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Jennifer Dimaano

Don't let the profile picture fool you--I don't EVER wear my glasses (my BFF persuaded me to wear them and said I looked like a "hot librarian" in them, the picture proves otherwise). I'm sassy, a little eccentric, and a mad evil genius. People usually think I'm a little older than I really am. I'm prone to socially awkward situations. -.-"" I love using emoticons :D , visually aesthetic things (stuff that fall under this category: people, clothes/style, photography, interior design, places etc.), Britney Spears, and traveling. I (seem) to dislike more things than I like, but I never dwell. I have a crazy ridiculous sweet tooth--which is almost insatiable--a dry sense of humor, more bankruptcy to my almost nonexistent income, an overcrowded closet, and most important the best company a gal can ever ask for :'] I am a dreamer, not a do-er--which is kinda sad--but I try my best. Secretly, I am a dancer, I have been dancing since I was 3 and will never, ever, stop. I'm a noob to writing :O bet you didn't think so!? I used to hate writing papers, grammar (despite being born in Chicago my first language was not English), and was so close to failing my high school English class. It wasn't until my freshman year in university I realized I have a real knack for it, which is all that matters. Did I scare you off yet? >:D

Colorado Springs wildfire has continued to spread

Damages can’t be assessed

Nearly 30,000 people have evacuated their homes Tuesday night near Colorado Springs against a destructive wildfire. Only 5% of the fire has been contained, according to officials. Authorities are still unable to assess the damage the wildfire has caused.

According to fire information officer, Rob Deyerberg told Reuters, The Waldo Canyon Fire has burned through 15,375 acres. “That means it made a run of roughly 9,000 acres in a matter of hours yesterday afternoon,” he said. So far no injuries have been reported.

Richard Brown, Colorado Springs Fire Chief, said during a morning news briefing, “We’re in an offensive position. We’re doing everything we can to save homes…Don’t be deceived by what you see across the valley…Our people have been fighting that all night long—they’re fighting while we speak.”

According to the Washington Post firefighters have been fighting the fire during “record-setting heat against fires fueled by prolong drought. States like Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana are red flagged under the conditions of extreme fire danger.

In Denver on Tuesday temperatures were at a record-setting 100 degrees for the fifth straight day and the heat is expected to further continue for the next several days in 90 degrees temperatures.

Derek Arndt, head of climate monitoring at the National Climate Data Center, said the nation is experiencing “a super-heated spike on top of decades-long warming trend.” A combination of wind gusts—65 mph—along with the heat is said to have helped spread the fire.

Residents in the southewest part of the county has been issued a pre-evacuation notice by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, “The Waldo Canyon fire burning in El Paso County is expanding and poses a threat.”

Casey Anthony's attorney has written a tell-all book

In the book her attorney reveals Anthony was suffereing from “serious mental issues”

Attorney for Casey Anthony, Jose Baez, has written a tell-all book, Presumed Guilty, Casey Anthony: The Inside Story, about his experience during the infamous Casey Anthony trial.

Anthony was acquitted last year for the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony. In Baez’s book, it reveals Anthony suffered from mental health issues, which contributed to her habitual lying.

Baez attacks cops, prosecutors, reporters and said detectives should’ve realized his client has built a “fantasy world.” Her lies should’ve been an indication of someone with “serious mental health issues.”

The Associate Press (AP) had received an advanced copy of Baez’s book on Tuesday. In the book, Baez describes how Anthony led detectives on a wild goose chase—lying to detectives about working at Universal studios and going as far as taking them there.

Baez writes, detectives “should have stopped and realized, ‘Wait a minute, we’re not dealing with someone who is playing with a full deck’”

Initially, Anthony told detectives her daughter was taken by a babysitter back in June 2008 and didn’t report the missing childe because she was looking for her daughter on her own. In the trial, Baez argued Caylee accidentally drowned in the family pool, and Anthony was traumatized from being sexually abused by her father, George Anthony, and went along to hide the body. George Anthony later denied the allegations against him.

Baez highlights the allegations of sexual abuse and that it contributed to Anthony’s mental health. The book touches upon the emotional toll it took to Baez. Baez writes he suffered from depression and couldn’t enjoy his wife’s pregnancy, as well as, criticizing the media for portraying him as an inexperienced attorney.

“The public may have been convinced that I was an idiot, but I let it all roll off my back,” Baez writes.

