Senate Republicans blocked President Obama’s hu-mun-go jobs plan when it went up for vote in Congress this week. The $447 billion bill included a number of incentives and policies that Obama said would increase job growth, support small, struggling businesses and ultimately bolster the still-faltering economy. Fortunately or not, enough of Congress didn’t agree. Only 51 Democrats of the 60 needed signed on to a filibuster that would force the bill back into discussion. Some political strategists say Obama never expected the thing to pass, especially considering the GOP majority in the House, he just wanted Republicans to go on the record against it. Hmmm…tricky, tricky.

The man responsible for the yearlong hacking of over 50 celebrities’ private accounts, known as “Operation Hackerazzi,” was arrested this week. Christopher Chaney, a 35-year-old man from Florida, was perhaps most famous for stealing and leaking nude photos of Scarlett Johansson, which in turn caused the trend of “#ScarlettJohanssoning” (google it…). Chaney acted alone, and claimed his scheme “started as curiosity and it turned to just being addictive.” Other possible victims (nobody is quite sure yet) include Mila Kunis, Christina Aguilera, Ali Larter, Miley Cyrus, Natalie Portman and Vanessa Hudgens. This is only one of the many reasons I am thankful I’m not famous. How did he do it? He simply guessed their e-mail passwords by researching their lives. Chaney could face up to 121 years in prison. Read More »

The Republican presidential debate this Wednesday featured all the candidates, but somehow it became a two person throw-down: former frontrunner Mitt Romney versus new guy Rick Perry.  Mitt Romney was a well-acknowledged favorite for the Republican nomination until about a month ago, when Texas Governor Rick Perry came charging into the race. At the debate, Romney talked about his plan to boost jobs, and Perry attacked Social Security, calling it a “monstrous lie” and a Ponzi scheme. A third, unlikely, leader also emerged during the debate: the former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman, who acted calm, cool and collected throughout. Of course, you can’t put sparring politicians in a room without at least one dramatic event. On Wednesday, this came during a commercial break, when Perry approached Rep. Ron Paul and got all up in his grill: Paul’s supporters are saying Perry assaulted their guy, but Paul says no such thing happened. Bummer. Read More »

When you left for college freshman year, did you ever try picturing your life after graduation?  Did you try to imagine how radically different things would be in just four short years?  You’d have the job of your dreams, for sure- the big desk, the sleek office, even the requisite evil boss a la Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada.  Sure, she’d hate you at first, but you’d prove yourself to her over time, earning a reputation as a cunning, hard-as-nails employee.  One day Meryl would offer you the keys to the kingdom, and unlike that saintly Anne Hathaway, you’d grab them and run.  Three words ring in your head as the mental image fades in a cloud of pink: World’s Youngest CEO.

Wake up, babe.  This isn’t dreamland.

The “real world,” as some of you may have found out, doesn’t really care if you want a career or a steady salary.  It doesn’t matter if you went to Harvard or Podunk Community College- record numbers of graduates are finding themselves jobless these days.  If you want to throw a statistic out at mom and dad (because of course you moved home after school) tell them this:  Not only are you competing against 1.6 million other degree-toting candidates, but the Huffington Post says the youth unemployment rate is at 19.6%, the lowest on record since 1948.

Take my friend Matt Grant.  Okay, he’s not really my friend but aren’t we all brought together by hard times?  Anyway, Matt went to Ohio State University, graduated in 2009.  He was a chemical engineering major and scored three internships as an undergrad.  Basically, Mr. Grant’s a smart guy.  Please, ask me what he’s doing now.  Go ahead, ask me.

He is a waiter at a Clarion Inn.  And that’s the best job he could find after a year of searching! Read More »

Chris Brown is so over the Rihanna thing, OK?

Kim Zolciak still thinks she can sing.

So, Tiger Woods used escorts?

Students still freaking out about the job hunt.

P Diddy was an elementary school pimp.

Time to rock winter’s hottest trends.

U.S. unemployment rate hits new high.

Super special food combos that amp the nutrition.

Who got the American Idol wild card?

Chris Brown pushes real life back to April.

Pepsi…natural?

Paris Hilton gets Lauren Conrad’s sloppy seconds. Seriously, sloppy.

If someone circled my fat, I’d kill them.

Louis Vuitton doesn’t want his goods in crappy music videos.

Canada loves Joshua Jackson.

New uses for your toiletries.

Amy Winehouse looking….good?!

Vince Vaughn engaged?! <Heart Shatters.>

[Photo courtesy of NYTimes.]