Monday, December 30, 2013

'Keep fighting, Michael'

'Keep fighting, Michael' - Football sends its support to stricken SchumacherThe Formula One icon is in a critical condition in hospital after a skiing accident, prompting stars from across the globe to wish the German well
Tributes and messages of support have been pouring in from around the footballing world for iconic Formula One driver Michael Schumacher.

The seven-times world champion, who retired from F1 last year for a second time, has been left "fighting for his life" after a skiing accident in the French Alps resort of Meribel on Sunday. The German is currently in an induced coma having undergone surgery for severe head injuries.

Schumacher, 44, holds the all-time record for Formula One race wins with 91 and enjoyed a glittering career, most notably with Italian giants Ferrari. He is also a keen football fan and, as a resident of Switzerland, has played for second-tier side FC Echichens.

A lifelong supporter of FC Koln, Schumacher has also frequently appeared in charity football matches in recent years, and footballing figures from his native Germany, Italy and the world have taken to social media to express their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong via Twitter: "Just heard the news about Micheal Schumacher, get well soon! One of the reasons I'm a big fan of Formule [sic] One"

Chelsea winger Andre Schurrle on Twitter: "Get well soon, Michael Schumacher!!!! Gute Besserung, Michael Schumacher!!! #bestrong" 

Lukas Podolski of Arsenal: "Bad news from Switzerland: please get well soon, Michael Schumacher. All the best for you, my friend! #getwellsoon #MichaelSchumacher" 

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng: "Get well soon, Michael Schumacher!" 

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Strange Things You Likely Didn't Know ???

A rat can last longer without water than a camel.
Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks or it will digest itself.
The dot over the letter "i" is called a tittle.
A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and
down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top.
A female ferret will die if it goes into heat and cannot find a mate.
Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.
A 2 X 4 is really 1-1/2" by 3-1/2".
During the chariot scene in "Ben Hur," a small red car can be seen
in the distance (and Heston's wearing a watch).
On average, 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily!
(That explains a few mysteries....)
Sherlock Holmes NEVER said, "Elementary, my dear Watson."
Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood.
The number of possible ways of playing the first four moves per
side in a game of chess is 318,979,564,000.
There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with orange,
purple and silver.
Astronauts are not allowed to eat beans before they go into space
because passing wind in a spacesuit damages them.
The very first bomb dropped by the Allies on Berlin in World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.
Weatherman Willard Scott was the first Ronald McDonald.
If one places a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will
instantly go mad and sting itself to death. (Who was the sadist who
discovered this??)
Bruce Lee was so fast that they actually had to s-l-o-w film down
so you could see his moves. That's the opposite of the norm.
The first CD pressed in the US was Bruce Springsteen's "Born in
the USA."
The original name for butterfly was flutterby.
The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law which
stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.
The first product Motorola started to develop was a record player
for automobiles. At that time, the most known player on the market was Victrola, so they called themselves Motorola.
Roses may be red, but violets are indeed violet.
By raising your legs slowly and lying on your back, you cannot
sink into quicksand.
Celery has negative calories. It takes more calories to eat a
piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with.
Charlie Chaplin once won third prize in a Charlie Chaplin
look-alike contest.
An old law in Bellingham, Washington, made it illegal for a woman
to take more than three steps backwards while dancing!
The Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book
most often stolen from public libraries.
The glue on Israeli postage is certified kosher.
Bats always turn left when exiting a cave!
Thanks to Deborah for submitting this!!
And  another via email --this comes by Suzie T....
In the 1400's a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
Men can read smaller print then women can; women can hear better.
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne

Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace.
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All invented by women.
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the "honeymoon".
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them, "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Messi Set For New Deal

Transfer Talk: Messi set for new deal
Reported Barcelona are set to hand Lionel Messi an improved contract at Barcelona after Cristiano Ronaldo's new deal made him the highest-paid player int he world.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Iniesta's new €14m Barca deal finally ends Madrid dream of signing Spain star

Iniesta's new €14m Barca deal finally ends Madrid dream of signing Spain starAndres Iniesta wll become Barcelona's highest earner after Lionel Messi when he pens his new contract agreement next week, in a deal which finally ends Real Madrid's long-standing interest in signing the Spain star.

