douceange blog

Quote of the day

2010-05-30T20:21:00.001-07:00

Criticism quote : coz we all need to be reminded

People love as self-recognition what they hate as an accusation. - Elias Canetti

Seson 9 of idol

2010-05-29T23:26:00.001-07:00

LOOVEEE Crystal Bowersox Can't stand the other guy!

allergies in dogs??

2010-05-27T06:10:00.001-07:00

Damn... I think that Spot has dog allergies! Spot is litterally scratching his fur away... I feel so bad for him! I did some research and he seems to have all the symptoms described in thisdog allergies website ... Not sure if I should call the vet??? It's gonna cost me a fortune...

Researchers creating life from scratch

2010-05-26T13:34:00.001-07:00

I read this online this morning

From The Guardian : Craig Venter creates synthetic life form

Craig Venter and his team have built the genome of a bacterium from scratch and incorporated it into a cell to make what they call the world's first synthetic life form

Scientists have created the world's first synthetic life form in a landmark experiment that paves the way for designer organisms that are built rather than evolved.

The controversial feat, which has occupied 20 scientists for more than 10 years at an estimated cost of $40m, was described by one researcher as "a defining moment in biology".

Craig Venter, the pioneering US geneticist behind the experiment, said the achievement heralds the dawn of a new era in which new life is made to benefit humanity, starting with bacteria that churn out biofuels, soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and even manufacture vaccines.

Amazing!!

In the news today

2010-05-24T16:02:00.001-07:00

By BBC News

Thailand rejects protesters' UN-backed talks plan

Advertisement

The BBC's Chris Hogg reports on the failure to negotiate an end to the unrest

Thai officials have ruled out UN-backed mediation in an increasingly violent dispute with anti-government protesters on the streets of Bangkok.

A protest leader suggested the talks, but a government spokesman was quick to rebuff the offer, saying outside groups should not interfere.

At least 31 people have died since Thursday, when soldiers and police moved in to shift the demonstrators.

The protesters, known as red-shirts, have been camped in Bangkok for months.

They want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign and call a new election.

A red-shirt leader, Nattawut Saikua, said protesters were willing to hold UN-moderated talks to end the stand-off, providing that the army withdrew from the area around the red-shirt camp.

But government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn insisted that no outside help was needed.

"We reject their demands for UN mediation... No Thai government has ever let anyone intervene with our internal affairs," he said.

Plea to Red Cross

A state of emergency has been declared in more than 20 provinces across the country - mostly in the protesters' northern heartlands - in a bid to stop more demonstrators heading to the capital.

RED-SHIRT PROTEST

14 Mar: Red-shirts converge on Bangkok, occupy government district

16 Mar: Protesters splash their own blood at Government House

30 Mar: Talks with government ends in deadlock

3 Apr: Occupy Bangkok shopping district

10 Apr: Troops try to clear protesters; 25 people are killed and hundreds injured

13-14 May: 16 killed in Bangkok clashes

15 May: Eight killed in street battles

In pictures: Bangkok violence

Thai protests: Eyewitness accounts

Profile: Thailand's reds and yellows

Officials have urged women and older people to leave the protest zone by Monday afternoon, and have asked for help from the Red Cross.

About 5,000 people remain in the encampment, where food and water are running low amid a blockade on the area.

Sporadic clashes were reported on Sunday, but not on the same scale as previous days.

The BBC's Rachel Harvey says streets around the protest area are littered with fires; thick black smoke is rising into the air.

She says the pattern of demonstrations is that the protesters set up a disturbance and fires in one area, and the troops try to gain control of that area - then the demonstrators move somewhere else.

The latest fighting flared on Thursday, as the army and police moved to isolate a fortified protest camp.

Thousands of demonstrators remain behind makeshift barricades of rubber tyres, sandbags and bamboo stakes in the Ratchaprasong commercial district.

Mr Abhisit has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays and delayed the start of Bangkok's school term, but a planned curfew was cancelled.

Army 'prepared'

On Saturday, Mr Abhisit said the army would not back down in its operation to clear the protesters.

"We cannot leave the country in a situation where people who don't obey the law are holding hostage the people of Bangkok, as well as the centre of the country," he said.

