What’s popular in America?

What’s popular in America?, A few of our favorite things

Americans have no problem picking favorites. From rants on Facebook to “American Idol” voting, we know what we love and hate, and we’ll tell anyone who wants to listen. As a result, it’s pretty easy for researchers to get a good idea of the things America goes for….

Popularity is a funny thing. Fads pop in and out of style, but some of our biggest treasures are those that have survived the test of time. Consistency, quality and longevity are the keys to our hearts.

Most popular person in America

It’s hard to stay in the public’s good graces. Just ask Tiger Woods or Charlie Sheen.

But many models have truly stood the test of time to become the most popular people in America….

Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are in the top five, showing that while recent presidents get mixed reviews, the ones who helped shape our country are adored. Jesus is also one of the most beloved figures in America, of course.

Only one sports figure made it into the top five, as measured by polling firm Public Policy Polling. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers led his team to a spectacular season, and was rewarded by becoming a favorite of Americans.

Most popular smartphone

It’s hard to stay a favorite in the fast-changing world of smartphones. The BlackBerry line by Research In Motion (RIMM) has plunged in popularity over the last couple of years, while phones running on Google’s (GOOG) Android platform have surged….

Users of Apple (AAPL) iPhones swear their devices are better than chocolate, rainbows and puppies — combined. And the EVO 4G from HTC has won rave reviews for its two cameras, decent 4G connection speeds and crystal-clear screen.

Users also gush over the sleek Motorola Droid 3, with its slide-out keyboard, as well as the social networking powerhouse Samsung Intensity II.

But the most popular smartphone in America comes down to the iPhone or the HTC EVO 4G.

Most popular stock

You can use several standards for most popular stock, but let’s consult hedge funds, which often invest big bucks for large institutions, such as university endowments, pension funds and foundations. Hedge-fund managers are paid extremely well and must be absolutely on top of their game….

It’s a little surprising, then, that the most popular stock picks at these funds are the same ones the average investor might pick. They are well-known names with strong businesses built to survive recessions.

The fundies love three technology companies in particular: Microsoft (MSFT) (see financial performance), Google (GOOG) (see financial performance) and Apple (AAPL) (see financial performance). (Microsoft owns and publishes MSN Money.)

They’re also highly invested in one pharmaceutical company: Pfizer (PFE), which makes the popular Lipitor, Zithromax and Viagra drugs. And while many investors are staying far away from banks, hedge funds favor JPMorgan Chase (JPM).

Most popular pizza topping

We take our pizza seriously. Every man, woman and child in America eats an average of 46 slices a year, according to the Agriculture Council of America.

But not many of those slices have anchovies. That’s the least-favorite pizza topping of them all….

What we do like are the basics. Pepperoni. Cheese. Tomato. Onions and mushrooms are also in the top five, according to a survey of some 235 pizza joints by Technomic’s MenuMonitor.

Most popular summer vacation spot

Now that the holidays are over, doesn’t it seem like summer vacation should be here already? Baseball games, bike rides and fruity drinks can’t arrive fast enough.

Americans love to visit big cities during summer break. People flock to Chicago in the summer, lured by the city’s great shopping and stunning architecture….

And who can resist a good deep-dish pizza or a hot dog with all the trimmings?

Don’t forget the siren call of Orlando when temperatures rise. The city (and its surrounding area) is home to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and a number of other theme parks. Rounding out the top five cities based on hotel occupancy are New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Most popular dog

Americans love their dogs. There are an estimated 78 million pooches in America, and 39% of U.S. households own at least one.

Different cities have their own preferred breeds, however. Boston and Los Angeles are fans of the bulldog. Detroit likes the Rottweiler, and Honolulu favors the shiba inu….

But nationwide, the most popular pups are the friendly, happy breeds that get along well with children and other animals. That means the retrievers — golden and Labrador — are particularly loved. And the loyal, intelligent German shepherd ranks in the top five as well, according to the American Kennel Club. The Yorkshire terrier and beagle are also favorites.

In the end, two breeds topped the list: The Labrador retriever and the German shepherd.

