Beyonce to Wed

It looks like Beyonce will finally marry long-term boyfriend Jay-Z.

The sexy R&B star and her rapper boyfriend have begun planning their US summer wedding day - but are determined to keep the details a secret. A source close to the couple said: "It will be a small, intimate wedding with just close friends and family."

Ever since it was first rumoured that they were together I couldn't understand it.  Is this just Beyonce following in Whitney Houston's footsteps?  Could this be the good girl marrying the badboy singer (rapper)?

 

Next thing you know Beyonce will be the biggest coke-head and acting all strange on Oprah.  Just you watch.

 

 

Technorati Tags : Beyonce, Jay-Z, Wedding

Ashlee Simpson's Package

A Socialite's Life posts this picture and quotes Ashlee talking about anorexia. What I find interesting about this picture, though, is that it looks like she's packing a "package". What's she hiding in there?

 

Wireless iPods in 2006

Apparently we're going to get wireless iPods within the next year.

"PortalPlayer Inc. shares jumped in trading on Thursday after an analyst upgraded the stock, and speculated that the company may be involved in the release of wireless iPods in 2006.

Could this mean streaming applications / music / video?  The iPod could turn into the next multi-use personal portable computer.  This is really good news for those of us who are too lazy to plug in the iPod.

 

Seriously, though, it would be handy for connecting two iPods together so that we could share music with each other ;)

 

 

Technorati Tags : iPod, Wireless, Apple

To Neptune! Alice!

Here's something I could never understand.  Why spend all that money planning and taking trips to other planets?  What are we expecting to find there?  Signs of life from another time?  That's not likely, and even if it was, who cares.

A mission like the one being proposed could cost $3-4bn dollars and would probably need international partners.

BBC News is carrying this story on how researches are planning an eventual trip to Neptune.

"It would also take up the careers of the mission team," said Bernie Bienstock, a robotic systems project manger with aerospace company Boeing.   "It's probably like an 18-year mission but then there's all the lead time - another 10 years to do all the selling to Congress and Nasa, and do all the detailed engineering design.

So then, yeah, well worth it.  $4 billion and 18 years.  To find out that there's another big ball of rock floating in space 4.5 billion KM from here.  Science is sometimes totally under-rated.

 

 

Technorati Tags : NASA, Neptune, Stupid

Windows Live Local

Microsoft is launching Windows Live Local.

Microsoft has launched Windows Live Local, one of the first applications under it's new Windows Live brand. This web application is a rebranded Microsoft Virtual Earth, and provides features typical to other map sites, although it provides subtle usability tweaks typical to the Microsoft design ethos, which innovate while retaining known usage paradigms.

For a list of some new features, check out this site.  What the difference is between this and Google Maps or Google Earth is, I'll never know, and probably don't care to know.  I just know that if MS doesn't do something quick the internet may just soon be owned by Google (which in my opinion isn't such a bad thing).

 

 

Technorati Tags : Windows, Live, Local

Intel to Move Detection to Hardware

In a related story to the one directly below this one, ars technica also has an article about Intel wanting to move rootkit detection to the hardware level.

Intel doesn't like rootkits any more than you or I do, and the chip maker hopes to do something about them. The company has begun research on the possibility of hardware-level rootkit detection. Known as the OS Independent Run-time System Integrity Services project, the rootkit detections system would consist of a small chip on the PC's motherboard that would be dedicated to monitoring active processes.

But what does this mean?  The hardware will detect a rootkit and pop up a warning.  So what?  You still need the proper tools to remove it.  This is a step in the right direction, but not enough to make it worth while.

 

 

Technorati Tags : Intel, Rootkit, Hardware

Sony DRM Snafu 1.2

From ars technica comes another story of Sony's headache with Rootkits.  And no, this is not the same one as last month.

On Tuesday, Sony informed the world that its other DRM software contained a security vulnerability as well. SunnComm's Media Max version 5 is the culprit, with its installation of a directory that could provide a means by which malware writers could hijack a PCs running Windows. The problem was discovered in late November by Information Security Partners, which shared it with the EFF and Sony.

