Unique Wedding Favors

When I attempt to organize an event, I usually forget many of the details. I have an overall plan in mind, but I always lose some of the steps in the plan. I fail to understand at the outset that the details form the plan.

If you are planning a wedding, don’t make the same mistake I always do. Start by making a list of all the details. Put down everything you have to do, and don’t forget all those little things you have to buy—things like toasting glasses, ring pillows, and place-card holders. Try to remember the gifts you’ll need for bridesmaids, groomsmen, and the children. Whatever you do, don’t forget the children. They love to receive presents.

When you’re ready to purchase all these items, take a look at the unique wedding favors you’ll find online at The Knot Wedding Shop. This convenient shop has over one thousand items for your wedding. It can personalize the collections you choose by adding the date of the wedding and the names of bride and groom.

This shop is open twenty-four hours a day, and it promises the best prices you’ll find. And in case you forget any of those important details, The Knot Wedding Shop provides fast delivery before the happy couple ties the knot.

Lost Book of Nostradamus

The History Channel has aired a show called the "Lost Book of Nostradamus." The show deals with a book of watercolor images found in Rome in 1994. The book bears the name "Nostradamus," and the show deals with whether the famous prophet really created the images.

The program also includes interviews with various people who claim to be experts in the prophecies of Nostradamus. These experts go on at length about what the various images tell us about the future of the world in the year 2007.

The show lacks anyone who asks the most important questions. Was Nostradamus a prophet, or was he a fraud? And why should anyone alive today think that this sixteenth-century Frenchman was able to predict events in the present century? Most important of all, are all the experts really finding the future in the work of Nostradamus, or are they merely bilking the public?

Kendall and Soto

Now that Jason Kendall has filed for free agency, the question of who will catch for the Cubs in the 2008 season comes rushing to the surface again. Kendall helped the Cubs offence last season, but Geovany Soto is nine years younger and shows great promise. Kendall makes more money than a small-town banker, and he would like to stay with the Cubs. Soto was a rookie last season. He's happy to be in the big leagues. Push has come to shove. Hendry and Company will have to decide.

Direct Mail Sells

With everyone on the block competing for your advertising dollars, it may be time to reconsider your overall advertising budget. Do you really need all those expensive commercial messages on cable or broadcast television? Is there a more cost-effective way to get your product the time it needs with the right audience?

At a time when radio and television provide advertisements for every imaginable product or service, companies large and small may want to consider an older way to deliver their advertising messages.

Martin Worldwide can provide a database of over 290 million individuals and 14 million businesses. That’s 304 million potential customers. Martin Worldwide’s database, called ResponseCom, combines two older databases in order to create a huge number of sales leads.

The ResponseCom database identifies new clients for small firms and large corporations. ResponseCom selects exactly the right candidates for virtually any product or service. It finds those markets that demonstrate a history of responding to direct mail advertising.

Martin Worldwide makes its direct marketing services available in a cost-effective and productive way. Contact Chip Matthews, client relations manager, at 888-267-3545 or by e-mail at chip@martinworldwide.net.

FLAG EXISTS!

Despite claims to the contrary, the remarkable New York Daily News has photogs of the very strange nazi/confederate flag in the garage of the hunt and shoot club on the Hudson, where no one knows how many Texas lawyers VP Dick Cheney shot Monday. The Day News will go big time with the photo of the flag in the AM at all stops along the Long Island Railroad.

Questions about the size of the nazi/confed flag have surfaced in the press. Daily News insiders report that Long Island commuters will see a really bigggggg flag when they hit the platform for the choo-choo to Manhattan in the AM.

Sharpton Attacks

The Rev. Al Sharpton has blasted VP Dick Cheney for trying to kill ducks and pheasants at an upscale Hudson Valley hunt & fish club that flies the Confederate flag in the garage. Details are confused. Why keep Confederates in garage instead of shooting range? Will Confeds rise again? Should investors save Confed money?

Meanwhile, Lawyers Anonymous want to know if the VP has shot anyone in the neck. More to the point, has he shot any lawyers in the neck?

VP Dick Cheney, when not plotting wars in inscrutable Middle Eastern countries, is best remembered as the VP who shot a Texas lawyer in the neck. Lawyers Anonymous is outraged that VP Dick has shot again.

Buy US Gold Coins

At present, there is great uncertainty about investments in the domestic stock market. Some analysts remain bullish. Others urge caution. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is approaching its record high. Is it time to hold or sell?

Given the many opportunities available to investors, it may be easy to forget that precious metals provide one of the oldest and safest ways of preserving wealth. Gold, silver, and other precious metals are just as desirable now as they were centuries ago.

For thousands of years, people have conserved their wealth by converting it to gold. In the present era, the Monex Deposit Company (MDC) makes it possible for the general public to buy us gold coins. Many investors like to purchase American eagle coins. One can also purchase gold ingots.

At present, silver may be especially attractive to investors. Yearly demand for silver now exceeds production. The world’s silver reserves are growing smaller and may soon drop to nothing. As is true with gold, silver is available in either coin or ingot form.

For over thirty years, MDC has made it convenient for investors to purchase precious metals in either coin or ingot form. Monex can provide safe delivery or arrange for secure storage in a bank or depository.

MDC's large professional staff can provide the best service possible to its customers. Regardless of the form the gold or silver takes or the type of storage desired, Monex offers both convenience and competitive prices to all investors.

Bad Flag

As a footnote to VP Cheney's heroic hunt for birds in the Hudson Valley, a photographer for the New York Daily News happened to snap a photo of a Confederate Flag at the Clove Valley Rod & Gun Club while the VP was on the premises.

Here at New Moon, the editorial staff is unable to decide which is more dangerous--a Confederate flag or the VP with a loaded shotgun. Once we have weighed all the facts and made a decision, we will launch a detailed report for out faithful readers.

VP Cheney Hunts Again

VP Dick Cheney went hunting at an upscale club for the rich and famous on Monday. The Clove Valley Rod & Gun Club is located in the Hudson Valley, where poor shots are allowed to keep and bare arms. The immediate object of the hunt was to shoot ducks and pheasants. New Moon does not yet know if the VP shot any lawyers, which he previously did at a 2006 blastoff in Texas.

