So, And Thus...

iPhone Users To Pay Even More?!

2009-12-09T22:31:15-05:00

AT&T hasn't been doing well lately. This is NOT going to help.

Tiered AT&T pricing to target heavy data usage | Signal Strength - CNET News

AT&T wants its iPhone users to use less wireless data, and it plans to introduce new pricing models to curb users' data usage as it tries to keep up with growing demand.

At an investor conference in New York on Wednesday, Ralph de la Vega, AT&T's head of wireless, announced that the wireless operator plans to introduce new pricing for heavy wireless-data users.

...

iPhone users on average consume five to seven times more data per month than average wireless subscribers, according to analyst firm Sanford Bernstein. And all this usage is clogging the network, causing many iPhone users, especially in large cities such as New York and San Francisco, to experience dropped calls, slow 3G service, and issues connecting to the network at all.

AT&T has been reluctant to admit that there is a problem, but recently, the company has acknowledged that problems exist. According to The Wall Street Journal, de la Vega admitted that New York and San Francisco have been experiencing service issues. And the company recently launched an iPhone application that allows users to report service problems.

AT&T has been upgrading its network to the next generation of 3G wireless service to increase network capacity. But now the company is saying it needs to actually curb usage in order to get a handle on demand.

So why do they advertise all that you can do on an iPhone when they can't handle it? In reality, the iPhone for AT&T has been a mix blessing. Of course they wanted new subscribers, but they can't handle them.

I'm guessing when the iPhone is no longer exclusive to AT&T, a lot of folks are going to bolt. That would automatically help alleviate AT&T's network. Will Verizon encounter the same problems? Who knows, but I'll have to stick with AT&T since I signed a contract.

Springsteen Supports Gay Marriage

2009-12-09T08:10:09-05:00

... and this is another reason why we love The Boss (no, not song by Diana Ross):

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

Bruce Springsteen posted a statement on his Web site urging support of the gay marriage bill that's up for a vote in New Jersey's Senate on Thursday.

Springsteen wrote that he's long believed in and has "always spoken out for the rights of same-sex couples."

The native son says he agrees with Gov. Jon Corzine that marriage equality is a civil rights issue.

I am so glad that more and more public figures are talking about gay marriage being a civil rights issue.

Attention Geeks, Here is something to add to you Christmas List!

2009-12-05T12:23:31-05:00

This is just too funny and also rather sad...

ThinkGeek :: Tauntaun Sleeping Bag

That's right, ThinkGeek.com offers this Tauntaun Sleeping Bag at $99 and it is currently so popular it is back ordered and customers are also limited to only 2 Tauntauns. The sleeping bag is complete with "saddle, printed internal intestines and a plush lightsaber zipper pull."

A Pill to Get You Drunk?!

2009-12-05T11:52:13-05:00

Leave it to the Russians...

Your request is being processed...

Alcohol Pill Can Get You Drunk Without Drinking, Researcher Says

Thanks to a new technique developed by Russian professor Evgeny Moskalev, now you can get drunk without drinking.

Moskalev has created an "alcohol pill" using a method that transforms alcohol into a powder, which can then be packed into potent pills.

"We have developed a technology that allowed us to turn any liquid solution into powder," Professor Moskalev said.

He reports having tested his technique on liquor "containing as much as 96% alcohol content," notes MyFoxSpokane.

Moskalev claims to be able to create an alcohol pill from just about any boozy beverage, including whiskey, cognac, beer, and wine, the Times of India reports.

Goldfrapp - "Head First"

2009-12-02T12:08:04-05:00

New Goldfrapp album due in March! (via Towleroad)

Goldfrapp - Blog

my god its a crazy fast world! news gets out on the net soooo fast. we are still here in the west country mixing the album but in case you havent seen stuff on the web today the album now has a title ‘Head First’ and comes out in march, the single titled ‘rocket’ is also out around the same time.

Can't wait!!!

Carrie Prejean: Porn Star?!?!

2009-11-04T21:51:14-05:00

If this is true, it's just another example of just how hypocritical the religious right really is. She's only pushing this agenda for the advancement of her career. What a loser.

