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Pop Culture and Buddhism: A List of Famous Celebrities Who Practice Buddhism

CJ — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:14:48 +0000

Even though less than 1% of Americans are formally affiliated with Buddhism, there are no shortages of reports on celebrities who practice the Eastern religious tradition. It seems that these days, more and more people are following the words of Buddha, with nearly three of every four Buddhists in the United States converting from a different faith. The religion’s influence continues to spread, especially among those walking down the red carpet. Here are some notable A-listers who can be linked to Buddhism:

Tiger Woods – Recent scandal involving Tiger Woods has prompted him to talk about his involvement (or lack thereof) with Buddhism, the religion that he’s practiced since childhood from the influence of his Thai mother. He has admitted that in recent years he lost touch with his faith, but vows to return to the teachings in order to straighten out his private life. Given his superstar status, he has even received personal advice from the Dalai Lama himself.

Maddox Jolie – While mama Angelina doesn’t consider herself a Buddhist, she does say that she wants the religion to be an important part of her adopted Cambodian son’s life. Maddox has spent a lot of time in temples with monks and is actively learning about the faith with his parents’ guidance.

Phil Jackson – Also known as the Zen Master, the winningest basketball coach in NBA history uses Buddhist methods and practices both on and off the court. He even encourages his players to practice Buddhist philosophy, which many believe has contributed to his great success leading teams to championships.

Russell Simmons – Russell Simmons, co-founder of hip-hop label Def Jam and creator of the Phat Farm clothing line, is one of the few known Buddhists in the hip hop world. He has been called the “Zen of Hip Hop,” and has even written books about how both yoga and Buddhism has influenced his ways of thinking and being.

Steven Seagal – The actor and martial artist has spent a significant amount of time outside of the United States, and along the way has adopted Tibetan Buddhist beliefs. His religious affiliation has helped him become guardian and bodyguard to the only child of the 10^th Panchen Lama of Tibet, an honor no other American has ever had.

Steve Jobs - The Apple CEO and icon Steve Jobs converted to Buddhism after a spiritual retreat to India in the 70’s. It is said that Jobs returned to the U.S. with a shaved head and traditional Indian clothing, and soon after went on to create the beginnings of Apple Computer.

Orlando Bloom – In 2004, Bloom became an official member of a Nichiren Buddhist association, and he has even had a hand in advocacy. The actor has helped spread the ideas of Buddhism to several former dating partners, most notably ex-girlfriend Kate Bosworth and current wife Miranda Kerr.

Goldie Hawn/Kate Hudson – Actresses Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson have both embraced Buddhism despite their Jewish heritage. The mother and daughter duo actively promote the Eastern philosophy – Hawn through her foundation which teaches Buddhist techniques and Hudson with her boyfriends. Ex-beau Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees was said to be contemplating converting to Buddhism before they split.

Uma Thurman – Often listed as a celebrity Buddhist, Uma Thurman has admitted that religion has not played a big role in her life despite her father’s heavy involvement in the religion. Robert Thurman is one of the most influential American Buddhist authors and professors who gave his daughter a Tibetan name meaning “Great Middle Way.”

Richard Gere – Actor Richard Gere has been completely open about his personal relationship with the Dalai Lama, doing several interviews about his journey as a Buddhist and his work as a human rights advocate for Tibet. He has even introduced the religion to J-Lo, who took an interest in Buddhism after working with Gere on the film “Shall We Dance?”

Other famous celebrities who are affiliated with Buddhism include Keanu Reaves, Tina Turner, Courtney Love, and martial artists Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Bruce Lee.

Jena Hayashi is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and a writer on online degrees for Guide to Online Schools.

Choosing a Car Repair Facility with Confidence – RepairPal

CJ — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:03:26 +0000

One of the most challenging and frustrating part of our lives is getting our vehicles fixed. Sure, some mechanically skilled people can do their own car repairs & oil changes, but for most of us, we rely on the service men/women of the local car repair facility. A lot of people put off the task of getting their car serviced, simply because they hate the hassle and they worry about their vehicle’s future… more on these issues.