The editorial staff at New Moon took great pains to contact the American Bar Association, but no one at that august institution returned our calls.

Online Shaman Shop

If you are one of the many people who like to achieve mental and spiritual health through the use of traditional plant remedies, you should take a look at the variety of plants and other supplies available at the IAmShaman Shop.

This online business provides the highest-quality plants available, including Sceletium tortuosum, Amanita muscaria, and kratom. In addition to providing a broad variety of plants, the firm also sells organic seeds, incense, candles, and books.

An added benefit to doing business with the IAmShaman Shop is that this firm helps provide a livelihood for the indigenous peoples who live in the rainforests of Brazil, Africa, and elsewhere. By providing a market for the plants grown, the firm helps provide an alternative to destruction of the forests and conversion to pastureland for beef cattle.

At the same time, The IAmShaman Shop always strives to offer high-quality products at low prices.

New York Firemen Start Fire

American morality has dropped to an all-time low. Two New York City firemen have been charged with setting fire to their own firehouse. According to court records, they have been charged with arson, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief.

The two men--Michael Izzo, 30, and Richard Capece, 31--allegedly poured gasoline on a garage door and set it on fire. Other firemen quickly put the fire out. A security camera recorded the whole incident.

Both men are out on bail. Please don't give them any gasoline to play with.

Rox Fall

Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell just hit a home run over the left-field fence, making the score 3-0 in favor of Boston in Game 4 of the World Series. With the Red Sox leading the series three games to zip, it's hard to believe that the Rockies are the best team the National League could send to the party.

Even the Cubs could have put on a better show. Regardless of anything, the Cubs can always do something memorable--fall down, break two bats at once--something. Who created the myth that the Rockies are anything more than a pile of rocks?

Find Flat-Screen TV

Now that the 2007 World Series is off and running, wouldn’t it be nice to watch it on a new flat-panel television set. The price of flat-screen TV sets has dropped significantly since the advent of this new television technology. For Chicago Cub fans, there’s always next year. Why not watch it on high-definition television?

Traditionally, when consumers went in search of new television sets, they went from store to store to find just the right one. They often based their decisions on past experience, and they considered the advice of friends and relatives.

Nowadays, according to consumer research, most buyers will begin by searching online. Subsequently, a huge majority of those will make their purchases at a local store. People know what to expect in a television set, and they want to see it in action before they buy it. Few people would buy a television set sight unseen.

For the contemporary shopper, the Krillion Localization Engine now searches the Web to find the most comprehensive results possible for the individual television buyer. This is a great improvement over the results provided by conventional search engines.

In thousands of American towns and cities nationwide, Krillion now ensures that when consumers have decided to purchase a panasonic 42 inch LCD television set, the Krillion Localization Engine can direct them to the exact retailer they need.

Red Sox Take Game Two

Boston Red Sox pitching smothered Colorado Rox hitters in Game 2 of the 2007 World Series. Curt Schilling, who is supposed to be too old for a major-league pitcher, gave up four hits and one run over 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Hideki Okajima then frustrated the Rox for 2 1/3 innings, giving up no hits, no runs, and no walks while striking out four. With two out in the 8th inning, closer Jonathan Papelbon gave up a single to Matt Holliday. He then destroyed Rox hopes by picking off Holliday at first.

Game 3 will start at 7:00 PM Saturday in Denver.

Lou Will Stay at Wrigley

Looking ahead to next season, which is what Cub fans do every year, it may be consoling to note that Lou Piniella has promised to remain the Cub manager for the 2008 season. Joe Torre turned down the offer the Yankees gave him, and Lou was one of those mentioned as his potential replacement. But Piniella says he's staying with the Chicago Cubs.

Piniella and General Manager Jim Hendry did a good job of building a new team for the Cubs in 2007. The Cubs continued to improve for the entire season. We can only hope that trend will continue for all of 2008.

Buy Van Racks

Whether you drive a car, a van, a flatbed truck, or a pickup, the day will come when you need to put a rack on top to carry the ladder or anything else you need to handle that job you want to complete. Some jobs are so simple that all you need are the right tools at the right location. Why pay someone else when you can do it yourself at a fraction of the cost?

BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com is the online store for exactly the rack you need. This firm sells the van rack, truck rack, or auto rack you need. At this website, you’ll find racks made by Cross Tread, Kargo Master, and many other popular brands.

BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com doesn’t limit itself only to racks for your car, van, or truck. At this site, you can also find window guards, cab visors, emergency lights, and a host of other useful products.

Whether you are a professional contractor or a do-it-yourself wizard, you’ll find the accessories you need for your car, van, or truck at BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com.

Red Sox Destroy Rox

In the first game of the 2007 World Series, Josh Beckett and the rest of the Boston Red Sox made the Colorado Rockies look like what they are, a minor-league team that should never have left the Texas League. All the money in the reactionary Coors family could not prevail over the Red Sox, America's patriotic favorites.

Josh Beckett struck out nine and allowed one run over seven innings as Boston mangled the Rockies 13-1 in the series opener. Dustin Pedroia got things going for the Sox by hitting one out of the yard in the first Boston at-bat. You can't help feeling sorry for the over-matched Denver players, but when you work for the Coors family billionaires, that's what you get.

Someone at the Murdox Australian Fox TV Network forgot to tell the announcers to root for the Rox. They called a good game.

World Series 2007

The 2007 World Series is underway, and Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett just struck out the side. The Rockies may win, but it will take a miracle. The Coors Boys played OK against second-rate teams in the National League, but the Boston Red Sox are an unstoppable machine.

Boston can and will hurt you at bat, running the bases, fielding, and on the mound. With Beckett pitching, Colorado's chances are zero and none.

It's the bottom of the first, and the Sox lead 3-0 with two out.

Long Island Magic

Robert McEntee is the entertainer who combines magic and motivation. For twenty years, he has sawed people in half, made them float in the air, and caused them to appear from a puff of smoke. Simultaneously, he has taught his audiences how to read faster and remember more. He is the magician Long island needed then and now.

