Chapter 77.4: Watch Out for that ... Asteroid

My, my, has it been a century already? Gosh, how the time flies! Yes, indeed, it was 1908 when the Tunguska Event occurred. Even now, it raises interest, especially among scientists.

For those millions who don't know about it, the Tunguska Event was a massive disaster that could have been worse. It's described in the above Wikipedia entry as the "air burst" of a large meteor that destroyed large sections of Russia exactly one hundred years ago today (regardless of whether you use the Julian calendar or not). I've also heard a theory that I don't see in Wikipedia (thank God) that suggests it was the result of an experiment by Nikola Tesla. If Wikipedia isn't going to spread that bit of nonsense, then I'll go no further with it.

Suffice it to say, the Tanguska Event remains one of the more intriguing mysteries of the twentieth century. The centennial reminds me that the Planetary Society is focusing on near earth objects (NEOs) this year. People who like a good scare should read up on these nonfictional calamities from space. Of course, if you've seen Deep Impact, then you have some idea of what NEOs can do.

If I may go off on a tangent (and it's my blog, so I suppose I can do whatever I want), the recent death of George Carlin has inspired several repeats of his classic television performances. This past Saturday, for instance, the original Saturday Night Live "pilot" was re-aired, which he hosted. Last week, HBO ran a series of his comedy specials. And I was reminded not only of how funny Carlin could be (and repititious, but, hey, that's comedy!), but also how exacting he was about language. As a writer and editor, I appreciate that.

But one bit has stuck with me. He spewed a fair amount of invective on the crying environmentalists who clamor for us to serve as better stewards of the earth. "The earth is fine," Carlin said. "It's people who may have a problem." The earth is a self-correcting system. It may take time, but the earth eventually will shake off humanity like fleas if it needs to.

Yes indeed, the earth will likely outlive us. We might find a way to scorch its surface or something may plummet from the heavens, but short of a well-placed laser shot from a death star, the planet should be able to continue orbiting the sun for eons after we've been lost to history. Food for thought.

Beliefs Buffet

Personal spirituality is in. Biblical doctrine is out. Such is the case in America today as individualism continues to define the religious landscape in our “one nation under God.” A recent article in USA Today proclaims, “Religion today in the USA is a salad bar where people heap on upbeat beliefs they like and often leave the veggies — like strict doctrines — behind.” Americans now treat religion as a buffet line, from which they can pick and choose particular beliefs based on personal preferences.

According to recent surveys a whopping 92% of Americans say they believe in God, and 58% say they pray every day. Yet they appear to be uncertain about our their beliefs. Sixty-eight percent believe “there’s more than one true way to interpret the teachings of my religion.” Fifty-seven percent of Protestants believe there are “many ways to get to God.” Fifty percent say “homosexuality is a way of life that should be accepted by society.” Fifty-six percent think they should either ‘adjust to new circumstances” or “adopt modern beliefs and practices,“ into their religious beliefs. Relativism is clearly alive and well.

I’m not surprised. What else can we expect when multiculturalism and relativism is the preferred worldview promoted by the government schools and the media, which are major shapers of values and beliefs in America today. In contrast, the teachings of the Bible seem intolerant and exclusive. Folks today have little appetite for Jesus’ claim that “no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Nor do they agree with Jesus when He said that “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Americans prefer a “Santa Claus in the Sky” god, who lets everybody into his heaven, instead of a righteous God, who casts sinners into hell.

What’s a pastor to do in times like these? Why preach about the depravity of man and the cross of Christ, when people want their ears tickled about self-esteem and life enhancement? Why offend listeners with the righteous requirements of God when you can tell the customers what they want to hear? It’s good for attendance. It’s good for the weekly offerings.

I praise God for such times. When the gospel of Christ is viewed as foolishness by the world, it is all the more glorious when its transformational power is set loose to redeem sinners. The gospel was never intended to be popular and sell well in the culture. Christ, the Cornerstone, is an offensive stumbling block (1 Peter 2:8). The words of the Apostle Paul to his disciple, Timothy, are a great encouragement to me:

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2-5).

