Presario Says

Nutrition Avenue Coming Soon and Your Opinion Counts!

2009-09-07T14:20:00.005-06:00

Hey Everyone!

Well - my family (my parents, my wife, my brother and myself) are starting on our first family business venture in Allen, Texas. It is a nutrition club called 'Nutrition Avenue', in which you can come in and get individual servings of the AMAZING tasting shakes, smoothies, herbal tea, and pies that have helped my wife to lose 17 lbs (of course before she recently got pregnant), my dad to lose 23 lbs and his blood sugar and cholesterol to drop, my mom to lose over 20 lbs, my sister-in-law to lose over 33 lbs, and for me to lose 28 lbs and to regain an incredible amount of energy.

For those of you who have never been to an Herbalife Nutrition Club, the concept is similar to that of a Smoothie King or a Jamba Juice. The BIG difference is that EVERY one of our shakes, smoothies, and pies contain all natural ingredients, are low in calories, carbs, and sugar, and are high in protein and daily essential vitamins. The metabolism boosting, fat burning, all natural protein ingredient is what allows each shake or pie serving to substitute as a full meal without you feeling hungry. Plus, the shakes and pies taste so good you feel like you are cheating!

Here is the part where we need your help. We have narrowed down our logo selection to two options. We like them both, so we have decided to let our friends, family, and future customers make the final decision. Your opinion counts, so whichever logo gets the highest votes will be the one that we use.

Simply go to http://www.visitnutritionave.com and click on the logo you like the best. We plan on opening towards the end of this month, so we will let you know the results as soon as we get enough votes! The best thing is that everyone who joins the mailing list gets a coupon for a FREE 16 oz shake AND 16 oz herbal tea as soon as we open.

Go and vote NOW, and don't forget to join the mailing list. Spread the word to your friends so they can help vote too!

Thanks in advance,
Presario

Why is my gas mileage dropping?

2009-08-23T20:23:00.002-06:00

Presario Says: Did you know that improper maintenance to your car is the number one reason your gas mileage goes down? Here are some things you can do to get your gas mileage back where it needs to be!

Condition MPG Penalty

Underinflated Tires 1 – 2 mpg

Dirty Air Filter 2 mpg

Worn Spark Plugs 2 mpg

Worn O2 Senor 3.0 mpg

Dirty Oil .4 mpg

Loose Gas Cap 2.0 mpg

Potential Loss in Fuel Economy if all of the above are neglected:

11.4 MPG

Most of us ignore a majority of these things until we have a problem. The truth is, we can avoid may problems with our vehicles and save money in the long run just by performing regular maintenance. Just a money saving tip brought to you by PresarioSays.com!

The Best of the Best Car Show

2009-08-04T09:08:00.003-06:00

Hello friends,

Every year my company, Presario Productions co-sponsors a charity car show in Longview, Texas called the 'Show n' Shine Car Show' (www.longviewcarshow.com). Last year, we were approached by the Grand Prairie Air Hogs minor league baseball team to throw a car show in their brand new stadium in Grand Prairie. We agreed, and decided to put together a larger version of our original show.

The show is called the Best of the Best Car Show, and it will be held at the QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie on August 22, 2009 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Here are some of the show details:

Show Date: August 22, 2009
Show Time: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Place: QuikTrip Park at Grand Prairie
1651 Lone Star Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75050

Come join us as we take over this entire brand new ballpark for a day of AMAZING cars and family fun!

Featuring:

- The First Car Show Held in this Brand New, 20 Million Dollar Venue
- A “Kids Pedal Speedway and Playland” by Ride n’ Zone®
- A Full Sports Bar with over 20 Flat Panel TVs
- Discounts on Ft. Worth MusicFest Activities in the Evening
- Two Concession Stands, Plenty of Restrooms, and More!

If you are a blogger, it would be great if you could add this to your list of things to do and/or do an article about it. Also, if you know of any more family activities or booth vendors that would like to plug into this event – let us know. We have a HUGE venue with plenty of space. More information is available on the website at www.bestcarshowever.com.

See you there!

Presario

You've gotten the emails - now read the blog.

2009-03-27T19:53:00.001-06:00

So, you've may have gotten the world famous emails with my jokes and commentary about what is going on in the world. You may have even visited my technical blog at www.AskPresario.com, my motivational quotes page at www.AMinuteorTwo.com, or my website dedicated to the name Alastair at www.WhoIsAlastair.com. Now - read my personal blog and get even more of Alastair's opinions, jokes, and fun information!

This page is nothing fancy - if you want the fancy stuff visit my web design site at www.presarioproductions.com.

So with no further delay may I introduce - PresarioSays.com.

Super High Definition Inauguration Panoramic Photo

2009-02-10T08:07:00.002-06:00

All I can say is "WOW". I want one of these robotic camera mounts! See directions for viewing below the link.

http://gigapan.org/viewGigapanFullscreen.php?auth=033ef14483ee899496648c2b4b06233c

This is absolutely represents the BEST in today's 'high definition’ photography. Really amazing.
Zoom in ('double-click' an area) ....and watch it focus. Then zoom some more... and wait for focus.
Each zoom in takes a second to focus ...and then you can see some amazing (and not so amazing) reactions.
This is a great surveillance tool!

This picture was taken with a Canon camera on a robotic mount. The shot was captured from the north press platform during President Obama's inaugural address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009. It's made up of 220 images, and the final image size is 59,783 X 24,658 pixels or 1,474 megapixels (295 times the standard 5 megapixel camera.)

Bonus points if you can find Yo-Yo Ma taking a picture with his iPhone, George Bush looking like he is aggravated, Clarence Thomas looking like he is asleep, and Newt Gingrich’s wife blowing her nose.

Why is Black History Month In February

2009-02-01T09:24:00.002-06:00

Why is Black History Month In February?

February was selected by a man named Dr. Carter Goodwin Woodson, who was a noted historian and publisher, and who was a pioneer in American Black history. Born to parents who were former slaves, he spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at age twenty. He graduated within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. The scholar was disturbed to find in his studies that history books largely ignored the black American population-and when blacks did figure into the picture, it was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position they were assigned at the time.

Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. However, February has much more than Douglass and Lincoln to show for its significance in black American history. For example:

W.E.B. Dubois, who was born on February 23, 1868, and who was a Civil Rights leader and co-founder of the N.A.A.C.P.
The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed on February 3, 1870 which gave Blacks the right to vote.
The first Black senator, Hiriam R. Revels took office on February 25, 1870.
The N.A.A.C.P. (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was founded in New York City of February 12, 1909, and
Malcolm X, the militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism was shot and killed by Black Muslims on February 21, 1965.

Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History Month." What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studied-or even documented-when the tradition originated. Although blacks have been in America at least as far back as colonial times, it was not until the 20th century that they gained a respectable presence in the history books.

"He who influences the thoughts of his times, influences all the times that follows."

Sources: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_History_Month

President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address: Full Speech Transcript

2009-01-20T16:50:00.002-06:00

So, for those of you who didn't tune in live or don't want to watch the pre-recorded videos – I have posted the full transcript of the Obama Speech (courtesy of the Associated Press):

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty--four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far--reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America -- they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.

The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God--given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short--cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint--hearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk--takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.

The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.

And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard--earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non--believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West -- know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far--off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

President Barak Obama
Inauguration Address
January 20, 2009

Watch Obama Inauguration Live on PresarioSays.com

2009-01-19T23:21:00.002-06:00

Since a lot of people will be at work and won't be able to be near a television to watch Obama live, you can watch it via the web here courtesy of Hulu. Just bookmark this page and come back...

100th Post! Woo hoo!

2009-01-19T22:52:00.004-06:00

Alright folks - we have officially hit the 100th post mark. So here is a little treat for you for sticking by me this whole time:

Want a slice? Grab a plate and join in the celebration!

- Presario

$100 Million Raised For MLK Memorial In DC

2009-01-15T17:50:00.001-06:00

$100 Million Raised For MLK Memorial In DC
Excerpt from Original Article Published Thursday - January 15, 2009 by Allen Starbury on http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2009/01/6145/

46 years after he gave his famous "I Have a Dream Speech" in Washington on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. is finally being immortalized with his own memorial in our nation's capitol.

With the historic inauguration of the U.S. first black president coming a day after King would've turned 80, if he were still alive, the amount needed to build the memorial has almost been reached.

According to AOL's BlackVoices.com, more than $100 million has been raised in donations for the construction of the MLK memorial.

The total cost of the memorial is estimated to reach $120 million, so there's still some financial ground to cover. Former president, Bill Clinton, is one of the memorial's supporters, and revealed why during a fundraiser in Miami recently. "I signed the legislation authorizing the memorial," he said. "I thought it ought to be on the National Mall because that's where he delivered his most important speech. ... Just nine days after my 17th birthday, and I could still quote that speech today. It changed America in profound ways."

You can help by donating at http://www.mlkmemorial.org or installing the toolbar (each search you use the toolbar for raises $0.05):
http://www.mlkmemorial.org/site/c.hkIUL9MVJxE/b.4718119/k.70EC/Download_the_MLK_Toolbar.htm

View the virtual tour:
http://www.mlkmemorial.org/site/c.hkIUL9MVJxE/b.1191585/k.6D39/MLK_Memorial_Virtual_Tour.htm

Time to Eat Healthier in 2009

2009-01-15T03:31:00.002-06:00

Alastair Hunte on “Strictly Business Radio” - Jan. 22, 2009

2009-01-12T00:42:00.001-06:00

Hey Everybody!

Alastair Hunte has been invited to be a guest on the popular internet radio station “Strictly Business Radio” on January 22, 2009. The topic will be ""New Technology for Small Businesses - What's Hot and What's Not."

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/StrictlyBusinessRadio/2009/01/22/New-Technology-for-Small-Business-Whats-Hot-and-Whats-Not

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/StrictlyBusinessRadio

Grab your favorite web browser, tune in, and support!

- Presario

Paster James Manning, King of the Hypocrites

2009-01-11T22:58:00.002-06:00

I didn’t like him before – but this tops it off. This guy is such a joke. This is the same guy who repeatedly put down this girl for the sake of getting publicity and hurting Obama's campaign – but now he is on her show oogling over her. He must have said he liked her video about 10 times and looked like he wanted to slam her on the table.

http://barelypolitical.com/video/199/obama-girl-bra-size.html

Pastor Manning says: “I think Amber has my mind going a different way so I can’t think about preaching right now.”

Who is the pimp? Sounds like he likes white women too…

Definition: hypocrite
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocrite

Main Entry:
hyp·o·crite
Function: noun
Date:13th century
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings

Alastair Hunte on Twitter

2009-01-07T02:47:00.002-06:00

Alastair is officially Twitterified.

http://twitter.com/presarioprod
http://twitter.com/alastairhunte
http://twitter.com/whoisalastair

Merry Christmas from PresarioSays.com

2008-12-24T12:53:00.005-06:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

http://www.presariosays.com/merrychristmas.html (turn up your speakers)

Thinking about putting up Christmas Lights? Need some ideas on what you can do?

2008-11-30T03:43:00.003-06:00

Thinking about putting up Christmas Lights? Need some ideas on what you can do? Well, here are some ideas for you:

Holdman Christmas – Music Box Dancer
http://vimeo.com/435084

Holdman Christmas – Carol of the Bells
http://vimeo.com/440868

Holdman Christmas – Amazing Grace
http://vimeo.com/440868

Holdman Christmas – Winter Wonderland
http://vimeo.com/440892

Holdman Christmas – Jingle Bells
http://vimeo.com/440885

Holdman Christmas - Miracle on 34th Street
http://vimeo.com/440854

Holdman Christmas – Space Walk
http://vimeo.com/634983

Presario’s Favorites – Winter Wonderland, Amazing Grace, and Jingle Bells
See them all at http://www.holdman.com/

Other people with musical christmas light displays:
http://www.lightorama02.com/2008/128plus/pages/main.htm

How does the music part work?
Holman uses a small FM transmitter the broadcasts on 99.9FM. It only goes a short distance which allows people to listen to the music within sight of the display.

How much power does it take?
If everything was on, it would consume about 33,000 watts or 300 amps. He had to install 17 dedicated circuits to be able to power everything. Most of the time only 30% of the display is on because it is animated which helps conserve power.

How is the display powered?
The display is 100% wind powered. What he does is use power provided by his local power company, and then replace the power he uses for his Christmas Display back onto the grid with Wind Turbines. His display uses about 1800kwh, and he has about 3000kwh replaced on the power grid.

For more FAQs, visit http://www.holdman.com/christmas/faq.asp

Skip the Lines - Shop Online for Great Deals

2008-11-25T12:50:00.006-06:00

I really don't like lines. I really don't like crowds. But I LOVE getting a good deal. Do you want to be able to after Christmas shop without the crowds? Check out some of the website specials going on.

Walmart.com
Walmart is one of the leaders of after Thanksgiving sale deals, and they are taking the savings to the website. Although you cannot find ALL of the deals online, a lot of the in store bargains will be available starting Friday morning.

Sears.com Pre and Post Thanksgiving Sales
Sears is trying something different by not only offering in store savings, but also offering huge website savings as well. They have daily deals until Wednesday, the ability to buy online and pickup in the store, and special deals starting at midnight on Thursday.

Sears also has free shipping on orders over $99 and layaway, which is handy to take advantage of good deals on appliances and televisions.

KMart

Gone are the days when people teased others for shopping at KMart. Now they have some amazing deals such as 5% off electronics, and 10% off almost everything else.

KMart also offers free shipping on orders over $49, and extra coupons if you sign up for their mailing list.

Amazon.com - Great Black Friday Deals. No Black Friday Blues.

Black Friday deals start today! Don't spend Black Friday 2008 jostling for bargains and parking spots. Amazon will have amazing deals to help you and your site visitors get holiday shopping done for less. Their Black Friday page (www.amazon.com/blackfriday) is the central point to find all our Black Friday deals, including the Gold Box hourly deals featured from midnight to 11pm PST and thousands of products that are on sale for a limited time only.

Amazon.com - 6 rounds. 18 deals. Ready, Set, Vote!

Amazon Customers Vote is back for 2008 and voting has already begun! Customers Vote is a special end-of-year promotion where you and your site visitors can vote for the deal you'd like to buy at an amazing discount. There will be six rounds of voting with three products in each round. Beginning Thursday, November 27, 2008 each day a new winning product will be announced, and randomly selected customers who voted in that round will receive an invitation to participate in the race to buy the winning product.

Wilson.com
Yep, you may have heard that Wilson's is going out of business. Not only are prices on the website already marked down to 20% off, but you get an extra 20%off at checkout. Not enough? Enter the coupon code WIL40offFS and get an extra 40% off!

- Presario

Black Friday Sales Arrive Early This Year

2008-11-18T22:53:00.002-06:00

Retailers are taking a hit in these economic times. This yahoo article talks about the places that are running sales early...

Black Friday sales arrive early this year
Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:11PM EST
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/hughes/35180

Here are some of the high points in the article:

Walmart: Walmart has in-store specials that are already up for grabs. The retailer is selling several 15.4-inch Compaq CQ50-139WM laptops for $298, Sony's 2GB Walkman player for $49, Samsung's S760 point-and-shoot digital camera in red for $89, a 46-inch Sanyo 1080p LCD HDTV for $798. Check out the flyer here.

Best Buy will also be marking down the eMachines laptop (eMD620-5777) for $299 according to BFAds.net. The laptop includes a 14.1-inch screen, 1GB DDR2, 160GB hard drive, Windows Vista, and AMD Athlon 2650e processor. The site has a side-by-side comparison of this laptop versus the Compaq notebook being sold at Walmart.

