Welcome

Welcome to my blog, The Appalachian Aristocrat. Here I will discuss a variety of topics ranging from animals to politics.
A little bit about me: I'm 26 year old female and a senior in college, studying business. I have a wide variety of interests, which I plan to write about on here. Also, I've lived almost my entire life in Appalachia.
I'm open to all opinions, so feel free to give me yours!
Thanks
Kiva

CURIOUS, FUNNY PHOTOS/PICTURES BLOG

I just found this really funny blog. http://curiousphotos.blogspot.com
They have tons of funny pictures on there, including cast pictures from Shrek. Very Awesome...must check it out.
http://curiousphototos.blogspot.com

MOBILE CONTENT

Hey Everyone! I just found this great site to get software for your mobile devices, http://www.mobilesoftmarket.com . They carry a variety of productivity tools, ebooks, desktop tools, games, wallpapers, and videos....all for mobile devices. These products are mostly targeted for thee Blackberry platfor...but they also have a variety of products for Symbian, Palm, Windows Mobile, and the PSP too!
If you visit the site soon you can get 15% off on all products. Just use the code "ONGKAE" near thee end of the purchase process. http://www.mobilesoftmarket.com

SLASHING YOUR GROCERY BILL!

I was browsing AOL for something useful to write about...and I stumbled on this. I'm gonna give you the tips they give to reduce your grocery bill.

1. STOCKPILE SALE ITEMS
They say to shop on a 12-week cycle, instead of weekly, because most items are only on sale once every 12 weeks.
Ex. You buy 3 24-count pkgs of Charmin toilet paper for $5.99 each. 2 pkgs at the regular price are $9.99 each. You'll save $12.00 or 40%

2. BUY SMALL
Don't assume that the largest quantity of an item is the best deal. Check the per-ounce or per-unit price (on the shelf tag) before you buy. If you buy small...use your coupons to make it a better deal.
Ex. A 15-oz box of Cheerios is $2.89 ($0.19 cents/oz) and a 20-oz box is $3.99 ($0.20 cents/oz.) So if you buy the 15-oz box you save a penny per ounce.

3.WATCH FOR PRICING ERRORS
It pays to pay attention. Look for scanner errors...prices ringing up higher or lower than their marked price is more common than you would think. Price errors in the store's favor affect 2% of the items, costing us, the consumer $2.5 billion a year.
Ex. An $8.99 bottle of olive oil rings up as $9.99....per Michigan law..if you catch it you get a $5.00 discount, making the item $3.99..a savings of $6.00 or 60%

4. READ THE FINE PRINT
When scanning your sale flyers be sure to read the words as well as look at the pictures. The written word is binding! Also watch out for multiple items at a promotional price....3 for $1.00, unless otherwise specified you're not required to buy all 3 to get the promotional price.
Ex. A $ 0.50-cent manufacturer's coupon with a photo of Arm&Hammer's Fridge Fresh Refridgerator Air Filter is actually good for "any Arm & Hammer product." If you use it on a $2.99 tube of Arm & Hammer Dental Care toothpaste you'll save 50 cents or 17%

5.SKIP THE SUPERMARKET
The grocery store is not always the best place to buy food. Prices are often lower at stores where the focus is away from food.
Superstores: Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart - for snack foods, cereal, and cleaning supplies
Pharmacies and drugstores: for milk, otc medications, or personal-care products
Gas Stations: for milk, juice, and snacks
Warehouse Clubs: BJ's, Sam's Club, and Costco offer best deals on spirits, prepared food adn other items (* beware not all deals are great)
The Web: for bulk items consider groceries from Amazon.com, no sales tax and most purchases qualify for free shipping

To read the full article, click the link below
http://money.aol.com/top5/general/cut-grocery-bill-more

