4/23/10

CableCARD will hopefully be done with for ALLVid

For all of you that faced trouble with your cablecard, we have good news for you!! Hope this will be a way for us to save a little money and no longer pay for the rental on our settop cable boxes. Read below:

The Federal Communications Commission has asked for feedback on a new video interface to replace its failed CableCARD policy—an "AllVid" adapter that would, in the FCC's words, "act as an intermediary" between home theater gear and pay-TV services.

Under the proposal, cable, satellite, or telco video providers would send their signals "to a small adapter on the customer's premises that would present a standard interface to all consumer devices," explained FCC Chair Julius Genachowski at Wednesday's Open Commission meeting. "The adapter could be connected to the customer's TVs, computers, or other devices that can display multichannel video programming and Internet content." 

The idea would target four policy objectives with one stone, Genachowski says, allowing device makers to more freely innovate, letting video providers roll out new services without requiring couch potatoes to replace their current equipment, creating more consumer choices, and promoting broadband adoption as TV watchers experiment with Internet video.

more @ http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/04/fcc-goodbye-cablecard-hello-allvid.ars

Air Seal Your Home for Inexpensive Long-Term Savings

As the seasons change, cracks and gaps will open and close and allow unwanted air to infiltrate, conditioned air to pass and moisture to leak into the home. This can cause a number of problems such as mold, drafts, and heat loss in the winter or gain in the summer.

Leaks can be sealed with caulk, spray foam or even just weather stripping depending on the problem area. A good rule of thumb is to use caulk for cracks smaller than 1/4-inch, and foam for larger cracks and gaps, though each condition may vary. We'd recommend checking these areas in your home:

Exterior

  • Windows & Doors: Insulate around frame with a low expanding foam insulation, caulk at frame & drywall/trim intersection, consider adding storm windows to single pane units.
  • Wall Penetrations (pipes, vents, exhausts, air intakes, etc): Caulk around the perimeter of all exterior wall penetrations.
  • Trim: Caulk around the perimeter of trim, and trim/siding intersections.

Interior

  • Windows & Doors: Caulk at frame & drywall/trim intersection, install weather stripping if needed, and add insulation and/or gaskets/weather stripping to attic access panels.
  • Tubs & Showers: Caulk at shower/tub and wall intersection and around plumbing fixture perimeter.
  • Outlets & Switches: Foam around perimeter of electrical box with low expanding foam, and install gaskets behind electrical plates.
  • Lights: Caulk around light trim and use housing/cans that are labeled as insulated airtight fixtures.
  • Trim: Caulk around trim.
  • Pipes & Ductwork: Caulk any wall penetrations, wrap hot and cold water pipes with insulation, tape all duct joints and seams, and insulate ducts in any unconditioned spaces.
  • Fireplaces: Keep damper closed (or install inflatable chimney balloon) when fireplace isn't being used, consider adding glass gasketed doors to fireplace opening when appropriate.
  • Basements & Crawlspaces: Caulk or foam at the foundation wall & rim joist intersection and seal any cracks or joints in the foundation walls.

more @ http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/green-architect/the-importance-of-air-sealing-green-architect-113290

 

Cop Unloads Full Clip During Traffic Stop (VIDEO)

Dashboard video from a January traffic stop in Hamilton that ended in gunfire. A coroner's jury ruled Tuesday that Hamilton Police Officer Ross Jessop was justified in shooting Raymond Thane Davis. Davis was shot following what began as a routine traffic stop just before 2 a.m. on Jan. 2nd in the 100 block of Fairground Road. Jessop approached Davis's vehicle and was talking to the man when Davis pulled a gun and fired at the officer, the release said. Jessop returned fire and hit Davis. Davis sped away east on Fairgrounds Road, where his vehicle collided with a utility box and a Ravalli County Road Shop building. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene. Video @ http://ilovepwnage.com/video.php?v=Nzg5Ng==

 

Mo. clerk says he'll use $258M jackpot on bills

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri man who won a $258 million Powerball jackpot and plans to use some of the money to pay bills, replace his two missing front teeth and take his children to Disney World said he hasn't decided yet if he'll quit his job at the convenience store where he bought the winning ticket.

