Tuesday, July 08, 2008 Oil Dependent: Blows in the Wind? POST A COMMENT 'Might take an 80-year-old to show this old hungry dog some new tricks -- 'solving our countries $700 billion-a-year dependency on foreign oil. T. Boone Pickens' plan suggests replacing gasoline use with natural gas...and eventually with wind... "Things were fine until the price went vertical on us," said Mr. Pickens. He calculates that, spending $140 a barrel for crude, adds up to $700 billion a year...all going into foreign pockets. The "hurdles to the Pickens plan...include building the infrastructure to dispense natural gas as a vehicle fuel, building new power plants to replace natural gas-fired plants, overcoming possible opposition from oil companies and politicians..." Funny, that Pickens himself has been investing in vehicular natural gas for years and now has plans to build a massive wind farm in the Panhandle. But he offers "that's not the reason for his campaign." "I'm 80 years old. I'm worth $4 billion. I don't need to make any more money," he said. Instead, he said, this is about patriotism and his reputation as a man who "sure puts his money where his mouth is." - and maybe a little bit to-do with money...but, at least it's one option on the table to a problem that wont be going away anytime soon. Source: Hispanic Business Labels: Business-101, capitalism, Culture, economy, emissions, environment, fuel economy posted by Henry Cruz at 1:30 PM Sunday, June 08, 2008 The upside to a Parade POST A COMMENT Where I'm from it's an unspoken-whisper-among-friends that any parades down Fifth Avenue here in the Big Apple -- (where folks get the privilege to sweat for hours behind a barrier to watch Mickey Mouse floats crawl by) -- were designed especially for two-year-old-kids, and folks that enjoy long rides in those short-yellow-buses - - (but, like a car wreck that you can't turn away from, I do find myself watching some of them on the TV -- using my fast forward button, while noting the faces of badly-dressed-people-with-way-too-much-time-on-their-hands). Seems, I'm not the only one whispering...apparently frightened "moneyed white people" -- and nearby shops -- along Fifth Avenue were doing some chatting amongst themselves: "They tell you the day before—they whisper it—‘Don’t come tomorrow,’ a well-heeled regular says. "The clientele starts clucking a few days beforehand, 'This weekend, you know … ’ We live in divided-times, where the richest 1 percent of Americans own 35 percent of all the assets, but there lies the upside to all retards marching down fifth...well, for at least one day...we get the allusion of sharing the same air. Source: Gawker Labels: Culture, Puerto Rican Day Parade, race relations, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 3:25 PM Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Survey: that really-really Good Wife? POST A COMMENT Are you-one-of-those that harp 'bout how things were better back-in-the day? - 'wishing for simple-times, when marriage had all those hard-to-find things -- like romance, respect and decorum of ye olden' '30s? This old “marital rating scale,” - (used by marriage counsellors in 1939 to assess the performance of wives) – will spook us modern couples brought up to "believe in the equality of the sexes." I'm one-of-those that believe: treat-others-the-way-you-want-be treated...'but, go-on and call me old fashion, I like a mate to pay attention in "bed" -- in this old survey women are "deducted points if they are “slow in coming to bed”, “fail to sew on buttons or darn socks regularly” and flirt with other men at parties." -- hmm, this one comment from a british reader struck me funny: "I am heartened to see so many husbands have allowed their wives use of the computer." - technology will make some folks a bit-uppity. Source: Telegraph UK Labels: Culture, marriage posted by Henry Cruz at 2:32 PM Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Oral Report: playing with numbers!! POST A COMMENT little doubt -- when talking 'bout the teen-evolution -- Our Kids are growing up faster...A combination of Constant Peer pressure -- exposure to the internet, etc. etc...steps up the end game: the race to get that cherry-popped. One US researcher claims - "Our research shows that this supposed substitution of oral sex for vaginal sex is largely a myth," says this study. Guessin' no substitution for the main course...Once those flood gates open, it's on, banging from all ends...at least in theory. The study found 55 percent of 15- to 19-year-olds have engaged in heterosexual oral sex, 50 percent have engaged in vaginal sex and 11 percent have had anal sex. Both oral and anal sex are much more common among teens who have already had vaginal intercourse than among those who haven't, suggesting that teens initiate a range of sexual activities around the same time, rather than substitute one for another, Source: United Press International Labels: Culture, News Trends, oral sex, teen abstinence, teen sex, virgin posted by Henry Cruz at 7:24 PM Tanning-Lines of Commerce POST A COMMENT When Artist push