MJackson' Mom Fight To Be Ahead of The Financial Leadership

The big battle on court already started. The Attorneys of Jackson’s mother, Katherine, don’t agree that Jackson’s lawyers and long time family friends; “Mr.McClain and Mr. Branca's”; be ahead of the financial leadership. Michael Jackson died at age 50 and with hundreds of millions in debts. But a court filing estimates his estate is worth more than $500 million. His assets are destined for a trust, with his three children, his mother and charities as beneficiaries, and the battle is just starting.

The Fight For Jackson's Children Custody

Another battle is in the air, since Michael Jackson died, people still don’t know who will have the custody of the Jackson’s children. Rumors and speculations exist that the mother, Rowe, who had a financial agreement with Michael before; wants to turn the case out and, ask for custody of the children. However, the strong sign is that Jackson’s mother, Katherine, will stay with the children. It was the Jacko’s wish in a 2002 will. But everybody knows the fight is not only to stay with the kids is because they’re very valuable, whoever is fighting for the custody is fighting for money.

Amateur Player Is Better Than Some NBA Players

Watch this Video. This amateur player is away better than many NBA players.

MSN.com

Michael Jackson Staples Ceremony

Michael Jackson's memorial will be held Tuesday, at the downtown Staples Center and is very shameful to the organizers because according to the a police Assistant Chief is expected around 700,000 people to this event. However, only 17,500 tickets will be available and; the police is advising the crowd to do not go and stay at home watching by the TV the ceremony. They just forgot one thing; the King of Pop was a worldly famous person who broke all the records possibles. All the adjectives that fit to describe Michael are maximized: The King of Pop, The Best of the Best, Greatest of the Greatest, sir Michael Jackson, so on and so on; the list of adjectives are infinite; In addiction, his shows weren't simple shows were Mega shows. They should rethink about that and organize better to the MEGA event.

Hell Ride For French Tourist In NY-JFK

Wow! Like in Hollywood movies we use to see taxis and cars speeding up in a temptative of run away and scape from the police chasing; the French tourists saw themselves, this Wednesday, as main characters from a Hollywood movie; the difference between the worldly well known ones and them is that the known ones do rehearsals and are well paid; on the other hand, the French tourists didn’t have time to rehearsals nor were paid to be part of the movie, everything was a real life improvised actions. What an Irony and shame for NY authorities; that being one of the most visited place by tourist from whole world do not have a constant check up or control of who does the transportation on the airport. New York City, a great Place to visit and to live shows one of its weaknesses “ as usually” on the control of Transportation and security in the airport.

The Hottest 4 smart Phones of this summer

The Hottest 4 smart Phones of this summer are the Apple iPhone 3G S, the Nokia N97, the Palm Pre and the T-Mobile myTouch 3G. Analyzing how their hardware and software bit up we can considerer the description of improvements on their software and design. So far, between the four ones, just the Iphone and T-mobile MyTouch 3G show as the greattest options to the public, with a slightly advantage to Tmobile phone, due to the fact of having more memory than the Iphone. On the other hand, on design and customers preference the Iphone is still unbeatable.

Tattoos Can Cause Hepatitis

Piercing and tattooing the body is no longer a good idea, even though is seems fashionable it represents a big risk to the Health. Its practice goes back to the “Old Civilizations practices” when people used those methods to make up and decorate their bodies. Piercing makes holes on the skin and tattooing damage the skin with permanent make up; in addiction, can develop other risks to the health like: allergic reactions, Keloids, a type of scar that forms during healing, and Infections such as hepatitis.

If you’re considering piercing or tattooing your body make sure that the facility is clean and safe. Also to have proper sterilization of the equipment is very important.

Holes from piercing usually close up if you no longer wear the jewelry. It is possible to remove tattoos, but it's painful and can cause scarring.

The World's Weirdest Festivals

There is mood for everything. On the last wednesday of August, in Punol, Spain happens the world weirdest tomato festival. People from big cities and small towns join in this funny, and messy adventure. Travelers are also allowed to join to this juicy festival.

The world's largest tomato fight last a weeklong and it has all the other big parties have, It includes fireworks, parades, music, etc... and it's pinnacle is when the adventures meet at some place in the city around late noon and starts a tomato fight. More than 300.000 pounds of tomatoes are dumped in a square in the city where locals and tourist begins the juicy tomatoes' battle.

The festival started around "1944 or 1945 according to various theories that "as either a food fight among friends, the bullying of a bad musician or a rally against dictator Francisco Franco."

American Idol 2009 Winner

On Wednesday, night, ended up the 8th edition of the American Idol. The finalists "Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, "Rocker vs. Crooner,"after several performances were running for a title of American Idol/09. Lambert showed his ability and revived the legendary rock star, Freddie Mercury, "Queen" on his performances in the American Idol; on the other hand, in a contrast the good looking "boy next door" type, Allen, showed on his trajectory in the concourse a soft voice and a nice combination of country music style. The result was fair and CONGRATULATIONS Allen for the good performances and the American Idol 2009 title.

Top 10 Cat-Friendliest Cities in America

The Top 10 most cat-friendly cities in the United States.

They are (in no particular order):

Tampa

Phoenix

San Francisco

Portland (Oregon)

Denver

Boston

Seattle

San Diego

Atlanta

Minneapolis

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WATCH: Matthew Fox And Jimmy Kimmel's Staring Contest Ends With Awkward Shower Scene, Broken Limbs

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Golden Retirement and Executive Perks

In the middle of a huge financial crise some companies still waste money as if nothing was happen. Whoever produced the problem should have to pay for it; similarly in a case when a person(crimminal) is pleaded guilty and taken to the jail.

Some companies' executives who use the money unwisely should pay to cover the big "cannyon" made in the economy and not the public who follow their instructions like a sheep and pay their taxes on time.

In the middle of the hard financial crise while the population is struggling with job losses and budgeting for the future MTA high fares in june; executives from the big companies are eating the "Fillet Mignon" and big companies are still contributing to make the financial crise bigger.

Last week, was broadcasted to the public that some banks e.g, Bank of America will need around $34 billion dollars to survive in this financial crise and keep running as a decent one. Recently I received a letter from Bank of America saying they will increase the taxes in some transactions even those simple ones for instance, withdrawing money from ATM machines which I would be taxed at 4% on the transaction. Below is a list where part of your money goes, Golden Retirement and Executive Perks.

