Friday, May 15, 2009

S: Is for becoming a spy

So you've always wanted to be a spy. Well now you can with spy camp and it's only a day long. Packed with adventure that begins in the morning, you first train in military hand-to-hand combat techniques. Then follow in the steps of Bond and Bourne and 'eliminate the threat' with your bare hands. Taught by Elite Forces and Special Operations agents around the world in preparation for the most deadly situations. You and your fellow agents in training then enjoy a well deserved hearty lunch, served in a private dining room. Next, on to your next assignment - Perfect Your Poker Game. You'll learn negotiation skills, tactics, how to read people and the most important skill of bluffing in any given situation. A perfect martini caps off the day. Shaken not stired with a "Mission Accomplished" or a dream fufilled.

For those who one day is not enoug, they also arrange, weekend trips including various types of fire arms training, auto racing, competitive water sports, survival skills, sword/knife fighting, wine/fine scotch tastings, style/grooming workshops, or any of the MI6 standard iteneraries.To learn more contact 1-888-779-1905. This message will sef distruct in 5 minutes and that is a F.A.C.T.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

T: Is for Tips for the President



When a company falls on difficult times, one of the things that seems to happen is they reduce their staff and workers. The remaining workers must find ways to continue to do a good job or risk that their job would be eliminated as well.
Wall street, and the media normally congratulate the CEO for making this type of "tough decision", and his board of directors gives him a big bonus.

Our government should not be immune from similar risks.

Therefore:
Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435 members to 218 members.
Reduce Senate members from 100 to 50 (one per State).
Then, reduce their staff by 25%.

Accomplish this over the next 8 years
(two steps/two elections) and of course this would require some redistricting.

Some Yearly Monetary Gains Include:

$44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members X $165,200 pay/member/ yr.)

$97,175,000 for elimination of their staff. (estimate $1.3 Million in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Million in staff per each member of the Senate every year)

$240,294 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%.

$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork barrel ear-marks each year. (those members whose jobs are gone. Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion/yr)

The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and improveefficiencies. It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country!

We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well. It might even be easier to keep track of what your representative is doing.

Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established. (telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few)

Note:
Congress did not hesitate to head home when it was a holiday, when the nation needed a real fix to the economic problems. Also, we have 3 senators that have not been doing their jobs for the past 18+ months (on the campaign trail) and still they all have been accepting full pay. These facts alone support a reduction in senators & congress.

Summary of opportunity:

$ 44,108,400 reduction of congress members.

$282,100, 000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff.

$150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff.

$59,675,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members.

$37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members.

$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of congress members.

$8,073,383,400 per year, estimated total savings. (that's 8-BILLION just to start!)

Big business does these types of cuts all the time.

If Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits, tax payers could save a bundle.
Now they get full retirement after serving only ONE term and that is a F.A.C.T.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

C: Is for celebrity nails





















Kelly Clarkson is a regular. Jennifer Hudson sings there praises and Pink thinks there delicious. Do you wonder how all those celebrities have amazing nails? Are you sick and tired of your manicure lasting only a couple of days? Is one of the things stopping you, is that you don't have time to let the polish dry? Well Dashing Diva has a new product and service which says, stop questioning and get those celebrity nails you've dreamed of. Super shiny and natural looking Gelife adds UV. Taking the same time as a regular manicure, around 25 minutes. I had the french where they add a soft layer of perfect white and then two coats of a soft, removable gel. Each layer is processed under a UV light and immediately sets. The good news is your manicure or pedicure (yep, your feet can get the same treat as your hands) lasts for up to two weeks. If your wondering if this is bad for your nails, the exact opposite is true, the gel contains calcium salt, which helps them grow faster and keeps them healthy. To removed soak your nails in pure acetone for 10 minutes.

