Technology Slice Blog

Stephen McGee doesn't Miss Out - As Stephen McGee got dressed, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo walked over and slapped the young quarterback on the shoulder. Jon Kitna sat in the next stall, struggling to put on his shoes. Jon Kitna, who had been elevated to the starting role by an injury to Tony Romo , left Saturday's game with a muscle strain suffered during the second quarter, clearing the way for former Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee to make his NFL debut. If there was a torch, the quarterbacks would have passed it – from Romo to Kitna to McGee. Instead, the injured veterans could only offer the kid some encouragement. Stephen McGee doesn't Miss Out After Romo broke his collarbone in Week 6, Kitna kept the offense going. Until Saturday night, when he suffered a strained oblique muscle in his left abdomen late in the second quarter. McGee, making his NFL debut, managed to move the ball, too. He rallied Dallas to a lead they quickly squandered. "It ...

How to Judge a Beauty Pageant - To judge a beauty pageant you must keep in mind that you're looking for more than just a pretty face. A beauty pageant demands poise, excellent social skills and an ability to answer challenging questions. Most of all, it means as a judge you have to make the tough decision of who meets these demands above all others. Here's what to consider when judging a beauty pageant. Talk with the event organizers beforehand to make sure you understand the full criteria the contestants are being judged on. One beauty pageant might not be like another, and its important to know how one event differs from another. How to Judge a Beauty Pageant Meet the contestants before the competition if it is allowed by the rules. Knowing the personality of each contestant is very important because it allows you to see them in a less stressful and more normalized setting. Arrive early at the venue for the competition and give yourself time to find your place. Being...

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie Birthers - Gov. Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii, who befriended President Obama’s parents when they were university students here, has been in office for less than three weeks. But he is so incensed over “birthers” — the conspiracy theorists who assert that Mr. Obama was born in Kenya and was thus not eligible to become president — that he is seeking ways to change state policy to allow him to release additional proof that the president was born in Honolulu in 1961. Gov. Neil Abercrombie knew President Obama's parents and said he saw him as a baby. Enlarge This Image Marco Garcia/Associated Press Neil Abercrombie and his wife, Nancie Caraway before the inauguration ceremony on Dec. 6 in Honolulu. Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie Birthers “It’s an insult to his mother and to his father, and I knew his mother and father; they were my friends, and I have an emotional interest in that,” Governor Abercrombie said in a telephone interview late Thurs...

Drugs Disguised as Bath Salts Send Users to ERs - Dangerous new drugs are being sold as fake bath salts, fake fertilizer or fake insect repellent — and sending drug abusers to emergency rooms around the country after snorting or smoking them, poison center officials say. At least 84 people around Louisiana have been hospitalized because of paranoia, fighting, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and physical effects such as hypertension and rapid heartbeat — most for a day or two but at least three of them for weeks, Mark Ryan, head of the Louisiana Poison Center, said Wednesday. Although they're labeled as bath products or even poison, always including the warning "Not for human consumption," word on the street and the Internet is that they can be sniffed as "legal cocaine" or "legal speed," Henry A. Spiller, director of the Kentucky Regional Poison Center in Louisville, said Wednesday. "These are experienced drug users ... There's a lot ...

Wedding Costs - Want to cut down on your wedding costs, but have nightmares about a roomful of guests picking at iceberg lettuce for dinner? Brides- and grooms-to-be, take comfort: Trimming wedding costs doesn't have to mean foregoing the Plaza suite in favor of Grandma's spare attic bedroom. Wedding consultants around the country told us that there are plenty of ways to nip and tuck the fat in your wedding budget — without your family and friends being any the wiser. Wedding Costs And there's lots of fat to cut. According to Richard Markel, president of the Association for Wedding Professionals International, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is now between $21,000 and $24,000. Of course, the costs vary greatly from region to region. He notes that in the elegant suburbs of Long Island, N.Y., the tab routinely reaches $40,000 to $50,000, while "you can have an awesome wedding for $12,000 in Walla Walla, Wash.," he says. In case you haven't notic...

