Thursday, June 30, 2005
Mandatory Blog Poem
A Blog is not really a blog unless it contains really bad poems. So to fulfill my obligation here is a new poem!
This poem is dedicated to a GAM I met at Trader Joe
==================
Really Bad Poem #6
==================
You were touching the asparagus
when I first saw you
You were touching the asparagus
with your long, thick fingers
You were touching the asparagus
with your manly hands
You were touching the asparagus
when you said "Hi!"
You were touching the asparagus
when you asked me a question
You were touching the asparagus
when you smiled at me
You were touching the asparagus
when you stole my heart
==============
Deleted Scenes
==============
Just like movies and DVDs have deleted scenes, modern era poems have deleted scenes as well:
You were touching the asparagus
and your chi was flowing
You were touching the asparagus
and your aura was glowing
This poem is dedicated to a GAM I met at Trader Joe
==================
Really Bad Poem #6
==================
You were touching the asparagus
when I first saw you
You were touching the asparagus
with your long, thick fingers
You were touching the asparagus
with your manly hands
You were touching the asparagus
when you said "Hi!"
You were touching the asparagus
when you asked me a question
You were touching the asparagus
when you smiled at me
You were touching the asparagus
when you stole my heart
==============
Deleted Scenes
==============
Just like movies and DVDs have deleted scenes, modern era poems have deleted scenes as well:
You were touching the asparagus
and your chi was flowing
You were touching the asparagus
and your aura was glowing
News: Props to Canadia and Spain!
Within 24 hours both Canada and Spain boldly went were few countries dared to go. Spain's Congress of Deputies just approved gay marriage by a 187-147 vote, despite resistance from anachronistic religious fanatics preparing for yet another "crusade". The bill is now law! In a recent poll, 62% of Spain supports gay marriage (woohoo!) while only 30% is brainwashed by the religious loonies. This move by Spain could perhaps be of great help to gay rights advocates in Latin America countries with sociopolitical ties to Spain.
Canadia's House of Commons passed legislation earlier on that legalizes gay marriage. It is expected to pass the Senate later on and become law by the end of July!
They join Netherlands aka Holland, and Belgium as the only two countries that offer nationwide same-gender marriage rights.
Canadia's House of Commons passed legislation earlier on that legalizes gay marriage. It is expected to pass the Senate later on and become law by the end of July!
They join Netherlands aka Holland, and Belgium as the only two countries that offer nationwide same-gender marriage rights.
M&A more popular than S&M on Wall Street
In yet another big fish eats another big fish move, Bank of America is eating up MBNA for a mere 35 billion monopoly dollars. At this rate there will be three banks left by 2010 :-0
BofA eats MBNA
BofA eats MBNA
Food diary: Thursday
Good
water
healthy-ish omelette
two nectarines (or peaches or whatever hybrid they are)
Bad
half half-loaf of garlic bread (oink oink!!!)
Two (2) Snickers ice-cream bars (oink oink!) 180 calories each!
4 Eggo blueberry waffles with Eggo Buttery syrup (oink oink!)
12oz Coca Cola Zero
4oz of Hatorade
Bad
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
I want my Gay TV!
The mass-market LGBTQQII cable TV, Logo TV is set to debut on Thursday in 10 million homes. The initial debut is mainly in big cities in blue states like NooYok, SF, LA, Boston, Philly cheesesteak, etc.
Logo TV is a basic cable channel, part of the Viacom portfolio which includes MTV, CBS, Showtime and such.
Logoonline.com website
I want my Gay TV!
Logo TV is a basic cable channel, part of the Viacom portfolio which includes MTV, CBS, Showtime and such.
Logoonline.com website
I want my Gay TV!
Comcast Broadband special!
Comcast is currently running a phone-in $30/mo broadband special for 12 months. If you are a current or potential customer call them and demand this :-)
Discrimination against Federation citizens today!
In an unprecedented case, a Federation citizen was sent home from school because of his beliefs in the Federation!
Discrimination against Federation citizens
Discrimination against Federation citizens
CNBC to air a documentary on eBay!
