Marc Jacobs was Awarded the Title of Duke of France

Designers from the United States (U.S.) Marc Jacobs has received honorary degrees from France for his contribution to the world of fashion.

Creative director of French luxury label Louis Vuitton, has been awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (knighted in charge of art and literature) at a ceremony in Paris, Friday (22/1/2010). Such as quotes from Legal Femalefirst, Monday (25/1/2010).

This award is a prestigious event to coincide with Paris Fashion Week, which began in the French capital on Thursday (20/1/2010).

Marc Jacobs was born in New York, April 9, 1963. He is the head designer for Marc Jacobs company, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Jacobs attended the High School of Art and Design in New York City and graduated in 1981. At the age of 15 years, Jacobs worked at Charivari, a clothing boutique in New York City. Jacobs then continue their studies at the Parsons School of Design, New York City. At Parsons, Jacobs won the award "Perry Ellis Gold Thimble Award" in 1984, as well as "Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award and the Design Student of the Year Award".

Making Small Talk....

For the few months I've been employed as a cashier, I've had time to observe several psychological and social quirks present in customer service (you know I couldn't just stand there, bag groceries and pester folks about applying for credit cards).

First off is the issue of small talk itself. Personally I hate it--I mean let's be honest, when a customer asks how you doing, do they truly want to know? Nine times out of ten they're just doing what they've been taught to do in social situations. And the same goes for me--customers could care less about the inner most thoughts of my psyche or any personal problems I could be experiencing. The goal is to get in, get out and get on with our lives. Anyone who's ever worked in a grocery store, shopping, or the hellish world of fast food know's what I'm talking about. Out of all the customers you served, how many of them have you had an honest conservation in which you actually learned something about each other? Probably not too many. In my view the primary purpose of small talk is to make sure the customer doesn't walk away thinking both you and subsequently the store are raging assholes worthy of a lawsuit or a complaint.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think it's cool to be rude or insulting to customers, and everyone at least deserves a smile and nice greeting. After all, if they didn't come, I wouldn't have a job, and most people will respond to a small grin or 'Hi" positively. But small talk just seems so strange, a dance of fakery that everyone knows the steps to but doesn't know why they're swaying to the rhythm. This is further complicated by what I call "super-friendly suspiciousness."

An example: someone comes to the checkout, items are scanned, the total price is given, and they decide to pay with a credit card. I ask for ID, they give it to me, and it's expired. Or it's their parents' card that they've borrowed. I explain they I can't accept it, and the customer shoots back with a line like Well it's still me. What's the problem? At the point, it becomes a psychological game, one where I, the employee am basically saying I don't trust you. But I can't come out and say I don't trust you because I could get fired for accusing you of anything. Even though I'm basically insinuating that you could be trying to steal shit from right under my nose with an expired ID or a card that belongs to someone else.

On their end, the customer knows what I'm insinuating, but can't commence with raised voices, finger pointing, snaps and/or neck rolls, or cold stares because he's just doing his job, and if I start showing my ass, I going to look like a raging lunatic. Of course some folks live to show their ass and will put on a show anyway, but you get the point. Essentially, your job is to treat what are often total strangers with great kindness, until they give you cause for suspicion. Then they become potential threats with ulterior motives.

So what are you thoughts? Is small talk and customer service in general simply social norms or does it encourage fakery and false cheerfulness and kindness on a mass scale? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

P.S. I know this post is a little rambling, but it's about one in the morning so cut me some slack lol!

Brazilian Tennis Player Fight with Spectator

MELBOURNE - The organizers Grand Slam tennis tournament Australian Open on Tuesday (19 / 1), to investigate a fight that involved players from Brazil Marcos son Daniel with her audience.

Tournament referee ordered an investigation after the alleged incident between the 31-year-old players and spectators, during the first round match against Colombia's Alejandro Falla beat.

"The referee asked for the tournament there was an investigation into the incident," said a spokesman for the Australian Tennis Federation.

A witness who was on the sidelines saying, the fight occurred when a woman approached Daniel, ranked world's 88th. The woman was reportedly injured in the incident.

Instead Daniel is not available for comment because he had left the Melbourne Park tennis complex when the organizers were informed about the incident. As a result of the incident, Daniel accordance with the rules of the International Tennis Federation, threatened a fine of U.S. $ 10 thousand.

On the first day of the Australian Open on Monday (18 / 1), at least 11 spectators were expelled for carrying the torch as the game went on. While on Tuesday (19 / 1), four spectators were expelled for inappropriate behavior.

Nancy Brinker - Active Campaign Against Breast Cancer

A FEW days ago, a kind of madness had swept the social networking site Facebook when thousands of women users to update their status with a variety of colors like white, beige, hot pink, red, or black. Previously, could supply chain messages that invite women to write the color they wear a bra as a status on Facebook.

