.:[Double Click To][Close]:.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Barack Obama...News alert! No "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq! Prez's Vietnam?






In preparing a speech to the Nation to be broadcast tonight - the President admitted to his handlers (according to insiders) - that a formal announcement about the end of the War in Iraq - would fall short of being one that touted a "Mission" accomplished.

After all, that simply was not the case.

Critics are still grumbling that although there has been a "stand down" - and the conflict is considered at a close pending tonight's acknowledgement formally by the President - that troops have basically been re-assigned (so-to-speak).

The truth of the matter is, the U.S. armed forces will remain in Iraq until next year when they are expeced to withdraw lock, stock, and barrel.

But, one official let it slip this morning that - if a conflict arose while the troops were still stationed overseas in Iraq - they would be given their marching orders once again.

In a nutshell, isn't the President playing fast-and-loose with this war - one that has become his own historical Vietnam (in spite of the fact he inherited the U.S. Imperialist invasion from Bush) - in a bold-faced effort to hoodwink the American people?

I think so, when the voter considers his political posturing, just now.

Tonight, for instance, in a preamble to the body of his speech, Obama starts off by "praising the courage and resolve of the American troops in Iraq" and saying "the human and financial price showed selfless sacrifice."

And, he'll facilitate an old familiar cliche to signal it's time to move on.

"It's time to turn the page", he'll utter up tonight, as if he coined the phrase.

And, he'll follow up with a startling (!) reason why.

"There are pressing problems at home."

You don't say!

And, he'll hand it to the Americans for allowing the President to do it "his way"

"The United States has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people," he said in an excerpt released just before the speech commenced on the East Coast in the Oval Office at 8 p.m.

"We have persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people - a belief that out of the ashes of war - a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization."

Ah, the Phoenix has risen!

News at 11!




Zsa Zsa Gabor...News alert! Rushed to hospital! Prince & Show biz Queen saga!



Zsa Zsa & the fake Prince!





Hungarian beauty Zsa Zsa Gabor has been rushed to the hospital after her husband - Frederick Prinz von Anhalt - found the ailing actress unresponsive early this morning.

A spokesman for  the aling actress has confirmed that since her initial visit to the hospital a few weeks ago to mend a broken hip, Gabor has suffered a series of setbacks with her health which have left her disabled to date (and in need of medical care on a daily basis).

I reported on the matter earlier in recent weeks.

Post: 08/1610  (Hospital Release)

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/08/zsa-zsa-gabornews-alert-star-given-last.html

Post:  08/12/10  (Paparazzi)

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/08/zsa-zsa-gaborpaparazzi-frenzy-during.html

No further details about Ms. Gabor's immediate medical condition are currently available.

Expecting the worst, Ms. Gabor - still glam at 93 years of age - requested her last  rites from a priest during her brief stay at the hospital in July.

Doctors recommended surgery on her liver to extend her life (with a 50-50 chance of survival) - but the aging actress and the "Prince" - elected for her to return home to spend her final days in the comfort of her luxurious digs in Bel Air.

Frederick Prinz Von Anhalt was not born a "Prince" or blue blood, but came by the title when he married a elderly member of a European Family.

To many, the betrothal to Von Anhalt was Gabor's lofty stab at becoming "Royalty" by virtue of her union with the foreign born gentleman.

Like Barack Obama, questions about his birthright still hound him!

The Hungarian-born Gabor has appeared in more than 30 movies - a stand-out being - Moulin Rouge.

There were also campy stints on Batman - a TV hit - in the 60's.

Ms. Gabor was a perennial guest on the Merv Giffin show - often with her two dazzling sisters in tow (Eva & Magda) - which prompted many critics to snidely remark that the trio were simply famous for being famous.

What did they do, after all?

Mr. Griffen, known to be gay in show biz circles behind-the-scenes, often facilitated Eva Gabor as a beard to fool American TV viewers at the height of the popularity of his talk show, and at a time when homosexuality was not an acceptable lifestyle in mainstream U.S.A.

Gabor appeared to always be in healthy competition with Elizabeth Taylor, by the way.

Both sirens have trotted to the altar at least 9 times to tie the knot.

Ms. Gabor is well-known for her marriage to Conrad Hilton, while Ms. Taylor is famous for winning the heart of Welsh actor Richard Burton (they were married twice) during the filming of Cleopatra which caused an International scandal. 

After all, Liz & Dick were both married to others.

But, that little hitch never stopped either Zsa Zsa or LA Liz from going after the man they pined for.

All is fair and love & war, eh?




Wayne Newton...jet ends up baggage! Crooner coughs up $$$ owed!







Folks have been all a-twitter about Wayne Newton's Jet fiasco!

In retrospect - when the sad report on the clunker that returned to Vegas as baggage was nvestigated from behind-the-scenes, the end scenario made a lot of sense.

When Mr. Newton  previously abandoned the plane in Detroit a few years ago, he was obviously low on cash

After all, he wasn't working in a steady gig!

Subsequently, he got behind on payments - which included back wages - owed a pilot.

However, as I reported a few months ago, Newton managed to seal a deal with a major Hotel on the strip  to perform Live! once again to the delight of his fans.

Now that the cash is flowing, Mr. Las Vegas is simply catching up on overdue financial obligations, which makes sense.

Shipping the plane back to Nevada in pieces - and parking the crates at his luxury ranch at the Casa de Shenandoah estate in Las Vegas - hardly appears to be unusual under the cicumstances.

In fact, once the disassembled jet made the the long haul from Michigan to Nevada without mishap, it was put back together again piece by piece.

