Photo: Shocking Photo Of D.C. Earthquake Devestation

I smell a celebrity telethon in the works.

Video: Hitler Learns That HP Is Abandoning Touchpad And WebOS

HP took a major blow to their reputation and their net worth last week.  Just 48 days after introducing their Touchpad tablet, they announced that they were pulling it from the market, due to dismal sales figures.  To say that sales "failed to live up to expectations" would be an understatement.  HP shipped 270,000 Touchpads to Best Buy.  As of Friday, Best Buy sold approximately 25,000.  Another source calls that estimate "charitable".

Realistically, at $499 for a 16GB model, why wouldn't you buy an IPad 2?  That seems to be HP's problem.  Apple currently has roughly 80-85% of the tablet market.  There are over 90,000 apps available for the IPad currently, and over 250,000 IPhone/IPod apps that can be used on the IPad.  It will take years for any tablet competitor to be able to say that, whether web or Android based.  No one can compete.

Early Saturday morning, both Best Buy and HP's websites showed a price change on the 16 and 32GB Touchpad.  The 16GB Touchpad was marked down from $499 to $99.  Interestingly, the price change was done before Best Buy had a chance to change their print ad for Sunday, showing a 16GB model for $449.  It appears that Best Buy sold their remaining 245,000 tablets by 8:14PM Sunday evening.

In the ultimate act of good faith/we release an inferior product, both HP and Best Buy announced that anyone that paid full price for their Touchpad after June 21st can come to the place of purchase, with a receipt, and be reimbursed for the difference...resulting in a $99 tablet.

Lesson to be learned:  Never try competing with Apple.  You will never win if you do.  HP was just forced to sell off hundreds of thousands of tablets for $99 apiece; tablets which likely cost them $400-450 each to make.  That's a $100 million loss only considering the stock that Best Buy had on hand.  Ouch.

Kim Kardashian Makes $22 Million On Wedding Day

Oh my God.  This picture actually made news, today.  Does this ass make my ass look big? 

I know that marriage is supposed to be rewarding, but profitable?!  Apparently, Kim Kardashian thinks so.  Last weekend, she made over $22 million marrying boyfriend Kris Humphries.

 "The newlyweds sold the exclusive photo rights to US People magazine for $2.4 million, but the biggest payout came from the four-hour, two-part TV special that will air on the E! Network in October, according to the New York Post. 

"Kim’s Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event " is expected to pull up to $15 million for the Kardashian family franchise and for producer Ryan Seacrest. 

The couple also get $300,000 for their exclusive engagement announcement in People and $100,000 for exclusive rights to the bridal shower with Britain’s OK! Magazine."

So...that's $17.8 million in cash.  There's another $4.4 million that was made in freebies given to the couple in exchange for promotional consideration at the event:

• Three $20,000 Vera Wang wedding dresses (all of which were somehow worn)
• $400,000 worth of Perrier Jouet Champagne 
• A $15,000, 10-tiered wedding cake
• $150,000 in hair and make up for the bride
• $750,000 in catering
• $3 million in jewelry, including a $1 million wedding band and $2 million engagement ring
• and finally, a $50,000 bachelorette party, sponsored by Tao nightclub in Las Vegas.

Sanctity of marriage my ass!

Abercrombie Offers Unique Endorsement Deal To Jersey Shore Clan

In what has to be the strangest endorsement deal ever, Abercrombie and Fitch has offered Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino money not to wear their clothes.  Why?  In essence, it's ruining the brand's image.

A spokesman for the clothing line told CNN yesterday:

"We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image. We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans.  We have therefore offered a substantial payment to Michael 'The Situation' Sorrentino and the producers of MTV's The Jersey Shore to have the character wear an alternate brand," A&F continues. "We have also extended this offer to other members of the cast and are urgently waiting a response."

 The 'Jersey Shore' cast devalues everything that they touch.  It is long overdue that a company has publicly drawn a line in the sand and said, "You can fist pump and bang your personal reputations to shit, but leave our products out of it".  Way to go, Abercrombie and Fitch.  I may not like your clothing, but I admire your style.

Should I See 'Conan The Barbarian' This Weekend?

When the most famous actor/actress in the movie is Rose McGowan.  And, the biggest thing she's been in is knuckle deep in Marilyn Manson.