Am I Getting Ripped Off?

When I go to get my car worked on – even if it just a simple oil change – my biggest concern is always if I am being ripped off by the service center. While I do my best to put trust in the service people employed by these facilities, I know they work for pretty low wages, it’s hot outside (in AZ) and they have long days – so frustration mounts. It doesn’t take much aggravation before one of these techs is sabotaging your car & leading to additional repairs in the future. Sure, this is an unlikely scenario, but fear is the key here and it affects a lot of people when it comes to their vehicle – one of their largest assets & prized possessions.

Do I Really Need It?

Hmmm… Do you need to eat? How about drinking water? Yeah, of course you do. Just like you, your car or truck needs a tune-up on a regular basis to avoid breaking down. I’ve heard many horror stories of people who didn’t change (or check) their oil and their engine ended up seizing up on them. Guess what? Most of these same people don’t even bother w/ the expense to replace the engine – they abandon the freaking car altogether. Seems crazy, yes, but I count on two hands the number of people I know that have done this.

Think about this… If you live in a pretty moderate weather location – Prescott, AZ, for instance, then your vehicle may not go thru a lot of wear and tear, but you better believe that a Houston auto repair center w/ all the humidity and heat in that area is (or should be) busier than bees. The cars in that area are constantly being tested by the heat and humidity, both of which wear on the performance and well-being of your vehicle over time.

So How Do you Choose a Facility w/ Confidence?

Hey, you knew I’d get here eventually right? Good guess lmao… Anyway, there are quite a few auto repair review sites that feature real customer testimonials & ratings. Who better to trust than your fellow drivers who have already overcome their fears & serviced their car (on schedule). Aside from simply learning more about your car w/ their encyclopedia, you can run estimates on maintenance & repairs, as well as locate a reputable shop near you. How? Visit RepairPal.com

Hulu looking to Launch its Free TV in The UK Within Two Months

jimmyv — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:10:44 +0000

Hulu has revealed that launching its online TV services in the UK is a top antecedence and has said it is ready to work with isp’s to make it recover.
though currently only available in the US at present, a UK launch of its TV player is across-the-board appeared to happen in September of 2009.
limiter> Senior VC at Hulu International , Johannes Larcher said at the Future of Broadcasting conference held in London that the companionship was making the UK a priority as it rolls out an international service.

He was not confirmin which UK broadcasting partners Hulu was talking to, and he would not confirm a launch date. But it is believed that negotiations with the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are continuing, and a launch during September is still the plan.

He also said that that after the demise Project Kangaroo, Hulu was nerve-racking to grab market share in the online video market. Project Kangaroo was the name of the proposed UK Catch up TV service a la Hulu proposed by the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4, which was blocked by the Competition Commission sooner this year. “Project Kangaroo has opened up certain opportunities we would like to exploit,” said Mr Larcher.

The UK is repetitive out for a service like Hulu enabling access to all TV show content on postulate from a single ejaculate. So the sooner it arrives the ameliorate.

The report reveals that that online advertising supported TV is a big money maker, generating $448 million during 2009 and is set to rise to over $1.45 billion by the year 2013.

The major video site YouTube will struggle in the future due to having no affiliation with any of the major rights owners and therefore ineffectual to show premium content. This will mean that non affiliated video sites will have to either create their own unique and original programming or peg to showing user generated videos.

“The gainsay right now is to maximize the ad-supported online video stage business model, see how new forms of short form and traditional long form content can travail growth, and search more advanced methods of video advertising while there are still revenues from the traditional business to support the transition to multiplatform,” added Mr. Amel. “In this regard, the next few years will be critical.”

The report goes on to say that live internet TV will challenge the paid model of content download services such as Apple’s iTunes, as well as pay per view and subscription models, which will require innovation in order to remain competitory. However, Screen Digest forecasts that the paid market, driven by the respective hardware ecosystems of the in the lead service providers, and high value sports events, will continue to grow by 67% to pass on $1.33 billion in revenue by 2013.

