Zombie Me

My ZomBcon experience: Don't interview the zombies

I set off to ZomBcon with a mission Fri afternoon. Yes, I was covering the event for hotarmisticenews.blogspot.com. But I also wanted to finally understand: What's the big deal with zombies?

You have probably heard that Seattle is the unofficial zombie capital of the world, mostly because the people here like to stagger through the Fremont neighborhood wearing scary face paint and coordinate mass-performances of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." But even outside of Seattle, it seems like there's been a massive uprising of zombie culture lately, a movement perhaps only rivaled by studly vampires.

What gives?

I live in Fremont, but my experience with the neighborhood's Zombie Walk is limited, mostly extending to an ill-timed drive to a grocery store that plopped me right in the middle of last year's walk.

Zombie Me

My ZomBcon experience: Don't interview the zombies

I set off to ZomBcon with a mission Fri afternoon. Yes, I was covering the event for hotarmisticenews.blogspot.com But I also wanted to finally understand: What's the big deal with zombies?

You have probably heard that Seattle is the unofficial zombie capital of the world, mostly because the people here like to stagger through the Fremont neighborhood wearing scary face paint and coordinate mass-performances of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." But even outside of Seattle, it seems like there's been a massive uprising of zombie culture lately, a movement perhaps only rivaled by studly vampires.

What gives?

I live in Fremont, but my experience with the neighborhood's Zombie Walk is limited, mostly extending to an ill-timed drive to a grocery store that plopped me right in the middle of last year's walk.

"URAAAAAWWRRR," one zombie groaned as he half-rolled across the hood of my stopped car.

"How do I spell that?" I wondered as I tried to update Twitter.

It thought it wouldn't be too hard to get an answer to my "why" questions at ZomBcon. It is, after all, a gathering of the most hard-core zombie fans in the region.

I 1st approached a young man dressed in a tattered suit and gray makeup outside of the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. He seemed like a remarkably realistic zombie, and that probably should have tipped me off to what was coming next.

"Excuse me," I said. "May I ask you a question?"

"ARRRRAAHAAHAHA," he replied, wiggling his arms and rolling his eyes.

We stared at each other for a few seconds. Once again, I thought: "How do I spell that?"

My luck at ZomBcon improved. I figured out how to spell zombie-speak (you might have already noticed that) and even found a few people willing to articulate the appeal of zombie culture. I will have more about that in a separate story on you can read here. But the important thing is this: I did figure out what's at the center of all this zombie hullabaloo.

The answer came from Chicago-based author Scott Kenemore, the man who penned "The Art of Zombie Warfare" and "The Zen of Zombie." Kenemore, a guest speaker at the convention, put it this way: "Within the fraternity of the zombies, everyone is welcome. As long as they are a zombie."

In other words, zombies don't judge. They just want to eat your brains.

Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett slams home 'God Bless America' at World Series Game 1

Tony Bennett took the field for the 1st 7th inning stretch of the 2010 World Series on Wed night, delivering a rendition of "God Bless America" that had fans singing along in serious fashion while the San Francisco Giants took the Texas Rangers 11-7 at home.

John Legend sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" to kick off the game (see that performance here).

In keeping with the Giants jacket he sported at AT&T Park, Bennett more typically stirs hearts with his signature tune, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which he sang on the field after the 1st inning. In addition to accenting various sporting events over the decades and marking Giants' wins at home, that song was invoked by the crooner at the reopening of the Bay Bridge a month and a day after the October. 17, 1989, Loma Prieta earthquake -- which occurred during Game three of that year's World Series between the Giants and the Oakland A's -- left a 50-foot section of the bridge pancaked, killing one person on the bridge and 57 peoples total.

Google admits further Street View

Google admits further Street View privacy failures

Google has admitted it by chance captured entire emails and passwords from wireless networks in people’s houses when it was collecting pictures for its controversial Street View service.

The search engine 1st said in May it had mistakenly collected private information when its Street View cars were gathering up panoramic images, but said at the time the data was only “fragmentary” because the cars were moving.

However after investigations by “a number” of external regulators, Google admitted some whole e-mails, passwords and web addresses had also been picked up.

“We want to delete this data as soon as possible, and I would like to apologize again for the fact that we collected it in the 1st place,” Alan Eustace, vice president of engineering and research at Google, said in a blog post. “We're mortified by what happened.”

The California-based company will now improve its privacy controls, after a series of complaints from nations including Germany and Canada. From Dec, Google will train all staff in information security and privacy. Training for engineers will have a new focus on “the responsible collection, use and handling of data,” Mr Eustace said.

