Month: August 2010

Exclusive: The Truth Behind Teresa Giudice’s Nephew on ‘Housewives’ Reunion

On By Michel McDonaldIn Amplify, TVLeave a comment

Did anyone watch the reunion of the New Jersey Housewives last night on Bravo? I watched it twice.

You know I have a strange relationship with these housewives shows. I hate them but I love them lol. I love to hate them lol.

My favorite of all the housewives shows is New Jersey. I didn’t watch the first season for some strange reason and this is the only season that I’ve watched and boy have I been watching it too, sometimes twice. I really love Caroline Manzo. I think she has a good head on her shoulders. She kind of reminds me of my mother (looks, not attitude lol) so that right there gives me a reason to like her even more. She is the mother I wish I had if I could do it over.

I don’t really like Danielle very much but on the other hand, she makes really good tv lol.

I have to wait another week for part 2 of this reunion to see how it all went down.

If you missed the Teresa blowup, click the popeater link to watch the video. I don’t know why Amplify didn’t copy it over.

Amplify’d from www.popeater.com

Exclusive: The Truth Behind Teresa Giudice’s Nephew on ‘Housewives’ Reunion

You saw it, the earth-shaking exchange between Danielle Staub and Teresa Giudice on Monday night’s ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’ reunion special. The F-bomb barrage started with a question from Danielle to Teresa: “Did you acknowledge your nephew? Did you?” Teresa replied, “Yeah, of course I did,” but after pausing for a second, she exploded. EXPLODED!

“Danielle doesn’t intimidate me. I don’t care if she stays on the show or not,” Teresa tells me in an exclusive statement regarding the explosive reunion show.

So, what’s the story behind the “nephew” drama? A friend of Teresa’s reveals that what viewers saw was Danielle accusing her co-star of not visiting a nephew in the hospital at his birth. I’m told Teresa was at the hospital when the child was born last April, and that he’s perfectly fine and beautiful.

Teresa was actually confused as to what Danielle was even talking about. But what set her off was the sudden realization that Danielle was dipping her toes into her private business.

“Danielle is obsessed with Teresa. Digging around her extended family,” a family friend tells me. “Danielle brought up a lie about Teresa not visiting her nephew and then Bravo edited it to look more sudden than it was, of course. The best thing to do is just ignore everything Danielle says. That’s what Teresa does.”

The verbal fight, in which Teresa even shoved host (and Bravo exec) Andy Cohen, shocked more than just the viewers. It also blew away other ‘Housewives’ on the stage. WATCH THE MADNESS >>

“Insanity, complete insanity,” is how Caroline Manzo described the scene to me in an exclusive statement . “We filmed for ten hours and by the end of the day, I was speechless. It took me two days to recover, I seriously could not compose a rational thought for hours.”

Rumors have circulated that Teresa would leave the show if Danielle was invited back for another season. However, friends of our favorite housewife tell me that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I just talked to her and it’s funny but she actually doesn’t care if Danielle comes back for another season or not,” a friend of Teresa’s tells me. “Teresa’s not intimidated or scared of Danielle. She actually thinks Danielle makes good TV and is amusing. If anything, she feels sorry for her. All she has in her life is this show.”

My insider adds, “Teresa, on the other hand, doesn’t spend one second of her time thinking about Danielle.”

Sources confirm that it is the Manzo family that has made it very clear to Bravo that if Danielle stays, they go. Family member Dina Manzo has already quit the show and made it clear she would not be part of anything that involves Danielle, saying publicly that they are worried about their safety and that of their families when Danielle is around.

However, “Teresa doesn’t feel that Danielle is a threat to her family or happiness at all,” an insider tells me. “She’s much tougher than that!”

Read more at www.popeater.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9ij7

O’Reilly Debates Sharpton on Glenn Beck Rally

On By Michel McDonaldIn Amplify, PoliticalLeave a comment

I am staying out of this debate but I wanted to share this video. Al Sharpton is PISSED at Glenn Beck for having his rally on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and taking the “mall” away from him.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Amplify’d from www.youtube.com

O’Reilly Debates Sharpton on Glenn Beck Rally

See more at www.youtube.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9iij

Who do you think is responsible for childhood obesity?

On By Michel McDonaldIn Amplify, Diet, Exercise, HealthLeave a comment

I just voted in a poll on the SparkPeople website. Who do I think is responsible for childhood obesity. I voted parents because they are the ones who are supposed to teach good eating habits from infant to adult. If you feed your children with the right foods they will learn good eating habits.

