Economic Recession Joke: How Building Suppliers Are Dealing With The Housing Slump

Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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10 Beautiful Photoshopped Photos

Photoshop is such an amazing tool. Here are some beautiful photos which had been photoshopped just a bit.

Photo by paul goyette

"This one's entitled "Riding Off Into The Sunset".

Photo by Mr.Thomas

"She Had Never Felt So Green".

Photo and Title by Scoobymoo

Photo by coda

Photo by aussiegall

Photo by Jeff Kubina

Photo by It'sGreg

Photo by Leogirly4life

Photo by susurrus_sparks - AWAY til March 1

Photo by OneofThem

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Advertisements That Tell Us Sex Sells

Sex sells. As distasteful and awful as that may sound, it is unfortunately true. If you aren't convinced, here are some ads that portray sex even when the products they advertise have no relation whatsoever to sex at all.

Take this one for instance.

Photo credit: Giant Ideas

It's an ad for Big Kahuna Burger. Yes siree, a burger! The bottom of the ad reads:

"Oh baby! Grab hold of our buns and you can feel the difference having a big one makes. Slathered with love and attention our trademark Big Kahuna Burgers ooze perfection, moist with secret sauces from the Island Gods. When you hunger for a big one, only a Big Kahuna Burger will satisfy your passion." 

Now, why would a burger ad include a scantily clad and writhing woman who looks like she is in the throes of passion? Maybe to show a passion for burger? Maybe. But isn't that too much. Couldn't an ad for a wholesome burger instead show a person eating it and whose face invokes satisfaction and passion for the burger? Or something along the same lines but less controversial than this ad. It could have, that's for sure. But it did not. Instead, it choose to show this bikini clad woman. And further gave those suggestive and full of dual meaning lines at the bottom of the ad. And why? Maybe because it is easier to catch people's attention that way. And maybe because, sex sells.

How about this one.

Care to guess what this ad is all about? Maybe you would have better luck than me. When I first saw this, I couldn't for the life of me determine what this ad is for. There are two almost naked couple in it so maybe it's something for a birth control product. But I saw the name printed on the upper right hand portion and realized that why, it is for a brand of tissue paper! And so, where's the tissue? Oh, it's at the background! And looks so diminutive that any onlooker could easily miss it! While the almost naked couple were placed (strategically, I'd say) in the foreground! Easy to spot and would certainly catch anybody's attention.

There are more ads below that say sex sells.

This one is for a men's magazine in Belgium.

Photo credit: coolz0r

This is for a cigarette.

Photo credit: Bill Ward's Brickpile

This one is for a milk with a half naked Pete Sampras on it. This ad could have gotten its message across with just Sampras' milk moustache. There was no need to make him half naked. Unless, of course, they were advertising for a body toning product.

Photo credit: cliff1066

This is for Calvin Klein Jeans.

For Calvin Klein perfumes.

Photo credit: PinkMoose

For Ralph Lauren.

Photo credit: magerleagues

While this, is a  huge and very graphic ad plastered in a busy and crowded metropolis where persons of all ages, including children, could see.

Photo credit: activefree

Aren't these just awful? Does it show that the only way ads can get any man's attention is through sex? Have we become like primitive creatures who lack reason? That we cannot anymore determine and decide for ourselves the intrinsic value of a product if it isn't served to us under the guise of sex? If so, that is awfully sad.

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Sexism In A Disney Rejection Letter

Photo credit sim sandwich

Pictured above is an original 1938 letter written by Disney rejecting a female job applicant for the reason that she is - female. To better read it's contents, the letter is reproduced in its entirety below with my emphasis on some lines:

June 7, 1938

Miss Mary V. Ford
Searcy,
Arkansas

Dear Miss Ford:

Your letter of recent date has been received in the Inking and Painting Department for reply.

Women do not do any of the creative work in connection with preparing the cartoons for the screen, as that work is performed entirely by young men. For this reason girls are not considered for the training school.

The only work open to women consists of tracing the characters on clear celluloid sheets with India ink and filling in the tracings on the reverse side with paint according to directions.

