Not wanting to step on the toes of a more prominent site reporting celebrity justice, the following lesser known shorts were gleaned over the past week from a variety of sources:
CRIMINAL MATTERS
Mischa Barton was released on $10,000 bail after being busted for DUI, possession of a controlled substance and marijuana, and driving with a suspended license. Police pulled her over for driving in two lanes of traffic and failing to signal.
Amy Winehouse wants to recant her confession to possession of marijuana. A Norwegian court has summoned the chanteuse to appear on February 29, 2008. Winehouse has seen her share of legal problems over the past year. After her jailed husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, failed a drug test, authorities banned the couple from having personal contact during prison visits. Winehouse was later arrested for interfering with a police investigation.
Thieves stole expensive shoes and a personalized designer robe from Posh Spice a.k.a. Victoria Beckham. The singer is on a reunion tour with her former rock band, The Spice Girls.
Sugababe Amelle Berrabah’s boyfriend, Freddie Fuller, was the victim of a bizarre Christmas Eve machete attack. Police have arrested a 28-year old man on suspicion of attempted murder.
Party promoter, Apollo Holmes, is wanted on aggravated assault charges after brutally beating personal fitness trainer, Darius Miller, outside a Peachtree Street nightclub. Miller remains hospitalized in a coma.
CIVIL ACTIONS
An ex-girlfriend is suing NYPD Blue star, Esai Morales, for transmitting herpes through forcible sex. Lawyers for Elizabeth Mazzocchi say two other women have come forward with similar claims.
Radio broadcasters are livid over a bill working its way through Congress. Traditionally able to play music without paying associated performance fees, the bill would place radio stations on a level playing ground with other music media providers.
The "truth" hurts. Chuck Norris is suing Penguin publishers and author, Ian Spector, for a book he claims unfairly exploits his famous name.
Five children of the late James Brown are challenging their lack of inheritance. Doubts were cast on the validity of the famed singer's last will and testament after earlier drafts indicated conflicting intention.
A devoted "Trekkie" fan is suing Christie’s auction house, claiming a prop auctioned for $6,000.00 was fake. Calls to CBS Paramount were not immediately returned.
A lesser known musician is accusing Baby Shambles rocker, Pete Doherty, of stealing an original song without affording proper credit. We imagine the suit is about money, not fame, although the two sometimes do go hand in hand.
In other disputes concerning failure to authorize, Indie rock groups have filed a class action lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, magazine legend Rolling Stone, and Wenner Media. The bands claim they were not consulted about an illustrated spread which deceptively included advertisements for Camel cigarettes. A number of bands also want public apologies.
AND LOOK WHO'S GETTING OR IS FINALLY DIVORCED,
Dita Von Teese and Marilyn Manson
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen
David Faustino and Andrea Faustino
Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn
CELEBRITY POLITICS
Brian McNamee and Roger Clemens may come to heads over testimony cited in the Mitchell Report. The controversial Report doesn’t stop with athlete outings. Entertainer, Carrot Top, was also cited for unusual body beefing.
Superstar, Will Smith, is angry over the backlash against his misinterpreted Hitler sympathies. For the record, Smith believes "Adolph Hitler was a vile, heinous vicious killer responsible for one of the greatest acts of evil committed on this planet."
Before airing The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York," Britain’s Radio One tried to dub the words "slut" and "faggot" from the 20-year old festive hit. After much public criticism, the song aired as intended.
In a bizarre ban indicative of political strong-arming, The Motion Picture Association of America rejected a movie poster design for Taxie to the Dark Side, a documentary exposing the U.S. government’s use of torture. The MPAA claimed the poster was unacceptable for the eyes of young children.
Poor Wesley Snipes has resorted to playing the race card in his tax evasion dispute. Listen, crybaby, we like your films, but you’ll never get ahead in this world if you keep blaming everything on the color of your skin. The truth will win out in court, and if not, cough up the money and move on.
The White Rose Coalition, a group of anti-war activists who count Cindy Sheehan among its members, is planning a pre-parade demonstration in Pasadena tomorrow. The planned site of the 119th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade is calling for added police protection.
British Airways suffered some political backlash after allowing the minor son of celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsey, to travel on an invalid passport. Other passengers/customers are crying a preferential treatment foul.
One of our favorite actresses, Julia Roberts, spent $30million transforming her personal residence into a lean green eco-efficient machine. Julia became more environmentally conscious after having children. If you've got it, at least flaunt it on something worthwhile.
The Pope denounced Nicole Kidman’s new movie The Golden Compass. Maybe that accounts for the film's tepid earnings at the box office. When The Vatican speaks, the faithful listen.
Private corporation, Clear Channel Outdoor, is teaming with the FBI to display digital "wanted posters." The company operates over 167,000 advertising displays in the U.S.
In crossover news, supermodel, Naomi Campbell, is doing her part to improve humanitarian conditions in Cuba. The British babe turned political reporter plans to interview Fidel Castro during her tour.
CELEBRITY CAUSES
Ever hear of reverse charity? Managers of popular pop duo, The Veronicas, refused to refund a $17,500 booking deposit for a cancelled benefit concert. The proceeds were meant for the family of a boy suffering from brain cancer.
Spencer Pratt of The Hills fame, and actresses Jennifer Love Hewitt and Melissa Joan Hart served Christmas dinner to the homeless at the L.A. Mission.
Singer, Morrissey, donated 20,000 pounds to help restore a youth club immortalized in a song by his former band, The Smiths.
Steven Spielberg and Henry Winkler enlisted the assistance of top talent for the 2007 Home for the Holidays charitable event. This year’s event raised awareness of foster care.
Country legend, Willie Nelson, donated $40K to the town of Vancouver, Washington. The singer wanted to assist special projects in the "town who knew him before he was famous."
Barron Hilton, grandfather of socialite, Paris Hilton, has decided to place the bulk of the Hilton Hotel fortune in a charitable trust benefitting The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The foundation supports projects providing clean water in Africa, education for blind children, and housing for the mentally ill.
R&B star, John Legend, knows how to give back. The singer returned home to perform in a "Coming Home Christmas Benefit Concert." Proceeds will fund The Jason Collier Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Corporate retailer, H&M, is teaming up with pop singer, Rihanna and other celebrities to raise money for HIV/Aids.
Wishing all of our readers a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
My World is Beginning Today
Spent way too much time over the weekend reconnecting with family and some old friends. As a result, our usual Monday morning articles remain unready for posting.
But, hey, we've got a new logo, new tagline, some new subscribers, and a lot to look forward to in 2008. So as not to disappoint anyone dropping by at the crack of dawn (okay it's really 9:30 a.m., but on an extended holiday weekend, this is still way too early to rise), here's a trippy 70's-looking excerpt from that perennial holiday favorite, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. Some folks decided Woodstock hippie types must have produced this children's classic and I'm inclined to agree. The dots fanning out in tunnel-like fashion reminded me of a bad Laugh-In segue.
Viewers who recall that era's acid dropping techniques may enjoy a walk down nostalgia lane. The rest of you? Feel free to surf while I get my act in gear. Cheers!
But, hey, we've got a new logo, new tagline, some new subscribers, and a lot to look forward to in 2008. So as not to disappoint anyone dropping by at the crack of dawn (okay it's really 9:30 a.m., but on an extended holiday weekend, this is still way too early to rise), here's a trippy 70's-looking excerpt from that perennial holiday favorite, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. Some folks decided Woodstock hippie types must have produced this children's classic and I'm inclined to agree. The dots fanning out in tunnel-like fashion reminded me of a bad Laugh-In segue.
Viewers who recall that era's acid dropping techniques may enjoy a walk down nostalgia lane. The rest of you? Feel free to surf while I get my act in gear. Cheers!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Video: Jared Chilko & Luke Santucci
Ok, so I wasn't sure where this video was from but someone told me it is from the Summer of Fit DVD in the bonus section. I haven't seen that DVD so I didn't recognize this clip but if anybody from Fit doesn't want me to post this please let me know.
That said, these guys throw down some good shit and I want to see The Summer of Fit so maybe I'll go buy it today because I heard it's $10 or something and I'm sure I can steal $10 from my girlfriend's purse without her noticing. And if she does notice I'll pretend to not know what she's talking about... then distract her with a comment about Angelina Jolie or some shit, because let's face it... my girlfriend's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Shredders include: Mike Aitken, Eddie Cleveland, Chase Hawk, Edwin Delarosa, Tom White, Justin Inman, Brian Foster, Chase Dehart, and a bunch of other riders that are better than you.
also... FTW is Porkolt?
Fit Bike
Interview with Robbie Morales
Buy Summer of FIT for $10!
That said, these guys throw down some good shit and I want to see The Summer of Fit so maybe I'll go buy it today because I heard it's $10 or something and I'm sure I can steal $10 from my girlfriend's purse without her noticing. And if she does notice I'll pretend to not know what she's talking about... then distract her with a comment about Angelina Jolie or some shit, because let's face it... my girlfriend's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Shredders include: Mike Aitken, Eddie Cleveland, Chase Hawk, Edwin Delarosa, Tom White, Justin Inman, Brian Foster, Chase Dehart, and a bunch of other riders that are better than you.
also... FTW is Porkolt?
Fit Bike
Interview with Robbie Morales
Buy Summer of FIT for $10!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Random Links and Videos - 12/29/07
Thanks to Garrett Reynolds for helping me with this post. Here's a clue -- it's fake, genius.Here are some random links and videos for the 10 people that read my blog.
Emily Scott looks hot in this bikini photo shoot.
Jamie Lynn Spears has herpes - pic
Guy gets punched and knocked the F*CK out while driving - video
Italian babes in bikinis play the human Tetris game - video
Violent cheerleader collision. Whats not funny about that?
