Friday, December 31, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 Celebration | New years wishes greetings, video



The sky above Sydney Harbour lights up at midnight during the fireworks display to celebrate the New Year`s Day in Sydney.



pansexual means



Question: During a repeat airing of a "Dr. Phil" episode from October about the suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, high school students discussed being bullied because of their sexualities with "Ugly Betty" star Mark Indelicato. One sixteen-year-old student interviewed identified as "pansexual," sending people across the nation a-Googling. So what is pansexuality?

Answer: Pansexuality, also known as omnisexuality, refers to attraction to people regardless of their gender identity or their biological sex. Unlike bisexuality, which refers to an attraction to both males and females, pansexuality encompasses other gender identities. Many people who identify as pansexual explain that they are gender-blind. Pansexuality encompasses not only all kinds of genders, but all kinds of sexual practices. It does not, however, imply that the person is not monogamous.

Claudia, the pansexual student from "Dr. Phil," shared her experience being bullied because of her sexuality. "I think that they justify it in their minds or to other people by saying they're asking for it because they appear this way, they act this way," she told Indelicato.

stanford women s basketball


Xavier coach Kevin McGuff knew last season's devastating defeat against Stanford would have one of two effects on his team.

"Either it would be an anchor weighing us down or it would be something to motivate us," he said Monday.

So far it has inspired the Musketeers, who today face Stanford nine months after Jeanette Pohlen drove the length of the court for a layup to give the Cardinal a 55-53 victory and its third consecutive trip to the Final Four.

Fourth-ranked Xavier (10-1) kicks off a big week for Bay Area women's basketball, coming to Maples Pavilion seeking a better result after blowing a chance to reach its first Final Four last spring.

No. 9 Stanford (7-2) also hosts top-ranked Connecticut on Thursday before opening the Pacific-10 Conference season Sunday at Cal. UConn, which plays at Pacific tonight, is expected to bring a record 90-game winning streak to sold-out Maples.

"We want to see where we're at right now," said Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer, who got her 800th victory last week.

The AP Top 25 poll says her team is ranked just behind No. 8 UCLA. It is the first time Stanford has been ranked lower than another Pac-10 team since February 2009, when Cal was No. 3 and the Cardinal No. 6.

At risk this week: The Cardinal's 50-game home winning streak and potential seeding in the NCAA tournament.

Once ranked third, Stanford plummeted in the polls after December defeats at No. 22 DePaul and No. 6
Tennessee. The ranking has drained some of the drama from the high-profile matchups but not all of it.

"We haven't forgotten it; they haven't forgotten it," VanDerveer said of Xavier's collapse in the regional final in Sacramento.

McGuff has tried to forget.

"It's a new year, a new team, a new dynamic," he said.

But it's difficult not to remember the final 16 seconds, when Musketeers senior Dee Dee Jernigan missed two uncontested layups with the score tied. Then with 4.4 seconds left, Pohlen blew past defenders and banked in the winner as time expired.

Pohlen, who averages 15.2 points a game, also has tried to put the emotional finish behind her.

"This isn't a game to get to the Final Four," she said. "We just want to show we're improving every game."

Jernigan has graduated, but the bulk of the Musketeers returns, including 6-foot-5 forward Amber Harris and 6-6 center Ta'Shia Phillips. Harris averages 20.2 points and 10.5 rebounds, and Phillips averages 14 points and 12.6 rebounds.

Stanford no longer has 6-4 All-American Jayne Appel to counter such height. With Appel playing in the WNBA, the Cardinal is trying to find a winning combination.

"We have to be more versatile," VanDerveer said. "We're not going to come down and just pound it inside."

Stanford appears to have all the ingredients to make another Final Four run, but it might take the next six weeks to jell with two freshmen and a sophomore as part of the rotation. The expectation is that freshmen Chiney Ogwumike and Toni Kokenis and sophomore Joslyn Tinkle will be much improved by March.

"They are like sponges," Pohlen said. "They are willing to do whatever it takes."

Senior forward Kayla Pedersen said Monday the team needs to answer these questions: "Do we run? Do we rebound? Who do we go to at the end?"

The questions remain unanswered for the time being.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Katrina Kaif Sex Video

The successful actress Katrina Kaif sex video tape scandal is heating up the internet. The video has become actually popular on the web and shows Katrina having interaction with some men in a room.

