NORA EFRON DIES AT 71

NOT SURE I ADORED HER AS MUCH AS SOME THE "CHICK-FLICK" CROWD BUT I DID APPRECIATE HER POPULARITY AND SENSE OF SENTIMENTALITY IN REGARDS TO HER BOX OFFICE SCREENPLAYS & MOVIES HITS.

"Nora Ephron, an essayist and humorist in the Dorothy Parker mold (only smarter and funnier, some said) who became one of her era’s most successful screenwriters and filmmakers, making romantic comedy hits like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “When Harry Met Sally...,” died Tuesday night in Manhattan..."

I HARDLY THINK SHE WAS FUNNIER OR A BETTER WRITER THAN DORTHY PARKER BUT SHE DEFINITELY HAD WIT TO SPARE.

I believe her essays were funnier than her movies. then again one has to remember after you hand in an original script it's bastardized to 70% of your original-if you're lucky- piece. I always felt her movies lacked a certain something--it never quite got "there" for me (and trust me I have enjoyed numerous chick flicks in the past).
Save for "When Harry Met Sally" I was mostly biting time in most of them.

Regardless, I never met this unique woman so many truly loved--they can't all be wrong. I'm sure in person she was the best brain fucker and belly acher at any event. To make someone think is amazing but to make someone laugh is sublime!

R I P--Deep condolences to her family.


 

STUDENT LOAN RATES REMAIN LOW

I have never seen the country so divided; though sad, it's the reaity we are dealing with now.

THANKS MOSTLY TO THE DEMOCRATS, STUDENT RATE LOANS WILL REMAIN LOW (ALL THOSE OPPOSED WERE REPUBLICANS-NO SURPRISE)

" The House of Representatives on Friday passed a transportation bill that included an extension of the low interest rate on government-subsidized student loans, just days before the rate would have doubled.

The bill, which includes more than $100 billion in funding for highway projects over two years, extends the current 3.4 percent student loan rate for one more year at a cost of an estimated $6 billion.

The measure passed 373 to 52. All of the members who opposed it were Republicans.."

 I'm sure those against this common sense decision never struggled to get one of the rights ALL Americans should receive --a higher education. Look at the world advancing technologically & educationally.
WHY?
Some of our citizens cannot even afford a community college while trying to put food on the table.

On a personal level, my working class parents made education their priority for my sisters and me. Yet I saw many stressed out, depressed, discouraged and out & out crying young students when they realized school was a luxury they couldn't afford.

IT BROKE MY HEART!!!
Smart people who would put back into the community were coldly turned away.
NO CASH NO EDUCATION-PERIOD!
____________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE FREE PEOPLE- OR AT LEAST ON A WORK STUDY ARRANGEMENT. NO ONE SHOULD BE TURNED AWAY WHO WANTS A COLLEGE DEGREE!
______________________________________________________________________

Those lucky enough to qualify for student loans took whatever high percentage offered just to become "something" of themselves and live that long ago "American dream" (now a blurred dream at best).

You may not agree on all of OBAMA'S issues (even I, who thinks the guy is one of our best presidents we've ever had to date, knew the struggles of getting a higher education. He recently revvealed that it was only 7 years ago that he & the first lady finally paid off their own loans. He is fighting for the lower & middle class. This week's decision is on his insistence to keep the rates low.

FACEBOOK LETS YOU EDIT NOW !

Starting Thursday the site is also now offering the ability to edit your comments.

The edit option appears in the form of a small pencil icon on the right side of your comment.

Clicking on the pencil will bring up a drop-down menu with the option to edit your comment as well as the option to delete it entirely.

SANDUSKY COVICTED--45 COUNTS-ROT!

Bellefonte, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was found guilty Friday on 45 of 48 counts related to sexual abuse of boys over a 15-year period.

Jurors delivered the verdict around 10 p.m. after deliberating for about 21 hours. There were convictions related to all 10 sexual abuse victims, with the three not-guilty verdicts applying to three different individuals.

Sandusky stood slightly hunched, looking down with his hand in his pocket but showing no visible emotion as the guilty verdicts were read out in court. His wife, Dottie, blinked back tears.

Judge John Cleland revoked Sandusky's bail and ordered his arrest. Video showed him leaving the courthouse in handcuffs and heading into an awaiting police car, again showing little emotion.

 

GAY PIONEER IN COMPUTERS------SUICIDE

Alan Mathison Turing ( June 23, 1912 –  June 7, 1954)





 Was an English mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and computer scientist.

He was highly influential in the development of computer science, providing a formalisation of the concepts of "algorithm" and "computation" with the Turing machine, which played a significant role in the creation of the modern computer.




^] Turing is widely considered to be the father of computer science and artificial intelligence.




Turing's homosexuality resulted in a criminal prosecution in 1952, when homosexual acts were still illegal in the United Kingdom. He accepted treatment with female hormones (chemical castration) as an alternative to prison. He died in 1954, just over two weeks before his 42nd birthday, from cyanide poisoning. An inquest determined it  was SUICIDE. .^[6]

ANDERSON COOPER ON "KATHY"

A laugh a minute!
I have never seen Anderson Cooper more relaxed & candid than last night on the Kathy Griffin show, "KATHY".
She incorporated him in her opening monologue, which he did like a fish to water.
They have a sincere connection, though you always get the feeling Griffin is always trying to climb the proverbial celebrity ladder--whatev...
Cooper was even bleeped--what?
He alluded to his  "lifestyle" with one of the other guest.
He was a great sport & the jabs were on target & witty!
Again I highly recommend this show--the hour flew by! (though at one point Cooper asked, "how long is this show (with a roll of the eyes--lol).

 

CANCER CURE/ EARLY DETECTION BY A 15 YR. OLD?

JACK ANDRAKA (remember that name),

He is the 15-year-old who has created a new diagnostic test especially for pancreatic cancer (his uncle died of it when he was younger-sparks happened within the scientific mind of this already scientific knowledgeable young boy!) The kid reads medical journals for fun...WTF? GREAT!

The test also works for ovarian and lung cancer among other types of cancers. The possibilities are endless now many professionals in the medical field agree.

