Saturday, January 24, 2009
Mariana Bridi da Costa Pictures
Mariana Bridi da Costa has died from septicemia. The 20-year-old Brazilian model was originally diagnosed with kidney stones in December, but she was really suffering from a urinary tract infection. The infection spread and developed into septicemia, an illness also known as blood poisoning, which has a 50% death rate.
After having both hands and feet amputated yesterday because of insufficient blood flow to her limbs, Mariana Bridi da Costa died early today at hospital in Serra. The young model was at the start of a promising career, twice placing in the finals for the Miss World beauty contest. She won first place in the "Best in Swimsuit" category of the Miss Bikini International competition that took place in China last year.
Septicemia is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., killing 800,000 people every year. It is caused by a bacterial infection of the blood and can be treated with antibiotics. Very rarely does it develop into as severe a case as happened to Mariana Bridi da Costa.
In the photos of da Costa, you'll see her holding a banner reading Sergipe, which is the smallest state in Brazil.
Mariana Bridi da Costa Pictures
Mariana Bridi da Costa
Mariana Bridi da Costa Holds Flower Bouquet
Mariana Bridi da Costa in Swimsuit
Mariana Bridi da Costa Models Bikini
Friday, January 23, 2009
Elisabeth Moss, Fred Armisen Engaged
Elisabeth Moss announced her engagement to Fred Armisen over the weeekend. The 26-year-old actress and the 42-year-old comedian were revealed to be a couple only a week earlier. Moss says, "It happened just a few days ago — you're actually the first press person I've told this to. It's private, so I don't want to share the details of how it happened, but I will say it was perfect."
Opening a window into their relationship, Armisen mentioned their mutual passion for video games to the New York Times: "But then I thought we could just hang out with my girlfriend, Lizzie, after her show, and play Rock Band like I’d normally do."
Best known for playing the President's daughter in "The West Wing", Elisabeth Moss has also drawn acclaim for portraying Peggy Olson in "Mad Men." Fred Armisen, on the other hand, is perhaps best known for his work on "Saturday Night Live" as Barack Obama.
Elisabeth Moss, Fred Armisen Photos
Elisabeth Moss
Fred Armisen
Thursday, January 22, 2009
John Thain Spends $87K on Rug, Resigns
John Thain resigned today as CEO of Merrill Lynch amid scandal. The 53-year-old ex-Goldman Sachs banker formerly known as "Mr. Fixit" may now better be known for spending $1.22 million redecorating his office at the Four World Financial Center in the midst of the subprime crisis. According to CNBC, Thain spent the majority of the bill hiring Michael Smith, who is now redoing the White House for the Obamas, for $800,000. For his part, Obama was able to recruit the celebrity designer's services for a comparable $100,000 bargain.
Alson on his shopping list, Thain secured an $87,000 area rug for his conference room and:
another area rug for $44,000; a "mahogany pedestal table" for $25,000; a "19th Century Credenza" in Thain's office for $68,000; a sofa for $15,000; four pairs of curtains for $28,000; a pair of guest chairs for $87,000; a "George IV Desk" for $18,000; six wall sconces for $2,700; six chairs in his private dining room for $37,000; a mirror in his private dining room for $5,000; a chandelier in the private dining room for $13,000; fabric for a "Roman Shade" for $11,000; a "custom coffee table" for $16,000; something called a "commode on legs" for $35,000; a "Regency Chairs" for $24,000; "40 yards of fabric for wall panels," for $5,000 and a "parchment waste can" for $1,400.
Merrill Lynch was sold to Bank of America in September for $28 billion on the same day that Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Jonas Brothers Surprise Obama Kids
The Jonas Brothers were on hand to greet Sasha and Malia Obama at the end of their first night in the White House. The two First Kids spent the night of the inauguration watching "High School Musical 3" and "Bolt" with their new classmates from Sidwell Friends School and later spent the evening exploring their new home in a scavenger hunt.
Back in February last year, then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama revealed that his eldest daughter Malia was a Jonas fan. Since then, Kevin, Nick, and Joe Jonas have met the Obama girls at least three times: once on the "Ellen DeGeneres" show and again on Monday during the Kids' Inaugural Concert.
Last night, Malia and Sasha met a third time with the Jonas Brothers during their scavenger hunt at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Michelle Obama Talks the Jonas Brothers Video
Monday, January 19, 2009
Obama Inauguration Tickets Sold Online
Obama inauguration tickets are being sold on sites like eBay and Craigslist. More than 240,000 tickets to see the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama were distributed for free, but some recipients are planning to sell them to the highest bidder for as little as $100 to as high as $3500. Although not illegal, anyone caught selling tickets may have them confiscated.
eBay banned the sale of inaugural tickets in November, but they can still be found in the Washington, D.C. section on Craigslist where almost every posting relates to tomorrow's inaugural celebration. Tickets that let you sit are going for more than standing-only tickets.
Inauguration tickets are very simple in design with the signature of Dianne Feinstein and an admonition to arrive early on the day of the inauguration printed on the front of the ticket. They don't look difficult to fake and come in multiple colors so ticket buyers will want to check their purchases carefully. Also be aware that half of the tickets have people's names printed on them so they are non-transferable, and others are labeled "guest of."
A bill banning the sale of inaugural tickets was passed in the Senate two days ago, but the House has yet to pass the bill.
Obama Inauguration Ticket Photos
Obama Inauguration Ticket
Craigslist Postings of Inauguration Tickets
