Rome Did Not Fall in a Day

The following chart shows the natural log of real disposable personal income per capita. Once again, constant exponential growth shows up as a straight line when using natural logs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx2m_BtYQzoJKLKmh_CXayHVdJ7qxd_OVV9VEeNCnTBqTZCb5Eb3n7EBN0H_z62xrBjewS9YynnGN0pBCrarYK57Ino3K6_LPuqbbbDlpbLg9JhGZn7ww0ABtTbQulGPQJdt5g6gyB0k/s1600/Rome+Did+Not+Fall+in+a+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx2m_BtYQzoJKLKmh_CXayHVdJ7qxd_OVV9VEeNCnTBqTZCb5Eb3n7EBN0H_z62xrBjewS9YynnGN0pBCrarYK57Ino3K6_LPuqbbbDlpbLg9JhGZn7ww0ABtTbQulGPQJdt5g6gyB0k/s320/Rome+Did+Not+Fall+in+a+Day.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />There are at least a few things worth considering.<br /><br />1. Due to rising income inequality, the typical person isn't doing nearly as well as this chart would suggest.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/12/automation-of-restaurants-would-allow.html">As automation takes on more and more human work</a>, how will billions of people find employment? How much of this is seen in the chart?<br /><br />3. The trend is definitely not a straight line. It is curving downwards with a very high correlation of 0.993. If the current trend continues, then we'll peak in 2058 (45 years from now). That's a big if. If I'm alive to see it, I'll be 94 years old. That's another big if.<br /><br />4. It is mathematically impossible for this upside down parabolic trend to continue forever. There must be a failure at some point. If nothing else, I don't think any rational person would expect real disposable personal income per capita to ever fall below zero. That would happen in 2164. This would certainly not be the first failure we've seen in recent years. We live in <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/04/409-million-missing-jobs-musical-tribute.html">the era of long-term trend failures</a>.<br /><br />5. Any failure would probably be to the downside, since that is the direction the data is being pulled (much like a camel's back when more and more weight is placed upon it).<br /><br />6. Contrary to some, I therefore definitely believe that the long-term future is not so bright that I gotta wear shades.<br /><br /><i style="color: red;">“I believe in making the world safe for our children, but not our children's children, because I don't think children should be having sex.”</i> - Jack Handey<br /><br />Japan (our partner in ZIRP crime) must love Jack Handey quotes.<br /><br /><b>December 23, 2013</b><br /><a href="http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/23/japans-diaper-shift-and-global-population-trends/?_r=0">Japan’s Diaper Shift and Global Population Trends</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>As I concluded: “…<span style="color: red;">world population could peak sooner and begin declining well below the 10 billion currently projected for the close of the 21st century</span>.”</i></div><br />For what it is worth, I'm very much a believer in the theory. In some ways, we're like locusts and the lowest hanging fruit has already been eaten (USA prosperity analogy). I know it sounds grim, but that's what I believe. The good news is that I'm thankful every day that I was born where and when I was.<br /><br />As seen in the chart, I'm not at all convinced that our children's children will be quite as thankful. It isn't that I think they will be unhappy being born in America. Far from it. I simply question the timing. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index">It's not like I would tell them to move to China.</a> Let's just put it that way.<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=qko">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

Rome Did Not Fall in a Day

The following chart shows the natural log of real disposable personal income per capita. Once again, constant exponential growth shows up as...

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Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas celebrate Christmas separately

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFZkg0e85V7taHhB_nW7HKZ8pqj18LAIMyuXeW29AfPAXEXPsRaIumBQz6Ulhb8j-ANvZ6vASOEa24wa9nsKFTrAPufPY0tWHpk-UJyj0bVy5L7k7ycZaosZOXvaPmXu2GeguAFXiEj4/s1600/Prince+Harry+and+Cressida+Bonas+celebrate+Christmas+separately.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFZkg0e85V7taHhB_nW7HKZ8pqj18LAIMyuXeW29AfPAXEXPsRaIumBQz6Ulhb8j-ANvZ6vASOEa24wa9nsKFTrAPufPY0tWHpk-UJyj0bVy5L7k7ycZaosZOXvaPmXu2GeguAFXiEj4/s1600/Prince+Harry+and+Cressida+Bonas+celebrate+Christmas+separately.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/search/label/Cressida%20Bonas" target="_blank">Prince Harry and his beloved Cressida Bonas</a> celebrate Christmas separately. According to the newspaper The Telegraph, the girl did not come to any Sandringham boyfriend or a traditional photo shoot in honor of Boxing Day. <br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* biner3 */ google_ad_slot = "7346003106"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br />Thus, a close friend of the 24-year Bonas said: <br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Cressida spend Christmas with her family. </blockquote><br />note, it was twice in Sandringham on different occasions, but in those days no Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip or were not present in the residence. <br /><br />way, the royal court commented on the situation so : <br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Prince Harry realizes that Miss Bonas visit at Christmas does not comply with the royal court, as they are not married. </blockquote><br />Nevertheless, Harry plans to spend time with his girlfriend until 25 December and after. During a charity expedition to the South Pole, according to insiders, he really missed Bonas. So, which flew to the UK a day earlier than planned. And even missed a farewell party in honor of the expedition itself. <br /><br />Recall couple meets for about two years. Lately there have been rumors of their imminent wedding, but stepbrother Bonas denied such information.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyBcrPbCCqR8eXeRysuf_oADCDjck0mCkJeoI_aGtr1dhuGaONl6c5_y_bBuDJk92CEbFK0FBvyv4LsswsHp2HFE3mS5GDC72qFXPVenJa6Y79T0qzULvywu3TY1WkQ4srishhxXtmrk/s1600/Prince+Harry+and+Cressida+Bonas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyBcrPbCCqR8eXeRysuf_oADCDjck0mCkJeoI_aGtr1dhuGaONl6c5_y_bBuDJk92CEbFK0FBvyv4LsswsHp2HFE3mS5GDC72qFXPVenJa6Y79T0qzULvywu3TY1WkQ4srishhxXtmrk/s1600/Prince+Harry+and+Cressida+Bonas.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvlF7kZ7H2wFAW66aS0BXquJ2r1rSAZ0NmZo5igAAGBmDqZFXdpz9g9nOVfikpoUn6m1G43GIF4pI6-FrgRiqyYGuMnh8a4c_74ovTmLci2MMR6qydiJah_GLHgstPbST9NgYgvidW18/s1600/Cressida+Bonas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvlF7kZ7H2wFAW66aS0BXquJ2r1rSAZ0NmZo5igAAGBmDqZFXdpz9g9nOVfikpoUn6m1G43GIF4pI6-FrgRiqyYGuMnh8a4c_74ovTmLci2MMR6qydiJah_GLHgstPbST9NgYgvidW18/s1600/Cressida+Bonas.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cressida Bonas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* boton */ google_ad_slot = "4392536701"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 90; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br />

Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas celebrate Christmas separately

Prince Harry and his beloved Cressida Bonas celebrate Christmas separately. According to the newspaper The Telegraph, the girl did not co...