Protester waves Thai flag in Bangkok - 15 May 2010

Several hundred protesters are gathering in other parts of Bangkok

Mr Abhisit and security officials have insisted that their operations against the protesters have targeted armed "terrorists" who they say have infiltrated the protesters.

Earlier, the army declared "live-fire zones" in some areas as it attempted to cut off the camp from supplies and reinforcements.

US-based Human Rights Watch warned that the zones had set the Thai authorities on a "slippery slope" towards serious human rights abuses.

More than 200 people have been injured since Thursday, and 27 people have been sent to jail, each given six-month sentences. All the fatalities have been civilians.

The clashes have raised questions about the stability of Thailand, South East Asia's second-largest economy.

Many of the protesters are from poor rural areas in northern Thailand where support is still strong for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

Mr Thaksin has called on the government to withdraw troops and restart negotiations. He is living abroad to avoid a jail term on a corruption conviction.

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AMAZING DAY!

2010-05-23T15:25:00.001-07:00

I'm walking on sunshine yyeeeyyeee It gorgeous outside! Woohoo!

Watching TV

2010-05-23T01:14:00.001-07:00

Tonight I'm having Candie over to watch Sons of Anarchy .This is a really good tv

Successful bridesmaid dress shopping

2010-05-22T12:57:00.001-07:00

I went to look for a bridesmaid dress this morning. It took us barely an hour and a half! The moment we saw the dress we had that feeling we found the perfect one! I am going back Tuesday for measurements.

Young Professional Association

2010-05-22T01:14:00.001-07:00

I am attending a Young Professional Association fundraiser today. It's pretty neat. They're inviting a few business men. I'm looking forward to the meeting!

Star Trek on TV!

2010-05-21T16:42:00.001-07:00

I'm watching Star Trek NG... Yeah I know I'm really a nerd lol! Just I can't help it... I totally love that tv show!

Yes a sample sale!

2010-05-04T08:36:00.001-07:00

In a few minutes I'm going to the Gianni Versace sample sale, I'm really happy. I love Gianni Versace clothes!

Quote of the day

2010-05-04T08:35:00.001-07:00

Appreciation quote - because it is always nice to hear

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction. [published 11/30/1905 in the Lincoln (Kansas) Sentinel - an adaptation of this is often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, though nothing like it has been found in his writings.] - Bessie Stanley

Quote of the day

2010-05-02T10:41:00.001-07:00

Thankfully, beauty is easier to remove than apply, and a swipe of demaquillage in the right direction and you are you once again.- Margaret Cho, weblog

Cute vid

2010-05-02T10:40:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/v/04RZrf3-Mgo&hl=en_US&fs=1&

I think it's so cute when animals adopt other animals of a different species.

How to train your dragon - my review

2010-04-14T23:40:00.001-07:00

I rate How to Train your Dragon 10/10. I may be somewhat generous but who cares. Dreamworks Animation absolutely deserves it. This is by far their best film ever..

I find it so funny compared to Avatar . I find the movie is so much better regarding the storyline and the development of the characters. The script was exceptional. Note: I did not watch it in 3D because unfortunately3D films give me nausea.

Nonetheless I found the visuals to be remarkable even without it. It is so good, it feels like Pixar HAD to be involved . Is it possible that Dreamworks has finally figured this out? In many sequences just like when I watched UP (my favorite 2009 film), I felt like it had to be written by pet-lovers because the writers show so much much comprehension on building the bonds between a man and an animal.

This bond between the kid and the dragon makes the film so believable and I simply enjoyed every minute of How to Train your Dragon. "How to train your dragon" is smart and brilliant. My favorite scene : Toothless trying to smile. This movie is a great movie for all children and adults. I definitely recommend it.

Incredible animated french condom ad

2010-04-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

Bathroom artwork is brought to life in this impressive commercial for safe sex.

I think this is just hilarious! So much better than our North American ways of making public ads...