 HIS TESTS IS 100 TIMES MORE SENSITIVE AND 28 TIMES CHEAPER (ABOUT 3 CENTS EACH TEST)

His diagnostic test earned him first prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest pre-college science research competition.
He said modestly, “I’m incredibly excited. It’s like the Olympics of science fairs. It’s just amazing to be here—even if I don’t get a prize.” Well, Jack Andraka did win, receiving about $100,000 in prize money ($75,000 from the grand prize and over $25,000 from other smaller prizes).  The high school freshman said he will put the money toward college tuition.

ANDRAKA beat out billion-dollar pharmaceutical companies with his diagnostic test. Perhaps as a young person with no experience, he hadn’t yet learned what everyone else in the industry “knew couldn’t be done.”

I saw the video of his winning and it moved me like few similar videos have.

"VAGINA, VAGINA, VAGINA !!!"

SO WE THROW AROUND "DICK HEAD", "YOU DICK", THE MERE TALK OF PENIS GETS NO REACTION BUT THE FEMALE EQUIVALENT, "VAGINA", IS WRONG (OR SHOULD I HAVE SAID A NO-NO?) WTF!!!!???

Growing up my mom use to blindside us w/ real words like "pregnant" (I would be all, "Mom she's expecting"). She would retort, "No animals get pregnant, deal with it!"  Abortion was  not washed over either. Thanks Mom, always ahead of your time! She was the first feminist I ever met & taught her children the beauty of equality. She worked harder than my dad (not to diss my loving dad, who I adore, but she always made more $$$ than he).

Now the Republicans are all up in arms about  the word VAGINA------deal with it! 

State Rep. Lisa Brown (D), who was silenced in a recent debate after she used the word “vagina".



 

Like so many women I know are sayin',  "Keep your politics out of my vagina!"

 The lawmakers were greeted at the capitol on Monday evening by none other than Eve Ensler, writer of “The Vagina Monologues,” whose presence helped attract an audience of more than 2,500 people, men and women alike. So in a quest to silence & censor Brown and others, they got theater & much more attention.

 ( Michigan Republicans maintained that they banned Brown from debate not because of the word “vagina,” but because of what followed it — the phrase “no means no” — which they said was a reference to “rape.”)

Make your own decision. I know a child needs to know the real words first and the cutsey ones for fun, not the other way around.  So an adult should be the role model.

Certain words, such as, dare I say "homosexual",  should never be viewed as taboo or dirty . Words are powerful as well as useful, let's not dilute them anymore.

Even diseases  were not addressed properly in the past & that was a disservice to society at large as well. One would wonder how one can die from just "being sick". It was so taboo when I was growing up -except in our home--when my paternal grandad died of cancer, we said it.  To my family,"being sick" simply meant having a cold, the flu or an allergy.

Hence, the medical term vagina taboo? Really?--WTF?

NIGHTLIFE SUFFERS -LGBT

Nightlife Suffers as Gay Men Move Online:

 A recent poster in New York's gayborhoods tells the tale: "MORE GRINDR=FEWER GAY BARS." This brief cri de coeur—spread, appropriately enough, via social media and on blogs like Joe. My. God.—cited hookup sites and rapidly proliferating mobile apps like Grindr for killing New York's gay nightlife.

 The reasons for what everyone agrees is a noticeable contraction in club life go way beyond the digital revolution into even more fundamental changes. Younger gay men might be more concerned about meeting Mr. Right to marry and start families than the perpetual search for Mr. Right Now.

Meanwhile, Manhunt, the granddaddy of hookup sites, boasts 200,000 active users in the city. With more than 400,000 local log-ins a week, New York makes up 10 percent of Manhunt's user base.

CULT STAR DIES & ARSENIO IS BAACCCKKK!!!

SUSAN TYRELL DIES AT 67:

NOT A HUGE CAREER BUT DID MORE THAN I THOUGHT. I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS A COMPOSER AS WELL?

FOR WE POP CULTURE GEEKS & FREAKS WE MOURN TYRELL.

Susan Tyrrell  ( March 18, 1945 – June 16, 2012) was an American actress, known for her Supporting Actress Academy Award-nominated performance as Oma in Fat City, and for her role as Ramona Rickettes in the John Waters film Cry-Baby.
R I P
_______________________________________________________________________

BEFORE ARSENIO HALL WON THIS YEAR'S "CELEBRITY APPRENTICE" NETWORKS AROUND THE COUNTRY THOUGHT OF HIM AS TOO RISKY.

HE TOOK A CHANCE THAT PAID OFF.  ACCORDING TO HIM, RIGHT AFTER APPRENTICE ALL THE NETWORKS SIGNED ON.

Hall kept proving he still had the chops to entice the audience to once again "howl" (fist in the air) for him.

He told Piers Morgan last night, with a contract to renew his old show at CBS– same time, same place. The show, set to begin airing fall 2013, will be “at the exact place I did The Arsenio Hall Show,”

I don't dislike the guy-though I was never a huge fan either- but I find him kinda creepy.  On paper he is a good man, father & friend but that hypnotic look is just plain spooky. I do wish him well.

NEW JERSEY: VIRUS & ODOR SICKNESS

About 40 students at Rider University, last February, were taken to hospitals for treatment after an outbreak of what authorities believe is the norovirus. From the school's campus in Lawrenceville,  students were brought to nearby hospitals. 

 Norovirus is a highly contagious illness that is often called stomach flu or food poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States..."


 

 _______________________________________________________________________
Today 65 people have been treated & some hospitalized from a New Jersey courthouse:
A MYSTERY OF REAL CAUSE-THAT SCARES ME!
 Cut flowers have tentatively been identified as the cause of a  strange odor inside the Monnouth County Courthouse that forced its evacuation on Friday sending 17 people  to the hospital.

Decontamination tent at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold (Facebook via Jersey Shore Medical Center)

The odor began wafting through the Freehold courthouse at the end of the day. All those affected were treated in a special decontamination tent set up outside of CentraState Medical Center in Freehold and sent home.

WTF New Jersey???? The state I love!!!

COMIC: GABRIEL "FLUFFY" --LMAO !!!

