VFC's House

The Difference Between Female Music Stars and Strippers

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:08:00 +0000

It dawned on me after viewing the American Music Awards that there no longer is a fine line between America's female music stars and America's strippers or 'ladies of the night'.

Sure the venue might be different and the audience might not be allowed to approach the dancers, but the (lack of) clothes, dancing gyrations and and overall performance of the leading ladies leave little to the imagination and little doubt that what we're getting is a fair dose of what we'd see in Bada Bing, baby.

Who are they kidding?

Not me anymore.

American Idol's Hollywood Week Didn't Live up to Expectations

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:13:00 +0000

Bring on the top 24.

In an effort to try and change things up this season, the American Idol team at Fox didn't do Hollywood Week any justice, in my opinion.

Instead of building the expected and anticipated drama leading up to the selection of the top 24, it felt more like we were watching a documentary narrated by Ryan Seacrest. Seacrest has made a fortune from his wit and charisma, but there's no reason why his should have been the voice that we heard most on an episode of American Idol, especially when there were still dozens of performers left.

This was especially true during the episode last Tuesday where the contestants were split into three rooms; the episode started by showing us how the AI hopefuls were already split, before knowing how any of them performed. Nice little change up the producers threw us there, but the problem was that we had to listen to an hour long Seacrest monologue to figure out who did what; and the anticipation was negligent because there was so much cutting, editing and back-story-filling that viewers still didn't know who was who or who was were by the time Simon, Ellen, Randy and Karla entered the rooms to give the thumbs-up or thumbs-down.

I understand that the producers like to mix it up and a bit and keep a long-running show fresh, but as popular as Idol is, I'm not sure that it's a good idea to 'fix something that ain't broke' - and Hollywood week was broken this season.

That said, I'll be back for the Top 24.

Some American Idol Notes, and LOST

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:32:00 +0000

Hollywood Week

The much anticipated Hollywood Week began on this season's American Idol on Tuesday, and in my opinion, it disappointed.

With the one hour format there was bound to be some cutbacks, but the cutbacks this year are taking away from giving the viewer a glimpse of the talent (or lack of it).

The performances of only one or two contestants from each group was shown, and even then it was only for a few seconds - most of the episode was taken up by back stories, not the singing and performing that you'd expect from a talent competition.

Because so much time was dedicated to the back stories and viewers only heard one or two contestants per group sing, the 'elimination rounds' came about with zero suspense or anticipation. Without the anticipation of who goes through and who doesn't, the show is weak, and there was no anticipation this week.

Maybe it's the shorter format, but it looks like Hollywood Week is just going through the motions before the real fun starts; but Tuesday's episode was boring enough to lose quite a few viewers who are more interested in singing than in all the back stories.

I'd think that there is more of a happier medium that can be found between personalizing the contestants and allowing the viewer to hear them sing, but the opening act of HW wasn't even close.

Ellen

It's still too early to comment on Paula Abdul's replacement, but my first thought would be to wonder how the big brass at Fox couldn't pull in someone - anyone - with experience in the music industry.

No offense against Ellen, but her critiquing contestants in a singing competition is like VFC critiquing a med student - it just doesn't fit. Ellen's comments are going to be perceived by both the audience at home and the contestants themselves as 'armchair quarterbacking'.

She'll entertain, I'm sure, but it's unfair to the contestants to not have an industry insider on the panel.

In my opinion.

The Howard Stern Rumor

I think that Stern coming to Idol is just rumor, although Howard has stated on his SiriusXM Satellite radio program that he recently turned down a significant offer that many have speculated was the Idol offer.

Howard on Idol would be a disaster - not quite for ratings because people would tune in just to hear what he'd have to say, but the integrity of the show would take a huge hit as Stern - like Ellen - has no valid experience in the music industry to justify a presence on the panel.

If the contestants were all dressed in Jell-O and were bouncing around on stage, then I'd say there's few out there that are more qualified to judge the competition than Stern, but AI has become a program that the fans and the contestants take seriously - and a move by the producers to bring in Stern would indicate that the network doesn't.

It's not that Simon is sometimes brutal in his commentary that people love, it's that he knows what he's talking about when he says it.

Howard would spell the end of AI as a talent competition; at the point he came on board it would be purely an entertaining charade.

VFC is a bit late to the game, but after re-watching the season premiere of LOST, I'd have to think that Jacob is back in the form of Sayid....interesting.

