A New Hoodia Diet Patch Will Suppress Your Hunger

I’ve tried all the diets. I was on the Isagenix program for a while, and it was actually very good. The one thing Isagenix could not do, however, was help suppress my hunger. I’m hungry all the time. I wake up hungry and I go to bed hungry. I’m hungry five minutes after eating. And it doesn't help that my fiancee Angelina is training to be a chef and makes all these great dishes all the time! So, I’ve decided to try something that has really worked well for many of my friends. It’s called a Hoodia diet patch and from what I’ve heard – it really works! It takes away your appetite so that you aren’t always thinking about food all the time. I’m going to give it a try and I’ll let you know how it works. Wish me luck. I know if I’m not hungry that I can lose what I need to drop (around 70 lbs.)

Yang Wins the Whole Ying

Jerry Yang, a 39-year-old psychologist who uses his professional training in his card-playing arsenal, won the $8.25 million top prize Wednesday at the World Series of Poker.

Hats off to Jerry Yang, the 2007 World Series of Poker champion. He beat the odds as one of the low-money participants entering the final table and took home a mess o’ cash. Anyone who has ever played poker knows how hard it is to win a tournament like this, and Yang did it in spectacular fashion.

The fact that he got into the WSOP by winning a $225 satellite tournament shows that anyone can gain the top spot in a sport where the common man is on the same footing with the established pros. Eat your heart out -- Hellmuth, Brunson, Chan and the rest of the clan!

Here’s how the Associated Press reported it:

Yang vaulted quickly from eighth to the chip lead soon after play began Tuesday afternoon.He knocked out seven of the eight other players at the final table, reminiscent of last year when Jamie Gold ran over his opponents. The main difference, Yang did it from the back of the pack."The only way I would win this tournament is to be aggressive from the very beginning and that's exactly what I did," he said.An ethnic Hmong who grew up poor in Laos, Yang said before the final table began that he would donate 10 percent of his winnings to charity, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Feed the Children, the Ronald McDonald House and his alma mater, Loma Linda University.He won his way into the main event from a $225 satellite tournament at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula and only began playing poker two years ago.Despite his 5-foot-3 stature - often standing up from his seat to move chips or stare down opponents - Yang was an intimidating force at the table from the beginning.He aggressively raised pots and became the first player at the table to go all-in. On the ninth hand, he forced Lee Childs, a 35-year-old software engineer from Reston, Va., to fold pocket queens, face up, on a board with a seven, four and deuce.Yang began heads up play with a giant chip lead against Tuan Lam, a 40-year-old professional online poker player from Mississauga, Ontario. Yang had 104.5 million in chips to Lam's 23.0 million.On the last hand, with a huge mound of cash deposited on the felt, Lam moved all-in with an ace and queen of diamonds and Yang called with pocket eights.When a queen, five and nine came on the flop, it looked like Lam, waving a Canadian flag, would be on the verge of a miracle comeback, making a pair of queens for the lead.But a seven on the turn and a six on the river gave Yang a straight, sealing a win in which he dominated the final table from the moment the nine finalists sat down."I've seen the miracles of God with my own eyes," Yang said. "I did a lot of bluffing, also."Lam, who earned $4,840,981 for his second place finish, was also a refugee who found his way to Canada from Vietnam. He said he'd be returning to his village, Bao Trinh, to help those who need it."I was patient and waited for the big hand, but the cards came out different," Lam said. "I have been through a hard life. And I will be going back to Vietnam and giving back."Play at the final table began at noon in Las Vegas and didn't finish till nearly 4 a.m.The finalists ranged in age from 22 to 62, and hailed from five nations: the U.S., Canada, Russia, England and South Africa. By birthplace, players also were from Laos, Vietnam and Denmark.Each had their section of fans in the audience, and the arena took on the air of the Olympics as supporters broke out into national songs every time their player won a big hand."The final table says a lot about the globality of poker and the globality of our fans," said Jeffrey Pollack, World Series of Poker commissioner for event owner Harrah's Entertainment Inc.Yang burst out of the blocks shortly after play began. But 31-year-old Dane Philip Hilm made a stand with a flush draw and a pair of fives on the flop, pushing all-in against Yang. Yang made the call holding an ace and king for a pair of kings and Hilm never improved, finishing ninth for $525,934.Lee Watkinson, a 40-year-old poker pro from Cheney, Wash., pushed all-in before the flop with an ace and seven, but Yang read through the show of strength by calling with an ace and nine and Watkinson fell in eighth for a $585,699 payday."I was playing for the bracelet," Watkinson said. "I wasn't going for third, fourth or even second. I wanted to make a play and be a contender."Childs, who quit his job a month ago to play poker for a living, finished seventh with $705,229 when he went all-in with a king and jack against Yang, with a jack and eight. Childs lost when an eight came on the turn.