The Ins And Outs Of Film Production Equipment

jimmyv — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:13:53 +0000

With the influx of advance technologies, film production equipment and the existence of digital technology as an accepted medium for film production anyone has the privilege to make himself a film director overnight. Even if the cost of film making is high and some of these video production equipment are easy on the budget and can be learned easily without delay. Even if the focus is more on the art film than the right kind of equipment, easy access to video production equipment has motivated many newbies to try film making and give it their best shot. These recent advances in inexpensive film making equipment have now allowed independent film productions to prosper. The first step in your quest to become a Steven Spielberg is to simply to understand the basics of video production equipment.

It is essential that you take stock of your film production equipment as you set up your video for filming to make sure that you got everything ready for the shoot. In creating a professional-looking film, the most fundamental video production equipment you need to have are professional video cameras, stabilization equipment and also film lighting equipment as well as microphone or audio system. Dollies, tracks, jibs, tripods, cranes, booms, and lifts are also some of the camera support equipment that you might be needing. Also you might want to consider the trucks or cars and motorcycles to transport the cameras and other equipment during the filming. There will be instances when you will be using specialized equipment to enhance audio and video effects. In some other instances, climate control equipment is also needed to create the appropriate effects needed for the film.

When you are done with the creation of film on video, there are still some more video production equipment needed to edit and finalize the video and come up with your masterpiece. By using professional quality editing equipment you can make your video one that has the professional polished look that makes it different from the home video or any amateur production. These video-editing tools may include video editing software, sound mixing equipment, and video duplication equipment.

Now, you can find a lot of providers for production equipment such as camera, video, lighting, and also film processing items. You must also run a research on film equipment sellers who can offer movie production supplies that may suit your needs. Find those that can offer quality service, technical skill excellence and also fair pricing. You do not necessarily have to buy all these video production equipment because most of them are now for rent. But if you want your own gear, there are many used items that you can purchase as well.

Prelit Artificial Christmas Trees – Efficient in So Many Ways

jimmyv — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:49:07 +0000

For whatever reason you may have to not be able to design a tree this coming holiday seasons, prelit artificial Christmas trees have every answer to each and every one of them.

Prelit artificial Christmas trees are so much like the typical artificial Christmas trees that are widely available in the market. Both of them have the same color choices, so you still get the same varieties that you want. If you like red and orange, these colors are still very much available for you to pick. If you love the relaxing atmosphere given by blue and white trees, then you can choose to avail these ones. Or maybe you would like to go back to the essence of autumn with yellow and beige tree selections? It doesn’t matter what you want because you have the very same wide array of color selections with these prelit trees.

Plus, prelit artificial Christmas trees are also available in the same array of sizes as all other artificial trees. You can purchase trees that are only 2-feet small and put them on table tops such as your corner tables at home or your table in the office. Or you can go as high as 12-feet trees to make your home look really festive for the holiday season.

And if you are looking for what makes these prelit artificial Christmas trees more unique than the old artificial trees, well it’s all in the name. This more sophisticated version of the typical artificial trees just happen to have pre-installed lights on them. So aside from saving a great deal of time when you are buying for these type of tree, you also save a lot of time from having to purchase separate lightings.

Plus, the Light Emitting Diodes (LED) light technology used by these trees consume so much less electricity compared to the old Christmas tree lights. For other tree types that use fiber optics, you can also get the same benefits as they consume amazingly less amount of energy for lighting. So if you are also looking forward to not spending a lot on electric bills despite wonderful decorations and displays, then getting prelit trees would be ideal.

After the holidays, your prelit Christmas trees would also be a convenient friend, as they can easily be disassembled for storage. But if you acquired a tree that’s taller than usual, then you might find it a bit more difficult. A lot of people throw away the joys of putting up and decorating trees because they are too busy with last-minute work and holiday responsibilities. Then again, there are various prelit artificial Christmas trees just waiting to help them.

Checkout some other cool stuffs like Christian Cross Pendants and Christian Earings.

