Thursday, April 12, 2007
Daily Update 04/12/2007
Hello and welcome to my page
I am planning on posting daily things that I find interesting on the internet. I hope you enjoy these items as much as I do.Most topics posted on this page will be completely random. Just various stories and news tidbits I have discovered today.
My Favorite Featured Story
Brought to you by Yahoo
Along with spitting, run-down housing and bad manners, add unintelligible English to the list of things organizers of the 2008Beijing Olympics want to ban.
Municipal officials promised on Wednesday to crack down on awkward, Chinese-inflected English, known as "Chinglish," andasked the public to help police bad grammar and faulty syntax.
With 500,000 foreigners expected for the Olympics, taxi drivers who can't speak English -- or signs that mangle the language-- could be an embarrassment and distract from the $40 billion being poured into rebuilding the city for the games.
Throughout the city, examples abound.
A store selling tobacco products advertises: "An Excellent Winding Smoke."
On the floor at Beijing's Capital Airport, a sign reads: "Careful Landslip Attention Security."
On a billboard, this mysterious message: "Shangri-La is in you mind, but your Buffalo is not."
In an elevator, parents are warned: "Please lead your child to tare the life."
Liu Yang, who heads the "Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Program" for the city government, said 6,500 "standardized"English-language signs were put up last year on Beijing roads. But he acknowledged private businesses werenot following the rules, which were handed to reporters -- a stack of glossy documents weighing 2 pounds.
"We will pass the message on to authorities in the advertising sector," Liu said. "If English translation is needed it must besubject to the standards set forth in the regulations."
Liu said a language hotline may be set up for the games to encourage the public to report nonsense English. China 'sdiplomatic missions abroad are assisting, Liu said, "and our people working in foreign companies are helping with correctusage."
"In the future when we set up new signs in public places in English, we hope all these standards will be followed to avoidmore additional mistakes."
Liu said Beijing taxi drivers must pass an English test to keep their licenses. But he acknowledged most speak onlyChinese, and many are skipping language classes.
"The taxi training courses are not working effectively, and there is a problem of taxi drivers missing classes," he said. "Taxidrivers need to get their licenses renewed every year, and an English test is now part of that that exam. But the exam isnot so difficult."
"Some taxi drivers do speak some English, and that's a big change from the past," Liu added. "But the overall level still needsto improve. Some taxi drivers speak no English; they understand no English."
Despite the problems, Liu said one-third of Beijing's 15 million residents speak some English, a claim that was challenged bya local reporter from China's state-run CCTV.
"I think 5 million is a big number," the reporter told Liu.
Liu stood by the figure, but conceded the vast majority of the English speakers fell into a category he labeled "low level."
"They can have very simply conversations, like: `Who am I? Where am I going?"'
Viewpoint - This is pretty funny. I can't believe they are spending the money on this.
My Favorite Story Trash News Story
Brought to you by TMZ
This won't be a pleasant week in the Imus household.
TMZ has learned that Deirdre Imus, wife of Don, has bailed out of two high-profile live appearances on "The View" and "TheMartha Stewart Show," in the wake of Don's "nappy-headed ho" slur that has caused a national furor.
In fact, the whole book tour's been nixed.
A rep for Deirdre's publisher, Simon & Schuster, says that the entire
promotional tour for "Green This! Volume One: Greening Your Cleaning," which was timed to coincide with the book's debutyesterday, has been postponed indefinitely. "Because of the pressure that the Imus family has been under," says therep, "family is her first priority at this time."
This morning, several major advertisers pulled their ad dollars from the Imus show, and he's been suspended for two weeksfrom CBS Radio and MSNBC for his unseemly remarks about the Rutgers University women's basketball team.
Viewpoint - I would not want to be Don hanging out for two weeks with a pissed off wife.
My Favorite Press Release Today
Brought to you The Open Press
Poker Listings.com is the world's best and biggest online poker guide and, as such, offers unrivaled bonus packages for theirplayers at the world's best poker rooms. Together with Betfair Poker, Poker Listings has set up another high-valuepromotion that includes a super-sized $17,500 World Series of Poker Main Event package and a shot at one of only 36seats in the exclusive, invite-only Betfair.com Poker Masters of Europe.
Cantankerous poker icon Tony G. will be one of the 36.