The lady in the video is a look-a-like of the Bollywood beauty Katrina. The lady in the video can obviously be distinguished to be a duplicate of Kat. The video named ‘Katrina Kaif sex scandal’ features a fair complexioned girl who has a related hairstyle like that of Katz.

The successful actress Katrina said that “It’s unfair! People circulate videos and stories in her name to generate interest, debate and publicity; every fair-skinned girl doesn’t have to be Katrina or her lookalike! She finds it unfair that she’s mostly made the target for such bizarre speculations”.

The actress said in a statement that “The video is disgusting and the girl clearly doesn’t even look like me; There’s no room for any speculation whatsoever; How can you even call her my lookalike? The girl’s face is completely different! I think it’s ridiculous to even talk about it”.

On the time when a video labeled as one featuring her sister had surfaced, Katrina and her mother Suzanne Turquotte had definitely denied that the video had anything to do with Isabel. They also swear to take legal action against anyone uploading or circulating the video under the young girl’s name.

Israeli president Katsav convicted of rape

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav was found guilty of rape and sexual assault, more than four years after he was first accused.

The unanimous verdict of the three-judge panel was announced in Tel Aviv District Court on Thursday.

Katsav, 65, was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting A., a former employee of the Tourism Ministry. He was also convicted of sexually harassing H. and of sexually abusing and harassing L., both employees of the President's Residence, and of obstruction of justice. The incidents occurred when Katsav was serving as Israel's president and tourism minister. The victims' names have been kept in confidence by the courts.

Katsav was accompanied to court by his lawyers but not by his wife, Gila, who previously had stood by his side throughout the proceedings. Katsav's attorneys said they would appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court.

The trial lasted for one year. Two years ago, Katsav declined what was seen as a lenient plea bargain -- one that dropped the rape charges for lesser charges and likely would have left him with a suspended sentence -- saying that he wanted to clear his name in court. Most of the trial was held behind closed doors to protect the identities of the accusers.

A sentencing date has not yet been set. A rape conviction carries a minimum prison sentence of four years and a maximum of 16 years.

Katsav, who immigranted to Israel from Iran in 1951, became president when the Knesset elected him in 2000, upsetting candidate Shimon Peres. Peres became president in 2007 after Katsav resigned in the wake of the allegations, shortly before the end of his term.

"This is a sad day for the State of Israel and its residents," Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement after the verdict. "Today, the court conveyed two clear-cut messages -- that all are equal before the law and that every woman has exclusive rights to her body."

Lily Shang Sex Tape Leaked video




Lily Shang Sex Tape Leaked:-The 24-year-old Lily Shang, filed documents in a Manhattan Supreme court asserting her husband is intimidating to leak their sex videos online if she doesn’t resolve their divorce, reported Wednesday.

What does Rucker have to say about this?

"It's comical really," he told the New York Daily News, saying he would never release the footage. "That would damage me, since I actually have a career."

According to the paper, Rucker works for financial firm Golden Archer Investments.

Shang spoke to her hometown paper the Toronto Star, saying she was "devastated" that the New York press had picked up her story.

"Divorce is a very difficult and private matter," she said. "Unfortunately this has taken a turn for the worst. It's sad that a private matter has become public in this way."

Shang married David Glenn Rucker in Toronto in April 2009. They lived in Manhattan and split after 18 months of marriage. She made the assertions concerning the sex videos in a court filing. She alleges Rucker threatened to amend himself out before posting them online.

Shang also said that “Divorce is a very difficult and private matter; unfortunately this has taken a turn for the worst; it’s sad that a private matter has become public in this way.”

The 26-year-old Rucker, a managing partner and head trader at the boutique asset management firm Golden Archer Investments in Manhattan and he told that he would never release footage that could damage his career, according to the reports.

thailand breast slap

Dozens of bra-less Thai women are on a government-backed course of breast slapping to enhance the size of their bust, and their self- esteem. One hundred vied for 40 places on the first course.

Dozens of bra-less Thai women are on a government-backed course of breast slapping to enhance the size of their bust, and their self-esteem. One hundred vied for 40 places on the first course.

The Health Ministry offers the classes as a substitute for silicone implant surgery, increasingly common among slender Thais. The government seems to consider the beauty of Thai women a vital natural resource to be better developed.

The routines were supplied by a Bangkok beautician, Khemmikka Na Songkhla , who has been pursuing a patent for her grandmother's secret fat-kneading technique. Unlikely as it seems, the idea is to shift one's unsightly bulges to more strategic areas up front.

