistate action involving a dietary supplement producer.
The attorneys general lawsuit, filed by Bob Cooper of Tennessee, claimed Airborne's marketing materials implied that its products had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"Airborne dramatically misrepresented its products as cold remedies without any scientific evidence to back up its claims," California Attorney General Brown said. "Under this agreement, the company will stop advertisements that suggest that its products are a cure for the common cold."
In settling the case, Airborne did not admit to any wrongdoing, the company said in a statement.

Don't Pay in Pennies

At least in a small NJ town... They don't take too kindly to paying your parking tickets in pennies. In fact... they may even issue a warrant for your arrest if you do. Read More Here

Contact Lens for CATS

Yep... its real. I can only immagine how much work this must be everyday, but its a labor of love for one cat owner. Her cat could barely see, so she started giving the cat contact lens, made just for the cat!
(read the whole story here)

Mother wants wife for son at Xmas

Jason's mom (we are not using his last name) took out an ad in The Tampa Tribune to help him land a wife — or at least a few potential candidates — by Christmas. (see the whole story here)

Look BETTER DEAD than when you were ALIVE!

Botox, Cosmetic Surgery and more... for that last big party.

DON'T GIFT THESE GIFTS!

Don't know what to get your friends and family for the holidays?
Well... I can't help you there - But I can give you a list of things
NOT to get them. So here it is... the list of things Not To Get them.

Strange, Creppy and Wrong Christmas Traditions around the World

So you think your family has some strange Xmas Traditions? Check out some of the just plain strange, wrong and even racist traditions they have in some European countries at the holidays! I was shocked by some of these.

Hungry? But still want to be Healthy?

Its a conundrum we all face every day. Its the point between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner and suddenly the idea of a "snack" comes calling. The beautiful, dimly lit glow from the office vending machine calls to you through walls and stairwells... but... but... no... you're trying to eat healthy... but... but... "its just a snack".

If you must quench that craving from the salty goodness of the vending machine - here is a list of SAFE items to munch on that wont pack on the pounds.

Study: All those expensive vitamin supplements you've been stuffing down your throat every day in an attempt to improve your health... Don't Work!

Want Smarter Kids? Buy Pre-Chewed Pencils!

Remember borrowing a pencil from a classmate in school only to be handed a slob laden piece of lead with slivers hanging off? Yep, you just got a Chewed Pencil!

A company is now selling "Pre-Chewed Pencils" ... why you ask? They claim "it designs products to help kids at school and identify why they get distracted or are unable to focus in class, claim the chewed end encourages them to get thinking straight away." Read the whole story here.

Festivus Display at Capitol

Happy Festivus!
If you watch Seinfeld you know exactly what we are talking about. Due to high demand and popularity of the faux holiday "Festivus" created by the 90s sitcom's cult following - the Washington State Capitol building will have a "Festivus" display along with a Christmas tree this year! Read the complete story here.

Hotel Guest Requests

Have you ever felt guilty about calling the front desk at a hotel asking for an extra pillow, or to be sent an extra bar of soap? My dear friends... never feel guilty again! Forbes has put together a list of some of the most extreme hotel guest request of the past year. They include

-The Surrealist artist and animal-lover, Salvador Dali. He stayed regularly at the Meurice Hotel in Paris with his two pet ocelots, and asked the concierges to do things for him like catch flies in the Tuileries Garden.

-The concierge at the Beverly Hills Hotel was once asked to find replacement parts for an AK47 for a guest, a request that was turned down.

-Wanting to surprise his wife on her 40th birthday, a guest at Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos asked the hotel to arrange for some fake sharks to appear while he, she and their friends were snorkeling;

-The Englishman staying at the Setai in Miami who asked its concierge to figure out how to move his girlfriend’s pet tiger to London.

Weekly World News claims to be in talks to buy Tribune Co.

