Generous squee.

You're wearing one of these.



You bought it with one of these.



Your friend is calling you on one of these...



...to tell you to listen to one of these:

That's right. There's a new Nano in town. (RED) and Apple have teamed up as the latest (PRODUCT)^RED item up for sale - the iPod nano (PRODUCT)^RED Special Edition.

Apple will give $10 of its purchase price to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. So, not only will you be stylishly well-coordinated in crimson, you'll be making a difference.

Created in cooperation with U2's Bono to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)^RED branded products, the money raised by these (RED) items helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.


For more info about the Global Fund and (RED), visit www.JOINRED.com.

What to Listen to This Tuesday: 10/16

I still can't get over that this girl is only 14. (Or 15. Same difference.) At 13, JoJo (AKA Joanna Levesque) hit the top of the charts with her single "(Leave) Get Out," becoming the youngest solo artist ever to do so. 13. You know what I was doing at 13? A science project on the periodic table of the elements. I think I was Chromium.

The thing that's the most impressive about JoJo is not her packaging or her marketing - it's that she's singing about topics like relationships where the mere concept of someone so young having a story to tell about it is...well, straight up weird. It's the way she sings it that makes it all work. You buy it.

JoJo is an unbelievably talented singer for someone that's still so young. Listen to her on the radio, and you'll think you're rocking out to someone a lot older. "Been around the block and dated 14 different losers and taught her daughter to avoid them too," older. If she were in your school choir, you would not want to mess with her. You'd join track and cut your losses.

Not only can the girl riff with the likes of Mariah and Christina, she can act and write songs. Hey, I'm jealous.

Her new single "Too Little Too Late" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Top 100, and she shows no signs of slowing.

Pick up a copy of The High Road tomorrow. With production by Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz, and Timbaland, you know this little girl is going to be doing big things.

Smart squee.

This is a video everyone should see:

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.ca/flat2.asp?id=6852

Dove's onto something, but can it really affect change?

We'll see.

Let us know what you think.

Exclusive squee.

Here's some exclusive pics from squeeworthy artist Robin Thicke performing in New York City at the new Borders at Penn Plaza.

Robin Thicke is a fan of investment banking, mutual funds, and singing.


Robin is also a fan of my skilled camera work.*
*Holding cameras up over large crowds and hoping something worth showing comes out.


Robin Thicke and a Treo! (I told you they were squee.)

What to Listen to This Tuesday: 10/9

Nothing is inspiring me this week enough to persuade you to buy it, so I'm going to tell you what you should retroactively go and buy from two weeks ago. "Weird Al" Yankovic's Straight Outta Lynwood.

Weird Al may be admittedly "weird," but he surely isn't dumb. For one, he was his graduating class's valedictorian in high school, and has a degree in Architecture. Secondly, the guy is one of the best in the game at creating song parodies.

He's had some great moments in music parody history, including some of my all-time favorites, "Amish Paradise" (Bad Hair Day) and "Eat It" (Even Worse). Aside from being really crafty in the lyrics department, the guy also actually bothers to secure the permission from the original artists every time he does a cover. He doesn't need to. (Prince has yet to accept his invitation. Ever.)

His latest single, "White & Nerdy," a cover of Chamillionare's hit "Ridin," helped his album score a spot on the Billboard 200 (#9, his highest debut to date) and iTunes' Top 10 most downloaded songs. The video for the song is a little bit too hilarious for me to describe, so I suggest you watch it and try not to pee yourself with laughter.

The background dancing cameo by Donny Osmond did me in. Oh. And when he makes out with a roll of bubble wrap.

You'll see.



Squeeworthy tracks to download:

- "Confessions, Pt. 3" (Usher's "Confessions, Pt. 2")
"I haven't changed my underwear in 27 days! And when I'm kissing you, I fantasize you're a midget. I'm so sorry, Debbie. ...I mean, Bridget."