When Ms Khemmikka was an adolescent, her granny mocked her for wasting time rubbing her nipples with a miracle cream in hopes of sprouting big breasts. She said she should rub the old-fashioned way, until it hurt. By repeatedly pushing any flab from her sides and midriff towards her chest, and afterwards dousing Ms Khemmikka's breasts with ice water, her granny boosted her breast size by 4in (10cm) and her confidence soared.

Ms Khemmikka, now 35, says her shapely breasts are all the advertisement she needs and has marketed the technique in her beauty parlour for 15 years. Six sessions cost $380 (£235), and yield an increase of up to 4in without injections, chemicals or implants.

But the lucrative business threatened to go bust after a client developed breast cancer and blamed it on her breast massage. Distraught, Ms Khemmikka asked the Health Ministry to learn if there could be a link with breast massage.

Dr Pennappa Sapcharoen, the deputy director of the traditional medicine division, told her no clinical trials had been done, but she was intrigued by the technique. The ministry launched a six -month study on volunteers aged 20 to 60, and found vigorous massage left their breasts cancer-free and measurably bigger.

Brett Favre Fined $50K , Not Suspended For Jenn Sterger Sexting Scandal

brett favre sex scandal

NFL star Brett Favre will be fined $50,000 for allegedly sending former New York Jets employee Jenn Sterger explicit text messages and photos.

Favre was NOT suspended for his actions, but the fine basically implies that an NFL investigation verified the rumors going around for months.

Basically, Jenn saw pics of Brett Favre's small junk. Amazing.
Jenn Sterger, who has posed for Playboy and Maxim, worked as a sideline personality for the Jets in 2008, Favre's one season with the team.

In addition to firing off photos of his wang, Brett allegedly asked Jenn for a video of her masturbating. Dude is very forward, give him that.

Favre admitted leaving her voicemails, but denies sending her explicit pics. The fine was issued because the star was "deemed uncooperative."

We would deem him a host of other things, too.

A suspension wouldn't have mattered that much anyway, as the beleaguered shot-caller was unlikely to play the Sunday because of injuries.

You can listen to Favre's voicemails, which are only slightly less absurd than these remarks by Tucker Carlson about Michael Vick, right here:

Is LeAnn Rhimes Pregnant ? Is That Why Eddie Cibrian Proposed ?

Is LeAnn Rhimes Pregnant
Everyone knows that LeAnn Rhimes and Eddie Cibrian stepped out on their respective spouses to start their relationship. But a day after LeAnn and Eddit got engaged, is another rumor true about the two cheaters-turned-lovebirds? Is LeAnn Rhimes pregnant with Eddie Cibrian’s lovechild?

Apparently not – people are just looking for a good story in this dull news week after Christmas! Rhimes took to Twitter to deny the rumors, like any good celebrity facing a media firestorm of their own making (if you want privacy, don’t announce your engagement on Twitter!).

“This is such BS!!!! Lol, you people all report BS,” Rhimes tweeted after the pregnancy rumor popped up. To emphasize her point, she then tweeted a few minutes later that she’s headed to Cabo San Lucas to celebrate the engagement … and she’ll be imbibing some tequila.

Suge Knight Arrested for Tupac’s murder | Tupac Suge Knight Arrest Hoax Video is a Fake!

Suge Knight Arrested for Tupac’s murder

Suge Knight Arrested for Tupac’s murder
Suge Knight arrested 2010 heats up the headlines tonight, but many are wondering if a video of news footage that Suge Knight was arrested / killed Tupac Shakur is for real or the latest hoax.
Watch the Suge Knight arrested for killing Tupac hoax video below.
Has Suge Knight killed Tupac Shakur? Here’s what we know about Suge Knight being arrested.
Rumors and videos are spreading online about Suge Knight’s arrest, but it looks to all be a clever hoax!
According to CNN, Suge Knight’s arrest was for a traffic violation. He was booked, issued a citation and will return to court. For a traffic violation – no mention of Suge Knight being charged for Tupac’s murder, for sure.
Watch the video of Suge Knight’s arrest, which claims that he killed Tupac – it’s since been determined that the Suge Knight arrested 2010/Suge Knight killed Tupac Shakur video is a hoax, a fake posted to YouTube which was spliced together to appear that Suge was arrested for Tupac’s murder:

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Verizon Htc Thunderbolt Photos and fetures

Verizon Htc Thunderbolt leaked Photos


The HTC Thunderbolt is all but official after new images leaked showing the device in all its glory, highlighting the fact the device will be the first LTE 4G device to be offered by Verizon after it is unveiled at next months CES 2011 conference.

