Top 10 free iphone / itouch apps

I'm a simple person with simple joys, like adding new apps to my iphone. Top 10 free apps:

1. Pandora AND/OR Finetune
Either of these two apps is a must have (get them both they are small and free). With an unlimited data plan or wifi access you can enjoy uninterrupted, personal, and customizable radio anywhere.

With Pandora you set up stations based on songs or artist you like and Pandora does the rest (picking music to play that matches your preferences). As you listen to your stations you can vote on the music Pandora picks for you. Spending a few minutes voting here and there over a few months will really help you create amazing radio stations more here.

Finetune is another great internet music app that allows you to create playlists of specific songs. Finetune will then play back just those songs in a random order for your listening pleasure.

2. Aroundme AND/OR urbanspoon
These handy GPS like apps are updated constantly and direct you to the closest (aroundme) or most random (urbanspoon) shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, banks, hotels, ect. I prefer aroundme for function and urbanspoon for fun. If you let these apps determine your location they will even map a route very GPSesque.

3. Stanza
This great app turns your $400 mp3 player into an excellent, expandable e-reader. What make the app stellar is its access to thousands of free downloadable books!

4. Sportacular
For all sports nuts, you list your favorite teams and sportacular will provide you will up to date scores, stats, rankings, ect. It's quick, easy and keeps track of the basics.

5. I.tv
Simple easy to use TV guide!

6. minipiano
Tap out a tune anytime anywhere, and if you are really good run this app with music playing and try your hand at accompaniment.

Read more for 7-10

(in random order)
Scribble
MS paint like app that lets you paint over your pictures

Y. Painter
Provides real paintbrush strokes, and is a little more kid friendly

MicroSurface
More for show and tell. This app allows you to manipulate photos on a blank screen in really neat ways. You can use it to make collages of your pictures, I use it to show what my gizzmo is capable of.

Conversions
Converts almost anything (feet, gallons, yards, ect) to almost anything.

Honorable mention:
Google Earth
This probably belongs somewhere within the top five due to its popularity... I don't use it should I?

Didn't rank the best free medical apps: MediMath, Epocrates Rx, Eponyms
Or religious apps: Bible, Quoran, ect.

Let me know what you think.
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Best Lollipops Ever

Ahh, the bittersweet bowl of candy on a secretary's desk. It's not the candy that is the problem it's the uncomfortable glance that occurs about 60-70% of the time. While trying to look inviting the secretary only has one thought going through her mind when someone reaches out to grab a piece of candy - I just re-stocked that bowl yesterday. Through her half smile the nonverbal cues ooze - Get your hands out of my bowl!

The other day I was in the doctor's office when I spotted a bowl full of candy placed just above a clerk's desk. This bowl caught my eye; it was filled with candy I had never seen before. Since the clerk was gone, I walked over to take a closer look. "Oh, just lollipops", I thought, "I'll take one anyway since I'm already here".

Looking at the wrapper as I ripped it off I noticed the flavor: Pomegranate pucker. It was amazing! Really the best lollipop I've ever eaten. As I was standing next to the bowl savoring the flavor, the clerk walked back to his seat. I didn't care.. with the sucker sticking out of my mouth I dove back into the candy bowl for a Mango tango. Let me tell you, the disapproving scowl was so worth it.

Luckily, the wrapper included a website: yummyearth.com
I think you might be able to find them cheaper on amazon.com or costco.com. Enjoy!

No I am not being paid for this post... haha, maybe I should be.
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What's in his name?

Sarah Palin gave a great speech tonight officially accepting the nomination to run for Vice President. She also spent a little time talking about her family and children.

I thought it was pretty interesting that the last little guy's name just happens to be Trig. Now, what if they selected that strange name on purpose? The beautiful child has Down syndrome which is usually a chromosome 21 trisomy. This means that most kids with Downs have three chromosome 21s instead of the usual two. In fact often people refer to Down Syndrome as trisomy 21.