CNBC goes "inside" the feeBay obsession in a new 90-minute documentary called "The eBay effect". This will air one trillion times, premiering at 8p and 11pm EST today Wedn June 29 (for those who can't do math, it's 5pm and 8pm Pacific time). It re-airs on Friday July 1 at 8pm and 11pm EST, and Sunday July 3rd 9pm and 12am EST.
Check local listings!
Check local listings!
Food Diary: Wednesday
Good
water
medium bowl Post Honey bunches of oats with 1% milk
healthy-ish omelette
Trader joe yogurt with fags (240 calories)
Bad
Jumbo Jack small combo + 2 small tacos (oink oink!) - My date had a Sourdough Jack which was appropriate since he was quite sour ;-)
Two (2) Yoplait Whips (total 300 calories!) oink oink!
12oz Diet Coke
12oz Coca Cola Zero
one amoeba
Bad
Food Diary: Tuesday
Good
water
medium bowl Post Honey bunches of oats with 1% milk
healthy-ish omelette
Bad
half half-loaf garlic bread
half pint of Ben & Jerry coffee heath bar (oink oink!)
One iced Bear Mocha (the secret recipe will be revealed in a future blog post)
12oz Coca Cola Zero
12oz Dad's rootbear (bad sugar bad sugar!)
Bad
Existential fruitcake blog of the week
Monday, June 27, 2005
Another bargain: $1.27 bottle of wine @ TJ
Yes, this is not a typo! Trader Joe has a bottle of wine for $1.27! This is a different wine from the world famous "two buck chuck" by Charles Shaw. This one is some sort of a Pepperwood Zinfandel or something similar to that. $1.27! Wow! As always, check with your local store as inventory and prices may vary.
Another great bargain brought to you by the Factor! Stay tuned for more!
Another great bargain brought to you by the Factor! Stay tuned for more!
Food diary: Monday
Good
water
medium bowl Post Honey bunches of oats with 1% milk
healthy-ish omelette
two open-face sandwiches with 98% fat free Trader Joe ham
16 oz Strawberries (with Lite whipped cream)
Bad
One iced Bear Mocha (the secret recipe will be revealed in a future blog post)
Kozy Shack Flan (150 calories)
One Yoplait Whip (150 calories)
1 scoop of Ben & Jerry coffee heath bar
8oz Sobe Liz Blizz
8oz Coca Cola Zero
Bad
Super hot camera deal: Sony T1 $245 !
The sexy Sony T1 is on clearance at Staples for the sexy price of $245! Wow!!!
Sony T1 $245 @ Staples
You can thank me later ;-)
Sony T1 $245 @ Staples
You can thank me later ;-)
Broadband alternatives
No, it's not just DSL -vs- cable anymore. More options are available:
power line broadband (it wasn't just a crazy idea)
fiber optics
satellite (not the DMB song)
Wimax and fixed wireless
cellular
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Sunday Puzzle
Solve this puzzle and win fabulous prizes!
The puzzle
What is this? 83AR
All entries must be submitted as Comments on this post!
Winner wins 1 Gmail invite and 1 Fridae heart ;-)
The puzzle
What is this? 83AR
All entries must be submitted as Comments on this post!
Winner wins 1 Gmail invite and 1 Fridae heart ;-)
Food Diary: Sunday
Good
water
medium bowl Post Honey bunches of oats with 1% milk
healthy-ish omelette
three peaches or nectarines or whatever they were (all look same to me)
Bad
One BearClaw
One iced Bear Mocha (the secret recipe will be revealed in a future blog post)
Kozy Shack Flan (150 calories)
8 KFC wings (oink oink!)
12 oz Coca Cola Zero
Bad
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Food diary: Saturday
Good
water
medium bowl of Post Honey Bunches of Oats with 1% milk
Omelette with healthy ingredients (no meat)
Healthy Choice Beef Pot Roast
Bad
0.01 oz of shampoo
20 oz Pepsi One
3 scoops Ben&Jerry Coffee Heath Bar (oink! oink!)
Yoplait Whips (140 calories; 21g sugars)
Bad
Friday, June 24, 2005
New Gadget Blog!
A brand new blog for gadget freaks has just been born: http://heygadget.blog.com/. Read all about it!