Watch "FLUFFY aka GABRIEL IGLESIAS" on youtube in this segmnt:

"E-glesias with a I" - Gabriel Iglesias (from my I'm Not Fat... I'm Fluffy)

--you will pee!!!

OMG!!!

OSBOURNE HAS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

New father Jack Osbourne, 26,  announced his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, which he knew about months ago.

A red flag alert to him was when he noticed vision lost. His doctors confirmed 60% of it was gone.

The former reality star and son of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne revealed his health crisis in an interview with People released Sunday. He told the magazine he was angry and frustrated when he found out, and he's concerned about his family.

Osbourne and his fiance, Lisa Stelly, had daughter Pearl in April.

Multiple sclerosis attacks the brain and spinal cord, and can cause somewhat mild problems or serious disability, such as paralysis.

Jack Osbourne gained fame as a teen when his heavy metal father and his mother allowed the family to be profiled in the MTV reality show "The Osbournes.

I love all the Osbournes, my heart goes out to them.

LET US PRAY FOR JACK & HIS FAMILY.

 

MURDER ! 50 YR. OLD GRUDGE--WTF?

WTF???????????

"Carl Ericsson was sentenced to life in prison under the “guilty but sane” conviction he received for the murder of his high school classmate Norman Johnson.

Ericsson only stated that a 1950s locker room incident featuring a jockstrap being pulled over his head has festered for more than 50 years..."

Ericsson, who a psychiatrist said suffered from anxiety and depression for years, last month pleaded guilty but mentally ill to second-degree murder in the death of Norman Johnson.
"I guess it was from something that happened over 50 years ago," Ericsson told a judge then. "It was apparently in my subconscious..."

I've heard of holding grudges, but REALLY!!!???REALLY!!???

Seriously, at this age to ruin two families is unforgivable--GIVE HIM THE CHAIR (and some hgh voltage while you're at it).

Freakin' Wacko!!!!

REALLY!!!!????

CAT HAIR CLEANING TIP

WE ALL LOVE OUR CATS!

 



However there are sacrifices we make-I'm anal retentive, so more so than most-for them.
Every time we clean cat hair from their beds or our fabric made furniture we take a deep sigh and do it quite frustrated.

WELL NO MORE

Through trial & error, a few months back, I discovered a quick & easy way to solve this age old problem.

1. Buy yourself a handled BBQ broil hard handle brush scrapper (I use the "OVERSIZED SURE GRIP GRILL BRUSH--online at www.mrbarbq.com)*

2. Scrape all beds, fabrics, etc.

3. Using a comb (have one just for this purpose, obviously,--lol) clean the hair from the scrapper

4. DO NOT USE DIRECTLY ON CAT--lol

VIOLA!


*Contact Mr Bar-B-Q
Address: 445 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804
Phone: 516-752-0670 or 800-333-2124
Fax: 516-752-0683

HUGS, SERVED WITH BREAKFAST & LUNCH

THIS IS THE BEST FATHER'S DAY STORY...

"CBS News) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Sunday is Father's Day, which celebrates the special bond between a father and his son.

When Keith Harris' son Tim was born, a half-hearted smile was all he could muster.
"Our pediatrician asked me if I knew what down syndrome was, and the world turned black at that moment," he told CBS News.

What a difference 26 years makes. Today, in sunny Albuquerque, you'd be hard pressed to find a more glowing father than Keith. Or a more shining example of what truly great parenting can accomplish.

Keith and wife Jeannie, who also have three typical boys, have raised them all with the same high-expectations. As a result, they're all successful. But, none are more successful than Tim, who not only lives on his own but owns his own restaurant.

In fact, as far as we know, Tim is the only person with Down syndrome in the country who owns a restaurant..."

Besides this thriving mom & pop (for now, Tim plans on expansion) restaurant, Tim has a HUG-A-METER which tallies every hug given by him to his loyal customers and accepting new patrons.

I want one of Tim's hugs-though I was teary-eyed just watching this- not sure in person I wouldn't just sob.

 Heck, I'll take my chances!

WATCH THIS ONLINE & NOW GO HUG YOUR DAD EVEN IF IT'S IN SPIRIT

SANDUSKY, A MONSTER? UPDATE-07-23-2012

"During the first week, though, the courtroom truly belonged to the Sandusky Eight -- the young men who said they were seduced, molested and betrayed. In just four days, they told an unforgettable story about a man who called himself "Tickle Monster" and "The Great Pretender." They said he blew "raspberries" on their bellies, spooned with them on a basement waterbed and soaped them up in Penn State's locker room showers. One testified that Sandusky picked him up in the shower from behind, saying "I'm gonna squeeze your guts out."

We, following the Constitution, have to give this "man" (Sandusky) his day in court.  In my opinion, they should make him testify. He has already publicly admitted to taking showers with some of these boys. Like a good friend of mine said, "I wonder how many showers the jurors will need after hearing all the sordid details from this alleged pedophile".

Taking advantage of his trust & position as a father figure churns my stomach!

People say that Penn State assistant coach and former PSU quarterback Mike McQueary did not do enough. I call him a hero for coming forth. In a boys club like football he did a lot. He was risking being ostracized, at the very least.

 I  LOUDLY APPLAUD HIM!
 
I  beyond puzzled that Sandusky's wife had no clue (or was in denial) about any of this. I can almost understand having a wife for a beard and having an arrangement to have affairs with other grown men (that is a contract between consenting adults),  but with children? THIS IS BULLSHIT!

--WTF, Mrs. Sandusky???

UPDATE-PART 1
JUNE 21, 2012: I FELT THIS IN MY BONES -I WAS HOPING I WAS WRONG-BUT HERE IT IS:
Matt Sandusky, one of six adopted children of Jerry Sandusky, said through his attorney Thursday that he was sexually abused by the former Penn State assistant football coach, adding that he had been prepared to testify against him in a high-profile child rape case.