Weekly world news claims to be in talks to buy Tribune Company... actually they said they "met privately with an Alien contingent representing the interests of Weekly World News". Weekly world news also claims that "Batboy Lives!", "Elvis works at a BK in Wausau, WI", and "PALIN BAGS A BIGFOOT". So it must be true...

Cool Gadget Gifts under $20

One of my guilty pleasures is gadget gifts. You know... the cheap little trinkets they sell in the middle of the isle at the department store that make you think to yourself "I bet he would love this mini fingernail cleaner and golf club polisher 3 in one gift set". So here they are... the 20 coolest odd gadget gifts of 2008.

What to tip??

Planning on leaving your house to do ... just about anything, anytime soon? Then get ready to tip... before you lock up that pocket book consider this - many of the people you tip get anywhere from 8 to 68 percent of their income from tips, you may want to give these helpful folks a break and plan for an added service charge. Here is who to tip and how much from Bridget Quigg of PayScale.com

1. Bartender Base Pay per Hour: $7.30Tips per Hour: $10.30Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 59%
Fortunately for this service provider, we all tend to get a little more generous as the night goes on. But, it's a good thing when you consider that bartenders are getting the majority of their income from the extra dollars we place on the bar. Typical tip: 10-15 percent of the bar bill.
2. Waiter/Waitress Base Pay per Hour: $4.60Tips per Hour: $9.90Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 68%
Wow, nearly 70 percent of your waiter's income is based on that tip that you give. So, if you think that a bottle of wine would make a nice addition to your steak dinner, be ready to pay the service charge along with it. Typical tip: 15-20 percent of the bill, 20 percent at fine restaurants or if you have a large group.
3. Massage Therapist Base Pay per Hour: $26.30Tips per Hour: $4.80Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 15%
Between lugging heavy shopping bags, traveling thousands of miles and trying to tolerate your family's funky quirks, you may be a little tense. Wouldn't a rejuvenating rub down clear you mind? Typical tip: 10-20 percent of the total, 20 percent if it is a really great massage.
4. Hairstylist Base Pay per Hour: $9.90Tips per Hour: $3.50Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 26%
Oh, if you could only get that perfect cut and color before those annual holiday get-togethers. You can! Just remember that your hairstylist relies on you to provide nearly 30 percent of their income. Typical tip: 15 percent of the total.
5. Concierge Base Pay per Hour: $13.80Tips per Hour: $1.50 Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 10%
How about an evening in the big city, complete with a hotel stay, a stage show and a romantic table for two? It sounds nice but could require some planning. Let your concierge do all the work and then make sure to say thanks. Typical tip: $5-10 is average, more for special services or favors.
6. Doorman Base Pay per Hour: $11.00Tips per Hour: $4.90 Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 31%
Nothing is quite as exciting as getting dressed up to go out on the town then having the front door magically swing open in front of you as the doorman whistles for your taxi. How much does he deserve for this luxurious treatment? Typical tip: $1 dollar or more for help with luggage or finding a taxi on the street.
7. Parking Attendant Base Pay per Hour: $8.90Tips per Hour: $3.70 Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tip: 29%
You toss them the keys and when they toss them back, how much do they get? Typical tip: $1-2, depending on how far they travel to get your car.
8. Van Driver Base Pay per Hour: $10.20Tips per Hour: $1.30 Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 11%
Whether you're off to visit grandpa and grandma or are helping coordinate their arrival at your house, you will likely need to tip an airport or hotel van driver. Typical tip: $1 or more per bag, especially if they help you with your luggage.
9. Musician/Singer Base Pay per Hour: $49.10Tips per Hour: $4.10 Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 8%
No holiday party is complete without a jazzy guitar riff playing in the background or a bright-lipped brunette cooing about winter. But, what are these pleasant sounds worth? Typical tip: $35-75 per person.
10. Taxi Driver Base Pay per Hour: $16.10Tips per Hour: $4.40 Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 21% Taxi drivers zig-zag through congested main strips and zoom along back roads to get you there on time. What sort of tip do they deserve? Typical tip: 15 percent of fare, $1 per bag up to 5 bags, $2 per bag for 5 or more bags or if bags are very heavy (50 lbs. each).
Sources: Median base pay per hour, median tip per hour and percent of total hourly income in tips data are provided by Payscale.com. Tipping data provided by The Original Tipping Page.

