The BIg O is #2 in Forbes newest Top 100 Celebrity list! Jenny from the Block/fly girl/J-Lo/Jennifer Lopez/ Hottie Cougar..whatever you call her, she beat Oprah and is #1 on this year's list! (Wonder if J-LO got 'GOOSEYS' finding this out.) If that rumor is true about her quitting American Idol, then she might want to rethink that. HHHMMM..
The Top 5:
1.) J-Lo
2.) Oprah
3.) Justin Bieber
4.) Rihanna
5.) Lady GaGa
I started my day doing breakfast/private performance with Graffiti6/Jamie Scott in the Four Hands Home Lounge with some MIX friends with Benefits.
Again, I have to say "I LOVE MY JOB!" Jamie, Pete and Joe fromGrafitti6(The band's name came from pointing at 2 words randomly from a book.) are SUPER TALENTED & NICE GUYS! They are 'GOOD PEEPS'. They put on on heck of a show in the Four Hands Home Lounge this morning. I highly suggest getting Grafitti6's new album 'Colours' and keep an eye out for them. They are starting a headlining tour in June. Jamie and the crew are definitely dudes on the rise! THEY ROCK!
Click here to check out Graffiti6 in action in the Four Hands Home Lounge!
BTW: Gotta give a SHOUT OUT to their tour manager 'DIXIE' who keeps the wheels turning, literally too! They were catching a flight to Phoenix for a show, and Dixie was taking the van on the road to meet up with them! He gave a thumbs up to Rudy's, for the Breakfast Taco fuel to keep the ride going.
...Or he's definitely headed towards adulthood. John Mayer's chat with Ellen after 2 years out of the spot light. He talks about what he thought of himself 2 years ago. How he feels now. Also Why Montana? His new album Born & Raised available everywhere Tuesday May 22.
A recent survey asked folks what store bought cookie is their favorite? The #1 cookie was Oreos! Click here for the top 8, which are all very yummy! This popped in my head, so I thought I would share.
Everybody...'C is for cookie that's good enough for me!' C-Monster ROCKS!
I got my niece Kaiti's high school graduation invite/photo this past weekend. Over Memorial Day weekend, I'll be in Omaha, NE cheering her on as she gets ready for her next big 'Life Adventure'. I'm a VERY PROUD aunt!!! She's an honor roll plus student, who is also a very talented dancer, and has been dancing since she was around 4 years old. She hasn't let anything stop her from her plans and goals, not even having to deal with (Juvenile) Rheumatoid Arthritis. She plans to pursue a performing arts degree in college. I believe the college of choice is Creighton in Omaha, NE! (Blue Jay)...
Her mom Nici surprised her with this in the year book! Tissue time! How cool is this?!!!
Simon Cowell will be here for a live taping of the X Factor Season 2 @ The Frank Erwin Center on May 24th & 25th! Audience tickets are free! Click here for more 411!
Click here for a Simon flashback with the JB & Sandy Morning Show!
Looks like the judges are Simon, L.A Reid, Britney Spears & Demi Lovato! Host not confirmed yet, but Stacy Kiebler (former wrestler/ George Clooney's most recent date).
The official twitter photo from Britney:
X Factor season 2 is looking at a mid 2013 season kickoff!
7-11 is debuting the 'Surplee LIte Sugar-free Mango' in June! It's made with Splenda, and has 20 calories per 8 ounce serving. On May 23rd, '7-11 SlurpFree Day', this flavor will be available to try for FREE! Other flavors like their popular Wild Cherry (64 calories per 8 ounce serving), Strawberry Banana and more are expect sugar-free for this 2012 Summer! I'm figuring it will still burn if you laugh while drinking it and it comes out your nose. I suggest you try not to do that. Experience has taught me that rough lesson. :)
7-Eleven will offer free7.11-ounce Slurpees on "SlurpFree Day" May 23. Lite Mango (and other flavors) will be available, but not two sugar-free flavors due this summer: strawberry banana and cherry limeade.
