TresSugar

Stranger Than Fiction: Volunteers to Simulate 520-Day Mars Trip

TresSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Want to go to Mars without ever leaving Earth? You're in luck! The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for six international volunteers to participate in a simulated voyage to Mars. The catch: you will have to live and work in a sealed facility in Moscow, Russia for 520 days.

The project, which sounds like a perfect premise for a reality show, will investigate the psychological and medical implication of such a long journey. It will include the full round-trip to Mars, and a 30-day stay on the planet. Just think, it takes almost a year to get there, and then you just get to stay for 30 days! Bummer! The hope is that the findings can be used to actually send humans to Mars sometime in the future.

The simulation begins in 2010. Would you ever consider signing up?

President Obama to Send Personned Mission to Mars

CitizenSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:30:04 -0700

Due to the recent positive identification of Martian water and the discovery of a labyrinth of subsurface tunnels, President Obama has announced support of a personned mission to the Red Planet. Stating that these tunnel cities could only be the work of hyper-intelligent creatures, Obama plans to dedicate $55 billion toward astronaut training with the goal of a flight and landing before the end of his second term.

Defending the expenditure as "a stimulus that will provide jobs in the aeronautics and astrophysics sector," Obama feels it will give a boost to the overall economy, recalling such 20th century innovations as Tang powder breakfast drinks.

The president also promised to share in the grueling, daily, five-hour physical workout routines of the astronaut candidates in place of his basketball workouts, for which he has been criticized (unfairly, in his opinion) for showing presidential preference to that sport.

To see video of the president discussing the plan at the G20 conference, read more.

APRIL FOOLS!!!!!! We won't be landing a man or woman on Mars anytime soon!

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Front Page: Taiwan Arrests Its Former Leader

CitizenSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:06 -0800

The ex-president of Taiwan was detained by his country's police on charges of corruption and money laundering today. The defiant Chen Shui-bian raised his handcuffed hands above his head while shouting “Long live Taiwanese independence."- New York Times
In his White House meeting with Barack Obama, President Bush indicated that he would support another economic stimulus package, which includes aid to the auto industry, if the Democrats stopped opposing the Colombian free-trade agreement. - International Herald Tribune
Somalian pirates captured a Philippines chemical tanker, carrying 23 crew members, marking the 83rd hijack in Somalian waters this year. - Associated Press

After the Mars Lander ran out of batteries last week thanks to a dust storm, NASA announced that the mission has ended. - CNN
The surrogate grandmother in Ohio that gave birth to her triplet grandchildren last month, told Good Morning America that she is feeling fine, and was happy to serve as his daughter's surrogate at the age of 56. - Associated Press

It's Really Red! (No Green Men!) Pictures From Mars Landing!

LibertySugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:00:49 -0700

NASA is looking for life on Mars and just released pictures from an unexplored region of the red planet. The Mars Phoenix lander traveled 430 million miles from Earth and took 10 months to reach its destination. The mission cost $457 million, including $37 million from Canada.

The lander has a robotic arm, which will search for ice, aka water, on the planet. NASA scientists, almost certain that Mars has some conditions for life, are looking for proof. So far, there have been no complications!

Considering 50 percent of Mars missions fail, do you think this project is worth the exorbitant amount of money? Is financing scientific discoveries not immediately relevant to your everyday life still an important function of government? Check out these great pictures from the Martian planet!

View 10 Photos ›

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Mars Candy Wants You to Pleasure Yourself

TresSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:30:00 -0700

If you've seen the commercial for Mars' newest candy bar "The Fling," you probably thought you flipped to a racy movie. The ad makes it look like people are having sex in a bathroom, when in fact it's just a woman eating a candy bar in a dressing room. The commercial is so sexually charged that the voiceover even calls on women to pleasure themselves with the fingers (that's what they're calling candy bars these days). And if sexy talk and sparkly pink packaging wasn't enough to get women to buy the bars, Mars makes sure to mention that each finger only has 85 calories. Score!

Cute Alert: Mars Crater Smiley Face

GiggleSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:30:00 -0800

Look, guys! It's the universe -or Mars, anyway- smiling at us. This almost makes up for the fact that Phil the groundhog has consigned us to six more weeks of winter hell. Boo!

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Ted Kennedy Passes Away at 77 After Long Battle With Cancer

TresSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:38:57 -0700

We're sad to report that Senator Ted Kennedy, the youngest Kennedy brother, passed away Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, MA. Although the infamous incident at Chappaquiddick marred his reputation, Kennedy in later years was known for championing healthcare reform, better working wages, and equal rights, he was called the "liberal lion of the senate."

Most recently, he was known for his love of Portuguese water dogs, which he shared with the Obamas when he gave the first family their dog, Bo.

The Kennedy family released this statement:

We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice.

Coming just two weeks after his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver's death, we wish the Kennedy family well during this extraordinarily hard time.

This Commercial Makes We Want to Go to Mars

GiggleSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0700

This ad for Airwaves Gum with Guarana suggests that a cute little alien was enticed to try out earth living after trying a piece. But then after getting a taste of the difficulties of earth life - getting a job, finding meaningful recreational activities, attempting to put together IKEA furniture - the alien hops back on his mother ship in frustration. Take me with you, little man!

Photographer Peter Lindbergh on the Evils of Photoshop

TresSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0700

“My feeling is that for years now it has taken a much too big part in how women are being visually defined today. Heartless retouching should not be the chosen tool to represent women in the beginning of this century.”

- Fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh on the overuse of retouching in fashion photography, such that cover models begin to look like "objects from Mars." To see the amazing Dove Real Beauty ad that shows just how much Photoshop can transform someone, read more

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Should Your Boyfriend Also Be Your Best Friend?

DearSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:30:00 -0800

When you meet someone and fall in love, you can't help but want to spend most of your free time with him or her. And when you spend that much time with one person, and share a unique intimacy you don't share with anyone else, they become the person you trust more than anyone else. All these qualities are what you'd find in a best friend, but should your lover also be your BFF?

In a recent Real Simple article, John Gray, author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, said this about the question:

"I have no problem with partners who are best friends, but you should have other close friends to confide in as well - especially when you are having difficulties and need time away from your spouse. Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

I'm curious to hear your take on this issue. Do you agree with John Gray, that it's asking too much to have one person be both your life partner and your best friend? Or do you think your spouse should without a doubt wear both hats?

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