No it's never gonna be that simple

You say that you're becoming someone else
You gave me a sign that didn't feel right
We'd never have to wonder if
You see what you need to see
I just wanted to know if I could go home
I'll keep your things right where you left them
And i hope you'll find everything that you need
It could be the same for you
It's something you have to do
I'm looking for directions for out of this place
Everyone says they don't know
I'll go for miles till I find you

How to cook Skirt Steak Fajitas with Lime and Black Pepper

Ingredients
2 pounds skirt steak, halved crosswise
18 flour tortillas
Tomatillo or tomato salsa
2 large onions, peeled and cut lengthwise into wedges, leaving root ends intact
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Lime wedges
Now it's time to cook !

Prepare grill for cooking.

Thread onions onto skewers (or put in grill basket), then brush with 1/2 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. When fire is medium-hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds), grill onions, turning occasionally, until tender, 16 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board. When just cool enough to handle, cut onions into 1-inch pieces and toss with vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

While onions are grilling, stir together lime juice and remaining teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons oil in a shallow dish, then add steak and marinate at room temperature, turning once, 10 minutes.

Pat steak dry, then rub with pepper. Grill steak on lightly oiled grill rack, turning once, 6 to 10 minutes total for medium-rare. Transfer to cutting board, then let stand 5 minutes before cutting diagonally into thin slices.

While steak is standing, toast tortillas directly on grill rack, turning once, until puffed slightly and browned in spots, about 1 minute total. Serve steak, onions, cilantro, and salsa all wrapped in tortillas.

Have a nice meal !

The toll from the swine flu epidemic appears to be stabilizing in Mexico

Concern that the world could be on the brink of the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years escalated Sunday as France, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Spain reported potential new cases in which people had been infected with swine flu and Canada confirmed several new cases. In the U.S., where 20 such infections have been confirmed, federal health officials declared a public-health emergency and are preparing to distribute to state and local agenciesa quarter of the country's 50 million-dose stockpile of antiviral drugs. Meanwhile, in hard-hit Mexico, where more than 80 people have died from what is believed to be swine flu, the government closed all public schools and canceled hundreds of public events in Mexico City.

The toll from the swine flu epidemic appears to be stabilizing in Mexico, the health secretary said late Tuesday, with only seven more suspected deaths. But an outbreak of the virus at a New York school showed it is capable of repeated jumps between humans — meaning it can keep spreading around the world.

The positive news came even as the first two countries announced travel bans on flights from Mexico, the center of the epidemic, and as confirmed cases were reported for the first time as far away as New Zealand and Israel, joining the United States, Canada, Britain and Spain.

The new virus is suspected in 159 deaths and 2,498 illnesses across Mexico, said Health Secretary Jose Cordova, who called the death toll "more or less stable" even as hospitals are swamped with people who think they have swine flu. And he said only 1,311 suspected swine flu patients remain hospitalized, a sign that treatment works for people who get medical care quickly.

Cuba became the first country to impose an outright ban on travel to the epicenter of the epidemic.

Argentina soon followed with its own ban, and ordered 60,000 visitors who arrrived from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. in the past 20 days to contact the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, Mexico was eliminating reasons for tourists to visit. On Tuesday, the pyramids and all other archaeological sites were put off limits nationwide and restaurants in the capital were closed for all but take-out food in an aggressive bid to stop gatherings where the virus can spread.

"Border controls do not work. Travel restrictions do not work," said WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl, recalling the SARS epidemic earlier in the decade that killed 774 people, mostly in Asia, and slowed the global economy.

Instead, they say, governments should do more to provide medical help to people with swine flu symptoms, since the virus is proving to be treatable if diagnosed early.

Experts on epidemics said these kinds of government interventions are ineffective, since this flu — a never-before-seen blend of genetic material from pigs, birds and humans to which people have no natural immunity — is already showing up in too many places for containment efforts to make a difference.

Cordova said many of the people crowding hospital waiting rooms complaining of swine flu symptoms actually suffered from other ailments — and many of those suspected of having the virus were treated and sent home.

"You can see the total of new cases," Cordova said, pointing to bar charts that showed a rise and fall. "In the last days there has been a drop."

Cordova said that with U.S. help, new testing facilities in Mexico will soon have the capacity to test 150 samples a day for the new strain of swine flu. Currently, it must send samples to the CDC or Canadian labs, which is the main reason why only 26 of the 159 deaths have been definitively confirmed to be swine flu.

Meanwhile, Cordova said health workers have begun using a less specific quick test, and will immediately administer anti-viral medicine to anyone with the general class of flu that includes the new strain.

Another focus is preventing people from gathering in groups where mass contagion could result. Mexico City's mayor ordered restaurants to limit service to takeouts and deliveries, and closed gyms and swimming pools and restricted access to many government buildings.

In New York, there were growing signs that the virus was moving beyond St. Francis Preparatory school, where sick students started lining up at the nurse's office days after some students returned from Cancun.

At the 2,700-student school, the largest Roman Catholic high school in the nation, "many hundreds of students were ill with symptoms that are most likely swine flu," said Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden. A teacher was one of 28 confirmed cases. And a nearby school with siblings at St. Francis was shut down as well after more than 80 students called in sick.

"It is here and it is spreading," Frieden said.

Rachel Mele, a 16-year-old at the school, saw her fever break Tuesday for the first time in five days. It had been hovering around 101 since the terrifying night when her parents rushed her to the hospital.

"I could barely even catch my breath. I've never felt a pain like that before," Mele said. "My throat, it was burning, like, it was the worst burning sensation I ever got before. I couldn't even swallow. I couldn't even let up air. I could barely breathe through my mouth."

Scientists hope to have a key ingredient for a vaccine ready in early May, but it still will take months before any shots are available for the first required safety testing. Using samples of the flu taken from people who fell ill in Mexico and the U.S., scientists are engineering a strain that could trigger the immune system without causing illness.

"We're about a third of the way" to that goal, said Dr. Ruben Donis of the CDC.

In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. The strain responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected person recovers fully in a few days.

Of the three genera of human flu, two are endemic also in swine: Influenzavirus A (common) and Influenzavirus C (rare).[2] Influenzavirus B has not been reported in swine. Within Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus C, the strains endemic to swine and humans are largely distinct.

Kidnapped US captain freed, Thai soldiers spray gunfire at protest

Navy SEAL snipers on the fantail of a destroyer cut down three Somali pirates in a lifeboat and rescued an American sea captain on Easter Sunday. The surprise nighttime assault in choppy seas ended a five-day standoff between a team of rogue gunmen and the world's most powerful military.

Richard Phillips was taken hostage Wednesday by pirates who tried to hijack the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama. The Vermont native was held on a tiny lifeboat that began drifting precariously toward Somalia's anarchic, gun-plagued shores. The lifeboat was about 25-30 yards away and was being towed by the Bainbridge at the time, he said. The pirates had agreed to the tow to move the powerless lifeboat out of rough water.