Some dirty south ass slapping video.
A Baby that can give the "evil eye". Cause babies are wholesome and you're not.
Dennis Enarson is 16 Years old...
Yeah, you can head over to Defgrip to check out Dennis Enarson's top 5's and read about what he does when everyone else is out drinking.You can also watch this bonus Dennis Enarson video from Vital. The guy just flat out shreds. He has the style and confidence of a seasoned veteran.
And lastly there is this Dennis Enarson Press List video which is pretty damn funny. He gets interviewed by a bunch of people including Scotty Cranmer who seems to have a great sense of humor.
Dennis Enarson is sponsored by:
Dennis' Interview on FATBMX
Friday, December 28, 2007
Texas Caviar: black-eyed pea salsa
I like traditions - especially if they're connected to good luck. That's why I used to make this black-eyed pea salad nearly every New Year's. It's called Texas Caviar and in southern lore, eating it on New Year's Day is supposed to bring you good luck. About ten years ago we started going to Florida every year from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day to visit my late father, and my recipe got filed away into my piles of recipes that I was going to "organize." It hasn't been seen since — until now.
I searched it out hoping that it would qualify as "easy" and I could make it and post it, since New Year's is right around the corner. I think if you use canned beans instead of cooking them yourself, it is perfect. The only qualifier here is that the mixture is supposed to marinate in the refrigerator for at least two or three days, so you have to plan ahead. Sometimes planning ahead is the clincher for me and enough to stop me from making something, but I really like this dish - and it never hurts to have a little luck. And the truth is that although marinating for a few days is ideal, eating this a few hours after you make is pretty good too. This recipe is meant to be scooped up with sturdy chips but you could also just serve it on a plate like any bean salad. We had some for dinner with kasha and steamed kale.
Texas Caviar
2 cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
4 scallions, finely sliced
3 jalapenos, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, minced
1/4 cup olive oil,
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Fresh gound peppercorns
Rinse and drain the beans and place in a bowl with the scallions, cilantro and peppers. Put the oil, vinegar, lime juice and salt in a one cup glass measuring cup and mix together. Add the liquid to the beans mixture and combine. Place in a shallow glass (or other non-reactive) dish. Cover and place in the refrigerator for a few hours or a few days. Mix occasionally to distribute the marinade evenly. Grind some peppercorns over the top just before serving.notes: I thought the mix looked a little too green and beige so I went looking in the refrigerator for a few grape tomatoes to chop up. They were gone so I got a few slices of the tomatoes I dried last summer (and keep in a sealed freezer bag in the fridge). I chopped those up and added them for color and tang. I also used jalapenos from last summer's garden. I always freeze bags of whole, hot peppers from the garden to use in cooking during the rest of the year. This was the first time I tried to use them uncooked. Couldn't tell they weren't fresh.
Fresh squeezed lime juice makes a superior salad but I would understand if you kept a bottle of lime juice (like Santa Cruz organic) in your refrigerator for "emergencies." The beans will still taste great. Guess how I know.
I like to rinse and drain canned beans in a wire wok skimmer that I got in an Asian market years ago because I liked the way it looked. It's easier to clean than my fine mesh strainers and holds about one can of beans at a time.
French toast for breakfast
What's come over me. I was lying in bed thinking about french toast and how I would make it if I weren't so lazy and the next thing I knew I was in the kitchen. No company, no kids — just two of us and I was pulling bread out of the freezer and grabbing for the blender.
First I made a simple topping starting with frozen wild blueberries (hey, it's winter) and apple juice, thickened with arrowroot. I didn't measure, sorry, but there was probably about 3/4 cup each of fruit and juice and a level tablespoon of arrowroot softened in a tablespoon of water and added to the bubbling fruit mix and cooked until clear and thickened. I ended up with leftovers.
Here's the recipe for french toast
Whole wheat bread slices (there's probably enough batter for 6 to 8 slices)
1-1/4 cups soymilk (plain or vanilla)
1/2 cup raw cashews
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon evaporated cain juice (Sweeten to your personal taste. If you're going to top the French toast with maple syrup or jam, you might want it less sweet. I used 1 teaspoon)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (to your taste)
pinch salt (optional)
Blend everything (except the bread, of course) for 2 to 3 minutes until it's liquified. Put the bread slices in a shallow pan and pour the batter over. Turn the bread to soak up the batter on both sides. You'll have to coat the bread in shifts, soaking the remaining bread while the first batch sizzles on the stove.Spray a non-stick griddle (or cast iron pan or wok or whatever you have) with canola oil and heat until a drop of water sprinkled on the surface, hisses. Cook the slices over medium heat until nice and brown and no longer wet. Turn several times for even cooking. Put on plates and pour on the topping of your choice — blueberry sauce, maple syrup, all-fruit jam. Enjoy.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Top 5 Reasons You cant do Tailwhips like Scotty Cranmer
Well this is my year end list. Except that it is a video list.
And i hope nobody thinks I'm trying to rip on Scotty Cranmer, cuz you would be wrong. Cranmer is an amazing rider in my book. I just chose him because he's the rider that comes to mind when I think of the sheer amount of tailwhips and variations he does.
And i hope nobody thinks I'm trying to rip on Scotty Cranmer, cuz you would be wrong. Cranmer is an amazing rider in my book. I just chose him because he's the rider that comes to mind when I think of the sheer amount of tailwhips and variations he does.
Predicting a Winner in Unpredictable Election 2008
Hillary Clinton is leading in the polls. No wait, John Edwards has made it a 3-way tie. No. Wait. Barack Obama is still in the lead. And Mitt Romney is still holding on, but, no, no. Mike Huckabee has moved ahead in Iowa. Don't count John McCain out. What about Rudy Giuliani? Hmmm. He may still pull this off. And Fred Thompson?
Dead in the water.
No wonder the experienced pundits cannot remember a more closely watched election. The polls and news reports are all over the place. Take for example the local Examiner. Each day it posts a "Momentum Meter" displaying the different up, down, or sideways momentum of top candidates. Each day, the frontrunners' momentum changes. Clinton's up, she's down, she's all over town as Ron Paul goes uppity yup up in his flying machine (apologies to that old song whose name escapes me... oh just a minute, it's...never mind... too obvious).
There's spin room talk, reasoned opines, campaign hype, and newsroom sound bites. Everyone wants to comment about the wide open field. Nobody has the nerve to predict a likely winner. Seasoned journalists fear the label of stupidity. Intellectuals cringe and pontificate.
It's as if the whole country is back in second grade. No one wants to ask the possibly stupid question. Didn't you love when someone raised their hand to ask the question everyone else was thinking but didn't have the nerve to ask? Other kids laughed, sure, but more times than not, the teacher would praise that gutsy kid. Then, of course, the kid would become obnoxiously emboldened to ask every stupid thought that came to mind until the teacher practically dissed 'em just to move on. We've all been there, right? Maybe even some of us have been that kid.
Well, it's my blog and I'm going to use it any way I like. Critics and comments be damned, I don't care if I'm wrong. The time has come to say exactly what's been on my mind and this is the perfect forum to do so.
Mike Huckabee did not come out of nowhere. After spending little to no campaign money, Huckabee had a very impressive showing in the Iowa straw polls. Clearly, he had a devoted Iowa following long before the Republican debates. For some reason, the mainstream media is shocked by Huckabee's momentum from behind. It's practically all they can talk about. Now the whole country is buzzing about the Reverend Mike.
Fred who? Might as well start calling the Fred Heads the Dead Heads (with apologies to The Grateful Dead).
Although Mitt Romney is an obviously capable candidate, he will have a very difficult time overcoming his own party's religious bias. People tend to elect politicians who think and look like them. Not many Mormons in Iowa. But, let's not forget New Hampshire. Romney appeals to people in New Hampshire because more open minded Republicans live there. People on the east coast practically pride themselves on their fair and open-mindedness. But Romney comes off looking rude and arrogant. In short, I do not think Romney will connect with enough voters in his own party, nor with enough crossover Democrats. Therefore, he's out of the running.
Open-minded Republicans have warmed up to Rudy Giuliani. They will forgive his marital indiscretions and previous stance on abortion. Unfortunately, a lot of people in nearby New York did not like Hizzoner, nor the strong arm tactics used to polish the Big Apple. Giuliani did what almost no other mayor before him could do. Clean up Manhattan, turn it back into the ultimate tourist destination, improve the economy, and reduce crime. For all of these impressive accomplishments, he got a big fat black eye. Too facist. Too mean. No heart. Speak to any New Yorker. They'll be more than happy to tell the tale.
New York is Hillary country anyway. Not many red voters left in that state. Speaking of Hillary, she can't win. I'm convinced of it. Oh, she may get the nomination, I'm not discounting that, but if she does get it, woe are the Democrats. The Republicans will tear her apart limb by limb. Then she'll do something really stupid (as if she hasn't alreday) alienating most if not all of her own party's professionally successful males. Professional white women have already turned on her. Even if liberal yuppies, immigrants, and the hand to mouth working poor turn out at the polls, there will not be enough of them to overcome Republicans, Independents, and swing voters like me. So, putting myself not too far out on a limb, I predict Hillary will be toast, if not sooner, then later.
The Democratic party is in a sorry state of flux. Over the past four years, even with a congressional majority, Democrats have not accomplished their stated objectives. Bush vetoes, Cheney arm twists, and partisan politics are only half the equation. The other half -- the one established pundits hardly ever examine -- is the American people.
