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amanda knox trial update

2010-01-29T13:39:00.000-08:00

amanda knox trial update Meredith Susanna Cara Kercher, known to her friends as "Mez", was born on 28 December 1985[1] in Southwark, London, England, and lived in Coulsdon, South London. She had two older brothers, John and Lyle, and an older sister, Stephanie.[2] Kercher attended the Old Palace School in Croydon [3] and then the University of Leeds. As part of the ERASMUS student exchange programme, she went to the University of Perugia to complete her degree course in European Studies.[4] She appeared in a music video for singer Kristian Leontiou's song "Some Say" shortly before her death.[5] In Perugia, she lived in a flat on the upper floor of a house at Via della Pergola 7, sharing with two Italian women. Amanda Knox moved in when she came to study at the University for Foreigners.[6]

Kercher's funeral service was held on 14 December 2007 at Croydon Parish Church, with more than 300 people in attendance.[7][8] She has since been awarded a posthumous degree by the University of Leeds.

John Kercher, the victim's father, is a freelance journalist[9] and her mother Arline Kercher is a housewife, born in India.[10]

amanda knox trial update

peter laviolette

2010-01-29T13:38:00.001-08:00

peter laviolette As a player, Laviolette spent the majority of his 10-year career playing for various minor league teams. He played twelve games in the NHL for the New York Rangers in the 1988–89 season.

He began his coaching career as head coach of the ECHL Wheeling Nailers. In one season as coach, he led his team to a 37–24–9 record and a berth in the playoffs, wherein they lost in the third round. He left Wheeling to take over the head coaching job for the Providence Bruins. In 1998–99 he coached the team to a 56–15–4 regular-season record. In the playoffs Providence won the American Hockey League (AHL) Championship with a 15–4 playoff record. Laviolette was named AHL Coach of the Year.

Laviolette's success in the AHL earned him a stint as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. Having grown up in the Boston suburb of Franklin, Massachusetts, Laviolette was disappointed when he did not get the head coaching job in Boston after that season so he left for the head coaching job on Long Island. After taking over the New York Islanders, which had suffered seven years of post-season futility prior to his arrival, he led his team to the playoffs in both seasons he was there. His first season in New York resulted in a surprisingly consistent season in which the Islanders earned 96 points (42–28–8–4 record), nearly winning the Atlantic division, before losing a close playoff series to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Islanders sneaked into the playoffs the next season and then lost in 5 games to the Ottawa Senators in the first round.

Laviolette came to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2003–04 season. He took over following the firing of Paul Maurice. In his first season, he coached 52 games during a rebuilding year. Laviolette led the Hurricanes to an excellent regular season during his second year at the helm, winning the Southeast Division with 112 points (52–22–8 record). The Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history during the 2006 playoffs, after winning two very close seven-game playoff series over the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers. He was runner-up for the Jack Adams Award, which was awarded to Lindy Ruff in the closest vote ever recorded for this award, 155–154.

After winning their first title, Laviolette's Hurricanes suffered through an injury-plagued 2006–07 season that saw the team finish with a disappointing 40–34–8 record. The next season, the team once again got off to a poor start, but held first place in a weak division for most of the season, despite having a sub-.500 record until February. The team then got hot and built what was seen as a solid lead. However, the Washington Capitals got red hot in the final weeks, Carolina lost several games down the stretch, and Laviolette's group missed the
peter laviolette

john stevens

2010-01-29T13:37:00.001-08:00

john stevens Stevens was born in Buffalo, New York and his permanent residence is in nearby East Amherst. He attended Williamsville East High School and sang in a select jazz group. He auditioned for American Idol in New York City, singing "That's Amore" as an impression of Dean Martin. When the judges asked him to sing in his normal voice, he performed "The Way You Look Tonight" and was sent through to the next round.

Stevens was a member of the fourth group of semifinalists. He finished first in the voting among his group of eight semifinalists, earning 28% of the vote. At 16, he was the youngest contestant ever to make the finals on American Idol.

Stevens' favorite singer is Frank Sinatra, to whom his vocal style has been compared. He has also earned the nickname "Teen Martin" because of his Dean Martin impersonation and ability to croon at such a young age. Stevens' style was not typical Idol fare, causing him to struggle with unfamiliar genres during the competition.

For "Country Week," Stevens sang "King of the Road." During "Elton John Week," he performed "Crocodile Rock."

The last week in April 2004 was "Latin Week," a tribute to the music of Gloria Estefan. Stevens performed "Music of My Heart," and Simon Cowell credited Stevens with "taking every bullet thrown at you like a man." The next day, Stevens was voted off the show, coming in sixth place despite receiving over four million votes.

Stevens was signed to Maverick Records and released his debut album Red on June 28, 2005. It was produced by Steve Tyrell and executive produced by David Foster. It features covers of The Beatles' "Here, There and Everywhere" and Maroon 5's "This Love," both arranged and performed in a relaxed jazz/lounge style. Its first week sales put it into the top 10 of the Billboard jazz charts. It sold 18,000 copies as of March 2006. He and Maverick Records have since parted ways.

John graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in May 2009 and released a Christmas album, "Home for Christmas," on November 1, 2009.

Stevens currently sings with the Beantown Swing Orchestra[1], focusing on the classic big band arrangements that were originally performed by Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin.[2] They recently recorded an original version of the Foxwoods Resort Casino theme song "The Wonder Of It All" for a contest to determine the casino's next jingle performer.[3]

john stevens

amanda knox verdict

2010-01-29T13:36:00.001-08:00

amanda knox verdict

"We have to see the motivation," he said, referring to legal paperwork the judge must file within 90 days to explain the jury's reasoning.

Her family was disappointed, but not surprised, by the verdict, Knox's aunt Janet Huff told CNN.com

"It was terrible, it was gut-wrenching just to hear them say it," said Huff, speaking from her Seattle, Washington, home.

"And to see the people outside the courtroom applauding -- that just made me sick that people can be that callous and cold."

Knox and Sollecito were charged with murder and sexual violence in the November 2007 stabbing death of Meredith Kercher. Knox and Kercher, both studying abroad, were roommates. A third suspect was found guilty in a separate trial.

Prosecutors argued Seattle, Washington, native Amanda Knox was a resentful American so angry with her British roommate that she exacted revenge during a twisted sex misadventure at their home two years ago.

They said Knox directed Sollecito and another man infatuated with her, Rudy Guede, to hold Kercher down as Knox played with a knife before slashing Kercher's throat.

amanda knox verdict

april ryan

2010-01-29T13:27:00.001-08:00

april ryan

Ryan traveled aboard Air Force One and interviewed President and Mrs. Bush while flying to the Gulf Coast for the Hurricane Katrina one year anniversary. In 2006, Ryan traveled with the First Lady to Mississippi where Mrs. Bush met with New Orleans Hurricane Katrina survivors. In September 2005, Ryan flew to Haiti with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and reported on America's support for democratic elections and while there – due to the volatile political climate – was under the protection of the United Nations Blue Helmet Security forces. .

In addition to her White House coverage, Ryan also hosts "The White House Report," a daily feature broadcast over hundreds of AURN affiliated stations nationwide. The Baltimore native has also utilized her journalistic prowess beyond the steps of Capitol Hill and has traveled to China and Switzerland for newsworthy events. In September 2005, Ryan's breaking news coverage with First Lady Laura Bush was also highlighted on NBC's Today show. Additionally, many of Ryan's breaking news stories and interviews have also been spotlighted on ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and FOX as well as in some of the nation's top newspapers.

Ryan is an esteemed member of the National Press Club and serves on the newsmakers committee. She has also garnered numerous professional accolades to include receiving an American Swiss Foundation Young Leader Award in 2004 and being named one of the Outstanding Young Women in America in 1997.

Ryan began her radio career in Baltimore, MD where she worked for several radio stations including WXYV-FM where she served as news director. She is a graduate of Morgan State University and resides in Maryland with her husband and two daughters.

tomtom xl 335s

2010-01-27T23:27:00.000-08:00

tomtom xl 335s

Concord, MA – October 13, 2009 – TomTom, the world's leading provider of portable navigation solutions and digital maps, today announces a new addition to the world's best-selling portable navigation device portfolio, the TomTom XL 335S. The new model incorporates a design that features a 4.3 inch touchscreen, text to speech, TomTom's innovative IQ Routes™ Technology and Advanced Lane Guidance. The XL 335S has a recommended retail price of $239.95.