Especially after the real John Locke said to Jack in the airport that they haven't lost him (Jack's dad) body, they've only lost his body.

It all comes together somewhere, I hope.

Snow in the Washington DC Area

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:55:00 +0000

One thing that President Obama took a lot of heat for when he first took office was his criticism of the way the Washington, DC area responds to snow. Granted, the President meant it as a friendly 'city-rivalry' jab, but no one in the DC area was impressed, especially not the school attended by the President's children.

Well there's no doubt that the President was right on with his comments regarding snow in the DC area.

The entire district, including much of the suburbs in Maryland and Virginia - completely shut down at the sight of a snowflake.

There doesn't even have to be snow on the ground for the area to send kids home from school and the snow could have stopped falling three days ago and the schools still won't open - even though the roads are completely clear.

For those raised in the northeast, how the DC-Maryland-Virginia areas handle snow is ridiculous. It took a near cataclysmic event up north for the schools to shut, and on days that snow actually closed the schools - it coincided with the fact that the parents wouldn't be able to make it to work either.

That's something that's lost on the DC area - working families. When the kids are off school (or got to school late, or come home early) twice a week when there isn't a flurry left on the roads, the parents can't go to work - it's as simple as that.

Just because the school districts shut down the schools, does not mean that the working parents get a free day off - there's a cost, and parents are getting fed up, just ask them.

Now, because the school districts have already dished out so money bogus snow days this winter, when the real storm hits )now) - there's no more snow days left to use. That most likely means an extension of the school year - maybe a good thing for a lot parents, but that doesn't make up for all the unnecessary days off that the parents have already had to take this winter.

If there's some kids who live in areas that make it difficult to get the school, let them be absent - most likely the parents are stuck, too. But when there are schools in areas that are completely clear, it is ludicrous to shut down the school and leave parents in a bad situation.

We're in a recession - people who have jobs need to get to them in order to keep them.

Obama has taken a lot of heat for a lot things of late - rightfully so, in my humble opinion - but one thing that he was spot on about was how ridiculous the DC/Maryland/Virginia area responds to snow.

And you wanna know why nothing gets done in Washington during the winter? The parents are home with the kids who are off twice a week riding bikes on the roads that are supposedly too treacherous to get to the schools.

Wake up, DC. Wake up, Maryland. Wake up, Virginia - the school districts are quickly becoming a laughing stock.

At least let there be snow on the road before a snow day is given.

Obeus.comAdvertising, Pay Per ClickAffiliate Program, Pay Per ClickVFC's House

Personalize Your Valentine's Gift

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:37:00 +0000

Here's a couple of gift ideas for Valentine's Day from a couple of online stores that I like....nothing like a personal touch for the perfect gift.

These sites are great year round for all occasions....

(Note: VFC is not compensated for posting these links, these are websites that I have used in the past and highly recommend.)

Personal Wines & Wines.com:

Personalize a bottle of champagne or wine to fit that special occasion

Another site to add the personal touch, GiftsForYouNow.com:

And there's always Amazon

Consumer Alert: Haiti Donations

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:06:00 +0000

Just a quick reminder for those who want to donate to the cause in Haiti but are not quite sure on how to go about it:

Ignore any email solicitations looking for money and personal information.

There's a slew of phishing schemes going around right now originating from people that are despicable enough to take advantage of the tragedy of others for their own financial gain.

Stick to donating to the organizations that you know, like the Red Cross, and ignore any and all email or snail mail solicitations.

The legitimate charities have tax records and the such for you to browse through before donating.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:49:00 +0000

May 2010 bring more happiness and prosperity to all than 2009!

Why We Should See the Movie 'Nine"

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:39:00 +0000

The "critics" are at it again.

Lou Lumenick of the New York Post gave the new movie 'Nine' a one and a half star rating, but his reasoning behind the low rating tells us all we need to know - that Lou has no credibility when rating this movie.

Lou thinks that "Frolicking in lingerie does not a movie make" and he specifically sites Penelope Cruz as the main 'frolicking' victim.

Here's the thing, I bet that twenty million men who are going to get dragged to the movie by their significant others would disagree with Lou.

If you don't like the movie, you don't like the movie, but Penelope Cruz frolicking in lingerie DOES a movie make.

To Every Man In America.....