I also feel that the reason children are so fat is because they have become so spoiled with the technology of today. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love my computer and video games but children shouldn’t be allowed to be so obsessed. They should be encouraged to go outside and play with their friends. The parents should encourage their kids to get involved in an after school activity like soccer or football or karate.

My parents did not encourage me to play sports but they did allow me to play outside unattended. I would ride my bike through the neighborhood and jump rope and play hopscotch with my sister. We would roller skate up and down the sidewalk. We were constantly playing outside.

That is until I was 11 and was of working age and then I became the handy child for the apartment building. Painting, changing locks, plumbing, fixing electrical outlets, gardening… you name it, I had to do it. But when I was all done with that work I was allowed to play before dinner if there was time. On the days that there wasn’t as much work to do around the apartments I was allowed to do whatever I wanted which was usually playing outside.

So, I don’t blame the schools because despite the burgers, fries, pizzas and whatever else they served me during my childhood, I never gained any weight because that was only 1 meal out of the whole day. During the weekends and school breaks we would eat things like Peanut butter and jelly or Bologna sandwiches for lunch. For breakfast I would usually eat cereal but sometimes oatmeal (or malt-o-meal) and for dinner it was a well-balanced meal with meats, grains and vegetables.

My mother taught me good eating habits but it was up to me to learn them and carry that on after I left the house. Unfortunately for years I let my cravings and laziness get the best of me but once I started to remember the recipes and food groups my mother fed me I started to eat them again and I have started to lose weight and all thanks to my mother may she rest in peace. I have lost 35lbs since the last week of May 2010 because I’m eating right.

I don’t blame schools because it’s only 1 meal a day.

I don’t blame tv & video games because it is the parents obligation to give or taketh away.

I don’t blame fast food because it is the parents who take the children to fast food. They don’t have the money to buy their own happy meals.

I don’t blame communities because how is a community supposed to teach your child good eating habits? That is the parents responsibility.

I don’t blame advertising (commercials) because they are in it for the money. I can sit here and watch pizza commercials all day but I have the good sense to know that pizza is too fattening. Parents should tell their kids that pizza is good for special occasions like when you win that baseball game or when it’s your birthday. Or when Mommy is too sick to get out of bed then we can order a pizza.

And since I took that poll, I see that 16,781 other people agreed with me which is 74% of people who took that poll.

Amplify’d from www.sparkpeople.com

Quick Poll Results

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9enx

It’s Hard to Convince People

On By Michel McDonaldIn Books, eBook, Gadgets, News, NookLeave a comment

Ever try to convince someone that some “thing” is better than the other? It’s very difficult especially when that person is adamant that they do not want this new thing. They give you an excuse and you have an answer but they give you another excuse and you have an answer for that too. They can’t win this argument lol.

I’m trying to convince Darrin that when I buy my Nook he might get some use out of it too. Not just books but newspapers and magazines as well.

He said that he likes to read a regular newspaper and magazine because he can find things easily but my response was that you can find things much quicker with a Nook. All you have to do is type in a keyword and it will find every instance of that word. Or you can highlight articles that you want to go back to and then go into your highlights to find them.

He said that he likes the feeling of a newspaper or magazine, yet he has trouble letting them go. When he buys a magazine he doesn’t like to toss them afterwards because he paid a lot of money for them. Have you seen the cost of magazines? My god, those things are expensive.

A LA Times newspaper is $1 a day and I think it’s $2+/- on Sundays. Well, if he got a subscription to the LA Times on the Nook, it’s only $10 per month. I don’t know if that includes Sundays though. I checked to see how much home delivery of the LA Times is and it’s about $11.96 per month. You are only saving $1.96 per month but that’s $23.52 per year and you are saving trees at the same time. If you were to recycle all those newspapers you probably wouldn’t get that $1.96 back for a month worth of newspapers since they are thinning out so much these days. Then again I don’t know that for sure, they pay you by weight, not by how many you have.

I was looking at the eMagazines they have and they really aren’t anything that I would be interested in and Darrin never reads what they have available. The only one that would interest me is PC Magazine but I wouldn’t read it that much. He likes magazines like Time, People and Architectural Digest. Those aren’t available for Nook. So since nothing really good is available I won’t even try to convince him on that aspect.

