Alexandra Burke Has Become Fastest Selling Female Solo Artist

This years X Factor show was probably one of the best we have had for a while. Talent in Britain is getting a lot more developed and some bright new stars are being born. This year we witnessed some great talent from the show, but from that Alexandra Burke emerged. She is a very talented individual with a huge voice.

Her debut single has made her the biggest success for a long time as she becomes one of the fastest selling female artists ever; her latest single has sold over 576,000 in its first week of release via CD sales and downloads.

There were in fact three versions of the song that were released all at the same time and it is the first time in history that two songs which are of the same have hit top spots in the charts. A 1994 version by Jeff Buckley, who drowned in Memphis in May 1997 aged 30, finished at number two as a result of download sales, boosted by a high-profile internet campaign by fans of his recording.

The song in question is Hallelujah and this has in fact been recorded and released well over 170 times since it was first written over 20 years ago. The song was written by Leonard Cohen and took him over one year to write and perfect, with more than 70 verses being created.

Alexandra Burke though is a great talent to the UK; she has a big voice and a huge personality to go along with it. Sent home in the X Factor 3 years ago by judge and mentor Louis Walsh, she never gave up on her dream to be a singer. Three years later she had matured an incredible amount and delivered outstanding performances week after week.

She has two songs sitting nicely in the Top 40 which is an incredible start for the talented singer. Firstly she hit the number one spot with her fellow contestants when they released a cover of the Mariah Carey song Hero and now with Hallelujah Alexandra Burke has already branded herself as one of the UK's top performers and so she should be.

Do we have another global diva on our hands that was born from the X Factor like Leona Lewis? Well only time can tell and although personally I don't think Alexandra has the vocal range Leona has but she has other valuable qualities that will hopefully make her a great diva.

Tragedy to Triumph: One Man's Story of How He Survived Katrina

Hurricane Katrina survivor and Louisiana native, Terry Fortia knew he was a good cook, but he never imagined his culinary skills, would someday make him one of Hollywood's hottest chefs. Fortia has served up dishes to many celebrities including Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, Ludacris, Kate Moss, Rachel Bilson, Adam Brody, Stevie Wonder, and more. As resident chef at L.A.'s Memphis restaurant, Fortia's recipe for success began with pots, pans, and a dash of ambition.

As a child, Fortia was always interested in cooking. He would spend his time watching his grandmother and mother cook in the kitchen. But it wasn't until Fortia's first job as a dishwasher at the New Orleans Petroleum Club that his destiny became clearer.

A chef by the name of Carlos, sparked his interest by teaching him more about cooking. An attentive Fortia began taking mental notes, building his resume at other restaurants, while exploring the world of culinary arts.

"I call [my training] the school of hard knocks. I didn't think about going to school to be a chef. It just so happened that I got my first job as a dishwasher, and it just automatically happened," said Fortia.

As an adult, Fortia's life in Louisiana was both exciting and content. He had found his niche in the kitchen, and his conditions were stable. He was even looking forward to purchasing a new home for his wife and their five children.

Hurricane Katrina

Then news came that a hurricane named Katrina was on the way.

"My wife and I were planning on evacuating with my uncle, but she didn't wanna leave her mother, so we ended up going to her mother's house and riding the storm out [over] there in uptown New Orleans."

Like many evacuees, his family packed lightly. According to Fortia, family packed "a few outfits, water, canned goods, batteries, flashlights..."

While Fortia was "riding the storm out," on August 29, levees separating two lakes breached, and flooded roughly 80% of New Orleans, inciting a power outage, and submerging entire communities under water.

After Katrina: The Dream Center

After the storms and flooding subsided, Fortia and his family were living in a backroom shelter for a week, when they heard of an enticing offer.

The Dream Center, a large shelter and religious organization in Los Angeles, CA was offering families the option of relocating to their Dream Center shelter in Los Angeles. Fortia was looking forward to having "beds, rooms, and cleaner facilities," where his family could live without separation.