It's been 4 years since Alanis Morissette released some new earcandy. Her eight album "Havoc and Bright Lights' comes out August 28th! The first single is 'Guardian'. Click here for the lyrics and some 411 about it! Alanis wrote and recorded this album shortly after giving birth to her son Ever. It's got a bit of rock'n Jagged Little Pill flavor, but has an uplifting at peace feel!
I don't know if Alanis plans to ban Mother's Day, but she does have a tune on the 'Every Mother Counts' CD where proceeds help women around the world to get the medical attention they need so they don't die during childbirth. It can be purchased here!
Married to Mario "MC Souleye" Treadway since May 2010, Morissette welcomed her first son, Ever Imre Morissette-Treadway, in December 2010.
The Canadian singer-songwriter, 36, and husband Mario 'Souleye' Treadwaywelcomed Ever on Christmas Day. Days after his birth, she Tweeted that she was "moved beyond words and so grateful" and "so in love with my new nuclear family."
The Japanese company 'Triumph' has created the ' Ice Bra'. They coame up with the idea in reaction to the need to conserve energy during hot Japanese summers. So 'Ice Bra' keeps you cool and is Mama Earth friendly, double bonus!
The 'Ice Bra' contains built in ice packs, and also has a miniature fan to help with the cooling process. The look seems to have been inspired by a fish tank. Would you wear this?
I ran across this and thought I would pass it along. My mama Betty passed away 10 years ago, so I know the feeling of not having a mom for my maturing adult life. I couldn't imagine not having her while I was growing up from a baby, little girl to a woman. I can see the meaning behind this campaign. But does Mother's Day need to be boycotted? That's a personal decision that only you can answer.
"No Mothers Day" campaign is aiming to raise awareness of the issue of maternal mortality and help folks understand just how devastating the loss of a mother can be—especially to the families of the nearly 360,000 women who die each year globally due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Of those, 90 percent of the deaths are preventable. Turlington Burns' Every Mother Counts, a maternal health advocacy and mobilization campaign founded in 2010, is sponsoring "No Mothers Day."
McDonalds whipped out the McD banana bread, and when you hear that you think HEALTHY? Right? Wrong!!! I was shocked to see how many FAT GRAMS McD's banana bread had. Although some folks had other worries like the bread falling on them while they were driving by! It was suppose to be this way. Click the photo for more!
Yes, I stole the 'Gooseys' from J-Lo! She's gotten them a lot on American Idol, which I have to admit, what I've seen this season for season 11 AI, hasn't given me much of anything. I'm not sold that they have the 'Best Talent' this season. I think 'The Voice' 2nd season talent has far surpassed A.I contestants. But last night, I actually got the 'Gooseys' and my eyes teared up when Chris Mann put his all into 'You Raised Me Up' from Josh Grobin. My honey Ted even got misty eyed, and that rarely happens, especially this season for both shows. Even if Chris doesn't win 'The Voice' tonight for Team Christina, he for sure had a moment with Josh Groban's 'You Raise Me Up'..
The Voice is on NBC tonight at 8pm, with Fashion Star(another new fav of mine) coming on before, rather than after like the past weeks, at 7pm!
The District of Columbia and 16 other states are on this list: 1.) Alaska
2.) Arizona
3.) California
4) Colorado
5.) Delaware
6.) Hawaii
7.) Maine
8.) Michigan
9.) Montana
10.) Nevada
11.) New Jersey
12.) New Mexico
13.) Oregon
14.) Rhode Island
15.) Vermont
16.) Washington
Pretty soon, Connecticut will be added to this list making it 17 states plus D.C, that has legalized the use of medical marijuana? Do you think Texas should be on this list?
VIOLENT, CONTROLLING, NAME CALLING, JEALOUS, DEMEANING....There are lot's of things 'LOVE IS NOT'.
So what is LOVE? LOVE IS RESPECT!!! LOVE IS DIGNITY!!!
These things help make a 'Healthy Relationship'. Unfortunatlely, there are many people in relationships that are far from healthy, and do not have RESPECT. When this happens, abuse emotionally, physically and even sexually tend to pop up in relationships. Without help or place to turn to break the abusive cycle, it will continue until it runs it's course. Many times it ends up tragic. Recently, I dropped by the National Dating Abuse Helpline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline call centers.