The photos show just how similar the Thunderbolt is to the HTC Evo 4G and the HTC Desire HD – similar in shape, even sporting a kickstand on the back. Initial reports suggest the device will not feature a dual-core processor, but the Thunderbolt does have the distinctive Google branding suggesting that we could be looking at a Verizon device that doesn’t feature any Microsoft products (i.e. Bing).More photos are below:-










India beat South Africa In Durban | India won match by 87 runs

india beat south africa

India beat South Africa In Durban and leveled series with 1-1.Now series final match will be played in Cape Town.
VVS Laxman is the Man of the Match.With Zaheer Khan's return, India had a rejuvenated bowling attack in this game. The veteran seamer took six wickets in the match, including 3-57 in the second innings while S Sreesanth hit top form taking 3-45.

Sreesanth began the day in fine style for India when a vicious bouncer aimed at Jacques Kallis' nose was fended off Virender Sehwag behind the wicket.

India had some luck with the umpiring decisions today. Harbhajan Singh bowling over the wicket got AB de Villiers LBW. Hawk Eye suggested the ball would have gone well over the stumps.

The dangerous Mark Boucher was dismissed quickly by Zaheer. Umpire Steve Davis gave the LBW but replays showed the ball was missing off-stump.

With the ball reverse-swinging, Zaheer worked out the lower-order.

The win was set up primarily by the batting exploits of VVS Laxman, who is the only man in the Test match to cross 40. In the first innings he made 38, following it up with 96, mainly batting with the lower order.

Harbhajan showed good form, taking 4-10 in the first innings giving India a substantial lead of 74 in a low-scoring game.
Here is Final Scoreboard
India 1st inning: 205/10 (65.1) RR: 3.15
India 2nd inning: 228/10 (70.5) RR: 3.22
South Africa 1st inning: 131/10 (37.2) RR: 3.51
South Africa 2nd inning: 215/10 (72.3) RR: 2.97

Reese Witherspoon got engaged with Jim Toth

Over the holidays Reese Witherspoon got engaged with Jim Toth.So Jim Toth is going to be new stepfather to her two kids Deacon and Eva.Want to know more about Jim Toth,Here is some information about him:-department.


Jim Toth graduated from Southern California’s Loyola Marymount University. He’s now forty years old, six years older than Reese. This apparently isn’t the first time Jim Toth has been engaged, he was once very much romantically linked to a model. He’s a big time agent at CAA, the same agency that reps Reese. But he doesn’t represent his gal. But he does rep some big A-list stars like Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Tobey Maguire, Robert Downey Jr, Salma Hayek, Matthew McConaughey and Usher. And back in September he was named one of the new heads for CAA’s motion picture talent

Adam Sandler Death | Sandler's rep blasts death rumours

Adam Sandler is now the latest victim of a sick, FAKE death hoax.

According to another gross prank from Global Associated News, “Actor Adam Sandler is reported to have died shortly after a snowboard accident earlier today -December 28, 2010.”

Sandler is NOT dead.

The FAKE report claimed that while at a ski resort in Zermatt, Switzerland, “Sandler lost control of his snowboard and struck a tree at a high rate of speed… Sandler was air lifted by ski patrol teams to a local hospital, however, it is believed that the actor died instantly from the impact of the crash.”

Again, this is NOT TRUE. He’s ALIVE.

A rep for Sandler tells Gossip Cop, “It’s completely not true and such irresponsible journalism.”

So, does this rumor sound familiar?

It should.

Just two days ago, the same lame site spread word-for-word the same disgusting rumor about Charlie Sheen.

Two weeks ago, there was an equally vile death prank about Morgan Freeman, and this morning there was a death hoax about Aretha Franklin.

These hoaxes have happened many times before.

They’re not funny. They’re not cool. They’re not entertaining.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Gossip Cop is at a total loss as to why anyone would concoct phony fatalities, and sincerely hopes the only thing that dies out are these horrible hoaxes.

eagles vs vikings


The Eagles continue to be a thorn in the Giants' side. And this time, they did it by losing.