Summer Parties and Summer Costumes too!

Get ready for the Fourth of July holiday weekend and don't forget some great costumes to put you in the summer party mood!

Whether it is just a hat or a mask or a complete patriotic costume, it will get everyone in the holiday mood and ready to celebrate the Fourth of July!


There is still time to order your 4th of July costumes, hats and accessories and have them delivered before the holiday. Make sure to order express delivery to arrive on Thursday, July 3rd since there will be no deliveries on Friday July 4th.

Order Monday by 3pm EST select 3rd day delivery
Order Tuesday by 3pm EST select 2nd day delivery
Order Wednesday by 3pm EST select Next Business Day delivery.

Don't let the fun stop after celebrating the 4th! Luau themed parties are a great idea for summer fun! What better excuse to dress in less for the hot weather?

Here are some quick and easy ways to add a luau theme to your backyard BBQ or pool party:

Request that guests arrive in luau themed costumes. But relax, a luau costume theme can be stress free:

Guys: wear a Hawaiian shirt

Ladies: a grass skirt over your bathing suit, or a beautiful floral sarong.

Add a funny hat or accessory.

Or, the most simple trick, is a flower lei for all your guests. It is easy and fun and inexpensive and instantly transforms everyone's look and mood as well!


We have a whole website dedicated to Luau Costumes and luau parties: www.LuauCostumes.com
Get the whole family involved!


Now that you know what to wear and where to get some Luau games and Luau party supplies:

Play some Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley or maybe even a Hawaiian luau themed CD!


You can decide to have a whole luau menu, or maybe just add some pineapple, a tropical fruit salad, and some umbrellas in everyone's drink!

Maybe some pineapple or mango salsa added to your hot dogs and hamburgers!

Little touches can really add to the theme and enhance everyone's luau party experience!

Ok, now after writing this post, I am off to definitely order something fruity and tropical for lunch! I can't wait to throw a BBQ luau party this weekend! : )

Cheers, have fun and stay safe!

'Dark Knight' credits pay tribute to Ledger

Heath Ledger is getting a fond tribute from his collaborators on "The Dark Knight"


The end credits of the "Batman Begins" sequel include a farewell note to Ledger, who died in January from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs; and to special-effects technician Conway Wickliffe, who was killed last September in a stunt-car accident.

"In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe," reads the tribute included in the credits, which went up Thursday on the Warner Bros. publicity Web site.

Ledger plays the villainous Joker in "The Dark Knight," who begins a reign of terror on Gotham City that pits him against conflicted hero Batman (Christian Bale).

Arriving in theaters July 18, the movie reteams Bale with director Christopher Nolan and returning co-stars Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman. Joining the cast are Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal.


Beginning months before Ledger's death, his frenetic performance and demented-clown makeup have been a cornerstone of the marketing campaign for the film.


"I needed a phenomenal actor, but he also had to be someone unafraid of taking on such an iconic role," Nolan says in the production notes for "The Dark Knight." "Heath created something entirely original. It's stunning, it's captivating. ... It's going to blow people away."

Every week, my desire for Soul caliber IV increases (UPDATE)

Still over a month away, it’s amazing that there is still so much cool new stuff being revealed about Soul Calibur IV. The latest are details and images about the custom costumes. We knew there would be lots more to choose from, but now there are no restrictions on how you combine them! They are also not limited to custom created players, but can be applied to the main characters.

At this point, I think I’m actually going to buy both the 360 and PS3 versions. I know it’s silly to do so and that the console exclusive characters will probably be available for purchase. We’ll see when the game actually comes out I guess.

UPDATE:
Thanks to macanaqui for sharing this link to GameSpot Japan's massive gallery of custom characters.

What's really cool is they also have shots of the creation menu.

Sneak Peak: Annies Costumes New Design

Something new and exciting is coming! AnniesCostumes.com is getting a new design, a new look and feel. Stay tuned! Our new design is coming in the next few weeks and we just can't wait to share it with you!