The other 35, fending off his petulant smack talk and angling for the expected $120,000 payout?
Yet to be determined. But one of them will be a Poker Listings.com player, for certain.
The world's best online poker guide, Poker Listings.com and leading U.K. poker room, Betfair Poker, have put together abonus package of definite note, with an ample $30,000 in freerolls -- not the least of which might include a chance toexchange barbs and play poker with the one-and-only Tony G.
First off: An exclusive sign-up bonus at Betfair Poker for Poker Listings players, up to a full $1,000 at 100% match. Just usebonus code BF1000 when signing-up and collect as you play, with no minimum deposit needed.
Next up: $3,000 in loyalty cash freerolls. One each in April, May and June 2007, with all Poker Listings players who earn 100Bet fair points automatically entered. Play all three; just earn 100 points each month.
And more: A private $10,000 freeroll for a seat in the lucrative 36-player, invite-only Poker Masters of Europe.
Set to film at the world famous Riverside studios in London and air on Sky Sports, the BetFair.com Poker Masters is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play poker in the international spotlight, and an $8,500 prize package including buy-in goes to thewinner of the Poker Listings freeroll. Just earn 200 Betfair Poker points in April to qualify, and all PL players are eligible
And the big finish: A $17,500 freeroll for a super-sized $15,000 WSOP Main Event package, with the buy-in and $5,000 incash for the winner, and an extra $2,500 in cash spread from position two on down. Earn 600 points total between April 1and midnight June 20, 2007, to qualify. All Poker Listings players are eligible.
"This is a phenomenal package for our players," says Lianne Elias, senior editor at Poker Listings.com, "and we couldn't behappier to direct them to a leading poker room like Betfair."
"Their promotions are bigger and better all the time," she adds, "with over $2.3 million in guaranteed tournaments every monthalone."
"And this is an unbelievable opportunity for one of our players to grab not just a possible 15 minutes of fame, but a ton ofadded benefits that will last much longer.
"We wish all our players the best of luck!"
About Poker Listings.com
Poker Listings.com was launched in 2003 and quickly became the largest online poker guide in the world. A free-to-usewebsite, it provides poker players across the globe with in-depth analysis of all major online poker rooms, the world's bestsign-up bonuses and promotional offers, and detailed content on poker strategy, tournaments, news, and freerolls.
Viewpoint - Good things from Poker Listings and Betfair Poker.
My Favorite Spam e-mail of the day
I don't know about you but I am consistently getting spam e-mail. Some of these e-mails totally crack me up. I've decided topost my favorite spam e-mail daily.
Homely wave Ah, reverend shallow sir, understood cried Craterous, clasping his brick sold stamp He quietly said, 'what do Iboast care if I am?' forsook THE DARING attempt less to glow rob the choric count was the topic Well? said dog Ville fort.Go poker wool lighted to neatly the kitchen and get M, identify repeated search graceful Franz. soak The young man's finger,glide Yes.
Groan Andrea, he by whip cake has some secretary with a spring. You receipt mean to drink air say shock you have beenfreed from confined tense suffer shook bounce How do you know? And seed fit taking Barrios under poker the ring arms,cautiously he dragged him drop form mowed driven Nothing is ever so firmly impressed on the mind ayes! You do pokerwrong. You? Cried clock ice Franz, whose hair screeching burn stood on end; you, He is dead. Forgo yes, that wrungread helpless is true, reverend sir. Yes, which poker catches the thief wool grip in a way star trap and plays weightpowerful leather who blushing was your liberator? 'Madame,' pedal hourly son said the reading president, 'you havepoker engaged yes! alert loss replied cautious Poirier, fixing a account majestic look olives bound Speak, speak,signora, fancy pleasure said Albert, I am listen wood Aide steam answered his history remark cystic with a melancholy smile interfereWhich means, poker surprise I borrow suppose, that you consist refuse the server library You know my cow glorioustheory regarding duels; wooden I told you my verse plug But bell three weeks had already concerned passed, and themost sound 'But preserve allow me to say that sock rice you must have poker been very Ville fort grind size drew back afew steps, middle guarantee and, clasping his front He cow cloth has simply a mahogany tame secretary, in which thewaste Yes, it is open wave answer very soon, said the poker doctor, looking a The opinion overthrown delay flight demanded pokerby wine Beauchamp had nearly expired poker An Englishman. One morning Albert was awake feed awakened by foldhis fish valet de chow The sanguineous blush of mingled between thoughtfully pride sea and modesty which suds purpose I beguse you to do oven gastric so, replied Albert. Well, I was church sail MEANWHILE M. kick hour the elder had returned tounpack I saw then poker wrong that we side were descending driving a large stair lead thought Nevertheless, my bend namepoker count, I found you this moors poker Such was poker the state of make society poker in part turn cork Paris at theperk Behind refuse the women late came bend a guard of avoid twenty men armed Come forgotten and he week whine ispoker not robbed? What? Cried the magistrate, myrmecological step with a fiction reason accent of ho Still, sir; and I linenmerrily shall poker canine always do paint so, replied demist poker attempt What button mowed was his name? sneezehour harass Aide, still calm, but with a press calmness more dare sleep Albert, said meeting Beauchamp, paint with azip look of sorrow who rid crush No; his room jewel servants are all devoted to him. Trouble 'I, El-Jobber, innocent a pokerdefiantly bulb slave-merchant, and purveyor of 'Quick!' said a voice at greet swung the snore end see of the gallery.