"The XL 335S offers first-class navigation at a competitive price point," said Jocelyn Vigreux, president of TomTom Inc. "It allows drivers to take those routes that only well-informed locals know, reducing the stress of not knowing where to go and when you will arrive. In addition, our Advanced Lane Guidance feature gives drivers the information they need to drive more safely and more confidently when traveling through complex road junctions."

Optimal Routing
The TomTom XXL 335S makes smart use of the driving experiences of millions of TomTom users worldwide. It taps into over 800 billion speed measurements on the map to plan the fastest route (IQ Routes™ technology) and allows users to make their own map changes and benefit from thousands of free map corrections made by TomTom users every day (Map Share™).

Advanced Lane Guidance
The TomTom XL 335S also incorporates TomTom's Advanced Lane Guidance feature when navigating in the US. Advanced Lane Guidance provides users with realistic representations of complex highway junctions and lane-specific visual directions that take the stress out of navigating these otherwise challenging areas.

Additional Features
In addition to the above mentioned features, the new TomTom XL 335S device comes with:

tomtom xl 335s

binghamton university stabbing

2010-01-27T23:26:00.001-08:00

binghamton university stabbing West African Dance and Drumming is back!! WEST AFRICAN DANCE~ Experience the traditions of Ivorian and Guinean African Dance! "To take our regular African dance class, you'll be giving yourself traditional medicine. You'll feel good in your skin, and when you feel good in your skin, you have found a kind of balance that makes you feel good about yourself. When you feel good about yourself, your love is better." - Biboti Ouikahil. (Additional fee required.) WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING Drum with master Maurice Haltom! A multi-level group drumming class. No previous experience necessary. (Additional fee required.)
Try JAZZERCISE at City Health Club! SATURDAYS in JANUARY, 8:30-9:30AM!!Jazzercise is the world's largest dance fitness program. With over 35 years of experience, Jazzercise knows how to keep you motivated and get you fit! Each 60-minute workout is a fusion of dance and muscle toning movements all carefully choreographed to today's hottest music, including Top 40, jazz, country, funk and classics. FREE for CHC Members!
LAST CALL FOR BOOT CAMP! This Thursday will conclude the initial 6-week Boot Camp course taught by Drew Gross of Xtreme Fitness. Come try it out! Boot Camp combines the expertise and benefits of one-on-one personal fitness training with the addition and motivation of working in a group with different levels of fitness. The ever-changing workouts emphasize abdominal and lower back areas, push-ups, medicine and Swiss ball training,and cardiovascular training binghamton university stabbing

amanda knox trial update

2010-01-27T23:25:00.001-08:00

amanda knox trial update

PERUGIA, Italy - An American student accused of fatally stabbing her British roommate in Italy had a growing hatred for the victim and killed her in retaliation during a drug-fueled sex game, a prosecutor contended Friday in closing arguments at her murder trial.

Lead prosecutor Giuliano Mignini argued that Amanda Knox, together with her ex-boyfriend and co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito and a third man convicted in a separate trial last year, killed Meredith Kercher under "the fumes of drugs and possibly alcohol."

Knox and Sollecito tried to cover up their crime by staging a burglary, he contended amanda knox trial update

john stevens

2010-01-27T23:24:00.001-08:00

john stevens Stevens was forced to retire as a player in 1999 due to a career-ending eye injury but remained with the Phantoms as an assistant coach. He then became the club's second head coach in 2000 when Bill Barber was promoted to the Flyers. During his six season tenure as coach, the Phantoms made the playoffs four times and won their second Calder Cup title in 2005. Stevens was himself promoted to the Phantoms' parent club as an assistant coach after the 2005–06 season, and on October 22, 2006, was named as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers after Ken Hitchcock was fired. On October 26, Stevens coached his first NHL game, a 3–2 win over the Florida Panthers. On November 20, the Flyers announced that they had signed Stevens to a 2-year contract.

His first season with the Flyers saw his often injury-depleted team set a franchise record for consecutive losses (10 games) and finish the 2006–07 season with the club's worst record in its 40-year history. The Flyers set an NHL record for the biggest drop off in points from one season to the next – 101 points in the 2005–06 season to 56 points in the 2006–07 season for lowest point total in the league.

However, as stunning as their fall from grace was the previous season, Stevens guided the Flyers to an immediate renaissance in 2007-08. The Flyers won 42 games and amassed 95 points in the regular season under Stevens guidance. In the playoffs, the Flyers beat the Washington Capitals in the first round and upset the top-seeded Montreal Canadiens in the second round before falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals. For this, The Hockey News honored Stevens with their Coach of the Year award.

Stevens was fired by the Flyers on December 4, 2009 after a 13-11-1 start and with a team expected to be a Stanley Cup favorite sitting in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.[1]

john stevens

amanda knox verdict

2010-01-27T23:22:00.001-08:00

amanda knox verdict

"Ultimately we are pleased with the decision, pleased that we've got a decision, but it's not a time for celebration," Lyle Kercher, the victim's brother, said.

Kercher's sister, Stephanie, said the verdict "does bring a a little bit of justice, for us and for her."

"Life will never be the same without Mez," she said.

Kercher, 21, was Knox's roommate while they studied in Perugia.

Her body was found in a pool of blood with her throat slit on Nov. 2, 2007 at the apartment they shared. Prosecutors said the Leeds University student was murdered the previous night.

Knox, family react to verdict
As soon as the judge read the verdict just after midnight following some 13 hours of deliberations, Knox began weeping and murmured, "No, no," then hugged one of her lawyers.

Minutes later, the 22-year-old Knox, who is from Seattle and the 25-year-old Sollecito, were put in police vans with sirens blaring and driven back to jail.

Prosecutors had sought life imprisonment, Italy's stiffest sentence. Courts often give less severe punishment than what prosecutors demand.

The American's father, Curt Knox, asked if he would fight on for his daughter, replied, with tears in his eyes: "Hell, yes."

amanda knox verdict

parade of lights denver 2009

2010-01-16T15:10:00.000-08:00

parade of lights denver 2009 Featuring a lively procession of floats, marching bands, dance troupes and all manner of costumed characters, the annual Denver Parade of Lights has been a popular Christmas tradition since it was first held in 1975. Over 350,000 spectators line the length of the 3km (2 miles) parade route which snakes its way through Downtown Denver to the City and County Building where there is the ticket-only Grandstand seating area. Marching bands are competing to be crowned winner in a number of categories including 'Best Music and Marching Performance' and 'Best Lighting and Overall Performance' parade of lights denver 2009

tiger woods text message

2010-01-16T15:08:00.000-08:00

tiger woods text message the answer!

Earlier this afternoon, we published a helpful list of Tiger Woods' women with pictures as a cheat sheet for those who can't keep track of his mistresses.

Now here's a compilation of the emails and text messages compiled by Us Weekly, Radar Online, In Touch Weekly and other sources over the past week.

We can't sum up the highlights or do these justice, so just read on ...

Text Messages Between Tiger Woods and Jaimee Grubbs

July 20, 3:04 p.m.

Tiger: Hey Sexy I can't come out this week. Something came up family wise
Jaimee: That's okay I hope everything is fine … would have liked to see you
Tiger: We will make it happen

July 26, 11: 22 p.m.

Jaimee: I drove out for the night to surprise a friend with a present for there birthday
Tiger: what kind of present your naked body
Jaimee: haha no a watch I slept alone
Tiger: alone with him that is
Jaimee: haha I wish

Sept. 27, 6:38 p.m.

Jaimee: miss u
Tiger: now that's hot so who is your new boy toy
Jaimee: no new boy toy … still running dry… been on 2 real dates in the pat 2 months :(
Tiger: I need you
Jaimee: then get your tight ass over here and visit me! I need u
Tiger: I will wear you out soon
Jaimee: how soon? I got a new piercing
Tiger: really. Where
Jaimee: I just sent u a pic of it … is on my cheek below my eye … implanted a little diamond
Tiger: send it again. I didn't pick up on that
Tiger: you just need some attention from me
Tiger: do you have a boy friend (8:45 p.m.)
Jaimee: I don't even have someone I am dating … no … u can be my boyfriend ;)
Tiger: then I am
Jaimee: I wish
Tiger: quiet and secretively we will always be together
Tiger: when was the last time you got laid

Sept. 30, 3:38 p.m.

