Responding to criticism from the National Rifle Association over Connecticut’s new gun laws, Gov. Dan Malloy argued the pro-gun group’s executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, is simply blowing smoke.
“Wayne reminds me of the clowns at the circus — they get the most attention. That’s what he’s paid to do,” Malloy said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
The Democratic governor on Thursday signed into law some of the nation’s strictest gun regulations, following the state’s devastating school shooting in December in Newtown, which left 20 children and six adults dead.
The new Connecticut laws include the addition of more than 100 weapons to the state’s list of banned assault weapons — including the semiautomatic Bushmaster rifle, one of the firearms used in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. The law also bans the sale of magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, as well as armor-piercing bullets. Buyers will need a certificate to buy ammunition.
We all remember how surprising Apple’s decision last year to remove Google Maps as the default iOS Map was. We also remember the widespread criticism that followed, due to user non-satisfaction with Apple’s newly released Map. Well, this may have been just the beginning of a “war” for the dominion of the mapping technology market. In fact, on May 4 2013, the US Patents Trademarks Office published Apple’s new patent “3D Position Tracking for Panoramic Imagery Navigation” which describes a product similar to Google’s street view technology.
Two major differences with Google’s street view seem to be:
The use of mobile devices integrated sensors to navigate at street level allowing users to physically move the device up/down/left/right in order to virtually turn at street corner, enter/exit building, move up or down streets, etc.
The possibility to expand the panorama by using more than one adjacent devices simultaneously. As it reads in the patent text: “For example, two adjacent electronic tablets can be arranged in a variety of portrait/landscape configurations. […] Although the overall layout is consistent, the relative orientations of the tablets to each other allow for a rich interaction, such as filtering, layering information, navigation information visualization, etc. Additionally, a 3D layout of multiple devices enables observing occluded or interior information. Some of the devices can be static while others can be moving .”
The publication of this patent follows the recent acquisition of WifiSLAM by Apple last March. WifiSLAM is an indoor-GPS company that aims to make indoor location as accessible as possible using integrated sensors and existing indoor Wi-Fi signals. The appropriate use of these technologies combined allows WiFiSLAM to pinpoint users’ indoor location more quickly and more precisely than what GPS alone could accomplish.
Even though we have no clue about when these technologies will be incorporated into Apple’s current Maps, this new patent (along with the recent acquisition of WifiSLAM) suggests that Apple is actively working on its mapping product and willing to get the competition to a new level. Google has dominated the mapping technology market for over 7 years, and, as one might has predicted, Apple will do nothing but improve its Maps and probably catch up with Google Maps… unless Google has some mind-blowing tricks in store. We shall see!
Why are people so enamored with celebrities? I mean, really. Is it because of the lifestyle they live? The Fame? The Fortune? The Glitz? The Glamour? What is it? It can’t be said for 100% of celebrities in the world today but over 60% are in the news weekly, usually in negative connotations.
Lindsay Lohan
Since last summer, Lindsay Lohan single-handedly led the field of celebrities with news of courtroom dramas. She is continuing this year by staying in trouble, in the courtroom and in the limelight of tabloid heaven, thus in our living rooms weekly.
Justin Beiber, once the teenage heart-throb of millions of starry-eyed pre-teen girls, has also begun to find trouble. If it’s not with paparazzi, it’s nightclubs and his entourage muscling through crowds, and picture takers that, “were getting too close” to their superstar. And in his latest blow-up, Beiber got into an altercation with his neighbor who claimed Justin had spat in his face because the neighbor had complained about his noise from his home.
Chris Brown’s troubles continue. He’s been in the courtroom for a possible probation violation. Fights with Drake, a lawsuit pending and a feud with singer Frank Ocean has kept Brown in a negative spotlight. Now, claims are surfacing that the community service Brown was to perform from the domestic violence on girlfriend Rihanna – who has continued to show support for her troubled boyfriend – may have been fraudulent. As he stays in and out of courtroom and in and out of the tabloids, she remains loyal to his ‘badness’ and folks insist on showing their loyalty by following their every move.
Reality Shows. Why? The Hollywood Housewives, The Housewives of Atlanta, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and OMG, the Kardashians are another form of Uck.
“Real Housewives”
Why THESE shows are becoming more popular than true actors of the Big Screens or even musicians that have a God-Given gift, crafted, trained and skillfully honed daily, some taking years to perfect, is a mystery…to me anyway.
I’ve never been a Fan of ‘Reality’ T.V. because it’s not reality. At least not my reality. If anyone can explain the fascination with these no-names-getting-on-TV-to-argue-fight-cuss out-share their intimacies, while drawing millions of viewers weekly, I’d greatly appreciate it.