But the key points that I was trying to convince him on is that you can look up articles by keywords, highlighting and making notes. When you write a note in an article you can refer back to your notes and it will bring that particular article up.  He said he could look something up fast in a magazine or newspaper but I bet him anything that I could find it faster on a nook.

He goes to Church, not every Sunday but most Sundays and he loves to bring his own bible that he had his name engraved on. There is no way I can convince him with a Bible for Nook. He saw how one guys bible was weathered and falling apart and all this stuff was highlighted and he made a remark about how he couldn’t wait for his bible to be as used as his was. So that I won’t even try to convince him of. Besides, when he is at Church is the perfect time for me to read and I wouldn’t like it if he had my Nook during those times lol.

There are so many things that make me giddy about electronic toys that he could care less about. Although when I actually get it he might feel differently but until then he couldn’t care less despite how much I try to convince him.

He was impressed when I told him that you could make the text a lot bigger to make it easier to read and the fact that you could visit websites and write emails and I could even blog from the Nook.  Although I don’t know if I would want to because of the touchscreen keyboard but if we were visiting family it would be a lot easier than using the mobile dashboard with my PSP.  I could also type more than I can on the mobile version.

There are some things that you have to see for yourself and when we get to the Barnes & Noble next week he can see how cool they are with the display that they have.  He’ll realize they are a lot better than he wants to give them credit for.  He’ll see.

Lohan Back on Twitter with Traffic Safety Tips

On By Michel McDonaldIn Amplify, Celebrities, NewsLeave a comment

Poor Lindsay, she can’t catch a break. She Tweets about the Paparazzi and she gets a full spread in the today shows gossip website.

Listen to me, poor Lindsay HA! Even though I think she deserves to still be in jail I still feel sorry for her. I miss the old Lindsay and hope she returns to us one of these days.

Amplify’d from scoop.newsvine.com

Lohan back on Twitter with traffic safety tips

Lindsay Lohan has only been out of rehab for less than 48 hours and it didn’t take long for the starlet to return to Twitter — and she’s offering up safety tips when it comes to getting behind the wheel, Access Hollywood reports.

“Clearly.. Paparazzi shouldn’t be allowed to take pictures or video while someone’s driving or at a stop light. 4every1′s sake #trafficpolice,” Lohan on Thursday afternoon.

Her Twitter followers last heard from her on July 19 when she asked another tweeter if he owned an iPad.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, the 24-year-old actress had her driver’s license reinstated on Monday. Lohan was spotted at a Los Angeles-area DMV on Wednesday, where she was required to show proof of insurance in order to get her license back.

To see Lindsay behind the wheel following her rehab stint, click here!

Read more at scoop.newsvine.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9d52

Lady GaGa – Can’t Tell Her No Or She’ll Prove You Wrong!

On By Michel McDonaldIn Celebrities, Music, PeopleLeave a comment

At first, I was skeptical with Lady GaGa. I mean, whose to take her borderline public nudity and ridiculous face make-up for anything more than a wannabe Marilyn Manson? But just like Marilyn Manson, you gotta’ respect this girl’s talent. Yeah, the fancy get-ups seem like an ill-focused distraction and desperate plea for attention, but underneath the seemingly misguided efforts is a young girl who was such a good writer she was commissioned by Interscope at the age of 22. She has a true understanding of what today’s youth wants and Lady GaGa knows exactly how to give it to them. You can’t fault her appearance- if you listen she has a rich voice with just the right balance of classical training and a Gwen Stefani punk-type overcoat. Check out a very real review from a very real Lady GaGa skeptic.

Manhattan-bred Lady GaGa is one of the more mysterious musicians we’ve seen this decade. Taking cue from Freddie Mercury, this talented young artist adopted her name in honor of his song “Radio Ga Ga”. But fans know little about her other than her signature slew of highly recognizable and exceptionally revealing attire. It is no uncommon occurrence to witness Lady GaGa wearing nothing but sheer lace head-to-toe and even then some, complimented by a matching lace mask; or perhaps dressed as a human disco ball, or looking like something from a failed throw-back sixties show. It is rare to see the musicians face as it is almost always obscured by a plethora of masks, hats, hair, and make-up.

Lady GaGa got her first hand at piano keys when she was just four years old. Within a decade the teeny-bopper was already playing open mic’s at small venues littered throughout New York. At the age of seventeen Lady GaGa earned early entrance into NYU’s Tish School of the Arts; making her just one of twenty in the University’s history. Clearly a talented musician, it was at the Tish School of Arts, awash in an eye-opening world of politics, religion, and more, that Lady GaGa really began honing her writing skills and exploring a more creative side.

