Wild Rose Press Birthday Contest

The Wild Rose Press, an online publisher for romance novels, is having a day of contests to celebrate their birthday on May 1st.  The contests start at 6am and go until 11pm EST, drawing for prizes every hour from everyone who has left a comment on their blog.  The prizes will be books of your choice, and at the end of the day they will choose a grand prize winner who will receive a tote bag full of gift certificates, books, and more.

Wild Rose Press has a great selection of books, so if you win you will get to choose from a wide range of romance genres.  They aren’t just your typical romances.  They have different categories to choose from, so even if you’re not a fan of romance books, there might be something that would interest you.

To enter, visit their blog and leave a comment between 6am and 11pm EST on May 1st at: www.behindthegardengate.blogspot.com

Good luck!

Cincinnati’s Superhero: Shadow Hare

I was listening to the radio today when suddenly the airwaves were filled with the voice of mystery.  It was Shadow Hare, the leader of Cincinnati’s Allegiance of Heroes.  As in superheroes.  As in masks and capes.  In Cincinnati.

Shadow Hare and the Allegiance are here to protect the citizens of Cincinnati with their handcuffs, tasers, and pepper spray.  And their majestic appearances of course.  Shadow Hare’s voice is probably enough to stop criminals in their tracks.  When they hear his strong, manly superhero voice ringing through the night, they will run for cover.  But not before one of the Allegiance members steps in to place them under the dreaded CITIZEN’S ARREST!

I live for stories like this.  And the fact that it’s happening in my own city makes me finally proud to be a resident of Cincinnati.  And tonight as I walk home, I know that the streets will be a safer (and crazier) place thanks to SHADOW HARE and the Allegiance of Heroes.

Click here to visit the World Superhero Registry and find out who is protecting you in your city: World Superhero Registry

Bras by Laura Jacobs

You probably won’t see Laura Jacobs’ bras on the shelves of Victoria’s Secret anytime soon, but you may see them hanging in an art gallery.  Using things such as crab claws, mother of pearl, fish heads, and various other mediums, Jacobs has created a whole series of bra art.  From the “Bras That Pinch” piece pictured above, to “The Frog’s Prints” bra which features a puckered up frog in the center, Jacobs uses the oddities of imagination to create stories on an unusual canvas.

I’m not sure I’d like crab claws anywhere near my bra, but it’s an interesting concept anyway.  I’m always fascinated by those who take unconventional things and turn them into art.  Is it for shock value and attention or do they really feel inspired by it?  I guess that if a piece of art can cause a reaction and discussion it has a value, and Laura Jacobs’ pieces surely do that.

Jacobs also works with other mediums besides bras.  She has designed a series of furniture which is equally interesting.  Click here to visit her site: Laura Jacobs

Click Read More to see other examples of Jacobs’ bra art.
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How Would You Grade President Obama’s First 100 Days?

Tonight, April 29th, at 8pm EST, CNN presents an interactive political experience with “The CNN National Report Card: First 100 Days.”  Running through the President’s address, the special will discuss Obama’s first 100 days in office and allow the public to give their input live during the show.  Led by anchors Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, John King, and Soledad O’Brien, we will all have a chance to share our opinions about the current political situation.

By logging on to CNN.com during the program, viewers can grade the first 100 days as well as share discussions on other important topics.  The results will be appearing live on television and on the website, allowing an interactive experience for viewers.  Visit the site for more information and to share your opinions tonight: First 100 Days

Cast Revealed for “Real World: Cancun”

The cast has been revealed for the upcoming season of MTV’s “The Real World” which just finished filming in Cancun.  (The reports of production being shut down because of Swine flu are false — filming had already wrapped on April 17th.)  Although the format for the show had always been seven strangers in a house, the past season in Brooklyn featured eight, and it looks like they’ve decided to stick with that number for Cancun.  Vevmo.com has pictures and MySpace pages for the new cast, which look pretty much like every cast now: gorgeous, young, and love to party.

I’m sure the love of partying was an extra important requirement this season while filming in Cancun.  As though the casts of “Real World” have ever needed an excuse to drink, party, and hookup, now they’ve thrown them into one of the biggest party cities in the world where the 18+ drinking age can accommodate them all.

