Math from Khan

We all hate math right? Most look at it as an evil necessary of life. We hate it because it was boring and hard and right before gym class..urgh. Some of us get nightmares just thinking about it. If you didnt do well at math, your chances of success in a lot of careers were limited. No engineering, science or med school for you..math dummie! This has all changed for kids nowadays with the Khan Academy. This website is full of interactive online lessons involving all levels of math..from counting to advanced calculus. There are tests at the end of each lesson and I must say..its rather fun!! The Khan Academy is a non profit educational organization started by Harvard and MIT graduate Salman Khan. The idea was conceived when he was teaching his nephew math, and realized how difficult it was for students to understand math and enjoy it. He saw the gap in learning that many of us have experienced since we were children. Teachers hate math as much as we do and many of them dont understand a lot of it. The Khan Academy has begun to revolutionize the education system with teachers and students using the program daily in schools across North America. Check out the website and try out a couple lessons..you will see what you missed during childhood.... those lucky kids today! Its great to see that an Ivey League graduate found a way to help out the world from somewhere besides Wall Street. If we waited for the government to change the world, we would be waiting a long time. Kudos to Khan for making change happen.

Love Always Finds a Way

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy are back together..wooohoo! I was worried there for a bit that they might not find their way back together for the 4th time in 7 years. However, their love and friendship managed to rekindle their romance as the two have been secretly hanging out for a while now. Chelsy is said to have been not a fan of the royal life, but it looks as if love trumps all.  Harry hasn't exactly been waiting by the phone for Chelsy to call. He has tried his fair sampling of the crop. But at the end of the day, its Chelsy he wants by his side..awww! Does this mean another royal wedding???

Now those are Someecards!

I am sure you have probably heard of this site already...and possibly sent some of their ridiculously inappropriate cards to other people. Join the club! I am obsessed with these e cards and will still drop my jaw over some of their captions. There is not a holiday or event that you cant find a card for on here. I usually struggle with trying to not send the mean one that I really want to send. This one is just an example of some of the random cards that are on there. However, know that there were many other cards that aren't for the faint of heart...just check out this one. Hopefully this site gets a good laugh out of you or serves as a worthwhile distraction at work. I already know you will start sending out these cards asap..its just a question of how many!

Passion..it will set you free

The key to success in life is to find your passion. Or at least that's what they say. I was watching the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2012 show the other night and I was once again reminded of the power of doing something you truly love. So many larger than life musicians commented on how happy they were being in a band and even Flea from the Chili's got emotional when discussing how free music made him feel. The stories of each band inducted that night were similar. The Beastie Boys, Chili Peppers and Guns n Roses have all been through a lot of drama, fame, heartache, riches and troubles over the years but their love for the music and their brethren  persevered. At a young age, these boys fell in love with music and their instruments eagerly waiting for school to end so they could go home and jam with their friends. Nothing else mattered to them but their songs and those whom played them with. Girls, drugs, sex and crime, came and went, but their true passion never waned through it all. I often wonder if this passion and creativity is still possible in life. Particularly in regards to our youth. Kids are so distracted these days by the internet and TV, that they don't make enough room for creativity and fun. There are no longer jam sessions in their parents basements. They have video games, texting and steaming movies to keep them busy. Its when kids go outside and explore that they use their imagination and find their passion. Steve Jobs once said that your destiny finds you. I do believe in this theory. However, individuals also need to leave the comfort of their house for such destiny to find them. Imagine if any of those musicians had never been given a guitar or a drum kit? What if they spent their time watching TV or being shuttled back and forth from soccer game to kumon?. Kids today have no time to play, explore and find what makes them tick, what makes them smile and what sets them free. Wondering the streets of NYC allowed the Beastie Boys to be influenced by music and people that they would have never encountered playing video games in their bedrooms while downloading songs on their Ipods.