Jaimee: if we hang out on a Sundway we can watch desperate houswives again haha
Tiger: oh god
Jaimee: take a break from watching boring old golf
Jaimee: I mean the amazing sport of golf ;)
Jaimee: [more than an hour later] babe I was kidding
Tiger: I know sexy

Oct. 1, 6:06 p.m.

Jaimee: is it orange county time yet?
Tiger: oh stop :)
Jaimee: hahaha I know … but you canceled on me last time so the anticipation is killing me … im finding myself watching sports center … haha j/k it isn't that bad
Tiger: its never been that bad
Jaimee: very true … I only watch football
Tiger: Figured you would say that. Big black guys.
Jaimee: u are my first, last and only black guy! U should feel special
Tiger: why do I not believe that?
Tiger: [later, in response to Jaimee's mention of a date who was "full of himself"] you kinda like that for some reason which is weird why you decided on me.
Tiger: having an asian mother and a military father you cannot and will not ever be full of yourself
Jaimee: I have fun with u, you always make me smile and I am not afraid to be myself or say anything to u … the day I met u I thought u were going to kick me out a few times but for someone reason you didn't and u have told me numerous times I talk to much but slowly as I get to know u iI think your absolutely amazing
Tiger: you are wrong I'm bone thugs in harmon

Oct. 15, 6:40 p.m.

Jaimee: Something wrong babe?I was excited to sepnd time with u this week
Tiger: I will you Sunda night. Its the only night in which I am totally free but I have to leave at 530 Monday morning to drive up to the valley for an outing for one of my sponsors. See you at 8 pm on Sunday in newport
Tiger: don't text me back till tomorrow morning. I have to many people around me right now

Oct. 18, 3:40 p.m.

Tiger: send me something very naughty
Jaimee: some things are worth waiting for lol … besides im at work
Tiger: go to the bathroom and take it
Jaimee: haha ur too much

Oct. 18, 11:38 p.m.

Jaimee: are u leaving me cause your wife is still in newport :( I am lonely now … i like falling asleep in your arms
Tiger: sorry baby I just can't sleep. Its just a problem I have.
Tiger: she is not here. They left this morning
Jaimee: well I appreciate you not wanting to wake me up but if y couldn't sleep I would have rather sat up and talked to u more … find out why I keep falling more and more for u ;)
Tiger: Because I'm blasian :)
Tiger: I'm sorry babe. Im already home.
Jaimee: I'm putting my underwear back on … thats a no no … come take them off
Tiger: :) you are too funny

Nov. 26, 11:16 a.m.

Tiger: happy thanksgiving to you
Jaimee: u too love

E-mails Between Tiger Woods and Rachel Uchitel

E-mail 1: "I know it's brutal on you that you can't be with me all the time. I get it. It f---ing kills me, too. I finally found someone I connect with, someone I have never found like this. Not even at home. You want someone to witness your life. I want you to lay next to me, lay on me or wherever you want to lay. F--k. Why didn't we find each other year's ago. We wouldn't be having this conversation. Never thought I would care and be as emotional as I am with you. You bring a side of me I never thought existed both good and bad. I don't like feeling so vulnerable. It bothers me a lot. I'm much tougher than this."

E-mail 2: "You don't have to answer that e-mail. I just wanted you to know what's going on inside me."

E-mail 3: "I don't know if this is going to work. I though I was getting to know you, but it feels like I'm just another person who happens to be famous. Everytime I think about it, I get a lump in my throat. Some of the other parts of your past really get to me. I don't know what person I was falling for so hard. The one I got to know on the phone, e-mail, text and in person. I am so confused, because what my brain is saying and what my heart is saying are two different things. Is it the Rachel I know or the character? That's what's hard. It guts me to think I've fallen for the wrong one and will be number f---ing five on that list."

E-mail 4: "I need you here [at the Australian Masters in Melbourne]! Just pack and get organized. Sorry if I hurt you."

Response from Rachel Uchitel, who said she wasn't flying across the world to be with: "someone who doesn't want and need me. I have some pride, too, you know."

"You broke my heart. You made me remember what real hurt is."
tiger woods text message

houston snow

2010-01-16T15:07:00.001-08:00

houston snow Some KPRC Local 2 viewers e-mailed that it snowed in the Katy, Cypress, Magnolia, Spring, The Woodlands, Jersey Village, Fairfield, Hockley and Tomball areas beginning at about 3 p.m. Snow also fell on the west and southwest parts of the area, including Sugar Land and Missouri City.

More snow was expected on the northwest side Wednesday evening.

"It's not going to stick, but snow and sleet certainly is going to fall, especially between the hours of 6 and 9 this evening. The wind is really rushing it to the ground, which is why it's falling so heavily," KPRC Local 2 chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley said. "Water on roads could freeze after 11 p.m. -- that's one concern. It's going to get very cold tonight."
houston snow

walmart wii special

2010-01-16T15:03:00.000-08:00

walmart wii special

Beginning Saturday, Walmart is offering a special on the popular Wii console for $199 and get a $50 Walmart gift card for each Wii purchased. Beginning at 8 am December 5 and ending December 12, 2009 while supplies last, and no rain checks will be given. Many stores offer the Wii for $199 this holiday season, but the $50 gift card you get for each one purchased makes this deal a steal.

During cyber week at Walmart several videos games are also on sale including: Madden 10, Halo 3, Left 4 Dead 2, and Uncharted 2 on sale for $50. Tiger PGA 10, WWE 2010, Rock Band: Beatles, and Lego Rock Band games are on sale for $40.

There are also several toys on sale, including: Playskool Monty Rex for $64, Barbie Glamor Camper for $70, Little People Children's Nativity Set for $39, and the 2009 Holiday Barbie (50th anniversary doll) for $35, and dozens of other toys are on sale.

walmart wii special

generation me

2010-01-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

generation me

The bad news is that a lot of important details were left out. For example, the study by Kali Trzesniewski et al. looked at changes in narcissism on only ONE campus (UC Davis, which they compared to 1980s data from UC Berkeley). Our analysis (soon to be published in the Journal of Personality) found increases in narcissistic traits in data from TWENTY-SEVEN campuses across the nation. So we need to modify our conclusion only slightly, to "American college students are increasingly narcissistic, except at UC Davis."

So why aren't they more narcissistic at UC Davis? In 1996, California passed Proposition 209, which radically changed admissions policies at the UC campuses. The enrollment of Asian-American students at the UCs nearly doubled, from 25 percent in the 1980s to 45 percent now. Nationwide only 8 percent of college students are Asian-American. Asian culture discourages narcissism, so it makes sense that this campus wouldn't show the same change as the rest of the country. Even apart from the ethnic changes, the shift in admissions policies created a different campus climate that might have suppressed narcissism even among non-Asian students.

The other people in the article appear to be stating their opinion rather than providing any data. Though I'm a big fan of Jeffrey Jensen Arnett's book Emerging Adulthood, I can't figure out why he would question the validity of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. His opinion is not supported by the hundreds of scientific articles showing that the NPI predicts all kinds of narcissistic behavior, from liking to gaze at yourself in the mirror to hoarding resources to lashing out with aggression when insulted. Even if some of the test items "sound like pretty normal personality features" to Arnett, it doesn't change the fact that the NPI predicts an array of negative outcomes.

And when he and the Yale prof talk about older people having warped perceptions of younger people, I agree. That's why my studies always look at what young people say about themselves and not what older people say about them. Generation Me increasingly says that they think they're special and they like to seek attention -- some older people might agree, and some might not, but it's not their opinion that matters.

world cup bracket

2010-01-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

world cup bracket

The vast majority of pundits around the world will pick the U.S. to advance to the knockout round along with England, and with good reason. Slovenia and Algeria were two of the biggest surprises in November even to qualify for the World Cup, both countries needing upsets in playoffs against Russia (by Slovenia) and Egypt (by Algeria) to reach the field of 32. Algeria and Slovenia are arguably the worst teams from Africa and Europe, respectively, to qualify for South Africa.