Here is where it gets interesting. Let's just say the TRI in trig stands for trisomy. What about the G? Well, G is the 7th letter of the alphabet. 7x3=21! Now whether they meant to do it or not, the child's disease is hidden within the child's name! Coincidence? Naw, that lady's going to be the Vice President, she knew what she was doing. Thoughts?
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Nini the turtle?

I read this in a forum a while back, but thought it was absurd. However, the more I think about the the more I wonder if it is true. You probably know by now that lining up the first words of each of the Beijing mascots give you "Beijing huan ying ni" which translates to Beijing welcomes you.

Here's where things get interesting. The last mascot is supposed to be a the swallow Nini. Apparently when you turn her around she looks more like a... turtle. So what? Well, calling someone a "turtle grandson" or "turtle egg" in Chinese is slang for a word in English that refers to an illegitimate child.

Basically, without saying the word it is a derogatory term for an unpleasant person. Even more convincing is that the third Chinese slang term for the English word is translated as "wearer of a green hat". It's said that male brothel workers had to wear green hats during the Tang dynasty. Nini, just happens to be green and look like a turtle when turned on her back. Call it coincidence or something else, but there are probably a few people in China giggling about the fast one they pulled on the world. What do you think?
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We like it

It's pretty rare when we here at Recueilli find a blog so irresistible that we have to blog about it. Not that blogging about a blog is bad, it's just that we usually just steal their content and re-fry it like day old beans. Please sir, before you call your lawyer keep my blogging tactics a secret and I'll sign over my "ocean front property in Arizona".

The blog to be blogged is absolutely hilarious...actually it's more like a list or book than a blog. Who knows which came first, but that's all irrelevant. The important thing is it is funny. The blog/book/list is called "Stuff White People Like". And let me just say, I like it all! Man they've got a finger on my pulse! Got a few minutes, head on over. If your as white as this morning's English Muffin then I know you'll find something you like on the list. Common guys I know you want to take a peek.
Here's a link to the full list.
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In Honor of the Olympics

The Summer Olympics are almost here! In their honor, I suggest you watch this:

Team USA will be back on the scene with high hopes and hopefully more worldwide humbling and humiliation! Watch out world. America thrives on competition, and right now were fumbling a war, loosing our dollar, and foreclosing our homes. This year more then ever, we will want to win big at something and it won't be stocks.

Don't think we'll do it? Well our track record is pretty solid, USA has placed first in the medal count since 1992:

	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
2004 Athens	36	39	27	102
2000 Sydney	37	24	31	92
1996 Atlanta	44	32	25	101
1992 Barcelona	37	34	37	108

Need more of Vince Carter's "dunk de la mort" over Frédéric Weis? The french version is pretty good.

World at least until 8/8/08 we own you.
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Gonna Make You Sweat

Summer brings back memories of long hot days spent inside watching 80-90's esque music videos. Here are a handful that I'm sure you'll all love. (Listing based on music, costume, content, and special fx)

1. Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer
2. Van Halen - Jump
3. Starship - We Built this City
4. Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know It's True
5. Lipps Inc - Funkytown
6. Anita Ward - Ring my Bell
7. Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations
8. Ace of Base - Beautiful Life
9. M C Hammer - Can't touch this
10. Snap - Rhythm is a Dancer
11. La Bouche - Be my Lover
12. New Kids on the Block - You've Got It
13. C&C Music Factory - Everybody Dance Now
14. Milli Vanilli - Blame it on the Rain
15. Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
16. Real McCoy - Another Night
17. Corona - The Rhythm of the Night
18. Double You - Please Don't Go
19. Haddaway - What is Love?
20. Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
Bonus: Just for the hair! Bad English - When I See You Smile

Got a favorite that isn't on the list? Share it!
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Cow-a-bunga!