Kmart is offering the 32-inch Sylvania LCD HDTV for $440 and the Wii Fit for $90, according to I4U, and Sears has a lot of sales in the electronics department too, so check those out.

Circuit City will be closing some stores this quarter, so it may be running lots of promotions off and online too. Engadget HD found this Sony Blu-ray player for $177 on its website, so you might want to look around between now and Black Friday for more savings.

The site mentions Black Friday ads on sites like BlackFriday.info, Bargainist.com, DealTaker.com, BFads.net, and TheBlackfriday.com, but my favorite sites are Slickdeals.net and Woot.com

- Presario

The Difference Between Gray and Grey

2008-11-11T11:52:00.003-06:00

Time for another post that will fill your hearts with joy and your brains with useful information. Actually - this post will do neither, but at least it answers a question that a lot of people have (even if they do not realize it.) This question is whether you should use the spelling 'grey' or 'gray'.

A good man named Bernie Zimmerman figured it out, and sparked a discussion in the reader comments on his blog from people all over the world that spans FOUR years. Wow - I didn't know that so many people had the same dilemma that I did with one simple word!

Here is an excerpt from his post:

"So what, then, is the difference between the two spellings? According to Google Answers, the two words have almost the same meaning in all cases, and g-r-a-y is simply an American derivation of the original spelling g-r-e-y. According to Flak Magazine, the difference can be chalked up to the same happenstances that led to organize/organise and judgement/judgment. Apparently e.e. cummings and Prince are partly to blame as well. However, among the several hypotheses for why gray and grey exist, I believe the following to be the best:

Gray is a color.

Grey is a *colour*.

So next time you're faced with the choice of spelling the word "gray," feel free to go with whatever spelling best suits you at the time."

Check out the full post at http://www.bernzilla.com/item.php?id=232

The

2008-11-11T11:52:00.002-06:00

Video of Barack Obama's Victory Speech - November 4th, 2008

2008-11-05T16:55:00.007-06:00

Obama's Victory Speech

Barack Obama's speeches definitely go down in history among the greats such as those given by Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Malcolm X. This was one of his finest moments to shine, and worth watching again.

John McCain's Concession Speech
In contrast, listen to McCain's concession speech. Notice how when Obama mentions McCain the crowd cheers, however when McCain mentions Obama his crowd boos. This shows the difference in the attitudes of the supporters on each side. Although he hit all of the high points in the speech that made it sound good, also notice how McCain mostly reads from his cards. Just my opinion, but this makes it feel less heart felt to me.

Part 1:

Part 2:

McCain Supporter Lies About Getting Beat Up & “B” In Face by Obama Supporter [Video]

2008-10-28T00:05:00.003-06:00

Wow, it looks like people are getting more and more desperate as election day rolls around. Let's hope that this girl gets the punishment she deserves, but more importantly the help that she needs.

Palin Cracks on CBS

2008-10-27T17:00:00.001-06:00

This girl is killing the Republicans. Poor PR skills along with bad advisors and coaches equals obvious nervousness.

Palin CBS interview
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbQwAFobQxQ&feature=related

She goes back to her rehearsed answers way too much. How many times did she say ‘crisis mode’? LOL!
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj7nBrdm4LE&feature=iv&annotation_id=event_731544

Good times - Bad times: How Did We Get To This Point?

2008-10-10T10:07:00.006-06:00

Hello,

I was talking to my bookkeeper earlier today, and she forwarded me some great information.

People think that it is all the current administration’s fault for the way things are. The truth is that it was all setup to fail almost ten years ago. The truth is that ALL politicians have short term self gain in mind, and don’t think about the long term effects of their actions.

If you are interested in this type of stuff – these articles are great examples of what I mean. They are two different view points on what contributed this economy crash – with one written almost TEN YEARS ago. Just some additional food for thought while you listen to everyone point fingers…

“Bad times are usually brought on by confounded, know-it-all politicians and bureaucrats with good intentions, but bad ideas.”

- Presario

Article 1:

Our present housing market and financial crisis shouldn't come as any surprise. As a matter of fact, it should have been obvious to even the most casual observers. Check out this article from the New York Times. Note the date of the article - it was writen almost 10 years ago.

Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending
By STEVEN A. HOLMES
Published: September 30, 1999

Original Article Link http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9c0de7db153ef933a0575ac0a96f958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all

Article 2:

Subprime Suspects - The right blames the credit crisis on poor minority homeowners. This is not merely offensive, but entirely wrong.
By Daniel Gross
Posted Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at 2:08 PM ET
Original Article Link: http://www.slate.com/id/2201641/pagenum/all/#page_start

State Fair of Texas 2008 Discounted Price Promotions

2008-10-02T00:00:00.001-06:00

Hey there,

Due to the popularity of last year's blog posting of State Fair Discounts, I decided to do it again. Here you go:

State Fair of Texas 2008 Promotions

Participating North Texas KROGER stores:
Advance purchase General Admission tickets are $12.50. A Season Pass is $29.95. They may be purchased at the check-out counter or at the service desk.

Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays:
Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $3. Most rides (excluding the Thrillway and the Texas Star) are 5 coupons.

Kroger "Three for $1" each Wednesday:
Admission is $1 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks.
Coke $4 Thursday--Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $4 admission.

Mature Texan Magazine Sponsor of Seniors FREE Thursdays:
Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair FREE each Thursday.

Cinemark Thursdays:
FREE Thursday admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub.

McDonald's Discount:
Any Day--McDonald's offers $3 off General Admission with one of their State Fair coupons any day of the Fair. Each $3-off-General Admission ticket allows you to bring in one child for free. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

You may also order your tickets online at the regular price at https://tickets.statefairoftexas.com/Sites/SFT/OrderForm.nsf/sftform01?OpenForm

Have a great time!

- Presario

Did We Over React? The Jena Six - Revisiting the Story

2008-09-20T17:46:00.006-06:00

Hello,

I have to admit that when the Jena 6 story first hit, I was one just as amazed as everyone else about what seemed to be blatant racism. As a matter of fact, I even wrote a blog article about it right here on PresarioSays.com titled, "The Jena Six - Modern Day Open Racism." It was easy to believe due to the fact that I graduated from a high school that (at the time) had only 10% of students who were minorities. Therefore, I have seen my share of racial tension.

However, today I was on Wikipedia researching a totally different subject and noticed that the front page's featured article was on the Jena 6. In reading the article containing all of the well documented facts of the situation, it makes me wonder if the media and organizations who directly benefited from the publicity caused everyone to over react?

There is no doubt that the sentencing and initial views of the case were obviously suspicious, but at the time some of the main facts of the situation were severely distorted and blown out of proportion.

Take a look at the Wikipedia article and judge for yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jena_Six

What do you think? I would love to hear your comments.

- Presario

Barack Obama's 4-Part Interview With Bill O'Reilly

2008-09-12T20:04:00.004-06:00

Barack Obama's 4-Part Interview With Bill O'Reilly. If you didn’t have a chance to catch it – here it is.

Bill O'Reilly has been begging and daring Barack to come on his show, and he finally gets a sit down with Barack Obama on his "The O'Reilly Factor" show on Fox News. Obama speaks on several topics including terrorism, Iraq, the economy, the controversy over his relationship with Reverend Wright, and the U.S.A.'s dependency on foreign oil.

Part 1: Obama vs. O'Reilly on National Security, the War on Terror, and Iran

Part 2: Obama vs. O'Reilly on the Economy and Taxation

Part 3: Obama vs. O'Reilly on Political Relationships

Part 4: Obama vs. O'Reilly on Oil, the Military Situation in Iraq, and Tension with Russia

We all know that Barack is very well spoken. We have seen that in his speeches, debates, and television appearances. However, this interview is different because Bill O’Reilly (like he does with all his guest with opposing views) has obviously slanted and leading questions, and Barack takes it all in stride.

Even with O’Reilly sarcastically cutting him off all of the time, I love how he repeatedly took control of the interview and threw Bill O’ Reilly’s points back at him without getting flustered. Not very many people can do that in Bill O’Reilly interviews. In the same situation, Baby Bush would have been so lost he would have ran out crying. Not Obama – at the end he even showed O’Reilly he was in good spirits by talking smack about B-Ball. Barack continues to impress me.

Here are the direct links to Youtube:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYYPhQRovPU
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLfYQqxp884
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX0s2b8NEDM
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcBA620zsnI

Alastair Hunte for President

2008-08-29T00:16:00.003-06:00

Looks like it is time for me to have my shot at the White House! Don't believe me? Watch it on the news:

2008-08-28T01:08:00.004-06:00

Ready to waste some time?

If they were going to create a Kings of Comedy II featuring the younger comedians at the peak of their game, who do you think should be on the roster? Click below to cast your vote:

http://www.surveymethods.com/EndUser.aspx?EFCBA7BFE8AABEBD

Let’s see what everyone says! We will post the results after we have received enough votes.

- Presario

Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes Passed Away

2008-08-10T19:51:00.005-06:00

Hey everyone,

As you have probably heard, we have lost two great entertainers this past weekend. Bernie Mac (age 50) passed away on Saturday, August 9th, and Isaac Hayes (age 65) passed away on Sunday, August 10^th. Both entertainers are in a movie with Samuel L. Jackson called Soul Men scheduled to be released in November (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1111948/ .)

Here is some information about both entertainers:

About Isaac Hayes:

Isaac Hayes was the second-born child of Isaac Sr. and Eula Hayes, but was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wade Sr. The child of a poor family, he grew up picking cotton in Covington, Tennessee. He made his public singing debut in church at the age of 5, and taught himself piano and saxophone before relocating to Memphis and performing with groups there, according to All-Music Guide. In 1964, he began playing with the Mar-Keys, which led to his long stint as a musician, songwriter and producer for Stax, where he worked with Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and many others.

In 1971, Hayes reached the peak of his musical popularity with the single and album Shaft, the score from the film. The song not only was an archetypal slice of funk that garnered Hayes a #1 single and Grammy and Academy Awards, the talk-singing style he employed on it exerted a huge influence on rap music. After the strong albums Black Moses and Joy, Hayes' popularity waned in the coming years, exacerbated by a legal battle with Stax over royalties. He filed for bankruptcy in 1976.

Hayes continued to perform and record over the following years, but he didn't reappear on the mainstream radar until 1997, when he provided the voice for the "South Park" character Jerome "Chef" McElroy. Originally intended to be a one-off appearance, Hayes' character quickly became extremely popular, providing the main children characters with advice and often breaking into comical R&B love songs that parody some of the songs Hayes had written in the first place.

A Scientologist since the mid 1990s, Hayes parted company with the show after a 2005 episode that skewered the religion. A press release announcing his separation from Comedy Central, which airs "South Park," was issued in March 2006. Hayes reportedly suffered a stroke in early 2006, and was occasionally unsteady in public appearances thereafter.

Isaac was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005 in New York City alongside Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman, Bill Withers, John Fogerty, Steve Cropper and longtime collaborator David Porter.

Over the years, Hayes and songwriting partner David Porter wrote a reported 200 songs, including such soul classics as Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'," Carla Thomas' "B-A-B-Y" and Johnnie Taylor's "I Had a Dream." Otis Redding, Johnnie Taylor, The Bar-Kays and Booker T. Jones (later of Booker T. & the M.G.s fame) were some of the "Memphis Sound" musical luminaries Hayes worked with during his early years as a budding musician and vocalist. He is a multi-talented composer, singer and arranger who plays the piano, vibraphone and saxophone equally well.

A relative found Hayes unconscious on the floor near a treadmill inside his home, according to the station's Web site. Hayes was taken to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:08 p.m. Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department are continuing their investigation into Hayes' death, but they believe no foul play was involved, the report said.

About Bernie Mac:

Bernie Mac was born in Chicago in 1957, Bernard Jeffrey McCollough. He grew up in Chicago, in a rougher neighborhood than most others, with a large family living under one roof. This situation provided him with a great insight into his comedy, as his family, and the situations surrounding them would be what dominated his comedy. Mac worked in the Regal Theater, and performed in Chicago parks in his younger days. He became a professional comedian in 1977, at the age of 19. He refused to change his image for television and films, and therefore was not very well known for most of the eighties. In 1992 he made his film debut with a small part with Mo' Money (1992). This started a string of small parts in a string of movies, mostly comedies, including Who's the Man? (1993), House Party 3 (1994) and The Walking Dead (1995). 1995 proved to be a turning point in his career. He did an HBO Special called "Midnight Mac" (1995), and took a part as Pastor Clever in the Chris Tucker comedy Friday (1995). Bernie Mac developed a cult following due to the movie and had many small parts since. In 1996 he starred in the memorable Spike Lee movie Get on the Bus (1996), and was very funny in Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996). About this time he had a recurring role in the TV series "Moesha" (1996). Bernie Mac's star was slowly rising from this point. His next couple of movie parts were more substantial, including How to Be a Player (1997) and The Players Club (1998). In 1999 Bernie Mac got his most high profile part up to that point in the film Life (1999/I) starring Eddie Murphy.

The new century started a new era for the brash Chicago comedian. He was a featured comedian in The Original Kings of Comedy (2000). This performance made him more of a household name, and led to many more major parts. In 2001 he played Martin Lawrence's uncle in What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001) and later that year, was in the star studded remake of Ocean's Eleven (2001). However his biggest success to this date has been "The Bernie Mac Show" (2001), which debuted in 2001 to instant acclaim. The series won a Peabody Award in 2002, and earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for Mac.

Mac also appeared in such films as "Ocean's Eleven," "Bad Santa," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and most "Transformers." He had also been working on the TV series "Starting Under," as well as several films, including the Samuel L. Jackson flick "Soul Men" (slated for release later this year), and the John Travolta comedy "Old Dogs," which is scheduled for a 2009 release.

Mac suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005.[1]

On August 1, 2008, Mac was hospitalized with what his publicist claimed was pneumonia. The next day, responding to rumors that the actor was in "very, very critical condition," his publicist said that he was responding well to treatment, and should be released soon.[6] On Saturday, August 9, his publicist announced that Mac had died from complications of pneumonia unrelated to sarcoidosis.[1]

The 2008 Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago, on the day he died, was dedicated to his memory. Mac is survived by his wife, Rhonda McCullough, their daughter, Je'Niece, a son-in-law and a granddaughter.

5 More Tips to Better Gas Mileage

2008-08-01T13:34:00.006-06:00

A continuation from my original article at http://www.presariosays.com/2007/12/presario-says-10-ways-to-save-gas.html

Gas prices are high. Certainly there does not need to be a billion news stories about it … unless it’s about prices going down. Right now, what is needed are tips to better gas mileage to get the most out of the gas we have in the tanks. Every little tip helps.

1. Check for the Best Gas Prices
There are several sites that will tell you the best prices in gasoline for your area:
Gas Buddy
http://www.gasbuddy.com
MapQuest Gas
http://gasprices.mapquest.com/
MSN Autos
http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip&src=Netx
Fuel Economy
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/states/index.shtml

2. Slow Down
No, don’t go 50 miles per hour on a highway with a speed limit of 65, because that’s dangerous. But observe the speed limit. Know that for every 5 miles per hour you go more than 65 gas mileage decreases rapidly. It’s not about extremes, but about moderation.

3. Avoid idling and rush hour traffic
You're burning fuel while idling – up to a gallon every hour. So, avoid rush hour traffic when possible.

4. Don't top off gas and tighten the cap.
When buying gas, stop when the pump shuts off automatically. And remember, your tank needs both fuel and fumes, so tighten the gas cap after every fill-up.

5. Don't accelerate up hill.
Build up speed before an incline, and then maintain it on the way up. Coast on the way down for additional fuel economy.

For more tips, visit www.fueleconomy.gov.