Prejean Goes XXX | News | Advocate.com

An extremely graphic sex video starring Carrie Prejean is the reason the conservative former Miss California has dismissed her lawsuit against the pageant. Editors for the website TMZ.com, who claim to have seen the tape, say that within 15 seconds of being shown the tape by a lawyer representing the pageant, Prejean decided to walk away from the suit without a settlement.

Of course, it's hard to keep an unbuttoned blouse closed when you're holding a bible in one hand...

Analogies & Metaphors

2009-10-30T08:42:44-04:00

I love stuff like this!

(from an email I received today)

Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays. These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country.

Here are last year's winners.....

Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.

His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.

He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.

She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.

She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.

Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.

The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.

The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.

McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.

From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.

Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.

Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.

They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.

John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.

He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River.

Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.

Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.

The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.

The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.

He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.

The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.

He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

Halloween Costumes

2009-10-29T10:20:34-04:00

The Washington City Paper has compiled a list of The 10 Worst Sexy Halloween Costumes.

Among the horrible costumes are these gems:

The Spaghetti Penis Costume

and my favorite... The “Down for the Count” Costume. WTF?

Another site to check out is WTF Costumes: The Crazy & Sexy Halloween Costume Archive. Here are a few from their site:

The Drunk You-Tube Guy

Office Space Costume

The Toy Soldier

The Price is Right Costume

Interesting Twister Costume

Hovering Boba-Fett

And for El Marveloso and his friends...Dora the Explorer

Garry Shandling Looks Great!

2009-10-28T01:21:36-04:00

Garry Shandling was on the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien this evening and Garry was hilarious as always. Garry was also saying that after the last appearance he made on television (outside of the security camera in his living room) in the last week or two, many of his so-called friends and others on the Internet stated that his face looked fat and/or puffy. So, to make Garry Shandling feel better I've decided to share that I thought he looked great this evening and his face did not look in anyway fat or puffy. His Afghanistan bit was beyond funny! I laughed so hard!!!!! Watch and enjoy.

Spectrasonics Trilian

2009-10-27T08:46:35-04:00

I'm sure most serious computer-based music producers out there already had the original "Trilogy" virtual instrument by Spectrasonics. The company finally updated this bass softsynth to make it compatible with Intel-Mac, adding a ton of new sounds along the way (34 GB core library!).

Spectrasonics Trilian is now shipping ! - MacMusic

Trilian's massive 34GB core library featuring highly-detailed new Acoustic, Electric and Synth basses - as well as enhanced versions of the classic Trilogy sounds. With a brand new user interface and numerous software innovations, Trilian is the first 64-bit native software based on Spectrasonics next generation STEAM Engine, and is the first virtual instrument to feature full library integration with the flagship Omnisphere synthesizer.

Trilian is now shipping, and the MSRP is $299/€229. All Trilogy customers can upgrade to Trilian for $99. There is also a special FREE upgrade offer for Trilogy customers on the Intel-Mac platform and for customers who purchase Trilogy in 2009.

Ok, I think it took too long for the company to get this out (they were concentrating on their Omnisphere synth), but I'm just happy to have it.

Palin on Oprah

2009-10-20T16:05:45-04:00

That's right. Sarah Palin will be appearing on Oprah show in conjunction with her book release.

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

Harpo Productions announced Tuesday that the former governor of Alaska and Republican vice presidential candidate will appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Monday, Nov. 16.

According to Harpo, the interview will be Palin's first about her new book, "Going Rogue: An American Life," and it will be the first time Palin and Winfrey will meet

I hope Oprah doesn't let Palin blab on about nothing. That would be a LONG show.

Since we know how much of a Obama supporter Oprah is, I wonder if Oprah is going to ask Palin about her ugly campaign speeches (lies) against Obama during the election.

Happy Birthday, La Magnifica

2009-10-09T07:57:36-04:00

Will you keep your hat on all day?

Going Rogue

2009-10-02T09:34:57-04:00

Here you have it: The cover for Sarah Palin's memoir.

