Dennis Rodman's friendship with Kim Jong Un is bizarre and ultimately inconsequential, David Steele says. (AP Photo/VICE Media, Jason Mojica)

The publication, which turns 90 this weekend and helped define newsmagazines in the United States and around the world, devoted one of its international editors and about 750 words to making sure the truth of what happens in North Korea is not lost on … Dennis Rodman.

No disrespect intended to Time, but it's the second important entity that doesn't seem clear on how most of America - including basketball America - sees Dennis Rodman. Bluntly put: who cares what Dennis Rodman learned about North Korea? And who thinks we're all supposed to, including Rodman himself?

To its credit, the State Department believes you shouldn't care what he thinks; when asked on Thursday, officials didn't seem to think it was even worth denouncing the trip or distancing from him. According to the Washington Post, a spokesman said: "Private individual Americans are welcome to take actions they see fit … we're not a clearinghouse for American citizen travel to North Korea."

He might have added, "No matter how many rebounding titles they've won, cameramen they've kicked and wedding dresses they've posed in."

Worth reminding again, this was not Joe Biden chatting and laughing with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a basketball exhibition. Nor was it Condoleezza Rice. Nor, to put it more in Rodman's context, was it Michael Jordan, or Kobe Bryant, or Denzel or Beyonce or someone who moves the needle here - or within the last decade.

Bring someone at that level of fame and impact into it, and a controversy starts that doesn't end any time soon, as history has proven (read up on Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson, just for starters).

But the next person who says, "To get the pulse of the American populace, find out what Dennis Rodman thinks," will be the first. "Somebody please check Dennis Rodman's pulse!" is more likely.

By the way, the other entity misinformed about the global impact of a Rodman visit appears to be Kim Jong Un himself - which only makes this more perplexing for the attention its getting from the strangest sources.

If you're not sure about that, check out the photo of him, back in the 1990s, wearing a Chicago Bulls No. 91 jersey. It probably wasn't because all the No. 23 jerseys were sold out, either. When Rodman was hot - when tattoos, body piercings and inventive hairstyles were still cutting-edge and counter-culture - he was smoking hot across this country and plenty of others. So were those Bulls. You never know from which fan base the next generation of worldwide scourges will come from.

Why Rodman was there is no secret, even if his motivation for gushing over his host isn't clear. (He told China's official news agency that he thinks Kim "is an awesome kid," and told the crowd after the game that the leader has "a friend for life.") Part of the trip was recorded for an upcoming cable special, and the Harlem Globetrotters were on the trip, too. He was there to get himself some exposure, something he still manages fairly well.

Of course, it's easy to make fun of the Worm now, maybe especially now. He's 51, 13 years past his final game, almost two years past his Springfield induction and a lifetime past his celebrity expiration date. But here he is, in the headlines-not as ubiquitous as his former Bulls teammate a few weeks ago on his 50th birthday, but still there.

Call him a lot of things, including a diplomatic novice, but don't call him dumb. No NBA player with a 7.3-point career scoring average ever made such a name for himself, and probably never will again.

That name, however, still isn't "Ambassador." It should take someone a little further up the celebrity food chain to get the leaders in Washington worried about the message that might take hold in this country about North Korea.

The points Time made about that nation are valid. They're terrifying. They're grounded in real evidence. They're not obscured by the gloss showered on a five-time NBA champion and former cultural icon.

But fretting over whether Dennis Rodman gets that as he traverses the world's hot spots, is giving him more credit than he deserves. And to think that he'll go Arthur Ashe on the regime (the way Ashe took on South Africa during apartheid) gives "delusion" a whole new meaning.

To put it mildly, it would be a surprise if his trip changed anybody's mind about Kim or North Korea.

Unfortunately for Rodman, it probably didn't change anyone's mind about him, either.

But those of you who did get bent out of shape about the Worm's move … nobody's sure what to think of you anymore. Except that maybe you can take a lesson from him: get tatted up a little more, think seriously a little less.

On Dec. 13, MerleDress, a leading wedding dress online supplier, announced its new dresses - Merle homecoming dresses would be launched on Dec. 17, next Monday.

