Wrapping A Present: Try Something Different

How To Add a little Twist to your present wrapping!

After 5 wonderful years of marriage so far, i've continually tried to go that "extra step" to keep things fresh.  

Lets take this present for example.  With my wifes birthday fast approaching, I got a couple small gifts for her that would easily fit in this small box.  Now... that could have been the end of the gift giving process, but my mind continually goes that "extra mile" in order to keep those smiles I love to see, comin'.  

So, I decided to pick up a little stuffed animal to add to the whole wonderment of what else could be in the box as well as bump the "OH MY GOD THAT IS SO CUTE" factor up to level 10!  

Any man who is truly into his lady will go the extra mile to make the process of giving a present, that much more special.  

So, without further ado, here is a simple twist in the Oh-So-Common, gift giving process:

1.  Get a box!  Duh Right?  I did this twice, so I wanted to make sure to mention this.  Get a box that fits your gift as tight as possible, with room to put the animal on top of that gift.

 2.  Again, make sure the actual present in the box is wrapped up tight so it wont slide around in the box.  I have thin sheets of foam for packing, that I was able to quickly wrap the present in, making it fit snug and not move once the box was sealed 

 3.  Once the present is snug in the box, bring in your favorite stuffed animal.  TIP (if you can find a small giraffe, go for it!  Seeing that huge long neck sticking out of the box makes all the ladies go.. "ahhhhhh")  Position the animal in the box so that once closed, the head will stick out the top.  You don't have to always put the animal dead center.  For example, with this little pug, his legs had to be tucked in the right corner of the box for this to work.  All animals will require different positions.   

4.  Close the 2 inside flaps around the neck of the animal.  Next, close 1 of the 2 remaining top flats so that it just touches the animals head.  From here you will be able to judge the width of the cut you need to make.  Simple mark the width of the head of the animal.  TIP (I didn't do it here, but instead of marking the exact width of the head, bring your edge cut marks in 1/4 of an inch or so, to make the hole for the head to pop out fit tightly around the neck of the animal.)  Repeat the process on the final top flap.  

5.  You don't need to remove the animal in the cutting process.  Just be careful not to slice it up!  Cut a C shape from end to end of your marks.  There is no exact measurement so you will have to do all this by eye.  TIP (As I did here, try to make just 1 cut on each top flap.  If you cut to small and have to go back and cut again, the cut can look a bit sloppy.) 

6.  Your basically done at this point.  OR, you can again, go that extra mile and have some fun in personally decorating your box.  To finish up, simply close the box up and there should be a circle in the middle of the box for the head of your stuffed animal to pop out of.  If you did it right, the animal should fit snugly and just the animals head will be sticking out of the box.   

7.  TAPE IT UP!  I fortunately have the luck of using real packing tape.  This makes for decorating the box by hand much easier.  Any other kind of tape, that is clear, you just can't draw over, so if you want to draw on the box yourself, I suggest getting real, brown packing tape.  

8.  YOUR DONE, Or Are You  Honestly, at this point your done.  You can give this gift to your lady or "significant other" and you will score huge points.  However, like I've said before.  I like to go that extra mile all the time.  With that said, I drew a little sunflower on the top of the box around the hole.  YOU CANT DRAW???   Who cares.  The only thing that maters is that you try!  Its true.  Im a graphic designer by trade, but truth be told, I cant draw for shit!  Draw something cute or personal to your lady.  My girt likes sunflowers. Thus I will be getting the EXTRA "ooohhhss and ahhhhss"  not to mention more kisses and I love you's.


9.  oI would love to hear this has inspired someone to try this.  Please leave a comment if you have time.  Once you try this, you will never give a gift the same way again.  I've been married now 5 years.  I love doing new things like this to make my beautiful wife smile.  She deserves it.  She does so much and deserves every effort I can give to make her happy.  


 Bottom line in all aspects of life:  BE CREATIVE.

-C. Petrini

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Things Apple is worth more than

ALL THE LEGAL DRUGS IN THE WORLD!

The worldwide illegal drugs trade is now worth an ­estimated £200 billion (~ $321 billion US)

The Entire National Football League - TIMES 10X!

The annual NFL football franchise valuations list has just been released by Forbes (full list here).  This year - for the first time ever - the average franchise in the league is worth over a billion dollars.  15 of the NFL’s 33 franchises are worth over a billion apiece.  The most valuable team is the Dallas Cowboys, valued at $1.85 billion.
If you added up all the value of every team in the NFL, you’d come up with some $33 billion as your total.  With Apple’s current market cap of roughly $380 billion, it is worth more than ten times that!

The Great Wall Of China

“3.873 billion bricks in the Great Wall of China * $.52 per brick = Apple is worth more than the Great Wall of China”

The Construction Of The Interstate Highway System

One of the more ambitious public works projects ever done in the United States was the construction of the Interstate Highway System. Over 35 years from 1956 to 1991, some 47 thousand miles of highway were built with the program at an estimated cost of 477 billion dollars (estimates in 1996 dollars, 2006, and 2009; inflation adjusted). With a market cap of 487 billion dollars, Apple is worth more than the construction of the highways across America.

Apple Is Worth More Than 1 Billion iPads

Today Apple stock finally crossed over the $500 per share mark, meaning that a single share now costs more than an iPad2 (which starts at $499.00 on Apple’s website.  Put another way, the entire market cap of Apple would buy you just a smidge over $1 billion iPads - just in case you were playing Santa Claus to the entire galaxy or something!

The United States Aircraft Carrier Fleet

The aircraft carrier is the ultimate expression of the ability for a nation to project military power globally. The United States operates 10 Nimitz class aircraft carriers. At a cost of $4.5 billion dollars each, the 10 carriers cost roughly $50 billion dollars to build and develop. Over the next 30 years the US Navy will move to to the Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carrier. Each is expected to cost $9 billion dollars. Assuming complete replacement, over $90 billion dollars will be spent to procure the next generation carriers. With a market cap of over $450 billion, Apple is worth more than the symbols of US military power projection a few times over.

Retail Sales of Electricity in the United States

 Retail sales of electricity amounted to $350 billion dollars in 2009 (Last completed survey by US Energy Administration). With a market capitalization of over $400 billion, Apple is worth more than all the money spent powering gadgets for an entire year in the United States.

Worldwide Lottery Sales

Worldwide lottery sales amounted to 240 billion dollars in 2009 (best free statistics available). Assuming even 10-15% growth to 2011 year end, Apple’s 400 billion market cap engulfs the money spent on hopeful thinking.

The Global Coffee Industry

The global coffee industry employ some 25 million people and generates $70 billion dollars a year. With a market cap of over $400 billion, Apple is worth more than 5 years of the coffee industry. In addition, Apple’s $46 billion in revenue in the last quarter eclipses the United States coffee industry value, estimated at $19 billion.

The United States Beef Consumption

The retail value of consumed beef in the U.S. was 74 Billion dollars in 2010. 26.4 billion pounds were consumed. At a market cap of 390 billion, Apple is worth more than all the steaks and cook out goodies for an entire year in the United States.

Four American Civil Wars

The United States Civil War was the most terrible conflict in American history. Casualties for the Civil War amounted to more American casualties than all other American wars combined.  The entire country stopped and fought for 4 long years. Estimates for the cost of the Civil War range from 75 Billion to 84 Billion. While the cost in lives lost cannot be measured, Apple with a market cap of 360 Billion is worth more than 4 American Civil Wars.

Two Entire Apollo Space Programs

 




The space race was one of the most public and contested conflicts of the Cold War. The United States, having decided that beating the Soviet Union to the Moon was in the nations best interest, pushed forward with a Moon landing no matter the cost.  The Apollo Space Program was given top priority and spending was fast track approved. The final cost of the project was (inflation adjusted) 145-170 billion dollars. Apple at 370 billion is worth more than two entire Apollo space programs.

The United States Automotive Aftermarket

The automotive aftermarket includes:
”..all products and services purchased for light and heavy duty vehicles after the original sale including replacement parts, accessories, lubricants, appearance products, tires, collision repairs, service repairs as well as the tools and equipment necessary to make the repair.”

According to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), it is valued at $285 billion and employs approximately 4.5 million people.  $380 Billion has it covered.

Twice the Entire US Clothing Store Business

This one’s gonna mess you up…according to First Research, there are about 100,000 retail clothing stores in the US although it is a very concentrated industry.  The 50 largest companies - like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Gap, Limited Brands, Abercrombie & Fitch and Ross Stores - account for about 65 percent of industry revenue.
The combined annual revenue for the entire apparel retail industry is around $150 billion.
With Apple’s current valuation of $380 billion, it worth more than twice that.

All the Gold at the New York Federal Reserve

As of August 1st, the New York Federal Reserve Bank in lower Manhattan (made famous in the Bruce Willis flick Die Hard With a Vengeance) was stocked with approximately 7,000 gleaming tons of gold.



The New York Fed is the largest store of gold bullion in the United States and in the world.  According to Alex Jones, this stockpile is worth some $350 billion USD.  And Apple, with its now $385 billion market cap is worth more.

The Entire Economy of Singapore

Singapore is one of the wealthiest countries in the world owing to a government that is hyper-friendly towards business yet very strict on corruption.  The country boasts an astounding $70,000 GDP per capita rate and has been minting millionaires by the truckload despite the global economic turbulence of the last decade.
Singapore’s national GDP in 2016 is projected at $318 billion…and Apple is worth even more.

The Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter,Stephen King, and Twilight Franchise Combined

Star Wars: 18 Billion
Star Trek: 4 Billion
Harry Potter: 15 Billion
Stephen King: 10 Billion
Twilight: 2 Billion
Total: 49 Billion.
 

(all numbers are approximate and it’s still not even close.)

The GDP of Denmark

Denmark has a powerhouse economy for such a small workforce (2.9 million workers).
At $337 billion, Denmark ranks as the 32nd largest economy in the world (by GDP) and 5th in GDP per capita.
But Apple is bigger!

The Combined GDP of Israel, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon

Apple is worth more than the GDP of Israel($213B), Syria($60B), Jordan($28B) & Lebanon($43B) combined!

Worth more than 10X all the child support paid last Year

 ”Total U.S. child support collections in Federal fiscal year 2006 totaled $23.9 billion, $11 billion of which was paid to families who have never been recipients of public assistance.”

Every Single Home in Atlanta, Georgia Combined

According to Zillow, the total value of all residential real estate in Atlanta, Georgia was $274.8 billion as of December 2010, making it the 8th largest housing market in the United States.
And Apple is worth more.

Total Corporate Income Tax for 2011

Corporations will pay a total of $247.2 billion in state, local and federal income tax this year.

American Obesity

“The economic cost of obesity in America is $300 billion”

45 Days Worth of Global Oil Consumption

“Apple is worth more than 45 days of worldwide oil consumption - Roughly $7 billion per day assuming 86 million barrels a day at $83 per barrel (Nymex Crude)”






Credit: http://thingsappleisworthmorethan.tumblr.com/

Superbowl Betting Trends: Trends To Condsider When Betting on the SuperBowl 2012

Put Some Coin in your pocket this Superbowl!
When betting the SuperBowl (or any other game for that matter) there is one... yes, JUST ONE thing you must always keep in mind.  Bet with your wallet, not your heart. 

With that said, I thought it pertinent to share a few points of interest, or trends to consider when betting on this years 2012 SuperBowl, or any SuperBowl game for that matter.  Below you will find a list of trends I've compiled of flat out facts to betting the game. 

And one phrase we all know by heart is this. 
"The Numbers Don't Lie". 

Lest anyone think for one second that I care about either of these teams, I don't.  I tend to always lean towards the underdog in any story, and seeing as how much of our family roots hail from New York, I should be "rooting" for the Giants.  However, as with any bet, my heart lies with the money and trends / the numbers speak for themselves.  

So, without further a due, here a just a few things to consider when making your SuperBowl bets:

ON THE FIELD

1. Thirty-two teams that have been favored in the Super Bowl have gone on to win the past 45 games. That’s 71.1 percent
2. When the Super Bowl line is +/- 3.0 for either team, the underdog is 3-2 ATS.  Not the best odds.
3. Since 2000 the underdog has only won the Super Bowl 30 percent of the time!  since the Giants are one of the teams that’s proven how good they are in the Super Bowl as dogs, is this really a worry?
4. When it comes to single-digit odds in the Super Bowl, the favorite has gone 25-6 ATS in 31 games.
5. Statistically the OVER has hit 21 out of 44 times (original Super Bowl did not have a total), which is just 48 percent.
6. With the overs sitting around 55 and likely to go up a point or two by kick off, here is a little number to make you seriously think about the unders... The average TOTAL in the Super Bowl is just 41.7. 
7. The only time that games with 50+ point totals have actually hit the mark in the OVER is when they’re blowouts.  This game should be very close, which is obvious by the spread of 3.

