People’s Choice Awards 2012

The fans have voted, and in the millions: Stars of TV, film and music picked up their trophies Wednesday night at the 38th annual People’s Choice Awards.
Backstage, Emma Stone (winner of the favorite-movie-actress award) had tongue firmly in cheek when asked how she felt: “It sucked,” she joked to reporters. “This is so crappy. No, it’s so nice.” The star of The Help, wearing a green Gucci jacket and dark trousers, choked up onstage during her acceptance speech. But she recovered enough later to tell reporters her style icon. “Diane Keaton, for sure” – she said.
In fact, many stars say the People’s Choice Awards are their favorite of the awards season, which is just getting underway. Hosted by Kaley Cuoco of CBS’ The Big Bang Theory at the Nokia Theatre, the awards were handed out after a record-breaking 230-million-plus online votes at the website and via Facebook and Twitter. Faith Hill and Demi Lovato provided the musical performances.
Dressed in a red poufy dress with red spike heels, Cuoco opened the show shouting: “I’ve always loved this show because you, the fans, are in control of who wins!”
That said, Nathan Fillion, who took home the award for favorite TV drama actor for CBS’ Castle, summed up the stakes during his turn on the red carpet: Winning, he noted – “depends on the Internet savvy of your fans.” Later, during his acceptance speech, he was explicit: “To the fans, let this giant crystalized tear of victory be a symbol of your excellent taste!”
Social media got some kudos as well. “Love those Twitter fans. Keep it up, guys!” said Neil Patrick Harris, star of How I Met Your Mother, during his acceptance speech for the favorite-TV-comedy-actor award.

People's Choice Awards 2012
Katy Perry.

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Doomsday Clock’s one minute closer to midnight‎

The symbolic clock face, maintained since 1947 by the board of directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago, counts down to nuclear armageddon.
The world tiptoed closer to the apocalypse on Tuesday as scientists moved the ‘Doomsday Clock’ one minute closer to the zero hour.
The symbolic clock now stands at five minutes to midnight, the scientists said, because of a collective failure to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, act on climate change, or find safe and sustainable sources of energy (as exemplified by the Fukushima nuclear disaster).
The rare bright points the scientists noted were the Arab spring and movement in Russia for greater democracy.
The clock, maintained by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, has been gauging our proximity to global disaster since 1947, using the potent image of a clock counting down the minutes to destruction. Until Tuesday afternoon, the clock had been set at six minutes to midnight.
“It is five minutes to midnight” – the scientists said. “Two years ago it appeared that world leaders might address the truly global threats we face. In many cases, that trend has not continued or been reversed.”
The Bulletin was founded by the scientists who helped build America’s atomic bomb, and the primary focus of their concerns remains the danger of a nuclear conflagration.
But a number of the scientists who took part in the deliberations said they were also dismayed by a growing trend to disregard science.
“A cross-cutting issue through the entire discussion is the worrisome trend to reject or diminish the significance of what science says is the characteristic of a problem” – said Robert Socolow of Princeton’s Environmental Institute. “There is a general judgement among us that we need the political leadership to affirm the primacy of science.”

Doomsday Clock's one minute closer to midnight
Doomsday Clock.

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“Honey Badger” Narrator picking Tigers‎

Star LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu – whose nickname Brent Musburger can’t quite get enough of – has made his presence known in ways far more subtle than we’re used to, so far at least. The Alabama Crimson Tide has been hesitant to punt his way, sending their only kick out of bounds instead of his way.
Mathieu has four touchdowns on the year, coming by all manner of return type.
He does have a tipped pass and made a great tackle on Eddie Lacy that prevented what would’ve been a first down deep in LSU’s turf. Leading the team in tackles on the year is rare for a cornerback, but he’s shown he’s far from a liability in run coverage.
Now that Alabama has a two-score lead, look for him to get more aggressive in seeking out the ball – he’s already the school’s all-time fumbles-forced leader, and he’s only a sophomore.
Against both Arkansas and Georgia, it was a Mathieu kick return that sparked LSU out of early slumps and into lengthy second half rolls. LSU fans should hope for a stop on the opening drive and a daring punt by Bama – I’d presume.

"Honey Badger" Narrator picking Tigers
Tyrann Mathieu.

