Avril Lavigne: Goodbye Lullaby

Pop/rocker Avril Lavigne is back with her fourth studio effort, Goodbye Lullaby. Read on to get a glimpse of the sure fine hit. After a long hiatus, 26-year-old Avril Lavigne is back with her impressive fourth studio album, Goodbye Lullaby. What was created in late 2008, Lavigne decided to shed her snarly punk princess persona from her third effort, The Best Damn Thing and the number one

Redbox Movies Deal: Get 3 Movies For 1$

Oscar Sunday should really be National Movie Day. The day of the Academy Awards is the day when films are celebrated and movie magic is honored. So with movies on the mind, Redbox is offering a super good deal with that begins on Sunday and runs until March 1st.

An easier way to get those Oscar nominated movies you hadn’t seen yet or want to see again. What’s the offer? You can get 3 DVD to rent for just $1. And really, you can’t get much for a buck these days. So how did you get in on some hot movie action?The deal is a special one and only through the ever popular Groupon. It starts at  12:01 AM on Sunday and ends  at  11:59 PM Tuesday, March 1st (Central Time Zone).

As for Redbox locations, they are popping up everywhere!  You can get in on the deal right here starting on Sunday. Happy watching!

3 DVD rentals for only $1 via Groupon starting this Sunday through Tuesday, February 27th through March 1, 2011.

Digital Cameras For Photographers At All Levels

Cameras

If you don't know much about digital cameras but need to buy one as a gift, here's a list of shooters for any level of photographer.

Panasonic FH20

For a casual shooter, the Panasonic FH20 is the best-rounded camera in its price bracket. It sports an 8x optical zoom lens, 720p HD video capability, snappy performance and solid image quality. The design is uninspiring, but it's still small enough to comfortably fit into a pants pocket.

Nikon S4000

For a more modern, streamlined take on the pocket-cam genre, take a look at the Nikon S4000, barely larger than a credit card and equipped with an intuitive touch-screen interface. Indoor and low-light image quality leaves a lot to be desired, but casual users will love the fun factor.

Canon SD1300

A Canon EPLH is always a great bet. The Canon SD1300 is as simple and streamlined as a sub-$200 point-and-shoot gets. The feature set is light, with 4x zoom and only standard-def video, but the performance, image quality and reliability are tough to beat at the price.

Panasonic ZS5

A compact zoom (or travel zoom) camera is a good "step-up" camera for a budding hobbyist. They're versatile cameras that combine rich feature sets, strong image quality and some manual control, which is the best way for hobbyists to grow as photographers. The Panasonic ZS5 is a great example of the genre. Powerful and pocketable, it packs a 12x optical zoom, 720p HD video, aperture and shutter priority modes, and crisp image quality. (Also take a look at the ZS7, with integrated GPS).

Panasonic FZ100

Extended zoom (or super zoom) cameras are also popular with hobbyists for their pro looks and enormous zoom ranges. The Panasonic FZ100 is this year's premier super zoom. Its features make dSLR users jealous: 24x zoom, 11 frame-per-second burst shooting and 1080i HD video. Image quality isn't what you'd hope for at this price, but that's an expected flaw with this type of camera.

Canon S95

For a compact camera with better image quality, especially in challenging low-light situations like concerts, take a look at the Canon S95. Its secret is the sensor, which is huge compared to sensors in all other ultra-compacts. It's what makes the S95 popular with all types of photographers.

Nikon D3100

To feel like a real photographer, there's no substitute for a digital single-lens reflex camera. Even an entry-level model like the Nikon D3100 is a serious shooter. A bit of experience is necessary (or at least a read-through of the manual) but performance, picture quality and control are unparalleled by any compact camera. The D3100 even shoots 1080p HD video with continuous autofocus, a feature normally reserved for high-end cameras. Like all dSLRs, it is an interchangeable-lens camera, so grab the "kit" configuration, which comes with a starter lens.

Canon G12

Enthusiasts drool over the Canon G12, the latest iteration of Canon's vaunted G series. This is one of the most advanced compact cameras available. It's similar to the S95, but the 5x lens is more versatile, it offers a greater degree of manual control, and the optical viewfinder makes it easy to shoot in bright sunlight. This is the standard for compact cameras.

Sony NEX-5

The Sony NEX-5 is a great camera for gadget lovers. It's part of an emerging class known as mirrorless cameras: compact bodies with interchangeable lens mounts, stuffed with sensors almost big enough for a dSLR. The NEX-5 is one of the smallest, sleekest cameras in the mirrorless genre, built from a sturdy but streamlined magnesium alloy, rounded out with a touchscreen interface. It can't autofocus as quickly as a dSLR, but that's the tradeoff for its bring-anywhere design. Make sure to pick up a kit configuration, since old lenses don't fit on the smaller mount.