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:53:00 +0000

.....especially the married ones, I feel ya.

Somehow, Tiger Woods cheating on his wife is your fault. You're getting questioned, interrogated and eyeballed by your significant other as she continuously tells you that "You men never learn".

Tiger could not have done what he did unless every man in America joined the conspiracy, supported him and helped him get away with it, right ladies?

VFC's Take on the AMAs - J-Lo Goes Over the Top

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:19:00 +0000

Yes, I'm commenting on the AMAs.

While 'wifey time' did mean watching (bearing) the American Music Awards, the overwhelming amount of commercials allowed me ample flip backs to the Bears-Eagles game that didn't go as VFC planned it.

Anyway, at least I was able to get a good laugh when J-Lo came storming back into the 'ring' in what was supposed to be her grand comeback.

Don't get me wrong, I thought J-Lo was great back when she was perched at the top of the charts, regardless of the fact that J-Lo has always been quite affected with how much she is into herself.

However, her AMA performance is clean evidence that J-Lo hasn't gotten the memo that 'that was then and this is now.' She's no longer on top - or even close.

Her very ordinary performance began as a boxing match - with her being the champ, of course - but the set nor the song had any relevance to boxing. The whole point was for her to show everyone that 'The Champ' was back; she even asked at one point, "Did you miss me?" No, we didn't.

Not when Shakira is rockin' the stage like she does, among many others.

It's expected that some of these superstars can't cope when they become a thing of yesterday, but it was especially funny for J-Lo because we know just how much she loves her some J-Lo. I almost had to hide my face in embarrassment for her.

If not for Janet Jackson's performance on the opening, J-Lo's would have been the worst, if not the most ordinary.

If J-Lo really still thinks that she's the champ, then I wanna see that fight - between her and Shakira - to prove once and for all who is today's best.

I'll bring the Jello.

Some other notes regarding the AMAs:

It's a good thing that the Jackson family stuck to singing, because none of them can act worth a dam.

Taylor Swift looks to be one of the most humble, clean and down to earth sensations out there - Lohan should learn a thing or two from her and Kanye should be ashamed of himself.

Who the hell is 'Gloriana????'

Adam Lambert is allowing himself to be exploited for his questionable sexuality. It's obvious that the studios just want him to make headlines - and it's also obvious that he's on board with it, no matter how pathetic it makes him look. Talk about a cry for attention. Is this the male version of Britney?

Lady Gaga is NUTS; but she makes NUTS look good. And what a great performance.

Carrie Underwood is boring; but she makes boring look good; unimpressive performance, however.

Gotta love Jay Z and Alisha Keys for their ode to New York. Nice.

And it's rare when you can say that a Shakira didn't have her shaking it enough - but when you're the real champ, you do what you do just right and that's more than enough.

So there you have it. I survived a night of watching the AMAs and I even managed to take a few notes.

Thank god this is only a once a year event.

Katie Couric, the Tough Interrogator Lobs Softballs to Andre Agassi

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:02:00 +0000

Katie Couric, the CBS news anchor that punted NBC's Today Show for more money, put her name back on the map when she threw fastball after fastball at Sarah Palin in a now-famous interview during the campaign season, but that Katie Couric was a far cry from the one we saw interview Andre Agassi on '60 Minutes' last Sunday night.

Agassi has been wearing himself very thin while on his 'book tour', and the CBS interview with Katie Couric pretty much ignited the tour.

But here's the thing, the 'tough as nails' Couric lobbed softballs in little girl-gone-giggly fashion at the former tennis star; to the point where VFC had to wonder whether she wanted to be sitting on Agassi's lap while she was asking him questions.

The most compelling item from Agassi's memoir is the fact that he got caught using crystal meth during the hey day of his tennis career, but Couric hardly broached the topic; in fact, she only asked Agassi about the drug use when she flew back to interview him a second time because she realized that she got scooped. Had the drug use news not been leaked before it should have, Couric would barely have had a comment for Agassi about it.

Instead, she keyed on the hairpiece. Couric smiled all giddy and waved her hands in the air as her tongue hung halfway to the floor while staring at Agassi and asked her toughest question of the interview, "So you thought your hairpiece was just going to fall off??"

VFC says whoopdy-freakin-doo, he played a match worrying about his hair falling off. Is that worth being the centerpoint of a '60 Minutes' interview? It's a good thing for us that someone sent her back to ask about the drug stuff, because left to Couric she probably would have asked Agassi if he had a six pack.