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Lady in pink: Jennifer Lopez on American Idol audition

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKxkWWvr8tUOcym1K8NHzvkteZH4FlZZiCft324jsBdyHOMrTyUQlQegHLzSCDjP1ebyTjFFtNtjf_P21_j_mlvI8pgmnwkTDDO49rsurvPVCZMJEldJut3kUMU8NBDEcVSc4XV4BhY0/s1600/Jennifer+Lopez+on+American+Idol+audition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKxkWWvr8tUOcym1K8NHzvkteZH4FlZZiCft324jsBdyHOMrTyUQlQegHLzSCDjP1ebyTjFFtNtjf_P21_j_mlvI8pgmnwkTDDO49rsurvPVCZMJEldJut3kUMU8NBDEcVSc4XV4BhY0/s1600/Jennifer+Lopez+on+American+Idol+audition.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/search/label/Jennifer%20Lopez" target="_blank">Jennifer Lopez</a></b> not only returned to the American music show American Idol, she had graced like no other. Want proof? Her images speak for themselves - the last pictures that managed to make the paparazzi, the singer looks phenomenal! <br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* biner3 */ google_ad_slot = "7346003106"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script> <br /> In casting the project in Hollywood, Lopez appeared in feminine and sexy outfit - pink blouse with sleeves, mini skirt of the same color and, of course, in the shoe heels. <br /> <br /> Many have noticed that in this ensemble actress looked amazing: tanned legs and seductive curves pop diva drew all eyes around her. <br /> <br /> Recall that Lopez did not think long over the offer to return to the show American Idol: star happily signed on to participate in the 13th season of the popular "Look talents". <br /> <br /> Jen is no stranger to select contestants earlier celebrity was already the judge in the previous seasons of 2011 and 2012.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XZR4-5JUi1fTSjW192t6q1wGYoJM6AYkO5ln9uPm6I4ROYCY9Pe5dXWpt4OJH8TtdOK3TU52_9_o6BvhYBd2DTaIOMR8ari9UMuY2H_9jNjuiRU7iVQNyiy3wJC4KXB51JPqWpo4hqw/s1600/Jennifer+Lopez+on+American+Idol+audition-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XZR4-5JUi1fTSjW192t6q1wGYoJM6AYkO5ln9uPm6I4ROYCY9Pe5dXWpt4OJH8TtdOK3TU52_9_o6BvhYBd2DTaIOMR8ari9UMuY2H_9jNjuiRU7iVQNyiy3wJC4KXB51JPqWpo4hqw/s1600/Jennifer+Lopez+on+American+Idol+audition-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWygndoJrRQbD8VtqvDCJhO3kW3qVDuwlXAqx0-B9dGVup8gMGPyc5ev6QhY9aHQOl-PZTiwAmc3k6wbM3LvI3bPM67eJfKGggJzHgsQ2X3HZB2mlRowoON0-RhAeYbqJUOSJ7zycEOc/s1600/Jennifer+Lopez+on+American+Idol+audition-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWygndoJrRQbD8VtqvDCJhO3kW3qVDuwlXAqx0-B9dGVup8gMGPyc5ev6QhY9aHQOl-PZTiwAmc3k6wbM3LvI3bPM67eJfKGggJzHgsQ2X3HZB2mlRowoON0-RhAeYbqJUOSJ7zycEOc/s1600/Jennifer+Lopez+on+American+Idol+audition-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXRDWNhiwlmIwcrEHY9P0bZ7U-csKHIH5Vu-lviI3nMNBu_CUq5owHXW-ro44c4Wtq0rbO0salXDbMT8V4UX1yeQ70bcdAsDt3O_sc0emVIAmQ-rm7_dTwsyotPle0zltWxldHIXwJr8/s1600/Jennifer+Lopez+on+American+Idol+audition-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXRDWNhiwlmIwcrEHY9P0bZ7U-csKHIH5Vu-lviI3nMNBu_CUq5owHXW-ro44c4Wtq0rbO0salXDbMT8V4UX1yeQ70bcdAsDt3O_sc0emVIAmQ-rm7_dTwsyotPle0zltWxldHIXwJr8/s1600/Jennifer+Lopez+on+American+Idol+audition-3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* boton */ google_ad_slot = "4392536701"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 90; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br />

Lady in pink: Jennifer Lopez on American Idol audition

Jennifer Lopez not only returned to the American music show American Idol, she had graced like no other. Want proof? Her images speak for ...

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Girls: Lena Dunham in the second trailer of the third season