Well it's that time of year again.. the middle of another hot summer. The 4th of July festivities are over, and the burns on Uncle Chet's arm are starting to heal. Now what?

Cow suit + 7/11 = Slurpee + Combo Meal

That's right folks. 7/11 and Chick-fil-a are looking out for you; they've both scheduled their freebies on the same day! That just happens to be tomorrow. So, pull out your cow costume from last year and head on over to Chick-fil-a, on the way stop by 7/11 and you're set. Store Locator links: Chick-fil-a and 7/11.

Accordion is optional, but greatly appreciated! Gotta love freebies.
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G world

What's google up to these days, you ask? Hey, I've been wondering the same thing! It's amazing how that works. Anyway, here are three new (or not so new) things that Google is working on.

1. Lively - The big G wants to take over the world, and what better way than to build a virtual one first. Move over second life, lively is the new kid on the block and it's free to join. Right now can you make your own avatar and room, but rumor has it that one day the rooms will all be connected in a wide virtual world (with unique advertising of course). If living in a material er.. virtual world is your thing then lively is the place to be.
2. RE<C - Not so new, but still so hip. Google is on a mission to find renewable energy cheaper than coal. Check out some of the companies they have singled out to assist in their quest. With the way things have gone for google, if any of these companies go public and offer stock you'd be wise to jump on board.
3. Virtual Tour de France - Kind of like street view on steroids, google has created a virtual tour de France. If you're into that kind of thing, pull out your really tight shorts, hop on a stationary, and click away!

As you can see the monkeys behind google are still hard at work weaseling their fingers into every aspect of your measly internet life. Here's to them, and may every day be a great google day! Cheers!
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The World Fact Book

The CIA is known for a lot of cool things ... like spying, and poisoning, and cracking codes. One of the less cool, but still useful things born from that black abyss known as CIA is The World Fact Book! If any one organization should know something about the world it is the CIA...at least, that is what they think. Hence the book, it's worth a quick glance and maybe a bookmark. You never know when you will need to know the country with the highest fertility rate, or the countries with the highest or lowest (US) current account balance.

Check it out - courtesy of your friendly neighborhood spy.


History of The World Fact Book
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Happy Birthday My Dear Friend!

I've been saving this video for a long time waiting for just the right person to advance in age. Well let's just say it's burning a hole in my bookmarks and I can't wait any longer so to all you June 30th birthdays this is for you. For everyone else consider this your birthday blessing this year. Remember it's the thought that counts!

"How O' are you now?"
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The Prehistoric Sink

I've seen these Petrified Wood sinks before and thought they were pretty cool. But, those are nothing compared to the replica cephalopod fossil sink shown below. Want one? Order here

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Spread the fire!

Download by 1pm 6/18/2008 for world record.

Use this link... it looks like most of their links are sending you back to Firefox 2
"Starting today, the Mozilla Foundation is sponsoring Download Day for Mozilla's Firefox 3. In addition to receiving a free copy of the newly-released Firefox 3 web browser, by downloading, you'll help out with a quest to set the Guinness World Record for most software downloads in 24 hours. Get your downloads in by 1 pm ET on June 18 to help set the record."
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The very Best way to cook Steak!

Today I ate steak...no, today I relished a finely cooked sizzling medium rare 1.5 inch thick freshly cut hand selected boneless rib eye. Every bite was perfectly seasoned, soft, and juicy. Total price $5.06. Total cooking time 6 minutes. Now if your mouth isn't watering and your pocketbook squealing with delight, I suggest hummus and sprouts everyone else read on! This has the potential of putting steak houses out of business.

Great steaks are made from two things. The cow and the cook. I admit that my feeble attempts at steak in the past usually ended in mediocrity. All along I thought my problem was more so with the cow than the cook. I thought the higher the price of the beef the better it would turn out in the pan.

Well, Alton Brown set me straight. The key is in the method. The problem is usually the cook, not the cow! Here's the secret to great steak!!