It just goes to show how 'news reporters' turn it on and off depending on who they interview. Couric portrayed the antics of a third grader while interviewing Agassi.

Her school girl act was a far cry from who we saw during the Palin interview.

It's no wonder the country has forgotten Katie Couric - she can't yet figure out who she wants to be.

VFC's Thoughts for the Day: The Ballon Kid's Dad is Getting Charged

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:07:00 +0000

That's the problem with reality TV - everybody thinks that they deserve a show.

Richard Heene, the clown of a dad that wanted his own reality TV Show, thought nothing of the fact that local, state and federal authorities spent over two million dollars in an attempt to save his son that he allegedly knew was hiding in the attic.

It appears that Heene thought he was entitled to a reality show based on his ability to blow up balloons in his back yard. He used that as motivation to coax his six year old kid into a big lie, a lie that it turns out was so stressful on the boy that he vomited twice when he knew that he would have to stick to the lie during live television interviews.

So what can we learn from this?

1. The 'Jon and Kate' segment of the American population is continuing on a downward spiral.

2. The thought of starring in a cheesy, pathetic reality show is enough to drive the not-so-intelligent to commit stupid acts.

3. For the 'J & K' segment, it's not about teaching kids values, it's about exploiting them.

4. For too many people, money alters all sense of reason. For this clown, the chance to have a reality show - where he'd likely earn thousands - was worth wasting millions of tax payer dollars. He needs to work for the rest of his life to pay back that debt, if he's found guilty.

5. Some people are just plain stupid.

What started as a compelling story about saving a kid in a weird drama became something bigger. The sad thing is that this story will disappear into the background until the next fool does something just as ridiculous in an attempt to get a reality TV show, like get herself pregnant with eight kids or something.

Enough is enough, America. And people say that George W gave us a bad name?

It's clowns like this that give the US a bad rap. Talk about a laughing stock.

If he's proven guilty, of course. The latest reports have the Sheriff stating that charges are pending.

VFC's Thought For the Day: Shakira on Dancing With the Stars

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:14:00 +0000

I think it is safe to say that Shakira's performances on Tuesday night's episode of 'Dancing With the Stars' made the entire season worth it for every guy who has to sit there with wifey or significant other and watch the program week in and week out.

I might even pull out the DVR for that one.

Another One of VFC's Pet Peeves: Driving to the Mailbox

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:49:00 +0000

VFC's Pet Peeve Number One
VFC's Pet Peeve Number Two

If you've read my first two pet peeves (links above), then it's pretty obvious that I have a hard time coping with laziness - especially when that laziness is a key cause to the obesity problem in this country.

Here's another one that's been driving me crazy: People that stop at the mailbox on the way home when their parking space is within about 50 ft of the mailbox anyway.

Here's the scenario:

The community mailbox is located on the corner of the street. Someone going to check the mail from their house would have to walk no further than about ten parking spots. Now here's where it gets pretty sad; there's this lady (who could afford to walk the extra fifty feet a day anyway, if you know what I mean) drives home at the same time every day, but instead of parking in her spot, she double parks in front of the mailbox, shuts the car off, takes the keys out and then checks her mail.

Keep in mind, her freaking house is about fifty feet away.

When she retrieves her mail, she gets back in the car and literally drives about 20 feet into her parking spot.

It's surprising to me, that in a country famous for saving nothing, people will do anything to save expending an extra calorie or two. Whether it's choosing to take the elevator up that one story vice taking one flight of stairs; whether it's waiting for the closest parking spot when there's fifty open just a little further away or whether it's driving to the mailbox to avoid walking the extra fifty feet for the day - it should come as a wonder to no one as to why America is known as the fattest nation in the world.

It's people like I've just described that are burdening the health care system.

C'mon, driving to the mailbox? I thought I'd seen it all.

The Letterman Stuff is Getting Ridiculous

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Is anyone really that surprised about the David Letterman news?

A guy who's loaded with money and holds a position of power was attracted to girls younger than him and - since the young ladies love guys with money and power - they were attracted back. So what?

Michael Daly of the New York Daily News used an entire column over the weekend to try and convince us that there is something dirty or ironic about the fact that Letterman could have been doing the nasty with an intern while we were all watching his program at 1130PM. I made it through Daly's column, as painstaking as it was, looking for the punchline, but it never came. Maybe Daly is offended by the antics of Letterman, but I could care less.