Chris Shaw — a 29-year-old tattooed father of three who was raised by his grandparents in rural southern Missouri — came forward Thursday as the winner of the 10th-largest Powerball jackpot ever. Shaw said he had just $28.96 in his bank account and recently bought a 1998 Ford Ranger from a friend who agreed to let him pay off the $1,000 price $100 at a time. Now, he said, he no longer has to worry about how he'll pay his friend — or his utility bills.

 

4/22/10

Bank of America sells $1.9B private equity to AXA

NEW YORK — Bank of America on Thursday said it sold a $1.9 billion portfolio of private equity to AXA Private Equity.

Exact terms were not disclosed, but it's one of the largest secondary private equity deals done in recent years, and offers more evidence that the appetite for such deals is heating up.

Earlier this week, AXA Private Equity bought private equity holdings worth about $718 million from French bank Natixis.

The company is a unit of French insurance giant Axa S.A.

"Over the last two years we have remained very cautious in our approach," said Vincent Gombault, Managing Director Fund of Funds at AXA Private Equity in a statement. "Today we feel the market conditions are right to make acquisitions."

The sale takes place as Congress is considering a bill to prohibit banks from holding any ownership in private equity funds or sponsoring hedge funds.

Bank of America said the deal allows it to reduce its private equity fund investments and manage risk over the long term.

The portfolio consists of interests in mature buyout funds. It boosts the French company's exposure in the U.S.

In Thursday trading, Bank of America shares slipped 6 cents to $18.22. American shares of Axa S.A. fell 62 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $21.78.

Drake Heartbreak Drake 6 : Thank Me Later Edition out now

Lamborghini Yacht... oh its true! @iamdiddy

Italian designer mauro lecchi created this conceptual luxury yacht using design cues and styling from
the sports car maker lamborghini. the lamborghini yacht draws direct inspiration from the lines of the
new reventon, mimicking the intakes to created the signature lamborghini look. beyond the styling,
the yacht is 15m long, 4m wide and 3.8m high. to keep the boat light and fast, lecchi intends for carbon
fibre or kevlar in the lamination process. lecchi also created 3 different motor options including a dual
v12 lamborghini option. the interior is also decked out, with a lounge on the foredeck, two decks on
the rear plus a master bedroom and guest bedroom below. more @ http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/9920/lamborghini-yacht.html

 

4/21/10

Chickpea of the Sea Sandwich

Chickpea of the Sea Sandwich
adapted from The Kripalu Cookbook. Makes two sandwiches

1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons umebochi vinegar
2 teaspoons celery seeds
1/4 cup chopped celery (about one rib)
2 tablespoons sliced scallions (about two scallions)
a few turns of the peppermill
a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

four slices whole grain bread
a few lettuce leaves, washed and dried well

Place chickpeas in the bowl of a food processor and pulse two or three times to roughly chop. Add remaining ingredients and pulse two or three times more to incorporate.

Lay out the bread and place the lettuce leaves on two slices. Spoon on the Chickpea of the Sea and top with the other slice of bread. Cut in half and enjoy! @ http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/vegetarian-lunch-chickpea-of-the-sea-114022

What do you guys think of the new Blackberry 9670?

Running the new OS 6.0; which to me still looks outdated compared to what Iphone and Android have out.

thanks to BGR

 

4/20/10

'White Castle' Actor Kal Penn Robbed at Gunpoint in Washington D.C., Report Says

Kal Penn -- aka Kumar from that "White Castle" movie -- was robbed at gunpoint  early this morning while walking in a neighborhood in Washington D.C., TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Penn claims a man carrying a gun approached him around 1:20 AM and took his wallet and other personal property.

We're told Penn immediately reported the incident to authorities, who have launched an investigation into the matter.

