Today’s pulse on 542542: Zhu Zhu Pets

November 5th, 2009

zhuzhupet
kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on hot toys for the holidays:

What’s a Zhu Zhu Pet?

Know more:

And you thought finding a Tickle Me Elmo was a challenge, just wait.

Zhu Zhu Pets are cuddly and lovable battery-operated hamsters on wheels that are stealing the hearts of toddlers to teens.

The little pipsqueaks sell for less than $10 in the big-box stores like Wally World, Toys R Us and Target but good luck getting your hands on one.  Most stores are unable to keep them in stock and some stores report at least 50 calls a day from consumers on a mission to find them.

Some consumers are venturing to eBay to find the critters and are paying up to four times the retail price or more.

In addition to the motorized hamsters (there are four different ones currently) there are plenty of accessories to add to the mix.  Look for playhouses with kitchens, surfboards, exercise wheel, connecting tubes, beds and more.  They can even drive a car without a license.

While the motorized pets are marketed to 5 to 8 year olds, teens are seeking them too as collectibles – similar to the old Beanie Babies craze.

The manufacturers reports “they have artificial intelligence that allows them to know what room of their hamster habitat they are in. They make toilet-flushing or teeth-brushing sounds when they enter the bathroom and sleeping noises and alarm-clock sounds when they go into their bedroom.”

Shop early and good luck to one and all!

Zhu Zhu Pet Commercial

YouTube Preview Image

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source:   Zhu Zhu Pets are latest toy fad

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Fact Of The Day, What Does America Really Want to Know? | No Comments »

kgb special agents take over the 2009 world series at Yankee Stadium

November 4th, 2009

October 29, 2009.

Yankees vs Phillies, Game 2 of the 2009 World Series.

kgb special agents take over Yankee Stadium.

kgb special agent with NYC Mayor Bloomberg at Yankee Stadium

with NYC Mayor Bloomberg

kgb special agents at yankee stadium

kgb special agents behind home plate

kgb special agents at the world series

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s pulse on 542542: Andre Agassi

November 3rd, 2009
Andre Agassi Tennis
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on a tennis legend:

Who is Andre Agassi?

Know more:

Andre Agassi is a professional tennis player best known for winning eight Grand Slams during his career. He is one of only six men to win all four major tennis titles.

Agassi was known during the 1990s for his long, lion mane-style hair held back with a headband, his trademark.

Agassi recently disclosed in his soon to be released autobiography “Open” that the hair women swooned over was actually a hairpiece.  In addition, he apologetically disclosed illicit drug use during his time as a professional tennis player.

He started wearing the wig when he noticed some hair loss and has blamed fear of having the wig fly off as a factor in losing matches. Instead of hoping for a victory, he often hoped he would get through the match with his hairpiece intact.

It was Agassi’s future wife Brooke Shields who actually convinced him to shed the lion look and shave his head.  He eventually complied and that’s the look he has today.

“I’m too sexy for my hair; that’s why it isn’t there.” – Anonymous

Andre Agassi’s Upcoming Autobiography – Associated Press

YouTube Preview Image

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source:  Agassi admits mane was a wig

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Fact Of The Day, What Does America Really Want to Know? | No Comments »

Today’s pulse on 542542: The Camera Diet

November 2nd, 2009
Behind the scenes at Alexis's food blog
Image by goldberg via Flickr

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on the latest weight-loss fad:

What is the camera diet?

Know more:

Essentially, with the camera diet, dieters have to take a picture of everything they eat with either their cellphone or other camera at hand.

It is the work involved in taking a picture of everything one eats that appears to make people more conscious of what goes in their mouth. Participants in the diet report that the effort involved in recording a snack or a second helping of food prompts them to re-think whether they actually want to eat it.

The diet is based on a pilot study entitled Think Before You Eat, by Lydia Zepeda and David Deal from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  The researchers found that keeping a photographic food diary influences attitudes and behaviors about food choices.

Keeping a food diary is not a new idea as dieters have been using the act of writing their food intake in a diary for decades.  The photo diary offers a new slant however, as pictures must be taken before the food is eaten – unlike written diaries, often recorded when it is too late to change one’s mind.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source:   Dear Photo Diary

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Fact Of The Day, What Does America Really Want to Know? | No Comments »

Today’s pulse on 542542: Jeans

October 30th, 2009
Jeans
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on denim:

Do people still spend a fortune on a pair of jeans?