Luckily, our political representatives haven't taken away the voice of the citizenry. Democracy and freedom continue to be the tools of grassroots mobilization. Americans are well adapted in utilizing readily accessible avenues of control. Demonstrations, boycotts, and walkouts immediately come to mind. An informed electorate decides which representatives remain in office. The proliferation of C-SPAN, a free press, and freedom of information make government officials accountable. If enough constituents become unhappy, poof, they're gone.
It's politically incorrect to note the dramatic change in the nation's populous. No one wants to be labeled an ignorant bigot. Not to oversimplify, but the United States is no longer a homogenous society comprised of haves and have nots. There's old money, high society, and the intellectually elite. There's Hollywood and organized sports, overnight millionaires who are out of control and barely able to handle their own success. There's liberal hippie throwbacks, moral conservatives, illegal immigrants, legal immigrants trying to achieve the American dream, oppressed minorities, upwardly mobile minorities, and the working poor. Throw in some middle of the road yuppies, disaffected youth, and rednecks, and there you have it, a 21st century melting pot.
I no longer recognize the Democratic party. It's been hijacked by a liberal cabal hell bent on destroying the nation. Democrats ready to turn the country over to socialism, communism ... take your pick ... anything other than our present system of government. On the opposite side are Republicans who do not identify with moral conservatives.
Together, these unconnected voters comprise the de facto third party. They are attuned to government. They mobilize. They vote. These are the people who will elect the next president. The question is which candidate, if nominated by their respective party, appeals to enough of these voters.
Truthfully, I don't think it will be any of the Democrats. While Obama is tempting and charismatic, he does not have the necessary experience. And Edwards? Just plain smarmy. The man should still be plugging away in Congress, he accomplished so little. Oodles of money from personal injury trials does not a leader make.
Unless by some miracle the party wakes up and decides to nominate someone with respectable experience, like Joe Biden or Christopher Dodd, the Democrats will not win the White House. I, myself, have become a victim of the collective thinking "neither of them can win so don't bother." So close to the start of the primaries, I am troubled by the ability of a pack mentality to weaken my resolve. But, no matter. I will pull the lever for Dodd. If he or Biden finishes third in Iowa, New Hampshire, or South Carolina, this election will be a whole new ball of wax. But right now, that doesn't seem possible. At least not with the information I've gleaned.
That leaves the Republican candidates. McCain or Romney seem like possibilities, but are actually doubtful, and I've already counted Romney out. If any Republican can appeal to enough Democrats and Independents, it's Giuliani or Huckabee. And for some reason, Giuliani doesn't appeal to enough Republicans. It's almost like he was running in the general election. Nobody wins a national primary if they don't resonate with their own party.
Therefore, my prediction for the eventual outcome of the election -- and mind you, this is only if his own party nominates him -- is Mike Huckabee. Let's face it, he's a Democrat in disguise. More than a few of my Democratic friends find him strangely palatable. Go figure.
Check in with this column after South Carolina. Who knows? By then, I might be tooting the electability of Ron Paul ... as he goes uppity yup up in his flying machine.
Update: 2/7/08. Here we are after South Carolina and it's a very tight contest between Huckabee, McCain, Obama, and Clinton. Ron Paul continues to hold on, but for what exactly, I don't know. Leverage at the convention? Spoiler benefits? Somebody better talk to that man before he pulls a Ross Perot.
Looks like some of my calculations for this unpredictable race were right on the money. Romney just announced he's throwing in the towel. Guess he wasn't so keen on investing that personal fortune after all. And so many Republicans detest McCain, Huckabee is beginning to look like the heir apparent. Most say he cannot catch McCain. We'll see.
Unlike the Democrats, vocal Republicans continue to lament sorry pickings. Did they really think they were going to end up with a hardline conservative? Sorry, balding white men and country club darlings in cardigans, but you people are out of touch with reality and twenty-first century America. The conservative movement is over. Dead. Done with. It's time to move on. If we're lucky, we'll reach a happy medium, but no better. Too many people on the other side. Can't we all find a way to get along?
Oddly enough, I am starting to warm up to Obama. People who have met him say he is the real deal, charismatic, innovative, and the politician most capable of leading this country into a prosperous future. Did Jack Kennedy have sufficient experience when he was elected? Did Eisenhower? Experience is not the end all be all when it comes to the presidency.
Whoever becomes the next president will have a mighty hard time cleaning up after the Bush Administration. Many Democrats doubt whether Obama is up to the task. Let me say that between him and Hillary, neither is sufficiently experienced for the Oval Office. However, unlike Mrs. Clinton, Obama has not demonstrated a level of inexperience likely to result in complete and utter disaster. I have blogged before about Hillary's inability to manage her own campaign and if that isn't definitive proof of why she should not be elected, I don't know what is.
Dead in the water.
No wonder the experienced pundits cannot remember a more closely watched election. The polls and news reports are all over the place. Take for example the local Examiner. Each day it posts a "Momentum Meter" displaying the different up, down, or sideways momentum of top candidates. Each day, the frontrunners' momentum changes. Clinton's up, she's down, she's all over town as Ron Paul goes uppity yup up in his flying machine (apologies to that old song whose name escapes me... oh just a minute, it's...never mind... too obvious).
There's spin room talk, reasoned opines, campaign hype, and newsroom sound bites. Everyone wants to comment about the wide open field. Nobody has the nerve to predict a likely winner. Seasoned journalists fear the label of stupidity. Intellectuals cringe and pontificate.
It's as if the whole country is back in second grade. No one wants to ask the possibly stupid question. Didn't you love when someone raised their hand to ask the question everyone else was thinking but didn't have the nerve to ask? Other kids laughed, sure, but more times than not, the teacher would praise that gutsy kid. Then, of course, the kid would become obnoxiously emboldened to ask every stupid thought that came to mind until the teacher practically dissed 'em just to move on. We've all been there, right? Maybe even some of us have been that kid.
Well, it's my blog and I'm going to use it any way I like. Critics and comments be damned, I don't care if I'm wrong. The time has come to say exactly what's been on my mind and this is the perfect forum to do so.
Mike Huckabee did not come out of nowhere. After spending little to no campaign money, Huckabee had a very impressive showing in the Iowa straw polls. Clearly, he had a devoted Iowa following long before the Republican debates. For some reason, the mainstream media is shocked by Huckabee's momentum from behind. It's practically all they can talk about. Now the whole country is buzzing about the Reverend Mike.
Fred who? Might as well start calling the Fred Heads the Dead Heads (with apologies to The Grateful Dead).
Although Mitt Romney is an obviously capable candidate, he will have a very difficult time overcoming his own party's religious bias. People tend to elect politicians who think and look like them. Not many Mormons in Iowa. But, let's not forget New Hampshire. Romney appeals to people in New Hampshire because more open minded Republicans live there. People on the east coast practically pride themselves on their fair and open-mindedness. But Romney comes off looking rude and arrogant. In short, I do not think Romney will connect with enough voters in his own party, nor with enough crossover Democrats. Therefore, he's out of the running.
Open-minded Republicans have warmed up to Rudy Giuliani. They will forgive his marital indiscretions and previous stance on abortion. Unfortunately, a lot of people in nearby New York did not like Hizzoner, nor the strong arm tactics used to polish the Big Apple. Giuliani did what almost no other mayor before him could do. Clean up Manhattan, turn it back into the ultimate tourist destination, improve the economy, and reduce crime. For all of these impressive accomplishments, he got a big fat black eye. Too facist. Too mean. No heart. Speak to any New Yorker. They'll be more than happy to tell the tale.
New York is Hillary country anyway. Not many red voters left in that state. Speaking of Hillary, she can't win. I'm convinced of it. Oh, she may get the nomination, I'm not discounting that, but if she does get it, woe are the Democrats. The Republicans will tear her apart limb by limb. Then she'll do something really stupid (as if she hasn't alreday) alienating most if not all of her own party's professionally successful males. Professional white women have already turned on her. Even if liberal yuppies, immigrants, and the hand to mouth working poor turn out at the polls, there will not be enough of them to overcome Republicans, Independents, and swing voters like me. So, putting myself not too far out on a limb, I predict Hillary will be toast, if not sooner, then later.
The Democratic party is in a sorry state of flux. Over the past four years, even with a congressional majority, Democrats have not accomplished their stated objectives. Bush vetoes, Cheney arm twists, and partisan politics are only half the equation. The other half -- the one established pundits hardly ever examine -- is the American people.
Luckily, our political representatives haven't taken away the voice of the citizenry. Democracy and freedom continue to be the tools of grassroots mobilization. Americans are well adapted in utilizing readily accessible avenues of control. Demonstrations, boycotts, and walkouts immediately come to mind. An informed electorate decides which representatives remain in office. The proliferation of C-SPAN, a free press, and freedom of information make government officials accountable. If enough constituents become unhappy, poof, they're gone.
It's politically incorrect to note the dramatic change in the nation's populous. No one wants to be labeled an ignorant bigot. Not to oversimplify, but the United States is no longer a homogenous society comprised of haves and have nots. There's old money, high society, and the intellectually elite. There's Hollywood and organized sports, overnight millionaires who are out of control and barely able to handle their own success. There's liberal hippie throwbacks, moral conservatives, illegal immigrants, legal immigrants trying to achieve the American dream, oppressed minorities, upwardly mobile minorities, and the working poor. Throw in some middle of the road yuppies, disaffected youth, and rednecks, and there you have it, a 21st century melting pot.
I no longer recognize the Democratic party. It's been hijacked by a liberal cabal hell bent on destroying the nation. Democrats ready to turn the country over to socialism, communism ... take your pick ... anything other than our present system of government. On the opposite side are Republicans who do not identify with moral conservatives.
Together, these unconnected voters comprise the de facto third party. They are attuned to government. They mobilize. They vote. These are the people who will elect the next president. The question is which candidate, if nominated by their respective party, appeals to enough of these voters.
