Friday, December 31, 2010

Gary Shirley Told Girlfriend to Cover Up ‘Teen Mom’ Amber Hitting Him Again

See that face? That’s why you always wear a condom. Even if you’re married.

Earlier in the month it was reported that Teen Mom Amber Portwood decided it’d be a smart idea to assault Gary Shirley again while she’s currently facing felony charges for beating him in front of an entire MTV audience and more importantly their infant daughter. Turns out the incident really did happen because TMZ has obtained audio of Gary telling his girlfriend Ashley to lie about the incident. Also, we can assume she took that as “Sell me talking to you right now to TMZ” because that’s entirely what just happened:

Gary ShirleyThe audio — recorded Dec. 15 — captures “Teen Mom” co-star Gary on the phone with a girlfriend named Ashley. He’s telling her how to stonewall reporters who got wind of a Dec. 14 incident where Amber allegedly beat him again.
Gary advises Ashley to tell reporters, “No comment, no comment, no comment …” adding, “every time they leave you alone.”
During the call, Gary admits, Amber “f**king hit me.” You also hear Gary whisper to a friend in the room that Ashley didn’t actually see Amber hit him — she was outside waiting in a car.
In return for Ashley’s silence … Gary makes this gallant offer to her — “Maybe one day we can start a family.”

You gotta love the balls on this guy. Not only is he an epic fatass ensnared in the most publicized Jerry Springer-esque custody battle of the month, but he basically promises to knock another chick up if she looks the other way while his ex beats the shit out of him. I don’t know how you resist that. If I had a vagina right now, I could wring it out and fill up a mop bucket. That’s how seductive that offer is.

BEST OF 2010 : Lady GaGa’s Missing Penis !

Lady GagaDuring simpler, more innocent times, there existed a rumor that Lady GaGa was born a hermaphrodite and therefore had both male and female genitalia. Cut to the 2010 Brit Awards where her stage outfit revealed almost entirely hatchet wound and not a single trace of man-wiener. None of you believed your eyes, so you clicked these photos millions of times in what I can only assume was a frantic effort to make a penis appear. “Honey, just leave dinner on the stove. I’m not sleeping until I find that cock.

Chris Brown Doesn’t Like People Mentioning That Time He Banged a Dude

Last week Chris Brown posted to Twitter his diploma for passing a court-ordered anger management course to silence the “haters,” and show he’s a man who’s clearly learned from his mistakes. Cut to last night where he flew off the handle on Twitter when Raz B of the boy band B2K decided to make a comment about Chris Brown disrespecting Rihanna, and also one about his secret gay lover – more on that later. As some background, Raz B was molested by his manager which apparently Chris Brown was aware of and applied his new sensitivity to the situation:

Chris Brown Twitter Fight- @razb2k nigga you want attention! Grow up nigga!!! Dick in da booty ass lil boy
- Tell me this @razb2k!! Why when the money was coming in u won’t complaining about getting butplugged! #homothug!!!
- @razb2k… you didn’t get raped??? so that means you liked it… #EPICFAIL
- I ain’t deleting my tweet either!! I was minding my damn business and Peter pan decides to pop off!!! #whatalame
- I’m not mad though!!! I’m just not silent nor am i one of these scary R&B cats!!
- I’m not homophobic! He’s just disrespectful!!!
- @razb2k when I need tips on how to demolish my career I’ll call ya!!!!!
- @razb2k it’s funny how I’m nominated for 3 grAmmys off of a mixtape and ur scrambling for change!!
- @razb2k ur a x backup singer!!!!! What do u make? Like $1.99 an hour
- @razb2k when you fart it whistle #walnutbandit
- This argument lasted longer than your career @razb2k

Chris Brown has since deleted some of these, but fortunately I took some screencaps last night because I have no life. In the meantime, he posted the following message and wants to let his gay fans know he’s not a homophobe:

BTW… i love all my gay fans and this immature act is not targeted at you!!!! love

Of course, that’s hilarious because let’s get into what really pissed Chris Brown off: The dude he used to have sex with. Apparently back in September, H8TERADE BLOG reported that former friend/back-up dancer Andre Merritt came forward and revealed that not only did him and Chris Brown have sex – just to get off, nothing romantic – but he was the one who texted Chris the night he beat Rihanna into a car door. If this is all true, that would mean Rihanna not only knows Chris Brown bang dudes, she ain’t no snitch even after getting her face beat in. So God willing, someone will smack some sense into her. — Poor choice of words. Anyway, here’s a video Andre posted to YouTube, so I’ll let you guys decide if this is true or the bullshit ramblings of a “walnut bandit,” which I’m now going to call everyone I meet. All this time I was using “pecan hooligan.”


(Thanks to Ryan who always knew the Planters Peanut Guy was a little too.. “dapper.”)

Obama Team's Dysfunction Prompted Lack Of Focus On Jobs; Bill Clinton Annoyed At White House !

Book Review TheSome revelations about the Obama administration detailed in the new epilogue to the upcoming paperback release of Jonathan Alter's bestseller, "The Promise," probably won't please too many folks at the White House. Alter claims that a dysfunctional relationship between top White House aides hurt the administration's policy on job creation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was almost dropped from financial reform legislation and was only reinstated after complaints by Elizabeth Warren, and Bill Clinton continually grumbles about being disrespected by the administration.

The Obama administration's perceived failure to take laser-like aim at the unemployment crisis was partly due to the dysfunctional relationship between White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, top economic adviser Larry Summers and senior adviser David Axelrod, specifically the intransigence of Summers, according to Alter:

Tough media coverage continued to annoy the administration. When the New York Times reported in August that BP was rising to the challenge of cleaning up the oil spill but hardly noted the administration's role, Obama snapped, "I'm getting pounded for not pushing BP hard enough and now they turn around and say BP did an acceptable job in spite of Obama. We can't win."

Alter details Obama's poisonous relationship with Congressional Republican leaders John Boehner and Mitch McConnell -- though the president talked to John McCain in spite of his 2008 rival's anti-Obama rhetoric, he refused for months to meet one-on-one with McConnell, because he thought it was unfair to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. After a frustrating mid-summer meeting with Republican leadership at the White House, Obama expressed his annoyance at Boehner's insistence on extending tax cuts for the wealthy despite the budget deficit.

The president told friends: "All I want for Christmas is an opposition I can negotiate with."

The White House has not yet responded to a late-afternoon request for comment.

Stanford ends UConn women's winning streak at 90 !

