Archive for May, 2012
TMZ founder dies at 58
(TMZ)
TMZ is known for its quick reporting on celebrity deaths and posted yesterday about the loss of one of their own, the site’s founder Jim Paratore.
Paratore, who also created TMZ’s TV show and talk shows “Ellen” and “Rosie,” died at age 58 of a heart attack, the site said. He was on a bike trip in France.
The brief story eulogizes Paratore, saying “Jim was a triple threat — an amazingly creative guy who never let convention get in the way of a good idea. He was also a great producer who could execute the ideas that were in his head. And he was the best salesman in the world — Jim could convince anyone of anything…. Everyone at TMZ was touched by Jim’s brilliance and the loss is great and painful.”
Injured Plano fashion blogger’s book released
[Gallery not found]
(amazon.com)
A Texas fashion blogger and model who was injured in a runway accident after a flight to look at Christmas lights last December, has a new book at the same time her parents are featured in a Christian video project, “I Am Second.”
Lauren Scruggs, who lost an eye and a hand to the accident, has released the memoir while her mother, Cheryl Scruggs, has announced her new book, “I Am Second,” according to Examiner.com:
(Lauren)’s gained a bevy of followers who are truly interested in her plight — ones who were privy to a tweet unveiling the cover photo of her forthcoming memoir, titled “Still Lolo: A Spinning Propeller, a Horrific Accident, and a Family’s Journey of Hope” — a book scheduled to be released on November 20, 2012.
Also fascinating is the harrowingly honest tale of Lauren’s parents, who’ve been featured in the “I Am Second” project, whereby in this video, the Scruggs speak about meeting for the first time, falling in love, getting married — and then experiencing the pain of adultery.
Teeth marks tell the tale of limit to nurse’s patience
How long would you put up with an Alzheimer’s patient biting your arm?
A nurse aide in Texas gave up after a full minute and allegedly left some bite marks of her own on the patient’s head, according to the Star-Telegram.
The chomp fest started when the aide was helping the combative nursing home patient on the toilet, the Star-Telegram said.
Another woman who was assisting saw it all:
She watched as the woman put a “clamp down” on the aide’s arm with her teeth. For at least a minute, the aide was in an excruciating dental duel and yelled that the resident would not let her go, according to documents filed by the State Office of Administrative Hearings…
Then, in a moment of pointed retaliation, the witness “unequivocally testified” that the nurse aide bent over and bit the resident on the forehead, court documents say.
The aide claimed she didn’t bite the patient but actually fainted from the pain, according to the Star-Telegram.
But medical personnel said the resident’s forehead had a bite mark with two open skin wounds.
Man divorces wife after she adopts 550 cats
A man from southern Israel divorced his wife after she adopted 550 cats, according to a Times of Israel story.
In his divorce complaint, the man, who was not fond of cats, said the cats constantly covered the bed, blocked his access to the bathroom and prevented him from making meals in his kitchen, the story reported. He also claimed the cats stole his food when he tried to eat.
The court tried to get the couple to compromise about the cats, but the woman apparently was unable to part with her new pets. She decided instead to part with her husband.
OKC Thunder player James Harden’s head made into a cake
(Blog post by Tim Griffin, Spurs Nation)
Opposing NBA teams have learned to “fear the beard” thanks to the strong play of Oklahoma City guard James Harden.
But fans in the Oklahoma City area might be advised to “fear the cake” after the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year’s image has been baked into a deliciously gooey chocolate cake by a Homeland grocery store in Oklahoma City.
Harden’s head has been replicated into detailed form, particularly his beard which is made up of swirly chocolate icing. The pictures were taken by GiANT Impact CEO Jeremie Kubicek and spread by CNBC’s sports business guru Darren Rovell.
It’s not unusual for these kind of sugary tributes. Manu Ginobili received similar homage a few months ago.
Now, Harden is getting a similar treatment made with eggs, butter and almond paste.
It’s a heady time for Harden. The individual and team honors are piling up. He’s even been linked romantically with the rapper Trina.
But he can also tell his children one day about his cake-crafted image.
And be very proud about it.
Racy ad targets sexually active seniors
Because sexually transmitted diseases are climbing among aging baby boomers, the group Safer Sex for Seniors, has produced a public service announcement reminding them about protection. And it’s raising a few eyebrows.
It shows clothed couples acting out the Kama Sutra. Kinda.
The ad is aimed at fighting the rise of STDs in the older citizenry. In the five years from 2005 to 2009, the number of reported cases of syphilis and chlamydia among those 55 and older increased 43 percent, according to an Orlando Sentinel analysis of data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The reported cases of syphilis and chlamydia among older adults outpaced the nation’s average, according to the analysis. Among all age groups nationwide, reported cases of syphilis increased 60 percent between 2005 and 2009, while in the 55 to 64 age group it increased 70 percent. Meanwhile, the incidences of chlamydia rose 27 percent among all ages, and double that among those age 55 to 64.
As a result of the national trend among seniors, Medicare is considering providing coverage for STD screenings for seniors.
Here’s hoping the ad helps. Here’s the full PSA:
China orders no more than 2 flies per restroom
A worker cleans a public toilet in Beijing Friday Nov. 5, 2004, ahead of the 2004 World Toilet Summit. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Public restrooms in China – often little more than open trenches – have long shocked and disgusted tourists with their stench and lack of soap, toilet paper and other basics.
Now authorities in Beijing have set new standards for public toilets, including a stipulation that they should contain no more than two flies, the BBC is reporting.
The new rules issued Monday by the Beijing Municipal Commission of City Administration and Environment also regulate ads within the bathrooms and state that no more than two pieces of trash can be left uncollected for more than a half-hour, NPR reports.
The rules apply to bathrooms in tourist spots such as parks, railway stations, supermarkets and malls.
The “two-fly rule” was instituted as a way to clean up the toilets, which are said to be notoriously filthy. According to China Daily, the rules are not compulsory and are intended only to improve sanitation.
