iGoogle

Being a student in MIT, it is pretty sad that I just discovered I could customize my iGoogle to include things such as the weather, places to visit and useless facts. This week not only did I learn to customize my iGoogle but I learned these 3 useless facts:

#1. In the late 1970s, the Coca-Cola Company boycotted the NBC late-night comedy show Saturday Night Live for several years. The giant soda company was retaliating against a frequent character of comedian John Belushi, a Greek restaurant owner who repeatedly said to customers, "No Coke—Pepsi," thus saying the rival company’s name dozens of times within each skit

#2. Phobia: paraskavedekatriaphobia Fear of: Friday the 13th

#3. Camels have 3 eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand, and a camel can shut its nostrils during a desert sandstorm

Ellen on Oprah

"Ellen on Oprah" is my Facebook status at this moment. I got two likes from my girlfriends and one "I just puked in my mouth" and "too bad the studio didn't get bombed." from two guy friends. Personally I was too excited and for the first time since Oprah's Christmas special last year I actually took time to watch the full show.

Ellen was her fabulous/funny self and Oprah was obviously trying too hard but it was really a great show. There was also an appearance from Ellen's wife (who is STUNNING) Portia de Rossi. They opened up about their wedding, relationship and coming out as a gay person and a couple. It was a really great show and if you missed it click her to get all the details

Paranormal Activity

I just got home from seeing THE scariest movie that I have seen in a while. It is not about this perverted killer who makes you saw off your own leg, it is about demons who turn off lights, shut doors and oh ya, invade your body. This movie is called Paranormal Activity and it scared the crap out of me! It is scary because it is completely believable and though not everyone may believe in ghosts and demons, you may start now. It is filmed like the Blair Witch Project with a hand held camera. This couple has just moved into a new house and the girl is being haunted by a demon, not ghost, demon. The couple wants proof so they decide to leave he camera in front of their bed each night and watch in the morning to see what happens. It is absolutely, eye covering, awkward screaming, bed wetting, scary. Highly recommended. If you have seen it please comment and let me know what you thought!

Click here for more information.

H1N1 or Cold?

Two days ago I woke up with a sore throat, I was more tired than usual and I have a dry cough. My roommate told me go to the doctor to check for H1N1 but I'm not too concerned because to me these are regular cold symptoms. But then I thought what are the different symptoms in a cold and H1N1. For those of you who also wonder read this:

Fever

• Fever is rare with a cold.
• Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.
  

Coughing

• A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
• A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
  

Aches

• Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
• Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.
  

Stuffy Nose

• Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
• Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
  

Chills

• Chills are uncommon with a cold.
• 60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.
  

Tiredness

• Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
• Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.
  

Sneezing

• Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
• Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.
  

Sudden Symptoms

• Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days
• The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
  

Headache

• A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
• A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
  

Sore Throat

• Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
• Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
  

Chest Discomfort

• Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
• Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu

So who votes that I have a cold?

Graduation Photos

I have just finished getting my graduation photos taken and I was under prepared. If you are like me and skim through emails that faulty members send you then you might have missed the important stuff. Here is the low-down:

- Wear a white shirt (or if a guy, collared shirt and tie)
- Bring casual clothes
- Bring a friend (group photos are available!)
- $25 fee
- Located beside Inprint at the UCC
- Be ready to pose in leaves and as Carrie Underwood

Just a few tips so you are more prepared than I was! If you have not book your UWO grad photo click here.

Cell Phone Law

Okay, here is another question about the law. As most of us know Ontario has banned the use of cell phones while driving. If caught, one could be fined up to $500, a fee no student could afford! But what is the difference between using a cell phone or changing the radio station. Or using a cell phone or eating a Big Mac? What is more distracting and how far is the government going to go. Is this just the beginning of driving laws or will eating a Big Mac soon be next on the list?

To learn more about driving laws click here

Corporations Have NO Moral Responsibilities

Today I actually learned something interesting in my Business Law class. Business Law is taught by Professor King, who is an excellent professor and I highly recommend taking his class if available. Today we talked about corporations and how they have no moral responsibilities, and pursue profit at any cost. Corporations will not act in a socially responsible manner because they are programmed not to. They are all about making profit - for example if the only way the Body Shop gives a $1 to charity it is not because they want to help a cause it is only to sell more soap! Legally speaking, corporations cannot give out money unless they have an ulterior motive.

This is pretty obvious but it makes you question if it is right or wrong? It is socially accepted that corporations, especially large corporations want to make a profit, at any cost but what does that mean for society? Should we buy the soap because we know that our money is going to charity but also helping large corporations make more money? What do you think?