Jeanette Pohlen scores a career-high 31 points to lead the Cardinal to a 71-59 victory over the Huskies.

PALO ALTO -- Top-ranked Connecticut's record 90-game winning streak is over.

The Huskies never led and were beaten by No. 9 Stanford, 71-59, on Thursday night, ending a remarkable run that drew national attention and acclaim to women's basketball.

Stanford was the last school to beat Coach Geno Auriemma's team, in the 2008 NCAA semifinals.

Jeanette Pohlen hit five 3-pointers on the way to a career-high 31 points and the Cardinal (9-2) had the Huskies' number at last -- a huge number at that. Stanford won its 52nd straight at Maples Pavilion in a rematch of last season's NCAA title game won 53-47 by two-time defending national champion UConn.

Last week, the Huskies (12-1) topped the 88-game winning streak set by John Wooden's UCLA men's team from 1971-74 by beating No. 22 Florida State 93-62, then won their 90th in a row this week at Pacific.

Huskies star Maya Moore was held to 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting. UConn hadn't lost since an 82-73 defeat to Stanford on April 6, 2008, in the Final Four at Tampa, Fla.

Pohlen sealed it with six free throws in the final 42.5 seconds. She shot 8-for-15 overall and had nine rebounds and six assists. Nnemkadi Ogwumike added 12 points and six rebounds and Kayla Pedersen 11 rebounds for an inspired Stanford squad that held a 43-36 advantage on the boards.

Jeanette Pohlen, Bria HartleyMoore's 3-pointer with 10:50 left cut Stanford's lead to 48-44, then Pedersen answered moments later on the other end. Moore tried to will her team back late, scoring eight straight during one stretch. But she missed the front end of a one-and-one off the rim with 1:42 left that could have made it a four-point game.

Kelly Faris scored 19 points and Bria Hartley 14 for the Huskies, who never found their usual dominant form while playing in front of a raucous sellout crowd of 7,329-plus for this highly anticipated, nationally televised showdown between the top programs from either coast.

UConn was headed home from the Bay Area on what certainly would be an extra-long redeye flight out of San Francisco. The team just beat the big East Coast blizzard to get here, leaving at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. UConn played at Maples for the first time since Dec. 28, 1993, and Stanford has won all three meetings in the rivalry on its home floor.

For the Cardinal, this was a long time coming. Coach Tara VanDerveer, who joined the elite 800-win club last week, thought about that championship loss for months and felt her team missed a big opportunity, saying it fueled her to be a better coach and did the same for her players. Stanford hasn't won it all since 1992 despite making the last three Final Fours.

Stanford led at halftime for the third straight time facing UConn, having blown a 20-12 edge at the break in the title game last April.

Moore missed her initial four shots and didn't score her first points until knocking down a 3 at with 3:14 left in the opening half. The two-time national player of the year came in averaging 24.8 points and received a rousing ovation from the Stanford crowd when starting lineups were introduced, though Auriemma was booed.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Joe Webb Becomes The Star Of Tuesday Night Football !

I feel like the NFL might have fallen into something by pushing back the Vikings-Eagles game to tonight. It brings up the question of why the league does not play more Tuesday night games.

PhotoI know it gives the teams a short week coming up. The thing is the league already schedules Thursday games. A team playing on Thursday has three days of rest if it played on the previous Sunday. A team playing on Tuesday has four days of rest to the next Sunday.

I also think there is demand. People like football. That is why you can see small conference college football games regularly on ESPN during weeknights of the college football season. I don't think NFL fans would complain about another primetime game.

It would give the league another package of games to sell to a television network. The league could also just keep the games on NFL Network. Another slate of games would give the league more leverage in negotiating with cable and satellite providers on the network's behalf.

I think the blizzard in Philadelphia this week might lead to more Tuesday games. There are plenty of reasons to believe the NFL might explore this further. What do you think?

Adam Sandler is latest death hoax victim !

Actor Adam Sandler is the latest celebrity victim of a death hoax. This rumor reported by the global associated news reported that supposedly Sandler was killed in a snowboarding accident while at a ski resort in Zermatt, Switzerland. They reported that this…
“Sandler lost control of his snowboard and struck a tree at a high rate of speed… Sandler was air lifted by ski patrol teams to a local hospital; however, it is believed that the actor died instantly from the impact of the crash.”

So does this sound familiar at all? Well the global associated news reported that same exact thing on Charlie Sheen yesterday. The only difference is replacing Sheen’s name for Sandler’s. A rep for Sandler says,

“It’s completely not true and such irresponsible journalism.”

This death hoax has once again caused a stir on twitter.com, the terms “adam sandler dies,” “adam sandler dead”, “adam sandler died,” “adam sandler death”, “adam sandler died 2010” are have been all been at one time or another on the trending topics list on twitter.com from tweeters trying to figure out if this hoax was real.

“I think there is something wrong with that global associated news”, says Kathy of Cleveland. “poor journalism or sick prankers.

Reese Witherspoon, Jim Toth ENGAGED !

ReesewitherspoonReese Witherspoon and Jim Toth are engaged to be married, their representative confirmed to Us Weekly.
The pair began dating in January after Witherspoon broke up with Jake Gyllenhaal. Toth, 40, is an agent at Creative Arts Agency, where Witherspoon is a client, though not his.

Witherspoon was married to actor Ryan Phillippe for seven years -- they divorced in 2008 -- and the pair have two children: daughter Ava, 11, and son Deacon, 7.

Witherspoon opened up about the divorce to Entertainment Weekly earlier this month, saying:

"It definitely sometimes feels like a suit that I wish I could zip off. But I don't feel bad about any of the things I've gone through, whether it's divorce or breakups or anything like that, because that's all part of the life journey, and I have those experiences just like anyone else. And I think it deepens what you tap into creatively."

Monday, December 27, 2010

The Huffington Post reported this afternoon that Phillip Greaves. Pedophile’s Guide Author Appeared in Florida Court Today !

The Huffington Post reported this afternoon that Phillip Greaves, author of The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure, is being charged with violating Florida’s obscenity law, “a third-degree felony that could land him in prison for five years.”

51JNUPSxbJL. SS500  300x300 Pedophiles Guide Author Appeared in Florida Court TodayJohn noted on Monday that Polk County, Florida officials had arrested Greaves in his Pueblo, CO home. He wrote, “Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said that his officers were able to arrest the author on obscenity charges because Greaves had sold and mailed his book to them in Florida,” adding, “He was kind enough to sign it for them.”

