Photo of Hudson River plane crash takes down TwitPic

The rapid-fire spread of a close-up photo of the US Airways plane that crashed in the Hudson River Thursday resulted in the service that hosted the picture going down.

TwitPic, an application that allows users to take pictures from their mobile phones and append them to Twitter posts, went down after at least 7,000 people attempted to view the photo of the airplane taken from a commuter ferry by Sarasota, Fla., resident Janis Krums.

According to Noah Everett, the founder of TwitPic, who still runs the service by himself, after the photo of the plane was re-tweeted by a large number of people and then picked up by several news sites, including Silicon Alley Insider, the resulting traffic was too much for the site's servers.

Everett called it a "snowball effect."

In fact, Everett said this wasn't the first time someone had used TwitPic to post a photo of an airplane accident. He explained that a passenger on a Continental Airlines plane that went off the runway in Denver in December used the service to post a photo. But that time, the service was able to stay up.

Perhaps because of the national interest in an airplane accident taking place in direct view of Manhattan, the traffic produced by Krums' photo was higher than in the case of the Denver accident, Everett suggested.

And while the circumstances of Thursday's accident were unfortunate--though, miraculously, no one died in the crash--Everett admitted that the fact that Krums' photo got so much attention was validation of the utility of TwitPic.

"We haven't gotten so much press coverage before," Everett said.

"It's shocking, and it's a good feeling--though (also) not a good feeling because it's bad news," Everett said.

He also said that he's got additional servers that are soon going to be in place.

"In a month's time (something like) this will not affect us anymore," he explained. "We're working to be able to handle our growth, but this is definitely a wake-up call showing the power of breaking news and TwitPic."

Everett said that there had been about 7,000 views of the picture before the site went down, and that there were about 500 additional requests to view it every 15 or 20 seconds.

He also said that while he couldn't be immediately sure, it was likely that Krums had used an Apple iPhone to take the picture, given that it was 600x800 pixels, the average size of an iPhone picture.

By 2:35 p.m. Pacific, about two hours after the photo was taken, TwitPic was back up.

Everett said, "I hope it stays up. I'll be working on this through the night."

Sources: Cnet News

Jim Morris and Lindsey Collins Talk All Things Pixar

Collider.com brings us an in-depth video interview with WALL•E producers Jim Morris and Lindsey Collins. They talk about everything from possible sequels to re-releases of Pixar’s masterpieces on Blu-ray.

Highlights include reactions (very positive ones) on WALL•E’s recent awards and Pete Docter’s next film Up. Also Jim and Lindsey touch upon Pixar’s 3D movies and what makes the Pixar 3D experience superior. They also confirm that Pixar plans to release all Pixar films on Blu-ray, yes, even Finding Nemo, eventually.

This is a must watch interview for any Pixar fan!

Sources: Pixar Planet

Challenge Coins - The Introductory of Challenge Coins

The national news had a story this evening about coins being made to commemorate the inauguration. The US presidential inauguration will be held on Tuesday, January 20th. A special coin is being made to commemorate the special date. Coins have long held a position in our country’s traditions. Coins are often minted with special pictures and lettering to identify the occasion being honored. These coins are often referred to as challenge coins.

My daughter has received a few challenge coins during her military stint. These coins hold a special meaning to the receiver and are usually saved with other important mementos. Commanders and units give out coins as awards and as mementos for services rendered or special occasions. Challenge coins are often given for a job well done which often improves morale. It also is given to signify joining a unit or division.
The history of the challenge coin varies. During my investigation of how the coin became called the challenge coin, I found the following information;

From Wikipedia:
As the legend goes, a wealthy lieutenant, ordered small, solid-bronze medallions (or coins) struck, which he then presented to the other pilots in his squadron as mementos of their service together. The coin was gold-plated, bore the squadron’s insignia, and was quite valuable. One of the pilots in the squadron, who had never owned anything like the coin, placed it in a leather pouch he wore around his neck for safekeeping. A short while later, this pilot’s aircraft was heavily damaged by ground fire (other sources claim it was an aerial dogfight), forcing him to land behind enemy lines and allowing him to be captured by the Germans. The Germans confiscated the personal belongings from his pockets, but they didn’t catch the leather pouch around his neck. On his way to a permanent prisoner of war facility, he was held overnight in a small German-held French village near the front. During the night, the town was bombarded by the British, creating enough confusion to allow the pilot to escape.