You see, I don’t see how it’s interesting to see how a Multi-Millionaire lives, dates, loves, hates, breaks up, makes up, gets engaged, gets divorced, then makes his personal saga a series. I would think that your life is so much more interesting and sophisticated than theirs, but with less… materially speaking.
We’ve often been warned, be careful for what you wish for, or the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Both are true. Even the millionaires have issues but theirs are magnified by a million because of their status and because the World is following them 24/7. They are no different than us if you take away the bright lights, the glamour and all that loot. And if the truth be told, many would love to trade places with you or me just to live a more ‘normal’ life.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t appreciate the talent of these great artist (not Reality Shows), but we should be careful in getting caught up in their world…because we don’t live there. We’re just visiting, just passing through, innocent bystanders in a world of Non Reality. Until they walk a day in my shoes, they’re aliens as far as I’m concerned. Nope, I take that back. I’m more interested in Aliens.
From the Final Four to the Final Two. With only one #1 Seed left in the March Madness tournament, the Louisville Cardinals will contend against the 4 Seed Michigan Wolverines on Monday night for the 2012-2013 Men’s Basketball Championship. And what a Final it should be.
In the first game of the evening, #9 Wichita St. gave Louisville all they could handle. With a one point lead at the half, Wichita St. jumped out to a 12-point lead with 13-minutes to go, leading 47-35. Louisville tried to slow the Shockers by trying the half-court press but to no avail. Each time, Wichita St. broke the press and scored with jump shots and easy layups After seeing his first stringers struggling to get a rhythm, Coach Rick Pitino called on his bench to initiate some energy to their flat offensive team. That move proved to be the boost the Cardinals needed.
George Mason transfer Luke Hanson scored 13 points in 12-minutes to help lift Louisville from its shooting slump and provided them with the jump starting motivation needed to overcome what would have been a ‘Shocker’ of an upset. With Kevin Ware – whose season ended last week with the terrible compound fracture to his right leg in the game against Duke – barely able to look on at times on the sidelines, the Louisville Cardinals advanced to the Grand Finale, scheduled for Monday night. They held off Wichita St., 72-68 with clutch free throws in the waning seconds and now move on against the winner of the second game of the night, #4 Seed, Michigan Wolverines.
The Michigan Wolverines and #4 Seed Syracuse Orange was yet another epic game between two feisty and tenacious teams where the Wolverines jumped out to a 36-25 halftime lead. Mitch McGary didn’t lead the Wolverines in scoring but his contributions were gigantic because it helped Michigan overcome a stubborn Syracuse Orange defense by a 61-56.
McGary had just scored 10 points, but pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out a team-best six assists. He’d made shots from the high post and the block. He’s averaging 16 points and 11.6 rebounds a game during the NCAA tournament, and that includes an impressive stat line (25 points, 14 boards) against one of the nation’s best frontcourt player in Jeff Withey at Kansas. Tim Hardaway, Jr. added 13 points in the Wolverines victory. Syracuse was led by C. J. Fair’s 22 points but it wasn’t enough as the Michigan Wolverines punched their ticket for the Final dance of the Season against the Louisville Cardinals.
So the question was posted after the games ended. Can Louisville’s defense stifle the offensive threats of Tim Hardaway Jr., Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary?
Well, if the sons of their famous father’s Tim Hardaway and Glenn Robinson can get an early jump on Louisville and McGary has another good night as he did against the Orange, this game could swing in the favor of the Wolverine’s. They look pretty good at times but I still think the Louisville Cardinals are #1 for a reason. This will definitely be a great finish to one of the best March Madness title runs to date.
And with that said, I won’t crown them champions just yet but, it is the #1 Louisville Cardinals that are favored. I’m going with the Favored.
Great comedy is very hard to come by these days, especially on TV. I’m not talking about some daytime show where you’ll have your eventual laughs or movies such as “The Hangover”. No, I’m talking about unscripted comedy where it’s going to be different every time you either go to see it or change the channel. Comedy that will make your sides hurt from laughing so much and make you wanting more once the show is over. Thankfully I’ve got great news to people like me who just want to laugh and laugh at great performers.
“Whose Line Is It Anyway” is returning to television this summer!
“Whose Line Is It Anyway” was originally a British improv show that soon got an American version on ABC and ABC Family channels from 1998-2007. The show consisted of three primary performers, Ryan Stiles, Wayne Brady, and Colin Mochrie, who were joined by a fourth special guest every show. They were given scenes that they would have to act out on the spot.
My favorite of these scenes would have to be entitled Weird Newscasters. Each performer was given a special personality and would have to act out their personality while also trying to report the news section they were given.