URBANREAD - ADSENSE SHARING WIDGET

Anyone using ADSENSE should check this tool out. http://urbanread.com/
This tool will help you increase you adsense earnings by displaying news items from urbanreads network. Its easy to use....you just register with http://urbanread.com/ then get the code for a widget you will place on your blog...then copy and paste. That's it! Its that simple.
The widget will get news for your blog and when someone clicks onthe widget and reads the details of the story...then whatever revenue is generated by the form will go directly to your adsense account. EASY!
So, check it out. http://urbanread.com/

POKER DIY

Do you like to play poker? I found this awesome site where you can connect with other poker players. http://www.pokerdiy.com can help you organize your games and manage your poker leagues for FREE! on http://www.pokerdiy.com you can find or host a local poker games, join online games, schedule games and track your RSVP's for the game, and practice for free. You can also create and manage your own league and view your scores, track league results, and work with local or online leagues, you can also search for and join existing leagues. At http://www.pokerdiy.com you can create a friends list to keep track of others with similar interests, discuss your poker strategies, find local and live games, start a group for your hometown or your friends. Best of all its FREE to join http://www.pokerdiy.com

HOTEL RESERVATIONS.COM

Are you getting ready to travel, check out http://www.hotelreservations.com/. They have really great deals on all your travel needs (hotel, airfare, vacation rentals, and car rentals). They even sell vacation packages at great deals. They guarantee that they have the lowest rates! If you can find a lower rate for the same date and same hotel...all you have to do is contact them 24 within booking your "Special Internet Rate" reservation. After the lower rate is verified they will either match that rate or allow you to cancel without a fee. They are currently offering a rebate up to $100.00! You can get $20 for a 3-night booking, $30 for a 5-night booking, $50 for an 8-night booking, $75 for a 10-night booking, and $100 for a 12-night booking. Make sure you check out http://hotelreservations.com/ to get your deal today! Let me just give you an example of a great deal they have: Ozzfest is coming to Burgettstown, PA on August 24th....so I looked in Coraopolis, Pa for the 23-25 and the best rate I found was the Best Value Inn. I can get a room there for $53.20, the regular cost $56.00. That is a GREAT DEAL!

DOG GETS WHEELS

A dog in Wisconsin, named China was rescued earlier this year from a puppy mill. She lost 2 of her legs one in the front and one in the back, on opposite sides. Thanks to the State Humane Society she has received a wheeled cart that allows her to get around easily. They expect to put her up for adoption very soon.

To see the video, click on the link below
http://video.aol.com/video/two-legged-dog-gets-set-of-wheels/1900906

WENDY'S MANAGER SHOT OVER CHILI SAUCE

- First, I must say....what is wrong with people?

The manager of a Wendy's in Miami, Florida was shot recently over a dispute regarding chili sauce. The assailant came through the drive-thru and requested 10 packets of chili sauce. The worker promptly told the customer that their policy was only to give out 3 packets, to which the customer became angry and the worker relented to the demands and handed over the 10 packets. Then the customer demanded more packets, which prompted the manager to come out. The customer then shot the manager in the arm.

To read more, click on the link below

http://video.aol.com/video/wendys-manager-shot-over-chili-sauce/1917081

NEW REALITY SHOW PRIZE: A HUMAN KIDNEY

The Dutch broadcaster BNN plans to show a new reality show in which 3 contestants must compete for a chance to win a terminally ill woman's kidney. A few transplant patient organizations and politicians object to the show, stating, "This is going in the direction of selling organs." In the Netherlands there are strict rules regarding organ transplants, one of them being that people are not allowed to choose who gets their organs. The only instance in which donor know the patients is if they are related in some way.

To read more, click the link below

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21800320-1702,00.html

VIAGRA SAVES DOG'S LIFE

Apparently, Viagra can help in veterinary medicine. No, it isn't used for breeding purposes. Viagra works by increasing blood flow. Ingrid, a Pitt Bull mix was experiencing heart and lung problems due to inadequate blood flow. So her vet put her on Viagra and has improved and is doing well. The center where she is living is hoping to get her adopted soon.

