ur best blog: July 2008

Jul 31, 2008

Chrysler Brings its Newest Model

The 2008 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition is Chrysler's newest model.

New Chrysler PT Cruiser model lights up the boulevard to kick off annual Woodward Dream Cruise

Chrysler again kicks off the annual Woodward Dream Cruise. With the introduction of its newest special-edition PT Cruiser dedicated to a great American road that is part of Hollywood legend and the inspiration for countless songs, movies and TV show. Announced in conjunction with Detroit's famed Woodward Dream Cruise, the 2008 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition will be available later this summer as a limited-production version of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

"The Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition joins the Route 66 Edition and Pacific Coast Highway Edition as the third in our Street Cruiser series dedicated to famous highways," said David Rooney, Director - Chrysler Marketing and Global Communications. "Like the historic roads we're celebrating, the Chrysler PT Cruiser is a classic, and the perfect vehicle for factory customization because it celebrates the journey, as well as the destination."

The U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2008 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition will be $16,650 for the manual transaxle version and $17,475 for the automatic transaxle model. Both prices include a $640 destination charge.

"The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a classic that lends itself to personalization, and the car enthusiasts here at Chrysler are always looking at new ways to make this one-of-a-kind cruiser even more unique," said Larry Lyons, Vice President - Front-wheel-drive Product Team. "We have a long history of success with keeping PT Cruiser fresh and exciting. In fact, the Sunset Boulevard is the 11th factory-customized PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000."

source: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/08/14/058355.html

Jul 28, 2008

2008 Performer of the World - Catherine Loria (Junior Level)

Last July 19 - 27, 2008 the 12th Anniversary of World Championships of Performings Arts (WCOPA) was held in Hollywood and our very Catherine Loria (Philippines) bugged the title in Junior Level. On the otherhand, Andrew Clark who is from Jamaica won in the Senior Level.

The list of complete winners were as follows:

2008 WCOPA GRAND WORLD CHAMPIONS!

2008 SENIOR GRAND CHAMPION PERFORMER OF THE WORLD

Andrew Clark (Vocal - Jamaica)

2008 JUNIOR GRAND CHAMPION PERFORMER OF THE WORLD
Catherine Loria (Vocal - Philippines)

2008 WCOPA DIVISION CHAMPIONS

JUNIORS
Vocal Group - Quintet Gotas de Luz - Guatemala
Dance - Marketa Frajkowska - Chech Republic
Female Model - Tayla Robson - South Africa
Male Model - Kole Smith - United States
Dance Group - M U C Junior Dancers - Jamaica
Actor - Claudia Perez Vigoa - United States
Vocal - Catherine Loria - Philippines
Instrumenal - Quintet Gotas de Luz - Guatemala

SENIORS
Dance - Christay Kotze - South Africa
Variety - Cecilia Andren - Swenden
Female Model - Yulia Sharshakova - Moldova
Male Model - Nick Vaden - United States
Dance Group - 2 Fries - Denmark
Actor - Dinah Bradford - United States
Vocal - Andrew Clark - Jamaica
Instrumenal - Darnell Thomas - Trinidad & Tobago

Source: WCOPA

RavisBlog

This is my first review assigned by smorty and I am going to review "blog about everything".

I really like the blog regarding how to read a book. You know what, most of the time i read my books facing down on me and it really gives me a lot of headaches.

In addition to that, it takes me a lot of time to memorize and understand everything. Thanks a lot buddy, now I know the proper way on how to read my books. Hehehe...

If you want to more about the real world of ravi click on the link provided here.

Jul 27, 2008

Solar Eclipse

Friday, August 1 is a red-letter day for eclipse enthusiasts. On that date, the sun will be partially eclipsed over an immense area that includes western and central Asia, parts of northern and central Europe, all of Greenland and even a small slice of northeastern North America.

A total solar eclipse — the first in nearly two and a half years — will be visible along a narrow track that will start over the Northwest Passage of Canada, gives a glancing blow to northern Greenland, then shifts southeast through Siberia and western Mongolia and before ending near the famed Silk Route of China.

The path of totality for this upcoming eclipse is never more than 157 miles (252 km) wide. Where it's visibleThe total eclipse begins at sunrise over Northern Canada's Queen Maud Gulf, where the moon's umbra will first touch down on the Earth, resulting in Canada's hosting its first total solar eclipse since February 26, 1979.

The total eclipse begins at sunrise over Northern Canada's Queen Maud Gulf, where the moon's umbra will first touch down.

As the sun comes into view over the north-northeast horizon its disk will become completely blocked by the moon. This is in the area of the famous Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic archipelago of Canada. The various islands of the archipelago are separated from one another and the Canadian mainland by a series of Arctic waterways collectively known as the Northwestern Passages. Politically, this region belongs to Nunavut, the largest and newest of the territories of Canada; it was separated officially from the vast Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999.