Sex Diary: Friday
Food Diary: Friday
Good
Lots of water
medium bowl of Post Honey bunches of Oats with Almonds with 1% milk
1 Trader Joe fruity yogurt
open face sandwich (3 slices of 98% fat-free TJoe ham, 2 slices bread)
Bad
50% of half of a loaf of garlic bread (oink oink!)
Kettle Chips: Seasalt and vinegar (750 calories!)
20 oz Pepsi One (2 calories)
Bad
BCA for this week: Coldplay, Backdoor, Foos
Welcome to the 3rd edition of BCA!
Coldplay holds on to the #1 spot despite a predictable 56% drop down to a very healthy 323,000. This was just 12,000 ahead of the brand new Foo Fighters double-disc album, which incidentally was their best chart showing ever. If memory serves me well (despite old age) this CD has enhanced copy protection, or something similar.
This was a shocker but 290,000 people bought the new Backdoor Boys CD, enough to put them at the #3 spot, just 21,000 behind the Foos. That's a lot of CDs for a bunch of has-been boyband twinkies ;-)
The artist formerly known as Big Phat Bootay, (aka Mariah Carey), continues a strong showing with an 8% increase at 163,000 and #4. Mariah Insider vWayner.com reported that this weeks sales helped "Mimi" become the 2nd best selling CD of the year.
At #5, with a 47% drop and 155,000 units Black Eyed Peas continue to sing about love, peace, tolerance and understanding.
Fat Joe can now afford to enroll in Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig as his new CD sold a career high 106,400 for a #6 debut. His 2001 "JOSE" CD is just 62,000 units away from becoming platinum, so hardcore Fat Joe fans go out and buy a few more!
Teaching left turns at Honkytonk University gave Professor Toby Keith a 29% sales gain to 93,000 while Shakira's loosely translated "Oral fixation" CD takes a 50% jumbo drop to a respectable 77,000 and #8. There is ...no doubt that Gwen Stefani continues to do well (up 7%, 76,400, #9). There is no doubt that System of a Down went ...down (down 11%, 76,200, #10)
Other New Releases
#27 Nashville "Idol" winner - name irrelevant ;-)
#29 Static X needed more AC/DC
#35 As I lay dying CD (don't think this will become elevator music any time soon)
#54 Dwight Yoakam
The Starbucks (ewww!) exclusive release of Alanis's acoustic version of JAG sold a very impressive 56,000 and would be #17 in the Billboard 200 if it was allowed. However, it is not allwowed in there because it is not generally available. That is a stupid rule. That along with the exclusion of "catalog albums" from the Top 200 means that the Top 200 is actually not the Top 200 selling CDs. To make up for the silliness, Billboard created the "Comprehensive Chart" (multiple LOLs and ROLFLMBAOs here) that actually lists the top selling CDs! In that chart, the Alanis acoustic Starf*cks exclusive is at #17. If you don't want to buy that CD at full price at Starf*cks you have to wait until July 26.
Source data: http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000965907
Coldplay holds on to the #1 spot despite a predictable 56% drop down to a very healthy 323,000. This was just 12,000 ahead of the brand new Foo Fighters double-disc album, which incidentally was their best chart showing ever. If memory serves me well (despite old age) this CD has enhanced copy protection, or something similar.
This was a shocker but 290,000 people bought the new Backdoor Boys CD, enough to put them at the #3 spot, just 21,000 behind the Foos. That's a lot of CDs for a bunch of has-been boyband twinkies ;-)
The artist formerly known as Big Phat Bootay, (aka Mariah Carey), continues a strong showing with an 8% increase at 163,000 and #4. Mariah Insider vWayner.com reported that this weeks sales helped "Mimi" become the 2nd best selling CD of the year.
At #5, with a 47% drop and 155,000 units Black Eyed Peas continue to sing about love, peace, tolerance and understanding.
Fat Joe can now afford to enroll in Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig as his new CD sold a career high 106,400 for a #6 debut. His 2001 "JOSE" CD is just 62,000 units away from becoming platinum, so hardcore Fat Joe fans go out and buy a few more!