The company has also promoted its lead engineer working on privacy, Alma Whitten, to director of privacy in engineering and product management, and all new projects will have a component which addresses possible privacy issues.

Germany, Austria, Italy and France are among the countries investigating whether their citizens’ privacy has been breached by Google. The company said in June it had canceled private wireless data mistakenly collected in Austria, Denmark and Ireland.

Canada Sex Murder

Canada sex murder pilot Russell Williams gets life

Canadian air force officer Col Russell Williams has been given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years for 2 murders and sexual assaults.

Williams, who once acted as pilot for Queen Elizabeth II, pleaded guilty to the murder of Marie Comeau, 38, and Jessica Lloyd, 27. The killer spoke to the court with tears in his eyes and said he had committed "despicable crimes".

Williams carried out sexual assaults on 2 other women.

Williams pleaded guilty to 2 counts of first-degree murder, 2 sexual assaults and 82 counts of breaking-and-entering.

The former pilot also admitted a string of burglaries, in which he stole women's underclothing. Williams took pictures of himself wearing the underwear in the women's bedrooms. He then stored the pics he took on a computer hard drive.

Williams sat looking down during most of the proceedings in the Canadian court, before being given a chance to address the court before sentencing. "I deeply regret what I've done and the harm I know I've caused. I have committed despicable crimes," he said, while crying.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Scott described the 47-year-old as a "sick and dangerous man".

"Russell Williams will always be remembered as a sadosexual serial killer," Mr Scott said.

"The depths of the depravity shown by Russell Williams have no equal."

Williams admitted he had betrayed family and friends, as well as colleagues in the Canadian armed forces. He said he would spend the rest of his life regretting that he had ended "2 vibrant and cherished lives".

The court had heard how he had videotaped and snapped sexual assaults on his 2 victims before killing them. Williams had been a rising star in the Canadian air force and was in charge of Base Trenton in Ontario - the country's busiest air force hub.

The colonel's catch came after police canvassed motorists for information.

Williams burgled at the least 47 homes, starting in 2007. Most of the targeted homes were in the same street, with one home burgled 9 times.

Williams was arrested in Feb for the murder of Ms Lloyd, who had been spotted by the colonel as he drove on a road near a cottage he owned. He was later charged with the murder in Nov 2009 of Ms Comeau. Williams had targeted her after meeting her as she worked on a military flight.

The military has been "deeply shaken" by Williams's actions, said Lt Gen Andre Deschamps, the Chief of Air Staff for the Canadian military. Lt Gen Deschamps said the military could now fire Williams and take away any medals he had been awarded.

"We do not understand why," he said. "This individual was a man of tremendous capacities. He was professional. I still can't reconcile the two people we have seen."

Night Of Too Many Stars

Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education

Comedy Central recently came up with a unique event for a cause. Dubbed as “Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education”, the said show invited some of the best comedians to perform for the sake of the special children who needs extra care and support in the NY Center of Autism.

Jon Stewart hosted the show wherein short movies, stand-up comedy sketches of big top comedians Colbert Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, Chris Rock, Steve Carell and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

Thea Vidale

Thea Vidale: Five Things About The Woman Behind “Momma Benjamin”

Thea Vidale is an actress and comedian who's done stand-up gigs and has also appeared on television, and the Howard Stern show. She's probably most well-known for her persona of “Momma Benjamin”, which she debuted in 2006 on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

She appeared as the mother of wrestler, Shelton Benjamin, and showed up yelling at him and telling him he was not acting the way Benjamins were supposed to. The “Momma Benjamin” name stuck after that.

Besides being “Momma Benjamin”, who's Thea Vidale? Here are 5 other things you may not know about this funny lady:

1. She began her comedy career by doing stand-up gigs in comic clubs in her hometown of Washington, D.C.

2. She's also an actress, and appeared on television show including Ellen, The Drew Carey Show, and My Wife and Kids.

Blue Mountain Atate

‘Blue Mountain State’s’ Darin Brooks on various sex scenes

Another parade of real-life famous sports personalities will be appearing on Spike’s “Blue Mountain State” raunch fest in Season 2, which gets underway tonight – including players from “the Bengals, the Jets, the Broncos…We have Brian Bosworth, Bill Parcells…” reports the series’ Darin Brooks. Also, from the wrestling world, “We have Stacy Keibler and Chuck Liddell. We’re reaching out to the women a little bit.”

Brooks acknowledges, “By the time you are done filming, you should probably be ashamed of yourself. I should be ashamed of myself. My mother is a little bit. To be honest, a lot of my friends Facebook me and say: ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this.’ Some of the scenes from last year are just obscene.”