McEntee serves as the main act at festivals, fundraisers, fire departments, and a long list of community functions. He entertains and motivates audiences from corporations, associations, and civic groups. He has combined magic, music, and humor for children and adults in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Canada, and elsewhere.

For Robert McEntee, every performance is crafted to suit the particular audience. Today he may perform at a library, tomorrow at a large company. He may tell a story for one group and consume fire for another. In all cases, his material is suitable for both children and adults.

For more information, contact McEntee the magician at 631-757-4206 or visit his Website at MagicBeyondImagination.com.

Bugs

With the American League Championship Series tied at 1-1, the Boston Red Sox are presently taking on the Indians at Jacobs Field in Cleveland. The Indians now lead the Red Sox 2-0, following a two-run homer by Kenny Lofton in the second inning.

Jake Westbrook is on the mound for Cleveland, and Daisuke Matsuzaka is still throwing for Boston.

But the really big news at this point is that the dreaded Lake Erie bug attack fleet is nowhere in sight. Plenty of time remains in this game. The bug fleet may still make landfall.

Who Will Buy the Cubs?

The Tribune Company has said that it will sell the Cubs in 2007. But now it appears to be pondering a sale sometime in 2008. It also has to decide if it will sell the team separately or along with Wrigley Field and the Chicago franchise of Comcast StortsNet.

According to recent rumors, John Canning, the big-bucks CEO of Madison Dearborn Partners, will probably make a bid for the Cubbies. Other potential buyers have not revealed their plans or the lack thereof.

Woman Savers

Ladies, are you tired of relationships with men who lie and cheat? Would you like to avoid men who become abusive? Since 2003, Womansavers.com has provided online information about specific men that you want to avoid. If you know the truth in advance, you can avoid the problems that appear later.

The information at Womansavers.com is provided by women who have experienced the worst of what men have to offer. If you have had a bad relationship with a particular husband or boyfriend, you can provide information to other women and help them avoid the same problems you endured. Your name, e-mail address, and other personal information will remain strictly confidential.

In addition to providing information about particular men, Womansavers.com offers other forms of Infidelity Support. At this Website, you can obtain Internet advice, monogamy statistics, signs of cheating, and explanations for why some men practice infidelity.

Knights Templar Ride Again

Conspiracy buffs take note. The Vatican will publish eight hundred copies of the papal investigation into comings and goings of the Knights Templar, a medieval military order of the Church. The investigation took place between 1307 and 1312 and found the Templars not guilty of heresy.

Before you run out and buy a copy, take a look at the price tag. The facsimile edition sells for $8000. You'll also have to refresh your memory of Latin if you actually intend to read the report.

The Knights Templar have provided a great deal of fodder for conspiracy theorists over the years. Many accounts have stated that the Knights had possession of the Holy Grail, the chalice used at the Last Supper. No proof of this claim has ever appeared to the editors of New Moon.

Britney at the Bar

Britney Spears has allegedly applied for a job as a barmaid. The purpose of this new work ethic is to show everyone in California that she is responsible enough to hold a job. Having proven that, she could then argue in court that she is equally responsible enough to regain joint custody of her two children, both of whom are now in the care of their father.

The flaw in this legal strategy lies in the fact that a job behind the bar would bring Britney into close contact with wines and spirits, the very items that have led to so much of her recent troubles. BS would be better off working at a soda fountain, where the only coke on hand is spelled with a capital "C."

Columbia Southern University

Many potential students find that their work or family obligations prevent them from attending classes on a traditional college or university campus. For those students, an online university such as Columbia Southern University may show the way to both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Columbia Southern University (CSU) is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council and licensed by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. The United States Veterans Administration has approved CSU for veteran’s education benefits.

Police officers, firefighters, members of the military, and others whose work leaves them with unpredictable schedules will find the online courses offered by CSU especially convenient. CSU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as business administration, information technology, and human resource management. CSU also provides certificate programs in many areas of study.

If an online university would meet your educational needs, visit the CSU website or call 800-977-8449.

Watch Rupert Go

Rupert Murdoch is probably more loved and hated than any other billionaire in the news biz. RM, the guy from Australia, has announced that his new business-news TV channel will take on CNBC. In an exhibit of what some observers call dirty pool, Rupert's new world order has refused to run a pile of CNBC advertisements scheduled earlier for Dow Jones & Company websites. Rupert, who now owns Dow Jones, doesn't want to see those ads run Monday, October 15, the first day his new channel will litter the airwaves with all the news that may or may not be true.

Boston Versus Cleveland

In the Cleveland-Boston game on Monday, the Tribe will send right-hander Jake Westbrook to the mound. Westbrook is master of the deadly sinker, with which he hopes to sink the Red Sox in Lake Eire. Westbrook took an 8-4 loss against the Yankees in the American League Division Series.

Westbrook's record for the 2007 regular season was 6-9, with an ERA of 4.32.

Moving Relocation Services

Not long ago, I moved to a new apartment. I didn’t enjoy this operation, and I vowed that I would never do it again. To this date, I haven’t broken that vow. Of course, I moved only a month ago. So I haven’t even unpacked all the boxes yet. Also, I always say I’ll never move again. But I always do.

Despite my promises to myself, the day always comes when I have to make another move. Moving is stressful for almost everybody. So if you have to make a move anytime soon, you have my sympathy.

But I can also offer something more important than sympathy. I suggest that you go online and look into the help you can get from Service Network.

Service Network can help you find the best Moving Relocation Services. The people at Service Network know that some moving companies have bad reputations. For that reason, they have established a network of movers, all of which have passed though a rigorous application process.

All the moving companies in this network are licensed and insured. They have met all the qualifications required by Service Network. If a problem does arise, Service Network provides dispute-resolution services.

Service Network also provides one last service, and it’s a good one. The company has already negotiated discounts with moving companies as high as 65 percent. That’s worth remembering the next time you move.

Boston-Cleveland Bug Match

The Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians are locked in a duel to the finish in the American League Championship Series (AKA part 2 of the playoffs). The two teams have identical win-loss records of 96-66 in the regular season, and both have records of 1-1 in the ALCS. Both teams can't play in the World Series. What will happen? I have no idea.