Greaves has been assigned a court-appointed public defender, Francis Solorzano, who asked Judge John Kirkland to drop the case. Solorzano stressed that “There are no images in the book,” arguing that “Any finding of probable cause would tend to have a chilling effect on free speech.” Kirland told Solorzano “the judge who signed the arrest warrant had already found probable cause and he could not override that decision,” according to HuffPo.

Judd, who was “incensed when he heard about the book” recounts that it includes “first-person descriptions of sexual encounters, purportedly written from a child’s point of view.” I hope Greaves didn’t autograph Judd’s copy in crayon.

Sound of Music Cast Reunites at Oprah Winfrey Show !

“Do, a deer, a female deer,” who would forget that song from the Sound of Music which is a highly accalimed Broadway musical and then musical movie decades ago. The Sound of Music Cast reuinited at the Oprah Winfrey show, October 2010 and reminisce the old memories they have together as part of the musical show.

Ophah Winfrey Show’s feature on the reunion of The Sound of Music Cast was done in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the film. The original episode was aired October but it was re-aired as part of the favorite episode of Oprah’s final season. When we heard about the word final, we do hope that it will not be since many really loved this show but that is another story.

Among those who are present in the Sound of Music cast reunion was Christopher Plummer. Plummer had never been into any reunion but he did come during the Oprah reunion episode and talked about the 1965 Sound of Music film. He also gave some rare glimpse on never before shown and known facts about some of the behind-the-scenes from the movie.

Julie Andrews, which plays the main character in the Sound of Music talked about what happened to her vocal chords and how she undergone surgery. She also talked about her passioon for writing and the recent demise of her husband, Blake Edwards.



Among The Sound of Music cast that were present during the Oprah Winfrey show episode were Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, along with fellow cast members Charmian Carr (Liesl), Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich), Heather Menzies-Urich (Louisa), Duane Chase (Kurt), Angela Cartwright (Brigitta), Debbie Turner (Marta) and Kym Karath (Gretl). Robert Wise was the director of The Sound of Music film which was released in 1965 and stars Andrews and Plummer. The sory is based on the Rodgers & Hammerstein Broadway musical and which won the Oscar for Best Picture.

The original version of the Sound of Music was a Broadway musical which premiered in 1959. This stage version won six Tony Awards including Best Musical. Those who want to watch and take a glimpse back at this great musical can get the restored Blu-ray/DVD, soundtrack and Limited Edition Gift Box sets of “The Sound of Music” at various stores bationwide.


Huge number of Indian youth remain unemployable !

Rapid economic growth in the country is expected to generate 10-15 million jobs by next year but lack of suitable skilled candidates poses a major threat, a leading industry lobby said Sunday.

'Approximately 10 to 15 million jobs are expected to be created by next year, in which 75 percent will require vocational training. If not addressed properly it can lead to a slowdown in the country's economic growth,' said a report by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).

According to the report, the principal reason behind India's growth is its youth force, the largest in the world. However, millions of young Indians are jobless because they do not receive proper vocational training.

'The huge numbers of Indian youth are not only unemployed but unemployable, whereas large numbers of white collar jobs are waiting for suitable candidates,' the report said.

It further said that though 90 percent of jobs in sectors like information technology (IT) and IT Enabled Services (ITES), biotechnology and the services sector are skill-based and require training, only six percent of the total workforce receive such training.

The report also predicted that 2011 will be a boom year for the IT & ITES sector, accompanied by a corresponding rise in salaries.

'The year 2011 is likely to be a boom for skilled workers in IT & ITES, biotechnology and services sectors. As against the 15 percent hike in salaries in 2010, it is expected to be registering 30 to 40 percent growth,' Assocham secretary general D.S. Rawat said.

Currently, IT and ITES industry alone provides direct employment to about 2.23 million people and indirect employment to a further eight million.

The report added that this sector in particular will experience a shortage of skilled manpower.

'The employers are trying to catch the highly skilled manpower and the salaries are going through the roof. It is expected that the salaries in this sector will be growing at a par of 30-40 percent during the year 2011,' the Assocham report added.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gaga’s Greatest Fashions !

The kids and I decorated gingerbread men today. We used Martha Stewart’s Gingerbread Snowflake recipe, which cooks up firm and peppery & perfectly delicious. There was music on the radio. The family gathered round. For all intents and purposes, it was a typical family Christmas activity. At least, it was until we decided that our plain-old gingerbread men needed a bit of boom-boom . Traditional looking gingerbread girls wouldn’t do, either. After all, we had bacon in the fridge and ‘Bad Romance’ blaring from the speakers while 8-year-old, Jacob, pop-and- locked some rock-awesome moves on the linoleum. Straight up.

GAGA Topper 241x300 Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gagas Greatest Fashions So, we gave our dang cookies some serious style. Those gingerbread people turned into gingerbread ladies–Gingerbread Lady Gaga’s–that is, each one inspired by some of Gaga’s most memorable looks throughout the years. Which, I happen to think makes them freaky adorable. I’ve been keeping an eye out for paparrazzi. We wouldn’t, after all, want them to chase down our gingerbread gals. As it turns out, we’re already k-kinda busy (eating them up.)

Can you match each of these classic Gaga candy outfits with their real-live fashions?

GAGA Silicone 260x300 Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gagas Greatest Fashions

A little frosting, a fruit roll-up wrapper, teensy white sprinkles, and a no-latex allergy, please.

GAGA Blue 271x300 Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gagas Greatest Fashions

Icing, blue Airheads, Hershey’s Kisses, very roomy hip area.

GAGA Bubble 279x300 Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gagas Greatest Fashions

Icing, white licorice buttons, white wedding mints, Champagne bubble candy, one bubbly personality.

GAGA Bubble 279x300 Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gagas Greatest Fashions GAGA Glasses 258x300 Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gagas Greatest Fashions

Icing, black licorice buttons, white champagne bubble candy, hairy hair bow.

GAGA Kermit 258x300 Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gagas Greatest Fashions

Icing, Haribo gummy frogs, Muppet love.

GAGA Diana 252x300 Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gagas Greatest Fashions

Icing, red fruit roll-up, crushed Jolly Rancher candies, red licorice nibs, one tribute to Princess Diana.

GAGA Meat Dress 284x300 Lady Gaga Gingerbread Gals: Cookies Inspired by Gagas Greatest Fashions

Bacon, icing, string, sprinkles & sparkling sugar. How does Lady Gaga like her meat?