(PRWEB) December 14, 2012

On Dec. 13, MerleDress, a leading wedding dress online supplier, announced its new dresses - Merle homecoming dresses would be launched on Dec. 17, next Monday.

According to , CEO of MerleDress, each homecoming dress is handcrafted by the tailors at MerleDress to leave people an impression of perfect shape and fullness. Ruched detailing for homecoming dress is not just decoration, and it can create a figure-flattering silhouette.

Merle homecoming dress series reflect the latest fashion trends for this year. Whether it is plunging necklines, sexy strapless, seductive backless, long formal gowns, or short cocktail dresses embellished with rhinestones, sequins, Swarovski crystals, bows, or satins, customers would find their favorite dresses in this series.

Homecoming is an event where students or alumni return to their institution to celebrate their academic accomplishments. The celebration usually consists of a sporting event followed by a formal dance.

Donnie Terry stressed, "The formality of homecoming dresses is dependent on the institution. In some schools, formal long homecoming dresses or ball gowns are common and in others, short homecoming dresses or beaded cocktail dresses are more appropriate."

In addition, MerleDress will participate in a fashion show in Hong Kong in Jan. 2013, and show its latest designs of wedding dresses, prom dresses, military ball gowns, graduation dresses, and so on.

Well I don't know about the lot of you, but since we found out the other day that Prop 8 isn't one of the things that Joseph Smith successfully pulled out his hat, things have been in a tizzy 'round our place. My sister texted the whole family with "Prop 8 overturned!" and with the exception of my mother, we all cheered with glee. My mother asked - "Is that good or bad?" My mother, bless her, is ready to be on the right side, you just have to tell her which one it is. But she's up to speed now, and we're rushin' to coordinate the wedding of the decade in short order. (Chelsea Clinton and her $3 million dollar fancy affair can fuck right off with herself, I tell you what.)

See, we want to be ready to go when the judges start lifting stays, outlawing bigotry, and takin' the American Family Association down a peg or two. We've got a bit of a urgency here on our end. Since last we talked on the subject of my sister's nuptials, my sister-in-law-to-be, Elizabeth, went and got herself knocked up. Not for nothing, but I do think it has something to do with the silver plated turkey baster I gave them for Christmas. But do you think they'd name the first born after me? Gah. Get on with you.

However, you know me, I'm a team player, and despite the ungrateful refusal to name the heir apparent to the family dynasty after her eldest and most revered sister, I'm all over helping plan the wedding. Now, for those of you who are just joining us, you should take a moment to review my previous proposals: Plan A and Plan B, before diving in. We'll wait for you to catch up. I promise.

Now, I don't know about you, but I think my first two plans are kinda hard to beat, and personally, I'm a bit partial to square dancing at a wedding, so I'm hoping we can still work that in somewhere. So, to start this process off, I decided to do a little research. You ever put "Shotgun Wedding" into the Google search box? You get some real interesting results. Most of which ain't applicable, but are a heck of a lot of fun.

Sorry, we got a little off track there. But not too far. I thought I'd start with the basics. Finding Terese and Elizabeth a little something to wear on the big day seemed a reasonable first task. Now Elizabeth is a wisp of a thing to begin with, and while I've not seen her pregnant, my suspicion is that she still weighs about 98lbs soaking wet. Which means we have a fair bit of flexibility in picking out a dress, all the same, we do have to take the "bump", as all the cool kids are calling it, into account. After hours of perusing the best of the maternity wedding dresses the internet has to offer an old fashioned girl like our mother-to-be, I've come up with a couple of winners. (No pressure or anything, but I'm lovin' the Anne Boleyn number.)

Now my sister Terese and I have very similar fashion tastes, and I'm thinking that she might like to follow in my footsteps and wear a more colourful wedding dress like I did. I wore a lovely shade of periwinkle, largely because I knew no one was gonna buy it if I wore white. So, if I can get my way and get Elizabeth into the "Off With Her Head Gown" then Terese would look smashing in this colourful ensemble. I know, it's gobsmacking right?

Now, I can't say I'm wasn't tempted at this stage of the planning to scream "Medieval Times!" and call it done. Unfortunately Elizabeth's one of those damn vegetarians, which would invariably get in the way of everyone enjoying their giant turkey legs. Oh well, there's always my next vow renewal with Dave. Hope springs eternal and all that.

See, now when you're planning a shotgun wedding that's pending a landmark legal decision, you've got the additional problem of trying to find the right location that will be available at the spur of the moment. This morning on the Today show they were talking about how people are having their weddings in the darnedest places nowadays. The shoe aisle at TJ Maxx and amongst the tools in Home Depot if you imagine that! And then wham! It hits me. If we rent ourselves an RV we can put on this dog and pony show any time and anywhere, including the parking lot at city hall or the county hospital - depends upon which breaks first, the will of the Mormons or Elizabeth's water! Damn if I ain't a genius when it comes to thinkin' on my feet.

Things are coming together if I do say so myself. Now, all I need to do is focus on the food. Can anyone say TAILGATE PARTY?! Work with me people, I'm on a roll here. Think of it: break out the grill, throw on some hot dogs and burgers, tap a keg; heck I'll even make a rainbow assortment of Jell-o shots! Now, for the pi de r the cake. This beauty is made of lovely and tasty Twinkies , and best of all is that it will double as a baby shower cake. This party is totally turning into a two-fer-one special theme. (I am available for hire, FYI.)

After months of shopping and headaches, everything is finally in place. The love of your life is waiting for you at the alter, and you're ready to go. Can you walk to meet them without falling on your face? Avoid turning red at your white wedding with a little preparation.

Fit Your Height

When going to the tailor make sure you consider the length of the wedding dress. Make sure it does not drag on the floor in front of you, getting under your feet as you walk. Bring the shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day to the dress fitting. This is your wedding dress - you have to be able to walk down the aisle without getting tangled in it.

Sensible Shoes

Is your dress so long that no one will see the shoes? If so, consider a ballerina slipper or kitten-heeled flat. You will be able to walk in your wedding dress much easier, and your feet will thank you after all that dancing. If you insist on heels look for wedges, platforms, or chunkier heels; they are easier to walk in. Avoid stilettos. Consider buying two pairs - one for pictures, and a more practical pair for the reception.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Take a practice "run" for your big walk at least twice before your wedding. Wear the dress with the shoes and practice your walk on carpet, tile, wood, any surface in your home. Take smaller steps than usual and walk slowly. If your perfect shoes slip on carpet or certain indoor surfaces, scuff up the bottoms with sandpaper - this will help your stride.

Have Confidence

Standing up straight will give you better balance for your walk and a better silhouette in your dress. Models use this trick to maintain posture; make sure your shoulders are relaxed, and imagine a string attached to your navel that runs up through your head and to the ceiling. This will keep you relaxed, upright, and looking beautiful. Practice your walk enough so you can look as comfortable and natural as possible.

It's Not the End of the World

If you do trip on your way down the aisle, your wedding can still be perfect. Stand up and smile. It's even okay to laugh a little before continuing - slowly - on your way to your love.

Shoppers rifled through piles of clothing - designer jeans, leather jackets, wedding dresses galore - focused on leaving the 84th and final Hadassah-WIZO bazaar with as much stuff as possible.

Organizers were pleased with the turnout of 9,500, just shy of their 10,000 target, but the prevailing mood was one of nostalgia for a time gone by. Shoppers, dragging bulging garbage bags behind them, felt it, too.

After this bazaar, there will be no others. That's because the annual fundraiser, held by the Toronto chapters of Canada's largest Zionist organization, is a relic from a time when most women were housewives and discount department stores did not exist.

Anne Bank, a Hadassah-WIZO member since 1970, sat sullenly at a table while the last items went. "You know, there's a time for everything," she said. "I guess it's just time for us to go on to other ways and means."

It was easy to see why the bazaar has become harder to organize. volunteer Irith McConnachie burst into the Danier Leather booth, with a coffee in hand.

"I was supposed to be here all day, but the office called," she said.

The demands of the modern-day woman.

In the early days, the Hadassah bazaar was a serious social event, making the society pages of city newspapers and advertising music, dancing and entertainment. In 1927, there was a perfect baby contest, a Punch and Judy show, and a large orchestra that "will render music for dancing throughout the evening."

A new Ford was a door prize in 1950, when 18 young married women were on hand to shine men's shoes. The bazaar was open until midnight in 1965, a year that saw 50,000 attendees.

By the '70s, more women were entering the workforce, leaving less time for large-scale organizing efforts. Then, in the '80s and '90s, discount stores like Winners and Wal-Mart opened shop, giving the bazaar stiff, year-round competition.

But those heavyweights couldn't compete with yesterday's sales. There would be no storing items away for future bazaars, so everything had to go.

Selma Opler, 72, and Shirley Lipton, 73, who have been coming to the bazaar for more than 20 years, sat down for a breather. They'd purchased two green sweatshirts for their husbands ($5 each), a La Senza Girl shirt for a granddaughter ($3), three silk headbands ($1), two jars of bread and butter pickles ($3), a sweater ($2) and a long suede skirt from Danier Leather ($10). And they weren't finished yet.

"We plan out our route," said Opler. "It's not haphazard."

Opler and Lipton have been friends since they were girls, and always look forward to the bazaar as a day to spend together. When they've finished their rounds they'll go out for dinner and catch up.

"We're really gonna miss it," Lipton said. "We're sad about that."

Some shoppers, like Marnie Cain and her two teenager daughters, arrived at the Direct Energy Centre long before the gates opened yesterday morning.

"It's the last one," said Cain, who took the day off from work to attend. "We've never been able to make it before. We wanted to see what it's all about."

" . before it's too late," her daughter Michelle, 18, chimed in. "We've watched it on TV for years."

Some shoppers, noting the swelling crowd, wondered if the turnout might convince organizers to keep the bazaar tradition alive. "It'll be back next year," one woman predicted, looking back at the line.

Think about the beach's sunset, the sand and the surf, then do you think beach wedding would be the perfect choice for your big day in summer? Beach wedding is different from other styles of wedding ceremony no matter from the aspects of its wedding scheme, its wedding place and its wedding dress and so on.

Holding a beach wedding means you should pay more attention on the whole wedding scheme. Besides spending plenty time on beach wedding, you should also squeeze some time for your beach wedding dress. The following is a list of tips and explanations designed to help you find the perfect beach wedding dresses.

While some brides actually wear lovely and lightweight dresses for their sandy walk down the aisle, other brides prefer to go for white bikinis complete with an almost see-through sarong. Your choice of beach wedding attire depends fully on how formal or how casual you want your wedding ceremony to be.

Think of other beach wedding dresses you have seen and liked. Write them down, sketch them out. Brainstorm what your ideal beach wedding dress would be. Types include: Glamorous, romantic, classic, modern, bohemian. Beaching wedding dress has those elements will make you fashion and gorgeous.

Even an informal wedding dress in the right cut and the right dress style can help make your informal dress look glamorous and classy. Just like their formal counterparts, informal wedding dresses come in various shapes, colors, sizes and designs.

We also absolutely adore beach wedding dresses simply because these can be bought off the rack. You can purchase a simple cocktail or casual white dress from any shop and it instantly becomes your perfect beach wedding dress.

Amazing beach wedding dresses come in organza (thin, delicate and crinkly), elastic satin (soft and light with a slight sheen), chiffon tulle. Also consider fabric such as tulle and light color taffeta. These materials are light and will do well in the beach wind. They also capture the essence of a beach wedding in many ways. With such fabrics beach wedding dresses, you will feel cool and light weighted in your wedding which will make you less tired about the wedding ceremony.

The last thing to consider when purchasing your beach wedding dress is practicality. The beach has many setting events that other environments do not. This includes wind, walking in sand, and posing near the water. Dresses with a large train may get caught up in the sand and a long veil may become out of control with the wind. So do opt for a shorter gown for a beach wedding dress so you can pose near the water, and walk freely.