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoW7A12zhfUPYSTpzLw6pQT3KhdqUn9Ac2cJr9KVMZGZqwkkfAWqHI4E-wJC2Er0JqbMc1KV9yBQtXozm8kIBg5wOwjsFaqNInMGNqMlajNFess7tlisqiRw5blVpiUpZp32dd9mmfwE/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoW7A12zhfUPYSTpzLw6pQT3KhdqUn9Ac2cJr9KVMZGZqwkkfAWqHI4E-wJC2Er0JqbMc1KV9yBQtXozm8kIBg5wOwjsFaqNInMGNqMlajNFess7tlisqiRw5blVpiUpZp32dd9mmfwE/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer3.jpg" /></a></div><br />Wait for the third season of the comedy <b>series "Girls"</b> is not so long - the release is scheduled for January next year. However, for the fans do not get bored of the project, the company posted an HBO network the second trailer for the new season of the television movie, one of the main roles which still takes<b> Lena Dunham</b>. <br /> <br /> In the new episodes, which has already become a cult classic, we waiting for more exciting adventures and interesting events. For example, the heroine Dunham - Hannah Horvath - meets again with Adam, Jesse returned Marnie left alone, Shosh continues strange experiments with hair ... <br /> <br /> In general, the girls live to the fullest, as indicated by the slogan of the third season - "Happy, no matter what happens later".<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* biner3 */ google_ad_slot = "7346003106"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGldsyChZRruQSPXPZNirRorIBv_vjrtWyS9wHq6l-uhQWq__iAOhTZ0ItE7wdvol8rgaSSUUDbCAaruaFBA6cXZ3PloX2fD3ubow3i5hsPT70kQaKrRiCOOvbGw-YCgl0VArt4mqiXwc/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGldsyChZRruQSPXPZNirRorIBv_vjrtWyS9wHq6l-uhQWq__iAOhTZ0ItE7wdvol8rgaSSUUDbCAaruaFBA6cXZ3PloX2fD3ubow3i5hsPT70kQaKrRiCOOvbGw-YCgl0VArt4mqiXwc/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4OEr5bjNMagaIwrCp_vHkYARuootYlUM31LwGdOKXbkFo6VKbIHL1BGX2PO1xm198O7ljiDTwLfHSqyOuvD9jbyn4VMxjmwwORNF_rURjkCYUYEIoGBG2Dr0ijmqD5PXDKEfdJTZqt8/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4OEr5bjNMagaIwrCp_vHkYARuootYlUM31LwGdOKXbkFo6VKbIHL1BGX2PO1xm198O7ljiDTwLfHSqyOuvD9jbyn4VMxjmwwORNF_rURjkCYUYEIoGBG2Dr0ijmqD5PXDKEfdJTZqt8/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1fnSUX6pDQjTzKzxCyVwxu2dj7P5PhF97KEKbznkikhFOMTRMyNrc2oVnavyMgbmc3vggKr1xy12FTuhc0MeIS93x4SQBZoeFmTTHnkiMoHYzH-dj5YUn3xODPQ1BAWrpMwl5ISMUwc/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1fnSUX6pDQjTzKzxCyVwxu2dj7P5PhF97KEKbznkikhFOMTRMyNrc2oVnavyMgbmc3vggKr1xy12FTuhc0MeIS93x4SQBZoeFmTTHnkiMoHYzH-dj5YUn3xODPQ1BAWrpMwl5ISMUwc/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWlMvyVIQy_DmaJF3BZvL5OpWSJbzW8fdPyaxZWPYHSvF8CL5ibWrsAHCyNS3b0G9EssoQkRTyQJA3iag1DhOfRKXTOqDedd-OTl3GDWVgZUJL4LK7JBHweLSEs2wLUGkjG67EGa-h-A/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWlMvyVIQy_DmaJF3BZvL5OpWSJbzW8fdPyaxZWPYHSvF8CL5ibWrsAHCyNS3b0G9EssoQkRTyQJA3iag1DhOfRKXTOqDedd-OTl3GDWVgZUJL4LK7JBHweLSEs2wLUGkjG67EGa-h-A/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaq6nkk6R88cLjbR7fJN2TM4xed4ye4uoqd8Gr25qtLts02X2dbv8vlCn2LkkN5LElL0WvnSknq0mCCccxFs0M45OGxzwwAjYRmTmLCZt5rbx5u8KQQSb8O4vsZPq-Wjg7f6u4wFfk4M/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaq6nkk6R88cLjbR7fJN2TM4xed4ye4uoqd8Gr25qtLts02X2dbv8vlCn2LkkN5LElL0WvnSknq0mCCccxFs0M45OGxzwwAjYRmTmLCZt5rbx5u8KQQSb8O4vsZPq-Wjg7f6u4wFfk4M/s1600/Lena+Dunham,+trailer-6.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="460" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wnU13ZHxjGk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /></div><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- boton --><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:90px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8441125172513237" data-ad-slot="4392536701"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br />

Girls: Lena Dunham in the second trailer of the third season

Wait for the third season of the comedy series "Girls" is not so long - the release is scheduled for January next year. However,...

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Rachel Zoe said his son's name, and published his first online photo

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aEp6ElAg2bPhwPpqS32XfzDnGgMhc1DmgZfhM_Iw-dh_6aQYqQi6ydMlFDaFYX1JZ_fBf9d0v-KkQXZfuTKK0UhODcrdr6Xj8b9xLKrYay_Ii_KxwmxJFocoE8QqnRfRXygpiYUO3K8/s1600/Rachel+Zoe+said+his+son's+name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aEp6ElAg2bPhwPpqS32XfzDnGgMhc1DmgZfhM_Iw-dh_6aQYqQi6ydMlFDaFYX1JZ_fBf9d0v-KkQXZfuTKK0UhODcrdr6Xj8b9xLKrYay_Ii_KxwmxJFocoE8QqnRfRXygpiYUO3K8/s1600/Rachel+Zoe+said+his+son's+name.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Caius " Kai " Jagger Berman - so named his newborn son <b>Rachel Zoe</b> and her husband Roger Berman .</div> <br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* biner3 */ google_ad_slot = "7346003106"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br /> In addition , the American stylist, designer and writer shared with fans the first baby photo : Zoe published a touching picture in his blog where just told the boy's name . <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">I wanted it to The Zoe Report readers first saw photos of our family , which appeared Caius Jagger Berman, aka " Kai ."<br /> Roger , Skyler and I love him madly .Thanks for all your kind words, they are very important for nas.<br />Zhelayu you and your families a great holiday and a Happy New Year !</blockquote> <br /> We remind that on pregnancy Zoe became known last September. Despite the imminent addition, Zoe was to last light. Yesterday it emerged that in the star collection was a joyful event-the designer's second child was born. <br />The 42-year-old Zoe and her husband have a son, Skyler, who, by the way, thanks to the efforts of MOM-stylist is considered one of the most fashionable of the children of the world. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTyLQmdsuhg82lbTk-T9o9vZ6Rn207kPeZHl3usFUEiOyEOSYl0c9Rh3OZsRS4dX4x7AJ__IMYXaIPcNYsz2ISkLW6locAJbpsoiZa8_wl1NvqYpcfCBnDHLSHI7csQV0FqxTXMakzvA/s1600/baby+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTyLQmdsuhg82lbTk-T9o9vZ6Rn207kPeZHl3usFUEiOyEOSYl0c9Rh3OZsRS4dX4x7AJ__IMYXaIPcNYsz2ISkLW6locAJbpsoiZa8_wl1NvqYpcfCBnDHLSHI7csQV0FqxTXMakzvA/s1600/baby+photo.jpg" /></a></div><br /><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- boton --><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:90px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8441125172513237" data-ad-slot="4392536701"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br />

Rachel Zoe said his son's name, and published his first online photo

Caius " Kai " Jagger Berman - so named his newborn son Rachel Zoe and her husband Roger Berman . In addition , the American st...