And while England will be a huge challenge in the U.S.' opening game, it's a mouthwatering matchup between old rivals who last met in the World Cup in 1950: a 1-0 U.S. victory that is considered perhaps the greatest upset in World Cup history. Can anyone say Landon Donovan vs. David Beckham in South Africa? If you're the U.S., having your toughest group game first is a good thing. (Remember the big win over Portugal in the 2002 World Cup opener?) What's more, England is a traditionally slow-starting team in World Cups.

But there's even more to the U.S.' lucky draw. If the Yanks advance to the knockout rounds, the World Cup bracket structure would allow them to avoid having to meet any of the FIFA rankings' top four teams (Spain, Brazil, Netherlands, Italy) until the semifinals. That's right: The world's top four teams are all on the other side of the bracket.

What does all this mean? Well, the U.S. will have no excuses if it fails to reach the knockout rounds of the 2010 World Cup. It won't matter if the Americans are still missing players due to injury (Oguchi Onyewu, Charlie Davies, Jay DeMerit). It won't matter because this is just about the kindest draw you could imagine.

Think about it: The U.S. won't even have to hop on a plane from its base near Pretoria to travel to games in Rustenburg (a two-hour drive), Johannesburg (a one-hour drive) and Pretoria (a no-hour drive).

Nor will the Yanks be uncomfortable in their surroundings, having played games during last June's Confederations Cup at the same stadiums in Rustenburg (a 3-0 win vs. Egypt), in Pretoria (a 3-0 loss to Brazil) and in Johannesburg's Ellis Park (a 3-2 loss to Brazil). All three games will be at altitude, but the U.S. will have plenty of time to acclimatize at its training camp beforehand.

amanda knox verdict

2010-01-16T04:05:00.000-08:00

amanda knox verdict One of Knox's attorneys, Luciano Ghirga, was asked if she was distraught. "Yes, I challenge anyone not to be," he replied.

Silence fell on the packed and tense courtroom as the jurors walked in. Kercher's mother and sister cried at the verdict.

"The sentence is fair and satisfactory for the family," said their lawyer, Francesco Maresca. "It was a heartfelt sentence. There is deep suffering on all sides."

A juror, a woman, also looked like she was crying after the verdict.

A group of local youths who gathered outside the courthouse shouted insults and "assassin!" at the Knox family as they walked in to hear the verdict.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors depicted Knox as a promiscuous and manipulative she-devil whose personality clashed with her roommate's. They say Knox had grown to hate Kercher.

The most intimate details of Knox's life were examined, from her lax hygiene – allegedly a point of contention with Kercher – to her sex life, even including a sex toy.

"It appears clear to us that the attacks on Amanda's character in much of the media and by the prosecution had a significant impact on the judges and jurors and apparently overshadowed the lack of evidence in the prosecution's case against her," the statement said.

The eight-member jury was not sequestered during the trial.

Kercher's body was found in a pool of blood with her throat slit on Nov. 2, 2007, in the bedroom of the house she shared with Knox while the two were studying in the medieval town of Perugia in central Italy. Prosecutors said the Leeds University student was murdered the previous night.

In Seattle, relatives and friends clasped hands as they watched the verdict on TV. "Oh God, no," her uncle, Mick Huff, cried when it was announced.

Other friends buried their faces in their hands and shook their heads.

"They didn't listen to the facts of the case," said Elisabeth Huff, Knox' grandmother. "All they did was listen to the media's lies."

Madison Paxton, Knox's friend from the University of Washington, said: "They're convicting a made-up person ... "They they're convicting 'foxy Knoxy.' That's not Amanda."

Prosecutors argued that on the night of the murder, Knox and Sollecito met at the apartment where Kercher and Knox lived. They say a fourth person was there, Rudy Hermann Guede, an Ivory Coast citizen who has been convicted in the murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Guede, who is appealing his conviction, says he was in the house the night of the murder but did not kill Kercher.

The prosecution says Knox and Kercher started arguing, and that Knox joined the two men in brutally attacking and sexually assaulting the Briton under "the fumes of drugs and possibly alcohol."

Knox said Kercher was a friend whose slaying shocked and saddened her.

Defense lawyers described the American, who made the dean's list at the University of Washington, as a smart and cheerful woman, at one point even comparing her to film character Amelie, the innocent and dreamy girl in the 2001 French movie of the same title.

That is the film Knox and Sollecito said they were watching at his home on the night of the murder, where they say they smoked marijuana and had sex. Knox said she went home the next morning to find the door to the house open and Kercher dead.

The prosecution said a 6 1/2-inch (15.2-centimeter) knife authorities found at Sollecito's house had Kercher's DNA on the blade and Knox's on the handle. Defense lawyers said the knife was too big to match Kercher's wounds and the amount of DNA collected was too small to determine with certainty whose it was.

The defense maintained there was not enough evidence for a conviction and no clear motive.

However, prosecutor Manuela Comodi said violent crimes can lack a motive. "We live at a time where violence is purposeless," she told the jury.

The pair also was convicted of illegally carrying a weapon – the knife – and of staging a burglary at the house where the murder occurred by breaking a window, supposedly in an effort to sidetrack the investigation.

Knox also was convicted of defaming a man she had originally implicated in the case.

After the murder, Knox told investigators she was home and had to cover her ears to block out Kercher's screams. She accused a Congolese man, Patrick Diya Lumumba, of the killing. Lumumba, who owns a pub in Perugia where Knox worked, was jailed briefly but was later cleared. Knox said during the trial that police pressure led her to initially accuse an innocent man.

___

Associated Press writer Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed to this report.
amanda knox verdict

april ryan

2010-01-16T04:03:00.000-08:00

april ryan
beginning of The Longest Journey, April lives in the "Border House", a small boarding house for students, then located in the New Venice district of Newport, and prepares for the admission tests at VAVA, one of the biggest art academies in the world. She has a stable job as a server at the local café and two good friends: Charlie, who pursues a dancer's career, and Emma, who plans to be a sculptor. The only things troubling her are her dreams, in which she sees dragons, magic, and mythological monsters. Moreover, a man whom she knows as a local eccentric named Cortez – who is, in fact, the Red of the Draic Kin and therefore one of her blood relatives – tells her that her dreams are actually more than unsubstantiated images.

The truth behind this is actually the disturbance of the Balance between Stark and Arcadia caused by the current Guardian of the Balance's departure from his position without naming a successor. April is one of the first humans to become aware of it, because (as Cortez informs her) she is a Shifter; a person capable of traveling between the Twin Worlds. After some contemplation, April travels to Arcadia via a Shift that she opens with Cortez's help and lands in Marcuria, one of its largest cities.

Despite her difficulty to accept the presence of an alternate dimension, April convinces herself of its reality and even learns the true history of the Balance and the Twin Worlds from the local priests. To return home to Stark, she, being not yet fully in control of her Shifting powers, gets help from another Starkian, Brian Westhouse, who has arrived in Arcadia some years earlier.

Upon her return, Cortez informs her about the disappearance of the Guardian, which compromises the Balance, and of their common opponents, the Vanguard, also known as the 'Church of Voltec' in Stark, who seek to reunite the worlds, disregarding the risks that go with this operation. In order to preserve the Balance and thus both Twin Worlds from imminent destruction, April must cooperate with Cortez and find both the old and the new Guardian, locate the "backdoor" entrance to their Realm and thereby save the worlds. Cortez also hints that April is a chosen one whose journey is foretold in countless prophecies.

April begins gathering information about the Guardians, who have presumably both been captured by the Vanguard, and about the Vanguard themselves. First of all, she gains access to the central police archives of Newport and with the help of an experienced hacker, Burns Flipper, finds out that the Vanguard Headquarters are located in Newport and that their leader is Jacob McAllen, who is later revealed to be the Green Kin. Meanwhile, the Vanguard capture Cortez; April, seeing this in a dream, unconsciously opens a Shift and flees to Arcadia.

While in Arcadia, April decides to search for the parts of the Stone Disc, an artifact vital for unlocking the entrance to the Guardian's Realm. As she finds out, the Disc consists of four parts distributed for safekeeping among four magical peoples of Arcadia, who would presumably gain nothing but death should the Balance be compromised, and of four sacred jewels called the Dragon's Eyes, each associated with one of the four Draic Kin. Since two of the Kin (Red and Green) permanently reside in Stark, Cortez has agreed to get their Jewels himself, while April is responsible for the rest.