Trade Your Used CDs for Brand new Music

jimmyv — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:11:15 +0000

Buying your band’s new record can be more of a luxury bearing in mind the current status of today’s economy. But for those of us who are music junkies and have to have a fresh supply regularly, there is a remedy: deal your used CDs in, and use the cash value to buy new or used CDs you don’t have yet!

Bartering is a strategy that is ages old, and in difficult financial times where cash flow runs limited, bartering comes back to the forefront. More people are engaging in buying and selling and you can see a good quantity of these people in websites like Craigslist. Other websites are more lenient by allowing individuals to trade when cash becomes very constrained.

One website that uses the concept of bartering is known as Spun.com They can give you credit by marketing them your used CDs in accordance to a predetermined value. You can then turn around in the same session and use the credit they just gave you to shop a wide assortment of new and used CDs. When you buy three or more products, they’ll ship a return shipping label with your order so you don’t have to pay postage when you send your used CDs. If you are able to sell a good number of used CDs you will earn more credits which you can use to pay for your order. If you desire to earn more credits all you have to do is to purchase used CDs. The same thing can be done for used DVDs and video games; Spun.com generally sells almost everything that is pre-owned. And if you do not find something in their variety that you want, you can save your credit for later, or even cash it out.

The value of an product will depend on one’s perception and each item has worth which does not involve money all the time. Your used CDs may not hold that much value from your point of view but you need to think about the thought about that CD being useful to someone else. That’s the power of trading, whether you trade directly with someone, or with an exchanging business like Spun.com. Depending on the number of interested people and its accessibility the worth of your used CD may vary at times. Whether it’s worth a lot or a little – it’s worth something to somebody.

If you find yourself wanting a new music but is holding back because you can’t pay for it then it is time for you to reconsider things. If you deal your used CDs in for brand new music, you may have more buying power than you realize.

Top 10 Musical Artists of the Last 50 Years

CJ — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:33:54 +0000

Music, like any art, is a field in which judgment, taste and opinion are very subjective. There is often a disconnect between what music is popular, and what certain people think is good. There have always been songs that one half of the population loves while the other half finds abhorrent.

One of the most basic ways to gauge the success of any given musician is to examine his or her record sales. Certainly some might argue, that this might just mean that a given artist is adept at making catchy yet vapid music. Be that as it may, there are often reasons that certain artists remain so commercially successful for so long, and many would argue that only those who can truly bring talent and marketability together for long periods of time can truly be called “successful.” This an interesting thing to keep in mind when discussing the ten best selling musical artists of all time.

The Beatles
The Beatles are the ultimate musical success. No band before or since has ever reached that level of popularity, commercial success, fan adoration all while evolving slowly from poppy boy-band to one of the more introspective and experimental musical acts in history. It is estimated that The Beatles have sold over a billion records and are still finding new fans among the younger generation for whom their music remains relevant.

Elvis Presley
Close behind the Beatles is rock and roll legend Elvis Presley. His brand of bluesy crooning and his infamous gyrating hips helped him sell over a billion records, to tie with The Beatles Whatever your feelings about Elvis or his music, it is undeniable that his sound, looks and style changed the face of rock music forever.

Michael Jackson
Another artist who’s success both commercially and artistically is relatively inarguable, is Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson’s career spanned several decades and was responsible for some of the most significant popular music in world history. Known as an amazing dancer and entertainer as well as a singer, his videos and concerts were unparalleled events. His fans are around the world and despite the numerous personal problems that plagued his life to the end, he remained a profoundly influential artist.

ABBA
Next on the list are Swedish pop band ABBA whose music is still so relevant today that it was recently made part of hit musical Mamma Mia!

Queen
Who could forget the American rock band Queen? Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions are some instantly recognizable hits from this band who’s popularity endures even years after the death of lead singer Freddy Mercury.

Madonna and Elton John
Madonna and Elton John have both sold an estimated 250 million albums throughout their lengthy careers. Not only that, but their timeless classics will live on and on for generations to come.

The Bee Gees
The 7th best-selling artists of all time are disco legends The Bee Gees who are famous for songs like Night Fever and Stayin’ Alive, featured in the hit movie Saturday Night Fever.