However, he adds with a laugh, “It’s fun, it’s TV, you have got half-naked guys and girls running around.”

Tyler Perry On Oprah

Tyler Perry on Oprah: I was severely abused

Tyler Perry opens up to Oprah about painful childhood memories of physical and sexual abuse and a choice that almost took his life as a teen.

Tyler Perry went on Oprah Wed afternoon to share the heartbreaking details of his childhood.

The How Did I Get Married Too? actor and director spared no detail on his horrible past -- he talked about everything from past sexual abuse to violent beatings from his father. Perry's most upsetting revelation? He attempted suicide as a depressed and broken young man.

Perry told Oprah that he was sexually molested by 4 separate adults in his life -- the 1st when he was just 5 or 6 years old. He went on to say that his 1st sexual experience came at the age of 10 when a friend's mother locked him in a room and pulled him on top of her.

Perry's father seemingly directed all of his anger toward his young son, beating him on a near-daily basis. He recalled one instance when his father savagely beat him for improperly changing a flat tire -- an event he cites as the end of his childhood.

Tylenol Recall

Musty odor sparks another Tylenol recall

A moldy odor has again stricken Johnson & Johnson's Tylenol, and the company is recalling another lot of the over-the-counter painkiller.

J&J, which has recalled tens of millions of bottles of Tylenol and other consumer medicines in the past year because of complaints of a musty or moldy odor in the product, said it was voluntarily recalling another lot.

The company, which is facing United States. congressional probe of quality control lapses that have led to its numerous recent recalls of Tylenol, painkiller Motrin and allergy treatment Benadryl, said almost 128,000 bottles of Tylenol have been recalled in the latest action.

"This voluntary action is being taken as a precaution and the risk of adverse medical events is remote," the diversified healthcare company said in a release.

Gumby

Do NOT Let Your Kids Watch This Gumby Video: What In the World Were They Thinking?

If you notice a link to a video that purports to be about Gumby on Twitter, don't, repeat, don't click on it while your kids are in the room. Instead of a sweet romp with Pokey and the other not-so-cutting-edge Claymation characters you remember from your youth, the viral video features a guy providing a foul-mouthed commentary on what appears to be a John Madden game.

He’s narrating one of the Packers players running in to score as he grabs his leg in apparent pain. When the player gets there, the unseen narrator yells out, “[Bleep] you Gumby!” The nonsense of it all has led the video to get more than 240,000 hits on YouTube, and this morning a Ray William Johnson video that references the Gumby video is No. 2 in the YouTube comedy category.

My question is: What did Gumby ever do to this guy and why is he screaming about him? Perhaps there’s an NFL player nicknamed Gumby that I am unaware of? Perhaps this is afresh expression that will become common?

Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless Follows AT&T with Tiered Data Plans

Earlier this year AT&T announced that they'll be offering tiered data plans to their customers. It was only a matter of time before their largest competitor, Verizon Wireless, would do something similar. With a ever increasing number of smart phones on the market, the wireless companies, like Verizon, need to do something to ensure that data usage isn't abused by some while barely used by others who are paying the same prices.

Verizon’s plans for tiered data usage will likely be more appealing to consumers than AT&T’s was. Already, Verizon Wireless subscribers who have an unlimited data plan are likely paying $29.95 per month for unlimited usage. This plan will not change. Verizon customers can still get unlimited data on their 3G smartphones for the same price, however, they'll now be offered lower data usage plans as well. Below is a run down of all the data plans that the company will offer:

Barbara Billingsley

Leave It to Beaver's Barbara Billingsley Died at 94

Leave it to Beaver, an iconic show of its time, lost its beloved Mom, Barbara Billingsley Sat morning. Better known as Mrs. Cleaver, the calm, cool and coiffed television mom passed away in her home in Santa Monica at the age of 94.

Jerry Mathers, who played the Beaver, on the hit show from 1957-1963, said in a statement, "Barbara was a patient advisor and teacher. She helped me along this challenging journey through life by showing me the importance of manners and respect for others." Mathers, aged 62, continued to say "She will be missed by all of her family, friends, lovers and, most especially, by me."

Kelsey Grammer Divorce

Camille Grammer and Kelsey Grammer Divorce

The star of the famous TV show Real Housewives, Camille Grammer has hit the latest news headlines for today. The 13 years old relationship between Camille Grammer and Kelsey Grammer has ended in a divorce becoming the main reason for this break-up. The divorce was taken from Camille and this news has shocked some people who are very close to these 2 celebrities. In the world of filming both had been very busy and Kelsey Grammer didn't take any interest in his family life which is causing him to suffer huge losses now.