After dropping out of NYU, Lady GaGa moved to New York’s Lower East Side and began performing alongside draq queens in burlesque shows. It wasn’t long before her outrageous persona caught the attention of Interscope records and was brought on board as a songwriter for the Pussycat Dolls. Soon after that Akon saw more than just songwriting; he saw a talented voice, and went on to sign her to his label.

Lady GaGa’s debut album, Fame, was released in 2008 and went up for a Grammy nomination for her single Just Dance. Though she has enjoyed a fast climb to success, she has endured a series of tough breaks this fall. After shrinking ticket sales forced her to prematurely end a planned tour with Kanye West (no doubt thanks to his inappropriate MTV Awards behavior toward Taylor Swift), Lady GaGa has had to scramble to salvage what was left of the fiscal year. Now you can catch this beauty live on her very own solo tour as she performs in a city near you. If you’ve not yet experienced the theatrics and excitement of a live Lady GaGa show, now is the time to go!

http://www.barrystickets.com/concert-tickets/lady-gaga-tickets.php

My name is Dani Kelly. I work in Web Development, online marketing, Social Networking, Social Media, SEO, and more. But first and foremost, I am a writer; a journalist. I love to review our Los Angeles teams and am impassioned about finding the next artist to make it in our highly-critical pool of music fans. Check out my articles and get the latest reviews on how our teams have been doing, are doing, will be doing, etc.

Sometimes I play devils advocate, just to pose the questions. Sometimes I share with you my own, deeply personal view, and sometimes my work is entirely objective. My various writing styles will keep you guessing as to which ones. Have fun and I hope you enjoy some of my literary musings!

Author: Dani Kelly
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Coming to Terms with Gay Rights

On By Michel McDonaldIn Gay, Gay Rights, PoliticalLeave a comment

Where once it was culturally unacceptable to be involved in a homosexual lifestyle, today it is celebrated in certain circles and viewed as a viable family alternative in others.

Gay Rights is a term we have all heard and read about, but what does it mean?

If it means that those involved in a gay lifestyle are no longer subjected to laws that forbade this lifestyle then the rights have already been extended.

Many would argue that Gay Rights is much more complicated than that.

Some homosexual lobbyists are pursuing and sometimes winning a very specific argument in state governing bodies and in the corporate world. The argument is that gay couples should be extended insurance privileges in the same way traditional marriages receive.

Public schools often have books dealing with alternate lifestyles (including homosexuality) on their library shelves.

Gay Pride parades are featured in cities throughout the world.

It would seem that the rights of homosexuals are being improved with each passing day. In Massachusetts, gay marriage is recognized while a handful of other states recognize civil unions among same-sex couples.

There are even a growing number of churches that will perform and recognize same-sex civil unions. Some denominations have also accepted gay clergy.

Some African Americans have been vocally opposed to comparing Gay Rights with Civil Rights. The feeling among some is that African Americans were born with their skin color while many consider homosexuality to be a choice.

There has been an argument that there may be a gay gene that makes it almost impossible for a gay or lesbian individual to act different. This runs contrary to reports that indicate there may be a gene that may make an individual more susceptible to becoming homosexual, but the choice remains with the individual unlike a choice of skin tone in African Americans. If there is a choice in one scenario and no choice in the other then some cannot bring themselves to view these two movements in the same light.

Another area of contention is hate crimes bills that are discussed in the courts as well as on the floor of the senate and congress. The idea is to enforce a more severe penalty for crimes that are considered motivated by hatred. While this is not limited to homosexuals it is inclusive of crimes committed against this sector of society.

Proponents indicate this will serve as a deterrent to those who may have considered violence against a gay or lesbian individual. Opponents of hate crimes legislation indicate that this only leads to someone trying to interpret the motives behind an act of violence. They also believe that harsh penalties are already in place to deal with violent crimes without the need for additional penalties that may be viewed as entirely subjective.

Some might further argue that the gay community will not be content to settle for equal rights, they will push for protected or elevated rights. Those who espouse this argument believe that the protected status may actually result in a lessening of rights for heterosexual citizens.

The many layers of this argument are debated both publicly and behind closed doors and the debate is bound to continue as each individual comes to terms with their own belief system and how this issue fits within that point of view.

Discuss the Gay Rights at Controversial Forums. Have Debates in our Debate Forums.

