Gray_Rain_Boots

The hot debate in Congress at present is whether the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy will be extended past their planned expiration at the end of 2010.  President Obama hopes to extend the cuts only for couples with incomes under $250,000 (and individuals under $200K).  The U.S. economy is in a horrible state at the moment. Republicans are arguing that we need to keep the millionaires happy by extending their tax cuts. A recent Moody's analysis  (see http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-13/rich-americans-save-money-from-tax-cuts-instead-of-spending-moody-s-says.html  ) claims that the rich will not spend more to help the economy. Moody's analysts say the rich will save their money and that, in turn, will actually hurt the economy. However, from my layman's point of view, I can't see how increasing our deficit to spend more for these tax cuts will help the U.S. economy. I can remember lecture from a few economic classes I took in college that spoke of economic stimula

The once heralded JetBlue flight attendant, Steven Slater appears to be practicing good behavior these days.  Let's face it, lots of people (myself included) gave a snicker when we heard the reports of how Mr. Slater walked off his job  - or, should I say jumped .  The Internet, among other things was buzzing the week of August 9, 2010 when the incident happened. While no passengers were at risk during the flight attendant's rant, there are loads of things that you absolutely  cannot do while on an airplane - especially after 9/11.  No-no's are exciting airplane passengers and pulling an emergency chute when no emergency existed. Of course, things could have gone horribly wrong but didn't. Recent news reports have indicated Steven Slater is no longer employed by JetBlue as of earlier this month. I've heard conflicting stories that Slater resigned and another story that he was relieved of his duties by the airline. The now ex-employee of JetBlue is facing criminal c

All I can say is "Really, T.I., seriously?????"   According to a recent news report (link below) rapper/actor T.I. was arrested for suspicion of possession an illegal substance earlier this week. His wife was also arrested with him when their car was stopped by officers in West Hollywood according to the article below. I'm hoping the charges with the term "suspicion" means there's a chance the entertainer was wrongly accused. Stranger things have happened and I don't believe everything I read. Everything will "come out in the wash" as they say.  After the rapper's stint in prison in the past year I'd hope we'd see only positive things from T.I.  While I'm not a huge fan of his music, I have followed this man's career and was happy to see him recently in the media talking about how his incarceration helped him grow emotionally. I'm still rooting for this young man. I think he "could" be a great role model for

Unless you haven't watched the news or listened to the radio in the past couple of day, you won't be familiar with this story .  From news reports I've seen online and watched on television (see below), it appears the JetBlue flight attendant that lost his cool is becoming a hero of sorts. Online blogs are praising him for doing what some often only fantasize about.  Reports indicated a passenger failed to listen to the flight attendant's warnings about standing up and getting luggage from the overhead compartment before the appointed time. It's said the passenger was belligerent and an argument ensued between the two resulting in expletives being used. One report I saw mentioned the overhead compartment hit the flight attendant in the head (not sure of that as it's not mentioned on every report I've seen).   In any case, the flight attendant promptly gets on the intercom and calls the passenger an expletive in response and tells the entire cabin of passenge

I saw a video on the Internet (you can probably guess where) today.  The video showed a guy being filmed while he was dancing into a road with traffic moving. The guy walked up to the street and began dancing into the middle of the street.  All the while, cars were driving on this road in both directions. I can only guess the guy was confident that the cars would swerve and miss him (writing him off as a crazy man dancing in the middle of the street).  Unfortunately, the guy miscalculated (unless he had a death wish) and then - an ice cream truck hit him! It doesn't appear from the video the man was hit head on by the truck, but was clipped really well. The guy was hit hard enough to throw him to the side and on the ground. The video shows the shocking impact. The person filming the video immediately lets out an expletive and the camera pans to the ground as the videographer appears to move toward the subject of the video. The video ends with the camera view on the ground so we nev

Beware, "Big Brother" is watching your every move online.  In this case "Big Brother" is a potential employer or current one that wants to know what your activities outside of work entail.  Those of us with nothing to hide may have no worries, but the "perspective" is in the eye of the HR person. One has to wonder if their personal views of say religion, politics or music for example, would be cause for pre-judgement by employers. In the current economic situation here in the U.S., I suspect "watching what you say online" is a harsh reality to how most people conduct themselves on the Web.  Apart from filtering your speech online, what about the personal photos of your "away-from-work" activities that can land someone in hot water with their employer.  Remember the story of the teacher who was fired when pictures of her vacation was posted on Facebook (article below)?  Mama always told me life's not fair! Also, the NY Times article

According to an Associated Press news report, Paris Hilton was taken in for questioning regarding marijuana found in her possession. The incident took place at a Corsica airport via drug sniffing dogs.  Apparently, Paris was only held for questioning and was released in 30 minutes!  Oh, that swift hand of justice, huh?  Seriously, I don't expect she'll have to face charges - the article below notes the amount of the drug was "quite small" according to officials.  Just another day in paradise, I guess. See news report below: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iVJYf39BbL7UAopeiXwDRCb41QPgD9H16FP00

Apple hopes to calm the worries about the iPhone 4's reception issues since its release.  At a press office on Friday, Apple promised to give "bumpers" to put on the iPhone 4 to get rid of the reception problems. Users have commented on blogs and the news has spread worldwide on the new phone's bad reception and propensity to drop calls. This phone was highly anticipated and is a let down according to news reports I've seen and comments by users throughout the internet. Let's face it, for a phone - reception is key. Many users depend on the phone for business needs and bad reception is not an option you want.  If a minor application was an issue - I believe the outcry would have been minor.  So, we'll see what happens and hope the bug doesn't spread!  See news reports:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20010787-501465.html?tag=breakingnews

Gray_Rain_Boots: Mel Gibson - Another audio tape released of a viol... : "It appears that a fourth tape of Mel Gibson's rants toward ex-lover Grigorieva has surfaced. CNN reports that Radar Online, an online magazi..."

