2011 Oscars: Best Dressed

The Red Carpet of award ceremony is always the MUST SEE event. Sometimes, it's more interesting than the actual show itself. Unfortunately, that's how the Oscars of 2011 panned out. Our top three that came dressed to impress were: Scarlett Johansson in Dolce Gabbana, Halle Berry in Marchesa, and Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein.

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.              ~Bill Watterson

 

Information Overload

  Last Tuesday, a solar flare-up was reported to have created a geomagnetic space storm, which was directed towards Earth. Experts claim that the storm was created by our “use of satellite systems for networking, and bringing computers and gadgets into line, airline course-plotting and of course telecommunications which may include cable internet phone and other items.” We got a taste of what the storm could be last week when a torrent of charged plasma charged towards Earth at 580 miles per second-the strongest eruption in 5 years.

  According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, weather trouble such as the storm can fry satellites, cause power outages and if extreme enough, crash stock markets. In rebuttal to this claim, Stephen Lechner, director of the European Commission Joint Research Center states that our weakness lies within the GPS. Hence there’s no need to panic.

  I’m sure we all would be affected if a major space storm were to occur. How would you recommend we as humans manage our dependency on technology?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1359136/Global-Katrina-Biggest-solar-storm-cause-power-cuts-MONTHS.html?ITO=1490

http://topwirexs.com/technology-space-weather-trouble-gadgets-to-cable-internet-phone/172235/

Time to Reflect

The most important things in life aren’t things~ Anthony J. D’Angelo.

            They’re people and our relationships with them. As the week is progressing, take time to think about your loved ones. When was the last time you’ve spoken to them? If not often, why not? I prompt you to answer the question: Why are you busy? What keeps you from keeping relationships with people who matter, even though distance might be an issue? Technology has made it possible for people to communicate regardless of their physical location. For example, Skype allows people to communicate via video chat. You can also use your YUBZ handset to chat on Skype or on your phone.

            So as you go in this week, take a piece of advise from us. Do more, talk more, love more. Show people just how much they mean to you. Call them more often, text them, go out to lunch or dinner and catch up. A little goes a long way. Never be afraid to say the words “I love you” to those you truly love. Last but not least, smile more. A smile is the most contagious disease, and I for one would love to be infected!

 



Why You Busy California?

Last weekend certainly had its highlights. From Blake Griffin's crowd pleasing car dunk to Rihanna's halftime performance, the 2011 NBA Allstar game in California was the place to be. If basketball isn't your cup of tea then perhaps the plethora of other events caught your attention. You might have gone to an after party for the Allstar weekend, or Eve Fashion Show in San Diego, or even Big Momma's House Release Party in Los Angeles. Either way, if you were in California last weekend, you were involved in something. If you weren't in California, you probably were also involved in something...so what kept you busy last weekend? 

GOLD

CHICAGO’S LONGEST RUNNING AUDIENCE INTERACTIVE DINNER SHOW

ENTERTAINING AUDIENCES SINCE 1987 this is sure to be the best dinner experience ever.  Tommy Gun's Garage takes you back to the 20's when speakeasy's were popping up everywhere and the sounds of Jazz was streaming through Chicago.  This is a well deserved night out on the town with a full sit down dinner and interactive show.  Learn the history of Chicago's gangsters and their flappers right by their side.  The dance is great, the mood is great, and most of all - you will laugh!  

 

2114 South Wabash           Chicago, IL 60616            312.225.0273

The Versatility of your YUBZ handset

When I’m shopping for clothes one of my first thoughts before a purchase is, Can I wear this all year around?  What all will I mix and match this with?  This thought process naturally carries over into everyday purchases.  Versatility.  Good thing you are able to share your YUBZ retro handset and use it with all your fun gadgets, all year around of course. Take it from your cell phone to your iPad then to your MacBook.  When your friends come over and want to use it with their PC you can easily plug it in for use on Skype and google chat.  The handset comes packaged with 5 different adaptors covering usage with close to 80% of all mobile devises.  That way once you upgrade or change providers you can still use your YUBZ handset.  Talk about versatile, all while reducing your radiation by 96%!  

Favorite App of Right Now

Words with Friends – To sum it up in one word, scrabble.  Elaborated, it is away to connect with friends that may not live near- in a fun way.  Its stimulating compared to all my other stupid app games.  It’s a learning tool to use words you may not normally.  And O yeah, it’s equipped to talk crap to your opponent as you go.   I currently have FOUR different games going with four different people that may continue on for days.  There’s no rush, cus that’s the point, play for days.  There's even an unofficial web site for other fans of this App,  http://wordswithfriends.net/     Hahahaha.....Looovvvve it!

Does your office promote effiency?