In order to apply for a position as "Inker" or "Painter" it is necessary that one appear at the Studio, bringing samples of pen and ink and water color work. It would not be advisable to come to Hollywood with the above specifically in view, as there are really very few openings in comparison with the number of girls who apply.

Yours very truly,

WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS, LTD.

By:

Signature

MEC

This letter is quite sad. It shows how women were treated during that time. They were regarded as inferior to and less valuable than the male gender. Notice how the writer fluctuates from using the terms "women" and "girls", a clear indication of how women were belittled. It is a good thing that we have come a long way since then. Although sexism against women hasn't yet been totally eradicated, women now have far more better rights and opportunities. Or are they?

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Free Beauty Products!

This is for real. As a result of a lawsuit settlement, cosmetic companies have agreed to give out $175 million worth of beauty products FOR FREE.

Isn’t this wonderful! In this difficult economy, anything free is heaven sent.

Among the freebies given are Dior, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Chanel and Clinique. This would just run for six days and until supplies last. So don’t walk but run to your nearest Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales or any of your favorite department stores.

I heard that lines could get long, but getting a product as expensive as these brands makes it all worth it!

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Lost Is Back!

The long wait is over! Lost Season 5 is here! Premiere is today, January 21. I am so excited to get lost again in this television series that I consider to be the best that has ever been created. For Lost fans out there, here's a sneak peek:

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A Look At How The Economic Crunch Affects Billionaires

James Packer with wife Erica Baxter

According to this news, even billionaires are feeling the effects of the economic crunch.

James Packer, formerly Australia’s richest man, had put up for sale his $50 million The Mangusta 165 yacht, postponed the delivery of his Boeing private jet and left unfinished the construction of his $3.7 million swimming pool and pavilion in his vast and sprawling estate in North of Sydney, among others. During the previous year, his wealth has been reduced from $6 billion to $3 billion, landing him only in the third spot of Australia’s richest men, after having been on the top for 21 years. All of these reportedly caused him to suffer depression, gain weight and shy away from the public limelight.

Oh well, the life of the rich and the famous. They do have a different level of worries from the rest of us lesser mortals. While we worry about keeping our jobs in order to earn to pay for our mortgage and bills, they worry over the loss of their shiny expensive toys, even if there’s still more left. It must be so hard to have only $3 billion in assets. And I thought that having that much money would be more than enough. Apparently, it’s man’s nature to never stop wanting more. When you have $3 billion, you’d want another $3 billion. And when you get that, you’d want twice as much or even more. Now, he should try having only ten bucks to his name. I just can’t imagine where that would find him.

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Recent Late Night Economy Jokes

"In a speech about the economy, Barack Obama said that Americans will soon be able to go online and see where the bailout money is being spent. In response, Americans said ’Thanks, but we’ll stick to downloading porn.’" - Conan O’Brien

"I tell ya, the economy is bad. The economy is so bad, Iraqis can only afford to throw one shoe." - Jay Leno

"And, of course, you know being president-elect is kind of awkward because Barack Obama didn’t have any experiences or accomplishments to talk about as president. So, at least he and President Bush had something in common." - Jay Leno

"Activists are now pressuring President-elect Obama to make good on his pledge to end the ’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy in the military to allow gays to openly serve in the military. You know, I think it’s about time. Don’t you? Let me tell you something, if someone is willing to risk their life for our country, they should be able to watch ’Dancing With The Stars’ openly." - Jay Leno

"Couple of days ago in New Jersey, there were UFO sightings. Believe me, it’s not an invasion. The aliens are actually here because they want some of that Federal bailout money." - David Letterman

"Vice President-elect Joe Biden is already getting acquainted with his new responsibility as Vice President. And he’s starting every afternoon at 3:00. He picks up Sasha and Malia from school." - David Letterman

"You know for each inauguration, the President adds his own little touches, his own signature note to the proceedings. For example, maybe you don’t remember this but for the first Clinton inauguration, ladies drank free." - David Letterman