April realizes that she has need to travel to the tropical island of Alais, where is a possibility of finding one of the Draic Kin and getting more information pertaining the Disc and the Guardian's Realm from Alatien, a magical people famous for remembering millennia-old legends. She travels north of Marcuria and defeats Roper Klacks, an alchemist who trapped the wind with his spells, stopping every kind of sea ship traffic in the Marcurian region, and who is secretly a powerful agent of the Vanguard. On her trip north, she discovers the Banda, one of the magical peoples who have a piece of the Disc; by gaining their trust, April gets it into her possession. During a night in their sacred Spirit Dig, she is forced to confront her underlying doubts of herself as well as realize that she is not alone in completing this monumental task. She also hears that Charlie loves her, although she never finds out if this is true or not, despite things others have said to support this. Upon returning to Marcuria, Vestrum Tobias, the head of the Sentinel Order, informs her that she is, in fact, the next Guardian and presents her with the powerful Talisman of the Balance, which she reluctantly accepts, for she is not ready to suddenly accept such enormous responsibility.

En route to Alais, the ship she has boarded in Marcuria is intercepted by a magical Chaos Storm; A desperate attempt to escape results in the ship's sinking and in April's being cast out into the middle of the ocean, with no land or people in sight. She drifts into the territory of the Maerum, a race of Merpeople, who save her and teach her to breathe under water, only to make her work for them as a gatherer of Tan'yen, a magical substance vital for their existence. April is able to convince the Maerum that she is the Waterstiller, a messiah from their prophecies who will reconcile them with their bitterest enemies, the winged folk of Alatien, with whom they share common, albeit forgotten ancestry.

The Maerum bring April to the island of Alais and after a long exploration of the ancient ruins of a common Alatien-Maerum city, she is able to find her way up into the volcano's caldera where the new Alatien settlement is located. She convinces the Alatien that she is their own long-awaited messiah, Windbringer. April finds out that the Blue of the Draic Kin is residing on the bottom of the sea near Alais and that both Maerum and Alatien are, in fact, his progeny.

Acting as an emissary, April manages to declare peace between two peoples. As a sign of gratitude, they present her with the second part of the Disc and a passage to the Blue Kin. The Kin is extremely reluctant to give any answers, but he willingly parts with his Jewel and even summons a Shadow Ship of the Dark People, who without causing any more trouble for April acknowledge her as the Wave (another messiah) and hand over their part of the Disc as well as a stellar map indicating the location of the secret entrance to the Realm of the Guardians, which is somewhere outside the Solar System.

With half of her task done, April returns to Marcuria and finds the city deserted because, in the meantime, the Vanguard have spurred the lust for conquest in Marcuria's neighbors, the Tyren, an aggressive and barbaric nation, who are now preparing to attack the city. Immediately upon her arrival, April is attacked by the Tyren's champion, Chaos Vortex, a mysterious terrifying creature somewhat resembling the Langoliers. She is able to escape through a Shift, again unconscious.

In Stark, the Vanguard are already after her, now that they have Cortez. Led by Gordon Halloway, Jacob McAllen's right-hand man and the latest prospective Guardian, whom the Vanguard's experiments stripped of his nature, they take all April's friends hostage and threaten to kill them if she refuses to surrender herself. Emma provides April enough time to flee; April escapes, though Emma is shot. After a short but intense chase, April escapes Vanguard agents through yet another Shift and ends up in the mysterious House of All Worlds, between Stark and Arcadia, whose owner, Lady Alvane, calms April by telling her that Emma will be all right.

Shortly thereafter, April leaves the House for Arcadia and quickly locates the last missing piece of the Stone Disc in possession of Abnaxus of the Venar, who hands it over to her proclaiming her the Kan-ang-la (the Venar messiah) and leaves before the Tyren block all ways to the city. April recombines all pieces into a full Disc by using the ancient mechanisms of the Sentinel Enclave, where it was initially kept before being split, and escapes Marcuria through a Shift just before the Tyren attack.

In Stark, April recalls that Lady Alvane suggested using her talents to control her Shifting abilities, and tries to apply it by drawing a picture of what she saw in one of her dreams. Immediately, she is transferred to the very location in Arcadia that she drew; that is, to the "nest" of the White of the Kin. The Kin is exhausted by her previous battles against Chaos Vortex and dies shortly after April retrieves her Jewel. When she dies, the single egg in her nest hatches and a new White Kin is born, whom April calls "sister". Both leave the place immediately.

April, now fully in control of her Shifting powers, returns to Stark and visits Flipper, who gives her a fake identification card that will help her enter the Vanguard Headquarters and confront McAllen and Halloway. Up in the Headquarters, McAllen quickly forces April to hand over the Disc and the two Jewels and sets a mutant (probably a result of a failed experiment in Vanguard laboratories) on her for further intimidation. She destroys the mutant and is later found by Cortez, who has just escaped the Vanguard custody. McAllen reappears and engages in a fierce fight against Cortez. Both assume their true dragon-like forms during this battle, wherein they apparently die after falling from the top of the HQ skyscraper.

thanksgiving word search

2009-11-24T15:39:00.000-08:00

thanksgiving word search
Cyber Monday, the first Monday after Thanksgiving, has traditionally marked the start of the online holiday shopping period, the most important time of the year for Amazon and eBay. Amazon, which launched its Black Friday deals page earlier this week, is expected to set the pace.

"Amazon has doing tremendously well all year and continues to show strong double-digit growth," Patti Freeman-Evans, research director at Forrester, told TheStreet. "We expect to continue to see them do well."

During the third quarter, even as U.S. consumers emerged bleary-eyed from the recession, Amazon still reported sales of $5.45-billion, an increase of 28% on the same period in 2008.

Over the last few years the Seattle-based firm has earned a reputation for customer service, efficient shipping and a highly navigable Web site, factors that should help lure users from traditional retailers this holiday season.

The National Retail Federation (NRF), for example, has forecast a 1 per cent year-over-year decline in overall sales this holiday season, as ongoing uncertainty about job security and housing takes its toll on consumer confidence.

The Internet, however, will be retail's shining light. In another survey, the NRF found that almost half of online retailers expect their holiday sales to increase at 15 per cent over last year, with a third predicting up to 14 per cent growth. Tellingly, just one in five online retailers expects sales to flatten or decline.

Forrester forecasts online retail sales of $44.7-billion between November and December, an 8 per cent increase on the same period last year. This figure includes Amazon's sales, but not consumer-to-consumer businesses such as eBay, which recently gave a disappointing holiday forecast.

Amazon is nonetheless feeling the analyst love. Merrill/BofA, for example, recently increased its Amazon numbers through 2011, citing a continued shift toward online shopping this holiday season. The analyst firm gave the retailer a buy rating and raised the company's price target to $140.

"I think [this holiday season] is going to be huge for Amazon," Candace Corlett, president of WSL Strategic Retail told TheStreet, pointing to her firm's quarterly consumer surveys. "We're seeing more and more upper-middle income people and the affluent turning to the Internet for terrific deals."

cyber monday deals 2009

2009-11-24T15:38:00.001-08:00

Cyber Monday 2009: Online deals stretched out by stores
Filed under: News | By: Peter Chubb
Posted on: November 24, 2009 | No Comments

Retailers are not only thinking about Black Friday 2009 and Cyber Monday 2009, they know that they need to look well beyond that if they ever hope to claw some profits back by the end of the year. Once retailers have got this busy weekend out of the way, they then need to plan the rest of the holiday season.
All the usual websites will run online sales on November 30, Cyber Monday, such as Walmart, Target and Toys R Us. J.C. Penny will carry on their sales through to Tuesday and Wal-Mart will have new offers starting on December 4.

More retailers will be offering deals on Cyber Monday, up from last year but no by much. Not only will these online retailers offer money off, but also free shipping as well. However, according to a source from AP we will not see as many discounts online as we did last year.

This could have a huge effect on profits; shoppers will only purchase something on Cyber Monday if they think they are getting a great deal. Retailers know that they need to keep shoppers coming back after these big one day events, so will need to come up with offers throughout December.