Truthfully, I don't think it will be any of the Democrats. While Obama is tempting and charismatic, he does not have the necessary experience. And Edwards? Just plain smarmy. The man should still be plugging away in Congress, he accomplished so little. Oodles of money from personal injury trials does not a leader make.
Unless by some miracle the party wakes up and decides to nominate someone with respectable experience, like Joe Biden or Christopher Dodd, the Democrats will not win the White House. I, myself, have become a victim of the collective thinking "neither of them can win so don't bother." So close to the start of the primaries, I am troubled by the ability of a pack mentality to weaken my resolve. But, no matter. I will pull the lever for Dodd. If he or Biden finishes third in Iowa, New Hampshire, or South Carolina, this election will be a whole new ball of wax. But right now, that doesn't seem possible. At least not with the information I've gleaned.
That leaves the Republican candidates. McCain or Romney seem like possibilities, but are actually doubtful, and I've already counted Romney out. If any Republican can appeal to enough Democrats and Independents, it's Giuliani or Huckabee. And for some reason, Giuliani doesn't appeal to enough Republicans. It's almost like he was running in the general election. Nobody wins a national primary if they don't resonate with their own party.
Therefore, my prediction for the eventual outcome of the election -- and mind you, this is only if his own party nominates him -- is Mike Huckabee. Let's face it, he's a Democrat in disguise. More than a few of my Democratic friends find him strangely palatable. Go figure.
Check in with this column after South Carolina. Who knows? By then, I might be tooting the electability of Ron Paul ... as he goes uppity yup up in his flying machine.
Update: 2/7/08. Here we are after South Carolina and it's a very tight contest between Huckabee, McCain, Obama, and Clinton. Ron Paul continues to hold on, but for what exactly, I don't know. Leverage at the convention? Spoiler benefits? Somebody better talk to that man before he pulls a Ross Perot.
Looks like some of my calculations for this unpredictable race were right on the money. Romney just announced he's throwing in the towel. Guess he wasn't so keen on investing that personal fortune after all. And so many Republicans detest McCain, Huckabee is beginning to look like the heir apparent. Most say he cannot catch McCain. We'll see.
Unlike the Democrats, vocal Republicans continue to lament sorry pickings. Did they really think they were going to end up with a hardline conservative? Sorry, balding white men and country club darlings in cardigans, but you people are out of touch with reality and twenty-first century America. The conservative movement is over. Dead. Done with. It's time to move on. If we're lucky, we'll reach a happy medium, but no better. Too many people on the other side. Can't we all find a way to get along?
Oddly enough, I am starting to warm up to Obama. People who have met him say he is the real deal, charismatic, innovative, and the politician most capable of leading this country into a prosperous future. Did Jack Kennedy have sufficient experience when he was elected? Did Eisenhower? Experience is not the end all be all when it comes to the presidency.
Whoever becomes the next president will have a mighty hard time cleaning up after the Bush Administration. Many Democrats doubt whether Obama is up to the task. Let me say that between him and Hillary, neither is sufficiently experienced for the Oval Office. However, unlike Mrs. Clinton, Obama has not demonstrated a level of inexperience likely to result in complete and utter disaster. I have blogged before about Hillary's inability to manage her own campaign and if that isn't definitive proof of why she should not be elected, I don't know what is.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Quinoa soup
You can have delicious quinoa soup in about a half hour, more or less. It's one of my favorite fast dinners. Quinoa is really good for you and so easy to make.
I first had quinoa soup in Quito, Ecuador in someone's home. It was so delicious I had no idea it was so easy to make. I wanted to be able to make an authentic version of the soup back home so I brought back achiote (annato seeds) so I could make the red oil used in Ecuadorian cooking, and bottles of the hot sauce we put on just about everything we ate there. I still have the seeds somewhere and I think we used all the hot sauce. For a quick, easy and delicious soup, read on.
Quinoa soup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt (to your taste)
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 cup chopped onion (it's good if half of it is green onion)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 cup floury potatoes cut into small cubes (peeled at your discretion)
1 cup shredded cabbage
several "baby" carrots from the ready-to-eat bag, sliced into strips
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup rinsed quinoa
5 cups water
optional but good
sliced ripe avocado
2 inches of a tempeh block sliced crosswise into thin strips and browned
1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
green onion for garnish
hot sauce for adding at the table
Rinse the quinoa well in a fine strainer under cold running water and set aside to drain. (The rinsing is important so it won't be bitter and bad-tasting) Sauté the onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano and tempeh (if using) in the oil until the onion is wilted and the tempeh brown. Add the quinoa, salt, potato, cabbage, carrot and water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the frozen corn, stir it up, garnish as desired and eat.
note: In Ecuador we did have the avocado slices and I recommend it. The lemon juice gives it a nice tang and the green onion is a nice touch especially if you're not using the avocado. Also in Ecuador, we had rounds of corn on the cob (yes, ON the cob) in the soup. It had been cut crosswise into one inch rounds. We picked it out and ate the corn kernals off and I think there was a bowl on the table for the cob pieces. In the summer when fresh corn is available, I do this. But the rest of the year I reach for that handy bag of frozen corn that's always in my freezer. Also, you can substitute different veggies for the cabbage - you could use zucchini or kale or as you see in the photo, cauliflower. (Some recipes call for chopped tomatoes or you can add mushrooms if you want.) I like the cabbage best but didn't have any the day I made the soup.
New 3-column Blogger Template is a Keeper
Welcome back. Hoping Santa delivered everything everyone desired. And for those of you who got lumps of coal (you know who you are), don't sweat the small stuff. Easy for me to say. It's been temperately comfortable here in Charm City and probably will remain so throughout the day.
What have we been up to other than redesigning ye old blog once again? As I pound out this post, the latest addition to our family, a little snow white 4-week old 5 oz. guinea pig, gnaws away at his new digs, letting guinea pig numero uno know he is one to be taken seriously. Sigh. Numero uno doesn't have much more time. He's been battling bladder stones, and unfortunately, recently started showing more wear and tear. I wanted him to have a little friend to hang with during his last days, poor dear. He's been an only guinea pig up since the day we brought him home from the pet store. It might be nice for the little guy to swap stories and chew the carrot with a new companion.
No, this isn't the kind of news people expect to read here at The Spewker, but I thought some personal tidbits might help build stronger connections with our audience. Okay? Okay.
The new 3-column design was very hard to come by. I basically programmed it myself, no easy task for one with little knowledge of html, ccs, javascript, and all that other bloody computer speak. Blogger must be updating their server because, for the life of me, I cannot upload the old widgets. Normally, I would use this time to regurgitate recently discovered fodder as tasty news morsels, but having wasted more than four hours trying to get this site up to speed, I'm throwing in the towel. Rest assured, the old widgets will be back before you've had a chance to realize they're gone.
Then again, most of our readers probably wouldn't have noticed any difference.
No matter. To those of you who are lucky enough to be on vacation this week, why not review some older posts? At least the "Labels" widget uploaded. If nothing in that directory tickles your fancy, feel free to try out our new search bar. Might as well help this tiny enterprise earn its keep.
For those of you who are back in the office today, thanks ever so much for dropping by. Please stop by again soon. Ye old blog should be back on its feet and raring to go before the guinea pigs can empty their big bowl of food.
What have we been up to other than redesigning ye old blog once again? As I pound out this post, the latest addition to our family, a little snow white 4-week old 5 oz. guinea pig, gnaws away at his new digs, letting guinea pig numero uno know he is one to be taken seriously. Sigh. Numero uno doesn't have much more time. He's been battling bladder stones, and unfortunately, recently started showing more wear and tear. I wanted him to have a little friend to hang with during his last days, poor dear. He's been an only guinea pig up since the day we brought him home from the pet store. It might be nice for the little guy to swap stories and chew the carrot with a new companion.
No, this isn't the kind of news people expect to read here at The Spewker, but I thought some personal tidbits might help build stronger connections with our audience. Okay? Okay.
The new 3-column design was very hard to come by. I basically programmed it myself, no easy task for one with little knowledge of html, ccs, javascript, and all that other bloody computer speak. Blogger must be updating their server because, for the life of me, I cannot upload the old widgets. Normally, I would use this time to regurgitate recently discovered fodder as tasty news morsels, but having wasted more than four hours trying to get this site up to speed, I'm throwing in the towel. Rest assured, the old widgets will be back before you've had a chance to realize they're gone.
Then again, most of our readers probably wouldn't have noticed any difference.
No matter. To those of you who are lucky enough to be on vacation this week, why not review some older posts? At least the "Labels" widget uploaded. If nothing in that directory tickles your fancy, feel free to try out our new search bar. Might as well help this tiny enterprise earn its keep.
For those of you who are back in the office today, thanks ever so much for dropping by. Please stop by again soon. Ye old blog should be back on its feet and raring to go before the guinea pigs can empty their big bowl of food.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate just make sure you take time to enjoy all the positive things you have in your life.And if you have some time off from school or work hopefully you can get out and ride if it's not too cold. Happy Holidays!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Edwin Delarosa Bike Check
While shooting a new Fit ad over at Front Street, Keith Romanowski was nice enough to take a photo of Ed's bike for a bike check. Go check it cuz you know you want to see what parts he's running.Head over to TheComeUp to check it out or click here to go directly to the post.
Click here to see a large picture of it in the TheComeUp Forum and while you
are there register and leave a comment!
Can home-made pizza be fast?
Well, now, it depends on your definition of fast. In light of how long it can take to make pizza, yes, this recipe seems pretty fast to me. Is it easy? I think so but you'll have to decide for yourself. There are always short cuts for anything. No leftover pasta sauce in the fridge? You can always keep some emergency cans of pizza sauce on hand. Don't want to blend up a vegan cheese substitute? You can always buy some vegan mozzarella (Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet is a good choice) And there's the wonderful bread machine.
