Justin Bieber...35 minute stretched out SMILE a whale of a hit!

Bieber Warhol Pop style!

Nick Pittsinger had a hunch, tooled around with it, and ended rustling up a slow-mix version of a Justin Bieber hit that has been wowing even the most staunch cynics who previously wrote off the “Bieb” as pop fluff.

Granted, the crooner - who hails from Stratford-on-Avon (Canada) - tends to rattle out tunes in frenzied succession like some hopped-up speed freak on the edge.

But, with the “Smile” novelty circulating the Internet, there appears to be a wider appeal than ever before in respect to a fan base.

A thirty-five minute (29 second) stretched-out version (U Smile 800 % slower) comes across as some kind-of haunting chant that stirs the imagination.

It’s doubtful you’ll catch it on any of the commercial pop teen radio stations, but, it’s a trip worth tracking down on the wild-and-woolly net.

Shortly after the “Bieber's” slo-mo sound was posted on SoundCloud, it caught a wave, not unlike one in the eerily oceanic track which some find reminiscent of the plaintive cries of a whale.

www.julianayrs.com

ExploitJava...Dangerous Malware Virus! Laptop infection @ Valley Hospital Medical Center!

Was there any connection?

Yesterday afternoon, while doctors were running a series of medical tests at the Valley Hospital Medical Center, a piercing alarm sounded from a myriad of speakers on the 4th floor all around me.

In tandem with a continuous loop, a recorded voice urgently noted that there was an "Emergency" underway in the Hospital's records department.

The alert continued for about ten minutes.

Then, stopped.

When I asked the Nurse if there was a fire, she hesitated, then informed me that a drill was underway.

Intriguing.

If that was the case, why did all the nurses and hosptial employees scatter this way 'n that?

Then, two other events caused me to sit up and take notice that something may be awry.

For instance, shortly after the "innocent" drill, a dialogue box popped up on my laptop.

VIRUS ALERT!

I clicked on the History files for Microsoft Security Essentials.

Whoa Nellie!

According to the anti-virus software, the laptop suffered a severe attack on Wednesday July 22nd @ 1:07 p.m.

Microsoft labelled it as follows:

ExploitJava/CVE-2008-5353.gg

The intruder, according to Microsoft, is a dangerous virus capable of compromising privacy and  damaging the computers (SEVERE)

Exploit.Java. contains malicious code which exploits vulnerability in java applets.

The attacker inserts malicious code to a web page to exploit this vulnerability, so that the users who visit the web page and load java applets, get their systems infected.


Type: TT_Trojan


Curiously, Microsoft Defender is not able to track the malware.

In contrast, Microsoft Security Essentials will uncover the virus, contain it, and remove it.

In closing, it may be important to note that the malicious ExploitJava Virus  laptop infection gained access through the WiFi Internet Service at the Valley Hospital Center in Las Vegas.

Now, for the intriguing news!

A nurse informed me today (in a casual conversation about the body scan apparatus used  to monitor the liver, the heart, and so forth and so on) that the high-tech equipment relies on Nuclear energy.

"We've been having difficulty securing the nuclear materials to operator the machine in recent months, so the tests have been limited to just two or three a day."

In addition, there were a couple other comments uttered up about the source of the "nuclear materials" that caused my antennae to soar into hyper-drive.

A detailed report on the "Nuclear data" will follow.

It may be explosive!

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

The Oath...Osama Bin Laden's bodyguard Abu Jandal reveals intrigues in documentary!

Osama Bin Laden's former bodyguard scans the war-torn terrain!

As Director Laura Poitras (My Country My Country) was in the throes of a capturing footage in Yemen for a documentary she was piecing together - Abu Jandal (Osama Bin Laden's former bodyguard) cautioned associates in a bull session not to speak too freely.

"Does she have interpreters," one quizzed.

"Yes," was the solemn answer.

"But, she doesn't have the password," Jamal joked.

At this juncture in the insightful intriguing documentary - that is aptly titled "The Oath" - it becomes apparent that there are "secrets" (pertaining to the identities of terrorists and other sensitive information related to their whereabouts ) yet to be uncovered post 9/11.

In her documentary - to be released in a limited run on Friday in New York City - Ms. Poitras attempts to put together pieces of a complex puzzle.

Originally, the highly-competent filmmaker, set her sights on a production that would focus on the release of an  inmate held from Guantanamo Bay, their journey home after the ordeal, and a conclusion about the aftermath.

"Themes of family, guilt, betrayal, regret, loyalty, absence etc. are not typical things that come to mind when we imagine a film about the Al-Qaeda and Guantanamo, so the story compelled me. It was a way to confront traumatic events of the past nine years."

Her subject would be Salim Hamdan, a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay, who was the first man to face the controversial military tribunals.

In Yemen, the focus shifted - however - when Poitras had a chance meeting Bin Laden's former bodyguard, Abu Jandal.

Abu Jandal met Salim Hamdan in 1996 outside a mosque in Yemen while looking for men to join him for jihad in Tajikistan.

Salim was taken with Jandal's charismatic personality and they became fast friends.

The two journied to Afghanistan and were invited by to meet Osama Bin Laden.

Subsequently, Abu became Bin Laden's personal bodyguard and guest-house emir.

It should be noted, that Osama bestowed upon Abu the name Jandal, which roughly translates to the "bringer of death".

Janal reveals in the probing documentary that he was in possession of a special gun to be used to kill Osama Bin Laden in the event they were ever under siege and it was apparent that the fugitive Al-Qaeda leader would not escape alive.

Salim Hamdan became Osama's chauffeur.

For me, some of the most fascinating footage consisted of scenes shot at Hamdan's Guantanamo Bay tribunal, which zeroed in  on the issue of the constitutionality of the legal proceedings from a global perspective.

"These proceedings hold up to all of the standards of Nuremberg," one Military Official asserted in so many words to a handful of critics at one press conference.

It should be noted for the record, that the U.S. Supreme Court - in spite of the Government's staunch stance - ruled in favor of Hamdan in 2006 in the landmark case (Hamdan v. Rumsfeld).

In addition to the segments used to propel the Jandal story forward, Poitras has interspersed a few poignant moments caught on film among the citizens of the war-torn country.