RIP MCA

When I heard the news Friday that Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys had passed away, I didn't want to believe it. I knew he had been battling cancer since 2009, but he just seemed too young to die. I like many of my friends, thought the Beastie Boys would live forever and continue the fight for our right to party. Yauch was such an innovator of music and the arts in general. He was involved in all aspects of the arts including films and documentaries. Its sad that we have lost such a creative and benevolent man too soon. He had a fun sense of humour that translated with all ages and fit in well with his out of the box thinking. But for every Nathaniel Hornblower stunt, there were his kind words and acts that showed another side to the Beasties. It is sad that there will never be another Beasties concert..an end to one of the greatest live bands in history.

Mo Money Mo Problems??

It seems as though Steve Jobs left Apple with a legacy of products...2-5 years worth of projects that are in various stages of  R&D. Tim Cook being promoted as CEO after a stint as head of operations was no accident. Apple's next move: to buy up their supply chain in their quest to control the world. With over $7 billion to spend on capital expenditures in 2012, Apple has been busy vetting Asian factories in hopes of controlling their suppliers and cutting out all competition. Once these measures are in place, who can compete with Apple's margins? It is said that this move is not just a step towards controlling costs and the competition. It also secures Apple's place in their next frontier: TV. Owning their equipment will cut costs by up to 20% and control production on memory and screens. They already know what products they want to launch, its just a matter of controlling the process. Can someone say $1000 stock price??

$12 million and counting...

 While everyone else on The Hills was partying like rock stars and gossiping on their hungover days, Lauren Conrad was building an empire. Sure, a lot of characters from the show became famous for a while and jump started their career after The Hills. However, for many of them, their 15 minutes of fame are over. Lauren was the only one who was able to keep her head out of all the drama, plastic surgery and hardcore drugs to see the business opportunities at hand. She used her role on a hit TV show to launch her own clothing lines, series of books and websites to build her brand. It was so easy for her to get caught up in the ridiculousness of her LA lifestyle but we never did see her in a scandalous or inappropriate light. She stayed focused and kept her eye on the prize. Sure she went through some drama and although I don't approve of all her choices, she certainly is an inspiration to many girls out there on how to stay classy among the trashy and capitalize on a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Looking for somewhere to eat??

Why not try the top 50 restaurants? This list was just updated recently and no one was surprised to see Noma at #1. Good luck getting a reso at any of the top ten restaurants. Spain has become more of a culinary treasure nabbing three spots in the top ten. NYC is still represented with Per Se, and Eleven Madison Park. Alinea in Chicago places in 7th, down one place from #6 last year. To be on the list is a blessing and a curse. Sure the notoriety guarantees a booked restaurant for years and a huge career boost for the chefs and management. However, the fame can be overwhelming for some places and will lead to thousands of phone calls and dare I say..too much press! La Grenouillere was awarded "The One to Watch" Award..possibly a contender for the #1 spot one day...book a table while you can..chop chop!!

He's STILL got it!!

Political views aside...President Obama still has game! Did you see him on Jimmy Fallon last week? When they slow jammed the news together? Hilarious!! Obama is back..where was he for the past four years?? He was his old charming, funny, charismatic self. He even appeared a bit nervous which was nice to see. In contrast to dull, egotistical, rich as hell Romney, he is such a breath of fresh air. He may not win the election at the end of this year but its nice to see he hasn't lost his sense of humour and his ability to show how much he truly cares about the future. He has tried his best with the odds stacked against him and still hasn't lost his quest to make America strong again. Let's not forget how awesome and funny Fallon is...love him!!

Of all the Bachelors in Canada...

They had to choose this guy? Such a typical selection. Lets pick a football player so it will appeal to all the American viewers when really football isn't even that popular here. Brad Smith was chosen to be the bachelor on Bachelor Canada starting this fall. I am sure he's a nice guy and all..but do we really need a washed up boring football player to represent the best of our country? Did I mention his Dad is a senator..so ya...he's not exactly going to get scandalous on TV. Even his press shot is bad. Guaranteed he will have a nice shirtless body and a great smile but it ends there ladies. His name is BRAD SMITH...how more boring can you get? I really hope I am wrong in this case and I do feel bad for bashing someone I don't know. Alas, you can't blame me! In a country of 30+ million people, there HAD to be a better choice. Need I remind you that he isn't even famous...or cute! Sigh...the jury is out till the fall premiere.