Teaching left turns at Honkytonk University gave Professor Toby Keith a 29% sales gain to 93,000 while Shakira's loosely translated "Oral fixation" CD takes a 50% jumbo drop to a respectable 77,000 and #8. There is ...no doubt that Gwen Stefani continues to do well (up 7%, 76,400, #9). There is no doubt that System of a Down went ...down (down 11%, 76,200, #10)
Other New Releases
The Starbucks (ewww!) exclusive release of Alanis's acoustic version of JAG sold a very impressive 56,000 and would be #17 in the Billboard 200 if it was allowed. However, it is not allwowed in there because it is not generally available. That is a stupid rule. That along with the exclusion of "catalog albums" from the Top 200 means that the Top 200 is actually not the Top 200 selling CDs. To make up for the silliness, Billboard created the "Comprehensive Chart" (multiple LOLs and ROLFLMBAOs here) that actually lists the top selling CDs! In that chart, the Alanis acoustic Starf*cks exclusive is at #17. If you don't want to buy that CD at full price at Starf*cks you have to wait until July 26.
Source data: http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000965907
NBA Finals Game 7 review
This was the first NBA game I have watched this year (and thankfully the last). If it wasn't the championship game this would be almost as exciting as reading the yellow pages for the 5th time in a row. Obviously I watched it from TiVO *cough* VCR *cough*. I think I need a new fast-forward key.
The highlight of the game was the half-time (obviously previously recorded) performance of "Under pressure" by good old Freddie Mercury. That along with "We will rock you" and "We are the champions", Queen dominated the ...soundtrack of the game. Do they know he was gay? ;-)
The highlight of the game was the half-time (obviously previously recorded) performance of "Under pressure" by good old Freddie Mercury. That along with "We will rock you" and "We are the champions", Queen dominated the ...soundtrack of the game. Do they know he was gay? ;-)
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Food Diary: Thursday
Good things
medium size bowl of Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds with 1% fat milk
two tiny tiny pieces of cheese (grocery samples)
a little bit of toothpaste (yummy Colgate Total)
six Rainier cherries
Bad things
2 slices of a half-loaf garlic bread
3 slices of cappuccino cream cake
1 corndog with mustard
1 jumbo jack with small fries
oink oink!
Drinks
lots of water
16oz of Pepsi One
16oz of Diet coke
16oz Bear Mocha
As e/saurus mentioned, "where are the veggies???"
And how about the fruits? Well I talk to a lot of fruits, but I don't eat them ;-)
Bad things
Drinks
As e/saurus mentioned, "where are the veggies???"
And how about the fruits? Well I talk to a lot of fruits, but I don't eat them ;-)
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
A day in the life of a bear that can't stop eating!
This segment will expose a bear (who shall remain unnamed) that keeps on eating! This segment will reveal the shocking details of what this bear ate for the whole day!
Breakfast
A medium sized bowl of Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds with Trader Joe 1% milk
Lunch
Trader Joe Shepherd's Pie with beef (380 calories)
Dinner
2 four-cheese deep dish Red Baron pizzas (860 calories)
Snacks
1 scoop of strawberry ice-cream on sugar cone from local viet cafe
1 chocolate donut from Donut Wheel
3.50 slices of Coppenrath & Wiese Cappuccino cream bar (525 calories)
Drinks
Lots of water
16oz of Pepsi One (2 calories)
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks
Drinks
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Google thinking about a PayPal competitor?
Google thinking about a PayPal competitor?. It would certainly be a welcome move as PayPal has become a monopoly especially given its relations with eBay on ...eBay :)
Multi-purpose cavities
400 million prairie dogs can't be wrong!
Sunday paper deals!
This popular segment of the Factor is back!
$80 HP 435 digital camera at CompUSA/GoodGuys
Norton Antivirus FAR @ CompUSA
McAfee Internet Security suite 7 FAR @ Circuit City (CC)
Coldplay X&Y $9 @ CC
Philips DVD-Recorder + VCR $250 @ CC
Acer laptop $500AR + free printer AR, Sempron 2800, 256MB, 40GB, DVD/CDRW, 11g, 15" XGA
Cyberhome DVD-Recorder $99AR @ Best Buy (BB)
18 months no interest on digital cameras $299 and up at BB
Free paper ream at Office Depot if you recycle your used ink cartridge
$20 colorful 5-head lamp @ Target, 66" high, adjustable gooseneck arms. Painted steel base and pole
$18 beanbag chairs @ Target
cute Samsung A402 black digital camera @ Sears $130
that's all folks!