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

The book, originally planned for next spring, is coming out Nov. 17 with an announced first printing of 1.5 million copies. Palin and collaborator Lynn Vincent finished "Going Rogue" just two months after Palin's resignation as governor.

Will this be found under the "Humor" section? Or perhaps "Fiction", since she's obviously doesn't live in our world?

2 Billion Downloads

2009-09-28T12:01:39-04:00

Amazing. 2 Billion. An there are over 85,000 applications now!

I'm glad that Apple added the Genius feature for applications now, otherwise, I'd be lost looking for applications. Like the feature for music, Genius takes a look at the applications you have install on your iPhone and will make a list of recommended applications accordingly.

Apple App Store hits 2 billion downloads, 85,000 apps | The Digital Home - CNET News

Apple announced Monday that over 2 billion apps have been downloaded from its App Store since the e-commerce shop's launch in July 2008. The company also said that there are now more than 85,000 apps available.

More numbers: There are currently 50 million iPhone and iPod Touch customers, as well as over 125,000 developers in Apple's iPhone Developer Program. All that has combined to make the company's App Store the world's largest applications store, Apple claims.

Happy Anniversary !

2009-09-20T09:50:10-04:00

To the Osos. Enjoy all your paper gifts this first year. Might I suggest comic books for El Marveloso ?

A Related Card:

First Gay Couple on Newlywed Game

2009-09-16T14:00:15-04:00

I used to love this show when I was a kid. Maybe it was the girls' hairstyles?

Something tells me that they are not going to use that famous question, "What was the strangest place you've ever made whoopee?"

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

NEW YORK (AP) -- "The Newlywed Game" is bringing on its first gay couple.

It's a celebrity duo for the long-running game show, now on the GSN cable network. George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on "Star Trek," will appear with his partner, Brad Altman. They just celebrated their first anniversary after being married in Los Angeles.

Takei and Altman have been together for 22 years, so they're nothing like the giggly young couples who appeared on the first version of the show.

New - Digital Performer 7

2009-09-15T12:05:29-04:00

My favorite audio workstation software goes to version 7!

MOTU.com - New in DP 7.0

New Features (from Mac Music):

Custom '59 - A meticulously detailed guitar amp emulator modeled after all-time classics from Fender® and Marshall®.
Live Room | G - A superb physical modeling speaker cabinet emulator with four mixable mics (close, near and far) and 3-band EQ per mic.
Guitar pedals - A new suite of stunningly accurate classic guitar pedals modeled after all-time favorites from Boss®, Ibanez® & others.
Inline EQ & dynamics - Control DP's multi-band graphic EQ and vintage dynamics processing directly in each Mixing Board channel.
Channel Strip - Gain instant access to all mixer channel settings for the track you are working on in any Editor window.
Lead sheets - Create and print lead sheets, complete with lyrics and transposable chord symbols.
Freely resizable Counter - Resize the Counter window to any size you wish, even the entire width of your screen.
Marker Counter - Display markers in large type in the resizable Counter window. Use markers as a teleprompter for lyrics during live performance or recording sessions.
Consolidated V-Racks - Display V-Rack virtual instruments and effects side by side with disk tracks in the Mixing Board.
Lyrics - Type in lyrics directly below notes on the QuickScribe page. Or paste them into the Lyric window from your word processor and flow them into a track with one click.
Transposable chord symbols - Add complex chord symbols directly on the page and transpose them at any time, together with or independently from notes.
QuickScribe notation enhancements - Numerous enhancements give you even more control over the look of your score and help speed your notation workflow.
Support for Pro Tools 8 - Industry-leading support for operation as a complete software front-end for Pro Tools | HD systems.
Info Bar mixer controls - Get instant access to mixer channel settings in any editor window that follow the track you're working on.
Next-generation sample rate conversion - A new ultra-fast, CPU-efficient sample rate conversion algorithm delivers increased precision, efficiency, and transparency, with an astonishing 138 dB signal-to-noise ratio.
Real-time crossfades - All crossfades are now computed in real time for lightning fast edits.
Wave64 support - Support for the industry standard Wave64 extension to the Broadcast WAVE file format lets you record and import audio files larger than 4GB.
Range automation modes - Raise, lower or write automation moves within any selected range, preserving everything before and after.
Audio Units instrument side chains - Route side chain inputs to all your favorite third-party Audio Units plug-ins.