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Blue Ivy Carter (Beyonce’s baby) was born on Saturday

Singer Beyonce Knowles gave birth to a baby girl on Saturday, Jan. 7. This is the first child for the 30-year-old singer and her rapper husband Jay-Z.
Initial reports said Hollywood’s first power baby of 2012 had been named Ivy Blue Carter. Jay-Z was born Shawn Carter.
Even as fans around the world began a debate on the choice of name and #namesbetterthanivyblue began to trend on Twitter, a new name added to the discussion.
The couple’s close friend, actor Gwyneth Paltrow, posted on Twitter – “Welcome to the world Blue! We love you already.”
The baby’s name has now been confirmed as Blue Ivy Carter.
If you are wondering what Beyonce baby looks likes, this should give an indication. “The most beautiful girl in the world” – Beyonce’s sister, Solange Knowles, tweeted yesterday.
“Welcome to the world princess Carter!” posted pop star Rihanna on Twitter Saturday night. “Love Aunty Rih.”
‘The Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)’ singer concealed her pregnancy for months before revealing her baby bump at the MTV Music Awards in August last year.

Blue Ivy Carter (Beyonce's baby) was born on Saturday
Beyonce.

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Jorge Posada decides to retire‎

Jorge Posada is planning to retire after 17 seasons with the New York Yankees rather than pursue opportunities with other teams.
A person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press on Sat. that the five-time All-Star catcher will announce his retirement this month.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been made public. Posada’s plans were first reported by sports radio station WFAN.
The 40-year-old Posada won five World Series titles with the team that drafted him in the 24th round of the 1990 draft. He became a free agent after a trying season in New York, the final year of a four-year, 52 million dollars contract.
Earlier this offseason, Posada acknowledged that his career with the Yankees was over, but said he had offers from several other teams.
Posada’s retirement leaves shortstop Derek Jeter and closer Mariano Rivera as the two remaining players from the core group that led the Yankees to four World Series championships from 1996-2000 and one more in ’09. Andy Pettitte retired after the 2010 season.
Only Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra have caught more games in pinstripes than Posada – 1,574.
But Posada lost his catching job before the start of last season and struggled early in his new role as the designated hitter. The switch-hitter was batting .165 against left-handers on May 14 when he was dropped to No. 9 in the batting order and asked out of the game against Boston.

Jorge Posada decides to retire
Jorge Posada.

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Rachel Uchitel five months pregnant

Rachel Uchitel and hubby Matt Hahn are expecting their first child. On Wednesday, the 36-year-old nightclub manager confirmed her good news on Twitter. “Expecting big things for 2012″ – she wrote. “Five down, four months to go.”
Uchitel, whose claim to fame was her multiple affairs with golfer Tiger Woods and actor David Boreanaz, tied the knot with Hahn in October.
“We are really happy and feel extremely fortunate to have one another” – she told Us Weekly in a statement.
Prior to her relationship with Hahn, Uchitel had been engaged to investment banker James Andrew O’Grady, who was killed on September 11, 2001 during the World Trade Center attacks. She spoke frequently of O’Grady’s death during her 2010-2011 appearance on VH1′s Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.
Uchitel, a University of New Hampshire graduate, wed Wall Street trader and childhood friend Steven Ehrenkranz in 2004. Their union lasted just four months.

Rachel Uchitel five months pregnant
Rachel Uchitel.

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Danny Gokey from “American Idol” is engaged

“American Idol” fan favorite Danny Gokey (who tragically lost his wife Sophia three years ago) is engaged to marry his girlfriend – according to the Sophia’s Heart charity named after his wife.
Gokey is engaged to his girlfriend Leyicet Peralta. The couple is planning a wedding for next month.
According to the Sophia’s Heart Foundation website, the 31-year-old singer “is thrilled to have found Leyicet who also shares his passion and desire to help children and families in need.”
All wedding gifts are being requested as donations to Sophia’s Heart.
“We are thankful for so many of the blessings God has given us” – the couple posted on the website.
“It is our desire to see homeless children and families be kept together and lifted back on their feet through the help of Sophia’s Heart. We love and appreciate you all.”
Gokey lost his wife Sophia three years ago after complications from surgery for congenital heart disease. The Milwaukee singer auditioned for Season 8 of “American Idol” four weeks after her death.
As for his upcoming wedding, one of the married couple’s first big trips will be the Danny Gokey Cruise, which departs from Miami on February 2 and departs to Key West and Cozumel, Mexico.
Joining Gokey on the cruise is Kalamazoo’s Matt Giraud.