 UPDATE-PART 2
---PSU quarterback Mike McQueary--A HERO!!!!!
---Paterno's statue taken down this weekend--YAY!!!!!! scumbag...
---NCAA FINES PENN STATE $60 MILLION  (going to child abuse org.-yay!)
---PENN STATE STRIPPED OF ALL WINS BETWEEN 1998-2011 (torn here on this decision, the players weren't guilty, but this sends a message that Sandusky, Paterno & the other "boys" club perpetrators were not good role models, why give the teams they led accolades?)
---Penn State will lose 10 scholarships a year for the next four years

NCAA( National Collegiate Athletic Association)SENT A LOUD & POWERFUL MESSAGE--IT'S ABOUT THE MOLESTED CHILDREN..GOOD FOR YOU!
_____________________________________________________________________

 (below) " PART OF THE SICKENING BOY'S CLUB AT PENN STATE"

SUE SIMMONS DEPARTURE-NBC NEWS

Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams reported this morning that, "It was entirely NBC’s decision to break up the city’s best-known local anchor pair, Simmons and Chuck Scarborough. Both contracts were up in June. ... The station’s given Chuck three more years. Sue’s been given the boot."

WOW!!!

 "It was announced by NBC in New York City that Sue Simmons, their long-time local anchor, will be retiring in June.
Sue has been delivering the news for over 32 years with her male counter-part, Chuck Scarborough.
It is said there are no hard feelings and Simmons, ever gracious on and off camera, is already making plans.
NBC is sad to see Sue leave, however they are giving her a gift that has been with NBC even longer than Sue: The old time clock that Sue uses!

Beautiful at 68, Ms. Simmons has been a welcome and reliable staple in many homes and workplaces...."

Which ever report is true we wish Sue a happy & healthy requirement. A time to spend more quality time with her loved ones.
 Her no nonsense and ultra professional persona has always been reassurance in the way real news ought to be covered.

 

TIGHTROPE RECORD OVER NIAGARA FALLS

NIK WILLENDA, A RECORD ACHIEVED!

 A member of the famed "Flying Wallendas" family of aerialists, NiK Wallenda stepped onto a 2-inch-wide (5-cm) cable on Friday night and succeeded his historic tightrope walk through the mist over Niagara Falls Gorge.

It was nail biting to watch!

Wallenda walked from the U.S. side of the falls to the Canadian side, a journey of 1,800 feet above treacherous waters and rocks. The walk is 150 feet above the falls, he said.

The handsome American inspired many to fulfill their dreams. This was a personal story with a tribute to his great- grandfather: his great-grandfather Karl Wallenda was killed at the age of 73 attempting to walk between two buildings in Puerto Rico in 1978.

All the way prayers & determination -combined with many months of training- Wallenda achieved his dream to traverse to the Canadian soil.

Waiting was his lovely & supportive family & a tongue-in-cheek welcome ( legal too) by the Canadian Immigration Authority. His passport got stamped and when asked by the authorities his purpose for the visit, Wallenda proudly stated, "To inspire others".
  THAT HE DID!!!



    UPDATE TODAY JANUARY 29, 2012: 

Walk the Line
Daredevil Nik Wallenda was at it again today in his hometown of Sarasota, Fla. The man who conquered Niagara Falls safely traversed a much smaller gap on the high-wire this afternoon — 180 feet in the air without a net or safety rope. Wallenda walked across the 600-foot span in about nine minutes.

IMMIGRATION, DEPORTATION & OBAMA

Like most social issues (abortion, immigration, etc.) I never think the answers should be based on a  black & white, blanketed across the board model. I feel in a true democracy most case should be evaluated independently (of course, if criminal behavior exists then the law should lean heavily on those cases-felonies, etc).
So I am happy-esp. as a Cuban/American-that today Obama decided to evaluate the immigration laws regarding children (some have grown up to serve in our military-THEY ARE NOT or SHOULD BE SO EXPENDABLE !!!)

Republicans (conservatives) need to realize it's not your grandfather's America anymore-GET USE TO IT! And remember unless you're "Pocahontas ", we are ALL immigrants!

And I'm proud that finally Obama will not let some hack be rude to him & disrespect his well deserved title of  president. Obama has faced prejudices & rudeness from Senate haters & these hacks (i.e. Neil Munro) that no other standing president has had to endure.

BALLS WELL USED OBAMA!!!!


"Washington (CNN) -- In an election-year policy change, the Obama administration said Friday it will stop deporting young illegal immigrants who entered the United States as children if they meet certain requirements.

The shift on the politically volatile issue of immigration policy prompted immediate praise from Latino leaders who have criticized Congress and the White House for inaction, while Republicans reacted with outrage that the move amounts to amnesty -- a negative buzz word among conservatives..."

 

KATHY GRIFFIN'S TALK SHOW ON BRAVO

UPDATE: THE SHOW HAS NOT BEEN RENEWED  (APRIL 18, 2013)

I know I'm a bit late to the party but it's the first full episode I watch of "KATHY" and I loved it!
THURSDAY NIGHTS at 10PM on BRAVO

It's clearly a Chelsea Handler knock-off -and why not? If it works, use it! However, I liked it better than Chelsea's show. Though absent this week, I guess Kathy's Chuy is her "lushy" mom , Maggie.

Personally, it's the show we all wish we could watch on the networks, but I do believe it's not for all ages since, after all, it is Kathy Griffin: little bullshit, dirty, uncensored with lots of real laughs!

Kathy opens w/ her standard off-the-cuff, pseudo-spontaneous bit (lookin' really well dressed in Valentino w/ an avg lookin' wig).

Her next segment is a nice mix of people on a couch, esp. the hysterical, NJ/NY comic, Michelle Buteau. After she kikis w/ them on various "in the news fun topics" you begin to see a more relaxed Kathy actually enjoying something besides the sound of her own voice.  Griffin is forced to be a good host. She does it effortlessly w/out letting anyone off the hook, however. GREAT!
She maintains her swagger and comedic timing while being a lot more gracious & less threatening to her guests than Handler (who, pardon my French, can be a bitch to her panel).

She ended the show w/ two of her "boy band" idols: A.J. McClean of "Backstreet Boys" and Lance Bass from N'Sync. They were great sports and sang w/ her (the bitch can carry a tune!).