Legend of Korra

Book Two is expected to premier 2013

The season finale of Legend of Korra ended last Saturday, but many fans are still not over the hit TV show! Fans want more.

On Twitter, JstShawn tweets, “Woke up. Might as well watch the finale of Legend of Korra again.” DarrenCriss tweets, ” AH LEGEND OF KORRA. Tears everywhere. Amazing. Thanks yet again, Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko-two of my favorite storytellers.” According to a tweet by Apple Legend of Korra‘s episode Skeletons in the Closet is their most popular TV episode.

Since Avatar: The Last Airbender went off the air after a short three seasons, Nick producers have been at work to fill the demand to revive the popular show.

Legend of Korra is set 70 years into the future with the re-incarnation of the new Avatar, Korra. The show follows Korra’s misadventures into Republic City, the city the previous Avatar, Aang, built. Amon, the antagonist, is leading a revolt against all benders of Republic City, and Korra, along with her friends, Mako, Bolin, Asami and Aang’s son Tenzin are fighting to defeat Amon and take back Republic City to its initial form.

Legend of Korra was intended to be a miniseries—which explains the haste towards the end—but due to the positive remarks Book Two is expected to premier in 2013. On the show’s Facebook page there is a post that writes, “Thank you for all your support and enthusiasm! We’re working hard to make Book 2 just as (if not more) amazing!”

Prior to the season finale, the show’s creator, Michael Dante DiMartino answered a few fan questions that touched upon the show’s direction. Fan Dr. Dardo asked, “Will book 2 stay confined to Republic City the way book 1 did?”

DiMartino answered, “I would say it’s a mix of both. There’s definitely a significant part in Republic City, but there’s also a little more exploration of some other areas which we won’t tell you about just yet.”

Bryan Konietzko answered, “It’s definitely not as confined, but like Mike said, about half and half.”

The show concluded on some finer points, like Mako and Korra’s relationship, how Amon was able to take away someone’s bending. As well as leave room for some questions that drives the storyline into Book 2, such as the untimely introduction of characters such as General Iroh and Commander Bumi. Along with, what will happen to the state Republic City, now that Amon is “gone?”

"Dating Game Killer" is being put on trial in Manhattan

Alcala is being charged in the murder of two New York women

Rodney Alcala, a suspect in the “Dating Game Killer” case, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges of two women in New York in the 1970s.

Alcala was flown in from California, where he remains on death row since 2010, to New York. Flying along with Alcala was a U.S. Marshals escort. After issues of extradition, Alcala has finally been handed over to Manhattan police. Alcala is being charged by Manhattan prosecutors on the slayings of Cornelia Crilley and Ellen Hover.  

Crilley, 23, was a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines. Her body was found in her Upper East Side apartment strangled and raped in June 1971. Hover, 23, was also living in Manhattan at the time vanished in 1977. Her remains were found in the woods of Westchester County.

District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said in a statement, “Cold cases are not forgotten cases—our prosecutors, investigators and partners in the NYPD do not give up.”

According to the Hover family’s private detective, Hover left a note in her calendar the day she vanished. The note shows Hover having planned a lunch date with a photographer—the name of the photographer is under an alias Alcala used.

Alcala has been under the thumb of NYPD detectives in Crilley’s death. In the investigation, detectives went to California with a warrant to interview Alcala as well as get dental impressions. Forensics found a bite mark that resembled Alcala’s impression.

Alcala, 68, has been convicted of raping an 8-year-old girl in 1968. Police found a “photo stash” of women and children in a storage locker in Seattle. Along with the findings were earrings that belonged to Robin Samsoe, Alcala’s 12-year-old victim.

Back in 1978 Alcala made an appearance on the hit game show, The Dating Game, as a “successful photographer.”

Beth Holloway is suing the National Inquirer

Lawsuit indicates the tabloid knowingly published false articles about her daughter, Natalee Holloway

Mother of Natalee Halloway, Beth Halloway, is suing the National Inquirer accusing the tabloid is profiting off untrue stories of her daughter’s disappearance back in 2005.

According to the Associated Press (AP), Beth Halloway filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the magazine and publishing company, American Media Inc., stating they were publishing “false headlines, articles and statements” for about seven years.

Lin Wood, Beth Halloway’s attorney said, “They keep doing it…We had no choice but to file this lawsuit. This is a mother who has exercised every effort to make sure her daughter is alive.”