I do know that if the bugs return from Lake Erie to Jacobs Field for game 3, many ballplayers may be driven over the edge. In the sort of restrained way that Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka talks about matters of this sort, he said, "If there were those bugs, it would be difficult to maintain concentration." That's a discreet way of saying that both pitchers might want to build a bonfire somewhere in the vicinity of second base.

If you have tickets for the game at Cleveland, you might make some spare change if you smuggled a box of bug spray into Jacobs Field.

Arizona Struggles

The Arizona Diamondbacks now find themselves in deep doo-doo in their best-0f-seven National League Championship Series with the Colorado Rockies. Colorado has won the first three games, the latest being a 4-1 victory Sunday night.

The likelihood that the Diamondbacks will overcome this deficit is somewhere in the neighborhood of slim and none. The only team that has ever come from behind in that fashion is the Boston Red Sox. Arizona is not the Boston Red Sox.

Arizona's boys of summer need to start planning for a long cold winter.

Florida Villas

For many years, discerning people living in the United Kingdom have found that Florida is an inviting vacation destination. But the task of finding all the information needed to plan a successful vacation has long been difficult. But now all that has changed. If you live in the UK and you are planning a vacation in Florida, Lowery’s new website, Thinkflorida.co.uk, was designed especially for you.

The office of Thinkflorida.co.uk is located near Walt Disney World and all the other vacation attractions in Orlando, Florida. This firm provides vacation accommodations for UK visitors and a great deal more. It is truly a one-stop source of vacation information.

Thinkflorida.co.uk can help the UK visitor find just the right Florida Villa. But you will need more than a villa. Thinkflorida.co.uk will also help you find the right car rental and airline tickets.

The Thinkflorida.co.uk website is arranged to provide all the information you need to choose your accommodations. You can choose from pool homes, condos, town houses, and villas. The website shows photographs, floor plans, and amenities for each rental property. You get exactly what you see. And here comes the really good part. Because you choose and rent the property directly, the cost is remarkably low.

Welcome to Florida. Enjoy your vacation.

Britney Rocks!

Britney Spears fans will be delighted to learn that Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon has granted her permission to conduct one overnight visit per week with her two young sons. Someone has to supervise these visits, but New Moon has not yet learned the name of that supervisor. Perhaps the court has not yet made that decision.

Britney's lawyer has requested that Miz Spears' mother be named as the supervisor.

The Final Season

In case you haven't heard, a new movie called The Final Season has been released and is coming soon to a theater near you. Although, given my luck, it probably won't come to a theater near me.

The Final Season deals with a real-life high school baseball team in the town of Norway, Iowa. The early reviews that I've read suggest that the film has many flaws. Whenever reviews say that a movie is bad, I usually find that it's actually good.

In this case, since the movie is about baseball, I intend to see it regardless of anything or anybody. I've seen all the films I'll ever need about superheros who carry heavy weapons and cause multiple explosions.

As long as there are no explosions in the outfield, I'm ready for The Final Season.

Disney World Tickets

Orlando, Florida, offers a great vacation for all age groups. For many people, the most popular attraction in Orlando is Walt Disney World, which provides four theme parks, two water parks, and much more.

But there’s a great deal more to see and do in Orlando. Its variety of theme parks, dinner shows, and numerous other attractions make it popular for all members of the family. Because of the large number of tourist stops in Orlando, the visitor can find the numerous options for admission tickets far too confusing.

One solution to this confusing situation is to go online and obtain your Disney World Tickets from OrlandoFunTickets.com. This firm offers the lowest prices for all discount Disney tickets. OrlandoFunTickets also offers the lowest discount prices for all other theme parks and dinner shows. These popular attractions include Sea World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Arabian Nights, and much more.

Your visit to Orlando should be fun, not confusing. For the best ticket prices, logon to Orlandofuntickets.com.

Opening Day

I like to get the season off to a good start by going to the first game at Wrigley Field. But is March 31 really the best date on the calendar to get things moving? Won't a lot of us risk falling down on the ice? What if some outfielder loses the ball in the snow and gets hit in the head?

Speaking of ice, what if the Wrigleyville Hockey Team is still playing at Wrigley when the team is trying to take batting practice? This could lead to trouble. And if someone hits Carlos Zambrano with a puck, I predict a bench-clearing brawl.

To the powers that be, I say give this more thought. Wait until the infield thaws.

It's Only a Curse

"I don't buy into that curse," Mark DeRosa said after the final out of the final game. Many other people in various positions of authority made the same kinds of statements about the list of Cubs curses, curses that have supposedly prevented the Cubs from winning a World Series since 1908. The list of curses has grown so long that we'll soon need a main-frame computer to keep track of it.

For intelligent people who claim not to believe in curses, the whole subject still gets a lot of press coverage every time the Cubs fall down on the way to the Pennant. We have the billy goat curse, the Brock and Broglio curse, the black cat curse, the dreaded Bartman curse, and so many others that I just lost count.

If journalists would stop writing about all this alleged nonsense, maybe I could forget it. Or maybe I couldn't.

Obtain Premium Tickets

My two favorite baseball teams play their home games at my two favorite ballparks—Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. In each case, I know all the ways to get the best tickets I can. I know where each park is, what train to take, and what time to get there.

But if I wanted to attend any sporting event in Florida, Texas, or California, I wouldn't know the first thing about how to obtain tickets. For example, if I wanted to buy tickets to see a basketball game in Miami, I'd have to go to a lot of trouble to find out how to get my Miami Heat tickets.

At this point, Premium Seats USA comes to the rescue. This firm can find tickets for any MLB, NBA, NFL, or NHL game in the United States. Simply go online, and the Premium Seats USA website will help you find the best seats available. Or you can order tickets by phone.

Premium Seats USA can also help you get just the right tickets for all concerts and theater events nationwide. If you want a break from sports this weekend, Premium Seats USA is ready to help you get the best seats possible.

Geovany Soto

I can find little to complain about with the work that Geovany Soto did behind the plate for the Cubs this year. I'm aware that he was called up from the minors in September this season, but I couldn't have told you much about how well he played for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.