A Bitter Sweet Christmas Story !

Chances are you'll be watching 'A Christmas Story' at least once over the next few days. Ever since TBS started airing 24 hours of the film beginning Christmas Eve through Christmas Day, it's become a tradition in many households to keep their televisions tuned in to Ralphie's X-mas-related trials and tribulations for hours upon hours on end.

As such, there's a good chance a few questions may pop up while the film is playing in the background, attempting to drown out Uncle Eddie's post-Christmas dinner snoring. We'll be taking the next couple of days to answer some of those questions for you, this way when your little cousin Bobby turns and asks whether you can really shoot your eye out with a BB gun, you'll be waiting with a smile and the correct answer.


'A Christmas Story' Myths: Can You Really Shoot Your Eye Out with a BB Gun?

Short Answer: No ... and Yes

Longer Answer: All Ralphie wants for Christmas is an official Red Ryder Carbon Action 200 shot range model air rifle, except all the adults around him think it's ridiculous because, well, he'll shoot his eye out. But is it really possible to shoot your eye out with a BB gun?

That depends. It'd be very hard for a person to shoot themselves in the face with a BB gun to begin with since, like in A Christmas Story, the BB would have to ricochet off something in order to actually reach the face. If that's the case, then there probably wouldn't be enough force to literally pop someone's eyeball out, but it could do some serious damage to the eye depending on where it hits. Another way to injure the eye would be for the force of the gun when its shot to push its butt back into a person's eye. That may cause enough damage to leave a person with a swollen black eye, but it won't knock the eye out.



The real danger here is for the innocent person standing next to or near the girl or boy with a BB gun, since in an unfortunate freak accident, it's possible for that person to be shot in the face. Depending on where the person is shot and whether or not it's at really close range, then, yes, there's a chance you may be able to literally pop someone's eye out with a BB gun. A brief search online brings up several personal stories from people who know someone or have heard of someone losing one or both eyes after being shot in the face with a gun, though most people who've been shot in the face with a BB gun have received a number of stitches and had temporarily lost their sight, but not their eyeballs.



However, if we're to take the saying "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" to mean the same as shooting out the lights, then, yes, definitely, a BB pellet to the eye can injure you to the point where you may lose the ability to see out of that eye, at the very least temporarily.

Fact of the matter is, guns (of any kind) are dangerous, and any child with a gun should be properly supervised by an adult so as to prevent any unfortunate accidents.

Sorry kids, but you'll shoot your eye out.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town !

Santa is making his way to our area. He will be visiting the houses of all the girls and boys tonight.

But how do you know when? Well we can help you with that. But remember you have to be asleep for Santa to come.

The military actually helps us track Santa's flight all across the world. NORAD is a joint United States and Candian military organization responsible for the aerospace and maritime defense of the United States and Canada. But come Christmas time they are the offical trackers of Santa.

Here you can find out where Santa is right now and where he is headed next. Even the time he will be at your house. You can also learn about Santa and what kind of snacks you should leave him...and don't forget something for the reindeer.
KIMT Storm Team 3 is also keeping an eye on Santa so you will know exactly when he is headed our way.

Norad Santa Tracker: Track Santa Right Now


Want to know where Santa is? Of course you do! Do you want to track Santa right now? Well you are in luck. The most popular way to find out is to use the Norad Santa Tracker.


The NORAD (The North American Aerospace Defense Control) Tracker has been a holiday tradition since 1955. Kids of all ages can go online to noradtracker.org and locate Santa's path to see when and where he is delivering presents.


Have a merry Christmas and we hope that you get all the presents that you were hoping for this year from Santa.

To see where Santa is just click the link.
Merry Christmas!

Holiday Hours: Christmas Hours 2010

Walmart Christmas Holiday Hours 2010: What Time Does Walmart Close on Christmas Eve? - The giant store Walmart hours operations on Christmas eve and Christmas day are something that most of the active shoppers are trying to search and confirm now. They really want to know if they can still make their last minutes shopping specially on Christmas Day.
Apparently, some reports claimed that these giant retailers, which includes Walmart, Toy R Us, Target and Best Buy are closed during Christmas Day, December 2010 and soon be reopen in the morning of Saturday, December 26, 2010 as early as 6:00am.

Walmart, on the other hand already confirmed that their stores will be closed at 8:00 pm on Christmas eve. They also confirmed that they are close on the day of Christmas Day and be re-open on December 26, 2010.

This Christmas Eve, Walmart is having some of the best Christmas Eve deals on all of your favorite electronics, like the iPod, Wii, Xbox 360, PS3 or Sony/Samsung HDTV – whatever you need, Walmart has it at their Christmas Eve Sales event.

So with regards to Walmart opening and closing time on Christmas Season 2010, we therefore advise you to first check with the respective stores and then go out shopping upon confirmation of the store hours on Holidays Season.

Walmart Supercenter Store, 650 Centre Of New England Blvd, Coventry RI, Phone:(401) 823-7780
Walmart Supercenter Store, 258 Post Road, Westerly RI, Phone:(401) 322-0790
Walmart Store, 650 Bald Hill Rd, Warwick RI, Phone:(401) 821-1766

Go on and prepare your list of items to shop now and start planning what time you will go to these store and shop all items that you want. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Changed our World in 2010

1. Red shirts protest in Thailand

It began in March with peaceful protests by supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and ended two months later with 90 dead and more than 1,400 wounded, in a swath of violence spanning seven
provinces.
http://l.yimg.com/t/frontpage/world-stry-60-231210.jpg


The original movement hoped to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s strict parliamentary regime to call early elections.

The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, also known as the red shirts, seized upon the cause
and mobilized thousands to hit the streets, launching grenades and setting fire to banks, shopping malls
and the stock exchange.

In May, an all-out military assault beat back the protesters, in a horrific crackdown witnessed around the
world. Red shirt leaders soon surrendered and were jailed, ending a bizarre series of incidents that further polarized this usually peaceful “land of smiles.” The surprising coda is how quickly the country returned to calm and comparative normality.


2. China-Japan relations strained over Senkaku Islands

A major diplomatic dispute erupted after a September collision between a Chinese ship and a Japanese Coast Guard patrol boat near the Senkaku Islands.

Japanese sailors boarded the Chinese boat and detained the captain and crew for several days pending possible charges. China furiously demanded their release, and in retaliation took four Japanese construction workers hostage in China’s Hebei province. Allegedly, China also halted the export of crucial rare earth minerals to Japan.