The rescue was a dramatic blow to the pirates who have preyed on international shipping and hold more than a dozen ships with about 230 foreign sailors. Phillips was not hurt in several minutes of gunfire and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet said he was resting comfortably on a U.S. warship after receiving a medical exam.

A fourth pirate surrendered after boarding the Bainbridge earlier in the day and could face life in a U.S. prison. He had been seeking medical attention for a wound to his hand and was negotiating with U.S. officials on conditions for Phillips' release, military officials said.

Aboard the Bainbridge, sailors passed along a message from Andrea Phillips to her husband: "Richard, your family loves you, your family is praying for you, and your family is saving a chocolate Easter egg for you, unless your son eats it first."

Thai soldiers sprayed automatic weapons fire into the air and threw tear gas to clear protesters blocking roads in the capital in the pre-dawn darkness Monday. Demonstrators responded by hurling at least one gasoline bomb and 70 people were reported injured, most by tear gas.

Some injuries were reported from incidents in the two areas, but an exact number was not immediately available by authorities.

The red-shirted demonstrators are supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who want new elections, saying Abhisit's four-month-old government took power illegitimately. They also accuse the country's elite - the military, judiciary and other unelected officials - of undermining democracy by interfering in politics.

Abhisit appealed Monday to the demonstrators to return to their homes, saying the government was using "the softest measures possible" against them.

"All the work I am doing is not to create fear or put pressure or to harm any group of people. It's a step by step process to restore order and stop violence," he said on nationwide television.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the "situation in Thailand is being brought back under control."

"In the next few hours, several security measures will be established ... to secure major ports, international airports and infrastructure," he said.

Obama first visit as president in Iraq, Raul Castro meets US lawmakers

On a trip shrouded in secrecy, Barack Obama flew into Iraq on Tuesday for a brief inspection of a war he opposed as a candidate and now vows to end as commander in chief. "There is still a lot of work to do here," he said.

His gleaming white and blue Air Force One touched down hours after a car bomb exploded in a Shiite neighborhood of the capital city, a deadly reminder of the violence that has claimed the lives at least 4,266 members of the U.S. military and thousands more Iraqis since March 2003.

Obama's motorcade rolled past troops standing at attention, en route to a meeting with several hundred men and women among the 139,000 American forces stationed in the country.

Raul Castro met with six visiting members of the Congressional Black Caucus for more than four hours, his first face-to-face discussions with U.S. leaders since he became Cuba's president last year.

Castro, who holds the rank of four-star army general, wore a business suit instead of his trademark olive-green fatigues for the closed-door meeting that ended around midnight.

"I'm convinced Raul Castro wants a normal relationship with the United States," California Democrat Barbara Lee told The Associated Press after the meeting. "He's serious."

"We talked about all the issues necessary to normal relations between our two countries," Barbara Lee said. "It was a constructive dialogue."

She said the delegation would report back on the talks to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and would also prepare a detailed look at everyday life in Cuba for President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Delegation members said they discussed topics as such as increased U.S.-Cuba trade and better cooperation in combating drug and human trafficking — but "we did not talk about specifics," Lee said during a Tuesday news conference.

Illinois Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush said he found Cuba's president "to be just the opposite of how he's being portrayed in the media."

"I think what really surprised me, but also endeared to him was his keen sense of humor, his sense of history and his basic human qualities," Rush said, adding that at times, the meeting's participants chatted "like old family members."

The Cuban government issued a statement calling the encounter "a broad exchange of ideas on many topics, with emphasis on the future evolution of bilateral relations and economic ties after the arrival of a new U.S. administration."

Lawmakers in both houses of the U.S. Congress have proposed a measure that wipe out bans on travel to Cuba except in extreme cases, effectively lifting a key component of the embargo. The visiting representatives said they would support those efforts.

European leaders praises Obama 's new Afghan strategy

European leaders enthusiastically praised President Barack Obama's new Afghan strategy at a NATO summit Saturday but held their ground on a central disagreement and offered only military trainers and extra security forces for upcoming elections.

Afghanistan is seen as a crucial test of the power and relevance of the alliance, which was founded at the height of the Cold War to counterbalance the Soviet Union and now is struggling against a rising insurgency far beyond its borders.

The escalating war has highlighted doubts in Europe about the ability of NATO's 58,000 troops to stem the Taliban insurgency. Worries about casualties and costs have contributed to opposition to a conflict many Europeans see as an unnecessary distraction during economic crisis.

Violent anti-war protests that marred the alliance's 60th anniversary celebrations were a stark reminder that much of Europe has no appetite for the other, costlier half of Obama's Afghan equation: more combat troops.

"I am pleased that our NATO allies pledged their strong and unanimous support for our new strategy," Obama said. "We'll need more resources and a sustained effort to achieve our ultimate goals."

Obama called that "a strong down payment" on both Afghanistan and NATO itself at the end of a gathering celebrating the 60th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Obama's new strategy has him adding 21,000 U.S. troops to an American force of 38,000.

Among countries resisting U.S. appeals for more combat troops were France, which on Saturday rejoined the alliance as a full military partner after decades of being a nonmilitary member, and Germany.

Obama weighed in on a controversial new law in Afghanistan, his remarks underscoring his administration's shift away from a U.S. focus on building democracy in the country.

Asked about the law, which a United Nations agency says makes it legal for men to rape their wives, Obama called it "abhorrent." He also noted that Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said the law will be studied and possibly sent back to parliament for review — and that the NATO conference's closing statement specifically states that human rights should be respected.

But Obama said pointedly that, while improving conditions in Afghanistan is a commendable goal, people need to remember that the primary reason U.S. troops are fighting there is to protect Americans at home from terrorist attacks.

As for new troops, the White House said NATO countries agreed to send more personnel, including about 3,000 on short-term deployments, to help stabilize Afghanistan before elections in August. An additional 1,400 to 2,000 will provide training for Afghanistan's national army.

Obama said those figures should not be considered a ceiling, suggesting more could be sought and offered at some point to confront a threat that he emphasized endangers Europe as well as the U.S.

"We'll need more resources and a sustained effort to achieve our ultimate goals," he said.

8 tips to improve your home in tough times

1) Solar panels
Depending on your climate, solar energy can be harnessed to reduce energy costs to zero, and in some cases allow a homeowner to sell energy back to the grid. While a photovoltaic system isn’t cheap (they can run more than $10,000), tax credits are offered for 30% of costs up to $2,000.

2) Geothermal heat pumps
If you install a heating system that relies on the ground or groundwater as a means to heat a home, the government pays out a big credit. So long as the system meets Energy Star requirements, homeowners can get reimbursed for 30% of their expenditures, up to $2,000. Since geothermal pumps are capable of drawing 70% of their energy directly from the ground, with the other 30% coming from the electrical grid, they also significantly reduce heating costs.

3) Fuel cells
Fuel cells, which are popular in Japan, work a bit like batteries in that they depend on chemical reactions to create energy. Often powered by hydrogen, they're highly efficient, but they often cost between $15,000 and $20,000. Residential fuel-cell systems qualify for a 30% tax credit, up to $1,000 per kilowatt of power that can be produced.