Take the 2008 Scary Halloween Survey

Every year Extreme Halloween publishes a list of their predictions for the most popular Halloween costumes. Now here is your chance to pick your favorites and let us know your Halloween habits. And when you take our 8 question Scary Halloween survey, you will be entered in our weekly drawing to win prizes. Share your predictions and favorite costumes with us!

The 2008 List of Predicitons for the Top Halloween Costumes

Celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Top Halloween Costume List. See our list of the costumes we predict will be the most popular this Halloween. There is something for everyone on our list: babies, girls, boys, teens, men, women, couples, groups and more!

Gearing up for Christmas in July and other Wacky Summer Holidays

Gear up for the summer's wacky holidays

AnniesCostumes.com offers adult Santa suits, fun games, and a Second Life virtual winter wonderland to help celebrate Christmas in July

Dania Beach, FL (PRWEB) July 1, 2008 - As stores gear up for their annual Christmas in July sales, AnniesCostumes.com offers fun ways for everyone to get into the mood for this wacky summer holiday.

For Christmas in July celebrations that include an actual theme party or cookout, AnniesCostumes.com, one of the leading online costume retailers since 1996, offers a complete line of props, decorations and accessories, including kitschy and traditional child and adult Santa suits from www.SantaSuits.com.

But, a party or a picnic isn't the only way people can celebrate this wacky holiday. Second Life is the perfect place to get into the "Christmas" spirit with adult Santa suits and costumes for avatars, as well as a virtual Christmas Village. When first arriving to the virtual Christmas village, avatars are greeted with snowflakes falling on their heads. A large, ice covered pond with a Christmas tree in the middle has free ice skates nearby so Second Life residents can get in a little ice skating. Santa's home sits in between two workshops where avatars can drop in for some milk and cookies before shopping for wacky holiday items and adult Santa suit costumes.
Second Life is a 3-D virtual world with almost 10 million residents registered from around the globe. Visitors can participate in

AnniesCostumes.com Second Life Christmas in July celebrations by visiting http://slurl.com/secondlife/LeftBank%20Studios/184/80/41/?title=AnniesCostumes.com.

Not on Second Life? No party planned? Well, the wacky Christmas in July holiday can still be celebrated with the "Santa Dress Up" game, http://www.santasuits.com/dressup/. This free, interactive game lets players dress up ole' St. Nick as wacky characters for the holidays with such styles as "Sumo Santa," "Elvis Claus," "Super Santa" and more. Users can just drag and drop a variety of shirts, pants, shoes, hair and accessories they'd like onto Father Christmas to create a unique Santa for Christmas in July.

About Annie's Costumes Annie's Costumes (www.AnniesCostumes.com) is part of the Extreme Halloween Network. Extreme Halloween Network is the web's most complete source for online costumes for all holidays and occasions. They have sites devoted to costume accessories for all wacky holidays, theater makeup, costume wigs, Christmas in July adults Santa suits, western wear, gothic fashions, magician supplies and more. Annie's Costumes has been one of the leading online Halloween costume stores for internet shoppers since 1996.

Chapter 77.3: Honey, I'm Home!

Possibly the most significant "welcome home" moment in literary history has been given a pinpoint date. That is, if you believe in the scientists' interpretations of some possibly metaphoric allusions.

According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, researchers have identified April 16, in 1178 BC as the day on which Odysseus returned home to win the archery competition as well as the heart of faithful Penelope — and then proceeded to murder the 109 suitors and the dozen frisky maids.

Feel free to comment with quibbles, for there are many possibilities. For example, was that moment one of "the most heralded events of Western literature" as the Times describes it? Are the scientists taking liberties with their interpretations? Was Plutarch right in believing that Homer (or whoever is the true author of this epic tale – if there is one) was describing an eclipse when he relates: "The Sun has been obliterated from the sky, and an unlucky darkness invades the world"?

I'm open to getting into a playful online discussion about this whole thing. I find it fascinating. I don't pretend to be an expert, but the idea of getting to the exact date of such a seminal moment in the history of Western literature strikes me as fairly exciting!