Click below to watch video.
http://video.aol.com/video/viagra-saves-dog/1913041

PITT BULL ATTACKS 5-YEAR OLD....CONT....

Ok, here is what I noticed in that video clip. First, did anyone notice the larger guy having a bat? Second, at the end of the video you can clearly see the dog up close.....did anyone notice the scars on the dog's face. I'm no expert, but from watching Animal Cops, I now know what a fighting dog looks like. I believe this dog was being raised as such. I'm really tired of "guard-dogs" getting a bad rap for being violent, when alot of the time, they were raised to be such. A dog can only be, what it is raised to be.

ANOTHER STORY FROM WV - DON'T EAT AT SHONEY'S

Yet another wierd story from WV. James Bledsoe, 30, Wyoming County, WV is suing Shoney's due to fear that he may have contracted a disease from his iced tea. Mother's Day 2006, Bledsoe and his family were eating at the Logan County Shoney's when he discovered an unwrapped condom in his half-empty iced tea. After discovering the unsavory addition, Bledsoe immediately became ill in disgust and fled to the bathroom where he proceeded to vomit. On return, he reports seeing the manager, assistant manager, and his server laughing at him.
Bledsoe states that this ordeal has caused him great stress. He has been tested for communicable diseases and remains to test with negative results, however he will have to continue these tests for 7 years. Bledsoe has requested a jury trial and is suing for an undisclosed amount.

- That is pretty scary. If he would test positive in the next 7 years, the culprits could be charged with attempted murder. If he'd die, then it would be a murder or manslaughter charge? The lawsuit is just the thing to drag this already sinking company into bankruptcy. My boyfriend worked for a period at the one in Morgantown,WV and it was bad. The told him when he was hired that he'd get 20 or 30 hours, I believe. He was lucky most of the time if he saw 15. He'd walk to work, stay there 1-2 hours and then they'd send him home....ridiculous!

PITT BULL ATTACKS 5 YEAR OLD, ANYONE SEE WHAT I SEE?

Below will be a link to a video, its a bit graphic so be warned.
Now tell me, does anyone notice what I noticed?
I'll post my answer to this tomorrow.

http://video.aol.com/video/pit-bulls-attack-5-year-old-boy/1912371

$21.00 FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE

Four members of Congress have pledged to live for one week on $21.oo worth of food. That is the average amount a food stamp recipient receives, averaging out to $3.00/day or $1.00/meal. The challenge started from prompting from Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), co-chairman of the House Hunger Caucus. McGovern and Emerson are trying to "raise awareness of hunger and wht they say are inadequate benifits for food stamp recipients." McGovern and Emerson introduced legislation that would add $4 billion to the annual food stamp budget. Last year it was $33 billion and only covered 26 million Americans. "There are more working people today getting food stamps than six years ago....There's not a member of Congress that doesn't have hunger in their district."-McGovern

- This article really strikes a chord with me. As a student I have reduced availability for work. After my husband left, I attempted to get food stamps because I had a job, but it was only part-time. I wanted to get food stamps until I could find a second job and support myself. I was turned away, they said that because I am a student I am required to work 20 hours a week before I qualify for benefits. I was in tears leaving the office, and my caseworker had the audacity to tell me, "Why don't you just have some kids, then you'll qualify." I couldn't believe that he was encouraging me to burden myself further in order to obtain government benifits. Benifits that I felt I was entitled to. I pay taxes, I work, I've legally worked since I was 17. I receive my Social Security Income Statements that tell me how much I've paid in...and what I'm entitled to if I'm disabled. But if I was to become disabled, I wonder if I'd even get it....

TEENS ON TOP OF PIGGLY WIGGLY TRY TO GET HIGH ON "HERB"

Two teens from Hilton Head Island were asked to come down from the roof of a Piggly Wiggly for trespassing. As they were coming down one of them quickly put the baggy in his pants pocket. On further investigation the "herb" contained in the bag was found to be Oregano, which they said they unsuccessfully tried to smoke. One of the boys claimed he had got the "herb" from a "guy he knew."