The difference between the men and the boys is not only the price of their toys - but how they manage to hold on to them when misfortune befalls 'em - without doubt.




Newton extravagant lifestyle!




Monday, August 30, 2010

McDonald's Gay Commercial...french so subtle & sophisticated!







If  you are  a resident of France and caught the subtle McDonald's commercial on the little black box, chances are, you may not have given the blurb promoting the fast-food take-out joint a second thought.

Unless, you were quick on the uptake, of course.

Those frenchies are so low-key, after all.

In the two-minute spot, a cute young man plucks up a ringing cell phone - and dreamily glances down at a class photo in his hand - as he sighs and speaks into the receiver with a romantic tinge in his voice:

"I miss you."

On the other end of the line, a male voice chimes in.

"I miss you, too."

At this point, an older gent strolls over to the table with a tray loaded down with french fries, soft drinks, and a couple-of tasty-looking burgers with all the fixin's in tow.

As he glides into his seat, he casually peers down at the photograph and utters up a sly comment.

"I used to be quite the ladies man when I was younger. Too bad the class was all boys," he chuckled, without a clue in the world.

The man is the young boy's father, after all.

And, the handsome lad is a gay teen, connecting with his boyfriend on his cell for a second or two.

In France, the ad was broadcast with barely a ripple of controversy.

Elsewhere, however, a roar erupted around all corners of the globe when some dude published the video on YouTube.

In two seconds flat, McDonald's was able to boast a million plus clicks as die-hard gay and gay-curious burger-eaters chased the video down for a scant look-see.

"We wanted to show society the way it is today, without judging...there's obviously no problem with homosexuality in France today," the brand director for McDonald's (France) noted for the record on a French Web site.

According to Canada.com, the clip is the first ad from McDonald's to feature a gay character.

Needless to say, support from the gay community has been very positive.

"It's great that McDonald's is putting it out there, and kudos to the creative team. It's certainly a step in the right direction," Helen Kennedy, executive director of EGALE Canada, remarked.

Australia's Brisbane Times explains dismissed the ad as just one in a series that aims to "recognise the diversity of McDonald's customers in France".

Australian Coalition for Equality spokesman Rodney Croome called the ad "refreshingly realistic" and "groundbreaking" in that it takes place in "one of the world's most mainstream institutions.

In a a poll conducted by the Brisbane Times -  82% of the residents - found the ad charming.

And, you thought, the arches symbolized "back to the breast"!

On the other end of the spectrum, 18% found the imaginative commercial "alarming".

According to the New York Times, Planet Homo, was angry too.

In their mind's eye, the subliminal message was crystal clear.

Young men are still reluctant to reveal their sexuality to their fathers.

in and caught the spot on an overhead screen, I got the impression that it was a young man out on a date with his sugar daddy!

Just call me a sophisticated man of the world!




Sunday, August 29, 2010

San Francisco...Castro Theatre celebrates blonde bombshells! Marilyn Monroe!







What's with the black suits?

As I strode up Castro a short while ago to pluck up an order of white rice and shrimp dumpling, I was forced to sidestep a pride of gay dudes out-fitted in dark suits, milling about in front of the Castro Theatre.

Friday August 27th thru Sunday September 5th, film buffs are paying tribute to Blonde Bombshells.

And, with a little style, to boot!

In addition to the sharp suits, a handful of the film enthusiasts are making grand entrances at the front of the Art Deco Theatre in vintage period autos.

A double-bill tonight featuring two flicks - "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" & "The Girl can't help it" - are packing 'em in.

If you missed the sensual romps tonight on the silver screen, there is always the classic "Bus Stop" to take in on Monday night (starring Marilyn Monroe).

See 'ya there!

Info & Tickets

http://www.castrotheatre.com


San Francisco General Hospital...feces on floor! Dr. Matthew Oiert incompetent! Unprofessional staff!



Just try to find the front entrance!





If you were a fly on the wall at San Francisco General Hospital, you'd spy feces smeared on the floor, snobs at the front desk discriminating against walk-in patients at "Emergency", and unqualified Medical practitioners (such as Dr. Matthew Oiert) with little or no medical training (and a bad attitude) misdiagnosing the ailments of patients (for starters).

In fact, the attending physcians at SFGH are so clueless, that they actually rely on a patient's off-the-cuff jokes in idle moments to fathom up what's ailing their patients.

Disturbing!

For example, after thoroughly examining a patient over the weekend, Dr. Oiert shook his head in frustration.

No matter how long - how hard (or soft) - he pushed, patted or probed - he was unable to figure out what was triggering the pain in the middle-aged man's chest.

In the final analysis, the Doctor (obviously, wet behind the ears) was forced to admit  he was stumped.

At this juncture, his medical charge laughingly recalled that his symptoms appeared to mimic those that unfolded in a hilarious Jack Nicholson film which starred Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves.

In sum, Nicholson's character mistakes an episode of acid reflux (heartburn) for a heart attack

Eurkea!

"You're suffering from indigestion," the doctors calmly assured the patient, as he proceeded to ignore the irregular heartbeat (noticeably slipping on the EKG) and shortness of breath (about to adversely affect the patient's health in the near future if not properly checked).

But, it is the attitude of the staff at the front desk at the Emergency entrance, that is particularly shocking to encounter.

When one emotionally-distraught man was out-of-sight (off to the mensroom, I expect) the nurse on duty instructed the clerk at the admission desk to turn-away the individual when he returned because he was "too aggressive" to deal with!

Wasn't that a warning sign that the individual may be in dire need of help? 

In addition, nurses in "Emergency" openly discriminate against hapless individuals.