The mystery is now over. Soto has been named the Offensive Player of the Year for Triple-A baseball in 2007. He was also named MVP for the Pacific Coast League. This young man has been moving around. I hope he stays put with the Cubs in 2008.

Season's Over

As far as the Cubs are concerned, the 2007 baseball season is history. Like most fans, I've gotten over yet another disappointment and am now looking forward to another season with good players, good coaches, and a good manager. It no longer matters what faults we saw in the playoffs. Real Cub fans will be back again next year, still hoping for the best.

When I saw my first Cub game back in my childhood, Ernie Banks was playing first base, and Ron Santo was at third. They always gave the best they had, and so did the 2007 team. So no more criticism from me.

But just wait until next year.

Lovers Planet

I’ve been married for many years, and I’m happier now than when I was single. Most men I know would tell you the same thing. Despite all the old jokes about husbands and wives, men actually like being married. Even the divorced men I know want to remarry if they can find the right woman. But they also say that finding that woman is very difficult. If you’re a single man, you may have the same problem.

That's when Lovers Planet can come to your aid. Lovers Planet is an online dating service that introduces Russian women to American men. This service provides a convenient way to meet Russian women looking for marriage. In many cases, these Russian women eventually become American brides. But a match like this doesn't happen overnight. It takes time for the relationship to mature.

Lovers Planet begins by providing profiles and photos of Russian women, along with women from Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. These women are seeking relationships that will lead to marriage. They are attractive, intelligent, and well educated.

Most of the single women of Russia and Eastern Europe wish to start a family while they’re still young. They prefer to put off a job and career until later. And once married, they hope to stay married.

The divorce rate among Russian women and American men is far lower than that among American women and American men. Even so, no one can promise that you will meet the bride of your dreams by using the services of Lovers Planet.

But many other men already have.

Cubs Struggle

Game 3 of the National League Division Series is underway, and Rich Hill has given up two runs. The Cubs trail the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0 in the third inning. Wertz in warming up in the bullpen.

I was unable to get tickets for the National League Championship Series. If the present trend continues at Wrigley Field, it might not matter.

Arizona has a runner at second base. Tune in and watch the disaster or the miracle.

Jacque Jones just made a great catch to end the inning.

Lindsay Returns

Breaking news for Lindsay Lohan fans. According to her parents, this rich and famous user of controlled substances has checked out of Cirque Lodge, a country-club rehab joint in Utah. Mom and dad didn't say exactly where Lindsay was. They only revealed where she wasn't.

Earlier parental statements said that LL would stay out of Los Angeles, where temptation awaits the rich and famous in every saloon. Lindsay still has to spend a day in the slammer for previous incidents of drunk driving and possession of cocaine.

Mission Restaurant Supply

If you own or operate a restaurant, you know how much work is involved in this kind of business. You don’t have time to search the internet or read the yellow pages every time you need new supplies or equipment.

Mission Restaurant Supply has all the equipment and supplies you need and will ship them quickly. This firm has the items you want, and it sells them at competitive prices.

Mission Restaurant Supply maintains a large inventory of True Refrigeration equipment. True Refrigeration has a long history of providing high-quality refrigeration equipment to the restaurant industry. Its products include Back Bar Coolers, Deli Display Cases, and much more. All these items are sold with comprehensive warranties.

For fast, reliable, reasonably priced restaurant supplies and equipment, check out the website for Mission Restaurant Supply.

Hill Versus Arizona

Lou Piniella will send Rich Hill to the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Hill was 11-8 in the regular season with an ERA of 3.92. Livan Hernandez will pitch for Arizona.

But games are not won by pitchers alone. If they hope to win, the Cubs will have to improve on their dismal offense in Games 1 and 2. As a team, their collective batting average is .179. They have scored only five runs in two games.

I don't care to say anything about Arizona's hitting stats.

Games 3, 4, and 5

It will be difficult, though not impossible, for the Cubs to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks three games in a row. Despite all the superlatives wasted on the Diamondbacks by the TBS announcers, they are not a better team than the Cubbies. Arizona got lucky, and the Cubs got unlucky.

The Cubs won three games in a row against the Florida Marlins in the 2003 National League Championship Series. But the real issue now is psychological, not statistical. Cub fans smell defeat, but what do the players smell?

Cellular Sales

Not all that long ago, none of us had ever heard about cell phones. Nowadays, we consider them a necessity. And I need my cell phone as much as anyone else. But I want my cell phone and the company that provides my service to be the best I can get.

For cell phone users in various locations, cellular sales is a new player on the block. This firm will unveil a new website this fall, and that site will rival anything that came before it.

Cellular Sales has become a major provider for Verizon Wireless. It is growing at a remarkable pace, and it maintains its place by supplying the best in customer service and satisfaction.

The new website will feature a “local mobile expert,” a virtual employee who will show the new customer how to use the phone and move contact information to the new account. Cellular will also encourage same-day in-store acquisition of the cell phone through the new website.

Verizon Wireless is one of the fastest-growing cell phone providers in the United States. For every new customer, it offers a thirty-day trial of its service. If not satisfied, the company pays for all calls, and the customer can transfer to a new provider without any payment to Verizon Wireless.

This fall, check out Cellular Sales’ new website.

Lou Piniella

Lou Piniella isn't taking any baloney from anyone about his decision to relieve Carlos Zambrano after the sixth inning in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. Lou says that the people who criticize have the advantage of doing it after the game is over.

Lou is also unmoved by the ancient legend of the billy goat curse. This legend has many variations, the most popular of which states that a fan was not allowed to take his goat into Wrigley Field. In return, the man or the goat put a curse on the Cubbies, who have therefore not won a World Series since 1908.

Carlos Marmol

Carlos Marmol is an outstanding relief pitcher. His 1.43 ERA for the regular season is proof of how good he is. In Game 1 of the National League Division Series he gave up a homer to Diamondback player Mark Reynolds, but that's not the sole reason why the Cubs lost the game. A little more offensive help from Cub batters would have turned the game around.

The real issue with Game 1 was the decision to relieve Carlos Zambrano at a point when he was dominating Arizona batters. Marmol didn't make that decision.