We Want Your Soul - Spoof Website

2008-07-24T22:50:00.001-06:00

After a little research I discovered that this site is a spoof website, but when it was first forwarded to me it gave me chills:

We Want Your Soul
http://www.wewantyoursoul.com/

Although it is a fake site, I am sure they have had a lot of people that have actually tried to sell their soul. In a world that is has become more and more secular and Godless, technology is getting so scary that sites like this can easily trick someone into believing it is real.

Pray for change…

- Presario

ABC News Special Report - Major Chains Selling Old Tires as New

2008-07-19T12:09:00.003-06:00

Before you buy your next set of tires for your car, you need to watch this ABC News Report on old tires being sold as new. Tires have a shelf life of six years before they become hazardous, and major tire chains are selling tires that are 8+ years old. The information in this video could save the life of your family and friends.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

- Presario

Cell Phone Popping Popcorn a Hoax

2008-07-10T00:38:00.003-06:00

Ok, ok – enough is enough. I have gotten three forwards in the past couple of weeks with a video of cell phones supposedly popping popcorn.

http://www.koreus.com/video/telephone-portable-mais-popcorn.html

Sorry folks – it was a hoax cooked up by a Bluetooth headset manufacturer called Cardo Systems as an internet marketing scheme. Here is the CNN Report on it: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2008/07/09/carroll.cellphone.popcorn.cnn

And here is the Snopes article on it (Read to the bottom and the explain the videos were a marketing scheme)

http://www.snopes.com/science/cookegg.asp

Looks like people will have to stick to the microwave for popcorn!

CNN Special - Black in America

2008-07-09T10:50:00.002-06:00

If you have CNN, PLEASE make sure that you watch, record, or TIVO this series. Powerful stuff.

Mark your calendar - July 23rd and 24th, 2008 on CNN at 9:00pm (Check your listing)

CNN – Black in America
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/
Celebrities, students discuss the black experience in U.S.

CNN Presents: Black in America, July 23 and 24 at 9 p.m. ET.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/06/20/bia.what.it.means.cnn

I AM presents four African-Americans who challenge conventional notions of blackness. But then defining what it means to be black has long been a matter of debate within the African-American community. The R&B singer, Billy Paul, once had a song called, "Am I Black Enough?"
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/07/08/bia.i.am/index.html

What are your long term goals?

2008-07-08T00:08:00.002-06:00

Hello Everybody,

I was looking on CNN website at the 2008 Fortune 500 list, and here are the top 20 companies:

1. Wal-Mart Stores
2. Exxon Mobil
3. Chevron
4. General Motors
5. ConocoPhillips
6. General Electric
7. Ford Motor
8. Citigroup
9. Bank of America
10. AT&T
11. Berkshire Hathaway
12. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
13. AIG
14. Hewlett-Packard
15. IBM
16. Valero Energy
17. Verizon Communications
18. McKesson
19. Cardinal Health
20. Goldman Sachs

Notice something? Even with oil prices through the roof and the economy in a slump, a majority of the top companies are OIL and ENERGY companies, with banks, communications, and health companies filling the gaps. Companies are folding left and right, but these companies are riding strong. Coincidence? Not at all.

What are you doing to secure your future? Are you saving? Do you have a plan in the event that the company you work for went out of business tomorrow? How much money do you blow on things you really don’t need? I hear people talking about how much they hate their job, their co-workers, their car, their house, etc. What about the people who just lost their job, can’t afford to keep or put gas in their car, and are homeless because of natural disaster? Everyone needs to come to terms and realize that the world is evolving outside of our immediate situation.

Consider this either your wakeup call or confirmation of the changes you need to make. It definitely made me think – in the past I have been guilty of many of the things I just mentioned. Everyone - WE NEED TO STEP UP OUR GAME. What are your long term goals?

- Presario

Subtle Butt and Skid Out

2008-07-07T15:32:00.002-06:00

I have officially seen it all. When I was first emailed the article from MSN, I thought this was a spoof. However, this is not a joke - these are REAL products!

Subtle Butt – Neutralizing Embarrassing Moments

http://www.garmentguard.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=8

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=187617&aid=336079&aparam=dscmsin

Skid Out – Remove Deodorant and ‘Other’ Stains

http://www.garmentguard.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=20&HS=1

Funny stuff!

- Presario

Self Made Black Millionaire Mom Sells Syrup in Major Stores

2008-06-20T08:14:00.002-06:00

Hey Everyone,

This one is especially for all of you entrepreneurs out there trying to make it. No matter what your color is, this lady’s story will give you motivation. I received it via email, and I had to post a blog about it. You can see her success story on the front page and her THREE appearances on the Oprah show after you enter the website at http://www.michelefoods.com. Let’s support people out there trying to make it happen!

If she can do it – so can YOU.

P.S. Look for me on the Oprah show one day…

- Presario

Here is the email I received:

Although you can purchase the Michele's brand at Wal-Mart and most grocers, please understand the importance of picking it up at Sam's or Costco (if you have a membership). It was a monumental task (short of God ordaining it) to get shelf space at the warehouse stores.

If you see Michele's syrup in your Costco, BJ's, or Sam's Club, please support this label.
This is the first African American Vendor at one of these stores. Let's buy some pancake syrup!

Michele Hoskins, CEO/founder of Michele Foods recently became the FIRST African American vendor with Costco! She was on the Oprah Show and told her story, rising from welfare to faring well.

She is asking ALL people, regardless of color, to support her by going to Costco and purchasing a bottle of her pancake syrup @ the cost of around $3.25. If your local Costco doesn't have the product, PLEASE ask for it as she is trying to open the doors for ALL MINORITY vendors to gain entry on the shelves of Costco.

The website is: http://www.michelefoods.com/ and the company is out of Chicago , IL

It's time to replace Aunt Jemima with Michele Foods Pancake syrup. Show the Michele some love!

PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
If you don’t have a membership to Sam’s or Costco, her syrup is in a number of other stores, as well – so check out the website for locations.

How to STOP getting your messages put into the junk mail folder for Yahoo, Outlook, and Hotmail

2008-06-14T22:26:00.004-06:00

For the past 6+ months, when sending out emails to customers I noticed that my messages were being sent to their junk mail folder. It was just annoying to me at first, but eventually it began to make me upset. So - I decided to do a little research on the subject, and ran across some interesting information. Here is what I found for the different email companies:

Microsoft Outlook and Hotmail:
It seems that as part of the 'fight against spam', Microsoft has created junk and adult content filters. These Junk and Adult Content filters work by looking for certain keywords within the address, subject, and body of the message. The problem is that it sometimes works against people who are not spammers. If your email has any of the keywords (or keyword combinations) on this list in them, you are not in the person's address book, and/or they haven't previously marked you as 'Not Spam' - then you will probably get put into the junk folder. For a list of some of these keywords, visit http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA010450051033.aspx. Surprisingly, I found three of the keywords listed on this page in the signature I put on ALL of my messages - which explains why my messages were being put in junk mail.

Yahoo, AOL, Gmail, and Other Email Programs
A lot of email companies and web hosting companies use a service called SpamAssassin on their servers. Similar to the Microsoft junk mail filters I described above, SpamAssassin has hundreds of phrases and conditions that can cause your email to be thrown into the spam folder. Even companies that don't use the actual Spam Assassin service - still use their formulas to create their own lists. A list of some of the conditions and keywords is available at http://spamassassin.apache.org/tests_3_0_x.html

Other simple things such as having too much wording with the color red, using too many sales words such as 'guaranteed', the font size being too large or extremely small, or using a large amount of successive quotes or exclamation points will also get you marked as spam.

I hope this helps if you are having the same problems as I was!

- Presario

TV Converter Box Coupon Program

2008-06-08T10:44:00.002-06:00

As many of you probably know, TV broadcasting will switch from analog to digital in February 2009. This will require older analog TV sets to use a converter box. The only reason you don’t need a box is if you already have satellite, cable, or you have a newer TV with a digital tuner.

Now that TV converter boxes are available, retail stores will set the price. TV converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70. The Federal Government permits each U.S. household up to two $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of the converter box. After applying the coupon, participating retailers will charge consumers the remaining balance of between $10 and $30.

You can apply for coupons until March 31, 2009. Here’s the website: https://www.dtv2009.gov/

Consumers can begin enjoying the benefits of digital television today. Because most full-power stations are currently broadcasting both in digital and analog, viewers can plug in their converter boxes and generally receive a clearer picture and “multicast” channels, where they are available.

For frequently asked questions, visit https://www.dtv2009.gov/FAQ.aspx. You can also call the hotline that is available to answer questions or take coupon requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-DTV-2009.

BE CAREFUL – follow the basic guidelines:

- Only apply for the coupons from the government mandated website. I am sure many fake sites will be popping up trying to use this situation to get you information.

- Especially when ordering you converter box online, be sure to use one of the ‘certified converter box retailers’ listed on the government sponsored website. A list of eligible make and model numbers for purchase with the coupon can be found at the same website, by clicking here.

- If you have a newer TV, you can check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to see if your model has a digital tuner. If so, you don’t need a box.

- Save yourself time and gas; before shopping for your converter box, you might want to call ahead to make sure retailers have converter boxes available.

Hope this helps!

- Presario

Amazing World Clock

2008-04-29T19:14:00.014-06:00

World Clock Created by and Courtesy of Poodlewaddle.com

SOURCES
These stats may be verified at the listed websites.

World Population: US Census Bureau
Population growth rate: CIA World Factbook
Prison Population: UK Homeoffice
Divorces (US Only): Wikipedia
US Illegal Immigration: Wikipedia
Abortions: Wikipedia
Mothers dying during botched abortions: World Health Organization
HIV infection: Avert
Cancer incidence: UICC
Earth Temp: Wikipedia
Species Extinct: National Wildlife Federation
Oil Production: CIA World Factbook
Cars produced: Mation Master
Bicycle Production: Earth Policy
Computer production: Top Secret
Death stats: World Health Organization

Hope you had a Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T22:14:00.002-06:00

Hello Everyone!

I hope you had a blessed Easter and remembered the true reason for the season. Jesus died for you and your sins, so that you can live the life you lead now. Are you living life to its fullest?

I was visiting a new church this morning, and some things that the pastor said sparked another idea for my AMinuteorTwo.com group of websites. I have had this discussion with many people who agree, so I can already tell this is going to be one of my personal favorite in the group!

Here you go - site #8 in the series:
http://www.putyourfaithingod.com

P.S. - I have been getting a ton of traffic and feedback from strangers on the AMinuteorTwo.com website concept, but now I want to hear from my friends and family. What are your thoughts and suggestions? Shoot me an email!

- Presario

Another 'aminuteortwo.com' Website

2008-03-15T11:41:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,

It has been a while since I put up aminuteortwo.com site, so here you go.

http://www.youcanaskquestions.com/

- Presario

Find Out if Sex Offenders Live Near You

2008-03-06T23:37:00.001-06:00

John Walsh (the host of America’s Most Wanted) started a website that will show you if there are any sex offenders living near you. It will also show you what crime they committed and even show you their arrest photo.

http://www.familywatchdog.us

The purpose is to help you and your child recognize them if your child is playing at a friends’ house, or report them if they are conducting suspicious activities in your neighborhood. By staying informed and keeping your kids informed, you stand a better chance at protecting them.

- Presario

What the Tip? How Much Should You Leave as a Tip for Different Services

2008-03-04T09:54:00.006-06:00

Hey Everyone,

Although I am a pro at calculating tips at restaurants from my business traveling days, I am always boggled with whether you should or should not leave tips at various other places. Even if I know you should leave a tip, it then becomes a game in figuring out how much of a tip to leave.

I was doing a search on Google yesterday for tip suggestions, and I ran across a good group of articles on CNN Money about how much to tip and whether tipping has anything to do with the quality of service. Check them out:

CNN/Money: How much money to tip
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/tipping/

CNN/Money: Tipping not optional
http://money.cnn.com/2003/05/15/commentary/everyday/sahadi/index.htm

Hope they are as useful to you as they were to me!

- Presario

Def Poetry - Julian Curry - Niggers Niggas & Niggaz

2008-03-01T11:33:00.003-06:00

Many people wonder why I refuse to use the words niggas & niggaz. In fact, one of my friends the other day said, “The day I hear you call someone ‘my nigga’ I will fall out. I will have to catch it on video, because no one would believe me if I told them.”

This Def Poetry Jam poet, Julian Curry, provides some input to my point of view in a artistic form:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD-UpHlB9no

- Presario

Interviewer Picks The Wrong Obama Supporter to Try To Railroad

2008-02-25T23:53:00.002-06:00

THANK YOU! What a great job done by Derrick Ashong.

I am so happy to finally see someone speak intelligently about the reason they are supporting Barrack Obama. Beyond becoming the first black President, beyond the topical things we hear in the campaign speeches, there is so much more that needs to be done in this Nation. Although I will be voting for him – you haven’t seen me forward a lot of Obama junk mail with pictures, stories, etc. That is because I think people are not focusing on the fact that for the first time in a long time (eight years to be exact) – everyone is stirred up on issues that MATTER. Derrick expressed this in his response (the second video) – which I think a lot of people need to watch.

No matter what your race, age, or political position is - LISTEN to Derrick Ashong’s interview, then LISTEN to his response. Feel the importance behind what it is he has to say, then do the RESEARCH to form your own opinion based on FACTS.

Video: Interviewer Picks The Wrong Obama Supporter to Try To Railroad
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/video-interviewer-picks-the-wrong-obama-supporter-to-try-to-railroad/

Video: Obama Supporter, Derrick, Responds to the Video and Explains Emotional View (POWERFUL!)
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/video-obama-supporter-derrick-responds-to-his-video/

Want to know more about Derrick? Check out his public speaking video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVy8ULxDrJg and his band at http://soulfege.com/

TAX REBATE CHECK - YOU WILL PAY IT BACK ON YOUR 2008 TAXES

2008-02-14T01:14:00.001-06:00

There is always a catch, especially when it comes to the government ‘giving’ you money.

- Presario

America, don't blow this rebate
Congress wraps up the details: $300 for retirees, $600 for most individuals and $1,200 for most couples. But wait, there's more: It's not really free money.
By Liz Pulliam Weston
Excerpt from the Full Article: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/TheDetailsOnTaxRebates.aspx?page=1

Some Americans are getting awfully excited about the prospect of spending their own money.
The $168 billion economic stimulus package just passed by Congress will ship checks of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples starting in May. Most households will get these checks, although individuals with adjusted gross incomes of more than $75,000 and couples making more than $150,000 will see less or nothing at all.

Additionally, families will get $300 per child.

The biggest change since the original proposal: Those who paid no income taxes will get $300 as long as they earned at least $3,000, including veterans disability or Social Security benefits.
An estimated 130 million taxpayers will share the rebate money.

Here's what you need to keep in mind while you're waiting:

This isn't free money -- for most people

To produce this cash, Congress created a one-time tax credit to reduce taxable income for most taxpayers this year.

Normally, you wouldn’t see that cash until the spring of 2009, when you filed your 2008 return. But Congress wants to speed that money to you now, so checks will start going out in May.

Remember, this is your money you're getting back, and the rebate checks are basically an advance on your 2009 refund. When similar rebates were sent out in 2001, said tax expert Mark Luscombe, "a lot of people were upset to see their (next) refund reduced."

The only people for whom this really is free money are low-income folks (those who earn at least the minimum $3,000 required to trigger the checks or who receive at least $3,000 in Social Security or veterans benefits) who won't end up owing any taxes for 2008. If that's your situation, or you somehow wind up with a check when you technically shouldn't have -- you earned income in 2007 but won't in 2008, for example -- you won't have to pay back the money, said Luscombe, a principal analyst for tax research firm CCH.