During the course of a visit I made there, I caught sight of a nurse not only neglecting a patient who was first in line, but needlessly making a negative comment as well.

"He didn't appear to be that important," the nurse was overheard to say to the individual she randomly chose to provide hospital services to next.

Another woman - who appeared to be a homeless individual - stood at the admission desk largely ignored by a rude employee at the check-in desk.

Inside the hospital - beyond the confines of the hectic emergency department - visitors are confronted with a maze of clutter that sends up red flags here-there-and-everywhere warning about potential hygiene disasters.

At one point, I recoiled in disgust when I just about stepped in feces that was smeared on the floor.

In spite of the seriousness of the situation (germs of the worst kind spewing rampant on the floor of a hospital?) not one staff member bothered to lift a finger to cleanse the area when it was brought to their atttention.

It wasn't until I mentioned the offending "spill" to a third party later that action was finally taken.

I was particularly shocked to learn that when individuals are processed at "emergency" to register for health care, the clerk in that office trots over to the patient's bedside - when they are usually suffering and in pain - to quiz them about how much money they make a month!

Isn't that a violation of a patient's rights - or the privacy act - at least?

In view of the fact the San Francisco General boasts in its Mission Statement that they accept the needy - no matter their race, color, creed, or bank account balance - it struck me as inappropriate.

Is this a sign of what's to come with ObamaCare?




62nd Annual Emmy Awards...Jimmy Fallon hosts tonight! NBC extravaganza!




If you watch Television even a smidgen, then it hasn't escaped your attention that the Emmy's are being broadcast tonight from the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

After all, the zany promotional blurbs for one of Hollywood's biggest nights, have been screaming out from the little black box all week.

The 62nd Annual Emmy Awards will be hosted by fun-loving irascible night-time talk-show host Jimmy Fallon.

Showtime: 5 p.m.

To determine the winners of the coveted statuette each year (one of the most beautifully-crafted awards in the industry) members from at least two dozen-or-so prestigious Entertainment groups in current paid-up status (Unions, for example)  vote on candidates in their field of expertise.

In the aftermath of an initial nomination - the Emmy has the potential to beget work, elevate a performer's stature in the industry, boost a salary demand - you name it.

This year, the cast of "Glee" and "Modern Family" are basking in the glow, for instance, in view of a slew of nods eachreceived for a dynamic year of thought-provoking and/or comedic programming which resonated with audiences.

Actor George Clooney (who takes on the role of director and/or producer on occasion) is being honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award this year.

Congrats, George!




Saturday, August 28, 2010

Leonardo DiCaprio...restrains passionate fan!



Leo's irresistible charms require fan restraint!





Religious zealots have been preaching the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ for decades, but few ever imagined that the Son of God would make a grand entrance into this mortal realm by way of Leonardo Di Caprio's seed!

The big screen Romeo - who triggers passions and causes hearts to go pitter-patter - was forced to petition the court for a restraining order against one delusional babe who was  under the mistaken impression that she is married to the charismatic star and carrying his child Jesus.

Holy crap, Batman!

Leonardo ("King of the World" normally) argued in supporting documents that the admirer's erratic behaviour sufficiently established that his safety may be at risk.

A series of dog-eared letters - stalker Livia Bistriceanu penned and zipped off to the actor by U.S. post - hinted at trouble ahead.

One scrawled note was particularly upsetting to Leo.

"Do you want to be with me for real and to be the father of Jesus?".

Consequently, the Judge presiding over the proceedings on Friday, issued an "order" that the woman stay 100 yards away from Leonardo whenever he is in the vicinity.

But, not all filmgoers share her undying love for the handsome actor.

At another court hearing in an unrelated matter, a 40-year-old woman was preparing to stand trial for striking Di Caprio with a wine glass which resulted in personal injury.

The talented actor did not show his mug at either proceeding, so I expect he's busy preparing for his next "role" in a film bio on FBI Director - J. Edgard Hoover - in which he may be required to cross-dress.

Pretty in pink, Leonardo?

Break a leg!




Happiness is a warm gun!


Paris Hilton...Cocaine possession shocker! Limo driver a handy-man?



C'est la Vie!




One of my golden girls has fallen!

Just the other day, on the heels of reporting that Paris Hilton was victimized by an intruder who waved knives at her in a menacing way during a failed burglarly attempt, I was inclined to take the opportunity to rave about the classy way she's handled herself in recent days.

But, that image was short-lived!

Last night - the bar-hopping socialite - was arrested and booked for the big "C" (cocaine) in "Sin" city. (Las Vegas/NV).

When an alert cop caught a whiff of pugnent marijuana allegedly wafting from the open windows of a luxury vehicle chauffering Ms. Hilton around town, he flipped the siren on pronto and instructed the driver to pull over.

In contrast to the Lindsay Lohan flap which went down a few weeks ago, the Paris drama unfolded with little fanfare.

The pretty little rich girl was booked into the slammer, then quickly released..

Sources tittered that the chauffeur was cuffed and taken into custody - too - so I expect that tongues will be wagging all over the Internet at breakneck speeed this weekend.

Is the driver a supplier (drug dealer) or just a main squeeze who doubles as a chauffeur-cum-bodyguard (general all-round cook and bottle-washer)?

Will a trumped-up charge be forthcoming?

Or, can the spoiled heiress expect to be showered with celebrity justice?

News at 11!



She loves the night life!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Merck...dragged into Bribery probe by Government!




Because of a flurry of engagements - and travel in-and-out of town - I was a little remiss in updating some news alerts on Merck.