Grizwalds Across America

Check out these AMAZING Xmas Light displays from msnbc.com here.

Shopping in 1939?

I just found this - Someone posted the Radio Shack 1939 Christmas Catalog! Wonder what sort of deals on cell phones they had back then? ;) Check out the Catalog Here.

3 Simple Ways to Improve Your Health

There are ways to improve your health that dont involve hours at the gym or eating bean curds. New research finds that happy people are 60% more likely to benefit from overall wellness than people who are depressed or stressed-out. Here are 3 Simple Tips for Improving your health.

• 1. Yes it sounds corny but - Look at pictures of puppies or kittens. A Duke University study found that our brains are subconsciously wired to mimic the personality traits of what we see. So when we see puppies and kitten all carefree and cute, it lifts our spirits. Being around upbeat people can also cue your brain to pump out feel-good hormones.
  
• 2. Go bargain hunting. Research by neuroscientist Dr. David Lewis found that shopping increases our happiness levels the most when we’re bargain hunting. In fact, scoring a great deal produces such a powerful surge of mood boosting endorphins, it’s as much of a euphoric thrill as sky diving!
  
• 3. Have a hot cocoa chaser after your workout. Exercise can ward of depression – but you can maximize those effects by sipping cocoa afterward. That’s because cocoa contains a natural chemical that helps grow new nerve cells in the part of your brain responsible for memory. The power of exercise to boost your mood is intensified when these new nerve cells are present.

Top 3 Ways to Save on Groceries

1. First, grab the weekly grocery circular from your local newspaper, and look for the coupons That’s where experts say most of the best deals are. Plan your weekly meals around the sale items, and you could save a bundle.

2. Set the newspaper coupons aside for four or five weeks (be sure they don't expire though!). Manufacturers print coupons to promote a product, and a few weeks later, they often extend the promotion by putting the product on sale. So, if you save your coupons and combine them with the sale price, you’ll save even more.

3. Dump the Junk - Every time you drink tap water or home-brewed tea instead of a bottle of soda, you save about a dollar. You can make 10 batches of super-healthy stovetop popcorn for the same price as one giant bag of bad-for-you chips. You can also save money by learning to make frozen favorites from scratch, like pizza and macaroni-and-cheese. You'll find more recipes than you could ever need at foodnetwork.com

The 10 Most Disturbing Puppets Ever Shown on TV

These are the things that still randomly show up in nightmares! Strange puppets and characters that fillded the screen of the "Glowing Box" in many of our childhood living rooms. Re-live the Joy and utter Fear with this link to the The 10 Most Disturbing Puppets Ever Shown on TV - Complete With Video!

Hide the MAN-BAGS!!

DARN!! JUST WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO GET A MAN BAG... LOOK OUT!
Insurance companies are warning that the UK trend of "Man-Bags" are becoming a target for crooks. Better un-wrap that man bag and return it to wally world. Shucks. :(

Here's the full story -
Trendy manbags, adored by celebrities such as shamed TV presenter Jonathan Ross and soccer stars David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, are a new target for muggers, insurance experts have warned.
For “metrosexuals” fed up with unsightly, bulging pockets stuffed with change are using them to carry wallets, keys and expensive gadgets such as iPods, BlackBerrys and mobile phones.
And Post Office Home Insurance believes fashionable men are just as likely to be robbed for their designer clutch and shoulder bags as women.
A spokesman said: “It’s important that men consider this a serious risk and that they take steps to protect their possessions.”

TITANIC PART II ... ok not quite. But a SHIP did HIT and ICE!