Author: Thomas Phelps
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Amazon Kindle 2 Review – An In Depth Amazon Kindle 2 Review

On By Michel McDonaldIn eBook, KindleLeave a comment

Before I ordered my Amazon Kindle 2 from Amazon, I read several reviews on the web. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of people out there that have written their own personal Amazon Kindle reviews. But, there are some people that truly do not understand the magnitude of this new innovative device (it’s current stage in development and how fast it’s market is growing) and there are some that do. While reading these reviews, it becomes very clear which category people fall in. To put it in another perspective, I work at top well-known investment research firm and without getting into too many specifics, lets just say we are very bullish on AMZN stock most specifically because of the huge potential of the Amazon Kindle in the emerging e-reader market. No I am not trying to give investment advice (that’s not part my job) but I just want to make it very clear how excited I am about the product and its market in general. My Amazon Kindle 2 review is no holds barred and no BULL SHIP!

In the few weeks prior to the announcement of the Amazon Kindle 2, you couldn’t turn a virtual corner without stumbling over alleged rumors and “insider” information regarding the new innovative device. Last month, having played with my boss’s Amazon Kindle 2 at the office, I found myself in absolute lust for this gadget. Before I decided to order the Amazon Kindle 2 as Christmas gift for myself;), I reviewed, reviewed, and REVIEWED several Amazon Kindle 2 websites, articles, and reviews. This is my personal take / response to some of those good andbad reviews. The following is my Amazon Kindle 2 review:

1. The Amazon Kindle 2 is not cheap! First of all, let’s not beat around the bush; I certainly wanted to know how much I was in for right away! As is the case for all other new / “hot” items, such as the iPhone 3Gs, Playstation 3, and LCD tv’s, (which were originally priced for hundreds more than the Amazon Kindle 2), the Kindle 2 is priced a little on the high-end. Currently, the Amazon Kindle 2 is on sale for $259. Recently, Amazon’s CEO announced an “amazing” deal for Kindle 1 owners at a press conference: If they ordered within the next 24 hours, they could jump to the front of the line for pre-orders! There wasn’t even a discount offered, just the “privilege” of spending $259 quicker than non-existing Amazon Kindle 1 owners. What a great deal huh?? Later though, I considered some other factors. Relative to purchasing new books and best sellers on a regular basis, the Amazon Kindle 2 really isn’t that expensive. Have you looked at the price of new books lately?? They can be pretty expensive themselves, especially at big name stores like Barnes and Noble and Borders. Even online at Amazon, you’ll pay $50 for the Twilight Saga Collection and $15 for Sarah Palin’s new book (not that I would want to read her book anyway but you get the point!). Most e-books are $9.99 or less. Over the long-run, especially if you are enthusiastic book reader like me, the Amazon Kindle 2 is essential.

2. What does it look like? According to its creators, the key design objective was to make the Amazon Kindle 2 “disappear”. When we read a good book, we tend to get so immersed into the author’s world / story that the physical book eventually disappears. The thinking behind the Kindle was to make sure we are still able to get lost in the reading, not the technology. The Kindle 2 has a black-and-white 6″ screen and uses electronic-ink display technology: the screen displays ink particles electronically to make it look like real books, newspapers, magazines, etc. As aforementioned, I sit on my butt all day in an office in front of a computer screen. During my lunch breaks and when I get home, the LAST thing I want to do is look at a computer screen!! However, I actually found that the Kindle’s screen has a pretty soothing contrast and looks like a real page. Also, the Kindle 2 does not use backlighting which eliminates glares for daytime / outdoor reading.

The Kindle also has six adjustable font sizes and utilizes 16 shades of gray. So when your eyes get tired or if you have a book that has small font, you can make it bigger on the Kindle screen. Compared to the first version, the Amazon Kindle 2 is MUCH slimmer and more refined. It is about 1/3 of an inch in profile and weighs 10.2 ounces. That’s about the size of most magazines, only this gadget can hold up to 1,500 books in one!

3. The five-way joy stick: piece of crap?? The five-way navigation is like those pencil-eraser mice that come on laptops (in between the keys); I found it pretty intuitive but not that convenient. Sometimes I felt that the joystick was a little slow, but not a deal breaker. Something like a track ball on the Blackberry would probably be a better solution. A touch screen would be ideal! There are also page-turning buttons located on both sides and the screen can be rotated from portrait to landscape views for optimal comfort.