Multiple calls to Penn's rep were not returned.

Antawn Jamison's Palatial Bethesda Mansion Hits the Market

Jamison, the NBA all-star forward who was recently traded from the Washington Wizards to the Cleveland Cavaliers, was one of the lone bright spots during the Wizard’s loss- and controversy-ridden season.

At 14,000 square feet, Jamison’s home, now listed for the tidy sum of $4.15 million, is an appropriate size for a 6’9” power forward. The mansion has the usual trappings for a professional athlete making about $12 million a year including a movie theater, four-car garage, wine cellar, and of course an elevator because 11 years in the NBA can take a toll on a man’s knees. There is also a poker room in the basement where one has to wonder if Gilbert Arenas ever sat down and played a few hands.

more at http://www.nbcwashington.com/around-town/real-estate/Antawn_Jamison__8217_s_Palatial_Bethesda_Mansion_Hits_the_Market-91084389.html

 

DC Northwest Residents Told Not to Drink the Water

Residents of a large swath of Northwest D.C. are advised not to drink or use tap water until further notice. There could be too much chlorine in the water in the following areas:

  • West Boundary: MacArthur Boulevard, NW
  • North Boundary: Western Avenue and Eastern Avenue, NW
  • East Boundary: Amtrak railroad
  • South Boundary (east side of Rock Creek): Upshur Street, NW
  • South Boundary (west side of Rock Creek): Calvert Street to Observatory Circle to W Street

more @ http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/DC-Water-Warning-91596539.html

420 Meaning: The True Story Of How April 20 Became 'Weed Day'

It starts with the Dead.

It was Christmas week in Oakland, 1990. Steven Bloom was wandering through The Lot - that timeless gathering of hippies that springs up in the parking lot before every Grateful Dead concert - when a Deadhead handed him a yellow flyer.

"We are going to meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing in Marin County at the Bolinas Ridge sunset spot on Mt. Tamalpais," reads the message, which Bloom dug up and forwarded to the Huffington Post. Bloom, then a reporter for High Times magazine and now the publisher of CelebStoner.com and co-author of Pot Culture, had never heard of "420-ing" before.

The flyer came complete with a 420 back story: "420 started somewhere in San Rafael, California in the late '70s. It started as the police code for Marijuana Smoking in Progress. After local heads heard of the police call, they started using the expression 420 when referring to herb - Let's Go 420, dude!"

Bloom reported his find in the May 1991 issue of High Times, which the magazine found in its archives and provided to the Huffington Post. The story, though, was only partially right.

It had nothing to do with a police code -- though the San Rafael part was dead on. Indeed, a group of five San Rafael High School friends known as the Waldos - by virtue of their chosen hang-out spot, a wall outside the school - coined the term in 1971. The Huffington Post spoke with Waldo Steve, Waldo Dave and Dave's older brother, Patrick, and confirmed their full names and identities, which they asked to keep secret for professional reasons. (Pot is still, after all, illegal.)

The Waldos never envisioned that pot smokers the world over would celebrate each April 20th as a result of their foray into the Point Reyes forest. The day has managed to become something of a national holiday in the face of official condemnation. This year's celebration will be no different. Officials at the University of Colorado at Boulder and University of California, Santa Cruz, which boast two of the biggest smoke outs, are pushing back. "As another April 20 approaches, we are faced with concerns from students, parents, alumni, Regents, and community members about a repeat of last year's 4/20 'event,'" wrote Boulder's chancellor in a letter to students. "On April 20, 2009, we hope that you will choose not to participate in unlawful activity that debases the reputation of your University and degree, and will encourage your fellow Buffs to act with pride and remember who they really are."

But the Cheshire cat is out of the bag. Students and locals will show up at round four, light up at 4:20 and be gone shortly thereafter. No bands, no speakers, no chants. Just a bunch of people getting together and getting stoned.

