Air Jordan 2012 “University Blue”

The latest innovative design from Jordan Brand is the Air Jordan 2012. Today, we bring you detailed photos of the “University Blue” pair, which features a mainly suede base and lightweight Flywire construction, along with Flight Carbon support. The first thing that pops out is the three-tier box that accommodates the performance basketball sneaker. The top box actually holds the shoes, while the second box holds the bootie inserts (low and high top). The third pullout accommodates the three insoles for the kicks (Fly Around, Fly Over, and Fly Through). The Air Jordan 2012 “University Blue” will be available at the Nice Kicks shop on February 8th, 2012. Nicekicks

Air Jordan 2012
University Blue/White-Dark Steel Grey
484654-400
February 8, 2012
$223

Air Jordan 2012 "University Blue" Booties

Air Jordan 2012 "University Blue" Packaging

Air Jordan 2012 "Fly Around" cushioning

Air Jordan 2012 "Fly Over" cushioning

Air Jordan 2012 "Fly Through" cushioning

Jordan CP3.V Stealth/Varsity Red

Chris Paul’s fifth signature shoe features multiple characteristics that are personal to CP3. Performance-wise, the Jordan CP3.V is the lightest Chris Paul signature shoe to date and features Flywire technology and Podulon cushioning. This pair, spotted today, makes use of a stealth grey upper with varsity red and white accents on the midsole, laces, branding and inner liner. NiceKicks

Jordan CP3.V
Stealth/Varsity Red-Light Graphite-White
487428-005
March 2012
$120

adidas adiZero Rose 2.5

Following its popular predecessor, the adidas adiZero Rose 2.5 offers a slimmed down silo with cityscape detail and lightweight construction. Both, the white-base “Home” colorway and pictured “Away” makeup will launch today at Shop adidas. NiceKicks

adidas adiZero Rose 2.5
Black/Running White-Light Scarlet
G48837
February 2, 2012
$110

 

McDonald’s no longer using ‘pink slime’ chemical in hamburgers

McDonald's announced last week that, as of last August, is has stopped using ammonium hydroxide in the production of its hamburgers. MSNBC reports that the chemical, used in fertilizers, household cleaners and even homemade explosives, was also used to prepare McDonalds' hamburger meat. And while the announcement is making headlines, you may (or may not) want to know about some other unusual chemicals being used in the production of some of our most-popular foods: The International Business Times lists some other questionable chemicals showing up in our foods:

Propylene glycol: This chemical is very similar to ethylene glycol, a dangerous anti-freeze. This less-toxic cousin  prevents products from becoming too solid. Some ice creams have this  ingredient; otherwise you'd be eating ice.

Carmine: Commonly found in red food coloring, this chemical comes from crushed cochineal, small red beetles that burrow into cacti. Husks of the beetle are ground up and forms the basis for red coloring found in foods ranging from cranberry juice to M&Ms.

Shellac: Yes, this chemical used to finish wood products also gives some candies their sheen. It comes from the female Lac beetle.

L-cycsteine: This common dough enhancer comes from hair, feathers, hooves and bristles.

Lanolin (gum base): Next time you chew on gum, remember this. The goopiness of gum comes from lanolin, oils from sheep's wool that is also used  for vitamin D3 supplements.

Silicon dioxide: Nothing weird about eating sand, right? This anti-caking agent is found in many foods including shredded cheese and fast food chili.

The food industry uses ammonium hydroxide as an anti-microbial agent in meats, which allows McDonald's to use otherwise "inedible meat."

On his show, Jamie Oliver said of the meat treatment: "Basically we're taking a product that would be sold in the cheapest form for dogs and making it 'fit' for humans." Even more disturbing, St. Louis-based dietician Sarah Prochaska told NBC affiliate KSDK that because ammonium hydroxide is considered part of the "component in a production procedure" by the USDA, consumers may not know when the chemical is in their food. MadOne

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

KOBESYSTEM: LEVEL 1 SUCCESS

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"

KobeSystem Level 2: Adaptation

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

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

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!

Underground Jukebox: Smoke DZA - Less Smoking, More Rapping