Serena Williams To Be Under Investigation

2009-09-13T09:10:00-04:00

Well, Serena's outburst was all over the sports news last night and this morning.

For those of you who do not know what happened, Serena lost her semifinal match to Kim Clijsters after being awarded a penalty point on match point. (video). She had received a warning earlier in the match for racket abuse, which ultimately lead to her penalty.

It's really hard to tell if there was a foot fault from the angle of the camera, but I did see the front of her foot come down and pivot where the line seems to be.

Regardless of the fault, I agree with the tournament referee's decision. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior. And Serena's press conference did nothing to convince me otherwise.

Source: Serena's outburst to warrant investigation - Tennis - Yahoo! Sports

NEW YORK – Serena Williams is set to become the subject of an in-depth investigation after launching into a profane outburst that prompted her exit out of the U.S. Open.

Yahoo! Sports has learned that Williams will be asked to explain her actions and comments toward a female line judge at the end of her semifinal defeat to Kim Clijsters on Saturday night. A source revealed that representatives from tennis’ governing body – the International Tennis Federation – plus members of the Grand Slam Committee, which oversees the four major tournaments – will convene along with U.S. Open referee Brian Earley on Sunday.

The group is expected to review video footage of the incident, seek clarification from the line judge and most likely hand down a heavy fine to Williams. A representative from the WTA Tour is also expected to be included, although the Tour does not have jurisdiction over Grand Slam events.

AT&T - Free Calls To Your Top 5

2009-09-09T12:38:53-04:00

"A-List" starts on September 20th.

AT&T debuts A-List free calling program on Sep. 20 | iPhone | iPhone Central | Macworld

Do you find yourself calling the same people over and over again, burning through your wireless minutes like a rock star trashing a hotel suite? In that case, you very well might be a prime candidate for AT&T’s forthcoming A-List plan (especially if you are a rock star). A free addition to qualifying AT&T wireless plans, A-List allows you to make free calls to five cell phone or landline numbers of your choice.

Similar in concept to T-Mobile’s myFaves, the A-List program means that any calls you make to the numbers you designate—which you’ll be able to control by visiting AT&T’s Web site—will not deplete your store of minutes. Since those minutes are unusued, they’ll roll over along with the rest of your unused minutes into your next month’s balance.

I find that I use my iPhone more for internet stuff than for making phone calls. Maybe this will change things?

Report Handicapped Parking Space Violations

2009-09-03T12:16:40-04:00

This little iPhone application may just satisfy some of those "I wish I were a cop" moments I frequently have. I can't wait to use it!

An iPhone App to Report People Parked in Handicapped Parking Spaces « Art of the iPhone

HFOrg (free, iTunes link) is an iPhone app for reporting illegally parked cars in handicapped spaces. To report an incident, simply open the app and enter the date, time, license plate number, placard number (if applicable), and a photo. The info will be added to the HandicappedFraud.org website and database, which are accessed by law enforcement across the country.

Disney To Buy Marvel Entertainment

2009-08-31T11:58:58-04:00

Does this mean we're going to see Spider-Mouse?!

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Walt Disney Co. said Monday it is buying Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in cash and stock, bringing such characters as Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and WALL-E.

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of 5,000 Marvel characters. Many of them, including the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, were co-created by the comic book legend Stan Lee.

Analyst David Joyce of Miller Tabak & Co. said the acquisition will help Disney appeal to young men who have flocked to theaters to see Marvel's superhero fare in recent years. That contrasts with Disney's recent successes among young women with such fare as "Hannah Montana" and the Jonas Brothers.

"It helps Disney add exposure to a young male demographic it had sort of lost some balance with," Joyce said, noting the $4 billion offer was at "full price."

Snow Leopard Out on August 28

2009-08-24T10:51:23-04:00

I can't wait!

