Make your a** look good and help 'support' other women at the same time

If you're a woman, you've no doubt heard of Spanx. They are the modern day version of the girdle. These support undergarments are commonly referred to as 'shapers'.


The story of the founder of Spanx, Sara Blakely, is quite a good one.


Check it out here:


http://www.loveassets.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=3540153.3545195..3595080.cat

But the thing that I like about Blakely is that she listened when women told her that her product was too expensive. She responded by creating a line for Target called "Assets". And my favorite part of the line is that a portion of each sale goes to Blakely's Foundation, which 'supports' women in several ways.

To read more about the Sara Blakely Foundation, please go to:

http://www.loveassets.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=3540153.3545195..3557247.cat

I also viewed an inspiring profile of Blakely on CNBC's "The Entrepreneurs".  You can watch it here (via Hulu):
http://www.hulu.com/watch/66214/cnbc-originals-the-entrepreneurs

I mean, seriously, what's not to like about a woman who says this:

So, please 'support' this foundation if you can!!

*** Please note, all puns in this article were fully intended!! ***

Some give, some take: Is it the American Way?

So it was announced recently that Panera/St. Louis Bread Company has opened a charity venture in St. Louis, MO. In this restaurnt/bakery, there are no price lists, just suggestions for what customers should pay. There are no cash registers, just boxes for donations.

Will this store, now run as a not-for-profit venture, work?

Uhhmmmm.

I don't know.

While there are certainly generous people in the world, I tend to think that there are far more greedy people out there.

When this was reported on the news, most people interviewed seemed to think it would work, but at least one lady spoke up and said, 'Nope. It worn't work. People will just come in for free food."

I hate to agree with her, but I sort of do.

Truth is, I think Panera's prices are too high as it is. A sandwich or salad is $7 - 8 dollars. With a drink and tax, the final bill is around $10. I think the salads and sandwiches should be around $5. I would be willing to pay that. I bowl of soup is $5. I think it should be more like $3.

But, having said this, I would never go in and pay less than the suggested amount. If I don't have the money, then I wouldn't go there. It's that simple.

Unfornately, I don't think many people think like me.

I tend to think people are greedy. Look no further than our currently ecomonic situation. It's mainly because of greedy people.

And, just to drive home the point that when given the choice, most people will do the wrong thing, is this little story.

We used to have a recycling program thoughout the city. They were machines that accepted water bottles and in exchange gave vouchers for the grocery store. Patrons inserted one bottle at a time into the machine. Well, someone figured out a way to tie a string on a bottle and just keep running it through the scanner amassing thousands of dollars in vouchers. As you may have guessed, the machines were shut down and for a long time there was nowhere to take water bottles. Recyling became difficult and so many people stopped doing it and started throwing their bottles in the trash. bviously bad for the environment, but more importantly this little stunt really hurt the people that needed those machines the most, the poor. The people who used regularly used the machines were the ones who spent a significant amount of time collecting the bottles and then turned them in every day to get food.

So, once again, someone greedy messed it up for everyone.

In the good news area, the city opened new recycling centers. But because they have to be staffed, recyclers earn much less for their goods and they are only open two to three days week.

I talked to one man who said it was hard to store any bottles and wait for the sites to open given that he was homeless. He also said not being able to recycle every day meant he didn't eat every day.

So, while I do so wish that this venture by Panera will work, I don't hold out hope. But should one of these cafes open near me, I will make sure to post flyers about it at least two places for sure --- banks and recycling centers. Maybe then the customers who eat there will offset each other.

Law & Order: So close to a record

When NBC announced that the network had decided to cancel the long-running show "Law &Order", it was reported that Dick Wolf, creator of the show, was livid.

This I do not doubt for a minute. Wolf is not know for having a 'calm demeanor' or anything of the sort. But, one thing you can't argue with, the man knows his television. To have created this show, and almost single-handedly invented the television 'franchise', gives him a great amount of well-deserved clout.

Wolf has had his heart set on breaking the record for the longest running show on network television. The record, is currently held by "Gunsmoke". "Law & Order" is oh so close. About to wrap up its 20th season, the show has tied "Gunsmoke", but needs one more season to break the record.

Now NBC has taken the chance at the record away by canceling the show. Well, they think they're canceling it, but if my money is on any one getting their way, it's on Wolf.

Having met him a few years ago, to say he's a tough nut is an understatement. Besides, Wolf still has dealings with NBC that he can use as leverage to get what he wants. He has the successful "Law & Order: SVU" and the new "Law & Order: Los Angeles" to bargain with. NBC has seemed to like working with Wolf. He seems to be their go-to franchise producer, just as CBS has Bruckheimer of 'CSI" fame and ABC has Shonda Rhimes for their 'doctors in love and work' shows.

So, in my opinion, this isn't over yet. It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out. As we always say in television, (and I hate to drag out an incredibly overused cliche here, but) stay tuned.

Rich People have such problems!

So recently it was announced that former 'Charlie's Angel' Kate Jackson is, in her words, in 'financial ruin'.

