Weekend Tidbits: News & Stories of the Past Week

Before you proceed, let your mind do a little workout first. 

The Not-So-Good-News-But-Still-News News

DID YOU KNOW that there are more taste buds in your eyeballs than in your tongue? Just kidding. Okay no more bluffing and onto a more serious issue: Food Wastage. Alexandra Silver of Time Magazine's Online Newsfeed writes that all-you-can-eat buffets (I was just there last weekend!) and buy-one-get-one-free deals are only two of the primary factors that contribute to the alarming 1.3 billion metric tons of food in the world that is lost (on the production side of the food supply chain) or wasted (on the consumption side) annually.

IN MY OPINION, an airplane with passengers on board while in transit and up in the air is considered a nation in itself with own strict rules, social and group dynamics, and units. That's why, peace and order and of course safety of all are always ensured, enforced, and followed. This past week alone, there have been several mid-air disturbances that went on the news. Blame it on booze, a male Virgin Atlantic flight passenger allegedly made sexual advances toward his female seatmate that resulted in a major scuffle and property damages worth at about $40,000.  On more mid-air chaos, a Delta Airlines passenger wanted to have an early exit when this person attempted to open the plane's emergency door alarming everyone on board. How about excess baggage? Southwest Airlines, the leading airline company when it comes to customer service according to a recent survey, has landed in hot water when it refused to fly a mother and daughter because they are just "too fat to fly."   

Photo Courtesy of The Guardian UK / Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images

EYE FOR AN EYE. In Iran, the acid blinding sentence of Majid Movahedi was postponed after the Iranian Government heeded international outcry and protests. In what to be a reversal of fortune of sorts, Mohavedi, was sentenced to receive the same fate he handed to her supposed bride when he threw acid on her face because she refused to marry him. The badly disfigured victim asked for retribution under the Islamic Sharia Law.  

GOOD NEWS. INSPIRING STORIES. THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE.

DO YOU THINK farting inside the school bus warrants school suspension? I guess if it's really that bad.  


YESTERDAY, Oprah featured the inspiring story of George Dawson as she recapped the best stories she tackled during the last 25 years. Dawson, a grandson of African slaves in Texas, learned to read, write, and even went on to study for his GED at age 103. Also in Texas, Burlyce Sherrell Logan, 73, will graduate today (Saturday) at the University of North Texas and receive her college degree.

Graduation day today for 73-year old Burlyce Sherrell Logan.
COURTESY OF Matt Nager for the New York Times.

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE. This poignant but inspiring story of a real-life Bondi Beach lifesaver in Australia and his inability to save his own brother and sister who both committed suicide a year apart from each other.

Photo: Photo by Danielle Smith COURTESY OF The Sydney Morning Herald 

Matt Dee (C) with Jonathan and sister Rachel.
COURTESY OF The Sydney Morning Herald

Here's a clip of Matt Dee from the TV Show Bondi Rescue: 

 

FANTASTIC FLICKS TO WATCH.

The 2011 Cannes Film Festival is only on its fourth day today and most of the much-awaited movies are yet to be screened and presented. Indiewire.com has an interesting coverage of the Festival and a long set of trailers and clips of the movies in and out of competition. My picks are: Academy award-winner Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life" starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn; Gus van Sant's "Restless"; Lars von Trier's eccentric "Melancholia"; and Almdomovar's intriguing "La Piel Que Habito" or "The Skin I Live In" starring the dark and twisty Antonio Banderas. 

This movie clip claims that after World War II, the Nazis recouped, left the Earth, and set up camp on the Dark Side of the Moon. And now, apparently, the evil Hitler is saying "I come in pieces!" Or, was that "peace"?   

Fairy Tale Coincidence or Mean-Spirited Touch-Ups?

I know you've seen this picture already because it's all over the Internet and even on CNN. When I first saw it, my first reaction was "Oh, how wonderful! Look at that it really is a fairy tale wedding!"

But then, I checked the 1950 Disney "Cinderella" movie and I found out some inconsistencies and how technological manipulation can really fool the naked eye.