Most popular celebrity

It seems like we’re up on celebrities’ every move, thanks to the always-there paparazzi and the spread of gossip sites. We know more than we ever wanted to about Britney Spears’ parenting skills, Mel Gibson’s tirades and Ashton Kutcher’s private life….

As a result, it’s tough for many stars to maintain the public image that icons of the past so carefully crafted. But a few celebrities have won our affection over the years, mainly by being extraordinarily talented and rising above the Hollywood scene.

We love the handsome intelligence of Denzel Washington, the down-to-earth allure of Sandra Bullock and the timeless effervescence of Betty White. Rounding out the top five are Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks, two masters of their craft.

Most popular state

Excluding your current state, which state would you most like to live in? Polling company Harris Interactive asked Americans that question in October and, not surprisingly, the balmy regions with beautiful beaches topped the list….

California and Hawaii were favorites — too bad it costs a fortune to live in either place. Florida, a favorite of retirees, came in third, with its beautiful coastlines and low tax rates. Texas and Colorado rounded out the top five.

By the way, Harris also asked which city was least desirable to live in. The top answer was New York City, followed by Detroit and Los Angeles.

From left: Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant; Five Guys Burgers and Fries / © M. Spencer Green/AP; Richard Levine/Alamy
Most popular fast-food chain

Let’s just get one thing out of the way. McDonald’s (MCD), the largest fast-food chain in the country, doesn’t even make the top five here. You won’t see Burger King or Taco Bell on Zagat’s list, either….

But a company that McDonald’s was once a huge investor in — Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) — came in third. Chipotle is one of several chains on the list that focus on fresh ingredients and good quality, a combination that Americans can’t seem to get enough of.

Chick-fil-A (try one near you) and In-N-Out Burger were also in the top five. Both are rising in popularity as they expand to more parts of the country.

Two chains vied for the title of most popular. Five Guys (find a location near you) has been nothing short of a phenomenon, drawing packed crowds wherever it opens. And Panera Bread (PNRA) has become one of the fastest-growing chains in the country.

Most popular prescription drug

Prescription drug use is skyrocketing. In any given month from 2005 to 2008, about 47.2% of Americans used a prescription drug, according to government statistics. That’s up from 39.1% in the period from 1988 to 1994….

But times are changing for the pharmaceutical industry. Last year, for the first time, the 10 most popular prescription drugs were generics, according to IMS Health.

And they aren’t all painkillers, believe it or not. The only painkiller on the list of the top five drugs is hydrocodone (Vicodin).

Doctors also love to prescribe the cholesterol drug simvastatin (Zocor). Two others on the list are used to treat high blood pressure and related ailments: lisinopril (Prinivil) and amlodipine besylate (Norvasc). And then there’s levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) for hypothyroidism.
Most popular job

Ah, if only there were more openings for chocolate tasters, waterslide testers or Victoria’s Secret photographers. Unfortunately, those jobs are few and far between….

The most popular positions in America involve interacting with people, usually customers or patients.

Cashiers at supermarkets, gas stations and other stores are among the most common jobs, as is the related position of retail salesperson. And there’s always a need for office clerks and food preparation or food service workers.

One job that is in increasingly high demand is a registered nurse. The number of nurses 23 to 26 years old hit 165,000 in 2009, up from 102,000 seven years earlier, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Most popular dessert

Dessert choices in America keep getting more interesting and complex. Take the chai latte cupcakes at Sprinkles Cupcakes, for example, or the lemoncello cream torte at The Cheesecake Factory….

But even with all the options, dessert eaters tend to stick with the basics. Chocolate cake (check out these recipes) is a timeless winner, and chefs keep it popular with dozens of delicious variations. The same goes for apple pie (make your own). And Americans love to top desserts with ice cream or enjoy a scoop all by itself.

Also in the top five are Jell-O, made by Kraft Foods, and cheesecake. Are you drooling yet?

