Kensington "Enchanted" Palace...top designer flourishes by Vivienne Westwood & Boudicca!

When the doors of the Kensington's "Enchanted Palace" were thrown open wide today, visitors were treated to lavish eye-popping interior displays by the world's top high-profile designers.

While the former home of Princess Diana is undergoing renovations, the Royals have transformed the sumptuous suites inside to reflect the lives of the Queens and Princesses who once reigned there supreme behind high stone walls and beautifully-crafted doors of great distinction.

A smorgasbord of visual delights was created with a flourish of interactive theatre, film projections, magical storytelling devices, and dramatic breath-taking forays into the fashion world by virtue of installations conjured up by fashion geniuses Vivienne Westwood, William Tempest and milliner Stephen Jones.

In a bold-faced effort to boost the poplularity of the tourist attraction, the estate of Lady Di, gave the nod for the "Enchanted" theme - with the ultimate aim of polishing up (and adding sparkle to) the gem otherwise known as Kensington Palace.

Every room was redecorated - and  tells a story - about the Royal residents who once threw their pampered feet up on a divine divan or two in a moment of relaxation..

Highlights include Queen Victoria's bedroom.

In this celebrated chamber the naive Princess awoke to learn she was Queen.

The boudoir features an avant-garde interpretation of a period dress (designed by Tempest) which rests alongside 2,000 exquisitely-crafted origami birds.
In the Council Chamber - two stunning gowns that once belonged to Lady Diana (Princess of Wales) and Princess Margaret - are also showcased.

Vivienne's artful creation is a ''dress for a rebellious princess'' (inspired by King George IV's daughter Princess Charlotte) on display at the King's Grand Staircase.

The remarkable piece of wardrobe has been described as a construction of fairytale proportions.

"It's a truly unique opportunity to discover the hidden stories of Kensington Royal Palace," noted curator Alexandra Kim, when asked to reflect on the "Enchanted Palace" installations.

The Palace is currently undergoing a £12 million overhaul with major works set for public scrutiny in June.

Aminaka Wilmont (who has won a fashion fringe award in the past) created a “dress of tears” for Queen Mary II’s bedchamber (based on the tradition of collection tears during times of mourning).

The Queen, as you may recall from your history books, never bore any children which reportedly was a great sadness to her.

William Tempest, whose designs have been worn by actresses such as Emma Watson and Leona Lewis, produced an origami and trompe l’oeil effect dress for the grand unveiling at the Palace.

Stephen Jones whipped up  a number of hats for an installation based on the 18th century busts of great philosophers and scientists, to be displayed in “The Privy Chamber”, which is an airlock between the private and public realms of the palace and a place of masculine power.

Also displayed are items from the Royal Ceremonial Dress collection.

The exhibition is a collaboration with Wildworks theatre company.

The renovation project is due to be completed in 2012 in time for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics.

Can't wait to pop across the pond to Jolly Old England to take a gander, can you?

Lady Diana's young Princes!

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Representative Jerry McNerney...to vote "yes" on Obamacare! Health Reform bill creaks forward...

Voodoo Medicine?

Yesterday, Representative Jerry McNerney was in a quandry about how to cast his vote on the issue of the controversial landmark Health Reform Bill due for consideration tomorrow (March 21st) up on the slippery slope that is otherwise known as Washington Hill.

To help the undecided politician along, a rag-tag band of unhappy constituents (with catchy slogans in hand) plunked themselves down on a highway overpass (just outside of San Francisco proper) to urge McNerney to vote "no" on Obamacare.

"No, I don't mind being lumped in with the teapot crowd," one woman bellowed on the heels of an accusation that the fringe party - oft jolted into action by their alleged Queen , Sarah Palin - was behind the highly-vocal protest.

In a nutshell, the nasty come-latelys threatened to oust McNerney, if he gave a nod to the Prez's proposed Health Care Reform Bill.
At McNerney's headquarters today, it was confirmed that the California rep elected to give the nod to the Democrats pushing "Voodoo" medicine.

In a prepared statement, McNerney (of Pleasanton, ironically) asserted that it was time to address the skyrocketing cost of health care around the country.