I remember when “Real World” used to be about personal relationships and discussion as well as partying.  Now it looks like they’ve decided to cut the crap and just go straight to the drama.  I’m sure the first episode will feature eight drunk people naked in a pool.  Just a crazy wild guess…

Click here to see the new cast: “Real World: Cancun” Cast

Drop Dead Fred Resurrected

I can think of about a million reasons why I hate the idea of a Drop Dead Fred remake, but towering above all others is the fact that Fred will be played by none other than Russell Brand.  If you don’t know who Russell Brand is, then save yourself and stop reading now.  Your life will be better if you never discover him.

You’re still reading so either you already know who he is, or you just like to torture yourself.  Russell Brand is a “comedian” from the UK (I put comedian in quotes because he’s not the least bit funny) who got his big break when he co-starred in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  He actually wasn’t awful in the movie because his character was meant to be annoying.

Unfortunately, after Sarah Marshall, people made the mistake of assuming Brand was funny because he was funny in the movie.  No one realized that the only reason he was funny in the movie was because his lines were written by Jason Segel.  When he’s responsible for his own lines, destruction ensues.  He hosted the VMAs soon after and everyone got to see his true colors.  Many people were disappointed and even offended by the things he said during his opening act.  For some reason, he’s still around, and I don’t quite understand why.

Now that I got that out of my system, I can go back to the actual point of this article: Drop Dead Fred.  The original film was released in 1991 (not long enough ago for a remake!) and centers around a troubled girl who rediscovers her imaginary friend, Fred, from childhood.  Fred causes trouble everywhere they go and makes things worse for her, and of course no one believes that he is real.  The movie was crude and weird, but it gained a cult following over the years.  I know I watched it over and over, but I was always intrigued and disgusted at the same time.

The new Drop Dead Fred is being released by Universal and written by Dennis McNicholas who co-wrote the soon to be released Land of the Lost (which also looks like a horrible film from the trailer, which you can view by clicking Read More at the end of the post).  I assume they will find a way to make the new Fred cruder, ruder, and more disgusting than before since that seems to be what sells these days.  And I’m sure Russell Brand won’t object to being as obnoxious as possible.
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Nature Up Close

The Hancock Wildlife Foundation in Canada has set up a live webcam to watch a nest where a pair of bald eagles have created a family.  The live cam allows you to watch the babies grow, chirp for food, and be cared for by their parents.  It’s a rare glimpse into the life of an animal we hardly ever get to observe in its natural habitat.

I never thought I could be so fascinated just watching baby eagles all day, but I think I’m becoming attached to the little family.

The Hancock Wildlife Foundation has set up these live cams in the hope of educating people about animals they may not normally have a chance to understand.  It gives everyone a chance to experience the life and habitat of amazing creatures without disturbing them.  Hopefully this will bring more understanding and support to the preservation of wildlife and their environments.  The Foundation’s mission is “to promote the conservation of wildlife and its habitats through science, education, and stewardship.”

You can watch the live camera feed at the top of this article or by going to the website here: Hancock Wildlife Eagles

Also check out some of the other webcams available from Hancock Wildlife here: Hancock Wildlife

Prada’s Shape-shifting Building

Prada has funded the world’s first building capable of shifting into 4 different shapes.  The Prada Transformer building in Seoul, South Korea can be shaped into a hexagon, cross, rectangle and circle.  Cranes move the building into its various shapes by lifting and rotating the building.  When rotated, the floors, ceiling, and walls all move to different spots.  What was once on the top may be on the side or bottom.

Although it seems like it takes quite a bit of effort to shift the building into its various shapes, it’s a cool concept that I’m sure will be improved upon.  At some point we may get sick of living within square walls and decide to make shape-shifting homes.  You could live in a circle today and a star tomorrow.

The Transformer will be changed into different shapes depending on the needs of the events held within.  It is taking on the circle shape for now, in preparation for its first event — a Prada fashion show of course — on April 25th.  The designer was Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

From Miss California to Minister: Nicole Lamarche Speaks Out About Being “Biblically Correct”

The current Miss California, Carrie Prejean, had to answer a question during the Miss USA competition from blogger Perez Hilton about her beliefs on gay marriage.  She responded that she didn’t agree with “opposite” marriage and that in her country she believed marriage should be between a man and a woman.  Many have been offended and outraged by the comment, and some have stood up in support of her convictions.  In any case, it has set off a stream of debates, news reports, and blog discussions of the issue, and some think that it cost her the Miss USA crown.  Watch the clip above to see her answer.