4) Biomass stoves
These are exactly what they sound like: stoves that burn bio-materials as opposed to fossil fuels. By purchasing a stove that can run on corn or sawdust, for example, homeowners get a product that's 10% more energy efficient, and also qualifies for a $300 tax credit.

5) Windows
Tax credits for 10% of costs up to $500 are available for energy-efficient windows. These are panes that prevent heat transfer, keeping the house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Look for windows with thermal reflectivity, a type of smart film.

6) Water heaters
One of your home's largest energy guzzlers is your water heater. Wrapping it in fireproof insulation saves tremendous amounts of energy, but to really save big, install a tankless water heater and receive a tax credit of $300. Through a system of coils, the unit heats water on demand, is more energy efficient and takes up considerably less space. Costs for the system and installation can run between $600 and $1,400.

7) Trees
It sounds simple, but planting trees can reduce your energy costs up to 40% in warm climates by blocking sunlight and reducing the need for air conditioning. If you live in North America, the east and west sides of your home are exposed to the greatest amount of heat in summer months. Some hotter areas, such as Sacramento, Calif., give out free trees to reduce the strain on the grid during summer months.

8) Roofs
Toppers should be built with a vapor barrier for the attic, a ridged vent that lets a little air in and out. This keeps moisture from being trapped, reducing the chances of mold and keeping insulation most effective. A 10% credit up to $500 is available for roof improvements using metal Energy Star-certified roofing materials.

Decor tricks for your closet

1) The smallest area of your house deserves some decorating too. Try painting one or all of the walls or adding some stripes.

2) There's no room for avalanches in any closet, so stick to this trusty rule of thumb: Never stack more than two boxes high. This way, you'll be able to hold one storage container while sifting through the other.

3) Distance can be a good thing. You both need a personal area so your dry cleaning and same-hued clothes don't merge into one unisex mess. Don't have built-in boundaries? Create your own zones by hanging damask drapes or decorative beads.

4) Closed storage keeps the closet well-dressed. Use overhead space for off-season items. Prevent confusion by labeling boxes "his" and "hers."

5) Look for super-slim velvety hangers to keep your clothes in perfect condition and create more space.

6) Discard: Clothes with stains, holes, and other damages shouldn't be sold or donated. Go ahead and toss 'em.

7) If you have empty wall space, hang a bag rack at eye-level to keep all your accessories in line.

8) In over your head with a collection of heels, flats, and flip-flops galore? Try stacking see-through shoe drawers. They fit together with a simple click, and the drawer-like design lets you swap shoes without all the fuss.

9) Switch out your off-season wardrobe to make space. Vacuum-seal systems will protect your items from dirt, odor, and moisture and can triple your storage space.

10) Before putting anything away for the season, make sure it's cleaned and any broken zippers or holes are repaired. The last thing you need come the first chilly day next winter is to pull out a coat with three missing buttons.

11) Make sure you have an adequate light source. Consider using low-voltage lighting, which is the most energy-efficient option.

12) A full-length mirror on a wall or your closet door does the extra job of making your space feel even bigger.

13) Grab a lavender satchel to deodorize your clothes and give your closet a fresh scent. The sweet aroma lasts even longer than cedar.

14) Try a rug for a comfy and fluffy foundation. Measure your closet space before you buy to be sure you come home with the perfect size.

15) Little touches can make a big impact. Decorative knobs or antique coat racks can add chic and stylish sensibility.

Going public with your guy isn't easy

DON'T try to change him
He might not share your party personality — and that's fine. Repeat: That's fine. "When we were first dating I would say, 'Why aren't you mingling?'" says Gwendolyn, 28. "Over time, I have just learned to let him be himself rather than wanting him to be like me."

DON'T ditch your partner
This is the DON'T to beat all others — and yet it happens frequently. "Sometimes he'll just be so excited to see someone, and I'm left standing there," says Puja, 21. Whether it's a work party, a family gathering or a bash with friends, if he doesn't know anyone, it's your responsibility to make introductions.

DON'T force him to go
"My husband had a terrible day at work, and instead of waiting for him to tell me he didn't feel like going to a dinner party, I said I thought he'd be happier staying home," says Pamela, 35. If he isn't in the mood for a night out, try taking a friend with you instead.

DON'T hog the conversation
How awful does this sound? You're sitting around the holiday table with his family and the conversation is nonstop — except it's all centered on things and people you don't know anything about. Not so fun. "There have been times I didn't involve my boyfriend," admits Kristen, 25. "Afterward he brought it up and said, 'You didn't even ask my opinion; you just kind of spoke for me.' He was right." So if you're going to take a trip down memory lane with your siblings, clue him in on what happened and follow it with a story to which he can add his own.

DO keep the conversation upbeat
"I try staying away from negative comments or gossip. That sets a really awkward tone for you and your partner in those kinds of settings," says Dorina, 27. In other words, think before you talk. It's better to bring up your favorite TV show than your not-so-favorite coworker.

DO leave the fights at home
Sort out any arguments before you get to the party to reduce the risk of a public spat. Otherwise, no one will be having much fun — not you, not him and not the poor innocent partygoers who get trapped in the middle.

How to lose ten pounds in 3 weeks

If you are overweight, there's a good chance you could be making smarter lifestyle choices. To lose weight, you'll have to train yourself to substitute poor choices with ones that will help you drop pounds.

Even if you have biological tendencies that make it easy to gain and hard to lose weight, you can be leaner and fitter than you are now.

If you follow the Lose 10 pounds in three weeks plan, not only can you start to get in the best shape of your life, you'll feel happier and more optimistic.

Here's what you need to do first:

- Take three days of this week to write down everything you eat. This will help you identify your specific eating patterns and spot areas where you can improve.

Always note what time it is, whether you're eating a meal or snack, and exactly what and how much you ate.
If you eat one banana, that's fairly straightforward. But if you eat one omelet, you'll need to describe how many eggs were used, and if it was an egg-whites-only concoction, what vegetables you put in it, whether you cooked it in butter or canola oil, and other factors. If you eat processed or packaged foods, save the nutrition labels. If you eat at fast-food restaurants, look up menu items online for specific ingredients and other nutritional information. Remember to write down all drinks, especially if they have calories.

- Learn to improve your diet.

Throw in beans. Beans are filling and packed with nutrients and fiber. Even if you think you're not a bean lover, experiment and no doubt you'll find types that you enjoy.

Always garnish with extra vegetables. Whether on a sandwich or burger, in chili or pasta, extra fresh vegetables barely boost the caloric level but add filling fiber and plenty of nutrients.

The most common diet mistake is eating little to nothing early in the day, then chowing down at night. But if you eat smaller, regular meals six times a day, you can quell the hunger and cravings that lead to nighttime binges. Stay satiated with a healthy dinner that gives you 350 to 550 calories.

When you're eating out, it's easy to succumb to the dessert cart. But those dishes can contain more than 500 calories. If you must, split a dessert with your dinner companions. Or go for the fruit plate. Or find something else to satisfy your sweet tooth—a cappuccino with vanilla syrup, or a small chunk of very potent dark chocolate. When it comes to dessert, think quality, not quantity.