In  so many words, he argued that it was of great import to deliver reform for thousands of families who faced financial crisis, so they could finally afford medical care.

McNerney was of the opinion, too, that small business owners would benefit from the "Bill" in these tough economic times when they are struggling to keep their doors open.

The response by the opposition was swift and severe!

Approximately 400 people dashed out their front doors on Friday, and scurried down to his Pleasanton Office, to openly protest.

Curiously, there was a split in the numbers.

Half of the protestors were opponents of health care reform; the remainder, once long-time supporters who have now turned on the politician.

In the wake of his nail-biting decision, it is expected that McNerney will face a tough up-hill battle getting re-elected in November, according to political pundits.

McNerney represents California's 11th Congressional District where Republicans currently savor a slight majority.

Once the news of his unpopular decision streaked across the news wires (and Internet) Republicans quickly blasted the decision and vowed to retaliate come election hour.

Joanna Burgos - at the National Republican Congressional Committee - was blunt about the politician's prospects for the future.

"Rather than standing up for California families, McNerney will walk the plank for his party's health care takeover that will hike taxes, slash Medicare and punish his constituents."

 Yikes!

Hell hath no fury like a Republican skirt-wearer scorned

McKerney to go with tide!

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Congressman Dennis Kucinich...drama Queen! Reluctantly supports Barack Health reform...

Hype & Congressman Dennis Kucinich larger than life!

Congressman Dennis Kucinich is quite the drama Queen isn't he?

If you caught him on the morning news, you know what I mean.

In a preface to an annoucement about his decision on the landmark Health Reform Bill due for a vote on Sunday (March 21st), the ditzy politico mumbled to reporters ad nauseam in front of the mic about this 'n that.

No, the package was not what he originally pinned his hopes on.

"I'm voting on the bill as it is and not as I would like it to be."

There was no public option, for instance, which was regrettable (indeed!).

The bill fell short in many respects on key issues - so he was hesitant - 'ya know?

The members of the press held their collective breath.

Where was Kucinich going with this?

Heh, Dennis, sh** or get off the pot!

Allegedly, at a much-publicized meeting with the President, the Congressman's arm was delicately twisted (maybe he got a great blow job on Bill Clinton's favorite carpet at the White House?) - enough so, anyway - that he was able to toss his towel into the dirty laundry bag along with Baracks' sweaty dress shirts rolled-up at the sleeves.

Yup!

Those late-night squeakers not only kept the Prez burning oil at both ends of the candle, but kissing a** from here to healthcare eternity and back.

Something tells me, Barack Obama made a handful of staunch promises, that may come back to haunt him.

By the time Obama is done wrestling with the power-brokers on Washington Hill, he'll need a moment or two to meditate in the mystical east to get his head back-in-whack, for sure.

Until then, he'll need to rustle up some favor with the abortionist upstarts, especially if he pines to get on the fast-track to affixing his John Henry to a raft of documents that will undoubtedly turn a page in U.S. history.

News at 11!

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King Tut...exquisite artifacts @ de Young Museum in San Francisco! Student discounts...

Artifacts from King Tut's tomb are currently on display through March 28th at the de Young Museum in San Francisco.

Locals may recall that a dazzling installation of select objects were first exhibited at the respected art institution about thirty-years ago.

In its current incarnation it returns as:

Tutankhamun: the Golden Age of the Paraohs

When I was in Dallas last year covering a film festival, I was fortunate to catch the dazzling display which consists of 130 important historical objects (50 from the Tomb of King Tut) which are supplemented with 80 objects from tombs of Tut  ancestors (placing the legendary ruler in a larger context according to curators).

Tutankhamun was born in approximately 1341 BC.

The "boy" King was known as Tutankhaten which means "Living Image of Aten".

King Tut had five official names that reflected divine roles set down by the Pharaohs.

Each of his names defined a sacred function that was overseen by the Gods.

King Tut's full name consisted of a birth name, protected name, Horus name, Golden Horus name and throne name.