"If the United States and other western nations hope to confront and contain the threat of Al-Qaeda, we must understand its motivations and internal divisions. To do that requires first seeing Islamic radicals as real people - subject to the human condition - rather than apart from it. To acknowledge that humanity is not a justification of their acts,but rather an acceptance of an uncomfortable reality."

"The world will be grappling with the Twin Towers Tragedies of 9/11 and America's reaction to the attack for generations to come. The "Oath" is an effort to document and shine light on this historical moment."

Director Laura Poitras

http://www.thetattler.biz

Did you hear about the Morgans...funny & entertaining! Hugh & Jessica chemistry appeals...

Shortly after I plucked up my ticket for the new feature starring sexy Hugh Grant and pretty Sarah Jessica Parker, I thumbed through USA and scanned the news to pass time away until the doors at the theatre swung open.

Unfortunately, USA panned "Did You Hear About the Morgans".

But, they also hated "NINE', so their opinion blows in my estimation!

Actually, I found the "Morgans" quite enteraining - very funny - in fact.

On more than one occasion during the course of the screening, I found myself laughing out loud, such was my instinctive reaction to a smattering of the mostly hilarious dialogue sprinkled throughout the comedy..

In one scene, Parker's character - Meryl - spies a gun-toting backwoods-woman and is inclined to quip:

"Look, it's Sarah Palin."

In another well-wrtten scenario in a country restaurant there is a raft of witty banter back-and-forth between Meryl and the owner - at which point - he summarizes the problem.

"You're obviously Democrats."

Quick on the uptake, Sarah's character shoots back in defense.

"There must be a few Democrats in town."

The grandaughter retorts "fourteen".

"Thirteen. One died last  month," the crotchety old man notes with a touch of glee.

There are quite a few timely jokes about PITA, Vegetarians, and City life that tend to hit the funny bone, too.

In fact, for the most part, I found the snappy humor sprinkled throughout the film right on the money.

In a nutshell, the off-beat tale is about a young couple who have separated.

In a deliberate effort to mend fences, Hugh's character invites his ex out for dinner to sift through their problems, with the ultimate aim of getting back together again.

Shortly after they exit the trendy watering hole in downtown Manhattan, an unexpected drama unfolds before their eyes.

Consequently, the troubled twosome are thrown together for a few days, in what ends up being a therapy session 24/7 which works wonders.

Sarah Jessica Parker glows in this film.

Her comedic timing - as usual - is impeccable. And, the sincerity that shines through in this characterization, underscores she's one of the finest comedic actresses in the country today (capable of admirably delivering up in dramatic scenarios, too, when a plot twist requires depth and seamless emoting).

As you gaze on Parker's pretty face up there on the silver screen,though,  it may dawn on you that something is slightly different about her appearance.

A ubiquitous mole which once graced her face has vanished into thin air!

Yes, on Dave Letterman the other night, Ms. Parker admitted she went under the knife (laser?) to have the birth mark removed.

For many fans, it was unnecessary.

If anything, the slight flaw added to her charm.

In a conversation with Dave about the mole, the talented actress pointed out that one fan came up to her out-of-the-blue one day, and insisted that the little quirk of nature was her signature.

How dare she remove it !

"What about my brain, is that not my signature," she wondered aloud.to Dave who was amused by it all.

We still love 'ya Sarah, mole or not!

In his role as the estranged husband, Hugh was appealing as always, although a bit stiffer than usual (acting-wise) in some respects.

The handsome Brit still projects a hound-dog quality about him that's difficult to resist.

A few years ago our paths crossed briefly in the "Valley".

I was flipping through a couple of magazines at a newstand at Laurel Canyon and Ventura, when I half-turned and suddenly spotted Hugh at my side perusing the shelves, too.

Was it my imagination, or did Hugh actually give me the once- over, as I stood there in my tank top, blue jeans, and sneakers.

When I turned to cross at the light, Hugh ended up alongside me waiting for the signal to change, too.

Was it possible that the sexy thespian with the adorable accent was gay?

Naw!

Because he was dating ultra-sensual super-model Elizabeth Hurley - at the time - I put the delicious romantic thought out of my mind.

But, when the news about his tryst in a parked car with a streetwalker made headlines shortly thereafter, it was obvious to me at that  juncture that Hugh Grant was obviously open-minded, kinky - and quite possibly - apt to play both sides of the fence.

In retrospect, an old truism appears to ring true.

"Carpe diem"

Seize the day, folks, so there aren't any regrets in the future.

After all, life is not a dress rehearsal.

Hugh Granted played gay character with beard in Maurice

http://www.julianayrs.com

Nordstrom's...rips-off shoppers! Dishonest retailer charges double for tagged merchandise...

Imagine that!

Today, after a couple of exhausting hours shopping at the mall, I stepped up to the cash register at Nordstrom's in West Los Angeles to purchase a pair of running shoes for the sum of $49.95 & basic no-frills jeans for the princely sum of $78.00 (yes, at this snotty outlet, the merchandise is generally overpriced and a consumer rip-off).

I was quite flabbergasted, to say the least, when the cashier - a snippy young man thin as a rail - rang up the two items and arrived at the staggering total of approximately $198.00.

Even when I considered applicable local and state taxes, it was quite evident to me from the get-go, that the sum was incorrect.

When I queried the young dude (with all the charm and personality of a worm) about the cost of each item,  at first - he insisted  in a rude insulting tone of voice - that the shoes were priced @ $98.00. 

At this juncture, I pointed out the correct price, which was $49.99 (marked inside the shoe).

He balked, and asserted that I was wrong, and that the price was the higher one quoted.

At this point, a nnumber of shoppers overheard the commotion, and started to gawk from their perches in the vicinity of the register.

Flustered by the predicament he was in, the kid with the mismatched shoes (a man should never wear brown boots with a dark blue suit!) proceeded to thrust the blame on me in a deceitful effort to avoid recrimination).

Was Nordstrom's really trying to charge me double the cost of the shoes?  

Yes, but I caught their dishonest employee red-handed in front of a whole posse of shoppers, who continued to stare in  total disbelief as the Nordstrom thief stood there twisting in the wind red-faced.

After a few awkward moments, he then took a stab at passing the blame on to a fellow employee.