So, if you own any of these CDs, you better get the patch that plugs the security hole...  Even though I'm guessing that it will do nothing at all.  Or better yet, it'll more than likely create another hole.

 

 

Technorati Tags : Sony, Rootkit, Again

Paris' Glasses

From A Socialite's Life comes the breaking news that Paris Hilton has a hickey, as seen below.

What is by far more disturbing than some dumb hickey is the ridiculous pair of glasses sitting on her face. Why is it that Hollyweird stars think that bigger is better? Reminds me of a picture I saw of one of the Olson twins not so long ago. Ugly, stupid, socially unacceptable, big glasses. The 1970's and Elton John would like the glasses back please.

 

Technorati Tags : Paris, Hilton, Sunglasses

Eminem Remarries

It looks like Eminem is about to re-marry his wife, ex-wife, wife, ex-wife...  What is she again?

 

According to Star magazine, and yes, there are a lot of reports on this from different sources, but it's just so much better when you take it from Star magazine, Eminem and Kim have reconciled and will be once again tying the knot.

"Em told me, 'I might as well marry her again. For some reason, we seem to be stuck with each other for life,'" the friend says. "It looks like they're getting remarried after the new year."

Sounds like a real winner.  Anyway, I have this strange feeling that Em's press hasn't been at the top of its game lately, and maybe he needs to be in the spotlight a little more.  Curtain Call?  I doubt it, there's still another $400 Million sitting in that head of yours Marshall.  Best just to squeeze it out while you can.

 

 

Technorati Tags : Eminem, Kim, Marry

Jessica's Infidelities

It appears Jessica Simpson didn't just cheat once, but many times.

 

From LiquidGeneration.com comes news that Jessica not only slept with Johnny Knoxville and Bam Magera, but also Adam Levine.  Adam Levine?  Who is Adam Levine?  He's that lead singer from Maroon 5.  You know, the one that sucks so bad (but my wife absolutely loves).  Yeah, that's him.

CaCee can't get past the fact that Jessica cheated," reports a Lowdown spy close to the situation. "She feels badly for Nick and is very vocal about missing him. She saw Jessica abuse him all along. Ever since 'Dukes of Hazzard,' Jessica hasn't been good to Nick, and no one saw this more clearly then CaCee."

CaCee just can't get past the fact that her life-long friend is famous and sleeping with other famous people.  What kind of friend is she?  And for that matter, what level of stupid is Jessica on anyway?  Bah!  Whatever.  Original Source: NYDaily News

Technorati Tags : Jessica, Simpson, Cheat

Slice Me Up a Line

When people do stupid things, they really do stupid things.  This woman, thinking she was in for the big score, was about to kill four men over some cocaine.

 

Little did she know, but the block of cocaine was actually a block of cheese.

Jessica Sandy Booth, 18, was arrested over the weekend and remains in jail with bond set at $1 million on four charges of attempted murder and four counts of soliciting a murder.

Do you know how screwed this girl is? 

According to police, Booth was in the Memphis home of the four intended victims last week when she mistook a block of queso fresco cheese for cocaine — inspiring the idea to hire someone to break into the home, take the drugs, and kill the men.

If you're that hard up for a high, why not just grab some Pam or a little glue and start sniffing?  I hear gasoline will do the trick too.  I just don't get stupid people sometimes.  I suppose, though, that looking at that block of cheese she probably saw a lot of dollar signs in her head. Original article here.

 

 

Technorati Tags : Stupid, People, News

Podcasting Has Been Crowned

When you're MTV you 'crown' the artist who made the biggest stink that year at the MTV Music awards.  When you're the New Oxford American Dictionary what do you do?

You proclaim a single word, "The Word of the Year!"

The term 'podcast' been declared as Word of the Year by the New Oxford American Dictionary.  The term is defined as "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the internet for downloading to a personal audio player".

It's sad, isn't it?  Of course, when you have a big winner on your hands, there must be a loser (or two).

Among the words that did not make it were two other terms popular in tech circles. One was lifehack, which refers to a more efficient way of completing a everyday task. The other was rootkit, defined as software installed on a computer by someone other than the owner, intended to conceal other programs or processes, files or system data.