There are mixed feelings about Cyber Monday, with many believing that it will take the place of Black Friday. However, we do not think that that will ever happen, if anything, it will be Cyber Monday that ends.

katie couric dancing

2009-11-24T15:36:00.000-08:00

ELEANOR: Don't worry, Grace. Marvin will fill you in on all that stuff.

GRACE: That's right, Eleanor. Who's Marvin?

LEO: That'd be me.

GRACE: Your name is Marvin?

LEO: Yeah, yeah. People always call me "Leo"... 'cause my name's Marvin.

JACK: [LAUGHS WITH A MOUTHFUL OF CAKE] You just married a guy, and you don't even know his name? Silly.

KAREN: It's okay, honey. He's been calling you "Grace" this whole time.

GRACE: I don't know your name?

LEO: Come on, my first wife didn't have a problem with that. Huh? [LAUGHS]

GRACE: You were married before?!

LEO: Okay, wrong time to try that joke. [QUIETLY] Are you okay, baby?

GRACE: Um, no, I'm-- Excuse me. [GRACE EXITS.]

LEO: Excuse me. [LEO EXITS AFTER HER.]

BOBBI: I knew she'd cock it up.

[GRACE GETS IN THE ELEVATOR. LEO FOLLOWS HER IN.]

LEO: Where are you going? You're blowin' this way out of proportion.

GRACE: [SIGHS] You're like a stranger to me... Marvin. I might as well have married my Israeli pen pal from when I was 15 who sent me love letters on Hello Kitty stationary.

LEO: Actually over there it'd be Shalom Kitty.

GRACE: [UPSET] Please don't joke right now. That was weird up there. I don't even know when your birthday is.

LEO: Okay, you wanna know some stuff about me? Here you go. I believe when I hold my breath, the guy on TV's going to make the basket. I'm in a Doors cover band, consisting entirely of surgeons called "The Operating Room Doors." And my deepest, darkest secret is that I don't like any food with raisins in it, but I do like raisins.

GRACE: See, we already have a problem. I love raisins. In everything! I even went to see A Raisin in the Sun because I thought there'd be raisins in it.

LEO: Grace, we have a whole lifetime to get to know each other, baby.

GRACE: I don't know. I don't know. I just wish that there was some way that we could be sure we were doing the right thing, you know. Just... a sign, something.

[THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN. KATIE COURIC IS WAITING TO GET ON.]

GRACE: Katie? Hi!

KATIE: [UNDER HER BREATH] Crap. [TO GRACE AND LEO] Hi! Thanks for watching! Do you have your own pens?

GRACE: No, no, no. It's Grace and Leo. Remember, from the other day in the park. We got married because of you.

LEO: Actually I got a colonoscopy because of you too. Not on the same day, though. And not in the park.

KATIE: Eee, the wedding. Sorry about that.

GRACE: What? What do you mean?

KATIE: No one called you? Ooh, awkward. We're scrapping the whole wedding segment, because the judge performing the ceremony wasn't licensed in New York. So all those marriages are invalid. Oops! Last time I use Tom Brokaw's nephew as my fact checker.

[KATIE GETS IN THE ELEVATOR AND THE DOORS CLOSE.]

GRACE: I guess I wanted a sign, and I think I got it. We're not married.

[GRACE WALKS AWAY. LEO STOPS HER.]

LEO: Hey, Grace. Grace! Hey, hey, hey. We'll go to city hall tomorrow. We'll do it all over again.

GRACE: I don't know that I can.

LEO: Why? Why not? What's changed?

GRACE: Everything has changed. I mean, the first time I said yes, it was impulsive and romantic and to a guy named Leo. And now-- [SIGHS] We know nothing about each other.

LEO: I knew everything I needed to know about you the first time I held your hand. Grace, we're already married. The rest is paperwork.

GRACE: How can you be so sure?

LEO: Because when it's right, you just know. You remember Tuesday? We woke up. I said, "Morning, wife." You said, "Hello, husband." Remember that? Remember how great that was? I want every day to be Tuesday.

GRACE: Every day can't be Tuesday. Today's Saturday, so it can't be Tuesday. Monday can't be Tuesday. Tuesday can't-- Well, Tuesday can, but Wednesday definitely can't be Tues--

LEO: Listen, listen, listen. Just come up with me. And I promise you everything is going to be fine. Please.

GRACE: I can't. I need time. I'm sorry.

[GRACE WALKS AWAY.]

[JACK AND KAREN ARE SITTING AT A TABLE, ENJOYING CAKE.]

KAREN: That was wild, wasn't it, Jackie? The way Grace just kind of spooked and ran off. Kind of like Rosie whenever I fire my gun in her room just as she's falling asleep.

JACK: Yeah, she's really upset. I've never seen Grace actually run from a cake.

KAREN: No.

[LEO ENTERS AND TAKES THE STAGE.]

LEO: Um, hi, everyone. I-I have a little bit of an announcement to make. Grace and I ran into Katie Couric in the lobby--

EVERYBODY: Oh!

LEO: And she said that we weren't really married.

EVERYBODY: Aw!

LEO: Turns out the judge that married us wasn't really legit, so... Anyway, we have this place till midnight, so stick around, you know. There's cake, there's booze, there's dancing. Well, have fun.

WILL: Leo, hey. I--I'm sorry. You okay?

LEO: I'm about as good as Bill Buckner of the '86 Red Sox.

WILL: Ooh, ouch. I'm sorry.

LEO: Do you even know what that means?

WILL: No, but anybody that's got 43 pairs of red socks obviously had issues. Where's Grace?

LEO: She took off. She--she was pretty freaked out. Can I borrow your phone, man? I think I need to call her.

GRACE: Uh, Leo, I think you might wanna give her some time right now. I know Grace. She's not like you. She's not impulsive. She once bought Impulse perfume and then returned it. That's why this whole getting married in the park thing all seemed so weird to me.

LEO: Yeah, well, I guess I should send everyone home.

[WILL SITS DOWN WITH KAREN AND JACK. LEO GETS ON THE STAGE AGAIN.]

LEO: Hi, it's me again. Listen, you're not going to like what you're about to hear.

GRACE: [ENTERING, HIGH-PITCHED OFF-KEY SINGING] Please don't let this feeling end, it not might come again, and I want to remember.

WILL: [TO KAREN] To be fair, he did say we wouldn't like what we were about to hear. [KAREN NODS.]

LEO: I thought you needed time to think.

GRACE: I did. And I realized I want today to be Tuesday.

[LEO AND GRACE KISS.]

KAREN: It's Tuesday? How long have I been out?

GRACE: Okay. So our first wedding didn't take. But we're havin' another one! And a real one this time. As for all these, ah, these lovely presents, I-I don't really know the protocol. Let's just call them engagement gifts. Bring another one at the wedding.

SCENE IV: The Synagogue
(Guests are arriving... WILL is in the foyer. He takes a skull cap from the basket of kippot and puts it on his head. He moves to the guest book.)

WILL: [TO THE GUESTS] Don't forget to sign the guest book. Okay, who wrote, "If it doesn't work out, call me." That's tacky. Don't forget to sign the guest book.

JACK: [ENTERING] Oh, perfect. I've been looking for this.

[JACK TAKES TWO SKULL CAPS AND PUTS THEM UNDER HIS TUX-COAT AS SHOULDER PADS.]

WILL: That's a little inappropriate!

JACK: Please. This is inappropriate? How about inviting people to watch a man and woman get married? Look how good it makes my shoulders look.

[WILL PULLS HIS OFF AND PUTS IT IN UNDER HIS COAT AND GRABS ANOTHER ONE

JACK: Well, Will. Congratulations. I think you've done a fantastic job at planning this wedding. I take my pants off to you.

WILL: You've gotta be kidding me. The photographer's late. Four people who RSVP'd "no" just arrived with dates. And the cake shows up with two grooms on it. Is the whole city gay?

JACK: Not yet. [WITH ENGLISH ACCENT] But if all goes as planned, come Monday morning... [WRINGS HIS HANDS WITH AN EVIL LAUGH] Mwah-ha-ha-ha!

WILL: And look at these boutonnieres. Dead.

JACK: They're fine.

WILL: They're dead, my friend. They just made contact with John Edward.

WILL: [YELLING AT A GUEST] Hey, hey, hey! Sign that guest book!