The code often creeps into popular culture and mainstream settings. All of the clocks in Pulp Fiction, for instance, are set to 4:20. In 2003, when the California legislature codified the medical marijuana law voters had approved, the bill was named SB420.

more @ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/20/420-meaning-the-true-stor_n_543854.html

9 Most Misleading Food Labels

"All Natural”: was the second most common claim made on new food products in 2008. Unfortunately, both the FDA and USDA have vague rules about this phrase, and have let manufacturers that incorrectly use this claim remain in the marketplace. Products like Hunt’s Tomato Sauce and “All Natural” Snapple Tea contain citric acid as an additive.  Hunt’s Tomato Sauce’s claim as being “All Natural” is even more misleading considering the product is made of reconstituted tomato paste, and not whole tomatoes crushed soon after being picked, as many would assume. Some products containing high-fructose corn syrup (made through complex chemical industrial processes) are even able to get away with the “All Natural” label. 

Certain "All Natural" deli meats have ingredients that are clearly additives one would not find if they cooked and sliced up their own natural turkey at home. The USDA also lets meat and poultry products claim to be “All Natural” when injected with beef or chicken broth, which not only increases the sodium levels to unnatural and less healthy levels, but the water inflates the weight of the product, increasing the price.   "All Natural" is not a label enforced strictly enough at this point to be trusted.

 

“0g Trans Fat”: is highlighted on the front of many products by using bold imagery, sometimes with banners and exclamation points. This distraction draws attention from the fact that many of these products are extremely high in saturated fat, misleading the consumer into believing they are buying a healthy product. The FDA designates any serving with over 4g to be high in saturated fat. Products like Edy’s Dibs Bite Sized Frozen Snacks or Hot Pockets boast “0g Trans Fat” but contain excessive levels of saturated fat (16g and 7g per serving, respectively).

 

"Made With Whole Grains": The USDA recommends that consumers “make half your grains whole.” Many products emphasize “Made With Whole Grains” on packaging, and even use dark brown colors and deceptive names to indicate a product is associated with the health benefits of whole grains. Unfortunately, most of these food items actually have ordinary refined wheat flour as their main ingredient, as they are not required to disclose the percentage of whole grains versus refined grains.

Although still a vague indicator as to the amount, one safeguard is to check the listed ingredients. Ingredients must be listed in order of predominance, so if something like “Enriched Wheat Flour” is first, but “Whole Wheat Flour” is further down the list, you can be sure there isn’t a large amount of whole grain in the product.

 

"Made With Real Fruit": Some food manufacturers take advantage of consumers’ desire to eat more fruits and vegetables by using misleading statements on their products’ packaging. Many fruit snacks display images of a variety of fruits that aren’t found anywhere in the ingredients. Betty Crocker’s Strawberry Splash Fruit Gushers claim to be made of real fruit, but contain no strawberries whatsoever, and are actually made from pear concentrate, red no. 40 dye, and are almost half sugar by weight. Other companies fool the consumer with their product names, like Knorr Chicken Broccoli fettuccine noodles, which actually contain more salt than dried broccoli. Synder’s of Hanover Eat Smart Veggie Crisps claim to be “A bountiful blend of potato, spinach, and tomato chips,” even though there is more potassium chloride than spinach, and virtually none of the vitamins and minerals found in spinach and tomatoes.

In the European Union, it is required that specific percentages are disclosed of ingredients or a category of ingredients that are associated with the name of the product or emphasized on the packaging with words or images. Unfortunately, the FDA has no similar requirements, leaving the American consumer a victim to deceptive advertising.

 

Added Sugars / "Low Sugar": The USDA recommends people limit their added sugar consumption to 10 teaspoons (40g) per day (based on a 2,000 calorie diet), about the amount in one 12oz can of Coca-Cola. Unfortunately, added sugars and their daily value are not disclosed on the Nutrition Facts Panel, making it very difficult for consumers to determine the amount of sugar that has been added to products like yogurt, canned fruit, and juice drinks.