The show has an ease about it I really appreciate. You kinda felt  Kathy invited  you to her private party and was really glad you came.

P.S. Did I mention in keeping w/ this week's "nipple news" (Madonna, Rhianna, etc) Griffin popped one out for us?

"THE SHOW WRAPPED FOR THE SEASON LAST THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012 -JIMMY KIMMEL WAS THE GUEST. SHE GAYED UP THE SHOW SO MUCH, HE WAS SQUIRMING AND THE "OMG" LOOK NEVER LEFT HIS FACE. HIS ADORABLE SELF WAS A GREAT SPORT. I HOPE THIS SHOW HAS LEGS & RUNS FOR A LONG TIME, IT'S ONE OF A KIND!!!!"

UPDATE: I felt the premiere show (January 10, 2013) of the new season lacked steam. I suppose LIZA cancelling at the last minute, (allegedly because she had the flu),  made Kathy overreach; she appeared to be trying too hard.
Jane Lynch & Lisa Kudrow were great as the other two guests; however, the funny scale never reached its peak.
Let's hope this week she recovers. Although maybe part of the problem is that now it's live & censored.
We wish you well Kathy!

"LITTLEFIELD" BAR--STAY AWAY!-UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD (Gowanus, Brooklyn)--Recently, residential developers have been hindered by the industrial zoning and the problems of the sewage overflow through the canal water -STAY AWAY for safety reasons mainly, no number on door you have to travel through unmarked warehouses) -OVER PRICE DRINKS - VERY, VERY RUDE ATTITUDE -FALSE ADVERTISING (be careful they don't pick up phone on purpose)

-UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD

(Gowanus, Brooklyn)--Recently, residential developers have been hindered by the industrial zoning and the problems of the sewage overflow through the canal water

 -STAY AWAY for safety reasons mainly, no number on door you have to travel through unmarked warehouses)

-OVER PRICE DRINKS

- VERY, VERY RUDE ATTITUDE

-FALSE ADVERTISING (be careful they don't pick up phone on purpose)

PORN STAR DIES (Yes, another one)-30

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

PLUM ISLAND/FOOD IN MOUTH VIRUS--LAB OR OUTDATED FACILITY? DESEASE

Plum Island in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York in the United States.

The island is the site of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.
So many tales have been associated with this long standing laboratory.

In 1954 the United States Department of Agriculture established the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. The center conducts research on animal pathogens to protect farmers, ranchers, and the national food supply. Because of the nature of the research, access to the island and the research facility is restricted.

In 2003, the Department of Homeland Security took ownership of the island and facilities; the Department of Agriculture continues to work on the island.

It is in dire conditions to revamp & questions whether to keep it in existence are plenty.

Days after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a new foot-and-mouth disease vaccine that lacks live foot-and-mouth virus — the first of its kind — has gotten license from the federal government to be manufactured and used on animals on the U.S. mainland.

 Foot-and-mouth disease is a virus that's highly contagious among livestock but relatively harmless to humans.The new vaccine is the result of a seven-year collaboration with industry partners GenVec Inc.

 

BASEBALL PLAYER JIM ABBOTT IN PHILLY

I had the distinct honor to hear Abbott be interviewed in Philly on Monday at the Citizens Bank Stadium--what a thrill! 
This event sold out within hours, hence 1000 of us were lucky to hear this legendary player speak from the heart. (thank you James D. for the invite).


Abbott was affable, inspiring & humble when sharing his successes. This fellow Virgo has become a motivational speaker--and rightly so--hearing him one feels uplifted.

In his memoir "IMPERFECT" he describes the ups & downs (mostly ups due to his support & determination). He met Fidel Castro, played the major leagues, and now in this stage in life leads by example for a new generations to say "Hey if Jim Abott can do anything, so can I!"
With bullying reaching new heights (he addressed this problem on Monday) many kids, especially those who feel "different", have named Abbott one of their heroes. 
He is one mine now!


He never wanted to be defined by his disability so has instead made it his asset.

When asked what his best advice to children today is he not surprisingly says "determination" .
RIGHT-ON!!!!!!!

James Anthony Abbott (born September 19, 1967) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played despite having been born without a right hand. He played for the California Angels, the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox, and the Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.
 

HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY, ANN RUTHERFORD, DIES-94

One of Hollywood's glamorous stars died today at age 91. Her beauty was often compared to that of Rita Hayworth's & Ann Sheridan's.

 Ann Rutherford, born Therese Ann Rutherford, (November 2, 1917 – June 11, 2012) was Canadian-American. She died of heart complications.
 Ann Rutherford's most famous role was playing Scarlett O'Hara's younger sister in "Gone With The Wind" and the "Hardy Boys" series.
R I P

When each of my nieces turned their landmark 15 yrs. old I commissioned the great NY photographer, Roland Bello, to capture this auspicious age. We both chose legendary photographer George Hurrell as our inspiration. Hurrell was the king of shadow & shading black & white glamour shots for all the studios' golden era. He would generally tell his subjects to come scrubbed faced and without make-up; in the lab he created magic!

For my older niece we chose a shot reminiscent of Hayworth and for my younger niece we chose Rutherford, Ann Shreridan & Veronica Lake.


VERONICA LAKE

 ANN SHERIDAN                                                                                                               HAYWORTH




 ANN RUTHERFORD


                                                                                                                      

GYMNAST(2 TOP), OROZCO & LEYVA--HISPANIC/UPDATES:(

DANELL LEYVA # 2 & JOHN OROZCO # 1-- READY FOR LONDON !!


TODAY(AUGUST 1, 2012) WAS HIS DAY!!! CUBAN BORN, DANELL LEYVA, WINS BRONZE AT THE OLYMPICS!!!!


WAY TO GO MY CUBAN BOY!!!---
Danell Leyva of Miami won the all-around Bronze medal for US Men’s Gymnastics on day six of the 2012 London Olympics. Leyva joins 2004 champion Paul Hamm as the only U.S. men to win Olympic all-around medals since 1984.





As a Cuban/ American myself I could not be prouder of this handsome, determined young man. GO DANELL!!!!