1. Country Club Memberships - Bank of America

On the rare occasion it's safe to leave home, some CEOs like to unwind at country clubs. Companies say there's a business purpose for this perk: hobnobbing with other executives can lead to new deals and ideas.

Countrywide Financial, now owned by Bank of America (BAC), paid more than $940,000 in country club memberships for CEO Angelo Mozilo and other executives including Stanford Kurland, David Sambol and Eric Sieracki from 2003 through 2006, according to proxy statements filed by the mortgage giant.

The money covered monthly dues, assessments, fees and business-related meals, Countrywide said, adding that "a significant portion" of the memberships were for "business purposes."

Mattel (MAT) paid $150,000 last year to cover a country club initiation fee for CEO Robert Eckert. The toymaker spent another $233,620 on country club memberships for other executives and on additional perks including company cars, financial advice and tax preparation, physicals (for spouses, too) and home-security systems, according to its latest proxy.


2. The Parting Perk

Jack Welch ran General Electric (GE) for two decades, turning the industrial conglomerate into one of the most successful companies in the world and cementing a legacy as one of the best chief executives ever.

He also negotiated an employment and retirement agreement in 1996 that included all the perks a hard-working executive could ever need, making Welch a noted leader in this area too.

The year after he retired on Sept. 30, 2001, Welch got roughly $2.5 million in perks under the agreement, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which charged GE in 2004 with failing to tell shareholders enough about the package.

The perks included access to GE aircraft for unlimited personal use and for business travel; exclusive use of a furnished New York City apartment that, according to GE, in 2003, had a rental value of roughly $50,000 a month and a resale value of more than $11 million; unrestricted access to a chauffeured limousine driven by security professionals; a leased Mercedes Benz; office space in New York City and Connecticut; professional estate and tax advice; a personal assistant; communications systems and networks at Welch's homes, including television, fax, phone and computer systems, with technical support; bodyguard security for speaking engagements; installation of a security system in one of Welch's homes and continued maintenance of security systems GE previously installed in three of Welch's other homes.

More perks were alleged in 2002 during Welch's divorce from his wife at the time, Jane Beasley Welch. Papers filed in the case disclosed floor-level seats at New York Knicks games, courtside seats at the U.S. Open and some dining bills at Jean Georges, a three-star Michelin restaurant where the tasting menu currently costs almost $150 per person.

All costs associated with the New York apartment were allegedly covered in the package too, including wine, food, laundry, toiletries and newspapers.

Realizing he faced "a huge perception problem," Welch quickly gave up most of the perks, according to a 2005 interview in the Boston Globe. However, he didn't apologize, telling the newspaper the benefits were part of a contract that helped GE keep him at the company longer.


3. Office Renovations

Fast-forward to early this year and another well respected CEO faced a similar dilemma.

John Thain, the former head of NYSE Euronext (NYX) , was hired by Merrill Lynch in late 2007 to steer the struggling brokerage firm through the financial crisis.

Soon after his appointment, Thain spent $1.2 million to renovate his new office, two conference rooms and a reception area. Furniture included a $35,113.50 "commode on legs," a $68,178 19th century credenza and a pair of guest chairs costing $87,783.

The decorating spree emerged in January, a few months after government bailouts of the largest U.S. banks and Wall Street firms, including Merrill.

Thain quickly said he would reimburse the firm for all the expenses, calling them "a mistake in the light of the world we live in today."

4. 'Stay Bonus,' Even If You're Dead

Some companies are so keen to hold on to executives that they promise big pay and benefits even if the talent dies -- in contracts known as golden coffins.

Life insurance policies worth millions of dollars are the least controversial part of these packages -- even though buying such coverage without company help shouldn't be too difficult for executives pulling in six or seven figures a year.

A peek under the lid of several golden coffins also reveals big severance payments, pensions and continued salaries if executives pass away.

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) agreed to pay Chief Executive Michael Jefferies a $6 million "stay bonus" to keep him running the successful fashion clothing retailer, according to its 2007 proxy statement.

If Jefferies dies, the bonus stays and is paid out, along with $10 million from a company-purchased life insurance policy, to his estate. The retailer would also pay some of his incentive compensation, bringing the golden coffin's value to more than $17 million, assuming he died on Feb. 2, 2008, according to the proxy.

5. Gross-Ups

If General Dynamics (GD) Chief Executive Nicholas Chabraja died at the end of 2008, his estate would have received almost $30 million, according to the ship and airplane builder's latest proxy statement.

That includes a lump-sum cash payment of $8.56 million in lieu of his use of corporate aircraft and reimbursement for office space, administrative support and moving expenses. It also includes the cost of paying taxes on those benefits -- known as gross ups.

Many companies are eliminating gross-ups, but there were still some spectacular examples in recent years.

If Nabors Industries Chief Executive Eugene Isenberg died, became disabled or was terminated without cause at the end of 2007, the oil-services company would have paid more than $260 million in cash severance, according to its proxy filed in April 2008.

If Isenberg was let go because there was a change in control of the company, Nabors (NBR) would have covered the tax on the severance and other payments for total gross-ups of more than $114 million, the proxy explained.

6. Tax Preparation

Unfortunately for CEOs, they don't have all their taxes paid by the companies they run. This can lead to a time-consuming process known as filing a personal tax return.

Big salaries, stock options, restricted stock awards and other forms of compensation can make tax returns tricky. So companies sometimes cover the cost of professional tax preparation and financial advice for their CEOs.

Occidental Petroleum (OXY) provided Chief Executive Ray Irani with $403,285 in tax preparation and financial planning services in 2008. That's nearly eight times the median U.S. household income and more than the $400,000 salary of the President of the United States, according to the AFL-CIO, a union group.

Irani received $49.9 million in direct compensation last year, making him one of the highest paid executives in the U.S., according to the Wall Street Journal.

7. Keeping the CEO Safe

If companies are paying top dollar to attract and retain the best executives, some figure it's only right to protect the investment as much as possible.

Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) spent more than $1.7 million from 2004 through 2007 for security systems, advice and equipment along with "personal protection services" for Chairman and founder Darwin Deason, according to the company's 2007 proxy statement.


8. Cars and Gas

Mattel CEO also gets a company-issued credit card that he can use to gas up his car.

Ford Motor Co. (F) and General Motors (GM) provide executives with two free cars a year and free gas as part of broader "vehicle evaluation" programs that require managers to give the companies feedback on how their vehicles are performing.