Sony A55

And for those who really want to be on top of the newest trends, the latest sub-genre is single-lens translucent cameras. Sony is the only manufacturer that makes them at the moment, with the A55 at the top of the heap. It's built around a translucent mirror (rather than a transparent one), so it can focus and shoot simultaneously for extra-fast performance, and it's a bit smaller than an entry-level dSLR, too. Unlike the NEX series, it accepts Sony and Minolta A-mount lenses. This new design has hearts fluttering in the camera-nerd world.

How to Handle Sticky Interview Situations

Think back to the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant when Caitlin Upton, representing South Carolina, was asked why so many Americans were unable to locate the United States on a map. Her response was muddled, to put it kindly. Her incoherent response not only left the judges scratching their heads but also proved that answering a question on the spot can cause anyone to stumble.

Although that video clip went viral and millions of viewers have had fun laughing at Upton's botched answer, you can probably assume everyone identified with her to a degree. Who hasn't been called on in class or been asked a question in a meeting and just blathered on like a toddler?

Imagine feeling this helpless during a job interview. You're already tense enough without worrying that you won't even be able to piece together a proper sentence. Yet, many job seekers have found themselves caught in a situation where the right answer just isn't coming to them. Even if they're not  tongue-tied, they don't know how to answer an interviewer's peculiar or possibly illegal question.

Caught off-guard, anyone can freeze during a job interview. How should you avoid being the next Miss South Carolina in your job hunt?

Be creative and still professional

Sometimes hiring managers ask questions they know will catch you  off-guard. The purpose of the question isn't so much about what you answer as it is how you handle the pressure. For example, if you're asked how many gallons of paint are necessary for you to paint the moon, don't worry about getting the math right. The hiring manager probably doesn't know the answer either. Fun or quirky questions are supposed to knock you out of your comfort zone so that the employer can observe you.

Career expert and author J.P. Hansen stresses individuality balanced with professionalism.

"When asked a fun question, such as, 'What color would you be?' your answer should be fun, creative, entertaining and showcase your personality," Hansen says. "With that in mind, never forget to remain professional and polished. Just because you are in a fun moment in an interview does not mean this is your time to become best friends with the interviewer or slack in professionalism. Remember, you are still in an interview."

Don't panic

When you're in an interview, dozens of thoughts run through your mind. You say to yourself: "Maintain good posture and make eye contact"; "Don't say 'um' too much"; "Don't yawn"; "Speak slowly"; "How did the handshake go -- too forceful or too weak?" You're so busy analyzing the situation and trying to appear calm that you don't pay enough attention to the question at hand. Suddenly the hiring manager is waiting for you to talk and you're not sure what to say to a question you know you could answer any other day of the week.

"It's common to blank out during an interview but fatal to answer, 'I don't know,'" Hansen explains. "If you draw a blank or don't understand the question, simply ask a qualifier. For example, 'I'm not sure I understand the question.' It buys you time and puts the ball back in the interviewer's court."

Even if the interviewer doesn't clarify the question as much as you'd like, you still get a few extra moments to piece together a coherent response. And remember, coherence means a lot in an interview.

"[The] interviewer's pet peeve?" Hansen asks. "A rambling response that doesn't answer the question."

Decide how personal you're willing to go

Sometimes hiring managers cross a line with their questions and you're not sure how to respond. Although on occasion you'll run into an unpleasant employer for whom you'd never want to work, most interviewers are good people trying to find good workers. And like any human they make mistakes, such as asking questions that are illegal or at the very least make you uncomfortable. Granted, if this person is being paid to interview people, he should know better, but everyone make mistakes. Also, his mistake doesn't mean you should feel forced to answer any question he asks if you're not comfortable. Hansen recommends that job seekers find their own limits if, for example, the interviewer asks about their health.

"If you want the job, answer in an upbeat, confident manner. Try, 'I exercise, eat right and, according to the results of my last check-up, my health is excellent,'" he suggests. "You always have a choice not to answer a question, but know that you'll likely disqualify your candidacy. The best advice: Answer all questions, get the offer and then decide."

When confronted with one of these questions, step back and think about what it means to you. Is the interviewer prying into your life or trying to get at a deeper issue, or did the question come out wrong even though it's obvious no ill intent was meant? Trust your instincts and keep the answers in your comfort zone. As with any sticky interview situation, you want to remain calm and in control at all times.