the limits, it's called a social statement... What about this new Liquor ad -- for "Cabana Cachac" - leaving little to the imagination...except a killer tan-line: That company, in defense, offered: "it has an art feel to it that is very relevant." - hmmm, but will anybody really notice the bottle of Cachac? Source: Women's Wear Daily Labels: Ads, Art versus Commerce, Culture, Media Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 2:45 AM Saturday, May 10, 2008 Kids gone...ho-tackular? POST A COMMENT Here's my vote for the worlds Scariest Ad in Kids-wear: Shout-out to our friends at Glitterati Gossip for calling out this Hot-Tranny-Mess in kids wear: "Why, Beyonce, Why? We understand that you're ho-tackular, and that's fine with us - believe me, it's more than fine - we like you as tacky and slutty as all get out, we do. We've accepted that it's gotten to the point where we can no longer believe what 12-year olds are wearing in the race to emulate you and people like you, but can you keep your hands off the pre-schoolers at least?" - well said. * speaking of real hotness, check out the Gnarls Barkley "Going On" music video premiere at PrettyBoring.com Labels: Beyonce, Culture, ho-tackular, kids wear posted by Henry Cruz at 4:57 PM Friday, May 09, 2008 The Mommy Dance POST A COMMENT With Sunday being Mother's Day... I came across this Funny Video (above) and pearls of motherly wisdom (Craig Wilson, USA TODAY): Mr. Wilson says, "I find my thoughts, not surprisingly, turning to toilet seats. The ups and downs of toilet seats, to be exact. Every mother's lament. Especially mothers of boys." Say what? - When did the Ups and downs of the toilet seat become a family Momma-drama? A midnight fall into the toilet is small potatoes compared with monitoring a daughter who changes her name to Monique and starts trolling for "friends" on Facebook. (hence the author determines it's easier to raise boys)...all you mothers of sons out there, relax. It's your day. Have a seat. Happy Mother's Day. (Ditto that, thanks Mommy for putting up with me) Source USA Today Labels: Culture, Mother's Day, Toilet seat posted by Henry Cruz at 12:52 AM Thursday, May 01, 2008 Getting a Handle on... POST A COMMENT Sex Talkin Trends - today - while singing that song, "Bubbly" --('goes something like, Please take your time where ever you go... ) - which resonates in this conversation, so pull-your-chair-closer - ('fore I break out that 60's-hippy-let's form a circle feel-good-motto "love the one with you're with") - Ah, those were the days. We're Living in a get it now...'bigger-usually-means-better' -world where happiness, and super-sized are blurred.- Leaving behind a-we-need-more-and-longer to feel-good; 'appearing unsatisfied if we don't pull all-nighties -- but, according to this research -- it's actually already under our our covers (well, those of us lucky enough to have somebody sharing that bed). Offering Quality over marathon sessions: "sex doesn't have to last all night long to be good," says Dr. Eric Corty. "Even 45 minutes is unrealistic, for both men and women. Soreness and lubrication become an issue..." - I know some folk willing to work through that pain for bragging-brownie-points of a major marathon session: "Intercourse is not the end-all be-all. Most women don't derive full satisfaction from intercourse. The anatomical reality is, most women don't have as much sensation in the vagina as in the clitoris, which has thousands upon thousands of nerve-endings." "Porn has become the major sex educator for men. It gives us a totally misleading reality of lovemaking," says that article. And in a quick fix, it's alright...helps stimulate creativity when you do get some. Penetrative sex is only one piece of the puzzle, and good sex is less a function of duration -- or stature -- than the quality of a relationship, they offer. "If a couple allows dust to get into the relationship, problems start. Frustration, irritation, annoyance and anger are real, but if they don't deal with it, it will neutralize sexual desire. The mind and body are very linked," Ecuador's solution? -- Takes a modern "respect me" approach in RE-defining women's rights, saying that "the right to sexual enjoyment means ensuring women can make free, responsible and informed decisions about their sex lives." Claiming, I'm not just a vessel for your pleasure, I have a brain too...well, Ladies, that over-thinking sexuality can also backfire-on-you if you go too overboard... This Study says Thinking is bad - (and Dumb-and-dumber-ing and letting loose 'are also essential to rocking those sheets) Smarty-pants looking for book-learning in bed is just not smart; 'cause brainiacs are less likely to be fully-satisfied in bed (Source: MomLogic) - 62% of women who had completed college said they often had problems achieving orgasm. While, only 38% of less educated women said it was hard to hit the big O. For your consumption, in finding a 'happy medium' here are momlogic's top 3 ways to turn off your overthinking brain in the bedroom: - Roleplay: When you pretend to be someone else such as a secretary or French maid, it's easier to tune out nagging thoughts about your to-do list. - Music: When you create a "sexual soundtrack," it can help focus your thoughts on desire instead of distractions. - Fantasize: Thinking about Brad Pitt, George Clooney, or David Beckham can pump up your desire and push less sexy thoughts (laundry, bills, homework) out of your mind. 