4. “Monotasking Hardware”. I read several reviews and comments on how the Amazon Kindle 2 only does ONE thing. First of all, let me just say that the Amazon Kindle 2 is NOT, I repeat NOTan iPhone!! Most cameras do only “one” thing, but like the Kindle, they do one thing very well. The bottom line about my digital camera is that as long as it takes high-quality pictures, I am perfectly content. The 2 GB storage capability is not for storing all kinds of content (music, maps, FaceBook, Shazam, Table Tennis, Air Hockey, ESPN, etc.), it is for storing 1,500 BOOKS! If you’re in the market for an innovative reading device, why would you want to have all the aforesaid distractions? When you finish a book, you simply download another one and begin again. In short, the Amazon Kindle 2 may have one main function (reading) but you can still download a number of different formats in addition to books, like newspapers, magazines, and blogs.

5. Simplicity. The Amazon Kindle 2 is simple and easy to use. It is wireless and ready to go right out of the box; there are no cables, no setup, and no software to install. During the Amazon Kindle 2 review presentation, Amazon’s CEO showed a video where one lucky tester said he never read manuals (who does??), and he had no trouble at all using the Amazon Kindle 2 right away. The design team also claims to have improved the battery life on the Kindle 2. The Kindle 2 will stay charged for a week with wireless on and two weeks with wireless off (varies based on usage). However, I did see a few comments on the web that since both the Kindle 1 and 2 have long battery lives, the difference is hardly noticeable.

6. Is the Kindle too fragile? This is a touchy subject for some people. I read several reviews regarding the durability of the Amazon Kindle 2 and I found that it really depends on the person using it. Some people go through their day worrying that their Kindle may be too flimsy and that it might break in their bags. Of course nothing can replace the durability of a good-old-fashioned book; you can drop it, throw it, use it as a door stopper, and it will still be readable. Personally, I didn’t think it is that flimsy at all. I guess I can see how jamming a few books and magazines into your bag, and even the laptop (all together with the Kindle) can cause apprehension. However, when I have my Amazon Kindle 2, I’ll be carrying half as many magazines and books. Sounds like the problem is solved to me! On a side note, just like cell phones and laptops, there are also various Kindle cases you can buy separately for more protection.

7. The Amazon Kindle 2 can read to you! True. With the Text-to-Speech feature, the Amazon Kindle 2 can read English books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs out loud while you’re on the train, as you’re walking, or when it gets too dark outside, at which point you can turn on the audio and listen to the rest of the chapter. You can even have the Kindle read to you while you drive from point A to point B. You can also choose between a male and female voice that can be sped up or slowed down according to your preference. Every now and then however, the reader will mispronounce items and may give wacky emphasis. For example, the reader has been known to pronounce “dash” instead of pausing at one; still not a deal breaker though.

8. eBooks are the FUTURE. The Amazon Kindle 2 review presentation featured testimonials from Kindle 2 users, saying that they read now more than ever. I concur with this because I often leave books, magazines, and articles behind because I simply can’t carry all of them. Plus, I only read what I have on hand… doesn’t everyone?? The Amazon Kindle 2, with its instant access to over 390,000 books, will surely expand my reading horizons as well as yours as popularity continues to intensify.

As is the case with all new cutting-edge technology, the Amazon Kindle 2 has several negatives, but in my opinion, the benefits far prevail. Amazon has nailed the eBook market and will probably dominate for several years. I expect that we’ll be reading eBooks while we rocket to Mars in 2100. Whether you join the bandwagon now or later, it is inevitable. Send me a message at my website if you have any questions regarding my Amazon Kindle 2 review.

Lately, I’ve been working on a website that reviews the Amazon Kindle 2 even further: reviewing Amazon’s main e-reader competitors, emerging issues / stories, Kindle accessories, and user tips!CLICK HERE to get the latest scoop / reviews on the Amazon Kindle 2 and related products.

Author: Aaron Espinoza
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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True Blood Vs Twilight – Which Has the Bigger Bite?

On By Michel McDonaldIn Books, Movies, TVLeave a comment

Two of the biggest and most anticipated paromantasy series are making (or have made) their debut this month. True Blood hit the small screen on June 13th with its season 3 premiere, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse hits the big screen on June 30th. My question to you is:

Which is the ultimate vamp saga: True Blood or Eclipse?