How to get and Stay Organized - When you finally get organized, you cannot imagine living a disorganized life. It took so long to organize your room, and each closet, but then slowly you revert back to your old habits: Rushing out the door, you toss something into the drawer, vowing to put it in its proper place later. The kids come home from school and toss their clothes, to the bottom of the closet and on the floor instead of hanging them up. Slowly but surely, the books are no longer organized, or even not put away. Learning how to stay organized is one thing, but remaining organized is a completely other matter. Timing is everything - We all know that time is money, but it’s also important to make sure that you’re designating time appropriately. The best way to find time is to treat time like a budget. Figure out what you have, what you need and what you want. Start a calendar and populate it with the needs first, and then pencil in and allocate time where you can for wants, to-...

Find Apps for your Phone - One thing that Google likes to be known for is speed. In fact, their Android phones have taken off so fast that they have yet to release a full-featured app store to the public. While their current Android Market serves its purpose, it’s hardly iTunes. The organization and efficiency with which Apple runs its app store is one of the reasons the iPhone is the most popular phone on the market year in and year out. I don’t imagine it will take Google very long to catch up (I did say they were fast), but until then, it would be nice to have some alternatives to finding killer apps for your Android phone. In this article, I am going to share the top websites for finding the best Android applications. These sites should hold you over until Google releases their app store to the public. Find Apps for your Phone

Natural Disasters of 2010 - Nature seems to have risen in recent times. And is that more than 220,000 people have been killed worldwide so far in 2010 as a result of natural disasters. The last one arrived on Wednesday with the earthquake of 7.1 degrees on the Richter scale that has left over 400 dead and 10,000 wounded in the western Chinese province of Qinghai. This is the third major earthquake recorded in just four months. The largest of these occurred just opened 2010. An earthquake of 7 degrees shook Haiti killing at least 217,000 dead, a figure estimated to amount to 300,000 when fully completed work to clear debris. Two months after the tragedy, some 300,000 people are still recovering from his wounds and some three million victims try to rebuild their lives in the poorest country of America. Natural Disasters of 2010 The incalculable damage were linked, rather than the force of the earthquake itself, the location of the epicenter, near Port au Prince, where nearly a qua...

Cops Arrest Unruly Female Santas Dayton Ohio - "Police said a pair of female Santas arrested at an Ohio mall were part of an `unruly group,` but members said they did nothing wrong. Miami Township Police said several law enforcement agencies responded to a call from Dayton Mall security Saturday to help `deal with an unruly group` and officers arrested Jacqueline S. Sallee, 41, of Dayton and Susan Rudolph, 46, of Washington Township, the Dayton Daily News reported. The group, which had arrived in two buses, included several intoxicated people dressed in Santa suits, and many people at the mall complained they were handing out adult-like materials and singing songs with mature lyrics, police said." Cops Arrest Unruly Female Santas Dayton Ohio

Larry King's Funniest Interviews - Larry King will air his final Larry King Live segment tonight and here our my most memorable moments and guests. Having a nightly show for 25 years means you talk to a lot of different people. When it comes to Larry King he often covers breaking news and current events so there are bound to be countless guests and shows he doesn’t even remember, but there are some that stand out as nearly unforgettable. Here are some of the best, strangest and most memorable moments from Larry King Live. Few will forget his interview with Marlon Brando. Brando was famously reclusive and never gave interviews so just that the interview was taking place was a big story. At the end of the interview Brando seemed to like King. So much so that he leaned over and kissed him on the lips. Larry didn’t seem to mind too much. Larry King's Funniest Interviews When Larry King interviewed rapper Snoop Dogg he sat down with the rap star at a Roscoe’s Chicken and Wa...

New York Kids Say UFO was Their Balloons - All those theories about Wednesday's mystery UFO sightings over Manhattan are about to go "pop." A Westchester elementary school believes the puzzling orbs floating over Chelsea were likely a bundle of balloons that escaped from an engagement party they held for a teacher. "UFO? They're crazy - those are our balloons!" said Angela Freeman, head of the Milestone School in Mount Vernon. "To me it was the most automatic thing. But it's all over YouTube." New York Kids Say UFO was Their Balloons A parent was bringing about 40 iridescent pearl balloons to the school for language arts teacher Andrea Craparo when the wind spent a bunch away around 1 p.m. "They looked big and they were all together, so it looked like one UFO," said fourth-grader Nia Foster, 9. Awestruck gawkers began calling the NYPD and the FAA starting about an hour later when mysterious flying objects appeared over Ma...