Natalee was 18 when she went missing during a spring break vacation to Aruba back in May 2005. Her body was never found, a judge declared her dead as of last January.

The 18-year old was last seen leaving a bar with Joran Van Der Sloot, a Dutchman whom was raised in Aruba. Sloot remains the prime suspect in the Natalee Halloway case.  Sloot faces extortion and wire fraud in Alabama. He murdered Peruvian college student Stephany Flores—Sloot pled guilty—which was five years prior to Natalee’s disappearance.

The suit against the National Inquirer includes many falsely depicted articles, including one of Sloot having a “secret hand-drawn” map to Holloway’s grave. The suit includes the magazine being well aware of the falsity of the articles when they were published.

“Defendants purposely avoided learning the truth by, among other things, failing to attempt to interview many individuals whom could confirm or deny the things stated in the headlines, articles and statements and captured in the photographs,” the lawsuit said.

According to the AP the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

Big drop in gas prices for summer

Declining gas prices may be a sign of a slowing global economy

Despite the slowing job markets and sad quarterly sales reports, could there really be a silver lining in declining gas prices?

Gas prices have dropped 6 percent. The national average for gas dropped to $3.45 per gallon. In the Midwest, some areas have dropped their prices to $2.99. This year’s summer prices are 15 cents less than last year and 45 cents cheaper than a few months ago. The dip in gas prices is the first time since February when gas prices were hitting almost $5 per gallon.

Economist at Deutsche Bank, Brett Ryan, puts the decrease in gas prices as a form of economic stimulation, “Just as an increase in gas prices is essentially is a tax on customers, a decrease in prices acts as a tax cut.

The dip in gas prices is creating a hopeful outlook to the recent sales reports—the decrease in price can hopefully translate into a better summer sales report.

Some experts fear that the dip in oil prices may be a sign of a slowing global economy. Author Dan Dicker of Oil’s Endless Bid: Taming the Unreliable Price of Oil to Secure our Economy said, “There’s an enormous amount of production out there…But the demand looks weak” due to consumers driving fuel efficient cars.

Another writer, Jim Motavalli, makes a claim that the influx in gas prices can be troubling for consumers because they wouldn’t know what automobile would suit them financially—would it be worth paying premium for a fuel efficient vehicle?

Motavalli writes, “I can say that a price floor for gasoline would be a great idea that would give automakers some stable ground as they plan the future. It’s an incentive not just for electric cars but for the smaller vehicles that really should be dominating our roads.”

According to CNNMoney, declining gas prices has followed in the same suit as declining oil prices. Oil trading was at $78.72 per barrel Friday—down 20 percent year-to-date.

The German economy is growing

Despite the ongoing EU crisis the country remains in tact

According to a new report released by Ernest & Young, investments in Germany have increased exponentially, leaving the rest of the European continent behind.

In the report, direct foreign investments have jumped up to a near 7 percent along with a 43 percent increase in the job market and only high expectations for further growth—60 percent of international managers see Germany only to increase further.

Juergen Freidrich, Chief Executive of Germany Trade and Investment, stated, “This survey confirms what we have been hearing from investors. Our outstanding infrastructure, qualified workforce and stability make Germany one of the top global destinations for foreign investment. Industries like the automotive industry, renewable energy and IT are strengthening Germany’s attractiveness worldwide.”

Germany has further improved its stance as a global player making its main competitors U.S. and China in the race to attract FDI.

In a poll for Ernst & Young “Business Location Germany 2012” draws attention to Germany’s locale. The poll consisted of 840 international companies. Qualities that were highlighted were Germany’s innovation capacity, and 40 percent consider research and development. Some critical remarks were labor costs, inflexible labor laws and corporate taxes; though despite the criticism, these critical factors received more positives than negatives assessments among managers.

Despite the prosperous outcome Germany has had in the past year, the country’s economy still remains uncertain. According to Germany Trade & Invest experts, the economic slowdown in BRIC countries and the slowing recovery of the U.S. economy, along with the continuing EU crisis could complicate things.

Germany Trade & Invest advises for foreign companies who consider expanding business activities to venture into the German market.

A new score for the Pacquiao-Bradley fight

Unfortunately, the decsion to overturn the victory will not be happening

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) finished its review of the June 9 bout between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley and unanimously declared Manny Pacquiao the winner.

The panel consisted of five international judges scoring the fight 117-111, 117-111,118-110, 116-112, and 115-113 in favor of Pacquiao.