Additionally, while the FDA regulates claims like “sugar free,” “reduced” and “no added sugars,” there is no such measure governing “low sugar.” Companies can label their highly sugared foods as “Fat Free” without having to direct the consumer to check the sugar content. Companies have begun using their own terms, like “lightly sweetened,” which may convey to shoppers that the product is low in sugar, despite the term not being regulated by any federal rules. An example is Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats that, despite being “lightly sweetened,” contain 20% sugar by weight (12g per serving).

 

Misleading Serving Sizes: Serving sizes specified by the FDA in 1993 have become outdated, as they were based on USDA-developed surveys from the 70s and 80s. Many consumers eat larger portion sizes than they did then, and nutritional information should be adjusted appropriately, rather than requiring the consumer to do the math. For example, the standard serving size listed for ice cream is ½ cup and 1 cup for soup, though most people eat much more than that in a single serving. Additionally, many items that are usually consumed in a single serving, such as single packaged vending machine items (bottles of soda, fruit snacks, packages of nuts), are listed as having multiple servings, and give misleading nutritional information based on such.

The NLEA mandate requires nutrition content to be based on the amount generally consumed, not the amount that should be consumed based on public health recommendations, with the expectation that health-conscious consumers would lower their intake of food items with high daily values of undesirable nutrients if that information was presented clearly.

 

"Supports The Immune System" / "Helps Maintain A Healthy Heart": Though the FDA must approve any health claims pertaining to a relationship between particular nutrients and diseases, manufacturers have worked around this rule by using ambiguous and unregulated claims that a nutrient can benefit the normal structure or function of a bodily system. Some of the most notorious offenders are statements like “helps maintain a healthy heart” or “supports the immune system.” These deceptive statements are not FDA approved, and mislead consumers by making them think the product does something out of the ordinary for their health, when in fact there is no scientific research to support it. Unfortunately, most studies have shown that consumers can’t distinguish between unapproved structure/function claims like those mentioned, and regulated, FDA verified health claims like “may help reduce the risk of heart disease” or “may reduce the risk of cancer.”

 

Unknown Caffeine Content: Caffeine is an addictive drug in many foods and beverages, yet there are no requirements to disclose its amount in products. Too much caffeine may increase the risk of miscarriage and infertility in women (over 200-300mg per day), and more than 200mg of caffeine can produce increased anxiety, jitteriness, and upset stomach for many people. Caffeine also interferes with the brain’s natural sleep regulator, and those who regularly consume it often develop a physical dependence.

While some companies voluntarily provide caffeine amounts, there are many products that contain surprising levels of caffeine, undisclosed to the consumer. A single serving container of Dannon Coffee Yogurt contains 30mg of caffeine, and a single serving of Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate (5 squares) contains 31mg. Starbuck’s bottled Frappuccino contains 96mg of caffeine and some energy drinks contain anywhere from 160 to 280mg. Clearly, a person’s daily intake of caffeine can quickly reach unhealthy levels if they are not able to monitor it.

 

Fiber: Many products boast of their fiber content without distinguishing where the fiber is coming from. Traditional sources of intact fibers from whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits are associated with lowering blood cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as helping with regularity. But many products, like certain ice creams, yogurts, and juices, brag about their fiber content even though it is gained from isolated fibers, such as purified powders like inulin, polydextrose, and maltodextrin, that do not have the same health benefits of traditional intact fibers.

more @ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/20/9-most-misleading-food-la_n_538868.html#s81241

Shashi Tharoor Resigns: India Cricket Scandal Takes Down Government Minister

NEW DELHI — Shashi Tharoor, India's junior foreign minister and a one-time candidate for the post of U.N. secretary-general, has resigned amid allegations of corruption in the auction to add a new team to the lucrative Indian Premier League cricket tournament.

Last month, a group of investors Tharoor helped put together made a successful bid of more than $330 million to bring a team to Kochi, a port city in southern Kerala state, part of which he represents in Parliament.