Have a little more time...watch this:

Let me know how it turns out!

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Microwaveable Pork Rinds

Nothin's better at a Southern County Fair than a big bag of fresh hot greasy Pork Rinds! That savory crunch and crackle brings back so many fond memories of lazy hot summer days. We all know that freshly cooked hot pork rinds are so much better than their counterfeit cousins found on the chip aisle in any Piggly Wiggly and most other grocery stores around the country.

Well, I'm proud to announce that I have found an emulous product that should turn some heads. MICROWAVEABLE PORK RINDS!! Can you believe it. You can now experience that great hot greasy taste of the south in the comfort of your home. Heck, you could even eat your microwaveable pork rinds in your underwear, and this time no one would stare! Would you like to see the babies in action... no problem someone uploaded a video of that very act 2 years ago! And wait there's more.. These are so good for you that one reviewer on Amazon.com said she eats them as part of her diet. Wow, what a concept y'all the microwave pork rind diet! Bet'cha the book would sell. YouTube video, nutritional info, and more after the jump.



For Sale at the big A
Nutritional Info
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Life Untouched!

Yeah, it's been a while. So what is bringing this blog from the depths of extinction? How about a little more free time and a really interesting find... The Brazilian Department of Indian Affairs flew over one of the last untouched tribes in the Amazon. They've posted pictures of the tribe as proof to the world that the rainforest should be left alone. You really should take a look at all of the pictures. They are fascinating. Apparently, the plane photographing the tribe made a few passes. After the first pass the tribe went into attack mode by hiding the women and children and painting their bodies. In a few of the pictures you can seen the men pointing their weapons at the camera. The question now is how did that fly over affect the tribe? Imagine seeing a plane for the first time! My bet is they are already on the move to set up shop somewhere else. Maybe they are making as song about the plane or saying that it was an answer to one of their disputes? Amazing! Main link to pictures. More links after the jump.

BBC article
Survival International
What do the pictures tell us
I wonder if this is related?
Wikipedia

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Keep your kids safe

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How to get your potholes filled!

Hilarious letter written to local road crew:
To whom it may concern,

Our neighborhood was lucky this year as the streets were kept free of ice and frozen debris in a very timely manner. It seems, however, this has come with a price. On one occasion the lovely county snow plow graciously and almost effortlessly removed a bit more than snow from the middle of the road right in front of our driveway. The departure of that first innocent chunk of asphalt seems to have caused a revolt as now the rest of the road has been slowly but surely leaving it's proper place. So far with various tactical measures (i.e. avoidance) we have limited the insurrection to a 3x3 foot area, but the enemy is advancing. We would ask if you would be so kind as to stop this great escape before there is an all out mutiny, and the tadpoles and fish have a chance to set up shop. Thank you for your help in this measure. The hole is located in the middle of the road at a very inconvenient spot directly in front of our driveway: ----

Sincerely, --- Thoughts?
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What do you want to do when you get old?

The way medicine and technology is going these days a lot of the younger generations can expect to live into their hundreds. Really, it's not as crazy as you think. But, that's for another post... let's just assume you will live that long. What do you want to be doing?

Well some guy in London sure is setting the bar high. Buster Martin born Sept 1, 1906 is 101 years old, and he is already the oldest working man in Britain. What's his goal? To bust out a Marathon, and then finish it off with a beer and a smoke. He can do it too, the stubborn brit has already hit up the Roding Valley half marathon, and is a former Army physical trainer. Wanna watch the old man run? He'll be footing it at the 2008 London Marathon April 13th.
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When the President Sings

Just in case you missed it, here's a bootleg of President Bush's off key version of the "green green grass of home". Don't believe it's really him? Well then watch the second video and listen closely.

So without further ado here's President George W. Bush singing the "Brown brown grass of home"

Get the second video with his post-song speech here.
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Flu clues!