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Your chance to catch up with Battlestar Galactica
In case you haven't heard, the new re-imagined Battlestar Galactica is a work of art :-) REALLY! SERIOUSLY! In case you missed it before, or did not watch all the episodes, the Scifi Channel will be running an all day marathon on July 6, with all 13 episodes of Season 1. It is not available on DVD yet, so that's the only way you can legally watch them all :-)
Meanwhile NBC is jumping on the bandwagon and showing three back to back episodes the week before.
The mini-series that counts as Season 0 is available for purchase or rental, and it is highly recommended that you watch that, before Season 1.
Season 2 begins Friday July 15 on the SciFi channel! Are we there yet?
As always, check local listings or Yahoo TV
Meanwhile NBC is jumping on the bandwagon and showing three back to back episodes the week before.
The mini-series that counts as Season 0 is available for purchase or rental, and it is highly recommended that you watch that, before Season 1.
Season 2 begins Friday July 15 on the SciFi channel! Are we there yet?
As always, check local listings or Yahoo TV
IAT Tests
Thanks to Tych for mentioning this!
IAT tests!. A series of Implied Attitute Tests hosted by Ha'av'a'd determine preference/bias based on rage, religion, apprearance, sexual orientation, etc, etc.
NOTE: It may take forever to load with dialup.
IAT tests!. A series of Implied Attitute Tests hosted by Ha'av'a'd determine preference/bias based on rage, religion, apprearance, sexual orientation, etc, etc.
NOTE: It may take forever to load with dialup.
Cool things from Japan!
Are you dying to get the latest "cool toy" from Japan but it's not available in your country and you don't wanna risk buying it from "eBay people"? Well, you can try using an import service that includes technical support in its price. It is a pricey service but you get peace of mind. (No, I haven't tried them).
How about this cool MP3 with OLED display?
How about this cool MP3 with OLED display?
Friday, June 17, 2005
vWayner's world!
Catch up with the latest happenings in the June installment of vWayner's World!
You can also get a sneak preview of the brand new vWayner hair style
You can also get a sneak preview of the brand new vWayner hair style
Billboard Chart Analysis (BCA)
The 2nd installment of BCA (Billboard Chart Analysis) is 2 days late! All apologies!
As expected Coldplay lands at the top, selling almost three quarters of a million CDs (737,000). (I admit I was one of them!). It was the biggest seller for a rock group since U2's "...Dismantle..." opened with 840,000. The previous Coldplay CD "Rush of blood..." sold 3.8 million since it was released.
Meanwhile back in the UK, they became the 2nd best selling debut in history with over 464,000 units sold. Since the UK market is about 1/4th of the US market, that's a huge number! And in case you were wondering, Oasis is the best selling ever debut in the UK with the 1997 "Be here now" selling almost 700,000.
The Black Eyed Peas are the undisputed #2 with 291,000 - a very good showing indeed.
The #3 spot belongs to the White Stripes with 189,000. Their previous CD "Elephant" sold a very respectable 1.7 million. Bravo!
Shakira shatters the record for biggest debut for a spanish-speaking album with 157,000 units despite being banned at one latino-themed retail chain. Apparently the average dumbsumer has discovered that music is also possible if the lyrics are not in english ;-). Just in case you were wondering, the previous record belonged to Ricky "I'm not Gay" Martin with 65,000 in 2003.
Mariah fans, including internet entity vWayner.com, should be very happy because Mariah is the best selling CD (exclusing this week's new releases) at #5. Not only that but she has a solid 150,000 showing.
Quickies
System of a Down goes ...Down, and down to 86,000 units and #6
Tobby Keith will be teaching a new course at Honkytonk University, "The making of a top 10 CD"
Gwen Stefani and her sexy HP R607 camera remain in the top 10.
Reality TV non-diva Kelly Clarkson remains in the top 10 as well
65,000 Audioslave CDs were sold, enough to keep them at #10, down from #3 and a 34% slider.
