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What cuts Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series above the rest? It’s just another sappy love story about teenagers. And a vampire falling in love with a mortal isn’t new. Buffy and Angel were the first ill-fated lovers in this genre. Other stories have followed suit — isn’t this the same plot of the new TV series True Blood?

Just when I thought I have given up on love stories, along came Twilight. Maybe no matter how hard we deny it, we still crave for undying love stories that we know can’t be real. If we can’t have it in our lives, we probably settle for reading it in a book or watching the movie. Having someone cough out lines like, “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe,” “You are my life now,” or “I’d rather die than stay away from you,” reminds us of something most of us have given up looking for. Of course, blend this with the mystic and sexy nature of vampires and the thrill of a “love that cannot be” and you’ve got yourself a bestseller and a blockbuster.

Here is the new Twilight Trailer that got cyberspace buzzing yesterday before its official release. Enjoy it while waiting for the official movie release on November 21.

Word just got out that Angelina Jolie will be W Magazine’s November cover girl which will show a picture taken by Brad Pitt while breastfeeding one of her twins. She will wear a sleeveless top, opened to reveal only a part of her left breast and the baby’s hand. It is a black and white photo showing Angelina smiling with her brown hair cascading over her shoulder. The headline promises more exclusive photos taken by the proud dad.

Two years ago, Jolie caused a stir when she wore a white nursing bra underneath her tank top on the cover of another magazine after she and Pitt had daughter Shiloh, now 2 years old. Apparently, many people find it inappropriate to publicly present a photo of a woman breastfeeding her child. It really is a wonder how some people’s mind work. They make a big thing out of this, yet adult magazines proliferate with women baring their breasts to please men’s hungry eyes.

Just in case many have forgotten, breasts were naturally made for breastfeeding. Since many find it inappropriate, it may seem like there are more people who were neglected by their mothers and were not breastfed. As long as the picture was done in good taste, a breastfeeding mother represents the love and trust between a mother and her offspring. Most of us see this in other mammals. But the love and trust is never conveyed as well as humans — a mother tenderly holding her infant, caressing the baby’s hair, and smiling softly as she performs one of her greatest accomplishments.

Is it more acceptable to see a woman baring her breasts in adult magazines? These women posing nude usually take care of their breasts to keep it attractive to men — meaning that most of them refused to breastfeed their child if they had any or will refuse to breastfeed when they do have a child. It has been a common misconception that breastfeeding children will disfigure a firm and supple breast. To deem these women more acceptable is an outrage.

Finally, RIM unveils the Storm, the Blackberry that promises to unseat the IPhone in the mobile phone market. The Storm is the first ever touchscreen Blackberry with a 480 by 360-pixel, 3.25-inch glass display. Like the IPhone, it supports multi-touch (good for 2-finger gestures) but with a “ClickThrough” feature where the user will distinctly feel the screen being pressed and released. Can it deliver tactile touch capabilities that is missing in the IPhone?

Besides the multi-touch screen, the Storm will come with an ambient light sensor and an accelerometer that automatically turns the screen when you move it sideways. In landscape view, the touch keypad is a full QWERTY while in portrait mode, it has the SureType pad similar to the Blackberry Pearl. It will also come with full-on Office document editing—including support for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.

It is roughly the size of the IPhone which will include CDMA and GSM radios and 3G access. The GPS feature will have a turn-by-turn directions. Of course, it will have Bluetooth capabilities, Blackberry email support, and also a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus. For now, it will be exclusive for Verizon Wireless (no confirmation yet) and pricing still remains a mystery. There are rumors that it will match IPhone 3G’s $199 price. Rumors also abound that a Blackberry Store is in the works, like the Apple’s App Store and the Android Market.

Whether the Storm will a better alternative to the IPhone or the upcoming T-Mobile G remains to be seen.

Isn’t it surprising that during an economic crisis, the big businesses fall first while the small ones survive? We sometimes wonder how it happens when we know that it’s the big ones who have more resources and more opportunities. Isn’t there a saying that says, “the bigger you are, the harder you fall?” Maybe more doesn’t always win. Sometimes, less survives.