In the corporate world, we often see an office filled with many employees hiding behind the computers in separate cubicles. The employees are usually communicating via email, even though they are located in the same area. They're only leaving their cubicle to use the restroom or during lunch break. But truly, how much work is being done? What if corporate offices were set up in a way that each department had it's own office. Within that office each employee's desk is next to the other, creating a circle. Within that circle, employee's are communicating throughout the day expressing ideas, and asking questions. In this scenario, wouldn't work be more efficient, created by everyone's input, and completed by the deadline. Also, this scenario would leave less room for errors, and more productivity daily within the office. I think an office' set up plays a big role on one's mood and efficiency. This belief of organization brings me to think about feng shui, an ancient Chinese practice. Feng Shui in its simplest form is a way to bring peace and harmony to your life by rearranging elements and objects. If you don't think your day at work is efficient, re-evaluate your positioning in your office in a way that's  more welcoming to other employees, while finding comfort for self.

How safe is your Cell Phone?

Cell phone radiation is a serious topic that most are not taking too seriously.  Did you know that cell phone company's are required to give the Specific Absorption Rate to the federal government but not required to display it visibly to consumers?  "Different phone models emit anywhere from 0.2 watts per kilogram of body tissue to 1.6 watts, the legal limit. The amount of radio frequency energy seeping into the body and brain is measured by a unit called the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)."  There was a great article written in the New York Times comparing cell phones to Cigarettes.  Check it out:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/opinion/27dowd.html

If you do a google search on cell phone radiation you are going to get thousands of articles saying many different things.  Just like in the launch of Cigerettes and Tanning Beds, there are a lot of skeptics about the long term affects of radiation.  When you look at the topic from a common sense standpoint, why would you want to take the risk f damaging your health when it can be eliminated?  With a new generation of technology where everything is WI-FI, Bluetooth, and Satellite driven we are bound to be caught in an invisible force field.  It scares me to think about all the electromagnetic waves around me that are unseen and penetrating ones body.  There have been studies showing these "waves" can cause anything from Neurological problems to Brain Tumors.  All risks elevated just by being on your cell phone for more than 30 minutes a day over a ten year time.  I think about my nephews growing up with only cell phones, how will they feel when 40 years old and what new studies will be out?  I know personally how hot my cell phone can become when on it too long and how my ear will start to hurt. 

Like any other potentially life altering topic, education is key and the first step.  Education creates awareness and awareness creates change.  

Here is a website I have found to be very educational : http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/cellphonecancer.php

"Like televisions, alarm systems, computers, and all other electrical devices, Cell phones (also called mobile phones) are radio devices that use Radiofrequency (Rf) energy emit electromagnetic radiation. They operate at low power (less than 1 watt) by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency (RF) end of the spectrum. Radiation which is called "ionizing" can be absorbed by tissue and break molecules apart, such as gamma rays and x-rays, are known to cause cancer.  The concern is that the cell phone and it's antenna (the source of the radiation) are held close against the head)

The damage to the dna molecules is thought to be the cause. The radiation that a cell phone uses is also part of the same electromagnetic spectrum, but is not ionizing. For this reason, the US FDA can regulate these devices to ensure that the radiation doesn't pose a health hazard to users, but only once the existence of a public health hazard has been established. (See "It's Not a Food or Medical Product, So Why FDA?") , RF energy was mistakenly thought to similarly cause cancer".

Please educate yourself and pass along the informtaiton to create a better awareness.  Also learn ways to use your cell phone is a safer way.   There are currently many advocate groups that can help you in your search and knowledge.  It is your right to know! 

http://www.cabta.org

http://www.environmentalhealthtrust.org/

 

What are you cooking for the Super Bowl?

Of course the actual super bowl game is talked about, who is going to win and who has the advantage?  Is it going to be the Green bay Packers or the Pittsburgh Steelers?  The next topic becomes the new commercials to be aired, what's the funniest and most creative? Next comes the FOOD!  If you are hosting a super bowl party I'm sure you have been thinking for days now what you are going to cook.  Everyone is antisipating all the great football food that goes along with the game and will show up ready to eat. Here are a couple of great crock pot ideas you can serve.  I have found cooking in your crock pot is a much better idea on super bowl becuase your not missing the game by being in the kitchen.  Put it in before your guests arrive and your ready to go. 

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 8 Hours Ready In: 8 Hours 30 Minutes Servings: 8

"A quick, no-fuss version of chicken tortilla soup! All you do is put everything into the slow cooker, and turn it on. Then garnish with baked corn tortilla strips!"

Ingredients:

1 pound shredded, cooked chicken 1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce 1 medium onion, chopped 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups water 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 bay leaf 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro 7 corn tortillas vegetable oil

Directions:

1.	Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.
2.	Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3.	Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil. Cut tortillas into strips, then spread on a baking sheet.
4.	Bake in preheated oven until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. To serve, sprinkle tortilla strips over soup.

Chili Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

1lb ground beef

1 small Velveeta cheese chunk

1 can Hormel (no bean) chili

1 small onion 

1/2 cup katchup

couple dashes of worsheshire sause

dash of garlic salt

dash of pepper

Directions:

brown ground beef in skillet.  drain grease.  mix all ingredients into crock pot and cook on low until well melted together. appox 1 hour

serve with tortilla chips