one-line headline

Man Doesn't Use Cell Phone for a Day

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:10:00 +0000

(CNN) - There are approximately 331 million cell phone users in the United States. But one day last week, there was one less: Me.

My CNN editors asked me to participate in an experiment where I won't use my cell phone for one whole day. I thought: How hard could it be? (story)
Following the publication of this story, thousands of parents called CNN volunteering their teenagers to write a similar article.

Ann Romney Appears on Leno

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:05:00 +0000

(Washington Post) - Ann Romney, wife of Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, made her first late night show appearance Tuesday night on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". She says she hopes Americans will put prejudices aside to elect the first Mormon president. (story)

She also hopes Americans will keep some of their prejudices and not reelect a black president.

Russell Crowe Saved by Coast Guard

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:18:00 +0000

(E News) - Russell Crowe knows a thing or two about saving the day onscreen, but it was the Gladiatorstar who needed a little rescuing over the weekend. The 48-year-old was bailed out by the U.S. Coast Guard on Saturday after he and a friend got lost while kayaking off the coast of Long Island, N.Y., according to authorities. (story)
Crowe says he wasn't confused, just method acting for a sequel to A Beautiful Mind.

Ann Romney Promotes Mitt Romney

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:39:00 +0000

(San Francisco Chronicle) - Hours after a roll-call of states confirming that Romney won the 1,144 delegates needed for the nomination, Ann Romney urged voters to “get to know” her husband and told them, “You can trust Mitt.”

“You may not agree with Mitt’s positions on issues or his politics,” Ann Romney said in a nationally broadcast speech on the first full day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. (story)

"To be honest, sometimes Mitt doesn't agree with his own issues or politics," Ann continued.

New Study On Sleepwalking

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:42:00 +0000

(NPR) - Alon Avidan, director of the University of California, Los Angeles, Sleep Disorder Center, is a neurologist who studies sleepwalking. "We do not understand the reason why people sleepwalk," he says. (story)
Researchers Ira Glass and Mike Birbiglia have suggested people sleepwalk in order to into the Sundance Film Festival.

"The Office" to End in 2013

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:07:00 +0000

(Reuters) - Award-winning comedy "The Office" will end its run on U.S. television in 2013 after eight years as part of a "creative decision" caused by the departures of several key cast members, executive producer Greg Daniels said on Tuesday. (story)
Mitt Romney and Republicans have pointed out this is one more American office closing under Obama's watch.

Galaxy Creating Stars at Record Pace

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:19:00 +0000

(TG Daily) - Astronomers have identified an "extraordinary" galaxy cluster which scientists describe as one of largest objects in the universe.  

Interestingly, stars are forming in the Phoenix cluster at the highest rate ever observed for the middle of a galaxy cluster. (story)

The star forming galaxy is in stark contrast to the TV show American Idol, which hasn't formed a star in years.

Anti-Jewish Leader Discovers He's Jewish

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:29:00 +0000

(NPR) - One of the leaders of Hungary's Jobbik Party, which the Anti-Defamation League says is one of the few political parties in Europe to overtly campaign with anti-Semitic materials, has discovered that he is himself a Jew. (story)
In a related story, Paul Ryan has discovered that he himself receives Medicaid.

Largest Python Ever Found

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:08:00 +0000

(Business Week) - A 17-foot-7-inch Burmese python found in the Florida Everglades set a state record for both its size and the 87 eggs the snake was carrying, according to an official at the national park. (story)
Because it was housing and developing 87 snakes, the python was nicknamed "The U.S. Senate."

15 Lb Lobster Set Free By Governor

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:56:00 +0000

(Washington Post) - A 15-pound lobster facing a sentence of lunch has received a pardon from Connecticut’s governor. (story)
After the decision, a 14 pound lobster in the same tank cursed the day he started Weight Watchers.

Sherman Hemsley Dies

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:58:00 +0000

(Philadelphia Inquirer) - Sherman Hemsley, 74, a onetime mail sorter from South Philadelphia who moved on up to the East Side of New York as George Jefferson in a celebrated 1970s sitcom, died yesterday at his home in El Paso, Texas. (story)
Doctors report that just before his death, Hemsley was feeling a little wheezy.

Microsoft, NBC split MSNBC

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:58:00 +0000

(NPR) - Microsoft is pulling out of the joint venture that owned MSNBC.com, freeing the world's largest software maker to build its own online news service. (story)
Building off his history of providing helpful advice, Microsoft's new service will be anchored by Binky the Paperclip.

New Luxury Floating Island

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:04:00 +0000

(CNN) - Do you crave the seclusion of your own private island, but hate being tied down in one place? If so, an Austrian firm has developed the solution to your troubles -- a man-made floating "island", complete with two small diesel engines for whenever you fancy a change of scenery.

The oval-shaped "Orsos Island" has been designed to combine the mobility of a yacht with the comfort of a house. (story)
The floating house/yacht was inspired by the hit movies "Titanic" and "The Towering Inferno."

San Diego Fireworks Show Explodes At Once

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:56:00 +0000

(LA Times) - One of the largest Fourth of July fireworks shows in the nation was ruined in San Diego Wednesday after a glitch caused all the pyrotechnics to ignite all at once. The pyrotechnics are launched from five barges in the San Diego Bay, and this year's show – the 12th annual spectacle – was advertised by the port as being "bigger and more intense than in past years" (story)
Given the fireworks show was 12 years old, it makes since as it began its teenage years it would experience a pre-mature explosion.