While awaiting his flight in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana airport, Fortia has a chance meeting with NBC Nightly News anchor, Brian Williams. Williams introduced himself and began making casual conversation. "[Williams] didn't approach me like, 'Are you a Katrina victim?' He wasn't looking for something like that. He just started talking like if you and I were at a bus stop or something," said Fortia.

Later that evening, William's broadcast included his interview with Fortia.

Memphis employees watched Fortia on NBC's Nightly News and they were interested in meeting him to discuss a possible job opportunity. Shortly after Fortia's broadcast, they drove to the Dream Center and left contact information for Fortia.

Once Fortia saw southern dishes on the Memphis menu, he said, "This is right up my alley!"

When Fortia was ready to interview with Memphis, he got another helping hand.

Actor, Windsor Harmon, who plays "Thorne Forrester" on The Bold and the Beautiful, had already spent two weeks with Fortia at the Dream Center and offered to drive him to the restaurant. "I was stuck in disbelief," said Fortia. Soon after, Fortia was cooking up a storm, at Memphis.

"I'm blessed to work here," he said. "I have my own job and everything, but you wonder what it would be like if the storm didn't hit. Everybody's trying to get their life back on track," said Fortia.

Although the cost of property in Los Angeles is discouraging, as a father, Fortia is pleased that his children are receiving a better education.

"One of the things I like about L.A. is the school system [is] much better. The worst school here is probably better than the best school [in Louisiana], and it's sad to say. The texas school board wouldn't allow [Louisiana teachers who applied for jobs] to teach because they weren't qualified. That just goes to show you what Louisiana think of its kids education."

What Does the Future Hold?

Fortia has his sights set on opening a restaurant. He already has a theme and menu in mind. His missing ingredient is a partner who will share his vision. His success is the result of the selfless compassion and generosity of strangers, in addition to his strong faith.

"You always have to have faith in God. I knew my God wasn't gonna forsake me. I just knew it was gonna come, I didn't know when, but it came. If you don't have faith, you don't have anything. That's what I think."

Nearly one year post Katrina, Louisiana and many other states still look like a war zone. During an emotional March 8, 2006, press conference country singers Faith Hill and Tim McGraw said they're "embarrassed," and "humiliated" at the Katrina reconstruction effort.

Rock for Love 4 Interview

Marvin Stockwell and Jeff Hullett talk about Rock for Love 4, an epic music event held each year for the Church Health Center, an organization that provides affordable health care to uninsured working people of Memphis, TN. This year's line up is great. Find out more at churchhealthcenter.org or http



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnZT5D0oiFM&hl=en

Why I Chose Southwest - Ron Willis

Insurance agency owner Ron Willis chose to get his associates degree from Southwest and you can too. To learn more about Southwest, please visit our website at ?www.southwest.tn.edu Southwest, Your Best Choice!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXiVU_c9XyY&hl=en

Data Mining Social Networks, Smart Phone Data, and Other Data Base, Yet Maintaining Privacy

Is it possible to data mine social networks in such a way to does not hurt the privacy of the individual user, and if so, can we justify doing such? It wasn't too long ago the CEO of Google stated that it was important that they were able to keep data of Google searches so they can find disease, flu, and food born medical clusters. By using this data and studying the regions in the searches to help fight against outbreaks of diseases, or food borne illnesses in the distribution system. This is one good reason to store the data, and collect it for research, as long as it is anonomized, then theoretically no one is hurt.

Unfortunately, this also scares the users, because they know if the searches are indeed stored, this data can be used against them in the future, for instance, higher insurance rates, bombardment of advertising, or get them put onto some sort of future government "thought police" watch-list. Especially considering all the political correctness, and new ways of defining hate speech, bullying, and what is, what isn't, and what might be a domestically home-grown terrorist. The future concept of the thought police is very scary to most folks.

Usually if you want to collect data from a user, you have to give them something back in return, and therefore they are willing to sign away certain privacy rights on that data in trade for the use of such services; such as on their cell phone, perhaps a free iPhone app or a virtual product in an online social network.