San Jose Sharks Have a New Logo

The new San Jose Sharks logo wasn't supposed to be revelaed yet, but my inside connections got me a copy of it. What do you think? I think it looks cool. It's a little tougher looking that the other shark. Does that mean the team will be tougher next season? I hope so? It would be nice to get a shot at the Stanley Cup one of these years!

Thursday is the New Friday

I understand how it happened, but I think it’s time for a change. Why is it that Friday gets all the kudos when people in this country talk about the days of the American work week?

I realize that at one point, Friday was the big day. It was the end of the week, the start of the weekend, and working folks all over the country couldn’t help but to start waxing poetic about it. Thus, Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF) became a huge part of the American vernacular. They even named a chain of restaurants after it.

Well, I would like to make an argument for my favorite day of the work week – Thursday. It’s the new Friday, and I’ll tell you why.

I read somewhere that many Americans don’t even work on Fridays anymore. The 10-hour day, 4-day work week is more popular now than ever, especially when it comes to production jobs. People like the new working schedule, because it means that they can enjoy three-day weekends, spending more quality time with their families and cutting one entire day out of their commute. So, in a way, it’s good for the environment as well.

Plus, even people who do work on Fridays aren’t working all that hard. American workers take longer lunches (usually in a group), dress casually, eat donuts, have parties and take more breaks on Fridays, as a rule. In addition, they come up with every excuse to get out of work early and hit the road home before commute traffic clogs the roadways. Friday isn’t really a legitimate a work day anymore – for many, it’s the first day of the weekend.

Thursdays are all about anticipation. The work week is more than half way over and the weekend is on the way. But, it’s not quite there yet. Remember your childhood, when you anticipated things like Christmas and your birthday? Back then you were convinced that the big day would never come. But, it always did.

As you get older, you realize that the anticipation of something is almost as good as the thing itself. Thursday is that way.

So with this in mind, I am currently working with some top advertising and public relations executives throughout the country to start a campaign touting Thursday. We’ve even come up with a great new slogan, “So Happy It’s Thursday.” We’re also working on new calendars, t-shirts and watches, all of which we hope will change America’s feelings about Thursday.

I truly believe that the time is right for Thursday to get its due. To have its day in the sun, so to speak. Move over Friday, because here comes Thursday!

Grand Jury Throws Michael Vick to the Dogs

Well, it finally happened Tuesday. INDICTED in big bold letters. Michael Vick will now have to turn himself into authorities and face the music. I guess the grand jury didn’t buy his lame excuse that he didn’t live in the house where all of the alleged dog fighting took place.

I caught a lot of heat from Vick fans for my BrooWaha article, “Message to Michael Vick: Dog Fighting is Dog----!” I also got a lot of views. It’s a very hot topic right now, and with Vick’s indictment, it’s going to get even hotter.

On July 7th, ESPN.com reported that is was very unlikely that Vick would get indicted on this case. Well, guess what? Even the big boys get it wrong sometimes.

I will never convict a person until the evidence is presented and until that individual is tried in a court of law. But, a grand jury isn’t going to go to all the trouble of indicting someone -- especially someone as high profile as Michael Vick – without some sort of hard evidence. All I can say to Mike is good luck!

This appeared Tuesday on http://www.msn.com/:

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to illegal dog fighting.
Vick and three others were charged with violating federal laws against competitive dog fighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines.
The indictment alleges that Vick and his co-defendants began sponsoring dog fighting in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year with the Falcons.
It accuses Vick, Purnell A. Peace, Quanis L. Phillips and Tony Taylor of "knowingly sponsoring and exhibiting an animal fighting venture," of conducting a business enterprise involving gambling, as well as buying, transporting and receiving dogs for the purposes of an animal fighting venture.
Telephone messages left at the offices and home of Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, were not immediately returned.
A woman who answered the phone at the home of Vick's mother said the family knew nothing about the charges.
On July 7, federal authorities conducted a second search of the Surry, Va., property owned by Vick that is the center of the dog fighting investigation.
According to court documents filed by federal authorities earlier this month, dogfights have been sponsored by "Bad Newz Kennels" at the property since at least 2002. For the events, participants and dogs traveled from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas and other states.
Fifty-four pit bulls were recovered from the property during searches in April, along with a "rape stand," used to hold dogs in place for mating; an electric treadmill modified for dogs; and a bloodied piece of carpeting, the documents said.
During a June search of the property, investigators uncovered the graves of seven pit bulls that were killed by members of "Bad Newz Kennels" following sessions to test whether the dogs would be good fighters, the documents alleged.
Members of "Bad Newz Kennels" also sponsored and exhibited fights in other parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and other states, according to the filings.
On Vick's website, he lists his birthplace as Newport News, "a.k.a. BadNews."
The documents said the fights usually occurred late at night or in the early morning and would last several hours.
Before fights, participating dogs of the same sex would be weighed and bathed, according to the filings. Opposing dogs would be washed to remove any poison or narcotic placed on the dog's coat that could affect the other dog's performance.
Sometimes, dogs weren't fed to "make it more hungry for the other dog."
Fights would end when one dog died or with the surrender of the losing dog, which was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method, according to the documents.
Vick initially said he had no idea the property might have been used in a criminal enterprise and blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity.
Vick has since declined to talk about the investigation.

Make Your Next Move Easier With www.relocation.com

Everyone knows that moving can be an extremely stressful experience. Picking up and transporting all of your belongings to a new place can be a traumatic thing. So, if you’re moving, you need to know about www.relocation.com. This great web site can help you in every aspect of your move – from finding a mover (including international movers) all the way to auto shipping (hiring someone to help you move your car to your new location when you relocate.) They’ve got it all, and can hook you up with storage companies, international shipping, self-serve moving tips and products and more. They can also assist you with home purchase loans, refinance mortgages, home equity loans, home owner insurance, auto insurance, term-life insurance, home improvement contractors, architects, designers, apartments for rent and roommates. They even have a careers section if you’re looking for a new job when you get to your new destination. This amazing web site can help you in every way imaginable when it comes time to move. By browsing their extensive site you’ll find detailed guides that have been specifically designed to make your move a very successful, economical and completely stress free environment. Make the right decisions and make your move a positive experience. Everyone has to move. Why not do it right by using www.relocation.com.

Star Jones Looked Better Fat

Have you ever noticed that some people just look better with a little meat on their bones? They lose a bunch of weight and suddenly they look weird. I think Star Jones Reynolds is a good example. Hey, God bless her – she lost all that poundage and benefited her health, no doubt. I’m just saying that she looked better fat.

I’m sure she’s much happier. What will Kathy Griffin and Howard Stern have to joke about now? They can’t do fat jokes about Star anymore.

Actually, skinny or chubby, I find Star Jones to be very annoying. Fans of The View had to listen to her endless wedding plans for almost a year. When she finally did wed, people throughout the country sighed in unison. Then, they had to listen to the stories surrounding her honeymoon, her husband and the early days of marriage. On and on. Day after day. Talk about self-absorbed.

Ever since her dramatic weight loss, Star Jones Reynolds has refused to confirm or deny that she had gastric bypass surgery.

How did she do it? Everyone is wondering. Did she do Atkins? Slim Fast? Isagenix? Lean Cuisine? Jenny Craig? NutriSystems? Did she take diet pills? Drink a bunch of water? Eat nothing but pineapple? Grapefruit? Now Reynolds says she's written a story for Glamour magazine that will address speculation about her slimmed-down physique. Pretty soon, the entire world will know her secret.

"I wrote an article because I really wanted to go as in-depth as possible about the way I've changed physically over the last 10 years on the air," Reynolds, 45, said recently while promoting her new Court TV (soon to be truTV) talk show. "And I thought that that would be the most effective way to answer everybody's questions."Her article, "Getting Over Myself," will be featured in the September issue, on newsstands Aug. 7, a representative for Glamour said Monday.

Reynolds, who has said she lost more than 100 pounds through diet and exercise, said she has no qualms about viewing photos of when she was very heavy."I actually like seeing the old pictures because what it says to me is, `You never allow yourself to get there again,"' she told reporters, according to AP Radio News.

"It was dangerous to me. Very dangerous. I was killing myself with a pork chop.”Reynolds, who married banker Al Reynolds in 2004, decided to use her maiden name as the title of her afternoon talk show, which premieres Aug. 20. Her husband, numb and unable to speak, had no comment.