9. Execs, Families Fly in Style

But why drive when you can fly?

In 2006, Ford paid $517,560 so executive Mark Fields could fly to work in Michigan from his Florida home and back on weekends on the company's aircraft. The automaker and Fields agreed to change the perk and now he commutes first class, at a cost of roughly $29,000 a year, according to the company's latest proxy. Ford still covers the tax on this perk.

Ford also paid for the family of CEO Alan Mulally to fly between Michigan and Seattle, Wash. They used to fly on company aircraft, but the automaker is selling its planes. Ford will now charter private aircraft for the CEO, and his family will be allowed to travel with him on trips. Ford will also pay for coach-class flights for Mulally's family when they travel at his request.

Qwest Communications (Q) paid for the wife and minor child of CEO Edward Mueller to fly on the telecom company's aircraft between California and Colorado during the first half of 2008, as part of a package of relocation benefits. Qwest also paid the tax on these perks, according to its latest proxy.

In 2007, Mattel paid $18,833 to cover the cost of house-hunting trips by the spouse of Neil Friedman, president of Mattel Brands, ahead of his planned relocation from New York to Los Angeles, according to the toymaker's proxy covering that year.

10. Plum Pensions

After decades of tireless service, CEOs deserve a comfortable retirement. If they haven't managed to save some of their prodigious earnings, some companies make sure the money keeps flowing.

By the end of 2005, Pfizer CEO Hank McKinnell had accrued a pension that the drugmaker estimated was worth more than $83 million, or more than $6.5 million a year, according to its proxy statement filed in 2006.

Alistair Barr is a reporter for MarketWatch in San Francisco.
Copyrighted, MarketWatch. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of MarketWatch content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of MarketWatch. MarketWatch shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Watch this amazing video and music

No Bravery

(4 minutes / 1.9 MB)

James Blunt - No Bravery Lyrics There are children standing here, Arms outstretched into the sky, Tears drying on their face. He has been here. Brothers lie in shallow graves. Fathers lost without a trace. A nation blind to their disgrace, Since he's been here. And I see no bravery, No bravery in your eyes anymore. Only sadness. Houses burnt beyond repair. The smell of death is in the air. A woman weeping in despair says, He has been here. Tracer lighting up the sky. It's another families' turn to die. A child afraid to even cry out says, He has been here.

Full Screen, SharableVersion on HighRez (30 MB) LowRez (10 MB) Download Quicktime Player (win/mac) Ver. 7 Required bpilgrim@globalfreepress.com comments produced by GlobalFreePress.com Music by James Blunt Lyrics to 'No Bravery' The Story of Blake Miller, Iraq War Veteran (aka: Marlboro Man) Iraq Coalition Casualties The Patriot Project The images the U.S. doesn't want you to see

And I see no bravery, No bravery in your eyes anymore. Only sadness. There are children standing here, Arms outstretched into the sky, But no one asks the question why, He has been here. Old men kneel and accept their fate. Wives and daughters cut and raped. A generation drenched in hate. Yes, he has been here. And I see no bravery, No bravery in your eyes anymore. Only sadness

Mother's Day History

It's a day when lots of people get their mothers cards and flowers, or take them to brunch, or maybe try to make them breakfast-in-bed. But did you ever wonder how this whole Mother's Day thing got started?

Mother's Day can be traced back more than 2,000 years, to a celebration held every spring in Greece. The celebration honored Rhea, the goddess who was considered the mother of all the other Greek gods.

Around 400 years ago, a holiday called "Mothering Sunday" became common in England. It was celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is the period leading up to the Christian holiday of Easter.

In the United States, the social activist and poet Julia Ward Howe is given credit for suggesting the celebration of Mother's Day back in 1872. Howe saw it as a day that should be dedicated to peace.

But many people consider the Mother of Mother's Day in America as Anna Jarvis.

In the first decade of the 20th century, she started a campaign to make Mother's Day a national holiday, after the death of her own mother.

On May 10, 1907, she organized a special Mother's Day service at her mother's church in her hometown of Grafton, West Virginia. She chose the second Sunday of May because that was the anniversary of her mother's passing.

Jarvis then got financial backing for her campaign from wealthy Philadelphia philanthropist John Wanamaker, the founder of one of the first department stores in the United States. Just seven years later, on May 14, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation that made Mother's Day a national holiday, on the second Sunday of May each year.

For Jarvis, Mother's Day was not a day to go out and buy something for your mother.

In fact, by most accounts, she opposed what she saw as the growing commercialization of the holiday.

She saw it as a day to honor women for the work they do as mothers, not as a day to make money.

So if you don't have money to buy your mom a gift, don't worry. Just do something nice for her, to show her you appreciate what she does for you every day.

Chances are, that you'll be enough of a gift for her.


Happy Mother's Day

Inspired on Spiderman 5 yo Boy Saves Baby from Blaze

In Brazil, a five year year old boy dressed in a spider-man suit became a superhero when he saved a baby girl from her burning home.

He was playing in his back garden with a friend when he saw a smoking coming out of the wooden house's windows and ran to tell the baby's mother, Lucilene dos Santos. The mother was afraid to enter in the house, when the young Riquelme Maciel, decided to enter into the burning house and grabbed the baby Andrieli from her cradle.

Maciel, act of bravery was inspired on his personal superhero, Spirder-man and; after he became the talk of the town. He was the news in the cover of all the local newspapers which made him recognised everywhere even without the spider-man costume and; no wonder "Maciel already said he is dreaming of becoming a fire-fighter so he can save more lives.

Baseball Star Suspended for 50 Games For Drug Violation

Manny Ramirez became the latest star to be linked to steroids after MLB announced his suspension Thursday.

Manny Ramirez, the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball star entered to the list of the drug scandal in the world of the sports. Ramirez, affirmed he did not take steroid and whatever the medication he was taken was given by the doctor. He's accused of being using "HCG," (human chorionic gonadotropin); in other words, is a substance prescribed to stimulate female fertility and testosterone production in men and to treat delayed puberty in boys. Ramirez, 36 year-Old outfielder apologized to the Dodgers and fans for the embarassed situation. The Player affirmed that recently had visited a physician for personal health issue when he was medicated and, unfortunately it was a substance that he thought was ok but it's banned under the drug policy in the sports, specially in the baseball.