The split between Camille Grammer and Kelsey Grammer is only because Kelsey remains busy in his film shoots and friends in the city of NY. Kelsey ignored his family always and encouraged his friends and profession over everything that might be dear to him.


Camille Grammer wants a divorce from Kelsey Grammer as Kelsey has shown her that he is not concerned with his family anymore and didn't cared about anything related to them. Kelsey Grammer always remains in NY and doesn't even call his children to him at any occasion or event. Camille Grammer told the media that she doesn't knows what Kelsey does every time but she knows that this marriage cannot stand on a single pillar anymore further.

The divorce between these celebrities has become a big issue which cannot be ended in the reconciliation of this couple. the film industry may have a downfall due to this separation.

Cnn News

Rescue only the first step in Chilean miners’ recovery process

The process of extracting thirty-three miners from a Chilean mine, where they've been trapped for more than two months, is going better than expected, the nation's health minister told reporters Wednesday. "Things are going extraordinarily well so far," said Jaime Manalich. However, the miners' rescue is only the first step in a longer recovery process, workers with NASA have said. Health concerns linger regarding their lack of sunlight, nutrition, effects of their confinement, lack of sleep and sanitation. Mental health is also a concern. They must be re-introduced to their families and society and deal with their sudden celebrity status. Dr. Michael Duncan, the deputy chief medical officer at Johnson Space Center, told CNN, "The work is just beginning when the miners get out of the mine." The 1st group of miners brought up were the younger men, who could best relay information back to the surface and in case of emergency would have been able to activate levers to liberate the rescue capsule, Manalich said. Those miners with health conditions were being brought up afterward, he said. The rescue capsule has behaved well, Manalich said, and wasn't rotating as much as officials had feared, reducing the likelihood that the men would become dizzy while being brought up to the surface. The speed with which the rescue capsule ascends is getting shorter, he said. It required some scheduled maintenance, which delayed the rescues for a while, but all was proceeding according to plan, he said. The miners' health situation is "pretty good," the minister said. "We have had very, very minor problems." The 1st 2 miners rescued were taken to Copiapo Hospital, he said, where they were evaluated by specialists including ophthalmologists and dermatologists and given chest X-rays. "Their recuperation process is going quite well and according to the schedule." Other rescued miners were at different stages in that process, he said, with some spending time in a meeting room with relatives before being flown to the hospital. Manalich said the miners could have opted out of going to the hospital, but it was strongly recommended to them that they do and they were all in agreement. Extensive precautions were taken to minimize the miners' health risks before they were rescued. Chilean Army nurses were in the mine, evaluating the miners and helping them prepare for their trip to the surface, Manalich said. "They have an anemic condition, and right now they have been sleeping less these last few days. They're tired and they still have long hours of waiting in order to be able to come up to the surface and to meet with their families." The miners were switched to a liquid diet 6 hours before their rescue in case they vomit on the way up. Because Chilean Mining Minister Laurence Golborne was concerned about the miners being re-introduced to sunlight abruptly, special sunglasses were sent down for the men to wear to make sure they do not suffer damage to their retinas. While underground, they were given special clothing that pulls sweat away from the body because of concern about skin infections, as well as special socks to help prevent infections like athlete's foot. They also had a series of vaccinations including a tetanus booster and flu shot. They have been exercising daily, and one miner -- Yonni Barrios -- is a paramedic and has been weighing his colleagues daily and taking blood tests and daily urine analyses. American astronaut Jerry Linenger knows something about isolation and confinement. He says his five months in space aboard the Russian space station Mir left him weak and with bone loss. "Down in the mines you've gravity pulling you down. There will be disorientation -- turning your head will feel like doing 100 backflips in a row," he said. The reunions with those brought to the surface with their families have been "very emotional," Manalich said after eight miners had been rescued, and "they're very happy, very grateful for all they have been able to experience together during this rescue process." The miners are showing slight increases in blood pressure and cardiac activity during the trip, but have recovered satisfactorily after a few minutes of rest and haven't required medication, he said. "I think things are going better than we thought." However, psychological adjustments will be a hurdle for the miners. "These men spent 20 days totally cut off in the dark until the first bore hole was made," Linenger said. "So they were in survival mode, which is tough psychologically because you're in a life and death situation." Once out, the miners will be examined on site and hospitalized for a mandatory 2 days. During that time they will be monitored and receive physical and mental health care. Doctors will keep an eye out for things like nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety and claustrophobia, among other potential issues.

Inspectah Deck

Is Inspectah Deck Dead? Uh, No. Rumors Flow at BET Hip-Hop Awards

The 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards took place on Tues, October 12. One of the things that came out of the award show is a rumor that Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck is dead.