- "Trapped In the Drive-Thru" (R. Kelly's "Trapped In the Closet")
"I dunno. Do you wanna get something delivered? She's like, Why would I wanna eat liver? I don't even like liver! I'm like, No. I said delivered. She's like, I heard you say liver! I'm like, I should know what I said. She's like, Whatever! I just don't want any liver!"

Yummy squee.

"Chocolate or vanilla?" was probably the most confusing question I have been asked...ever while trying to ordering a Frosty at Wendy's. Don't you mean, "Chocolate or chocolate?"

Since 1969, there was no need to specify a flavor. If you ordered a Frosty, it was inherently chocolaty. In 2006, however, there is, so watch out.

I didn't even know there was such a thing until I was offered a choice. Out of pure curiosity, I elected to try the vanilla. I don't think anyone else knew, either. Wendy's should thank me for a 1% increase in Vanilla Frosty sales in the North East because of my story. I got at least five people to try the stuff.

Well, I've gotta tell you, it tastes exactly the way one think it would - like a Vanilla Frosty. If you're into vanilla, you'll love it. If you fear change or have a coco addiction, I think I should just let you be with the Original.

If you want to convert more VFF (Vanilla Frosty Fans), give them out for Halloween. (No, not the actual frozen dairy dessert. That would ruin someones hard-earned sweet stash. Coupons.) They're a great alternative to candy bars, unless you're lactose intolerant. 300 million Frostys are served at Wendy's every year, so they're in the minority on October 31st as far as I'm concerned.

This isn't the first restaurant-type establishment shaking things up. Beginning this week, Starbucks Coffee Company is sampling out breakfast sandwiches with their spiffy new warming station. I know many-a-Barista, and used to wear a green apron myself, so I was cool enough to try one last week.

As a fan of late-night breakfast sandwich snacking at rival Dunkin' Donuts, they're giving them a run for their money. Also, these are made in a really giant EZ Bake oven type device, and not a microwave. This, in a weird way, mimics the difference between Subway and Quiznos. It all comes down to liking things mmm...toasty.

Try them both and let us know if you think they're as squeeworthy as I do.

Did you know?
Research shows that nearly a third of adults have dipped french fries into a Frosty (or know someone who has). Whether or not this research is scientifically sound, I don't know.

What to Listen to This Tuesday: 10/2

In the spirit of "New Music Tuesdays" when new albums are released to stores and the Internet, I bestow you with a new weekly entry called "What to Listen to This Tuesday," every Monday. (Have I lost you yet?)

I'm basically giving you 24 hours to contemplate and buy. It would be pointless if I did it on Wednesdays. Unless you're Marty McFly.

This week, I am THIS close to breaking out a pocket watch and waving it in front of your collective faces to pick up Robin Thicke's new album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke.

Where you may already know him from:

• Will Smith - "Switch (R&B Remix)"
• That Sprite commercial with the long-haired bike messenger
• Reruns of The Wonder Years
• The one good song from the In the Mix soundtrack

Son of Growing Pains actor Alan Thicke, Robin began his entertainment career as a young actor, and later segued into songwriting and producing for artists such as Brian McKnight, Usher, Jordan Knight, Christina Aguilera, Mya, and Michael Jackson.

His 2003 debut album, A Beautiful World, gained popularity with the lead single, "When I Get You Alone," featuring a sample of Walter Murphy's "A Fifth of Beethoven." (If you ever rented Saturday Night Fever or know Beethoven's original, you're nodding right about now.)

After collaborating with Pharrell Williams on "Wanna Love You Girl" and signing to StarTrak, Robin's new album was slated for a third quarter 2005 release. This was later pushed back to January 2006, then February, and then every subsequent month thereafter, driving fans like me absolutely psycho. This album is well overdue, and it's finally coming out tomorrow.

Featuring artists like Lil' Wayne and Faith Evans, this album manages to maintain his unique point of view, and delves into a bit more mainstream R&B, soul sound.

Why is Robin Thicke squeeworthy? If you're looking to diversify your iTunes playlist, this is the artist to make it happen. (He also looks really good in a suit.)

Squeeworthy songs:

• "Ask Myself"
• "Lost Without U"
• "Got 2 Be Down"