This is an exclusive Dashing Diva procedure and comes in three colors: Clear, Cool Pink, and Warm Pink. Book your appointment fast for at $45 for a Manicure that lasts and leaves you summer ready is definitely a recession bargain and that is a F.A.C.T.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A: Is for Awards...and the winners are

The award winners of the 2008-2009 season have arrived. here are the winners from the Outer Critics:
John Gassner Playwriting Award: Gina Gionfriddo Becky Shaw
Outstanding Actor in a Musical: Brian d’Arcy James Shrek the Musical
Outstanding Actor in a Play: Geoffrey Rush Exit the King
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: A tie between Josefina Scaglione West Side Story and Sutton Foster Shrek the Musical
Outstanding Actress in a Play: Marcia Gay Harden God of Carnage
Outstanding Choreography: Peter Darling Billy Elliot the Musical
Outstanding Costume Design: Tim Hatley Shrek the Musical
Outstanding Director of a Musical: Stephen Daldry Billy Elliot the Musical
Outstanding Director of a Play: Matthew Warchus The Norman Conquests
Outstanding Ensemble Performance
Award to the full cast of “The Norman Conquests” (Amelia Bullmore, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miles, Paul Ritter and Amanda Root).
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Gregory Jbara Billy Elliot the Musical
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: David Pearse The Cripple of Inishmaan
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Haydn Gwynne Billy Elliot the Musical
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Angela Lansbury Blithe Spirit
Outstanding Lighting Design: Rick Fisher Billy Elliot the Musical
Outstanding New Broadway Musical: Billy Elliot the Musical
Outstanding New Broadway Play: God of Carnage
Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical: The Toxic Avenger
Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play: Ruined
Outstanding New Score: Billy Elliot the Musical
Outstanding Revival of a Musical: Hair
Outstanding Revival of a Play: The Norman Conquests
Outstanding Set Design: Tim Hatley Shrek the Musical
Walt Spangler Desire Under the Elms

Outstanding Solo Performance
Lorenzo Pisoni Humor Abuse
Matt Sax Clay
Mike Birbiglia Sleepwalk With Me
Mike Burstyn Lansky
Mike Daisey If You See Something Say Something

Special Achievement Award
As previously announced, the OCC Executive Committee awarded Special Achievement Awards to David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish for their performances in “Billy Elliot the Musical.

To an up and coming actor or actress The Theatre World Award, is the first sign that you are in that elite league of the best. Judy Holliday, Julie Andrews, Carol Channing, Calista Flockhart, Grace Kelly, Cloris Leachman, Brooke Shields, Meryl Streep, Vanessa L. Williams, Danny Aiello, Richard Burton, Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Dick Van Dyke, Carol Burnett, Antonio Banderas, and Hugh Jackman are among its winners. Presented annually in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway this years winners include:

David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish (Billy Elliot, The Musical)
Chad L. Coleman (Joe Turner's Come and Gone)
Jennifer Grace (Our Town)
Josh Grisetti, (Enter Laughing, The Musical)
Haydn Gwynne (Billy Elliot, The Musical)
Colin Hanks (33 Variations)
Marin Ireland (reasons to be pretty)
Susan Louise O'Connor (Blithe Spirit)
Condola Rashad (Ruined)
Geoffrey Rush (Exit the King)
Josefina Scaglione (West Side Story)
Wesley Taylor (Rock of Ages)
The cast of The Norman Conquests: Amelia Bullmore, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miles, Paul Ritter, and Amanda Root (Special Award)

When I interviewed Susan Louise O'Conner I wrote she would win one and I was right she did. So did Tom Hanks son Colin. The torch has been passed and this makes round two for the award season and that is a F.A.C.T

Monday, May 11, 2009

F: Is for Food that will floor you

Since starting his career at Spago as a summer intern, Govind Armstrong has inched his way into five restaurants in three cities. His New York beachhead, Table 8, is located in a boutique hotel. 8's is book-shelved-lined, with a leather-clad walls and a central fourteen-seat “salt bar” featuring house-cured meats and fish. The menu’s emphasis on small plates makes exceptions for a few dishes. There’s the “8 oz.” burger and the short-rib grilled cheese that made it onto Oprah. Armstrong's signature dish, the salt-roasted porterhouse is also highlighted. The space includes a raised platform for fine dining, smaller tables for more casual fare, and two outdoor dining areas and two bars. Signature cocktails including the Table 8 (vodka, simple syrup, lime juice, ginger ale, muddled grapes), and a tequila blanco, lime, ginger, and raspberry puree combo called the Ginger Diablo. I think New York has found it's new romantic spot. The great newsthe pricing is under $30 and that is a F.A.C.T.