- This is so funny, obviously "the guy he knew" was messing with them. It kinda cracks me up, because in High School, oregano was a code word for marijuana.

TWO STORIES OUT OF WV

Ok, before I post this, I just have to say....why is it the wierdest and sometimes dumbest stories come out of my state. :(

FIRST STORY:
US MARSHALL SUES ZICAM FOR LOSS OF SMELL

William L. Seckman, 42, from Putnam County, WV is sueing the makers of Zicam because his loss of smell can put him in danger of unknowingly being exposed to Meth Labs. Seckman took the over-the-counter drug Zicam nasally, after which he lost his sense of smell and partial loss of taste. He is concerned because his job as a federal law enforcement officer can sometimes expose him to Methanphetamine Labs, which are harmful to come in contact with. Normally, an individual would be able to smell a Meth lab, its distinctive odor or ammonia or rotten eggs.

- I heard about this as a class action law suit. I heard there were alot of people who lost their sense of smell.

STORY TWO:
MAN ATTEMPTS ROBBERY WITH A LIGHTER AND PANTIES ON HIS HEAD

Inwood, WV
Recently a theif using a pistol-shaped cigarette lighter and blue panties on his face botched a robbery at a convience store. At first the cashier thought it was a joke and refused to give the man any money, so he ran to a Jeep Cherokee and drove away. He and an accomplice were stopped minutes later when police matched his vehicle with the description given.

- Here we go, another stupid story from WV. Why do we always have idiots representing us?

BUSH IGNORES LAWS

As many of us believe, Bush ignores many laws. Today begins National Seat Belt week and footage caught Bush without his belt. I always, always wear my seatbelt. I think they really do save lives. I've hear first-hand accounts how they can also injure, but what is an injury compared to your life. Buckle Up!
To see video of Bush without his belt, click the link below.

http://video.aol.com/video/caught-bush-without-his-seat-belt/1910791

WOMAN GETS SMALLPOX - VACCINE VIRUS VIA SEX

Apparently this is a first. Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have described a case in which a woman developed a genital infection after having sexual contact with a member of the military who had recently been vaccinated for smallpox.

The infection was caused by the vaccinia virus, which is a type of virus in the smallpox vaccine. The virus the woman was infected with is less virulent than smallpox and usually only results in a localized infection.

- Wow, never thought about getting vaccinated through sex!
If you would like to read more on this click on the link below
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18475013/

GUY SELLS HIMSELF ON EBAY

Have you ever been frustrated with the job market, if the answer is yes, then you can relate to this guy. After being unemployed, he decided to take his chances on ebay. Offering his services at a starting bid of $30,000. There's a link below to his auction...check it out.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200108820122

BREAK-DANCER KICKS 3 YEAR OLD

If you look in the upper right hand corner of this page you will see a string of video clips. Watch the second one down. You will see a guy break-dancing and accidentally kick a child.

Tell me what you think about this.

Mel

UPDATES!

Every day I've added new posts...be sure to check them out. Also at the bottom of the page you will find a way to donate to the site, donations are $1.00...its a great way to keep this blog active. Also, you will find a link to my photblog and my myspace page. Below these you will find a form to fill out to receive a newsletter about this blog, including headlines from the day.
Please be sure to check these additions out and please remember to check out my advertising as well...it really helps me out.

Thanks!
Mel

NASCAR DRIVER BECOMES A WOMAN

"J.T. Hayes won over 500 regional and national championships in go-kart, midget and sprint racing and competed in NASCAR Winston Cup".
Hayes accomplished these races before undergoing sex reassignment surgery in 1994. J.T. Hayes now goes by the name Terri O'Connell, a petite red head who lives with her elderly mother and is working on a clothing line for female Nascar fans. She is also writing a memoir entitled "Dangerous Curves".