Ode de' Basket Ball Players

2008-02-10T23:04:00.000-06:00

Another hilarious clip thanks to the great (not really) users of YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97CXaDIPYTg

YouTube and MySpace have exposed so many people who just have no life at ALL. But, it makes for great comedy.

- Presario

Dallas / Ft. Worth Red Light Camera Locations

2008-02-08T12:41:00.000-06:00

If you live in the DFW Metroplex and are in the habit of running red or yellow lights, this information is for you...

- Presario

Red Light Camera Locations

Arlington
Matlock @ Arbrook
Collins @ Sublett
Cooper @ 303
Watson @ Park Row
Watson @ Six Flags Drive
Watson @ Avenue H
S. Cooper @ S. W. Green Oaks

Cedar Hill
Belt Line Rd @ N Clark Rd
Belt Line Rd @ Joe Wilson Rd
Belt Line Rd @ Waterford Oaks Rd
FM 1382 @ US 67 West
FM1382 @ US 67 East
US 67 SFR @ FM 1382

Coppell
Sandy Lake @ Denton Tap
MacArthur @ Sandy Lake
Belt Line @ MacArthur

Dallas
Abrams Rd SB @ Forest Lane
Garland SB @ Northwest Hwy
Forest Lane EB @ Abrams Rd
Second Ave SB @ Bruton Rd
Commerce St. EB @ S. Central Expressway
Lake June EB @ Buckner Blvd
Fitzhugh Ave SB (EB) @ Gaston Ave
N. Central Expressway NB @ Lemmon Ave
Griffin St. W. WB @ St. Paul St .
Ledbetter EB @ S. Lancaster Rd
W. Camp Wisdom Rd WB @ S. Westmoreland Ave
Lemmon Ave SB @ W Mockingbird Ln
S Tyler St. NB @ W. Jefferson Blvd
Lovers Ln WB @ N. Central Expy
W. Jefferson Blvd EB @ S Tyler St .
Harry Hines NB @ Walnut Hill Rd
Miller Rd WB @ Plano Rd
N. Buckner Blvd NB @ John West Rd
Marsh Ln SB @ Frankford Rd
Lemmon Ave NB @ W. Northwest Hwy
N.Beckley Ave SB @ W. Colorado Blvd
Harry Hines SB @ Northwest Hwy
Ferguson Rd SB @ Gus Thomasson
W. Davis St. EB @ Cockrell Hill Rd
Woodall Rodgers Fwy WB @ Olive St .
Abrams Rd NB @ E. Mockingbird Ln
E Mockingbird Ln WB @ Greenville Ave
N. Central Expy NB @ E. Lovers Ln
Greenville Ave NB @ Royal Rd
S. Hampton SB @ Wheatland Rd
Gaston Ave EB @ Peak Rd
RL Thornton Fwy WB (S) WB @ Harwood St.
Coit Rd NB @ Banner Dr
Northwest Hwy WB @ Dallas N Tollway
W. Northwest Hwy WB @ Lemmon Ave (Marsh)
Lemmon Ave NB @ Oak Lawn Ave
Oak Lawn Ave EB @ Lemmon Ave
Preston Rd SB @ Royal Ln
Graham Blvd EB @ Lindsley Ave
Walton Walker SB @ Northwest Hwy
S. Westmoreland Dr SB @ Illinois Rd
Alpha Rd WB @ Dallas North Parkway
LBJ (IH 635) Service Rd WB @ Coit Rd
RL Thornton Fwy EB @ Harwood St .
Montfort SB @ LBJ (IH 635) WBSR
Greenville NB @ Mockingbird
Northwest Hwy EB @ Dallas N Tollway
Preston Rd SB @ I-635 (LBJ) Fwy
I-635 (LBJ) Fwy EB @ Montfort Dr
Preston SB @ Beltline
I-635 (LBJ) Fwy WB @ Preston Rd
Forest Ln WB @ Inwood Ln
S. Marsalis Rd SB @ S. RL Thornton Fwy
S. Munger NB @ Lindsley
S. RL Thornton Fwy WB @ S. Marsalis Rd
Cedar Crest NB @ Kiest
S. Buckner Blvd NB @ Bruton Rd
Northwest Hwy WB @ Abrams
Frankford EB @ Preston
W. Mockingbird Ln WB @ N Stemmons Fwy

Duncanville
Wheatland Road @ Cedar Ridge
Wheatland Road @ Cockrell Hill Road

Farmers Branch
Valwood Parkway @ Josey Lane
Webb Chapel @ Valwood
Webb Chapel @ Valley View
Midway @ Alpha
Luna @ Valley View
Marsh @ Valley View

Fort Worth
Eastchase Parkway @ Meadowbrook Drive
East Long Avenue @ Deen Road
South Hulen Street @ Bellaire Drive South
McCart Avenue @ Westcreek Drive
Bryant Irvin Road @ West Vickery Boulevard
Eighth Avenue @ Elizabeth Boulevard
North Beach Street @ Western Center Boulevard

Frisco
Dallas Parkway @ Main Street
Dallas Parkway @ Gaylord

Garland
Jupiter @ Kingsley Roads
Plano @ Buckingham Roads
Centerville @ Northeast Parkway
Broadway @ Centerville
Broadway @ Kingsley
Forest Lane @ Jupiter
Beltline @ Shiloh
First @ Kingsley
Centerville @ Northwest Highway
Shiloh @ Kingsley
Centerville @ Miller
Walnut @ Jupiter

Irving
Belt Line @ Pioneer
O'Connor @ Lane
Loop 12 WFR @ Irving Blvd.
SH 183 NFR @ Belt Line
SH 161 ESR @ Gateway
SH 161 EFR @ SH 114 NFR

North Richland Hills
Rufe Snow Drive @ Mid-Cities Boulevard
Rufe Snow Drive @ Dick Lewis Drive
Davis Boulevard @ Mid-Cities Boulevard
Davis Boulevard @ Lola Drive
Davis Boulevard @ Hardwood Road
Davis Boulevard @ Maplewood Avenue

Plano
15th Street @ Independence Parkway
Park Boulevard @ Ventura Drive
Spring Creek Parkway @ Custer Road
Eastbound Legacy Drive @ Dallas Parkway
Westbound Legacy Drive @ Dallas Parkway
Coit Road @ Spring Creek Parkway
Parker Road @ Dallas Parkway
Plano Parkway @ Dallas Parkway
Jupiter Road @ Plano Parkway
Preston Road @ Plano Parkway
State Highway 121 @ Custer Road
State Highway 121 @ Dallas Parkway
Preston Road @ Spring Creek Parkway
Coit Road @ Park Boulevard

Richardson
Southbound Plano Road @ Arapaho Road
Eastbound Centennial Boulevard @ Greenville Ave
Westbound Campbell Road @ Coit Road
Northbound Campbell Road @ Coit Road

How to Get Rid of Sore Muscles

2008-02-07T23:18:00.000-06:00

I just finished working out at the gym with a new trainer, and BOY am I SORE. I was doing some research on the web about how to relieve sore muscles, and came across this article:

http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-sore-muscles/

It was good enough that I thought I would share it for anyone else trying to get back into shape!

- Presario

The Little Boy

2008-02-04T07:04:00.000-06:00

I read the following story on Derek Bartee’s blog (http://www.dbartee.com/?q=node/235) , who is a good friend of mine and my fraternity brother. Hope it inspires you!

- Presario

---- As taken from Derek's Blog at http://www.dbartee.com/?q=node/235 ----
The following is a story/poem based on John 3:16 in the bible. I did not write it, but it was sent to me and I want to share it with you all. It is a powerful piece and moved me when I read it. Thank you God and the author of the story/poem for this inspirational piece.
===
John 3:16
A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner, the people were in and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers.

He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you ? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come out the door you just say John 3:16, and they will let you in."

So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16." The lady said, "Come on in, Son."

She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself: John 3:16 ...I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.

Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry ?" He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food,"
The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself: John 3:16 ..Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy full.

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16 ... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out. The lady came in and got him.

She took him to a room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16 ...I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested.

The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible.

She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face. "Do you understand John 3:16 ? " she asked gently. He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it,"

She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus . Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought: John 3:16 -- don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.

You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Another 'aminuteortwo.com' website

2008-01-18T12:59:00.000-06:00

Site #6 in the 'aminuteortwo.com' series:

http://www.peoplearejealous.com/

Websites to Motivate or Encourage

2008-01-08T09:28:00.000-06:00

The "A Minute or Two" is a group of websites that started off with the website "Really Think About It." It was a simple phrase I sent to my friends and family to get them to open up their eyes to what is right in front of them. The concept came from a conversation I had with my friend and client Donald Wood about how the world needed a dose of reality.

Really Think About It was such a simple website and concept, that I was surprised when a ton of people forwarded my original email to their friends. It got such an overwhelming positive response - I created it's sister site called "Keep Your Joy." Guess what? It got an even bigger response.

Now I am up to four sites (see www.aminuteortwo.com), and they really seem to be gaining popularity. Therefore, I will keep releasing these one page sites at random, with sayings and scriptures that motivate me. Some of the messages will be Christian and scripture based, some will be reality based, and some will be just plain common sense. The point is that "A Minute or Two" is a simple group of websites that will hopefully motivate or encourage someone who needs it.

No ads, no fluff, no fancy graphics. http://www.aminuteortwo.com

Some Hotels Don't Wash Their Glasses..

2008-01-01T14:56:00.000-06:00

Oh – naaasty. Prepare to be grossed out! Take your own disposable cups to hotels from now on. And before you book another hotel room watch this Fox video of Dirty Hotel Secrets:

http://www.myfoxcolorado.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=4925520&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1

- Presario

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T14:46:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year! May you continue to be blessed in 2008!

Last Minute Shopping Online

2007-12-16T13:05:00.000-06:00

What’s up everyone!

I know there are a lot of people going into Christmas shopping panic, especially the ones who were waiting to get paid on the 15th before buying all their gifts. :o) As I mentioned before, I am an online shopper by heart because I hate shopping crowds – but time is running out to order online and get your gifts here quickly. Amazon.com has created a Last Minute Gift Ideas section for people like you. However, take note that below are the holiday ordering cutoff dates for U.S. shipping of items shipped from and sold by Amazon.com for delivery on or before December 24th.

- Sunday, December 16th – Gift Cards sent by mail (e-mail gift cards can be sent immediately at any time)·
- Monday, December 17th – Free Super Saver Shipping (on qualified orders over $25)·
- Tuesday, December 18th – Standard Shipping.
- Wednesday, December 19th – Two-Day Shipping·
- Thursday, December 20th – Two-Day Shipping (Order as late as 3pm PT, but varies by item) - Friday, December 21st – One-Day Shipping (Last full day to order)
- Saturday, December 22nd – Two-Day Shipping (Order as late as 3pm PT, but varies by item)

Once the shipping deadlines have passed, Amazon Gift Cards are a great way give gifts through the rest of the holiday shopping season. They can be sent via email, an e-card, or on paper through snail mail (gift cards ordered by December 16th will be delivered by December 24th).

Hope this helps you avoid the holiday lines and get your shopping done. Don’t forget the REAL reason for the season has nothing to do with presents.

- Presario

Send a Free Greeting Card to a Soldier

2007-12-12T10:28:00.000-06:00

Xerox has started a website in which they have allowed you to write a personal message on a pre-designed greeting card, and they will print it and send it to a random soldier. The cards are designed by children that are a part of the Boys and Girls Club, and you simply select a design and either select a pre-written message or enter a custom one.

http://www.letssaythanks.com

Support the troops and their efforts by taking the time to send a card.

- Presario

Holiday Shopping Coupons

2007-12-07T15:05:00.000-06:00

I received these via email and I haven't checked them all, but most of them seem legit. If you find any ones that don't work, let me know.

American Eagle Outfitters Coupon Code: 64152219 (15% off from Nov. 27 - Dec. 11, 2007)
Armani Exchange Coupon Code: STYLE20 ($20 off $100 from Nov 29 - Dec 15, 2007)
Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Co - Coupon code FF07CP (10% OFF F&F - Dec. 2 - Dec. 16, 2007).
Banana Republic Coupon Code: BRHOLIDAY (20% off from Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2007)
***Barnes & Noble Coupon Code: T4N3B6W (25% off Single Item on Nov 27 – Dec 10, 2007)
Bed Bath Store Coupon Code: holiday07 ($15 off $75 from Nov. 28 - Dec. 10, 2007)
***Blue Nile Coupon Code: BNACC25 (10% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 31, 2007)
Children's Place Coupon Codes: H2MMVSEZNQQB7 or H2EMIY6YVAJB7 or H2MMUHM12BLB7 (15% off exp Dec. 9, 2007)
Cloud Veil Coupon Code: 7LJ400 (45% off Now - Dec 31) Also use 7LJ502 for free ground shipping (Exp. Dec 13)
Coffee Bean Corral Coupon Code: HAPPY (15% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 25, 2007)
coolframes.com - Designer Eyewear Coupon Code: BLACK15 (15% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 25, 2007)
Dick's Sporting Goods Coupon Code: APPAREL20 (Case sensitive) (20% off Apparel from Dec 1 - Jan 31, 2008)
Dr. Martens Coupon Code: DMFF3507 (35% off from Nov 30 – Dec 14, 2007)
Eastbay Coupon Code: EMEB72GC (20% off Giftcards from Nov 17 – Dec 20, 2007)
***eBags.com Coupon Code: EMBESTSET (20% off from Nov. 30 - Dec. 9, 2007)
enyce Coupon Code: SITEWIDE30 (30% off $150 from Dec 1 – Dec 7, 2007 )
GameStop Coupon Code: AFF25 (25% off Used Games from ? – ? )
GiftCertificates.com Coupon Code: HOLIDAY2 (10% off from Dec 1 – Dec 9, 2007 )
Glamajama Coupon Code: GOTGLAM (25% off from Nov 28 – Dec 31, 2007 )
Hallmark Coupon Code: HMKLAT15 (15% off from Nov. 30 - Dec. 31, 2007)
Hasbro Toy Shop Coupon Code: FRIENDS20 (20% off from Dec 2 - Dec. 9, 2007)
Hickory Farms Coupon Code: SAVORY (15% off from Nov 28 - Dec. 31, 2007)
HP Desktop Coupon Code: DT6030 (30% off $999 from Nov 28 - Dec. 8, 2007)
JC Penny Coupon Code: CHAMPION (20% off from Dec. 9, 2007)
JC Penny Coupon Code: SANTA (30% off regular priced items and 10% off sale items till Dec. 14, 2007)
Kohl's Coupon Code: NEW5252 (10% off from Nov. 30 - Dec. 8, 2007)
Lenovo Login Code: 992299 (Various Discounts)
Limited Too Just click link for savings (25% off from Nov 27 – Dec 9, 2007)
Linen & Things Coupon Code: 223823997733 (20% off from Nov 30 – Dec 31, 2007)
Liz Claiborne Coupon Code: FRIEND40 (40% off from Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, 2007)
Maps.com Coupon Code: holiday20 (20% off from Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2007)
MetroStyle Coupon Code: MSTYLE50 (50% off Single Item from Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2007)
Nike Coupon Code: 2PCTH7A (20% off $125 from Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2007)
Overstock Coupon Code: 73989 (10% off $45 from ? - ? )
PlumDenim.com Coupon Code: FNF2007 (30% off from Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2007)
***Ralph Lauren Coupon Code: HOL2007 (30% off 11/20 - 12/10)
Red Envelope Coupon Code: AMX25WISH ($50 off $200 from ? – ? )
Rei-Outlet.com Just cick link for savings (20% off from Nov. 28 - Dec 7, 2007)
***Sharper Image Just cick link for savings ($10 off $50 from Nov 27 – Jan 31, 2008)
Shutterfly Coupon Code: SON5-SONY ($10 off $40 from Nov 30 – Dec 10, 2007)
Snap Fish Coupon Code: FRIENDS07 (25% off on Nov 27 – Dec 25, 2007)
Snap Fish Coupon Code: AFFDECSPECL (30% off $30 on Nov 27 – Jan 3, 2008)
Snap Fish Coupon Code: MYBOOKDEC (40% off Photobook on Nov 27 – Jan 3, 2008)
Suds Gear Coupon Code: combo22 (22% off from ? – ? )
Victoria's Secret Coupon Code: FA78113 or FA78449 ($15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250, & $150 off $500 from Nov. 28 - Dec. 20, 2007)
WinkFlash Coupon Code: G3F8E7W4 (40% off from Nov 28 – Dec 15, 2007 )
Yankee Candle Coupon Code: XSL16 ($10 off $25 from Nov 27 - Dec. 22, 2007)
Zales Coupon Code: NOVCAT502007 ($50 off $200 Valid to Dec 16th, 2007 )