So is Inspectah Deck Dead?

Uh, no. By all accounts, Inspectah Deck is alive and well. While Wikipedia is hardly the final word on such matters, there's no reference on the Inspectah Deck Wikipedia page about his death. There are also no reports from major media sources about the death of Inspectah Deck.

So how did the Inspectah Deck death rumor get started?

Here's what seems to have happened. During Raekwon's performance at the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards, the fellow Wu-Tang member said, "“Yo stop the music Premier…yo rest in peace my brother from the Wu, Inspectah Deck."

It appears that Raekwon was referring to the fact that Inspectah Deck's mother recently passed away. Sadly, the passing of Inspectah Deck's mother may have spawned an unpleasant rumor.

Gap New Logo

Gap's logo back to blue after fans gripe about new

The casualwear chain will keep its decades-old white-on-navy blue logo after all. The move comes just one week after the company swapped it online for a new logo without saying a word. The new logo irritated lovers, spurring them to complain about it online.

Gap North America president Marka Hansen said in a statement late Monday that the San Francisco-based company realized how much people liked the old logo after they put up the new one, a white background with black letters and a little blue box. She also says Gap did not handle the change correctly and missed a chance to have shoppers offer input until it was too late.

"There may be a time to evolve our logo, but if and when that time comes, we'll handle it in a different way," Hansen said, adding that the project was not the right one to offer up to "crowd sourcing."

Minka Kelly Pics

Minka Kelly Pics, Esquire Interview: Growing Up, Her Mom, and Dating Derek Jeter

Minka Kelly pictures are making the rounds online as Minka Kelly was named Esquire’s Sexiest Woman Alive 2010. Minka Kelly’s pictures for Esquire are fresh territory, as the actress shares, “I have never done a sexy photo shoot before. I have never really honestly tapped into that side. It was really liberating. It was exciting. I would look at the pictures, like, that’s me?”

In the Sexiest Woman Alive issue of Esquire, Minka Kelly’s interview is about growing up, her mom, making it as an actress, and a bit about dating Derek Jeter.

Peter Diamond

Larry Diamond wins the Nobel Prize, continues being blocked by the Senate

For months now, Sen. Richard Shelby has been blocking the nomination of economist Peter Diamond to join the board of the Federal Reserve. "I don't believe he is ready to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board," Shelby said, "I don't believe that the current environment of uncertainty would benefit from monetary policy decisions made by board members who are learning on the job.”

Today, Diamond won the Nobel Prize in economics. Of course, Shelby never said he was not a "skilled economist." He said he didn't know monetary economics. But that's also self-evidently foolish: Before serving on the Federal Reserve Board, Elizabeth Duke worked at a bank. Kevin Warsh worked for George W. Bush. Sarah Bloom Raskin was a financial regulator in Maryland. Ben Bernanke was an economist, and before that, one of Diamond's students.

Chicago Marathon

Marathon's under way -- and it promises to be a warm one

9:06 A.M. -- In the 20th mile of the men's race, Tsegaye Kebede surged with a 4:40 mile. The leaders were down to 3: Samuel Wanjiru, Feyisa Lilesa, and Kebede.

8:44 A.M. -- Legendary Swiss wheelchair racer Heinz Frei turned his Chicago Marathon debut into victory.

In the women's race, Astede Baysa took the lead by herself in the 16th mile. She won this year's Paris Marathon in 2:22:04. Although only 23 years old, this is her 14th marathon. Reigning Boston Marathon champion Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot fell off the lead pace in the 19th mile of the men's race.

8:40 A.M. -- In the women's race, Mamitu Daska and Astede Baysa moved away from Askale Magarsa as they reached the halfway point in 1:09:45.

8:26 A.M. -- The men went through the halfway point in 1:02:35, with all the top pack of eight including all the contenders. In the women's race, Askale Magarsa, Astede Baysa and Mamitu Daska of Ethiopia were running together at the lead through the first 10 miles, with defending champion Liliya Shobukhova of Russia hanging about 10 meters back.

7:56 A.M. -- Despite the heat, the elite men's pace began to accelerate dramatically in the 5th mile, which they covered in 4 minutes, 40 seconds, and the 6th, in 4:39. It was projecting to a 2 hour, 4 minute, 27 second finish, which would match the 3rd fastest marathon ever.

The expected contenders, including defending champion Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya and four Ethiopians, all were in the nine men running at the lead after 6 miles.

The women's race shook out earlier, with a group of four moving into the lead.

With little cloud cover and little shade, the fast early pace was unlikely to continue.