Source: Yahoo News

Jul 24, 2008

Just for Laughs Again

These images are came from my friend.... Thanks poh.

Just for Laughs

These images are came from my friend.... Thanks!

Viagra an Aphrodisiac' for Depressed Women

A new study shows that women may benefit from Viagra as it was proven effective at combating sexual dysfunction in depressed women.

A study by the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that 98 pre-menopausal women found the erectile dysfunction drug helpful in reaching orgasm.

Women in the study were told to take a pill an hour or two before sexual activity. The women were unaware that it was Viagra or a matching dummy pill.

While 72 percent of the women taking the blue pill had improved sexual function on an overall scale, only 27 percent of the women taking the placebo were reported improvement.

Some patients, however, who took Viagra complained of having headaches, indigestion and reddening of skin but no serious effects were detected.

Jul 20, 2008

Beijing Olympic Shutdown

Beijing’s Olympic shutdown begins, a drastic plan to lift the Chinese capital’s gray shroud of pollution just three weeks ahead of the games.

Half of Beijing’s 3.3 million vehicles will be pulled off the roads and many polluting factories will be shuttered. Chemical plants, power stations and foundries left open have to cut emissions by 30 percent — and dust-spewing construction in the capital will be halted.

In a highly stage-managed Olympics aimed at showing off the rising power of the 21st century, no challenge is greater than producing crystalline air for 10,500 of the world’s greatest athletes.

“Pea-soup air at the opening ceremony would be their worst nightmare,” said Victor Cha, director of Asian Studies at Georgetown University.

Striking venues and $40 billion spent to improve infrastructure cannot mask Beijing’s dirty air. A World Bank study found China is home to 16 of the 20 worst cities for air quality. Three-quarters of the water flowing through urban areas is unsuitable for drinking or fishing.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has repeatedly warned that outdoor endurance events lasting more than an hour will be postponed if the air quality is poor.

Jul 18, 2008

Mediterranean and Low-Carb Diet

When it comes to dieting, we all want to know what is most effective. A new study performed in Israel found that a low-carb Atkins like diet and the Mediterranean diet outperformed the low-fat diet. The study lasted two years, considerably longer than previous studies, and the weight loss period was limited to 6 months with a maintenance period of 18 months – I think the maintenance period is truly where a diet's success can be measured.

To see what the different dieters ate, just read more.

Here's a breakdown of what randomly assigned 322 moderately obese participants ate:

Low-Fat: Based on the American Heart Association guidelines, women ate 1,500 calories a day and men ate 1,800. Only 30 percent of daily calories came from fat, and dietary cholesterol was restricted to 300 mg – an egg has about 210 mg. Meals were built around low-fat grains, veggies, beans and fruit.
Low-Carb: Based on the Atkins plan, calories were not restricted but the daily intake of carbs was limited to 20 grams of carbs a day, for the first two months, but increased to 120 grams for the remainder of the study – a half cup of cooked white rice contains about 30 grams of carbs. Participants were to obtain fat and protein mostly from vegetarian sources and avoid trans fat.
Mediterranean: Based on Harvard Medical School's Walter Millet's dietary suggestions, women ate 1,500 calories a day and men ate 1,800 calories. Only 35 percent of the calories were to come from fat, mostly in the form of olive oil and nuts. The meals were high in veggies, but low in red meat. Beef and lamb were replaced with fish and chicken.

The results were pretty interesting. On average, those following the low-carb diet lost 10.3 pounds and the average weight loss for the Mediterranean diet was 10 pounds even. The low-fat diet average weight loss was 6.5 pounds. Interestingly enough, the women following the Mediterranean diet lost 13 pounds compared to the women on the low-fat diet who only lost one pound. All the diets show other health benefits as well, with an increase in healthy cholesterol in the low-carb diet and a decrease in blood sugar levels in the Mediterranean diet.

The bottom line is that all the diets offer benefits and there is not a one size fits all approach to dieting. If counting calories doesn't work for you a low-carb option might be best for you, but if limiting carbs is beyond measure for you then go Mediterranean. The trick is to pick a diet, or should I say lifestyle, that you can follow for the long term.

Have you followed any of these diets? Tell us how it worked for you in the comment section below.

Jul 13, 2008

8.1 Magnitude Will Hit the Philippines

July 14, 2008--- It's a usual day for all of us not unitl i opened my YM and chit chat with my friend who
is from Taiwan.

Hehehe good for her! She knows that there will be a predicted earthquake that will hit the Philippines on
July 18, 2008. The earthquake will have a magnitude of 8.1 and millions of people will die.

I was tongue-tied for awhile and i don't know what to reply.