The National Dating Abuse Helpline:
Here's the 411 that you should pass around to everyone you know, so they can use, or share it with others who need to talk with someone. They just started texting which has become extremely popular with The Helpline users. They feel it's a great way to get help and have privacy.
It's headquarters in ATX, is a 24 hr 'HELPLINE' for teens and young adults who are dating/in a relationship, and need someone to talk too about their relationship. It can be anything from getting called names, jealousy about spending time with others, and just not respecting them. The Helpline has well trained peer advocates who help those who contact them through the process of understanding what a healthy relationship is, and what resources they can turn too. I had the pleasure of chatting with Brian Pinero, and several 'HELPLINE ADVOCATES' - Catherine, Doan, Amitiss, Meredith.... finding out what made them want to spend time at the call center. Of course, they each had a bit different answer on how they got there, but the end result is the same. They want to help their peers understand what a healthy relationship is, realize they deserve respect, and try to break a cycle that could go down a much darker path towards future abuse.
This video gives you a better idea first hand how The Helpline is run, and what a FANTABULOUS SERVICE they do for the community and Nationwide!! Makes me PROUD I live in ATX!
The Helpline is a great source to access information and support to try to stop abuse at a young age, especially when it's first brewing within an abuser. But unfortunately, there are many relationships, that go way beyond that, and people find themselves in a situation and environment that is EXTREMELY UNSAFE for them. They feel stuck , trapped and in what they feel is a 'HOPELESS SITUATION' they can't seem to get out of. But they can get to safety and get the help and resources they need with...
The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
Here's the 411 for The Hotline. Share it with everyone you know, and the sharing cycle can keep going, so those who may need it, have it! It's a number that SAVES LIVES!!
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It's right here in ATX and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here's the short version from their website of the services they supply. The Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 170 languages through interpreter services.
The Hotline advocates are adults who go through a mass amount of training to be prepared to provide the help and services The Hotline requires. President Katie Ray-Jones is such an incredible leader. She truly cares about the help The Hotline provides, and getting to as many calls as they can to help victims and SAVE LIVES. But what I found amazing, that same care goes for the advocates. The Hotline's policy is to make sure their wellness is being taken care of too! It's been named one of the 'Best Places to Work in ATX', and I saw first hand why that is.
I had the honor of sitting in on a call that a Hotline advocate Rose Mary took. She started on the The Helpline and as she got older went to train for The Hotline. She has been with The Hotline for 5 years. I can't say much about the call, because it's confidential. But I can say that Rose Mary handled the situation, where an abuser was coming back home to the one that was being abused, with great care, compassion, attention to detail and respect. The information they needed to try to find a safe way out, they weren't finding from their state's resources. Rose Mary at The Hotline was able to get this person to the right contact in their state, so they could be safe. My eyes were tearing up throughout the entire call. It made me realize that things I think make a bad day for me, are nothing close to what many others go through during a day. I couldn't imagine being in a situation where you are afraid for your life each and everyday by someone who is suppose to LOVE YOU, which isn't Love at all.
Check out this video that will give you a better understanding of the AMAZING SERVICE Katie and THE HOTLINE crew do each day.
Check out this photo:
A few of the numbers breakdown:
#517- The total number of calls 'The Hotline' had gotten that day so far.
#35 the total calls for The Helpline . The Helpline had a big amount of texts that day, which don't show on this board.
#72 is the number of calls with The Hotline that hung up because there wasn't an advocate available at the time to get to the call!
The Helpline's #15 were that many calls they weren't able to get too. Again, The Helpline does most of their communication through online chats and texts! Those numbers are not on this board. President Katie said these 2 numbers need to be '0', but that can only happen when both The Hotline and The Helpline have more funding to be able to bring in more people to help others.
All donations are greatly appreciated and will help SAVE LIVES!! Another thing I discovered when I was taking the tour, the building The Hotline and The Helpline are renting has a lot of structural issues. They are also outgrowing the space for the amount of people they have, and need in the future, to help so many others who are unfortunately in abusive situations. Your donations will be put to BIG TIME use!!