I have heard so many success stories. But there are those that make my mouth gape open when I hear about them. One of them is the story of a cheap cologne manufacturer who made millions selling his products for $3 per 100ml bottle. Not only did the owner make enough to own a grand house for his family, but he was able to buy a dream vacation beach house. I can only scratch my head to contemplate how he made it. How did he? He filled a need that cost very little. We all want to smell good, especially after working out or playing sports. Would you put on an expensive perfume after an activity or a shower just to go home? And what about those who can’t afford branded perfumes or colognes? What also set his business apart from competition is that he established his business in a small stall inside a mall. Why would he put his product inside a grocery or drugstore and have consumers compare it to others? People walking past the stall readily sees his product and at $3 per bottle, it was a no brainer. Voila, he has volume sales in hundreds of thousands per month.

Looking at large companies as our models would be looking too far ahead. Aiming to be the next Calvin Klein is a goal that may be too tall for us regular folks. Start a business that only requires small capital but caters to majority of the market. At the moment, majority means budget-conscious consumers worrying about the economic crisis. If you are thinking of a business idea, a good question would be, “what do most people need and how much would they pay for it without reservations?” Remember that a profit of 50 cents per item may seem small, but if you multiply this by millions, it is bigger than what you can imagine. Maybe we don’t have to think big to make it big. Sometimes, thinking small just might work.

After the controversial melamine scare brought about by milk from China, here comes another product that places the health of little girls and women at risks. It was recently discovered that hair bands manufactured from China might cause sexually transmitted diseases to women and girls using them because they are made from used condoms.

Women who use hair bands are aware that sometimes we put them temporarily in our mouth while we gather our hair into a pony tail or while we braid them. If you are using a hair band made from recycled condoms, it is possible to contract genital warts or any other sexually transmitted disease with this method and product.

Rubber hair bands have been found in Chinese local markets and beauty salons in Dongguan and Guangzhou cities in Southern Guangdong province to have been made from used condoms. No wonder they come so cheap. Despite being recycled, the hair bands could still contain bacteria and viruses from the user of the condom. A government official was quoted as saying recycling condoms was illegal.

Here again, we see irresponsible manufacturers in China putting health risks into millions of consumers in exchange for profit. Beware of such hair bands. Remind your girlfriends or your daughters not to place them in their mouth while fixing their hair. Then again, would you even dare hold one of these in your hands?

Being in front of a computer for more than 12 hours a day has taken its toll on my eyes. From a perfect vision 5 years ago, doctors tell me my eyes have deteriorated and I need prescription eyeglasses. They also tell me that I should get one that protects my eyes from the computer screen if I spend that much time in front of a computer. I checked out designer eyeglasses a few weeks ago to get one, but the prices all floored me. They were all out of my budget limitations.

Since I have always made it a point to check out online stores when I need to buy something, I luckily found Zenni Optical. They offer fashionable prescription eyeglasses that can go as low as $8.00. Zenni is able to offer them cheap to consumers because they have no middlemen to pay. Their eyeglasses come straight from their factories straight to the online shopper. And when you check their styles, they are really good that you will find the value unbelievable.

Considering the affordability of Zenni eyeglasses, I now have no excuse not wear prescription glasses because they are expensive. I can’t say that they will make me look bad too because there are numerous styles to choose from that can make me look chic and smart. The value and quality of a Zenni eyeglass is so good that The Clark Howard Show even recommends them to consumers. Check the site now and find one that fits your style.

Did you know that most small business owners are unaware that they are qualified for tax credits? The government does give tax incentives to companies regardless of its size. The US government motivates innovation and provides Research and Development tax credits to engineering companies, chemical manufacturers, software companies, and others that will move the nation forward in terms of technology.

Most tax consultants discovered that many small and mid-sized companies are unaware of this tax program by the government. They probably believe only companies such as Microsoft or Apple are eligible. Some even end up getting thousands of dollars back from tax overpayments after applying for the tax credits for the first time.
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The most widely-read and critically-acclaimed graphic novel in history is now coming into film. Following the success of 300, Zack Snyder now attempts the near impossible as he adapts Alan Moore’s Watchmen into a 2-hour movie. Fans of the novel believe a short movie could not give justice to the sprawling epic.

During the teaser screening of a 20-minute footage of the film, those invited were treated to the energetic portrayal of some scenes in the novel. This led them to believe that Snyder did make the impossible possible. Despite unfinished visual effects and temporary music, it was obvious that Snyder was intent on his dedication to bring the original text into film.

