Category Archives: Newsy

You’re on your own, Claire.

January 26, 2008 7:13 pm \ Leave a Comment \ Carol B.

It’s been a rather boring night here at work, so I’ve been busy scouring CNN to find stories I haven’t read yet and I came across this: Satellite is weeks away from hitting Earth:

“A large U.S. spy satellite has lost power and propulsion and could hit the Earth in late February or March, government officials said Saturday. A senior government official says lawmakers and other nations are being kept apprised of the situation.

The satellite, which no longer can be controlled, could contain hazardous materials, and it is unknown where on the planet it might come down, they said. “

I immediately thought, “Hey, isn’t this a movie plot?” Those of you familiar with the work of Wim Wenders will immediately think the same thing because that’s part of the plot of “Until the End of the World,” a fantastic early 90s movie. Nick Cave does some music, Tom Waits makes an uncredited appearance, and it’s just this “on the road” kind of movie with this nuclear satellite that is expected to fall to earth and cause imminent danger. That facet of the movie is just kind of in the background the whole time. The movie has a lot more to do with technology and relationships.

Anyway… this was pretty much just a random thought and a random post. Drew will be so proud that this movie (one of his favorites) was the first thing I thought of, though.

Posted in: Entertainment, Newsy

Oh, CES… You and Your Crazy Electronics

January 12, 2008 7:50 am \ 1 Comment \ Carol B.

Someday I really want to go to CES. I think it would be so fun to see all of the cool (and crazy) electronic devices that companies are putting out. Check out the article in the Detroit Free Press discussing some of the, uh, more interesting ones. I think the product that cracks me up the most is one from Taser (they are one of the many companies out there that make self defense products). At CES they were pushing a Taser weapon that apparently has the same power as the ones cops use. Only these are intended for women, being sold in pink and leopard print patterns. Because, you know, when you’re shocking that jerk who attacked you, it’s important to make a fashion statement at the same time.

Posted in: Newsy

I can’t help my cynicism

December 19, 2007 11:03 am \ 4 Comments \ Carol B.

Please tell me that I’m not the only person who wondered, “Hm… I wonder what documents will have mysteriously and tragically burned in the White House fire” when the news was reported this morning. I know they’re saying it was electrical and that there is “no reason to think it was set” but I don’t know. It’ll all come out eventually. I’d like to think I’m wrong, but I have a funny feeling about this.

Posted in: Newsy

Glad I Don’t Live In NJ

December 14, 2007 7:39 pm \ 12 Comments \ Carol B.

I am not a believer in the flu shot. If you are — great. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. But don’t try to convince me it “works” or that it doesn’t make you sick, because I’m not buying it. There’s plenty of research out there stating that flu shots are ineffective. (And of course, believers in flu shots can counter me with studies saying it is. I’ve worked in the media and I know there is a study to support any and every point of view). Regardless, I think the flu shot is a crapshoot at best. And right about now I am really glad I am not a resident of NJ. From CNN.com:

New Jersey on Friday became the first state to require flu shots for preschoolers, saying their developing immune systems and likelihood of spreading germs make them as vulnerable to complications as the elderly…

A health advisory board Monday backed the new requirements on a 5-2 vote with one abstention after parents said they worried about the safety of giving young children dozens of vaccine doses.

I would be livid if I were a parent in NJ.

Posted in: Newsy

Just no words, really

October 24, 2007 5:41 am \ 3 Comments \ Carol B.

My heart is just broken for everyone living in Southern California. I can’t imagine. Fire has always been one of my biggest fears and a fire that is this uncontrollable? The photo that finally made me break down in tears was this one. Imagine looking out, across the water, at that entire wall of fire. I just don’t know what to say.

Posted in: Newsy

In the drink

September 20, 2007 2:57 pm \ 2 Comments \ Carol B.

I was never a big soda drinker. I loved having an icy-cold Coke as a treat sometimes, but as a kid, I don’t think I drank a lot. When Drew and I moved in together, I think we started to drink more. It was easy to just buy a case of soda cans and take one to work every day. But when I got pregnant with Jake I really scaled back and now I only have a glass occasionally. With all the reports on how awful it is for you, it’s a good thing too. From a recent article on CNN:

“Liquid candy” to detractors, sweetened soft drinks are so ubiquitous that they contribute about 10 percent of the calories in the American diet, according to government data.

That’s a huge percentage! The article also points out that a 32-ounce soda has 400 calories in it. 400!!! My entire lunch didn’t even have 400 calories. But clearly, it’s a huge problem in this country. You can just picture people sitting back in their discount home theater seating, with a huge tub of popcorn and 2-litre bottle of Mountain Dew not even realizing how many wasted calories they are ingesting. There are so many other things you could spend those 400 calories on. You could eat 4 100-calorie packs of cookies or crackers for crying out loud! And here is a site that shows you several meals that are all under 400 calories. Hmm, let’s see. A big soda that’s not going to satisfy me, or 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices of turkey bacon, 1 piece of whole wheat toast with butter (BUTTER!), and a cup of coffee. I think that’s a no-brainer.

I do think people are starting to pay more attention to this, though. At least I hope so.

Posted in: Food & Wine, Newsy

Crock Pot Cooking Malaise

September 17, 2007 7:55 pm \ 3 Comments \ Carol B.

When I was growing up, my mom was constantly using her Crock Pot to cook dinners. In college, my friend Kelly and I often used a Crock Pot when we had our apartment senior year. I’ve seriously been using one forever. So what gives? Lately everything I make in one comes out, well, ehhh…. I don’t get it. It’s not like I’m trying to buy a Dodge Charger accessory, or do something else that I have no knowledge of. Tonight, for example, I decided to try the Orange Chicken recipe that is in the new Kraft Food & Family magazine. It was easy and I thought it sounded really good. About a half an hour before it would probably be done, I checked on it and the chicken didn’t look appetizing and the “sauce” was all watery. It looked nothing like the photo in the magazine, that’s for sure. I ended up dumping everything out of the crock and into a saucepan. The sauce thickened up nicely around the chicken and it turned out okay. (Some seasoning issues, but that is purely my own taste and nothing to do with the Crock Pot issue). Last week I made beef stew in it, and it wasn’t good. I’d recently made Chicken Cacciatore and found it barely edible. Seems that I’m just not enjoying the texture. When I make soups, I don’t have a problem. It’s just frustrating because the Crock Pot does make my life a little easier in the evenings, but I’m not going to sacrifice taste for convenience, either.