The True About USA Economy

Truth have to be said that the USA economy is crashed but there are some negative minds everywhere, e.g, if the economy was bad and aparently everything was fine; we have to think positively because after figured out, more or less, how big was the damage in the economy Obama's administration asked some money for the bailout and it was approved to cover the big damage made by the administrations before. Lets think that way if you have a deficit and you get the money to cover it obviously it has to be eliminated. but the negative minds are making it very tough to the public that the economy will not return to be at least what it was before for long time or maybe never; iIf the money to cover the damage in the economy was gotten and past to the needed ones thus, at least we have to expect things go back to their normal track.

How To Make Your Trip Becomes Experience in a Resume

If you got back from your trip and need to get a job you might feel nervous or uncomfortable about the situation of being off the job market for a while; don't desperate; not everything is lost. Today the world of businesses need people who are adventured, who accept challenges, who know other cultures and who speak other languages etc...The experience you got on those trips may be useful. Here is the trick.

1. When you write your resume don't put everything in it because not everything from your trip is counted as experience, but some things you usually pick on the road such as: people skills, confidence, and independence may count.

2. Just the resume is far away beyond to get you a job like old times, you can include some travel data on your cover letter, talk about them and give more details like: why you left, what you learned in the trip also how these experiences contribute to improve your skills. Don't forget to give all the details.

On interviews be a bit funny with some stories. Sure it will make you be seen with different eyes and set apart from others. why? those willing to take a chance are the type of leaders businesses look for. They love people who can take them into new directions and not waste their time behind a desk.


3 - To articulate your experience

a: Remember your trip is not a work experience, but at the bottom of your resume put on Other Experience and title it, (your Name) and include the dates of them.


B: Pick Skills that translate into any job. Like everything on a resume, this will be all about how you words sound. Choose your words carefully. For example:

I bargained on the prices in market to save a few thousand dollars off on a pant in Germany? Negotiation Skills.

Got stuck in an airport because you forgot your plane? Adaptability.

Had to plan, finance, and organize your trip? Budgeting and Planning.

Got stuck in a jungle at night because you explored off the trail? Self-reliance and independence.

You get the idea. It’s all about name your experience correctly. Notice how all of those are skills you can use in the world of the businesses.

Writing “I’m good with people” is generic and makes you sound full of crap. Choose only job related “hard” skills for the resume because what you are doing is showing how your life experience makes up for your lack of practical experience.


4: Know your audience! Only put travel on your resume if it helps explain your long absence in the job market (i.e. a year or longer), is relevant to the job, or unique. If all you did was live in Thailand and got drunk then it is useless fill it that will only hurt you. If you volunteered in an something to another country, then keep it on. If this job requires extended travel, definitely put it here.

So what would this all look like? Here’s how I would put it on my resume.

Other Experience

Kraig’s Gap Year 2007-2008

* Developed negotiation skills through daily contact with sellers in markets and vendors throughout Europe.
* Learned how to adapt to unexpected situations and improvise new plans due to periodic travel and unexpected events.
* Developed budgeting and planning skills by financing, planning, organizing my year around the world. This involved using various spreadsheets and keeping a record of expenses.
* Cultivated language and communication skills through contact with people from around the world. Learned to use non verbal and verbal communication to overcome communication and language barriers.

That sounds professional, actionable, and clear. It explains each skill and how I developed it. Remember that the employer is going to ask you to explain these points just like they would in any other part of your resume.

It’s important you have an interesting short story supporting each bullet point, especially since these have no boss to confirm any of this- just your word. If you can’t explain it well, keep it off.

Use your travel experience to differentiate yourself. That’s why in the beginning, I said put it in the cover letter. It allows you more time to explain the story behind it.

Hollywood Director Involved in Sex Scandal with 13 years Old Girl

When we talk about Scandalous; Hollywood is a Mecca. This week added the list Roman Polanski, after run away the country looks like he ain't never coming back.

The film director Attorneys said in a court filing yesterday that Polanski will not return to the USA from Europe this week to contest in person his 1978 conviction for having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

According to Legal experts who said if Polanski returned from France to the U.S., he would promptly be arrested on the spot, but by not coming back, he has no chance of getting the conviction dismissed.

Polanski tried to have his guilty plea thrown out on claims that the judge in the case was improperly coached by a prosecutor, but when that didn't work, he left the country and is now considered a fugitive.

Is hard to make movies when you're behind bars, we guess.

Bear is a Man Best Bud

Believe it or not, a men best bud is a 7 years old 800 pounds bear "Brutus" that was rescued from a overpopulated wildlife park by the naturalist Casey Anderson and his wife, actress Missi Pyle. On last August, they got married and one of the guests was the bear who overshadowed the bride. so far the bride hasn't complaint. The bear lives in captivity and enjoy all the activities wild bears do on Anderson's vast acreage, which hosts four other rescued bears. Anderson says: "Brutus is so well-behaved that he’s a star in his own right. He has appeared in films and educational spots. “This is what he gets to do, be an ambassador to his wild cousins.” You can check it out on a National Geographic program called "Expedition Grizzly" which will be broadcasted on May 3rd at 9 p.m.

What is Swine Flu

According to the World Health Organization on this Friday the number of people infected with the H1N1 virus reached 331 people. On thursday, the number of confirmed cases of the swine flu were 257. Between thursday to Friday the number of confirmed cases of the virus increased 74 more people worldwide. Seems the flu is spreading quickly. So far, the swine flu has spread to 11 countries, but with most cases concentrated in the western hemisphere. So far, we have no confirmed case that the transmission of the virus was made human-to-human. Just in USA, the number of confirmed cases of the flu was 109 with one death. Mexico, has the largest number of confirmed cases with 156 people infected and 9 deaths attributed from the virus. Nonetheless, Mexican officials said the death toll had risen to 12 and they suspect more 150 deaths in the country are linked to the virus....

The New Archbishop from New York

On April 14th, the New York City St. Patrick's Cathedral got a new archbishop, Timothy Dolan, who climbed the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral and knocked on the church's massive doors with a hammer as was required by the former Archbishop of Milwaukee in a form of ritual for permission to enter the church and lead the New York diocese's, which according to statistics has 2.5 million Roman Catholics and parishes. Dolan, 59, will be officially installed as the number 13th archbishop on New York History. Dolan is known for holding to conservative positions on church doctrine and a cheerful but often jesting personality. Dolan was chosen by the Pope Benedict XVI to replace Edward Cardinal Egan, 77 who is retiring after 9 years on New York City diocese. The New York diocese is the second largest in the country after Los Angeles. But is considered the most important posting in the country.

