Angelina did it even though she didn’t have breast cancer. But she learned through blood tests that she does have the gene that means she had a 87% chance of getting it. The only way to knock that chance down into single digits was to remove her breasts. So she did.

Angie knows first hand about how deadly breast cancer can be.  Her equally beautiful mother died of the disease at the young age of 56. In the NYT story, Angelina says her mother did get to see one of her grandchildren before she died, but the others never had the chance to meet “Mommy’s Mom.”

And that’s why the woman named “Most Beautiful Woman in the World” decided to put vanity aside for the chance to live a longer life and enjoying what really matters, her children… and someday their children.

I have always been on “Team Angie.” Yes, she is stunningly gorgeous and sexy as hell.  But she’s also wickedly smart and defiantly strong. And then there’s the whole UN Ambassador thing. Oh, and she’s a Mom.

And now this. She wrote in the Times piece that she did the surgery in secret… but now that she’s healed, she wants to world to know why she made the drastic choice.  She wants women to be educated about their choices.  And she wants to remind family, partners and friends why it is so important to support women facing such difficult decisions.

Angie says Brad was so supportive of her during this whole experience. And that meant the world to her.

That, and being able to see her children grow up and fall in love and someday experience the love a mother feels for their child.

Thank you Angelina Jolie for your courage, your candor, and your balls to share very private details. You are the epitome of altruistic.

CBS LA has more on the story.

#RealTalk

Do certain apps encourage cyberbullying?

Jerica Deck ’13| Lifestyle Editor

Instagram. Snapchat. Twitter. Kik. Chances are you’re either scrolling through one of these right now or you live under a rock secluded from all forms of social media. In this day in age, you can’t seem to say anything without a hashtag in front of it or express yourself without adding emojis. However, when do Tweets and selfies start to turn into something more sinister?

To say that technology is a large part of our lives is an understatement. According to CBS news, the average teen sends over 3,000 text messages a month, spends at least 30 hours a week on the internet, and a growing 73% of teenagers use some form of social media.

About 100 million of them have chosen Instagram as their poison. Instagram is a popular photo sharing app where one uses various filters to get “likes” on each photo from their friends. However, amidst the competition for followers and trying to get as many “double taps” as you can, the app has also stirred controversy. Instagram has turned into a popularity contest to fuel users’ egos, but when it’s used to put other people down it becomes something more.

On Instagram, a popular game to play is group rate. This is where three or more people rate the attractiveness (or unattractiveness) of their instavictim in a group text and publicly post a screenshot of the conversation. Laughing with your friends in front of your thousands of followers is not okay. What gives you the authority to rate someone’s appearance in the first place? Who are you to call someone out on being a 6 if you’re only a 2?  Instagram provides a platform for people to publicly criticize others; something they’re not brave enough to say without being behind a glass iPhone screen.

This type of rating system isn’t anything new. It’s strikingly similar to Mark Zuckerberg’s Facemash — which was the predecessor to the social power house of Facebook. This version of Hot or Not allowed the University to rate students’ photos.

While it can undeniably target a user negatively, a question remains. If one willingly enters the realm of technology knowing that they are at risk for unpleasant reactions, does it constitute as cyber bullying? According to stopbullying.gov, bullying is defined as “unwanted, aggressive behavior…that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.” To be group rated, a person must first voluntarily put himself or herself out there to be torn down in the first place. Regardless of whether someone wants attention or is seeking fun, no one wants negativity. No one aspires to have his acne publicly criticized or too see laughing emojis mocking the gap between her teeth.

The evolution of social media has created a modern-day caste system. It allows users to define kids as popular according to their surplus of Twitter followers, while placing others at the bottom of the pyramid if the ‘likes’ on their photos don’t surpass single digits. It fuels the egos of the upper crust by fulfilling their need for attention. Think about it; their goal is to have people “like” their image to reassure their beauty and “follow” them, secure that they’re not alone. With every Tweet, Facebook post, and Instagram photo the goal is ultimately the same — the need to know that people “like” them. In contrast, people on the other end of the spectrum, without retweets or follow-backs, are left feeling like no one likes them.

Allowing the digital world to determine our self worth, level of attractiveness, and confidence, creates the perfect platform for a power imbalance as described in the definition of bullying.

Another thing that floods an Instagrammer newsfeed is “Ask me questions. Links in my bio.” People constantly shout out their ask.fm accounts, a website in which people have the power to anonymously post any question they wish. These inquiries can be cute, strange, funny, sexual, and even random. They can also be derogatory. Ask.fm bestows each culprit amnesty, and unlike other forms of social media, it does not let you adjust privacy settings or report offensive or inappropriate comments.