His stepfather and coach, Yin Alvarez ( one of the most animated coaches I have ever seen) and mother, Maria Gonzalez, were both members of Cuba's national gymnastics team. Gonzalez and Leyva defected to Miami when Leyva was a year old.

Danell's journey to the USA parallels a lot of people I know & grew up with (mine included).
Most Cubans are grateful, patriotic citizens proud to represent the US anytime we can, in all walks of life.

 Danell Leyva He is the 2011 U.S national all-around gold medalist and the 2011 world champion on the parallel bars.
In 2010, he was the U.S. gold medalist on the parallel bars and the all-around silver medalist. In 2009, he became the youngest member of the U.S. national Senior team at age 17, and won the gold medal on the horizontal bar and the silver medal on the parallel bars.
Today in St Louis he came in first!
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Yesterday I was watching a special "Piers Morgan Tonight" and I was highly impressed with the 4 young athletes-2 boys/2girls who will potentially go to London. Of course being from the New York area & Hispanic I was so impressed with John Orozco. A Bronx boy whose father found a flyer for a free gymnastic lesson while working sanitation in NY. The rest is inspirational history . The young man is modest & resolute. LOVED HIM! There was a zen quality to his determination that was infectious!

Today he is came in FIRST to Danell...YOU GO BOYS!!!!!

JULY 1, 2012 UPDATE:
 While Leyva said he "very badly" wanted to win, the final results aren't all that important. Both are heading to London, along with three more team members and up to three alternates...

UPDATE JULY 30, 2012
 The United States men's gymnastics squad suffered a major letdown in the all-around team competition, going from first in qualifying to fifth in the medal round, but they have plenty of chances at redemption in the coming days.
After scoring 275.342 in qualifying, a score that made them the team to beat in the finals, the Americans came back on Monday and absolutely laid an egg. John Orozco was horrendous and Danell Leyva was far from his normally standout self. They cam is fifth. So sad but fifth is still amazing (so many wished they would come in fifth)-- but sadly no medals.

HOWEVER , OUR BOY & GOLD MEDAL WINNER IN SWIMMING RYAN LOCHTE was born in Rochester, New York, to Steven Lochte and his Cuban-born wife, Ileana "Ike" Lochte.^[1] His mother is Cuban and was born and raised in Havana, while his father is of Geramn descent.

FLEETWOOD MAC'S BOB WELCH TRAGIC DEATH--65

Bob Welch, who helped shape Fleetwood Mac’s sound, dies at 65 tragically from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

  Mr. Welch was a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1974. The band was formed in England in the late 1960s by guitarist Peter Green, and its name derived from two members of the group, drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie.

Mr. Welch left the band in 1974, just before singer Stevie Nicks and guitarist Lindsey Buckingham joined the group. The reconstituted band had its breakthrough albums with “Fleetwood Mac” in 1975 and “Rumours” in 1977, both of which reached No. 1 and sold millions of copies.

His wife of 27 years, Wendy Armistead Welch, is his only known survivor.
“I never wanted to be a guitar gunslinger and a star,” Mr. Welch said in 2003. “I just wanted to make that great music.”

MOVIE: "J.EDGAR"

J. Edgar Hoover, powerful head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, looks back on his professional and personal life: pioneer, closet homosexual, shady, rude, egotistical, unrelenting and all in all not a very nice person.He did, however, think of areas in forensics (fingerprinting,etc) and intelligence which we still implement today. A smart man with little heart and a twisted soul!

Director: Clint Eastwood 

 

 This was, in my opinion, too ambitious a fete for Eastwood. In the past he has done some good stuff when directing other movies (excellent job in "Gran Torino" , pretty good job with "Million Dollar Baby" et. al.) However,  here he seems lost. He makes uninteresting and predictable choices and worse of all casting, who I usually like, Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover. DiCaprio is full of histrionics. He over-acts the part and makes it a caricature. It was annoying after a while which made it hard to focus on the historical issues presented. I'm usually upset that a director does not develop a character, here Eastwood over-kills it.

What could have been a great movie-after all, Hoover is one of the most controversial people in the 20th century- felt like a history lesson, except the class ran too long. If he had edited many of the parts with Hoover's mother and sped up other areas, it might have worked.

I did appreciate the honesty of Eastwood -not pussy footing around the most controversial detail regarding Hoover's homosexual reputation yet closeted existence. His long time companion (Clyde Tolson) was played to perfection by Armie Hammer, in  the best performance of his career to date. Their love story was well done.

 Naomi Watts was excellent too. Judi Dench was good.

Overall  the entire movie  was pretty boring.

Eastwood did capture all the periods beautifully in clothing, hair & make-up. Armie Hammer is unrecognizable as an old man--WOW!

What was interesting to me was that Eastwood, in his real life, is a staunch conservative yet the movie serves a very liberal slant. I could have sworn, if the movie was better directed, that it was an Oliver Stone project. That was the most mind blowing part of watching this movie.

 Good for you Eastwood!

I think the "BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL" may have a less tedious version of Hoover's life. I will check that out soon.

Now that it's a rental -and you can watch it in sections while not fear paying $13.00 for this- I rate it 2.5 stars of out 5---your call...

GAYS ALLOWED IN BOY SCOUTS?

For the first time ever, the Boy Scouts of America may allow openly gay scouts and leaders.

" The Boy Scouts of America are notorious for their exclusionary anti-gay policies. But after Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrell was told she couldn't be her son's Cub Scout leader anymore because she was gay, she decided to fight back. She started a petition on Change.org signed by nearly 300,000 people. Eagle Scout Zach Walls (who has two moms himself) delivered those signatures to the Boy Scouts' annual convention last week, and days later, news broke that the Boy Scouts will consider a resolution to allow openly gay scouts and leaders as soon as 2013. It's huge progress, but there's still a lot more to be done.."

PLEASE HELP--I DID AND FEEL GREAT (maybe even FABULOUS!)

"AMERICA'S GOT TALENT" SINGING WAR VET A LIAR?

SHAME !!! SHAME!!! SHAME!!!!

THIS FREAKIN' GUY MADE ME CRY - AND I'M SURE MOST OF AMERICA WATCHING...