Know more:

Denim watchers report that $300 designers jeans are pretty much a thing of the past with $200 being more representative of a top price point for designer denim.

While designers jeans were the rage in the 1990’s, it is “premium” jeans that have marked the new millennium.  Consider the following:  $340 for Acne jeans, $350 for Ksubi jeans, $359 for True Religion jeans, $395 for Notify jeans, $580 for Dior jeans.

Prior to the recession, “premium denim” was one of the fastest rising categories in the apparel biz and it seemed that consumers had no limit to what they would pay for a pair of Paris Hilton inspired extravagant jeans.

Those days are done

Some say the denim bubble has burst and premium jeans are done.  What you’ll see now are commonly referred to as “artisanal” jeans in the neighborhood just below $200 from labels like PRPS and 45rpm.

In spite of all the jean pricing commotion, annual sales of women’s jeans are still up.

Diesel, the Italian jeans company that pioneered the premium jeans price-points, used to produce only two styles at its lowest price of $150 for men, $160 for women. This season there are 10, said Renzo Rosso, the label’s founder, “because the market demanded more product at this level.”

Rock & Republic, Ksubi, and Citizens of Humanity are all presenting lower priced lines.

What’s the latest in denim?

Skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans are in and just on the scene are jeans so skinny they are called “jeggings.”

How to make skinny jeans

YouTube Preview Image

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source:  Preshrunk Prices

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: , ,
Posted in Fact Of The Day, What Does America Really Want to Know? | No Comments »

Today’s pulse on 542542: TwitterPeek

October 29th, 2009
Photo of Peek Email Device
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on a social media fixture, Twitter:

What’s a TwitterPeek?

Know more:

TwitterPeek is a hand-held device that allows Twitter users to be connected to Twitter at all times.  The folks that make the device also make the Peek and the Peek Pronto (email-only handsets.)

The device is entirely dedicated to sending, receiving and searching Twitter posts…no more, no less.

The gadget costs 200 bucks but before you pass out, it does include a lifetime of tweeting with no additional payment for connectivity.

Details about TwitterPeek are as follows:

* World’s first Twitter mobile device
* Unlimited tweets and direct messages
* Nationwide coverage. No wifi signal necessary
* Includes service for lifetime of device
* No contracts or hidden fees
* “Always on” instant tweet delivery
* Full QWERTY keyboard, large color screen, click scroll wheel
* Long battery life lasts up to 4 days

Read a review here http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/twitterpeek_a_new_standalone_mobile_device_for_twitter.php

TwitterPeek can be pre-ordered on Amazon.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source:  TwitterPeek, A Twitter-Only Handset

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Fact Of The Day, What Does America Really Want to Know? | 1 Comment »

Today’s pulse on 542542: Titanium Necklaces

October 28th, 2009
Joba Chamberlain
Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on the medicinal properties of metal:

So what’s with the necklaces MLB players are wearing?

Know more:

Titanium is reported to help stabilize the body’s flow of energy.  In fact, many Major League Baseball players have been draping themselves with titanium-coated necklaces (in official team colors no less) because they believe they are getting health benefits from the titanium.

Yankee pitcher Joba Chamberlain is among many professional athletes who believe the titanium-coated necklaces enhance their athletic performance.

Chamberlain, a paid endorser of Phiten titanium-coated sportswear says it helps him recover and he’s proud to be associated with the product.

Some scientific researchers suggest it is all hogwash and only delivers a placebo effect to the wearer.  However, certified athletic trainers know the placebo effect can be very powerful nonetheless, and seldom dissuade their pro athletes from trying out the latest fad.  As long as it is safe and not unethical, trainers believe it can give a player confidence and an edge.

A Japanese chiropractor founded the Phiten company after discovering a way to dissolve nanoparticles of titanium in water and then infuse it into products like shirts, socks, athletic tape, necklaces, massage lotion and more.

U.S. baseball players noticed players in Japan wearing the titanium necklaces and brought the fad home. Phiten reports that at least 300 major-league players have worn their products, and paid endorsers includes Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox among others.