It's not a good sign.

Christine O'Donnell Walks Out Of CNN Interview

Earlier this evening, former Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell walked out of an interview on CNN with Piers Morgan.  Morgan was asking her what her stance was on gay marriage and Don't Ask Don't Tell;  two topics that are covered in her new book, 'Troublemaker'.  She refused to answer the question.



Since she's not running for office, I guess she doesn't have "I am running for President of the United States" as an answer, like Bachmann.

Video: Stage Collapses At Indiana State Fair, Killing Five

And, injuring dozens more.  The tragedy took place during last night's Sugarland concert at the Fairgrounds.  Evacuation orders were being broadcast to the crowd as the rigging came down.  The following video, while not graphic, is disturbing nonetheless.

Levi's Commercial Pulled From Nation

...due to content and bad timing.  See if you can guess which country the ads were pulled in?



A spokesperson for the clothing company said,

"We are deeply disheartened about the unprecedented events taking place in the UK at the moment and which have impacted communities across the country.   

"While "Go Forth" is about embodying the energy and events of our time, it is not about any specific moment or theme, rather it is about optimism, positive action and a pioneering spirit. 

"Out of sensitivity for what is happening in the UK, we have temporarily pulled our Facebook and cinema spots in the country." 

The advertisement features Charles Bukowski's 'The Laughing Heart'. 

Quote Of The Day

"Stories soon emerged that the marriage was in trouble – at one stage I was played a tape of a message Paul had left for Heather on her mobile phone. It was heartbreaking. The couple had clearly had a tiff, Heather had fled to India, and Paul was pleading with her to come back. He sounded lonely, miserable and desperate, and even sang ‘We Can Work It Out’…"

- Piers Morgan, writing for 'The Daily Mirror' in 2006, on a voicemail between Paul McCartney and, then wife, Heather Mills.  McCartney is currently in contact with London Police, saying that Morgan could have only heard the message due to their phones being hacked.  At the time, Morgan was an editor for the now defunct 'News of the World'.

If You See Only One Movie This Week....

...watch 'Dear Zachary:  A Letter to a Son About His Father'.

The film is a documentary from first time filmmaker Kurt Kuenne.  I won't tell you anything about the plot of the movie.  In fact, I think you're better off watching it without knowing about it's premise.  I will say that the film is about friendship, family and parenthood.

'Dear Zachary' is gut-wrenchingly raw and emotional.  I cried through most of it.  I must admit, I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to movies, but if the film doesn't effect you, you have no heart.  Grab a box of tissues.  On second thought, grab two.

Lately, I've been watching a number of documentaries from my Netflix queue.  I surprised to say that, after a couple of months, Netflix has a pretty good grasp on what I will like and what I won't.  Based upon my previous ratings, Netflix estimated that I would give 'Dear Zachary' a 5.0 rating.  I did.  The film, overall, has averaged a rating of 4.1 out of 361,000 results.  It is easily one of the most powerful and touching films I have seen in quite a long time.

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, is also available on Amazon, both to purchase and to rent instantly.  It's currently streaming on Netflix.

The Top Selling Game On ITunes

This is REAL.  I am not kidding or trying to be funny.  As of 9:00PM, Saturday, August 13, 2011, the number one game for download from Apple's App Store is:

"Milk The Cow"

It's a cow milking simulator.  Are we really that bored?  With over 100,000 downloadable applications available for the IPhone and the IPad, is virtual cow milking the technological advancement that we have been missing all of our lives?

This only proves my theory that, as a species, humans are de-evolving.  I believe you can download additional yak milking levels in game.  Fun, fun, fun.

Most Unfortunate Candy Name Ever

The small print below the brand name says, "Pronounced Gets'".  Something tells me that the line was added after everyone started referring to it as "Goatse" candy.  Slightly disturbing.  Especially considering the way that the candy looks.

The Ignorance Of Michele Bachmann

In reference to George W. Bush, I used to hear people say, "It's sad when an African-American student with straight A's can't get a job at McDonald's, but a white student can become president with a C average".  The presidential candidates out of the Republican party just seem to get more and more embarrassing.



It looks like someone was home schooled.

Pregnancy Scare

Another nugget from 5 Second Films:

Tweet Of The Day

From Australia's Census office:

The Australian government:  Damn right, it's better than yours.