A few weeks ago the US National Institute of Health revealed the reason we all get the flu when it gets cold outside. They've found that "the virus's outer covering, or envelope, hardens to a rubbery gel that could shield the virus as it passes from person to person." However, when it gets warmer "the protective gel melts to a liquid phase" which is not strong enough to stick around for very long. Without an envelope the virus is left naked and not very effective.

Moral of the story, skip the flu shot and head south for the winter. Can't go south? Turn up the heat indoors, wash your hands often with warm water, and get yourself a heated face mask! Hehe, ok this might be going a little overboard, but remember Recueilli when the next deadly flu pandemic hits.

Here's the link to the original NIH article. Enjoy.
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Tina Time

Speaking of singing, here's a gem..


Yes, that was River Deep Mountain High by Ike & Tina Turner
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David Archuleta

Want to know what the next American Idol sounded like before his vocal paralysis? Here ya go:

Read more for more links to David Archuleta's music pre-idol including a couple Star Search performances!

Archuleta on Star Search
More Star Search
Oh yeah.. he won the Junior Singer category of Star Search '03
Singing at High School talent show
Singing "I'm not going"
Singing "I'm not going" to AI season 1
More Star Search

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You get what you pay for??

Yesterday USA Today reported on a pretty interesting finding from MIT about placebo, money, and electrocution. Here's an excerpt:

"Researchers recruited 82 healthy paid volunteers and gave them a brochure about a new opioid pain reliever described as similar to codeine, only faster-acting.

"Volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. One group was told the new drug cost $2.50 a pill; the other was told it had been marked down to 10 cents a pill, although no explanation was given.

"The researchers applied light electric shocks to the volunteers' wrists to see how much pain they could tolerate. The researchers administered the shocks before and after the pill was taken and asked subjects to rate the pain.

"Of the patients who took the full-price pill, 85% said they felt less pain afterward, compared with 61% of those who took the 10-cent pill. Because both groups received the same sugar pills, the power of the placebo effect in pain relief was illustrated."

We all know that money talks, but this is just crazy. Contrary to popular belief money does not always equal quality, effectiveness, or happiness!

Link.

Thoughts?
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El Camino de la Muerte

Death Road aka north Yungas road runs from La Paz to Coroico, Bolivia. When driving on this road you drive on the left instead of the right for a better view of your outside wheel, which makes passing a bit more safe. To make matters worse North American mountain bikers frequently complicate the picture!!

Read more for another rider's review, and links to a travel group that will take you on the ride of your life.

"For the ride of your life!! Sounds too good to be true?? Think of riding a mountain bike down from a 4700m high alpine pass to lush tropical forests at about 1100m all in 64km. Along roads with spectacular views of mountains, rivers and valleys. Part of the trip is along a stretch of road named as the "Worlds Most Dangerous Road", because of the sheer cliffs along the narrow dirt road where many vehicles over the past years have fallen off...with few of the passengers surviving." Link.

Gravity Assisted Mountain biking tour guide
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The True Political Tally

When it comes to political races sometimes we forget to look at the really important issues, like who has the most songs on Youtube. Is you're candidate in the lead?

Obama - 9
Hillary - 2
McCain - 2 (well, one's negative)

Barack:
Barack Obama Song-"Something About The Man"
The Barack Obama Song
Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video
"I Got a Crush...On Obama" By Obama Girl
We Got The Mo, by The Rockabelles, for Barack Obama
Barack Obama song (Afro-latino beat)
New Obama Song/ Video (Representin' Obama)
You Rock, Barack! Original Obama Song
Matt the Electrician Obama song

Hillary:
The hillary song
"I Got a Crush...On Hillary" (take that obama girl!)

McCain:
LEAD THE WAY- A Song For John McCain
john.he.is

Want to add to the tally? Leave a comment with the YouTube link!

Starting to feel like it's all not worth it.. well, watch this it helps..