Philly's stunning 24-14 loss to the Vikings tonight ensured the Bears will have a first-round bye in the postseason, thus giving them even less to play for in Sunday's game against the Packers. The Giants need a Green Bay loss or tie (in addition to a a victory in their game against the Redskins) to get into the postseason.

The only carrot left for the Bears is the No. 1 seed in the NFC. But by the time their game against the Packers kicks off at 4:15 p.m., the Falcons might have already polished off the 2-13 Panthers and thus locked up the top spot in the conference. And even if Atlanta loses, the Bears would also need the Buccaneers to defeat the Saints to have a shot at the No. 1 seed.

Bears coach Lovie Smith said Monday, no matter the stakes, he would play his starters in Green Bay.

"We feel like we have to beat the Packers, to accomplish our regular season goals," Smith said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, "and that's what we're going to go to work to do."

The Giants are hoping he means it. And that the Bears' starters will play like there's actually something on the line.

Mike Garafolo: mgarafolo@starledger.com

sugarloaf accident - Eight Injured in Sugarloaf Ski Lift Accident





Sugarloaf Mountain Chairlift Accident, Six Injured :-You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Today there was an accident with one of the chairlifts in Sugarloaf mountain, it derailed in high winds. The sugarloaf accident sent skiers to up to 30 feet below on the slope, and we received a report that there were 6 of them injured. In a press statement Sugarloaf mountain authorities said:

“Today, at approximately 10:30am, the Spillway East Chairlift experienced a rope derailment. At this time, we have 6 injured guests who have been treated and transported from the mountain.

All available mountain safety personnel are at the scene. The injured parties have been taken off the mountain. Additionally, the remaining guests on the lift have all been successfully evacuated from the lift.

As of now, the cause of the incident is still unknown and is under investigation. “

According to them the issue of safety is always top priority in the mountain, and daily check ups on the system are done:

“The chairlift receives routine daily inspections for safety. Additionally, the chairlift receives weekly, monthly and yearly maintenance and testing. The lift is also inspected annually for it’s safety from the State of Maine Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety.”

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

in The Other Woman Trailer Family Life is Tough on Natalie Portman




Natalie Portman:-So just as news breaks that Natalie Portman is pregnant, here’s Portman playing an expectant mother in the just-released trailer for The Other Woman. High-five, IFC marketing team! Oh wait…her child dies within the first thirty seconds of the trailer? Hmm. I’m actually going to take back that high-five now.

Yes, if Rabbit Hole leaves you wanting even more grieving-over-a-dead-child films, then get pumped for Don Roos’ adaptation of Ayelet Waldman’s novel Love and Other Impossible Pursuits. Here, Portman tries to come to terms with the loss of her newborn child while also struggling to forge a relationship with her previously-married husband’s son. Meanwhile, her husband’s bitter ex-wife (Lisa Kudrow) refuses to leave the picture quietly.

Seems pretty rough. But according to the light-as-air pop music during the second half of the trailer, this film will find life-affirming hope from the tragedy. I’m betting that’s after several dozen arguments and dramatic discussions, all of which take place between sobs - either the characters’ or your own. After all, this is from the guy who wrote the script for Marley and Me.

Juicy J - Smokin And Sippin (Prod. By Lex Luger) Video


bleach episode 303 | bleach 303 vostfr Preview




Bleach Episode 303 Title : Real World and Shinigami! The New Year Special
Bleach Episode 303 Released Date : Jan 04, 2011
Sorry no Bleach Episode 303 this week
Bleach Episode 303′s Information
Bleach Episode 303 and other episode of Bleach are normally release on Tuesday of

Amber Portwood Charged in Baby Daddy Beatdown news


Like her Teen Mom co-stars Maci Bookout and Farrah Abraham, Amber Portwood has not had an easy time of it after giving birth at the tender age of 18.

Amber's in a totally different league, however.

Police are investigating Portwood after she was seen hitting ex-fiance Gary Shirley on last week's episode of the MTV show that glorifies teen pregnancy.

The Anderson Police Department in Indiana have now launched an investigation into the incident, in which Amber looked to be kicking her man as well.

"We were made aware of the domestic abuse following the episode that aired on MTV," Anderson Public Information Officer Mitch Carroll told reporters.

"Based on that there was a case drafted. The Department of Child Protective Services in Indiana notified us that they are aware of the incident as well."

Amber Portwood and Gary Shirley are now seeking counseling.