"Do you have your tickets for the inauguration down in Washington? I sent in early. I sent the money in. I got my tickets back, lousy seats. You know where they put me? I’m right between Governors Spitzer and Blagojevich." - David Letterman

"There was a historic meeting in Washington this week. Yesterday, Barack Obama and all the presidents met at the Oval Office. Did you see it? All the living ex-presidents were there. Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr., Bill Clinton, Dick Cheney. All of them were there." - Jay Leno

"The Bushes, by the way, aren’t the only presidents to have their own china. Truman, Reagan and Clinton all had it too. Though the Clinton service is missing some plates and I think a soup bowl because of Hillary throwing them at Bill. One time she really nailed him with a gravy boat. So that’s missing too. But I’ll tell you something, nothing to me says recession like spending half a million dollars on dinnerware." - Jimmy Kimmel

"On Inauguration Day, Barack Obama will be riding in a brand new presidential limousine made by General Motors. Yeah, the parade route is five miles long, so GM says Obama should only have to stop for gas twice." - Conan O’Brien

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More Free Blogger Templates

Here are more sites I came across in my still on going search for free and nice Blogger templates:

• Skin Corner - Templates can be previewed before downloading the codes.
• Isnaini Blogger Templates - Artistic classic templates. Please take note that these are Classic templates and not for Layouts.
• AllBlogTools.com
• GosuBlogger
• Ann-S-Thesia - Unique templates. Also offers web and header graphics, among others.
• Templates Para Blogger - Spanish language website but can be navigated easily nonetheless.
• BlogspotTemplate.com - Offers a lot of templates to choose from.
• Free XML Blogger Templates
• 5 Column Template for Blogspot Blogger
• Free Blogger Templates

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Weird Weather Continues

Photo credit: Linda N.

In relation to my previous post about weird weather, shocking Arctic level temperatures continue to be felt in most parts of USA as temperatures drop down to up to 40 degrees below zero with wind chill estimates reaching 50 below; causing several schools to close or delay its opening , ski resorts to temporarily discontinue operation due to fear that skiers would freeze if stranded in a malfunctioning lift, one man dying, some vehicular accidents and plenty, I'm sure, of untold discomfort stories.

Oh, boy! It's indeed just like the temperatures in the Arctic or in northern parts of Canada. I don't want to be anywhere near those places right now.

This same time last year, we were in Pennsylvania with a temperature of 15 degrees. It was so cold then. How much more would it be if the temperature is several degrees below zero and a wind chill of the same level. I could just imagine how miserable and full of hassle that would be. I don't think I would be able to get something done outside with that level of coldness.

Neither am I glad to be in a tropical place right now because it is also bitterly cold. Not the arctic level of coldness, but still really cold. I'm showing signs of getting sick with flu brought about by this cold weather.

Oh, I wish this weather improves soon and hopefully some sun will come out.

If only financial capacity weren't an object, I'm thinking of going to a place very near the equator this same time next year. If this weird weather hasn't yet caught up in that place by then, then hopefully it would still be warm. Um, now, what place would that be?

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Another Round of Economic Recession Jokes

Here's another round of funny lines on the recession:

"Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neal has resigned. He didn't want to resign, but there wasn't any money left in the treasury so he's got nothing to do." —Jay Leno

"President Bush's economic plan will create 2.5 million new jobs. The bad news, they are all for Iraqi soldiers." —Craig Kilborn

"How much do you think Senators make? They now make $154,700 a year. But they say it will stimulate the economy because eventually that money will trickle down to the liquor stores, the hookers, the brothels, then it will get back in the community." —Jay Leno

"Bush told the attendees (at his economic forum) that he wants to simplify the numbers on Wall Street so that people can understand what they are looking at. Simplify the numbers? We are already looking at single digits!" —Jay Leno

"President Bush said today that it is our job to vote. That's what he called it, a job. And considering how the way economy is going, that may be the only job we have." —Jay Leno

"Yesterday Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said he would be willing to serve another term. Greenspan said, 'Where else would I get a job in this economy?'" —Conan O'Brien