"It takes more than a pretty video and a bunch of celebrities singing to make a great president. It takes a person who understands where the true greatness of America lies.

Long before anyone ever heard of Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan challenged Americans to hope, to dream, to believe....

In themselves.

He brought change. He told us "yes we can". Except he also told us we didn't need government to do it. He inspired us with his words and his actions. He showed us that our individual liberty and creativity is what makes our country great not any government program."

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Call center transcripts

I could not stop laughing after seeing these call center transcripts today. Yes, they're real!

Hi, thanks for calling Target GiftCards, my name is Jamie, how can I help you?
--I WANA CHECK DE BALANCE ON MY GIFTKERD.
Okay, can I have the number on the back of the card starting with 041 please?
--BBEEP BOOP BEEP BEEP (Lady is actually punching in the numbers on her phone)
Oh, ma'am, I need you to read me the numbers, ok?
--123,456,789,*0#
I need the number starting with 041, found on the back of the CARD.
--THER'S NO NUMBER LIKE THAT.
Flip the card over, on the back, you should see a strip that says 'Gently remove to check balance.' Some need to be pulled off, others need to be scratched off. Carefully remove it and read me the number, ok?
-She finally reads the number-
Great, there's twelve cents on the card.
**Silence**
--THANKS *Click*
____________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for calling Target Wireless, my name is Jamie, how can I help you?
--Yeah there's a problem with my Recharge Card. It's not accepting it.
Okay, can I have the PIN please.
--*Relays PIN*
Sorry sir, the system is saying that the number doesn't match any card on record... The next time you go to Target, just take the card along with you and the clerk can reactivate it for you.
--But, I didn't get this card at Target.
What!?
--Yeah, I got it at K-Mart.
Uh, call K-Mart? This is Target, sir.
--Oh, ok.

Hit, Read More! if you just can't get enough.

And for one that's not so funny, but still good:

Thanks for calling Target ClearRX, my name is Jamie, how can I help you?

YEAH HI WHAT SHOULD I DO I JUST BOUGHT SOME ANTIBIOTICS FROM YOUR PHARMACY, AND NOW I AM BLEEDING FROM THE ANUS PROFUSELY AND I CAN'T SEE STRAIGHT FROM LOSS OF BLOOD, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Uh, you need to hang up and call 911 immediately, sir! Get yourself to a hospital!

WELL, WHY CAN'T YOU HELP ME!? WHAT SHOULD I DO!?

Sir, I'm not qualified to give you medical advice, you need to call --

WELL WHY THE NOT!? OH NO, I'M SEEING BLACK SPOTS! BLOOD IS EVERYWHERE!

Because I'm not a Pharmacist sir! I'm a 19 year old kid in a call center! I'm going to disconnect this immediately so you can call 911! CALL YOURSELF AN AMBULANCE!
*Click*

I hope he's ok!

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A little bit of classical love

It's great when you get things you love, and it's even better when you get a combo of things you love. Like an ice cream Sunday on Sunday, an outlet mall full of sales, or a sunset with a friend. Here's a combo that I keep coming back to time and time again:

The "Classical Music Library Free Download of the Week" is something I inadvertently found a few months ago and have since fallen in love with. What's the combo? Great music, no strings (or ads) attached, that is updated often enough to keep my interest. On top of that, there is usually a short blurb explaining why the music is so cool.

Today's combo of luv: Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1, Mvt. 1: Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito.

What better way to spend Sunday evening than listening to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra proclaim "This is why, this is why, this is why we're hot!"?


Where do you find your combo love?
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It's good to be VIP

We're only one month (today) away from the start of March Madness, and I'm totally stoked! I have a gut feeling that this year is going to be a good one. If you get excited as I do at watching blood, sweat, and tears with an occasional alley oop, then you should probably sign up for a VIP pass to March Madness on Demand. It's free to sign up and gives you free, preferential access to every single tournament game this year. Hurry, space is limited. Here's the Link!
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Today's News

The writing has been on the wall for a while now, but it's is finally official. HD DVD is dead. Toshiba has announced today that it will "no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders". Not to worry though, you'll still be able to get high definition DVDs using Sony's Blu-ray technology.

