Brian Banmiller's blog

McDonalds has done away with a key ingredient and the announcement is turning a few stomachs.

Earlier this week the golden arches revealed that it had stopped using ammonium hydroxide in the production of its hamburgers. According to MSNBC that same chemical is commonly used in fertilizers, household cleaners and homemade explosives.

A statement from McDonalds says the decision to discontinue the use of ammonia came in August of last year. It says this is part of an effort to align global standards for the sourcing of beef. And unfortunately for fast food lovers McDonalds might not be the only chain to use the chemical.  read more »

One Seattle woman is taking a stand; and she’s doing it in a wedding dress.

In early December Babylonia Aivaz and 16 friends occupied a warehouse that was scheduled to be demolished. She says they were protesting the planned development of an apartment complex on the site. But when the group was removed by police Aivaz decided to show her dedication to the building by joining it in holy matrimony.

So she recently exchanged one-sided vows with the warehouse swearing to a minister that she would “love, cherish and protect the building.” She also added her own verse that described her experience cleaning the now abandoned building saying it changed her life.  read more »

Need some extra cash; consider an extra paycheck.

If your nine to five isn’t getting you by; maybe it’s time to look at a little side work. And if you’re seeking some extra income you aren’t alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics more than seven million Americans have a second job. To help you find the one that’s right for you careerbuilder. com polled experts and job seekers about what they consider the best part time gigs.

For example a bartender. One person who is a partner at a law firm in Minnesota says she recently got a part time job at a local bar. She says it’s a great way to meet potential clients and pay the rent until the next big case. And spending a few nights a week behind a bar can earn you just over $10 an hour.  read more »

The euro may be dropping in value but for one man its home.

An unemployed Irish artist has taken his talent to the next level by building an entire home from the shredded remains of 1.4 billion Euros. This is the equivalent of $1.8 billion. The artist; Frank Buckley is calling it a monument to the madness that has been created by the single currency.

Using bricks of shredded euro notes borrowed from Ireland’s national mint; he built his home in the lobby of a Dublin office building that has been vacant since its completion four years ago. Buckley says the office building was built during a construction boom that had people pouring money into projects that are now worth nothing. He says he wanted to show people that it was possible to build something out of nothing.  read more »

Daily indulgences can add up; and the tab is running higher for certain people.

According to a survey of spending habits in the workplace Americans spend more than $1,000 a year on coffee and another $2,000 on lunch. And while everyone is shelling out during the day, men and younger workers are spending the most.

The survey was conducted by Accounting Principles, a unit of the human resources company Adecco SA. It found that men spend about $47 a week on lunch compared to women who spend half that. Men also pay more for coffee and are more likely to complain about the caffeine options in office vending machines.  read more »

People can’t get enough of Steve Jobs; but if you want a piece of the head apple it’s going to cost you.

A few weeks ago the Chinese company In Icons announced the release of a very realistic Steve Jobs action figure. Since then the company says pressure from both Apple and the late founder’s family has led them to re-consider the tribute.

The company released a statement saying they do not believe they overstepped any legal boundaries but out of respect for the family they will stop manufacturing the figure. However before this decision was made the company had already sold some dolls; and since the announcement the value has increased by 3,000%.  read more »

While the rest of the world cracks down on Iran; Iran is cracking down on a blonde icon.

About three weeks ago Iran’s morality police started visiting shopkeepers and making them remove any and all Barbie dolls from the shelves. They are being told the dolls represent to many promiscuous western values.

Barbie was first banned from the country in 1996. That’s when religious leaders declared that the doll leads to destructive cultural and social consequences. Then in 2002 a new range of officially approved dolls was launched. Called Sara and Dara, the dolls are wearing traditional Islamic clothing with Sara, the female completely covered.  read more »

We all open the door of our home to strangers; but before you throw back the dead bolt there are a few things you should know.

In order to shed a little light into the professional world Good Morning America and Readers Digest are teaming up on a series called “thirteen things your “blank” won’t tell you.” And first on their list are thirteen things your housecleaner won’t tell you.

The information came from interviewing people who work in the industry and their revelations might surprise you. For example you might prefer a squeaky clean surface but it comes at a price. Number two on the list says maids wish you wouldn’t insist on bleach and harsh cleaners. They say for almost every situation there is a safer, more eco-friendly alternative.  read more »

Colombian drug money is running low; and to replenish their funds rebels are heading to the farm.

The South American country is one of the world’s top producers of cocaine. But after more than a decade of a U.S. backed military surge output and income have dropped. To counter the problem the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia have resorted to selling cattle to obtain more resources.

The country’s president says in recent weeks the rebels have been stealing the cattle from other regions of Colombia and putting them on the market. But it’s coming up short compared to what they used to pull in with cocaine.  read more »

Europe’s economic situation might be unraveling the region; but some people are cashing in on the financial crisis.

Since late 2009 Europe’s financial standing has taken a severe hit. Much like here at home reasons for this include easy credit conditions, high risk lending, real estate bubbles and slow growth conditions. Now the ongoing turmoil is threatening the euro which earlier this week hit a 17 month low against the dollar and an 11 year low against the Yen.

But as the euro contains to drop in the global marketplace counterfeiters see the currency as a business opportunity. The European Central Bank says the number of fake euro banknotes found in the second half of last year is up to 3100,000 bills. This is a 4.7% increase from the previous six months.  read more »