Friday, November 30, 2007

Pepper Spray Ring


Pepper Spray Ring is now available. THIS is the one, true ring, my precious! The one ring that will either be very handy (no pun intended), or cause a rash of college pranks (ok...pun intended).

It looks like a (somewhat) normal ring that could be worn by a guy or a gal...but it has pepper spray gas inside. There's a safety and a trigger. Good for close quarter combat, which I guess if you're resorting to using Pepper Spray, is probably good enough.

Here is the description taken from the source website:

THE STUNNING RING™ ring uses the strongest pepper spray formula available on the market today. The formula has the industry's highest heat rating of 2 million SHU (compared to a jalapeno pepper, which is 5000 SHU), which severely affects the mucous membranes (eyes and respiratory systems). The ring has 2-3 one second burst and has an effective range of 12 inches.

Source: http://www.protectyourselfdirect.com/stunningring.htm

The ring isn't something that I would wear, but who knows? Maybe the 'Hottest' Christmas gift this year will be the Pepper Spray Ring. ;)


Are flu shots safe?


Who should get the flu shot?

You should get a flu shot if you want to reduce your chance of getting the flu. Anyone older than 6 months can get a flu shot.

It is even more important to get a flu shot if you are at high risk for complications. This includes:

* People who are older than 50. People age 65 or older are at highest risk.
* People who have long-term (chronic) diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, and lung disease, including asthma.
* People who live in nursing homes or long-term care centers.
* People who have weak immune systems.
* All children from 6 months to 5 years of age.
* Children who are 6 months to 18 years old who use long-term aspirin treatment.

People who could spread the flu to people at high risk should also get the shot. This includes:

* Anyone who lives with or cares for a child who is 6 months or younger. (Children older than 6 months should be vaccinated.)
* Anyone in close contact with a person who is at high risk of complications. This includes family, friends, and caregivers.
* Health care workers.

Who should not get the flu shot?

Some people should not get the flu shot without talking to their doctor first. This includes:

* People who are allergic to eggs.
* People who had a bad reaction to the flu shot in the past.
* People who had a rare nerve disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome after a previous shot.
* Children who are younger than 6 months of age.
* People who are already sick. If you are ill and have a fever, wait until you are better to get the shot.

People who can't get the flu shot but are at risk from the flu may be able to take an antiviral medicine instead. For more information, see:

Should I take antiviral medicine for the flu?

What are the benefits of the flu shot?

* It may keep you from getting the flu. This can save you time (fewer sick days) and money (fewer doctor visits, medicines, and hospital costs).
* If you do get the flu, it can make the symptoms milder and reduce the risk of serious complications.
* It can help limit the spread of the flu to others.

What are the risks of the flu shot?

It may cause mild problems, such as soreness, redness, and swelling on the arm where you got the shot. You might also have a fever and muscle aches for a day or two after you get the shot.

The risk of a serious problem from the flu shot (such as a severe allergic reaction) is very small.

The viruses in a flu shot are killed, so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot.

From WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/should-i-get-a-flu-shot


Thursday, November 29, 2007

Shaolin Temple China - Survivor Visit


The tribe members from Survivor China are informed they are in for a treat of immense proportions. Immediately following Tribal Council they are told they will not return to camp as usual. Instead there will be an unprecedented reward challenge. The winner of the reward challenge will be taken on a special visit to the Shaolin Temple. This rare opportunity to visit the historical temple will include a trip on a private jet, a feast, and entertainment.

The winner of the challenge will choose two other tribe members to join him or her on the trip. They will be asked a series of questions on Chinese culture. They retrieve black bags from under their seating and discover boards with answer choices on them. The winner will be the first to get to a designated number of points.

The questions:
True or False: China is credited with the invention of the abacus. The answer is true. Todd, Peih Gee, Denise, and James are right.
Which item is not a sign of the Chinese zodiac? Rabbit, cat, rooster. Cat, all are right.
True or False: 99% of the Panda's diet is Bamboo. All but Denise are right with a true answer.
The capital of China is Bejing. Peih Gee, James, Todd are right.
Receiving a red envelope is a sign of a love letter, a draft notice, a death notice, cash.
The answer is cash, but everyone is all over the board on this one, but Peih Gee wins the reward with a correct response.

Peih Gee chooses two people to go with her. She chooses Eric and Denise. They are told to go back to camp and get some sleep as they are leaving early in the morning. They spend a restless night in anticipation.

Denise is honored to go, but worries that when you leave camp things go on and you don't know where you stand when you return. Those left behind the others decided to eat plenty and then thought about keeping it to the four that remained. James suggests that they frolick naked, in other words, stay with the group and don't be tempted by Peih Gee and Eric. Not everyone is wholeheartedly with him.

The three are whisked away by private jet and enjoy champagne and snacks while they discuss being the final three. Denise doesn't buy into it knowing that Peih Gee and Eric are on the outside of the group. Arriving at the Shaolin Temple, Peih Gee is in awe at the 1500 year old temple. Being Chinese, she feels connected. She speaks of the temple monks who are renowned for their marshal art talent and prowess. Denise says that this is the reward she would want the most. After taking marshal arts herself, she opened a school and is awaiting her black belt. She finds the marshall arts demonstration inspiring and speaks of the seemingly effortless movements of the marshal arts experts. The Survivors are draped in shawls and eventually find themselves in traditional Chinese garb. Children appear and the young students teach them some moves.

Denise is requested by the master to demonstrate some of her Kung Fu knowledge for the others and she shares some moves. They dine that evening on traditional food in the amazing setting of the Temple courtyard. They are shown to their quarters where they sleep on mats and relative comfort out of the elements. Peih Gee finds the temple to be inspiring and feels she will be able to "keep on trucking" even though her neck is on the line back at camp.

http://tvgrapevine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=50

Very cool that they got to visit this 1500 year old temple, and had professional videographers capture their time there!


Toyota Recall - Crown, Mark X, Lexus GS, Lexus IS


Toyota is recalling 264,000 cars to repair faulty fuel pipes - its second product call-back in just over a month.

The Japanese car giant said the latest recall concerned Crown, Mark X and Lexus models made over the two years until December 2005.

While most of the recalled vehicles are in Japan, some 49,000 affected Lexus GS and IS models were sold abroad, mainly in the US, UK and Canada.

In mid-October, Toyota recalled more than 470,000 cars in Japan.

That call-back was due to problems with fuel and steering systems.

The new fault relates to fuel pipes that were improperly bent, and as a result could develop tiny cracks, and, in the worst case scenario, fuel leaks.

Toyota said 39 defects had been reported by drivers, but that there had been no accidents.

Earlier this year, Toyota overtook General Motors as the world's largest carmaker by volumes sold.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7117465.stm