"Some good news for the economy. President Bush went on a month-long vacation." —Jay Leno

"Democrats were quick to point out that President Bush's budget creates a 1 trillion dollar deficit. The White House quickly responded with 'Hey, look over there, it's Saddam Hussein.'" —Craig Kilborn

"The federal government announced today that the recession ended back in November of 2001. It ended two years ago! Be sure to pass that on to all your unemployed friends. So you know what that means? The past twenty months of job layoffs, corporate bankruptcies and declining stocks, those were the good times. We should have been living it up." —Jay Leno

"The economy is in big trouble. Yesterday in a big speech, President Bush said the economy was still getting over the hangover from the 90's. And then, the president admitted he was still getting over his hangover from the 80's." —Conan O'Brien

"Boy, another bad day on Wall Street. Things are getting ugly. Dow Jones is starting to look more like Paula Jones." —Jay Leno

"In a speech yesterday in Milwaukee, President Bush vowed to do whatever it takes to keep the economy strong. In fact he said that if he needs to, he will take vacation for another three months." —Jay Leno

"There's now speculation in Washington that President Bush is now planning to increase the economic sanctions on Iraq. And let me tell you if they are half as tough as the economic sanctions Bush has imposed on this country, they are screwed." —Jay Leno

"Things do not look good. The economy's gone south, we're at war, people are out of work. In fact, George Bush Sr. picked up the newspaper and thought, 'Hey, I must still be president.'" —Jay Leno

"President Bush is leaving the White House for a vacation. He's taking a month off. Yeah, take a break, you deserve it. But aides say that while on vacation, Bush will continue to make two or three speeches a week to make sure that the market keeps crashing." —Jay Leno

"President Bush hosted something called the President's Economic Forum down in Waco, Texas today. Waco. Apparently Jonestown and Guyana were booked up. When I think of government policy that works, Waco is the place to go. He invited members of small business to the summit. He was going to invite big business, but they're all in jail." —Jay Leno

"The Stock Market was down today. Two major businesses declared bankruptcy, consumer spending is at an all time low — in other words, Bush is back on the job." —Jay Leno

"The same week the Bush administration slashed pay raises for all federal workers, they announced they are going to provide bonuses to political appointees who do a good job. You know, that guy who cut everyone else pay, he gets the bonus." —Jay Leno

"The FBI has issued a new terrorist warning that Al Qadea may be planning a spectacular attack intended to damage our economy. Well I have news for them, they are a little too late. This is where President Bush is smart. Two years ago he did a preemptive strike to make sure our economy couldn't be any worse than it is right now." —Jay Leno

"Did you hear about this today, Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and top economic advisor Larry Lindsey have resigned. They resigned from the White House economic team? Shocked everybody in Washington, who knew Bush had a White House economic team? You know things are bad when Republicans are losing jobs in Washington." —Jay Leno

"Al Gore says President Bush's economic plan has zero chance of working. Now, this raises on important question: Bush has an economic plan?" —David Letterman

"According to a new study, bad economic times can actually be good for you because people tend to exercise more and eat better. This is not a recession, this is the Bush Health Care Plan." —Jay Leno

"Bush advisers have long been worried that a lagging economy could hamper the president's re-election chances. They hope that the Cabinet shake-up will provide a needed jolt. If that doesn't work, North Korea has to go." —Jon Stewart

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Funny Bumper Stickers

I love bumper stickers. Well who doesn't? They make the travel less boring and often come in handy during uncomfortable long drives or heavy bumper to bumper traffic because they make great topics for conversation. Or even just something to think of or laugh about while enduring the ride.

Bumper stickers could be a lot more however. They could provide an explanation if you happen to be over speeding, like these ones:

Photo credit: shortfatkid

Photo credit: No Trams To Lime Street

Which are handy in case an Officer has spotted you.

It could also show how cool you find Mr. Obama:

Photo credit: faeryboots

Or how you support animals causes

Photo credit: Robert Scoble

Or maybe not.

Or help you express your dislike for President Bush

Photo credit: Valerie Everett

Photo credit: ktylerconk

Or tell others to

Photo credit: wikked one

Or show your passion for women empowerment, or your devotion to Linux and Google

Photo credit: adria.richards

Or your religious sentiment

Photo credit: Napalm filled tires

Bumpers stickers, they say, are your widgets in the road.

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Effect of Environmental Global Warming

I talked about the possible effects of environmental global warming in my previous post. But if you're not convinced and still looking for a positive proof that GLOBAL WARMING IS REALLY HERE, here's one:

Photo credit: focalplane

I wonder how it would be in 2010 then?

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Apocalypse Now?

Photo credit: wumai

Oh, I hope not. It's just that the weather has been really weird lately.

Where I live now, it's several degrees colder than what it should be at this time of the year. For two months now, it has been constantly raining and the last few weeks had been unusually bitingly cold. Strong winds carry a chill that is uncharacteristic for a tropical place. When we moved here a couple of months ago, I thought I was done with cold weather and was looking forward to a warm one. Now, I've been forced to take out my warmers from the deepest recesses of our closet where I stored all our winter clothes. Even if the degree of coldness doesn't require wearing the thickest wool trench coat but just some warmers and sweaters, still that's pretty unusual for a place where the common get-up is the thinnest cotton tank top.

My friend was telling me that just recently there had been more and more cases of tornado sightings. That's pretty strange for a non tornado-prone country that hadn't experienced any in the past.

I read in the news that not only does this country have to contend with tornadoes, it has to prepare itself for hurricanes too. That's another peculiar thing because what this place usually gets are storms that produces heavy rainfall and floods, and that's it. It never gets any hurricane because hurricanes are for countries in the northern hemisphere. But now, apparently, the climate has shifted as countries in the northern hemisphere are the ones that now gets floods, while countries in the equatorial zone will start experiencing hurricanes. How weird is that?

Last month my sister called up to tell me it was snowing pretty heavily in the normally warm and sun baked Las Vegas strip. Las Vegas hasn't seen that much snow in 30 years which was seven times more than what was usual. As a consequence, the state of Nevada was unprepared in handling it. The Inquisitr was able to capture some amazing photos.

Similarly last month, I read in the news that it snowed in Houston, Texas too. That's rare for a coastal place known to be where people sweat most of the time that there was never any need for coats or jackets. The last time it happened was two years ago with only minimal snow, and before that was 15 years ago. View Ricketyclick's photo here.

I don't know what all these means. The climate is changing, that's for sure. Maybe the effects of global warming? Our non environment-friendly actions catching up with us? Or signs that we are approaching the end times, as some people say? A prelude to the predicted 2012 event (more on that next time)? Again, I really hope not.

What do you think?

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Economic Recession Jokes Part IV

Photo credit: jaycoxfilm

Still some jokes on the economic recession. This one's a circulating e-mail that will tickle your funny bone:

“The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate.
If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China;
If we spend it on gasoline, it will go to the Arabs;
If we purchase a computer, it will go to India;
If we purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras,and Guatemala;
If we purchase a good car, it will go to Japan;
If we purchase useless crap, it will go to Taiwan.
And none of it will help the American economy.
The only way to keep that money here at home is to buy prostitutes, beer and cigarettes, since these are the only products still produced in the US.”

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Economic Recession Jokes Part III

Yet another funny joke on the current economic recession. According to this image (and you gotta have to read everything in it because it's really funny),

Photo credit: alq666
Click to enlarge

applying for the Federal Bail Out Program is as easy as applying for regular EZ Cash Loans. It only takes this one page EZ Cash application form that is so simple and easy to use. For backgrounders, EZ Cash are loan systems that provide cash advance loans and other loan services. Approval takes only minutes and money is available on the same or the next day regardless of one's credit's status or lack thereof. So, credit, anyone?