"Someone put the shoes in the wrong box," he blurted out.

As Judge Judge would say:

"Do I have stupid written on my forehead?"

Notwithstanding the obvious, he did not even bother to apologize!

No, sir!

Then, he did something totally retarded.

He proceeded to incorrectly input my personal  data into the computer in, so that second time around (when the charges were being calculated and submitted for approval),  the information got garbled and was summarily rejected.

No wonder!

Put garbage in, you get garbage out.

Was this sorry excuse for a human being born under a rock, or what?

Where do shop owners like Nordstrom's find these losers?

In so many words, I told him to forget the purchase, but you know what I was really thinking!

"You  can take the shoes and jeans and shove them up your  butt!"

He was such a  big asshole, that there wouldn't be any need for any lubricant, either!

Bottom line?

I recommend that you avoid Nordstrom's in the future.

All the prissy little fags who work there are not only incompetent, but need a serious attitude adjustment, and are not worth the bother (or your hard-earned cash).

Amen!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...HBO Concert featuring Bruce Springsteen, U2, E Street Band (Nov 29th)...

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,  HBO will broacast a four-hour concert extravaganza Sunday @ 8 pm.

The stage will be chock full of stellar talent - from yesterday to today - and sure to entertain rock music aficianados - and plain old lovers of the frenzied musical strains with a catchy beat sure to shake rattle & roll!

Top headliners include Metallica, Crosby Stills & Nash, and the Jeff Beck Band.

Special appearances by Mick (King of Devil Rock) Jagger, Billy Joel (the Piano Man), B.B. King (legend!), Lou Reed (glam leather rocker), Annie Lennox (sweet dreamer), James Taylor (sweet baby James), and so many more.

Catch 'ya there!

Brief encounter with Lou Reed:

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/10/lou-reedorange-leather-in-dead-of.html

Mick Jagger documentary review:
(Scorsese's "Shine a Light")

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/04/shine-lightscorsese-doc-illuminates.html

http://www.julianayrs.com

Paris Hilton (Premiere Video)...production staff shoo away gate-crashers & lookie-loos!

As celebrated guests strolled down the red carpet at the dazzling premiere of Paris Hilton's documentary - Paris, not France, these hapless production staffers were charged with the ultra-important task of keeping out the gate-crashers & the lookie-loos.

Who, moi?

When Paris made her entrance, there was no doubt, who was the star though!

The young Heiress sparkled in a silk designer dress with tasteful understated accessories which underscored her sense of style and keen fashion sense!

Fans & paparazzi went wild, needless to say!

HD Video captured by Julian Ayrs at the Tattler.

Exclusive Videos of Paris at the Julian Ayrs YouTube site:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ijulian9

http://www.julianayrs.com

Mayor Gavin Newsom...chats up Idol host Seacrest about hair products! L'oreal is static free...

Thanks for the quickie!

San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom flew in to town to have a ringside chat with Ryan Seacrest this morning on the radio about the wonders of L'oreal hair gel.

The two darling chatty-Kathies were having a gay old time until His Honor suddenly realized it might be wise to discuss a handful of campaign pledges in his upcoming run for Governor once the budget terminator steps down.

Gavin is quite the character, sort-of your typical kid from the wrong side of the tracks, with a shine in his pants.

And, with an arrogant street-wise personality, to match.

Heck, in one dull interview recently, he tried to spark up a controversy by bragging that he was a lousy speller.

Needless to say, his tweets are a little slow since he has to reach for his pocket dictionary every few seconds or so, to get his p's & q's just right.

Gavin keep this in the forefront of your mind:

"i" before "e" except after "c"

A bit of helpful advice?

Try your hand at scrabble - or at least a crossword daily - because either one has the capacity to sharpen word skills over time.

Newsom loves pomp and circumstance, though, in spite of his aw-shucks manner.

The last time I was in San Francisco, I took in his inaugeration at City Hall.

What a hoot!

A boy's choir, a girl's choir. No stops were pulled.

I seemed to recall, though, that the Mayor's office assured the press and his constituents that the celebration would be a low-key affair.

What- "Next to the Queen's Coronation?" - I joked to a local politician chuckling next to me in the gallery.

Take a gander at the post I wrote on the occasion of the swearing in and decide for yourself.

Post: 01/08/08

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/gavin-newsomat-mayoral-inaugural.html

I expect that if Mayor Newsom lands a seat in the Gov'nor's Mansion, he'll rustle up some new-fangled ideas about how to pretty-up the State.

After all, in San Francisco he's known as the "green" Mayor, in view of his visionary efforts to heal the planet in a myriad of novels ways.

I even attended a "tree planting" ceremony he sponsored one nippy morning on Market Street, to get a take on what makes the Mayor's bark tick on environmental issues, for starters.

Pity, that!

There wasn't much of a turn-out for the much-ballyhooed event.

Some pooh-poohed that Gavin was on everyone's sh** list because he cancelled Halloween that year.

Big meanie!

Post: 01/07/08

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/gavin-newsomsan-franciscos-green-mayor.html

But, that didn't deter golden boy.

He'll turn up at the opening of an envelope, given the chance!

Yup, when renovations on the downtown library - labelled "The Main" by famed journalist Herb Caen - were completed, Gavin stood in the wings at the ribbon-cutting ceremony chomping at the bit to spout his mouth off.

But, he sure wasn't going to dash to the podium 'til he was good 'n ready, and most certainly not in any way, shape, or form that might denegrate his importance in the eyes of all the social climbers in attendance in the main foyer that fateful day.

Yeah, I got all the unpleasant business down in my little black book and transferred all the dirt onto my blog site post-haste.

Post: 01/16/08

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/san-francisco-librarygrand-opening.html

If Gavin does gets his foot in the Governor's door, he'll be the spittin' image of Clinton (slick Willy, dude) who was inclined to bend over a few pages now and then.

But, I admit, Gavin's "do" looks great!

And, he's managed to keep his di** in his trousers out of scandal's way, for about a year now.

Thank God for small mercies!

Once you have black you never go back!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Ann Landers...sound advice rings true today!

Never throw pearls before swine!

Years ago I use to read Ann Landers daily.

I'll always recall one tidbit of advice that she offered up that I still pay heed to today.