This is the picture splattered all over the news and blogs.

Now, here is the original get-up of the Tremaine sisters, Drizella and Anastasia. Notice the colors of the gowns and their hair are totally different. Also, I really think that it is a little bit mean-spirited to label the two real-life royal princesses, Eugenie and Beatrice, as the mean step sisters. Jokes are oftentimes half-meant.       

Here is the side by side image comparison of the two royal couples: 

Again, there is a stark difference between the two from the color of Prince William's Irish guards uniform (as a Colonel of the Irish Guards) and Prince Charming's light gold and yellowish uniform.  Go figure out the other details.

Below, the two royal couples share a kiss (for Kate and William twice).  

Bottom line, they are very much in love and they are a wonderful inspiration to all folks whether you believe in fairy tales or not or you just celebrate the love and sanctity of marriage between two people.  

The Power of Words

How was your day? Tired? Friday the 13th is almost done.
Have a good weekend!

First Kiss

When is young too young for your first kiss? Elliott just scored his first kiss courtesy of a cute friend, Bowie. Elliot's Mom, who was filming it, was so enthralled by his reaction so she posted the video on YouTube.

This reminds me of the playground and school poem kids use to taunt and embarrass each other. Only this time, Elliott and Bowie's first kiss gives a somewhat joyous feeling in pure boyish/girlish spirit and a true high-five moment for the boy.


Elliott and Bowie sitting in a tree:
K - I - S - S - I - N - G
First comes love,
then comes HIGH FIVE,
then comes FUNNEL CAKES and KOOL AIDS! 
(I tweaked the words a bit!)






What do you think?

Morning Juice

Everybody loves bacon. To inspire you, stare at this and indulge yourself with high art Van Gogh bacon masterpiece:

I like the Monalisa in bacon too! Or, the Sistine Chapel bacon ceiling. 

A BOY IN THE UK is protesting his school's recent policy to prohibit all male students from wearing shorts to school with the exception of the girls. Wise that he is, 12-year old Chris Whitehead found a loophole in his school's policy regarding uniforms and decided to protest the "discrimination" by coming to school wearing a skirt. Mind you, this wunderkind has the full support of his parents and his schoolmates and friends are not minding it at all. 

USUALLY, movies and TV shows tackle stories ripped and reaped from the headlines. Sometimes, it's the other way around. Real life stories taking a cue from popular movies. I know the premise of Macaulay Culkin's "Home Alone" and its sequels sounds absurd and highly unlikely. But then again, it really could happen. And it did. The real life story however was not a comedy and extremely not inspiring. It was Christmas of 1992 when 9-year-old Nicole Schoo and her younger sister, 4-year old Diana were left in their house for nine days including Christmas day by their parents who went on a winter getaway vacation to Mexico without them. They were given strict orders not to eat more than two frozen dinners each for each day and not to answer phone call. You want to know what happened, READ ABOUT THIS...      

POPE BENEDICT is a one-of-a-kind pope. He only wears custom designed red moccasin shoes. He is reported to have some quirks and demands when traveling especially when traveling on a plane. But this picture tops it all and says it all:

La Dolce Vita.

Parental Guidance (Pun intended!): Parents in Need of Guidance

Parenting is tight balancing.

Ultra-comfort cushion.

Extra baggage, anyone?

Diapers, anyone?

Remembering The Great Seve

Spanish golfer Seve Ballesterros died last Saturday after losing his fight with brain cancer. He was a five-time major champion, a Ryder Cup legend, and a six-time Order of Merit winner. But more importantly, he was well-loved and well-respected by athletes worldwide. 

Here's what Tiger Woods has to say about the Great Seve:

I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Seve Ballesteros. I always enjoyed spending time with him at the Champions dinner...less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyTiger Woods
TigerWoods

each year at the Masters. Seve was one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game...less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyTiger Woods
TigerWoods

His creativity and inventiveness on the golf course may never be surpassed. His death came much too soon.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyTiger Woods
TigerWoods