Buy Used Golf Balls

Many people find the game of golf a perfect way to relax and forget about the frustrations of everyday life. But this game also contains one frustration of its own. More balls get lost than in any other game.

Here’s a piece of news that may relieve the frustration of any golfer. Lostgolfballs.com sells high-quality used golf balls at a discount price. Where else can you buy a dozen balls for less than $10?

Lostgolfballs.com finds balls at over 2500 golf courses. It then cleans the balls, sorts them by brand and quality, and packages them for sale. Golfers can then order the balls online.

The balls are sorted according to three levels of quality—like new, slightly blemished, and slightly more blemished. Badly damaged balls are not offered for sale. Lostgolfballs.com also sells new accessories such as gloves, sunglasses, and golf bags.

Lostgolfballs.com is a preferred supplier of The First Tee. This organization strives to provide opportunities for underprivileged children by making the game of golf available to them. It emphasizes honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

Heartbreak for Britney

More heartbreak for Britney Spears fans. After losing custody of her two children to her former husband, Britney has now been granted supervised visitation rights to see the boys, Sean Preston and Jayden James. This order came from the same Los Angeles judge who denied custody because he felt that Britney's behavior presented a possible danger to the children. Britney will now be permitted to visit the boys every other day.

Several commentators have stated that Britney does not appear to be all that unhappy about losing custody of the children.

Stay tuned for more news about rich and famous boneheads.

Chili Attack

Residents of a London neighborhood smell an odour that was entirely foreign to them. Fearing a conspiracy of some sort, several people called the police. The police closed streets and evacuated houses while firemen looked for the source of the dangerous smell.

They finally knocked down the door of a Thai restaurant, where they found nine pounds of hot chillies on the stove.

The supervisor of the restaurant, who was upstairs from the kitchen at the time, explained that she was overcooking the chillies for a special Thai dip.

No one was injured in the chili attack.

Christmas Gift Baskets

I’m especially fond of businesses that allow me to order and pay for gifts online. I also like it when the business wraps and mails the gifts for me. I’m the sort of person that always forgets special events until it’s too late for the gift to arrive on time. I’ve been ordering Christmas gifts for my relatives in this way for many years. It could be argued that without these businesses, my relatives would have received no gifts from me at all.

Basket Star is one of those businesses that I like so well. This firm is located in Bergen County, New Jersey. I don’t live in New Jersey, but that won’t prevent me from ordering gifts from that company online.

At the present moment, Basket Star is getting its website organized for Christmas. If you’d like to see what’s available, take a look at the Christmas Gift Baskets. I’m especially interested in the Cape Cod Cranberry Coffee Cake and the Chocolate Tray. If those don’t capture your attention, I promise you that there are many more selections.

Basket Star doesn’t just sell Christmas Gift Baskets. At its website, you can also find Hanukkah Gift Baskets, Get Well Gift Baskets, Birthday Gift Baskets, Baby Gift Baskets, and much more. Basket Star will ship your gifts anywhere in the United States. If you need to order a personalized gift, the people at Basket Star will be happy to help you.

Maybe I’ll order early this year. Merry Christmas.

Lilly Ready for Arizona

At the end of his first season with the Cubs, Ted Lilly is ready to pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. He has a record of 15-8 and an ERA of 3.83.

Lilly pitched one game against the Diamondbacks during the regular season. Doug Davis pitched for Arizona in that game, which the Cubs lost 3-1. We can only hope for a better result in Thursday's game.

Cubs Fall

Carlos Zambrano pitched six brilliant innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving up only one run and four hits. He struck out eight and gave up one base on balls. Then, with the game tied 1-1, Lou Pinella pulled Zambrano and the bullpen fell down the elevator shaft. Arizona scored two runs in the seventh inning, and that's all they needed.

Zambrano is a big strong man. He could have easily pitched one more inning. He could have pitched all nine, rested till Sunday, and pitched again in Game 4. I don't get it. Will there even be a Game 4? This is not a time to be coy.

Rent Hawaiian Condos

Anyone can list the attractions of a vacation in Hawaii—warm breezes, beautiful beaches, towering mountains. But where are you going to stay when you’re not out enjoying this tropical paradise?

If you don’t want to cram your way into one of the high-rise hotels that line the beaches, where can you stay? That’s a good question, and Gebhart Properties has the answer at its new website. Why not stay at a Hawaii Condo?

Consider Gebhart’s Kolea Villa, one of the best condos on the islands. It had beds for six and 2576 square feet of space. Its many amenities include a gourmet kitchen, numerous examples of Hawaiian art, and a lovely view of the nearby bay.

If you want a taste of traditional Hawaii, checkout Gebhart’s third-floor corner condo in Maui. This property runs parallel to the ocean and is situated only thirty feet from the beach.

All Gebhart condos combine luxury with convenience in a way that remains unrivaled by the standard hotels. Go online to look for your Hawaiian Condo, or call 800-545-5151.

Armour v. Knowles

Rich and famous boneheads are an endless source of enjoyment.

Jennifer Armour of Shakopee, Minnesota, has taken her lawsuit against Beyonce Knowles to a federal appeals court. Armour claims that Knowles stole her lyrics for the popular song "Baby Boy." A judge in Houston dismissed Armour's case last year. Armour's song is called "Got a Little Bit of Love for You." Her lawyer argues that the case should be tried before a federal jury.

Beckett Destroys Angels

Boston pitcher Josh Beckett overwhelmed the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday in the first game of their best-of-five series. At one point Beckett retired 19 batters in a row. Beckett's record in the regular season was 20-7. The Red Sox won 4-0.

Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz provided the offensive muscle for the Red Sox. Youkilis hammeded a solo homer over the Green Monster in the first inning. Ortiz lofted a two-run homer in the third inning.

Symark Software Security

The use of computers has given businesses the benefits of speed, convenience, and savings. But like any new technology, new ways of operating create new problems. For contemporary businesses, computer security is a leading problem. Computer criminals try in every way to breach computer systems, sometimes for financial gain and sometimes merely to commit computer vandalism.

Symark Software International is a major supplier of software security for users of UNIX and Linux systems. And now its new PowerBroker and PowerPassword software provide complete security for the new HP Integrity servers that run the HP-UX 11i v3 operating system. This new security software protects a business’s proprietary data while meeting the requirements of federal and industry rules and regulations.