A reader, if I recall correctly, was asking Ann about the wisdom of writing a note to a friend to get something off their chest since a confrontation in person was too stressful to deal with emotionally.

I'll always remember her response.

First, the popular columnist noted that when people were upset they often said or did things they might be ashamed of later when their heels had cooled a little.

Ann cautioned that if they were inclined to write a note in a moment of anger - then dash out to the mail box for the next pick up by the U.S. Post Office - that it may be a better idea to put the envelope in a drawer overnight.

"The next morning read the letter before you're about to post it. If you feel the same way as you did in the heat of the moment, then mail it. Chances are, you won't."

She went on to point out that this kind of prudent action might just save a friendship or prevent a love interest from walking.

I adhere to that rule of thumb, today.

However, in the age of home PC's and high-speed e-mail delivery, the rules may have been rewritten a smidgen to adapt to technology in the new millennium.

For example, if you're getting ready to zip off a nasty e-mail to a friend that has annoyed you, save it as a draft, first.

The next morning if the missive stills seems an appropriate way to deal with the misunderstanding, then hit "send" by all means.

Wait for the reply.

But, if the stress is too great to deal with, just input their name and e-mail address in the preferences mode under "block".

It's kind of like hiding your head in the sand - or delaying the inevitable - but at least you'll manage to avoid a confrontation.

And, just maybe the truth, eh?

Samuel Taylor Coleridge:

"Advice is like snow; the softer it falls the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind."

Cathleen Fuller played Ann Landers in

"The Lady with All the Answers."

http://www.julianayrs.com

Mayor Villaraigosa...presides over recommitment ceremony for gay couples! Prop 8 ruling on horizon...

On the eve before the California Supreme Court was slated to hear oral arguments on the issue of the gay-marriage ban imposed by virtue of Proposition 8, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa chose to take a stand on the issue publicly.

The Mayor, embarking on his new term of office after yesterday's win at the election polls, elected to preside over the "recommitment ceremonies" of a handful of gay couples who tied the knot during the five-month period when same-sex marriages were legal in California's Golden State.

Kudos to Mr. Villaraigosa for having the gumption to step forward and take a position on the controversial issue.

The people of this great nation need more politicians in office who are willing to take decisive action, instead of playing it safe by sitting on the fence and talking out of both sides of their mouths to land votes.

Martin Luther King Jr. said it best:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

http://www.julianayrs.com

Oscars...red carpet coverage tastier than the main entree!

Last week, industry insiders were speculating that red carpet arrivals would be relatively low-key this year -and inclined to tone down the glitz and the glamour - because of the troubled economy.

The theory?

Since common folks around the country have been struggling to make ends meet, many thought it might be prudent for Hollywwood's elite to refrain from traipsing down the red carpet in a vulgar display of jewels and expensive couture gowns, while the rest of the country was hurting.

But, when the carpet was rolled out at the Kodak, and sleek limos purred up to the curb, it was obvious the celebration would be big and splashy.

At this juncture, the experts did an about-face.

"This is what people want to see. The glitz and glamour of Hollywood," chirped Randolph Duke, a fashionista reporting from the wings.

Personally, I found the red carpet coverage more entertaining than the main event.

Stars fluttered in front of the camera for a second or two, offered up a few insightful comments, then moved on.

The Oscar show needed more of that!

The overly-long boring telecast amounted to nothing but talk! talk! talk!

In spite of the fact producers tried to keep the names of presenters and performers under wraps, one anonymous insider revealed that actor - Robert Pattinson - would be doing the honors.

The Vampire heart-throb laughed when it was pointed out that he was the only one who got special advance warning.

"I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing," he chuckled in a sexy accent.

Mickey Rourke, who many were pulling for to win the little gold statutette (Wrestler), had a poignant moment or two.

"I'm happy to be invited back to the dance."

After the interviewer threw some comments his way about his wardrobe choices (last night he sauntered down the the carpet in a white dinner jacket with matching dress slacks and a flourish of black underneath) he insightfully noted that Rourke tended to do things his own way.

Quick on the uptake, Rourke quipped:

"You pay a price when you do things your way."

Valentino - the celebrated fashion designer who has dressed the great beauties of the world (in fact, over the years many Oscar-winners have dashed up to the podium in one of his delicious couture pieces which flatter the female form) - was also trotted out.

He is retired now, and looks a bit mumified, but still has irons in the fire.

As usual, there were many fashion disasters.

On a morning radio show, one woman joked that Myley Cyrus appeared to be wearing a tacky chandelier.

What grated on my nerves was that high-pitched squeaky speaking voice of hers.

She should be playing cartoon characters on Saturday morning kid shows.

Robert Downey Junior was calm and in control as his pretty wife stood by his side.

"Your wife produced your next movie, Sherlock Holmes," noted the entertainment host.

"How was that?"

"It has its fine points," he smirked.

Anne Hathaway looked stunning in an elegant gown which accented her lithe pretty figure.

"Are you wearing anything that is yours," the interviewer probed.

"I can't tell you," she giggled.

I didnt' see any VPL (Visible Panty Line) so I have to wonder if she ran the gauntlet sans panties.

Viola Davis, who played opposite Meryl Streep in "Doubt", was asked how it was working with the seasoned pro.

"I had to take stress tabs," she laughed.

She seemed to double-think that comment for a moment, then hastily added - "homeopathic" - as she spoke directly into the camera.

Queen Latifa was a fashion disaster!

She struck me as ceremonial barge floating down the carpet.

Mr. Duke was a tad critical of Melissa Tomei's - um - gown.

"It looks like a bunch of serviettes tacked on here and there," he snidely remarked.

"A napkin should be in your lap at the dinner table," he noted with an acid tongue.

Ouch!

There was odd moments, too.

When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (who looked stunning) stopped to chat with George Pedacio from ABC TV, Pitt gave the entertainment reporter strange furtive looks.

Surely, in view of the fact Brad is an actor, he is keenly aware that a thought transmits openly across the face.

In this instant case, I got the impression the studly star thought George was a silly goose!

Or, just maybe, George gazed too deeply into Pitt's baby blue eyes, and it was a turn off for the Oscar-nominated star?

By the way, did anyone see Jerry Lewis on the red carpet?