Kudos to the Vans Warped tour for releasing a double CD at half the price of a single CD. That's probably why they sold 53,000 at #13.
Other new CDs include Finch (who?), Jodeci (best of), Avenged Sevenfolds (what?), Dream Theater (not a home theater). Last but not least, the lovely Pat Benatar with another greatest hits CD at #47.
Source data from billboard.com
As expected Coldplay lands at the top, selling almost three quarters of a million CDs (737,000). (I admit I was one of them!). It was the biggest seller for a rock group since U2's "...Dismantle..." opened with 840,000. The previous Coldplay CD "Rush of blood..." sold 3.8 million since it was released.
Meanwhile back in the UK, they became the 2nd best selling debut in history with over 464,000 units sold. Since the UK market is about 1/4th of the US market, that's a huge number! And in case you were wondering, Oasis is the best selling ever debut in the UK with the 1997 "Be here now" selling almost 700,000.
The Black Eyed Peas are the undisputed #2 with 291,000 - a very good showing indeed.
The #3 spot belongs to the White Stripes with 189,000. Their previous CD "Elephant" sold a very respectable 1.7 million. Bravo!
Shakira shatters the record for biggest debut for a spanish-speaking album with 157,000 units despite being banned at one latino-themed retail chain. Apparently the average dumbsumer has discovered that music is also possible if the lyrics are not in english ;-). Just in case you were wondering, the previous record belonged to Ricky "I'm not Gay" Martin with 65,000 in 2003.
Mariah fans, including internet entity vWayner.com, should be very happy because Mariah is the best selling CD (exclusing this week's new releases) at #5. Not only that but she has a solid 150,000 showing.
Quickies
Source data from billboard.com
Flashback: Atom Ant
Oops! I meant Adam Ant! Someone mentioned Adam Ant in a chat room and that reminded me one of the best lines in a song ever: "all those who get to know me become great admirers of my enemies".
Blog topic suggestions!
Dear Readers,
As this blog is supported by viewers like you, I would like your opinion on possible topics to write about in this blog. Please feel free to suggest some blog topics in the Comments section.
Merci beaucoup!
As this blog is supported by viewers like you, I would like your opinion on possible topics to write about in this blog. Please feel free to suggest some blog topics in the Comments section.
Merci beaucoup!
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
unHealthy Obsessions
unHealthy Obsessions: Brushing your teeth with the same intensity you scrub the toilet.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Checking into Embassy suits?
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Dockers for an iPod (Bottoms Only!)
Buy $150+ worth of Dockers bottoms (bottoms only) @ Macy's between the dates listed on the website below and get a free iPod shuffle (valued at $99).
Offer varies depending on location, and as always, read the fineprint:
http://www.us.dockers.com/spr05a/dockers/feature/fday/d_fday_ipod_pop.jsp
Offer varies depending on location, and as always, read the fineprint:
http://www.us.dockers.com/spr05a/dockers/feature/fday/d_fday_ipod_pop.jsp
DSL at $15/mo
SBC Yahoo DSL has lowered its prices once again for the one year term dynamic IP plans to $14.95! Yeeehaaaaa!
New Segment: Billboard Chart Analysis
Here at the Factor we love twisting numbers in order to make points that agree with our positions.
So in this new weekly segment we will be analyzing the weekly Billboard charts.
In the first installment of this new segment we will be picking on the come-back diva, Mariah Carey. Mariah fans everywhere including Vwayner.com are delighted Mariah has managed this rare feat yet again: capturing the #1 in album sales and the Billboard Hot 100 singles in the same week. As Vwayner of Vwayner.com points out, the last time Mariah had both #1s in the same week was January 1996, with "DayDream" and "One Sweet Day". Believe it or not, that's nine years ago!
It is not uncommon for pop stars to get the #1 in the singles charts, however getting the #1 in the albums chart is not easy especially right after the initial release of the album and before it builds up a portfolio of "hit singles". Not only that but this CD has sold 172,000 units this week - a very healthy number indeed!
But here at the Factor we like to play devil's advocate: Conspiracy theorists will tell you this was an organized plan by Mariah fans to push the diva (now with a smaller booty since the embarassing "Loverboy" video), to the #1 spot of both charts since there wasn't a big album release this week. In other words, this was the best week to try and pull this. And they were successful!