One of the greatest comedic duos to ever perform, Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie
The return of easily one of the best comedy shows to ever grace television is amazing news to me. It’s time for people to see what real comedy is. It doesn’t need to involve someone getting hurt doing some stupid stunt or a long movie about a bunch of friends getting so hammered they can’t remember what happened on their Vegas night (or their time in Thailand if you watched part 2). I will tell you now that if you have never seen it before, go watch it. You will not regret it one bit. And if you have seen it then you’ll be like me and jumping out of your seat over the news of its return.
“Whose Line Is It Anyway” will premiere on The CW starting July 16,2013.
President Obama used this week’s address to discuss the benefits of having a balanced approach to lowering the nation’s deficit and getting Americans back to work. He stated that his budget proposal, which will be presented next week, is a compromise and requires everyone to make the hard decisions to get this economy moving again.
According to the President, his budget “doesn’t spend beyond our means,and it’s a budget that doesn’t make harsh and unnecessary cuts that only serve to slow our economy.”
Sony is taking it to a whole new level, a level everyone expected to be pioneered by Apple, but Sony is leading the way. This is why I love Android. No hit to Apple products or Apple users, but Android devices and developers are showing why they must be recognized and reckoned with.
Here is another huge step forward for Android. A Sony cell phone capable of working and recording a fantastic video both on land and in water.
Actor Wesley Snipes has been released from a federal prison where he was serving a three-year sentence after being convicted on tax charges in February 2010.
The release to a supervised residential location in New York occurred Tuesday, the Federal Bureau of Prisons told CNN.
Snipes, 50, who starred in the “Blade” action movies and “White Men Can’t Jump,” had been serving time at a federal prison in Pennsylvania. A jury convicted him of willfully failing to file tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2001. Snipes was acquitted of felony tax fraud and conspiracy charges.
In June 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of his sentence, which he had argued was too harsh for a misdemeanor conviction.
Lindsay Lohan is 26 years old. That’s not very old to be be a joke. It’s not very old to be a train wreck. Not very old to be charged with 2 DUIs, misdemeaner cocaine use, theft, parole violation, third degree assault, reckless driving and providing false information to a police officer. Not very old to plead no contest to theft and parole violation. And it’s not very old to be an alumni of the Betty Ford Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center.
She is the poster child for troubled and drug addicted movie stars. She comes by it honestly. Her mother is an alcoholic. Her father an alcoholic and cocaine addict. When Lindsay was 3 she was a fashion model. When she was 10 she was a soap opera actress. When she was 11 she was a movie star. She has been a cash cow for her family since she was very little. That can be confusing for a child. Childhood is when you are supposed to be discovering who you are. It’s a time to feel safe and taken care of, a time to discover what you like and how you feel and what you think about the world. It’s not a time to be worrying where your next job is coming from and how much money are you making and is it enough? When Lindsay was 3 her parents separated, and they would reunite and separate several more times before they would divorce. Her father is a wall street trader who has been convicted of criminal contempt of court and sentenced to 3 years in prison. He has also been convicted of DUI and domestic violence.
Her mother produced a reality show called Living Lohan in 2008 which she starred in with her 15 year old daughter, Ali. She brought a camera crew from Entertainment Tonight along when she visited Lindsay in rehab, much to Lindsay’s chagrin. A child needs to feel valued by her parents for herself. When a child is valued for her fame, she can be forgiven for wondering if she would be valued if she weren’t famous. And thinking that the answer would be no.
I know. Lindsay is an adult. When you’re an adult, you’re supposed to take responsibility for your life no matter how dysfunctional your family is. The truth is, that’s hard to do when you live in a goldfish bowl. It’s hard to unlearn behaviors you’ve been surrounded with since you were a child. The best thing I could wish for Lindsay is that the media leave her the hell alone. I know. It’s not going to happen. But wouldn’t it be nice if they would temper their snarky coverage of her with a little compassion? Guess it doesn’t sell many papers.
It’s Friday. You’re tired (me too). Going to the store for dinner fixings sounds as appealing as doing laundry, right?
What to do when you want to make a good dinner that doesn’t require a) going to the store b) buying pizza and c) not breaking the financial or health budget for the week?
Try a Friday Night Stir Fry.
Stir fry is one of my favorite dishes to make. The name is vague because it is variable dish (I love that); it’s easy and budget friendly.
Plus, a stir fry is a great way to start experimenting in the kitchen (if you are a newbie to the kitchen). Stir fry is also a great way to consume vegetables that are one day away from questionable. As Grandma used to tell me, “Waste not, want not.”