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNN) -- A cruise ship carrying 122 people was stranded Thursday on the coast of Antarctica after striking ice, officials said.
Mariano Memolli of the Argentina Antarctic Directorate told Argentina's TodoNoticias (TN) Television a naval boat and plane were dispatched to evacuate the passengers of the Ushuaia as a precaution.
The ship, carrying 89 passengers and 33 crew members, was losing fuel and taking on water but was not in danger of sinking, Television C5N reported.
Adm. Daniel Martin, head of the naval base in Ushuaia, Argentina, where a call for help was received from the ship, said the passengers were "in a perfect state of health," and were awaiting the arrival of the Atlantic Dream, a nearby cruise ship, C5N said.
"The weather conditions are not the best" where the ship is, he said. "There are regular winds in the zone with violent gusts." But he said the ship is protected because it is in a strait, and the weather would not affect the arrival of the rescue plane.
The Panamanian-flagged Ushuaia was located about 186 miles (300 kilometers) southwest of Argentina's Marambio naval base in Antarctica.

BEWARE - New Email Scam from HITMEN!

Its not just King Abdualashasushwa who wants to give you his inheritance anymore. The latest string of email scams to get your money involves people posing as hit men! That's right Hitmen - as in "I wont kill you for 8k" type of hit men. Read the full story here.

50K ON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!

This guy spent 50k on his christmas light display.... Gee Clark.. aint it a bute'. Read the full story here.

HOLIDAY SPECIALS GALORE!

"Shrek the Halls," ABC, Dec. 1 , 8 p.m. The youngest of the perennials. Also playing Dec. 22 at 8 p.m.
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas," ABC, Dec. 1, 8:30 p.m. The 1966 cartoon. Repeating Dec. 21.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Dec. 3, 8 p.m. Burl Ives narrates the 1964 special, now nrely remastered.
"Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer," The CW Dec. 5, 8 p.m.
"Frosty's Winter Wonderland," ABC Family, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas, ABC, Dec. 8, 8 p.m. Also showing Dec. 16, 8 p.m.
"Twas the Night Before Christmas" ABC, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
"A Garfield Christmas," ABC Family, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
"Mickey's Christmas Carol," ABC Family, Dec. 10, 7 p.m.
"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town," ABC Family, Dec. 10, 8 p.m.
"Rudolph's Shiny New Year," ABC Family, Dec. 10, 9 p.m. Repeating Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
"I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown" ABC, Dec. 15, 8 p.m. Repeating Dec. 20.
"The Polar Express" ABC Family, Dec. 2, 6 and 8:30 p.m. With Tom Hanks in every computerized role. Replaying Dec. 22 at 6 and 8:30 p.m.
"A Christmas Story" TNT, Dec. 3, 8 and 10 p.m. But also in its annual 24 hour marathon on TBS, starting Dec. 24 at 8 p.m.
"The Santa Clause," TBS, Dec. 4, 8 p.m.
"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," ABC, Dec. 5, 9 p.m., with Jim Carrey as the green one.
"Prancer," AMC, Dec. 7, 8 p.m.
"A Christmas Carol," AMC, Dec. 7, 10:30 p.m.
"Jack Frost," ABC Family, Dec. 10, 10 p.m.
"Surviving Christmas" ABC, Dec. 13, 9 p.m.
"Elf," USA, Dec. 10, 10 p.m. Repeating Dec. 14 at 3 p.m.
"It's a Wonderful Life" NBC, Dec. 13, 8 p.m. Repeating Dec. 24, 8 p.m.

Your FAMILY could KILL your PETS!

Beware: Your friends and family could kill your pets! Not on purpose, obviously, but your environment can change from day to day with the arrival of family and friends bearing gifts, holiday foods and exotic plants and some of these are real dangers to your pets. Here’s what you need to know to keep your furry friends safe!

• Ask your guests NOT to leave their medications any place your pet can get to them, like in an open suitcase. Over-the-counter and prescription medications can kill small animals. When it comes to medication, there’s no such thing as a dog-proof cap. Cats are especially susceptible to even small amounts of acetaminophen - the active ingredient in Tylenol. Eating just one tablet can cause anemia and potential liver damage.