The pilot avoided German patrols by donning civilian attire, but all of his identification had been confiscated so he had no way to prove his identity. With great difficulty, he sneaked across no-man’s land and made contact with a French patrol. Unfortunately for him, the French had been on the lookout for German saboteurs dressed as civilians. The French mistook the American pilot for a German saboteur and immediately prepared to execute him.

Desperate to prove his allegiance and without any identification, the pilot pulled out the coin from his leather pouch and showed it to his French captors. One of the Frenchmen recognized the unit insignia on the coin and delayed the execution long enough to confirm the pilot’s identity.

Once the pilot safely returned to his squadron, it became a tradition for all members to carry their coin at all times. To ensure compliance, the pilots would challenge each other to produce the coin. If the challenged couldn’t produce the coin, he was required to buy a drink of choice for the challenger; if the challenged could produce the coin, the challenger would purchase the drink.

The rules of how challenge coins are used vary.
It usually begins with the challenger drawing his/her coin, and slapping or placing the coin on the table or bar. Everyone being challenged must immediately produce the coin for their organization and anyone failing to do so must buy a round of drinks for the challenger and everyone else who has their challenge coin. However, should everyone challenged be able to produce their coin, the challenger must buy a round of drinks for the group.

While most holders of challenge coins usually carry them in their pockets or in some other readily accessible place on their persons, most versions of the rules permit a challenged person “a step and a reach” (particularly useful if one is challenged in the shower).

Jason Castro - American Idol 7 Star?

Jason Castro is the kid with the long dreads, oversized blue eyes and wide smile on this season "American Idol," and he's made it to the final five. Known for his well-received ukelele-strumming rendition, a la Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" a few weeks ago, he was less fortunate this week during Andrew Lloyd Webber week. But, as the LA Times reports (registration required), he has a loyal group of fans to cheer his spirits:

Jason Castro was having a rough week, and the dreadheads knew it. The loyal fan club, whose website daydreamingboy.com includes downloadable Support Jason fliers, watched Jason get slaughtered for his rendition of "Memory" and then learned from their sources in the Castro camp that he was coping with a mix of exhaustion and fever chills to boot.

So what were the devoted fans to do when their Idol was suffering from a high temperature and low morale? Why, send presents, of course. "We're always trying to think of things we can do to lift his spirits," explained Christalle Baxter, known to her fellow dreadheads as "dreadhead No. 1201."

Concerned that a gift of flowers could worsen Jason's illness by aggravating his allergies, the dreadheads settled on balloons. Christalle set up a Paypal account, and it wasn't long before the donations poured in.

Castro_gallery_190_2 In the end, the dreadheads collected $450 and ordered seven bouquets of balloons from Planet Florist in Westwood. According to Paul Psai, a designer at the florist, it took three cars to transport all the balloons. "It was the biggest order that we ever had."

Sources: Huffington Post

Inaugural Parade tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. ET

Join the thousands of well-wishers who line Pennsylvania Avenue during the Inaugural Parade as the new President of the United States makes his way from the Capitol to the White House. The Inaugural Parade takes place in the afternoon of January 20, 2009, after the Swearing In ceremony.

Tickets for the Inaugural Parade are being released now at intervals of limited availability with additional releases anticipated in the coming weeks leading up to Inauguration Day. GreatSeats.com has established its Inaugural expertise by providing event tickets for the last four Presidential Inaugurations. Make GreatSeats.com your exclusive broker for all your 2009 Inauguration event needs. Due to the nature of these events, final dates, ticket availability and prices are subject to change.