As she continued, it was the same person who have predicted that Rico Yan and Mico Sotto will die. And it
happened right? So, is this just a mere coincidence or an incovienient truth? You choose!

Now, all am I praying is that this earthquake will not hit the Philippines or rather i hope it is not
true.

Jul 10, 2008

New Words from Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster has announced over one hundred new words that will go into its 11th Edition Collegiate Dictionary. To determine which make the cut, they study the usage for sometimes decades before accepting them. Among the words are webinar, infinity pool, dwarf planet, Norovirus, and dirty bomb, but it is mondegreen that is our fave.

What is a mondegreen, you ask? According to M-W, it is a “noun defined as a word or phrase that results from a mishearing of something said or sung” first coined by author Sylvia Wright in the 50’s when she admitted that she misunderstood song lyrics. We know that some of our personal mondegreens include those from “Blinded By the Light” and “Louie, Louie.”

To celebrate, M-W Online is calling for submissions of your favorites through July 25. Already available online, the 2008 print update of the Eleventh Edition will be in bookstores September 1.

Lennon 'Peace' Sell for $833,654

Christie's auction house has sold John Lennon's handwritten lyrics to "Give Peace a Chance" for $833,654.

The lyrics were written during Lennon's 1969 Bed-in protest for peace at the Queens Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal.

Christie's spokeswoman Zoe Schoon said Lennon gave the sheet to 16-year-old Gail Renard during the eight-day Bed-in.

Lennon wrote the lyrics and recorded the song in the hotel room with about 50 guests, who included singer Petula Clark and beat poet Allen Ginsberg.

Downey will Star in 'Sherlock Holmes'

In what will be his first job since the blockbuster "Iron Man," Robert Downey Jr. is set to star in "Sherlock Holmes," the drama that Guy Ritchie will direct for Warner Bros.

Downey committed to the pic, which begins shooting in October, after Ritchie turned in a polish of the latest version of the script, written by Anthony Peckham.

Jul 9, 2008

Global Warming Causing Glacier to Grow

The glaciers on Mount Shasta in California are growing because of global warming, experts say.

"When people look at glaciers around the world, the majority of them are shrinking," said Slawek Tulaczyk, a University of California, Santa Cruz, professor who studied the glaciers.

But the seven glaciers on Shasta, part of the Cascade mountains in northern California, "seem to be benefiting from the warming ocean," he said.

As the ocean warms, more moisture evaporates. As moisture moves inland, it falls as snow — enough on Shasta to more than offset a 1 C temperature rise in the past century.

The three smallest of the Shasta glaciers are more than twice the length they were in 1950.

Other glaciers in Norway, Sweden, New Zealand and Pakistan were in the same position as Shasta, but are now shrinking because rising temperatures have more than offset the increased snowfall.

As many as 90 per cent of Earth's mountain glaciers are getting smaller, said Lonnie Thompson from Ohio State University.

A U.S. government inventory found that, with one exception, Shasta's glaciers are the only ones growing on the U.S. mainland, said Andrew Fountain, a professor at Portland State University, who worked on the assessment.

The exception is a small glacier that is shaded in the crater of Mount St. Helens, Wash. It's unlikely to continue to grow once it leaves the shade, scientists said.

Four glaciers on the shady north and east sides of Mount Rainier, Wash., are stable.

Obama Boycott the Beijing Olympics

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said in a statement on Wednesday that given
the chance he would not attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

“In the absence of some sense of progress, in the absence of some sense from the Dalai Lama that there was progress, I would not have gone,” Obama told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday.

Obama feels the US has not been aggressive with “China on the issue of Tibet.” Obama said he “would liked to have seen some more aggressive efforts to encourage progress and talks between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama.

Obama’s decision to boycott comes just days after U.S. president George Bus’s statement that he will be attending the opening ceremony on August 8th, 2008.

The Democratic nominee joins a long list of world leaders who have refused to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics in the wake of China’s human rights record and their handling of the unrest in Tibet.

Jul 3, 2008

Watermelon is Similar to VIAGRA

A slice of cool, fresh watermelon is a juicy way to top off a Fourth of July cookout and one that researchers say has effects similar to Viagra — but don't necessarily expect it to keep the fireworks all night long.

Watermelons contain an ingredient called citrulline that can trigger production of a compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels, similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra, said scientists in Texas, one of the nation's top producers of the seedless variety.

Found in the flesh and rind of watermelons, citrulline reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in large quantities and is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart and the circulatory and immune systems.

"Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it," said Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center. "Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects."---Todd Wehner

More citrulline — about 60 percent — is found in watermelon rind than in the flesh, Patil said, but that can vary. But scientists may be able to find ways to boost the concentrations in the flesh, he said.