I understand that he was keeping a low profile (gee, I wonder why).

After he received the Jean Hersholt Award, he slunk back stage and wouldn't talk to reporters.

After his little stunt last night - not addressing the big "issue" that has been in the news of late - I am inclined to take the position that Mr. Lewis did not deserve the award.

Maybe that's why his appearance on stage was so awkward when he accepted the trinket.

Mr. Lewis was probably painfully aware of that!

Albert Schweitzer said it best:

"Humanitarianism consists in never sacrificing a human being to a purpose."

http://www.julianayrs.com

Facebook...terms of use changed in wake of protests!

When FACEBOOK announced in a press release the other day that terms of use at the interactive social hub were being changed - and that content on the web site would be viewed as the property of the site providers - a thought crossed my mind.



"Oh, oh! Folks ain't gonna like that."



Curiously, over the past few days, I haven't heard a peep out of a multitude of Facebook-savvy "friends".



Have they been holding back on their "secret passionate thoughts" for fear FACEBOOK staff will squirrel 'em away for future posterity?



On the heels of that startling news - and the uproar that erupted thereafter on the blogosphere and throughout civilized parts of the known world - FACEBOOK did an about - um - face!



Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg assured concerned FACEBOOK members that the company was revising its policies this week in respect to the "Governing Document" which dictates the terms of use.



Feedback from the 170 million or so users at the trendy Internet watering hole is welcome, the pimply-faced CEO was quick to note for the record.



Some breathed a sigh of relief.



A content of a post on Zuckerberg's blog - during the throes of the controversy in recent days - disturbed die-hard fans, after all.



The chief's pollyanna attitude - "just trust us" - didn't fly with many!



But, there was a silver lining to the whole fiasco.



In the aftermath of the avalanche of protests, FACEBOOK has taken up the arduous task of zealously crafting a spirited "Bill of Rights" to facilitate the sharing of information in the future.



"We need a license in order to help share information with your friends, but we don't claim to own your information."



The way the unexpected "take over" of data came down - and was summarily abandoned by virtue of a hasty retreat - remains highly suspect to a posse of industry-insiders.



Harvard Professor Harry Lewis - who teaches in the field of Computer Science - was in accord with analysts who opined on the issue.



"People will have legitimate suspicions until they see the result."



Something tells me - no matter how the issue is ultimately resolved by FACEBOOK - that Big Brother is still watching.



Welcome to an Internet version of George Orwell's 1984.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Shoes for Stars...Fashion show blow-out! Red Carpet appearances by Erik David, Christina De Rosa, Big Virt, Patrice Fisher, Kate Linder, Ms.Ukraine!

Romantic Cabana Club Fashion Show setting

Two handsome male models - stunning in black dress trousers and vests studded with ruby red sequins against naked masculine flesh - strode out confidently on the stage and struck a pose.



Then, a mysterious figure in a black hooded cape - sprinkled with stardust and shooting off a thousand points of light - dramatically slipped out of the darkness onto the stage, stunning a rapt audience captivated by the poetic imagery before them.



A moment later, a fiddler sent a few bittersweet poignant notes into the festive night, an explosion of dazzling lights and sound erupted all around, and the scintillating fashion show started-up.



The runway extravanza - and splashy Hollywood premiere-style soiree - was tossed to benefit the charity, Tela Sofa.



Tela Sofa is a grassroots non-profit community organization under the umbrella of Bienvenido’s Family Services which promotes human development and digital literacy through film and art.



Shortly after the front doors swung open, there was a hugh crush of celebs swirling amidst a jubiliant throng of the Tinsel Town elite out to let off a little steam.



At an open bar the liquor flowed.





One of the sponors - Hypnotic Vodka - sent out a couple of emissaries (pretty model types Tia & Audrey ) pin neon medallions on the lapels of party guests to tout their popular cocktail favor.

A bit of a tea-tottler myself, I elected to have "just one".

Whew! Potent stuff.



Within minutes the hypnotic effect of the tasty elixier just about knocked me on my a**, as I stumbled through a crush of paparazzi, starlets, rappers - and other hangers-on.



But, the Columbo "psychology" tends to work well for me at these chi-chi Hollywood affairs.



Unsuspecting power-brokers may be inclined to write me off as harmless - and so - they let down their guard.



At which point, my keen eye and razor-sharp instinct, is given free rein.



Fortunately, I found a perch near the red carpet where celebrated invitees were queuing up to strut the gauntlet for hawkish photographs jockeying for position to get their best shot.



So, as they drifted by with their press agents, I was able to chat 'em up, and dredge up a few tidbits for my readers!



Kate Linder, for instance, strolled out of the media blitz and right into my lap.



The Young & Restless star, who was just honored with her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was quite gracious. (photo below)



The pretty actress even whispered in my ear about upcoming Y & R plot twists.



Expect her character, Esther Valentine, to get tangled in a web of intrigue with a bad-boy lover.



"It doesn't end well," she forewarned in a deep throaty undertone to stress the point.



When I turned to the left, AZA - a former Ms. Ukraine - was at my elbow with her manager who kindly provided me with a rap sheet.



The stunning blond beauty currently resides in Los Angeles and has landed a few choice parts on a couple of TV Shows to date.



The charismatic young lady has some smarts and behind-the-camera savvy, too.



A film she was executive producer of - Ms. Nobody - screened at the presitigious Cannes Film Festival and won her some kudos for a project she also starred in.



Aza is sweet and down-to-earth with impeccable manners.



After her PR Agent bull-dozed me with a high-energy speil on Aza, she raised an eyebrow slightly and politely asked a question he overlooked.



"And, your name?"



Sunny Leone was pretty low-key. A talented young lady, though.



The exotic beauty just wrote and produced her own project to be released soon.



When I conducted a search on google at the crack of dawn this morning, I stumbled across this sensuous still. (left)





Oh, baby, I can hear the dudes whistling just about now.



In fact, quite a few impressive creative types floating about the packed Cabana Club.



Lorielle New will be appearing in an updated version of Edgar Allen Poe's best-selling macabre tale - "The Pit and the Pendulum" - made popular by horror genre great Vincent Price.



"I play a diabolical diva," she forewarned!



There were a handful of colorful rappers and hip-hop artists in tow, too.