The battle of the Twilighters and True Blooders has been raging on, both with huge followings. This doesn’t mean that the Twilighters aren’t fans of True Blood, or vice-verse – it’s just the debate of which one is the better of the two series, both in literature and on-screen.
Twilighters are fierce in their support, as seen by Twilight’s complete take over at the MTV Movie Awards this past Sunday. True Blood is not slacking in the awards arena, with both an Emmy and a Golden Globe under its belt.

It is also clear that neither phenomenon is going anywhere. Alan Ball confirmed in January that True Blood will be back for a fourth season and Wyck told the Times earlier this year that Breaking Dawn is going forward (still not sure if it will be one movie or two), and shooting will begin this Fall.

So, what’s the verdict? If you ask me: True Blood wins – Hands Down!

Wait! Before you hit send on the hate email you just put together, hear me out.

Don’t get me wrong – I love the Twilight Saga and consider myself a Superfang, but True Blood has it all: Action, Romance, Mystery, Horror, plus it is just plain steamy. Vamps and Werewolves are scary, sinister and sexy – which is pretty much why we love them. True Blood brings this to the forefront making you love them and fear them at the same time. Key Examples: Remember when sensitive and tranquil vampire Bill went a little loco and killed Sookie’s molesting uncle – wasn’t that the sweetest and scariest thing you ever saw?! How about Eric Northman? Do I even have to give you an example? That vamp is walking danger and sex on very long legs (sorry, you can clearly tell who my paromantasy vamp is).

Twilight can be the complete opposite. It does have moments of action, but it is essentially a love story, without the added bonus of gore and suspense. We can pretty much predict what is going to happen from beginning to end. Even the fans out there have to admit that it can also get down right depressing at times! Remember the scene where Bella sat at the window for months after Edward left – ugh. I was screaming at her to get up and get over it already. Sorry, that part just ticked me off. That leads me to the next bit; True Blood characters are just more entertaining. Let’s take a look:

Bella vs. Sookie

Sookie can be ditzy and downright annoying at times, but she doesn’t take crap from anyone (or anything!). She sticks up for what she believes in and isn’t afraid to take the bull by the horns, or should I say the vamps by their fangs. This lady is fierce when she wants to be. Plus, she can read minds and that’s hot.

Bella is the complete opposite. She’s smart and shy, but she is too dependent on others. Come on – Admit it! When she lost Edward, her world turned upside down. She was pretty much the walking dead, which is funny cause isn’t that Edward’s job:)

She stood in that crazy zombie state until she started hanging out with Jacob. When Jacob wanted to ditch her, Bella nearly went insane again – she begged him not to leave her. Not cool! Like I said before, Bella and Sookie are complete opposites. Bella’s power: The vamps can’t read her mind.

Winner is: Sookie

Leading Men

Do you prefer a vamp that sparkles or is completely dead in the sunlight?
Do you prefer a vamp who will recite poetry to you or a vamp that will make you scream poetry in the bedroom (if you catch my drift)?

When you look at the leading male characters of Bill and Edward, determining a clear winner is pretty hard. These two are particularly similar. Two vamps that want to go against the grain and lead “normal” lives. They want to better themselves instead of becoming the monsters that you hear about in scary stories. They are both intelligent, old fashioned and are very protective of their ladies. Both are melancholy and a little to blah for my taste. That is why I am team Eric and team Jacob!

Winner is: Tie. They are too much alike to call a clear winner

Lady Stealer

You can’t have a paromantasy without throwing in a love triangle. Not to worry: Eric and Jacob are here to give us the drama we want.

Eric: Ah, Eric. What can I say about him? He is walking sex, danger and evil, with a hidden soft spot in that non-beating heart of his. Isn’t that an oxy moron for you? He locks up and tortures Lafayette one minute, then saves Sookie and cries for Godric in the next. His character leaves you on your toes at all times. Do you trust him or not? Are his intentions pure or does he just want something from you? Is he hot or is he hot? Okay, that last one doesn’t make sense. The point is: with Eric, nothing is predictable, nothing is straightforward and everything is erotic and sexy. This is why we love him. Men want to be him and ladies; well we want to do much, much more to him;-)

Jacob: He is the lovable werewolf who will die defending the people he loves, especially Bella. He is both immature and mature for his age. This is confusing, but true. When it comes to Bella he is naive, but when it comes to life – he gets the big picture. This werewolf is cute with an edge.

Winner is: Eric. Did you even have to ask?! This one is no contest.