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7 Reasons Not To Make A Bucket List (BLOG)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-Fz0ojDlw_mEx4iigM0TVBlMGIp0DC7OwtgVnxYgRPDFhACYjfy-o5yYNGMLRMWLhgLgZz3RQgMc-TPlYvetrcNOSpqHKslaH_jfl4B1OsXh6y9yfI4x-x0o5qeJhAzYfVBXPAh6NPc/s1600/o-163300142-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-Fz0ojDlw_mEx4iigM0TVBlMGIp0DC7OwtgVnxYgRPDFhACYjfy-o5yYNGMLRMWLhgLgZz3RQgMc-TPlYvetrcNOSpqHKslaH_jfl4B1OsXh6y9yfI4x-x0o5qeJhAzYfVBXPAh6NPc/s320/o-163300142-facebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">They're fabulous in theory, but bucket lists -- from <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gayot/top-10-mustsee-travel-des_b_3112695.html" style="border: 0px; color: #239ab6; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">short ones</a> to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/13/the-ultimate-bucket-list-_n_4267370.html" style="border: 0px; color: #239ab6; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">long ones</a> to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/15/2014-travel-bucket-list_n_4428222.html" style="border: 0px; color: #239ab6; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">ones for the coming year</a> -- can harm your travel life more than they help.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Here are seven reasons to ditch yours.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1. A bucket list gives you tunnel vision.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />If you arrive in Australia fixated on that singular bungee jump that's been on your list for decades, you're a lot less apt to notice the kangaroo by the side of the road-- you know what we're sayin'? When you design an entire trip out of crossing off one specific activity, you automatically make that activity the "purpose" of the trip. Consequently, you're more likely to turn down any little side adventure, attraction, or spontaneous offer that steals time away from the trip's "purpose." And as we know, it's those random side adventures that make travel awesome.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2. High expectations will sabotage you.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />You've been Googling pictures of that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/jellyfish-lake-palau-video_n_1115577.html" style="border: 0px; color: #239ab6; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">jellyfish lake</a> -- where you can swim among golden jellies without a sting -- for years. So what if, due to migration patterns, the jellies aren't swarming on the day you finally make your visit? Major disappointment. Trip ruined. Your expectations have rendered this trip "a failure," and it's going to feel horrible. Much of the time, it's better to travel carefree, expecting nothing more than quality time with yourself or those around you.<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3. Bucket lists make you travel for obligation, not pleasure.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />You don't reeeally have money to spend on your bucket-list ticket to the soccer league finals, but you're doing it anyway because it's on your bucket list, gosh darn it, and how could you neglect something on your one and only <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">bucket list</em>? The truth is, though, that people change and their travel goals change. When you have a bucket list, you risk spending precious travel time on experiences you feel obligated to complete, not on experiences that you're craving at the moment. Travel when you want, and go where you want... follow your whims.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">4. Bucket lists cause regret.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />You're not a "bad" traveler because you didn't get to everything on your bucket list, or because you've yet to check anything off it yet. But that's the way we tend to think whenever make a list of sky-high goals. A bucket list automatically sets a travel standard for yourself, and it's a standard you're not likely to meet. Ditching it erases the potential for regret and allows you to celebrate the trips that you do accomplish.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5. You'll miss out on spontaneous getaways. </strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Bucket lists are not often cheap to complete. So if you're serious about your bucket list, you're much more likely to turn down all those little trips along the way, because you're saving money and energy for your "big" bucket list journeys. Spontaneity is pretty much the essence of travel, though, and when you look back, you'll be bummed that you didn't hop on your friend's last-minute road trip or that two-day-only deal with flights to Hawaii. Embrace last-minute adventures!</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">6. Bucket lists contribute to the one-upping epidemic.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />And nobody wants to cause an epidemic. Bucket lists are all about doing the <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">most epic</em> thing, in the <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">most epic</em> place, to make for the <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">most epic</em> life. Though we may tell ourselves otherwise, way too often the real reason for wanting this epic-ness is so we can brag about it to others in conversation... and on Facebook... and on Instagram. There is a question the traveler must always ask himself: am I pursuing these experiences for my own enjoyment, or for the enjoyment of telling others how much I enjoyed them?</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">7. A bucket list turns you into a tourist. </strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />The issue here is how experiences make it onto your bucket list: much of the time, it's going to be because you saw them on a travel blog or on TV or in a guidebook. These activities are the coolest activities a particular town or region has to offer. But beelining for the regional hotspots, my friends, is what tourists do, not <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/14/signs-youre-a-traveler_n_4235329.html" style="border: 0px; color: #239ab6; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">what travelers do</a>. It is not the most authentic way to soak up local culture. Take that big-ticket music festival off your itinerary so you can escape crowds of foreigners and instead roll with the locals to where people <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">really</em> hang out.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Huffington Post</div></div>

7 Reasons Not To Make A Bucket List (BLOG)

They're fabulous in theory, but bucket lists -- from  short ones  to  long ones  to  ones for the coming year  -- can harm your travel l...

