shannon_butler's Blog

We're getting over the stomach flu in my house (NOT fun), so believe me, I've been thinking about germs this week--specifically how to avoid them. So a recent headline caught my eye: The 10 Germiest Jobs in America. Of course, I had to click and learn more. Here's the scoop ...

Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, whose nickname is "Dr. Germ," spoke to ABC News recently, about the germiest professions in America:

1. Teacher/day-care worker
2. Cashier, bank employee
3. Tech support/computer repair
4. Doctor or nurse
5. Lab scientist
6. Police officer
7. Animal control officer
8. Janitor or plumber
9. Sanitation worker (AKA garbage man/woman)
10. Meat packer

I think I'd add pest control workers to the list. Just think of those poor guys (and gals) crawling around in dark basements in search of rats. Ewww.

Do you have a germy profession that you'd add to the list? A friend of mine is a librarian at a public library and she Purells her hands all day long. (Is Purell the best way to kill germs?)

And, a quick side note about Purell, and all other alcohol-based hand sanitizers folks: These don't "breed" bacteria as many people fear (I've been seeing some comments to this extent on the blog, so I thought I'd speak up). It's easy to come to this conclusion given all the warnings from health experts about superbugs and how bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, yada, yada, yada--but rest assured, hand sanitizing gels aren't the reason. These are alcohol based and don't contain any "antimicrobial" properties (most don't, anyway). It's antibacterial soaps and wipes that have some health experts worrying. The thought is that bacteria are becoming stronger and bolder as a result of our love-affair with antibacterial everything. So, Purel away--it just kills the bugs and doesn't make them grow bigger and stronger. And maybe read up on antibacterial soaps and products before using--just FYI.

please tell me..what kind of sicko pushed a woman down and spits on her?

that's what happened at ucf last week. a jogger was running on campus when a man did just that. it is so strange that the investigators aren't sure if the man was trying to commit a crime or if he is just an odd duck..i say both!

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH RICH PEOPLE NOT PAYING TAXES...DIDN'T HELIO LEARN HIS LESSON FROM WESLEY SNIPES.

WHAT A SHAME IS SO HOT! I THINK HE MIGHT BE POPULAR IN PRISON.

A MAN DIDN'T HESITATE WHEN A SHARK ATTACKED HIS DOG DURING THEIR DAILY SWIM AT A MARINA...HE DOVE HEAD FIRST TOWARD THE SHARK, HITTING IT IN THE BACK...FORCING IT TO RELEASE HIS FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND.

IF YOU ARE AN ANIMAL LOVE AND HAVE NOT SEEN THIS STORY YOU MUST!

today congress is out for the jewish holiday..although i have no problem with them taking off for the celebration, i have say...today they should have come in and not taken this "holiday"

why? well our country is in a downward spiral with no upside in site.

Plenty of us had to go to work today and even worse yet ..... there are millions of americans that would love to be working today...on a holiday.....but can't becasue they are out of a job!!!!

your thoughts?????

CAN WE PLEASE GIVE A HURRAH! FOR THE LEDGER FAMILY AND MICHELLE WILLIAMS. THERE WAS NO FIGHTING NO BICKERING! THEY GAVE ALL HIS MONEY TO HIS DAUGHTER FOR HER AND BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY HEATH WOULD HAVE WANTED IT. I KNOW IT MUST HAVE BEEN HARD TO GIVE UP THAT 20 MIL..BUT MAYBE ALL OF US COULD TAKE A LESSON FROM THIS FAMILY!!!!

Heath Ledger's 2-year-old daughter Matilda Rose will inherit the late actor's entire estate, according to Perth, Australia's Sunday Times.

The Dark Knight star -- who died last January of a prescription drug overdose at the age of 28 -- had named his parents and sisters as the beneficiaries in his will.

But the will was made before the birth of his daughter. Some reports speculated that Ledger's ex Michelle Williams would lodge a claim.

But Ledger's father Kim tells Perth's Sunday Times, "There is no claim. Our family has gifted everything to Matilda."

Look back at memorable photos of Heath Ledger and daughter Matilda.

In March, Kim issued a statement: "Matilda is an absolute priority and Michelle is an integral part of our family. They will be taken care of and that's how Heath would want it to be."

Both Williams and Ledger's family recently pledged to contribute an undisclosed amount to a scholarship to help emerging Australian actors and honor the memory of Ledger.

Applications are available online and will be accepted from Oct. 1 to Nov. 28, with the first beneficiary to be announced by mid-February.

SHANNON

can someone give me some tips on cleaning out cars, briefcases and shoes??? after the storm everything smells, like mold and i hate to say it some smell like poop(the sewers broke)

we have tried febreez..anything else??