7:36 A.M. -- Temperatures hovered in the low 60s as the 1st runners spilled out onto Columbus Drive at the north end of Grant Park at the start of the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

For the 3rd time in 4 years, the race began in unseasonably warm temperatures.

The forecast for today is for temperatures to peak in the mid-80s, the warmest weather for the marathon since 2007, when temperatures reached nearly 90 degrees with high humidity and the course was closed after 3½ hours to those who hadn't reached the halfway point. Another significant difference between Sunday's race and the heat disaster of 2007 was humidity and dew point. The humidity was considerably higher in 2007, when some 300-plus runners were treated for heat problems.

Runner Chad Schieber, a 55-year-old police officer from Midland, Mich., died that year after collapsing on the race route and 317 other participants were hospitalized for heat- and dehydration-related illness.

The course this year features 6 more aid stations than in 2007, and race planners have adopted a colored warning system for runners.

The 2010 marathon promises to be the most competitive in the 33-year history of the event, with 3 of the top runners in the World Marathon Majors standings competing in the men's field. Defending champion Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya and 2010 Virgin London Marathon champion Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia are tied in the marathon series point standings, and a victory by either could seal the WMM title and a $1 million season prize.

Also in the field is Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot of Kenya, who's competing in his 1st marathon since breaking the course record at the Boston Marathon by 82 seconds this spring. Defending women's champion Liliya Shobukhova of Russia, who won the Virgin London Marathon in April with a time of 2:22, leads a strong women's field that includes 2009 runner up Irina Mikitenko of Germany.

But the overwhelming majority of the 45,000 runners registered for the race will be happy to navigate the winding 26.2-mile course in double or triple the time of the leaders. Only 12,000 runners qualify to run in the seeded "corrals" of experienced runners who can prove they have finished a marathon in four hours or less.

"I am hoping to finish before they turn the timer off, maybe 6 hours," said Matt Covington of San Luis Obispo, Calif.

At 295 pounds, Covington is some 30 pounds lighter than when he started training three months ago, after a co-worker convinced him to run to raise money for autism research. "People keep telling me you get a second wind and feel great, but I have hated every minute of it. But I signed up and I do not want to let anbody down."

For Chicagoan Sue McGrath, there was no better day to run her 1st marathon.

"It is 10-10-10, what better day to do it than today," said McGrath as she walked to the starting corrals around 7 a.m.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre True Story

Texas Chainsaw Massacre true story in focus‏

One of the most contentious films ever to hit Hollywood is the Texas Chainsaw Massacre due to the fact that many people are not sure what the true storyline is. The same subject has had 2 movies already with the 1st one in 1974 and the most recent Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 2003.

The 2 movies are not too bad and has a similar storyline in which a group of young men and women from Texas travel together and comes across a traveling woman looking for a free ride. After picking her up in their car, the hitchhiker shoots herself with a 357 magnum pistol and they decide to locate the closest sheriff’s office after earlier directions from the hitchhiker. However the sheriff was not in his office and they got word from a toddler boy that he was at home having a drinking session.

Two out of the group decide to go find the sheriff’s home which was located in the woods while three of them stay in his office. Many people are at a loss whether the storyline of the movie actually happened in real life as stated by Harris who claims to have lived in Texas as a kid and knows that both movies are real life stories and not fabricated ones.

Larry Wilcox

A Lot of ’80s TV Stars Named Larry Making Financial News

1st there was the news that Larry Wilcox — the half of the motorcycle duo on CHiPs that was not Erik Estrada — was charged with securities fraud. Now there’s this:

An arbitration panel ruled in favor of actor Larry Hagman in a securities case against a unit of Citigroup Inc., which was ordered to pay $1.1 million to the former star of the television show “Dallas,” and another $10 millions to charities of his choosing.

Mr. Hagman, along with various trusts and IRA accounts titled in his name, filed a claim in May 2009 against Citigroup Global Markets alleging breach of fiduciary duty, civil fraud, misrepresentation and other charges. The case was related to unspecified securities in accounts held with Citigroup and with the purchase of a life-insurance policy, according to the ruling.

As occurs in most securities-arbitration awards, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority panel did not spell out details of the case or of the reasoning behind its decision. However, the $10 millions awarded in punitive damages suggests a conclusion of serious wrongdoing.

Liu Xiaobo

Chinese official calls Nobel Prize award 'blasphemy'

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo was "blasphemy against the peace prize" that could harm relations between China and Norway, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Fri.

The spokesman said the award is supposed to be given to "promote national harmony, international friendship" and those who work to pursue peace.