Big Virt (Big Bang Records) is an imposing musical artist, with a distinctive fashion style, which I found quite appealing as a personality in the flesh.



Catch a few riffs: http://www.bigvirt.com/



"Snake of Eden" caught my eye when they slipped in the door of the Cabana Club, too.



The band from Sweden have a distinctive image.



"We've been playing gigs locally and in San Francisco," one of the oh-so-cool musicians informed me as a posse of guests gazed on, intrigued by their personas!



Keep your ear on 'em, they're going places.



Fans of "All My Children" pressed closer to the red carpet when studly Erik David - smartly-attired in designer duds - sauntered in.



Mr. David recently took flight from soapdom to inhabit a role in the new wide-screen release, "He's not that really into you".



A handful of the "Sex Chronicles" cast circulated the packed nightclub, chatting up and toasting party-goers at whim, much to the delight of star-gazers underfoot.

Patrice Fisher, star of the hit cable show (adapted from the Best-selling book written by Zane), was particularly gracious as we discussed the racy serial.









Although Patrice was dressed to-the-nines in a stunning gold lame top and body-clinging skirt by , she noted she usually ran about town in "sweats".



No, fellas, she's not hitched at the moment.



"I'm working on it," she laughed innocently.



When I asked her what her dream role might be - the Broadway Stage, a starring role in a blockbuster remake, what have you - her response was intriguing.



"I'd like to develop the role of Vanity from Manniken 6."

Christina De Rosa - who hosted the fabulous blow-out (and likewise invited me to attend as her guest) was stunning in a black lace body-fitting cocktail dress with a flourish of exquisite fabric at the neck and courture (!) spike heels from the Shoes for Stars designer collection on Melrose Avenue.







Speaking of "Shoes", Jacob - designer extraordinaire - was on hand to watch over and nurture the night's high-energy fashion show.



The man-of-the-hour - a beaming portly man - was the life of the party who didn't hold back on some fashion flair himself.



Kudos go to the high-neck collar he sported, sparked up with an eye-popping diamond broach.



Only a few fashion savvy dudes could pull that one off, David Beckham, for one.



Models strutting the stage shouted out fashions notes loud and clear.



Plaids, pleats, and short-short skirts (especially conjured up from a sensuous palette of eye-catching pastels) exposing a lot of silky skin, are "in".



Make-up was a touch severe, a "look" that was enhanced by "do's" that tended to sweep straight back and off the face, and dominated by braids on the crown, and generous "falls" that fell dramatically on long slender necks behind.



Shoes by Jacob: http://www.shoesforthestars.com/

Fashion statements by Tal Sheyn.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Yoko Ono...urges the gift of water! Conceptual artist twitters...

I recall the day this photo was taken many moons ago!

Imagine Peace Tower

Today I was flattered to learn that Yoko Ono is following my blog posts on twitter!

If you're out there, Ms. Plastic Ono Band, welcome aboard my wacky POP CULTURE world.

After I received an e-mail informing me of the fact, I clicked on a link to determine what the celebrated Ms. Ono is up to these days.

Her last big media event involved the "Light Sculpture" in Iceland in the honor of the memory of her former husband, John Lennon, which I always report on at this site each year.

Once again, Yoko touched us with a shining idea that was way beyond the realm of most artists' fundamental creative vision!

Actually, Yoko and I came up with a similar conceptual idea years ago - while thousands of miles apart and strangers to each other - which still astounds me today when I reflect on it.

It was during my struggling lettuce & salad artist days, when I was prone to dabble with off-the-wall far-flung artsy-fartsy ideas.

One day, for instance, I constructed a small wooden box with a mirror inside it.

When a curiosity-seeker opened up the innocuous-looking package, they'd end up gazing into their own reflection, unexpectedly.

Did the interactive piece of conceptual art touch them in anyway?

Were they pleased with the image before them?

Shortly after I unveiled that piece in one of my first art exhibitions, I was watching television one day - and nearly fell out of my chair onto the floor - when Yoko appeared on a talk show and withdrew a small box out of her bag.

Without explanation, she handed it over to the host to peer into.

The former Mrs. Lennon had created a box of "smile" along the lines of my own creation, around the same time frame, and without the two of us ever having been in touch!

Of course, it verified my long-held belief that artists are visionaries capable of tapping into a "creative bank of ideas" from the very cosmos, to make an artistic statement about society, love, life, whatever.

Some artists are more tuned in than others, though.

That is where the old expression - "he was ahead of his time" - comes into play.

No, not ahead of time, just tapped into the idea bank sooner than everyone else!

I also believe there is a brotherhood of artists who travel throughout time.

The spirit of a "dead" painter or composer, for example, can imbue a living artist with their creative energy and influence their work in the current realm of existence on the Earth plane.

Ultimately, the visionaries and the artists are meant to shape man's destiny.

Artists envision a futuristic society, for instance, and the scientists make the visions a reality.

Don't you agree, Yoko?

Funny Ms. Yoko should be in touch, today.

In a post about the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service, I noted that I won a battle against Uncle Sam, at long last.

At that time, I was inclined to chuckle in that post, that John Lennon must be smiling from his grave (since he had a much-publicized bitter fight with the U.S. Government to get into the United States decades ago).

But, I begged off.

Meanwhile, as I now pen a post about artists and visionaries, Yoko is engaged in more practical matters at hand.

In her latest post, Ms. Ono is urging that people give the gift of water this Valentine's Day.

Why water?

Right now, according to research online at a link she provided, 1.1 billion people on the planet don't have access to safe, clean drinking water.

That's one in six of us.

Charity: water is trying to solve that problem.

They are a non-profit organization bringing nourishing water (a commodity North Americans often take for granted) to the unfortunate in developing nations.

100% of the money raised goes directly to project costs and - likewise - funds sustainable clean water solutions in areas of the greatest need.

And, concerned citizens without a lot of moolah, can get involved, too.

After all, a $20 donation translates to a supply of clean water for one individual for the next twenty years.

Info: http://www.charitywater.org/getinvolved/index.htm

Yoko Ono's "Sky TV"


http://www.julianayrs.com

Paris Hilton...homewrecker! Chris Brown text messages reveal all...

Paris luvs to be tied up, but smacked around?