It appears that a fourth tape of Mel Gibson's rants toward ex-lover Grigorieva has surfaced. CNN reports that Radar Online, an online magazine publication, released the forth in a series of tapes. The male voice on the tapes is said to be the actor Mel Gibson.  See the story at:  http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/07/14/mel.gibson.rant/index.html?iref=allsearch A handful of televised entertainment shows have recently played one or more of the released audio tapes. While the tape is said to "allegedly" contain Mel Gibson's voice, I've seen several TV programs where celebrities acquainted with Gibson admit the voice similarity is uncanny. Many fans (some now ex-fans) of Gibson's movies over the years, have blogged online that the voice sounds exactly like the actor. More importantly, in my opinion, is the tone of the threats and yelling heard on the tapes. If the voice is, in fact, Mel Gibson's - he needs professional help fast. The deat

With the recent "uproar" of LeBron James' decision to leave the Cavs for the Heat - strange things are happening. While it's not strange for Cleveland to be upset at LeBron - that's a natural reaction if you have such a talented player. I believe it's "strange" to see such an angry "open letter" to fans by the owner, Dan Gilbert (see link below). Basketball is a sport, but it's a business as well. Sports athletes get traded, leave for other teams, get cut and lose their careers on a daily basis. Mr. Gilbert writes something in the letter about "having to do right by Cleveland or he's taking the curse down south" ( I'm paraphrasing). That leads me to believe there is more to this story than meets the eye. Is it possible that LeBron promised to stay in Cleveland and changed his mind? The owner mentions "betrayal" in the letter. Or, could it be the owner felt LeBron was "rubbing it in Cleveland's face

Gray_Rain_Boots: Lindsay Lohan sentenced to jail : "http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/07/06/lindsay.lohan.court/index.html As reported on CNN (see link above), Lindsay Loh..."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/07/06/lindsay.lohan.court/index.html As reported on CNN (see link above), Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to 90 days  in jail and 90 days in rehab following her jail stay. I believe this may save her life - hopefully.  Anyone with experience being around individuals with self-destructive behaviors knows the drill:  sometimes you have to let them hit rock-botom before they see the light - so to speak. While I'm no where near perfect, I can say that I have no personal experience with drug and alcohol abuse. I've seen how drugs/alcohol can destroy lives and sometimes the damage is irreparable.  I hope she gets the time and treatment she needs to reflect and heal herself inside and out. Sometimes we can be our worst enemy.  

Happy 4th of July weekend. As a proud American, my family and I are celebrating our nation's independence this holiday weekend. Along with the parades, ceremonies and fireworks -good food makes the celebrations even more enjoyable. If you're looking for an absolutely delicious recipe for pulled pork barbecue for your summer holiday celebration:   Here's one of my own that is always a hit whenever I make it.   Please feel free to share any other recipes (summer holiday or otherwise) that you may have that make your holiday cookouts special! Shelley’s Pulled Pork Barbecue (Tip: start cooking early morning or put on the night before) For Sauce: 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Spicy Barbecue Sauce ½ cup chopped onions 3 Tablespoons Sugar 1 cup Ketchup 2 tsp. Worcester sauce 2 tsp. black pepper 2 tsp. salt ~~~~~~~~~~ 3 lb. Pork loin roast 1 cup water (do not mix with sauce) ½ cup sliced onions Mix sauce ingredients together in a large bowl. (I use Swe

It's common knowledge to most (unless you reside under a rock) that Michael Jackson died a year ago on June 25th, 2009.  While I deal in reality most of the time, it still seems surreal that MJ is no longer living. I speak from years of pre-teen admiration and adult wonder about how a human being could touch so many people's hearts. I can listen to Michael's songs from any decade and I'm transformed to that time and place. He was the ultimate entertainer and had a truly gentle disposition by all accounts. Unlike the average entertainer, Michael was loved by people of all ages around the world. I'm sure Michael's legacy will live long into the future. Fans of Michael living now in this age of technology are lucky: Michael's music, film and videos will ensure that his legacy never dies. Michael Jackson touched my heart and I pray his spirit is in a restful place.

Mellon Arena, which was originally the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, PA is hosting its last concert on June 26, 2010. The headliners for the last concert are two of the most talented artists/musicians in the business: Carole King and James Taylor. The two musicians have written, composed and performed multiple hits over the years. They have truly stood the test of time.  As a child of the seventies, I can reminisce about how one of their songs can just "take me back" to a nice place in time. I recently saw the PBS special of their live concert at The Troubadour club in Los Angeles. The concert was a tribute to The Troubadour and a reunion of the two artists who performed together years ago at the venue. On a recent driving trip across my state, I listened to the CD of the aforementioned live concert - it made the drive very enjoyable. These are artists that make a live performance better than the recording, in my opinion.  I ordered my tickets months ago for the King/Taylor co

Understanding the "ins and outs" of freelance writing online can be very complex. Earlier today, I surfed the web for articles about how to earn income as an online writer. I came across various forums that denounced particular websites and praised others. After more than an hour of researching the topic, I came to the conclusion that - more research would be necessary. In the end, I may have to choose a freelance position based on trial and error. I've often wondered while browsing informational forums such as about.com, ehow.com and hubpages.com, etc. - what type of people write the articles. From the little I've learned today, informational sites hire article writers that have knowledge on specific subjects. One site I checked out recently requires the candidate to initially write a lengthy article that would be reviewed and approved/disapproved. My understanding is a range of topics are presented and the potential candidates submit their articles for selection by