Premier league chief Lalit Modi later questioned why a 25 percent share in the franchise, which is now part of the Twenty20 cricket league, was given to a group that included a friend of Tharoor's. It was alleged the friend's shares were really intended as a hidden gift to Tharoor.

more @ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/20/shashi-tharoor-resigns-in_n_543990.html

4/19/10

Ahh my first time to Fuddruckers..

Veggie burger how ever I want was soo good... Side of slaw and water... The peach green tea was nasty!
Thank You,
Mick Shah
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

iPhone 4 gets reviewed

  • It measures in at  a petite 4.5 x 2.31 x 0.37 and weighs 140g
  • It feels more sturdy and luxurious than the 3GS, yet feels good in the hand and in pockets despite its heft
  • The back is made of either glass or a "shiny plastic" (remember that ceramic material patent Apple holds? Could this be it?)
  • The chasis is milled aluminum
  • No way of verifying the displays resolution since it's not possible to get past "Connect to iTunes", but it's definitely at a much higher resolution than previous devices
  • The camera has been improved and has a flash
  • There is indeed front-facing camera
  • Uses a micro-SIM just like the iPad
  • The 5.25 WHr at 3.7V battery has a larger capacity than does the one found in the 3GS

more @ http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/04/19/iphone-4-gets-reviewed/

Citi returns to profit as CEO thanks taxpayers for bailout

NEW YORK (AFP) – US banking giant Citigroup said Monday it had returned to profit after two years spent largely in the red, posting a profit of 4.4 billion dollars in the first quarter of this year.

Following on from blockbuster results reported by its rivals last week, the New York-based bank returned to the black after losing 7.6 billion dollars in the last quarter of 2009.

It was the firm's best quarterly result since mid-2007.

The company has struggled since the start of the financial crisis and required a government bailout of 45 billion dollars to stay afloat.

The beleaguered global bank lost 1.6 billion dollars in 2009, and a whopping 27.6 billion dollars in 2008, when the collapse of rival US investment bank Lehman Brothers propelled the worst financial crisis in decades.

Citigroup is the last of the major money-center banks operating in the shadow of a US government bailout of financial institutions whose foundations were shaken by the crisis arising from a home mortgage meltdown.

Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said the company had now turned a corner.

"Citi today is fundamentally a very different company from what it was only two years ago," he said.

"All of us at Citi recognize that we would not be where we are without the assistance of American taxpayers, said Pandit.

"We owe taxpayers a huge debt of gratitude for assisting us at a critical time. We are determined to repay this debt by continuing to build a strong company and contribute to America's economic recovery."

The bank, once the world's largest, saw revenue increase by 7.5 billion dollars in the first quarter to 25.4 billion dollars, but that figure is still significantly down on last year.

In another sign that Citi's core business may be stabilizing, it said provisions for bad loans declined by 2.4 billion versus the last quarter.

more @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100419/bs_afp/uscompanybankingearningscitigroup

Jay-Z SUES David Ortiz: 40/40 Nightclub Name Dispute Sparks Lawsuit

NEW YORK — Jay-Z and a business partner are suing slugger David Ortiz, claiming the Boston Red Sox star named his Dominican nightclub after the mogul's chain of 40/40 clubs.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Manhattan Federal Court, accuses Ortiz of calling his Santo Domingo club Forty-Forty in the hopes of trading on the rap star's fame.

Jay-Z's string of bars can be found in Manhattan, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Lawyer Peter Raymond tells the New York Daily News that Ortiz had visited the clubs twice and certainly knew about them.

The clubs are named after the feat of hitting 40 homers and stealing 40 bases in one season.

A message seeking comment was left Thursday night with SFX Baseball, the agency that represents Ortiz. @ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/15/jay-z-sues-david-ortiz-40_n_539962.html?ref=email_share

 

 

PHOTOS

TAKE A LOOK PEOPLE!

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu1785260

 

 

@btv_antm @dcweddingdjs @wishlaura @myweddingdotcom Photos done right!

If you are in DC / MD / VA - get your photos done professionally!

Need Photos for your wedding or engagement?

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