Computer Shutdown Day: May 3, 2008

Saturday, May 3 is international Computer Shutdown Day. The idea is simple, if slightly insane: Turn off your computer and leave it off for 24 hours. You’ll be able to do other things, like take a walk in the park, talk to people face to face or go see a show — you know, things that don’t involve the internet. Sounds scary.

http://www.shutdownday.org/

Breaking Up Not So Hard To Do

Though wallowing endlessly in your own crapulence (and tub of frosting) post-breakup is always an attractive option, psychologists at Northwestern have found that breaking up isn't as hard as you think it will be. Researcher Paul Eastwick discovered that people overestimate the amount of time it will take for their lives to go back to "pre-breakup mode" by double; i.e., if you think a break-up will take you a month to get over, it will actually only take you two weeks. The study followed a group of 70 Northwestern freshman over the course of 9 months, according to Live Science. Every week the students would answer a survey asking them about their relationship status, if they were in love, and if they could imagine themselves being with someone else. "If participants reported a breakup, they indicated their level of distress and happiness," says Live Science and also forecasted how long they thought they would take to recover.

It took these teens an average of 10 weeks to get over their relationship angst, and, according to Eastwick, "It would've taken about double that amount if you'd gone by their predictions." At first I wanted to call bullshit on this study, because most college freshman relationships are completely transient; you're not talking five years living together with a mortgage and a dog. But then I remembered being 18 and how goddamn melodramatic I was. I thought I was in the be-all, end-all of relationships my freshman year, and was completely and utterly devastated for almost a semester after that four month relationship ended.

Anyway! Eastman attributes the reasonably short recovery period for most breakups to the emotional resiliency of people and to the unpredictable nature of life. "Life goes on in the wake of a breakup," Eastwick told Live Science. "And when you're making your predictions, you aren't thinking about all the things that could be positive that might happen in the next week or two." He added, "[People] often don't realize the kinds of psychological defense mechanisms they'll use at the drop of a hat."

http://www.livescience.com/health/080501-romantic-breakup.html

WOW! This Sounds FUN!!!

Introducing - Lawsuit!, the board game. Because what lawyer doesn't love board games?Attorney Tina Eskreis Nelson, creator of the game, describes it as "the first game for the entire family that teaches in a fun way what it's really like to be a lawyer." She explains that the game was created "as a Father's Day gift for her husband, to teach their three children a little bit about what their dad (and mom) do as attorneys." Creative Child magazine awarded Lawsuit! a "Preferred Choice" award in 2006, and then a "Game of the Year" award in 2007. It was also chosen as one of Grandparents Magazine's "Best Games." Someone gave it an award? What can this game possible be about? "Don't win a game, Win a lawsuit" is the slogan.. they have got to be kidding me.

http://www.lawsuitgame.com/html/p0100frm.htm

Ummm...

I think this is the first time I've ever written Pete Wentz' name in my blog... but he may become a regular if he keeps on posing like this for photos. Hilarious.

New Product OBSESSION!

I saw these at Walgreens the other day and was tempted to clear the shelf... Chex 100-Calorie Cheddar snacks are DELICIOUS and very, very satisfying. Run...NOW!

True or False: Pamela Anderson Is Having A Yard Sale

TRUE! Pamela Anderson is mainly known for her "physical" attributes but she's also a huge fan of shabby chic and garage sales. The yard sale starts tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. sharp at the Malibu mansion she's been renting for the past year. The pink and black website for the sale has pictures of some of the (JUNK) items for sale include many pieces of white furniture including (JUNK) armoires, headboards, vanities, sofas and more. The sale also includes (JUNK) outdoor furniture, clay pots, scooters, skateboards, a Jacuzzi and even an electric car. There is no street parking and everyone who wants to go to the sale must take a shuttle from a local market to get there. WOW, sounds worth it. Interested? Check out the link...

http://web.mac.com/hhestatesales/HHESS/FUTURE_SALES.html

This Is Seriously Tried...

This is seriously the ultimate diss... I posted pictures of Mariah Carey's engagement ring a while ago from Nick Cannon. Well, now Perez Hilton is reporting that this is a USED ring-- the VERY SAME ring that he used to propose to Selita Ebanks and here are the photos to verify.