Symark PowerBroker meets one essential need by protecting a system’s root account, which has traditionally been the most fragile element in business computer and software systems. PowerBroker protects against threats from both within and without.

Simultaneously, Symark PowerPassword software protects a system’s logon and password information, creating a virtual Password Vault. This provides another level of safety for the business computer user.

Finally, once Symark’s security software has been installed, the firm provides unrivaled technical support.

Cubs Go After Diamondbacks

Carlos Zambrano will be on the mound as the Chicago Cubs take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in the two teams’ first game of the National League Division Series Wednesday night. The game will be played in Phoenix.

Zambrano takes a season record of 18-13 into the game. His ERA stands at 3.95.

Brandon Webb will pitch for the Diamondbacks. His season record is 18-10 with an ERA of 3.10.

The game starts at 9:00 PM Central Time.

Firestone to Wed

Big news for Andrew Firestone fans. Andy, heir to a California wine fortune, is about to get hitched to 30-year-old model-actress Ivana Bozilovic. Both members of this duo have all the characteristics of rich and famous boneheads.

Firestone had proposed to Jen Schefft earlier, but that arrangement turned sour and went down the drain like a bottle of bad wine. Andy's dad said the whole family loved Miz Bozilovic. She appears to be just the right vintage for the Firestones.

Enjoy Luxury Vacations

If you’re ready for a luxury vacation where you’ll enjoy gourmet-inclusive meals for the discerning diner, consider one of the five Karisma resort hotels on the white-sand beaches of Mexico. Add the finest accommodations, the best entertainment, and the best service possible, and you'll have all the ingredients for the best vacation of your life.

Each of Karisma’s five hotels has its separate appeal, although all of them feature gourmet-inclusive dining. The Azul Blue Resort offers its exclusive stress-free luxury suites. Just walk through the door and forget every worry in the world.

The El Dorado Royale Resort sits on a mile of white-sand beach, protected by 450 acres of tropical rainforest. The staff here is ready to indulge your every whim. If you would like a swim-up suite, one is already waiting for you.

The El Dorado Seaside Suites feature soothing water everywhere you go. Would you like a beach-bed with white-gauze curtains? You’ll find it here. If a swim-up Jacuzzi suite appeals to you, look no more.

The Azul Beach Hotel is especially attractive for families. Do you need a stroller for your little one? The staff will get you one at once. Do mom, dad, and the kids need something to drink while on the beach? Just ask a beach butler, and enjoy your drink.

Finally, there’s the Hidden Beach Resort for adults only. Here you can enjoy life au natural. Enjoy swim-up suites and 24-hour room service. Fine food is available onsite or at the nearby El Dorado Seaside Suites.

If you’re ready for that special retreat, now is the time to check out Karisma’s All Inclusive Mexico Vacations.

No Tickets Left

If you don't already have your tickets for the two potential National League Division Series games at Wrigley Field, you're out of luck. The tickets were sold by telephone and Internet, and they went quickly.

You can still buy tickets from unofficial online vendors, but get ready to pay $300 per ticket.

Tickets for the National League Championship Series will go on sale later this week. Check the Cub Website for more information.

Too Much TV

A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that youngsters who watch more that two hours of television a day are more likely than other kids to develop aggressive behavior. The study included children between 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 years of age. These same kids are more apt to have sleep problems than children who watch less television.

The children who watched more TV also failed to develop as many social skills as the other kids.

The study involved more than 2,700 children. It substantiated what many parents have observed for years.

Compare Credit Cards

Sometimes it seems that having a credit card has become a requirement of modern life. Most retail stores will no longer accept personal checks. Don’t even think about buying gasoline with a check. You can always carry cash, but you can also lose it to a professional pickpocket.

A good credit card is a great convenience. When you travel, it’s especially useful. But how do you find out which credit card is best for you? Most of us receive offers for new credit cards almost every day. The offers always emphasize the best features of a particular card, but are those the best features for you? How can you make the comparisons you need in order to find the right card?

As it happens, CreditCardSearchEngine.com has provided online credit-card comparisons for years. It enables you to find, compare, and obtain the Best Credit Cards. These include cards with low interest, reward cards, and cards for folks who may have bad or average credit.

CreditCardSearchEngine.com can help you apply for cards offered by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. Find and compare cards issued by J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, and many others. Whether you are a student, a consumer, or a member of the business community, CreditCardSearchEngine.com can help you find the credit card that’s best for you.

Dad to the Rescue

Michael Lohan has a magic drug that will cure his daughter's problems. The drug is called Vivitrol. Dad says that one injection a month will end Lindsay's devotion to alcohol. By the time she leaves a Utah rehap factory later this month, Lindsay will be a new person.

Michael Lohan was released from prison in March after serving two years for various charges.

Dad says that the drug has a shiny new molecular structure that will fix Lindsay's craving for booze. He didn't say if it will increase her intelligence.

Mike and Lindsay will spend some time together. Dad wants to do some hiking in the mountains. Lindsay wants to go shopping.

Record at Wrigley

As the Cubs struggled to finally reach the Central Division championship in 2007, the fans turned out in record numbers. A total of 3,211,098 fans watched the Cubs slide toward certain defeat and end up with astounding victory.

This year's record surpasses any previous year in Cub history. In fact, it beats any attendance record for any athletic team in the history of Chicago. In 2007, the average attendance at Wrigley Field was 40,139.

As anyone could guess, both NLDS games to be held at Wrigley Field are already sold out.

Bariatric Surgery

Obesity in the United States has reached an epidemic level. In the year 2000, all 50 states had obesity rates of 15 percent or more. In the same year, 35 of the 50 states reported obesity levels as high as 20 percent or greater.

Some people have tried in everyway possible to lose weight, and nothing has worked. I’m not talking about the man or woman who wants to shed a few extra pounds in order to impress the gang at the local swimming pool. I’m thinking about those unfortunate men and woman who are so overweight that their lives are at risk. These people are the ones who may need bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery).