"Tim Poe, the stuttering “America’s Got Talent” contestant who won over the crowd and judges with his moving story of turning to music after almost being killed by a grenade in Afghanistan in 2009, has some serious explaining to do.

 Now, Poe is apologizing for passing off U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Norman Bone’s photo in combat as his own, claiming he never meant to mislead the public for his own personal gain.

In an interview with the New York Post, the aspiring singer admits that his war injury “may not have happened exactly like I said it did,” claiming, “I really do not remember a lot of things since the accident. I remember a blast going off by my head and being in Afghanistan and telling one of the sergeants.”

Poe also admits to lying about never singing prior to his supposed accident (he had told judges he turned to performing as a way to cure his brain injury-induced stammer).

“I was in a band,” he confesses. “But it was before the accident. And at the time of ‘AGT,’ when the judges asked, before I could even think about answering, my words had already came out.”
But that’s not the end of it.

Poe ALSO admits to lying about being awarded the Purple Heart for his military service..."

 

UNIVERSAL STUDIO TURNS 100

SORRY TO GIVE OLD NEWS (FROM APRIL OF THIS YEAR, NOT SO LATE)

It was today on 30 April 1912 that Universal Pictures was founded. It would become one of the eight major motion picture studios that dominated Hollywood from the Thirties to the Fifties (the others were MGM, Fox, Paramount, Warner Brothers, RKO, Columbia, and United Artists). Today it remains one of the most important studios in the world, surviving some of the studios that were bigger than it was. Indeed, it is the oldest Hollywood studio (Paramount is second, having been founded 8 May 1912).


HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

MY FAVORITE TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD IN FLORIDA WAS IN THE EARLY 90'S WHEN I WENT TO UNIVERSAL STUDIO.

FETAL EXAM, DNA, REVEALS FUTURE

Baby's DNA constructed before birth

"Mom gave a blood sample. Dad spit. The entire genome of their fetus was born.

Researchers at the University of Washington have, for the first time, done a near-total genome sequence of a fetus in this way.  Scientists published the results of this study in the journal Science Translational Medicine, suggesting that thousands of genetic diseases could be detected in children while they are still in the fetal stage.

 Everyone has two copies of the human genome: One inherited from their biological mother and one from the biological father. With technology that's being used for genetic sequencing these days, it's not possible to say which variants on the chromosome you inherited from which parent.

 The complexity comes, of course, from the ethical issues that arise concerning parents who would selectively abort fetuses that are predestined for certain conditions.
The technology worries medical ethicist Harriet Washington, who fears parents could use genome sequencing to predict and selectively abort children that don't meet certain standards - not just for diseases, but for things like hair and eye color..."

 

RAPE? NO!!--BRIAN BANKS-WHAT A STORY!

AFTER SPENDING 6 LONG YEARS IN JAIL FOR A CRIME HE DID NOT COMMIT, HE IS NOT ONLY A FREE MAN BUT A SUCCESSFUL FOOTBALL PLAYER AND PILLAR OF HIS COMMUNITY.

" Imagine the smartest kid from your high school dropping out as a senior and spending six years in prison. Then imagine that kid trying to pass, say, the state bar exam upon his release at age 26.
We wouldn't expect that kid to fare very well, no matter how well he might have fared back in high school.
Brian Banks, wrongly imprisoned for six years following high school, is attempting something similar. Instead the bar exam, he's making a run at the NFL -- his first taste of organized football since high school a decade ago. The odds against Banks, a linebacker, are as staggering as his story is compelling.(NFC west blog).
I just finished watching " THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO" with Banks as his guest. Banks is finally able to tell his tale of innocence. While I do believe he is innocent & my heart is breaking for his loss time, family & personal pain and the shame & frustration he endured for 6 years, I still want to know why him? Why did this girl single him out of everyone in the school to accuse him of rape. I do not believe he raped her -she is recorded by a private investigator saying so-but why Banks of all people?
I always want to hear both sides.
What really pisses me off is that this horrible human being not only had the power to put banks in jail (he escaped 41 yrs through good legal council) but she was rewarded 1.5 million dollars. WTF???

(GO to the "INNOCENCE PROJECT" IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS INNOCENT & NEED HELP)

CABARET-NEW,NYC: 54 BELOW

Introducing the newest cabaret/nightclub/restaurant in NYC, right below  the famous Studio 54.

It's called 54 BELOW and it's bringing you top notch performances/artists.

CONTINUOS VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT.

ADMISSION & MIN. REQUIRED

ENJOY!

"EUGENICS"-STERILIZATION ON HUMANS

Few things blow my mind as the information I just received & researched, the practice of "EUGENICS": GET RID OF THE UNDESIRABLES!

This practice was in place as recent as the 1970's.
Some survivors are still alive.
The targeted victims were usually poor, black, epileptic, person's with low I.Q., etc.
It was not a backroom practice (as abortion) but endorsed & encouraged by the intelligentsia of our time. Heroes & heroins of our day such as Margaret Sanger. Funding came for the most reputable of institutions: such as the CARNEGIE & ROCKEFELLA FOUNDATIONS.

WHAT!!!???

The NAZI'S actually mimicked our practice to use in their sterilization procedures during WWII.

"Most U.S. States Had Sterilization Programs"

"In all, 33 states operated sterilization programs during the 20th century, at first targeting mostly people in mental institutions. As the years went by, the definition of what was "unfit to procreate" expanded to include not only the mentally ill but also:

Alcoholics	People with epilepsy	People who were blind or deaf, or had other disabilities
Poor people on welfare	Women who were deemed promiscuous	Criminals
People labeled "feeble-minded"	Children who were victims of rape

It's estimated that 65,000 Americans were sterilized under such programs, most often without their consent or knowledge. This may sound incredulous, but at the height of the sterilization program in North Carolina even social workers could make recommendations for who would be good candidates for sterilization, and those recommendations were almost always accepted..."

Some of the victims were as young as 9 yrs old.

 A survivor of "eugenics" was on the show "ANDERSON" a few days ago. She was an African-American 14 yrs old poor woman when this happened.