PRINTABLE INSTORE COUPON
Gordmans (20% off Single Item from Nov 27 – Dec 9, 2007)
H&M (25% off from Dec. 7 - Dec. 9, 2007)
JC Penny (20% off on Dec. 9, 2007)
Kirklands (25% off Single Item from Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2007)
Limited Too (25% off from Nov 27 – Dec 9, 2007)
Linen & Things (20% off from Nov. 27 - Dec. 31, 2007)
Loehmanns (15% off Reduced Item & 20% off Clearance Item from Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2007)
Lord & Taylor (15% off from Nov. 9 - Dec. 24, 2007)
oshKosh ($10 off $50 from Nov 26 – Dec 11, 2007)
Ralph Lauren (30% off 11/10 - 12/10)
Reebok Outlet (40% off Nov 29 - Dec 23, 2007)
Sharper Image ($10 off $100 from Nov 27 – Jan 31, 2008)
Staples (12% off from Dec. 2 - Dec. 8, 2007)
Yankee Candle ($10 off $25 from Nov 27 - Dec. 22, 2007)

OTHER/Various Discounts
Google Holiday Discounts ($5, $10, $20, etc.)
Mastercard Card Holders
PayPal Holiday 20% off (20% Off)
Visa Card Holders

Presario Says - 10 Ways to Save Gas

2007-12-03T01:34:00.000-06:00

With gas being $9.00 per gallon (not really - but close enough,) here are some good ways to save gas:

If you can see the tips, click the 'Read full post' link below.

1) Make sure your engine is well lubricated and everything is clean. Some gas and oil additives will help you do this, but above all make sure you change your oil every 3,000 miles and the oil levels are correct in between changes.

2) When starting at a red light, don't gun the motor. Instead, accelerate slowly. When stopping, coast to a stop instead of staying on the accelerator until the last minute.

4) Although it is not as crucial on newer vehicles, running the AC and Heat does actual effect gas performance. If you have a car that automatically adjusts the temperature to a certain climate, this causes it to constantly turn on and off the air - even when you are comfortable with the temperature. Use the manual adjustment instead.

5) Check your tires. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. This is probably the most overlooked ways of saving gas. Also make sure you are rotating your tires at the recommended interval - which is usually 6,000 - 8,000 miles (or every two oil changes.)

6) Remove any excess weight you can. Carrying extra unneeded items - especially in the trunk - effects gas millage.

7) Take the highway or roads with less lights. Every time you 'stop and go' you use more gasoline than driving.

8) Use cruise control on the highways to maintain a constant RPM (especially on long road trips.) Also, instead of riding the brakes in bumper to bumper traffic - try to maintain enough distance between vehicles to coast.

9) Make sure you are using the octane of fuel that the car manufacturer recommends. This information is usually available in the manual. Using a lower octane will lower vehicle and gas performance, and using a higher octane is throwing money away.

10) Change your belts and spark plugs at the recommended manufacturer's intervals. People often forget that misfiring spark plugs can cause both a reduction and performance and gas millage.

Black Friday - After Thanksgiving Sales Online

2007-11-18T21:14:00.000-06:00

After my email last week about doing your Christmas shopping online and Amazon's new Holiday Toy list, I got a couple of emails asking about after Thanksgiving sales. Again - I hate dealing with the crowds so I will be doing my shopping online. And also again, Amazon.com has a section set up with specials just for the day before Thanksgiving, better known as 'Black Friday.' Check them out - Amazon.com Black Friday Deals. They will have hourly specials as well as deals that last all day.

Enjoy!
- Presario

Amazon.com Widgets

The '3 Men In a Hotel' Riddle

2007-11-12T17:21:00.000-06:00

3 MEN GO INTO A MOTEL. THE MAN BEHIND THE DESK SAID THE ROOM IS $300,

SO EACH MAN PAID $100 AND WENT TO THE ROOM.

A WHILE LATER THE MAN BEHIND THE DESK REALIZED THE ROOM WAS ONLY $250,

SO HE SENT THE BELLBOY TO THE 3 GUYS' ROOM WITH $50.

ON THE WAY, THE BELLBOY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO SPLIT $50 EVENLY

BETWEEN 3 MEN, SO HE GAVE EACH MAN A $10 BILL AND KEPT THE OTHER $20

FOR HIMSELF.

ADD THE $20 THAT THE BELLBOY KEPT = $290.

WHERE ARE THE OTHER 10 DOLLARS?

SEE THE FULL MESSAGE FOR THE ANSWER....

Actually this puzzle is very old and the very idea of it is to confuse a solver with a jugglery of numbers - by mixing income and expenditure. That's all the trick behind it - no more.

They deceive you by saying ‘THIS MEANT THAT THE 3 MEN EACH PAID $90 FOR THE ROOM, WHICH IS A TOTAL OF $270,’ which is incorrect. Do the math – it said the room’s real price was $250. $250 divided by 3 = $83.33 which is what each man REALLY paid in the end.

In other words, they added the wrong numbers. You cannot add what one person HAS to what someone else has PAID – they are two different things and the result won’t make any sense.

Still don’t get it? Look at it from the standpoint of the original $300.

At the end the hotel clerk HAS $250.
The bellhop HAS $20.
Each man HAS the $10 the bellhop gave back.
Total $10 x 3 = $30
250+20+30 = $300 – there is no missing money.

Moral of the story? Be careful what you read when it comes to money…

New Amazon.com Feature

2007-11-11T11:11:00.000-06:00

Hey!

I know all of the women who are shopaholics are going to boo me, but I hate holiday crowds and lines. My friends laugh because I do about 90% of my Christmas shopping (and almost every other type of shopping) on the internet. For those who have children, nieces and nephews, and godchildren - Amazon.com has a cool new feature called the holiday toy list. Not only does this have the latest and greatest toys, but you can also look at video demonstrations of the toys before you buy them. For those who are like me and don’t like going to the store, this is the next best thing.

Check it out at Amazon.com Holiday Toy List.

- Presario

The Golden Compass Movie - What's The Fuss?

2007-11-06T08:48:00.002-06:00

Because of my www.presariosays.com articles, as of late people I know have started sending me emails before they pass them on to see if they are fake (which is funny because all I do is go to snopes.com to check their validity.) I received one about the Golden Compass today that holds a lot of truth that reads as follows (in italics):

Subject: The Golden Compass, a new movie... very disturbing to me

THE GOLDEN COMPASS, a new movie targeted at children, will be released December 7, 2007. This movie is based on a the first book of a trilogy by atheist Philip Pullman. In the final book a boy and girl kill God so they can do as they please. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "My books are about killing God."

The movie is a watered down version of the first book and is designed to be very attractive in the hope unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the movie and that the children will want the books for Christmas.

The movie has a well known cast, including Nicole Kidman, Kevin Bacon, and Sam Elliott. It will probably be advertised extensively, so it is crucial that we get the word out to warn parents to avoid this movie.

You can research this for yourself. Start with this article on Snopes.com, then go to Google.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

I looked on snopes.com and did the Google search as the email requested, and it was pretty accurate. Snopes.com marked the email to be TRUE, and both sides of the argument (Christians and atheists) on various websites are hailing the movie to be another move towards eliminating God and Christianity from the public view. The difference is that atheists see it as a good thing, and Christians are upset. The writer of the books series and force behind the movie, Phillip Pullman, is a well know atheist. Although any quote can be taken out of context, he did actually say in the 2003 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald that his books were about killing God.

Here is my opinion (you knew it was coming.) There are tons of positive movies out there – general feel good movies and children’s movies without the anti-Christian theme and subliminal messages released around Christmas. If you are going to take your children to the movies in December, go see one of those types of movies. If they are old enough, explain to them why it is that you are not supporting the movie. If we keep supporting the movement for the removal of God from everything – school, the pledge of allegiance, our money – we are setting ourselves up for failure. Although you won’t see me with any picket signs in front of a movie theatre, I just simply will not support the movie. I encourage all Christians to do the same.

- Presario

Daylight Saving Time - What is it?

2007-11-04T11:49:00.000-06:00

When Do I Change My Clock?

Beginning in 2007, most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time.

Spring forward, Fall back

During DST in the spring, clocks are turned forward an hour, effectively moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. In the fall, the hour is given back by moving the clocks an hour back.

Date change in 2007

On August 8, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This Act changed the time change dates for Daylight Saving Time in the U.S. Beginning in 2007, DST will begin on the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November. The Secretary of Energy will report the impact of this change to Congress. Congress retains the right to resume the 2005 Daylight Saving Time schedule once the Department of Energy study is complete.

When do I change my clocks in the morning?

In the U.S., clocks change at 2:00 a.m. local time. In spring, clocks spring forward from 1:59 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.; in fall, clocks fall back from 1:59 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. In the EU, clocks change at 1:00 a.m. Universal Time. In spring, clocks spring forward from 12:59 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.; in fall, clocks fall back from 1:59 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

In the U.S., restaurants and bars have various closing policies. In many states, liquor cannot be served after 2:00 a.m. But at 2:00 a.m. in the fall, the time switches back one hour. So, can they serve alcohol for that additional hour in October? The official answer is that the bars do not stop serving liquor at 2:00 a.m., but actually at 1:59 a.m. So, they have already stopped serving when the time changes from Daylight Saving Time into Standard Time. In practice, however, many establishments stay open an extra hour in the fall.

In the U.S., 2:00 a.m. was originally chosen as the changeover time because it was practical and minimized disruption. Most people were at home and this was the time when the fewest trains were running. It is late enough to minimally affect bars and restaurants, and it prevents the day from switching to yesterday, which would be confusing. It is early enough that the entire continental U.S. switches by daybreak, and the changeover occurs before most early shift workers and early churchgoers are affected.

Some U.S. areas For the U.S. and its territories, Daylight Saving Time is NOT observed in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and Arizona. The Navajo Nation participates in the Daylight Saving Time policy, even in Arizona, due to its large size and location in three states.

Source:The information from this blog post came directly from http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/b.html.

Presario's Thoughts for the Morning

2007-11-02T08:43:00.000-06:00

This is not a forward, this is what God moved me, Alastair Hunte, to tell to everyone I know right now.

I am not a preacher – but something told me somebody needs this to get them through today – and it is on my heart.

YOU ARE BLESSED. If you are going through something, then it is only temporary. You can put an end to it right now – speak your blessings into existence. You can call it the laws of attraction, karma, whatever – but the concept is simple. If you spend your time complaining about your job, finances, life situation, weight, relationship, etc., you are wallowing in your current situation. Things are not going to change because you are not ready to accept the blessings God has for you. Plain and simple. Whatever it is you think you are going through, someone else is going through a more difficult time.

However – if you believe that you are blessed, speak it, and start LIVING it – everything will change for the better. I guarantee it. If you start being positive, smiling more, telling people how you are blessed – you attract more of that to yourself!

Think about every bad situation you have encountered in the past that you thought was crucial at the time – you have come out of it, correct? Are you not alive and living your life now? Pinch yourself. YOU ARE BLESSED!

Let me be the living testimonial. If anything this last three to four years of my life has taught me, it is that you never know what God has in store for you. He has blessings that you cannot even image prepared for you – BUT you have to be ready and willing to receive them. My life is far from perfect – BUT I have my health, I have the love and support of my family and friends, I am happy, and I have been blessed. Once I realized that and started proclaiming it – things turned around and I became READY to receive God’s blessings. Now, every time I come across a challenge or setback in life I don’t get upset or let it affect me in the long term – I give myself 5-10 minutes let my emotions get back into check. Then I flip it – instead of dwelling on it for the rest of the day/week/month - I get excited about the blessing that is waiting for me around the corner. I began to take bad situations and look at the blessing that allowed me to get to that point. For example - as a small business owner I face turmoil and problems around every corner – but GOD gave me the ability to be a small business owner – which is the REAL blessing. It took a long time for me to make this change and start looking at things this way, but guess what happened when I started doing this? Life changed for me!

Like I said, it was on my heart that someone needed this today – so if it is not you then you can take it for what it is. I love all of my friends and family and only wish you the best in life and all of the blessings that are waiting for you.

- Presario

State Fair of Texas 2007 Discounted Price Promotions

2007-10-21T00:00:00.000-06:00

Here is a list of the 2007 State Fair discounts. All information gathered from publicly available information and subject to change. For general fair information including tickets and parking visit:
http://www.bigtex.com/generalinfo/ticketsparking/

State Fair of Texas 2007 Discounted Price Promotions (if you cannot see the list, click the full post link below):

Participating North Texas KROGER stores
Advance purchase General Admission tickets are $12.50. A Season Pass is
$29.95. They may be purchased at the check-out counter or at the service
desk.

DALLAS FALL GARDEN GETAWAY COMBO TICKET
Two great garden destinations for one low price of $17 ($22 value). The combo ticket includes a one-day admission to the 2007 State Fair of Texas and a one-day admission to the Dallas Arboretum (expires 12/31/2007). GROUP TICKETS: Round up your friends and save on groups of 20 or more! Details Click here for a printable group tickets order form.

Opening Day
Sept. 28--Bring a full 20 oz. Coca-Cola product for donation
to the North Texas Food Bank containers at Fair admission gates and
enter the State Fair for $4 per donation per person.

Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays
Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and
enter for $3. Most rides (excluding the Thrillway and the Texas Star)
are 5 coupons.

Kroger "Three for $1" each Wednesday
Admission is $1 for each visitor
bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks.

Coke $4 Thursday
Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product
and enter the Fair for $4 admission.

Seniors FREE Thursdays
Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the
State Fair FREE each Thursday.

FREE Thursday admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub.

Any Day
McDonald's offers $3 off General Admission with one of their
State Fair coupons any day of the Fair. Each $3-off-General Admission
ticket allows you to bring in one child for free. Offer may not be
combined with any other offer.

Go out and have some fun with the friends and family!

- Presario

Smokey Robinson - 'The Black American'

2007-10-04T23:46:00.000-06:00

I recently received an email with an audio clip of this poem, and I thought it was very powerful. Unfortunately, parts of the audio clip were missing and you didn't get the whole poem. So, I did some research and dug up the YouTube video clip and transcript. Enjoy - it is deep!