Artificially Intelligent Search Features

It is no surprised that AI search features are getting smarter, even able to anticipate your next search question, or what you are really trying to ask, even second guessing your question for instance. Now then, let's discuss this for a moment. Many folks very much enjoy the features of Amazon.com search features, which use artificial intelligence to recommend potential other books, which they might be interested in. And therefore the user probably does not mind giving away information about itself, for this upgraded service or ability, nor would the person mind having cookies put onto their Web browser.

Nevertheless, these types of systems are always exploited for other purposes. For instance consider the Federal Trade Commission's do not call list, and consider how many corporations, political party organizations, and all of their affiliates and partners were able to bypass these rules due to the fact that the consumer or customer had bought something from them in the last six months. This is not what consumers or customers had in mind when they decided they wanted to have this "do not call list" and the resultant and response from the market place, well, it proves we cannot trust the telecommunication companies, their lobbyists, or the insiders within their group (many of which over the years have indeed been somehow connected to the intelligence agencies - AT&T - NSA Echelon for example.)

Now then, this article is in no way to be considered a conspiracy theory, it is just a known fact, yes national security does need access to such information, and often it might be relevant, catching bad guys, terrorists, spies, etc. The NSA is to protect the American People. However, when it comes to the telecommunication companies, their job is to protect shareholder's equity, maximize quarterly profits, expand their business models, and create new profit centers in their corporations.

Thus, such user data will be and has been exploited for future profits against the wishes of the consumer, without the consumer benefiting from free services for lower prices in any way. If there is an explained reason, trade-off, and a monetary consideration, the consumer might feel obliged to have additional calls bothering them while they are at home, additional advertising, and tracking of their preferences for ease of use and suggestions. What types of suggestions?

Well, there is a Starbucks two-blocks from here, turn right, then turn left and it is 200 yards, with parking available; "Sale on Frappachinos for gold-card holders today!" In this case the telecommunication company tracks your location, knows your preferences, and collects a small fee from Starbucks, and you get a free-phone, and 20% off your monthly 4G wireless fee. Is that something a consumer might want; when asked 75% of consumers or smart phone users say; yes. See that point?

In the future smart phones may have data transferred between them, rather than going through a given or closest cell tower. In other words, packets of information may go from your cell phone, to the next nearest cell phone, to another near cell phone, to the person which is intended to receive it. And the data passing through each mobile device, will not be able to read any of the information which was it is not assigned to receive as it wasn't sent to it. By using such a scheme telecommunication companies can expand their services without building more new cell towers, and therefore they can lower the price.

However, it also means that when you lay your cell phone on the table, and it is turned on it would be constantly passing data through it, data which is not yours, and you are not getting paid for that, even though you had to purchase the smart phone. But if the phone was given to you, with a large battery, so it wouldn't go dead during all those transmissions, you probably wouldn't care, as long as your data packets of information were indeed safe and no one else could read them.

This technology exists now, and is being discussed, and consider if you will that the whole strategy of networking smart cell phones or personal tech devices together is nothing new. For instance, the same strategies have been designed for satellites, and to use an analogy, this scheme is very similar to the strategies FedEx uses when it sends packages to the next nearest FedEx office if that is their destination, without sending all of the packages all the way across the country to the central Memphis sort, and then all the way back again. They are saving time, fuel, space, and energy, and if cell phones did this it would save the telecommunication companies mega bucks in the savings of building new cell towers.

As long as you got a free cell phone, which many of us do, unless we have the mega top of the line edition, and if they gave you a long-lasting free battery it is win-win for the user. You probably wouldn't care, and the telecommunication companies could most likely lower the cost of services, and not need to upgrade their system, because they can carry a lot more data, without hundreds of billions of dollars in future investments.

Also a net centric system like this is safer to disruption in the event of an emergency, when emergency communications systems take precedence, putting every cell phone user as secondary traffic at the cell towers, which means their calls may not even get through.

Next, the last thing the telecommunication company would want to do is to data mine that data, or those packets of information from people like a soccer mom calling her son waiting at the bus stop at school. And anyone with a cell phone certainly wouldn't want their packets of information being stolen from them and rerouted because someone near them hacked into the system and had a cell phone that was displaying all of their information.