Gossip-mongers were all over the juicy dish like flies on sh** this morning.

When Rihanna was performing at a party end of last week, allegedly Paris Hilton was all over toy-boy Chris Brown in the audience; in fact, the sexy heiress was inclined to drape her elegant bejwelled arm around the musician's neckie-poo in an oh-so-intimate fashion!

And, the big scoop?

On the tawdry eve of the alleged physical assaults on his gal pal, Paris and Chris Brown were texting each other furiously under the midnight sun!

Cozy? Scandalous? Or what?

Suppose Chris has a foot fetish.

If so, Paris can get him a pair discount at Zeppo's, under her own designer label!

And, what does he have to offer her?

Paris, bruises are never very flattering on silky porcelain skin!

Psst!

The inside word from an investigative team down at the old slammer - sources swear - is that that the incident over the weekend was not the first time Brown vented his um - passions - on his main squeeze!

Seems, he likes to knock the chanteuse around now and then.


Ang Lee said it best:


"Lust. Caution."

http://www.julianayrs.com

Brad Pitt...No. 1 stinkiest celebrity! Courtney Cox, Russel Crowe, Bob Dylan on top 10 list, too!

A little soap and elbow grease might help, Hayden!

Brad Pitt is the No. 1 stinkiest celeb making the talk show circuit, according to insiders in-the-know.

Who would have thunk!

The disc jockeys over at 95.5 FM chortled it up at the crack of dawn this morning as they levelled wise-cracks at ten celebrities alleged to be real stinkers in the body electric department.

One platter-slapper teased his cohorts with scintillating hints during the course of the popular morning talk show, as they tried to fathom the names of the leading contenders on the smell sheet coyly hidden in front of them.

There were a handful of males, a couple of women, and an "entity" (group) waiting to be found out.

"How can a whole group be stinky?" one disc jockey joked with a tinge of amusement in his silky broadcast voice.

Well, if a band heads out on a long and dusty road tour in a broken-down old VW - without frequent potty breaks- for starters.

Notwithstanding, I expect that if a sleazy rocker caught a dose of crabs from a hot-to-trot groupie on a night of lust and debauchery, by the end of the tour, all the dudes would end up with the pesky little devils crawlin' beneath their creepy skin, eh?

Actually, high-profile musicians tended to be the main culprits when it came to a lack of hygiene.

Bob Dylan scored high, for instance.

Doesn't he know his nasty B.O is blowing in the wind all around him?

David Bowie landed plunk dab on the 10 most-smelled, too.

All those spacey get-ups 'n make-up must be revving up a nasty sweat on stage!

Major Tom to Ziggy Stardust, wake up!

After a performance, wipe off the eyeliner, lipstick and rouge with a little cold cream.

Day-old make-up is a frightful sight, just ask any middle-aged hooker in the tenderloin.

Russell Crowe got the nod, too.

Judging by the persona he projects in the trailers of his new film (puffy, flabby, and down-'n-out looking) I am not surprised folks are under the impression he just crawled out from under a slimy rock somewhere.

The big surprise was Hayden Christiansen from Star Wars.

Maybe, it should be chalked up to a simple pimply-faced case of careless youth?

Surprise! Keanu Reeves wasn't on the grunge carpet.

Years ago, wardrobe assistants and assistant directors whispered under their breath, that he was so raunchy!

Guess he sprung some bucks on a shaving kit and soap-on-a-rope, once he hit the big-time in squeaky-clean Tinsel Town.

Of course, Jim Morrison was infamous for being stinko!

Apparently, the legendary rocker was stuffed in those skin-tight leather pants for weeks on-end - through endless nights of boozing and tweaking on drugs - with nary a thought about cleaning 'em.

When it was revealed the Courtney Cox caused noses to wrinkle up, a female in the studio was aghast at the mere thought of it.

"If you're rich, you can still stink?"

Here's a real stumper.

Cameron Diaz?

"It boils down to body chemistry," one DJ speculated in all seriousness.

Yeah, he's got that right.

On occasion I've been in a confined space when a stranger walked in the room when - suddenly and without warning - my nostrils were assailed with the most vile odour. And, in spite of the fact, their mouth wasn't even facing in my direction.

No, the stench wasn't due to foul breath, or even a stink wafting about because dirty clothing had been worn for days on-end without washing.

If 'ya ask me, their diets must have consisted of fish and garlic and onions.

In the aftermath, the fumes not only reeked from their orifices, but actually appeared to ooze out of the pores of their greasy skin to the displeasure of those around 'em.

If that ever happens to me, I'll gulp down a bushel of colon cleanser, or shoot myself.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness, after all.

A telltale sign?
Jeans that crease at the crotch signal a skanky woman!

www.julianayrs.com

Chelsea Clinton...making a difference with CHAI (Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative)! Donate today...

When Chelsea Clinton was trotted out on the campaign trail last fall to rustle up some votes from her own age group, I was a little reticent about jumping on the band wagon.

In spite of the fact I very rarely found fault with Chelsea per se - after all, she carried herself well and acted in good taste whenever she appeared on behalf of her Mom at public and political rallies - it was the woman, Hillary Clinton, who kept me snickering from afar.

Nope, I never warmed up to the pant-suited politician gave me the willies (no pun intended) and made me feel ill at ease.

Hillary was just too disingenuous - in the words of the PREZ - and conniving for the good of the country, in my estimation.

Whitewater was always at the back of mind, fanning the flames of doubt, too!

Now that Obama is firmly ensconced in the White House, and Hillary is Secretary of State, I did not expect to hear a peep out of Chelsea again.

Wrong!

Young Chelsea has taken up a cause.

The pretty young gal is now involved with project CHAI, a project funded under the auspices of her father's charitable organization, The William Clinton Foundation.

In her communication, Chelsea informed me how exciting her involvement with CHAI has been to date.

"This summer, I had the great opportunity of traveling to Africa with my father, where we met Jean Pierre, a young boy in a rural village in Rwanda. Jean Pierre is alive and well today because of the antiretroviral treatments that the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) was able to make accessible to him."

"Jean Pierre told us that he wants to grow up to be a doctor and give more people a chance to live a healthy life.