She claims that a money manager lied about how much she's worth and forced her to buy a $2 million house.

Oscar winner Nicolas Cage owes creditors millions, is on the verge of bankruptcy, and yet is often still reported making large purchases, like islands and mansions.

Oh, the problems of the rich.  

I'm proud to say I know how much I'm worth and I know where all my money is at this very moment. I guess there are plusses to not having much.

Good luck to you, Kate and Nic. Hope you can work it all out. If not, I guess you'll end up like me -- not so rich, but oh so much wiser.

Betty White SNL Follow-up

Ok, so I didn't really get anything that I asked for when Betty White appeared on SNL this past Saturday night.

No special ballad from Jay-Z, no skits featuring 'The Golden Girls', 'Sue Ann Nivens' or 'Password'. One thing I sort of got was the shout-out to Abe Vigoda I asked for. At least they showed the 'Snickers' commercial that he was in with Betty.

But even if I didn't get any of that, the show still made me laugh. White was amazing given her age. I mean, I don't think I could do a live show right now and this woman is more than twice my age!

Given all the hype surrounding this episode, I knew there would be some critics who would bash the writers no matter what they did and of course, there were.

But I loved many of the skits and even when White wasn't in a paticular segment, the regulars, and special guests, did an outstanding job. It was sooooo awesome to see Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Ana Gasteyer, Molly Shannon, and Maya Rudolph back on the show. Rudolph as Whitney Houston was particularly hiliarious.

Might I suggest that once a year, the show welcome back all the vets? I think that's an excellent idea. It would give the writers and viewers a chance to revisit some our favorite skits and characters. Like NPR skit with Shannon and Gasteyer that we saw this weekend, and the 'Really?' news segment with Poehler and head writer Seth Meyers.

So, overall, job well done everyone!!

Now I hear there's a campaign to get Carol Burnett to host SNL. I'd tune in for that!!!

Betty White on SNL: What will we see?

When current 'it girl' (and, yes, I think we're using the word 'girl' here a little liberally) Betty White hosts 'SNL' this weekend, what will we see? Nothing has leaked out from NBC about show content, but here are a few things, I'd love to happen on the show.

1. Something involving an appearance by Abe Vigoda

After all, he did star in the Super Bowl Snickers commercial with White. Could he be the next 'Comeback Kid' from the '70s? I think so!

2. Musical Guest Jay-Z singing a "very special song" he wrote just for Betty.

How sweet would this be?

3. For the skits, let's have these:

            "Mary Tyler Moore" with confimed guest star Tina Fey as Mary and (surprise guest star!)  Ed Asner as gruff Lou Grant, who once had an affair with White's Sue Anne Nivens. If Cloris Leachman could show up to reprise her role as Phyllis, time might just stand still as we all die of laughter.

            "The Golden Girls" with SNL vet Chris Katten returning to the show as Shopia, and    (another surprise guest!) Will Farrell as Dorothy. I'm open to suggestions for the role of Blanche.

            "Password" with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Sandra Bullock as the character she played in the "The Blind Side". Throw in George Clooney, (whom Betty mentioned that she's 'had' at the SAG Awards) and sparks would fly!!!

            

Ok, what do you want to see when Betty hosts "SNL"? Chime in now!

Watch it, Read it, Check it out

WATCH THIS: Michael Jackson’s “This is It”


Ok, so I was a bit skeptical going into this. This is Michael Jackson after all. For several years before his death all the public heard about him were stories about plastic surgery, speculations about his motherless children, and court cases involving his relationships with young boys.


But this film is about what MJ does best – sing and perform. Putting all of those other eccentricities aside, the man knows how to put on a show and it’s terribly sad that the world never got to see the finished product.


View this so enjoy his singing and dancing and all the tunes that the you’ve come to know and love.


Be sure to watch all of the extras as these have some insights into the concert that were not contained in the actual movie.



READ THIS: “Lottery” by Patricia Wood

When 32-year-old Perry L. Crandall wins twelve million dollars in the lottery, one would think his life would change for the better. But, to the contrary, the money only complicates the simple existence Perry has chosen for himself. Perry, you see, as he will tell you, is slow. Not retarded, but slow.


Surrounded by his knowledgeable Gram, his hygienically challenged boss, Keith, and a brood of money grubbing relatives, Perry struggles to sort out who is really on his side.


The plot is engaging and speaks volumes about the human condition. Perry's decision-making style and ability to evaluate relationships may cause the average individual to question his/her own abilities in these areas.


This is one of those rare books that I’ve read where I sped through a good chunk of it because I enjoyed reading it so much, but then I slowed down toward the end to savor the work. I didn’t want my time with these characters to end.



CHECK OUT: Good news at Tonic.com

If you’re tired of all the bad news out there, check out Tonic.com.


This is site that works hard to find daily good news in the world.


Give it a look. See what you think.


Go to: http://www.tonic.com/



___________________________________________________




As always, I welcome your questions, comments and ideas. You can reach me through this blog or at my e-mail address: write2easton@yahoo.com