You can see the problems with all this, but you can also see the incredible economies of scale by making each and every cell phone a transmitter and receiver, which it already is in principle anyway, at least now for all data you send and receive. In the new system, if all the data which is closest by is able to transfer through it, and send that data on its way. The receiving cell phone would wait for all the packets of data were in, and then display the information.

You can see why such a system also might cause people to have a problem with it because of what they call net neutrality. If someone was downloading a movie onto their iPad using a 3G or 4G wireless network, it could tie up all the cell phones nearby that were moving the data through them. In this case, it might upset consumers, but if that traffic could be somewhat delayed by priority based on an AI algorithm decision matrix, something simple, then such a tactic for packet distribution plan might allow for this to occur without disruption from the actual cell tower, meaning everyone would be better off. Therefore we all get information flow faster, more dispersed, and therefore safer from intruders. Please consider all this.

References;

"Privacy on the Line - The Politics of Wiretapping and Encryption," by Whitfield Diffie and Susan Landau, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, (1999), pp. 364, ISBN: 0-262-04167-7.

Wall Street Journal Article; "On the Web's Cutting Edge, Anonymity in Name Only," by Emily Steel and Julia Angwin.

WSJ article; "The Great Privacy Debate," by Jim Harper of Cato Institute, and Nicholas Carr author, Saturday-Sunday Edition, August 7-8, 2010.

Looking for insurance for you!

When you need Tennessee car insurance you should know the state laws before you start looking for your policy. This will allow you to only buy what is required by the state and stay away from buying extra coverage that isn't really needed. When you only buy the required coverage you can save money in many cases.

There are many ways that you can try and save on your policy, so use every way that is available to you. One way to get savings is through the use of those discounts that you can use. Some examples would be a good driver discount, multiple car discounts, or many others that are out there.

Plus we all know the tricks to adjusting that deductible that is set on your policy. The higher the amount you have the lower your policy rates should be. This is because that insurance company will be less likely to ever have to pay you money on a claim. So they feel a bit safer giving you a bit better rate.

You just need to make sure that you are comfortable with that amount you've set your deductible too. Because if you drive a lot and are around a bunch of traffic you may be more likely to be in accidents.

Having to pay that deductible amount to get your vehicle fixed and be able to use may convince you to set a lower deductible. Really thinking out this part of your policy is suggested so you're not stuck without a car and paying that huge amount of money out.

Some of those recommended coverage's are a good idea if you can afford them. By using those discounts and making your deductible higher you can make them more affordable. Again this can be based on the area that you live in if you feel you need to buy them or not.

Sometimes it's nice to have that uninsured coverage even if your state doesn't require it. But if you live in the country or a less populated area you may not need to worry as much about it. Again think about these ideas and decide what type of coverage you may want to addition.

and buy insurance online is a great way to not worry about things. You can also configure it to pay from your bank account each month. This is a great way to make sure that no late payment accounts and do not worry about getting your cancellation policy.

Car Hire USA - Top Driving Routes

1. Route 66 - Los Angeles to Chicago

This iconic route is definitely the most famous drive in the States, and rightfully so! 'Get your kicks on route 66' as the song goes, starting at Los Angeles and cruising east towards Chicago, where you'll take in the neon strips, dusky backwaters and quirky, movie style diners, motels and gas stations of America's favourite freeway.

You'll meander across the sun and sand of the City of Angels and through the dusty red rocky mountains of the Grand Canyon. Next comes the Native American settlements of the Southwest, and then on to the towering skyscrapers of Chicago - 'The Windy City'. It's the perfect choice if you're touching down at Los Angeles or Chicago Airport.

2. Pacific Coast - Olympic National Park to San Diego

Travel the 1,500 miles along the West Coast of America. Ideal if you're landing in at San Diego or Vancouver Airport (Canada), this drive snakes alongside the Pacific Ocean, taking in the lush greenery and quaint harbour towns of Washington State, the flowing waters of the Columbia River, the tranquil Oregon countryside and the sun soaked surfer shores of Southern California. You'll take in a variety of cities and towns, a wealth of landscapes and a huge cross section of people, not to mention the most majestic of scenery.