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U.S. Ranks Near Bottom Among Advanced Nations In Efficiency Of Health Care Spending (BLOG)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV29sG8IFL9vWFs9ZB0kCt3tQtbMGlL8iJQUy9az0eEReB-GDwSMkkFhoNQhv2E0BbNyOvRAbopm6zl0UtgpESfdVzmhhmTexJWKXMUzgGhf7aIp_TzJiLzu14_jnap7sLQrmjO1Aohc/s1600/n-HEALTH-CARE-SPENDING-large570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV29sG8IFL9vWFs9ZB0kCt3tQtbMGlL8iJQUy9az0eEReB-GDwSMkkFhoNQhv2E0BbNyOvRAbopm6zl0UtgpESfdVzmhhmTexJWKXMUzgGhf7aIp_TzJiLzu14_jnap7sLQrmjO1Aohc/s320/n-HEALTH-CARE-SPENDING-large570.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">While the great health care debate continues across the nation, a new study shows our struggles for health care go far beyond just the quarrels in Washington.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Researchers at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/" style="border: 0px; color: #6a5bff; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">McGill University</a> and the <a href="http://ph.ucla.edu/" style="border: 0px; color: #6a5bff; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">UCLA Fielding School of Public Health</a>analyzed the efficacy of health care systems across the world and found the U.S. ranks 22nd out of 27 high income nations when it comes to increasing life expectancy.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The analysis, published in the <a href="http://ajph.aphapublications.org/" style="border: 0px; color: #6a5bff; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">American Journal of Public Health </a>, defined health efficiency by the increase in life expectancy relative to health care dollars spent. In the U.S., every additional $100 spent on health care increased patient life expectancy by around half a month, while in the most efficient nations life expectancy grew by over four months with the same cost. Germany topped off the list of most efficient nations, followed by Switzerland and Italy, while Luxembourg and Greece fell at the bottom.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The inefficiency of U.S. spending is particularly staggering, although not necessarily surprising, given that in 2009, publicly-financed health care expenses reached $1.14 trillion, up from $646 billion in 2001. It's one of the top countries when it comes to<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/most-efficient-healthcare_n_3825477.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6a5bff; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">health care spending by capita</a> in the world, trumped only by Switzerland.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">But there's more.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">"While there are large differences in the efficiency of health spending across countries, men have experienced greater life expectancy gains than women per health dollar spent within nearly every country," study author Douglas Barthold said in a release.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">When it comes to increasing female life expectancy, the U.S. ranking dropped down further to 25th place while it fared slightly better for men's health care efficiency at 18th place. Troublingly, women pay $1 billion more than men annually in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/19/health-care-costs-women-affordable-care_n_1364556.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6a5bff; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">insurance costs </a>according to one report.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The findings raise several questions on how a more advanced nation can have such an inefficient health care system and why there is such a substantial gender disparity. But the key to a more efficient system could be treating it as a health care system rather than a "sick care" system, Huffington Post blogger <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-blumenthal/affordable-care-act_b_1737731.html" style="border: 0px; color: #6a5bff; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Susan Blumental</a> wrote. "Costs are compounded by preventable chronic illness... tobacco use, obesity and lack of physical activity -- have overwhelmed the American health care system," Blumenthal wrote.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Researchers say the findings warrant further research on the gender disparities and the lack of investment in preventive medicine.</div></div>

U.S. Ranks Near Bottom Among Advanced Nations In Efficiency Of Health Care Spending (BLOG)

While the great health care debate continues across the nation, a new study shows our struggles for health care go far beyond just the quarr...

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Unreal Eats: Guess What's In Your Holiday Drinks (BLOG)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlO-cd2yV5MlU5PoxSptJVk1NU0C_nqiceVkcFgdYLyaBA5nLELY4FsUIIYaOkUV_TCkcLBjcQ47kKeb6XFl9M9zqF5n_7KuUwL_dA7l5Y_RTl_vDpqaxV0B2uQmGhxUtODVLMa_6nts/s1600/o-HOLIDAY-DRINKS-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlO-cd2yV5MlU5PoxSptJVk1NU0C_nqiceVkcFgdYLyaBA5nLELY4FsUIIYaOkUV_TCkcLBjcQ47kKeb6XFl9M9zqF5n_7KuUwL_dA7l5Y_RTl_vDpqaxV0B2uQmGhxUtODVLMa_6nts/s320/o-HOLIDAY-DRINKS-facebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">It's cold out and you want a treat. And while that holiday latte seems so tempting and festive -- a small treat, in the scheme of things, really -- you'd be surprised by just how much sugar is in one of these cups. Take, for example the Dunkin' Donuts Peppermint Mocha Latte, which has 73 grams of sugar per large cup. The latte isn't even the most sugary drink we found and yet it has <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/christmas-cookie-packages/90db105f-a120-43bd-a9a5-5107be942d7b" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">more sugar than eight christmas cookies</a> or two cans of Coke.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The American Heart Association recommends that women eat <a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/Sugars-and-Carbohydrates_UCM_303296_Article.jsp#" style="border: 0px; color: #6aa3b1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">no more than six teaspoons</a> of added sugar a day and men eat no more than nine. That amounts to 24 grams for women and 36 grams for men for an <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">entire day</em>.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">We don't mean to vilify Dunkin' Donuts -- Starbucks, Jamba Juice and Argo Tea, among others -- are just as sugary in their holiday offerings. Brace yourself for the details above.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>

Unreal Eats: Guess What's In Your Holiday Drinks (BLOG)

It's cold out and you want a treat. And while that holiday latte seems so tempting and festive -- a small treat, in the scheme of things...

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Christmas Fun and Games

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Holaaaaaaaaaaaaa! It’s Christmas Eve and we’re all really busy with last minute shopping, cooking and family fun. Before things get out of hand though, IWS Radio has a couple of pretty fun audios for your enjoyment. If you listened to “Holly Jolly Festivus” this week, then you heard both of these. If you didn’t, then SHAME ON YOU!! I mean, then here’s your chance to check out some of the jocularity you missed! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">First we have Santa Claus doing his standup comedy routine for us.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OM89HgvEgjQ" width="420"></iframe><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Next, we’ve got the IWS Players (Paul Piatt, Bobby Kraft, Dixie Ozark, Malcolm Eckstein, Made in Canada Jamie, Dusty Sandman and Stubby Stonehenge) performing “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mayV8G87WJ8" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you to everyone out there who has supported IWS Radio and listened and read our blog! We love each and every one of you guys! Merry Christmas!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div></div></div>

Christmas Fun and Games

Holaaaaaaaaaaaaa! It’s Christmas Eve and we’re all really busy with last minute shopping, cooking and family fun. Before things get out of h...