Her father Shawn confirmed that she is doing everything she can to salvage her relationship with her on-off fiance and the father of her small child.

Shawn revealed that Amber and Gary have been in counseling for months, and he hopes that they get married, despite the aforementioned battle.

"It's my understanding they're doing just fine," Shawn said. "They're now going to couples counseling. It was their idea as a whole, them together."

Hopefully they work it out for the good of everyone involved.

New Miley Cyrus Pics, Scandalous or Harmless?


Might the next Miley Cyrus scandal be upon us?

A couple weeks after a video of the singer smoking out of a bong surfaced, new Twit pics have circulated online. It's unclear when these were taken, but click on each for a larger version:

Are these images especially lewd? No. We can even hear the Miley defenders already: all teenagers take photos such as this! What's the big deal?!? Leave her alone!

But at some point Miley has to realize she's a public figure and has to act in a more responsible manner. Is it really too much to ask for her to refrain from snapping such pictures? We get it. She's 18. She's branching out. She's maturing.

Let's just hope this urge to continually make such points doesn't result in any truly regrettable actions on Miley's part.
read more:-http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com

natalie portman pregnant,engaged



Natalie Portman will be ringing in the New Year as a mum-to-be - the actress has confirmed she's pregnant, and engaged.

The Star Wars star has announced she and choreographer Benjamin Millepied are engaged and expecting their first child.

The couple met while Millepied was helping Portman perfect her ballet dancing for new movie Black Swan.

The child will be the first for the 29-year-old actress, whose ex-boyfriends include musician Devendra Banhart and Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal.

saints vs falcons update 2010

The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons should put on a show.

The two NFC South rivals face off in tonight's Monday Night Football matchup, both with plenty to play for. Atlanta (12-2) has clinched a playoff spot, but a win tonight would give them the NFC South title, the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and home-field advantage. New Orleans (10-4) is fighting for a wild card spot, and still can't relax.

"You knew it would be meaningful," New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees said. "It’s meaningful because I think both of us think we’re two of the better teams in the NFC, and I think the rivalry or the magnitude of this game doesn’t stop. In this game, down the line here, within the next few weeks if everything goes our way and their way, we could potentially see them again.

"Obviously that is down the road, and so it’s all about finding a way to win this game this week and making sure that we lock up a playoff spot. I’m not sure what that seed will be yet because there’s still a shot at the one seed, but obviously we have to take care of our business.”

Aretha franklin died


Aretha franklin died - Nineteen sixty-seven was a tough year in many respects riots, protests, an unwinnable war but I cant think of it without thinking of the glory of Aretha Franklin, a woman in her mid-20s, introverted and somewhat shy, who sang soul and rock n roll with the power and beauty of a heavenly choir.
Muhammad Ali, a perfect physical specimen in his absolute athletic prime, was convicted of dodging the draft and stripped of his world heavyweight championship. The album was called I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, and if you listened closely, if you paid attention, it would just thrill you, take you to a place of exquisite human feeling. Of love and joyous possibilities.

Aretha franklin, now 68, recently had surger! Aretha and her siblings, including an older sister, Erma, and a younger sister, Carolyn, both talented musicians, were raised by the formidable C.L. Franklin, a renowned preacher and close friend of some of the biggest names in black music. (Frequent household guests included the gospel singers Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward, and the remarkable Sam Cooke.)
Carolyn Franklin, who wrote the transcendentally beautiful Aint No Way for Aretha, died of cancer in 1988 at the age of 43. Erma Franklin, a singer who had a hit with the song Piece of My Heart (later recorded by Janis Joplin), died in 2002.
Aretha suffered through rough relationships with men, chronic weight problems and bouts of despondency. Aretha was an ecstatic presence in the house as surely as if shed been there in person. Guralnick described it as Aretha virtually exploding on the soul scene.

There are even reports going around that Aretha Franklin died.
If Aretha Franklin died there would be much more buzz on the internet. I for one however am glad that the news Aretha Franklin died is not true.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Airports Cancel Hundreds of Flights as New York Weather Forecast Calls for Blizzard in Northeast

Update 10:25pm: Governor Chris Christie declares New Jersey a state of emergency.

Update 10:13pm: Amtrak cancels trains between New York and Boston.

Update 6:50pm: Blizzard conditions are expected until at least 6pm Monday morning. As much as 20 inches of snow are expected and almost 1,500 flights have been canceled. Officials warn all to stay home and not travel.