Many More….
AC/DC, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Julio Iglesias, Nana Mouskouri and Celine Dion also hold honors for selling 200 million albums apiece.

Regardless of your feelings about the music or quality of any of these musical artists, it is undeniable that there is something special about being able to create music that moves so many people to want to buy their albums, hear them play shows while on tour and just generally make them a part of their lives.

About the Author
Traveler and blogger on many topics ranging from top travel destinations, top ringtones, to top social media superstars. Follow him on Twitter @VernMarker.

Vitamins and Supplements that the Stars Use

CJ — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:21:36 +0000

Shiny hair, flawless skin, white teeth, tons of energy, sparkly eyes, and all those other beautiful aspects of the human body are what celebrities have in spades. How do they keep themselves looking so good?

Part of it comes from regular and dedicated exercise and good nutrition. Other parts come from great makeup, skin, teeth, hair, and other treatments. And the last part comes from vitamins and supplements, and even chewable vitamins to maintain the exercise, nutrition, and treatments.

Talent alone doesn’t build celebrities, though that’s a huge factor. The other important factor is their looks. If their skin is all crackly, blotched, or scaly, they aren’t going to look good on camera. Yes, they have all those super-skilled stylists, awesome products, and air brushing techniques, but those things will not and cannot do all the work.

If you have any understanding about the hectic and demanding life of a celebrity is really like, then you know that they are very conscious about staying fit and healthy. Without it, they wouldn’t have the stamina to be superstars.

Ellen DeGeneres is endorsing Vitamin Water, George Foreman has his fat-reducing grills, Jillian Michaels has a whole health plan, Proactiv® Solution has all kinds of celebrity endorsements, as does Bowflex, NutriSystem, and Jenny Craig. Many of these products really do work, but some of them are endorsed because of the salary the celebrity collected.

The main point is that most celebrities do follow some kind of health regimen to keep themselves healthy and good-looking, so they can keep making money.

There are all kinds of vitamins, chewable vitamins, and herbal supplements to assist your body’s needs and demands. You can look as good as the stars do. It may take some time for your body to correct damage and restore your body’s natural gleam, but it can be done.

A few things known that the stars use is Vitamin E oil around the eyes to reduce crow’s feet, zinc for enhanced metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, energy, and preserving healthy skin, and collagen for metabolism and maintaining healthy skin and connective tissue

Do it like the stars do. Maintain a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and use those vitamins and supplements to retain your vitality and youth. Then everyone will want to know your secret!

Top 7 Poorest Characters From Pop Culture

CJ — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 03:55:20 +0000

Whether they be lovable losers or just down on their luck, pop culture is full of characters we can’t help rooting for as they struggle with poverty. Here are the top seven poorest characters from pop culture.

7. The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin)

The immortal Charlie Chaplin set the standard for poor guys with love with his portrayal of the loveable tramp in the early days of motion pictures. The Tramp doesn’t want much out of the world and it breaks are heart when he gets it or loses it at the last moment.

6. Rocky Balboa (Rocky)

Rocky might have heart but he lives in a dive you wouldn’t wish or your worst enemy. Which is why we can’t help pulling for him when he gets a shot at the title. We know that, win or lose, he won’t be going back to that hovel and we couldn’t be happier for him.

5. Ralph Kramden (The Honeymooners)

The King of the loveable losers, Kramden, a bus driver, has dreams bigger than his ability – if not bigger than his waistline. Every episode features some hair-brained scheme he has to make life better for himself and his wife. His heart is in the right place even if his brains aren’t.

4. Willie Loman (Death of a Salesman)

Here’s a guy who has to commit suicide to make a buck and can’t even do that right. And yet, at heart, he is not a bad guy. The world has changed and he refused to change with it. Add to that the blind eye he turns to anyone who could help him and you’ve got the makings of a modern day tragedy to rival Shakespeare.

3. Peter Parker (Spider-Man)

Sure, he’s everyone’s favorite webslinger but as Peter Parker, this character is a bust. He never has any money, can’t pay his rent, bills or buy food. However he’s anything but irresponsible. That’s right, Peter is broke because he’s out day and night keeping the streets safe for you and me. What’s not to love about a guy like that?

