the buzz log

If months had psychological disorders, January 2009 would either go down as manic depressive or schizophrenic. In the United States, it was in one era and out the other as a new Oval Office tenant moved in. Inauguration highs however fell to wrenching lows, as pink slips flew like New Year's Day confetti paper. People couldn't even turn to some comfort foods, due to a peanut butter recall. But at least, in one of the coldest winters in years, one man showed just doing his job was enough to be a hero. Here's a quick rundown of January Buzz, and a peek ahead to February.

Welcome, No. 44 and Family
The most searched event of this month, and one of the most closely watched occasion in recent history, was the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, which came on the heels of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Frigid climes couldn't keep an estimated 1.8 million away, and everything from the inaugural address, the oath stumble (and later do-over), and Dick Cheney in a wheelchair drew millions to television sets and the Web to watch. After a night of partying, Barack Obama got to work in short order with executive orders, calling world leaders and wooing Republicans -- who promptly voted against his stimulus package.

Unexpected Twists
Many stories took unexpected turns. As if it weren't tragic enough that John Travolta's son, Jett, died of a seizure during a family Bahamian vacation, three people tried to extort the family ... In another shocking case, Brazilian model Mariana Bridi da Costa's urinary tract infection was misdiagonosed as kidney stones, and her hands and feet were amputated before she finally died of sepsis; the death also triggered searches for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bacteria that caused the sepsis ... Meanwhile, to add insult to salmonella, the Georgia peanut processing plant responsible for a peanut butter recall knew its food was contaminated, plus had mold and roaches ... Finally, a seemingly happy—if extravagant—octuplet birth spurred ethics discussions with reports that the single mother already had six kids, and still got fertility doctors to implant lots of embryos.

The Event of the Water Landing
Amidst seeming bedlam in politics, weather, and snacktime, one hero pilot emerged when Chesley B. Sullenberger III piloted a US Airways air bus onto the Hudson River ... and the crew and passengers emerged safe. The Web rallied around the captain, especially as his work in aviation safety emerged. For his day's work, Sullenberger got invited to the presidential inauguration, attended a rally in his California hometown, and received an Super Bowl honorable mention, along with his crew.

January 2009 Fastest Movers in Search
Search Terms with the Biggest Percentage Changes

1. Jett Travolta (off the charts.)
2. Peanut Butter Recall (off the charts.)
3. UPCAT Results 2009 (+52,476%)
4. Helena Christensen (+40,766%)
5. New 7 Wonders of Nature (+37,100%)
6. 2009 Detroit Auto Show (+31,216%.)
7. 2010 Ford Mustang Concept (+28.883)
8. Federal Tax Return (+23,981%)
9. Malia Obama (+23,880.)
10. Salmonella Symptoms (+21,924%%)

1. Britney Spears (-14%)
2. Jessica Alba (+4%)
3. Barack obama (+133%)
4. Beyonce (+95%)
5. Jessica Simpson (+62%)

Filed under: Health, Recalls, Celebrities, Aviation, Food, Monthly Wrapup, Recaps, Adult Swim, Death, Heroes, Presidents

If you're one of those people who mutter about SUVs clogging the road, don't read on -- or look up. Your worst nightmare may be cruising overhead sometime soon.

If New Mexico-based Eclipse Aviation has its way, thousands of SUVs with wings, or "microjets," may soon be zipping back and forth at 30,000 feet. Also called very light jets (VLJs), these minuscule planes seat five or six people, run on two engines, and can be manufactured at a fraction of the standard plane's price. Is that a bird? A plane? No, it's a Lexus!

On Monday, Eclipse broke ground on a new assembly plant, and buzz took to the skies. We logged search spikes on "microjet," "very light jets," "e500 jet," and "eclipse aviation." Enterprising types boosted "eclipse aviation stock symbol," and queries on "adam aircraft," another manufacturer, took off.

Concern over airspace congestion has the FAA and many pilots bristling. On the other hand, NASA backs the technology, and some analysts have gushed about the future of "air taxi" fleets. But before you start imagining yourself flying off to work like George Jetson, keep your eye on the road and that gas-guzzler ahead of you.

Filed under: Transportation, Aviation