HER NAME IS ELAINE, YOU HEARTLESS POLITICIANS IGNORING HER & OTHER ACTIVISTS' REQUEST TO SPEAK TO YOU!!!

ELAINE:  44 years ago after she was raped and gave birth to a son at the age of 14. Elaine recalls having a cesarean and says she was sterilized after the delivery.
 Finally one state (NORTH CAROLINA)-of many involved- is trying to pass legislation to acknowledge & compensate those victims of "eugenics".

TEXTING A CRIME! TODAY'S RULING

"In a landmark case for the state, Aaron Deveau, 18, was found guilty on charges of vehicular homicide, texting while driving and negligent operation of a motor vehicle in a 2011 crash that fatally injured Donald Bowley, 55, of Danville, New Hampshire, and seriously injured a passenger in Bowley's car.

Judge Stephen Abany sentenced the teen to 2½ years on the vehicular homicide charge and two years on the texting and causing injury charge. He will serve one year concurrently on both charges and the balance of both charges is suspended for five years. His license will be suspended for 15 years..."



 

MOST OF US HAVE DONE IT . OPRAH WAS THE ONE THAT WOKE ME UP FORM THE "IT WON'T HAPPEN TO ME" ATTITUDE -REMEMBER WHEN SHE WAS MAKING ALL HER GUESTS SIGN THE "NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING" PETITION?

I now pull over and text and/ or talk--99% of the time.

Honestly I have strayed a few times in cases of emergency and I feel ashamed.

THIS CASE WILL KEEP ME IN CHECK --HOPEFULLY 100% OF THE TIMES.
__________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE THAT DEAD 55 YRS OLD MAN COULD HAVE BEEN YOUR DAD, BROTHER, GRANDFATHER , HUSBAND,  BOYFRIEND OR SOMEONE YOU KNEW...




 
VICTIM:   DONALD BOWLEY-------55 YRS. OLD------R I P

ABRAHAM LINCOLN DEATH REPORT FOUND

  

• 
  This undated photo provided by …
• 

"SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The first doctor to reach President Abraham Lincoln after he was shot in a Washington theater rushed to his ceremonial box and found him paralyzed, comatose and leaning against his wife. Dr. Charles Leale ordered brandy and water to be brought immediately.

Leale's long-lost report of efforts to help the mortally wounded president, written just hours after his death, was discovered in a box at the National Archives late last month.

Physicians continue to debate whether Lincoln received proper treatment. With trauma treatment still in its infancy, Leale's report illustrates "the helplessness of the doctors," Stowell said. "He doesn't say that but you can feel it."

"For his time, he did everything right," said Dr. Blaine Houmes, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, specialist in emergency medicine who has studied the assassination. Accounts vary about how Leale did it — Houmes thinks he might have pounded on the victim's chest — but the doctor resuscitated the president..."

RAY BRADBURY DIES---91

"His writings ranged from horror and mystery to humor and sympathetic stories about the Irish, blacks and Mexican-Americans. Bradbury also scripted John Huston's 1956 film version of Moby Dick and wrote for The Twilight Zone and other television programs, including The Ray Bradbury Theater, for which he adapted dozens of his works..."

HIS MOST FAMOUS WORK IS PROBABLY  Fahrenheit 451.
AMONG OTHER THINGS, BRADBURY'S BOOKS PREDICTED SOME OF TODAY'S EVENTS & ELECTRONIC DEVICES SUCH AS THE IPOD. 


A TRUE VISIONARY!!!


"Born Ray Douglas Bradbury on Aug. 22, 1920, in Waukegan, Ill., the author once described himself as "that special freak, the man with the child inside who remembers all." He claimed to have total recall of his life, dating even to his final weeks in his mother's womb..." (really?-hmmmm)


"If you don't like what you're doing, then don't do it. "

"Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.

Ray Bradbury

JERSEY SHORE KUPUT? SNOOKI MOVES OUT

UPDATE: 09-01-2012-GAVE BIRTH AT ST. BARNABAS HOSPITAL  IN LIVINGSTON, NJ TO BABY LORENZO -BOTH HEALTHY--GREAT!

"A pregnant Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has moved out of the house.
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino has sworn off drinking.
Deena Cortese and Jenni “JWoww” Farley have committed to monogamous relationships.
The wildest cast in reality TV is starting to seem downright … grown up. What’s Jersey Shore coming to?...

Some of them have branded themselves and invested in other venues--esp. Pauly D. & The Situation, but what other skills do the others have?

I hope they're thinking all this through.

America is VERY fickle. I was never a fan (never watched an episode-ewww!).
 As a  proud citizen of New Jersey, I resented how NJ was portrayed; commercially, however, the coals were still burning for these "kids".  I wish them well.
Of course, the obvious would be for Snooki to have a reality show after she gives birth--she better hurry!
But like Fred Armisen as Joy Behar says on SNL, "WHO CARES?"

TELEVISION: "THE MUNSTERS" ARE BACK !

"NBC is rebooting "The Munsters," and you'll never believe who is playing the family patriarch, Herman Munster. Or maybe you will, because he's been on a slew of other shows already. Jerry O'Connell, best known for being married to Rebecca Romijn, will do his best to fill Fred Gwynne's sizable shoes.

The show, which will be called "Mockingbird Lane," will also feature Eddie Izzard as Grandpa Munster and Mason Cook as the werewolf Eddie. TVLine is reporting that the pilot episode will be directed by Bryan Singer ("X-Men," "The Usual Suspects").

The "Munsters" reboot will be substantially different from the original. Instead of a half-hour sitcom, the new version will be a one-hour drama..."

Frankly, I can only see Brad Garrett in the role of Herman--it's a no brainer!

Maybe Terri Hatcher, Kim Kardashian , Marisa Tomei, Eva Mendes or even Eva Langoria (my fav. choice) in the role of  glam-doll, matriarch,  Lily Munster.

For Marilyn? Pick any of the million blondes in Hollywood-her role was always minimal. If I was casting I would go with Megan Hilty, if the "SMASH" thing doesn't work out.

In keeping w/ the  latest TV trends, will Eddie have a gay playmate or will the Munster's have a ghoulish gay couple?