Great 4th of July Party Ideas

If you're hungry for a great celebration on the 4th, check out this one-stop compilation of sites for great ideas, tips and advice on cooking up a memorable Independence Day get-together, backyard party or family picnic. And if you want to launch your party into the stratosphere, have everyone come in a patriotic costume (from anniescostumes.com, of course!).



Here are some highlights...



Kate's Global Kitchen - The Fourth of July southern style, with recipes for Chilled Southern Spiced Shrimp, Pulled Pork, spoon bread, snap beans, Pralines and Peach Crisp.



4th of July Margaritas - In layers of red, white and blue for that festive touch, from Recipezaar.com



4th of July Party Ideas from Evite - The online party invitation station, also offering great ideas for food and drinks, party games, music & activities.

Chapter 77.2: A Sense of Normalcy

It's official: Tom Brokaw will take over the hosting duties of Meet the Press, the most important Sunday morning news and public policy show in the United States. Of course, one of the main reasons why it had become so significant is because of the effort the late Tim Russert put into it.

In my post offering my thoughts on Russert's untimely death, I openly pondered whether Brokaw would host. While I didn't come straight out and say it in the blog, Brokaw was who I was hoping would take the job.

To me it makes the most sense. Brokaw is the first person I thought of as capable of doing the job well while maintaining the sense of decorum that it requires (automatically cutting Chris Matthews out) through at least the election. I for one will miss Russert on election night. Brokaw will offer a sense of normalcy to what I suspect will be yet another odd election. At least President Bush can't win this time.

Soldier on, Mr. Brokaw, and I wish you well. America is watching and looking for you to pick up that torch and carry it forward.

Chapter 77.1: Summertime, and the Living Is ...

We are closing in on the summer solstice. Last one to Stonehenge is a smelly druid!

I was a little surprised to discover that the moment of solstice -- that is, the exact minute at which the earth's axis is most oriented toward the sun (yet, ironically, the earth is farther away from the sun than it is during our winter, at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere) -- is at 11:59 GMT tonight. Seems like an odd time for it to occur, but I'm no solar scientist.

These days, summer isn't nearly as much fun as when I was a kid. Sure, the beers that I drink are legal, but that's not as much fun as when I was 17. And I haven't worked as a camp counselor for a loooong time now, so working outside with a couple built-in trips to a beach that I don't have to pay for is a thing of the past.

But it's still summer time, the best season of the year. Enjoy, everyone! And crack open a cold one for me.

Chapter 77: See Ya Later, Willie

To me, the Willie Randolph situation had become so unimportant that I'd stopped watching the Mets. Yes, that may sound like a contradiction, but my point is this: The Mets are terrible, and unless I hear that things are actually turning around, I probably won't watch much.

I thought about turning the game on late last night, but before I turned the channel from Colbert, I fell asleep. The next thing I know, REM is playing on the Ferguson show. Time for bed.

I wasn't aware of Willie being fired till I heard it on the train platform. I'm not quite sure Omar Minaya flew them all out to California only to fire them. It seems like a pathetic way to avoid the heat in New York. At this point, I don't much care. The team is playing miserably, and I can't bear to watch.

It's not so much that they fired Willie. I can certainly accept that. But to do it in such a callous, cowardly way is simply despicable. The way the firing was handled suggests that the problem wasn't so much with the manager -- or even the players -- but with ownership. It's not enough to sign the checks and pave the way for a new stadium. You need some class, too. From the sound of it, they don't have any.

Jerry Manuel, I wish you luck. I'm sure I'll tune in eventually, but I need a moment.

Previes for Summer Movies Still to Come

One of my favorite parts of going to the movies, besides the popcorn (and the movie itself, of course!) are the previews! When I saw The Incredible Hulk this weekend, we saw previews for Hell Boy 2 and The Mummy 3. These two sequels looked really thrilling and will be sure to be packed with some great sci fi action too! I really don't remember a summer that delivered as many great movies as summer 2008 has already delivered and promises to keep them coming straight through to the fall!

Announcing Annie's Costumes New iBusiness Logic eBay Store

AnniesCostumes.com has been selling online since 1996 and for many years we have offered a few items on Ebay from time to time. Now with our new eBay stores design featuring Frooition eBay Stores technology and iBussinessLogic graphics we will always have great costume deals up on eBay, both in our store and close out auction prices.