Apple to release Snow Leopard on August 28 | Mac OS X | Macworld

The wait for Snow Leopard is over: on Monday, Apple announced that the latest version of its Mac OS X operating system would be available starting Friday, August 28. The company had previously said that the update would ship in September, but speculation intensified that it would ship earlier than anticipated after a glitch on Apple’s Web site late last week.

First announced at Apple’s 2008 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple later confirmed that the update would bring performance enhancements, under-the-hood improvements, and feature refinements instead of focusing on brand new capabilities.

Today's the Day!

2009-08-21T00:01:00-04:00

Happy Birthday to my Honey! Love ya.

Spider-Woman

2009-08-20T08:41:19-04:00

I have been obsessed with Spider-Woman ever since I was a kid. She is one of my all-time favorite comic book characters, probably because she looks so sassy in her costume.

Her new series will start in September! Here's a look at the Alex Ross' artwork for the cover of the first issue.

Yes, I have already ordered the series (and Marvel, PLEASE don't do a lot of cross-over stories!).

To help kick-off the new series, Marvel is presenting Spider-Woman as their first Motion Comic. You can find it on iTunes.

Marvel Motion Comics | Spider-Woman

Spider-woman Trailer

Jessica Drew is back on Earth. But what's left of her life? Take a peek at what's in store for the SPIDER-WOMAN Marvel Motion Comics series right here. One of the most highly anticipated series in Marvel history, the SPIDER-WOMAN Motion Comic by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev will make its world premiere at San Diego Comic-Con.

I'm so glad they kept her costume from the 70s!

Can't Even Carry A Tune With A Bucket?

2009-08-19T08:56:53-04:00

Then you have bad brain.

KTVB.COM | News | Idaho News on Demand

If you're one of the unlucky people who is tone-deaf, it turns out your brain may have a wiring problem. That's what new research published Wednesday suggests.

People who are tone-deaf can't detect differences in musical pitch but usually have normal hearing and speech. Tone-deafness runs in families, and estimates of how many people have the problem range from 4 percent to 17 percent.

In the small study done in Boston, brain scans showed there was a difference in a particular brain circuit between those who were tone-deaf and those who weren't. Among the tone-deaf, researchers discovered there were fewer connections between two areas of the brain that perceive and produce sounds.

One of my friends is tone-deaf. It's so funny hearing her sing or whistle a song. She just stays on the same note while varying the rhythm. Sorta sounds like Morse code.

She enjoys music, so I'm wondering what exactly she hears. Can she hear that there are different notes or is she always hearing the same tone in every song? I've asked her before but it's not something that she can explain. Still, I wonder.

I don't confuse this with not being able to sing. Some people know how a song is supposed to go, but their voice isn't trained to reproduce the melody. They actually do better when they "convey" the melody with shorter syllables like "la, la, la" or "do, do, do". That's probably why songs that have these sing-along parts ("Loving You", "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da", "Gypsy Woman", ) do do do so well: Everyone can sing them!

TomTom for iPhone

2009-08-17T11:57:12-04:00

Arriving at destination, on left:

TomTom releases turn-by-turn navigation app for US and Canada | Software | iPhone Central | Macworld

TomTom's long-awaited turn-by-turn navigation app for the iPhone, TomTom U.S. & Canada (iTunes link), is now available on the US iTunes App Store.

The $100 app, first announced during June's WWDC keynote, uses the iPhone's built-in GPS circuitry to provide real-time, turn-by-turn navigation. The app is based on the same software used by TomTom's standalone GPS units and includes features such as IQ Routes and points of interest. Unlike AT&T's Navigator app, which requires a monthly service fee, TomTom's app is a one-time purchase, although you'll presumably be able to purchase updated maps in the future. (Macworld covered TomTom for iPhone in depth last month.)

I don't need TomTom since I already have a GPS unit in my car, but I love the idea of having this on my iPhone.

I'm Boycotting Whole Foods!