JACK: Lady, you're a wreck!

[JACK SLAPS WILL ACROSS THE FACE.]

JACK: But it's understandable. Today's a big day for you. You're not just losing a best friend, you're also losing a hag.

WILL: She's not my hag, okay? She's the most important person in my life, who used to be in love with me, and who for the last 15 years has never left my side. [VOICE BREAKING] She's been a hell of a hag.

[JOE AND LARRY ENTER.]

LARRY: Hey, Will.

WILL: Hey.

[LARRY HUGS WILL.]

LARRY: Hey. Are you okay?

WILL: Sure, why wouldn't I be?

LARRY: 'Cause you're losing your girl. You're single again.

JOE: Boy, I miss those days...

LARRY: That can be arranged!

JOE: I'm joking! I was joking.

[JOE HEADS IN.]

LARRY: [QUIETLY TO WILL] But if you know anyone.

target black friday 2009 flyer

2009-11-24T15:35:00.000-08:00

我在Votes208上注册了一个号想学学英语，没想到这也能招来骗子，下面是我和骗子的信件来往。
他（她）的第一封信：
love4ever from USA Votes 2008 sent you this message:

Hello Dear
I'm just browsing now in the Internet and found your profile on
community.usavotes2008.com and it captured my interest i decided to drop few words to you.
I'm miss linna by name,please i will like us to hold a good
relationship with a real love,I'm happy to look at your profile today,you
sound so gentle to me that was why i fell very much interested in writing
you,contact me through my personal box (linnadokie@yahoo.com) for more
introduction,also i will send my pictures to you so we can know more about each
other,i will be happy to see your response my dear,age or colour even distance
can't deny any genuine love,so please lets give our self a trial,thanks till
i hear from you
misslinna
我的回信：
Hellow dear
Thank you for your latter,i'm sorry for didn't open this personal box some time and write back to you till now.
I'm very happy after look the latter that you write to me.
Now would be a good time, I think , for some introductions.I'm a student studying in Hubei Automobile College in china.My English is poor,and i want to improve my English that was why i to registered on community.usavotes2008.com . I can read and uaderstand English but I can't speak or write it well and truly .
You said you would like us to hold a good relationship with a real love.I will too.but we are so far away from each other.and it's difficult for us to get together.
I think we be suitable for become good frends.
Waiting for your latter.
Yours Chenghong
他（她）的第二封信：
Dearest
First i must apologise you my prince for droping you such mail but i think you deserve princess like me,meanwhile

I
am more than happy in your urgent mail to my mail.How are you today? l
hope fine.Mine is not too good due to my suffering condition here in
Dakar Senegal.My name is Miss linna Dokie, I am (23) years old, single
and never married, 5ft 8 inches Tall, 55kg weight, black hair and
brown eyes,l am from Liberia in West Africa
and presently l am residing in a church Orphanage home here in Dakar
Senegal as a result of the civil war that was fought in my country some
years ago.I lost my both Parents during this deadly Political War.That
Damaged Thousands of innocent Souls in Liberia.My family was among the
first target of the rebels because my Late father Dr Tolbert
Dokie was a Successful business man and also a politician supporting
the Present Government when the problems was about to start.Due to this
all the members of my family were Murdered in a cold
Blood and our family house was set ablazed.I
escaped death because i was in bordering school
when this deadly incident took place.

It is only
myself who is alive now and l managed to make my way to a nearby country Senegal where l am staying now and never pray or think to
step my legs in that bloody country called Liberia.

I
would like to know more about you.Your likes and dislikes,your hobbies
and what you are doing presently. I will tell you more about myself in
my next mail. Attached here is my picture.Hoping to hear from you
soonest. Yours Forever
照片我就懒得上传了，请谅解。
我的回复：
Dear Miss Linna I'm fine，thank you for your worry about me.
I'm also happy you could write to me again , i sympathize your experience，against violence and war ，love peace 。
more information about me as following：
I living in south of china,a peaceful country.My home in a village ,both my parents are farmer,and me is not very rich in the home. I am 22 years old, single and never married, 1.76m Tall, 68kg weight, black hair and
black eyes,yellow skin.like sporting ,reading,and surf net.I'm studying in the college now,and will finishes next year.There're lots of things I want to do，but haven't find which is i like best till now. I don't know what to do in the future.
I seen your pictures，and your are pretty.Hoping to hear from you.

Yours Liu Yang

第三封：Hello dear,
I am very happy in this answer to my mail.How is your day? I hope
fine.mine that the whole world is not too well in the orphanage here at home
Dakar senegal.In this orphanage home that only they are allowed
leaving only the Monday and Friday of the weeks.Its as a stay in jail
and I hope that by the grace of God I will leave here soon.We have no relatives
which we can now go to all our relatives escaped amid the war against
only person we have now is that Charles is the pastor Rev.Benjamin
the (Catholic Orphanage house) here in the camp that has been very
pleasant for me since I came here, but I am not living with him and I'm not
living in the female hostel because the camp has two shelters for a
other men for women. Pastors Tel number! is (+221-777-00-76-73)
if you call him and said he wants to talk to him I will send for me in
hostel. As an orphan here i do not have any right or privilege for
anything either money or whatever, because it is against the law
this country.I want to return to my studies because I only attended
first year before the tragic incident that lead me to be in this
place.Please situation will now hear this, I have my late father's deposit
certificate and the certificate here with me I will take you
the last one, because when he was alive to deposit a certain amount of money
major banks in Europe using my name as the next of kin,
amount in question is $ 9.4M (nine million four hundred thousand
dollars). So, like you help me transfer this money to your account and
that can send some money for me that my travel documents and air
tickets to come to meet with YOU.I kept this secret to people in
camp here! and a person who knows is the Rev. because
It's like a Fatah-er to me.So in the light of top i will like you
keep it to yourself and not telling anyone that I am afraid of losing
my life and money if people come to know everything that it.Remember
this information because of confidence in the honest i YOU.I
and understanding of people, truthful and a man of vision, truth and
My job is the English language and speak English very
fluently.Meanwhile i like him to call me, as I said I have a lot to say
you.Have a good day and think of me.hoping to hear from you as soon as possible.
Yours in love,
天上掉馅饼了：940万美元，诱人不？
我的回复：
dear Linna
I'm very happy for get letter from you today.I fear that you have an accident when I haven't look letter from you,because I known took place deadly Political War in your country from last letter you to me,I'm worry about you very much.
I am sorry I have not to call you,because my English is poor,and pronunciation is not good.Afraid you don't understand what I say.Every time I give you a letter to use more than an hour,I'm fear to write composition in English at before,but I am not afraid since write to you.
How should I help you,please tell me.I will do my ability to help you.waiting for your letter.
Yours Liu Yang
第四封：
Hello my dear.

I thank you ones again for reaching me. I hope you are keeping fine today, As for me, i am not looking fine over here. Really it sounds some how depositing such a big trust to some body that you have never seen in person but one thing you ought to understand is that any body who is into difficult situation may be
looking for help from every angle and when i come in contact with you i was some how felt relaxed saying to myself that God has answered my fasting and prayer's.I was moved.I appreciate your acceptance to assist me to my request as regards to the money and this has made me to get the bank informed in a mail about you, i introduced you to them .I see you as a very nice person whom i can lean upon for trust and support for life; I see you as very responsible,competent and mature enough to assist me to direct my life to a positive direction in life.Please i have not told any one except you about the existence of this money and i will like you to please keep it secret to other people because since it is money i feel all interest will be on it. Remember i trust you that is why i am giving you all this information!. I will like to hear your voice in due cause please, I have informed the bank about my plans to take and transfer this money and the only thing they told me is to look for a very responsible person , who will stand on
my behalf as a trustee to this money due to my refugee status and the laws of this country. I have to use this chance to let you know about it,i have decided not to continue staying over here any more, i would like to use this chance get you introduced to the bank as my partner and the person who will be standing on
my behalf as regards to this money.In this regards i will like you to contact the bank immediately with their contact information below; please tell them that you are my foreign partner and that you want to know the possibilities of assisting me transfer my ( 9.4 million USA dollars) Nine million Four hundred thousand USA dollars)
deposited by my late father of which i am the next of kin/beneficiary, to your account in your country.Here is the contact, just send an email to the bank in London.Note.This Is the contact information of the bank is as follows: and i would like you to contact them today for this fund and ask them how this fund
will transfer into your account as my foreign partner, Let them know that it's Miss Glory Dokie Instructed to transfer this fund into your account.Below are the bank contact information,s

STANDARD BANK LONDON PLC:
Senior Manager.Mr.Tim Lancaster.