Phiten cites the following research:  A study conducted at Japan’s Kyoto Prefectural University and published in the Journal of Life Sciences shows that mice in cages with titanium-infused rubber sheets slept better than mice with placebo sheets. It concluded that titanium “has a relaxant effect.”

While the mice may go night-night better, Phiten’s statements have not been evaluated by the FDA nor has the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) specifically studied titanium.

Phiten USA, Inc. Commercial (Joba Chamberlain)

YouTube Preview Image

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source:  Metal: Panacea or Placebo?

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Fact Of The Day, What Does America Really Want to Know? | No Comments »

Today’s pulse on 542542: Mirdles

October 27th, 2009
Ourgodswearspandex cover
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on undergarments:

What’s a mirdle?

Know more:

With names like waist eliminators, chest compressors, mirdles and manziers, men’s compression and torso enhancing shapewear is all the rage.

Men are reporting up to two inches off fatty areas of the torso by wearing the slimming shapewear. However svelte comes with a hefty price tag.  One mirdle brand is the Equmen Core Precision Undershirt.  The manufacturer reports that this little number will pull the shoulders back, compress the core, improve posture, increase energy and control body temperature.  The polyester, nylon and spandex blend undershirt sells for $89.

Another brand, Ript Fusion is billed as a revolutionary torso enhancing undershirt or simply a “classic men’s undershirt injected with steroids.” Priced at $58, it promises it can take at least two to five inches off.

Other mirdles (”girdles for guys”) are an offshoot of the men’s compression shorts popular in sporting goods stores.  Butt-lifting technology assists men who want to lift their posteriors.  Think of them as boxers with a kick in the rear.

All of this underwear buzz may mean good news for the economy.  Men’s undergarment sales are up, which some economists equate with a lifting of the recession.

Mirdle Chatter

YouTube Preview Image

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source:  Mirdles: Making Men Thinner in Seconds

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Fact Of The Day, What Does America Really Want to Know? | No Comments »

Today’s pulse on 542542: The Lovely Bones

October 26th, 2009
The Lovely Bones
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on upcoming movies:

What’s The Lovely Bones supposed to be about?

Know more:

Set to release in December 2009, The Lovely Bones is based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold.  The film is directed by Oscar recipient Peter Jackson and is based on a screenplay from Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.

The story centers on a young girl who has been brutally murdered and is now watching over her family…and her killer…all from heaven.  Her ongoing quest is to weigh her personal desire for vengeance against her desire to help her family heal from the event.

The movie features Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg and Oscar winners Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon.  Other stars include Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli and Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan.

The Lovely Bones – Trailer

http://www.dailymotion.com/videoxa2irg

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source:  The Lovely Bones Official Movie Site

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Fact Of The Day, What Does America Really Want to Know? | No Comments »

Today’s pulse on 542542: Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD)

October 23rd, 2009
Facebook, Inc.
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on America’s affair with Facebook:

How much time is too much time on Facebook?

Know more:

A number of psychologists are exploring their patient’s preoccupation with Facebook, in particular Dr. Michael Fenichel.  Dr. Fenichel describes Facebook addiction as a situation where being on Facebook takes precedence over daily living activities.  He suggests that many people underestimate the vast amount of time spent on Facebook at home, at work, and even on-the-go by cellphone.

While Facebook addiction isn’t a bonafide mental health disorder, internet addiction is currently being considered for inclusion in the upcoming DSM-V, the official diagnostic manual for mental health professionals.  A number of academic papers have been written on the topic of internet and social networking addiction along with related topics like cellphone addiction.

Psychologists begin to look at Facebook use as an addiction when the behavior is demonstrating harm to social relationships, work life, etc.

Dr. Joanna Lipari, a clinical psychologist practicing in California, recommends that Facebook users be aware of signs of a problem brewing such as:

Losing sleep over Facebook
Spending more than an hour a day on Facebook
Becoming obsessed with old loves or exes that you reconnect with on Facebook
Ignoring work to sneak onto Facebook
Feeling anxious when you actually consider quitting Facebook

Facebook, launched by the world’s youngest billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, has over 300 million users worldwide, half of whom log on to the site every day.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source:  Are you a Facebook addict?

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Fact Of The Day, What Does America Really Want to Know? | No Comments »

Older Entries