Citrulline is found in all colors of watermelon and is highest in the yellow-fleshed types, said Penelope Perkins-Veazie, a USDA researcher in Lane, Okla.

The relationship between citrulline and arginine might also prove helpful to those who are obese or suffer from type-2 diabetes. The beneficial effects — among them the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does — are beginning to be revealed in research.

Citrulline is present in other curcubits, like cucumbers and cantaloupe, at very low levels, and in the milk protein casein. The highest concentrations of citrulline are found in walnut seedlings, Perkins-Veazie said.

Jul 2, 2008

Starbucks Closing 600 Stores in U.S.

SEATTLE- Starbucks Corp. said Tuesday (July 01, 2008) it will close 600 company-operated stores in the next year, up dramatically from its previous plan for 100 closures, a sign the coffee shop operator continues to struggle with the faltering U.S. economy and its own rapid expansion.

Seventy percent of the stores slated for closure had opened after the start of 2006, the company said in a statement.

To put it another way, Starbucks is closing 19 percent of all U.S. company-operated stores that opened in the last two years, Chief Financial Officer Pete Bocian said during a conference call.

About 12,000 workers, or 7 percent of Starbucks' global work force, will be affected by the closings, which are expected to take place between late July and the middle of 2009, spokeswoman Valerie O'Neil said.

In total, the company forecast up to $348 million in charges related to the closures, $200 million to be booked in the fiscal third quarter ended June 30. Starbucks reports third-quarter results at the end of July.

But before Tuesday, the company avoided acknowledging that saturation was an issue, and pinned weak financial results and adjustments to new store openings on the economy.

During the call, Bocian said that between 25 and 30 percent of a Starbucks shop's revenue is cannibalized when a new store opens nearby, and that the closures should help return some of that revenue to the remaining stores.

Bocian said there aren't a material number of stores left on the watch list, but that the company will hold remaining stores to the same standards.

Starbucks still plans to open new stores in fiscal 2009, but on Tuesday it cut that number in half to fewer than 200. The company did not adjust its plan to open fewer than 400 stores in 2010 and 2011.

During the conference call, the CFO echoed concerns about the economy expressed by Chief Executive Howard Schultz in May, when the company attributed a 28 percent drop in profit to less traffic from U.S. consumers who were feeling the pinch of higher food and gas prices.

At the end of March, there were 16,226 Starbucks stores around the world. The company operates 7,257 of those stores in the U.S. and 1,867 abroad; the remaining 7,102 locations are run by partners who license the Starbucks brand.

Shares of Seattle-based Starbucks jumped 78 cents, or 5 percent, to $16.40 in after-hours trading after losing 12 cents to close at $15.62.

Theatre Named to Honour Heath Ledger

Tagged in Alan Carpenter, Brokeback Mountain and heath ledger The Australian hometown of the late actor Heath Ledger named a theater in his honor July 01, 2008, Tuesday for his commitment to acting.Ledger’s father Kim attended a naming ceremony for the 575-seat theatre.

Kim said: “I really feel that there’s not a lot of things he’d put his name to but he’d put his name to that”

Ledger, who starred in the 2005 movie “Brokeback Mountain” and received a best-actor Academy Award nomination for his role, died aged 28, of an accidental prescription drug overdose in New York in January.

Politician Alan Carpenter said:

“Heath Ledger was totally dedicated to the craft of being an actor and that’s what made him successful.”

Mr Ledger said family members would attend a screening in New York later this month for his son’s last completed film, the “Dark Knight“.

He added the grieving process has been made harder with the public attention surrounding the movie.

“It’s been a little bit hard, but we’ve always been extremely proud of his work and that hasn’t changed.”

PINs Stolen from Citibank ATM

Three people face charges in federal court in New York for allegedly breaking into Citibank's ATM network inside 7-Eleven stores and stealing PIN codes, according to court filings reported on by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The alleged thieves made off with about $2 million between October 2007 until March of this year. Officials believe they remotely broke into the back-end computers that approve cash withdrawals and grabbed the PINs as they were being transmitted from the ATMs to the transaction processing computers, which increasingly use Windows, the report says.

Jul 1, 2008

Microsoft Quit Selling XP

Microsoft has quit selling Windows XP on June 30, 2008, the firm will still offer support for the six-year old operating system up until 2014 but users are now forced to buy Windows Vista. Once computers loaded with XP have been cleared from the inventory of PC makers such as Dell Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co., consumers who can't live without the old operating system on their new machine will have to buy Vista Ultimate or Vista Business and then legally "downgrade" to XP.

Microsoft will still allow smaller mom-and-pop PC builder shops to buy XP for resale through the end of January. A version of XP will also remain available for ultra-low-cost PCs such as the Asus Eee PC.