Barca president Sandro Rosell announced on Thursday that Iniesta had reached a verbal agreement to extend his current contract to 2018 and the midfielder will be paid in the region of €14m per annum for the next four years, almost double what he earns at the moment.

By that time, Spain's 2010 World Cup hero will be 34 and Rosell revealed further extensions would be based on playing time.

"I can confirm that Iniesta is to renew [his contract]," Rosell said on Thursday. "Nothing has been signed yet but we have agreed it verbally and it will probably be signed on Monday.

"We are very happy about his renewal - I think it is a great Christmas present for all Barcelona fans."

Iniesta is adored by Barca fans and has won numerous trophies with the Catalan club, including six Liga titles, three Champions League crowns, two Copas del Rey and two Club World Cups.

The midfielder, who turns 30 in May, hails from the village of Fuentealbilla in the Albacete province and once admitted to supporting the club's fierce rivals Real Madrid as a young boy.

Madrid have long been keen to recruit the 29-year-old, believing the Spain midfielder may be tempted to cross the Clasico divide.

President Florentino Perez considered a move for Iniesta in 2009 on his return to the capital club and has been watching with interest this term as the fans' favourite has been in and out of the side at Camp Nou.

But Iniesta has been at Barca since the age of 12 and his affinity with the Catalan club runs deep. He toldTV3 last year: "I feel Spanish, but I also feel Catalan - I have spent a big part of my life in Catalunya and the people have embraced me. Some may not like to hear that, but it's the truth. Catalunya is very special to me."

Iniesta invited a journalist into his home for filming of the television show El Convidat, which features a famous person and their abode in every episode. And Andres left viewers in no doubt of his passion for the Catalan club, with a club crest engraved aboved the staircase in his family house in Fuentealbilla, along with numerous photos and trophies.

The midfielder, who made his Barca debut under Louis van Gaal in 2002, has played 479 competitive games for the Blaugrana, scoring 48 goals.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

10 Things You Should Know Before Turning 30


1. How to Budget
Whether you’re looking ahead to your 30thbirthday or are smirking from a place of divine wisdom, check out these 10 things everyone should know by 30—and tell us what you think.

According to a nationwide survey conducted by LearnVest and Chase Blueprint®, only 38% of people have a monthly budget, and fewer than half are aware of what’s available each month for discretionary spending. This varies little across the gender, age or income groups.

Living off nothing but pasta and canned tuna is all well and good when you’re fresh out of college or still embracing your inner bachelor, but at a certain point, your palate should mature—without your wallet picking up the slack. 

We know not everyone is born a culinary wonder, nor wants to become one, but with at least ten cable channels devoted to food, you can pick a culinary idol to emulate and a signature dish or three that will do more than simply sustain you.
Why? Cooking at home is healthier for your waistline and your budget, not to mention for family bonding time. Here are some healthy food ideas for you, and here are all our easy, quick and delicious recipes.
Sure, you speak and write English, but when occasion calls, can you draft a cover letter, résumé or email that commands attention? Your career could depend on it.

Writing professionally applies not just to official memos to your department head. It also comes in handy when you want to negotiate a bill with customer service, or even write a thank you note. Even in less formal contexts, you’ll be remembered by the emails you send—and they form a permanent, written record of your work.
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4. How Not to Part With Your Hard-Earned Cash
Sure, your 20s may be the decade of impulse buys, but with age should come fewer occasions for buyer’s remorse.

Here's an easy rule of thumb anyone who's spent three decades on Earth should consider before plunking down a wallet: Ask yourself whether you’ll be glad in a month that you own this purchase. Then think about what else you could do with that money. Would you rather have this thing, or that lump sum
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5. How to Change a Flat Tire
Changing a tire in the cold by yourself sounds way less than fun, but this adult skill can save you in a bind, both in terms of money and safety. Read: You don’t have to pay for a tow truck, and you don’t have to sit by a sketchy roadside for hours waiting for AAA. Want to learn how?
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6. How to Look Up Your Credit Report

Your credit is one of the most fundamental building blocks of your financial life. Solid credit enables you to do everything from getting a mortgage to taking out an auto loan. Good credit also means you’ll be eligible for credit cards with better perks and lower interest rates.