In similar news, Fidel Castro has decided to step down. And, much like the HD DVD war, you'll still be able to watch the exploits of a functioning socialist republic from Raul Castro (Fidel's brother). As one Cuban exile is quoted saying "Same dog, different collar".
They'll be selling for cheap, but stay away from the HD DVD players and movies!
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Beautiful Bawdi

This beautiful structure is an Indian Stepwell or Bawdi. While stepwells have pretty much become a thing of the past, they are great architectural monuments, with some more than 800 years old. Not only were they used to obtain much needed water in the dry western parts of India, they were also used as a place to rest and chat during the scorching daytime heat.

Here's a link to one man's quest in documenting their beauty. Stepwells Exhibition

Image:Chand Baori (stepwell), Abhaneri, Rajasthan, India licensed under GNUfdl
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DIY: Wendy's Frosty

I haven't tried this just yet (waiting for things to warm up a bit), however I've heard it's great. The recipe looks pretty simple, let me know if you give it a go.

Wendy's Chocolate Frosty (original from recipezaar):

1 16oz tub of Cool Whip
1 14oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Gallon chocolate milk

Add Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk to an ice cream maker then add chocolate milk to fill line. Let maker run until mixture is smooth and creamy.

Don't have an ice cream maker. Freeze the Cool Whip, chill the condensed milk and make a few ice cube trays worth of chocolate milk. Place it all in a blender and add chocolate milk until mixture is smooth and creamy.

Enjoy, my mouth is already watering.
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Over my dead body

It's good to know the price of my dead body is not worth the effort.$5625.00The Cadaver Calculator - Find out how much your body is worth.

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Fun Fiber Facts

When it comes to wool or fiber the diameter in micrometers is the best objective way to measures softness. Here's a list of the softest fibers in the world:

1. Down hair from the Tibetan antelope called the chiru (9-12 micrometers). This fiber is so fine it can only be woven by only a handful of very skilled weavers. It's most often woven into a shawl called a Shahtoosh. Because the antelope is endangered and multiple animals are killed for one shawl, it is illegal sell or even own a Shahtoosh in the US and most developed countries.

2. Fiber from the South American Vicuna (12-14 micrometers). These animals are the wild versions of domesticated alpacas. They like alpacas are herd animals and have only one baby per year. An ounce of certified vicuna fiber retails for about $250 in the US.

3. The undercoat from the Angora rabbit (12-16 micrometers). These rabbits must be groomed once or twice a week or their fine hair mats and felts. The fiber cost 10-12$ per ounce.

4. The undercoat from the Cashmere (Kashmir) goat (14-18.5 micrometers). The majority of Cashmere these days comes from China it cost about 12-15$ per ounce.

5. Qiviut is the undercoat of a muskox (15-22 micrometers). It's said to be stronger and 8x warmer than sheep's wool. Interestingly, this wool does not felt or shrink! Qiviut sells for anywhere from 40-60$ per ounce.

6. Fiber from domestic Alpacas (18-29 micrometers). Alpacas are raised all around the world including the US. The animals have sold for as much as $500,000 in the US. The fiber sells for about 4-8$ per ounce.

7. Sheep's wool (20-35 micrometers). Sheep's wools is sold for as much as 1$ per ounce. "Specialty" or "Hand painted" sheep's wool can sell for as much as 5$ per ounce. And here is the rest of it.
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Tooth Toons for Tots

Here's a gimmick that's sure to please... a musical toothbrush! Hasbro is capitalizing on the fact that sound can travel fairly well through bone, by selling a toothbrush that plays music for the two minutes children are supposed to brush their teeth. You buy the brush and tell the kid to brush until the music stops.