Important Notes Regarding the Presidential Inaugural Parade

- The Parade takes place RAIN OR SHINE in the afternoon on January 20, 2009. The event will NOT be rescheduled because of inclement weather.
- The Parade route starts at the US Capitol and follows along Pennsylvania Avenue to 15th Street. The event is completely outdoors with NO sheltered areas.
- A VERY LIMITED number of bleacher seating will be available along the Parade route, with the largest VIP section located at Freedom Plaza between 13th and 14th Streets.
- Metro will be opening at 4am on January 20th, and will be charging rush-hour rates all day.
- Due to the anticipated crowds and complicated traffic logistics, it is recommended that people arrive 4 to 5 hours early. Parade gates open at 7am.
- The approximate start time of the Parade is between 1pm-2pm.
- Between 10,000 and 12,000 participants from college, high school and military bands - as well as drill teams, military honor guards and other groups- are expected to march with Obama during the course of the Parade. The Parade is expected to last over 2 hours.

VIP Bleacher Section - Freedom Plaza
- Security will be unprecedented. Expect to have your bags searched completely at more than one check point. 
- Once you have entered the bleacher area, you must be prepared to remain for the duration of the Parade. Re-entry to the bleacher area is PROHIBITED.
- A set of Port-a-Johns will be available exclusively for use at the Freedom Plaza bleachers.
- There is NO food vending within the bleacher area.

Sources: Great Seats

Costa Rica Earthquake Kills Two Children

Two children died when a strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked central Costa Rica on Thursday, causing panic and widespread damage as residents fled from shaking buildings.

Police and neighbours found the bodies of two children who had been selling sweets near the epicentre, near the Poas volcano one of Costa Rica's main tourist attractions, after they were killed by a landslide caused by the quake.

The National Emergency Commission declared a red alert in the capital and surrounding areas "where serious damage to infrastructure, roads and homes has been reported and some people were injured and trapped in their houses."

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake measured 6.1 on the moment magnitude scale, revising down an initial figure of 6.2.

The quake, which hit at 1.21pm local time some 35 kilometres northwest of the capital, shook water out of swimming pools and witnesses said they had not felt such a strong tremor in 30 years.

It was felt across the Central American country and also in neighbouring Nicaragua, officials and locals said.

San Jose residents reported broken windows, cracks in buildings, ceilings and roads.

"There were power cuts and we still don't know if houses have been destroyed," said Reinaldo Carballo, emergency commission spokesman.

Public buildings, including the finance ministry, were evacuated, and many people ran onto the streets of the capital.

The city's international airport briefly suspended all flights, a spokeswoman said.

Authorities also warned of landslides on roads in mountainous areas near the epicentre, where aftershocks continued.

Another, smaller quake shook central Costa Rica on Wednesday, causing no victims or damages.

Costa Rica registered more than 4,700 earthquakes in 2008, of which around 60 were felt by the population, according to the observatory.

Sources: The Sydney Morning Herald

FBIJobs.com, Employment Available; Government Looking to Hire Agents

At FBI.gov, 850 Agents and 2,100 Support Personnel Needed

Have you ever though about being an FBI agent? If so, now is your chance to find FBI jobs and employment atfbi.gov and fbijobs.gov.

Terry Frieden on CNN.com/crime reports that the FBI has posted openings for 850 special agents as well as 2,100 support personnel.

Frieden's article, "Wanted: 850 new FBI agents," goes on to say that this is the largest hiring effort by the FBI since right after the 9/11 attacks.

I decided to research the number of agents hired in 2001 and immediately thereafter I got way more than I bargained for. 

Paul Shukovsky, Tracy Johnson and Daniel Lathrop reported back in 2007 on the state of the FBI.

Writing in the SeattlePi.com they discussed the fact that more agents weren't hired after 9/11 rather, 2,400 were reassigned to counter-terrorism squads; these agents weren't replaced.

President Bush did the restructuring and of course his attitude toward the situation never changed throughout his administration.

We know from physics that any action creates a reaction. In this case, reassigning FBI agents has dramatically reduced white-collar criminal prosecution.

The title of the SeattlePi.com article, "The FBI's terrorism trade-off," reflects the fact that the SeattlePi.com (Seattle Post-Intelligence) has conducted a six-month study which included 250,000 cases involving FBI agents.

The results included a 34% reduction in the prosecution of criminal white-collar crime cases and a whopping 65% prosecution reduction with respect to hate crimes.

Of course the feeling now is that the FBI just doesn't care about theses types of crimes.