Last year, I reported on the landmark settlement claim Merck entered into with claimants, and complaint issues fielded my way by disgruntled Merck users who felt that the attorneys for the drug manufacturer were giving complainants the run-around.

Needless to say, it was quite a high-spirited dialogue, at both the WordPress and Blogspot sites where my posts were published.

Post:  02/02/10

http://julian1st.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/vioxx-settlementa-fraud-perpetrated-on-the-american-people-by-merck-lawyers/

Post: 08/07/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/08/vioxx80-million-dollar-settlement.

Now it appears that Merck is in hot water with the Government in respect to alleged acts of bribery.

The giant in the pharmaceutical industry has acknowledged being in receipt of inquiry letters from the Department of Justice and the Security and Exchange Commission.

Pursuant to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, information is actively being sought arising from Merck's business dealings with a number of countries overseas.

Merck - although cooperating with the authorities - shrugs off the finger-pointing as part of a broader probe that is focusing on the dubious Pharmaceutical practices of foreign companies which they have been allegedly dragged into by virtue of innocent daily business transactions.

News at 11!





The Bachelor...Do men marry bad girls?



Romance or tawdry exploitation?





They say that hornie dudes sleep around, play the field, but - bottom line - don’t marry sluts.

So, the young ladies on the Bachelor faced intrigues on this week's segment, as they wrestled with their emotions, guilt and common sense.

While a bevy of bodacious babes were interested in pleasing the "main" man - a studly bearded dude with a body to die for - there was a real need to play the good girl and hold back.

For example, as three pretty hopefuls headed over to a sumptuous Hotel Villa in Vegas, for a night of partying, there were a couple of sly traps set up by the producers capable of tripping up the most conniving femme fatale out to undercut a gaggle of giggling Barbie Doll rivals.

Temptations abounded in the sumptuous sensual surroundings under a canopy of romantic stars.

Just outside the Hotel, a topless pool caused quite a stir among the ladies.

Should they bare their breasts and hop into the pool with gay abandon?

One gal confessed to camera that exposing her nubile young bod in a pool amidst strangers "au naturel" was not her cup of tea.

She was a good girl, after all, she appeared to hinting.

But, the blond in the pretty trio, had no qualms about throwing caution to the wind and jumping into the liberating act.

"I thought she was the type to do it," one slightly-jealous bimbo snidely remarked on the sidelines.

Did the contestants make the right decision?

Later, the gals who kept their bikini tops on had niggling doubts.

When it came to selecting a pretty date to spend one-on-one time with in a romantic setting at the Villa, the Bachelor on the prowl elected to choose the beauty who made a big splash in the pool in the flesh so-to-speak.

Was it a mistake for the other two gals to have acted like such prudes?

Maybe, they should have stripped down to land a competitive edge.

After all, unlike the female of the species, men are quite visual.

A glance at a hot pair of knockers was sure to captivate and win the dude over.

Then, there was another intriguing development at the Villa.

A discreet note from the producers invited the Bachelor and his lady friend to either return to their separate suites for the night - or, in the alternative - snuggle up for an intimate evening behind closed doors and away from the prying eyes of viewers at home.

The luxurious environs seduced 'em both!

Toying with human nature has become big bucks entertainment.

Did they do the nasty?

Well, according to the old saying, it's nobody's business but their own.

After all, what happens in Vegas, "stays" in Vegas

On this occasion, the sexually-charged couple chose to remain mum.

So, I expect, the handsome couple did some dirty dancing when the lights went down.

But, will hopeful's  bold-faced efforts fathom up a proposal on bended knee?

News at 11!

 



Dating in America!

http:..www.julianayrs,.com

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Children,..can be cruel to each other! Be a Child advocate!



 



I was reflecting today on how cruel teenagers can be to each other, after I was unexpectedly thrust into the middle of a name-calling incident at McDonald's this morning around the breakfast hour.

At first, I was shocked by the demeaning slurs these young hoodlums hurled at each other (which caused every decent person within earshot to cringe) but then - it struck me - that my own generation often acted the same way when they got caught up in the "mob mentality" in a spontaneous fit of anger in the school yard or after hours in the playground.

In those vulnerable years, it is so important for these insecure young adults to feel a sense of belonging, to be cool.

That's why they copy-cat each other when it comes to fashion trends, rebel against their parents and authority figures, and do battle with their teachers.

For the most part, the immature little brats are totally unaware of the hurt they cause.

Or, at least, not until it is too late to make amends.

Yes, words have power.

Unfortunately, the ugly free-for-all, dredged up a handful of painful memories that weren't too pleasant to re-visit.

In the sixth grade, for example, I was attending Regent Heights High school in Toronto, when a misunderstanding with a neighborhood friend literally rocked my world and plummeted me to the edge of a frightful abyss.

Gordon McKinnon grew up in the house next to mine, and when I moved in, we became fast friends.

Gordon was thin as a rail - crowned with a carrot-top and freckles - and was blessed with an infectious grin.

Uh-huh!

He was quite the rambunctious high-strung kid.

And, blessed with a remarkable gift for tickling the ivories on the old piano, too.

Every day, we trotted off to school together - and oftentimes when class was out - we hung out at his home until his parents arrived back from the office around the dinner hour.

Then, out-of-the-blue one day, a silly misunderstanding caused a rift between us.

I can't recall what triggered the split in our friendship, but once Gordon spitefully dug his heels in, it was all out war.

The situation worsened to epic proportions over a bagged lunch.

Whenever my foster mother was out for the day, she bagged me - a sandwich, snack, and piece of fruit - to chow down on in the cafeteria.