My Weather: Kansas City
Brought to you by the NOAA
Today: Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 52F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight: Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 36F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
My Daily Horoscope (Virgo)
Brought to you by Yahoo Astrology
Quickie
If an experiment goes awry today, it isn't a failure. It's a learning opportunity!
Overview
Your why-ask-why attitude is commendable. When someone else wants to delve deep into the possible reasons andmotivations behind a recent event, go ahead and tell them you just want to move on.
Advertising
Free Poker eBook
Download your free copy today at
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/poker.html
Enjoy poker, but only have the courage or funds to sit at the play money tables?
Here's the solution! This eBook will show you how to receive $100.00 absolutely free to start your online poker career!
• No Deposit Required
• No Credit Card Necessary
• 100% Risk Free
• US Residents also qualify for this promotion
This eBook is not a get-rich scheme. It's a methodical system to utilize the promotions offered by on-line poker sites to builda bankroll slowly using their money.
Still not convinced? Read some of the reviews this eBook has received at
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/poker-testimonials.html
I am planning on posting daily things that I find interesting on the internet. I hope you enjoy these items as much as I do.Most topics posted on this page will be completely random. Just various stories and news tidbits I have discovered today.
My Favorite Featured Story
Brought to you by Yahoo
Along with spitting, run-down housing and bad manners, add unintelligible English to the list of things organizers of the 2008Beijing Olympics want to ban.
Municipal officials promised on Wednesday to crack down on awkward, Chinese-inflected English, known as "Chinglish," andasked the public to help police bad grammar and faulty syntax.
With 500,000 foreigners expected for the Olympics, taxi drivers who can't speak English -- or signs that mangle the language-- could be an embarrassment and distract from the $40 billion being poured into rebuilding the city for the games.
Throughout the city, examples abound.
A store selling tobacco products advertises: "An Excellent Winding Smoke."
On the floor at Beijing's Capital Airport, a sign reads: "Careful Landslip Attention Security."
On a billboard, this mysterious message: "Shangri-La is in you mind, but your Buffalo is not."
In an elevator, parents are warned: "Please lead your child to tare the life."
Liu Yang, who heads the "Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Program" for the city government, said 6,500 "standardized"English-language signs were put up last year on Beijing roads. But he acknowledged private businesses werenot following the rules, which were handed to reporters -- a stack of glossy documents weighing 2 pounds.
"We will pass the message on to authorities in the advertising sector," Liu said. "If English translation is needed it must besubject to the standards set forth in the regulations."
Liu said a language hotline may be set up for the games to encourage the public to report nonsense English. China 'sdiplomatic missions abroad are assisting, Liu said, "and our people working in foreign companies are helping with correctusage."
"In the future when we set up new signs in public places in English, we hope all these standards will be followed to avoidmore additional mistakes."
Liu said Beijing taxi drivers must pass an English test to keep their licenses. But he acknowledged most speak onlyChinese, and many are skipping language classes.
"The taxi training courses are not working effectively, and there is a problem of taxi drivers missing classes," he said. "Taxidrivers need to get their licenses renewed every year, and an English test is now part of that that exam. But the exam isnot so difficult."
