BuzzSugar

Man Lives on Plane to Overcome His Fear of Flying

TresSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:00:21 PDT

The tragic news about the vanished Air France flight makes anybody's fear of flying seem rational, but one man recently determined that it was time to get over his. So what did Mark Malkoff do to overcome his debilitating fear of air travel? He decided to spend one month living on a plane, staying onboard while the jet is on the ground or in the air.

Some days Mark does up to 12 fights! I think his fellow passengers have more to fear, though - Mark plans on "showering" with baby wipes and dry shampoo. You can check out Mark in his new home in the above video.

Do you face any irrational fears in your daily life? Have you ever gone to extremes to overcome one?

Diane English Goes From The Women to Fear of Flying

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:32:55 PDT

The woman who spent 16 years bringing her adaptation of the 1939 female-led comedy The Women to modern audiences is diving right into her next project: an adaptation of Erica Jong's Fear of Flying. Originally published in 1973 when Jong was 30 years old, the novel was considered shocking and revolutionary. Here's the synopsis from the back cover:

Isadora Wing was afraid of flying. She was also afraid of her own beauty, brains, physical appetites, and intellectual curiosity. Then, while on a trip to Vienna with her brilliant, handsome psychiatrist husband, Isadora met the man who embodied her most erotic fantasies - and who offered her a chance to conquer all her fears. What happened to Isadora then was a wild, sexually extravagant bolt across Europe that had worldwide reverberations - in the most uninhibited, delicious, wonderfully witty, erotic novel a woman ever wrote.

According to an item in Variety, director Diane English plans to make her adaptation R-rated (I would assume so!), and "[i]f she has her druthers, she'll star the often-Oscar-nominated Kate Winslet in the role of the sex-driven Isadora Wing."

I could certainly see Kate Winslet in this role; she's stupendous at playing characters on life-changing journeys. Have you read Fear of Flying? Do you think it will translate well to the big screen?

Source and Source

What's Buzzworthy: Smart Chick Lit

BuzzSugar — Sat, 05 May 2007 11:33:48 PDT

Your picks of some of the best smart chick lit out there will keep my reading list stocked for months! I loved the variety of responses to this Buzzworthy challenge, which covered Jane Austen, Valley of the Dolls, Bridget Jones and everything in between. Here are a few I'll definitely be checking out:

Fear of Flying by Erica Jong
Picked by SaraSmile, who said: "The smartest of smart chick lit. Erica Jong's exploration of psychoanalysis and sexual relationships of men and women is as relevant today as it was in the 70s. I first read this book a few years back while on vacation with my family at the Jersey shore, and then the tide came up and warped the pages of the paperback. I am thinking it might be time to pick up a new (dry) copy and get reacquainted with Isadora and her many, many neuroses."

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
Chosen by jadenirvana, who said: "Within the pages of this magical novel, the typical summer fare of beaches and carousels and drinking and boys mixes with darker scenes: losing their virginity to the same guy and brushes of lesbianism may be enough to snuff out the usual friendships, but not for these summer sisters. This book is a must-read for anyone who's ever had that female friend who felt always slightly out of reach, or anyone who ever wanted to feel special against all odds."

Three more, so

read more Anthropology of an American Girl by H.T. Hamann Picked by bizzybee, who wrote: "This is essentially a coming of age story. But it is also so much more. It's about being a girl, becoming a woman, falling in love, leaving home and the search for self ... The writing style of this book is more poetic and literary than most of the works generally catalogued as chick lit. This makes it a book that will take some time to read and ponder."
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella Found by Advah, who said: "I read other novels by Sophie Kinsella and didn't find them that amazing, just really cheesy. Reaaaally cheesy. But I think this one is really good; I got it as a present and read it in two days, laughing out loud!"
Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani Chosen by CocoChic, who wrote: "Lucia, Lucia is a fantastic book about a young Italian-American woman living in NYC in the 1950s. This book includes love, fashion, intrigue, and a smart girl trying to find her way. She stands with dignity even when she is betrayed and shows an awesome example of what a modern woman should be."
Source and Source

Got Two Left Feet? Let Zumba Help You Find the Beat

Self — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:12:19 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

If you're anything like me, Zumba has always held a certain allure, but the very idea of dancing in front of a roomful of people sounds about as appealing as doing my taxes or making a spur-of-the-moment appointment at the DMV. I'm not just painfully shy about busting a move but hopelessly uncoordinated in the booty-shaking department.