The failure to follow through on white-collar crime has left scammers un-prosecuted and victims left holding the bag.

Getting back to the current situation, the FBI says the reason for the large number of openings has to do with "attrition" and retirements.

To find out more and even apply go to website http://www.fbijobs.gov/.

When I write or read a story about the FBI, I am reminded of an experience I had in basic training in the Army.

Sources: The Associated Content

Rock Of Love Bus: Meet The Girls!

Are you ready to rock, reality TV style? Again? And on a bus? Well, get ready for the third installment of Bret Michaels‘ eternal quest for a rockin’ chick to love, which arrives just in time for the New Year. Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels is set to premiere Jan. 4, and from what we hear, the cast is more insane than ever. Check out the official press release:

This time around, Bret is bringing the women along as he travels America for a month-long solo album tour, Rock My World, to show them what the rock star life has to offer. As Bret rolls into each town in his pimped-out black tour bus, a pink bus filled with beautiful blondes and a blue bus filled with gorgeous brunettes competing for his heart will follow close behind.

In past seasons, Bret made it clear that life on tour with a rock star is not easy and can present unique challenges. So, each time the buses pull into a new city the girls will take on challenges specifically relating to Bret’s life on the road. They may have to greet aggressive groupies with polite smiles, dodge the advances of the warm-up band, or even fill in for mysteriously missing roadies. From ice hockey and Mud Bowl 3 to a sexy dance off and working backstage, the girls get down and dirty, as each one strives to stand out among the rest.

The winner of each challenge will be rewarded with a date showcasing the best of what middle America has to offer–perhaps a toast atop the St. Louis Arch or a romantic picnic in the shadow of the world’s largest chicken. For some, however, the challenges will prove too much and they will have to face eliminations and at least one girl will be left at each stop. Whatever the case may be, these girls will definitely be put to the test to win over Bret and handle the crazy life of a rock star girlfriend. In the end, there is only one VIP pass for Bret’s true Rock of Love.

Bret released his highly anticipated full length solo album Rock My World on JUNE 3, 2008 from VH1 Classic Records which debuted at # 39 on the Billboard charts.

Sources: VH1

Lexmark X9350 Wireless Office All-in-One Review

Feature-wise, the Lexmark X9350 is impressive, especially for the price. Not only does it cover the basics, including having PictBridge and Bluetooth interfaces for picture printing, it also has wireless 802.11g (802.11b compatible) networking and duplex printing. The scan and fax features are networkable which is also nice. It works well with Windows, including Vista, and Macs. But, do all these features perform well?

Unfortunately, the printing quality of the Lexmark X9350 isn’t all that great. Sure, it does fine on quick black-and-white copies but the 4 ink system it uses produces poor photographic prints as compared to better, dedicated, photo printers with more inks. The duplex printing seems to streak occasionally as if the ink wasn’t drying quickly enough or the unit was putting out too much ink. The duplex printing and copying also seemed to jam a lot. That was kind of disappointing but I guess that being used to $1000+ duplex copiers at work kind of spoiled me in that regard. I suppose one shouldn’t expect that level of performance out of an inexpensive home printer/copier/fax/scan unit.

One problem I’ve encountered with some inkjets in the past is ink clogs. It seems like the Lexmark X9350 Wireless Office All-in-One suffers from that as well. One way I get devices to test is working with a local electronics store computer repair tech and he has told me that he’s gotten several of these units back with gummed up jets plus he’s gotten complaints about the level of ink usage being high. Another common complaint by purchasers has been that the wireless networking fails. Of course, wireless can be kind of tricky sometimes due to router placement but this seems more like an out and out failure since even an on-site service call couldn’t correct the problem.

Another common complaint about Lexmark printers in general is that they have poor customer service and durability. Sadly, you get what you pay for in a lower end unit. If we were still paying $1000 or more for an all-in-one we might expect good tech support but when we pay $100-200 for one we’re probably lucky to get someone to read a page from the manual to us over the phone. That said, Lexmark, in my experience, is one of the worse when it comes to supporting customers.