Social media provides a light fun way to connect with your friends, but it can also be just as harmful as physical bullying. Cyber bullying follows a victim everywhere, from school to their own homes to even the cellphone in their own pocket. According to stopbullying.gov, 16% of high school students were electronically bullied just last year, and with all the emerging forms of social media that number is quickly increasing.

Remember the golden rules: do unto others as you would have done unto you, words that wouldn’t come out your mouth shouldn’t come out your keyboard, and always think before you hashtag.

But what may come has a surprise to many, is that “Somebody that I Used To Know” was formed around an obscure guitar riff from an artist only the hippest of jazz-loving parents will know. Gotye sampled a portion of Luiz Bonfa’s 1967 song “Seville,” which can be heard here.

A Brazilian classical guitarist who died nearly decade ago, Bonfa was generously given a co-writing credit by Gotye on the song. He is also said to have inspired the song’s first few lyrics.

Gotye, who could not have predicted the song’s runaway success, inked early deal awarding 45 percent of the song’s royalties to Bofa’s estate, according to Australia’s Courier Mail.

Read more on Radio.com

During a recent interview with New York radio station 92.3 NOW, PSY explained the transition and why he shouldn’t be called a one-hit wonder.

“After ‘Gangnam Style,’ I hesitated to answer the question ‘What’s next?’” he explained. “Literally, right after that short period of hesitation they started calling me one-hit wonder all over the world. I was like, ‘What do you mean one-hit wonder?’ I’ve already been in this industry in my country for 12 years.”

Indeed, the South Korean singer’s first album was released 12 years ago, in 2001. He’s earned more and more notoriety in the Asian music market with each subsequent release.

“When I do some jobs for 12 years and then you’re called one-hit wonder, that feels really great,” he continued, sarcastically berating his fifteen minutes of fame label.

Read more at Radio.com

Yes, I just did gyrated on Mick Jagger. WHAT?! #Stones50 — Katy Perry (@katyperry) May 12, 2013

Mick & Kate forever! @mickjagger twitpic.com/cq71i6 — Katy Perry (@katyperry) May 13, 2013

Thanks for letting me be the 5th wheel last night! @therollingstones twitpic.com/cq72uv — Katy Perry (@katyperry) May 13, 2013

Though Perry was thrilled to be the fifth wheel and said it’s a check off her bucket list, the crowd and critics alike held a different opinion.

Katy Perry and The Rolling Stones together on stage….not sure who I’m more embarrassed for #pleaseretire — Lulala (@belledejournal) May 13, 2013

Read more at Radio.com

Spectators are highly encouraged to gather their family, friends and neighbors to line the course and cheer on the participants, but following the tragedy surrounding the Boston Marathon, questions have arose regarding what can brought into race areas, as well as general security.

According to the Cleveland Marathon’s website, backpacks and bags have are discouraged at the Start/Finish areas on race day and not allowed at the Health and Fitness Expo presented by Prayers From Maria Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation.

For participants, clear gear check bags will be provided and those must be used for gear check on race day. Spectators are asked to travel lightly as well. Those with diaper bags, purses and other items should note that their bags could be searched in the vicinity of the start and finish lines. Any unattended bags are subject to search and removal from the premises.

Spectators and participants can most likely expect heightened and visible security. The organizers want participants, volunteers and spectators to know they are working closely with their security company to take any additional precautionary measures that may be needed.

Participants can “purchase” blue wristbands inscribed with “Boston Strong” for whatever amount they would like to give as a donation to One Fund Boston. All of the money will be sent directly to One Fund Boston at the conclusion of the race weekend.

Interesting Facts:
Here are some fun facts about the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K.
Event is one of the 50 oldest marathons in the country
Number of years for Cleveland Marathon: 35
Number of running shoes expected to pound the streets of Cleveland on May 20: 40,000 + fans and volunteers
Number of 12 oz. water bottles used on race day: 21,000
Average mile time for the marathon winner: 5 minutes, 36 seconds per mile
Number of 5 oz. cups used on the course throughout race: 165,000
Number of bananas expected to be eaten by runners: 17,500
Gallons of PowerAde used on course during race: 3,230
Number of cookies expected to be eaten by runners: 14,400
Number of portable restrooms throughout the course: 138
Number of people over 65-years-old to finish the full 26.2 mile marathon in 2011: 25
Oldest male runner in 2011 was 78 and oldest female runner was 75
Youngest male runner in 2011 was 14 and youngest female runner was 14 (marathon only)

CLEVELAND MARATHON SCHEDULE
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Marathon and Half Marathon; 7 AM
10K; 7:30 AM