So check out the spiffy new Annie's Costumes eBay store and get yourself a great costume deal today!

Special thanks to my awesome internet marketing consultant, Jay Berkowitz from Ten Golden Rules for introducing us to Scott Pooler and the iBusinessLogic team. You can see both of these Internet gurus at eBay Live in Chicago later on this week!

AnniesCostumes.com Featured on Greatest American Dog Reality Show

Greatest American Dog reality show coming to CBS July 10th. Summer TV really is going to the dogs, but in a totally good way. All you dog lovers and costume lovers alike, be sure to tune in to check out the competition and the cute pups performing tricks!

AnniesCostumes.com provided the show with tons of dog costumes and accessories as well as some matching costumes for their human companions. I am so excited to see how the teams use the costumes to express their personalities in the competition!

What's 'Happening' is a letdown

According to this review, the latest horror thriller from M. Night Shyamalan is a letdown.



What a great idea is "The Happening."


What a disappointing film.


The latest horror thriller from M. Night Shyamalan benefits greatly from Shyamalan's highly intriguing premise. But it suffers just as much from Shyamalan's weak dialogue, stilted direction and inability to connect with his actors.


In the best of all possible worlds, he would have developed his story and then handed it off to someone else to write the script and direct it. But this is M. Night Shyamalan, who burst onto the scene with the extraordinary "The Sixth Sense" and followed up a film later with the powerful "Signs."


Since then, however, he has seemingly lost the magic. "The Happening" shows flashes of his old brilliance, especially in the last 10 minutes. But getting there is not worth the effort.


Mark Wahlberg is absolutely and atypically dreadful in the role of a Philadelphia high school science teacher.


Some unknown incident in New York City causes people to become disoriented and kill themselves. The immediate thought is that it was caused by terrorists, and, just to be safe, Walhberg's character decides to flee to the country with his wife and a fellow teacher, played by John Leguizamo.


When Leguizamo is no worse than the rest of the cast, you know you're going to be in for a rough film. Especially when the cast includes the usually solid Zooey Deschanel, who plays Wahlberg's wife.


As the three of them and the daughter of Leguizamo's character head deeper into the country, they meet a number of character actors who are no better than the rest of the cast.


Things finally improve toward the end, when they encounter a crazy woman played by Betty Buckley. Finally, Shyamalan creates a character who interests him, someone who is Hitchcockian.


Tak Fujimoto's cinematography is crisply evocative, as always, and even James Newton Howard's musical score helps set the mood.


But the mood is consistently sabotaged by Shyamalan and the actors he has hired. Everything about the film feels forced, from the dialogue to the way it is said. And even when Shyamalan does the right thing with his camera, which is most of the time, it doesn't have the conviction of its movements.


We can watch it and appreciate what the film is trying to make us feel, but we never feel it.
The movie's best feature is the premise, that something in the air reverses the inhibitors in the brain that keep us from harming ourselves.


The images of people stopping dead in their tracks and then finding ways to kill themselves are chilling -- or they would be if they were executed better. One bit, involving a policeman's gun, is particularly effective.


But then, we learn what is causing this all to happen, and the reason is especially stupid. We waited the entire movie, we think, for this?

The Incredible Hulk Movie Smashes Its Way Back Into the Hearts of Fans!

Yeah for Marvel! They saved the Hulk in an unprecedented recovery from the 2003 box office bomb. It seems that I am not the only one that loved this action packed Marvel creation. Both fans and even critics are smashing the previous bad conception and bad taste that the old Hulk movie left in their mouths. The Incredible Hulk was #1 at the box office this weekend, opening with over $54 million in sales.

The Incredible Hulk was a perfect blend of action and story line; with plenty of comic book accuracies and nuances for the comic book fans as well as a lot of aspects from the 1970's TV Show.

