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GSA Auctions Jewelry and Exotic Collectibles Update

PEARL NECKLACE 12/29/2016 06:45 PM EST CURRENT BID: $40    STATE: VA    NO. OF BIDDERS: 0     CLOSE TIME: 01-05-2017 05:45 PM CT.   One lot consisting of (1) women's pearl necklace. May or may not be authentic pearl. NOTICE TO BIDDER: Picture(s) may or may not be an actual depiction of property offered for sale, and can only be relied upon as a reasonable representation thereof. Physical inspection of property is encouraged and highly recommended. 0031NZ1112A 0031NZ73151112A

AGE SUCCESS RATES

Percent of people in their twenties who achieve their resolution each year, 39%  Percent of people over 50 who achieve their resolution each year, 14%  Resolution maintained through first week, 75%  Past two weeks, 71%  Past one month, 64%  Past six months, 46%

TYPE OF RESOLUTIONS

(Percentage above 100% because of multiple resolutions) Self-Improvement or education related resolutions, 47%  Weight related resolutions, 38%  Money related resolutions, 34%  Relationship related resolutions, 31%

NEWS YEARS RESOLUTION STATISTICS

Percent of Americans who usually make New Year's Resolutions, 45%  Percent of Americans who infrequently make New Year's Resolutions, 17%  Percent of Americans who absolutely never make New Year's Resolutions, 38%  Percent of people who are successful in achieving their resolution, 8%  Percent who have infrequent success, 49%  Percent who never succeed and fail on their resolution each year, 24%  People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't explicitly make resolutions,

NEW YEAR'S TRADITIONS

(FactMonster.com) Hogmanay (Scotland) The birthplace of "Auld Lang Syne" is also the home of Hogmanay (hog-mah-NAY), the rousing Scottish New Year's celebration (the origins of the name are obscure). One of the traditions is "first-footing." Shortly after midnight on New Year's eve, neighbors pay visits to each other and impart New Year's wishes. Traditionally, First foots used to bring along a gift of coal for the fire, or shortbread. It is considered especially lucky if a tall, dark, and handsome man is the first to enter your house after the new year is rung in. The Edinburgh Hogmanay celebration is the largest in the country, and consists of an all-night street party. Oshogatsu (Japan) The New Year is the most important holiday in Japan, and is a symbol of renewal. In December, various Bonenkai or "forget-the-year parties" are held to bid farewell to the problems and concerns of the past year and prepare for a new beginning. Misunderstand

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY THEMES FOR KIDS

(sheknows.com) You can simply break out the party hats and horns, or plan a themed party for your kids on New Year's Eve. Pajama party Skip the fancy dresses and dapper suits and instead ask that the kids come in their comfortable and warm pajamas. The other parents will love this idea, especially when they are carrying their sleepy children to their bed after returning home from your party. Or, if you are hosting just a few kids, make it a sleepover. It doesn't matter if the little ones drift off before midnight, because they'll already be in their sleeping bags. Dance party Make a playlist or mix CD of kid-friendly tunes, like the song from Kidz Bop. If you have a gaming system, purchase the Just Dance Kids video games to keep the kids entertained and take the pressure off of you -- teaching them how to dance. Karaoke party Rent or buy a karaoke machine and let the kids be as loud as they want while singing their favorite songs. Many karaoke machines hook up to your TV

YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE WHERE?

With New Year's Eve just days away and 70 percent of Americans celebrating the day in some way, including large, organized events and party-hopping, WalletHub took an in-depth look at the Best & Worst Cities to Celebrate New Year's Eve. The data set ranges from the legality of fireworks to the average price of a New Year's Eve party ticket. Best Cities to Celebrate New Year's Eve 1. Orlando, FL 2. San Francisco, CA 3. Atlanta, GA 4. San Diego, CA 5. Scottsdale, AZ 6. Minneapolis, MN 7. Portland, OR 8. Cincinnati, OH 9. Las Vegas, NV 10. Honolulu, HI Worst Cities to Celebrate New Year's Eve 91. San Bernardino, CA 92. Arlington, TX 93. Charlotte, NC 94. Garland, TX 95. Laredo, TX 96. Fort Worth, TX 97. Hialeah, FL 98. Jersey City, NJ 99. Newark, NJ 100. North Las Vegas, NV More statistics you'll want to know: The average price of a New Year's Eve party ticket in Pittsburgh is seven times higher than in Greensboro, NC. The price of a thre

HEALTHY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS (THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY KEEP)

1. Only eat when sitting down.  It's true, we tend to eat mindlessly and "graze" more when standing up. Sitting down encourages us to be present and eat with more focus–things that can prevent us from overeating. 2. Use small dinner plates.  Using a smaller plate, research has shown, leads to taking smaller portions. If you're trying to avoid overeating, this is a simple trick. 3. Park is the back row at the grocery store.  if you routinely hit the grocery store two or three times a week, walking an extra quarter mile to and from the store is an easy way to get more exercise into your busy day. You can adopt this policy everywhere you park, or just at the grocery store for starters. 4. Take the stairs at work.  if you are only going up a flight or two, make a promise to yourself that you will take the stairs and give your legs and lungs a little workout mid-day. 5. Switch out coffee for green tea.  Green tea has a multitude of health benefits, including

NIGHTTIME IS THE RIGHT TIME

Women's Health magazine asked women, "When's the right time for him to meet your friends?"  2% said, "Never, I don't want him flirting with them"  16% said, "After we've been dating a few months"  25% said, "Right away their opinions matter"  57% said, "After we've been dating a few weeks" "What's the sexiest thing a guy can wear?" 40% said jeans and a sweater  22% said a suit  16% said khakis and a button-down shirt  12% said a tuxedo  10% said shorts and a T-shirt

WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

Chocolate ice cream is the number one favorite flavor of ice cream, according to a Harris Poll in which 27 percent said chocolate is their fave. Coming in right behind chocolate are vanilla and cookie dough/cookies and cream. The top 10 favorite flavors of ice cream:  Chocolate: 27 percent  Vanilla: 23 percent  Cookie dough/cookies and cream: 22 percent  Butter pecan/Swiss almond and mint chocolate chip (tie): 19 percent  Strawberry: 14 percent  Rocky road: 12 percent  Peanut butter: 10 percent  Coffee: 9 percent  Cherry vanilla: 8 percent  Multiple responses were accepted so the total adds up to more than 100 percent. Here's more: 45 percent like to eat their ice cream in a cup, compared with 31 percent who prefer a cone, 16 percent who like it in a sundae and 4 percent who choose an ice cream sandwich.  When it comes to favorite toppings, 53 percent of those who eat ice cream choose hot fudge, while 41 percent want nuts, 39 percent prefer whipped cream and 38 perce

IS THAT LEGAL TO ASK?

Job seekers may think they're the only ones sweating the job interview -- afraid they'll say the wrong thing or answer inappropriately -- but hiring managers are under just as much pressure. There are a number of questions interviewers are legally not allowed to ask, but sometimes the parameters are not clear. For example, in an attempt to make a candidate feel at ease, the interviewer might innocently ask him, "What does your wife do?" Wrong. It's illegal to ask if someone is married, even using a backdoor approach like this. According to CareerBuilder.com, 20 percent of hiring managers admitted in a nationwide survey by Harris Poll that they asked a question in a job interview they found out later was illegal to ask. Ten interview questions that are illegal to ask:  What is your religious affiliation?  Are you pregnant?  What is your political affiliation?  What is your race, color or ethnicity?  How old are you?  Are you disabled?  Are you married?  Do

DID YOU KNOW?

20% of homes has a doorbell for the back door that doesn't work, and they have no desire to fix it.  The average guy spends $107 on dry cleaning every year.  About 42% of us turn on a night light before bed.  According to Reader's Digest, reading to kids at bedtime in American homes has decreased by over 80% since 1960.  The average person goes gray four years sooner than compared to 40 years ago.

TODAY'S IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION

80% of us think we're good at this... but in reality we aren't? Spelling.

Music Calendar...

In 1942 Frank Sinatra opens at New York's Paramount Theatre for an 8-week engagement. 400 policemen were used to control the crowds. In 1944 Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys make their debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1962 Brenda Lee is slightly injured when she runs into her burning Nashville home to rescue her poodle, Cee Cee. In 1966 The Beatles record "When I'm 64" at Abbey Road Studios in London. In 1966 Billboard magazine reports that the Beatles held the #1 position on the charts in 13 countries. In 1967 "Hello Goodbye" by the Beatles hits #1 on the U.S. top 40 chart and stayed there for 3 weeks. In 1969 "Leaving On A Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul and Mary is certified gold. In 1972 Nilsson's album "Son Of Schmilsson" is certified gold. In 1972 "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" by the Spinners enters the U.S. top 40 chart. In 1974 The entity known

Today In History...

In 1809 Wearing masks at parties and balls is banned in Boston, MA. In 1853 The U.S. buys some 45,000 miles of land from Mexico in a deal that becomes known as the Gadsden Purchase (the southern part of Arizona and New Mexico). In 1894 Suffragist Amelia Jenks Bloomer dies. She was best known for wearing a short skirt and baggy trousers that became known as "bloomers." In 1903 602 people die when fire breaks out in the Iroquois Theater in Chicago. In 1911 Sun Yat-sen is elected the first president of the Republic of China after the fall of the Chinese dynasties. In 1916 Grigori Rasputin is assassinated in Russia. In 1922 Vladimir I. Lenin proclaims the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). In 1924 Astronomer Edwin Hubble announces the existence of other Milky Way systems. In 1935 Italian bombers destroy a Swedish Red Cross unit in Ethiopia. In 1936 A huge sitdown strike erupts at the Fi

Born On This Day...

In 1850 Geologist, John Milne (invented the seismograph) In 1851 Businessman, Asa Griggs Candler (founded Coca Cola Corp. in 1873) In 1865 English poet/short story writer, Rudyard Kipling (Jungle Book) In 1867 American capitalist/philanthropist, Simon Guggenheim In 1869 Canadian economist/humorist, Stephen Leacock In 1876 Spanish violinist, Pablo Casals In 1883 Actress, Mary Forbes (The Picture of Dorian Gray, Les Miserables) In 1884 Japanese Prime Minister, Tojo Hideki (World War II) In 1892 Actor, John Litel (Sam Aldrich-Henry Aldrich movies) In 1898 Actor, Tom Keene (Plan Nine From Outer Space) In 1910 Author, Paul Bowles (Sheltering Sky) [d: 11-18-99] In 1911 Actress, Jeanette Nolan (The Virginian) [d: 6-5-98] In 1912 Actress, Rosina Lawrence (Our Gang, Little Rascals) [d: 6-23-97] In 1914 Emcee/game show host, Bert Parks (Miss America) [d: 2-2-92] In 1919 Actress, Jo Van Fleet (East of Eden) [d: 6-10-96] In 1920 Actor, Jack Lord (Det. S

ON THIS DAY

The Roman Emperor Titus was born on this date back in 40 AD. In case you're wondering, yes, he had a last name: Adrum. On this date in 1809, the city of Boston banned costume balls. Police enforced the ban with the occasional masker raid. In 1940 that the very first freeway opened up in Los Angeles. Sadly, it was five years before the "on ramp" was invented. Let's Make a Deal first aired way back in 1964

TODAY IS

Former golf king Tiger Woods hits 41 today. Oh, and it's his birthday too. TV host Matt Lauer turns 59 today. Well, today on "The Today Show," Matt Lauer turns 59 today. Oh, never mind!

TOP 10 COMMONLY BROKEN NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Lose Weight and Get Fit  Quit Smoking  Learn Something New  Eat Healthier and Diet  Get Out of Debt and Save Money  Spend More Time with Family  Travel to New Places  Be Less Stressed  Volunteer  Drink Less

DID YOU KNOW?

65% of people surveyed said they've paid the full sticker price at a car dealership, even though they didn't have to.  A survey reveals that 40% of men admit to playing up their cold & flu symptoms to get attention.  18% of people started their holiday shopping on the Saturday before Christmas.  Your hair is considered to be the least destructible part of the human body.  Nearly 70% of men say they wish they received more compliments from their partner. 

TODAY'S IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION

One in four men say they never use this common product. Deodorant.

NOT ENOUGH SLEEP MAKES YOU FAT

With all the demands of work and family and the very real need for some "I" time, it's hard to get enough sleep, especially on weekdays. If that describes you, ask yourself this question: Do you crave fatty foods? It turns out that our appetite for fatty foods -- from cheeseburgers to cheesecake -- is increased when we don't get enough sleep. Not only does this have implications for insomniacs, but also for those who work the evening shift, night shirt, rotating shifts or any kind of irregular schedule. In a study, participants were given one night of regular sleep and were then randomized for either total sleep deprivation (34 volunteers) or as part of the control group (12 volunteers) for the remaining three nights. Those who stayed awake all night were allowed to move about, watch TV, read, play video and board games and eat as much or as little as they wanted. Each was given a brain scan, known as a functional MRI (fMRI), to examine brain connectivity changes. The

SOCIAL MEDIA CAN KILL YOUR CAREER

(CareerBuilder.com Social media have become the norm, both as a part of everyday life and as a part of your success or failure during your job search. You hear all the time about how to use social media in your job search or about social media as one of the many ways you can get fired -- or not hired. Usually when we talk about social media in terms of getting fired or losing your chance to get hired, it's in the context of your digital footprint: not posting inappropriate photos, racial slurs or nasty comments about your boss and colleagues, for example. But now there's a new piece of the puzzle to consider: If an employer sees that you're overly active on social media, your professional commitment might be questioned. Here are six tips to avoid social media overkill and manage your online presence effectively: Add to the conversation "Use LinkedIn to post your resume online. Contribute to industry and occupation-specific discussions," Neece says. Have more than

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER

Want to live longer and be happier doing it? Then pray or attend your place of worship. Incredibly, oodles of scientific studies have concluded that folks who attend religious services regularly and/or believe in God and pray, live longer and happier lives. Here are some of the amazing findings: In 2006, University of Texas scientists discovered that those who attended religious services live 7 years longer.  In 2006, the American Society of Hypertension found that churchgoers have lower blood pressure.  In 2004, UCLA researchers found that religious students were healthier emotionally and mentally.  A decade old study of patients with broken hips discovered that those who believed in God were less depressed and recovered sooner.  Other studies concluded that believers with breast cancer recovered faster and those with arthritis and heart disease showed greater improvement.  And a 1999 survey found that people who prayed regularly had stronger immune systems.

TEN BEST TRIVIA FACTS

The 10 best trivia facts about New Year's across the world have been identified by researchers and ranked by a national poll conducted on behalf of GameIt at gameit.us, a trivia game and shopping app. In their hunt for interesting New Year's trivia, GameIt's researchers trawled the web, pored over trivia books and mined the sum of accumulated human knowledge, before narrowing down the field to a shortlist of 10 pieces of New Year's trivia says Bryce Johnson, founder of GameIt. Here are the best New Year's Trivia Facts: More cars are stolen in the U.S. on New Year's Day than on any other holiday  January 1 was first established as the New Year by Julius Caesar  The earliest recorded festivities to welcome the New Year took place in Babylon 4,000 years ago (and were celebrated in late March)  The Italians, Spanish, Mexicans and Bolivians all share a custom of celebrating the New Year by wearing red underwear for good luck  The first inhabited place to experie

TOO MUCH IS TOO MUCH

Too much alcohol can temporarily alter your personality. Some people turn mean and nasty. Others become sweet and docile. Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia wanted to classify libation-induced personalities in order to categorize different "types" of drinkers--well beyond the "good drunk" and the "bad drunk." "Some people are known to get angry and violent, careless and irresponsible, or weepy and inconsolable when drinking, and it is often what earns them the label of being a 'problem drinker,'" explains study leader Rachel Winograd. "However, until now, there has been no empirical investigation into the unique types of personality-like changes that people undergo when drinking." Winograd's team developed four distinct personality types based on how the students acted in terms of four classic personality traits -- agreeableness, conscientiousness, intellect and extroversion -- after binge drinking. The resul

TODAY IS

Angelina's dad, John Voight, turns 78 today. She gets most of the credit for his aging.

ON THIS DAY

It was on this date in 1792 that the leaders of the French revolution voted to send King Louis the 16th to the guillotine. In no time at all, he became King Louis the 15 & 7/8ths. On this date in 1848, gas lights were installed in the White House. It took less than a wick to do it.

Music Calendar...

In 1943 Bing Crosby records "San Fernando Valley." In 1945 Sheb Wooley records the first commercial record made in Nashville on the Bullet label. In 1945 "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby hits #1 again on the charts. In 1951 "Cry" by Johnnie Ray is #1 on the U.S. top 40 chart. In 1955 13-year-old Barbra Striesand records "You'll Never Know." In 1957 Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme are married in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1962 "Hey Paula" by Paul & Paula enters the U.S. top 40 chart. In 1963 Folk group the Weavers ("Goodnight Irene," "On Top of Old Smokey") give their farewell concert at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. In 1963 WMCA/New York, and its famed "Good Guys," become the first radio station to play the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in the U.S. In 1965 The Supremes' single "My World Is Empty Without You" is rele

Today In History...

In 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket is murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in England. In 1813 The British burn Buffalo, New York, during the War of 1812. In 1837 Canadian militiamen destroy the Caroline, a U.S. steamboat docked at Buffalo, New York. In 1845 Texas becomes the 28th U.S. state. In 1848 Gas lights are installed at the White House for the first time. In 1851 The first Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) chapter opens in Boston, MA. In 1890 The Wounded Knee massacre takes place in South Dakota. 300 Sioux Indians are killed by U.S. troops sent to disarm them. In 1913 The first movie serial, "The Adventures of Kathlyn," premieres in Chicago, Illinois. In 1934 Japan renounces the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 and the London Naval Treaty of 1930. In 1940 During World War II, Germany begins dropping incendiary bombs on London, England. In 1949 The first UHF T

Born On This Day...

In 1946 Singer, Marianne Faithfull (As Tears Go By) (70) In 1776 Inventor, Charles Macintosh (patented waterproof fabric) In 1800 Inventor, Charles Goodyear (vulcanization process for rubber) In 1808 Andrew Johnson, 17th U.S. president (1865-69) In 1809 English statesman, William Ewart Gladstone In 1859 Venustiano Carranza, president of Mexico (1915-20) In 1876 Spanish cellist/composer, Pablo Casals In 1879 World War I aviation hero, Billy Mitchell In 1881 Heaveyweight boxing champ, Jess Willard (1915-19) In 1891 Businesswoman, Joyce Clyde Hall (founded Hallmark Cards) In 1894 Actor, Emory Parnell (The Life of Riley) In 1900 Jazz musician/singer, Willie Humphrey [d: 6-7-94] In 1903 Jazz trumpeter, Clyde McCoy (wah wah sound) [d: 6-11-90] In 1907 Dr. Robert Clifton Weaver, first black to serve in U.S. Cabinet In 1909 Actor, Thomas Beck (Charlie Chan movies, Priest-Heidi) [d: 9-23-95] In 1917 Los Angeles mayor, Tom Bradley (1973-93) [d: 9-29-9

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Carrie Fisher fans don't have to worry about the makeshift star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame disappearing ... at least not yet. A rep for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce tells TMZ ... they're inclined to leave the shrine alone so fans of the legendary actress can have a place to mourn. The rep added they'll remove it in a few days, but for now the star on Orange and Hollywood Blvd. stays. It's interesting ... Carrie's fans were stunned to learn she doesn't have a star on Hollywood's iconic sidewalks following news of her death Tuesday. This also happened back in April when Prince died. The rep tells us back then they followed the same protocol -- allow fans to mourn ... but the star was eventually removed. As for a permanent star ... the Chamber says someone needs to nominate Carrie, but now that she's passed, there's a 5-year waiting period before she becomes eligible. (TMZ) Jennifer Lopez and Drake Fuel Romance Rumors on Instagram. So much for k