Saturday, May 18, 2013
5K; 8 AM & Kids’ Run; 11 AM

Backstreet Boys
With special guest Jessie McCartney
Saturday August 10th
Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

On Sale: Friday May 17th 10:00 AM
Presale: Thursday May 16th 10:00AM-10:00 PM
CODE: Q104
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

(Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

Ke$ha
With special guest Mike Posner and Semi-Precious Weapons (
Friday August 9th|Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

On Sale: Friday May 17th 10AM-10PM

WQAL Presale: Thursday May 16th 10AM-10PM. Code: Q104
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Part of the Hard rock Rocksino Northfield Park Concert Series

Madoline before her stay at the APL (Photo Credit: APL)

She lived in deplorable conditions and had an embedded collar. This very painful injury happened when a small collar was put on her when she was a pup and was never replaced with a larger one as she grew.

As a result, the collar grew into her neck. Madoline needed surgery at the APL to remove the collar, and lots of aftercare, including time away from the shelter with a loving foster care family.

Madoline after her stay at the APL (Photo Credit: APL)

Today Madoline is much-loved member of her adopted family!

He had a very large open wound on his back. Linus required surgery to repair the wound.

He then went to the home of an APL Foster Care Volunteer to heal and receive some much-needed TLC. Linus was adopted the first day he was on the adoption floor!

Spot after his stay at the APL (Credit: Cleveland APL)

Spot and his brothers and sisters had contracted distemper and he was the only pup who survived this often fatal disease. That left him with some “quirks.” Spot did not particularly like other dogs, and he walked with an odd gait.

What Spot really needed at the APL was the love of our staff and volunteers who walked him multiple times a day, played with him, and even took them to their homes for “field trips” on the weekend. Spot was with us six months and one day before he was adopted by his wonderful new family.

The little pup was blind, and it was thought he was also suffering from a neurological condition. In order to determine how he would do in a home, Stevie was placed in the home of an APL Foster Care Volunteer in order to learn more about his abilities and behavior.

Stevie during his stay at the APL (Credit: Cleveland APL)

In his foster home, Stevie was potty trained, and his foster mom discovered that when faced with a new or stressful situation, Stevie would walk in circles. While in foster care, friends of the foster family visited and fell in love.

Stevie was adopted by this wonderful family and is thriving in their care

When Miss Buster arrived at the Cleveland APL, her back leg was so badly broken, the bone was visible. She was immediately put on pain medication, antibiotics, and given fluids.

Unfortunately, it was ultimately determined that her leg had to be amputated. Miss Buster is recovering well and is now on our adoption, waiting for her forever home!

Jeannie took up residence in the Adoption Office where staff members worked with her daily. During the socialization process it was discovered that Jeannie loved small dogs!

After three weeks of socialization, Jeannie found her forever home—a home that also includes a small dog!

Corona before her stay at the APL (Photo Credit: APL)

She had exposed bone on her leg, but despite her very serious injuries, Corona was wagging her tail and giving kisses to the APL staff members. That behavior continued even during her exams, as the veterinary staff assessed the extent of her energy. All Corona wanted was to do was give kisses and wag her tail.

Unfortunately, her injuries were too severe to save the leg, and it had to be amputated. True to form, Corona was up right after her surgery, trying to learn how to balance on three legs! Only one day after being made available for adoption, Corona found her forever home!

Corona after her stay at the APL (Photo Credit: APL)

The crate they were found in (Credit: Cleveland APL)

He took a closer look and found 18 orphaned puppies inside. He decided to bring the puppies to the APL. The puppies were about four weeks old and were too little to be in our shelter.

So they went out in pairs for 6 weeks of TLC and socialization in the homes of APL Foster Care Volunteers. They all came back to the APL and were quickly adopted.

The APL Veterinary team examined him and discovered he was unable to urinate at all. Scout underwent surgery to unblock him and then was fed a prescription diet to prevent the crystals that were forming in bladder. He even weathered the blackout the APL experienced for three days after Hurricane Sandy!

Scout after his stay at the APL (Photo Credit: APL)

Scout charmed everyone he met but the APL did have some concerns about his adoptability because he required prescription diet for the rest of his life and that is more expensive than regular cat food.

But Scout’s forever family put those fears to rest.They fell in love and adopted him knowing his special needs. They frequently reach out to the APL staff telling stories of their beloved Scout.

Scout after his stay at the APL (Photo Credit: APL)

Said his mom, “we have found the missing piece to our family!”