A video of the collision was leaked to YouTube, appearing to show the Chinese trawler at fault. Angry protesters massed in major cities of both countries. After demands for an apology from both governments,
and meetings with both U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Tokyo
eventually capitulated to Beijing and released the crew without charges. China appeared to win a diplomatic victory.

The Senkaku Islands -- five uninhabited islets and three barren rocks -– are administered by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan, and have been disputed for centuries.

                                                                                                                                     Read More...

Welcome to the X-mas card factory !

The saying goes that money can't buy you class, or taste for that matter. These Christmas cards from celebrities definitely prove that. Did they give their stylists the entire month off? Apparently! Let's take a look at the questionable choices used to express holiday cheer...-
Ice skater Evan Lysacek's card is actually pretty predictable. The man doesn't really exists once you take the skates off. But maybe they could have made his satchel a bit smaller? It's massive. This just seems uncomfortable. Like he's either hiding something or disposing of a dead body or both.
Evan Lysacek

Bethenny Frankel and family also went with the skating theme to capitalize off of her appearance on Skating With The Stars. Grown women in outfits meant for 12-year-olds and grown men in tights are never all right...unless you are in fact, Evan Lysecek. I don't think the sequin bedecked dog has an Olympic medal. They're livin' on the edge!
Bethenny Frankel
This is not too bad. You expect Hef to be in his silk jammies with much more than one woman. Said woman does not have her boobs exposed, so bonus points for Playboy. But this is awkward in a way that only a woman's head seeming to pop out of your legendary crotch can be.

Hugh Hefner
Nadya Suleman and her small village. Nadya Suleman=Sad. Always. Each child will be receiving a photo plastered on TMZ for Christmas.

Nadya Suleman

Paris Hilton couldn't be bothered to leave the club to shoot an actual X-mas photo, so she just had a friend snap one in between dancing on the banquette and humming the tune "Stars Are Blind," under her breath, into her eighth Apple Pucker Martini.


Can you guess who this is? This is artistic license, otherwise known as Mariah Carey's card. My lack of celebrity knowledge kicked in on this and I spent about five minutes wondering and laughing over this image of her sitting on Obama's lap. Then I remembered she is married to Nick Cannon. Think whatever makes you smile, though. I still think this looks more like the President.

Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey

This is clearly old, but it's a classic. Guess what's in his box.

tees maar khan movie !

http://www.allaboutmoviz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Tees-Maar-Khan.jpgA public interest litigation (PIL) was filed before the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court Thursday alleging obscenity in Bollywood films “Dabangg” and “Tees Maar Khan”.

The petition sought the deletion of popular songs “Munni Badnaam Hui” from “Dabangg” and “Shiela ki Jawani” from “Tees Maar Khan”.

Filed by Nutan Thakur, wife of an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, the PIL seeks action against “Dabangg” producer Arbaz Khan and co-producers Malaika Arora Khan and Dhillin Mehta and also its director Abhinav Kashyap, besides “Tees Maar Khan” producers Twinkle Khanna, Ronnie Screwvala and director Farah Khan for violating various provisions of the Indian Cinematography Act of 1952.

The petition said both the movies have “several indecent, immoral and vulgar songs, dialogues and visual representations in total violation of sections 3(1), 4, 5(A), 5(C) and 5(E) of the Cinematography Act 1952″.

The petitioner urged the court to ask the Censor Board and ministry of information and broadcasting to issue directives to the filmmakers and TV channels, audio and video cassette companies etc. not to broadcast promos and songs of the films.

It is a Boy! See You in Court, Vasectomy Doctor !

To err is human, to forgive divine. That’s according to Alexander Pope, and definitely not according to a couple in Eugene, Ore., who are suing a doctor there for a botched vasectomy that resulted in the birth of their son.

The couple alleges that the doctor knew the man’s tubes were “thin and difficult to dissect,” and that complications were encountered during the surgery. The doctor, meanwhile, didn’t inform the couple of any problems, say the husband and wife. They are seeking $650,000 from the doctor and hospital board for part of the cost of the c-section to deliver the baby, plus the expense of rearing their child and his college tuition.

However, did the couple not sign any kind of waiver before the surgery acknowledging that 99.85 percent of vasectomies are successful, but .15 percent, or one to two women out of 1,000 will still get pregnant within the first year following their partner’s procedure?

The second thought that springs to my mind (after the poor, possibly unwanted child) is that maybe the parents’ religious beliefs prevented them from terminating the seemingly unwanted pregnancy. But someone with religious beliefs stronger than mine (who wasn’t hard to come by) said if the couple were that religious, they probably wouldn’t have undergone a vasectomy for birth control reasons in the first place.

By all means, sue for the botched procedure. But suing for the cost of raising your own child? Really? That smacks of mean (to me, anyway), and I weep for the boy’s future emotional health. Maybe he should retain a lawyer (and maybe his parents should hold onto the number of their own, just in case they go from plaintiffs to defendants in 18 years or so).

On that same note, I wonder if the $650,000 sum includes therapy for the kid who will know just how much his parents didn’t want him as soon as he asks them why he drives a Ferrari while his friends all take the bus.

Human Barbie Dolls Grace the Stage for League Event !

Each year a day is set aside for girls involved with the Palm Springs chapter of National Charity League to do something fun as a group. This year, a committee of 12 girls decided to honor the league's seniors by hosting a “Project Runway” — Senior Edition.

The girls were split up into nine teams with a senior in each group. Each team had 10 minutes at five separate stations to “dress up” their senior.


Items such as candy necklaces and bracelets, extravagant fake eyelashes, press-on nails and other products were at each station. The girls had to fashion a dress for the senior in their group but it had to be made of toilet paper. They also had to create a one-of-a-kind tiara to finish the event.

“Today is all about coming together for something fun and bonding,” said Susan Nelson, league vice president. “This whole event was completely the girls' idea. They wanted to do something for the seniors.”

Each senior and her team were judged in a variety of categories such as Craziest, Most Unique, Most Scandalous, Most Traditional, Best Team Effort and Drag-Queen Look-a-Like. Starbucks cards, Golden Spoon Yogurt gift cards, bracelets and other prizes donated by the girls' mothers were given to the winners.

“Doing stuff like this helps us to get to know the freshmen and other girls,” senior Zoe Smith said. “It is a fun way to come together for Ticktocker Day. Basically, we are human Barbie Dolls.”