'Holla at me with your own three cents on this topic Labels: Culture, sex talk posted by Henry Cruz at 3:20 PM Tuesday, April 29, 2008 China Athlethes' go for the cash... POST A COMMENT For better-or-worse: We're like the bad-boy's your Mamma warned you about...'speaking of the dramatic shift towards Capitalism in places like China...'greed is good and it's effecting the athletes migrating here and even there: "It's necessary to offer financial prizes to athletes -- otherwise we can't make them keep working for us," said the head of the Sports Administration office in Liaoning province. "Attitudes about sports in China have undergone a dramatic shift from the days when the government focused on collective gain rather than individual accomplishment. Those changes have helped foster the development of a new kind of athlete, one whose sacrifices result in fame and fortune -- and, if the athlete has a distinct personality, national celebrity." Now, it's all 'bout Fame, and they wanna get "paid" too - Whoo, yeah - boi...The revolution will be televised, (and it'll all be sponsored by by McDonald's and Budweiser). Source: Washington Post Labels: capitalism, China, Culture, News Trends, USA posted by Henry Cruz at 12:08 PM Saturday, April 26, 2008 Saving the Kids? POST A COMMENT That Gordon Lee case, (down in bumble-fuck-GA), is a good example of religious extremist abusing that "save the kids" motif. Lee (a store owner) was up on multiple charges in an incident where a minor, participating in a community Halloween celebration giveaway, got the Comic Book (pictured below). So, what's behind the multiple charges? That comic book in question featured a cartoon scene that illustrates the first meeting between a nude Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Lord forbid Junior steps inside the Museum of Modern Art and catches a glimpse of the painting with Mommy-Madonnas-tats on display...I think you'd find kids are a little more savvy these days...and cartoons ain't gonna taint their mental growth. Research now proves that stick-your-head-in-the-mud attitude fails our kids, and just plain wastes money that could be better spent to educate our children so they can avoid life's pitfalls. I'm talking about programs like the "abstinence program" -- that is now being shown not only -- "does not cut teen pregnancy rates..." -- but instead such stupidity of hiding-basic-facts: "ignores the fact that teenagers are sexually active and fails to give them accurate medical information or advice on safer sex." -- hence an upsurge in STDs..."They don't touch on subjects like sexuality, STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), birth control - it's not allowed because of abstinence-only education." Reported the BBC News. "Teens are curious and they want to experiment and if they know what's out there and they have the correct information, they're going to know how to protect themselves and prevent an unwanted pregnancy and an STD," adds Maryland high school student Melissa. Bottom line, if you want to save the kids, make sure they have all the tools to do the right things. Source BBC News Labels: Culture, teen abstinence posted by Henry Cruz at 3:52 PM Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Grandma * gone * WILD? POST A COMMENT I watched recently Tina Feys' 30 Rock on the subject of Cougars (40-something women who date much younger men)...'not sure what she would make of Grannies with "boy toys" -- as depicted in the movie Vers Le Sud - which shows true stories of Granny's-sex-tourism...(ya'll can read all about it here) The old-bitties are Blaming it on the "beautiful young man with the most incredible, fit body, begging" to go to bed with them -- but the article also points out... It's usually very cash and carry: "Poverty is rife. Then, over the past ten years, planeloads of mature single British women have started arriving, their handbags full of cash. They're fit, good-looking men and it didn't take them long to realise that there are rich pickings here." -- Bringing new meaning to wrinkled-joys. Source: Daily Mail (UK) Speaking of Tina Fey...this flick looks pretty good: Labels: Culture, economy, Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 5:29 PM Monday, April 21, 2008 Globally: not all the same! POST A COMMENT LOCATION MATTERS? Are you a East versus West turf kinda-person? I never thought location much mattered. I'm more along-that-old-saying, "If you Cut Me, Will I Not Bleed..." - which hints that we are all kinda-made-from-the-same-stuff inside, so thanks Newsweek for F-ing with my head. Yeah, well...you live, you learn. I'm trying. According to this Newsweek Article (Blame the Bugs), location not only helps to form the