Amethyst during her stay at the APL (Credit: Cleveland APL)

When the APL’s Humane Investigations Officer arrived to investigate, she confirmed the injury. She convinced the owner to surrender the cat to the APL, and Amethyst was brought into the shelter for evaluation.

Amethyst was very shy when he got the APL, but quickly warmed up and was adopted soon after!

Baker before his stay at the APL (Photo Credit: APL)

His body was covered with sores, he was emaciated, and his legs were bound together with pieces of cloth. Baker got immediate medical attention and was too ill to stay in the shelter that first evening.

A Veterinary Technician student who was interning at the APL offered to take him home to monitor him. After months in her loving care, Baker was a new dog—healthy and even a bit chubby. Baker also had a new home—she adopted him!

Baker after his stay at the APL (Photo Credit: APL)

Please join Fee’s Kompany this Friday and Saturday for the 8th annual Cleveland APL Radiothon!

We’re raising money to help animals. This year we hope to reach the million dollar mark!

But we can’t do it without your help.

Please listen to Q104 radiothon broadcast on Friday from 6am to 6pm, then again on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Allan Fee, Katherine Boyd and Glenn the Funny Song Man will be broadcasting live from the Cleveland APL on Wiley Avenue in Tremont.

To make a donation call 216-566-7387.

Even better, stop by the APL and say “Hi!” We’d love to meet you.

There’s a ton of food, music and fun.  Plus you can adopt a cat, dog, rabbit, mouse or guinea pig on site! And during radiothon only, they’re offering a special adoption rate on cats and kittens.

Cats a year or older at just $1.04.

Kittens are just $10.41.  They’re normally $95!

And all APL animals are spade/neutered, have all their shots, and are de-wormed.

Please help Fee’s Kompany spread the love, and support the Cleveland APL!

His eye became so severely infected that it ruptured and his caregiver bundled him up and brought him to the APL. Castiel was found on the side of the road by a gentleman on his way to work. The cat could not move and the Good Samaritan brought him to the APL, where it was determined that the poor kitty had broken his leg several weeks prior.

Both cats needed lots of medical care and had to go to a foster care volunteer’s home for TLC. One incredible Foster Care Volunteer took both the kitties. She worked tirelessly to administer medication and care for their needs.

As a result, Castiel is able to walk again and Jeepers has recovered some of the vision in his remaining eye. And more important, they became best buddies. When they came back to our shelter, we saw how bonded they were and insisted they go home together! And they did!

No, replaying a game yearly is only saved for the true wonders of a gamers heart. For me, considering I don’t buy that many new games per year, I have a very large list for replay games. For starters, Donkey Kong Country 2, Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros 3, and Goof Troop are all things I replay any chance I go to my grandmother’s house with the SNES plugged in. Paper Mario 64 is a classic I can never not play, along with Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga for the GBA. Fighting games, in my personal opinion, do not count although I have logged in some many hours at Marvel vs Capcom 2 it has basically turned into a daily fixture. Last, but not least, in my abundance of yearly replays is that of Ocarina of Time; and yes the N64, GCN, Master Quest and 3D version all count. The same goes for Sonic 3 & Knuckles, be it on my SEGA Genesis or Gamecube I have to replay the game. Funny, I feel more like I’m naming a greatest games all-time list rather than a yearly replay list, but that is what comes with these games; they are just the fantastic in so many ways.

To begin my SNES is basically my replay machine, but I like to choose what games I will replay or play (as I still find/buy SNES games). Last year my games to play were Illusion of Gaia and Earthbound, so in between each game (whether I get stuck or bored for the day) I chose a “side-game”. It’s always a lottery between my Super Mario All-stars, Super Mario World, and Donkey Kong Country 2. They are games I find fun and bring a challenge no matter how many times I’ve completed the game past it’s regular 100% (DKC2 102% etc). I can play by myself or with a friend, and I can complete the levels in a number of ways. In fact, for DKC2 I occasionally do an “all-Diddy” or “all-Dixie” run making sure I complete and only play as either of the two otherwise I have to re-do the entire game/level.

If anyone wants to know why I listed Goof Troop (SNES) on my replay list is because it is one of my favorite co-op games of all-time. Yes, I do own TMNT IV: Turtles in Time but what makes Goof Troop so special is it is a game my younger brother and I play every holiday and have many laughs and memories with it. Be it how we play the game, or the jokes we’ve made, Goof Troop will always hold joyous memories of my brother and I beating the game…or failing to communicate on puzzles and killing each other.