Wedding attire varies greatly by culture.

The Western tradition of a white wedding dress actually dates to 1840, and the marriage of Queen Victoria. Until then, English and American wedding dresses were just the most beautiful dress the bride owned, without symbolic color use and the flagging of virginity. Since then, the custom has spread to many other groups. Scandinavian brides evidently used to be attired in black, but now white and silver seem to be common there, too.

I got married in a lime green and lavender sari with bright orange jewelry, with a purple orchid lei. Not what you call traditional by any means. Sorry for the lack of photo on that, I don have any myself.

Hindu weddings traditionally feature brides in deep red accented with gold:

[is this image reversed? I familiar with wearing a sari with the pallu over the left shoulder (although I know there are many different ways to drape/tie/wear a sari), and I unclear on whether this transfers to lengha.]

Traditional Japanese wedding kimonos for the bride are characterized more by the tsunokakushi (horn-hider!) headdress and the ornately decorated overcoat (uchikake) rather than the white kimono (shiromuku), which is only one of the possible options for a Japanese bride.

Leaving this in for the record: (I am not clear whether the white wedding kimono tradition is a sort of convergent memetic evolution about purity, or a bleedthrough from Western contact. Makiko Itoh, do you know?) See Makiko Itoh more complete details about Japanese bridal attire in comment below.

I have found a reference that claims that Korean brides are attired as seen below, but every page that says this is copying the same wording.[1] Given the apparent age of the woman in the image below, I have serious doubts about this "fact". I hope Quorans with more Korean background will weigh in on this.

Traditional Norwegian bride in black:

There a bit of text floating around the Web claiming that Moroccan brides wear yellow to avert the evil eye, but I can find no corroboration for this.

[1] The book referenced above also has a chapter on Korean wedding traditions, but I do not own this book, and have no further interest in the topic of wedding dresses, so I leave it to the rest of the Quorasphere to supply further answer.

First, go to the wedding, or to the lively, happy-based. So try to wear bright colors better, such as pink, pastel yellow, light purple, light green. Color and lively, fashion. Avoid the color is too heavy, such as red, rhubarb, big purple, and green will look dull and old-fashioned.

Second, the wedding is a more serious and solemn occasion, we can not wear too frivolous, can take a little outside the shirt, took off after the ceremony.

Third, we need to understand the point is that the latter part of the wedding, is basically a big party, we are the best clothing to unique. Both emphasize their personality, taste, and can add highlights to the wedding ~

So, let us in on these three principles, based on good play our unique creative.

If it is Chinese-style wedding, small series suggest that you can wear a similar dress like the little pink dress. Of course, a lot of MM's wardrobe did not dress. Then wear a bright color and lifted the skirt, sweater or large T-shirt, try not too long, above the knee is better. Department of dazzling colors of the collar, the bottom with small boots, both warm and lovely.

If it is Western-style wedding, then put your little veil pulls out come the summer (avoid, do not wear white, avoid contact with the bride Zhuangshan), outside wearing a warm and dignified suit style shirt, cute bottom with a comfortable a small heel, but also to pink-based makeup. So you go to the wedding the easy way out must be appropriate to have friends ~ ~

1. A correctly fitted bra and matching briefs set

You will look better, slimmer and feel nicer with the right underwear next to your skin. Remember to buy at least two or three pairs of matching briefs because you will wash them more frequently than you will the bra. Even better, at davidnieper UK when you buy five pairs of briefs you get a generous discount.

If you have one in your wardrobe already then youll know how essential a smart white blouse can be dress it up with a suit and pearl earrings or dress it down with jeans, a belt and a chunky bracelet or necklace.

3. Cashmere or merino wool turtle neck jumper

Wear a gorgeous little cashmere or merino wool jumper and you will instantly radiate style and also a little lux living. Soft woollen jumpers and tops never go out of fashion and can be worn with absolutely anything. There are some great styles available and cashmere or cashmere mix jumpers are no longer as expensive as they used to be.

4. Smart blazer or jacket

Ladies who know how to dress well know that adding a jacket to any outfit instantly adds a tailored sophistication. You will look taller, carry yourself with more poise and stand out from the crowd.

5. Long line skirt and trousers

All you need are a few carefully chosen matching separates. Chose items that wont date, are elegantly cut and will take you through from spring to summer, or autumn to winter. Now is a great time to check out online sales such as at davinieper UK

6. Pashmina or silk scarf

If you havent succumbed to the pashmina craze, then ensure you have a beautiful silky scarf instead. They can add colour, draw an outfit together, hide a few wrinkles or simply keep you warm.

7. Leather overbelt

A belt is a lovely accessory that looks just as good slung over your clothes as holding them up. Dont be shy about wearing them there are lots of styles out there that are highly flattering for the fuller figure or maturer lady .

8. Long chunky necklace

Not just for the young! Necklaces can add interest and draw the eye as well as compliments!

9. Wool coat or trench coat

Have both if you can stretch to it. I recommend sticking with the classic colours like black or camel as they wont date and a well made coat will last you years and years.

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Target your areas with our wedding dress workout

In our wedding dress workout we look at each of the four problem areas - stomach, bottom, arms and thighs - highlighting the type of toning exercises you need to work into your daily routine - plus some extra training tips to complement your toning workouts. It's time to target those wobbly bits and watch your body transform into the perfect frame for your wedding dress.

If you're looking to get a slim waist and a set of killer abs, sit ups and crunches immediately come to mind. But exercises for your lower abs should be included too. Have a go at leg-only v-sits (sit on the floor with your legs elevated and alternately bend and straighten your knees). To further train your core, use a stability ball to carry out your ab exercises - this will train the deeper muscles of your abdomen too which will lead to all-over better posture.

Saggy, flabby rear

For that perfect peachy rear you'll need to be working all the glute muscles. There are many killer techniques that will set you on your way to a pert behind; squats, lunges, side leg lifts as well as running, stepping or skipping will all contribute to your J-Lo butt. Bootylicious! One of the best ways to fit in a daily rear toning exercise is to take the stairs - go for two at a time concentrating on squeezing the cheeks as you climb. Now there's no excuse to take the lift.

Flabby arms

Don't shy away from sleeveless wedding dresses as you can banish those bingo wings by targeting your biceps, triceps and shoulders to get the sexy toned arms you desire. Tricep dips are one of the best exercises to tone the under-arm wobble and good old fashioned press ups are great for targeting shoulders and the chest. Combine with cardiovascular exercise like 'boxercise' or kickboxing and you'll have slender, strong arms.

Thunder thighs

Want sleeker hips and streamlined, wobble-free thighs that don't meet in the middle? Well the good news is that the squats and lunges for your peachy rear will also double up as great thigh trimmers too. But rather than just focusing on the large muscles on the front and back of the thighs (the quads and hamstrings) go for activities that work the hips and inner thighs too. In-line skating is a superb aerobic workout, burning 400 calories an hour, with studies showing that it works some muscles in the legs more effectively than running - particularly the inner thighs and hips.

Now you have targetted your problem areas, here are a few training rules and nutrition tips which will complement your workouts and get you closer to the bride-beautiful body.

Top six training and nutrition tips to complement toning workouts

Step up your cardio workouts (running, cycling, walking)

Burn extra calories and ensure your newly honed and toned body isn't buried under a layer of blubber.

Train early

Exercising in the morning kick-starts your metabolism (the rate at which you burn calories) and the benefits can last for up to 15 hours after training.

Up the resistance

As you progress, the addition of hand/leg weights or resistance bands will make toning workouts that little bit tougher but will yield results.

Go natural when eating

Always try and select whole-food choices for meals and snacks. Processed foods are generally low in nutritional quality and high in unwanted calories such as fat and sugar.

Hydrate for exercise

Inadequate hydration often invites false hunger pangs and cravings. Avoid reaching for the cookie jar by drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day.