Many of the girls said that they would like to participate in the event again next year, according to Nelson.

“We have about 32 girls here today, the best turnout we have had in a while,” Nelson said. “Last year we decorated gingerbread houses but the girls seem like they are having so much more fun at this event. This is something that I think we will do again.”

<b>Ruby Keys</b>, 17, of Palm Springs, wears long fake eyelashes, a candy ring and other accessories picked by teammates during the Palm Springs Chapter of the National Charity League's Ticktocker Day on Sunday at Katherine Finchy Elementary School in in Palm Springs.Ruby Keys, 17, of Palm Springs, wears long fake eyelashes, a candy ring and other accessories picked by teammates during the Palm Springs Chapter of the National Charity League's Ticktocker Day on Sunday at Katherine Finchy Elementary School in in Palm Springs.

<b>Vanessa Wilcox</b>, 17, of Palm Springs, sits as her makeup is done during Ticktocker Day on Sunday. About 30 young women in the chapter were put into teams and given a  senior  to dress up.   Teams capped off their makeovers by making dresses for each senior out of toilet paper.Ruby Keys, 17, of Palm Springs, wears long fake eyelashes, a candy ring and other accessories picked by teammates during the Palm Springs Chapter of the National Charity League's Ticktocker Day on Sunday at Katherine Finchy Elementary School in in Palm Springs.Savana Cummings, 14, of Palm Springs, (right) wraps toilet paper around senior Jenna Zschaechner, 17, also of Palm Springs, during Ticktocker Day on Sunday.

<b>Savana Cummings</b>, 14, of Palm Springs, (right) wraps toilet paper around senior <b>Jenna Zschaechner</b>, 17, also of Palm Springs, during Ticktocker Day on Sunday.Vanessa Wilcox, 17, of Palm Springs, sits as her makeup is done during Ticktocker Day on Sunday. About 30 young women in the chapter were put into teams and given a senior to dress up. Teams capped off their makeovers by making dresses for each senior out of toilet paper.

Google Logo "Google doodle celebrates" !

Google Corporate LogoGoogle Corporate Logo "Google doodle celebrates"
It's the holiday Google doodle that has replaced Google's corporate logo on its homepage today. Although less flashy in comparison to Google's bouncing balls doodle on the eve of Google Instant search's release, the current holiday Google doodle has taken a considerable amount of time to achieve.


Google Corporate Logo, For fashion screen appraiser

Google's chief doodler, Michael Lopez, and his team of five artists took a total of 250 hours spanning over five months to create the holiday Google doodle. Discussions of the holiday Google doodle started as far back as July, according to the Wall Street Journal.

netzens, 17 themed doodles have been unveiled by Google, celebrating the holiday.

“We call our special holiday logos, Google doodles”, said the VP of Search & User Experience at Google, Marissa Mayer on Google Sidewiki.

“The first Google doodle appeared on August 30, 1998. The new holiday Google Doodles are available on Google.com web page.

Google's Consumer Future

As it looks at its future, Google needs to realize it has a "user experience" problem and its simplicity—the elegant search box—isn't enough, especially as it starts to compete with rivals whose entire existence revolves around easy, consumer experiences. To me, user experience isn't about making things pretty and using pretty icons. Instead it's about making simple, beautiful, usable, and user-friendly interfaces.

No one can argue with Google's ability to engineer great software—it's done so in the past—but that simply isn't good enough in the new worlds it is trying to conquer. Televisions, phones, productivity applications, and even Google's own local pages are less about search and more about engagement: something not core to the company's corporate DNA. Here are three major challenges Google needs to surmount:

• Make software usable by tens of millions of people on a disparate array of products.

• Overcome its history of only using data to define its future.

• Figure out how to keep people in its playground, rather than helping people find the information they were looking for and sending them elsewhere: a radical new approach to business.

The delightful evil genius Megamind !

 

Hollywood supervillains have for been quirky yet cute and sinister yet adorable in many films like the Austin Powers series. So our super-zero protagonist here is not exceptionally different from the clan. And when you craft an evil genius for the purpose of amusement, you have to stuff him with idiosyncrasies and ensure he's pathetic at spelling doom and everything else. After all, if he gets his act together, how would he be funny?

This film is about one such evil genius Megamind (Will Farrell) who has an arch-nemesis, the savior of all, the super boisterous Metroman (Brad Pitt). After a series of comical encounters where Megamind's unintuitive evil plans are brought to naught by his shamelessly arrogant challenger, he manages to accomplish the unexpected (destroy Metroman!). Along with his sidekick Minion (David Cross), a sapient talking fish, Megamind is suddenly greeted with a lot of power and respect. Something every super baddie only dreams of. But that's where this film takes a different turn and the story develops into something you hardly imagined it to. The film also nurses a cute and subtle love story between Megamind and TV reporter Roxanne Ritchie (Tina Fey) which is portrayed in the most delightful fashion.

Now being a 3D film, one can imagine a higher sense of involvement. But like the many others in recent times, it doesn't drastically change the experience and would've been just as charming in regular dimension. The film does engage you completely in its absorbing story and sharp dialogues which will leave you in splits. But in the end of the day, you can't not judge an anime for what it's worth: create a version of reality that is relatable yet fantastic. And full marks in that category. Characters in Megamind express themselves better than some of the stars who have lent their voices for them and are most definitely relatable as they portray a gamut of human emotions.



Megamind must not be confused as a film for kids, considering its format (superhero + anime). It's a film that would appeal to those who're suckers for rom-coms as well as those who appreciate slapstick humour. With an unpredictable end and every changing story, let's just say that the suspense junkies wouldn't be disappointed either.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

'Harry Potter' Actress Beaten for Dating a Non-Muslim !

We’ve all dated guys our dads or brothers didn’t like. In fact, looking back at my dating past, I’m impressed with my dad for the composure he maintained when I introduced him to a couple of my squeezes. While he may have been thinking, “No daughter of mine will ever end up with spiky-haired mama’s boy like you,” he managed a cool, “Have her back by 11. And I’m friendly with all the cops. And I’m an attorney. Just so you know.”

Jenny EriksonI was always home by curfew.

As a teenager, I hated that my parents didn’t ‘trust’ me enough to let go of the reins, but at the ripe old age of 27, I’ve wisely figured out that they understood teenaged boys a lot better than I did. They were protective of me because they cherished me as their daughter, and couldn’t bear to see me get hurt.