Women Wait six Weeks for breast exam

It's very sad that New York City, one of the most important city in the world, which has very good hospitals with good equipments and due to, has allowed the New Yorkers women to reach the 2nd highest rate of breast cancer in the country. According to a survey of 33 clinics by congress members Antony Weiner and Carolyn Maloney, New York City women tipically wait one month for a cancer-detection mammogram, thus breast cancer can double in size during this time. Moreover, one Brooklyn screening facility made women wait up to four months, while Bronx screening facilities averaged nearly six weeks, the longest average wait time of any borough.

HOROSCOPE

It's strange the way the horoscope editor from the newspaper "Metro" changed radically the way to produce the texts. Till last year, 2008, the horoscope editor was showing a lot of personality and knowledge writing the horoscope articles. Moreover, Those articles seemed to make sense, but now they're resumed in just short "2" or "3" lines and are difficult to understand. Please put the editor from last year back. Please, please!!!!

New Mets Stadium Citi Field

Woww!! the new Citi Field stadium is ready and yesterday in a rainy day it hosted the first game ever in its history. A crowd of 22,000 people packed into Citi Field and it was not to watch Jose Reyes steal bases or David Wright hit home runs but to see St. John's university lose 6-4 to Georgetown in the first game played ate the new park. According to Jose Bisono, 21, of Brooklyn, "everything is fresh and new," amazed by the new Stadium, he also said " They definitely did a good job." The Stadium costed $800 million with capacity for 45.000 (includes 2.500 standing rooms) 54 Luxury suites, 11 public elevators, 6 Restaurants, clubs and 850 HD flat-screen TVs.

The Secret of the Brazilian Women Beauty

The secret and true behind the beauty of the Brazilian women. When you walk on the streets and see a charming, elegant woman, well dressed or even in a most simple way using a jeans and a white t-shirt; you can recognize them by looking at their sculptural bodies, their amazing, incredible beautiful faces. The commitment with the beauty and hair from the toes to the head is also part of their style. The well and unique way to move their bodies when walking make them to be recognized and set apart and to be called "different" from other women in the planet. They have the most beautiful faces and wonderful bodies someone can ever seen on their lives. But, the secret behind their sculptural bodies is a mix between Africans, Indians and European people who in the past invaded and colonized the country; the women already born with those sculptural bodies, they don't need even go to the gyms to give shapes to their amazing bodies. Not mean that none doesn't go, they do go, but just to keep fit. The other secret on their beauty is the type of healthy food they eat which helps to keep their bodies and skin healthier. Not mention, that the commitment with the beauty is passed from generations to generations, girls on their 8 or 9 years old and so are taught to dress well, to comb their hair and use a bit of lipstick when even go in the morning to a bakery right cross street from their homes to buy bread, milk or whatever.

"SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE' COULD BE ON BROADWAY

"Slumdog Millionaire," that was awarded the Academy Award for Best Picture, could soon be a stage musical on Broadway. Its creators would reportedly like the film's composer, A.R.Rahman(who also wrote the music for "Bombay Dreams"), to pen a full sttage score in addition to using music from the film.

TO CATCH A THIEF, LAPTOPS SPEAK UP

According to a newspaper (am new york) there's a way to catch up a thief of laptops see how things work.Stolen laptops? Now you can tell thieves exactly what you think of them.
There is a Retriever Software program that displays your contact information as your computador boots up. There's even space for a plea to a Good Samaritan-"$50 for my safe return."
In most cases, that's enough to help an honest person return the machine, the chief executive from the software company said. But in the darkest scenarios, Retriever takes off the kid gloves.
You can log on to a Web site and check a box indicating the computer is missing. New during start-up a big yellow and red banner appears on the screen, boldly declaring the laptop lost or stolen. This message is set to reappear every 30 seconds.
You can remotely switch on a second password prompt if you fear the thief hs also stolen your regular Windows, macintosh or Linux login.
Behinh the scenes, Retriever -the software- uses built-in Wi-Fi to sniff out nearby networks, then suss out what internet service providers power them. With that information in hand, you can file a police report and get help locating the criminal.
While waiting for law enforcement to come through, you can even let off steam by sending new messages to the nagging "stolen computer" sreen.

SERENA' PLAYGROUND

For months on end after the retirement of mid-decade pow-erhouse Justine Henin last May, women's tennis was beset with pretenders to the No.1 ranking.
Whether out of fragility, inability or disinterest, no one plaer was excelling consistently enough last year in the major events to truly claim the top spot. Enter Serena Williams, one of the four elite competitors in the first Billie Jean King Cup exhibition at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
Williams is an athletic force who has long been gifted with the skill and drive to keep a strangle-hold on the no.1 ranking - even more so than her older sister Venus.
But she drifted through years of periodic, subpar play after her "Serena Slam" (four straight major titles from 2002-03).
With increasingly few exceptions, the best players in the world's premier women's sport, Serena included, have compromised their on-court prime in favor of the sort of energy consuming marketing opportunities - fashion, modeling, acting - that top male athletes are less exposed to.
However, Serena seems to have rediscovered her love of tennis, easily winning the past two grand Slam events. Winning her third U.S. Open title in September, the champion leaped into the air a dozen times, legs kicking forward. Her Australian Open title in january was her 10th Grand Slam win.
Serena's tennis rivals might do well to reflect on her exuberant surge to the No.1 ranking; such pleasure in victory is a sure measure of desire.

THE BEST MUSICS 2008

Music is something you enjoy listening to in different occasions of your life. However, some are considered bad, good, reasonable and of course exist the ones that are considered excellent. So, the judgement of the quality of the music varies from person to person. It goes from age to age from child, teens, young adults, 20's, late 20's, 30's, late 30's, 40's, late 40's and so on. It's judged according to your moment, according to what is happening in your live. Moreover, each year or decade the critics elect one music that they consider the best one. Below is a selected list.


1. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
2. Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis, Two Men with the Blues
3. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition
4. TV on the Radio, Dear Science
5. Adele, 19
6. Duffy, Rockferry
7. Santogold, Santogold
8. Gustavo Dudamel, Fiesta
9. Charlie Haden, Rambling Boy
10. Amy MacDonald, This Is the Life

BEST NEW ARTIST

1. Adele, 19
2. Duffy, Rockferry
3. Melody Gardot, Worrisome Heart
4. Amy MacDonald, This Is the Life
5. The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing
6. Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago
7. MGMT, Oracular Spectacular [Bonus Features]
8. Lucy Woodward, Lucy Woodward Is... Hot & Bothered [Barnes & Noble Exclusive]
9. Jazmine Sullivan, Fearless
10. Esperanza Spalding, Esperanza


THE OLD ONES

1. R.E.M., Accelerate
2. Metallica, Death Magnetic
3. The Pretenders, Break Up the Concrete
4. Mudcrutch, Mudcrutch
5. Joan Baez, Day After Tomorrow
6. The Fireman, Electric Arguments
7. Steve Cropper & Felix Cavaliere, Nudge It Up a Notch
8. Charlie Louvin, Steps to Heaven
9. Shirley Bassey, Get the Party Started
10. The B-52's, Funplex


BOX SETS OF THE YEAR

11. Hank Williams, The Unreleased Recordings
12. Bob Dylan, The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased
1989-2006
33. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition
14. Led Zeppelin, Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica Box
15. Willie Nelson, One Hell of a Ride [Box Set]
16. Motown: The Complete No. 1s
17. Hunter S. Thompson, The Gonzo Tapes: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S.
Thompson
18. Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia
19. The Pogues, Just Look Them Straight in the Eye and Say...Pogue Mahone [Box
Set]
20. 43 Songs for 43 U.S. Presidencies


BEST OVERLOOKED CDS

1. Shelby Lynne, Just a Little Lovin'
2. Jenny Lewis, Acid Tongue
3. Jim White, Transnormal Skiperoo
4. The Black Crowes, Warpaint
5. Raphael Saadiq, The Way I See It
6. Nick Lowe, Jesus of Cool [Bonus Tracks]
7. Jamie Lidell, Jim
8. Lizz Wright, The Orchard
9. Buika, Niña de Fuego
10. The East Village Opera Company, Olde School


BEST JAZZ CDS

1. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition
2. Cassandra Wilson, Loverly
3. Joe Lovano, Symphonica
4. Esperanza Spalding, Esperanza
5. Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis, Two Men with the Blues
6. Melody Gardot, Worrisome Heart
7. Stanton Moore, Emphasis! On Parenthesis
8. Dianne Reeves, When You Know
9. Brad Mehldau, Live
10. Bebo & Chucho Valdés, Juntos Para Siempre


BEST ROCK CDS

1. Ray LaMontagne, Gossip in the Grain
2. Metallica, Death Magnetic
3. Drive-By Truckers, Brighter Than Creation's Dark
4. The Pretenders, Break Up the Concrete
5. TV on the Radio, Dear Science
6. My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges
7. The Black Crowes, Warpaint
8. The Black Keys, Attack & Release
9. Weezer, Weezer (Red Album) [Bonus Tracks]
10. Dragonforce, Ultra Beatdown


BEST R&B

1. Santogold, Santogold
2. Danity Kane, Welcome to the Dollhouse
3. Day26, Day26
4. Erykah Badu, New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War
5. Janelle Monáe, Metropolis: The Chase Suite [Special Edition]
6. Solange Knowles, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams
7. T.I., Paper Trail
8. Raphael Saadiq, The Way I See It
9. Jazmine Sullivan, Fearless
10. Ne-Yo, Year of the Gentleman


BEST BLUES & FOLK MUSIC CDS

1. The Felice Brothers, The Felice Brothers
2. Kathleen Edwards, Asking for Flowers
3. Sonny Landreth, From the Reach
4. Buddy Guy, Skin Deep
5. Amos Lee, Last Days at the Lodge
6. Charlie Haden, Rambling Boy
7. Joan Baez, Day After Tomorrow
8. Pete Seeger, At 89
9. Ray LaMontagne, Gossip in the Grain
10. Bob Dylan, The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased
1989-2006

Prostitution in New York City

This week the government must release sealed documents that could reveal new details about the origins and scope of the prostitution investigation that brought down former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, a judge ordered Thursday. U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff wrote in federal court in Manhattan that the documents, which were FBI applications for wiretaps, should be unsealed "given the strong and obvious public interest in disclosure." He ordered them released by Tuesday. The New York Times sued late last year to get access to the documents, which name the 67 people besides Spitzer who were clients of Emperor's Club VIP, a high-end prostitute service. The Times has agreed to allow the government to withhold the names of the customers in the documents. None of those customers except Spitzer has ever been identified and no client was ever charged. Four people who operated the ring were charged with prostitution and money laundering and have pleaded guilty.
The government has voluntarily unsealed a search warrant application for Emperor's e-mail account, but it withheld applications for wiretaps on cell phones, including one used by a woman who booked appointments with prostitutes.

New York Fashion Week

As a result of the president Barack Obama being elected there is a question in the air: Does the fact of Obama been elected brings more faces of color to the runways this season? Is already noticed that in some shows the number of ethnic models during New York Fashion Week has been increased, although it’s hard to point out whether that’s a result of the excitement over the new President and First Lady or the ongoing conversations about the lack of diversity in fashion.

“I wouldn’t say it’s an invasion” of ethnic faces. “But it’s an acknowledgement.” Popular models on the catwalks include Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman, whom Lee called “staples” at fashion week.

The progress came after much work within the fashion community to raise awareness of the lack of diversity in fashion, both on the runways and in the ateliers. A series of panels spearheaded by former fashion model and model agency owner Bethann Hardison helped jump-start the conversation about race and fashion in 2007. From there, small victories ensued, including the July issue of Vogue Italia that featured all black models — Iman, Tyra Banks, Liya Kebede, Dunn and Alek Wek, among others. This year, American Vogue featured Dunn and Chanel Iman in a well shoot in its January issue, and now has First Lady Michelle Obama on its March cover.

VACATION

Vacation


The 10 Most Beautiful Places in America, which is a nation so blessed with sights natural and man-made that you could ask all 300 million residents for their favorites places and expect 300 million different answers.