The bottom line is that the Lexmark X9350 Wireless Office All-in-One has some impressive features for its price point but that you’re likely to be buying a more or less disposable printer that may not work as well as you might wish. It also isn’t a good choice if you want to do photo printing. For small office/home office (SOHO) work or college and other educational work I think that there are better, more reliable, options out on the market.

Sources: OpTempo

Kawasaki Syndrome Brings Death for Jett Travolta

Watch Online Youtube Video Of John Travolta s Son Dies as Kawasaki Syndrome

News: Jett Travolta Dead Due to Kawasaki Syndrome illness. Kawasaki Syndrome Jett Travolta Found Dead John Travolta s Son Dies Because Of Kawasaki Disease. John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s 16-year-old son Jett Travolta died Friday.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston has been the subject of much criticism over speculation that their son had autism Jetta rather than a rare disease called Kawasaki syndrome as the couple insisted.

Jette Travolta, the actor John Travolta's son is dead today of a seizure while the family was on vacation in Bahamas.Kawasaki syndrome is a fever causing disease in children. The cause of Kawasaki syndrome is unknown. About 15 cases a year are reported in Wisconsin.Complications of Kawasaki Syndrome include coronary artery dilations and aneurysms. It is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in the United States.

Most cases occur in infants and children under five years; disease rarely seen in children older than 8 years old.
Kelly Preston has said that she believes toxic cleaning products in her family's home caused her son's health problems early in life.

TMZ is also reporting that Jett’s body will be transferred to Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium in the Bahamas on Monday.Our hearts go out to John Travolta family in this difficult time, and may God bless Jetta.

Sources: 24 Time Pass

Kettlebell Exercises - The "Next Generation" Style To Keep Fit?

Do kettlebell exercises offer any performance advantages over regular freeweights and dumbbells? Not necessarily. An athlete must be very selective over the training they choose to integrate into their program. They have a limited amount of time and energy and each element of conditioning must take the whole into account.

Unless you are a Girevik (Girevoy Sport is made up exclusively of kettlebell exercises), think seriously before replacing proven training methods for kettlebell routines.

Kettlebell Exercises

It goes without saying that should perform a throrough warm up before any exercise session. And with these kettlebell exercises it's doubly important. Do 5-10 minutes of light aerobic activity followed by stretching exercises to all the major muscle groups.

Kettlebell Cleans

1. Keep torso straight but bent forward at the hips slightly.
2. Explosively raise the kettleballs by extending the hips, knee and ankle in a “jumping action”.
3. Keep your elbows out and shoulders directly above the kettleballs as long as possible. Keep the kettleballs close to the body.
4. Once you have extended the lower leg shrug your shoulders and at maximum elevation of the shoulders start pulling with the arms. Keep the elbows high during the pull until the highest point.
5. Rotate elbows around and underneath the kettleballs. Rack your hands across the front of the shoulders. Slightly flex the hips and knees to absorb the weight.
6. This should be a fluid motion where all the steps flow together.

Kettlebell row exercise Single Arm Kettlebell Row

1. Stand with feet hip width and knees slightly bent. Bend at hips with back straight and knees bent.
2.Take one hand and place on stationary object that is approximately waist height to support upper body.
3. Hold kettleball in other hand with a neutral grip and let arm hang straight down (perpendicular to floor).
4. Keeping elbows close to body, pull kettleball up to body and squeeze shoulder blades together at top of movement.
5. Return to start position. Remember to keep back and head straight - hyperextension, flexion, or trunk rotation may cause injury.

Kettlebell press exercise Alternating Floor Press

1. Lie on your back holding a kettleball in each hand.
2. Alternating with your arms push up one kettleball at a time.
3. Slightly rotate your trunk when pressing the kettleball up. Repeat with the other arm.

Kettlebell exercises squat Kettlebell Front Squat

1. Grasp kettleballs and hold them at chest level in front of you.
2. Stand with feet slightly wider than hip width apart. Knees should be slightly bent.
3. Lower body by flexing at the hips and knees. Upper body can flex forward at the hips slightly (~5°) during movement. Be sure to “sit back” so that knees stay over the feet.
4. Once thighs are parallel to floor, return to start position.