Let's all say a prayer for the fallen...  Lifehack and Rootkit were good words.  They were used daily by the geeks of the world...  Geez that's just stupid. How about we crown the NOAD stupid?

Technorati Tags : Podcasting, Podcast

The End of Harry?

Could this really mean the end of Harry Potter?  I haven't ever read a Potter book, but I really do enjoy the movies.

 

J.K. Rowling is said to have said that the death of Harry Potter will be in the next book.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling is apparently desperate to kill off the boy wizard after living with him for too long reports Bang Showbiz.

Actor Jim Dale, the voice of Harry in the US audio books, says Rowling recently spoke with him, and confirmed "Book seven is the [absolute] final one. She's lived with Harry Potter so long she really wants to kill him off".

 

If it is true, I think there's going to be a lot of kids crying themselves to sleep at night.  Doesn't Rowling know that a lot of kids under the age of 8 read her books?  Does she think that it's a good idea to kill off Harry?  Can't he just get married at 17 and move away and live happily ever after?

 

When asked whether the young hero will reach adulthood, Rowling recently told press: "You have to wait and see whether he survives to be a grown-up".

Of course, people like me will be thrilled to see him killed.  Who wants a happily ever after anyway?  Hermione and Ron will end up having kids and then divorce because of irreconcilable differences...  You get the point.

 

Even actor Daniel Radcliffe is opening to the idea, telling press during the fourth film's promotions that "I do maintain there is a possibility he could be killed in the final book".

If I were Daniel I'd be a little mad at this news.  He's making a fortune being Harry Potter.  Why would he warm to the idea of not milking any more money out of the character?  If I were him I'd try to push J.K. Rowling into writing books until Harry's at least 40.  Radcliffe won't ever have to find a real job then. He can go on being the loveable Harry right into his geriatric diapers.

 

 

Technorati Tags : Harry, Potter, Killed

 

Intel Macs

Can you believe it?  First it's one month, then it's the next, then it's that first month again, then a different one...  When are they going to make up their minds?

 

Engadget had an article on their site today about the Intel iMacs now not showing up until June.  I think someone is just messing with us and Steve is going to release them next week, just in time for the Christmas rush.

 

As unlikely as that is, an earlier date than June would be appreciated.  Some of us are anxiously awaiting these new Macs.  If it keeps changing like this I might just have to go with the current iMac G5...

 

 

Technorati Tags : Intel, iMac, Apple

Indie Music Moving to Podcasts

Indie music is finally making its way to podcasting.  Not only is the Podsafe music network making a difference, but music labels are now making the move to help their artists instead of just stealing their profits.

 

From the BBC:

 

The Association of Independent Music is selling six-month worldwide licence deals for its members' music to be used on download radio programmes.

Other acts signed to AIM's 900 member labels who might be part of the deal include Bloc Party, Stereophonics, The White Stripes, The Strokes, Basement Jaxx, Paul Weller and Arctic Monkeys.

At least the labels are coming around to the fact that podcasting can bring money in for them, not hinder them.

 

 

Technorati Tags : Podsafe, Music, Podcast, Indie

iTunes and NBC

Apple announced today that it had come to an agreement with NBC to add some of their shows to iTunes.

 

Well thank goodness!  This is just one more reason for me to go out and get a video iPod.  The Office and Knight Rider?  K.I.T.T.?  Awesome!  It's innovations like this that make me believe that the big Networks maybe aren't so evil. 

Apple CEO Steve Jobs in a press release touted the progress Apple has made: "In our first two months we've sold more than three million videos, and have expanded our TV catalog from five shows to 16 shows."

From this businessweek article.  Although 16 shows isn't a lot, it's at least a start.  I'd like to see more networks get in on the action.  How about TLC or Discovery?  To have a chance to download the newest season of any of the programs from either network would be nice.

 

 

Technorati Tags : iTunes, NBC, video, Knight, Rider

Mariah Loves You

Mariah Carey wants to wish you a Merry Christmas. Now, really, how vain do you have to be to take a picture like this for a Christmas card? The sad state of Mariah. At least she's smiling in this picture. I've seen some lately where she doesn't look so good. I sometimes I wish I was a Diva so that I could act simply ridiculous and be adored by millions.