The Factor would also like to congratulate Audioslave (not that they are reading this), for selling more than a quarter million CDs and becoming the #1 album in the previous album chart. As it is typical with metal bands, Out of Exile drops 62% to 99,000 units (I was one of them - or maybe it counts for this week; not sure how they count Amazon sales!).
The closest competitor to Mariah this week was System of a Down, but 60,000 Cds away. Mariah fan extraordinaire Vwayner.com would say: Not even close. Rumor has it that each System of a Down CD includes a piece of hair from the beards of band members ;-)
Quickies
========
Other notable moves was the non-move by DMB at #7 with 76,000 (I wasn't one of them).
50cent made more than 50 cents this week when his album sold 75,000.
Oasis made a mini-comeback at #12, with 65,000 units (how many of those did the Gallagher brothers buy?). If you are a die-hard Oasis fan go out and buy a few more copies of the 1997 CD "Be Here now". It's just 9,000 CDs short of becoming platinum.
They may be Better than Ezra, but there are 83 albums better than them ;-)
So in this new weekly segment we will be analyzing the weekly Billboard charts.
In the first installment of this new segment we will be picking on the come-back diva, Mariah Carey. Mariah fans everywhere including Vwayner.com are delighted Mariah has managed this rare feat yet again: capturing the #1 in album sales and the Billboard Hot 100 singles in the same week. As Vwayner of Vwayner.com points out, the last time Mariah had both #1s in the same week was January 1996, with "DayDream" and "One Sweet Day". Believe it or not, that's nine years ago!
It is not uncommon for pop stars to get the #1 in the singles charts, however getting the #1 in the albums chart is not easy especially right after the initial release of the album and before it builds up a portfolio of "hit singles". Not only that but this CD has sold 172,000 units this week - a very healthy number indeed!
But here at the Factor we like to play devil's advocate: Conspiracy theorists will tell you this was an organized plan by Mariah fans to push the diva (now with a smaller booty since the embarassing "Loverboy" video), to the #1 spot of both charts since there wasn't a big album release this week. In other words, this was the best week to try and pull this. And they were successful!
The Factor would also like to congratulate Audioslave (not that they are reading this), for selling more than a quarter million CDs and becoming the #1 album in the previous album chart. As it is typical with metal bands, Out of Exile drops 62% to 99,000 units (I was one of them - or maybe it counts for this week; not sure how they count Amazon sales!).
The closest competitor to Mariah this week was System of a Down, but 60,000 Cds away. Mariah fan extraordinaire Vwayner.com would say: Not even close. Rumor has it that each System of a Down CD includes a piece of hair from the beards of band members ;-)
Quickies
========
Do you like free? IrfanView is for you!
This little image editing program (under 1MB!) is -really- free! It can perform a number of photo-editing tasks and can be expanded in functionality through plug-ins (about 4.5MB download). Did I mention it is totally free? IrfanView
Factor Rating: Highly Recommended
Factor Rating: Highly Recommended
As seen on the net
A bus station is where the bus stops.
A train station is where the train stops.
An office work station is where ____ stops.
A train station is where the train stops.
An office work station is where ____ stops.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Tired of signing up to view free content? You are not alone!
Use BugMeNot.com. This site provides general purpose user names for popular websites that require signing up to view free content. For example, the NY Times.
Ironically, BugMeNot is recommended in an article at the NY Times website. This article is actually HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for its own merits. The FACTOR says READ IT!
Ironically, BugMeNot is recommended in an article at the NY Times website. This article is actually HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for its own merits. The FACTOR says READ IT!