I once laughed my friend Deborah out of the house when she first rhapsodised about a new appliance that had just come out - the bread machine. Understand, she was talking to someone who had once taken a pottery class to create a huge bowl in which enough bread dough could be made to create four loaves of bread. I still have that bowl but it hasn't seen the light of day in years. I love my bread machine and without it there would probably be no pizza at our house. So, yes, making pizza dough seems quite do-able to me.
(I have a bread-making book called "The Bread Maker's Apprentice" by Peter Reinhart and it's an amazing book. Not fast. Not easy. It's an all-day (sometimes two-day) approach to making the best bread you've ever tasted. Sometimes I use the recipes and adapt them to my machine (just for making the dough, not for baking). I'm telling you this because if you really want to learn about bread-making, you might want to read this book.)
I'm about to simplify something that's not really so simple and that I've been trying to perfect for about 30 years. Anyway, I'm going to give the recipe I've been using pretty successfully and hope that it works for whoever tries it. Before scooping the flour into the measuring cup be sure to stir it up well to lighten it. And level off the cup with the flat side of a knife or chopstick.
into the breadmaker (I have a Breadman) put:
1 cup semolina flour (the yellow, sandy stuff meant for noodles and baking)
1 cup unbleached white flour (you can substitute 1 cup unbleached white for the semolina and just use 2 cups unbleached white)
2 cups white whole wheat flour
3 Tablespoons evaporated cane juice (like Sucanot)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking yeast (the kind called "instant yeast")
1 1/3 cups water
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil (optional)
Set the machine to make pizza dough. This will make enough for two large pizzas.
When the dough is ready, I put it into a bowl, spray with oil, cover with plasic wrap and a towel and let rise if I have time. If I'm in a hurry I just use it right away. Divide it in half and cover the part you're not using. Turn on the oven to 500˚. (I keep a baking stone in my oven at all times and bake my pizza on it. You should too.)
Sprinkle cornmeal on a large wooden board and roll out the dough very thin. I make it about 15" diameter to fit on my stone. I then put it onto a cornmeal-sprinkled wooden pizza paddle and cover it to rise while I cut the veggies. (The cornmeal sticks to the dough and prevents it from sticking to the stone. NEVER oil the stone. This is very important.) If you don't have a stone, put the dough on an oiled pizza pan to rise. I then thinly slice mushrooms, broccoli and onion. To use the Follow Your Heart cheese, slice about 1/2 of a bar as thinly as you can. It's easiest to slice across the end. This will be enough for two pies.
Spread sauce (you know, that leftover pasta sauce or stuff from a can or jar.) lightly on the dough. Use less than you think you'll need. Too much sauce makes a soggy pie. (Last night I made the best pizza ever and I was sure there wasn't enough sauce.) then arrange the cheese slices in a pattern around the pie. Next arrange the onion, then the mushrooms and broccoli. Sprinke the whole thing with oregano and spray with olive oil. Ease it onto the stone with the help of a spatula if necessary (or put the pan in the oven, near the bottom or on the bottom) and set the timer for 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, lower the temerature to 350˚ and set the timer for 10 more minutes. Check the pizza and if it's all brown and delicious looking take it out. Or bake a little longer if it's not quite done. Cut and EAT.
As soon as the first pizza goes in the oven, start assembling the second so it can go in when the first comes out. Good luck.
Polenta in the slow cooker
I had a potentially great idea that turned out to be not so great. Had I taken a minute to type my idea into google I would have found lots of recipes on how to do it right but...oh well. I wanted to try polenta in the slow cooker. I've been using an oven method that I found in a cookbook but it takes an hour and I wanted to come home and find the polenta done. I think it would have worked if I'd used the low setting instead of high and had sprayed the cooker with oil. (I should mention that I have a really OLD slow cooker inherited long ago from a friend. The new ones probably have more accurate settings.)
Anyway, I used one cup of polenta and four cups of water. I had a lot of usable polenta for dinner, I really did. And it tasted okay but slightly weird in some undefinable way. And after several days of soaking, I got the cooker clean so it wasn't a total bust. I stir-fried veggies and tempeh and added some leftover pasta sauce (we ALWAYS have leftover pasta sauce) for the topping and it was a satisfying meal. Polenta is still one of my favorite fast foods and I will address it some time soon and provide recipes. Just looking at the picture makes me want some.
Chocolate crispy bars: almost instant dessert
We had last minute company coming and I wanted to make something really easy for dessert. (The last time these out-of-town guests came I made polenta with roasted veggies and red pepper purée, which I didn't write about because I forgot to photograph it. For dessert we had baked apples. The whole dinner was so easy to do that it felt like I hadn't done anything and it was pretty impressive both in taste and appearance.) For this dinner Ken was making pasta with tomato sauce and a salad and I was going to stir fry some green beans and make dessert.
There was a recipe in Oct. 2007 Vegetarian Times for a version of crispy rice treats with chocolate that I wanted to try and they were so fast and easy to make that I'll share my slightly revised recipe. I served them on an attractive platter with orange wedges. It looked great but - no photo. I set up a little plate with a leftover piece and a couple of orange slices but the photo doesn't do them justice at all. They were quite appealing -and very sweet.
Crispy bars
1/2 cup almond butter
3/4 cup brown rice syrup
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vanilla
5-6 cups crispy brown rice cereal (like Erewhon or Barbara's)
Oil a 9x9 baking dish. Place almond butter, syrups, and chips in a large saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until melted and beginning to bubble. (about 5 minutes) Remove from heat, stir in vanilla then stir in as much as the cereal as the syrup will absorb without becoming too dry. Press into the dish. Cool 15 minutes and slice into pieces with a knife dipped in cold water. Refrigerate to harden.
I have a recipe that I created years ago for a puffed rice, no chocolate, version of this dessert that I want to find and test. I remember really liking it and taking it to a zillion potlucks. It was based on a Japanese street sweet, and made with barley malt, and I think I called it Andrea's Crispy Treats.
An Ashton Kutcher Christmas Card
These holiday spoofs are too funny. If the "no end in sight" WGA strike could be reduced to a video postcard, we suspect it might look something like this.
WARNING: Video contains strong material that might be unsuitable for children. Parental guidance suggested.
Celebrities Served 12.24.07
So many prominent sites report legal and political news about celebrities. Not wanting to merely duplicate, the following lesser known shorts were gleaned over the past week from a variety of sources:
CRIMINAL MATTERS
Former Secret Life of Us star, Samuel Johnson, was released on good behavior after narrowly escaping assault charges for punching and stomping a man’s head in a casino.
In Auburn, Georgia, ex-NBA All-Star, Charles Oakley, was stopped while driving erratically and arrested for unsafe driving and impaired driving. The former forward, who had played for such teams as the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, claimed he was lost.
An arrest has been made in the death of aspiring porn model and student, Emily Sander.
Formula One race ace, Lewis Hamilton, was fined and had his driving license suspended after being caught driving at almost 200kph on a French motorway. The hot bachelor has been linked to supermodel, Naomi Campbell, and Pussycat Dolls singer, Nicole Scherzinger.
Philidelphia news anchor, Alycia Lane, was arrested after allegedly punching a plainclothes female New York City police officer in the face and calling her a dyke.
Rapper Remy Smith, a.k.a Remy Ma, won’t be traveling abroad any time soon. A judge refused the performer’s request to headline a European tour due to serious pending criminal charges.
However, a Florida U.S. District Court Judge granted Wesley Snipes’ request to travel abroad for the holiday. Snipes faces charges for tax fraud. His trial is due to begin in mid-January, 2008.
Paris Hilton was named Celebrity with the Biggest Brush with the Law in 2007.
This article may have published far too soon as Amy Winehouse remains a formidable contender.
CIVIL SUITS
Facing increased competition from rivals Blockbuster and NetFlix,
Movie Gallery, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy relief. The chain which operates Hollywood Video, Movie Gallery, and Game Crazy, hopes to emerge from court protection in early 2008.
Putting his money where his mouth is, Tony Parker filed a $40 million lawsuit against the gossip site, X17 Online, for publishing a story about his alleged affair with French model, Alexandra Paressant. Parker vigorously denies the two had sex in a hotel about a month after his expensive wedding to Desperate Housewives star, Eva Longoria.
Dolly Parton’s brother, Randy, was barred from performing in the theatre bearing his name. The singer and local city council are embroiled in a breach of contract dispute.
For the second time, Phil Spector sued his ex-attorney, Robert Shapiro, and Shapiro’s law firm to recoup legal fees and other damages. The embattled music producer, who will be retried on murder charges later next year, claims Shapiro’s shoddy work caused prosecutors to file formal charges.
Goth musician, Marilyn Manson, is counter-suing former bandmate, Stephen Bier, Jr., a.k.a. Madonna Wayne Gacy. The suit claims general and special damages as well as a gag order.
A judge dismissed World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.’s lawsuit against JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and related entities. The WWE had claimed antitrust and federal RICO violations. The dismissal effectively ended any possible pursuit of state law claims.
Reports of Britney’s impending marriage to Sam Lufti have so infuriated her ex, Kevin Federline, that Federline is reportedly seeking a restraining order. With 16-year old ex-sister-in-law Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy news, and Brit’s almost daily exploiots, the Spears family has become a veritable three-ring media circus.
CELEBRITY CAUSES
Paris Hilton’s mom, Kathy, raised money from other celebs to support the Make A Wish Foundation.
Nick Lachey and NASCAR star, Jimmie Johnson, recently formed the "Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic," a charity event scheduled around the time of the Super Bowl in Scottsdale Arizona. Nick pitched in $125,000.00 of his own money to jump start the event.