Danny Gokey from "American Idol" is engaged
Danny Gokey.

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Matthew McConaughey engaged with Camila Alves

This is definitely a great Christmas for Camila Alves because Matthew McConaughey is finally propose her right on the Christmas day with an engagement ring as her Christmas present. The couple has been together for five years and McConaughey share his happiness on his Twitter saying that he had just asked Camila to marry him. Not only announcing his marriage through his status. But also he posted her photo with Camila Alves kissing.
The couple has been together for a while and the engagement is actually not so surprising, McConaughey met Camila Alves in L.A. bar and they have two children already. Their first child is Levi, three years old and the 23 months Vida that was born in Jan. 2010. In March McConaughey said in an interview with Esquire that Camila Alves is the one and he wanted to make a family with her.
Camila Alves is Brazilian TV performer and model. With McConaughey, she made a commitment on McConaughey’s program for charity, J.K. Foundation that is made to help teens and promote an active life and healthy choice. There is no further announcement about the date of the wedding yet. But we are definitely looking further for Camila Alves and McConaughey’s wedding.

Matthew McConaughey engaged with Camila Alves
Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves.

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Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Clippers

Christmas for Warriors coach Mark Jackson turned sour pretty quickly Sunday, ending with a 105-86 season-opening loss to the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.
Jackson’s debut as an NBA head coach, before a sell-out crowd and to a national TV audience, was tainted by a fourth-quarter collapse that suggested Warriors’ basketball hasn’t changed much. The man who has preached defense since being hired in June watched the Clippers, led by point guard Chris Paul, torch his team late, outscoring the Warriors 21-3 over a five-minute stretch.
The fourth quarter capped a forgettable second half for the Warriors defense. The Clippers shot 59 percent after half time.
“We gave up some easy baskets, some open looks that they knocked down” – point guard Stephen Curry said. “Defensively, we didn’t have our best performance in the second half.”
Jackson wasn’t so judicious with his words – “You have to get stops. Sixty four points in the second half just won’t cut it.”
In addition to its trademark shoddy defense, Golden State struggled offensively in the second half — especially the fourth quarter, where they missed 11 of their 17 attempts and turned it over five times. The Warriors got morsels from their top three offensive players in crunch time.
Starting point guard Stephen Curry, recovering from a sprained right ankle, decided to play just before the game. By game’s end, many Warriors fans probably wished he hadn’t.
Curry finished with four points on 2-for-12 shooting with four assists and four rebounds. He had three of his five turnovers during the Clippers’ game-cinching run.
“We are a no excuse basketball team” – Jackson said. “The turnovers that I saw him commit tonight had nothing to do with the ankle. He understands he has to do better.”

Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Clippers
Golden State Warriors.

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Adrian Peterson knee injury

Adrian Peterson suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the Vikings’ 33-26 win over the Redskins.
The released a statement late Saturday night confirming the injury and said that coach Leslie Frazier would have more information at a news conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET on Monday.
Peterson also has a torn medial collateral ligament – according to multiple reports.
Peterson will likely miss the start of the 2012 season and the surgery may not occur for several weeks – according to 1500ESPN.com.
The Vikings had called the injury a sprain immediately after the game.
Typical of the Vikings’ fortunes this season, quarterback Christian Ponder suffered a concussion while being sacked by London Fletcher and Adam Carriker on the next play.
Ponder stayed in for one more snap, throwing incomplete on third down, before leaving the game for good. Peterson was in his second game back from a high left ankle sprain when his season ended with safety DeJon Gomes collapsing Peterson’s left knee gruesomely with a direct blow from the outside with 14 minutes and 40 seconds left in the third quarter.
Players from both teams came up to Peterson as he was being helped off the field. He wasn’t able to put any weight on the leg and was carted to the locker room. With 970 yards rushing, including 38 in Saturday’s game, Peterson will fall short of 1.000 yards rushing for the first time in his five-year career. He missed three games because of the ankle sprain.
Peterson’s replacement is Toby Gerhart, the team’s second-round pick from last year. He’s powerful, runs with balance and determination and catches the ball well. On the drive after Peterson’s injury, Gerhart broke loose for a 67-yard gain, the team’s longest of the season.

Adrian Peterson knee injury
Adrian Peterson.

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