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Breaking News: The Phantom Pooper

GiggleSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 03:00:00 -0700

They call him "The Phantom Pooper" and they call this "A Stinky Situation." Who are they? The poor TV journalists over at KIDK news who have been reduced to reporting about a local shit-and-run artist. This unknown offender has been defecating (and finger painting!) all over an Idaho Falls town for unknown reasons. As one Denny's employee astutely points out, "When you have to go, you know a little while in advance, I mean, hello..." So why not use a toilet, Phantom Pooper? WHY?! (Thanks, eBaum's World!)

Consumer Reports: How to Make Pricey Appliances Last

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:00:28 -0800

The cost of maintaining a home and appliances is often a major deterrent for those debating whether to rent or purchase a home. The unexpected expense of fixing leaky gutters and broken dishwashers can be budget breaking if it comes at the wrong time of month. Not to mention it's a huge pain. Consumer Reports has put together a great guide for how to extend the useful life of appliances and pricey goodies. Obviously, the key is maintenance and keeping a watchful eye on appliances so they don't break down unexpectedly and leave you in a pricey pinch. Consumer Reports suggests:

Cell phones
Don't stow in your car's glove compartment during the summer. Otherwise, batteries may overheat, possibly ruining the phone. If you've been known to drop your cell phone, treat it to a protective case.

Clothes dryers
Clean the lint filter after each use and the entire air duct yearly. If your dryer breaks, think about replacing it if repairs will cost more than half the price of a comparable new model. But don't expect much gain in performance or efficiency, since dryer technology hasn't changed much.

Clothes washers
Don't overload. If your washer breaks, think about replacing it if repairs will cost more than half the price of a comparable model. If you're replacing, consider a high-efficiency washer, which should save money over time. Also consider a front-loader, which is less punishing to clothes than a top-loader.

Dishwashers
Check the filter regularly and remove any debris.

To see additional suggestions and reminders, read more.

Hardwood floors
Dust mop or vacuum weekly. Wipe up wet spills pronto.

Kitchen knives
Keep them out of the dishwasher and store them in a wooden knife block or individual plastic shields.

Laptop computers
Set them on a hard, flat surface rather than a soft one such as a bed or carpet, which can block airflow and cause them to overheat.

LCD TVs
Clean the screen gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth, ideally a microfiber one. Avoid commercial cleaners and paper towels, which can scratch the screen.

Mattresses
Rotate periodically. Try not to sit on the edge. Buy a washable, protective cover. And pull back the sheets and blankets to let the bed air out for 20 minutes or so each morning.

Visit the Consumer Reports website for more tips on making your pricey goods last.

Free Credit Report Scams Aren't Going Away

SavvySugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:23 -0800

By now we all know about the not-so-free nature of those FreeCreditReport.com services; a few of you even say you've fallen for its misleading practices. But even after the government publicly condemned the site, "free" credit monitoring services - which require you to sign up for a paid service, but promise you can cancel at any time - are popping up everywhere.

One friend recently had a particularly nasty experience with one of these companies while apartment hunting. To hear what happened, read more.

An apartment listing on Craigslist requested that she get her own credit report through a specific company. She filled out all the info and put in a credit card when prompted (ouch), but wasn’t able to access the free report she was promised. A week later, charges showed up on her card, but each time she called the company to cancel, she was sent to voicemail. After some Google research revealed that several fraud alerts had already been filed against the company, she reported the charges as fraudulent to her credit card company.

Savvy as we all may be, it’s easier than you think to get sucked into one of these situations. To prevent this from happening to you, keep the following tips in mind:

Only request free credit reports using AnnualCreditReport.com. You can request a free report up to three times a year, once from each of the major reporting agencies. This site will not ask you to enter your credit card number.

Type the Annual Credit Report URL directly into your address bar, rather than clicking on a link from a third party to reach the site. If you’re redirected to a site that isn’t one of the major reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian), don’t continue with the process.

If at any point you’re asked for a credit or debit card number, walk away. Companies only request a credit card for one reason: they plan to charge you. Period.

Have you ever had an experience with one of these companies? Do you have any other tips to add?

Katie Price Quits I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!

PopSugarUK — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:32:00 -0800

Katie Price has followed in Camilla Dallerup's footsteps and quit the jungle on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! We saw her refusal to take part in the next challenge live on last night's show, and overnight she left the camp.

On Sunday the News of the World reported that Alex Reid is heading into the jungle to propose to Katie, possibly on television, so rumours were circulating that he would do it on the show. Obviously this won't happen now, as Katie has quit the series after she was picked to do her seventh bushtucker trial in a row.

What do you think about Kate's quick exit? Let me know!
© ITV

How Do You Prefer to Holiday Shop?

GeekSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:15:25 -0800

While perusing the news, I noticed two seemingly conflicting stories right beside each other on the same site. The headlines: "Online Retail Thriving This Holiday Season" and "A Site to Help People Shop Online Attracts Investors."

The two articles aren't actually contradictory, the first is a welcome optimistic look at the future of e-commerce with Forrester Research reporting that most online retailers turned a profit in 2008 as business continues to grow. The second article profiles a new site called Milo, which allows you to enter your location and the name of a product you're looking for, and it delivers a list of nearby retail stores where you can find the item. Milo's business model operates on the "instant gratification" theory - you don't want to wait for an item you order, you want to find it right away.

I tend to prefer a mix of online and retail store shopping, depending on the item and what's convenient. What about you?

Hump Day: What to Do When He's Not Well Endowed

TresSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:24 -0800

Welcome to Hump Day, TrèsSugar's sex advice column. If you have questions about sex, send them to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!
Today's question:
What are some good techniques to use with a partner who has a relatively small penis?

To see Dr. Glickman's answer, read more.

There are a few different things you could try to make intercourse better. The first thing is to have lots of buildup for both of you. The more excited he is, the harder his erection will be. That can maximize the sensations for you since the vagina tends to be most sensitive near the opening. And the closer you are to orgasm before intercourse, the easier it might be to have an orgasm once he’s inside you.

Some positions may work better for you than others. If you try rear entry (aka doggie style) and arch your back, you’ll probably be able to get deeper penetration. Some women report that crossing their legs (after he’s inside) in this position makes things snugger, which creates more intense sensations for both people. If you prefer face to face contact, prop your hips up on a pillow or the amazing Wedge. Bending your legs so your knees are against your chest also maximizes penetration. Since both the vagina and the penis vary in dimensions, you’ll have to experiment a bit to find the ones that feel best to you. Sadie Allison’s book Ride’Em Cowgirl is full of useful tips and fun ideas.

If you’re having trouble getting enough stimulation for your pleasure, you can always make sure that you get your needs taken care of first or keep the fun going after his orgasm. There’s a commonly held belief that simultaneous orgasm is the ultimate sexual experience, and while it can be fun, if that ideal is getting in the way, then ditch it. If he gives you oral sex or uses his hands first and then you switch to intercourse (or vice versa), then you’re both getting pleasured and I think that’s a great thing.

Quite a few partners of men with smaller penises find that oral sex can be a lot easier. After all, if you have a sensitive gag reflex or a narrow jaw, a smaller penis can be much more fun to play with. I definitely encourage you to get creative when it comes to blow jobs. Check out this excellent DVD on oral sex. Similarly, a slender penis can make anal sex more pleasurable, too. While a lot of people aren’t into anal play, if you happen to be, you might find that it feels better when you’re with someone on the slimmer side of things. You can check out this DVD on anal play.

As you can see, there are lots of choices. You may need to talk with each other to figure out what will work best for the two of you. While you might have some worries about talking with your guy about his penis size, I can guarantee that he already knows about it. If you approach the conversation from a desire to make sure that you’re both having fun, it’ll go a lot better. And whatever you do, don’t make fun of him or shame him for his body. Lots of men are hyper-sensitive about penis size and that’s not going to be a constructive thing to do.