Andy Roddick and John MacEnroe played tennis to benefit children with cancer.
Brad Pitt has put his movie career on hold to rebuild New Orleans. The sexy movie star, his companion, Angelina Jolie, and their four children have temporarily relocated to help former Louisiana residents reclaim blighted areas.
Want to know which celebrities are the most charitable and the causes they support?
CTV has published a list detailing generous acts of kindness among the Hollywood elite.
CELEBRITY POLITICS
Alison Jackson's celebrity look-alike photographs continue to irk their targets. Jackson’s politically incorrect images tend to capture the attention of people who are unable to differentiate between the real celebrity and the imposter.
The Dixie Chicks, subject of the popular documentary, Shut Up and Sing are back in the political spotlight. Lead singer, Natalie Maines, attended a rally and performed at a concert supporting the "West Memphis Three." Many believe the police railroaded the three teens into confessing to the sexual assault and murder of three 8-year old boys.
The Mitchell Report targeted athletes for steroid use, but let the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig, off the hook.
Mommy bloggers and celebrity glitterati continue to pound Oprah Winfrey for publicly endorsing and campaigning on behalf of Senator Barak Obama.
Basketball legend, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, hit the campaign trail with Bill Clinton to stump for Senator Hillary Clinton.
Musician and rock star legend, Bruce Springstein, ended his first UK show of 2007 by criticizing U.S. politics.
Shock jock, Don Imus, who only recently returned to the airwaves after making politically offensive statements about the Rutgers Womens Basketball team, kicked back at news anchor, Tom Brokow, saying he wouldn’t want him covering his back in a foxhole.
Irish pop star, Chris De Burgh, will be first Western artist to perform in Iran since the 1979 revolution.
Floyd Red Crow Westerman, an American Indian activist, actor and folk singer who appeared in Dances with Wolves and performed with Willie Nelson and other musicians, died at the age of 71. He was a survivor and symbol of U.S. government oppression of Native American Indians.
CRIMINAL MATTERS
Former Secret Life of Us star, Samuel Johnson, was released on good behavior after narrowly escaping assault charges for punching and stomping a man’s head in a casino.
In Auburn, Georgia, ex-NBA All-Star, Charles Oakley, was stopped while driving erratically and arrested for unsafe driving and impaired driving. The former forward, who had played for such teams as the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, claimed he was lost.
An arrest has been made in the death of aspiring porn model and student, Emily Sander.
Formula One race ace, Lewis Hamilton, was fined and had his driving license suspended after being caught driving at almost 200kph on a French motorway. The hot bachelor has been linked to supermodel, Naomi Campbell, and Pussycat Dolls singer, Nicole Scherzinger.
Philidelphia news anchor, Alycia Lane, was arrested after allegedly punching a plainclothes female New York City police officer in the face and calling her a dyke.
Rapper Remy Smith, a.k.a Remy Ma, won’t be traveling abroad any time soon. A judge refused the performer’s request to headline a European tour due to serious pending criminal charges.
However, a Florida U.S. District Court Judge granted Wesley Snipes’ request to travel abroad for the holiday. Snipes faces charges for tax fraud. His trial is due to begin in mid-January, 2008.
Paris Hilton was named Celebrity with the Biggest Brush with the Law in 2007.
This article may have published far too soon as Amy Winehouse remains a formidable contender.
CIVIL SUITS
Facing increased competition from rivals Blockbuster and NetFlix,
Movie Gallery, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy relief. The chain which operates Hollywood Video, Movie Gallery, and Game Crazy, hopes to emerge from court protection in early 2008.
Putting his money where his mouth is, Tony Parker filed a $40 million lawsuit against the gossip site, X17 Online, for publishing a story about his alleged affair with French model, Alexandra Paressant. Parker vigorously denies the two had sex in a hotel about a month after his expensive wedding to Desperate Housewives star, Eva Longoria.
Dolly Parton’s brother, Randy, was barred from performing in the theatre bearing his name. The singer and local city council are embroiled in a breach of contract dispute.
For the second time, Phil Spector sued his ex-attorney, Robert Shapiro, and Shapiro’s law firm to recoup legal fees and other damages. The embattled music producer, who will be retried on murder charges later next year, claims Shapiro’s shoddy work caused prosecutors to file formal charges.
Goth musician, Marilyn Manson, is counter-suing former bandmate, Stephen Bier, Jr., a.k.a. Madonna Wayne Gacy. The suit claims general and special damages as well as a gag order.
A judge dismissed World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.’s lawsuit against JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and related entities. The WWE had claimed antitrust and federal RICO violations. The dismissal effectively ended any possible pursuit of state law claims.
Reports of Britney’s impending marriage to Sam Lufti have so infuriated her ex, Kevin Federline, that Federline is reportedly seeking a restraining order. With 16-year old ex-sister-in-law Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy news, and Brit’s almost daily exploiots, the Spears family has become a veritable three-ring media circus.
CELEBRITY CAUSES
Paris Hilton’s mom, Kathy, raised money from other celebs to support the Make A Wish Foundation.
Nick Lachey and NASCAR star, Jimmie Johnson, recently formed the "Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic," a charity event scheduled around the time of the Super Bowl in Scottsdale Arizona. Nick pitched in $125,000.00 of his own money to jump start the event.
Andy Roddick and John MacEnroe played tennis to benefit children with cancer.
Brad Pitt has put his movie career on hold to rebuild New Orleans. The sexy movie star, his companion, Angelina Jolie, and their four children have temporarily relocated to help former Louisiana residents reclaim blighted areas.
Want to know which celebrities are the most charitable and the causes they support?
CTV has published a list detailing generous acts of kindness among the Hollywood elite.
CELEBRITY POLITICS
Alison Jackson's celebrity look-alike photographs continue to irk their targets. Jackson’s politically incorrect images tend to capture the attention of people who are unable to differentiate between the real celebrity and the imposter.
The Dixie Chicks, subject of the popular documentary, Shut Up and Sing are back in the political spotlight. Lead singer, Natalie Maines, attended a rally and performed at a concert supporting the "West Memphis Three." Many believe the police railroaded the three teens into confessing to the sexual assault and murder of three 8-year old boys.
The Mitchell Report targeted athletes for steroid use, but let the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig, off the hook.
Mommy bloggers and celebrity glitterati continue to pound Oprah Winfrey for publicly endorsing and campaigning on behalf of Senator Barak Obama.
Basketball legend, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, hit the campaign trail with Bill Clinton to stump for Senator Hillary Clinton.
Musician and rock star legend, Bruce Springstein, ended his first UK show of 2007 by criticizing U.S. politics.
Shock jock, Don Imus, who only recently returned to the airwaves after making politically offensive statements about the Rutgers Womens Basketball team, kicked back at news anchor, Tom Brokow, saying he wouldn’t want him covering his back in a foxhole.
Irish pop star, Chris De Burgh, will be first Western artist to perform in Iran since the 1979 revolution.
Floyd Red Crow Westerman, an American Indian activist, actor and folk singer who appeared in Dances with Wolves and performed with Willie Nelson and other musicians, died at the age of 71. He was a survivor and symbol of U.S. government oppression of Native American Indians.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Is Velvia a Photoshop plug-in?
I've had fairly extensive dialogue with a photographer who's first SLR is the K10D. He was asking me about the color and look of a few of my photos using the 31mm lens. I made a reference to liking the lens, as it produced colors having the look of Velvia. He replied asking if Velvia was a plug-in, which got me thinking that many digital SLR users have never shot with film, and consequently have no basis to compare the color and contrast from cameras like the K10D and the beautiful images us old-timers produced with slide film like Fuji Velvia.
With this in mind, I've posted some photos I shot a few years ago in Sayulita, Mexico with my 40 year old Leica M4, the wonderful 35mm Summicron lens and Fuji Velvia 100 (ISO speed).
While the benefits of digital far outweigh what we were able to accomplish with film, there's no denying that film such as Velvia produces images with a look and feel that's very hard to replicate by our sensors today. Although I only take my M4 out once or twice a year to run some Velvia through it, I still enjoy the images this film produces. I'd suggest that anyone who's never shot with film, make a point to borrow a film camera and shoot a few roles of Velvia just for the experience. At the very least, you'll be able to say those scanned files are really Velvia, and not the plug-in effect (smile).
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year.
Video: Mat Hoffman's CFB (Crazy Freakin' Bikers)
I don't know which CFB this video is from but it has some good riding in it. Ryan Guettler comes out on top with Chris Doyle in 2nd and Ryan Nyquist in 3rd.
Hoffman Bikes
Mat Hoffman's Site
Hoffman Sports Association
CFB Event Re-Cap
Hoffman Bikes
Mat Hoffman's Site
Hoffman Sports Association
CFB Event Re-Cap
Video: Corey Bohan Trick Tip - Tailwhip to Manual
Just found this Corey Bohan trick tip. Whether or not you already know how to do this it's always interesting to hear how someone explains a trick. Maybe you're over whip to manuals and you would rather work on your Cranmer-esque "frontflip tailwhip to tuck no-hander... or whatever you call that trick you do into the foam pit but this video is still worth watching. Some people really suck at explaining things but it seems like Corey does a decent job.
Watch this video if you want to learn this trick or if you just want to hear his Aussie accent.
Watch this video if you want to learn this trick or if you just want to hear his Aussie accent.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Video: Front Flip to Faceplant
Every once in a while it's funny to see someone take it... as long as it's not me.