O'Connell writes about how she went from feeling out of place as a youth, knowing that she was meant to be female to racing for Nascar and then abandoning it to complete her sex reassignment surgery. She went from a 6 figure salary to selling purses in the Mall. She knew she had to wait a year before she could risk a racing accident. She missed the excitement and felt like her driving career was over.
She took her talent for art and began working on a Disney type store with a motorsport theme.

- I can't imagine how difficult this would be. To be born one sex and to know you are not that, to know you are a woman instead of a man. To have to give up a lucrative career, just because you got a sex change, to become the person you always felt you were. I don't see where getting a sex change operation is any different than say getting lypo. If you've always been fat, but felt like you weren't meant to be fat and you have lypo to allign your self image. So, where's the difference?

DROPPING GAS PRICES

This article is in response to the gas boycott that has been set for tomorrow, Wednesday May 15, 2007.

- I stand behind the author on their point, boycotting the oil industry for one day WILL NOT cause gas prices to drop. It will only SHIFT SALES FROM ONE DAY TO ANOTHER . Below are ways we can actually reduce costs on gasoline.
1।
Stop driving like an idiot. Just because you can go 0 to 60 in a couple of seconds doesn't mean you need to...it just wastes gas. SO STOP IT! If you drive at a moderate speed you can save from 5% - 30%.

2. Slow Down. There's no magic number as far as speed goes, but keep it within the speed limit or just a little over. If your car has a tachometer, try to keep it as low as possible in the highest gear. According to fueleconomy.gov your gas mileage sharply declines once you exceed 60 mph. By reducing your speed you can save from 7-23%.

3. Keeping it Clean and up to Date. Check your airfilter regularly, if it's dirty change it. Also make sure your tires are inflated to the proper psi. You can find this on the inside of the drivers side door or in your owners manual. Also keeping your car tuned up will help. And taking the junk out of your trunk that you don't need can also improve your gas mileage.

It is not neccessary to drop consumption by 30-40% to drop prices, 7% is all we really need. So that's it....that's all we need to do to drop gas prices. Sounds easy...let's try it!

If you would like to read the full article, below is a link.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18615572/

Project 365

Ok, I'm also starting another blog attached to this one. It is a project 365 blog. The way it works is I will take a picture every day and post it for an entire year. So it's like a picture diary. You can see something I've done everyday for an entire year. So, check it out...the link is at the bottom of the page!

Mother's Day

Well it's another Mother's Day, the second since my mother passed away. Sometimes I feel out of sorts on this day because I don't really know what to do. After my mother passed away, I used to try to celebrate with my grandmother, alas, this year she passed away as well. However, I did call my step-mom and wish her a happy Mother's day. I also called several friend that have children to give them my best wishes.
What did you do on Mother's Day?

Question?

Please send me some of your topic ideas! So we can get things started off with what you are interested in.
Thanks
Kiva

JAPANESE HOSPITAL INSTALLS DROP BOX FOR UNWANTED BABIES

A Japanese hospital recently opened the only anonymous drop off box for unwanted babies. The drop-off box is a small hatch on the side of the hospital, equipped with an incubator that runs 24 hours a day. When an infant is placed in the device an alarm will sound to notify staff of the babies arrival. This device was created in response to the high number of infant abandonment cases, where babies have been left in public places.

- I think this is a great idea and there are similar devices in Germany and South Africa, as well as some U.S. States (Alabama and Minnesota). I think it's a great alternative to abortion and abandonment.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_re_as/japan_baby_drop_box

SPANISH POLICE PULL OVERR MAN IN WHEELCHAIR

Recently the Spanish police pulled over a man who was in an electric wheelchair riding along an expressway. The man, who is a tetraplegic and drove his wheelchair with his chin and mouth, had gotten lost while looking for a brothel. He was traveling at a considerable speed on the highway connecting Ferrol with As Pontes in thee northwestern Spanish region of Galicia. The man was taken to the police station where a blood-alcohol test was administered with negative results.

- I guess it's nice to know, that despite being mostly paralyzed he apparently can still get it up, or at least have some sort of sexual enjoyment.