Dementia and Nursing Homes Complicate Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:34:00 +0000

(NPR) - Although no law forbids intimate relationships between people with dementia in nursing homes, staff and family members often discourage residents from expressing their sexuality, says a recent report in the Journal of Medical Ethics. (story)
At last, a man finally has a legitimate excuse for forgetting his anniversary.

Condoleezza Rice Dismisses Romney VP Run

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:19:00 +0000

(CBS News) - Condoleezza Rice is not interested in being Mitt Romney's running mate.

In an interview with "CBS This Morning," the former Secretary of State said "there is no way that I will do this" when asked if she would accept a position as the number two on this year's Republican presidential ticket. (story)

It is unlikely Romney will even ask Rice to join his team, since his Mormon supporters are not used to being paired with only one woman.

Twilight Breaking Dawn's Man and Child Love

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:01:00 +0000

(Hindustan Times) - Twilight star Taylor Lautner, who will be seen romancing Edward and Bella's daughter Renesmee, in Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II, says it was difficult to play an adult who is in love with a child.

As described in the Stephenie Meyer book, Lautner's character Jacob imprints on Renesmee in the final chapter of the Twilight series.

Lautner said that at first he was confused over the plot, but he talked to Meyer and read the the book again to make him feel more comfortable. (story)
I'm guessing his initial attempts talking to Jerry Sandusky to understand the plot weren't that comforting.

G20 Leaders in Los Cabos

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:10:00 +0000

(Voices of America) - The leaders of 19 nations and the European Union, known as the Group of 20, are gathering at the Mexican beach resort Los Cabos for a two-day summit, to be held Monday and Tuesday, with worries about economic crises in several European countries overshadowing most other issues. (story)
By the end of the summit it is expected the economic crises will be worse, with Greece's delegates having to explain why their new austerity plans included wet t-shirt contests and dinners at Cabo Wabo Cantina.

KKK Tries to Adopt a Highway

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:07:00 +0000

(Sunday Morning Herald) - The US state of Georgia has turned down an offer by the Ku Klux Klan to adopt a stretch of highway to keep it tidy, saying the sight of the group's name on a sign would be distressing. (story)
To be fair, the KKK have always been advocates of keeping things clean, whether it's their sheets or their race.

Doctor's Reports From Lincoln's Assassination

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:56:00 +0000

(Fox News) - The first doctor to reach President Abraham Lincoln after he was shot in a Washington theater rushed to his ceremonial box and found him paralyzed, comatose and leaning against his wife. Dr. Charles Leale ordered brandy and water to be brought immediately. (story)

If Lincoln just got brandy and water for being paralyzed, I think his health insurance might have been as bad as mine.

Men Arrested For Making Meth in Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 11:53:00 +0000

(Baltimore Sun) - Four men were arrested Monday night after Howard County Police found three of the men, along with chemicals police believe to be methamphetamine, inside an Elkridge hotel room.

The fourth man was arrested when he showed up at the room after police had arrived.

After knocking on the door and being allowed in, the officers found the chemicals and placed the three men in custody, after which the fourth showed up and was also arrested. (story)

In hindsight, the men realized they should have put the "do not disturb" sign on the door.

Bush Picture Unveiled At White House

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Thu, 31 May 2012 12:54:00 +0000

(NBC) - President Barack Obama is welcoming his favorite foil, former President George W. Bush, back to the White House on Thursday for the official unveiling of Bush's portrait. (story)
Bush is excited to see his portrait, or as he calls it, his one page picture book.

Signs Your Marriage Is Over

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Thu, 31 May 2012 12:52:00 +0000

(Huffington Post) - Despite divorce being so common, many couples are caught off guard when it actually happens to them. They believe that if they just begin to love one another again, everything will turn out fine. This myth, however, lulls them into missing the warning signs that suggest that their marriage in trouble.

Here are 10 ways to tell if your marriage is over: (story)
Number one, you just married Kim Kardashian.

Mermaid Show on Animal Planet

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:43:00 +0000

(NY Times) - As if we didn’t have enough probably fictitious but possibly real beings to worry about. All over basic cable, people are searching for Bigfoot, hunting down ghosts, looking for extraterrestrials. Now, it turns out, we need to add mermaids to the list.

At least we do if you take “Mermaids: The Body Found” seriously. Which you shouldn’t. The film, Sunday night on Animal Planet and part of its Monster Week, is a fictional account built on a few strands of fact and made to look like an actual documentary. (story)

The next mythical creature documentary from Animal Planet will be the search for Democrat with a fully formed backbone.

Trump Continues Birther Claims

noreply@blogger.com (nicholas cowling) — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:40:00 +0000

(CBS) - Mitt Romney won the Texas primary Tuesday, picking up enough delegates to clinch the nomination.

He was raising big money with Donald Trump in Las Vegas. And so on Romney's day, there was the billionaire big-talker continuing to question, in a phone interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, whether Mr. Obama was born in the U.S.

"A lot of people do not think it was an authentic (birth) certificate (the president released)," Trump told Blitzer.

"How could you say that if the state..." Blitzer began to ask.

" ... A lot of people do not think it was authentic," Trump insisted. (story)

Trump then added evolution, sound economics, and basic scientific principles to the list of things his fans do not think are authentic.