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Video: Chicks Ride BMX in the Nude
Video: How Not to Flip a Spine
Video: Alex Liiv Scarred
Video: Chester Blacksmith Scarred
Video: Crash Compilation
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Video: The Taste of Concrete
Video: Props Nightside
Nightside street riding in Cali with the likes of Aaron Ross including a rail that some call unrideable, but is it? Shredders include Aaron Ross, Dylan Smith, Ryan Metro, Matt Morren, and Randy Taylor.
"Carlos 3'd a huge gap off this thing out of this thing." -- Aaron Ross
"Carlos 3'd a huge gap off this thing out of this thing." -- Aaron Ross
Video: Levi's Pro Team Remix
Check out this Levi's Pro Team Remix which has Jamie Bestwick, Corey Martinez, Morgan Wade, and Anthony Napolitan riding in it.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Evan Sayet Demonstrates Cause for Political Divide
Have not been on Facebook in such a long time. Decided it was time for an update. Sent out many responses to e-mails, application requests, group requests, and initiated some requests of my own. These included updating contacts made back in November at BlogWorld. So many interesting bloggers and developers criss-crossing the globe, making their marks, reaching out to audiences across the world. Some with greater successes than others, certainly, but all with a story to tell and goals to accomplish.
A chance meeting with Evan Sayet at the Hard Rock Hotel stands out as a highlight. Evan is a political pundit with an emerging following. He likes to intersperse humor with politics, having been on the Hollywood and New York scenes for a number of years. Surprisingly, he doesn't appear to have his own Facebook, and at this time of the morning, investigating whether he does in fact maintain one will have to wait for another time. What struck me as unusual is the presence of a 50 member (at this time) group devoted solely to Evan entitled "The Next Great Conservative Thinker."
Evan did not strike as particularly conservative when we sat down to shoot the breeze at the Hard Rock. In fact, he projected an almost liberal vibe, or at the very least, a moderate point of view. His Facebook group features a Heritage Foundation appearance which literally blew me away, mostly because he seems so different in person. It's true we mostly discussed family and personal matters, but we also touched upon the 2008 election and merits of the different candidates.
Evan's years in Hollywood have served him well. Unless you already know you're sitting down with the "next great conservative thinker," you'd swear you happened upon another liberal New York ethnic minority. The dichotomy was so compelling that after digesting the entire 40-some minute presentation, I couldn't go to bed without penning some thoughts and impressions.
Don't feel compelled to view the entire video, although Evan does have a fascinating take on the modern liberal mindset. According to him, liberals are not evil or stupid, they merely subscribe to something he calls "the cult of indiscriminateness." By subscribing to utopian ideals embeded in their psyches by the age of five, liberals reject conservative rational thought because they've been told their liberal belief system is the one true hope for mankind. Discriminate thought, thought that distinguishes between behaviors, choices, lifestyles, etc., is the equivalent of bigotry. Since bigotry is bad, liberals adhere to a philosophy where everything and everyone is equal, sharing, and essentially playing on the same field. Evan throws in some references to Hollywood, television programs, and John Lennon, all the essential cultural markers of the 60's, but the basic idea is the same espoused by most other conservatives.
He also makes a point of mentioning liberals are virulently antagonistic to political positions other than their own. I would be inclined to agree, however, I've come across my share of antagonistic thinking from conservatives. A certain radio pundit comes to mind.
Why are politically minded people always trying to convince each other that their opinion is the rationally right one and everyone else is irrationally wrong? Wouldn't it be better to simply air our opinions, discuss their merits or lack thereof, and agree to disagree?
I'm not necessarily disagreeing with Evan. His take on the mindset of liberals borders on sheer genius. But by saying the things he does in the manner in which he says them, Evan alienates every person with a liberal agenda. Wouldn't it be better to try to bridge these gaps rather than continue to increase the divide?
Actually, I am not one to preach. I live next door to one of the biggest liberal hippie throwbacks from the counter revolution era. This gentleman never outgrew the commune and utopia mindset and continues to espouse liberal loftiness wherever and whenever the mood strikes. About a year ago, after jokingly criticizing his ability to remain so liberal well into adulthood as a byproduct of working for the government, we can no longer discuss politics. Not only did he not appreciate the humorous nature of this good-natured jab, but to this day, he purposefully lobs nasty comments my way as if intentionally seeking a rise. I've steered clear of engaging the antagonism to date, but it's getting to the point where I can barely maintain civility.
One more mention -- and I am NOT joking -- one more zinger about my pronounced Baltimore accent, and it's POW, straight to the moon Alice, right to the kisser.
A chance meeting with Evan Sayet at the Hard Rock Hotel stands out as a highlight. Evan is a political pundit with an emerging following. He likes to intersperse humor with politics, having been on the Hollywood and New York scenes for a number of years. Surprisingly, he doesn't appear to have his own Facebook, and at this time of the morning, investigating whether he does in fact maintain one will have to wait for another time. What struck me as unusual is the presence of a 50 member (at this time) group devoted solely to Evan entitled "The Next Great Conservative Thinker."
Evan did not strike as particularly conservative when we sat down to shoot the breeze at the Hard Rock. In fact, he projected an almost liberal vibe, or at the very least, a moderate point of view. His Facebook group features a Heritage Foundation appearance which literally blew me away, mostly because he seems so different in person. It's true we mostly discussed family and personal matters, but we also touched upon the 2008 election and merits of the different candidates.
Evan's years in Hollywood have served him well. Unless you already know you're sitting down with the "next great conservative thinker," you'd swear you happened upon another liberal New York ethnic minority. The dichotomy was so compelling that after digesting the entire 40-some minute presentation, I couldn't go to bed without penning some thoughts and impressions.
Don't feel compelled to view the entire video, although Evan does have a fascinating take on the modern liberal mindset. According to him, liberals are not evil or stupid, they merely subscribe to something he calls "the cult of indiscriminateness." By subscribing to utopian ideals embeded in their psyches by the age of five, liberals reject conservative rational thought because they've been told their liberal belief system is the one true hope for mankind. Discriminate thought, thought that distinguishes between behaviors, choices, lifestyles, etc., is the equivalent of bigotry. Since bigotry is bad, liberals adhere to a philosophy where everything and everyone is equal, sharing, and essentially playing on the same field. Evan throws in some references to Hollywood, television programs, and John Lennon, all the essential cultural markers of the 60's, but the basic idea is the same espoused by most other conservatives.
He also makes a point of mentioning liberals are virulently antagonistic to political positions other than their own. I would be inclined to agree, however, I've come across my share of antagonistic thinking from conservatives. A certain radio pundit comes to mind.Why are politically minded people always trying to convince each other that their opinion is the rationally right one and everyone else is irrationally wrong? Wouldn't it be better to simply air our opinions, discuss their merits or lack thereof, and agree to disagree?
I'm not necessarily disagreeing with Evan. His take on the mindset of liberals borders on sheer genius. But by saying the things he does in the manner in which he says them, Evan alienates every person with a liberal agenda. Wouldn't it be better to try to bridge these gaps rather than continue to increase the divide?
Actually, I am not one to preach. I live next door to one of the biggest liberal hippie throwbacks from the counter revolution era. This gentleman never outgrew the commune and utopia mindset and continues to espouse liberal loftiness wherever and whenever the mood strikes. About a year ago, after jokingly criticizing his ability to remain so liberal well into adulthood as a byproduct of working for the government, we can no longer discuss politics. Not only did he not appreciate the humorous nature of this good-natured jab, but to this day, he purposefully lobs nasty comments my way as if intentionally seeking a rise. I've steered clear of engaging the antagonism to date, but it's getting to the point where I can barely maintain civility.
One more mention -- and I am NOT joking -- one more zinger about my pronounced Baltimore accent, and it's POW, straight to the moon Alice, right to the kisser.
Jimmy Levan Benefit at T-1
It went down this last Saturday at T-1. What went down, you ask?Some great riding, awesome music, uber art show, and a lot of beer swigging all in the name of Jimmy Levan. Unfortunately I had to leave early to go to my little sister's graduation dinner but I had a blast while I was there.
Chase Hawk knows the T-1 ramp pretty damn well and it showed. He was blasting 9-10 foot airs on the second wall after dropping in. Aaron Ross rode the ramp a bit too. Other notables that were there - Joe Rich and Taj (of course), Tony Cardona, Joe Simon, Neil Harrington, James Shepherd (Homeless Bikes), Adam Baker, Ryan Smith, Rob-O, Andy Martinez, Sandy Carson, Devon Hutchins, Adam Roye... um that's all I can remember.
I bought a bunch of art there and I will be giving some away in a contest that i'm going to have to come up with. Email me if you have any ideas about what I should do.
All in all it was a good time for a great cause. $2000 was raised in total!
Head over to the Terrible One site for a bunch of pics.
There are a couple of pics on the Fit site as well.
Evan Almighty is a Likeable Fantasy
Do you believe in miracles? Do you have faith in a higher power (a/k/a God)? Do you believe politics is fraught with corruption? Say it with me now, “Thou shalt do the dance!”
The critics were wrong about Evan Almighty, nominee for MTV’s Best Summer Movie You Haven’t Seen Yet 2007 Award, starring Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, and Lauren Graham. Genesis 6:14 is lovingly brought to life in this updated fable of change and redemption. The actors are physically pleasing and sufficiently expressive, the plot relatively easy to follow, the cinematography is at times breathtaking … what is not to like?
In his day, Noah was the ultimate rebel, a testament to belief in a higher power doing what God commanded by building a gigantic ark. All the while, he endured the taunts of disbelievers who eventually perished in the ensuing flood. Likewise, Steve Carell is newly elected Congressman, Evan Baxter. His prayers land him in the unenviable position of constructing a biblical sized ark in modern day suburbia. Morgan Freeman, in the role of an affable human God with bad teeth, prods Evan along, despite criticism from his family and work staff, camera crews parked outside his newly acquired McMansion, and the prying lens of C-SPAN. Nobody drowns in this likeable comedy from Director Tom Shadyac, although John Goodman, playing a greedy congressional blowhard, suffers a final comeuppance some might liken to a fate worse than death.