Technorati Tags : Mariah, Carey, Merry, Christmas

No Kong!

Ahhhh MAN! I really didn't want to hear this. Two reviews on King Kong, both of them say it's oustanding. Jami Bernard's article isn't much different than Jack Mathews... Both of them rave about the movie.

Jami Bernard:"King Kong" is also scary. And funny. It's everything people have ever wanted from the movies - action, romance, surprise, plus every monster menace you can buy for a budget north of $200 million. In addition to a roaring, snorting Kong, there's a stampede and deadly pileup of prehistoric dinosaurs, plus spiders and creepy-crawlies of every degree of bloodthirsty.In short, it's brilliant.

Jack Mathews:Its color, soundtrack and physical landscape are spectacular and its computer-assisted effects deliver a Kong so realistic you can smell his breath in the back row of the balcony.

Did you read that? Spectacular? Brilliant? NO! Now I really want to see it. Sure, critics can be wrong, but if everyone's saying it's brilliant, there's no getting away from seeing it. And what happened to me saying I was going to stop reading reviews, watching previews, or knowing absolutely anything about movies before I watch them? I don't want it to be ruined. And now, I suppose, it is. Grrrr...

 

Technorati Tags : King, Kong, Movie

Love, Angel, Music, Gwen

Apparently Gwen Stefani is now considering holding off on doing a second solo album. Earlier reports said that she was planning on having a second album by the end of the year, but I guess it's just not going to happen. Now, Gwen's not my favourite artist or anything, but my kids both love her. Even though they're only 5 and 6 years old, they still always ask for "the tick tock" song. It's a bit of a shame that she's not going to release a new album in the near future, really. Even if my kids aren't getting tired of the same songs over and over, I sure am.

"I have a really good record that I could put out," Stefani told the Chronicle. "I had a fantasy about it, but I'm not doing it. I decided it's more important that I take a nap." Stefani explained that she's been going nonstop for years and is feeling "burnt."

C'mon Gwen, give us something new so I don't go crazy! Without a little variety in life it's just not enjoyable. And, no, it wouldn't be easier for me to convince my kids to like other music, they like Gwen!

Technorati Tags : Gwen, Stefani, New, Album

Jennifer's Rack

It's funny that being a celebrity brings strange behaviour (see Ben post below), but it also brings with it a total lack of privacy. We've all been there. See a famous person and gawk for a while. If they catch you they just turn away. It's commonplace for them. Well, there's a limit to everything and taking the Hubble into a tree and trying to catch Jennifer Aniston's breasts on celluloid is just wrong creepy. For someone to do something like that just goes to show that the strip clubs aren't doing the business they could. Get a life or a hooker, a spouse, or an imagination... loser.

Technorati Tags : Jennifer, Aniston, Papparazi

Oscarette?

When does feminism go too far? Could it be when they want to change the "Oscar" statue? I once was studying for a Calculus exam and commented to my friend, Rose, that "I'll put the seat down for you as soon as you put it up for me!" And it's true. There's equality, and there's taking the ridiculous to new levels. Well, these ladies are heading in that direction. Defamer.

Technorati Tags : Oscar, Women's, Rights

Ben's Bagel

Isn't it strange how celebrities can get away with murder? Ben Stiller shows up at a restaurant with his own food and asks the water to cook it. Mind you, it was only a bagel, but still! Could you imagine bringing in a box of Honeycombs and telling a server that you need a bowl of cereal with Peruvian sliced bananas (do they have bananas in Peru?) in a pink bowl, with low-fat chocolate milk? I imagine you'd get your ass thrown out on the street and then laughed at. Actually, that could possibly be in the wrong order. Stupid celebrities. Original post.