Lastly, for the record, most penises are about five-six inches (12.7-15.24 cm) long and about five inches (12.7 cm) around. Lots of people have distorted expectations about penis size, especially if they watch porn. But a lot of people in porn movies (both male and female) are short - it makes penises look larger, just as they used to make cowboy movie sets small to make the actors look bigger. That sort of forced perspective is a trick of the camera, and unfortunately, it can lead to unrealistic expectations.

I hope that helps. Have fun!

Peter Wants Katie Home While Alex's Mum Lets Rip

PopSugarUK — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:01:15 -0800

Peter Andre was dressed all in black today as he left his house in Hove, having bundled up last night in a cap as he arrived home with Junior and Princess. With Katie Price choosing to quit I'm a Celebrity earlier this week, Pete apparently begged her to come home, but she is reportedly staying in Australia for another two weeks as she is contracted to stay in the country until 5 Dec. It's not only Peter who's fed up with Kate, Alex Reid's mum is furious with her for dumping Alex so publicly. Speaking to The Sun, she said:

"I watched the TV and it seemed very cruel the way she spoke about Alex. He really loved her and gave up a lot for her, and this is how he gets treated by her. I can't get through to him at the moment. All I know is that he is in Australia and his phone is off. He must be upset. I'm worried for him."

There are rumours that Alex and Katie will meet up in Australia, but not until the camera crew arrive so it can be filmed for her ITV2 show. What do you think of the situation?

To see more pictures of Peter, just read more.

View 10 Photos ›

Jude Prepares For Another Tell-All From the Women in His Life

PopSugarUK — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:58:50 -0800

Jude Law was smiling as he left a Midtown East office building with his assistant in New York yesterday, despite the news that his ex-wife Sadie Frost is reportedly planning a tell-all book. John Blake, the publisher, says: "You couldn't wish for more in an autobiography. We haven't discussed the finer detail, but we would expect it to contain pretty much everything. Sadie has a very good sense of humour and is very self-deprecating." Following Samantha Burke's revelations about her relationship with Jude in her interview with Hello, I would have thought Jude could do with a break, but as Sadie has publicly defended him recently it sounds like the former couple are on great terms. Would you be interested in reading Sadie's book?

View 5 Photos ›

What to TiVo: Wednesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:50:31 -0800

ABC is new with The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town, and Eastwick
CBS is new with New Adventures of Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, Criminal Minds, and CSI: NY
FOX is new with So You Think You Can Dance and Glee
NBC is new with The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?
Bravo has repeats of Top Chef: Las Vegas
Comedy Central is new with The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report
FX is new with Nip/Tuck
MTV has repeats of South Park and True Life
VH1 has Coyote Ugly
Late-night highlights include Paula Patton on The Jay Leno Show on NBC; Natalie Portman and Adam Lambert on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS; Peter Facinelli and Leona Lewis on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC; Norm Macdonald on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on NBC; Robin Wright Penn on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson on CBS; Seth Green, Tommy Lee, and Mos Def on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on NBC; and David Gray on Last Call With Carson Daly on NBC

Obama Lays Down the Law on Free Credit Report Ads

SavvySugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:26:10 -0700

The original jingles for FreeCreditReport.com couldn't save the website from getting scrutinized by the law. The credit card reform bill signals a score of changes for the credit card industry and more, as demonstrated by the action taken against the scammy credit report site.

Notoriously, FreeCreditReport.com advertised its ironically named service through commercials that led consumers to believe credit reports ordered on the site were actually free. Too many trusting customers used the site expecting to receive their free report, when in fact they had to sign up for a $15 per month credit monitoring service before accessing a "free" report.

Under the new law, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will issue revised rules that mandate advertisers to acknowledge AnnualCreditReport.com as the only place for a free credit report. Expect the new FreeCreditReport.com radio and TV commercials to include this statement: "This is not the free credit report provided for by Federal law."

Were you ever a victim of the misleading advertisements?