- One of the simplest ways to squeeze fitness into your life is to walk more. Start the Walk-the-Fat-Off plan; each week has a designated walking program.

Week 1 :

- Figure out in advance what you will eat for each day's meal and snack.

Write out a daily menu, spreading your caloric intake evenly between your meals and snacks. On this plan, you will need to knock off 500 calories daily from your normal eating habits. This week's focus is to improve your diet by eating more nutritious and lower-calorie foods. Reduce calories in small ways—choosing lower-fat items, substituting lower-calorie spread and dressings, cutting out the liquid calories, and so on.

- Walk the fat off.
Follow a daily walking routine. No matter what, fit in some exercise every day. But if a workout feels too strenuous, back off slightly.

Week 2 :

- Focus on high-fiber plant foods.

You might not always be able to whip up your special low-fat menus. Or you may find yourself out with friends or colleagues—and margaritas and chicken wings. This week's focus is to improve your diet by adding more fruits and veggies to all your meals and snacks.

- Walk more (or figure out workout alternatives).

When you start easing off the strict calorie control, you can make up the difference by burning more calories through exercise. It's important to stay with the Walk-the-Fat-Off plan and increase the length and intensity of your workouts. The Walk-the-Fat-Off Plan provides intensity recommendations by the minute so you can follow the routine doing other aerobic activities besides walking. It's always better to do something than put off exercise altogether. If body aches are slowing you down (after consulting with a health professional) see if there are movement options that don't aggravate your problem areas.

Week 3 :

- Eat six meals or snacks every day.

If you are on a strict diet and/or you eat infrequently, you're not maximizing what is known as the thermic effect of food. The process of eating, breaking down and absorbing nutrients in food usually accounts for 8 percent to 10 percent of your daily energy expenditure, or about 200 to 400 calories for the average active person. Eating too little or waiting long periods between meals can minimize the effect. Some experts speculate that eating small, frequent meals has the potential to speed up your metabolism.

Keep in mind that eating protein with carbohydrates seems to induce a greater thermic effect—getting sufficient protein along with eating more "good" carbs tends to make you feel satiated, so you'll eat less and still feel full. And the greater amounts of fiber in the less-processed carbs crowd out extra calories. That helps your body burn more stored energy, and you'll therefore lose more weight. Continue to log everything you eat this week and how many times you eat. Make sure to meet a quota of six times per day.

- Be more active all day.

You can eat more if you move more. But to avoid gaining weight, you'll have to eat less if you don't move much. So the key to avoiding the starving-yourself feeling of deprivation that you get on many diets is to be more active. If you're more active, you can eat and feel satisfied, but still control your weight.

- Burn more calories by walking.

Exercising at higher intensities increases your burn rate, which is one reason why the Walk-the-Fat-Off routines include intervals of walking faster or more vigorously. And exercising harder provides another payoff: After a longer, high-intensity workout, your body stays revved up, burning extra calories even after you've gotten off the treadmill. A post-cardio afterburn could mean a loss of anywhere from 15 to 50 extra calories on top of what you burned while exercising.

Plastic surgeries and or other cosmetic procedures are still hot in 2009

A pullback is one thing, but what plastic surgeons are seeing can hardly be called a downturn, as the cosmetic surgery business still raked in nearly $12 billion last year. But the popular procedures of today are very different from those of 10 years ago. While all procedures are up about 69 percent on average since 1998, nonsurgical procedures are up 239 percent—mainly driven by the popularity of Botox. Botox injections, which decrease muscle activity that causes wrinkles, jumped from 65,157 treatments in 1997 to more than 2.4 million in 2008, bringing in $1 billion. That's more than any other procedures, both surgical and nonsurgical.

Ellenbogen's patients are not just tightening their purse strings, they're also concerned about taking too much time off of work in an economy that isn't synonymous with job security.

At the same time, Dr. Ellenbogen says some of his patients who were close to retirement but forced to stay on feel as though they need face treatments to compete with a younger workforce.

Therein lies the popularity of Botox. The injections smooth lines and wrinkles in a 30-minute treatment for a few hundred dollars, whereas a face lift averages more than $6,000 and requires up to two weeks of recovery.

Face lifts are up a mere 33 percent from 1997, while Botox treatments are up more than 3,600 percent since then.

And then there are the procedures that require surgery no matter what, which remain popular despite the downturn: nose jobs and breast implants. Rhinoplasty was one of the few areas that saw an increase from 2007, up 0.4 percent.

Breast augmentation was down 11 percent from 2007, but its popularity is still strong, up 482 percent since 1997.

Overall, though, the cosmetic procedures were down—surgical procedures were off 15 percent, and noninvasive procedures, which make up 82 percent of all procedures, were down 12 percent.

But surgeons say in the three months of 2009, business is starting to pick up again, especially for Botox and derma fillers like Juvederm and Rystalane, which use hyaluronic acid, a naturally found substance in the skin that diminishes over time, versus collagen, to plump up the skin.

Nine illnesses that your doctor doesn't understand

1) Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue is a classic MUPS (medically unexplained physical symptoms) disease, with a diagnosis based only on the ruling out of other possibilities. More than just feeling a little tired, CFS patients are often bed-ridden for days at a time.

2) Morgellons disease

This mysterious illness, which has cropped up again recently, displays almost sci-fi symptoms. Sufferers complain of intensely creepy-crawly skin and odd fibrous strands which protrude from open wounds. Some in the medical community blame the "disease" on psychotic delusion, but others say the symptoms are very real.

3) Autoimmune disorders

A catch-all term for a host of afflictions including lupus and MS, autoimmune disorders treat the body's organs and normal functions as enemy invaders. They're usually chronic, always debilitating, and doctors can do little except ease their symptoms.

4) Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

One version of this rare brain disorder is better known "mad cow" and can be contracted by eating contaminated beef. "Regular" CJD is also always fatal, quick-acting and is the most common form, but develops in most patients for reasons doctors have yet to figure out and can not prevent.

5) Schizophrenia

Experts consider this the most puzzling of mental disorders, one which robs the sufferer of the ability to logically distinguish between reality and fantasy. Symptoms range wildly between patients and include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and lack of motivation or emotion, but the disease has no defining medical tests.

6) Avian flu

Humans have no immunity to this powerful flu virus carried by birds, which health officials fear could mutate into a strain that can be transmitted between humans. Death rates for infected humans are around 50 percent, but, so far, humans have been infected mostly by direct handling of infected birds. A recent cluster of cases, however, appeared to involve its spread between people.

7) Pica

People diagnosed with Pica have an insatiable urge to eat non-food substances like dirt, paper, glue and clay. Though it is believed to be linked with mineral deficiency, health experts have found no real cause and no cure for the peculiar disorder.

8) Alzheimer's disease

Not to be confused with the forgetfulness that affects most everyone in their later years, Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disorder that manifests differently in each of its sufferers. The exact cause isn't understood and it can't yet be effectively treated.