Then Andrea Peyser in Monday's New York Post called for Letterman's firing. For what? There's been no evidence of sexual harassment - it looks like all the extra curricular were voluntary, consensual and did nobody any harm. In fact, it looks like women did pretty good working for Dave, in terms of promotions and status. It's the guys that should be complaining about unfair treatment if anything.

The only thing about the Letterman story that looks a bit creepy at this point is his comments regarding Sarah Palin and her daughters. Before it looked like a vendetta against Palin, but now knowing how he likes the younger women, it looks like an infatuation.

Dave is a far left, bitter middle aged television guy that likes to score with younger women. Doesn't sound like anything out of the normal to me.

VFC says lay off the guy.

We Know This Much More About Letterman Today

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:42:00 +0000

It hasn't been often that I've sided with David Letterman on any issue, but I've got to hand it to they guy for coming clean with viewers about the whole blackmail scheme. Not that the viewers once thought the guy could be serious about it all, judging by the laughter throughout his 'confession'.

For Letterman, I think he's enjoying this. The guy is over sixty and he's being made out to be quite the ladies man. Nothing wrong with that, he says, since he wasn't married at the time of his shenanigans.

From Letterman's perspective, he's done nothing wrong; he never had to go to far to score; he has no more competition for late night ratings; he's made an idiot of the guy who tried to blackmail him; he's still loaded and his audience still loves him.

What this does tell us, however, is that there may be some truth to the rumor that Letterman has bashed Sarah Palin so much over the past year because, in his old horndog sorta way, he fancies the former Alaskan governor. Think about it; he's gone through lengths to make sure he's made of Palin somehow - any how - and we all know what that means for school kids; "the more they make fun of you, the more they LIKE you!"

Now that we know Letterman enjoys playing around like a school kid full of hormones (or Viagra), we can only assume that he has school boy feelings for the target of so much of his attention - Sarah Palin.

Ellen DeGeneres Makes Absolutely NO SENSE for American Idol

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:47:00 +0000

That's a move that I don't get at all.

I'm not questioning the popularity of DeGeneres and her daytime talk show, but what the heck will she bring to Idol?

It's a move that drops the credibility of the judge's table just a notch because Ellen has no experience in music. None.

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm willing to bet that America doesn't just want to replace nice with nice, America wants to replace the 'nice' Paula with someone else who is 'nice' - but who also knows what they're talking about, what they are judging and knows a star when they see one.

Can Ellen do all that? Just because she dances in sneakers on her show doesn't qualify her for the second most powerful seat on the AI Judge's panel.

There's one that Fox got wrong.

Note to Rich Guy Alex von Furstenberg:

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:24:00 +0000

Before you go paying money to fly a big kite behind an airplane that calls someone out for pursuing your wife (who's actually your fiance), make sure that your wife isn't texting slutty photos of herself to that someone (that you called out) in an apparent pursuit of her own.

Some things just aren't meant to be made public.

Fashion heir Alex von Furstenberg recently paid to have a big sign flown behind an airplane at a Florida beach that called out former NBA star Reggie Miller for pursuing "married women" (although Alex and his fiance are not yet married).

It turns out that it was, in fact, the fiance - Ali Kay - who sending sexy photos to Miller. So who's pursuing who?

The only one in this situation that really looks like an idiot is von Furstenberg, and he's the one who brought the whole ordeal public. How ironic is that?

I think it's all pretty funny. Who's taking bets that these two never make it to the altar?

Paula Abdul Leaves American Idol - Who Cares? The Real Loser is Dancing With the Stars

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:37:00 +0000

I guess it's a pretty big deal that Paula Abdul is leaving American Idol over a presumed contract disagreement with producers of the show. I'm sure the show will do just fine without her.

Let's be honest, she offered nothing to the program. She never criticized the contestants and she was rarely coherent anyway - it's not like anyone sat there and said, "OOOO, I wonder what Paula is going to say next??!!"

Her and Simon were pretty tight, but with Paula now out of the way Simon can concentrate his energy on making Kara Dioguardi look silly, as he did a number of times last season. More people will tune it to see that - people love controversy - than they would to see Paula trying to keep her eyes focused for more than 25 seconds.