So after years of avoiding Zumba for fear of embarrassing myself, I decided it was time to stop being a wallflower and start working up a sweat. "I used to be a very shy person but I have learned that everything in life is about attitude," says Gisella Ferreira, a Zumba instructor at the Brasil Brasil Cultural Center in Los Angeles. "Having a positive attitude makes all the difference, so go with an open mind and let yourself enjoy the party!"

As for doing the actual dance steps, Ferreira is quick to point out that literally anybody can follow along with a little practice. "I see new Zumba students every day that have never danced in their lives and are able to dance through the whole class," she says. "Zumba is a world dance fitness party. It's easy to do, effective, and totally exhilarating." If that's not enough motivation, Ferreira says Zumba burns between 500 and 800 calories per class and targets "glutes, thighs, calves, abdominals, core, pectorals, biceps, and triceps."

Ready to get this party started? Add this five-move sequence to your regular workout routine four days a week and, before you know it, you'll be dancing in the streets. Read on for the workout.

A Bikini-Clad Miley Cyrus Spends Some Beach Time With Liam

Lindsay Miller — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:46:26 PST

Miley Cyrus wore a bright, strapless bikini in Hawaii yesterday as she and Liam Hemsworth spent some time on the beach. The couple are in the islands after marking the holidays with their families, and during their day by the water, the pair were also seen playfully snapping some photos - Liam even stripped off his shirt for Miley's lens! Miley looked relaxed as she and Liam lounged in the sun, despite tweeting about her fear of flying as they set off for their vacation.

Miley and Liam have been dating off-and-on since teaming up on the movie The Last Song. Miley has been focusing mostly on her music career since then, going on a major tour this Summer and recording several new songs this year, but she'll make her return to film soon. Last month, it was announced that Miley will be a voice in the upcoming animated movie Hotel Transylvania, playing the daughter of Adam Sandler's character. In the meantime, Liam is gearing up for a milestone big-screen moment of his own, with the highly anticipated adaptation of The Hunger Games hitting theaters in just a few short months.

Soleil Moon Frye's Imperfect Life of Happy Chaos Is an Inviting One

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:15:45 PDT

When Soleil Moon Frye learned she was pregnant with her first child, she thought she'd be the picture-perfect hippie mom she'd always envisioned. Then Poet, now 6, was diagnosed with a severe case of reflux, and the former Punky Brewster actress learned that parenting is a bit more fly by night than most parenting books would have you believe.

When I spoke with actress, social media maven, and mommy ambassador for Target earlier this year, she gave us a sneak peek of her modern mommy manual, Happy Chaos ($14). While the can't-put-down book is filled with anecdotes about her life on set, her many Hollywood crushes (that children of the '80s will love), and the lessons she learned in six years of motherhood, I spoke with her again about her chaotic life as a mom of two - Poet, 6, and Jagger, 3 - and learning the ropes of parenthood. Like sitting down and dishing with your best friend, Soleil wasn't afraid to talk about the dirty details of life.

On why she wrote the book: "The majority of the parenting books that I read before I became a parent were so much about 'this kind of parent, this is how to do this, this is how to do that.' There was nothing that told me about what was going to happen in the hospital, or that I was going to get that ice pack afterward. Nobody told me about the mesh panties. Nobody told me you could have an accident on the table. So I was like how do we not share this with the sisterhood?"

On her husband, Jason Goldberg's, parenting style: "We are total opposites. He's much more conservative; I'm a free-spirit hippie. But then my daughter, Poet, had really bad reflux, so I'd be up all night, walking her every night. So all of the free-spirit things went out the window, and it made me much more fearful than I thought I would be."

On baby weight: "I'm totally that mom who’s like, 'Oh, I just had a baby - and she's 3 years old!" I use baby for an excuse for everything. My girlfriend's like, "Honey, your baby was born two-and-a-half years ago. I think you need to come up with a new excuse!'"

Keep reading for Soleil Moon Frey's thoughts on adding a second child to the family and her biggest parenting challenge.

Amy Adams Talks Muppets, How She Picks Movies, and Her Leading Ladies Like Meryl and Ms. Piggy

Allie Merriam — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:22:00 PDT

Amy Adams was in the midst of a busy award season when we were able to visit the LA set of The Muppets in January. It was just one day before she dressed up to attend the Golden Globes, but Amy was more focused on spending her between-scenes time with her fiancé, Darren Le Gallo, and their daughter Aviana. Jason Segel spoke about writing and getting the Muppets movie made, while Amy was happy to chat about her latest connection to the Disney family. She also shared about the honor of being Jason's first choice for the role of Mary, how she picks projects, and who would win in a Meryl Streep and Ms. Piggy showdown. Amy said:

On her friends wanting to visit the set: "I have a lot of friends [come by] - not just for the Muppets, but for Jason. I have a lot of girls who really like Jason. There have been a lot of visitors. I have visitors today. It’s exciting because a lot of people grew up loving the Muppets and it’s nice for them to get to see it."
On what made her decide to sign on: "[Shooting in LA] is a huge benefit for me having just had a baby. I can be at home and be working with the Muppets, which is such a family-friendly set and family-friendly film. She is here today. I’m sure you’ve seen me flying around with her. That is a huge plus. Also, just to get to introduce her to the Muppets is very fun. She was interacting with Walter today. It was the first time she had ever interacted with any of the Muppets. So that was cool."
On who's tougher to act with - Miss Piggy or Meryl Streep? "I have to say that I can’t win in that answer because I am working with Ms. Piggy. So if I say, 'Meryl Streep,' I have to see Ms. Piggy tomorrow and it will be like, 'So I heard . . . ' So I’m just going to plead the fifth. I know Meryl will be OK, but I don’t want to cross Ms. Piggy."
On being flattered by being Jason's top choice: "I didn’t know the extent to which he had thought of me. I knew for him to send a personal invite to be a part of it and getting Kermit to be a part of it - I knew that he was serious about it. I didn’t know that he specifically had me in mind until after I was on set. It’s a lot pressure and I didn’t know!"

Photo courtesy Disney

To read more about Amy growing up with Muppets, her hopes of getting into Disney for free someday, and more about the film, just

Your Plus One: 5 Foolish Choices and 5 Foolproof Dates

TresSugar — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:00:52 PDT

Not in a serious relationship and stressing about the looming RSVP date on that wedding invite? Have no fear. Just follow this guide to find out who you'll be forced to babysit versus who will help you celebrate.

Five Foolish Choices

Your Hookup Buddy. We can take the tip from Jon Hamm's character in Bridesmaids. Do you really want to explain your "special" relationship to everyone? Or worse, do you want your buddy to explain it for you?
That Guy You Met Last Week. Yes, he was handsome. Yes, you had a connection. But let's take things slow. We don't want to scare off a great guy with wedding talk too soon.
Your Friend Without a Filter. We all know him and love him, but we cringe when he always finds the way to say the wrong thing at the worst time. He's probably not your best bet for a wedding date.
A Blind Date. I think we can agree that a wedding isn't ideal blind or first date territory.
Your Ex. Sure, you and your ex are both close with the couple. I know. He may even ask if you'll go with him, but don't be fooled. This day is a celebration of a solid relationship, not an excuse to harp on the demise of your past. Trust us; just say no.

For five foolproof options, read on.

Southwest Apologizes For Calling Woman "Too Fat to Fly"

Emily Co — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:52:09 PDT

I find this story inspiring because this is an example of how much a consumer can achieve if she fights back. Kenlie Tiggeman, didn't know what a ride she was in for when she was boarding her Southwest layover in Dallas. MSN reports that Kenlie, who had already lost 120 pounds, and her mother were subject to a public 45-minute conversation with Southwest employees, which included personal questions about their weight, clothing size, and reasons for weight gain and loss. Further, the humiliating discussion was carried out in front of more than a 100 people. Kenlie tells MSN, "I asked him what the weight restrictions were and he said that he didn't know, just that we were too heavy to fly. Too fat to fly."

To make matters worse, the worker from the airline tried to resolve the situation by saying that Kenlie, her mom, and another overweight passenger could get on the flight if the three of them sat together at the back of the plane.

Although Kenlie and her mother managed to get on the plane and sit in seats of their choice and were given a $200 voucher from Southwest, she decided to fight back. She blogged about her experience in the post, The Day Southwest Airlines Turned My Old Fears Into A New Nightmare, which got the immediate attention of Southwest. This led to an executive from the airline contacting her to apologize and offering more vouchers to compensate.

To find out about the good that came out of her experience, read on.

90210 "Nerdy Little Secrets": Most Scandalous Moments

Becky Kirsch — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:09:24 PDT

Now that Spring break is over, it's back to the day-to-day drama on 90210, and things are anything but humdrum. Silver is officially feeling the effects of Adrianna's sick revenge, but Naomi's too wrapped up in her relationship with Max to come to the rescue of her friend. Meanwhile, Ivy hits a relationship hurdle of her own.

Annie's in a pickle of an entirely different kind: she takes on a new high-paying job as an assistant, only to realize that she's playing housemaid to a former star. Aside from Silver's scenes, it's a fairly tame episode, but I have a feeling that we're being set up for a quite a bit, as we head into the home stretch of the season. Ready to break it all down? Just keep reading.