11 Warning Signs Your Interview Is in Trouble

During driver's education courses, you learn what each road sign signifies. The two arrows converging means you need to merge. A squiggly arrow means the road winds. "Left Lane Ends" means, well, the left lane ends.

Sometimes you don't even need the signs to know what to expect. If you see a flurry of red brake lights, you know traffic is not moving. In an ice storm, if the car in front of you is skidding from side to side, you can bet that the road is slippery.

Job hunts come with their own warning signs, but they're not typically as blunt as the bright yellow and orange signs posted on the side of the road. Instead, you're more likely to get context clues, like the brake lights. The interview process is full of uncertainty for a job seeker, and much of the power is in the interviewer's hands. Sometimes you don't know if the interview is going well. Other times you're so nervous you don't recognize the signs that this company isn't right for you.

Therefore it behooves you to recognize the warning signs that your job interview is in trouble. Here are 11 warning signs to watch for when interviewing for a job:

1. You're pretty sure you know how to get to the interview site, but you're not positive.Before you can even look for warning signs of a bad interview, you need to get there first. Lisa Fedrizzi-Hutchins is  a human resources/compliance administrator who was heading to a job interview earlier this year. She trusted her GPS unit, but realized the directions were incorrect once she was en route. Fortunately she called the company and asked some clarifying questions so that she could arrive at the interview on time.

2. You're talking more than the interviewer is.Job seekers shouldn't dominate more than 40 percent of the conversation, says John M. McKee, founder and CEO of Business Success.

"Because many job seekers are anxious to show that they are the best candidate for a job, they often dominate the conversation with things like never-ending answers or run-on sentences," he explains. "The interview time may end before they've had adequate time to deal with all the questions the interviewer had prepared."

3. The interviewer's eyes are on the clock, not you.As a managing partner at Winter, Wyman and Co., Mark Gleckman knows the importance of an interviewer's body language.

"During an interview, be an active observer," Gleckman advises. "Watch your interviewer's body language -- is she glancing at her watch or noticing who is walking by? These could be signs that the interview may not progress to the next phase." He suggests asking the interviewer if you've provided all of the information she was hoping for or if you can offer anything else to get the most out of the interview.

4. The interviewer decides to take a phone call mid-interview.An interviewer should treat you with the same respect he or she expects. Jennifer Mounce, executive coach and interview adviser for Coach Effect, has heard her share of bad interview stories. One manager stopped an interview to take a 20-minute phone call without warning the interviewee, who was told to stay in the room until it was over. When the call was over, the interviewer resumed with the questions, but his mind was obviously elsewhere.

"Candidates must ask themselves if they want to work for a person who can't give them their full attention for a short period of time or who doesn't have the communication and/or social skills necessary to put the candidate at ease, apologize or explain the necessity of the disruption," Mounce says.

5. The interview feels like a test of endurance.Mounce also warns of employers who hold marathon interviews that last seven hours. Applicants are not asked if they'd like a restroom break, snack or glass of water. Mounce advises you to think about what the job would be like if the interview is this bad.

6. No one wants to work here.An insightful question that many job seekers fail to ask is why the position is available. Or, to frame it so that you sound focused on your future with the company, ask where the employee formerly in the position is today. JR Rodrigues, co-founder of JRBM Software, cautions job seekers to watch for companies with a revolving door.

"[If] the hiring manager complains to the interviewee about having had his last three hires quit after only a short term of employment, you should wonder about what is causing such turnover and whether this job is for you," he says.

7. You're participating in a questionnaire, not an interview.Kris Alban, director of strategic partnerships for iGrad, keeps a list of questions in front of him when conducting an interview.

"During a good interview, I will go off-page as certain responses provoke additional questions or I may ask the interviewee to expand on something they said," Alban says. "If you notice your interviewer just running down their list of questions, then you know that you need to engage them more. I definitely become more engaged when the interviewee accompanies their answer with a story that anchors it."

8. You get snippy with the administrative assistant.The interview begins the moment you are on the premises, so don't save your best behavior for the meeting room. Monique A. Honaman, CEO of ISHR Group and a former HR manager, stresses the importance of good manners.

"I can't tell you how many times I have heard of job seekers being dismissive to certain individuals, and I know hiring managers often ask the receptionist to provide input on the candidates as well as those more heavily involved in the job interview process," Honaman says. "It's not just about having the skills and abilities to do the job; the personality and respect elements are  critical, too."

9. You spend 10 minutes complaining about your last boss.Honaman also cautions against going negative during an interview. "Job seekers must never talk negatively about a former co-worker or former boss, even if it seems like this negativity is being encouraged," she warns. "Take the high road. It's an incredibly small world out there and it's amazing who knows who."