2009-08-13T21:37:32-04:00

CEO of Whole Foods, John Mackey, is trying to stop health care reform by suggesting that any reform would be socialism. He wrote an opinion piece which you can find on the Wall Street Journal website. The link below is from Americablog and their post on Mr. Mackey.

There is nothing quite like a multi-millionaire or billionaire, suggesting that all Americans should just accept the status quo when it comes to health care. I am unemployed and do not have health insurance so I often do not go to the doctor when I am feeling ill or am in pain. I just can't afford to go. Almost all my friends are lucky enough to have health insurance, however, they are all complaining about how their plan rates are increasing at a time when they are not seeing increases in their salaries. They also complain about greater restrictions on what their policies will cover.

Most people have been hit hard by this downturn in the economy but CEO's of companies, like Mr. Mackey and those who head the insurance companies have not been hit hard at all. Do they ever have to delay seeing a doctor because they can't afford it? Are they worried about where the money for a loved one's medication is going to come from? Do they experience sleepless nights thinking how a chronic illness could drive them into bankruptcy? Are they rejected from receiving health insurance because of a pre-existing condition?

Think about all of our fellow Americans who are unemployed. Think of their children. Think about all of our fellow Americans who are fortunate enough to have employment but are seeing their health plan rates increase. Imagine what it's like for those who have to decide whether to pay their expensive health insurance rates or pay their mortgage/rent, food, or utility bills.

We need health care reform so that those who don't have the money to see a doctor can affordably get medical help.

We need health care reform to ensure that insurance companies don't raise their rates, just to fill their billionaire pockets.

We need health care reform so that people can afford to keep the health insurance that they have.

We need health care reform so insurance companies can't deny an American coverage because of any "pre-existing" condition.

We need health care reform so insurance companies can't tell any American that they have exceeded their insurance limits and will be denied care.

We need health care reform to help our fellow Americans; our mothers, our fathers, our sisters, our brothers, our children, and our neighbors.

All American should have the right to health and the right to health care.

We need health care reform, NOW!

I will not make any purchases at Whole Foods - I'm boycotting the store. I will not give one penny of my money to a millionaire/billionaire who wants to deny Americans affordable health care.

AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Whole Foods comes out against health care reform, calls it "socialism"

North to Alaska ! All Hail The former Queen of Moosylvania.

2009-08-07T02:59:16-04:00

This was recently discovered. (WINK,WINK.) Remind you of someone?

H/T Tbogg http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/

Forever Your Girl?

2009-08-05T12:30:34-04:00

Is Paul Abdul leaving American Idol?

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- If Paula Abdul's abrupt Twitter announcement that she's quitting "American Idol" is a contract negotiating ploy, it's a spectacular one.

If not, she's potentially blown a hole in TV's top-rated show - and rejected an eight-figure deal that represented a 30 percent raise, according to a person familiar with the talks. The person, lacking authority to speak publicly, asked not to be identified.

Abdul dropped her online bombshell Tuesday evening, right before season-nine auditions begin Friday in Denver. That has the whiff of a pressure tactic on Abdul's part, although boycotting the early auditions that skip from city to city might have been a less dramatic way to negotiate.

Her tweets, however, seemed to have an air of finality.

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return" to Fox's singing contest, Abdul said on her Twitter account. "I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon."

We already know that Kara DioGuardi has signed on for her second season. Will she be enough? Can American Idol survive without their candy striper? I've always though Paula's comments were based in another reality, but does the show need someone like her?

I do believe the dynamic of the show will change without her. She was always there for the comfort of the contestants; the show's Special Olympics hugger. Perhaps Paula can be replaced by a Muppet? At least the voice would sound the same.

Tuesday Afternoon Pick-Me UP!

2009-08-04T14:39:29-04:00

Who needs coffee when you've got pics of Jon Hamm!! Not only am I now awake, but I think it's getting a little warm in here. Whew!!!

I'd prefer him in person, however, this is probably as close as I'll get.

There are two more great pics at the following link at HuffPost Entertainment section...ENJOY!
'Mad Men''s Jon Hamm: Gratuitous Photos

** BTW-Does anyone have any tips on how to remove tongue tracks from a computer screen?**