Talk about getting a song stuck in your head.. each brush only plays one song so if you want to change things up you'll have to grab your sister's brush just don't get caught!

I have to say this toothbrush concept is almost as good as the image (above) Hasbro has created to illustrate how it works..

Link to Tooth Tunes Don't miss the Commercial!!


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Explore your Body

Explore the Human Body, or at least the major parts of it on National Geographic. It's an interactive and very informative site that should tickle even the dullest of curiosities.
Here's your link to The Human Body
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Spice up your run

If you haven't seen it you should check out these 10 great workouts to spice up your running program

They offer some great training ideas that will hopefully help keep you motivated during these dark winter days.

...Your body adapts. After a month or so of doing one type of workout, you body will adapt and you’ll no longer be getting the same kind of benefits from that workout. You need to change things up every 3-4 weeks … and if you do, you’ll most likely see continued improvements....

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A Major Scientific Finding!

I've seen people change their name, hair color, eye color, even in some cases their height. However, as reported in the The New England Journal of Medicine today, a 9 year old girl has switched her blood type. This is a first in recorded human history and a major finding which encourages future transplant and stem cell research. Granted the switch was from O- to O+ it's still a first and has allowed the girl to better tolerate her transplanted liver. The very basic theory is that stem cells from the donor's liver were able to colonize the child's bone marrow and effectively made the switch from O- to O+.

In other science news US researchers are one step closer to creating artificial life after having successfully made from scratch the DNA of a bacteria. They're calling it "Mycoplasma laboratorium". The great thing about the Mycoplasma genus is that it is very simple lacking even a cell wall. However, also included in this genus are Mycoplasma pneumoniae (which causes atypical pneumonia) and Mycoplasma genitalium (which may be associated with pelvic inflammatory diseases and cancer).

Links after the jump
Switching Blood Types
Making DNA, making bacteria
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An amazing Discovery

"The fossilised skull of a rat the size of a car has been unearthed." Need I say more! Link "The rodent, Josephoartigasia monesi, was uncovered by Andrés Rinderknecht and Ernesto Blanco. It has been nicknamed Mighty Mouse and is thought to have been similar to the capybara and pacarana, much smaller creatures that are still found in South America. Capybaras are the biggest living rodents at just over 60kg fully grown, while pacaranas weigh 15kg. The common rat weighs about 300g."
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Squeeze some speed out of your Computer

Here are a few quick tips to get your personal dust bunny hovel in tip top shape:

1. Check for viruses
2. Check for spyware - you should use at least 2 programs to do this. Try Spybot (free) and Ad-aware (free).
3. Remove any Norton (Symantic) or Mcafee programs and replace with Comodo Firewall Pro (free) and Avast Antivirus (free).
4. Remove Adobe Acrobat Reader and replace with Foxit.
5.Clean your registry and startup using Glary utilities.

I've heard of a "computer guy" who tried to charge $100 to do these same steps.
Of course one of the best ways to speed up your carpal tunnel maker is to increase your RAM. You especially want to do this if you are sitting on less than 1,000 MB (1Gb) to check in windows xp go to start>all programs>accessories>system tools>system information and look under Total physical memory.
Rule of Thumb: never have more than 1 firewall on your computer
at one time. That is the same for an antivirus program, never have
more than 1 installed on your computer at one time. However, for
spyware programs only you should have and use at least 2.
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A cry from the dust

I was really touched by a recent post I read from a blogger who is dead. Andrew Olmsted a Major in the US Army prepared this final post to be made on condition of his death. It is certainly worth reading.

Andrew Olmsted

Major Andrew Olmsted was killed by sniper fire while coaxing three suspected insurgents to surrender in Diyala province northeast of Bagdad. "I died doing a job I loved. When your time comes, I hope you are as fortunate as I was." - Maj. Olmsted The first casualty of 2008.Rest in Peace.
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