With all the controversy surrounding Prejean’s answer and statements she has made since saying that she was only trying to be “biblically correct,” the former Miss California, Nicole Lamarche, has decided to speak out about her beliefs on the topic, and people’s claim of being “biblically correct.”  What she says is insightful and presents her sentiments perfectly without being offensive to anyone.  Lamarche was Miss California in 2003 and is now a minister in Massachusetts.  Here is what she wrote:

“As a pastor and a former Miss California, I am often asked to interpret what the Word of God has to say on a particular subject. I am quite confident that God prefers that we human beings stick to speaking for ourselves. And yet there are occasions when God’s Word is used as a weapon, and I feel compelled to speak.

In the past few days, much has been made of the words of Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean. She stated that marriage is between a man and a woman. I write not in response to her opinion, but rather about her comments that followed: that the Bible condones her words. She said, ‘It’s not about being politically correct, it’s about being biblically correct.’ While this sentiment is shared by many who seek to condemn gay people and gay marriage, citing pieces of the Bible to further one’s own prejudice fails to meet the Bible on its own terms.

Most people seeking to condemn gay people point to the Book of Leviticus, where we read that men lying with men is an abomination. However, we rarely hear of other verses found in the book of Leviticus that are equally challenging. For example, Leviticus also tells us that eating shrimp and lobster is an abomination. And that a person should not wear material woven of two kinds of material—an impossible mandate for a pageant contestant!

In Paul’s letter to the community in Corinth we read, ‘For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church….’ And yet these words have not prevented Christian denominations from ordaining women, such as myself. Sadly, the Bible has been used to further prejudice throughout history. We have used it to permit ourselves to enslave people; to conquer and kill; and to denigrate the earth.

The truth is that it is difficult to know for sure the intentions of the biblical authors, but we do know something about God. Those of us who know God through Jesus of Nazareth know that he went to great lengths to express God’s love to people who were labeled as outcasts. He spent time with children, prostitutes, and lepers, all of whom were labeled as outside of the grasp of the Holy. As we continue to seek God’s vision for us as a nation grounded in a love for justice, I pray that we might move closer to the cause of grace.”

DIRECTV’s “Hometown Heroes”

At a time when the news is so focused on the problems in society, DIRECTV’s second season of the series “Hometown Heroes,” brings out a brighter side of what is going on around us.  The show focuses on everyday people who have made an impact on the lives of others.  From animal advocates, summer camps for children with AIDS, and disaster relief efforts, these heroes have gone above and beyond what anyone ever expected of them — even farther than they expected of themselves at times.  But in the end, it is such a rewarding experience for the heroes, and for the great number of people whose lives have changed because of these efforts.

Sometimes we forget about the positive side of humanity.  We see so much destruction and we get overwhelmed.  We begin to think there is nothing we can do to change anything, that it is too late to make a difference.  Yet when someone uses their actions to help others, they can create an impact larger than we might imagine.  It’s so nice to see a show which focuses on these incredible people.

Not only does “Hometown Heroes” give viewers a good feeling about humanity, but I hope that it will inspire others to follow suit.  If more people realize how easy it is to help others, maybe there would be more goodness spreading throughout the world.  Someone with a passion for one issue can help so many.  Through their kindness and dedication, they are proving that we are all capable of being a hero.

This Sunday’s episode will feature Mary Fetchet, whose life was turned upside down on 9/11 when her 24 year-old son was killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center.  Mary turned her devastation around and used it to create something positive.  She began the 9/11 Living Memorial, an online collection of pictures and memories for those who were lost in the attacks.  She hopes to help those suffering with their losses by keeping the positive memories alive, and having a place where they can share with others the incredible lives of those they loved.  Click here to visit Mary’s site: Voices of September 11th

Hosted by Joan Lunden, “Hometown Heroes” is a ten episode series that runs until June.  It airs every Sunday at 9am EST on DIRECTV’s 101 Network.  Click here to visit the show’s site and get more information about the series, including bios of all the people featured on the episodes: “Hometown Heroes”

Click Read More to watch a preview for the series.
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