Certainly, a big part of maintaining good credit is paying all your bills on time, but there’s another component people often forget: checking your credit report to make sure there are no errors. Credit reporting agencies screw up surprisingly often, and no one is going to make sure they’re doing right by you, except you.
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You shop online, have made the transition to going paperless (after all, seven years of bank statements eat up a lot of filing space!) and, if you're a responsible money manager, by now you ought to have made the leap to knowing where your money goes while you're on the go.

In fact, that's why LearnVest created our new iPhone app. These days apps can help us do everything from save on groceries to organize our desktops, but there's nothing more useful than seeing where every cent you earn or spend goes ... in real time. Of course, this isn't just for people over 30, but we know it's the future, so it's best to get on board now!
8. How to Swim
Although swimming may not feel like a core life skill when you’re living and working a day job, we think it’s something everyone should know. On the most basic level, it will keep you safe whether you’re ever caught in rough waters or ice skating on a frozen pond.

This becomes even more important if you’re ever around kids. Whether you have children, plan to have them in the future or occasionally hang out with people who do, you’ll surely want to feel empowered as a trusted adult by the pool when little ones are playing.

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9. How to Move On
We mean this in the broadest sense possible, whether it’s moving on after you didn’t get the job you wanted, after learning that the mortgage for the home you loved is way out of your price range, and, okay, sure, getting over old relationships.

The sting of disappointment is no less sharp, whether you’re 13, 30 or 300. But wisdom means having the tools to recognize which battles are fight-able, and when you need to get on with your life. (In other words, don’t keep harassing the hiring manager weeks after you’ve been turned down from a job.
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10. How to Strike a Balance Between Work and Life
How much time do you spend thinking about how you spend your time?

One of the hottest conversations in America is the perennial one about work-life balance: From moms too busy to take maternity leave to more women than ever burning out in the workplace by age 30. Some experts have argued that the key is less about work-life balance than work-life purpose, or prioritizing what’s important to you and fitting it into a composite of who you are, and what you do with your time.
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Things you dont know about your Iphone

I've been an iPhone owner for years, and it's so intuitive and easy to use, I tend to think of it as a fairly simple device. You know, because a phenomenally powerful palm-sized computer that can take photos, run applications, surf the web, play music, send messages, and make phone calls is so SIMPLE, right?
Aside from occasionally downloading new apps, I basically use my phone for the same functions over and over, so I'm not super savvy on all the latest iPhone tricks.
After putting together this list, however, I feel like some sort of iPhone SUPERNINJA. Not only do I have a deeper appreciation for just how much power's under the hood in iOS 5, I actually learned some useful ideas for improving my own productivity.
Holding down the home button to talk to Siri can make you feel like a douche in public. Do it stealth-style by going to Settings > General > Siri, and then select Raise to Speak. Now all you've got to do is hold the phone up to your ear to summon Siri.

SiriTexting a million words a minute is for teenagers. Us older folks need some shortcuts, by golly. Settings > General > Keyboard and Shortcuts (scroll down) lets you enter a phrase and its shortcut, so the next time you type that shortcut the phrase will appear.

Emoji
Speaking of teenage texting, if this kind of smiley face just won't do :-) then get yourself a crap-ton of cartoony images at Settings > General > Keyboard, and adding the Emoji keyboard. I don't endorse this practice, I'm just letting you know it's out there, okay?

LED reminder iPhone
If you keep missing your alerts, go to Settings > General > Accessibility and turn on LED Flash for Alerts to trigger the LED flash on your phone so you are notified, perhaps blindingly, when something comes in.

rich text iPhone
Want to add some flair to your text? Highlight the words you want to call out, then select the arrow and then the BIU button to pick between bold, italics, or underline.

Sometimes lowercase just doesn't cut it. Toggle on caps lock by double tapping the shift key so you can SHOUT ALL YOU WANT.

weather app iPhone
You knew you could use the Weather app to see the week's weather, but what about two hours from now? Tap anywhere in the week and the current day will expand to reveal the hourly forecast for the rest of the day.