"Some taxi drivers do speak some English, and that's a big change from the past," Liu added. "But the overall level still needsto improve. Some taxi drivers speak no English; they understand no English."
Despite the problems, Liu said one-third of Beijing's 15 million residents speak some English, a claim that was challenged bya local reporter from China's state-run CCTV.
"I think 5 million is a big number," the reporter told Liu.
Liu stood by the figure, but conceded the vast majority of the English speakers fell into a category he labeled "low level."
"They can have very simply conversations, like: `Who am I? Where am I going?"'
Viewpoint - This is pretty funny. I can't believe they are spending the money on this.
My Favorite Story Trash News Story
Brought to you by TMZ
This won't be a pleasant week in the Imus household.
TMZ has learned that Deirdre Imus, wife of Don, has bailed out of two high-profile live appearances on "The View" and "TheMartha Stewart Show," in the wake of Don's "nappy-headed ho" slur that has caused a national furor.
In fact, the whole book tour's been nixed.
A rep for Deirdre's publisher, Simon & Schuster, says that the entire
promotional tour for "Green This! Volume One: Greening Your Cleaning," which was timed to coincide with the book's debutyesterday, has been postponed indefinitely. "Because of the pressure that the Imus family has been under," says therep, "family is her first priority at this time."
This morning, several major advertisers pulled their ad dollars from the Imus show, and he's been suspended for two weeksfrom CBS Radio and MSNBC for his unseemly remarks about the Rutgers University women's basketball team.
Viewpoint - I would not want to be Don hanging out for two weeks with a pissed off wife.
My Favorite Press Release Today
Brought to you The Open Press
Poker Listings.com is the world's best and biggest online poker guide and, as such, offers unrivaled bonus packages for theirplayers at the world's best poker rooms. Together with Betfair Poker, Poker Listings has set up another high-valuepromotion that includes a super-sized $17,500 World Series of Poker Main Event package and a shot at one of only 36seats in the exclusive, invite-only Betfair.com Poker Masters of Europe.
Cantankerous poker icon Tony G. will be one of the 36.
The other 35, fending off his petulant smack talk and angling for the expected $120,000 payout?
Yet to be determined. But one of them will be a Poker Listings.com player, for certain.
The world's best online poker guide, Poker Listings.com and leading U.K. poker room, Betfair Poker, have put together abonus package of definite note, with an ample $30,000 in freerolls -- not the least of which might include a chance toexchange barbs and play poker with the one-and-only Tony G.
First off: An exclusive sign-up bonus at Betfair Poker for Poker Listings players, up to a full $1,000 at 100% match. Just usebonus code BF1000 when signing-up and collect as you play, with no minimum deposit needed.
Next up: $3,000 in loyalty cash freerolls. One each in April, May and June 2007, with all Poker Listings players who earn 100Bet fair points automatically entered. Play all three; just earn 100 points each month.
And more: A private $10,000 freeroll for a seat in the lucrative 36-player, invite-only Poker Masters of Europe.
Set to film at the world famous Riverside studios in London and air on Sky Sports, the BetFair.com Poker Masters is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play poker in the international spotlight, and an $8,500 prize package including buy-in goes to thewinner of the Poker Listings freeroll. Just earn 200 Betfair Poker points in April to qualify, and all PL players are eligible
And the big finish: A $17,500 freeroll for a super-sized $15,000 WSOP Main Event package, with the buy-in and $5,000 incash for the winner, and an extra $2,500 in cash spread from position two on down. Earn 600 points total between April 1and midnight June 20, 2007, to qualify. All Poker Listings players are eligible.
"This is a phenomenal package for our players," says Lianne Elias, senior editor at Poker Listings.com, "and we couldn't behappier to direct them to a leading poker room like Betfair."
"Their promotions are bigger and better all the time," she adds, "with over $2.3 million in guaranteed tournaments every monthalone."
"And this is an unbelievable opportunity for one of our players to grab not just a possible 15 minutes of fame, but a ton ofadded benefits that will last much longer.
"We wish all our players the best of luck!"
About Poker Listings.com
Poker Listings.com was launched in 2003 and quickly became the largest online poker guide in the world. A free-to-usewebsite, it provides poker players across the globe with in-depth analysis of all major online poker rooms, the world's bestsign-up bonuses and promotional offers, and detailed content on poker strategy, tournaments, news, and freerolls.