Birth Name:

Sa Ra (“son of the Sun”), Tutankhaten (“the living image of Aten”) later changed to Tutankhamun (“the living image of Amun”)

In his role as Horus he was bestowed the title:

Heru: Ka Nakht, Tut Mesut (“Horus: Strong bull, of perfect birth”)

His name under the protection of Nekhebet and Wadjet was:

Nebty: Nefer Hepu Segereh Taui (“He of the Good Laws, Who Pacifies the Two Lands”)

Golden Horus name (identifying kinship to the Gods as son on earth):

Heru Nebu: Wetches Khau Sehotep Neteru
(“He who Wears the Crowns and Satisfies the Gods”)

Throne name:

Nesu Bity (“King of upper & lower Egypt”) and Nebkheperura (“all the transformations of Ra”)

King Tut reigned during one of the most chaotic periods in the history of Egypt.

Akhenaten, Tutankhamun's father, was known as the heretic King.

The religious ideas of his father radically changed Ancient Egypt from a polytheistic religion (worshipping many gods) to monotheism (the worship of one God - the Aten - depicted as the sun disc).

The Ancient Egyptians worshipped the same Gods for thousands of years.

The Egyptians were forced to abandon their old Gods and Akhenaten used the might of the Egyptian army to enforce these ideas and destroy the old religion and its priesthood.

The powerful priests of Amun were expected to worship the sole God Aten.

Akhenaten ordered that all images of all other Gods be destroyed.

Tutankhamun became Pharaoh at nine years of age.

In the same year, Tutankhamun married Ankhesenpaaten, his half sister (who was the third daughter of Akhenaten and Nefertiti).

His regent was Ay who was also the Grand Vizier (the father of Nefertiti and the grandfather of Ankhesenpaaten, the wife of Tutankhamun).

His General of the Armies was Horemheb (designated heir to the throne).

The great military commander, General Horemheb, was designated as the Tut's  "Deputy, and was recognized as heir to Tutankhamun until the pharaoh produced children.

The marriage of Tutankhamun and Ankhesenpaaten produced at least two daughters who were stillborn.

At one point, the Royal court moved back to the old capital at Thebes which was the center of worship of the God Amun and the power base of the Amun priests.

Because of a growing backlash against the new religion, the young pharaoh changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun (while Queen Ankhesenpaaten changed her name to Ankhesenamun).

Tutankhamun commissioned various building works at this time including the restoration of some temple properties at Karnak and Thebes.

King Tut died unexpectedly at the age of eighteen.
He reigned for just nine years and the cause of his death still remains a mystery.

He was buried in a hastily prepared tomb in the Valley of the Kings seventy days after his death, according to the spiritual rituals of the Egyptians.

According to legend, anyone who disturbed Tut's tomb would face catastrophe by virtue of a curse.

50% off Student Admission

Present a borders rewards card or Flat Anubis at King Tut ticket office and students (6-17) recent passes for half-price.

Applicable Dates

January 5th / February 6th
(Tuesday thru Friday)

Info: deyoungmuseum.org/tut

Dallas Museum Exhibition

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Barack Obama...said what on apology tour? Christianity remarks disturbing...

On what has become known as the "apology tour" overseas, the Prez shocked a number of Americans when he point-blank - and without much thought - lamely alleged that this country was not based in Christian origin.

Or, something to that ludicrous effect.

Huh?

Next, I expect the wet-behind-the-ears White House novice, will attempt to rewrite history by wildly asserting that the first settlers did not sail onto these shores on the Mayflower but trekked over land by camel!

I've heard of bending over backwards to appease people, but when Obama went a step farther - and poked his goofy little head up his own a** to prove the point - he not only humiliated Americans but made a fool of himself.

Nuff said!

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Barack Obama...National Prayer Service for the elite?

When I flipped on the boob tube bright and early this morning, CNN was in the midst of broadcasting a prayer being offered up to - Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, and their children - in a Church ceremony rife with a lot of pomp and circumstance.

At one point, I was startled to spy a caption at the bottom of the screen which read in plain script:

"National Prayer Service is by invitation only."

Oh, God is exclusionary now?

Well, at least Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr. wasn't entertaining the masses with one of his wild and woolley Sermons!

Praise the Lord for that, at least!

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