GPS reminder iPhone
Are you chronically forgetful? Try the GPS features in the Reminder app to have your iPhone keep track of all your to-dos. Make a reminder, then select to remind you At a Location. Choose a location and pick whether you want a reminder when you leave or when you arrive. Now your iPhone can do things like ping you about that prescription you've been needing to get -- at the moment you're driving near the drugstore.

iPhone photo album
Want to organize your increasingly out-of-control photos? Just go to the Photos app, click Edit in the top right corner, then click the Add button that shows up in the upper left side of the screen. Title the album whatever you want and DUNZO.

select multiple photos iPhone
Finally, here's a tip that helped me put this article together. Until now, I had no idea you couldselect multiple photos (so I didn't have to email myself each of these screenshots individually), but it's actually super easy. Open the Photos app, then choose the Camera Roll. Tap the arrow in the upper-right corner of the screen, then tap each photo (and/or video) you want to share or delete. You'll see a red check mark appear on each one. When you're done making your selections, tap Delete to trash them or Share to forward them via text message -- or copy them to the clipboard so you can email them (note that the clipboard maxes out after a while, so you can't actually copy a ton of images at once).
So, did you learn any new iPhone tricks from this list?

Images via Linda Sharps

Return Of The King

Drogba: I'm the luckiest man in the Champions League!The Ivorian was thrilled to get the opportunity to play at Stamford Bridge once again when his Galatasaray side face Chelsea in the last 16
Didier Drogba has branded himself the "luckiest man" in the Champions League after Galatasaray were drawn against Chelsea in the last 16.

The Cote d'Ivoire international - who played more than 340 games for Chelsea in a stellar career for the London club - admitted he was relishing the prospect of returning to Stamford Bridge for Roberto Mancini's men when the sides lock horns in the new year.

Jose Mourinho admitted prior to Monday's draw that Drogba deserved the chance to receive a warm ovation from the Blues faithful and Drogba suggested that both legs of the tie would have the feel of a home game.

"What a draw... I'm the luckiest man in this competition," he wrote on his official Instagram account.

"In both games I'll be playing home! See you in few months."

Drogba left Chelsea in the summer of 2012 a club hero having scored in the Champions League final to take the game to spot-kicks before subsequently burying the winning penalty for the Blues against Bayern Munich.

After spending a short time in China, the Ivorian returned to Europe with a transfer to the Turk Telekom Arena at the start of 2013.

Drogba has been linked in some quarters with a possible move back to Chelsea during the January transfer window, though the striker himself claimed there was "no way" he would leave the Istanbul giants next month following the crucial win over JuventusThe Ivorian was thrilled to get the opportunity to play at Stamford Bridge once again when his Galatasaray side face Chelsea in the last 16
Didier Drogba has branded himself the "luckiest man" in the Champions League after Galatasaray were drawn against Chelsea in the last 16.

The Cote d'Ivoire international - who played more than 340 games for Chelsea in a stellar career for the London club - admitted he was relishing the prospect of returning to Stamford Bridge for Roberto Mancini's men when the sides lock horns in the new year.

Jose Mourinho admitted prior to Monday's draw that Drogba deserved the chance to receive a warm ovation from the Blues faithful and Drogba suggested that both legs of the tie would have the feel of a home game.

"What a draw... I'm the luckiest man in this competition," he wrote on his official Instagram account.

"In both games I'll be playing home! See you in few months."

Drogba left Chelsea in the summer of 2012 a club hero having scored in the Champions League final to take the game to spot-kicks before subsequently burying the winning penalty for the Blues against Bayern Munich.

After spending a short time in China, the Ivorian returned to Europe with a transfer to the Turk Telekom Arena at the start of 2013.

Drogba has been linked in some quarters with a possible move back to Chelsea during the January transfer window, though the striker himself claimed there was "no way" he would leave the Istanbul giants next month following the crucial win over JuventusThe Ivorian was thrilled to get the opportunity to play at Stamford Bridge once again when his Galatasaray side face Chelsea in the last 16
Didier Drogba has branded himself the "luckiest man" in the Champions League after Galatasaray were drawn against Chelsea in the last 16.

The Cote d'Ivoire international - who played more than 340 games for Chelsea in a stellar career for the London club - admitted he was relishing the prospect of returning to Stamford Bridge for Roberto Mancini's men when the sides lock horns in the new year.

Jose Mourinho admitted prior to Monday's draw that Drogba deserved the chance to receive a warm ovation from the Blues faithful and Drogba suggested that both legs of the tie would have the feel of a home game.

"What a draw... I'm the luckiest man in this competition," he wrote on his official Instagram account.

"In both games I'll be playing home! See you in few months."