- Presario

Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_KKyw8V-l0

An below is the actual poem (Courtesy of Poetology.com):

"The Black American" - by Smokey Robinson

(if you cannot see the poem after this line, click the 'View Full Post' link below):

I love being Black. I love being called Black. I love being an American.
I love being a Black American, but as a Black man in this country I think it’s a shame
That every few years we get a change of name.
Since those first ships arrived here from Africa that came across the sea
There were already Black men in this country who were free.
And as for those that came over here on those terrible boats,
They were called niggah and slave And told what to do and how to behave.
And then master started trippin' and doing his midnight tippin',
Down to the slave shacks where he forced he and Great-Great Grandma to be together,
And if Great-Great Grandpa protested, he got tarred and feathered.
And at the same time, the Black men in the country who were free,
Were mating with the tribes like the Apache and the Cherokee.
And as a result of all that, we're a parade of every shade.
And as in this late day and age, you can be sure, They ain't too many of us in this country whose bloodline is pure.
But, according to a geological, geographical, genealogy study published in Time Magazine,
The Black African people were the first on the scene,
So for what it's worth, the Black African people were the first on earth
And through migration, our characteristics started to change, and rearrange,
To adapt to whatever climate we migrated to. And that's how I became me, and you became you.
So, if we gonna go back, let's go all the way back,
And if Adam was Black and Eve was Black, Then that kind of makes it a natural fact that everybody in America is an African American.
Everybody in Europe is an African European; everybody in the Orient is an African Asian And so on and so on,
That is, if the origin of man is what we’re gonna go on.
And if one drop of Black blood makes you Black like they say,
Then everybody's Black anyway.
So quit trying to change my identity.
I'm already who I was meant to be
I'm a Black American, born and raised.
And brother James Brown wrote a wonderful phrase,
"Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud! Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud!"
Cause I'm proud to be Black and I ain't never lived in Africa,
And ‘cause my Great-Great Granddaddy on my Daddy’s side did, don't mean I want to go back.
Now I have nothing against Africa, It's where some of the most beautiful places and people in the world are found.
But I've been blessed to go a lot of places in this world, And if you ask me where I choose to live, I pick America, hands down.
Now, by and by, we were called Negroes, and after while, that name has vanished.
Anyway, Negro is just how you say “black” in Spanish.
Then, we were called colored, but sh*t, everybody’s one color or another,
And I think it’s a shame that we hold that against each other.
And it seems like we reverted back to a time when being called Black was an insult,
Even if it was another Black man who said it, a fight would result,
Cause we’ve been so brainwashed that Black was wrong,
So that even the yellow niggahs and black niggahs couldn’t get along.
But then, came the 1960s when we struggled and died to be called equal and Black,
And we walked with pride with our heads held high and our shoulders pushed back,
And Black was beautiful.
But, I guess that wasn’t good enough,
Cause now here they come with some other stuff.
Who comes up with this sh*t anyway?
Was it one, or a group of niggahs sitting around one day?
Feelin’ a little insecure again about being called Black And decided that African American sounded a little more exotic.
Well, I think you were being a little more neurotic.
It’s that same mentality that got “Amos and Andy” put off the air, Cause’ they were embarrassed about the way the character’s spoke.
And as a result of that action, a lot of wonderful Black actors ended up broke.
When we were just laughin’ and have fun about ourselves.
So I say, “f*ck you if you can’t take a joke.”
You didn’t see the “Beverly Hillbillies” being protested by white folks.
And if you think, that cause you think that being called African American set all Black people’s mind at ease…..
Since we affectionately call each other “niggah”,
I affectionately say to you, “niggah Please”.
How come I didn’t get the chance to vote on who I’d like to be?
Who gave you the right to make that decision for me?
I ain’t under your rule or in your dominion
And I am entitled to my own opinion.
Now there are some African Americans here,
But they recently moved here from places like Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Zaire.
But, now the brother who’s family has lived in the country for generations,
Occupying space in all the locations
New York, Miami, L.A., Detroit, Chicago-
Even if he’s wearing a dashiki and sporting an afro.
And, if you go to Africa in search of your race,
You’ll find out quick you’re not an African American, You’re just a Black American in Africa takin’ up space.
Why you keep trying to attach yourself to a continent,
Where if you got the chance and you went,
Most people there would even claim you as one of them;
as a pure bread daughter or son of them.
Your heritage is right here now, no matter what you call yourself or what you say
And a lot of people died to make it that way.
And if you think America is a leader on inequality and suffering and grievin’
How come there so many people comin’ and so few leavin’?
Rather than all this ‘find fault with America’ f*ck you promotin’,
If you want to change something, use your privilege, get to the polls! Commence to votin’!
God knows we’ve earned the right to be called American Americans and be free at last.
And rather than you movin’ forward progress, you dwelling in the past.
We’ve struggled too long; we’ve come too far.
Instead of focusing on who we were, let’s be proud of who we are.
We are the only people whose name is always a trend.
When is this sh*t gonna end?
Look at all the different colors of our skin-
Black is not our color. It’s our core.
It’s what we been livin’ and fightin’ and dyin’ for.
But if you choose to be called African American and that’s your preference
Then I ‘ll give you that reference
But I know on this issue I don’t stand alone on my own and if I do, then let me be me
And I’d appreciate it if when you see me,
you’d say, “there goes a man who says it loud I’m Black. I’m Black. I’m a Black American, and I’m proud
Cause I love being an American. And I love being Black. I love being called Black.
Yeah, I said it, and I don’t take it back.

Written by Smokey Robinson
Premiered on Def Poets, 3rd Season May 16, 2003 (c)

Six People Die from Brain-Eating Amoeba

2007-09-29T11:42:00.000-06:00

Wow, this almost sounds like one of those spoof urban legends, but it is not. This is actually real. How can you tell a real article from a fake? The key things are that A) It is an actual article with a link on MSN and it is written by Associated Press, B) It is actually backed by the CDC (Center of Disease Control) and C) It doesn’t say ‘Forward this to everyone you know’ in the body of the story.

- Presario

6 die from brain-eating amoeba
Rare organism that lives in lakes entered victims’ bodies through the nose

The Associated Press (Featured on MSN.com)
Updated: 1:36 p.m. CT Sept 28, 2007

PHOENIX - It sounds like science fiction but it’s true: A killer amoeba living in lakes enters the body through the nose and attacks the brain where it feeds until you die.

Even though encounters with the microscopic bug are extraordinarily rare, it’s killed six boys and young men this year. The spike in cases has health officials concerned, and they are predicting more cases in the future.

“This is definitely something we need to track,” said Michael Beach, a specialist in recreational waterborne illnesses for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This is a heat-loving amoeba. As water temperatures go up, it does better,” Beach said. “In future decades, as temperatures rise, we’d expect to see more cases.”

According to the CDC, the amoeba called Naegleria fowleri (nuh-GLEER-ee-uh FOWL’-erh-eye) killed 23 people in the United States, from 1995 to 2004. This year health officials noticed a spike with six cases — three in Florida, two in Texas and one in Arizona. The CDC knows of only several hundred cases worldwide since its discovery in Australia in the 1960s.

See the full article on MSN at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21034344/from/ET/

What is Stepping? How Do Iota's Step?

2007-09-26T09:15:00.000-06:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I often talk about my fraternity - Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. This is mainly because I was a charter member of the chapter at Stephen F. Austin State University - and worked hard with five other gentleman to bring the new organization onto campus.

When I wear my t-shirts and paraphernalia, there are two main questions I get from people:
A) People that have not pledged a historically black organization ask, "'What is stepping?" or "I just saw the movie 'Stomp the Yard', do you guys do that?"
B) Since Iota is the youngest (we were founded in 1963) organization in the National Pan-Hellenic Council of nine black greek organizations, the comment/question that I get from older members of these organizations is, "We didn't have Iotas on campus when I pledged. What does it look like when Iota's step?"

Well, hopefully this post will answer both questions at the same time. (If you can't see the rest of the post, click the 'Full Post' link below.)

To answer the first question, according to Wikipedia, "Stepping or step-dancing is a form of percussive dance in which the participant's entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps. Though stepping may be performed by an individual, it is generally performed by groups of three or more, often in arrangements that resemble military formations." Popularized by National Pan-Hellenic Council member organizations, who perform at local and national competitions, stepping has been featured in films and shows such as School Daze (1988), Mac and Me (1988), Drumline (2002), Stomp the Yard (2007), and the following TV series: A Different World, Sister, Sister, Seinfeld, and Cheers. Stepping is also performed by groups in schools, churches, cheerleading squads and drill teams."

To technical for you? There are links to video clips of an Iota step team later in the post. A quick search on YouTube for 'Step Teams' or 'Step Shows' will also give you some examples from other organizations.

Now to answer the second question. Although each individual chapter of an organization steps different, most historically black greek organizations have their signature step. The 'Centaur Walk' is the signature step for Iota. With the 'new school' Iotas (brothers that have pledged in the 90's and 2000's) another move that is becoming a signature step for us is the 'Human Jump Rope.' It is better to show you than to tell you. Check out the links below from the 'Owtlaw Coalition', which is an All-Star step team that consists of members from different chapters and universities in Texas.

Owtlaw Coalition - http://www.youtube.com/user/IOTA63
Part Into - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blUm2ndcfFg
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDygWx0DU5s
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ymiQoy6chU
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNVJiZ5puJg
Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lLs1AszbSY
Part 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmrfvvl254E
Part 6 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EKn9YU4bg0

There are seven parts total including the intro, so be sure to click on each link to see the entire show. If you are at work or around kids - on part 6 you might want to stop it right after the stepping or watch your volume at the end, because there is a curse word in the chant from the crowd (after about 3 mins15 sec into the movie.)

By the way - for those of you wondering where the name Presario came from, it was my line name given to me when I crossed (finished pledging the organization.)

That is my greek education for the day. Enjoy!

Presario
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.
Duece - Delta Xi Chapter Charter Member - Spring 2000
Stephen F. Austin State University

Don't Forget to Renew Your DoNotCall.org Listing!

2007-09-25T23:37:00.000-06:00

Around five years ago the government launched a website called www.donotcall.gov, in which you could submit your telephone number to avoid being called by telemarketers. What people have forgotten is that the submission is only good for five years. Therefore if you submitted your number when the website first was created, it is time to resubmit your number. Otherwise, your number will be available to start receiving phone calls again this year.

Remember that telemarketers have 31 days from when you submit the number to stop calling you. Organizations engaged in charitable, political or survey work are exempt. Companies that have an established business relationship with a customer also may call for up to 18 months after the last purchase, payment or delivery.

According to Yahoo News, in the first week of the program back in June of 2003 people signed up 18 million numbers. The registry now has more than 149 million phone numbers.

Also according to Yahoo News, while polls have shown consumers reporting far fewer unwanted phone calls, some telemarketers continue to violate the law. Since the registry began, the government has filed cases against more than 30 companies, resulting in $8.8 million in civil penalties and $8.6 million in redress to consumers and forfeitures.

There has been an urban legend going around that cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketers, and that these numbers now need to be added to the list. This is not true - Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers on their cell phones without their consent. For more information on this false email and its claims see the article, 'The Truth About Cell Phones and and the Do Not Call Registry."

To submit or resubmit your number, go to www.donotcall.gov. Make sure that you use a valid email address when you submit your number, and that you actually click on the link in the email they send you. Otherwise, your number will not be added to the list.

- Presario

Megan Williams Raped and Tortured For One Week in a Hate Crime

2007-09-25T19:26:00.001-06:00

While the media is sensationalizing the OJ hotel theft case, this has gone virtually unreported. I have heard about it from various people and found articles after searching on CNN - but it is not getting prime coverage.

Megan Williams was tortured and raped for a whole week by six white individuals - three males and three females between the ages of 20 and 49. CNN normally does not reveal sexual assault victims' names. However, Williams and her mother, Carmen Williams, wanted her identity revealed.

This event happened in West Virginia, USA very recently and as of Wednesday, September 12th 2007, Megan Williams was still being treated in the hospital.

Police said Bobby Brewster raped Williams, forced her to lick blood and drink from a toilet, and told his mother to kill Williams if she tried to escape. Authorities previously said Williams was also forced to eat rat and dog feces.

According to criminal complaints filed in the county, Williams was assaulted, stabbed in the left leg, choked with cords and beaten for at least a week. When she was found, big parts of her hair had also been torn off of her scalp. Williams says that Alisha Burton 22 cut her ankle with a knife while saying, "That's what we do to Niggers around here," police records show.

"I don't understand a human being doing another human being the way they did my daughter," Carmen Williams told The Associated Press on Tuesday from her daughter's hospital room. "I didn't know there were people like that out here."

Deputies received a tip and Saturday visited a home owned by Frankie Brewster in Big Creek, West Virginia. As the deputies spoke with a woman on the front porch, "a female inside the residence limped toward the door with her arms held out, saying 'Help me,' " according to a news release from the sheriff's department.
"It's something you'd expect to see in a horror movie, not in Logan County," Abraham said. "She was subjected to unendurable torture down there."

The six are charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and battery. If convicted of kidnapping, a suspect could face a sentence of up to life in prison. The penalty for first-degree sexual assault is 15 to 35 years.

Abraham said he is seeking the maximum sentence on the kidnapping charges. In addition to the Brewsters, the suspects are Danny J. Combs, 20, of Harts, West Virginia; and George A. Messer, 27, Karen Burton, 46, and her daughter, Alisha Burton, 23, all of Chapmanville, West Virginia.
"They all have previous records and have been arrested numerous times," Sheriff W.E. Hunter said Tuesday. "They are familiar to law enforcement."

Frankie Brewster was charged with first-degree murder in 1994, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of an 84-year-old woman. She was released in 2000 after serving five years in prison, according to court records cited by the AP. All of the six individuals that are involved in this case are accused of 108 different cases of crimes all combined. All six were being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, and all requested court-appointed attorneys, the AP reported. Investigators are still looking for two other people suspected of driving Williams to the home, according to the AP.

According to CNN, representatives of several black churches appealed to prosecutors Thursday to pursue hate-crime or civil-rights charges against six white people accused of torturing a black woman over several days.

Logan County prosecutors say they have not ruled out hate-crime charges but are focusing on the counts already filed, including kidnapping and sexual assault, which have tougher maximum sentences. Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, have not sought civil-rights charges.

"The family is aghast and totally devastated by the findings of the Logan prosecutor that this barbaric, heinous, despicable [crime] is not one of racial hatred," said the Rev. Emanuel Heyliger of the Ferguson Memorial Baptist Church in Dunbar.

Logan County Prosecutor Brian Abraham urged patience.

"We're still working the case, even today," he said. "I'll make that determination when the investigation is concluded, but I want to focus on the most serious crimes that carry the stiffest penalties."

Authorities also said the fact that Megan Williams knew one of her alleged attackers played a role in their decision not to pursue hate-crime or civil-rights charges at this time. Heyliger, speaking outside the Charleston hospital where Williams is being treated, rejected that explanation.

"Whether she was known by or known to any one of these perpetrators, that is no reason why this case should not be treated as it should, and that is as a hate crime," said Heyliger, who was joined by representatives of another Dunbar church and an association of black churches in Charleston.

Spread this article since the news stations are not trying to focus on this subject...

More information at the links below:
http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2007091022
http://www.tarpy.net/2007/US/09/12/woman.tortured/index.html
http://beta.cnn.com/2007/US/09/13/woman.tortured.ap/index.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296429,00.html

- Presario

Top Jobs in 2012

2007-09-25T11:54:00.000-06:00

MSN did an interesting article on the Top 10 future jobs (in the year 2012). They are:

•Organic food producers, retailers
•Computational biologists
•Parallel programmers
•Data technologists
•Simulation engineers
•Boomer companions, caretakers
•Genetic counseling
•Brain analysts
•Space tour guide
•Robot builders, tenders

For a full description of what each job is along with the estimated salary, read the full article at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20283894/?pg=1#biz_FOB_future_jobs

Fake Email Alert - Target and Walmart Gang Initiation

2007-09-24T10:10:00.000-06:00

Another one bites the dust...