New Year's Kiss Tips - New Year's can be the quintessential single's event. The late night festivities coupled with the promise of a fresh year both can work with your hormones to turn the event into a love connection. The tips below will help you score a lip-lock as the ball drops. Choose your event. Most cities offer myriad options for New Year's Eve activities. Look into area bars, social clubs and restaurants for any packages they might offer. Pick your gang. New Year's is best celebrated with close friends by your side. Be sure to choose unpaired pals to aid in your quest. New Year's Kiss Tips Dress for success. A flattering outfit and well-maintained physique will work in your favor when time comes to choose a partner. Make an entrance. Arrive fashionably late and make sure you're seen. Choose your prey by 11:15. Flirt up a storm. New Year's Kiss Tips

Love Letter Tips - Maybe your heart is beating wildly or maybe it is broken. Either way, you wish you could say what you feel, but every time you try, you come up short. Welcome to the complicated world of love! Take comfort in knowing that poets and statesmen have struggled with the same question—"How do I write the perfect love letter?" Here are some simple guidelines that can help. 1. Presentation. Use beautiful stationery (a neutral, soft color, such as cream or white) and a flair pen with black or brown ink—no blues, greens or reds! Remember, your Love Letter is being written to someone special. Hand-written letters are best. This is personal--you are not writing a business letter! 2. Ambience. Go to a secluded place and put on soft, romantic music. A quiet room would be nice. Dim the lights. Stimulate a romantic mood. Love Letter Tips 3. Keepsake. Date your Love Letter (month, day, year). This is a letter that will be treasured and remembered. You can bet that ...

Joey McIntyre Third Child - Actor and singer Joey McIntyre and his wife, Barrett, are expecting their third child in May, according to PEOPLE. The couple have two children, Griffin Thomas, 3, and Rhys Edward, 1. McIntyre, a one-time member of New Kids on the Block, is now a popular solo recording artist. His many stage credits include Wicked, tick, tick... BOOM, Happy Days, and Babes in Arms, and he played Matt in the film version of The Fantasticks. Joey McIntyre Third Child

Stephen Baldwin Sues Kevin Costner - Stephen Baldwin ("The Usual Suspects") filed a federal lawsuit in New Orleans on Wednesday against Kevin Costner over their investments in a device that BP used during the cleanup of the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill, according to the Associated Press. Baldwin and his friend Spyridon Contogouris said in the suit they owned 10% of the company Ocean Therapy Solutions, which marketed and manufactured a centrifugal device to separate oil from water. Costner spent years developing the device. Stephen Baldwin Sues Kevin Costner The catch? Costner and his business partner Patrick Smith made a $52-million deal on June 8 in which BP would purchase their oil-separating centrifuges to help clean up the gulf coast, complete with an $18-million deposit, according to Baldwin's suit. That deal was done just days before Costner and Smith led Baldwin and Contogouris to believe there was no interest in the technology and that they should sell ...

Cisco Adler Engaged to Model - Mischa Barton ex Cisco Adler will soon be off the market. According to Contact Music UK, the musician is now engaged to his model girlfriend, Barbara Stoyanoff. "They are very happy," a source revealed. The website has photos and more details and add that Cisco, who was previously engaged to Mischa Barton, will reportedly marry in February. Earlier this month Barton (pictured)has revealed that she almost feels ready to have 'mini Mischas'. Cisco Adler Engaged to Model The former OC actress is currently dating British DJ Ali Love and said that she would love to settle down in the country. She spoke earlier with Tatler magazine, saying: "I stay busy - trust me. I am very good at multi-tasking. But I would love to have a place in the English countryside with my dogs and rescue animals and little kids running around - mini Mischas - one day. Cisco Adler Engaged to Model

Gift Card Exchange - Did you get a little piece of plastic in your stocking this Christmas? Business experts say Americans gave a record amount of gift cards this Christmas. According to the National Retail Foundation the average person in the U.S. gave $145.61 in gift cards this year. Nearly $25 billion was likely spent this year on the plastic shopping sprees. I’ve received more and more gift cards every year and I admit I do like them and I try to actually buy a gift with them. Either clothes that I need or the item I’ve felt just a little too guilty to purchase outright. I don’t see a big problem with giving and receiving them. Gift Card Exchange My wife on the other hand hasn’t been able to stand the thought. She’s one of those old-fashioned sorts who believes a person should put some thought into a gift. She’s never going to knit someone a scarf for Christmas but she’s always wanted to make it personal. That all changed this year. Usually the Christmas shopping in ou...