The opening twelve minutes of the movie starts with the attack on the Comedian (Jeffery Dean Morgan) with brutal fist fights that remind you of the slow-to-fast motion of the fight scenes in the 300. However, the setting seems more natural as these were shot on actual sets instead of green screens. This was followed by the opening credits which retells the history of the book’s alternate universe.

Two more scenes from later in the film were also shown which introduces the heroes, Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), Silk Spectre (Malin Ackerman), and Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley). Judging from the scenes, it appears that the filmmakers will deliver an R-Rated adult movie that will not soften the novel’s violent, sexual, and political nature.

According to Snyder, he has shown the movie to some who have not read the novel and they have been able to follow the plot. As a matter of fact, he expressed desire to be able to watch it with fresh eyes — unaware of how the story will unfold. The film currently runs at 2 hours and 45 minutes but the later DVD edition will be expanded to include an additional animated story within the story. The movie is slated for release on March 6, 2009. Meanwhile, here’s a glimpse of the most awaited movie in 2009.

Before I reach my senior years, my dream is to be able to travel to the most beautiful parts of the world. And based on what I’ve seen in travel documentaries and the movies, Italy is probably the first one I would go and see. Aside from visiting Rome, I want to spend days in Tuscany. Tuscany is known for it’s beautiful hills and exceptional food. It is considered the top tourist destination in Italy with its warm climate and visits to Florence and Pisa.

As one of the world’s most exquisite vacation spots, it is no wonder that it also houses the best hotels and holiday rentals in the world. And if you are looking for a perfect home while you’re in Tuscany, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk has the widest selection of homes which can be rented directly from owners online. This will make your stay in Tuscany all the more genuine, not to mention the great price that provides travelers more savings for their vacation. Their wide selection offers travelers every type of vacation home they can dream of in Tuscany — from luxury villas, apartments, cottages, or even castles.

Among other things that I do when planning a vacation, I visit tourist information sites about the location we have chosen. Information on Tuscany that can optimize any traveler’s visit are also available in the internet. These resources can give you the perfect agenda during your visit to Tuscany. As for me, I plan to see Florence, Pisa, and spend a wonderful time by the beach at Viareggio. Just imagining it now, I can almost taste the glorious food and exquisite wine that Tuscany is famous for. Come join me and make Tuscany a dream come true.

Radio jock Howard Stern married long-time girlfriend Beth Ostrosky Friday night at the Le Cirque restaurant in Manhattan. The ceremony was a private affair attended only by close friends. The bride was beautiful in a white Marchesa Grecian gown.

The couple exchanged vows which was officiated by Kelly Ripa’s hubby, Mark Consuelos. There were 180 guests which included Joan Rivers, Barbara Walters, Billy Joel and wife Katie Lee, Tommy Mottola, and Donald and Melania Trump. The wedding being a big secret, guests were told to save the date but were told only last week that the ceremony will be held midtown at 7 pm. The dress code was “no black tie” and guests were requested to give donations to the Wildlife Rescue Center in lieu of gifts. According to sources, the event raised thousands of dollars for the organization.

What many don’t realize is that a perfect rug can make the difference between a beautiful home and a plain one.  I have seen simple house interiors that stand out because of the beautiful rugs that complemented an entire room decor.  The rug’s colors should blend well with the floor, the walls, windows, and other furnishings.  Same concept follows with the design — traditional or oriental designs should likewise match the theme of the room.

However, if you are not careful, you can end up with a low quality rug that costs too much.  There are various rugs available in the market and some are sold by middlemen which hikes up the price one more level for their profit.  On the other hand, cheap rugs can also be of substandard quality that it would end up costing you more because they don’t last.  If you want quality rugs at good prices, the best one online is SuperiorRugs.com.  What sets SuperiorRugs.com apart from other rug retailers is that they manufacture the rugs themselves.  This means they can offer it at a cheaper price, at the same time, the quality is carefully controlled.

I browsed through their site and found area rugs with such beautiful designs that I couldn’t figure out which one would be good for the living room.  There were so many choices and each one just as good as the next.  They have a wide range of selection on oriental and persian rugs in different sizes and different shapes.  They also provide excellent service to customers.  With the variety of designs and options available, you can call them to help you with your choice.  They have the expertise to assist you in choosing the design, the shape, and the size of the rug that will blend perfectly with your room.  Their online store also offers free shipping and a 30-day money back guarantee.  If you are working on a tight budget, they have clearance area rugs marked down as low as 80%.  Find the perfect rug to complement your home — visit SuperiorRugs.com now.