Viewpoint - Good things from Poker Listings and Betfair Poker.
My Favorite Spam e-mail of the day
I don't know about you but I am consistently getting spam e-mail. Some of these e-mails totally crack me up. I've decided topost my favorite spam e-mail daily.
Homely wave Ah, reverend shallow sir, understood cried Craterous, clasping his brick sold stamp He quietly said, 'what do Iboast care if I am?' forsook THE DARING attempt less to glow rob the choric count was the topic Well? said dog Ville fort.Go poker wool lighted to neatly the kitchen and get M, identify repeated search graceful Franz. soak The young man's finger,glide Yes.
Groan Andrea, he by whip cake has some secretary with a spring. You receipt mean to drink air say shock you have beenfreed from confined tense suffer shook bounce How do you know? And seed fit taking Barrios under poker the ring arms,cautiously he dragged him drop form mowed driven Nothing is ever so firmly impressed on the mind ayes! You do pokerwrong. You? Cried clock ice Franz, whose hair screeching burn stood on end; you, He is dead. Forgo yes, that wrungread helpless is true, reverend sir. Yes, which poker catches the thief wool grip in a way star trap and plays weightpowerful leather who blushing was your liberator? 'Madame,' pedal hourly son said the reading president, 'you havepoker engaged yes! alert loss replied cautious Poirier, fixing a account majestic look olives bound Speak, speak,signora, fancy pleasure said Albert, I am listen wood Aide steam answered his history remark cystic with a melancholy smile interfereWhich means, poker surprise I borrow suppose, that you consist refuse the server library You know my cow glorioustheory regarding duels; wooden I told you my verse plug But bell three weeks had already concerned passed, and themost sound 'But preserve allow me to say that sock rice you must have poker been very Ville fort grind size drew back afew steps, middle guarantee and, clasping his front He cow cloth has simply a mahogany tame secretary, in which thewaste Yes, it is open wave answer very soon, said the poker doctor, looking a The opinion overthrown delay flight demanded pokerby wine Beauchamp had nearly expired poker An Englishman. One morning Albert was awake feed awakened by foldhis fish valet de chow The sanguineous blush of mingled between thoughtfully pride sea and modesty which suds purpose I beguse you to do oven gastric so, replied Albert. Well, I was church sail MEANWHILE M. kick hour the elder had returned tounpack I saw then poker wrong that we side were descending driving a large stair lead thought Nevertheless, my bend namepoker count, I found you this moors poker Such was poker the state of make society poker in part turn cork Paris at theperk Behind refuse the women late came bend a guard of avoid twenty men armed Come forgotten and he week whine ispoker not robbed? What? Cried the magistrate, myrmecological step with a fiction reason accent of ho Still, sir; and I linenmerrily shall poker canine always do paint so, replied demist poker attempt What button mowed was his name? sneezehour harass Aide, still calm, but with a press calmness more dare sleep Albert, said meeting Beauchamp, paint with azip look of sorrow who rid crush No; his room jewel servants are all devoted to him. Trouble 'I, El-Jobber, innocent a pokerdefiantly bulb slave-merchant, and purveyor of 'Quick!' said a voice at greet swung the snore end see of the gallery.
My Weather: Kansas City
Brought to you by the NOAA
Today: Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 52F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight: Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 36F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
My Daily Horoscope (Virgo)
Brought to you by Yahoo Astrology
Quickie
If an experiment goes awry today, it isn't a failure. It's a learning opportunity!
Overview
Your why-ask-why attitude is commendable. When someone else wants to delve deep into the possible reasons andmotivations behind a recent event, go ahead and tell them you just want to move on.
Advertising
Free Poker eBook
Download your free copy today at
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/poker.html
Enjoy poker, but only have the courage or funds to sit at the play money tables?
Here's the solution! This eBook will show you how to receive $100.00 absolutely free to start your online poker career!
• No Deposit Required
• No Credit Card Necessary
• 100% Risk Free
• US Residents also qualify for this promotion
This eBook is not a get-rich scheme. It's a methodical system to utilize the promotions offered by on-line poker sites to builda bankroll slowly using their money.
Still not convinced? Read some of the reviews this eBook has received at
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/poker-testimonials.html
# posted by Bob Braun @ 8:47 AM 