Of course, I was keenly aware that if the other kids found out that Mrs. Collett wouldn't allow me to come home for lunch on my own if she was out, that they would taunt and tease me no end.

So, to avoid that embarrassment, I would sneak home each day that I was forced to pack a lunch - slip into the garage surreptitiously - and wolf down the meal with no one being the wiser (and my cool image would remain intact).

Unfortunately, one day when I was starting to climb in the back window of the garage, I was caught in the act.

Mrs. Collett returned early one day and noticed me walk up the drive with my lunch in tow.

After a brief interrogation, in which I noted that the other boys would make fun of me for having to take a bagged-lunch to school, she thoughtlessly called up Gordon's mother to complain about his inappropriate behaviour.

As you can well imagine, that didn't go over well with Gordon, because he  ended up getting racked over the coals royally by his parents.

Consequently, one day when I was idly chatting with friends at recess, Gordon dashed up from out-of-nowhere and started to rant and rave.

"You don't belong here. You're from a poor part of town. Go back where you belong!"

Of course, he was reacting to the background information his mother relayed to him, about me being a foster child (everyone else thought I was a distant relative of the Collett family).

The disturbing mean-spirited remarks were uttered up to insult and demean me in front of the other kids.

Needless to say, I was deeply hurt, and in shock.

Frankly, I was emotionally scarred by the incident, too.
.
Unfortunately, it is not a memory from my youth that is easy to shake to this day.

But, in a positive light, I have to admit that it was an experience that has made me painfully aware - as an adult - about how important it is to shelter children from these kinds-of-abusive situations in childhood that can haunt an individual for life!

Today, I am an advocate of children's rights, because of it.

And, I know from whence I speak!

Susan Boyd...to warble for the Pope @ Mass! Angelic choir back-up...



Pope gives Susan Boyd thumbs up!




The Vatican has not only sung the praises of celebrated vocalist - Susan Boyd - but humbled her greatly with an invite to participate in a mass in September backed by a choir 800 strong.

Boyle gushed to the media this past week that singing for Pope Benedict XVI was definitely "her greatest dream come true."

Boyd, who rose to prominence (and lofty musical realms) after a brief stint on an English talent show, is slated for three performances at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow..

The much-anticipated concert date is going forward (amidst flights of Angels, no doubt) on Thursday September 16th.

The open air Mass which will be attended by the Pope during a brief visit to Scotland.

The Mass is scheduled to commence at precisely 5.15 p.m. that afteroon.

In the pre-Mass programme Ms. Boyle will sing the inspirational hymn "How great thou art" - in addition to her well-known signature song "I dreamed a dream".

At the end of the Mass, the popular vocalist - who now boasts thousands of fans around the globe - will perform what amounts to a farewell song to Pope Benedict as he exits the park to travel on to Glasgow Airport where he'll board a jet to continue a four-day touch-down on British soil.

"To be able to sing for the Pope is a great honour and something I've always dreamed of - it's indescribable. I think the 16th of September will stand out in my memory as something I've always wanted to do, I've always wanted to sing for his Holiness and I can't really put into words my happiness, that this wish has come true at last."

Break a leg, Susan!



Pope to attend open-air Mass in Glasgow!


Britney Spears...a pro on Glee set! Mellowed by love...



Familiar face returns to music circuit!





Word from the GLEE set was that Britney Spears was quite the seasoned pro when she turned up last week for rehearsals on the lot.

In fact, the cast and crew literally gushed over the high-profile celebrity who was allegedly down-to-earth and friendly to all who crossed her path.

Britney is obviously thrilled with the star-turn on the top-rated Glee - or, just maybe - a secret lover is fanning the passions in her little love next at home these days?

News at 11!



Britney a pro on Glee set!


Sunset Strip Music Festival...Smashing Pumpkins & Kid Cudi! 50 bands Aug. 28th!







On the weekend of August 28th, the "Smashing Pumpkins" will be strutting the outdoor stage live! at the annual Summer Strip Music Festival in Los Angeles.

The musical extravaganza is a musical blitz that will showcase at least 50 bands this year including Myles Kennedy and Fergie, Common, Kid Cudi, Travie McCoy, Neon Trees, Steel Panther, Big B, and Semi Precious Weapons.

The hottest clubs on the infamous strip - such as the Viper Room and the Roxy will showcase the bands!

In addiition, the festival will explore the history and culture of the music industry.

For example, on Friday, August 27, the organizers will celebrate the photographers who have captured poignant nostalgic moments on Sunset Strip - from social media “TweetCrawls” events - to behind-the-scenes photo forays which publicity stills from two prior Strip Music Festivals (2008 & 2009).

The scintillating exhibit features the works of six local music and celebrity photographers Erik Voake, Tim Gaylord, Andrew Herrold, Nate Christenson, Genie Sanchez and Wendy Gonzalez.

Info & Tickets


http://www.sunsetmusicfestival.com

See 'ya there!




Shrine for River Phoenix once unfolded here!


Balmoral Hotel...falsely advertises services at San Francisco Hotel! Dishonest staff lie to guests!


Romantic San Francisco!





Nothing annoys me more than a business entity - such as a Hotel - that willfully and wrongfully misrepresent their amenities in a deceitful effort to book rooms.

The Balmoral Hotel on Clay Street in San Francisco is one of those establishments that deserves a place on the Consumer Alert list to ensure tourists are forewarned about their deceptive business practices.

For example, guests were recently lured  to book rooms at the Balmoral,  after noticing an ad in the local newspaper that advertised the Hotel offered free Wi-Fi service as an amenity.