• Be careful in the kitchen. Grapes and raisins can cause renal failure when ingested by dogs and onions and garlic can cause severe red blood cell damage. Bread dough, if eaten before baking, can expand rapidly in the stomach and cause poisoning.


• All species of lilies should be placed out of reach of pets. Lily toxicity in cats can reach critical levels almost immediately, and lead to acute kidney failure within 48 hours. They’re one of the most poisonous houseplants that exist – both the flower and the leaves. If a cat eats any part of the plant, get them to and animal emergency hospital immediately.

Survive the Holiday BUFFETS!

I can be hard to say no to all the cakes, cookies, mayo-slathered salads, and roasted meats. How could any warm blooded meat eating American survive the holiday table without putting on the pounds? Here are the secrets from MSNBC and Dr. Brian Wansink from the Cornell University Food & Brand lab.

• Sit as far away from the food as possible. That’ll discourage you from making many trips. Don’t face the buffet. Just looking at all that food makes you more tempted to fill your plate again and again.


• Use a salad plate. The more food on your plate, the more you’ll eat.


• Take a lap around the table once before you even pick up a plate. People who do that are seven times more likely to eat less, because they have time to think about what really sounds good!


• Also, try this great idea from Dr. Wansink – he calls it The Rule Of Two: You can choose anything you want from the buffet, but you can never have more than two items on your plate. When Wansink tested this rule he found that people took the two types of food they wanted most. So if you’re a dessert person, you’ll probably choose a dessert first – but then you’ll stop. If you were unlimited, you’d most likely work your way up to dessert. Also, people practicing the rule of two tended to take smaller portions.

A Christmas Story 25th Anniversary Convention!

Gain an extra 7lbs... or not...

Its called the “seasonal seven” – the seven pounds the average person gains between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. How on earth can you avoid having "a little more you" by the time the new year rolls around? Follow these tips -

• DON'T tell yourself, “It’s okay, it’s the holidays” Instead, wear your snuggest clothes to discourage overeating and concentrate on the social part of the evening instead of the food and drink.
• DON'T stand near the food. A study found that obese people stand or sit 16 feet closer to the buffet than normal-weight people. They’re also 77% less likely to browse the buffet before filling their plate.
• DO Exercise every day, no matter what. Hit the treadmill in the a.m. Studies show that 75% of people who work out in the morning stick with it, but just 25% of after-work exercisers keep at it because by the end of the day, too many excuses pop up.
• DON'T walk through the break room 10 times a day when you know it’s full of holiday treats.
  Finally, remember that liquid calories count. One eggnog or specialty coffee can have as many calories a as personal pan-pizza. In fact, liquid calories are more fattening because they take less energy to digest. Keep this in mind: To burn off just one regular soda, you’d have to walk for one hour and 18 minutes.

Avoid "HIDDEN" Airline Fees

Here's some advice that’ll help you avoid some of those extra airline fees, courtesy of MSN.

• If you HAVE to check a bag, know this: The steepest checked baggage fees are tacked onto bags that are overweight – usually over 50 pounds. It may seem logical to try and cram everything into one suitcase, if your bag ends up being oversized, it could end up costing you up to $175! So you’re probably better off using two suitcases.
  
• Food and beverage fees? More than half of all airlines now charge for SNACKS and meals. So pack a brown-bag meal ahead of time. As far as beverages go, you can fill up an empty water bottle after you pass through security.
  
• Bring your own headset. A handful of airlines are now charging anywhere from 1 to 5 dollars for headsets that allow travelers to tune into the in-flight video entertainment. So try bringing your own iPod earbuds or headphones aboard.
  
• More airlines are charging for items that used to be basic, pillows and blankets. Air Canada provides a "comfort kit" with a blanket and inflatable pillow for $2. A lot of airlines don’t clean the pillows and blankets between flights and a travel expert. So you’re better off bringing a sweater and a neck pillow of your own anyway.