9) The common cold

Even with an estimated 1 billion cases in the United States every year, doctors still know very little about the nose-running, cough-inducing cold, whose root causes number in the hundreds. Time and chicken soup, not antibiotics, is often the only prescription that helps.

Serious potential risks at Birmingham Children's Hospital

The Healthcare Commission said it had found a series of problems at Birmingham Children's Hospital ranging from a lack of beds to brain surgery being carried out without properly trained nurses.

While we have no evidence of serious incidents causing harm to patients, the standard of care has not been as good as it should have been in some cases," said Anna Walker, the commission's chief executive.

Incidents included a specific drill needed for neurosurgery not working and no replacement available and surgeons being handed incorrect instruments - one surgeon had his hand unintentionally jogged during surgery.

"It is deeply concerning that serious issues were raised but not properly or rapidly addressed over several months. While I would not say there were 'third-world' conditions, there were serious potential risks in the way care was provided."

The report was ordered by Health Secretary Alan Johnson after the concerns of consultants were publicized in the Observer newspaper in November.

The report is the second this week from the Healthcare Commission to criticize hospital services.

The hospital said it had been "victims of our own success" and that action was already being taken to address the problem caused by extra demand on its services.

"We listened very carefully to those who gave us suggestions for improvements and now welcome the Healthcare Commission's report, which reinforces our improvement agenda, whilst also confirming that there is no evidence of serious incidents causing harm to patients," said Sarah-Jane Marsh, the hospital's interim chief executive.

"Whilst we acknowledge that the issues raised were significant, the clinicians involved at the time managed all situations expertly. I sincerely regret any distress caused to children, young people and their families during this time."

Five programs to get your career back on track

1. Dental Hygienist Training

There is more to this gig than a cleaning. Dental hygienists help people stay healthy by providing preventive care, teaching about good oral health, and looking out for gum disease. BLS reports median salaries in 2007 were $64,740. But that's not all there is to love. Many dental hygienists find flexible scheduling to be a real upside of this career.

The most common path to becoming a hygienist is through a two-year training program where you'll earn your associate's degree or certification. Once you're done, job prospects should be excellent.

2. Paralegal Certification

Paralegals have long been an integral part of the legal system. Working on behalf of law firms, government, and corporations, they perform many of the same functions as lawyers -- doing legal research, drafting legal briefs or contracts, and preparing tax returns. There are a few exceptions. Paralegals can't offer legal advice or argue a case in court. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a paralegal is $44,990. The top 10 percent earn $71,480.

If you already have your bachelor's degree, you can earn a paralegal certification program in 18 months to two years. Many programs include internships -- an excellent way to get experience in a law firm and begin to make connections for your future job search. Some programs provide job counseling for their graduates -- another excellent perk.

3. Master's of Business Administration

How can you turn your layoff into your golden opportunity? Breaking into management can take years. A master's degree can speed up your path to the corner office. MBA programs come in all sizes -- online, traditional, and one- or two-year programs.

It's important to understand that the days of six-figure signing bonuses for MBAs are probably on hold for the time being. But, if you can live with the potential of a significant pay raise, it's a path to consider. Look at some median management salaries from BLS:

Marketing Managers = $104,400
Sales Managers = $94,910
Financial Managers = $95,310
Chief Executives = over $150,000

4. Veterinary Technician Degree

Cats and careers have more than one life. Animal lovers might find their second (or third or fourth) career life working as a veterinary technician. Vet techs provide medical care for large and small animals, livestock and pets, and even wildlife. In 2007, median salaries were $27,970, while the top 10 percent earned $40,550. Perhaps the best part is the stability of this profession. BLS says that even during an economic recession, layoffs are less likely for vet techs than for others because the need for animal care doesn't go away.

In two years, you can earn your associate's degree in veterinary technology. And while some clinical work is essential, there are opportunities to take courses online.

5. Fast-Track Teacher Certification

Have you often thought of becoming a teacher? For some years now, a major teaching shortage has made it easier for people already working in another profession to fulfill their chalkboard dreams. Teaching certification programs can be as short as nine weeks -- one semester or summer. Others last as long as two years. There is one catch. To get in on the fast track, you must have your bachelor's degree.

Median salaries for teachers range from $45,120 for kindergarten to $50,090 for secondary school vocational teachers. Many teachers also take on jobs during the summer break to supplement their salaries.

Pursuits-turned-skills and their potential career matches

Gossiping = Blogger

If you have a flair for the dramatic, a strong work ethic and an ability to hunt down good tidbits and make sure they're accurate, you can thrive as a professional blogger. Companies like Gawker hire writers to pen entertaining and newsy bits several times a day. Or build up your expertise in a subject area and market your work until advertising revenues support you.

Internet addiction = Social Media Publicist

When Termeh Mazhar worked from home as a freelancer, he hid his obsession with YouTube fat-cat videos, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace from his clients. Today, they're his job. As a social media publicist, Mazhar works for a PR agency generating buzz for his clients on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, as well as writing his own blog and tracking his client's online competitors.

A stint at the Gap = Almost any corporate job

"Young professionals often tell me they don't want to put their summer job at the Gap on their resume, but as we talk about it more, inevitably we uncover loads of experience that's useful in today's business world," says Levit. "Nowadays, every department is a business and every team member a salesperson. Retail experience means you know how to engage in activities that meet customer needs."

A flair for the dramatic/comedic timing = Teaching

It's not all you need, but commanding a room is key to teaching success.

"People who are natural performers often tend to be good one-on-one communicators," says Alexandra Levit, author of How'd You Score That Gig? A Guide to the Coolest Careers and How to Get Them. "If you want to educate people effectively, you also have to be able to entertain them."

An obsession with global warming = Sustainability Coordinator

It takes more than watching "An Inconvenient Truth," but if you follow the scientific data on climate change and have a facility with numbers, you may be able to parlay that into a job helping corporations, universities and colleges reduce their carbon footprints. The jobs often require an environmental studies or engineering degree.

Getting Mom into the right nursing home = Elder Care Consultant

"Frankly, it's a relief for the Baby Boomer generation, sandwiched between elderly parents and children, to get some help," says Caprino. "People in this field must be compassionate, organized, connected to a great network of lawyers, financial consultants and understand the law and insurance. They really provide a deep array of consulting services." Often, they have a social-work degree.

Five careers with bright futures

1. Financial Analyst ($67,000 salary) -- from Financial Operations Analyst ($54,000) to Principal Financial Analyst ($93,000)

The future holds opportunities. According to BLS, the job market for financial advisers and analysts is projected to increase sharply -- by 37 percent during the 2006-16 decade -- well above the national average for all careers, and personal financial advisors are anticipated to be one of the 10 fastest growing jobs during this period. Despite the growth, strong competition is expected for these new positions, which are well-paid. Candidates who have an MBA or other business degree will have the best opportunity for success.