"Jean Pierre's story is inspiring, not just because he's benefiting from the work of everyone at CHAI, but also because he's leading by example with his lifetime goal of giving back and serving others through medicine."

Chelsea impressed upon me her hope that generous Americans will consider supporting CHAI and the Clinton Foundation's work in the U.S. and around the globe in a myriad of ways, but specifically by virtue of a donation.

"Gifts of any size make a very real difference," she noted passionately.

For example, $15 provides a life-saving food package for an HIV-positive child for one month, while $30 pays for 15 dosing tools for physicians and pharmacists to help accurately dose children on HIV/AIDS treatment.

A generous gift of $80 ensures that eight community health workers can provide monitoring of adherence and medication intake for all HIV-positive people in a Malawian village for a week.

And believe it or not, $150 provides access to medical care and support -including transport to and from a treatment center, counseling, and nutrition - to one HIV-positive child in India for a year.

Why not consider coughing up some dough today, eh?

In addition to CHAI, it appears that there are other worthy causes on the agenda at the Foundation, too.

Transforming Ideas Into Action: Clinton Global Initiative

The Clinton Global Initiative is a project of the Clinton Foundation that brings together a community of global leaders, university students, and private citizens to identify and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges, including poverty alleviation, climate change, global health, and education.

Treating HIV/AIDS & Malaria: Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative

The Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative is helping to turn the tide on the HIV/AIDS pandemic by working with governments and other partners to increase the availability of high-quality AIDS care and treatment for people in need, lower the cost of essential tests and treatments, and strengthen health systems in the developing world.

Fighting Childhood Obesity: Alliance For a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, is dedicated to ending the increase in childhood obesity and helping all kids and their families lead healthy, active lives.

Promoting Economic Opportunity: Clinton Economic Opportunity Initiative

The Clinton Economic Opportunity Initiative is helping families and individuals keep more of the money they make by supporting state and city efforts to promote access to basic financial services. CEO also matches inner-city entrepreneurs with successful business leaders to help them grow their businesses and flourish in an urban economy.

Creating Sustainable Development in Africa: Clinton Hunter Development Initiative

The Clinton Hunter Development Initiative is working in Rwanda and Malawi to launch projects that generate income, increase agricultural productivity, and enable sustainable growth to alleviate poverty.

Enabling Economic Development: Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative

An innovative partnership between the Clinton Foundation, the private sector, governments, other NGOs and local communities, the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative is working with the natural resource industry to improve health and education programs and alleviate poverty, starting in Latin America.

Info: http://www.clintonfoundation.org/

http://www.julianayrs.com/

ASPEN SANTE FE BALLET...triumphantly returns to The Joyce Theatre! NYC performances slated Feb. 17th - 22nd...

The Nationally-acclaimed Aspen Sante Fe Ballet returns to The Joyce with three New York City premieres.

For the past ten years or so, the Ballet company has wowed audiences with their impressive signature style - and I might add - garnered glowing reviews from tough critics near and far.

This eclectic and innovative dance troupe will return to the NYC and perform what is being touted by the company as a sophisticated program featuring some of the world's foremost choreographers in the exciting arena of Ballet today.

The likes of William Forsythe, Jorma Elo, Itzik Galili, and Helen Pickett are sure to delight, in fact!

Sid Smith of the Chicago Tribune raved:

"The Aspen Sante Fe Ballet is small in size and young in years, but its lustrous Chicago debut proved its big and deserves everlasting life."

"It's a class act, a classic act, and an extraordinary engaging act; it's the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet," exalted Clive Barnes at the New York Post.


Tickets: http://www.joyce.org

http://www.julianayrs.com

Men's fashion tips...thrift shop bargains!

Due to the economic downturn in recent months, many dudes are trotting off to local second-hand shops - "Out of the Closet" and "Goodwill" for instance - to rustle up quality clothing at bargain-basement prices.

With a keen eye, and a few practical fashion tips in mind, it is wholly possible for a discerning shopper to piece a wardrobe together for the New Year without a big outlay of cash.

For starters, always check subtle design elements of sport coats and suit jackets, to avoid a "dated" look.

For example, pay particular attention to the width of the lapels.

If they're too wide, your lack of fashion sense will stick out like a sore thumb.

Also, scrutinize the article of clothing to ensure fasteners - such as buttons - don't draw attention to a fad popular a season or two ago.

Likewise, get up-close and personal with collars on dress shirts off the rack.

Are the edges frayed?

Maybe, they've lost their "retention" and flop about the neckline.

Bad news!

Also, ensure that the collar suitably frames a well-knotted tie when the top button is fastened.

Dress pants have a number of pitfalls to overcome, too.

A cuffed leg may not be in currently in style, a shine in the pants may signal you came from the wrong side of the tracks, and pleats that spread out instead of retaining their "creases" uniformly are strictly a "no no".

Most men have difficulty with ties.

Bottom line?

Make sure the cravat coordinates tastefully with the colors of the ensemble.

Then, scrutinize their faces closely to weed out the ones that are faded, stained with ketchup or mustard, or just plain out-of-style.

But, if the one that catches your eye is a vintage piece, snap it up.

They never go out of style if they're matched up and knotted properly.

Speaking of knots, ensure there is enough of the lush fabric to not only perform a crisp Windsor or four-in-hand knot, but allow the tip to follow precisely at the belt-line at the waist.

Avoid belts with oversized gawdy buckles, tooling on the leather that is hokey, and fashion flourishes that detract.

Two-tone shoes may have been in vogue a decade or two ago, but went the way of the dinosaur, for now at least.

Patent leather, iffy.

Pay attention to the eyelets for the shoelaces, backs that are broken-down from lack of use of a shoehorn, and detailing like snappy buckles and winged doo-dads once in vogue.

The deft arrangement of a pocket handerchief - and the subtle fashion sense needed to puff 'em up just right in the pocket - is a lost art.

But, if you're capable, they're a classy touch to the overall ensemble.

So is a hat!

Slouchy ones, wool-knits, fedoras, and those that express individual style.

It all makes sense, doesn't it?

Just think, get a little more creative in your approach to fashion purchases, and you just may end up standing out in the crowd - a fashion plate - instead of a carbon-copy of all those wanna-be dudes who don't have a clue about style from the get-go!

http://www.julianayrs.com