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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Nov 4, 2013
November 4, 2013
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Getting up to speed:
As Americans turned their clocks back one hour over the weekend, we got another round of complaints about the arguably harmful annual ritual. This year, a writer named ALLISON SCHRAGER suggested an ambitious plan for how to get rid of all this clock-switching: Create just two time zones.
Had we gone with that, she writes, people on Eastern time would've turned back their clocks as usual, people on Pacific Time would've turned their clocks forward an hour, and people on Central and Rocky Mountain Time wouldn't have done anything. Presto: The continental U-S would have two time zones, one hour apart.
"It sounds radical, but it really isn't," she assures us. The current time zones were created because railroad travel necessitated more cross-continental coordination. Today, our economy is even faster and more interconnected.
Energy companies have actually done studies concluding that Daylight Saving Time no longer saves energy. And of course, we have the usual stories about increases in traffic accidents, workplace injuries, heart attacks, and depression.
"Why stick with a system designed for commerce in 1883?" writes Schrager. Anyone who's ever done business with the opposite coast "can imagine the uncountable benefits" of a two-zone, minimal-jet-lag nation. Besides, studies show Americans plan their lives around the TV schedule more than the sun, suggesting that "in effect, Americans already live on two time zones."OPRAH WINFREY raised $600-thousand dollars for charity with her "yard sale" Saturday at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club. "I need to de-clutter my own life. It's my idea of a yard sale.... I've been accumulating things since 1985. It's just too much stuff," she told "Entertainment Tonight."
The LA Times says the proceeds of the sale will go to Oprah's girls leadership academy in South Africa.
Among the art, antiques, furniture and memorabilia was a set of six 18th century Louis the 16th armchairs that went for $60-grand. That was the top-dollar item, although a teapot went for a thousand dollars and a 16-by-20-inch reprint of a TV Guide cover photo with Oprah went for $3-grand.
The sale, which is also online, was handled by Kaminski Auctions. To see some of the items, click HERE.Idle gossip & unconfirmed rumors:
Ya never know where DEMI MOORE is gonna pop up. Us Weekly spotted the cougar in India, where she's reportedly attending the "Craving, Desire and Addiction" conference featuring an appearance by the DALAI LAMA. Word is the brunette bombshell and estranged hubby ASHTON KUTCHER have finally hammered out a divorce agreement, sources say she's "thrilled," "doing so well" and looks amazing. (Lee)
EVA LONGORIA is looking to get into politics. Star magazine reports that the actress is looking to start small, maybe city council or mayor in her home state of Texas. (Myers)
Models:
MAC Cosmetics has announced that RIHANNA will be the face of their Viva Glam line. Women's Wear Daily says details are still sketchy, but the pop star will be the brand's Viva Glam spokesperson through 2014. (Bartha)
Grace notes from Vinny Marino:
The BIEBER in a brothel in Brazil. Yep, that happened. The New York Post says JUSTIN BIEBER spent more than three hours at the Centauros in Rio de Janiero Friday, and took two women with him back to his hotel. Security tried to sneak the singer out in a bedsheet, but the photographers were already there waiting at the front door. The week before, Justin allegedly spent the night with a hooker in Panama. She told a local newspaper that she met Justin at a nightclub, and he paid her $500-bucks to spend the night.
Bieber's fans blew up Twitter on Saturday, posting that he's disgusting and too caught up with sex. Justin Tweeted back that he didn't hire any hookers and there is no truth to any of the rumors out there about him misbehaving in South America. (Marino) -
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