2. Engineer ($72,000 salary) -- from Electrical Engineer ($67,000) to VP of Engineering ($123,000)

In the coming decade, engineers will have a corner on one of the hottest, most steadily-growing careers in the United States (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS). As their careers progress, engineers often advance into Management, or into lucrative consultant positions. The job outlook for engineers is very positive -- but the good news begins earlier: starting salaries for college graduates with engineering degrees are significantly higher than those with degrees in other fields.

3. Internet Marketer ($53,000) -- from Internet Marketing Specialist ($43,000) to Internet Marketing Life Coach -- $203,000

Online marketers, also called eMarketers or Internet advertisers, work in a lively business sector that changes every day. One of those changes, according to the BLS 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook, is continued growth. "Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales manager jobs are highly coveted and will be sought. ... In particular, employers will seek those who have the computer skills to conduct advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales activities on the Internet."

4. High school teacher ($46,000 salary) -- from Math teacher ($42,000) to Spanish teacher ($52,000)

Over the next ten years, according to BLS, 1.3 million new teachers will be needed for public schools. Within that favorable outlook, job opportunities will vary by subject taught and, naturally, geographic area. For public school teachers, one big advantage is job security, given that the teachers' union is strong, and many states have tenure laws keeping teachers from being fired without due process. Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and completion of an approved teacher education program. Given the competition for good teachers in the coming years, highly qualified teachers are likely to bring in larger bonuses and increased salaries.

5. Nurse ($66,000 salary) -- from Charge Nurse ($44,000) to Nurse Emergency RN ($144,000)

Calling projected employment opportunities for nurses "excellent," BLS details that Nursing already makes up the largest healthcare occupation, at 2.5 million jobs, and that roughly 587,000 new Nursing positions will be added through 2016. A registered nurse (RN) has the ability to specialize in multiple areas of patient care -- for instance, as a pediatric nurse, you'd work with children, while as a pediatric oncology nurse your specialty would be young people with cancer. There are many specialty options for nurses, varying by employment setting. Educational options take three main forms: a bachelor's of science degree in Nursing (BSN), an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), and a diploma (administered within hospitals).

More than 1 million people marched in France yesterday

More than 1 million people marched in France on Thursday to demand the government do more to overcome the economic crisis, but planned strikes failed to fulfill a key goal — to paralyze the country.

Skirmishes between several hundred youths and riot police broke out in the square where the Paris march of at least 85,000 ended. Police said the youths — some of them hooded — set garbage cans on fire and showered police with bottles and stones, injuring nine officers.

The Interior Ministry said 1.2 million protesters turned out for about 200 protest marches around the country. Union officials put that figure at 3 million and said that 350,000 marched through the capital.

The day of action was aimed at forcing the government to open new talks on policies to fight the spreading crisis, with unions saying that action so far is far from sufficient.

Police said they detained 49 of the estimated 500 youths as they worked to empty the Place de la Nation in eastern Paris.

France's economy, which was sluggish even before the crisis, is now reeling. The country's national statistics agency said Thursday the economy is shrinking at the fastest pace in more than 30 years.

Unions had been looking for an opening from Prime Minister Francois Fillon, but during a televised interview Thursday night, he towed the line.

Speaking on TF1 television, Fillon reiterated there would be "no new economic restart plan" and rattled off a series of already-announced measures aimed at limiting the crisis' effects on the needy.

The country's national statistics agency warned that the contraction of the economy will accelerate to 1.5 percent in the first quarter, its worst performance since 1975.

France's economic malaise also involves unemployment. The jobless rate stood at 7.7 percent in the third quarter and is expected to spike to 9.8 percent this year, according to the European Commission, with some of France's largest companies expected to cut their work forces this year.

Strikers weakened some sectors without paralyzing the country. Still, former conservative Prime Minister Alain Juppe concluded that street protesters were numerous enough so that "in one way or another, there must be a return to the table" for talks.

The powerful CGT union claimed that more people took to the streets than during a Jan. 29 march when it counted 2.5 million.

Despite the showing in Paris, the strikes were not widely felt in the capital where buses and subways ran at nearly normal rates.

Rail traffic was disrupted throughout France, although the high speed TGV trains that connect the country with European neighbors ran on time. The SNCF train authority said 36 percent of its employees joined the strike. Some suburban Paris lines were seriously hobbled.

Paris' main Charles de Gaulle airport was not affected while there were some disruptions at the capital's No. 2 airport, Orly.

Strikers disrupted services at schools, hospitals and the postal service to varying degrees. Nearly a third of the country's teachers did not go to school, national education officials said.

Eu rejected new spending projects to boost their recession-hit economies

European Union nations on Thursday rejected new spending projects to boost their recession-hit economies, standing firm against massive street protests demanding subsidies and U.S. suggestions to stoke growth with more aid.

Despite a million people marching in France and more bad company news hitting Europe's industrial engine in Germany, EU leaders at a summit in Brussels said now was not the time to throw more money at the crisis — at least not until the effects of a first euro200 billion package set in.

"We are unanimous in our views and we all agreed we are going to be prudent," said the summit host, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso claims that the bloc is spending 3.3 percent of gross domestic product this year and next year on efforts to improve the economy and sagging employment.

That includes unemployment benefits and job programs — the cornerstones of Europe's vaunted welfare state. Barroso says those are making the difference in Europe, while less regulated economies like the United States have to spend much to start weaving a tighter social safety net.

The cautious European approach on government spending stood in contrast to the announcement Wednesday that the U.S. Federal Reserve will launch a bold $1.2 trillion effort to increase the amount of money in the economy by lowering rates on mortgages and other consumer debt.

Topolanek said that among the 27 leaders at the summit table "we heard expressions like 'not being dictated to by the United States' or by those who want more fiscal stimulus."

European governments already resisted a push from the U.S. for more spending at a summit of Group of 20 finance ministers last week. Thursday's stand underlined their position going into an April 2 summit of G-20 national leaders in London.

"You cannot solve everything by using taxpayers' money. The huge deficit of the United States is a problem because it takes away resources for credit markets all over the world," said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who will take over the EU presidency in July.

Despite taking no immediate action, the EU leaders sought to prepare themselves in case of bad news later this year.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy argue that excessive public debt threatens global stability and countries must move swiftly to pay off debt when they can.

Barroso said he expects EU nations to double a bailout fund for member states in trouble to euro50 billion ($68 billion). Hungary and Latvia have already received euro9.6 billion from the fund, which raises money by selling bonds.

Germany opposes a much higher threshold for the emergency fund, arguing it would tempt countries into seeking bailouts when there is no real need. Many member states from central Europe that joined only five years ago are scared, however, that their currencies could plummet further and rating agencies could downgrade them — making it more expensive for them to borrow money.

The EU leaders did agree on a euro5 billion energy package likely to include gas pipelines and plans to bury climate-damaging carbon, Barroso said. He did not detail which projects won approval, though a final list was expected at the summit's close Friday. Again, Merkel had led opposition, warning of higher budget deficits despite the benefits for Europe's environmental credibility.

The EU wants to be at the vanguard of U.N.-sponsored global warming talks in Copenhagen later this year.

