The Fearless Blogger

Well, its reputation at least.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times Horizon Group Management LLC, an apartment leasing and management company, has filed a libel suit against former tenant Amanda Bonnen for tweeting this to all (at the time) 22 of her followers

Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon realty thinks it’s okay.

In a deliciously ironic turn of events, the $50,000 lawsuit and remarks such as

We’re a sue first, ask questions later kind of an organization

earned Horizon Realty a spot on Twitter’s trending topics Tuesday, effectively trashing the reputation the lawsuit was purportedly intended to protect.

You can read more about this textbook case of how not to use social media here:
Chicago’s Horizon Realty Group Sues Former Tenant Over a Twitter Post — The Phoenix Real Estate Guy.

(photo credit: John Morris)

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. – Mahatma Gandhi

If you agree with Gandhi, then after reading the following two bits of news, you’ll likely agree that this nation’s greatness and moral progress have taken a couple of steps in the wrong direction.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love animals. At times, I prefer them to people (I openly admit that while watching “Marley and Me”, I thought the ending would be far more bearable if they offed one of the kids instead of the dog).

So while The News is rarely uplifting these days, I found the most recent local broadcast especially depressing. I don’t mean to be a “Debbie Downer”, but I thought a couple of stories deserve some additional attention/awareness. read more

image from oddee.com

The AP Press reported Tuesday that

International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming them as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as “probable carcinogens.”

A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.

The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others.

In case you’re among those who have missed the other memos on the dangers of UV rays and the potential side effects of tanning beds, let me state this a bit more clearly:
Tanning beds are considered DEFINITE CARCINOGENS – this means TANNING BEDS CAUSE CANCER.
read more

Be one of the first 10,000 Cost Plus World Market shoppers to register and qualify for a FREE MOVIE ticket courtesy of Cost Plus World Market and Fandango. You will receive your email on August 6th.

Two “catches” to getting the free ticket (which doesn’t cover Fandango fees – but hey, who’s complaining?)

1. You need to enter by July 29th (today)
2. Since the contest is intended for CPWM shoppers, the entry requires you enter the passkey which you received on your purchase receipt.  You can either purchases something of nominal value (Cost Plus sells gum) or you could try the passkey “movies” which allegedly will do the trick.

Be one of those first 10,000!  Get your free movie ticket now!
Cost Plus World Market Ticket Giveaway

hat tip: sampleaday.com

As you may or may not know, I’m planning on coloring my hair pink this week.

Pink hair holds a certain symbolism for me – but that’s something perhaps I’ll share in another blog post (likely once I go through with the deed).

As I’ve been looking through photos for inspiration, I happened upon a blog post titled “The Pink Hair Problem”.  It turned out not to be anything beauty or follicle related, but rather a posting in MIT’s Admissions blog.

Matt McGann (class of ’00 – which makes me feel a bit ancient!!) shares a question he received from an applicant

hey matt i’ve got a question. right now i’ve got a nose ring and bright black and pink hair. i’m applying EA to MIT and i was just wondering. for the interview…is that too unprofessional? the nose ring i could always take out but my hair?

Matt follows his point of view by sharing responses he received from other ECs (Educational Counselors, MIT’s alumni interviewers), representing various parts of the country and ranging from class of 1961 to 2003.

When it came to ear piercings, tattoos, “wild” haircuts or any other less-than-conservative-and-or-mainstream styling, my father always cautioned about first impressions and the need to get your foot in the door first, to work your way up to a place where you’re setting the rules, before limiting your opportunities because of your looks. Years later, I can’t say I entirely disagree, but was curious to hear what the good folks over at MIT had to say about the matter.

The responses include an interesting range of perspectives on the influence that less-than-conventional looks have on first impressions.

The common thread seemed to be

• first impressions do count
• demonstrate respect
• most important, be true to yourself

Regardless of age, we continuously find ourselves in situations where it’s important to balance putting our best foot forward, with letting our true colors shine through. The EC responses provide insights that can apply well beyond a college entrance interview and are worth reading.

You can find the full blog post here: MIT Admissions | Blog Entry: “The Pink Hair Problem”

What are your thoughts on first impressions?  Have you had any “pink hair problems” of your own? Please share them in the comments!