So the latest in fake emails going around that I received is one about a Mexican gang called MG that is targeting females in Houston and Washington D.C. This is a variation of an email that has been going around since 2005, and has been classified as fake by Snopes.com. Below is a copy of the version of the email that I received (if yiu can't see the email below, click on the full post link at the bottom of this entry):

TARGET AND WAL-MART ALERT!!!

ANYONE WHO SHOPS AT WAL-MART or TARGET!!!!!!

There is a new gang out called The MG. They are a Mexican gang. They go to Target and Wal-Mart to look for black females, young or old. They get into the gang by killing a black female. They are currently in Arundel County, Prince George & Washington D.C.

There is no telling when they will be in this area. Therefore, please be aware of your surroundings when going to these locations. Whenever possible take a male or another female with you. This gang is dangerous, they do not hold out, they will not hesitate to take your life or the life of your loved ones.

PASS THIS ON TO ALL BLACK FEMALES (AND MALES)

THIS IS NOT A GAME! PLEASE BE CAREFUL!

According to Snopes.com, the rumor appeared to have begun in July of 2005 in Memphis, Tennessee when a woman says she overhead in a bathroom two 'gang members' talking about this initiation. The rumor was unsubstantiated - there was no guarantee that the woman who reported it actually did hear such a conversation or, even if she did, that the people she heard speaking weren't playing a practical joke on her. In addition, Major Pat Lovett of the Metro Gang Unit in Memphis, Tennessee, says that in her 25 years on the force in Memphis she had never know gang initiation to include murder. Initiations, she said, are more likely to include assault and battery or robbery. For the full story, visit http://www.snopes.com/crime/gangs/memphis.asp.

All females should be aware of their surroundings because of the country we live in, but this particular email seems to be a fake.

- Presario

Avoid Buying Flip Flops at Wal-Mart

2007-08-23T11:11:00.000-06:00

Many products coming out of China are now being recalled due to unsafe materials. They are using these materials to make products and get away with it due to a lack of regulation in foreign country sweat shops. There have already been recalls of children’s toys because it was found that lead was is MIXED in with the paint. Now, a new case has developed that is not even being addressed. Visit the link below to see what happened when a customer bought a pair of cheap $3 flip flops from Wal-mart:

Warning: If you can’t stand looking at sores and scabs – you might not want to visit the link below.

http://www.lamanaphotography.com/walmart2.htm

Sometimes cheaper doesn’t always mean better…

Presario

Fake Email Alert - No Two Moon Sighting on August 27

2007-08-09T10:33:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,

Looks like we got another fake email circulating. Sorry, there will not be any two moon sighting on August 27, 2007. See the links below for confirmation:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_mars_encounter.htm
or
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_mars_encounter_2006.htm

In case you didn't get the fake email, there is a copy of the version I received below. I will leave my sources unnamed (you know who you are - tsk, tsk!)

- Presario

**Two moons on 27 August* 11 pm CST (12 pm EST) in
USA.

You may be interested. Show two moons to children.
Mark the date on your calendar. Let us hope the sky is
not cloudy. This time translates to 11 pm CST (12 pm
EST) in USA.Please pass it on. Letʼs not miss this
spectacle!!**Two moon on 27 August*

*27th August the Whole World is waiting
for.............* Planet Mars will be the brightest in
the night sky starting August.It will look as large as
the full moon to the naked eye. This will cultivate on
Aug. 27 when Mars comes within 34.65M miles of earth.
Be sure to watch the sky on Aug. 27 12:30 am IST. It
will look like the earth has 2 moons.

The next time Mars may come this close is in
2287.Share this with your friends as NO ONE ALIVE
TODAY will ever see it again. *

'60s Gwen Verdon Walks It Out

2007-08-01T12:26:00.000-06:00

I was laughing so hard my stomach still hurts while typing this!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NIGbhPLZmjY

Amazing how even though the video is from the 60's, some of the dances are still done today and it matches with the music almost perfectly!

- Presario

The Jena Six - Modern Day Open Racism

2007-07-29T09:02:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone,

I just learned about a case of segregation-era oppression happening today in Jena, Louisiana. I signed onto ColorOfChange.org's campaign for justice in Jena, and wanted to invite you to do the same.

http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/?id=1889-213643

If you are on the front page and can't see the full story below, click on the 'Read full post...' link at the bottom of this entry.

Last fall in Jena, the day after two Black high school students sat beneath the "white tree" on their campus, nooses were hung from the tree. When the superintendent dismissed the nooses as a "prank," more Black students sat under the tree in protest. The District Attorney then came to the school accompanied by the town's police and demanded that the students end their protest, telling them, "I can be your best friend or your worst enemy... I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen."

A series of white-on-black incidents of violence followed, and the DA did nothing. But when a white student was beaten up in a schoolyard fight, the DA responded by charging six black students with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

It's a story that reads like one from the Jim Crow era, when judges, lawyers and all-white juries used the justice system to keep blacks in "their place." But it's happening today. The families of these young men are fighting back, but the story has gotten minimal press. Together, we can make sure their story is told and that the Governor of Louisiana intervenes and provides justice for the Jena 6. It starts now. Please join me:

http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/?id=1889-213643

The noose-hanging incident and the DA's visit to the school set the stage for everything that followed. Racial tension escalated over the next couple of months, and on November 30, the main academic building of Jena High School was burned down in an unsolved fire. Later the same weekend, a black student was beaten up by white students at a party. The next day, black students at a convenience store were threatened by a young white man with a shotgun. They wrestled the gun from him and ran away. While no charges were filed against the white man, the students were later arrested for the theft of the gun.

That Monday at school, a white student, who had been a vocal supporter of the students who hung the nooses, taunted the black student who was beaten up at the off-campus party and allegedly called several black students "nigger." After lunch, he was knocked down, punched and kicked by black students. He was taken to the hospital, but was released and was well enough to go to a social event that evening.

Six Black Jena High students, Robert Bailey (17), Theo Shaw (17), Carwin Jones (18), Bryant Purvis (17), Mychal Bell (16) and an unidentified minor, were expelled from school, arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder. The first trial ended last month, and Mychal Bell, who has been in prison since December, was convicted of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery (both felonies) by an all-white jury in a trial where his public defender called no witnesses. During his trial, Mychal's parents were ordered not to speak to the media and the court prohibited protests from taking place near the courtroom or where the judge could see them.

Mychal is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31st, and could go to jail for 22 years. Theo Shaw's trial is next. He will finally make bail this week.

The Jena Six are lucky to have parents and loved ones who are fighting tooth and nail to free them. They have been threatened but they are standing strong. We know that if the families have to go it alone, their sons will be a long time coming home. But if we act now, we can make a difference.

Join me in demanding that Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco get involved to make sure that justice is served for Mychal Bell, and that DA Reed Walters drop the charges against the 5 boys who have not yet gone to trial.

Do your part by at least visiting the website and sending out the appropriate emails. Go to http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/?id=1889-213643

- Presario

Dell Limited Time Laptop Deal - $470 off

2007-07-19T22:54:00.000-06:00

Here is a really good machine (especially for the price) that I received in my Dell Business Email:

Dell Small Business has their Inspiron 6400 with Core2Duo T5600 processor for $1,119 - $50 instant discount - $470 with coupon code QL1$P6CWLWTX27 = $599. Shipping is free. Specifications:
· Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
· 1GB DDR2 Memory, 2 DIMM
· 120GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
· 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife (glossy)
· 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
· Windows XP Home
· Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
· Dell Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
· 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory
· 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
· 1-Year Warranty

You can’t beat the $470 off with the coupon code, but I don’t know when it expires so you would probably have to order it pretty soon.

- Presario

City of Dallas Giving Away Free Window A/C Units

2007-07-18T14:57:00.000-06:00

Everybody,

If you know of anyone that does not currently have central air or a window air conditioning unit. Please call 214-819-6001, they are being given away by the County of Dallas for anyone who meets this criteria, needs it, and can come and pick them up.

From what I understand they are new and still in the box. Feel free to pass this information on.

- Presario

New Texas Traffic Laws Email is a Fake

2007-07-03T20:43:00.000-06:00

Here is another reason why you shouldn't believe everything you get in your email.

It turns out that the email that has been floating around for the past month or so about new traffic laws in Texas is just not completely true. According to NBC news in Dallas/Ft. Worth, the email is actually citing a modification of some new California laws combined with made up laws. Just like a lot of 'fake news' passed around the internet, it was probably created to stir up attention and controversy. See the link below for more details:

http://www.nbc5i.com/entertainment/13595335/detail.html

In case you didn't receive the email, the one I received went something like this:

Subject: FW: NEW LAWS AS OF JULY 1
Importance: High

Thought this was worth sharing…… Heads up to Texas drivers as new laws go into effect this Sunday…..
We will need to get hands free attachments for the cell phone, take a look at the others as well.

Starting July 07..

1. Carpool lane - 1st time $1068.50 starting 7/1/07 (The $271 posted
on the highway is old). Don't do it again because 2nd time is going to be
double. 3rd time triple, and 4th time license suspended.

2. Incorrect lane change - $380. Don't cross the lane on solid lines or intersections.

3. Block intersection - $485

4. Driving on the shoulder - $450

5. Cell phone use in the construction zone. - Double fine as of 07/01/07.
Cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving.
6. Passengers over 18 not in their seatbelts - both passengers and drivers get tickets .

7. Speeders can only drive 3 miles above the limit.

8. DUI = JAIL (Stays on your driving record for 10 years!)

9. As of 07/01/07 cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving.
Ticket is $285. They will be looking for this like crazy - easy money for police department.

The moral of the story is: Don't just pass an email on before doing your research! If it is a big news item like this - you probably would have heard of it somewhere else besides through an email.

- Presario

The Next Jennifer Hudson

2007-07-03T15:35:00.000-06:00

Watch this little girl's version of Jennifer Hudson. She is a cutie!

http://www.broadcaster.com/clip/20164

- Presario

Shoes.com 35% of Sale Items Coupon

2007-06-13T13:10:00.000-06:00

Shoes.com has a new 35% off coupon that will work on any sale items. Use the coupon code 35OFFSALE, which is applicable to all items in your cart. It does not work on regular priced items. Shipping is free.

Sale items by department:

- Presario

Amazon is now selling groceries online!

2007-06-13T07:13:00.000-06:00

In case you haven't heard, Amazon is now selling non-perishable grocery items! They offer over 22,000 non-perishable items including some of your favorite brands, shipped to your door, just like any other Amazon.com purchase. They have also recently introduced the Subscribe and Save program which is a great way to save money on items you use routinely.

What is the advantage of buying grocery items online? You can click on the banner below and sign up for routine convenient delivery of products such as coffee, shampoos, laundry detergent or diapers and receive a 15% discount off Amazon's already low prices and free shipping on these items. Forget having to remember to go to the grocery store!

It is worth at least clicking on the banner and taking a look at what they have.

- Presario

Tyler Perry's New Show Previews Tonight - June 6th, 2007

2007-06-06T09:52:00.000-06:00

Tyler Perry has a new show called 'House of Payne' that premiers tonight. Take a look at the preview – funny stuff. Looks like if you’re a Tyler Perry and a Madea fan – this show might be for you!

http://www.tbs.com/video/0,,110825,00.html

Personally, I am a fan of Tyler Perry's plays and movies. If you have cable - make sure you support him!

- Presario

Akon Throws a Kid Off the Stage

2007-06-05T11:22:00.000-06:00

This dude has lost his mind. Fresh off of the incident where he got freaky with an underage girl on stage and had to make a public apology (http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2007/05/2532/), Akon has gotten himself into some more trouble.

As you will see in the video (if you haven't seen it already), a little kid throws a piece of paper at him while he is on stage. Watch his reaction! (Warning - there is a curse word in the video clip in case you are at work or around children...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0bi3bM_7jo

Here it is from another angle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNwwsSruMe0

And here is a full clip (but the camera is turned sideways.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXROma5xBaI

C'mon man, you are at a concert for teenagers. Show some responsibility! If I was the kid's parents, I would be highly upset.

- Presario

Dockers and JcPenney Free Round Trip Promotion

2007-05-31T19:46:00.000-06:00

Another great deal! I read through the fine print and there doesn't seem to be a catch...

- Presario

Dockers and JC Penney are running a promotion for a free round-trip ticket from select airports to select destinations with a $125 purchase of Dockers brand clothing at JC Penney stores using this redemption form. Full terms and conditions.

Available destinations:

Boston
New York
San Francisco
Dallas
Las Vegas
Orlando
Los Angeles
Chicago
Washington D.C.
Miami

To locate available departure airports, click here.

Best Buy's Memorial Day 10% Off Coupon

2007-05-23T05:50:00.000-06:00

Because of my kind and generous nature, I ran across this deal in one of my email newsletters and decided to pass it on.

- Presario

Best Buy is running a Memorial Day Special and has printable coupons that can be redeemed in their stores for 10% or 12% off various items; including TVs $399 and up; select computer accessories; digital cameras $279 & up; and all regularly priced Music, Movies, Video Games and PC Games (exclusions apply, valid until 5/28/07).

Click Here for the Coupon

Amazing BeatBox Talent from Around the World

2007-05-18T14:00:00.000-06:00

I remember me and my brother beatboxing back in the day. We never got this good – these are some pretty talented guys!

- Presario

Faith SFX

One of my students saw this guy perform live and sent me the links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb1f11ZGrnY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIZac-AT2LY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpaCAgau6sk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4LBYhrTOpU

Joel Turner

This guy got his first exposure on Austrailian Idol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEcvfCqmjCM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByF0pp-dVEo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UegEn_7h1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHkLZZQgqms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2huHrDaT0ko

Last year they went head to head at the Beatbox World Championship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgBcBgTfBiA

The Truth About Forwarded Emails

2007-05-07T23:22:00.000-06:00

Read below. I have been screaming this all along, but sometimes you need hard proof to make people open their eyes! Next, I just need to find some hard proof about using the BCC: vs. the CC: so you can stop giving spammers all your friend’s emails. Maybe I will write a letter to snopes.com…

- Presario

Subject: Forwarded E-Mails, Please Read

From Snopes.com

To whom it concerns:

A word to the wise. E-mail petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress or any other municipality. To be acceptable petitions must have signed signatures and your full address. Same with "prayer chains" -be wary.

Almost all e-mails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards All it was, and all this type of e-mail is, is to get names and "cookies" tracking info for tele-marketers and spammers to validate active e-mail accounts for their own purposes.

Any time you see an e-mail that says forward this on to "10" of your friends, sign this petition, or you'll get good luck, or whatever, it has either an ! e-mail tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and e-mails of those folks you forward to, or the host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of "active" e-mails to use in spam e-mails, or sell to others that d o.

Please forward this notice to others and you will be providing a good service to your friends, and will be rewarded by not getting 30,000 spam e-mails in the future.

(If you have been sending out the above kinds of email, now you know why you get so much spam!)

Check it out: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.htm

Baskin-Robbins $0.31 Ice Cream Scoops

2007-05-02T09:16:00.000-06:00

Since you guys liked my Ben and Jerrys post so much, here is another ice cream special. Baskin-Robbins has a promotion you don't want to pass up!

On May 2, ice cream scoops will be just $.31! That's right, a 2.5 oz scoop for such a cheap price from 5 pm to 10pm. What's the catch? The money raised from the sale of these scoops will go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Baskin-Robbins will make a $100,000 donation to help families of fallen firefighters. Check out the link below for more details.

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/Promotion/31cent.aspx

- Presario

Independant Film/Documentary - "What Black Men Think"

2007-04-29T22:33:00.000-06:00

I received an email yesterday with a link to a YouTube Video called "Market for Ni$$as" (click here to watch the video.) The powerful title which highlighted the controversial topic on the use of the 'N' word sparked my curiosity, so I watched the video. Powerful, real words spoken without the political correctness of some of the racial tension 'ambulance chasers' we see on TV (I won't mention any names.)