2. Jim (The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn)

Poor Jim is a slave when we first meet him in this timeless novel by Mark Twain who has run away because his owner was about to sell him. Seeking his freedom he teams up with Huckleberry Finn and they work together to achieve their goals. Along the way, Jim’s simple wisdom and knowledge of right and wrong keep the pair on track no matter how much trouble they get into.

1. Oliver Twist (Oliver Twist)

The poster boy for poverty whose: “Please, sir, I want some more” summed up the needs of countless poor and destitute on the London streets of Charles Dickens’s time. When it comes to poor pop culture characters, look no further than Oliver Twist. Abandoned and victim to a system that chews up and spits out thousands just like him and you see a character with the deck stacked against him.

This article written by Andrew Salmon from the website Individual Voluntary Arrangement.

The Many Collectible Cars of Simon Cowell

CJ — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:56:28 +0000

Simon Cowell is as well known for his flashy cars as he is for American Idol, The X Factor and his gloriously high wasted trousers. Cowell likes his cars fast, and he knows how to hit the gas – evidenced by his storming performance on the racetrack of BBC Two’s Top Gear, coming third out of all the non-professional drivers in series eight, with a time of just 1 minute 47.1 seconds.

It’s thought that Cowell is worth a massive £120 million thanks to his music and TV industry success, and he has reportedly spent £3 million of that fortune on cars throughout his life[1]. Let’s take a look at some of the more spectacular cars.

The crowning jewel in Cowell’s collection is his Bugatti Veyron, which cost an eye watering £750,000[2]. As the fastest roadworthy car in the world and the most expensive, only a limited amount have been manufactured – making the Bugatti club a pretty exclusive one to join.

Some Photos/Video of Simon Cowell’s Collectible Cars

There aren’t many other British carmakers that are quite as prestigious as Rolls Royce, so it should be no surprise that Cowell owns one of these. Well he doesn’t: he owns three, three Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead’s that is. One for London, one for LA and a coupe version just for fun; all at a total cost over around £810,000. Speaking on Top Gear about it he said: “It’s the most beautiful, most comfortable, best-engineered car ever built. I can hardly bring myself to say it but it’s – oh, sod it! – perfect”[3].

What supercar collection would be complete without a Ferrari? The music mogul owns a Ferrari F430 Spider, capable of doing 193 mph and 0 – 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. To buy one of these beauties new you’d be looking at a price tag of around £130,000[4].

According to Auto Trader, Cowell has also owned quite a number of other cars in his time, including three Aston Martin DB7’s, a Jaguar XKR and the infinitely more modest Mini Cooper[5]. He is also rumoured to have purchased a £65,000 Jaguar XK convertible for fiancée Mezghan Hussainy recently[6] – what a lucky lady!

About the Author
Charlotte Walker writes for MediaVest (Manchester) on a range of motor related topics, including cheap car insurance.

[1] Auto Trader (October 6, 2009). Simon Cowell’s £3 million car history. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/news/britains_car_talent_simon_cowells_collection.html

[2] Daily Mail (October 13, 2007).What Simon Cowell did on his week off: Spend £1 MILLION on TWO cars. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-487430/What-Simon-Cowell-did-week-Spend-1-MILLION-TWO-cars.html

[3] Daily Mail (March 10, 2008).Now Simon Cowell shows off in his $1million Bugatti Veyron sports car. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-529272/Now-Simon-Cowell-shows-1million-Bugatti-Veyron-sports-car.html

[4] Yahoo! Cars (2009). Ferrari F430 Spider : ALONG CAME A SPIDER. http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/ferrari-f430-spider-1004658.html

[5] Auto Trader (October 6, 2009). Simon Cowell’s £3 million car history. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/news/britains_car_talent_simon_cowells_collection.html

[6] One India (March 31, 2010). Simon Cowell to gift fiancée a £65k car. http://entertainment.oneindia.in/music/international/2010/cowell-gift-car-fiancee-310310.html