In addition, a sign out-front boasted the free service, too.

Shortly after the guests checked in, the outrageous conduct of the staff reared its ugly head.

For instance, when the out-of-towers tried to log on to the Internet from their Hotel suite, they were denied access.

When one guest approached the manager shortly after checking in about the snafu, he protested up-and-down that Wi-Fi service was “sporadic” due to an unexpected snafu (did the forget to pay the bill?).

Guests were assured that if they persisted, eventually they’d be able to log on, no problem.

Early in the evening, when service was still not forthcoming, the Manager - a wimpy little dude with a bad attitude -  started to give guests the run-around.

At this juncture, he fessed up that Wi-Fi service was down for a week, but was quite adamant that the problem was being fixed.

In view of the facts, the manager was remiss in his obligation to inform the guests before they paid for their suite, that a service they were in dire need of during the course of their stay was not available.

Bottom line, the guests should have been informed in advance, so they would have the opportunity to seek lodging elsewhere in the event the Wi-Fi was an essential amenity they could not forgo on.

It’s called disclosure.

Notwithstanding, it was downright unprofessional and dishonest to advertise a service, and not inform individuals when they checked in that the amenity was not currently available.

In fact, the bold-faced lies the manager engaged in throughout the week during the course of the tourist’s stay - in order to save face - were shocking to say the least.

On check-out day, the manager should have at least offered up a partial refund, and an apology for deliberately concealing the truth from the Hotel guest.

It should be noted that while the guest in question was on the property, city officials were inspecting the premises for cockroaches and bed bugs, too.

Need I say more?

Needless to say, I can not recommend this Hotel to any traveller, seeking shelter from the storm in San Francisco while on vacation, on a business trip, whatever.

The Balmoral Castle, it’s not, after all.




Memories...of my brother! Savor each moment...



 



As I headed down Montgomery Street bright and early this morning, I caught site of a catering truck parked at the curb, serving up goodies to the folks on their way to the office.

Suddenly, without warning, a whiff of the tasty grub triggered memories of my youth and one of my older brothers, Brian.

When I resided on Old Weston Road in Toronto - at about the age of seven - the Hunt family down the street owned a catering company.

When one of the daughter's got hitched, Mr. Hunt  gave the happy young couple one catering truck to start up their own business.

At that juncture, Linda and her betrothed (Ed Soulier), packed up and headed off to Windsor (Ontario) to start off fresh in life on their own.

Years later, I was invited to visit the couple at their upscale home on trendy Victoria Drive, so that I could visit my brother who was now in the Ed's employ at the catering business.

Brian and I were separated many years prior, when I was made a ward of the State, and placed in a foster home in the suburbs.

Today, a flurry of memories from the past floated to the surface of my consciousness - some touching, some sad.

Fondly, I recalled a game Brian and I used to play late at night after my mother tucked us into bed and the lights were down.

We’d take turns faintly writing an initial of a famous person on each other backs, at which point, there was a concerted playful attempt by each of us to figure out who the individual was.

Over the years, another flashback often troubled me, as much as I try have tried to  block the unpleasant images out.

One evening I was rummaging through the closet in the bedroom just before Christmas, when I stumbled upon a box with my name handwritten on the lid, which contained a few spanking-new toys.

Obviously, they were a handful of presents my mother was intending to wrap for the big day.

Inside, one particular toy I spied, caught my fascination.

Now, I couldn’t wait until the 25th of December to open my gifts.

Unfounately, wher the joyous day arrived, I was in for a shock.

As I was opening my presents, my brother Brian unwrapped one of his packages to reveal that the delightful toy - which once sat in my box in the closet - was gifted to him for some inexplicable reason.

Did Brian locate the boxes in the closet, too, and make a switcheroo?

To this day, I sadly shake my head, and still wonder.

Unfortunately, my last encounter with Brian was not a pleasant one, either.

One summer, I was employed at the CN Tower restaurant part-time, when the Maitre D’ strode up to me out-of-the-blue.

“A gentleman downstairs is here demanding to see you. He claims he is your brother," he hissed in my ear.

OMG!

As it turned out, Brian heard through the grapevine that I was working at the swank restaurant at the top of the CN Tower, and on impulse one day (after downing a few too many ales) trekked down to the harbour-front where he summarily boarded the elevator to the observation deck in search of me.

When security attempted to turf him out, he maneuvered his way up a stairwell, and beyond their grasp.

At the entrance of the restaurant he was finally detained - at which point - he demanded to see me.

I was immediately led to the exit door where Brian - drunk and disorderly - began to plead with me.

“Tell them to let me in to the restaurant,” he begged.

I tried to explain that I was only an employee at the CN Tower and that his impromptu appearance at the restaurant could get me fired.

But, Brian would not listen to reason, and refused to leave of his own accord.

The last time I saw him, he was being led away by security.

It was a particularly upsetting memory, when you consider that a short time later - tragically - my brother died alone in a hotel room at quite a young age.

Apparently, he was out drinking with buddies one night while he was on prescription medicine.

When Brian started to get a bit wobbly, his buddies took him back to his hotel room, and plunked him down on the bed where they expected him to sleep the drunk off.

Unfortunately, when they returned in the morning, he was dead.

Sadly, he left two young children behind fatherless.

My heart nearly broke when the news came.

The memories of our last visit in the stairwell of the CN Tower has continued to haunt me over the years.

A tear comes to my eye as I relay the events even now.

A lesson well-learned?

Always treat each precious moment with a loved one, or a friend, like it may be the last.

Then, later, there won't be any regrets.
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Paris Hilton...intruder threatens heiress! Socialite to launch Hotels...