As confusion raged about what actually happened, tens bloger speculated that the movement is one of the new campaign for women mengingkatkan awareness about the dangers of breast cancer. Moreover, every few hours later appeared dozens of new groups on Facebook, one of them 'breast cancer awareness, I updated my status with my bra color', which has more than 33,000 fans.

Movement is just one example of other grass-roots movement in addressing the problem becomes a major threat to women, namely breast cancer. It also issues that become the main focus of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization that actively campaigning for the danger known disease called 'the silent killer' it.

Last message her sister
Nancy Brinker is, who became the initiator of the establishment of a foundation Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Early formation of this foundation because it touched by her struggle for her sister, Susan, against breast cancer she had suffered. The brother finally surrendered and the last breath at the age of 36 years. Before he died, Susan menitip message to Nancy to find a way to help half a million women in the world diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Two years after the departure of her sister, Nancy set up a foundation that became the leader of the movement against breast cancer, as well as the largest grassroots network involving activists and former
payudaya cancer patients as members. The foundation's mission, among others eradicate breast cancer by improving research, screening, education, and treatment.

When elected as U.S. ambassador to Hungary in 2001, Nancy campaigning for breast cancer awareness throughout the world. Persistence of women in raising awareness of his people about
danger of the disease, also based on his own experience as a former breast cancer patients who survived.

Since its founding in 1982, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has donated nearly U.S. $ 1.5 million for breast cancer research. The Foundation is also developing into a global network of volunteers who raise funds and raise awareness through local affiliates and sponsors various activities Komen Race for the Cure, which was first held in 1983 in Texas.

Twenty years later, the organization has sponsored more than 100 events annually around the world, and attracted more than one million participants. In addition to raising money, these activities also serve as a messenger for the support of former breast cancer patients who survived.

So no wonder if Nancy was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President of the United States Barack Obama, in August. Currently, he serves as ambassador for the WHO cancer control.

Pat Robertson: "Haiti made a pact with the Devil"

This is digusting. Pat Roberston, host of The 700 Club, blames the recent devestation of Haiti by a massive earthquake on a pact the country made with the Devil to escape French rule. Yes you read that right. Why does this man still even have a show? Who could possibly listen to this and thinks this makes sense? What makes it even worse is the black woman, (who has since been identified as Kristi Watts) nodding in agreement as Pat babbles on. Seriously, why didn't the holy spirit of common sense rise up in her and guide her to slap him? Anyways, watch the clip below:

Two Love Rules for 2010

RESOLUTION 2010 is still continuing and would always mention the love affair. Love also need the formula, not just the proximity of emotion without definite purpose.
For you seekers of love, the following two basic rules about the romance by shine.yahoo.com.

The first rule:

Planning is an integral part of the process in a relationship. "We will meet at this time and in this place", is an example assertion that you should say before the date. The attitude has become part of the resolution of your love this year.

Avoid dating without a plan and seemed in doubt, for example through the words, "I'll let you and we can decide then, will date where". This declaration makes women feel unappreciated.

You certainly will feel the best lovers when he knew when and where a date this week. With planning, you can prepare everything better, including giving a surprise at a dinner date.

Second rule

This year it's time to metamorphosed. Keep a sentence in Latin, "carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero" which means "petiklah day and believe me little as possible about tomorrow."

The meaning behind it, you are encouraged to take advantage of today's live more optimally do not put things off for tomorrow. That way we can better utilize the time allotted to them optimally.

If associated with love affairs, it's time to stop letting opportunities that are before. This year to no longer behave like a dumb ass.

It's time to say "goodbye" to the monotonous habits that prevent the opportunity to get the heart idol. Open opportunity with more mix and form a network of friends. You can go to the performing arts, rock, comedy, and cultural events to broaden relationships.

Mariah, You On Fiyah!

Don't get me wrong, I like Mariah (I don't know if I'd call myself a full-fledged lamb...her last few releases don't hold a candle to her 90's stuff), but this was just soooooo hilarious. Obviously Mimi was more than a little tipsy when she accepted this award for Best Newcomer for her role in Precious. A side note: how can MC be a best newcomer when she's already made Glitter (a disaster) and appeared in Wisegirls (which I actually thought she was good in)? Anyways, watch the clip below:

Black Gay Male Pledge of Allegiance

Via loldarian.blogspot.com.

The video by senior history major Derrick at Florida A&M University gives a list of things we as black gay men should pledge to do in 2010, from learning about important figures such as Bayard Rustin, to simply loving ourselves as we are.

Derrick tells loldarian.com "he was inspired to create this pledge while thinking about all of the black gay men who struggle daily with their sexual orientation"."It is my goal that black gay men will ground themselves in self acceptance and self love and will refuse to internalize the hatred of other people. This is a new day and this is our pledge", adds Derrick.

I think this pledge should be taken up by every black gay man. We've all either struggled or watched others struggle with being gay, religious condemnations, alienation from family, and self-esteem. Hopefully more and more of us will be able to live out this pledge throughout the new year and beyond. Watch the video below: