light and fluffy

i can't help but wonder if a publicist was behind usa today's dog photo contest or if it was simply the thought of a reporter looking for something light and fluffy to tie-in to the marley and me movie coming out later this week.

i'm guessing a publicist. but either way, i've found myself checking out this segment for the last two weeks...so now it is your turn.

enjoy!

Top dog winner: This primo pooch is the pick of the litter

By Cindy Clark, USA TODAY

Gracie, a 10-month-old Yorkie and Maltese mix from Nashville, is USA TODAY's top dog. With more than 11,000 votes, she is the winner of our pup photo contest inspired by the movie Marley & Me, in theaters Christmas Day.

Owner Chelseay Miller admits to a little ballot-bumping help from friends and co-workers. (No. 2 came in at almost 6,500.) "I told my manager my dog was in a contest, so we announced it over the phone during a conference call meeting," says Miller, 22, a marketing coordinator.

TOP 10: See photos of all the top dogs

Weighing 4 pounds ("the biggest she'll get"), Gracie shares Miller with two guinea pigs. "She is definitely a ball of energy, that's for sure," Miller says with Gracie barking in the background.

They'll be traveling to nearby Johnson City, Tenn., to visit family for Christmas. What's wrapped up for Gracie? "Stuffed animals. She has a little pink lamb she got on Easter that she carries everywhere."

the power of the euro

the strength of the euro, according to an article in usa today, is becoming a lofty goal for quite a few countries these days as the recession takes hold around the globe. everyone from iceland to poland and even britain is looking at the euro as an infallible option. hmmm...it will be interesting to see how stable it remains as countries around the eurozone hit hard times. just last month the euro was swinging quite low. but here is to wishful thinking...and the housemate who benefits from its strength.

sicko or else...

so a year and a half after its debut, sicko found its way to my tv. i've known for years that our healthcare system is in shambles. but seeing the way in which moore interviewed and asked the questions that you know he already knows the answers to, you couldn't help but be bewitched by the message. everything he highlighted from clinton's attempts for universal healthcare to his trips outside of the country (canada, the uk, france, cuba), you couldn't help but think why can't america help its people. we're one of the hardest working countries with the lest amount of benefits. and even when he raised the notion of taxes -- something we know france pays plenty of -- the people were still satisfied with their government offered free nanny service, three month paid leave, etc. i almost cried numerous times after he offered one story and then another about americans who had lost loved ones when it could have been avoided -- how devastating. but the great thing about this documentary is that, with his raw sarcasm and inquisitiveness, he gives viewers hope. his trip to cuba with volunteers from 9-11 was inspiring. it offered a true testament to the power of questioning authority and the need for humanity. it took so little to bring happiness and a bit of health to these peoples' lives.

my only question -- what would it take for the us government to start rearranging expenses to benefit the people and not big business?

if you haven't checked out sicko yet, it's time you did. go to http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/checkup/ to find out more about the facts behind this film. if it's not your health at stake now, it will be soon enough.