Krystal Ball Photos

Krystal Ball, congressional candidate in Virginia, calls raunchy photos leaked online 'sexist'

Politics is a dirty business, as one candidate for Congress in Virginia has learned after raunchy photos of her were leaked on the Internet on Tues.

Krystal Ball, an accountant running against incumbent GOP Rep. Rob Wittman, called the leak "outrageous" and "incredibly sexist."

"Of course, I'm embarrassed by these photos; that was the whole point of these political operatives when they put them up," she said in a statement. "But more than just embarrassed, I am angry!"

Ball said the photos, showing her wearing a Santa hat and simulating sex acts with her ex-husband, were taken at a costume party 6 years ago.

"This isn't a way to conduct a political campaign, and the people of the 1st District of Virginia and of the U.S. are disgusted by these kinds of tactics," she said. "It is sexist and it is wrong, regardless of political party."

Nobel Prize Literature

Nobel Prize Literature 2010 Winner – Mario Vargas Llosa

Peruvian Mario Vargas Llosa, who once ran for president in his homeland, won the 2010 Nobel Prize in literature on Thursday. Vargas Llosa is the 1st South American winner of the prestigious ten millions kronor ($1.5 million) Nobel Prize in literature since it was awarded to Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez in 1982.

The Swedish Academy said it honored the 74-year-old author “for his cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual’s resistance, revolt and defeat.”

Vargas Llosa has written more than 30 novels, plays and essays, including “Conversation in the Cathedral” and “The Green House.” In 1995, he was awarded the Cervantes Prize, the Spanish-speaking world’s most distinguished literary honor.

Droid Pro

Motorola Parades Its Android Army Of 6 New Phones

The Motorola Spice XT300 is a vertical slider just like the now-outdated Palm Pre. Provided with a 4-row QWERTY keyboard and a three inch QVGA touch screen display the phone looks really stylist. Just like the Citrus, Bravo, Flipside and Flipout, the Moto Spice runs Google’s Android 2.1 operating System. The Motorola Droid Pro for Verizon is the only Moto to come with the Android 2.2 Froyo. The Droid is an out of the box Moto phone.

The latest Moto Spice XT300 includes WiFi 802.11 b/g, 3G, GPS, stereo Bluetooth, 3.5mm headset jack, 3MP camera, 256MB RAM and 512MB ROM. The phone also supports MicroSD card. Motorola keeping up with the Go Green slogan has 25% of the phone made out of “post consumer recycled plastics.”

The Moto Spice will be available starting this quarter. However, no ward is spoken about the pricing of the phone. Apparently Brazil is going to be 1st. When speaking of Brazil, Motorola has announced to launch its rugged Defy in Brazil, too. It also has plans of bringing it to Europe and the U.S. as well.

Louise Brown

First test tube baby's joy at Nobel for IVF pioneer

The world's 1st test tube baby said on Monday she was "delighted" that Robert Edwards, the pioneering scientist who made her birth possible, has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

Louise Brown, in a joint statement with her mother Lesley, said: "it is fantastic news, me and mum are so glad that one of the pioneers of IVF (in vitro fertilisation) has been given the recognition he deserves.

"We hold Bob in great affection and are delighted to send our personal congratulations to him and his family at this time."

Louise's birth in 1978 was the 1st to stem from the groundbreaking work of Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, a gynaecologic surgeon.
She's now a mother herself, having given birth by natural means.

Although Edwards, now 85, is too frail to give interviews, his wife Ruth said the family was "thrilled and delighted" at the honour.

"The success of this research has touched the lives of millions of people worldwide," she said.

"His dedication and single-minded determination despite opposition from many quarters has led to successful application of his pioneering research."

Edwards and Steptoe, who died in 1988, developed IVF technology in which egg cells are fertilised outside the body and implanted in the womb.

Congratulations poured in from across Britain's scientific community and from colleagues of Edwards -- although some wondered why it had taken so long for the Nobel committee to recognise his work.

Mike Macnamee, chief executive of Bourn Hall, near Cambridge, the IVF clinic which Edwards founded, said: "Bob Edwards is one of our greatest scientists.

"His inspirational work in the early sixties led to a breakthrough that's enhanced the lives of millions of people worldwide."

Tom Matthews, the clinic's medical director, said that on 1st meeting Edwards in 1983 he had been "immediately impressed with his passion and enthusiasm" for his work, as well as his insistence on high standards.

"Even in those early days he was thinking ahead of his time, talking about freezing embryos, blastocyst culture, long before people had thought these scientific techniques could be a reality," Matthews said.

"As a person he always found time to talk to the patients about what was happening in the laboratory and rejoiced when each IVF baby was born. He took great personal pleasure in the news of each birth."