Kettlebell Jerk exercise Single Arm Kettlebell Jerk

1. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. Position kettleball to ear level with an overhand grip (palms facing forward).
2. Go into a quick ¼ squat. Immediately extend legs and stand up and at the same time press hands up above head keeping wrists over the elbow and arm moving parallel to body at all times.
3. Return to start position. This is an explosive exercise and the legs are used to be able to lift more weight overhead

Kettlebell swing exercise Kettlebell Swing

1. Hold one kettleball between your legs and your body is in a bentover stance with your back flat.
2. Swing the kettleball backwards and then forcefully swing the kettleball forward to a chest level. Keep your arm straight and forcefully extend your hips, knees, and ankles.

Kettlebell windmill exercise Kettlebell Windmill

1. Place one arm overhead full extended with a kettleball. Bend forward at the hips keeping back flat to grab the other kettleball with the free hand.
2. While holding one kettleball overhead continue to raise and lower the other kettleball.
3. Continue for the desired repetitions and repeat with the other arm.


There are literally dozens of kettlebell exercises you can perform. Just as with other free weights, the combinations and variations are endless. However, athletes should remember the principle of specificity. Pick kettlebell exercises that most closely match the movement patterns of your sport.

Kettlebell exercises may not be as effective as more traditional free weights for developing maximal strength - an important phase in the athlete's overall program. The movement patterns and loads they incorporate makes them better suited to converting maximal strength into explosive power and / or strength endurance. See the Strength Training Programs for Sport article for more details on how a resistance training plan should be structured.

The Doobie Brothers to Play the Orange Bowl Halftime Show, Thursday

Ahhh... the sweet sounds of classic Seventies California pop. No one has ever embodied that sound more than the Doobie Brothers. And now that the style the Doobies perfected has become a musical archetype (see modern artists like the Autumn Defense, Beck, and so on), it's all too easy to look back through the lens of nostalgia, rather than give the band the credit it deserves. Looking at the Doobies catalog from a more objective, musical standpoint -- and sober of the pop-culture fetishism we place on the era -- the band expertly concocted a blend of soft pop, funk, blue-eyed soul, and light jazz under an infectious glaze of polish.

Much like the sunny Pacific atmosphere in which they incubated their approach, the Doobies sound washes past you like a cool breeze. That's even as it percolates with hooks and rousing grooves, as best captured on radio staples like "China Grove" and "Black Water." And, though certain key elements from the classic era - Michael McDonald, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter - are long gone, the band has impressively retained longtime core members Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, John McFee, and Michael Hossack.

Sources: New Times

2009, The Year of Ox - Predictions and Forecasts For Chinese New Year

The Chinese method of identifying every year with animals has greatly influenced most people, even those living in western influenced countries. So much is its influence that people’s personality and character are often regarded in relation to their Chinese horoscope more than that of its western counterparts.

The 12 animals representing the Chinese calendar years, in no particular order are: Pig, Rat, Monkey, Ox, Snake, Dragon, Horse, Goat, Rabbit, Dog, Tiger and Rooster. In the Chinese year, 2008 is represented by the Rat, while the following year 2009 will be the year of the Ox, which will start on the 26th of January. This will mark the beginning of the 15-day festivities, which will continue until February 9, 2009.

This early, preparations are already undergoing to make the celebration of the entry of the year of the Ox a magnificent one. As we await this celebration, let us see what is in store for the year of the Ox.

With the Chinese New Year represented by the 12 different animals in as many year cycle, it is believed that the individual’s traits, characteristics and personality is greatly influenced by the animals of the particular year they are born in. With this belief, what then can we expect for the babies who will be born in the year of the Ox? What particular features and characteristic of the Ox are we going to see in them?

The Ox years so far are 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and of course 2009, and following the 12 year cycle, the next one will be on 2021. But unbeknown to many, the Yin and Yang also play an important role in the Chinese calendar years. These being the years ending in odd numbers are Yin, while the years ending in even numbers are represented by Yang. This means that 2009, is an Ox year that will have the Yin influence. The basic characteristic of an Ox is methodical and calm, hardworking, dependable and patient, materialistic and an ambitious character.

Babies who will be born next year in the Chinese New Year of Ox, 2008 will be expected to have the following traits: Dependable with leadership qualities, patient, strong and responsible, and they will be great in organizing. They are also honest, reliable and logical, that is why people go to them for advice.