The N64 I used to replay a lot but I have become more attached to my 3DS as of late. The N64 is home of some mega-ultimate-classics like Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Banjo-Tooie, Star Fox 64, and Paper Mario. As you have probably surmised I used to replay those games all the time on my N64. Problem I have with these games, except Star Fox 64 and Ocarina of Time, is I have practically memorized the entire game so the joy of replaying them is not as great as the first five times. My new plan is to actually let myself forget most of the game and comeback to it when I’m ready, like my plan for Donkey Kong 64 this year. The reason why Star Fox 64 is an exception is because you can play and beat the entire game in about 25 minutes and take an abundance of different routes. I constantly replay the game to beat my former/past-self’s score of 5656 hits/kills…which for some reason I can’t score that anymore and I was only 8 or 9 then!

Ocarina of Time is a different caliber because I feel it is the greatest game of all-time. The game from it’s epic music, to fantastic story, to just overall fun gameplay, and level design is just as fun as the last playthrough. There are so many unique characters, fun sidequests, that you can complete this game in a numerous amount of fashions. Master Quest only adds to the fun, especially Ganon’s castle (the lava part for anyone who knows what I’m talking about).

I don’t really replay RPG’s all that much, because they are like a good anime; the first is always the best. But there is one RPG-game that transcends that limit and that game is: Final Fantasy IX. FFIX, is my favorite in the entire series, and I can and will never get enough of it. Just the entire world and its characters are enough to get you through it but going to Auction House in Treno, playing Chocobo Hot & Cold, or even just annoying Mog with the Mog Whistle is enough to keep me entertained forever.

Wow, there really are so many games I just keep remembering more and more; like I always replay Phoenix Wright Trials and Tribulations every summer (the DS version). I don’t want to keep you guys here all day, just know I replay the game because it actually makes me pumped to go to law-school next year, although I know law is nothing like PW but still!

I’m sure one of these days, I will replay my Gameboy games, but I always tell myself to replay Pokemon Yellow and I can’t bring myself to delete my old file. It’s literally my past and I feel like I’d lose a part of myself if I deleted it.

Well, now you guys know my big list of my yearly or two yearly replay games. It would probably be a lot more if some of the games didn’t have only one save file! One final thing I have to say is I don’t believe multiplayer games count as “replay” games because otherwise Mario Party, Smash Bros, and Mario Kart would dominate a replay list!

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Michael Troina writes features and reviews Nintendo games for Analog Addiciton. When he’s not writing or playing games or sports, he’s out at his job at the Daily Bugle taking pictures as the web-slinger we all have come to love…either that or he’s getting sandwich saving one world at a time. Find him anywhere with this flavors.me/michaeltroina If you guys got some time subscribe to him at youtube here!  Or like his gaming channel

This senior, neutered cat had been living outside and was covered with fleas, had hair loss, and had scabs all over his body. At the APL, he was treated for his skin issues, had a dental cleaning, and we ran a routine senior blood panel.

He went to the home of an APL Foster Care volunteer, who noticed he was limping. X-rays revealed a mass on his leg that was cancerous.

The best option for Otto was to amputate his leg, a risky surgery for a senior cat. Otto certainly made a big impression on his foster family. They decided to see him through his amputation surgery and then adopt him!

Secondly, how many gamers actually know enough about firearms to tell the difference between a Larue and what the gun community refers to as an ‘M4gery’ ? The turn of phrase refers to an AR15 built from miscellaneous or cheap parts, with no discernible make or model due to the upper receiver being from one manufacturer, the lower from another, the barrel from a third, etc. It would be simple to just label the gun an M4, M16 or AR15 at no cost. They inflated the cost of the game for minor bits of realism no one expected, and did it over and over again with various weapons. EA licensed a number of big names in the firearms world, including a number of FN and Heckler and Koch weapons, Magpul furniture, ELCAN scopes… none of them could be cheap, seeing as all of those companies are industry giants.

What it breaks down to is that this isn’t a public relations move. It isn’t cowering before the outrage of gun control advocates or not having the backbone to stand up to them, depending on your perspective. It’s about saving money instead of throwing it into the wind, which is something I expect almost any game company I buy from to do, so that the costs aren’t passed on to consumers or games don’t flop due to basic budgeting failures. This should be absolutely basic stuff- not tossing money down the drain to get name-brand firearms into your game. You can use that money to make your game better, instead of simply more ‘realistic’. MacMillian, Larue, and Magpul will do fine without the spots in games, and no matter how many brand-name firearms you put in a game it won’t attract actual shooters. Actual shooters will probably go out and actually shoot, doubly so if the game in question is a steaming turd like Warfighter was. I’m not going to give EA props on this one, because it’s like cheering someone on for ceasing to pound their own feet into a pulp with a ball-peen hammer. You reward success, not a cessation of stupidity.