Martin Johnson, Professor of Reproductive Sciences at the prestigious Cambridge University, where Edwards carried out his pioneering research, said: "I'm absolutely delighted. This is long overdue."

He added: "Bob's work has always been controversial but he has never shrunk from confronting that controversy.

"He was a real visionary, and always ahead of his time on so many issues. He's also an amazing human being -- warm and generous."

Zenyatta

HORSE RACING Zenyatta wins her record 19th straight

Zenyatta and Blind Luck employ the same crowd-pleasing, come-from-last-place style with one major difference: Zenyatta always gets to the wire first.

In the Grade 1, $250,000 Lady's Secret Stakes on Saturday at Hollywood Park, unbeaten Zenyatta became the 1st thoroughbred ever to win 19 consecutive races and became the sport's richest female when she ran down Switch in the final yards for a victory by a half-length. The 1-to-10 favorite, Zenyatta finished 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.97 and earned $150,000 to increase her total to $6,404,580.

In the Grade 2, $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., Havre de Grace got a big enough jump on Blind Luck to hold her off by a short neck.

Both the 6-year-old mare Zenyatta and the 3-year-old filly Blind Luck will run next in the Breeders' Cup on Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs. Zenyatta likely will try to win the Nov. 6 Classic against male opponents for the second straight year, while Blind Luck will point for the Nov. 5 Ladies' Classic.

Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine (24 January, born 1917) TV is an American actor and the big screen. His career has expanded from 6 decades. Marty in the 1955 film, including Academy Award-winning turn 1950s, many films had a non-traditional leadership. TV series, he's in most 1962-66 Quinton McHale McHale Navy is known to play, Airwolf mid-1980s – action series costarring, and dynamic series, SpongeBob SquarePants Mermaid Man expressed in the role. Er series Borgnine for his work at the age of 92 received a Emmy nomination. 92 Aug 2009 at the age of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Borgnine Hamden, Connecticut, the son was born Ermes Effron Borgnino in Anna (née Boselli), which Carpi (Modena, Italy), and Camillo Borgnino, (who immigrated to the U.S. Ottiglio Alessandria, Italy by province, U.S. refuge).

Her parents separated when he was 2 years old, and he and his mother went to live in Italy. By 1923, his parents united, and they Borgnino family name was changed from Borgnine. Family North Haven, Connecticut, where he attended public schools was based in. His mother also his own desire was to develop dance. Anna moral support to his son, and many were standing near him at all times.

Borgnine James Hillhouse High School graduated from New Haven, Connecticut in 1935 after the US Navy to add. He was discharged in 1941, but re-recruitment, when the U.S. entered World War II and worked until 1945 (ten years total), the gunner friends reach the rank of first class. They destroyed USS Lamberton (DD 119) and served aboard. His military decorations of the good conduct medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet clasp, and includes World War II Victory Medal.

In 2004, Borgnine Navy Terry D. Scott, Chief Petty Officer Master Chief Petty Officer received an honorary rank of U.S. Navy sailor on top position during recruitment – for Borgnine’s support of Navy and Navy families worldwide for.

After the war, he was no work and no direction with his parents back home. Since they work in the factories for a living in a deadlock wasn't ready, her mother a more attractive business forward and encouraged his personality has suggested that the forum be used for appropriate.

They take to heart the proposal is surprised his mother, even though their father was far from encouraging. After graduation, he was auditioned and Abingdon, Virginia, where the audience usually in exchange for vegetables accepted Barter Theatre. In 1947 his 1st stage role in the State of the Union landed. Although it was a small role, he won the audience. His next role Tennessee ‘Williams Glass Menagerie as the Gentleman Caller was. Harvey in 1949 they play the role of a nurse had her Broadway debut. More about the forum a decade-long role of actor role being.

In 1951, the Los Angeles, California, where he finally his big break from here to Eternity, to get the move (1953), Stockade, the fellow soldier Angelo Maggio cruel sergeant in charge of police station “Fatty” Judson games (played by Frank Sinatra). Borgnine a trusted role as an actor and quickly built a reputation as a villain known guitar, black rock bad day at the Vera Cruz and includes films like the movie character, was published in. But in 1955, TV drama actor Marty, above them on the actor and former Frank Sinatra Download actor Spencer Tracy and James Cagney won Academy Award for film version acting as a butcher warm heart.

Borgnine’s film career member, Phoenix, Dirty Dozen, Ice Station Zebra, Poseidon Adventure and 1960s, including black hole flight and 1970s, through the success continues. His most famous role is one of the Dutch, director Sam Peckinpah’s 1969 Western classic from the wild were of gang member.