Life 101 – BP Oil Crisis and Surfer Mag

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

While we’re hearing about BP and the oil spill on the news every night, I’m a little surprised the coverage hasn’t gone much beyond the politics and finger-pointing. Turns out I’m not the only one, and my friends at Surfer magazine just started a BP Oil Crisis blog. It’s equally refreshing as it is tear-jerking: stories and photographs from real people along the coast. Articles betray shock and emotion as the bloggers watch the tragedy unfold on their precious seas. Because after all, who loves the beach more than surfers? Kudos to Surfer mag for bringing some heartfelt media coverage to the crisis.

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Pop Culture Pop-Up – Wonder Woman’s New Clothes

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

“What woman wears the same outfit for 70 years?” That’s the question DC comics writer J. Michael Straczynski asks us. The answer? No one, not even Wonder Woman. She’s got a whole new rough gal get-up–no more stripes and certainly no more glitter. We say: Ick. Some questions for you to ponder: Who is even wearing pants anymore? Artist Jim Lee (who apparently gave Wonder Woman black leggings) obviously hasn’t met Beyonce. And can Megan Fox, who’s rumored to star as Wonder Woman in a new movie, take on Lynda Carter’s classic spin transformation? Um, no. No, she cannot.

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Pop Culture Pop-Up – Old Spice Commercials

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Ladies, the man who doesn’t look like your man, but could smell like your man, Isaiah Mustafa, is back with a new installment of the ever-so-clever, rhetorical question-sprinkled, Old Spice commercial. I always wonder, who is the Mad Man (or Woman) who comes up with these? Almost makes me want to try out some Old Spice. And normal (read: not hunky Isaiah Mustafa) men can be funny, too. Like this dude in the bar soap spoof. Score one for nerdy people everywhere.

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Household Tips – RecycleBank

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Got clutter and a kind heart? Then RecycleBank is for you. Schedule a junk pick-up with the program and they’ll haul your unwanted stuff (old stereos, cracked cell phones, magazine stacks) away, making sure it’s recycled and disposed of responsibly. In return, you get points you can redeem for gift cards at RecycleBank’s website.
To figure out what you need and what you don’t, check out Better Homes and Garden’s 7-Clutter Reducing Tips and their 4 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Clutter.
And if you have an excess of Post-It notes, you can always get inspired by this Savannah College of Art and Design senior’s brilliant project. (Honestly, a lame excuse for a cool video.)

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American Fun – Night at the Museum Sleepover

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

If you’ve ever had that weird nightmare where you get lost in the Natural History Museum and they lock up for the night, and then you have to spend the night with the giant blue whale (oh, that’s just me?)… it can now become a reality. Only in a not-scary, kid-friendly way. With the Night at the Museum Sleepover program, kids can spend the night at the museum, and participate in all kinds of fun activities like tours, movies and snacktime in the food court. At $129, it’s way cheaper than an NYC hotel room. Too bad you have to be under 13 to participate!

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Dinner Party Talk – Wedding Can Couple

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Whatever your recycling regime, this Spokane, Washington couple has you beat. The duo spent almost six and a half months collecting aluminum cans and recycling them for pennies. The funds–almost $3,800 from 400,000 cans–will pay for their wedding this July. But reaching their goal hasn’t stopped them from continuing to collect and recycle cans. From now on, 40% of the money they get from their cans goes to their honeymoon fund, and 60% will go to Doctors Without Borders. Good deeds, and, as the couple writes on their blog, “a killer party! What could be better?”

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Pet Fun – World’s Ugliest Dog

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Princess Abby, a hunchback, one-eyed chihuahua was declared the World’s Ugliest Dog this weekend at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in California. Her two-legged friend, Kathleen Francis, took home $1,600 in prize money and Princess Abby took home a shiny blue ribbon. The contest is part of a dog lover’s festival, which celebrated all pups (not just the ugly ones!). Dogs attended a cuisine party with organic dog food chef Mary Duffy, and while their dogs chowed down, the owners could go to seminars on adoption and training. Even cooler, most of the dog day events were sponsored by the local branch of the Humane Society. Happily, Princess Abby remains unfazed. Dogs are not worried about appearance.

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Pet Fun – Luxe Doggie Hotels

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

We all love to travel with our precious pooches, but this is a summer reminder not to leave them in the car while you run a quick errand. Not even for a second. Cars can heat up to 120 degrees within minutes.
On a happier note, do dogs get better treatment at certain hotels than their people? According to this Lemondrop article, yes. At the Affina Hotel in Chicago, dogs are treated to plush beds, doggie massages and a pet psychic can come by to decipher your dog’s brain (Eat? Play? Walk? Sleep.) And at the Townsend Hotel in Michigan, pets are greeted with silver food bowls, gourmet treats and even doggie clothing.

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Dinner Party Talk – Turtles

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Turtles probably aren’t the most talked about members of the animal kingdom (you know, no fangs or huge claws, and they’re soooo slow…) but this video of turtles helping each other out is one of the most inspiring animal clips I’ve seen. Your takeaway: Lend a helping hand. Just one little good deed might save someone on their life path.
Oh, and another fascinating turtle fact–according to a study at the University of Michigan, turtles don’t age. Our shelled friends die of disease or attack, but not of getting too old. And for your weekend: This 1967 hit by the Turtles. Turn it up and happy good-deed-doing!

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Gossip – Quiet Hero party

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

The Polish Consulate just hosted a book signing for Quiet Hero, my new book with Rita Cosby. Pictures from the night are on James Edstrom’s great site Times Square Gossip-which celebrates stories from “the center of the world.” The wonderful Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka, Poland’s Consul General in NY, threw the standing room only party for Rita and her father Richard at the De Lamar Mansion. It was packed with lots of notables. If you haven’t gotten a copy of Quiet Hero, please do. I’m incredibly proud of it. Sen. John McCain said: “Rita’s story is one that will touch every family… A loving, poignant tribute to her POW father and freedom.”

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