Drogba left Chelsea in the summer of 2012 a club hero having scored in the Champions League final to take the game to spot-kicks before subsequently burying the winning penalty for the Blues against Bayern Munich.

After spending a short time in China, the Ivorian returned to Europe with a transfer to the Turk Telekom Arena at the start of 2013.

Drogba has been linked in some quarters with a possible move back to Chelsea during the January transfer window, though the striker himself claimed there was "no way" he would leave the Istanbul giants next month following the crucial win over JuventusThe Ivorian was thrilled to get the opportunity to play at Stamford Bridge once again when his Galatasaray side face Chelsea in the last 16
Didier Drogba has branded himself the "luckiest man" in the Champions League after Galatasaray were drawn against Chelsea in the last 16.

The Cote d'Ivoire international - who played more than 340 games for Chelsea in a stellar career for the London club - admitted he was relishing the prospect of returning to Stamford Bridge for Roberto Mancini's men when the sides lock horns in the new year.

Jose Mourinho admitted prior to Monday's draw that Drogba deserved the chance to receive a warm ovation from the Blues faithful and Drogba suggested that both legs of the tie would have the feel of a home game.

"What a draw... I'm the luckiest man in this competition," he wrote on his official Instagram account.

"In both games I'll be playing home! See you in few months."

Drogba left Chelsea in the summer of 2012 a club hero having scored in the Champions League final to take the game to spot-kicks before subsequently burying the winning penalty for the Blues against Bayern Munich.

After spending a short time in China, the Ivorian returned to Europe with a transfer to the Turk Telekom Arena at the start of 2013.

Drogba has been linked in some quarters with a possible move back to Chelsea during the January transfer window, though the striker himself claimed there was "no way" he would leave the Istanbul giants next month following the crucial win over JuventusThe Ivorian was thrilled to get the opportunity to play at Stamford Bridge once again when his Galatasaray side face Chelsea in the last 16
Didier Drogba has branded himself the "luckiest man" in the Champions League after Galatasaray were drawn against Chelsea in the last 16.

The Cote d'Ivoire international - who played more than 340 games for Chelsea in a stellar career for the London club - admitted he was relishing the prospect of returning to Stamford Bridge for Roberto Mancini's men when the sides lock horns in the new year.

Jose Mourinho admitted prior to Monday's draw that Drogba deserved the chance to receive a warm ovation from the Blues faithful and Drogba suggested that both legs of the tie would have the feel of a home game.

"What a draw... I'm the luckiest man in this competition," he wrote on his official Instagram account.

"In both games I'll be playing home! See you in few months."

Drogba left Chelsea in the summer of 2012 a club hero having scored in the Champions League final to take the game to spot-kicks before subsequently burying the winning penalty for the Blues against Bayern Munich.

After spending a short time in China, the Ivorian returned to Europe with a transfer to the Turk Telekom Arena at the start of 2013.

Drogba has been linked in some quarters with a possible move back to Chelsea during the January transfer window, though the striker himself claimed there was "no way" he would leave the Istanbul giants next month following the crucial win over JuventusThe Ivorian was thrilled to get the opportunity to play at Stamford Bridge once again when his Galatasaray side face Chelsea in the last 16
Didier Drogba has branded himself the "luckiest man" in the Champions League after Galatasaray were drawn against Chelsea in the last 16.

The Cote d'Ivoire international - who played more than 340 games for Chelsea in a stellar career for the London club - admitted he was relishing the prospect of returning to Stamford Bridge for Roberto Mancini's men when the sides lock horns in the new year.

Jose Mourinho admitted prior to Monday's draw that Drogba deserved the chance to receive a warm ovation from the Blues faithful and Drogba suggested that both legs of the tie would have the feel of a home game.

"What a draw... I'm the luckiest man in this competition," he wrote on his official Instagram account.

"In both games I'll be playing home! See you in few months."

Drogba left Chelsea in the summer of 2012 a club hero having scored in the Champions League final to take the game to spot-kicks before subsequently burying the winning penalty for the Blues against Bayern Munich.

After spending a short time in China, the Ivorian returned to Europe with a transfer to the Turk Telekom Arena at the start of 2013.

Drogba has been linked in some quarters with a possible move back to Chelsea during the January transfer window, though the striker himself claimed there was "no way" he would leave the Istanbul giants next month following the crucial win over Juventus