EU leaders are seeking agreement Friday on how much aid to give to poor nations in exchange for support for a global climate change pact. Environmental groups say the EU should contribute around euro35 billion ($47 billion) a year by 2020 to poorer nations to help them cut emissions.

The heavy impact of recession is hitting a growing number of Europeans. About 18 million people are believed to be unemployed in the EU, about 7.6 percent of the overall working population.

When Sarkozy came to Brussels on Thursday, he had to leave his prime minister behind to deal with a wave of protests and strikes demanding more action to counter the recession and unemployment.

In Germany, companies piled on more bad results. Chemicals producer Altana AG said it was "caught in the maelstrom" of the global crisis, with profits in 2008 down 25 percent.

More than 1 million people marched in cities and towns around France, and a few hundred youths showered police with bottles and stones at a big protest in Paris. Meanwhile, news came that France's economy is shrinking at its fastest pace in over 30 years.

France is predicted to slide deeper into recession

France is predicted to slide deeper into recession in the first quarter of 2009 as the global economic slump sees job losses accelerate, the national statistics institute INSEE said in figures released Friday.

The French economy contracted 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008 and will shrink 1.5 percent in the three months to March, a regular INSEE report said.

The country should then recover slightly, with the economy contracting 0.6 percent in the second quarter this year as French and other stimulus packages begin to get some traction and ease the global economic crisis, it said.

The figures would mean that for all of 2009 the economy would shrink 2.9 percent, assuming zero gain in both the third and fourth quarters.

Finance and Economy Minister Christine Lagarde told parliament on Wednesday that the economy would contract 1.5 percent this year before returning to growth of 1.0 percent in 2010.

"This estimate is surrounded by numerous uncertainties linked to the international (economic) environment," Lagarde said, adding that 290,000 jobs could be lost in 2009.

For the government's 2009 forecast of a 1.5 percent contraction to be correct, the economy would have to grow 1.9 percent in each of the last two quarters of the year, said Eric Dubois, head of forecasts at INSEE.

INSEE did not provide growth forecasts for the last half of 2009.

Despite the expected downturn, France is likely to do better than most of its peers, INSEE said, estimating the US economy will shrink 2.9 percent this year, the eurozone 3.6 percent, Germany 4.9 percent and Japan 6.5 percent.

INSEE said the most visible result of the crisis will be massive job losses, at double the pace seen in the last major recession in the 1990s, with the unemployment rate jumping to 8.8 percent in the first quarter from 7.8 percent in the fourth.

Household consumption should stay positive, however, growing 0.6 percent over the first half of 2009 compared with 1.3 percent for all 2008 and the average 2.5 percent in the previous two years.

Deflation will more than offset a 0.6 percent fall in income in the first quarter, with purchasing power up 0.7 percent, helped also by various economic stimulus measures.

Overall, government stimulus plans will have only a very small impact on the first quarter, Dubois said.

Many detainees locked up at Guantanamo were innocent men

Many detainees locked up at Guantanamo were innocent men swept up by U.S. forces unable to distinguish enemies from noncombatants, a former Bush administration official said Thursday. "There are still innocent people there," Lawrence B. Wilkerson, a Republican who was chief of staff to then-Secretary of State Colin Powell, told The Associated Press. "Some have been there six or seven years."

Wilkerson, a retired Army colonel, said vetting on the battlefield during the early stages of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan was incompetent with no meaningful attempt to determine "who we were transporting to Cuba for detention and interrogation."

Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon, a Pentagon spokesman, declined to comment on Wilkerson's specific allegations but noted that the military has consistently said that dealing with foreign fighters from a wide variety of countries in a wartime setting was a complex process. The military has insisted that those held at Guantanamo were enemy combatants and posed a threat to the United States.

Wilkerson, who first made the assertions in an Internet posting on Tuesday, told the AP he learned from briefings and by communicating with military commanders that the U.S. soon realized many Guantanamo detainees were innocent but nevertheless held them in hopes they could provide information for a "mosaic" of intelligence.

"It did not matter if a detainee were innocent. Indeed, because he lived in Afghanistan and was captured on or near the battle area, he must know something of importance," Wilkerson wrote in the blog. He said intelligence analysts hoped to gather "sufficient information about a village, a region, or a group of individuals, that dots could be connected and terrorists or their plots could be identified."

In his posting for The Washington Note blog, Wilkerson wrote that "U.S. leadership became aware of this lack of proper vetting very early on and, thus, of the reality that many of the detainees were innocent of any substantial wrongdoing, had little intelligence value, and should be immediately released."

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney fought efforts to address the situation, Wilkerson said, because "to have admitted this reality would have been a black mark on their leadership."

Wilkerson told the AP in a telephone interview that many detainees "clearly had no connection to al-Qaida and the Taliban and were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pakistanis turned many over for $5,000 a head."

Some 800 men have been held at Guantanamo since the prison opened in January 2002, and 240 remain. Wilkerson said two dozen are terrorists, including confessed Sept. 11 plotter Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was transferred to Guantanamo from CIA custody in September 2006.

"We need to put those people in a high-security prison like the one in Colorado, forget them and throw away the key," Wilkerson said. "We can't try them because we tortured them and didn't keep an evidence trail."

But the rest of the detainees need to be released, he said.

Wilkerson, who flew combat missions as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and left the government in January 2005, said he did not speak out while in government because some of the information was classified. He said he feels compelled to do so now because Cheney has claimed in recent press interviews that President Barack Obama is making the U.S. less safe by ordering Guantanamo closed and reversing other Bush administration policies.

"I'm very concerned about the kinds of things Cheney is saying to make it seem Obama is a danger to this republic," Wilkerson said. "To have a former vice president fearmongering like this is really, really dangerous".

The administration is now evaluating what to do with the prisoners who remain at the U.S. military base in Cuba.

Barack Obama told Jay Leno he was stunned by AIG bonuses

President Barack Obama told Leno on Thurday that he was stunned when he learned of the bonuses that bailed-out insurance giant AIG was paying its employees.

Obama told "The Tonight Show" host the payments raise moral end ethical problems — and vowed again to try to recoup the cash for taxpayers.

Leno asked Obama what he thought when his staff first advised him of the payments, many made to traders in the very division that brought American International Group to ruin.

"'Stunned' is the word," Obama replied in a taped appearance on "Tonight." He said he found it hard to fathom how anyone would accept lavish payments in those circumstances. "People just had this sense of entitlement. We must be the best and the brightest."

But Obama staunchly defended Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who's increasingly come under fire for failing to block the bonuses.

"I think Geithner is doing an outstanding job," Obama said. "He is a smart guy. He is a calm and steady guy. I don't think people fully appreciate the plate that was handed him."

Obama added Geithner's carrying on "with grace and good humor. He understand that he's on the hot seat."

Too many in Washington are trying to figure out who to blame for things — when they should be focused on fixing them, Obama said.

Obama spoke with little interference or challenge from Leno, who clearly was enthused about snaring the president as a guest and pronounced it "one of the best nights of my life."