WASHINGTON - John Edwards says he made a serious error in judgment when he had an affair and is ashamed of his conduct. In a statement, the former Democratic presidential candidate also said he informed his wife about his affair with 42-year-old Rielle Hunter in 2006 and has asked her forgiveness. Edwards said he is not the father of the woman's daughter and is willing to take a test to determine the 5-month-old baby's paternity. He said the affair lasted for a short time in 2006.Until Friday, Edwards had denied reports in the National Enquirer that he had an affair while his wife, Elizabeth, was battling cancer. He admitted to the affair in an interview with ABC News, then released a statement.

i know i should not be shocked..but i am. you wife had cancer  you ***!

FOR ALL OF YOU ATTORNEY'S OR LEGAL MINDS OUT THERE?

DO YOU SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE WAY MR. JOSE BAEZ IS HANDLING THIS CASE? IS HE SAYING TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH?

SHANNON

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Conan O'Brien will take over the "Tonight" show next June — and what happens to deposed host Jay Leno after that is anybody's guess.

Leno's last show will be Friday, May 29, and O'Brien will start the following Monday, June 1, NBC executives told a Television Critics Association meeting Monday.

NBC is angling to keep Leno with NBC Universal but the late-night king has indicated he's ready to jump ship. Eager NBC competitors, including other networks and syndicators, are prepared to help him make the leap.

Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff, NBC Entertainment co-chairmen, were asked about the specter of Leno being hired by ABC and overpowering O'Brien and top-rated "Tonight."

"We really believe in the decisions we've made with our partners, including Jay," and stand by them, Silverman replied.

Graboff disagreed with the premise of the question, saying talks aimed at keeping Leno within NBC Universal post-"Tonight" are continuing.

But, Graboff added, "we've made our decision, we're happy with it, we're very confident the `Tonight' show will remain dominant in its time period."

Despite its prime-time woes, NBC has managed to maintain its late-night ratings dominance, although O'Brien has been challenged lately by Craig Ferguson on CBS. Now NBC is attempting a tricky transition based on a promise made nearly four years ago that O'Brien would succeed Leno.

The network attempted to defuse the issue Monday with humor: Leno was seated among the press corps, disguised as a bald, bearded reporter who was armed with questions about himself.

But the exchange came off as more pointed than funny, unlike a similar staged encounter between ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and a network executive last week at the critics' meeting.

Kimmel, identifying himself as a Florida newspaper reporter, tweaked his bosses as he posed questions about his job security if Leno comes to ABC; Leno, on the other hand, represents a threat to NBC if he goes elsewhere.

"(Green Bay Packers quarterback) Brett Favre retired and then wanted to come back," Leno said to Silverman and Graboff. "The Packers said no. What do you make of that?"

Favre retired in early March but recently expressed second thoughts about playing in 2008. The change of heart has drawn lukewarm enthusiasm from the Packers, who spent the offseason planning to move ahead with Aaron Rodgers as their starter — akin to the O'Brien-Leno switch.

"Everyone's entitled to change their mind. But I'd imagine that puts management in an impossible situation," Silverman replied, gamely.

"Is it true you've offered Leno a fifth hour on the `Today' show?" Leno said.

"That's a great idea, actually," Silverman said.

Nah, replied Leno, "It's a crappy idea."

Jimmy Fallon is poised to take over O'Brien's "Late Night" in March or April of 2009, after honing his approach in brief Internet shows, Silverman and Graboff said.

O'Brien will wrap his "Late Night" run sometime in the first quarter of the year, with exact dates to be determined, the executives said. O'Brien reruns will fill the gap until Fallon takes over.

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NBC is owned by General Electric Co. ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

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Property taxes are likely to rise in the city of orlando..so what a campaign flyer sent out by orlando mayor buddy dyer when he ran for election in 2003. It says in big green letters. Dyer's pledge-no increase in property taxes. Did he go back on his promise? or was that 6 years ago? a case of that was then and this is now.

In 2002 before dyer took office..the property tax rate was $ 5.69 per $1000 dollars, in 2008 it was $4.93. If they milage rate is approved at the proposed 21 percent increase.The property tax rate will be $5.97.

so here i am looking forward to a little savings on my property taxes to find out now the city is going to raise my taxes..by 10 bucks a month.

one of the commissioners said "it's only 2 lattes a month"  i know but that really isn't the point is it???

what is going on...is there nowhere where we can save money anymore??

YOU ALL KNOW THE DEAL BY NOW..BUSCH BUY-OUT!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? WHO SHOULD OWN SEAWORLD IF IT'S UP FOR GRABS???

i know this is totally gross subject  but in our travels it's a topic.

i went to a gas station today a racetrack on the east side of town and the bathroom in there was so clean and nice. as reporters and photogrAphers we have seen our share of gas stations and their "facilities" many are so gross, sometimes we will even drive to another one miles a way just not to be so grossed out.(girls you know what i am talking about)

so it got me to thinking....have you seen any raelly nice, clean banos in your travels.(we'd like to know because we are always stopping at them)

shannon