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Jahi McMath, Girl Left Brain Dead From Routine Tonsillectomy, To Be Kept On Life Support (BLOG)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wjdAmwSXClpkG7DDS6UPXDky0buAVu6lCT1Jiji6IMaOyn-RAQd88nYM2OIkakx-aT4VKWA2i86ssqdHtEfLYK-ffNei9Bkbj-ioZGob-HYJ9C_-rpB86oUy2mwmj9goLbtvjRHWOdk/s1600/n-JAHI-MCMATH-large570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wjdAmwSXClpkG7DDS6UPXDky0buAVu6lCT1Jiji6IMaOyn-RAQd88nYM2OIkakx-aT4VKWA2i86ssqdHtEfLYK-ffNei9Bkbj-ioZGob-HYJ9C_-rpB86oUy2mwmj9goLbtvjRHWOdk/s320/n-JAHI-MCMATH-large570.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A 13-year-old California girl declared brain dead after complications from a tonsillectomy should be kept on life support for the time being, a judge has ruled.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The family of Jahi McMath says doctors at Children's Hospital Oakland wanted to disconnect life support after Jahi was declared brain dead on Dec. 12.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Friday's ruling by Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo came as both sides in the case agreed to get together and chose a neurologist to further examine Jahi and determine her condition. The judge scheduled a hearing Monday to appoint a physician.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The girl's family sought the court order to keep Jahi on a ventilator. They left the courtroom without commenting.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">After her daughter underwent a supposedly routine tonsillectomy and was moved to a recovery room, Nailah Winkfield began to fear something was going horribly wrong.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Jahi was sitting up in bed, her hospital gown bloody, and holding a pink cup full of blood.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">"Is this normal?" Winkfield repeatedly asked nurses.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">With her family and hospital staff trying to help and comfort her, Jahi kept bleeding profusely for the next few hours then went into cardiac arrest, her mother said.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Despite the family's description of the surgery as routine, the hospital said in a memorandum presented to the court Friday that the procedure was a "complicated" one.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">"Ms. McMath is dead and cannot be brought back to life," the hospital said in the memo, adding: "Children's is under no legal obligation to provide medical or other intervention for a deceased person."</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">In an interview at Children's Hospital Oakland on Thursday night, Winkfield described the nightmarish turn of events after her daughter underwent tonsil removal surgery to help with her sleep apnea.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">She said that even before the surgery, her daughter had expressed fears that she wouldn't wake up after the operation. To everyone's relief, she appeared alert, was talking and even ate a Popsicle afterward.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">But about a half-hour later, shortly after the girl was taken to the intensive care unit, she began bleeding from her mouth and nose despite efforts by hospital staff and her family.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">While the bleeding continued, Jahi wrote her mother notes. In one, the girl asked to have her nose wiped because she felt it running. Her mother said she didn't want to scare her daughter by saying it was blood.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Family members said there were containers of Jahi's blood in the room, and hospital staff members were providing transfusions to counteract the blood loss.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">"I don't know what a tonsillectomy is supposed to look like after you have it, but that blood was un-normal for anything," Winkfield said.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The family said hospital officials told them in a meeting Thursday that they want to take the girl off life support quickly.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">"I just looked at the doctor to his face and I told him you better not touch her," Winkfield recalled.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Despite the family's description of the surgery as routine, the hospital said in a memorandum presented to the court Friday that the procedure was a "complicated" one.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">"Ms. McMath is dead and cannot be brought back to life," the hospital said in the memo, adding: "Children's is under no legal obligation to provide medical or other intervention for a deceased person."</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The family filed a request Friday for a temporary restraining order prohibiting the hospital from taking Jahi off life support or any of her other current treatment.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">At the hearing later, the hospital's attorney, Doug Straus, said two doctors unaffiliated with the hospital examined Jahi and concluded that she was brain dead. But he said, "We're happy to cooperate with the judge's suggestion that an independent expert be provided to confirm yet again that brain death is the outcome that has occurred here."</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The family's attorney, Christopher Dolan, said the family wanted independent tests of their own because they do not believe the hospital's physicians are sufficiently independent.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">"There is mistrust and there is a conflict of interest," he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Judge Grillo said he would grant the restraining order in hopes that a resolution could be reached by Christmas to give the family peace of mind.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Hospitals do a barrage of sophisticated tests to determine brain death, said Dr. Cristobal Barrios, an associate professor and a trauma and critical care surgeon at the University of California, Irvine. He is not involved in Jahi's care and spoke about general hospital protocols.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">The tests include touching a patient's cornea to elicit a blink, moving a breathing tube to stimulate a gag reflex, tickling the back of the throat to bring on a cough, and applying pressure or pain.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">If the patient fails to respond to all of those tests, doctors remove the breathing tube for a few minutes. If there is any brain activity, the patient should begin breathing within a few minutes, he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">In some cases, doctors will also draw a blood sample, add radioactive tags and re-inject it into the body to track where it flows. If the blood doesn't flow to the brain, Barrios said, there is no brain activity.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Generally, two teams of specialists must run the tests and determine independently that the patient is brain dead, he said. At UC Irvine, those evaluations must take place 12 hours apart if the patient is a child.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Barrios said it's not unusual for family members to resist a diagnosis of brain death.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">While the hospital is not obligated to keep life support going after that diagnosis, Barrios has left brain dead patients hooked up for up to five days while family members move toward acceptance, he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">"I understand why sometimes for families it's devastating and confusing," he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">___</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Associated Press writer Gillian Flaccus in Santa Ana contributed to this report.</div></div>

Jahi McMath, Girl Left Brain Dead From Routine Tonsillectomy, To Be Kept On Life Support (BLOG)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A 13-year-old California girl declared brain dead after complications from a tonsillectomy should be kept on life sup...