The Incredible Hulk currently has a 66% on the Movie Review site Rotten Tomatoes. And I found this summary of critic reviews on BuzzWatch.com:

Here’s a sampling of “Incredible Hulk” reviews:

• Owen Gleiberman in Entertainment Weekly: Viewers “may for a few moments have that long-sought ‘Whoa!’ sensation, the one that takes you back to the thrill of the original comics” but film also suffers from “flat, logy dialogue.” [Entertainment Weekly]
• USA Today: “’Iron Man’ was wittier and more fun… saga is uneven and there are plot holes, but as a popcorn movie steeped in action, it keeps our attention.” [USA Today]
• Village Voice: “Cheers to lower expectations, then, because ‘The Incredible Hulk’ is The Pretty Good Hulk. All things considered, of course.” [Village Voice]
• New York Post: After the disappointing “Hulk” of 2003, this new film will likely be a smash with the fanboy demographic—but is only “fitfully successful in engaging the middle ground - us nonhard-core fans drawn in by the wit and heart that elevated ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Iron Man’ to another level of storytelling.” [New York Post]
• Hollywood Reporter: “’Iron Man’ has more wit and style, but ‘Hulk’ is a neat thrill ride with an intelligent script.” [Hollywood Reporter]

The Incredible Hulk Costume with all its green muscles will no doubt be tops this Halloween season and available in both child and adult sizes.

Chapter 76.9: Tim Russert -30-

No, that's not a typo. It's a journalistic symbol that denotes the end of a wire service story.

But Tim Russert, who died today at the all too young age of 58, was no wire service reporter, though if he had been one he would have excelled. Russert was perhaps the premier American TV journalist of his generation. How fitting, then, that Tom Brokaw, who will forever be associated with The Greatest Generation, shoud announce Russert's unexpected death. Indeed, how appropriate for Russert to die on a Friday afternoon, the slowest time in traditional news, when the Saturday edition has basically been put to bed and the editors are starting on their desk stash of scotch in the office before hitting the bar.

Russert wouldn't want to have become the story, but by the same token, he'd want the story out -- and accurate -- as soon as possible.

From what I've heard, Russert was passionate about politics and public policy. He was perfect for Meet the Press. I had hoped to meet him one day.

I can't help but wonder who will succeed him. I wonder if Brokaw might serve as the moderator for Meet the Press on Sunday, though he retired a few years ago. Whoever is the next host of that show will have much to aspire to.

-30-

Chapter 76.8: Buy Me Some Peanuts and Crackerjack

This is the type of helpful travel tip that even non-baseball fans can sink their teeth into. The New York Times has posted an interactive map of the culinary delights available at all the major league baseball stadiums throughout the United States (and Toronto).

While I feel bad for my friends who are fans of the White Sox (not one item on their menu is recommended; the Times says bring a six pack and barter for a dog outside), I can agree with the assessment that the dogs at Shea are edible but way too expensive. (I think everyone can buy a full pack of hot dogs and possibly also the buns for less than the price of one dog at the game.)

I've gone to enough games and eaten enough expensive hot dogs to have decided that I don't need to have a dog and a beer at every game I attend any more. At the prices these days, I'm hard-pressed to attend more than one or two games anyway. But it's nice to fantasize, and if you do go to a game, why not have a game plan about the stadium menu!

Jon Favreau Talks About Iron Man/Iron Man 2

ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype! visited the set of DreamWorks' upcoming comedy, I Love You, Man, and got a chance to talk to Iron Man director Jon Favreau, who plays a role in the comedy, opening in theaters on January 16, 2009. The comedy co-stars Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Jaime Pressly and Rashida Jones.



With Iron Man 2 already set for an April 30, 2010 release, they asked Favreau for an update. He talked about the sequel, the other upcoming Marvel Studios movies and even films like Hancock and The Dark Knight. Read the entire interview here.

Chapter 76.7: National "Take A Hike" Day

You may not have known it, but today is National Trails Day -- or as I like to call it: National 'Take a Hike' Day. While I'm sure the purpose of this day is to encourage people to walk through some of the many beautiful areas of our country -- mountain trails, forested areas, shorelines -- but I like the idea of telling people to take a hike.