Court TV has said Reynolds' show will be about criminal justice issues that intersect with the pop culture world. It's a return to her roots for Reynolds, a lawyer who began her TV career as a legal commentator on Court TV in 1991. She was an original co-host on ABC's "The View," starting in 1997, where she became acquainted with the glitz and glamour of show biz. She left the daytime talk show last year.

A Free Online Dating Site That's REALLY Free!

There’s a great new free online dating web site out there that’s creating quite a buzz. There are a lot of free online dating sites out there that claim to be free but are far from it. Free dating sites are not always free, believe me. But, this site is completely free – no credit card is required. Find relationships that matter and meet thousands of fun, attractive men and women in your area. No gimmicks. No tricks. You’ll find the real thing at JustSayHi.com.

Waterbeds are Back in a Big Way!

Waterbed technology has come a long, long way. A lot of people think of the ‘70s and ‘80s when you talk about waterbeds. But, the truth is that waterbeds are coming back and are more popular then ever. The waterbed has changed considerably, with softside waterbeds, hardside waterbeds, high-quality, re-engineered and re-designed waterbed mattresses and all kinds of accessories, like special waterbed bedding, safety liners, water conditioners, repair kits, as well as fill and drain kits. They offer new features like dual waveless mattresses and thicker bladders, too. Yes, waterbeds have come along way since the ‘70s and ‘80s. But then again – haven’t we all?

This Week's Restaurant Review: Jeanty at Jack's in SF

Jeanty at Jack’s is an amazing restaurant, offering everything you could possibly want from a dining experience -- great food in a memorable place. The building alone is worth visiting. But, once you taste one of Jeanty at Jack’s incredible creations, you’ll know why you’re there.
Phillipe Jeanty, one of America’s finest chefs, has created a restaurant with an intimate atmosphere featuring classic French bistro cuisine that is expertly prepared and magnificently presented.

Located in a three-story building that was constructed in 1864, Jeanty at Jack’s has 14-foot high ceilings, lace curtains and a brass-railed spiraling staircase.

Signature dishes include an appetizer called Petit Sale, consisting of cured pork belly with a foie gras ragout; Jeanty’s famous Coqauvin, with chicken, mushrooms, bacon and red wine; Kobe beef ribs and an exquisitely tender Cote de Porc pork chop. Service is executed to perfection with a wait staff that is experienced and attentive. Jeanty at Jack’s provides an ideal setting for first dates, anniversaries and other affairs of the heart.

Here is what Phillipe Jeanty said about his vision for Jeanty and Jack’s. This was written before he even began the actual construction of the restaurant:

“When I first entered Jack's in the "heart" of old San Francisco, I felt transported back home as if I had entered a Parisian Maison Bourgeoise as, in Paris, many of these old buildings have been transformed into neighborhood brasseries. Combined with the history of Jack's, built in 1864, I immediately fell in love with the building and decided to be part of its history and to bring Jack's back to San Francisco.”

“My vision for the exterior of the building is to give it the welcoming brasserie ambiance with red colored wood paneling, lace curtains and brass lighting. As you enter the building, you immediately feel the history of the building. When you look up to the 14-foot high ceiling, you notice the sculpted relief on the ceiling and walls. The black and white checkered tile floor leads you towards the bar and the mezzanine located above. At the base of the spiraling staircase is a ten-foot tall bronze statue, which was originally in the lobby of an old Parisian hotel.”

“As you go up the brass-railed staircase to the second floor where the three private dining rooms are located, you step back into time to the era of the Parisian Maison Bourgeoise with its hand-painted folding doors and warm, homey feeling. At the top of the third floor staircase you see an authentic "Sidewalk Ice Cream Cart." You then enter a rooftop Parisian atrium with hand-painted vines on the walls and a greenhouse glass ceiling spanning the entire room.”

“The food at Jeanty at Jack's will be true to a Parisian brasserie, platters of shellfish, beet and mache salad, home-smoked trout and potato salad, steamed mussels with fries, sole meuniere, grilled ribeye steak with bearnaise, cassoulet with duck confit, flavorful cheeses and, to finish, tart tatin "a la mode," profiteroles, crepe suzettes and creme brulee - to name a few. I think the original French owners of Jack's from 1864 would be very proud!!!”

Well, the man has exceeded even his own goals with this restaurant. I give Jeanty at Jack’s the highest rating I can. It’s a must-visit for anyone who loves food even remotely.

JEANTY AT JACK’S is located at 615 Sacramento Street in San Francisco. Call them for reservations at: (415) 693-0941. Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am-10:30 pm; (Sat-Sun) 5:00 pm-10:30 pm