Dubai Desert Classic Leaderboard

Dubai Desert Classic Leaderboard, Alvaro Quiros (FSY) from Spain has won the Dubai Desert Classic with a final round Sunday that included a wild hole-in-one triple bogey, Tiger Woods (FSY) to try to win his first tournament in 15 months s is collapsed.
(AFP) – Another week without a win for Tiger Woods, but the fallen star of world golf insists he is still on track and redouble efforts to bring in teachers.

The 35-year U.S. failed to find the vital spark, he was a consultant for the last day of the Dubai Desert Classic, and a tournament he has won a good performance in 2006 and 2008.

Starting the day just a stroke behind the leader, and with the realistic hope of a first tournament victory in 15 months, two bogeys and three soon took the wind from his sails.

Woods recovered the way back with birdies at the rank of the sixth and 11th, but with gusts of wind shook remodeled his swing, bogeys the 12th and 14th ended his challenge.

It came with a three over 75 and a tie for 20th place.

At least that’s an improvement on his tie for 44th place at Torrey Pines, California two weeks ago when he opened his season and Woods remained stubbornly optimistic.

“There were some bright spots this week. Also some glaring examples of what I have to work, which is good. I’ll go to work next week,” he said.

“It’s like anything, all my old feels are out the window when the wind blows, so the thing when you make a change.

“I went through this with Butch (Harmon) and I went through this with Hank (Haney).

“It’s great when the wind does not blow, but when I’m hitting shots and the wind blows, the change of feelings and motives of this new swing, they are exposed.”

Woods has begun to rethink radically its movement under the watchful eye of the Year Canadian coach Sean Foley last amid personal turmoil that beset his marriage and his career.

He has also completed extensive knee surgery he underwent in 2008 following his dramatic U.S. Open victory at Torrey Pines, which kept him sidelined for eight months.

Woods briefly show glimpses of his old form in Dubai, especially with his eagle finish the first round and his bogey-free 66 on Friday.

But when he needed to find another train on the weekend to release a ranking in boots, the game just was not there.

Yet he said that things are improving.

“It was a step in the right direction, no doubt,” he said.

“I improved a lot considering where I was at Torrey Pines a few weeks ago. This is a step in the right direction.

“He is progressing. It is progressing.”

Woods returns to U.S. to continue its preparations for the Masters in early April and should play in the upcoming WCG Matchplay in Arizona at the end of this month.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved.

European Golf Tour

European Golf Tour, (CP) – Scores Saturday from the Dubai Desert Classic, a 2.5 million us and to European Tour events, par-72, 7301 yards Emirates Golf:
Strong off the tee and hit his shots with exquisite control, Tiger Woods seemed like his old one. He turned in the best score of the day with a bogey-free 6-under 66 Friday in the running waves to the Dubai Desert Classic. The cycle put him four shots behind leader Rory McIlroy and gave him every reason to believe he can for the first time in over a year.

Woods was part of a power group that included top-ranked and second-ranked Lee Westwood Martin Kaymer. But that day, Woods has played as if it was undoubtedly once again No. 1.

“I felt good today. I hit many good shots, “said Woods, who compared his game to the way he played last year’s Challenge Chevron World, where he lost in overtime at the U.S. Open Graeme McDowell.

Woods, who was outdriving his playing partners, added precision to his blistering drives and approach shots. And unlike Wednesday, when he missed putts makable and approach shots hit across the green, the winner of 14 majors is regularly gave chances.

He finished with six birdies and was at 7-under 137 entering the weekend at the Emirates Golf Club. He won the tournament in 2006 and 2008.

“I felt like I drove very well,” he said. “I feel good. We worked on some things last night that I did not like. ”

McIlroy followed his opening 65 with a 68. This course brings out the best golfer in the 21-year-old from Northern Ireland, who won his only Tour victory for Europe in this tournament two years ago.

One stroke back at 10 years was Sergio Garcia (67) and South Africa Thomas Aiken (67), followed by England Steve Webster (68) at 8 under.