1. Red Rock Country (Sedona, Ariz.)
Ever since the early days of movies, when Hollywood has wanted to show the unique beauty of the West, it has gone to Sedona, a place that looks like nowhere else. Beginning with The Call of the Canyon in 1923, some hundred movies and TV shows have been filmed in and around town. We fell under Sedona's spell, too, and while debating our No. 1 spot kept returning to it for the same reasons Hollywood does: The area's telegenic canyons, wind-shaped buttes and dramatic sandstone towers embody the rugged character of the West -- and the central place that character holds in our national identity. There's a timelessness about these ancient rocks that fires the imagination of all who encounter them. Some 11,000 years before film cameras discovered Sedona, American Indians settled the area. Homesteaders, artists and, most recently, New Age spiritualists have followed. Many cultures and agendas abound, but there's really only one attraction: the sheer, exuberant beauty of the place. People come for inspiration and renewal, yellowish-browny cliffs rising from the beige desert floor, wind singing through box canyons, and sunsets that seem to cause the ancient hills and spires to glow from within. We hear the canyon's call and cannot resist.


2. Nighttime view from Mount Washington in Pittsburgh
In a nation with a wealth of spectacular cities full of compelling stories, ranking Pittsburgh as the No. 2 beauty spot is perhaps our most surprising choice. But the Steel City's aesthetic appeal is undeniable, as is its very American capacity for renewal. Standing atop Mount Washington, the steep hill that rises giddily on the city's south side, sightseers enjoy the unforgettable panorama of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers flowing together to create the mighty Ohio, that waterway so essential in the nation's settlement. The rivers cup downtown's lustrous Golden Triangle, where landmark skyscrapers thrust upward like rockets. At night, lights twinkle on no fewer than 15 bridges. Almost as breathtaking as the vista itself is the urban renewal that made it possible. A century ago, a pall of smoke lay so thick over town that streetlights burned all day. As Pittsburgh continues an evolutionary course that has taken it from trading post to transportation hub to industrial goliath, we salute its reinvention into one of America's most scenic and livable communities. In the life of a city, there's nothing more beautiful, or inspiring, than a renaissance.


3. The upper Mississippi River
For third-place honors, we turn to an area less celebrated than others, but nonetheless packed with the unique beauty our nation abounds in. Its low profile makes it all the more charming. To truly appreciate the Mississippi, we leave the familiar territory of Huck and Tom and take a spin on the Great River Road as it runs alongside Old Muddy's upper reaches through Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. One of the nation's most scenic routes, it winds over hills, atop towering bluffs and through one 19th-century river town after another. The sites along the way read like chapters in American history. Ancient Indian burial mounds punctuate rolling parkland, sidewheelers ply the river, and villages on either bank present fine examples of Steamboat Gothic, the ornate architectural style born in the heyday of river travel. In Galena, Ill., 85% of the buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. At Trempealeau, Wis., the Trempealeau Hotel has offered haven to watermen since 1888. The whole laid-back region's real draw is the river itself. Steady and timeless, it makes one fine traveling companion as it rolls toward the Gulf.


4. Hawaii's Na Pali Coast
At the country's extreme western edge, half a world away from the cradle of the American Revolution, we gain a flash of insight into the restlessness that drove our forebears from New England to the Pacific Ocean and beyond. They pushed west in search of paradise. Amid the coral reefs, beaches and mist-shrouded volcanic peaks of Hawaii's oldest island, they surely found it. Along the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali coast of Kauai, verdant mountains plunge 4,000 feet into the sparkling Pacific. A short hike inland, where Hanakapi'ai Falls pours into a crystal pool and tropical flowers dapple the lush hillsides, the play of color and light creates the effect of an Impressionist painting gone native. Experience the splendor at your own risk: The hardest thing about a trip to Kauai is boarding the plane to go back home.


5. Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Engineering marvel, art deco icon, monument to progress: The Golden Gate Bridge does much more than connect San Francisco to Marin County. Named for the strait it spans -- the 3-mile passage between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific -- the bridge is a grand symbol of one of the world's most striking cities. Completed in 1937, the $35 million structure of concrete and steel embodied a city's unquenchable spirit -- and, by extension, the nation's. Set off by its signature orange paint job, twin 750-foot towers that seem to disappear into the heavens and spidery cables that stretch like harp strings, the Golden Gate was unlike anything else ever built. At 4,200 feet, the main suspension span was easily the world's longest. (Almost 70 years later, it ranks seventh.) Facts and figures tell only a partial story: Admired as a practical feat, the bridge is beloved as a work of art, one of the greatest the 20th century produced in any medium.


6. Grafton, Vt.
Had the French explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived in Vermont in the autumn of 1609 instead of summer, he never would have dubbed the land "Vert Mont." In fall, the foothills of the state's namesake Green Mountains blaze red, yellow and orange. Among the choicest spots to take in nature's annual art show is Grafton, right, one of the state's prettiest hamlets and, thanks to the efforts of the non-profit Windham Foundation, arguably its best preserved. The foundation has rehabilitated more than 50 historic buildings, including the Old Tavern at Grafton, a one-time stagecoach stop. Other man-made attractions include the award-winning Grafton Village Cheese factory, a pair of graceful New England churches, a nature museum, a smattering of art galleries and the almost obligatory covered bridge. But the compact village of 600 isn't really about picturesque buildings. It's about the Yankee virtues of simplicity, modesty and saving things that matter. Past and present harmonize sweetly in this vital community. Come fall, you'd swear you can hear the brilliant hillsides singing.


7. Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
America has older mountains than the Tetons, and higher ones. But it has none more dramatic. The jagged range was formed 6 million to 9 million years ago, when grinding pressure along the Teton Fault caused two massive sections of the Earth's crust to come unhinged. On the rift's west side, a block reared up to form the Teton range. On the east, a separate block buckled under, creating the valley known as Jackson Hole. This geologic violence is what makes the Tetons so spectacular: Forgoing the nicety of foothills, a dozen 12,000-foot peaks shoot abruptly from the valley floor, literally an eruption of granite. Amid the grandeur lies glittering Jenny Lake, left. Named for the Shoshone bride of a 19th-century trapper, the pristine, 2.5-mile-long body of water mirrors the mountains' glory. Beloved by canoeists, hikers and honeymooners, lovely Jenny is also popular with elk, moose and trumpeter swans. Small and dazzling, she is one of the true jewels of our glorious national park system.