Address:Cannon Bridge House
25 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SB, United Kingdom

TEL: +447024022531
TEL: +447031887859
PHONE.+447031888631
FAX + 448709746876
E-mail:standard-bk@london.com

BELOW IS MY LATE FATHER'S DEPOSIT INFORMATION

NAME OF DEPOSITOR: DR.TOLBERT DOKIE
NATIONALITY:LIBERIA
NEXT OF KIN : MISS GLORY DOKIE
AMOUNT DEPOSITED:( $9 .4 Million USD)
ACCOUNT NUMBER: UBL745608902546/QB/91/A

Or you send your full information for reconfirmation so that i will forward it
to bank to make the transfer to your given account in your country.

1.FULL NAME.............
2.HOME AND OFFICE ADDRESS............
3.TELEPHONE NUMBER .................................
4.BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION .........................
我的回信：
Dear Linna
Thank you to trust me,I was moved by your and your brought tears to my eyes. I think I got the best wife.
BELOW IS MY INFORMATION

1.FULL NAME ：Liu（family name) Yang,( My Chinese name）
2.HOME AND OFFICE ADDRESS: Taipinglu178 ，Donglingshi，Hunan，China.
TELEPHONE NUMBER: （这个我就不公布出来了）
4.BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION: 6222306649254893(this is the account numble of "ICBC" namely Industrial and commercial bank of China )
“银行”来信了：

Welcome to The Stand Bank Group.
STANDARD BANK LONDON PLC
Head Office Address:Cannon Bridge House
25 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SB, United Kingdom

Registered in london No. 90312

Email:[email=[B]standard-bk@london.com]standard-bk@london.com[/email]

TEL: +447024022531
TEL: +447031887859
PHONE.+447031888631
FAX + 448709746876

Date:14th/APRIL/2009.

FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION:MR Liu Yang.

I have been directed by the director of Foreign Operation/Wire Transfer to write you in respect to the mail which we have received.Actually,we have earlier been told about you by the young lady Miss Linna Dokie that she wishes you to be her trustee/representative for the claim of her late father's deposit with our bank.Late Dr Tolbert Dokie is our late customer with a substantial amount(US$9,400,000.00) of deposit with us Hence you have been really appointed as a trustee to represent the next of Kin.However before our bank will transact any business concerning the transfer of the fund with you,we will like you to send the followings:

1.A power of attorney and affidavit of oath permitting you to claim and transfer the funds to your bank account on her behalf. Note:This Power of attorney must be endorsed by a Senegalese resident lawyer (since the money is originated from Africa and the Girl is Currently residing in Senegal).

2.The death certificate of late Dr Tolbert Dokie (Her deceased father) confirming the death.

3.A copy of Deposit Certificate of the account issued to Dr.Tolbert Dokie by our bank.

Note that the above are compulsory, and are needed to protect our interest,yours, the next of kin after the claims. These shall also ensure that a smooth, quick and successful transfer of the fund will be made within 48hours at reception of these documents.

Also you have to send your account information which will facilitate this fund as soon as these documents are been provided.Therefore You have to hurry up to present these documents to our bank to enable us wire the fund ( US$9,400,000.00 ) into your account.We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Should you have any question(s), please contact Senior Manager Mr Tim Lancaster on telephone number +447024022531 for more directives /clarifications.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr.Albert John
(Foreign operations/wire transfer)
我又给他们回信了在下面：
Dear Linna The bank write to me at yesterday,he let me to handle some things.
He write:
we will like you to send the followings:

1.A power of attorney and affidavit of oath permitting you to claim and transfer the funds to your bank account on her behalf. Note:This Power of attorney must be endorsed by a Senegalese resident lawyer (since the money is originated from Africa and the Girl is Currently residing in Senegal).

2.The death certificate of late Dr Tolbert Dokie (Her deceased father) confirming the death.

3.A copy of Deposit Certificate of the account issued to Dr.Tolbert Dokie by our bank

I don't know how to handle it？please tell me，
hoping hear from you。
待续……（还没道破，看接下来会出什么花招）

sammy sosa face change

2009-11-13T23:29:00.000-08:00

Sammy Sosa will be on Univision’s Tony Dandrades on “Primer Impacto” a two part interview. The first part will be aired on Tuesday.
When it was asked from Sammy Sosa “What’s going on with your skin?” he replied that he is using cream just to keep his skin smooth and soft and he uses that cream before going to bed. He spent lot of time in sun when he was playing for Chicago. Tomorrow he will be 41 year old. He says that he is surprised with the controversy this has caused.Sammy Sosa face before and after is hot. Sammy Sosa face before and after shows Sammy Sosa before and after he bleached his skin. You heard me right – the aspiring Baseball-Hall-of-Famer admittedly bleached his skin.

Sammy Sosa applied a cream that was supposed to soften his skin. Instead, it lightened his skin several shades. The change of his face before and after spurned the internet rumor mill. People started to wonder if Sammy Sosa was the next Michael Jackson.

You have to give it to the retired baseball player – he came right out and admitted what he did. He didn’t blame his lightened complexion on an illness, and he didn’t ignore the fact that everyone was talking about his skin tone. He admitted that he used a cream, and that the cream bleached his face.

I don’t understand why Sammy Sosa’s before and after pictures are so controversial. Light skinned people do plenty of things to make their skin appear darker. They lie in tanning beds and wear lotions that temporarily darken the skin. However, whenever a darker skinned person lightens their skin, it’s a controversy.

Enough with the double standard already! Sammy Sosa’s face before and after has the same level of handsomeness. He’s still a nice looking guy – he’s just a little lighter.

tia mowry wedding pictures

2009-11-13T23:27:00.000-08:00

AActress Tia Mowry looked stunning at her elegant nuptials to actor Cory Hardrict on Sunday.

In this first photo, exclusive to PEOPLE, the newlyweds glow as Hardrict puts his hand around his new bride, who wore a couture gown by Kevan Hall.

The former Sister, Sister star and her husband tied the knot at the Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara in front of 170 guests over the weekend. (For more details and photos of the wedding, pick up the next issue of PEOPLE magazine, on newsstands Friday.)

katt williams arrested for burglary

2009-11-09T17:59:00.001-08:00

katt williams arrested for burglary
Katt Williams Arrested for Burglary | Katt Williams Mug Shot | Katt Williams Arrested | Katt Williams | Kat Williams | Katt Williams Burglary | Katt Williams Arrested for Trespassing | Kat Williams Arrested

Katt Williams,36,comedian known to entertain legions of fans across America for his standup routines and movie roles.

Williams has been taken into custody on charges of burglary and trespassing,on Sunday night 8th November 2009, in an Atlanta jail.

Major James Yarbrough,Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, says, homeowner in the Southwest Atlanta suburb called authorities around 9 p.m.on Sunday to report the comedian gained entry by breaking into the residence and stealing various items including jewelry.Comedian Katt Williams was arrested on burglary and criminal trespass charges in a west Georgia community Sunday night, according to a court official.

Celebrity actor Comedian Katt Williams has been arrested and thrown in the slammer in Georgia on charges of burglary and criminal trespassing. A deputy at the jail in Coweta County, southwest of Atlanta, confirmed Williams was being held there and that a magistrate was expected to set bond at an arraignment this afternoon.

Williams, 38, smiled broadly while posing for a mug shot photo at the Coweta County, Georgia, jail.

His first court appearance is set for 4 p.m. ET Monday, where a magistrate will decide if Williams is eligible for bond, said Deborah Matthews, a spokeswoman with the Coweta County Magistrate Court.

Everyone has a documentary these days… Deceased Wu-Tang rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s docu-film, Dirty, will host the NY Premiere tomorrow in Harlem. The film is said to celebrate the many characters of Ol’ Dirty and portray the man within the MC, Russell Jones.

However,Williams’s lawyer told CNN that the comic actor was a guest – not a burglar.

katt williams arrested for burglary