Smmoootthhhh legs

2010-04-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

This is my first time I buy an electric shaver and so far I am very happy with my purchase. I never bought one before because I kept hearing and reading that the shave of women's electric shavers is not as great as manual shaving, but this thing shaves almost as good as a manual razor. And in reality, we have to admit that "the closeness of a manual razor" that everyone brags about only really last for a day and a half anyway. I still learning how to use still, and have to get rid of my older habits using a disposable razor! I like the fact that you can take it into the shower or use it dry, outside the shower. This ladies electric shaver is also easy to clean. It doesn't take up counter space and has a super cute color! Overall, I find that this shaver makes the everyday upkeep SO much easier. Finally, the shaver is pretty quiet, so it won't wake up the who building if you decide to shave on a Saturday morning ;)

Healthy summer salads

2009-05-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

pink rain boots

Spinach cantaloup salad with mint
INGREDIENTS
* 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
* 1 cup sliced cantaloupe
* 1 cup sliced avocado
* 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves

* 1 tablespoon mint apple jelly
* 1 1/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
* 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 clove garlic, minced
DIRECTIONS
1. Divide spinach between 2 serving plates. Arrange half of the cantaloupe and half of the avocado in a circular pattern over the spinach on each plate. Sprinkle with diced red pepper and fresh mint.
2. Mix together the mint jelly, white wine vinegar, oil and garlic. Drizzle over the salads. Serve.
kamik rain boots

Tomato Mozzarella salad
INGREDIENTS
* 3 large tomatoes, sliced
* 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
* 1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper
* 1/4 cup minced fresh basil
DIRECTIONS
1. On a large serving platter, alternate tomatoes and mozzarella slices. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the oil, salt and pepper; shake well. Drizzle over tomatoes and mozzarella. Sprinkle with basil.
chooka rain boots

Fresh broccoli salad
INGREDIENTS
* 2 heads fresh broccoli
* 1 red onion
* 1/2 pound bacon
* 3/4 cup raisins
* 3/4 cup sliced almonds
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
DIRECTIONS
1. Place bacon in a deep skillet and cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Cool and crumble.
2. Cut the broccoli into bite-size pieces and cut the onion into thin bite-size slices. Combine with the bacon, raisins, your favorite nuts and mix well.
3. To prepare the dressing, mix the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar together until smooth. Stir into the salad, let chill and serve.
rain boots | women's rain boots

Drinks of the summer

2009-05-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

Tanning bed drink
INGREDIENTS
* 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger coconut flavored rum
* 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger pineapple juice
* 1 maraschino cherry
DIRECTIONS
1. In a rocks glass, pour coconut rum over ice. Pour pineapple juice to top. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Champagne punch
INGREDIENTS
* 1/2 gallon raspberry sherbet
* 2 (750 milliliter) bottles champagne, chilled
* 1 (750 milliliter) bottle sweet red wine
* 1 (2 liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled
DIRECTIONS
1. Place frozen sherbet in center of a large punch bowl and add champagne and sweet red wine. Stir gently (sherbet will keep ingredients cold and slowly dissolve.) Pour in ginger ale and serve.

Beer margarita
INGREDIENTS
* 1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
* 12 fluid ounces tequila
* 12 fluid ounces water
* 12 fluid ounces beer
* ice
* 1 lime, cut into wedges
DIRECTIONS
1. Pour limeade, tequila, water, and beer into a large pitcher. Stir until well-blended, and limeade has melted. Add plenty of ice, and garnish with lime wedges. Adjust with additional water, if needed.

cute rain boots

2009-05-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

burberry

Rainy day today ?? - what a better day then to look for a pair of rain boots online!

Thankfully, there are so many great options when looking for a great pair of rain boots - as a matter of fact, rain boots are very fashionable and many known celebrities wear them all the time!

Time was when rain boots were ugly, unimaginative and just plain super boring. I don't think many of us wanted to spend anything on these old things.

But now, times have changed, or at least our retailers are seeing the light and bringing us some great finds. I think designers have also tried to incorporate rain boots into spring wardrobes in a way that casts them in a much kinder light.

So, without further adieu, here's where I'd go seeking rain boots - Joe Fresh at the Superstore, got an email the other day that showed some real cuties - these were also shown on a TV ad, and you can be assured they'll be a great price; Also, you'll pick up some great deals at Walmart, Winners, Aldo, Naturalizer, etc.

These discount stores have really been upping the ante lately and I was just wandering at the mall saw some cute rain boots at both.

Even designers carry their own line of rain boots (coach rain boots, tokidoki rain boots, marc jacobs rain boots). However, if you choose to go with a designer, remember that you'll have to pay a bit more, but they'll last forever.

So, choose your price range and go for it!