Thursday, January 26, 2012

NASA's Kepler confirms 26 new planets


The US space agency said Thursday its Kepler space telescope mission has confirmed 26 new planets outside our solar system, all of them orbiting too close to their host stars to sustain life. Scattered across 11 planetary systems, their temperatures would be too hot for survival, as they all circle their stars closer than Venus, the second planet from the Sun, which has a surface temperature of 464 Celsius (867 F). But NASA scientists were still pleased with the findings, which nearly double the number of confirmed planets that Kepler has found since 2009.

"Now, in just two years staring at a patch of sky not much bigger than your fist, Kepler has discovered more than 60 planets and more than 2,300 planet candidates," he added. "This tells us that our galaxy is positively loaded with planets of all sizes and orbits." 

In December last year, NASA announced Kepler had confirmed its first-ever planet in a habitable zone outside our solar system, Kepler 22b, though it remained unclear whether the surface was rocky or gaseous. Such planets have the right distance from their star to support water, plus a suitable temperature and atmosphere to support life. Spinning around its star some 600 light years away, Kepler 22b is 2.4 times the size of the Earth and orbits its Sun-like star every 290 days. The 26 planets that Kepler confirmed on Thursday orbit their stars between every six and 143 days. AP


Air Jordan 2012 “Year of the Dragon”


Sporting three cushioning systems and no release date, the Air Jordan 2012 “Year of the Dragon” is as mysterious as it is luxurious. This high-end hoop shoe features premium leather, Flywire, and mesh construction to the tune of a bright blue and yellow color palette. MadOne



Air Jordan 2012 "Year of the Dragon"

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Spike Lee presents President Obama with a pair of Spizikes "Bordeaux"


Deep in the middle of an NBA Thursday night doubleheader, some friend of a friend re-tweeted something Spike Lee tossed out on Twitter. Surprised though we were that Spike Lee has a Twitter account, we pressed on to find this rather remarkable picture of Lee with President Barack Obama, and a particularly fetching pair of Air Jordan sneakers that Lee (a Nike endorser) apparently gave to the commander in chief. That is something else, hipsters and finger-poppin' daddies.

Through Trey Kerby at The Basketball Jones, we learned that this particular style of Jordans will come out in February under the "Bordeaux" title, they'll be priced at a ridiculous $175 a pair, and the shoes also feature Spike's "40 Acres and a Mule" logo (the famed name of Lee's production company). MadOne

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Michael Jordan thinks only Kobe Bryant deserves comparisons


Ever since Michael Jordan retired — all three times, really — the NBA has searched for the heir to his throne. Many players have popped up as pretenders to the throne, from Harold Miner to Jerry Stackhouse to Vince Carter. In recent years, people have stopped trying to find a clone and just searched for a similarly dominant great player. If you ever wondered why LeBron James is seen as such a failure, a lot of it has to do with his inability to meet the example set by Jordan. There are many great players in the NBA these days, most of whom have never been directly compared to Jordan. Nevertheless, His Airness says only one player comes close enough to his greatness to merit the comparison. Not surprisingly, that player is Kobe Bryant. Here's what Roland Lazenby, a great writer currently working on a Jordan book, tweeted on Sunday:
Kobe's ultimate competition is MJ. That's why MJ watches him. MJ made people think what he was doing wasn't human. Ditto the Kobester
I never said Kobe was better than MJ. MJ just told me Kobe's the only one to have done the work, to deserve comparison.
Congratulations, Kobe: Your life's work has meant something. All that time spent aping Jordan's movements and skills has paid off. He acknowledged you. You made it. Of course, if the notoriously petty Jordan was going to mention anyone, it makes that he'd single out Kobe, and not just because he'd consider the mimicry flattering. Bryant really does work harder than everyone else, and he's been good for long enough (with no signs of slowing down) that he may eventually top Jordan's longevity. They're similarly insane competitors. The "Next Jordan" idea was always a silly one, but Bryant is certainly the player most like Jordan in all aspects of his game — even if he eventually becomes something less than the greatest player of the post-MJ era, which I'm sure many of you will argue in the comments. That's an accomplishment in itself. Even coming close to the top means something. MadOne

Monday, January 16, 2012

2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet Report

Charlize Theron
Grade: A Best Actress nominee Charlize Theron (“Young Adult”) turned heads in her plunging Dior Haute Couture gown and vintage Cartier jewels.


Angelina Jolie
Grade: A+
Angelina Jolie had jaws dropping in her dramatic white Atelier Versace gown, which featured a pop of bright red trim. The actress/director, whose movie “In the Land of Blood and Honey” was nominated for Best Foreign Film, accessorized with matching red lips, a Christian Louboutin “Pharaon” clutch, white Versace shoes, and Lorraine Schwartz earrings.

Amy Poehler
Grade: C+ We love Best Actress nominee Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”), but it was hard to see her star shine through in his particular ensemble since her blond locks practically blended into her matronly beaded Naeem Khan gown


Amber Riley
Grade: B+

“Glee” star Amber Riley looked better than ever in her red ruffled strapless gown and long locks

Claire Danes
Grade: A-
Best Actress winner Claire Danes ("Homeland") was the epitome of sophistication in her J. Mendel gown, which featured a sexy cut-out back. Bulgari jewels completed her ensemble.

Giuliana Rancic
Grade: B The E! personality and "Fashion Police" panelist was one of the many stars taking part in the nude dress trend.