way we think, it also effects our immune system. So there might be some truth behind another saying: What hurts you doesn't hurt me, it makes me stronger (if I'm on the right coast)! For example, The USA... "epitomizes individualistic, do-your-own thing cultures, ones where the rights of the individual equal and often trump those of the group and where differences are valued." Versus folks in Japan that... "exalt the larger society: behavior is constrained by social roles, conformity is prized, outsiders shunned..." So, The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence (if that fence is someplace-far-far-away). Or how many pathogens....confused yet? (your ass must be from the west coast)... "Societies that arose in places with fewer pathogens had the luxury of individualism, which is less effective at limiting the spread of disease but brings with it other social benefits, such as innovation." So basically, Your-Moms-Better-Than-Anyone-Else's (if she's from the right coast)..."For years scientists have scratched their heads over why collectivism declines with distance from the equator, and why living in colder regions should promote individualism (you'd think polar people would want to huddle together more). The answer seems to be that equatorial regions breed more pathogens." So along that thinking multi-racial people might create the best of all-worlds...in theory at least. Source: Newsweek Labels: Culture, environment, Health, race relations posted by Henry Cruz at 11:57 PM Thursday, September 27, 2007 Education: going the extra mile! POST A COMMENT Merit Pay for Teachers is an idea that seems reasonable: "Recognize better workers with extra pay." -- like a job bonus! A recent Newsweek article talked about a math teacher at an inner-city public school -- running a program for failing ninth graders...with an extra push, (most students passed) -- that Teacher got an extra $300 bonus tacked on to her salary and said, "It's not much but the money helps give me the incentive to go the extra mile." Seems pretty fair, since teachers are way underpaid to offer bonuses for those that deliver! Labels: Culture, Education posted by Henry Cruz at 4:08 AM Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Death...the ultimate Fashion Statement?!! POST A COMMENT That new Italian Vogue' -- 'wants to bring sex-y to the war in Iraq -- 'instead, seems to be ruffling a few media feathers - called: Make Love, Not War -- um, it's really trying to push the erotic edge alright -- along tasteless lines -- 'guess they'll try anything to sell some magazines -- 'sorry Steven Meisel -- (the otherwise talented photographer) --even in parody, sexing up the senseless death and realities of War -- (while our armed forces are still dying everyday) -- is just not cool: Labels: Culture, Fashion posted by Henry Cruz at 3:42 AM Monday, September 24, 2007 Fencing In Poverty! POST A COMMENT While unequal justice divide folks (down in Jena) -- how 'bout -- putting a fence put up -- along poverty lines (Source Washington Post): In Washington DC when a "fence" suddenly appears between two neighborhoods -- "low-income and subsidized townhouses called Picton" and -- right "Next door, houses of East Village (a degree more affluent)" -- the division becomes polarized by income and self worth! "The six-foot-high black metal barrier tipped with spikes stretched across the asphalt trail that had long connected Watson's Montgomery Village neighborhood with the neighborhood next door." Before the fence, the poorer residents of Picton used the paths to reach the bus stops and swimming pools on the far side of East Village...One wonders if putting up fences (along economic lines) serves to box in both the "have nots" and the "have mores." Labels: Culture, Poverty Divide posted by Henry Cruz at 3:14 AM Thursday, September 20, 2007 New Money helps Fashion Grow! POST A COMMENT 'crazy that the English prudes regard any high fashion taste as "a kind of ghetto..." -- but, that's quickly changing...with new money infusion in the form of Russian immigrants (source NYTIMES): "some 200,000 Russians (now) live in London, many of them affluent and well informed about fashion. Indeed, among English retailers, there has been a general broadening in outlook toward Russian and Arabic luxury shoppers, driven in part by the speed of information. No longer is there the temptation to regard taste as a kind of ghetto.." Yea, Fashion is about looking good...but ultimately it takes social integration of immigrants -- in other words that New "Money" to transform itself into a business -- and allow people to spend "with a vengeance." “It’s made us more confident that we can sell a $10,000 dress by a young designer,” said one boutique owner. -- so, folks...don't be afraid of change...it's possible immigrants will someday save us all! Labels: Culture, Fashion posted by Henry Cruz at 1:42 PM     ARCHIVES October 2005 . November 2005 . December 2005 . August 2007 . September 2007 . October 2007 . November 2007 . December 2007 . March 2008 . April 2008 . May 2008 . June 2008 . July 2008 .