A few gags are laugh out loud funny, provided your taste in humor is one brow short of high. The closing credits alone are to die for BUT do not fast-forward or scene select if you want to get the full impact. Animal lovers will also appreciate the film’s prominent inclusion of furry, scaly, and feathered beasts. One scene in particular has Carell covered in head to toe birds. Animatronics or not, the display is impressive, if only for the two undeniably real creatures who flutter on board before the cut. In a later scene, cute raccoons break bread with their caretaker. Cameo appearances by lions, snakes, skunks, and alpacas, along with stellar performances by Wanda Sykes, Molly Shannon and Jonah Hill of Superbad fame round out the cast.
Throughout the film, perhaps not so subliminal messages suggest lofty goals. Spend more time with family. Don’t focus on outer appearances. Do what is right even in the face of obstacles. Reach out and help your neighbor. We’re all in this together, whatever this is, whether we want to be or not, so act for the greater good.
Luckily for Evan Baxter, God steers him in the right direction and yields little room to wiggle out. If the rest of us mere mortals want to change the world, however, we'll have to aspire to one "ARK," roughly translated as one act of random kindness at a time. With the right amount of belief and fortitude, miracles can and do happen. An uplifting message hard to come by in this day and age and isn’t that the magic of movies after all?
Now everyone get up and dance.
The critics were wrong about Evan Almighty, nominee for MTV’s Best Summer Movie You Haven’t Seen Yet 2007 Award, starring Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, and Lauren Graham. Genesis 6:14 is lovingly brought to life in this updated fable of change and redemption. The actors are physically pleasing and sufficiently expressive, the plot relatively easy to follow, the cinematography is at times breathtaking … what is not to like?
In his day, Noah was the ultimate rebel, a testament to belief in a higher power doing what God commanded by building a gigantic ark. All the while, he endured the taunts of disbelievers who eventually perished in the ensuing flood. Likewise, Steve Carell is newly elected Congressman, Evan Baxter. His prayers land him in the unenviable position of constructing a biblical sized ark in modern day suburbia. Morgan Freeman, in the role of an affable human God with bad teeth, prods Evan along, despite criticism from his family and work staff, camera crews parked outside his newly acquired McMansion, and the prying lens of C-SPAN. Nobody drowns in this likeable comedy from Director Tom Shadyac, although John Goodman, playing a greedy congressional blowhard, suffers a final comeuppance some might liken to a fate worse than death.
A few gags are laugh out loud funny, provided your taste in humor is one brow short of high. The closing credits alone are to die for BUT do not fast-forward or scene select if you want to get the full impact. Animal lovers will also appreciate the film’s prominent inclusion of furry, scaly, and feathered beasts. One scene in particular has Carell covered in head to toe birds. Animatronics or not, the display is impressive, if only for the two undeniably real creatures who flutter on board before the cut. In a later scene, cute raccoons break bread with their caretaker. Cameo appearances by lions, snakes, skunks, and alpacas, along with stellar performances by Wanda Sykes, Molly Shannon and Jonah Hill of Superbad fame round out the cast.
Throughout the film, perhaps not so subliminal messages suggest lofty goals. Spend more time with family. Don’t focus on outer appearances. Do what is right even in the face of obstacles. Reach out and help your neighbor. We’re all in this together, whatever this is, whether we want to be or not, so act for the greater good.
Luckily for Evan Baxter, God steers him in the right direction and yields little room to wiggle out. If the rest of us mere mortals want to change the world, however, we'll have to aspire to one "ARK," roughly translated as one act of random kindness at a time. With the right amount of belief and fortitude, miracles can and do happen. An uplifting message hard to come by in this day and age and isn’t that the magic of movies after all?
Now everyone get up and dance.
Video: Dew Tour Footage from Fox
Dew Tour Footage from Fox Forward Broadband Video Channel.
I love watching turndown 3's... they are so smooth.
I love watching turndown 3's... they are so smooth.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Hillary Clinton Rouses Heiffer Sympathies and Other Undigested Blips
Undigested news items gleaned and overheard while out and about...
"We've had the freedom to do whatever we want, if we're fortunate enough to know what that is." Rush Limbaugh discussing the allure of socialism and communism to the current generation of Americans.
"Barring any imminent settlement of the WGA strike, the 2007 Golden Globes Awards will be held at my apartment on the Westside of Manhattan this year." Alec Baldwin reacting to rumblings of cancellation of the popular awards show.
"My husband paid for those tires, and there was no reason for that man to come and steal them." Tearful outcry of Baltimore City, Maryland resident, Daphne Brockington, after husband, Charles, received a five year prison sentence for killing a man who stole his $1,500.00 Mercedes-Benz tire rims.
"I know you're going to inspect me. You can look inside my mouth if you want." Hillary Clinton stumping from a livestock auction barn in Dunlap, Iowa.
"To think that I would just be in support of somebody because of the color of their skin would mean we hadn't moved very far from Dr. King's speech in 1963, saying that we want people to be judged by the content of their character, and not by the color of their skin." Facing criticism of celebrity endorsement for Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey defends stirring support for black presidential candidate.
Happy birthday to all who share December 18th with these famous celebs: Keith Richards,64; Steven Spielberg, 61; Ray Liotta, 53; Brad Pitt, 44; Katie Holmes, 29; Christina Aguilera, 27.
"We've had the freedom to do whatever we want, if we're fortunate enough to know what that is." Rush Limbaugh discussing the allure of socialism and communism to the current generation of Americans.
"Barring any imminent settlement of the WGA strike, the 2007 Golden Globes Awards will be held at my apartment on the Westside of Manhattan this year." Alec Baldwin reacting to rumblings of cancellation of the popular awards show.
"My husband paid for those tires, and there was no reason for that man to come and steal them." Tearful outcry of Baltimore City, Maryland resident, Daphne Brockington, after husband, Charles, received a five year prison sentence for killing a man who stole his $1,500.00 Mercedes-Benz tire rims.
"I know you're going to inspect me. You can look inside my mouth if you want." Hillary Clinton stumping from a livestock auction barn in Dunlap, Iowa.
"To think that I would just be in support of somebody because of the color of their skin would mean we hadn't moved very far from Dr. King's speech in 1963, saying that we want people to be judged by the content of their character, and not by the color of their skin." Facing criticism of celebrity endorsement for Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey defends stirring support for black presidential candidate.
Happy birthday to all who share December 18th with these famous celebs: Keith Richards,64; Steven Spielberg, 61; Ray Liotta, 53; Brad Pitt, 44; Katie Holmes, 29; Christina Aguilera, 27.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Demi Moore Baby Bump is Old and Tired
After what the pregnancies of J.Lo and Xtina did to the media, no one wants to be the last to break baby bump news. That may explain why Famecrawler is running with a blind item from E! about a possible new baby bump. Problem is, the rose fell off this bump years ago.
The preggers police were eavesdropping at a party over the weekend where they just happened to overhear Demi Moore bragging about her “belly and buds.” This was just enough fodder for E! to get blasted and run.
Pnk’ed is more like it.
The press recently snapped Demi’s husband, Ashton Kutcher, notorious punkster and practical joke manufacturer extraordinaire, filming his latest movie in a chicken outfit. Between that and the gobs of attention slathered over daughter Rumer, a/k/a the next Miss Golden Globes, might Ms. D, the St. Elmo’s Fire babe, be feeling a wee bit slighted?
Mah-aaannnn, what some people won’t do for publicity. Star in a new movie. Go to Darfur. Endorse a presidential candidate. But more baby bump rumors? Puh-leeze!
How many times are “prognastycators” going to tout this horn? Either Demi is setting a new world record for the longest gestation of a fetus that has yet to pop, or somebody’s getting their jollies from juicing the wheels of entertainment.
For the record, sightings of this miracle baby began as far back as March 14, 2005. Not trying to be mean and hoping miscarriages are not to blame, but if this latest rumor is one in a long line of some sick running gag on the press, the yolk is up and it’s all over Demi’s face.
A smattering of pregnancy press reports for the happy couple include:
July 25, 2005
March 13, 2007
June 24, 2007
October 12, 2007
October 25, 2007
The preggers police were eavesdropping at a party over the weekend where they just happened to overhear Demi Moore bragging about her “belly and buds.” This was just enough fodder for E! to get blasted and run. Pnk’ed is more like it.
The press recently snapped Demi’s husband, Ashton Kutcher, notorious punkster and practical joke manufacturer extraordinaire, filming his latest movie in a chicken outfit. Between that and the gobs of attention slathered over daughter Rumer, a/k/a the next Miss Golden Globes, might Ms. D, the St. Elmo’s Fire babe, be feeling a wee bit slighted?
Mah-aaannnn, what some people won’t do for publicity. Star in a new movie. Go to Darfur. Endorse a presidential candidate. But more baby bump rumors? Puh-leeze!
How many times are “prognastycators” going to tout this horn? Either Demi is setting a new world record for the longest gestation of a fetus that has yet to pop, or somebody’s getting their jollies from juicing the wheels of entertainment.
For the record, sightings of this miracle baby began as far back as March 14, 2005. Not trying to be mean and hoping miscarriages are not to blame, but if this latest rumor is one in a long line of some sick running gag on the press, the yolk is up and it’s all over Demi’s face.
A smattering of pregnancy press reports for the happy couple include:
July 25, 2005
March 13, 2007
June 24, 2007
October 12, 2007
October 25, 2007
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