Supporting Cast

True Blood
This is where things get interesting. True Blood has a huge array of characters that are all interesting, entertaining and down right funny. Case in point: Lafayette. Who doesn’t love the flamboyant gay guy who can be your makeup artists, stylist and your bodyguard all at the same time? He dances, wears makeup and can throw a killer punch. He is the manliest guy in a skirt and I love him.

Jason: He is the dumb, hot, athletic blonde brother of Sookie whose main goal is to get laid any chance he gets. He is funny and strong. A trouble seeker, but loyal to those he loves – sweet and incredibly stupid. He is the ladies man whose escapades leave us dying, figuratively and literally.

Tara: She is a complete aggressor. She will take on the world, but is also quite gullible. I must admit that she is not my favorite character and I prefer the books version of Tara to the TV version, but there is also never a dull moment in her life and that makes for great entertainment.

Pam: Eric’s sidekick may not be a regular, but when she is on – she is memorable. She is classy, pretty, snarky, witty and sarcastic all wrapped up with a comically evil bow. This fashionista vamp can take a crowd down in seconds without wrinkling her outfits or messing up her shoes, except when she was looking for Maryanne – wasn’t that part funny. She is also hot, but don’t underestimate her. She’ll eat your kids for dinner – literally.

Jessica: She is the newly made vamp that is driving Bill crazy. She came on the scene and was an instant fan favorite. Why? She is funny and sexy – innocent and wild. Plus, teens are crazy as it is – teen vamps are just insane. Hey, even Eric couldn’t deal with her, and that is saying something.

The Werewolves: They are coming to town this season and those familiar with the novels have already been introduced to them. They are strong, fierce and incredibly hot. For those who haven’t been keeping up with TB news, the character of Alcide has this last requirement down pact. Take a look:

Twilight
The supporting cast in Twilight is just that: a supporting cast – Alice aside. None of the Cullen clan is given the chance to really connect with the audience. Sure you catch a glimpse of them here and get a word from them there, but they are never given the opportunity to shine. They are potential that is completely stifled. Personalities are not really shown and other than Alice, none are really extraordinary. Just to be fair, I’ll go over the Cullen’s anyway.

Alice: She is lively and vivacious. Fierce and lovable (did you see her snap James’ neck – so yes, I did mean fierce). She can also predict the future, which is just awesome. I love her character because she demands attention. She is the cutest, sweetest vamp you’ll meet, plus she has a sense of style.

Carlisle: He is the caring “father” that is the head of the Cullen clan. He is devoted to his family and friends. He is like a doctor vamp angel and you just got to love that!

Esme: She is the “mom” of the Cullen clan and is pretty much the female version of Carlisle. She’s patient, loving and angelic (except for the fact that she hunts and drinks animal blood).

Jasper: He is the newly made vamp who is not as restrained in his desire for human blood. He constantly looks like he’s in pain or smelled something really funky because of this desire to kill.

Emmett: He is the golden boy of the Cullen brood. He’s athletic, modern, loves cars and is super hot. Too bad he only has two lines per movie. At least he is great to look at!

Rosalie: She is the designated bitch of the clan and I personally love her. She is straightforward and is very vocal in her dislike for Bella (although that does change later on). If you want an honest answer and/or opinion – this is the girl to go to!

Winner is: True Blood

Plot
True Blood addresses a number of underlying issues, while giving us the nail biting, hair pulling, adrenaline / heart pumping action that keeps us on our toes. They tackle racism, segregation, religion, and vamp rights in society.

Twilight gives us the typical forbidden romance with the normal background of vamps hiding amongst the humans and battling a few evil human blood spilling vamps that threaten society. The only twist is that they can come out during the day, but even that is not fun because they sparkle, which causes them to hide on sunny days.

Winner: True Blood

Final Verdict
True Blood and Twilight are like their respective vampire bites. True Blood vamp bites are erotic, dangerous and mind blowing, while a bite by a Twilight vamp pretty much leaves you lifeless or turns you into a cold one.

As for me: I prefer hot and dangerous. The Ultimate Winner Is: True Blood!

The fans seem to agree with me. On a poll given on my Paromantasy website, True Blood held the crown with a whopping 90% of voters voting for them over Twilight.

This article is written by Evelyn Amaro. You can find news, spoilers, pictures and articles on True Blood, Twilight, along with all things paranormal romance and urban fantasy on her Paromantasy website: http://www.paromantasy.com

Evelyn Amaro
http://www.paromantasy.com

Author: Evelyn Amaro
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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