PROP BETS

1. Heads or Tails Coin Toss:  The Best Odds In Betting at a solid 50%!  Tails has a slight edge landing 23 out of 45 games so far...that’s just a slim 51 percent winning percentage.
2. Heads or Tails Coin Toss #2:  The Best Odds In Betting at a solid 50%!  Over the past 3 Years, and YES, 3 SuperBowl Games, Heads has landed three times in a row. It’s bound to come up tails, right? Tails is due!
3. How Many Times Will Peyton Manning Be Shown On Television During The Game? :  NBC will cut to Peyton anytime Eli does anything good or bad, and it'll continue all game. This is the easiest money on the board.  OVER 4!  Easy Money!
4. Team To Score Last In The Game:  Win or lose, the Giants always play better in the fourth quarter. Gotta go with New York.
5. How Many Viewers Will The Super Bowl Average? : Over/Under 117 MILLION.  The NFL sets a new ratings record every other week, this game features two of the most recognizable teams in any sport, it's fair to bet the Super Bowl audience will exceed expectations.
6. The First Score Of The Game Will Be...: Touchdown (-180) Field Goal or Safety (+150)  The honest truth here is simple.  Both teams will be mentally exhausted at the start of the game.  There will be mistakes until both teams settle in.  While Tom is a little more conservative the Bill, both coaches will be eager to get any points on the board.  Im going Field Goal on some good money here!
7. Will Either Team Win By 14.5 Points Or More? : Patriots (+350) Giants (+800) The Giants don't seem like a team capable of blowing anyone out -- that's just not how they're wired to win -- but the Patriots at 3.5 to 1? Not a bad bet.
   

A FINAL THOUGHT

 
History makes dust and ghosts of us all. But in the moment you can be a hero, if you play the numbers right. A tight line is fitting for this game, but the Super Bowl averages and odds lean towards the Patriots even if the matchup doesn’t necessarily do the same. And as unsexy as taking an UNDER is, it’s your best bet along with tabbing a kicker to score the opening points!

partial sources: Tim Furious / Andrew Sharp - Some smart dudes and great sports writers!

True Hate Still Exists. Really?

Tuesday - 01-10-12 - Sun is shining, birds are singing and jews are still hated. 

I know this is no revelation, but I was surprisingly SHOCKED to learn today that a gentlemen who is employed at one of my many jobs, is a flat out, balls to the wall, thank you come again... JEW HATER!

His reason.  "Well... becuase!"  END QUOTE!

Yes.  He is German. 

And that's the story.  He is German, thus he hates the dirty, filthy, lower than scum Jew! 

Though not very well explained above, this is no revelation.  Hatred exists all over.  I must say though I was a bit taken back to hear that a man in my employe really just hates jews.  Of course that hatred still exists, but honestly... when was the last time you heard of or even met someone for that matter, that just flat out hates jews?  Racism stems across the board, but JEWS? 

I must say, it was a first for me.  Thus I was a bit taken back.  Upon minor prodding of this nameless man, his answer was simply he hates Jews just because.  Its been quite some time since I've wanted to slap someone.  Just look them in the face and say, "ya know what, you deserve this." BOOM.  5 across the cheek.  You know.  The type of slap you could do to a woman back in the day, that men still wish they could do sometimes, but can't because of "Jail Time." 

(kidding of course)

So as I sit here and type this, I can't help but think of how my day started.  Much like any other day.  I wake up, look to my right, check out my beautiful wife, pinch myself to make sure yet again that waking up to her wasn't a dream, grab a cup of joe and off to work. 

Only this day, and at this moment, Im thinking of the man downstairs that smiles at the fact that all those jews were persecuted by mister Hitler.  In fact, if he could, and there was a "Jew" standing in front of him, he would spit in there face, knock em out, drag em home, crank the oven to high and try to stuff that particular "Jew" in his oven.  Yes.  He would!

To be honest, I don't know if I am more upset by learning this about this person, or further intrigued as to trying to figure out why this man hates so much for no other reason than... "Just Because."  I guess to immerse my self in that type of thinking, I should first read Hitlers book Mein Kampf, or turn on the history channel and figure shit out. 

All in all the day turned for me.  Im not mad or upset, as I am intrigued to understand. 

Why does any hate exist? 

Why envelopes a persons being to truly hate... anything....
let alone someone.....
let alone a type of someone?

Oh, by the way... here is what Hitler would look like today.

 thINK!   

 C|PETRINI|2012

Hidden BaBa Booey Plug On The X-Files

I had to share this with all my Howard Stern / BaBa Booey Fans.  I searched and could not find anything on this, so I had to post it for everyone. 

In Season 1, Episode 21 of The X-Files, Fox Mulder and Scully are sitting in the car, apparently on a stakeout of an FBI Suspect.  Scully makes some remarks about the car being smelly and in need of a cleaning... Fast forward a bit and Fox mentions how long he has been in the car, by saying he sat through... "4 Hours Of BaBa Booey." 

I know, I know.  I'm a geek for both Xfiles and The King Of All Media.  I had to share! 

Cheers!
-Chris Petrini

http://youtu.be/EEsNHiNDKZQ

Posess more than 10 avacados at a time, and your going to jail!

    

Local Man addicted to avocados, narrowly escapes jail.  I guess if youjust tell them your feeding your family, then all is well. 

Next time you decide to steal a car, or break into someones house.  Just tell the police the following... "I'm desperate to support my family." 

Apparently all they eat is avocados?  I don't know.  You be the judge. 

SPIKE TV Star Wars Labor Day Weekend Contest Codes

Here are a few of the codes you can use to enter the contest. I doubt they are all of them, but should I see more on tv, I will blog them to ya.

Each code is an entry and must be text to: 44686

1. PALPATINE
2. BOBAFETT
3. ACKBAR

Remember... Text one code at a time to 44686 to enter the contest. You can do just one if you like. Either way you will be entered in the contest to win the complete Star Wars Blue Ray DVD collection and a new Light Saber Toy.

good luck!

The Cutest Cat / Human Interaction Photo.... EVER??

Have you ever seen A CAT
give someone A HUG?  


Well.  I can honestly say that I never knew cat's gave hugs until we were lucky enough to get our paws on Alice.  Every cat is definitely different.  No two cats are ever alike and they each have there own very unique personalities.

If your like me, you have never in your life seen a cat give a person a hug.  I even did some quick research and could not easily find a, "cats-eye" view of a cat hugging someone.

Is this the first?  Who knows.  Better yet, who cares.  I do know one thing though.  This is one damn cute photo.

As a pet owner and lover, I shower my animals with love, as does my wife.  So, it could be that Alice has always seen us hug and kiss and just thought this is what you do in this family.  She doesn't hug anyone else.  Just us.  And thank god to.  Last thing we need is a "whore-hugger" cat runnin wild in the house.

So enjoy it folks.  Shoot me a message, email or post a comment.  Let me know what you think.  I think i'll try and put this photo up for cutest cat of the year or something.  I dunno.  She deserves it though I can tell you that.

None of the photos are fake.  Just a cat, her daddy and a whole lotta love...

Feel free to share with your fam and friends.  This is just one of those day brightners ya know.  Makes you wonder though.  Who's the man behind the kitty??  Is it me?  Is he handsome?  Does he really have a soft, gentle side or is the kitty just a horrible ploy to hide the fact that he is indeed the Timbuck County Tri State Gerbil Killer?

One may never know....



One final thought... Do yourself a favor.  Clear your mind, take a deep brea7h and give a good look at the first photo.... just som3thing     PURE and beautiful about it.  Makes you feel all warm and squishy inside.  

THE "REAL" DEAL - Starring The Burger King Double Stacker

A first in a new series I will be featuring, title THE REAL DEAL.

This series will feature an endless number of photos showing you what fast food companies project their product to be, versus what you will actually receive when you unwrap their tasty treat.  

First UP:  THE BK DOUBLE STACKER

COST:  $2.00 PLUS TAX or almost $6 Bucks for the small combo.

Thats right.  You read that correctly.  ALMOST $6 of your Hard Earned Dollars for a horrible burger, decent fries and a small drink.  

Do yourself a favor and give your friend $5 bucks and have that person kick you in the stomach!  You'll be surprised how you will instantly not be hungry, and you save a buck!  

CAT FAIL - Who't The Boss? Not you Kitty!

Where would we be without the laughter of our cats.