The real loss is going on over at ABC, with Julianne Hough leaving Dancing With the Stars to concentrate on her Country Music, uh, career.

Now men all over the country are going to have to find another distraction while trying to convince the wifey that they really are interested in the show.

Maybe, just maybe, Chelsea Hightower can be that distraction!

Another one of VFC's Pet Peeves: The Elevator vs The Stairs

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:04:00 +0000

VFC's Pet Peeve Number One

Here's one that bugs me nearly as much as my pet peeve number one - which was people that wait for the closest parking spot when there's free spots fifty feet away.

I'm still keeping with the same theme of laziness when I introduce my second pet peeve - people that wait for an elevator when they're going up or down one floor.

This is ridiculous. I go into work every day and watch people line up to wait for the elevator when right next to the elevator there is a nice open flight of stairs where you can see the top- no doors in the way or anything.

Every single time the person that takes the stairs will beat the person who has to wait for doors to open and close before going up one or two floors in an elevator.

Every time.

It again amazes me how inherently lazy people are that when given the option - the easy way wins every time over putting out a little bit of effort.

Take the freakin stairs. And we wonder why America is the most obese nation in the world.

VFC's Consumer Alert: The Mail-In Warranty Renewal Scams

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:32:00 +0000

I'm late posting this one, but I've come across a couple of people lately who have been victimized by this scam so I thought I'd get the word out in case there are still those that have not heard -

Ignore the 'extend your warranty' statements that you may get delivered to your mail box. Especially if you know that your warranty is still valid.

This mail-fraud takes advantage of those that don't keep up on their documents and expiration dates, and there are plenty of them out there.

There's actually people that think, "If they sent me a letter of renewal, then it must mean that I'm due to renew."

If that sounds like you, lose that mentality now and track all your paperwork- it's your money, you deserve to keep it.

Anyway, the scam looks official and asks for your credit card number in return for an extra 20,000 miles or so of coverage. Don't fall for it.

Here's some things to look for:

- If they don't mention what kind of car that you currently have under warranty, then assume it's a scam.

- If they don't mention when your current plan is due to expire, then assume it's a scam. A scam will speak in generalities like, "Your warranty is due to expire soon, so extend your coverage now!"

- If you suspect you actually do need to extend your coverage, do your research - both online and on the phone. If possible go visit the establishment.

- If it looks suspicious, it probably is.

There's too many people out there that unwittingly fill out their credit card info and think that they are getting an advertised return only to find out later that they've been had.

Don't be one of them.

A Hands Free Texting Device? Just Call!

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:22:00 +0000

A news report announcing a new 'hands free texting' device for motorists to use while driving caught my attention the other day.

The way it was described is that someone will be able to speak into a mouthpiece and the voice message will then be turned into a text message and sent from the users phone.

Here's VFC's Take: Don't we already have hands free phone devices? If you need to talk somebody just freakin call! If you're going to TALK anyway, why not talk to the person with whom you are trying to contact?

Is that our society? So anti-social that now we voice text messages to keep from having to talk to someone?

I can see, or hear, it now. Someone driving and talking the following:

"Oh-em -gee! It was so good to see you yesterday! Wasn't that such a great night out? el-oh-el, are-oh-tee-el-em-ef-aye-oh! tee-tee-why-el! Can't wait to see you again! semi-colon space close parenthesis!"

Wouldn't it just be easier to call?

One Article That I Hope Women Don't Read

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:30:00 +0000

Upon carousing the most recent news headlines as I sat down to take in a ballgame tonight, I came across one headline that I hope women don't read.

The headline from Forbes.com and highlighted on Yahoo! reads:

What not to Wear to Work

For the record, VFC would just like to say that this article is bogus. In fact, as I read through the whole thing I couldn't believe what my eyes were reading and what my brain was comprehending.

In the article the author, Laura Sinberg, states that women who "show too much cleavage", wear "too short a skirt" or "see through clothes" are "more likely to be passed over for a job or promotion."

In an ironic contradiction, when it comes to the part about wearing accessories the author states that "Less is More."

Maybe I'm not up on the times of political correctness, but in VFC's House you're judged by the quality of your work not the length of your skirt.

For the author to discriminate against modern fashion is not very 2009.

Of course, if the company has a dress code it should be obeyed and there is a fine line between professional and 'night out' dress during the first interview with a company.