Various doctors have practiced different forms of bariatric surgery in the past. Often, these procedures have been highly invasive and presented dangers that only added to the risk the overweight patient experienced. Fortunately, newer, less-invasive forms of bariatric surgery are now available.

JourneyLite maintains weight-loss surgical facilities in California, Florida, and Texas. At these locations, skilled surgeons practice a new noninvasive weight-loss procedure known as Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB or LAP-BAND®). Using this procedure, a JourneyLite surgeon makes a small incision and places an adjustable gastric band around the upper part of the patient’s stomach. Once the band is in place, the patient eats less and no longer feels the constant hunger that leads to overeating and seriously overweight symptoms.

This procedure does not require the cutting, stapling, or rerouting of the stomach or intestines used in more primitive surgeries. LAGB is so simple that it can be performed on an out-patient basis, and the recovery period is shorter than with earlier surgical procedures. If it became necessary, the adjustable gastric band could be removed as easily as it was originally inserted.

If you are seriously overweight, ask your doctor about this new form of bariatric surgery.

Boneheads May Wed

Rich and famous boneheads Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon have obtained a marriage license in Las Vegas. In the unlikely event that anyone cares, the license is valid for one year.

Pam is an actress, and Rick is a professional gambler. Rick apparently does his gambling while playing cards. New Moon is unable to report when or where the happy event will take place.

Pam has been married twice before. New Moon doesn't know the names of the first two victims.

Additional news will probably never be available.

Britney Loses Custody

New Moon must report that Britney Spears has lost custody of her two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James. Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon awarded sole custody of the children to Kevin Federline, Britney's former husband. The two parents previously shared joint custody.

The court order that announced the decision contained no reason or reasons, although Britney's latest troubles with drugs and alcohol may have figured into the ruling.

Buy Baby Products

Everybody loves a baby—moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. I had two babies of my own. Someday they’ll have their own babies, but I don’t want to rush things.

I remember all the anxieties of being a new parent. If you are a new parent or if you have a baby on the way, you’re probably looking for a good way to find just the right baby products and services you need.

One place to start looking is at the Lilaguide.com website. This site has over 120,000 parent reviews of 32,000 baby-related businesses in more than 5,000 American communities. Lilaguide.com is your one-stop information guide for baby products.

Lilaguide.com is the Internet version of the neighborhood word-of-mouth network. Moms and dads from across the United States review all sorts of products and services for babies. At this one website, you can find advice about car seats, highchairs, strollers, baby rings, diapers, and hundreds of other products and services. Need to find a good pediatrician? Look them up on Lilaguide.com. You can also find advice on nurses and nannies. Where should you take your baby for her first haircut? Lilaguide.com has the answer.

No matter what you need for your baby, you can find good advice from parents like you at Lilaguide.com.

Cub Rally at Daley Plaza

It rained in Chicago on Monday, but that didn't prevent 20,000 fans from attending the rally at Daley Plaza in celebration of the Cub championship in the National League Central Division. The Cubs hope to win the NL pennant this year, something they haven't done since 1945. So the fans gave their loudest applause to Andy Pafko, who played with the 1945 Cubs. The Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908.

The Cub players themselves weren't at Monday's rally, having gone off to Arizona to prepare for the first game of the playoffs. No one at Daley Plaza seemed to mind.

Cubs Capture Central

During the Cubs three-game series with the Marlins, it appeared that the team had delayed its traditional June swoon until September. But Louis Pinella and his players remaining ignorant of this event. To them, it was just a bad series and not a lost cause.

Then the Cubs won two quick games from the Cincinnati Reds, and the time had come to spill a lot of Champagne. The Cubs did not have to ask the Milwaukee Brewers to lose all their remaining games. Maybe the Brewers did that, but I lost interest after the first victory over the Reds.

It's been a long time coming.

Market Your Website

If your business has an attractive, well-designed Web site, you’re halfway home. By now you’ve probably asked yourself, “How can I get people to look at my expensive site?” The simple answer is that you need customers to find your site using search engines such as Google and Yahoo. You can pay for aids such as Google AdWords, but this can be expensive, and you have to know what you’re doing.

Unless you’re already an expert, you’ll need to hire one to help you reach the search-engine ranks you need to make your business successful. You can either hire a new employee for your business, or you can find the help you need from a company or consultant. Since the help you need is short term by nature, you’ll get the best deal if you go to a reputable search engine marketing firm. You need a firm that can help you achieve Search Engine Optimization (SEO). It must also help you build the number of links that drive traffic to your site.

Not all SEO companies were created equal. One of the best is USWeb. This firm will devote a high level of attention to your business and your Website. It has the experts you need, and you can reach those experts without having to wait all day. They want your business and know how to respond to your needs. And you’ll find that USWeb provides its services at very competitive prices.

For more information about how USWeb can improve your online marketing, call Brian Ratzker at 212-404-5603, or contact him by e-mail at brian@usweb.com.

Buy Pendants Online

If you want to buy a pendant for yourself or as a gift for someone else, you could spend a great deal of time driving from one jewelry store to another. Or you could logon to Shopping.com and save yourself a great deal of trouble.

Shopping.com displays hundreds of pendants available from dozens of online jewelry stores. These pendants vary so much in price that you can find something to fit any budget. Just click on http://www.shopping.com/xDN-jewelry--pendants and you’ll find a huge collection of lovely pendants offered by a variety of vendors.

If you would like to look at something really upscale, click on http://www.shopping.com/xDN-jewelry--pendants and scroll down to the chrysanthemum pearl & diamond pendant offered for sale by Vitamaker.com. This lovely pendant features a white-gold chrysanthemum with a green Tahitian pearl and a bezel-set diamond.

At Shopping.com you can also find a beautiful pendant suitable for a modest budget. Everyone would like to live in a world at peace. Click on http://www.shopping.com/xDN-jewelry--pendants and scroll down to the white-gold diamond peace sign pendant with chain. This pendant was designed by the Morris & David Collection and is sold by ShopNBC. The pendant features 14K white gold and 38 round-cut diamonds.

The examples listed here hardly begin to show the variety of pendants, styles, and prices available. When you’re ready to shop for pendants, start looking at Shopping.com.