The US government continues to scramble for a resolution to the woes of the financial industry in hopes of averting a real meltdown that has not been experienced since the 1930’s. For those who are still lucky enough to keep their jobs, the issue is how to control expenses and maintain financial stability. While an average consumer definitely has debts which include credit card obligations, car installments, or home mortgages, good fiscal management means that the family income will be sufficient to fund these debt payments with enough left to take care of regular expenses.

One of the most critical steps in maintaining financial stability is determining income and expenses. It would be good to take a conservative stance when making your estimates — this means keep income at minimal levels while approximating expenses at its peaks. If you have supplemental income from other sources that are irregular, try to keep this out of the equation first. When there are payments that are not settled on a monthly basis, fund a pro-rated portion of it in your savings monthly. This way, when payment becomes due, you have enough to settle them. And always allocate a portion of your earnings for emergency expenses if possible. If there are still enough funds left, keep them as savings. When your savings fund has grown enough, place them in secure investments. Regardless of the interest income rate, a 2% income on savings is still better than having them earn nothing at all.
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Business and marketing continues to grow steadfast worldwide despite the current financial crisis that hounds the US. If anything, businesses have found the need to increase marketing and discover innovations in business to adapt to the current trends in the global industry. While door-to-door and direct selling has now come close to becoming obsolete, the use of current technology has now been the means by which many have revolved their marketing strategy around.

Aside from email marketing, voice broadcasting is another tool that marketers have used to bring their messages across to consumers. A Voice Broadcast is a communication technique where messages are broadcast to telephones of hundreds or thousands of recipients all at once. MyVoiceDialing.com is the leader in voice broadcasting with state-of-the-art equipment that can connect with target businesses and consumers. They have a team with over 25 years of combined management experience which translates to quality service and customer support.

MyVoiceDialing offers voice broadcasting and robo calls for marketing leads including mortgage leads and political broadcasting. With the wide range of services that the company provides, it can cater to almost any type of business that requires reaching out to hundreds of consumers. It is a non-partisan company which can provide service to any political party especially with the upcoming elections. Visit their website at MyVoiceDialing.com and learn more of the ways that you can implement this new marketing strategy.

Showing on October 17th is the much-awaited movie, The Secret Life of Bees, from the NY Times best selling novel of Sue Monk Kidd. It stars no less than the talented Dakota Fanning, Academy-award nominees Queen Latifah and Sophie Okonedo, Academy-award winner Jennifer Hudson, and Alicia Keys.

Set in South Carolina in 1964, it is a tale of 14-year old Lily Owens (Fanning) who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Burton). Lily flees with her caregiver, Rosaleen (Hudson), to escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Bettany). She is taken in by the Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo, and Keys) and discovers their enchanting world of beekeeping. Lily discovers a whole new world with the sisters and finds a home she has been longing for since her mother’s death. But a white girl living with a black household brings complications the sisters have feared from the start.
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I love sports. The excitement . . . the thrill . . . and the human skill involved amazes me. For that reason, I always look out for the world’s best athletes. Whether it’s in the Olympics, the NBA, Major League Baseball, or NFL, I just enjoy watching them.

Being a frustrated athlete, I do try my hand at any sport available to me. But despite the skills I developed in swimming, volleyball, badminton, and a lot more, nothing beats watching the pros show you how it’s supposed to be done. And if it’s sports video you want, only SportsVids can give them to you in their website. Aren’t you tired of searching for sports videos in a video site where it’s free for all? Now, search, watch, or upload your favorite sports video in a site dedicated to the excellence of the human body and spirit. Watching videos of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Tiger Woods, or Usain Bolt lifts the soul. It tells me there’s so much more we are capable of doing if we put our heart, mind, and soul into it. I believe that sports is the best representation of a human beings ability to persevere against all odds.

If you’re looking for a video clip of Tiger Woods’ amazing shots or older clips from Michael Jordan’s buzzer beaters, SportsVids.com is definitely the website for you. Watch or upload videos in this premier online sports video site. Below is one of the more famous athletes that have graced the headlines in the past months as he attempts the impossible and succeeds even more than expected. Watch Michael Phelps in one of his memorable races in the Beijing Olympics as he breaks the World Record and wins one of the many gold medals in the 400 Individual Medley swimming event.

Michael Phelps 400 Medley Original - Click here for more sports videos