While we are lucky enough to have spent Christmas at home, there are thousands of people scheduled to make those return holiday flights that will soon be stranded due to a an expected blizzard in the northeast. Already airlines have grounded hundreds of flights today at major airports including New York’s JFK and LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Boston and other airports. AirTran and Southwest Airlines also canceled flights, mostly in or out of Washington Dulles, Baltimore and Newark. All airlines expect to cancel hundreds more as the storm takes off. The snowflakes are just starting to come down here in New York but already Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina were declared states of emergency earlier this morning.

The timing could not be worse for all those families traveling home after Christmas. The question of whether to stay at the relatives another day or two, or brave the airports with kids is not one to be taken lightly. Many parents have to get home to go to work so for them there is no debate.

For those who are heading home through the storm, with no control over Mother Nature, they may just have to make the best of a tough situation. The key is to plan ahead for long waits at the airport, and if possible at all, load up on patience (which understandably may be low in reserves after the holidays). The calmer the parents remain, the more unruffled the children will feel in most cases. A few prayers can’t hurt either.

For those of us already at home, many are excited. As if the anticipation of Christmas morning hasn’t made us old folk feel child-like enough this week, there is nothing like a good old-fashioned snowstorm to bring out the kids in all of us. My kids are giddy and so is our new puppy who will see her first snowstorm. It hasn’t snowed here since last winter so now’s the time to bring out the snowpants and boots to get those snowmen built and snow angels sketched out.

First stop however, will be Lowe’s because with all the holiday shopping, we neglected stocking up on winter supplies. But then we’ll be home to tackle the shoveling and referee the snowball fights.

When I started writing this, the first few flakes started to fall, and now there is a definite covering of the entire backyard. I have the feeling this snowstorm may be an all week event.

Kevin Smith’s ‘Red State’ Trailer Fred Phelps-Based Horror Film Video

Director Kevin Smith, who became made famous for the cult movie Clerks, has released the first trailer for his new film, Red State.


The latest Kevin Smith production is a look at “American religious extremism” and the trailer is causing a buzz.

Huffington Post reports the film is based loosely based Fred Phelps, the anti-gay, anti-America Kansas pastor. The outspoken director will screen Red State at Sundance Film Festival.

This is Kevin Smith’s first horror film, which stars John Goodman, Dermot Mulroney, Michael Angarano and Michael Parks. Smith told entertainment site RottenTomatoes.com about the film:
The movie’s called ‘Red State’ and it’s very much about that subject matter, that point of view and that position taken to the absolute extreme. It’s certainly not Phelps himself but it’s very much inspired by a Phelps figure. And to me, too, the notion of using a Phelps-like character as a villain, as horrifying and scary as that guy can be, there’s even something more insidious than him that lurks out there in as much as a public or a government that allows it and that’s the other thing that I’m trying to examine in a big, big way.

Katy Perry,Paris Hilton,Carmen Electra and Other Celebs Dress Like Sexy Santas

Leave it to celebrities to make even the silliest accessories sexy. This holiday season, celebrities have turned the classic red and white Santa hat into an awesome accessory. Carmen Electra, Audrina Patridge, and Mariah Carey are just a few of the celebrities taking style tips from the North Pole. Even if you're feeling more like Scrooge than Santa, these celebrities in holiday-inspired fashions are sure to make you smile.
At this year's Jingle Ball concert in Miami, Katy Perry (who has previously dressed up as a candy cane and a toy soldier) made sure her Santa outfit was extra sexy. The singer's red satin leotard was trimmed with white fur and had a plunging neckline revealing just enough cleavage to guarantee Perry a spot on Santa's naughty list! Think this outfit is a Christmas gift for her husband Russell Brand?

Mariah Carey is synonymous with Christmas. Once you've heard her hit song “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, you know it's really the holidays. This year, Carey released a second Christmas album and dressed as a sexy Mrs. Claus to promote it. The pregnant singer really knows how to make this frosty look work.
If there's anyone who can make Santa sexy, it's former Playboy playmate, Carmen Electra. During a recent promotion with Svedka vodka, the sultry Electra donned a silver Santa hat as she served drinks from behind a snow-adorned bar.

Now that The Hills is over, Audrina Patridge has taken on a new role as the face of Bongo. The former Dancing With the Stars contestant teamed up with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at Kmart in Burbank, California to do a little charity while getting shoppers into the holiday spirit.