Donations for 'The Hotline'- National Domestic Violence Hotline SUPPORT
Donations for loveisrespect.org/ National Dating Abuse Helpline! SUPPORT
I want to thank Susan, Katie, Brian and the Helpline and The Hotline crews for welcoming me with open arms and giving me an eye opening tour of what happens on a daily basis. I have had the pleasure the past 3 years to be a part of 'A Day To Shine' to help raise money and awareness for the 'National Dating Abuse Helpline', which I am honored. But I truly know the need for funds and volunteers for both seeing the action first hand! No words can express the THANKS and GRATITUDE I have for both of these services. THEY ROCK! Austin, if you can do anything to help... PLEASE DO! YOU WILL BE SAVING LIVES!!
You're at one of the many ATX festivals, and you don't want to bring a bag, and you have no pockets that your phone will fit in. Here's a solution created by 2 college juniors. You can be hands free with your phone, ID, Key in place and out of site! Check out the 'JOEY BRA'! Click here to find out about it and maybe get one for yourself.
The word came out a bit ago that designer Christian Louboutin will be creating a glass slipper in honor of an anniversary dvd release of Cinderella. I wouldn't think they would make it on his most dangerous shoes list, but we'll have to see.
Check out some of the shoes CL has made in his 20 plus years of shoe creations. Would you wear any of these?
What's BT? (Blackberry Thumb) The "pain after texting"phenomenon is already known in adults, where it was known as "Blackberry thumb" because it often developed after using that smartphone's tiny keyboard.But according to a study presented at the 2011 annual congress of the European League Against Rheumatism, kids are also experiencing significant joint pain in their wrists and fingers caused by frequent texting on cell phones and playing video games on devices like Xbox and Gameboy. In this survey of 257 children ages 9 to 15 years, girls who used mobile phones reported twice as much pain compared with boys; the girls also sent an average of 50 text messages per day.
Here are some tips to try and avoid 'BT' and getting worse problems.
How to Avoid Stress Injuries and Arthritis
The best way to prevent osteoarthritis joint pain or repetitive stress injury is to avoid it. For adults, that may mean making some lifestyle changes; for parents, it may mean setting some limits.
Here's how:
Limit texting to short messages. "For a long message or a conversation, a phone call is actually a lot easier," advises Nanavati.
Always use good posture, no matter what the activity.
Take frequent breaks from gaming or texting. "The best advice is to break up texting or gaming into shorter sessions," Nanavati says.
During those breaks, walk around, stretch, and shake out your wrists.
Avoid tension in your neck and shoulders.
Avoid keeping your wrists in a bent position for long periods of time.
MTV Movie Awards on June 3rd! The Hunger Games & Bridesmaids got the most Big Love w/ 8 nominations. This year the nominees were determined by a panel of actors and other industry peeps, but the winners will be determined by the PUBLIC! VOTING IS OPEN NOW! 6 new categories have been added which include 'Best On-Screen Dirtbag'!! I think the Oscars would be so much more interesting if they 'Addes a bit of spicey categories like these. :) Click here for the list! Sunday June 3rd starting at 8p CT!
Sunday June 10th:
66th Annual Tony Awards hosted by, 3 timer in a row, Neil Patrick Harris . The list of nominees are out with 'Once' getting the most love at 11 nominations, with 'Porgy & Bess' and 'Nice Work If You Can Get It' both getting10 nominations.Click here for the list! Sunday June 10th @ 7p CT on CBS.
Simon Cowell will be here for a live taping of the X Factor Season 2 @ The Frank Erwin Center on May 24th & 25th! Audience tickets are free! 
President Katie Ray-Jones is such an incredible leader. She truly cares about the help The Hotline provides, and getting to as many calls as they can to help victims and SAVE LIVES. But what I found amazing, that same care goes for the advocates. The Hotline's policy is to make sure their wellness is being taken care of too! It's been named one of the 'Best Places to Work in ATX', and I saw first hand why that is. 