The possibilities for corporate tie-ins are incredible. For example, Timberland might love this: "I can tell your wife's a hiker by that Timberland treadmark on your ass... Timberland: Take a hike!"

Ok, probably not what they have in mind.

Of course, today, the last thing I wanted to do was walk around in this oppressive heat; 96 degrees in early June is not my idea of fun. And tomorrow is expected to be worse. I already bought a six pack of cold beer. I'm in for the night, thank you!

So any one who wants me to head to a bar tonight ... Take A Hike!

Celebrate the 4th of July with Uncle Sam, Statue of Liberty, George Washington, and Patriotic Costumes

Annies Costumes features an assortment of costumes for the holiday including Betsy Ross costumes, Colonial costumes and fun hats and accessories

Dania Beach, FL (PRWEB) June 10, 2008 -- Fireworks, food and fun aren't the only things to look forward to on the Fourth of July. Fun patriotic costumes and decorations, including campy Uncle Sam and Statue of Liberty Costumes, George Washington costumes, Betsy Ross costumes and colonial costumes, are a must-have for any Independence Day picnic or pageant.

Annie's Costumes, the premier online costume retailer since 1996, has a variety of July 4-themed costumes and decorations available, including All American Costumes - from Uncle Sam to the Patriotic Lady; American History Heroes - including president from George Washington to Nixon and historical character costumes; and fun July 4 party accessories such as beads, hats, masks and more.

And, who wouldn't want Uncle Sam as the grill master at the family BBQ? Dressing as Uncle Sam can make the family BBQ or picnic so much more fun and flavorful.

"Anyone can kick their July 4 party up a notch with themed costumes and accessories," said Shari McConahay, marketing director for Annie's Costumes. "Kids and adults have a blast dressing up as famous presidents - from our George Washington costumes to our masks of Kennedy and Clinton. And, don't forget Uncle Sam!" she added.

Summer camps and daycares putting on July 4th pageants also need to look no further than Annie's Costumes for all their production needs. Annie's carries a full line of stage and theater makeup as well as outfits from traditional colonial and Betsy Ross costumes, to Uncle Sam and Statue of Liberty costumes, flags, hats and accessories for a modern-day celebration.

Chapter 76.6: Remembering Old Friends

I've been blessed with an abundance of friends -- though I'm not always the best at showing my appreciation of their positive influence in my life. It turns out that my friends may be helping me in ways I'd never dreamed of before. Apparently, having more friends helps a person maintain a strong memory longer. Not only that, but my having graduated college helps me in that regard too, though the study also suggests that I should avoid the fatty foods and cholesterol. Damn, and I was really looking forward to eating monkey brains!

The study was conducted over six years, which may mean little, I don't really know, though it seems to suggest a bit more serious research than something that's only studying effects over a 12-18 month period. Surely, the impact of good friends cannot be measured over so short a period.

While it is unclear how social isolation and disconnected from others could affect memory loss, the implication is that seniors should continue to engage in social activities and increase the number of people in their social network. I can see it now: Senior Facebook! [Full disclosure, I do not have a Facebook page]

To be serious for a moment, these types of studies could be incredibly important as we the largest generation enter their senior years. Indeed, many of them don't even see their sixties as being old -- and at this point they're probably right. The fact remains, however, that their health is more likely to deteriorate than improve as they get older, and if engaging in more social interactions with people, developing more friendships with people, will help as life moves inexorably forward, then we should all do our best to help.

So my advice is call your parents regulary. See if they're spending time with their neighbors, their church group, their bridge club, at the nudist beach down the shore, whatever. It will help their memories, and they'll have reason to remember. Encourage them to make new friends and keep the old. They're all gold.

Buy A Cow Costume & Get A FREE Chik Fil A Entree

Cow Appreciation Day July 13th 2008: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/#thecows
See their site for a cute slide show of past costumed meal winners!



Dress like a cow, or wear cow accessories or makeup to your local Chik Fil A and receive a free entree. Kids get a Kids Meal. Even cow print accessories might get you a free meal.


Download PDF from Chik Fil A for more info: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/downloads/CFA_CAD_1pgr.pdf

What a fun way to dress up!