“I’m just concentrating on myself,” said McIlroy. “I do not mind playing well over the weekend or pull on this score. So I go out and shoot the numbers I want, while the most important thing. ”

Woods was tied for fifth place with Jean-Baptiste Gonnet of France, Anders Hansen of Denmark, Michael Hoey of Ireland North and Brett Rumford of Australia. Westwood (70) is 5-139 and under Kaymer (71) at 4 under.

McIlroy has struggled since winning the Championship Quail Hollow last year. He says he approached his game with more patience, and it seems to be working – he finished second in the championship last month in Abu Dhabi.

McIlroy bogeyed the par-4 whole seconds, but five birdies on his last 12 holes, including 18 for the second straight day.

“I thought after the start I had, I really hung in there and stayed patient and just sort of pick my birdies when I can,” said McIlroy. “I think I had 5 under 7 go. So, really pleased all around. ”

Westwood had four birdies but bogeyed two of his last four holes, missing two putts makable. Kaymer never seemed to go. His three birdies over the first six holes have been undermined by two bogeys.

“I do not give me enough chances,” said Westwood. “It was just a trick really plod a bit of a boring day.”

Westwood, who last year struggling with a calf injury, said his distance and control are not what they should be. He showed on approach shots that fell short, leaving long putts on several holes.

“Remote control is low when you’re not hitting it very well,” he said. “I’m just playing for fat greens and really try to do some long that I did not, which is why I’m 5 under. Always they’re with a chance. ”

Aiken, ranked 97th and known as much for his shoulder-length hair as for his swing, had 67s in the first two rounds.

“Missed a green all day and I was at the limit and I could putt,” he said. “Just been to put the ball in the right positions, and these vegetables are so pure that you will dig putts.”

Garcia, once ranked No. 2 but now No. 79, showed the consistency of this week had failed last year. He had two bogey-free rounds.

“I think the setting was probably the thing I’m doing my best these last three weeks,” said Garcia, who had a top-10 in Qatar last week. “It’s nice to see my game, my long game up for it. ”

Westwood could lose top spot if Kaymer wins and he finishes lower than second, and if Kaymer finished second and Westwood is outside the top 10. If Kaymer is tied for second, he could still become No. 1 for the first time if Westwood finished on the top 36. Woods could move ahead of Kaymer Kaymer if he wins and finished outside the top five.

Woods suspects it might do better going into a weekend when the strong wind is expected. Yet he enjoyed his second round, drawing his sixth hole emblematic of his era.

Woods drove the lane of 485-yard par-4 holes and hit an 8-iron about 160 yards off the stem, where he made a birdie easy. Just as he did with a monster drive on 18 on Thursday, which led to an eagle, the blow cheering crowds and a reminder of how good Woods can be when his game is on track.

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Dubai Desert Classic Leaderboard

Dubai Desert Classic Leaderboard, (CP) – Tiger Woods survived a poor start and winds of 72 to post, the normal, leaving him only one shot behind leader Rory McIlroy and two entering the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic. The day when winds reached 45 km / h and dusty conditions played havoc with the rankings, Woods has shown an uncanny ability to come back repeatedly.

The former No. 1-ranked Americans ended the third round with a grand total of 7-under 209, second behind round leader McIlroy (75), Denmark’s Anders Hansen (71) and Africa South Thomas Aiken (74) who are all at 8-under 208. He sits in a tie in five directions for the fourth. Woods should not even be in contention going into Sunday. But the difficult conditions took their toll on most of the top players, finishing with 3-plus McIlroy and Sergio Garcia – who was eight strokes ahead of Woods after nine holes – finishing at 3-over and tied with Woods and five other players. About two-thirds of the field did not break through.

“The fact that I was able to battle of 4-above normal and put me with a chance of going into tomorrow, I’m proud of that,” said Woods, who had an eagle and four birdies but also four bogeys and a double bogey. “I hope I can build on that.”

Woods started poorly with bogeys on the first two holes, mainly due to errant drives that went far to the left of the fairway. He fired a shot back with a birdie on the third. But he bogeyed the eighth and ended up with a double bogey on the ninth after his approach shot was taken in the wind, fell just short of the green and rolled into the water.