It boggles my mind when I read stories like Afshan Azad’s. The 22-year-old Harry Potter star recently had to flee her home after being attacked by her old brother and receiving death threats from him and their father. Her offense was dating a non-Muslim man.

Richard Vardon QC, prosecuting, said the actress was "the victim of an unpleasant assault by her brother" at the family home in Longsight, Manchester, in May.

He added: "The reason for the assault, apparently her association with a Hindu man, that apparently being disapproved of by her family who are Muslim."

Mr. Vardon said Abul Azad had been woken up by his son, Ashraf, shouting: "Sort out your daughter! She’s a slag."

He went on: "He continued to further assault her, shouting, 'Just kill her!'"

Reading from the victim’s statement, the prosecutor added: "My father began saying he would do it, a reference to kill her, as he did not want his sons to have her blood on their hands and he would do time for it. Then she began to feel very scared."

Ms. Azad is currently seeking refuge in London, and has decided not to prosecute the case further, for fear of her own safety. She said, “The proceedings have caused me no end of distress, and if it goes ahead, it will make things much worse for me.”

What kind of Religion of Peace issues a death warrant for apostates (those that leave the faith), or women who dare to date outside of their religious circle? What is peaceful about the constant mistreatment of women? Why are we told not to question any of this in the name of political correctness?

Followers of Islam say that men are tough with their women for their own protection. I fail to see how any good can come from attacking your sister because you don’t like her boyfriend.

True love of a sister or daughter is to warn her boyfriend that there will be consequences if he hurts her. Every girl should be fortunate enough to feel protected, not persecuted, by her family.

Watch Lunar Eclipse Online (Video) -- In Case You Slept Through It !

If you were like me last night and decided that sleep was far more important than watching darkness cover the full moon, then you're in luck. There is a time lapse lunar eclipse video. With music!

Truth be told, I was sorry to miss the whole thing, but with two young children, sleep is a hotter commodity than toasting the solstice with my friends. Alas. Missing the eclipse didn't preclude me from partaking in the general revelry, of course. Last night's eclipse was a rare event, indeed, and my day yesterday was full of odd happenings, things that one might say would only happen once "in a blue moon" or perhaps once in a lunar eclipse cycle that only happens every 450 years or so.

The chaos and madness were sort of welcome, an ushering in the new and sweeping out the old. I dug it. Here is a video:

As Starhawk said in yesterday's Washington Post:

For Pagans, darkness is the necessary balance to light. We don't conceive of the dark as evil, but as a place of potential, of gestation -- the black, fertile soil where the seed puts forth roots and shoots, the dark womb where new life is nurtured. But being humans, we also have a natural affinity for the light, the time of growth and new beginnings, of warmth and color and bright new hopes. Solstice reminds us that no darkness, no loss, no grief or disappointment is final. Out of darkness, light is born. Every ending gives rise to a new beginning. Out of disappointment and despair comes new courage, new hope.



I felt that in the air yesterday and I hope you all did, too. If not, watch the video and maybe it will help inspire that feeling of awe and letting go of old hurts and letting a new you shine.

Awesome.

Did you watch the eclipse?

The Best Colors for Your Skin Tone !

No matter what time of the year it may be -- winter, spring, fall, summer -- I always tend to wear the same colors. Black, blue, and deep purple. My closet is color-coordinated (yes, I'm aware this is completely OCD).
My reasoning has always been that black makes me look slimmer, blue makes my blue eyes stand out, and purple makes me look more tan. And while that may be the case, there is a more universal, scientific reason for why these colors look good on me -- it's because I have a cool skin tone.
different skin tones
Blues, purples, and pinks look great on those with cool skin tones, while those with warm skin tones look better in reds, yellows, oranges, and browns. And, well, black makes all of us look more slim, so it's a win-win for all of us with that hue.

Looks like I was smart with my style and didn't even know it. Don't you love it when that happens?

So how can you tell which type of skin tone you have? Cool or warm? Well, there are a couple of little tests you can do:

For the first, you need to go outside so you get complete natural light. Take a good look at the color of your veins. If you have blue veins, you have a cool skin tone; if they're more of a green color, you're warm.

Second test, take something that's pink, and something that's orange, preferably of the same material, and hold each up to your face. See which hue makes your skin glow. If it's the orange, you'll look best in warm shades. If it's the pink, cool tones are for you.

Do you know what skin tone you have? What colors do you look good in?

Taylor Schilling vs. Vanessa Hudgens: Zac Efron Rebounds !

Well, well, well, it looks like pretty boy Zac Efron is already playing the field like a champ after his breakup with longtime girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens. Rumor has it he's getting "chummy" with his The Lucky One costar Taylor Schilling.
Sometimes, after the first puppy love romance ends, we set our sights on someone completely the opposite of our first love. In Zac's case, what might he see in Taylor Schilling that he didn't see in Vanessa Hudgens? Beyond the completely different blonde, more mature, no-nonsense sexy exterior, we can only guess based on several facts what makes Taylor so attractive.
So what does Taylor got that Vanessa didn't have? We're about to show you.
Taylor Schilling Vanessa Hudgens
Taylor Schilling vs. Vanessa Hudgens
Style
Taylor Schilling: Taylor defines her style as urban casual. "I’m the girl who will show up in jeans no matter what -- but the jeans can get fancier and fancier." Don't men always seem to dig a girl who prefers blue jeans?
Vanessa Hudgens: Regularly acclaimed for her trendy and youthful red carpet style. We'd expect nothing less from a Disney princess.
Acting Roles
Taylor Schilling: Best known for her role as the fierce Nurse Veronica Flanagan Callahan, who recently returned from a tour in Iraq, on the TV medical drama Mercy.
Vanessa Hudgens: Best known for her portrayal of the shy but well-sung Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical series.
Upcoming Roles
Taylor Schilling: Besides her role alongside Zac Efron in the upcoming Nicholas Sparks movie The Lucky One, Taylor will play Dagny Taggart in Atlas Shrugged, the film adaptation of Ayn Rand's novel. What a role!
Vanessa Hudgens: Hudgens will star in the sequel to the 2008 film Journey to the Center of the Earth. Sounds deep.
Education
Taylor Schilling: She graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor of arts in acting.
Vanessa Hudgens: She briefly attended Orange County High School of the Arts and then received homeschooling with tutors.
Embarrassing Hollywood Moment
Taylor Schilling: So far none reported, but hopefully her first won't be leaving our little Zac Efron a heartbroken mess. Or even worse, getting her heart broken by Zac.
Vanessa Hudgens: Nude photos that Vanessa took of herself made their rounds on the Internet awhile back, embarrassing the star and her Disney employers.
Age
Taylor Schilling: 26
Vanessa Hudgens: 22
Zac is just 23. Who's the lucky one in this new alleged love affair? Hmm, sounds like someone might be drawn to a little more brains and intensity and a little less debutante and Disney these days. Just a guess.
Who do you think is the better catch: Taylor or Vanessa?