Despite the new ruling, Bradley still retains his win. Last week president of the WBO, Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, ordered for the five-judge review of the Pacquiao-Bradley bout while questioning the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Even with the inability to overturn the victory to Pacquiao, Pac-Man says he is fine with it. He told reporters in his home country of the Philippines he would rather win back the title in a rematch because “people may think I just usurped it.”

Pacquiao was quoted saying in a radio interview, “If they will return the belt to me, I won’t accept it…People may think I was snatching the belt. But if would be better if they would keep the title vacant, no more champion.”

Pacquiao told his supporters, “My supporters shouldn’t worry. We’re going to get that title.”

Any prospects of a rematch have remained ambiguous by Golden Boy promoter, Bob Arum. According to a Yahoo contributor, Lana Bandoim, “WBO has made a rematch sound like an unlikely possibility, but this may simply be another tactic to boost ratings for the fight.”

Bob Arum is planning to meet with Pacquiao next week in Los Angeles to discuss future matches.

In the initial rulings judge, Jerry Roth, scored Pacquiao 115-113 but Duane Ford and C.J. Ross favored Bradley both scoring Bradley 115-113 over Pacquiao. Ford said Bradley gave Pacquiao “a boxing lesson,” causing uproar not only in the boxing community but to international Pacquiao supporters.

Adopted son of Jerry Sandusky is one of Sandusky's victims

Matt Sandusky has come forward about being sexually abused by his adopted father

New allegations have surfaced in the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse trial by Sandusky’s adopted son, claiming the former Penn State assistant football coach sexually abused him. Lawyers for Matt Sandusky, one of Jerry Sandusky’s six adopted children, has prepared to testify against his father, if called to the bench.

According to a statement by Andrew Shubin and Justine Andronici, “During the trial, Matt Sandusky contacted us and requested our advice and assistance in arranging a meeting with the prosecutors to disclose for the first time in this case that he is a victim of Jerry Sandusky’s abuse…At Matt’s request, we immediately arranged a meeting between him and the prosecutors and investigators.”

Matt Sandusky went on to living in the Sandusky home as a foster child until becoming adopted. From the Associate Press (AP), Jerry Sandusky coerced Matt into performing sex acts by threatening him that he wouldn’t see his biological family again. It has been disclosed that after four months living in the Sandusky home, Matt attempted suicide in 1995.

An accuser known only as Victim 4 said Matt Sandusky was living in the Sandusky home when he stayed there overnight. When asked if he had engaged in a soap battle with Jerry Sandusky, Victim 4 recalls after finishing a game of racket ball with Matt and Jerry Sandusky they went into the locker room. Matt got undressed and went into the showers. Shortly after, Victim 4 and Jerry Sandusky followed him in there.

“Me and Jerry came in. He started pumping his hand full of soap,” he said. At that point Matt left and went into another shower. When asked about Matt’s facial expression he replied, “Nervous.”

Following the arrest of Jerry Sandusky, Matt Sandusky’s ex-wife, Jill Jones, obtained a retraining order forbidden their three children from sleeping over at their grandparents’ home.

Prosecutors told the court Sandusky lured “vulnerable boys who came from troubled homes, often without a father figure” with gifts and Penn State’s football program. As well as calling Sandusky “a serial, predatory pedophile.”

Ron Paul wants to eliminate Social Security

Even though he recieves Social Security

Former Presidential candidate, Ron Paul, openly advocated in an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” for the youth to “wean” off Social Security. In his speech he goes off saying social security is a government program that enslaves future generations.

Paul was then asked by the Huffington Post’s Sam Stein if he is currently on Social Security or receiving government assistance. Paul answered, “It’s just as I use the post office, I use government highways, I use the banks, I use the Federal Reserve System. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t work to remove this in the same way on Social Security.”

In the interview Paul stated, “I want young people to opt out of Social Security, but my goal isn’t to cut.”

Paul further clarifies his intent by saying, “I would preserve Social Security as best I can, but we want to get off.” Paul jokingly remarks he pays more into the system than he receives.

Paul persistently claims that Social Security is unconstitutional. Despite wanting to end the program much of the work is advocated towards the younger generation, and not during the next presidency. His plan, if elected, was to allow citizens under the age of 25 to opt out of the system and save their own money for retirement. Paul is outspoken when it comes to expressing his disapproval for government programs such as the Federal Reserve, energy and education.