For more on this article, click on the link below

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070510/od_afp/spainroadoffbeat_070510162308;_ylt=AkW1IzqN94OjVgdT4jMIThCgOrgF

VEGAN COUPLE GETS LIFE FOR STARVING INFANT

Vegan Couple is Sentanced to Life for Starving their son.

Wednesday May 9th a vegan couple was sentanced to life for starving their 6 week old son to death. Apparently the child's diet largely consisted of soy milk and apple juice. At death the child only weighed 3 1/2 pounds. The child was born at home and the parents said they didn't realize the infant was in danger until minutes before he died.

I really don't know what to think of this. On one hand, I stand by their choice to be vegans. With my background in nutrition I know that this lifestyle can be maintained healthfully. I also assume that most people know that an infant cannot survive on soy milk and apple juice. They need formula or breast milk. I would think they would've opted to use breast milk, since it is the most natural form of nutrition for an infant. On breast milk, the child would've probably lived. I also assume that most people would know that your six-week old infant should not weigh 3 1/2 lbs. That's not even a normal birthweight!

Send me your thoughts!

Below is a link to the whole story.

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/vegans-sentenced-to-life-for-starving/20070509155909990001?cid=2194

Queen Elizabeth II Gets Last Laugh!

Last Tuesday, Queen Elizabeth II got the last laugh over G.W. Bush. During a ceremonial welcome outside of the White House, for the queen and her husband, Prince Phillip, Bush stated the Queen visited the U.S. "in 17-- in 1976" to mark the 200th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence from Britain. So at the beginning of the Dinner the queen led a toast stating, "Mr. President, I wondered whether I should start this toast saying, 'When I was here in 1776'." Bush's replied: "Your Majesty, I can't top that one."


- I think its amazing what this man can screw up. Why did we elect him again? I believe Barnes and Noble sells a whole book on Bushisms, packed with stupid things our president has said.


If you wish to read the full article, click below


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070509/od_afp/usbritainroyalsdinneroffbeat_070509023049;_ylt=Asa.d3AWp5Wm15TFO0MprwmgOrgF

DO YOU KNOW WHAT LOCK BUMPING IS?

There is now a method of defeating a majority of American locks that can be learned in under an hour, uses tools that can be aquired for less than $50, and if done properly can be performed in under 1 minute, leaving little to know trace of break in. It's called "lock bumping" or "key bumping". Anyone using locks that are pin-tumbler locks is in danger of loosing their valuables to a theif.
Lock bumping uses a specially filed key that is close to the same size and shape of the original. The special key is inserted into a lock then struck with a tool made of plastic or rubber. The impact of the key on the tumblers inside, temporarily pushes them up, allowing the lock's cylinder to turn and unlock the lock. This method can be done quickly and with little noise, making for easy entry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UcTo-A4XLA

To read more, click the link below
http://money.aol.com/bankrate/realestate/canvas3/_a/how-to-protect-your-home-against-lock/20070509133809990002

STARBUCKS AND GOD DON'T MIX?

So Starbucks has this new campaign, "The Way I See It." They're now printing quotes from famous and non famous philosophers on their cups.
Apparently this has caused a big uproar from the beginning. I wouldn't know, I havn't had the extra cash to go there in quite some time. Apparently the first run of quotes leaned a little too far left, so Starbucks tried to make up for this by reaching out to the conservatives, even asking customers to submit their personal quotes.
However one man's quote was too much for a long-time customer and avid Catholic. Bill Schell's quote read, "Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why should we ask something that may well be a figment of our imagination for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure."
Michelle Incanno, didn't approve of this quote, stating she won't go to
Starbucks anymore after reading such a questioning of her beliefs.

- I think this is hillarious, wish I could've wrote a quote for the cups.
"Stupid people shouldn't breed." I just can't people can get offended over a little quote on a cup of coffee. It's ridiculous...

If you'd like to read more, click on the link below

http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/08/starbucks-and-god-dont-mix-for-one-customer/