Pretty is as pretty does!





Paris Hilton got a rude awakening yesterday morning when she awoke from a deep sleep to encounter an intruder trying to force his way into her swank West Hollywood digs.

According to the men-in-blue who arrested the demented stalker, he was waving two knives at the heiress, suggesting that he wasn't some idle prowler on the eye-out to rob the startled heiress who was alone in the house.

If you recall, Ms. Hilton was the victim of a "bling" theft ring recently, that  preyed on naive celebrities who were not also so mindful of security when in a par-tay mode.

Although Ms. Hilton has dallied with the reality show circuit in recent days, it is rumored that the pretty high-profile socialite intends to go into the family business.

Uh-huh!

Paris may soon be leaning over some drawing boards, and thumbing over fabrics, to prepare for a construction of a chain of Hotels she intends to launch under the Hilton banner.

As Shakespeare once said:

"I've never seen such a young body with such an old head."

I expect Ms. Hilton will fair well in a tough business where a special magic touch is the key to grasping  the brass ring.

Paris has it  in spades!



Classy Trafalgar Hilton


Bob Dylan...concert tonight @ Warfield in San Francisco! Elusive poet intrigues!




The elusive street poet - Bob Dylan - slips out of the musical shadows to appear at a special one-time gig at the Warfield on Market  Street tonight (San Francisco).

The price tag for a ticket is hefty, though.

$60.00

The doors swing open at 5:30 p.m.

The legendary 60's icon is expected to saunter onstage @ 8 p.m.

By the way, Bob Dylan purists  have something to look forward to a little later in the year when the leaves turn crimson and gold and start to flutter to the ground come October.

The 9th installment of a Bootleg Series of tunes will be stocking the shelves of  retail outlets in the Bay area.

"The Whitmark Demos: 1962-1964" are a collection of 47 rough takes of Dylan that have survived the passage of time over the decades.

Along with early renditions of well-known classics such as - “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” “Masters of War,” and “Mr. Tambourine Man,” - the must-have packet  will also feature 15 Dylan originals in the demo stage.

Columbia Records has issued a press release in which they note:

"Dylan is accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, harmonica and occasionally piano.”

Although a handful of the catchy ditties have seen the light of day in a dog-eared fashion previously, die-hard fans are excited about snapping up the Columbia release which will be showcased in a legitimate format with linear notes

On Oct. 19th, there will also be a release of a box set with remastered mono versions of Dylan's first eight albums (1962′s Bob Dylan through 1967′s John Wesley Harding).

Cool, eh?




The morning after!

Advertisments..."on demand delivery" changes landscape! Business booming!



Shortly after you hop onto the Internet, undoubtedly a barrage of unwanted pop-up ads will splash onto your laptop screen to contend with - touting exciting products for impotency (Viagra), feminine hygiene (tampax), colon cleansers - you name it.

Browsers have the option of  blocking  'em out, but that course of action may prevent legitimate dialogue boxes from gracing the screen at a myriad of popular web sites frequented throughout the course of the day.

Fortunately, some clever software developer has rustled up a clever "on line delivery" program capable of sorting through the ads to tailor a selection of the free-floating devils to meet your unique tastes and interests.

Once installed, only blurbs for the desired products will slip through the filter, and splash across the screen.

For web site owners - who acknowledge that ad revenue is of paramount importance to remain in business - the trend gives 'em the jitters.

But, not to worry, since there is good news along with the bad

Unlike a few years ago (remember the dot com bust?) the advertising sector of the business community is now burgeoning.

In fact, analysts in the field expect revenue to rise at least 12 percent in the next year or two.

"The net is fast-becoming a billion-dollar business that is a force to reckon with," one researcher asserted.

Personally, I used to prefer the Tattler web site to be pure and "ad-free".

But, revenue is important to keep the endeavour prospering, so I have relented somewhat.

Even still, I tend to choose advertisements that fit well with the design of the site, full of rich media that enchances.

Just - classy eye-catching visuals for the Tattler - please!

Plain text static adverts don’t cut it for me.

Even still, ads fathomed up in a myriad of creative ways, are proliferating on the Internet and netting big bucks.

Now, if only mainstream America, would take a cue!
 
 

Fame...or dillusions of grandeur? Dark glasses keep folks at bay!





Normally, when I go about my business, I attempt to do so humbly and in a down-to-earth fashion as I maneuver my through the teaming masses all about me.

As I have noted previously, because of the high-profile nature of my posts at the Tattler - which run the gamut on a myriad of subjects both tame and controversial in nature - I am occasionally spotted in the crowd.

In fact, over the past few months the searing spotlight has become so intense, that I have found the phenomenon awkward to deal with now and then.

When folks spy me, then turn to friends and whisper.

Do you know who that is?

The experience tends to be a bit un-nerving.

Instead of moving on, folks tend to stand transfixed on the spot - as their jaw literally drops - and they take on the appearance of a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.

At this juncture, I generally give a little nod of encouragement - hold myself up as gracefully as possible - and meander on out-of-harm’s way.

Over the weekend, I encountered an unpleasant confrontation, when I struck up a conversation with a fellow traveler on public transportation.

“You look familiar. What do you do,” the hefty young black African woman quizzed.

“Oh, I’m a writer,” I found myself uttering up.

“Really?” she asked wide-eyed.

Uh-huh!

“Do you just like to think you are, or do you make your living doing that,” she probed further.

For moment, it was refreshing to encounter an individual who was unfamiliar with my blog, and the fame recognition that came with it.

So, I was inclined to continue the conversation expecting the interchange to be innocent enough.