Freida Pinto
Grade: B
While Freida Pinto stunned in her Prada gown and gorgeous Chopard necklace (and really, when doesn’t she look fab?), we would’ve preferred to see the “Slumdog Millionaire” star show off her svelte bod in a more form-fitting dress


Emma Stone
Grade: A- Emma Stone has emerged as one Hollywood’s most stylish starlets and she did not disappoint at the 2012 Golden Globes in her purple-and-fuchsia Lanvin gown, which she accessorized with an eagle-adorned leather belt


Debra Messing
Grade: A- She may be in the middle of a divorce, but “Smash” star Debra Messing was all smiles on the red carpet in her black one-shoulder Monique Lhuillier frock. Think she was trying to draw attention to the fact that she’s ditched her wedding ring by donning a green piece of bling on her middle finger?


Emily Deschanel: Grade: C- The brunette “Bones” beauty disappointed in this blue draped BCBG Max Azria gown and Bulgari jewels


Jane Lynch
Grade: B

“Glee’s” Jane Lynch traded in her character Sue Sylvester’s signature Adidas tracksuit for a plunging silk chiffon David Meister dress. She cleans up nicely


Adam Levine and James Valentine
Grade: B+ The Maroon 5 bandmates got all decked out for the black-tie affair.


Jessica Alba
Grade: A
You’d never know that Jessica Alba gave birth six months ago! The actress was a stunner in her strapless lavender embroidered Gucci gown, which she topped off with Bulgari jewels

Jessica Biel
Grade: D- Newly engaged Jessica Biel looked ready to walk down the aisle in this lacy Elie Saab mess of a dress.


Leonardo DiCaprio
Grade: B A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, who was up for a best actor award for his role in the biopic "J. Edgar," walked the red carpet in a classic black two-button Giorgio Armani tuxedo.


Laura Dern
Grade: A Best Actress winner Laura Dern (“Enlightened”) sparkled from head to toe in an emerald gown by Andrew Gn. Simply stunning


Kelly Osbourne
Grade: B+
The "Fashion Police" judge's Zac Posen dress -- which she styled with a Judith Leiber clutch and Vhernier jewels -- was fabulous, from its flattering fit to its vibrant blue hue. The only problem? Osbourne’s got to do something about that gray hair!


Kate Winslet
Grade: A-
The always classy Kate Winslet, who took home the Globe for Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television winner (“Mildred Pierce”) -- sported a sideswept ‘do and an elegant black-and-white Jenny Packham creation for the occasion

Jodie Foster
Grade: B+ Best Actress nominee Jodie Foster (“Carnage”) sparkled in a strapless teal gown by Giorgio Armani. A sleek bob and a smile completed her lovely look.


Elton John and David Furnish
Grade: B+ The musician -- nominated for Best Original Song -- and his partner added some funky touches to their tuxes: a panther pin for Elton, and a patterned jacket and studded shoes for David


Kate Beckinsale
Grade: A+ Kate Beckinsale absolutely stunned in this sequined strapless Roberto Cavalli gown. Decadent diamond bracelets and earrings along with a sexy upswept ‘do made her look even hotter!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Detroit Auto Show 2012: Ford pushes the 2013 Fusion to 100 mpg


Later this year, Ford Motor Co. will launch this: the 2013 Ford Fusion midsize sedan in three variations — including a plug-in hybrid that gets 100 mpg, besting every other liquid-powered vehicle for sale to the American public. It could be a winning equation, but there's a few key variables Ford hasn't revealed.

The current Fusion has turned into a mainstay of Ford's lineup, and the most popular car built by an American automaker, with sales hitting 248,067 in 2011. For its redesign, Ford will run the same play it's called on with the smaller Fiesta and Focus −- build one version of the Fusion for sale worldwide, using the Mondeo name in Europe and elsewhere, to lower costs while raising quality. Assembled in Mexico and Michigan, styled in Europe to follow the new Ford global look, two of its three engines will be built in Spain and England. All three of those engines will be four-cylinder units, in line with the trend among downsized motors for midsize sedans. The base 2-liter four returns with 170 hp and 170 lb.-ft. of torque; the top engine is now a 2-liter EcoBoost turbocharged plant with 237 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque — a step down from the top 3.5-liter V6 offered now. MadOne



Sunday, January 8, 2012

Kicks On The Hardwood: Jan 8th, 2012

Kobe Bryant in the Nike Zoom Kobe VII Supreme "Del Sol"
Nate Robinson shooting in the Air Jordan 13 "Playoffs"

Monta Ellis handling the ball in the Air Jordan 11 "Silver Anniversary" and Raja Bell wearing the Nike Zoom Kobe VI


Blake !!!

Monta Ellis laying it up in the Air Jordan 8.0 "Aqua"

Carmelo Anthony wearing the Jordan Melo M8 "Blackout"

John Wall (right) wearing the Reebok Zig Encore

Greg Monroe defending in the Air Jordan 3 "True Blue"

Ray Allen passing the ball in the Jordan Fly 23

Tyrus Thomas defending in the Air Jordan 13 "Flint"

Brandon Knight passing the ball in the adidas Crazy 8

Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard in the adidas adiZero Rose 2 and the adidas adiPower Howard, respectively

Terrence Williams and Kevin Durant in the Nike Zoom Kobe VI and the Nike Zoom KD IV, respectively

Dominic McGuire and Kobe Bryant in the Air Jordan 11 "Concord" and the Nike Zoom Kobe VII "Concord", respectively

Stephen Jackson and Blake Griffin in the Air Jordan 14 "Last Shot" and the Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011, respectively

Kevin Durant posting up in the Nike Zoom KD IV

LeBron James dunking in the Nike LeBron 9


Nate Robinson laying it up in the Air Jordan 13 "Playoffs"