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19 Things You'll Only Appreciate If You Studied Abroad (BLOG)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufvVeQKuuTBfP63XK9BllIDr_nBIFjjBoImcDkL0ivHxNRyfX7ybOnKiqwZWQaqnf92alH19OUpzroyG89QiIJTvyjlCPLsWb3Sk-BNGCLdnr8Jg7LWz_z-BUFHy2xcA-6CBoraM2pY4/s1600/n-DONER-KEBAB-large570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufvVeQKuuTBfP63XK9BllIDr_nBIFjjBoImcDkL0ivHxNRyfX7ybOnKiqwZWQaqnf92alH19OUpzroyG89QiIJTvyjlCPLsWb3Sk-BNGCLdnr8Jg7LWz_z-BUFHy2xcA-6CBoraM2pY4/s320/n-DONER-KEBAB-large570.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">Because as someone famous once said, "the best things you learn aren't learned in a classroom."</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1. Contrary to every mother's belief, you won’t even feel sick if you eat gelato for every meal.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Or pizza. Or crepes. Or empanadas. Or anything in the top, bad-for-you section of the food pyramid. We’re on a budget here, people.</div><div id="_giphy_d2ItDZZumUI6Y" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 284px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 500px;"><img height="284" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/d2ItDZZumUI6Y/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="500" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2. Humans are inherently kind.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Strangers will go far, far out of their way to help you get around. All you must do is ask sincerely and thank copiously.<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="453313253" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1505993/thumbs/o-453313253-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3. Just because something is in a guidebook doesn’t mean you have to go look at it.</strong><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Exhibit A: <a href="http://www.brussels.be/artdet.cfm/4328" style="border: 0px; color: #239ab6; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Manneken-Pis</a>.<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="148742123" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1505991/thumbs/o-148742123-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></big></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">4. It’s better for everyone if we just pretend Euros are dollars.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Just forget the exchange rate, and stop converting every price to dollars in your head. It causes too much pain.</div><div id="_giphy_5885nYOgBHdCw" style="border: 0px; height: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;"><img height="0" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/5885nYOgBHdCw/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="0" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><big style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /></big><div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5. Ryanair seats do not recline.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />…but you could’ve guessed that from the prices.</div><div id="_giphy_6CTmBNi0zpmOA" style="border: 0px; height: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;"><img height="0" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/6CTmBNi0zpmOA/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="0" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><big style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /></big><div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">6. America is not the center of the universe.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />There are other people living on this planet, and they live differently than we do, and they are really happy that way. It’s an awesome thing to realize.<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="175929948" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1507640/thumbs/o-175929948-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-dner-kebab.htm" style="border: 0px; color: #239ab6; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">7. Doner kebab</a> as drunk food is one thousand times better than nachos as drunk food.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Mostly because nobody’s really sure which animal that shaved meat comes from. What a fun, mysterious taste bud adventure!<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="doner kebab" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1507691/thumbs/o-DONER-KEBAB-570.jpg?4" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">8. Every person in a hostel is a potential best friend.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />And sometimes they’ll agree to travel with you for days or weeks, after knowing you for a mere day. Voilà! Lifelong pals!</div><div id="_giphy_2JEcU3fHZcjGU" style="border: 0px; height: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;"><img height="0" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/2JEcU3fHZcjGU/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="0" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><big style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></big><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">9. Trains don’t always depart when they say they will.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />…or ever.</div><div id="_giphy_BdzRxLwEyioU0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 213px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 500px;"><img height="213" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/BdzRxLwEyioU0/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="500" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">10. It is not only possible, but socially permissible, to wear the same outfit for seven days in a row </strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />How else are you going to fit your suitcase into the easyJet carry-on box? All you really need are a few colored scarves… that way, people won’t notice the same T-shirt recurring in photo after photo.<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="http://instagram.com/p/hr4WjLNUZL/embed/" style="border-width: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="500"></iframe></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">11. English truly is the universal language.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />And people who are learning English looove to practice it with you, even if they don't make sense.</div><div id="_giphy_kKD3A7QLIhhVm" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 280px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 500px;"><img height="280" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/kKD3A7QLIhhVm/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="500" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">12. Dinnertime in America is seriously warped.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Why did the Founding Fathers decide to eat at six when everybody else on the planet waits till 10?</div><div id="_giphy_hZwVU8ExuTuPC" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 230px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 500px;"><img height="230" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/hZwVU8ExuTuPC/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="500" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">13. Spontaneity is rewarded.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Like that time you snagged the one Euro flight to Finland in an online promo. Or when you bought a last-minute ticket to the show in Ibiza. They weren’t the most logical decisions, to be sure, but they’re memories you’ll replay in your mind forever.<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="174464143" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1507620/thumbs/o-174464143-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">14. Nothing bonds you like traveling. </strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />The way to know if you’re truly friends with someone? Food poisoning from the street fruit. Or a seven-hour bus delay. Or Wizz Air.</div><div id="_giphy_KrHaLUAF1vaZq" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 283px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 500px;"><img height="283" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/KrHaLUAF1vaZq/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="500" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">15. Studying abroad involves, on average, about four minutes of actual studying.</strong><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Shh, don’t tell.</big></div><div id="_giphy_GEouUbIuIAsxO" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 220px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 500px;"><img height="220" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/GEouUbIuIAsxO/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="500" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">16. Taxi drivers are some of the greatest people on Earth.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />They just love to <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">talk</em>. And they’re so <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">enthusiastic</em>. And they <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">drive you places so you don’t get lost like usual</em>. <br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="doner kebab" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1507789/thumbs/o-DONER-KEBAB-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">17. Traveling solo reveals hidden talents. </strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />You wouldn’t have thought you could navigate a Czech subway without a map… but you did. </div><div id="_giphy_11wsZr0jbXc15m" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 250px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 500px; padding: 0px; width: 500px;"><img height="250" src="https://d16jfyletng9p5.cloudfront.net/media/11wsZr0jbXc15m/giphy.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="500" /><img alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-PdxaRL3tyJt0S.gif" style="border: none !important; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 1px !important;" width="1" /></div><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">18. The <a href="http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/Index.aspx" style="border: 0px; color: #239ab6; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_hplink">Guinness Storehouse</a> is a legitimate historical site.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />No, we’re not proud of this fact. But at this point, it’s pretty much true.<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="guinness storehouse" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1507808/thumbs/o-GUINNESS-STOREHOUSE-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;"><big style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">19. Study abroaders are incredibly lucky people.</strong></big><br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" />Very few humans get to spend carefree months exploring the world beyond their hometown, let alone during college. To study abroad is a privilege, and an awesome one at that.<br style="border: 0px; display: block; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="165531339" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1507814/thumbs/o-165531339-570.jpg?1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div></div>

19 Things You'll Only Appreciate If You Studied Abroad (BLOG)

Because as someone famous once said, "the best things you learn aren't learned in a classroom." 1. Contrary to every mother...

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Slimming Advice For Men

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Tommy Taylor</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>A few men believe the stereotype that 'dieting' is only for girls. That is a shame, since a huge percentage of males are too heavy and also are affected by diet and weight-related illnesses including heart problems, diabetic issues, and even cancer. Although body image pressures may well be less on males than females, a lot of men still would like to shed weight. Many simply have no idea where to begin. Below are a few weight loss guidelines for guys that could offer them the information that they need to make weight reduction an appealing and realistic objective:<br /> <br /> Eat Less Food More Regularly Many men split all their eating between a couple of big meals. Because they're so busy, a lot of men miss breakfast time, have a very measly lunch, then gorge on dinner. This is the complete opposite of how their day should go. More foods needs to be consumed earlier on in the day, with amounts trailing off as the day goes by. On top of that, extra healthy snacks should really be consumed throughout the day which keeps the metabolism burning. Try having five or even six smallish meals/snacks during the day, with more targeted in the first half.<br /> <br /> PROTEIN Shakes or Smoothies Protein shakes or smoothies are not just for bodybuilders or sports athletes. A protein shake is an efficient method of getting a lot of the vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbs that you need for a day inside a convenient, easy, and tasty product. Add a shake to your own early morning or post-workout meals and you will have even more vigor, feel better, and overcome your food cravings.<br /> <br /> Weight Training Many men know about weightlifting, but a lot of them do it for specific motives associated with body image and composition. In particular, too many guys waste countless hours in the gym working on their bicep curls and bench presses. Instead, guys need to focus on entire body strength training to achieve the most reward from their workouts. They are going to use up calories, release far more growth hormone and testosterone, and have a much stronger and much more balanced shape as a direct result. Don't merely focus on the 'glamour muscles.'<br /> <br /> Cheat Day You shouldn't be frightened to mix in a cheat day every so often - a maximum of once per week. It will allow you to discharge a little psychological steam by having some foods you really like. This can also ramp up a metabolism which may have stalled if you've eaten too few calories during the week. If you have reached a plateau in your weightloss, eat a cheat dish in order to reactivate the body.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Shoot For Health And Fitness, Not Weight Inevitably, we wish to slim down because we want to become more healthy. It is thus short sighted to simply concentrate on calories in, calories out if we sacrifice the make up, balance, and healthiness of our diet in the process. Ensure you have a good amount of natural vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants in your diet. Stay away from nasty bad fats, and try restrict your refined sugar consumption.<br /> <br /> Build A Little Physical Exercise Into The Day Park further away and walk the distance, or perhaps take the stairs rather than the lift. This will provide you with modest chances of burning additional calories, and it will mount up gradually.<br /> <br /> Create Rituals As Tony Schwartz has explained, we are unsuccessful at making changes due to the fact many of us depend far too much on our own self-discipline. Strength of mind and self-discipline are usually extremely overrated - the majority of us don't possess as much of these resources as we would like to believe we have. Instead, we ought to create highly repeatable, engaging rituals in our day that are distinct, quantifiable, and measurable.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Discover the <a href="http://bestloseweightplan.com">best weight loss plan</a>. Body wrap to the stars <a href="http://facebook.com/thebodywrap">It Works Body Applicators</a></div><br /> </div><br />

Slimming Advice For Men

By Tommy Taylor A few men believe the stereotype that 'dieting' is only for girls. That is a shame, since a huge percentage of ma...

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'Hobbit 2' Still Reigns at the Box Office, 'Anchorman 2' Stumbles (BLOG)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYVzQLYfMF3P9zKSNrUGCvMUVPC2eREeHlH0wGuB1Br_4fUxMjCLl5Jm7_p2HhZdXyZct1XSBaYEF1s3YrwC87e9UOfzSw-hgMYTLR5lSGIyMuqIyRC20c_isHLAYeaFdiHDYrhWZopo/s1600/131222-hobbit2-600x400-1387741640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYVzQLYfMF3P9zKSNrUGCvMUVPC2eREeHlH0wGuB1Br_4fUxMjCLl5Jm7_p2HhZdXyZct1XSBaYEF1s3YrwC87e9UOfzSw-hgMYTLR5lSGIyMuqIyRC20c_isHLAYeaFdiHDYrhWZopo/s320/131222-hobbit2-600x400-1387741640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">WINNER OF THE WEEK: Baggins. <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug-20131212" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><em style="font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 0.012em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug</em></a> did what everyone expected it to do: It earned an estimated $31.5 million, falling 57 percent from last weekend's debut. Still, that was enough for the film to remain at Number One. So far, it's earned $127.5 million, which is well behind the $150.0 million that the previous <em style="font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 0.012em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hobbit</em> installment earned over its first 10 days. Yet it still gets to enjoy bragging rights, not just for being on top for two weeks, but also for beating…</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">LOSER OF THE WEEK: Burgundy. Pundits expected <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues-20131218" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues</em></a> to debut on top with a $40 million weekend. Instead, it opened with just an estimated $26.8 million for the weekend and a total of $40.0 million since its opening on Wednesday. The movie was massively hyped, but that may not have been enough to overcome a last-minute release-date shift and weak word-of-mouth (it earned just a B grade at CinemaScore).</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">Also underperforming was 3D toon <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Walking With Dinosaurs</em>. Expectations were already low for this one (about $8 or $9 million), since it would have to compete for the kiddie-toon dollar against the still-powerful <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Frozen</em> (Number Three this weekend, with an estimated $19.2 million). Even so, it premiered with just $7.3 million, debuting in eighth place.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">DO THE 'HUSTLE': Now that the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations are out and the Oscar race is in full swing, the awards hopefuls are starting to push and shove their way into the multiplex. In their second weeks, <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/american-hustle-20131212" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">American Hustle</em></a> and <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/saving-mr-banks-20131212" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Saving Mr. Banks</em></a> both added about 2,100 theaters and, as a result, crashed the top five. <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hustle </em>took fourth place with an estimated $19.1 million (though with only a $63,000 gap between its estimate and <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Frozen's</em>, it's possible that <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hustle</em> will rise to third place when final numbers are released on Monday). In fifth place, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Banks</em> earned an estimated $9.3 million. (And, just because the top 10 needed more shaking up, debuting in ninth place was Bollywood action sequel <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dhoom 3</em>, earning an estimated $3.3 million on just 236 screens.)</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dhoom 3</em> averaged an impressive $14,004 per venue, but the biggest per-screen average of the weekend belonged to <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/her-20131218" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Her</em></a>. Spike Jonze's awards-appeal drama, about a man (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with his smartphone's operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), opened on just six screens but earned an estimated $258,000, for an average of $43,000. It's hard to imagine a movie as offbeat as <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Her</em> doing as well as <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">American Hustle</em> or <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Saving Mr. Banks</em>, but that's an awfully good start.</div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Follow us: <a href="http://ec.tynt.com/b/rw?id=bbJxak64Kr4kEzacwqm_6l&u=rollingstone" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">@rollingstone on Twitter</a> | <a href="http://ec.tynt.com/b/rf?id=bbJxak64Kr4kEzacwqm_6l&u=RollingStone" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">RollingStone on Facebook</a></span></div>

'Hobbit 2' Still Reigns at the Box Office, 'Anchorman 2' Stumbles (BLOG)

WINNER OF THE WEEK: Baggins.  The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug  did what everyone expected it to do: It earned an estimated $31.5 million...

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