Basic stir fry is made of three things: meat, vegetables, spices. I make a side of rice to go with it for a complete, healthy, tasty meal. Some people like to add noodles. You’re the chef. You get to make the decisions. Let’s go!
Ingredients
Chicken
In a large pot, boil the chicken for approximately 40 minutes. Chicken creates a pleasant meaty aroma when it is close to being done. However, to ensure “doneness,” spear a piece of chicken with a fork and bring it up out of the water.
One of two things should happen. First, there should be no redness around the part of the chicken where the meat hits the bone. If there is, boil it for a few more minutes. The second confirmation of a done chicken is when it comes off the bone as the fork pulls it up out of the boiling water.
Note: It’s important to eat chicken that has been cooked all the way through.
Rice
In a medium sized pot, boil 4 cups of water. When the water is boiling, add in two cups of rice and place the lid on. I use the broth from the chicken as the water for the rice. This makes the rice very tasty. Set the timer for 20 minutes.
Vegetables: whatever is in the refrigerator:
Red onions, yellow onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, squash, green onions, asparagus, snow peas, peppers (any and every color), broccoli, white sprouts, eggplant, summer squash, water chestnuts.
Spices: pepper, salt, soy sauce, oyster sauce
Optional spices: red pepper flakes, white pepper, chili paste
Oil- 4 Tbs. for a large stir fry (4 people eating), 2 Tbs. for a 1-2 person sized stir fry
While the chicken is boiling, I begin to wash and chop all the vegetables. I pile them separately.
About the time the chicken is done (about 40 minutes), I put on the water to boil for the rice. After boiling the chicken, chop it up and set it aside.
I use a wok or a large, shallow pan over medium heat and put in 4 Tbs. of olive oil. I add in the onions and let them sauté for about 7 minutes.
Next, I add in the rest of the vegetables. The pepper and other spices go in too. I add about ¼ cup of the chicken broth to create a nice broth.
I let the vegetables stir fry for about 15 minutes. The timing can depend on the ratio of pan space to the amount of vegetables. Fewer vegetables in a large pan will heat up quickly while lots of vegetables will take a few extra minutes. The vegetables are close to being done when they begin to fill the kitchen with a very fragrant, rich smell. The onions will have browned and so will the edges of the other vegies.
Spicing stir fry: I keep my spices mild- a bit of soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and pepper. If you want to add a bit of a kick, mix the red pepper flakes into a 1 Tbs. of soy sauce or oyster sauce. Pour on and mix in the spices.
If the stir fry looks too juicy, mix 1 Tbs. of cornstarch in 2 Tbs. of water and mix into the stir fry. This will thicken the broth up slightly. (Don’t worry- it won’t turn to gravy!)
Be like Julia Child when you cook! Spoon out a bit of the stir fry and taste for seasoning.
My rule of thumb is to start mild in the amount of seasonings and then add more as they are needed. It is a lot easier to add in spices than try to dilute too much soy sauce or red pepper flakes.
Other fun options for stir fry: Add nuts or pineapple for a fun topping. Noodles are a fun addition, especially if the kids in the family are big noodle fans.
This is the beauty of the Friday Stir fry: I can add and create the stir fry regardless of what I have. And stir fry turns out good every time.
Happy Friday!
Melissa AuClair blogs about her experiment in moving from a day job to a lifestyle business at http://www.launchyourcreativelife.com When she isn’t planning her move from a day job to a lifestyle design business -and encouraging women in their pursuit of their dreams- she is baking and dabbling in watercolors(and that gets onto the blog too).
I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.
In an attempt to reach a deficit-reduction deal, President Obama is offering to cut essential programs such as Social Security and Medicare in his new budget proposal. The President’s proposal will include a cut of $1.8 trillion over 10 years and replace the budget cuts that went into effect on March 1. This deal also revisits an earlier proposal to House Speaker, John Boehner, where $400 billion in savings to Medicare would occur over those 10 years.
A senior administration official commented,
The President’s budget to be presented on Wednesday will show how we can invest in the things we need to grow our economy, create jobs and strengthen the middle class while further reducing the deficit in a balanced way
The Social Security portion will include a ‘chained CPI’, an inflation formula which should attract many Republicans as the CPI is argued to be a more accurate calculation of inflation which could possibly help minimize the growth of consumer prices. The idea of whether or not this is truly the case is still being heavily debated.
There’s little doubt that this proposal will cause some dissent against President Obama as cutting Social Security and Medicare is an unpopular choice for many Democratic supporters.
However, this has been an ongoing battle between the President and many Republican incumbents and it’s clear that the President is ready to move forward with some type of compromise that pleases most, if not all, members of each party.
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