Unfortunately, balancing these positive characteristics of the Ox are some negative traits associated with them. People born in this year are also said to be stubborn, narrow minded, and with low public relations skills.

Interesting combinations, I must say. These and lots more are sure in store for us in the Chinese Year of the Ox 2009. So let’s see what other things are coming for the Ox as well as those in the other animal year.

Year of the Ox 2009 Predictions:

• Born in the Year of the Goat - 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
• Born in the Year of the Monkey - 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
• Born in the Year of the Pig - 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995
• Born in the Year of the Rat - 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
• Born in the Year of the Snake - 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
• Born in the Year of the Dragon - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
• Born in the Year of the Horse - 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990
• Born in the Year of the Rabbit - 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1999
• Born in the Year of the Rooster - 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
• Born in the Year of the Tiger - 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
• Born in the Year of the Dog - 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
• Born in the Year of the Ox - 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 2009

Sources: Pinoy Business

First Baby of 2009 Goes To Who?!

GAINESVILLE - The first birth of the new year arrived at 2:50 a.m. Thursday at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Hospital personnel said Candida Hornal and Richard Vetere are the proud parents of Jayda Rose Vetere, the first baby born at the medical center in 2009.

As the first baby of the year for the hospital, Jayda was showered with gifts from the medical center and local businesses.

Hospital personnel said baby Jayda is just under 20-inches long and weighs 6 pounds even. She was delivered via cesarean section.

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2009

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four years after a stroke, Dick Clark is relishing the prospect of another New Year's Eve celebration, determined to appear for his 36th year in Times Square. And he's hardly surprised by the current state of the music industry he helped build — he predicted this, after all.

Clark, who turned 79 last month and has been in front of the cameras for 61 years, said in a recent interview by e-mail that his involvement in "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2009," diminished though it may be, is a labor of love and "not really a job."

"Obviously, I'm not able to be as actively involved as I used to be out on the street, up on a platform and interacting with the crowds in Times Square" in New York, Clark wrote. "Thank goodness my friend Ryan Seacrest is able to handle that end of the activity on the show these days.

ABC-TV's 3½-hour live extravaganza will include performances by Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boy, Jesse McCartney, Ne-Yo, Pussycat Dolls, Solange and Robin Thicke. Fergie hosts the Hollywood segments.

Clark woke up with right-side paralysis on Dec. 6, 2004 — "Your life changes overnight," he said. (Regis Philbin filled in for Clark on the New Year's Eve show that year.) Clark still uses a walker or wheelchair, and speaking is difficult.

"I am one of the fortunate ones who survived and have been minimally impaired, so I'm just thankful I'm still able to enjoy this once-a-year treat of bringing in the New Year."

The "American Bandstand" icon and longtime producer of the American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Golden Globes has long considered them "my television kids."

He's also watched their ratings plummet in recent years.

"There was a time when they attracted a huge audience," Clark wrote. "The audiences have dropped off as the years have gone by because of increasing television competition.

"What we are seeing is more and more talent and less emphasis on people getting awards. Television's award shows have now become gigantic showcases for variety."

Clark was there at the birth of rock 'n' roll ("American Bandstand" kicked off July 9, 1956), and he's watched dramatic changes in the music industry. Not that those changes would come as much of a surprise.

"I can remember writing an article several years ago where I let my imagination run wild," Clark wrote. "I said we'd see the day when music is delivered directly to our homes, and delivered to us in some form of wireless communication.

"The fun of actually holding a record in our hands will disappear and we'll all have our own individual library of our favorite songs that we'll listen to at home, at work, in the car wherever we happen to go."

These days, Clark divides his time between his Malibu home and Burbank office. There's an hourlong therapy session each morning, then he answers mail and phone calls, attends meetings and reads.

The day ends with his devoted wife Kari.

"My wife and I may join friends for dinner at a restaurant, attend a movie or just grab a bite to eat by ourselves away from home," Clark wrote. "Occasionally, we'll attend a music concert. Recently we've seen Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Frankie Valli and Cher."

Sources: The Associated Press