3. Atlantic Coast - New York City to Florida

This tour of America's east coast is a real eye opener... take the Interstate 95 route from the famous Statue of Liberty through the streets of New York City to the strands, piers and beach towns that pepper the East coastline. You'll pass through the neon wonderland of Atlantic City and it's countless casinos, the searing heat of motor haven Daytona Beach and the exotically Latin party capital of Miami in Florida, before pulling up at Key West. Offering a colourful palette of scenery, towns and people, this route is essential if your flying into New York or Miami.

4. One Border to Another - Arizona to Canada's Rocky Mountains

Perfect if you're touching down at Los Angeles or Calgary Airport (Canada), this route starts with the arid sands of Arizona, snaking along Highway 93 towards the oases of Sonora Desert. Passing through the Grand Canyon via Route 66, you'll come next to 'The Loneliest Road' - a majestically beautiful but very quiet stretch leading up to the gamblers utopia of Las Vegas.

You'll then hit the Oregon Trail, crossing the lava flows and the Snake River of Idaho, before hitting the alpine landscapes of Sun Valley, America's upmarket ski centre par excellence. This gives way to the captivating landscapes of Western Montana, then the valleys, ski trails and alpine contours of Glacier National Park, and finally onto the imposing Canadian Rockies. Stretching thousands of miles, this route isn't for the faint hearted, but it's a fabulous and varied drive that captures excellently the different landscapes and ways of life that make up America.

5. America's Loneliest Road - San Francisco to Ocean City

This symbolic drive slices right through the middle of America, running from coast to coast over some 3,200 miles along Highway 50. You'll start with the famous hilled streets of San Francisco and move on through California to the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Once you reach Nevada it's just you, the mountains and the blazing sunshine, before you hit the dusky red cliffs of Colorado and then the rural backwaters of the iconic and typically American Santa Fe Trail.

You'll continue on through Kansas, St Louis and the Mississippi River before hitting the West Virginia forests and on through Washington DC, home of the White House. Next comes the Maryland Coastline and Ocean City, where your epic journey across Americana finally comes to an end. Of course you can do the route in reverse - either way it's a must if you're landing in at San Francisco International or Washington Dulles Airport.

6. The Great Mississippi River Road, Minnesota to Louisiana

This incredible route follows the majestic Mississippi as it carves through the body of America, starting in the Cajun country leading up to the soulful city of New Orleans, and following the river right up to the headwaters in Minnesota. You'll pass through farmlands, rich forests, swamps and rocky cliffs as the road bisects Kentucky and Tennessee (home to Elvis's Graceland in Memphis) then Missouri and Illinois, witnessing some of the most iconic imagery of Americana.

Made famous by the literary works of Mark Twain, the legendary 'Big Muddy' snakes through Iowa, Wisconsin and on through the famous writer's home, taking in a plethora of towns, landscapes and scenery. the GRR shows you the beauty of 'the free world', as well as it's sprawling industrial underbelly, before finally finishing in the rocky mountains of Minnesota. Perfect if you're flying into New Orleans International!

7. Southern Pacific Road - California to Georgia

Running 3000 miles cross country along the southern states of America, this fascinating drive along Highway 80 starts with the lush seashores of San Diego and motors through the cacti filled deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. On the way you'll pass through the former bandit town of El Paso on the US-Mexico border (a must for fans of the old Spaghetti Western genre!) before hitting the stalwart Southern states of texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

You'll pass through the land of Southern Belles, mouth-watering BBQs, boiled shrimp and lobster menus and roguish gents in cowboy hats! Touch upon the darker side of the American dream by following the route of Bonnie & Clyde, seeing the site of JFK's assassination in Dallas or visiting the Wild West Tombstone.

You'll experience the very soul of music as you motor along towards Georgia, passing through the hometowns of famous Rock, R'n'B and Country-Western legends such as Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Otis Redding as you soak up the scene in the bustling juke bars and clubs that scatter the roadside. Ideal if your flying into San Diego International or Atlanta in Georgia, this route is a colourful and fascinating foray into the Southern American way of life, from its scenery, cityscapes and demographics to its alternately colourful and dark history.