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Free Blogger Template Sites

Photo credit: jauhari

After having scoured the web more than a dozen of times looking for a perfect template and having changed my template twice as much, I consider myself to be an expert in finding great free Layout/XML/New Blogger template sites. There are actually several out there but only a few are a one-stop shop deal that's worth your time. So, to help you fellow bloggers, who are searching for great free Blogger templates, find one, I've come up with the top seven best in terms of variety of selection, excellent design and functionality. Here goes:

1. BTemplates - Has a wide selection with beautiful and funky designs. They even have ones patterned from Wordpress! Each template is easy to inspect and download.
2. Blogger Buster - 101 free templates to choose from.
3. Our Blog Templates - Still many selections with lots of features to offer.
4. Mashable - 70 cool array of the newest Blogger templates.
5. Final Sense - Wide selection, simple designs, and many personalized ones that you would surely find something related to your interest or hobby.
6. Technobuzz.net - 60 Beautiful Templates.
7. Suck My Lolly - If the double entendre in the title offends you, you may ignore it all you like, but please don't ignore the nice and cute templates this site has to offer.

So there it is. Have a wise and fun time choosing your template.

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New Year In Style

Uploaded by (Bill and Mavis) - B&M Photography

It's a new year. To welcome it, we had the loudest, noisiest, colorful new year's eve last night IN YEARS with all the firecrackers going off here crazily. The atmosphere was ablast and ablaze! Add to that was the constant and sometimes off-key Karaoke ensemble from our neighbors. And you have a perfect recipe for total hoot of meeting the new year.

We haven't experienced that in a long while so it was somehow new and fun and AWESOME! At least, that would have been the total effect had we (that would of course be me, my husband, Hiram, and my son, Pokemon) chosen to participate in all that revelries outside our house. But since we didn't feel the slightest social inclination then (and nobody made an invite so we were technically free) and (we're not proud of this) we had already eaten during dinner what little we had prepared as our new year's eve food (We didn't prepare much because Hiram and Pokemon weren't that big on eating and I was on a diet, as I forever am, so who would eat all the food. It would be such a waste.), we did what we usually do - retreated to our respective corners of the house. Hiram was in front of his computer, me in mine and Pokemon in his Nintendo DS.

So when midnight arrived, I didn't notice much of the BOOM and the BANG and the now and then off-key Karaoke singing, because - guess what - and in case you still haven't yet noticed, I changed the look of this site! Yay! Again. And. I know, I know. I don't have an excuse. But the last one didn't look right. Plus, I didn't exactly promise the last time. As I recall, I said I would hope. And hope can get me only far enough. And it got me to this new look. Pretty, isn't it?

I wasn't even able to write my little story about the predicament Hiram and I found ourselves on the day before Christmas. Which, I promise myself, I would do soon.

So while everybody was having a fun time outside, and under all the rain, I might add, because it rained all day yesterday and apparently, nobody would let even the most heavy downpour of rain keep them from engaging in their yearly ritual of lighting those firecrackers, and even if it would mean having to do it in style with their umbrellas in one hand. Frankly, I didn't know how they managed to do that, but let me tell you that it was such an amusing sight. And managed they did because firecrackers and fireworks were shooting left and right!

Anyway. Where was I? Oh, yes, while everybody was having fun outside, I was busily renovating this site. And rushing all through it as fast as I could because I didn't want the new year to catch me still endlessly choosing a look for this site. Because where I live now, there is this belief that whatever you do on New Years eve, you'll end up doing for the rest of the year. Not exactly logical. But still. So, knock on the wood, I don't want to spend the year ahead renovating this site, because as I'm mainly here to write, I'd like to do some of that writing too.

I sincerely hope, however, that this look would be it. Because it's such time-consuming and frustrating to endlessly tinker on a website. I would have added that to my list of New Year's resolutions, but I don't do New Year's resolutions. I have a gut feeling, though, that this is for keeps. Still another hope (sigh).

So that's pretty much how I spent my New Year's eve. Not eating, drinking, smooching, singing Karaoke, or lighting and watching firecrackers or fireworks; but, in front of a computer. Pretty boring, eh? Probably. But at least, you're eyes are now feasting upon a nice website :).

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