Technorati Tags : Ben, Stiller, Restaurant

Anna @ Live 8

Pretend you're a fat pig who used to be in Playboy. Well, you're just crazy enough to marry a man 32x your own age, then he dies, you get money, you lose it, you get it, you lose it... I forget whether she has any now or not, but then you lose some weight and you look like this: That's right. Not only were you a freak before you lost all that weight, but now you're a freak, and a scary Meth-head. Look at her! Man, what a train wreck. It's just a shame her reality show isn't still on. Or is it? Ah, whatever... Who cares. Original Post.

Technorati Tags : Anna, Nicole, Smith, Freakshow

Oh, to be Famous

If you were a famous actor or musician, would this be the picture you wanted posted all over the internet? No matter how famous you've become, you have to know that if you take a picture like this it's going to end up on the internet and you're going to have to answer for it.Okay, I know it's AJ from the Backstreet Boys (because the JPG was named backstreetAJ.jpg), and that means pretty much nothing, but it still matters, doesn't it? I suppose because you're a Backstreet Boy you'd want to have publicity like this. What other kind of attention are they getting? Many thanks to A Socialite's Life for finding things like this for us to ridicule.

Technorati Tags : Backstreet, Boys, AJ

Adrienne!

What will they think of next? Another Rocky movie? Brilliant. Another Rocky movie with Sylvester Stallone? Brilliant * 2. Did you catch the sarcasm there? I hope so. I ran across this article from thestar.com and was just about floored. In the back of my head I am sure I heard this through other sources a few weeks ago, but I probably just dismissed it as stupid people saying stupid things. If only I'd pay attention to people when they're actually saying something that I'll laugh at.The new Rocky movie, currently titled Rocky Balboa, will feature Sylvester Stallone as a geriatric patient who beats up the orderlies in the old folks home after they refuse to give him the bowl of Ben & Jerry's that he's worked so hard to get. Adrianne, his wife, is long dead, yet he still screams out her name every time the male orderlies pass his room without a bowl in their hand.Okay, so that's not really going to happen. Here's the plotline from IMDB:

Rocky comes out of retirement to go in the ring once again this time he is taking on an old foe in the shape of Clubber Lang.

And that's about all the information they'll give. Good thing they're not letting the Sylvester out of the bag. We don't want them to ruin the ending for us. Who wins? I forget. Is it the Russian guy? Apollo? Hrrrmm.. I just can't figure it out. This guy, who should know better when he announces a new Rocky movie, should stop his whining.

Enough with the Rocky jokes already, complains Joe Roth, who heads Revolution Studios, which along with Sony Pictures and its new banner, MGM, is producing the new Rocky picture. "You can't turn on television without someone making fun of it," he said. "Jokes like, `Who's he going to fight, Alan Alda?' ... It's very easy to be cynical."

Well of course people are going to make jokes. I see a very small crowd who will actually love this movie. These are those boxing guys who just can't get enough. Half of them think they're Rocky and the other half wish they were. The rest of the viewing public might just go see it because the notion of sending a 60 year old man into the ring to fight the current heavy-weight champion is pretty priceless.In better Stallone news -- he also announced this:

Stallone, 59, has also revealed that he will reprise his role as former Vietnam vet and one-man army John J. Rambo in Rambo IV, which is scheduled to begin production sometime in the spring.

A new Rocky movie and a new Rambo movie in the same year?!?! Could we be so lucky?

Technorati Tags : New, Rocky, Movie

Rick Springfield back on 'General Hospital' - after 23 years

All of you hardcore, diehard, Eighties chicks will be happy to know that Rick Springfield will be returning to General Hospital. Really, was / is he that wonderful? I suppose I can see the sex appeal in the Eighties he may have been good looking... No, wait, I really don't think so. His singing career was such a hit. All you swooning ladies, hoping for a chance to touch his arm during his concerts. Jessie's Girl. Yikes! If you listen to the radio it still gets played a few times a day. Man, I don't miss the Eighties at all. <sigh> I don't think I'll ever get it.

Springfield made his first appearance Friday and is set to be in about a dozen episodes of the soap. He'll save the singing for his tour dates in Japan this month and in the U.S. next year.

Oh great! A full on revival! A tour and everything. I wonder if I should book my flight and hotel now for his next appearance. You just never know how fast these things'll sell out.

Technorati Tags : Rick, Springfield, General, Hospital