10. The company is in financial trouble."[If] there is a loud argument in the office of the company you are interviewing at stemming from a creditor who has not received payment for his product or services that were purchased by the company, you need to consider whether this company will be able to pay you," Rodrigues says.

11. The employer doesn't keep his or her word.Rodrigues also warns against employers who tell you one thing but do otherwise. Blatant lies are obvious warning signs, but other subtle ones also hint at trouble. If you were given a timetable during the interview but you haven't heard anything since, Rodrigues says you might have fallen off of the interviewer's radar and need to work your way back into his or her view.

5 Ways to Shine in Your Next Interview

In a tough job market, landing an interview is a major accomplishment. When such opportunity knocks, be ready to show why you're the candidate to hire. Here are five tips that can help job seekers make a great impression.

Do your homework

Erika Milonas, director of campus recruitment for The McTigue Financial Group (part of Northwestern Mutual) inChicago, reviews more than 1,000 résumés a year and interviews about 400 candidates to choose 40 for the company's internship program. With such competition, it would seem that interviewees would be incredibly prepared, but that isn't always the case.

Milonas finds some candidates unable to answer the simple question, "What do you know about The McTigue Financial Group and Northwestern Mutual?" She calls failure to be able to discuss the company at this basic level a "deal breaker," regardless of how the rest of the interview went.

Since most businesses have websites, learning about a potential employer is relatively easy. Find out what the company does and its main  products and services, and be familiar with recent developments in the industry.

Know yourself

Once you know something about the employer, it's time to think about why you would be a good match. Since it is often difficult to formulate answers on the spot, practice responses at home.

"Before your interview, write out answers to potential questions you are likely to be asked," says Robin Ryan, author of "60 Seconds & You're Hired!" "Keep your answers concise, no more than 60 seconds."

While question will differ by employer, Ryan recommends thinking out responses to these standards:

• Why did you leave your last job (or why do you want to leave)?
•  What is your greatest weakness?
• What is the salary you are looking for?
• Describe the worst boss you've ever worked for.

Engage in, but don't take over, the interview

Employers want workers who bring positive energy to the workplace. Two common pitfalls Milonas sees among candidates are that they lack interest in the opportunity and answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no" rather than engaging in meaningful conversation.

On the flip side, Linda Matias, president of CareerStrides and author of "201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions: The Ultimate Guide to Handling the New Competency-Based Interview Style," cautions against overwhelming the interviewer.

"Though it is true that job seekers should be active participants in the interview process, they should not take over the interview," Matias says. "Usually, job seekers take over when nerves get the best of them or when they feel they have to fill in the silence. It's a delicate balance, but job seekers need to learn when to ask questions and when to allow the interviewer to take charge."

Once again, practicing beforehand can make the difference.

Look the part

"In the first 10 seconds of meeting a candidate, the interviewer makes a mental decision on whether you look right for the job," Ryan says. "If your personal presentation is inappropriate, you've lost that position without saying a word."

Some fields accept greater creativity in apparel, but experts generally agree to err on the conservative side.

"This is not the time to be a fashionista," Milonas says. For men, this translates to a business suit or blazer, shirt and tie. Women should consider a suit (either a jacket and skirt or a matching pantsuit).

"Neatness counts, too," Ryan says. "Shine your shoes. Clothes should be cleaned, pressed and fit well."

Remember your manners

Finally, make sure your conduct fits the part. Punctuality shows respect for other people's time. Use of polite terminology should be standard during an interview, but it also reflects well to be equally courteous when addressing receptionists and other office workers.

A big etiquette faux pas is not sending a thank-you letter immediately after an interview. "Too many job seekers have an 'if the manager is interested, she or he will call' mentality and wait by the phone," Matias says. "After a few weeks of the phone not ringing, that's when they decide to follow up. By then it may be too late. Or, if it's not too late, chances are that the job seeker is desperate. That anxiety may come through and turn off the interviewer. To avoid tripping up, job seekers should follow up quickly, not only because they want the job but because it's the polite action to take after they've been invited for an interview."

While e-mail makes sending a rapid thank-you note easy to do, consider going the extra mile by composing a handwritten message sent via snail mail. After all, you're not out simply to be another candidate, you want to shine.

Another Twitter Beef Rihana Vs Caira

Another night, another Twitter beef…This time it’s Rihanna vs. Ciara. Rihanna was not pleased with Ciara’s commentary tonight when she told Joan Rivers on E!’s “Fashion Police” that Rihanna wasn’t so nice to her the last time they saw each other. No sooner did the words come out of Ciara’s mouth, Rihanna went on Twitter and shots were fired immediately.

Check out the tweets and Ciara’s video below: