By: Vanessa
The year 2008 gave Americans an unending supply of dizzying and jaw-dropping events that affected jobs, businesses and personal fortunes. A year long poll conducted by Healthways, a health management company, took the daily pulse of Americans’ physical, emotional and economic well-being. It discovered that worries about finances grew sharply as the year 2008 progressed.
Healthways’ poll concluded those ranging between 30-49 (often raising children while assisting aging parents) were the most likely to worry. Those ages 18-29, are just starting to build their financial futures, followed. Americans 65 and older worried the least because their senior years are cushioned by traditional pensions and government benefits such as Social Security and Medicare. Among ethnic groups, Hispanics were the most anxious about finances, just ahead of African Americans. Caucasians and Asians tied when it comes to worrying about finances. According to Joseph Priester, former president of the Society for Consumer Psychology, excessive worry such as losing a job, can lead to emotional states such as depression and anxiety. About 14 million people worried about money at the end of the year than at the beginning. Also, excessive worry can affect not only individuals but families. TV Personality and renowned psychologist, Dr. Phil McGraw says that many marriages ended in 2008, because of financial troubles.
President Obama says that in the year 2009, things will get worse before things get better. During the year of 2009, we all have to find ways to cope during this difficult time in the world. A few ways to cope are as followed:
1. Hold a fundraiser. A few examples of fundraisers are having a car wash, selling candy or holding a silent auction.
2. Budget your money. Watch your spending habits.
3. When you get stressed over finances, take a walk. Not only does walking relieve stress, it’s healthy!
4. Turn to your religion.
Things will get better before you know it! Don’t lose hope!!!
By: PrettyPRprofessional
When you think of cheese, you think of macaroni and cheese or Swiss cheese, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the type of cheese that I am talking about.
I was talking to a friend of mine and she asked if I heard of the “cheese drug.” I laughed at her because I thought she was playing around. She told me that the “cheese drug” is a heroin mixed up with Tylenol. This drug is popular among middle school age children.
According to CNN.com, “Cheese heroin is a blend of so-called black tar Mexican heroin and crushed over-the-counter medications that contain the antihistamine diphenhydramine, found in products such as Tylenol PM. The sedative effects of the heroin and the nighttime sleep aids make for a deadly brew.”
This cheap, highly addictive drug came on the scene between 2005-2007. It has already taken the lives of 21 teens who lived in Dallas, TX. According to the CNN.com article, police are trying to stop this fad before it spreads across the U.S. “This drug can be snorted with a straw or through a ballpoint pen. It causes drowsiness, euphoria, excessive thirst and disorientation.”
To see more of this article, visit http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/12/cheese.heroin/
So, when your 13 year old cousin asks you if you want some cheese, slap them in the face and take them to rehab!!!
By: Off Topic
sooo…. i wonder who decided we were back in the 80’s again. let’s talk about it because seriously i remember it wasn’t too long ago when nooo one wanted to be associated with that whole 10 year span. i guess things change. anyone remember the “gay 80’s style” cracks ragging on things like plastic-looking sunglasses with cheap ineffective lenses? what about the music? i haaated it. it sounded like everyone made their music with a casio keyboard they bought second hand.
somehow now it’s making a comeback though. i’m very surprised. when the trends cycled back through bellbottoms i was sure they would’ve gotten the hint, after revisiting that gem again. some dead horses we need to keep from beating. personally, i think the only thing we NEED from the 80’s in the job security and economic growth, but that’s just me. i guess i don’t mind the retro look so much. i won’t do it but you know..whatever. i just think its hilarious how trends are. i mean, what’s the point of looking like the 80’s anyway. i guess there’s nothing new to talk about, nothing fresh. maybe its an intermediary period between ideas. like cursing or saying “fucking” because we can’t think of the right thing to say. it could be that plastic sunglasses and shoulder pad gimmics are profitable. i mean, if i were a manufacturer or fashion accessories i’d cry laughing if someone told me all i had to do was make shoulder shaped cotton pads. i wonder if i should reinvent the chastity belt…but that’s a different story.
also, men with the weird swooshy hair are weird too. you know, the ones with the tight jeans, the flare, wearing aviators. its funny, a black man doesn’t get his weekly edge and he’s a bum-looking, but then i see white dudes with this looong, shaggy, greasy-looking hair that’s been flipped and combed in the same direction to the point that it grows that way and i ask “what’s going on?”. i mean how does looking like a reprobate poised to moved back in with his parents after college appeal to anyone? the girls too. usually i don’t have to much to say about a females fashion choice, but, from a my point of view, 80’s style usually makes a girl look dirty. like, if i didn’t know these clothes were the style NOW i would wonder why they were wearing something that’s been happily forgotten in a closet for 30 years!
now where’s my amen?
~offtopic
By: Off Topic
Wasted- Priority Syx ft. Off Topic
Kanye west is a gay fish! hilarious… who woulda known they would ream him like that. can you imagine being kanye?
he IS a little too vocal when we shouldn’t be but i think that’s better not at all. my problem with being too vocal
though is just that it could hurt whatever cause you’re fighting for. i can think of a million reasons why. i guess there are a few that
are gonna be that way. always, just it sucks to be that guy. no one wants to be that guy. you know i laughed and laughed anyways.
~Off Topic
By: Lashuntrice Bradley
As an adult one thing I have learned is superstars can get away with almost anything. They can steal from stores (referring to Paris Hilton trying to steal her sex tape), they can kill a person (referring to Brandy killing an illegal immigrant), and they can continually go to rehab and still have a job waiting for them afterward (referring to well if you watch tv you know).
But the one thing celebrities cannot get away with is abusing dogs. They cannot treat dogs wrong and think they are going to get away. They will go to prison and they will not be going back to their same jobs afterwards.
Michael Vick, famous football player, learned this the hard way. After Vick finishes up his 23-month prison sentence he will not be playing football anymore. Instead, Vick will have to go into the business of construction…
OUCH, big pay decrease for the former football player who is now in debt…