Jordan Cool Greys Tonight or These Cool Greys Now !


Oh, the interwebs are blowing up with talk about the debut of Cool Greys, the new Jordan Retro 11 line in grey, which is all set for a December 23rd midnight release at Footlocker. That's tonight!

The grey shoes will be priced from $39.99-$174.99, depending on style and size. Yes, they come in sizes for infants, toddlers, little kids, big kids, and men's (sorry, ladies). Whether for your kids or an adult you want to impress -- will you be in line at the stroke of midnight for these grey sneaks?
So what's the Cool Greys hype all about? Well, for Michael Jordan fans, it's about game. Game, in terms of having the shoes everyone else wishes they had. Jordan wore a pair of Cool Greys during his final basketball game on the Bulls against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, and these latest grey retro-inspired sneaks are based on those very shoes.
And people are going to go crazy for them. Mark my words. Extra security is planned.
Sure, the Cool Greys are pretty nice looking. Not all flashy. Just cool and grey. However, maybe you'd still rather stay in your warm house than face the cold and the crowds going after THE Cool Greys tonight.
Well, if you can get over the hype, we've lined up some cool grey shoes you can order online from home tonight and still receive them in time for Christmas. For guaranteed delivery before Christmas, order from Zappos before 1pm PST on 12/23. Free Shipping, too!
No, these are not Cool Grey Jordans but whatever. I don't like crowds.
Cool Greys for the Whole Family
lacoste arona suede shoes
For Dad

Lacoste Arona Suede Shoes (on sale now $89.24)
Tsubo Cusus bootie gray grey
For Mom
Nike sweet classic high tennis shoe
For Teen Boys
kenneth cole boots grey
For Tween Girls

kamik kids snowkones boots rain
For Kids

new balance infant sneakers
For Baby

If you still want Cool Greys, you can try to order online in a few hours. There's just no guarantee they'll arrive by Christmas.

Jordan Brand x New Era Cool Grey Cap

For the first time ever, Jordan Brand has collaborated with New Era. Together they present the Cool Grey New Era fitted cap. Made to coincide with the launch of the Cool Grey Air Jordan 11. As you can see, Eleven is on the front, while the Jumpman logo and Cool Greys is seen on the back. The cap is now available at select Jordan retailers, including Premier, Corporate, and Takeover. Retail is $40.

source :
http://thestir.cafemom.com/beauty_style/114216/buy_jordan_cool_greys_tonight
http://theshoegame.com/articles/jordan-brand-x-new-era-cool-grey-cap.html

Related searches:
cool grey 11 release date, footaction, cool grey 11, foot action, foot locker coupons sponsored

Kim Darby signature scene in "True Grit," both the original film !

It's a signature scene in "True Grit," both the original film that won John Wayne his Oscar and co-starred Kim Darby, and the new Coen Brothers incarnation of the classic Western, this one starring Jeff Bridges and screen newcomer Hailee Steinfeld.

Fourteen-year old Mattie Ross has met with the undertaker, dealt with her father's body, and now she's in the stables of Col. Stonehill, not stopping to grieve, her words rushed, blunt with righteous certitude. She is bent on avenging her father's murder, but first she must settle some business — strong-arming the man her father bought horses from into buying those ponies back. The back-and-forth between a genteel older man of business and a smart and exceedingly stubborn child tells us everything we need to know about Mattie.


"That was the audition scene, actually," says Hailee, also 14. "The Coens wanted to see if I could handle the bargaining, the way Mattie talks, her way of not letting her emotions get the better of her, not losing her temper. Because it was the audition scene, I had been working on it forever before we actually filmed it."

The haggling starts with condolences and quickly takes a hard turn to hard bargaining. "I admire your sand," the Colonel, played to unctuous perfection by Dakin Matthews, admits before countering Mattie's latest demand. The back-and-forth is whiplash quick.

"I will take it to law."

"You have no case!"

"Lawyer J. Noble Daggett of Dardanelle, Arkansas may think otherwise. As will a jury, petitioned by a widow and three small children."

"The give-and-take there was a lot of fun, and Dakin Matthews was incredible," Hailee recalls. "It's a hard scene, but funny. I almost cracked up."

Hailee was just another Southern California would-be child actress, an unknown bit player with a couple of TV credits, when Joel and Ethan Coen selected her to play Mattie in their "True Grit" remake. She would have to stop being a modern teenager, take herself back in time.

"I had to get used to the manner of speech. I had to go back through the script, after reading it, to figure out if I knew what everything meant, not just for my character or for me emotionally. Just what the words meant. You know?"

She would have to ride a horse.

"I used to ride horses, took classes and all a couple of years ago. So the only thing I needed for that was two weeks of riding lessons before we started filming."

She had to learn something about guns.

"I had no idea. My dad took me to a shooting range with a friends of ours who's an LAPD officer, somebody who knew something about guns, knew exactly what to tell us and everything."

And she'd have to share scenes with Oscar winners Bridges and Matt Damon, as well as the formidable Josh Brolin.

"I'd find myself, every once in a while, when they were shooting 'coverage' [close-ups, one-shots] of them, I'd lose myself in what they were saying and doing. It happened even when the camera was on me, but I'd snap out of that. When I knew the camera wasn't on me, I'd just get lost. What an incredible experience!"

How'd she do? She already has a nomination for a Screen Actor's Guild Award, and the film's rapturous reviews single her out: "Steinfeld is a real discovery and she manages to hold her own and prevail against actors performing at the top of their game," Pete Hammond wrote in Box Office Magazine.

"It's been crazy, but fun," Hailee says. "The best advice Jeff and Matt gave me was not to take any of this too seriously."

Still, she's living her dream.

"I'm finally on that film-career route, and it's what I want to stay on, hopefully for the rest of my life. I've experienced just enough of what goes on behind the camera to be interested in that, maybe down the road. We're taking this all one step at a time, trying to make smart choices."