Noooooooooo! Starbucks infiltrates Borders Bookstores
Seattle's Best is going to be taking over the coffee shops in some Borders Bookstores. Seattle's Best was a small, lovely, and promising coffee chain out of Seattle. But Starf*cks bought them out a few years ago and they are now using them as a smoke screen to take over Borders! Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
By the way, those subscribed to Borders online newsletters you better open it! It includes a coupon for a FREE 12oz drink at the new Seattle's Best Borders coffee shops. While here at the Factor we do not support Starf*cks, but we LOVE FREE! And FREE wins over just about anything and everything :-)
By the way, those subscribed to Borders online newsletters you better open it! It includes a coupon for a FREE 12oz drink at the new Seattle's Best Borders coffee shops. While here at the Factor we do not support Starf*cks, but we LOVE FREE! And FREE wins over just about anything and everything :-)
Drunk Driving to a whole new level
The Howard Dean Show
Howard Dean is not afraid to "tell it like it is". And the truth hurts.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Scifi News: 4400 is back!
Season 2 of the critically-acclaimed series "4400" is back on USA networks. Following a 6-hour marathon of Season 1, USA Networks kicks off Season 2 with a special 2-hour episode at 9pm tonite (also repeats later on). Good sci-fi shows are hard to find in today's reality-crazed TV landscape, so enjoy them while they last!
Single Line Movie Reviews!
This is a new segment here at the Factor.
As you know (or should know) June is gay pride month. Both PBS and IFC/Sundance show a large number of LGTBQQI themed documentaries and movies. Check local listings for details.
Here are some "Single Line Reviews" for some movies that the Factor is rating at least B+:
Underrated lesbian movie --> "Go fish"
Dramatic religious oppresion movie/documentary --> "Trembling before G-d"
Great atmospheric movie --> "East palace west palace"
Funny/silly gay comedie ---> "it's in the water"
Funny/silly gay comedie ---> "butch camp"
Very atmospheric, not gay, but the first 20 minutes or so have some gay undertones (I won't spoil it with the details) ----> "a taste of cherry"
More coming soon as we go through the Factor ...archives
As you know (or should know) June is gay pride month. Both PBS and IFC/Sundance show a large number of LGTBQQI themed documentaries and movies. Check local listings for details.
Here are some "Single Line Reviews" for some movies that the Factor is rating at least B+:
More details can be found at imdb.com and elsewhere.
Mariah fans everywhere are dancing in the streets!
Mariah fans everywhere including Vwayner.com are dancing in the streets! The pop diva is back in style. The jewel of the crown? Mariah is on the cover of this Sunday's edition of "Parade" magazine!
The Ikea of sexual furniture?
Thanks to V1 for the information and the link!
Does this company want to become the Ikea of sexual furniture? Judge for yourselves! http://www.liberator.com
Does this company want to become the Ikea of sexual furniture? Judge for yourselves! http://www.liberator.com
Testing your speakers?
There is one song that can expose some speakers. It is the 2nd song on Radiohead's "Kid A" CD, titled .... "Kid A". Try it!
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Friday, June 03, 2005
non-PETA approved un-PC saying
"there are many ways to skin a cat"
Peets coffee in New York Times!
Thanks to V1 for the link and the story!
New York Times Story: Peets -vs- Starfucks
An extract from the story
"The passion for Peet's extends to Ruth Reichl, the editor in chief of Gourmet magazine. "You only had to taste it once to see that, 'Oh, this is coffee,' " said Ms. Reichl, who grew up in Berkeley but now lives in New York. Her old friends, she said, still bring her bags of Peet's whenever they visit from California."
This is quite revealing
"While Peet's has accelerated the opening of its retail stores, the company's business is built around selling beans, not drinks. Sales of whole beans account for 45 percent of Peet's retail revenue, compared with 5 percent at Starbucks."
New York Times Story: Peets -vs- Starfucks
An extract from the story
"The passion for Peet's extends to Ruth Reichl, the editor in chief of Gourmet magazine. "You only had to taste it once to see that, 'Oh, this is coffee,' " said Ms. Reichl, who grew up in Berkeley but now lives in New York. Her old friends, she said, still bring her bags of Peet's whenever they visit from California."
This is quite revealing
"While Peet's has accelerated the opening of its retail stores, the company's business is built around selling beans, not drinks. Sales of whole beans account for 45 percent of Peet's retail revenue, compared with 5 percent at Starbucks."
Thursday, June 02, 2005
You Decide 2005!
The Votes are being recounted as we speak. Sneazy is leading BearVersion with a wide margin of 13 - 5. But the polls are still open! You can vote now! Just look at the poll below!