That being said, there's plenty of room in the workplace for heels, mini-skirts and low cut tops.

It's all about looking good and not discriminating against those that might look good.

It sounds like Laura Sinberg just might be a prude.

What's next? Telling Julianne Hough that she's got to dance in slacks and a sweater. Gimme a break.

No Dancing With the Stars for Julianne, Does That Mean We've Got to Watch Footloose?

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:06:00 +0000

According to the most recent information out there, 'Dancing With the Stars' personality Julianne Hough will not be a part of the show next season, meaning that fans of blonde bombshell may have to tune into next summer's Footloose to get their fill of Julianne.

Apparently, she was a shoo-in for the leading role as long as she could even remotely look like she's acting.

The fact that Julianne won't be joining the cast of 'DWTS' next season means that tuning in to the program is going to be a little less bearable for husbands looking for good TV time with the wifey- and it's highly unlikely that Footloose is going to make up for the lost DWTS time.

After watching all the funny faces and hearing all the funny noises emanating from Julianne while she competed alongside her fella last season, I'm terrified to see what kind of acting ability this broad actually has.

Good for this girl going out there and looking for a country music career and good for her for jumping to the big screen, but in VFC's opinion, she'd be best served by remaining the star of Dancing with the Stars.

It's a perfect set up for her.

As for her fans, they'll most likely resort to the DVR, if anything, to get their fill of Julianne.

The patriot, Julianne Hough:

A Letter From ALS World Wide

noreply@blogger.com (VFC) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:40:00 +0000

Through contacts that I've made from VFC's Stock House regarding my investment in INSM, an FDA approved drug that is under experimentation for treating ALS, I have been receiving emailed updates from ALS World Wide.

When posting about stocks of companies that are creating life-changing treatments for various illnesses, I always try to stress the fact that, if the drugs work, the benefit to patients far outweighs the financial gains to investors.

I've re-posted here the latest email from Barb and Steve Byer of ALS world wide:

Dear [VFC],

We're on the road again - - this time to visit ALS patients involved in the Iplex experience located in the Midwest and on the East Coast. By the time we return to Madison, we'll have a much better sense of how each of these patients is responding to Iplex. We do receive both weekly reports and conduct monthly evaluations but being with patients over an extended amount of time offers an important additional indication of their experiences. As we approach, and in some cases surpass, the 90 day Iplex usage, we plan to generate an interim report although complete reportage will not be available until after the 6 month timeline. Early indications are encouraging.

We are happy to announce that Dr. Jorge E. Moreno-Cuevas, M.D., PhD., Assistant Professor at ITESM Escuela de Salud y Biotecnología,has joined the Scientific Advisory Board of ALS WORLDWIDE. Not only does Dr. Moreno-Cuevas have a most impressive resume, but he is also one of the major innovators and researchers for the current stem cell therapy protocol developed by Tec de Monterrey. His devotion and concern for each patient's well being is truly extraordinary. Further, his support for our efforts at ALS WORLDWIDE infuses us with a greater sense of purpose and commitment. Dr. Jorge Moreno-Cuevas' involvement provides the ALS community the benefit of his knowledge, expertise and oversight as we move forward in our pursuit of the most effective treatments for ALS. You'll find further details of his career in the Founders section of our website.

A new blog posting on Before and After, Food for Thought, provides an opportunity for you and others to share ideas about the nutritional challenges facing ALS patients and their families. Join the discussion to learn new methods and share personal experiences.

Five additional patients have been scheduled to receive the stem cell treatment offered by Tec de Monterrey through the months of July and August. By the time we return to Monterrey in early August, complete MRI Tractography results of the past year will be available for our review. Those results will soon be published in Tec de Monterrey's continuing clinical test study and we hope to share that information on the ALS WORLDWIDE website soon. Patients unilaterally state they have experienced the finest care by the exemplary medical team at Tec de Monterrey.

As ALS WORLDWIDE continually expands its efforts to support patients and families, demands upon our resources have increased. Donations in any amount are welcomed and most appreciated. As a not for profit organization, your donations to ALS WORLDWIDE are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

Please also forward this newsletter to friends and associates. ALS WORLDWIDE provides important information to better understand the disease, the impact it has on ALS patients and their families and the most current, relevant therapies known to us.

With your help we can succeed,

Barb and Steve Byer
July 20, 2009