Demi Lovato Reaches Settlement - Demi Lovato has reached a settlement with the dancer she struck while on tour in South America with the Jonas Brothers, sources said Friday. The Disney Channel star, 18, allegedly punched Alex Welch, 21, after tour managers confronted Lovato about her behavior on the tour. Donald Karpel, who represents Welch, told Access Hollywood, "There is a settlement and all of the issues have been amicably and completely resolved." Demi Lovato Reaches Settlement "I'm happy. We came to an agreement and I'm ready to move on," Welch told People. "I'm ready to start working again," she continued. The specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Welch said part of the settlement would be donated to charity. Lovato has been in treatment to address emotional and physical issues since November. The settlement was first reported by People on Friday. Demi Lovato Reaches Settlement

Jim Tressel Leaving - On Christmas Day, two sources that are very close to recruiting at prominent universities confirmed that Jim Tressel will no longer be the head Football Coach at Ohio State University after the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas. Ohio State was rocked by the Suspensions of five key players, including top running back Dan "Boom" Herron and Heisman-hopeful Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, for the first five games of the 2011 season earlier this week. Jim Tressel Leaving

Million Dollar Money Drop Couple Invited Back - It seems like every few months one of the networks trots out a brand new, shiny game show where contestants compete for ludicrous amounts of money. The newest of the new is Fox’s Million Dollar Money Drop, and as these things go, this one is strangely addicting. Here’s the basic plot. The contestants are given a million dollars. They are then asked seven multiple choice questions one at a time. For each, they must place all of the money a top one or more answers. One time runs out, the bottom drops out of the incorrect answers, leaving only the money remaining atop the correct answer. Sounds awesome, right? Unfortunately, the less than a week old game show is already beset by controversy. Million Dollar Money Drop Couple Invited Back According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Gabe Okoye and his girlfriend Brittany May, contestants on Monday’s premiere episode, were sent home after they (in)correctly answered the following question: which we...

Beyonce Trainer Fitness Tips - Singer Beyoncé is known for being "bootylicious," and many females seem to want to emulate her body style. Now women can get an idea of how to do that, thanks to her personal trainer who recently offered fitness tips on staying healthy during the holidays, something many people might need right about now. Nov. 23, 2010 - New York, New York, U.S. - Singer/actress BEYONCE KNOWLES attends the Lorraine Schwartz '2B Happy' Jewelry Launch held at Lavo. © Red Carpet Pictures According to a report from Popeater, Beyoncé's fitness trainer is Marco Borges. Borges works with several other famous females in Hollywood, including Shakira and Gwen Stefani. He has written the book "Power Moves: The Four Motions to Transform your Body for Life," currently selling on Amazon. He recently offered five great tips for holiday diet and exercise success. Beyonce Trainer Fitness Tips One of Marco's tips is to plan ahead by snacking on ...

Jimmy Carter Guinea Worm - Lily pads and purple flowers dot one corner of the watering hole. Bright green algae covers another. Two women collect water in plastic jugs while a cattle herder bathes nearby. Samuel Makoy is not interested in the bucolic scenery, though. He has an epidemic to quash. Makoy points out to the women the fingernail-length worm-like creatures whose tails flick back and forth. Then a pond-side health lesson begins on a spaghetti-like worm that has haunted humans for centuries. This fight against the guinea worm is a battle former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has waged for more than two decades in some of the poorest countries on earth. It is a battle he's almost won. Jimmy Carter Guinea Worm In the 1950s the 3-foot-long guinea worm ravaged the bodies of an estimated 50 million people, forcing victims through months of pain while the worm exited through a swollen blister on the leg, making it impossible for them to tend to cows or harvest crops. By 1...