But, the woman’s mood quickly changed as I revealed a few facts.

“I have advertisers on my web site and they generates revenue,” I noted.

“They pay for ads,” she continued a tad perplexed.

She was obviously clueless about bloggers like myself, so I made a bold-faced effort to help her along.

“Do you know who Perez Hilton is,” I innocently asked at this juncture.

“Oh yes,” she responded with enthusiasm.

“Well, I’m kind-of-like Perez, but our styles are quite different.”

When I innocently revealed that on occasion I felt like I was an alien from outer space when browsers from the Internet recognized me on the street, she reacted angrily.

“Boy. You're so grandiose,” she accused, as she began to scrutinize me up close.

"What do you mean," I probed further, since her comment didn’t appear to make any sense in view of the way in which I handle my fame.

“No one recognizes you,,” she hissed.

“You’re just imagining it.”

Of course, I nearly laughed out loud, since the notion - in view of my daily experiences out in the public domain - was so wild and preposterous.

“I know who I am,” I found myself responding.

But, the strange encounter reminded me - that no matter how successful or famous an individual becomes  - there will always be someone who is out-of-the-loop.

Just last year, if I am not mistaken, Bob Dylan was thought to be a "bum” by some silly fool who didn’t recognize the musician wandering about his property.

Daily, there are many ironies that underscore the reality of fame (and how fleeting it is).

When a celebrity slips and falls into a prickly cactus bush, there is a posse of paparazzi there, who is at-the-ready to spring into action and capture the star-turn on film.

The same individual may walk into a bank to cash a check, and find themselves  rudely badgered by a cashier, who has no idea who the celebrity is.

In sum, it's a humbling experience, wise to pay heed to.

Otherwise, the “celebrity” will find themselves in an unpleasant exchange in which they end up being criticized for bellowing an old familiar lament to some common Joe in a restaurant or on the street.

“Don’t you know who I am?"

Ouch!

The scenario goes down, alright, but - when it does - it’s usually an unpleasant experience that leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

The jarring conduct of the woman taught me a lesson.

In the public arena, it’s best to slip gracefully among the common masses, with as little contact as possible.

The old-fashioned idea of striking up friendships with strangers by invitation only in accordance with polite society makes more practical sense in a global community that is fast-becoming cold and unfeeling and rife with bad manners and rude conduct.

I am reminded of an old biblical saying:

“Never throw pearls before swine.”

Amen!




Linday Lohan...flies rehab coop! Pulls fast one on Paparazzi!







Over the past forty-eight hours, the rumors flew hot 'n heavy, that Linday Lohan was going to be released from rehab early.

Imagine that!

In spite of the fact the Paparazzi were tipped off well in-advance of the surprise exit from the tawdry confines of the dreary rehab facility, the sly gal maneuvered an escape out a back door to a limousine purring at the curb without the snarling media hounds being the wiser.

In sum, the 24-year-old actress left UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Hospital after serving just over three weeks of her court-ordered 90 days of in-patient treatment ordered by a testy Judge.

Lindsay, if you recall, lucked out at the local slammer, too.

The troubled high-profile star only served 13 days of an original 30-day sentence - imposed by the court for an alleged probation Violation - which caused a handful of critics to cry foul.

"Celebrity Justice," was the angry lament in the wake of the court fiasco.

Clearly, some strings were pulled behind-the-scenes yesterday, in a concerted effort  to shorten Lohan's rehab treatments on a medical technicality.

While in rehab, doctors determined that the pretty starlet didn't suffer from ADHD, or a bipolar disorder.

Understandably, Lindsay's attorney argued to the Judge now presiding over the case, that Adderall (a prescription drug used to treat the disorder) may been to blame for her erratic behavior in recent months.

Consequently, Ms. Lohan was sprung from a program that didn't suit her needs, and is now a part of UCLA's outpatient program.

According to friends, the bodacious babe is "out and doing really well."

Good luck, Lindsay!



Lindsay Lohan drunk & sloppy


Tuesday, August 24, 2010

San Francisco...Ike's Place stays open due to legal snafu! Tasty sandwiches!







They say, that Ike's Place, has been a victim of its own success!

Daily, tourists and locals swarm the little hole-in-the wall fast-food take-out joint on Castro Street to snap up a tasty sandwhich - built from the bottom up at a reasonable price - and piled high with all the fixin's and trimmin's.

At a time when restaaurant owners have been struggling to keep their independent businesses open, Ike's has continued to lure a continous stream of hungry patrons to his humble establishment non-stop.

Unfortunately, neighbors and shopkeepers flanking Ike's - grew  weary of side-stepping long lines in the street and having to turn up their noses to avoid being assailed by the unpleasant odor of trash that was allegedly overflowing from garbage bins.

So, action was taken to evict Ike's.

Today, when the Sheriff's turned up to turf out Ike - though - a legal snafu prevented the Sheriff from proceeding with the eviction process.

According to employees, the legal documents incorretly named the parties, so the men-in-blue were barred from carrying out the distasteful task.

So, Ike's remained open today, as litigants scrambled to dot their i's and cross their t's.

Meanwhile, an attorney for Ike's noted for the record, they intend to have their day in court.

Until then, the hash will be slung, slabs of delicious bread will be swathed in thick butter, and a gaggle of hungry mouths will be satiated with the mouth-watering sandwhichs in the Castro District.

"They have 150 sandwich varieties," beamed one regular who looked liked he had scoffed down a few.

Who says you can't fight City Hall!

I'm rooting for the underdog and free enterprise.

How 'bout you?


Tasty!