Leno veered away from politics and into the personal toward the end of the 35-minute interview, asking, "How cool is it to fly on Air Force One?" and when Obama daughters Sasha and Malia would get their pet dog.

"This is Washington. That was a campaign promise," Obama replied to audience laughter. "No, I'm teasing. The dog will be there shortly."

The new pet will be in place after he returns from a NATO meeting, Obama said.

The White House bowling alley remains in place, Obama said, bragging that he rolled a 129-point game, but a basketball court is a priority.

In his opening monologue, Leno said lots of people were surprised Obama would come on NBC — figuring he'd be tired of big companies on the brink of disaster with a bunch of overpaid executives.

Leno also joked about the dismal state of the economy, saying it's so bad Obama flew to California on Southwest Airways — making nine stops.

In recent years, a "Tonight Show" appearance has become a key humanizing touch for aspiring presidents. But its history of such appearances goes back to 1960, when then-Sen. John F. Kennedy came on the show to chat with Jack Paar.

According to NBC, Obama was the first sitting president ever to appear on "The Tonight Show." He'd already appeared twice as a candidate.

The White House scheduled the appearance as part of a broader outreach to promote Obama's agenda — one that's already had him on ESPN's "SportsCenter" this week and includes a "60 Minutes" interview airing Sunday, plus a prime-time news conference Tuesday.

But on ESPN, the talk was mostly about basketball. The First Fan filled out an NCAA tournament bracket — picking North Carolina to defeat Louisville in the final. But recalling he picked the Tar Heels last year, he joked, "This year, don't embarrass me in front of the nation, all right? I'm counting on you."

Fighting bare-knuckle brawls at Dallas school

The Dallas school system was rocked by allegations Thursday that staff members at an inner-city high school made students settle their differences by fighting bare-knuckle brawls inside a steel cage. The principal and other employees at South Oak Cliff High knew about the cage fights and allowed the practice to continue, according to a 2008 report by school system investigators.

"More than anything, I'm in shock and disbelief — shocked that this could ever occur and shocked that it would be condoned by a professional administrator," said Jerome Garza, a member of the Dallas school board.

The report, first obtained by The Dallas Morning News, describes two instances of fighting in an equipment cage in a boys' locker room between 2003 and 2005. It was not clear from the report whether there were other fights.

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa told the newspaper that there were "some things that happened inside of a cage" and called the fights "unacceptable."

No criminal charges were ever filed, and there was no mention in the report of whether anyone required medical attention or whether any employees were disciplined. A district spokesman would not comment.

The allegations came to light during a grade-fixing investigation that eventually cost the high school its 2005 and 2006 state basketball titles. School officials were suspected of altering students' grades so that they could remain eligible to play for South Oak Cliff, a perennial basketball powerhouse in one of the poorer sections of the city.

In an interview with the Morning News, Donald Moten, who retired as principal last year, denied any fights were held.

"That's barbaric. You can't do that at a high school. You can't do that anywhere," Moten said. "Ain't nothing to comment on. It never did happen. I never put a stop to anything because it never happened."

The report said a hall monitor, Gary King, told investigators he witnessed the head of campus security and an assistant basketball coach place two students in the cage to fight.

Another hall monitor, Reno Savala, told investigators he came upon two students fighting in the cage "bare-fisted with no head or eye protection." Savala said the assistant coach was watching the fight and broke it up when Savala told him to.

"It was gladiator-style entertainment for the staff," Frank Hammond, a fired counselor who has filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against the district, told the newspaper. "They were taking these boys downstairs to fight. And it was sanctioned by the principal and security."

Hammond did not actually witness any of the fights, according to the report.

In the report, a teacher was quoted as saying Moten told security personnel to put two fighting students "in the cage and let `em duke it out."

Garza, the school board member, said the board should look into whether criminal charges should be filed. He expressed frustration that the allegations were not brought to the board's attention earlier.

"If, in fact, it bears out that this did occur, clearly the administration had a responsibility to inform the board in the proper manner and in a timely fashion," he said.

Lew Blackburn, a school board trustee whose district includes South Oak Cliff, said he was "disappointed the trustees did not know about" the 2008 report. He also said no parent brought up allegations about fighting in cages and that he was unaware of them prior to the news reports.

The allegations come about 10 days after law enforcement authorities reported that careworkers at a Corpus Christi institution forced mentally disabled residents to fight each other and recorded the brawls for their entertainment.

Dallas police said they have no record of any investigation by the department. The district attorney's office would not comment.

Obama guaranteed Americans that the nation's economy will recover

Buoyed by adoring crowds far from Washington's political wars, President Barack Obama guaranteed Americans that the nation's economy will recover, though he asked them for patience.

Obama looked every bit the campaigner as he sometimes mocked his GOP critics, and sometimes asked people to forgive his shortcomings. In general, his demeanor and message were more upbeat than in recent days when public fury over executive bonuses dominated Congress.

"We will come out on the other side stronger and a more prosperous nation," he said, acknowledging the nation's economic crisis. "That I can guarantee you. I can't tell you how long it will take, what obstacles we'll face along the way, but I promise you this: There will be brighter days ahead."

The comments brought another roar of approval from about 1,000 people at a town hall forum in Los Angeles, where questions were more fawning than pressing. "I'm very glad and thankful that you are our president," the first questioner began. The second said, "thank God for you."

In his second California town hall in as many days, Obama asked Americans to back his plans to overhaul health care, change energy policies, and spend more on roads, education and many other areas to boost the stalled economy. The resulting large deficits will be temporary and justified, he said.

He told Americans not to expect "something for nothing" from their government. Improvements to the economy and medical care will take time, he said.

"Nothing is free," the president said. Responding to a woman's complaint about cuts in jobs and salaries for California teachers, Obama urged people not to ask the federal and state governments to cut taxes and improve services at the same time.

"At some point you've got to make some choices," he said.

"We are not always going to be right," he said. "And I don't want everybody disappointed if we make a mistake here or there."

The important questions, he said, are whether things are moving "in the right direction" and whether he is keeping his main campaign promises.

Obama mocked Republican officials who call his plans too costly even though they presided over huge deficits while they controlled Congress and the White House.

"Where have you been?" he said. "What have you been doing?"

Obama also announced fresh aid to struggling homeowners in California. He said the state would receive $145 million to help communities hardest hit by the home foreclosure crisis. He said the money would be used to buy up and rehabilitate vacant homes, and provide loans to poorer and middle-income families to help with home assistance.

California's GOP governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, gave the president a far warmer greeting than Obama has received from Republicans in Congress. "It's great to have him here," Schwarzenegger said in introducing Obama to the crowd. He thanked Obama for "courageous leadership."

Obama called the governor "one of the great innovators of state government" and "an outstanding partner with our administration."

The president capped his day on comedian Jay Leno's late-night talk show, taping his appearance at NBC's Burbank, Calif., studios a few hours in advance of its airing.

California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring was not amused. While the two "swap jokes," Nehring said in a statement, "hardworking California families continue to struggle to keep their homes and jobs."