But at the start, Woods showed some of his trademark magic. He responded with an eagle on the 10th, chipping in from 35 feet. He followed with a birdie that seemed to settle. But after running several pars, put his troubles returned with a bogey on No. 16 – “. Come on Tiger Woods incentive to pay before finishing with

The former top-ranked player on all stops pulled out of 17, driving the rear edge green 359-yard hole. But then his chip past the hole and had he missed easy birdie. That left him on 18 when he played with caution, choosing to put in place rather than driving the green. It paid off when he managed to loop over a putt from 30 feet, prompting him to pump his fist as the crowd cheered wildly.

Woods, who won in Dubai in 2006 and 2008, seeks his first victory in over a year.

McIlroy, who won his only European Tour event here in 2009, also had a terrible start. He had three bogeys directly hand the head of Garcia, including a drive on the second that landed in the sand and scrub each other on the third, which ended in the bunker.

Like Woods, McIlroy has managed to turn his game around on the back nine with a birdie and a string of pars.

“There were some tricks that I leave out of me … and I did not let that happen today, which is a positive sign,” said McIlroy. “And I’m still, you know in the lead, tied for the lead … I’m always there with a great opportunity. It’s just very clustered at the minute and now a lot of guys have a chance to win.”

Of all the contenders, Garcia had the most dramatic change of fortunes. After opening with a bogey, 31-year-old Spaniard made a race with two birdies on his next four holes to take exclusive possession of the head.

But Garcia collapsed on the back nine, carding two bogeys and a double bogey on the 17th after his drive hit a tree and had to drop a ball. This gave him back to McIlroy and several others for the good entering Sunday’s final.

Garcia said his inability to keep his head was “regrettable” but insisted he played as well as it could under these conditions.

“I have not played the back nine that bad. I hit some bad shots, but I had him well,” said Garcia.

Top-ranked Lee Westwood is tied for 13th at 5-under while No. 2-ranked Martin Kaymer is eight shots adrift of the leader after carding a 4-over 76.

There is still a small chance that the results of the tournament could see a changing of the guard at the top.

Westwood could lose top spot if Kaymer wins and he finishes lower than second, and if Kaymer finished second and Westwood is outside the top 10.

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Elin Woods

Elin Woods, This figure is somewhat ridiculous bounced around the Internet without contradiction is a testament not only to the bottomless gullibility, uh, this means, and the immutable PT Barnum one calculation per minute pump, but how bad all this seemed to so many for so long.
News today may even be called news? Can the arrival of the inevitable in any way surprising to anyone? This is not news, is the last act of Agamemnon – a foregone conclusion. We all knew that this divorce was coming, knew that from the moment we were told of the waitress and the second or third event planner and second or third p3n star second or third, I knew that somewhere between the voice mail barrier panic and pancake house and by late December, the list of naughty and mischievous. Even when Tiger Woods slipped in “rehabilitation”, which was quite obvious that there was only one final.
And finally the big day arrives. The day the zombie sports press can stop pretending to care about Tiger’s wife and children (what were their names again?) And then worry about his action and the selection of the hand of the club.
How can TW himself.
Without the burden of humanity farce and relieved of the moral imperatives of the person, Bachelor of Tiger only remaining responsibility is history. Can he break Jack Nicklaus’s record of great victories? And most importantly, in this way can it provide coverage of ethics for itself and for a generation of sports journalists and sports tournament organizers at once so naive and so cynical that they fully believed in the inevitability of its technical excellence?
That record, as the youth of Tiger, is suddenly very far. And what seemed fated, destined, is now a one-iron over the water of suffocation, terrible lie.
I would like to wish him well. I would. But I cannot. He has been given everything, touched by all heavenly gifts, and instead found a way to corrupt everything that has ever touched. In the months and years ahead, when the money shovels in their children and call it loves, I will not be there to transcribe the lie.
With or without me he will get to the end, like all of us, all you deserve.
Because at the end of things – with records or records without interruption, without restoring broken families and families – who might care is left to the care of him?

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