8. From Key Largo to Key West in Florida
So little actual land, so many associations: coral reefs, Key deer, manatees, pirates, Key lime pie, silver palms, Bogart and Bacall downing gangsters in Key Largo, Hemingway downing mojitos at Sloppy Joe's in Key West. Florida's freewheeling Keys, it has been said, is where things settle when you pick up the continent and shake it. This much is certain: In the Conch Republic, as Key West is sometimes called, a spirited sense of American individualism prevails. Skipping down the fragile, ribbon-thin 110-mile archipelago on U.S. 1, visitors see things that exist nowhere else in the country. With a peak elevation of 18 feet, the land mass can seem but an afterthought to the shimmering Atlantic on one side and the blue-green Gulf on the other. In places the only thing separating them is the roadway itself, panoptic water enchanting travelers with the deliciously disorienting sensation that they've become one with the sea. Along with famously colorful residents and fauvist sunsets, it's one more Key reason to visit this beguiling place.


9. Clingmans Dome along the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Winding through 14 states as it makes its rugged way from Georgia to Maine, the entire Appalachian Trail ranks high on any list of scenic gems. First proposed in 1921 by hiking enthusiast Benton MacKaye, the trail came into service as a continuous footpath across the Eastern states in 1937. A monumental achievement, and one that has given countless Americans fresh appreciation for the vastness of the land, it rewards exploration of every well-trod mile. Clingmans Dome, at Tennessee's eastern edge, rises to 6,643 feet, the highest point along the 2,172-mile trail. The surrounding Smokies support more than 4,000 species of plants, 230 types of birds and some 65 mammal species. From a lookout at the summit, hikers gaze upon a fog-streaked wilderness and see the East as it existed hundreds of years ago, lush forest stretching unbroken in every direction. Among the clouds, one feels doubly awed: by our county's magnificent nature, and by our duty to steward it.


10. The squares of Savannah, Ga.
In this charmed city, the urban and the pastoral gracefully mingle in a uniquely Southern way -- that is, with gentility and a generous dollop of mystery. Shaded by live oaks, perfumed by magnolias and surrounded by historic buildings, 22 enchanting public squares (including Columbia Square, above) beckon like secret gardens. Feasts for the eyes, balm for the soul, the vest-pocket parks serve as gathering places, serene retreats and tourist attractions all rolled into one. Spanish moss romantically drapes Pulaski Square, named for Revolutionary War hero Gen. Casimir Pulaski. At Chippewa Square, lorded over by a statue of Georgia's founder, James Oglethorpe, pay respects to the man who drew up Savannah's triumphant 18th-century street plan. Forrest Gump had the right idea: He contemplated life from a bench in Chippewa Square.

RIHANNA

RIHANNA

If nothing else, it has been an eventful and eye opening year for Barbados born songstress Rihanna. In addition to recording one of the most popular singles of 2005, the hypnotic "Pon De Replay" (which bass bumped out of more car windows while igniting a slew of barbeques last summer), she won over the masses with her charming Bajan persona.

"So much has happened in my life, I feel like I've grown five years in a year," she gushes. No doubt, by the time Def Jam Records released Rihanna's debut album Music of the Sun, it was obvious that this young woman was more than a one-hit wonder. With a work ethic reminiscent of Motown sisters back in the day when soul reigned supreme, Rihanna traveled throughout the world.

2005 saw Rihanna rocking the mic on tour with Gwen Stefani, making crowds sweat in Japan, posing for magazine covers in Los Angeles and shooting her first film role for Bring It On Yet Again. This was a long way from the quiet life she led in Barbados in the parish of St.Michael. Robyn Rihanna Fenty has come through her musical initiation process without a scratch. And now she is poised for everything that 2006 may hold as she readies to do it again with her sophomore release A Girl Like Me.

"I grew up so much this past year. I had no choice. To pursue my dreams, and with their support, I left my entire family in Barbados to move to the States. It was a little scary to have no friends or family and all of a sudden step into a recording studio," recalled Rihanna.

"2005 taught me the dedication and responsibility it takes to make this dream a reality. Waking up at 5:00 am to start rehearsals, the training, the schoolwork, interviews, video shoots, going all day; it always seemed glamorous but it is real work. My love for music and singing will never change but the rose colored glasses are no longer so rosy."

"Many times over the past year, I didn't have anyone my age with me. When recording this album, I wanted it to seem like I was having a personal conversation with girls my age," says the eighteen-year-old singer. "People think, because we're young, we aren't complex, but that's not true. We deal with life and love and broken hearts in the same way a woman a few years older might. My goal on A Girl Like Me was to find songs that express the many things young women want to say, but might not know how."

Dropping from the harmonic heavens to the groovalistic dance floor, Rihanna has returned with another single that will have listeners begging the d.j. to play it one more time. Produced by Jason Rotem, the sizzling "S.O.S." is bringing the summer heat early this year. With its hypnotic beat and tempting melody, "S.O.S." utilizes the electro-funk of Soft Cell's '80s classic "Tainted Love" to create a soulful anthem of young love.

"I got excited when I first heard this track and three days later, it was recorded," Rihanna says. Turning heads with its rebel sound, "S.O.S." has been used as the theme song for their NIKE latest women's line, which can be viewed on NikeWomen.com. "Making that commercial was yet another new experience," she says. "It took six days to shoot, but working with choreographer Jamie King (Madonna and Shakira) was amazing."

Focusing on progressing as an artist, Rihanna has recorded a persuasive track of heartbreak called "Unfaithful." Penned by her label-mate Ne-Yo and Stargate, the song documents the tragic decay of a relationship when another person starts cheating.

Yet, in this instance, it is the girl who has strayed. "On a lot of records, men talk about cheating as though it's all a game. For me, 'Unfaithful' is not just about stepping out on your man, but the pain that it causes both parties."

Perhaps the most surprising track is the rock meets island vibe of "Kisses Don't Lie." Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken, the principles of her production company, SRP, used a mixture of Caribbean elements, electric guitar and an interesting bassline." Coming from Barbados, I really hadn't heard that much rock music," Rihanna confesses. "Touring with Gwen changed my perspective. Thus, when I was discussing this project with L.A. Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam Records, I made sure to say I want to experiment with some rock."

During the recording of A Girl Like Me, Rihanna jet set down to Jamaica to record with Sean Paul on the yardie duet "Break It Off." Smiling, Rihanna explains, "I have so much respect and love for Sean Paul. He took me to visit the Bob Marley Museum before going into the studio, which was an amazing experience. When we finally got to the studio, I felt as though Marley's spirit was in the room with us."

With A Girl Like Me, the beautiful singer proves that her breakthrough was no coincidence. After selling 1 million copies worldwide of her debut Music Of The Sun, once again, the summer belongs to Rihanna.