My search to find out more about the video led me to find out that it is a clip from the documentary "What Black Men Think." Although the website did not show much, the official YouTube page containing six clips from the documentary contained some pretty interesting stuff (click here to see the page.) The video on this page alone is a must see for all those who have a misconception about statistics that are commonly quoted about black men.

I will be keeping an eye out to see how to purchase a copy of the video when it is released for sale. According to the blog on their MySpace page it will not be released until around Father's Day...

Here are some reference links for you:

What Black Men Think
YouTube Site - http://www.youtube.com/whatblackmenthink
MySpace Page - http://www.myspace.com/whatblackmenthink
Website - http://www.whatblackmenthink.com/

- Presario

Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team Accepts Don Imus' Apology

2007-04-26T07:56:00.000-06:00

In case you have been living on another planet and haven't heard, Don Imus made some inappropriate comments about the Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team on his television show (view the video clip by clicking here.) After a week of media mayhem, CBS finally pulled Imus' show from the air (read the NY Times article by clicking here.)

In the latest news, the Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team has recently accepted Don Imus' apology. The women he referred to as "nappy-headed hoes" turned out to be women of dignity and honor.

According to USA Today, Don's wife Deidre took his place on the air on the Friday morning when Imus' program wrapped up a long-planned two-day fundraiser. Imus' wife called the players "unbelievably courageous and beautiful." She also said Rutgers players had received hate e-mails and demanded that it stop. She told listeners "if you must send e-mail, send it to my husband," not the team. (Read the full article by clicking here.)

If you haven't seen the original video of Imus' comments, you can view it here:
http://www.presarioproductions.com/presariosays/imus.html

Summer Internship Opportunities

2007-04-25T15:51:00.000-06:00

I received these via email today. I don't know how dated they are, so as always -- do your research.

- Presario

--------------------------------

Summer Internship Opportunities

1. 'O' The Oprah Magazine is looking to hire fall interns in the Fashion and Style Departments. Candidates must be highly organized, detail-oriented and be able to juggle multiple tasks at once. Prior internship experience graduates who are available to start immediately, full-time from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 5 days a week. Send resumes with a cover letter to: Cindy M. del Rosario, Associate Editor O, The Oprah Magazine 1700 Broadway, 38th floor

2. Verizon is looking for students who are 2006 graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). If you know of someone graduating from a HBCU this year with a degree in Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Information Technology, General Business, Finance or Marketing, please have them forward their resume to: melissa.w.langham@verizon.com to be considered for career Opportunities within Verizon.

3. The Women's Technology Program at MIT is a 4-week summer residence program to introduce high school girls to electrical engineering and computer science. If you know a girl who is currently a high school junior who demonstrates math and science ability and an interest in finding out about EECS, please encourage her to visit our website for more information and for an application form (applications are due Feb 3, 2005) http://www.mit.edu/ http://www.mit.edu Our classes are taught in a supportive environment by a staff of women MIT PhD candidates and undergraduates. The full-time academic program includes hands-on experiments and team-based projects in computer science, electrical engineering, and mathematics. No prior experience in computer programming, physics, or electrical engineering is expected, but applicants typically have strong academic records, especially in math and science.

4. HARVARD'S TUITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Harvard is offering free tuition for students that have a family income below $40,000. If you are a mentor or have nieces and nephews who might be interested, please give this information. If you know any one/family earning less than $40K with a brilliant child near ready for college, please pass this along. To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $40,000 a year visit Harvard's financial aid website at: http://adm-is.fas..harvard.edu/FAO/index.htm http://adm-is.fas.harvard.edu/FAO/index.htm or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.

Home Depot's Free Earth Day Giveaway

2007-04-22T10:30:00.000-06:00

Since Earth Day is my Birthday - I thought I would give you another "eco-friendly" tip.

Home Depot is giving away 1,000,000 free n:vision compact fluorescent lightbulbs to customers who visit any Home Depot store on Earth Day - Sunday, April 22.

- Presario

Today is Ben & Jerry's Free Ice Cream Day

2007-04-17T11:30:00.000-06:00

I am just full of the giving spirit this month (maybe because Sunday is my birthday!). Here is another freebie for you:

Ben & Jerry's is giving away free ice cream today (April 17th) from 12pm until 8pm at participating scoop shops. Click here to find out which shops near you are participating.

Enjoy!
- Presario

$25 Restaurant Gift Certificates for $10

2007-04-11T08:25:00.000-06:00

The web's best kept secret - $25 Restaurant Gift Certificates for $10. Plus, you automatically get a free $10 certificate with every purchase.

Not only that, but for a limited time if you use the coupon code REWARD during checkout, you get 50% off of your purchase. So you guessed it, you can get a $25 gift certificate for $5.

Check it out - http://www.restaurant.com/

Don't say I didn't ever give you guys anything!

- Presario

Pimp My Ride - Earth Day Edition

2007-04-10T01:42:00.000-06:00

Since Earth Day is my birthday, then I figured why not post some articles on Earth Day events? This is not exactly a 'save the world' effort, but it seems like it would be fun to watch.

- Presario

Xzibit, Governor Schwarzenegger Pimp Rides For Earth Day With Earth Day 2007 coming up, MTV and the "Pimp My Ride" crew get a very special guest in the shop. As a part of a special Earth Day episode California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visits Xzibit, Mad Mike and the rest of the crew as they take a '65 Chevy Impala, and give it a one of a kind ecological alteration. "I would like to thank MTV and the entire 'Pimp my Ride' crew for shining the spotlight on the importance of alternative fuels and the fight against global warming," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am very encouraged by the great potential in converting vehicles to run on biodiesel as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I am pleased that the power of MTV's message will reach an audience throughout California and the nation to reinforce the benefits of alternative-fuel vehicles and protecting our environment." With the help of Galpin, Imperium Renewables, General Motors and others, the Impala will get an 800 horsepower diesel engine that will run on biodiesel, turning it into one extraordinary clean machine. The special episode will air on April 22nd at 1 p.m. ET/PT, as part of the thinkMTV (Think.MTV.com) year long, 12-step campaign "Break The Addiction" engaging, empowering, and educating millions of young people to make smart, everyday choices that both improve their life and help curb the impact of climate change and preserve the environment.

Read full story online:
http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2007/04/2407/

Noah Rattler's 1800 mile walk from Houston to California

2007-04-05T21:57:00.000-06:00

Now here is an example of someone walking the walk...literally. The following information was forwarded to me via email by one of my fraternity brothers, Terrance Phillips. He called me and asked me to rally support for someone who is working hard for a good cause. Can you help? Get involved!

- Presario

Noah Rattler, a graduate of Prairie View A & M University, is in Corsicana TX as of 4pm Central/ Standard time Thursday April, 5th 2007. He will be in Dallas on Monday April 9th, 2007 or Tuesday April 10th, which is the a major leg of his 1,800 mile WALK from HOUSTON, TX to LOS ANGELES, CA. His walk is appropriately titled "A WALK IN THIER SHOES," and his intention is to raise AWARENESS & CULTIVATE NATIONAL & LOCAL INVOLVEMENT to aid in the fight against NATIONWIDE HOMELESSNESS.

Between the rise in gas prices, corporate mergers, and the fact that we live in one of the HIGHEST FORECLOSURE markets in the NATION - maybe it is time we wake up. Many people that are living paycheck to paycheck may not be too far from a bad situation.

Lets get involved! Mr. Rattler and his associates are working on a location for a press conference when he arrives (they are open to any ideas you may have.) This is a great opportunity to cultivate AWARENESS & INVOLVEMENT not only now but for today, but for weeks, months, & years to come... especially since they have broken ground on the new 30 Million dollar homeless facility downtown!

If you or anyone you know can help, to obtain a press release, or for more info., please email phillips.tp@gmail.com or better yet contact Michon Benson, PhD at :

Michon Benson, PhD.
Texas Southern University
Department of English
MLK 153
3100 Cleburne
Houston, Texas 77004
713.851.8024
713.313.7981
bensonma@tsu.edu

You can visit his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/noahrattler.

You can also see a map of his route in the article on the Search Project's Website at http://www.searchproject.org/noah/

To download the official press release in .PDF format, click here.

He needs our support & prayers! LETS GET INVOLVED - this is a GREAT BEGINNING!

Here are some articles written about Noah's mission:

ARTICLE 1

A Houstonian Angel
By Natalie Baker
In the cozy, dimly lit Mocha Life coffee shop on Almeda, a partially-played chess set lay next to a large, illustrated book of impressionist painters in the center of a round, polished coffee table while Stevie Wonder's music intermingled with coffee drinkers' conversations and the aroma of freshly-brewed java.
Fittingly, a portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. hung just above the leather love seat where 29-year-old Houstonian, Noah Rattler, spoke passionately about both his humble beginnings in South Park, what many Houstonians endearingly refer to as the "Dead End," and about his plans to make the world a better place.
In less than two weeks, Noah will begin a journey of Biblical proportions – he is going to make a 1,800 mile walk from Houston to California. During a time when Black youth, particularly young Black men, are not readily associated with selfless endeavors, the Sterling high-school alumnus will brave innumerable dangers and complications, walking through deserts, badlands, and mountains to raise awareness about the nation's homeless.
With an air of humility, Noah said, "I plan to leave Houston on March 24, 2007, and make my way to Los Angles, California, on foot, to bring light to the plight of the homeless across the country." He added candidly, "My parents raised me to have a community spirit and compassion for others."
When he was still a college student at Prairie View A & M University, Noah began to take up the plight of the homeless after volunteering with the Houston Search Project. There, he gained what he described as "a real, street-level view" of what homelessness is.
"I came to the conclusion," Rattler said, "that if you notice a problem, you should do what you can to solve it." During the course of his four-month walk, Noah hopes to raise $1 million to advance Search's mission of eradicating homelessness.
Noah purchased a $250 tent and, having carefully charted a route, he will walk approximately 20 miles a day through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, before reaching Los Angles some time around mid-June. Daily, Noah prepares for his strenuous journey by drinking water, eating raw fruits and vegetables and one serving of meat. Most important to his regimen are his daily 15 to 20 mile walks around the city. On Sunday afternoons at three o'clock, a group of Noah's supporters meet at the sculpture on the hill at Hermann Park's Miller Outdoor Theatre to begin a refreshing seven mile stroll down Main Street.
With bachelor degrees in both physics and mechanical engineering, Noah has foregone his entrance into corporate America to tackle issues he considers more pressing than his own physical comfort.
"I am doing this unconventional thing to help people understand that not everyone chooses to be homeless and these are our brothers and sisters on the street. Most of them are hurting and need our help. And they deserve it," Rattler said.
In addition to helping homeless individuals across the nation, Noah hopes to serve as a role model for people in his community who might feel helpless and stuck.
Rattler said, "I am doing this to represent my community and to show the children that come from my community that [they] can do more than what [they] see around [them]. The youth in my neighborhood find guidance in a contemporary-urban lifestyle that leads [some of them] into gangs and selling drugs. I want people who are from the same place as [I am] to know that an avenue out of that lifestyle does exist if [they] choose to take it."
According to Noah, in 2006, there were 3.5 million reported homeless people in the United States, and 40 percent of them were children. Another startling fact about American homelessness that concerns Noah is that 49 percent of the homeless population consists of African-Americans, yet African-Americans only make up approximately 12 percent of the population.
"It's the same thing in the penitentiary," Noah added, "disproportionate numbers of African-Americans are in jails and on the streets."
Added to those figures are the disproportionate numbers of women and children who are victims of spousal abuse and who ultimately become homeless.
"I see a problem," he commented, "and I will be held responsible if I notice it and I don't do anything about it."
"Community" is the one word that Rattler uses to motivate him as he contemplates his long and arduous journey.
"[C]ommunity is a place wherein individuals and families all look out for one another. I am not walking by myself because everyone I have met has played some part in making me who I am…I am taking everyone that I have met -- friends, family, and community -- with me, I am not walking alone," Rattler said.
"I am a representative of my community. We are doing this; it is going to take the community to solve these problems because it is the community that is suffering from these problems," Rattler said with a contagious look of sincerity.
"Houstonians can spread the word that I am on the road, and in the same way that everyone is invited to join the Sunday Stroll, I would love them to be present at the send-off event on March 24th. Even if everyone cannot travel with me all the way to Los Angeles, every person who wants to eliminate homelessness can show that they symbolically walk for the homeless in their hearts," Rattler said.
For more information about Noah's journey, and to purchase an official "I am walking with Noah" T-shirt, please call Search Project at 713-739-7752 or email webmaster@searchproject.org .

ARTICLE 2

Great steps began in Houston
By Natalie Baker
On March 24, Noah Rattler gathered with family and friends in Downtown Houston before he began his arduous 1,800 mile journey to raise money and awareness for homelessness.
Light rain and joyful tears bathed the sidewalk in front of the Houston Search Project, the place where Rattler gained his actual knowledge of homelessness, as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presented Rattler with a certificate of congressional recognition.
"We stand before a quintessential icon of homeless presence here in Houston… this certificate is to acknowledge that Noah is deserving of the respect, accommodation, and admiration of the United States congress because he has lifted us up beyond the latest headline and [he] [is] walking enough to ensure those who are looking up to us [there] [is] a better quality of life," the congresswoman said.
Rattler responded to Congresswoman Lee and the crowd of supporters, who wore "I am walking with Noah" T-shirts, with humble appreciation.
"It feels good to see everyone here because the energy and vibe of the crowd assures me that I won't be walking by myself. This is a community experiment, and WE are doing this," Rattler said.
Larry Payne, the president of the Search Project, led the crowd in a chant: "Walk Noah, Walk," as he too expressed his appreciation for Rattler's time and efforts.
"It is a great thing that Noah has taken upon himself. He has volunteered with us for the past two years, and he decided that he wanted to give up four months of his life to make this journey to dramatize the need for consciousness about homelessness in the city…He is a special person," Payne said.
Payne is one of the many supporters who believed that Rattler possessed a special quality that made his decision to walk 1,800 miles an easy one to swallow.
"I knew that Noah was a special guy, he had a big heart and he was very giving. He just always thought differently than everyone else, and I was not surprised when he told me what he planned to do," Jason Luckett, Rattler's longtime friend, said.
Congresswoman Lee felt that Noah's efforts were something special, as she said, "Noah's name is significant. If you recall Noah was able to save us 2 by 2, so I believe as Noah walks, there will be 2 by 2, 3 by 3 and 4 by 4; and the consciousness will be raised about homelessness in America."
The crowd chanted the endearing phrase "Walk Noah, Walk," as the philanthropist began his journey at 10:49 a.m., which left many of his supporters like Shamika Holmes in tears.
"If anyone could do this, it is Noah because he has always been special. It is special that we have someone who cares about society and humanity. To be a young African-American man taking a step, my spirits are really high," Holmes smiled and said as Rattler's back faced his supporters, which began his journey of biblical proportions.

Problem Solving

2007-04-05T07:16:00.000-06:00

I received this joke via email, and thought I would share. It has a really good point!

- Presario

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route.

No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got
off, and things went generally well. At the next stop, however, a big hulk of
a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to
the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and
sat down at the back. Did I mention that the driver was five feet three,
thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big
John, but he wasn't happy about it.

The next day the same thing happened. Big John got on again, made a show
of refusing to pay, and sat down.

And the next day, and the one after that, and so forth. This grated on
the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking
advantage of him.

Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building
courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff. By the end of the
summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good
about himself.

So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said,
"Big John doesn't pay!" The driver stood up, glared back at the
passenger, and screamed, "And WHY NOT?" With a surprised look on his face, Big
John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."

Moral of the story:
"Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one."