Walmart Future?

Walmart tried to put a positive spin on its disappointing earnings report Thursday, which showed declining U.S. sales. But a survey released Friday contains another bad sign for America's wealthiest company and largest employer: just 38 percent of employees think Walmart's business outlook is good.



The report from Glassdoor.com, the employment review website, looked at people's expectations for their employers for the coming six months. Walmart didn't perform significantly below average, but it got a lower score than other major U.S. brands. Forty-three percent of Target workers gave their employer a positive outlook, and a solid majority of Home Depot and Whole Foods workers (61 and 62 percent, respectively) said their companies were on the upswing.

Tech companies at the top and the bottom: The top five performers were all software or Internet companies: Google, Qualcomm, Yahoo!, SAP, and Amazon. But most of the worst performers were also in the tech space. Just 35 percent of Microsoft employees gave their company a positive outlook, as did 32 percent of workers at Hewlett-Packard, 31 percent at Intel and 22 percent at Dell.

More: Walmart Organizers Claim Victory In Little Heralded Announcement

Why Walmart workers are so pessimistic: On Glassdoor.com, Walmart employees repeat the same complaints: poor communication from upper management, low pay, no merit-based raises, and favoritism that pummels morale. Many lower-level workers strike the same note as this sales associate from Dillon, S.C.: "Not a job to make a career out of." They also frequently cite staff shortages, an issue that Bloomberg News reported on earlier this year. Customers wrote in complaining about poorly stocked shelves and missing inventory. Some said that they were driving farther to avoid their local Walmart.

Best Dressed: Taylor Swift 8 BILLBOARD AWARDS

Best Dressed: Taylor Swift wore the most electrifying shade of blue on the BLUE carpet, which we love! Taylor ditched the typical white and her signature red to rock out a brilliant blue cut out gown that had some really interesting detailing, including plenty of sheer back action.
Taylor also talked about her performance of "22" at the awards show and why she chose that concept, saying, "we just kind of felt [it] would be so much fun with the song and also with Vegas, we had such incredible performers at our disposal."

As for her connection with her fans, Taylor said, "I don't know. I mean, you know, like I feel so lucky that I have such a personal relationship with my fans."

She added, "I feel so lucky that they want to follow me on Twitter, even though I just kind of tweet about my cat or Law & Order or food."

"It's been amazing. It's been an amazing friendship and bond that we've had over the last couple of years...I'm just very grateful to have it."

As for her reaction to Selena and Justin sharing a backstage kiss, well, a picture is worth a thousand words!
 


 

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson was born into a family destined for greatness. As the youngest child of the Jackson clan, she was a toddler when her brothers began performing as The Jackson 5. The boys were wildly successful, and the family moved from Indiana to Los Angeles.
She didn't plan on entering show business from the start, but was thrust into the spotlight simply by having the Jackson name. She was on several

television shows from the mid '70s to early '80s, and signed a recording contract with A&M in 1982, gaining her personal fame after the release of "Control" in 1986, her third album.

Her lyrics are socially conscious, her music innovative. She's never been afraid to take a risk with her music or how she dresses, and we applaud her for her fearlessness. Through the years, she's had a penchant for menswear-inspired tops and dresses, and certainly loves to dress in black and white. She's had a few fashion hiccups along the way, but the youngest Jackson has certainly followed in her brother's footsteps, making a place to call her own in the entertainment and

fashion world.

Janet turns 47 today, May 16th, and in her honor we've take a look back at her style through the years. Click through the gallery above to see!

 

Multiple tornadoes swept through north Texas

Multiple tornadoes swept through north Texas on Wednesday, damaging dozens of homes and claiming several lives, NBC Dallas Fort-Worth reported.
At least six people were killed after a twister touched down southeast of Granbury, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth, Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds announced in a midnight press conference. Up to 100 more were injured, some critically, The Associated Press reported.
The Granbury neighborhoods of Ranchos Brazos Estates and DeCordova Ranch suffered the brunt of the damage.
"There were probably 75 homes in [the Rancho Brazos] subdivision that are totally destroyed,'' Deeds said. "We haven't had a bad one like this for a while.''
A mile-wide tornado reached 80 mph winds as it passed through the town of Cleburne, the Dallas Morning News reported. Injuries were also reported there, NBC reported.
Another twister hit about 40 miles west of Fort Worth in the town of Millsap, causing damage to buildings.
The tornadoes developed this evening out of a system of thunderstorms over the area. Grapefruit-sized hail also pelted the area around Mineral Wells.
A tornado warning issued earlier for southwestern Ellis County, north central Hill County and southeastern Johnson County has expired.
MORE FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

Angelina Jolie underwent a double mastectomy procedure

Angelina Jolie underwent a double mastectomy procedure -- the removal of both of her breasts -- in order to minimize her risk of breast cancer ... the actress revealed.

Jolie penned an op-ed published in the New York Times, in which she reveals, "Doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer."

She continues, "Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive."

37-year-old Jolie says she completed the 3 months of medical procedures on April 27. She will continue to document her experience on the website for the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where she was (and still is being) treated.

The PLBC has treated stars like Sheryl Crow and Shannon Tweed.

"I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive," Jolie writes.

"For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options."

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/14/angelina-jolie-double-mastectomy-breast-cancer/#ixzz2TH6ehY2B
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Happy Mothers Day

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY ~~~~Deals

Mother's Day 2013 is here, and it is time to celebrate Mom for all those times she did your laundry and made your lunch, and even that one time she bit her tongue when you decided to dye your hair blue.
Kudos to those who have flowers, chocolates and diamonds ready for Sunday. For those who procrastinate a bit more or are tight on cash this year, there are plenty of Mother's Day freebies and deals to take advantage of to thank the woman who gave you life. After all, she always told you to save your pennies, right?
Hooters: This year, Hooters wants you to impress Mom with some free grub on May 12. When moms order any meal priced $10 or less, plus a drink purchase, the food is on the house. Moms must be accompanied by one or more offspring.
IKEA: Does your mom have a penchant for hearty breakfast food? Ikea is offering a free breakfast for moms on Mother's Day. This deal includes a 99-cent breakfast plate of bacon, eggs and potatoes, plus a cup of coffee. (Sorry, no Swedish meatballs.) The offer is good Sunday, May 12 until 11 a.m.
TCBY: For moms with a sweet tooth, TCBY is offering mothers a free frozen yogurt, either for self-serve or a small cup or cone, up to a 6-ounce cup. This deal includes all flavors of yogurts and sorbets, any toppings combinations and all “Super Fro-Yo.” Yum!
Uno: Uno will give moms a free mini dessert this Sunday, no coupon needed. Moms can choose from one of four delicious dishes. If you want to splurge a bit more, buy your mother a $25 gift card and get $5 back.
My Yoga Online: The world's largest online yoga video company is offering over 1,000 free yoga classes on Mother's Day, May 12 until midnight on May 13. To access the deal, send a personalized Mother's Day email to invite your mom to participate in My Yoga Online.
Redbox: Buy a Redbox eGift card for Mom and get a code for a bonus one-day DVD rental on Monday, May 13.
Applebees: Purchase $50 in Applebees giftcards for Mom, and you'll get a free $10 giftcard in return.
Ripley's Believe It or Not, Times Square: This Mother's Day, moms can head to Ripley's Believe It or Not's Odditorium in New York City's Times Square for a chance to win free admission from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. by spinning the wheel of "juggling challenges." Moms who aren't feeling so lucky will receive half-price admission with the purchase of a full-price child admission.
Best Buy: If you have a tech-savvy mama, Best Buy is offering three days of deals just for her, plus free shipping or free in-store pickup on all items.
1-800-Flowers: Floral arrangements are a classic gift for moms on this holiday. 1-800-Flowers is offering deals up to 40 percent off bouquets and gifts for Mom, no promo code required.
Hersheypark: On May 12, head to Hersheypark in Hershey, Pa., where moms will get in free. Print this coupon for a free one-day admission ticket for Mom, when purchased with another full-price, one-day admission ticket.
Amazon.com Give your ma a laugh with a free, personalized Amazon.com Mother's Day card from JibJab.
Take Mom to the Zoo!: Over 50 zoos around the nation are offering free admission for mothers. Click here to see a list of participating venues.