Este domingo 22 de noviembre llegó a su fin la septima temporada de la maravillosa serie Curb your enthusiasm, una temporada esperada por muchos por un detalle peculiar: los actores de Seinfeld se reunirían de nuevo bajo el mando de Larry David, como sucedió hace 20 años.

Luego de 9 temporadas de Seinfeld y 7 de Curb, es claro que Larry David es un genio. Y como alguien suficientemente inteligente, no agotó los 10 episodios de la temporada con Julia, Michael, Jason y Jerry haciendo chistes a diestra y siniestra. De hecho, en la mitad de los episodios no salen ninguno de ellos y, más bien se enfocan en sus más recientes hijos: Cheryl, Jeff, Susie, Funkhouser y Leon, apoyados en las clásicas visitas de Ted Danson y Richard Lewis. Hasta Christian Slater hace una aparición.

La temporada estuvo plagada de momentos memorables como el incidente con Jesús, las pantaletas, la felación en el carro, o la chica en silla de ruedas, pero sin duda la química entre los dos judíos es el mejor regalo que podríamos pedir. Ver interactuar a Jerry y al verdadero George Constanza es increíble ya que la comedia de observación de Seinfeld se complementa a la perfección con el desorden metal de David.

Aún no se sabe si habrá una nueva temporada de Curb, pero con lo que vimos en estos últimos episodios, podemos decir que Larry David terminó de ponerle un bello lazo a su trabajo en televisión. No podría pensar en un mejor final para dos de las mejores series de comedia que se han hecho (diría que las mejores, pero no puedo hacerle eso a Arrested Development) Ahora, es probable que David conseguirá otra idea para una nueva temporada, y seguramente será tan buena como esta.

Esperemos que el dvd con el material extra salga pronto, porque esos detrás de cámara deben ser una joya.

Les dejo de regalo este es un especial de HBO acerca de la temporada, con entrevistas y algunas escenas detrás de cámara.

Y además acá los torrent de todos los episodios para que se hagan un favor y vean esta genialidad de temporada.

EP.1: “Funkhouser’s Crazy Sister“

EP.2: “Vehicular Fellatio“

EP.3 “The Reunion“

EP.4 “The Hot Towel“

EP.5 “Denise Handicapped“

EP.6 “The Bare Midriff“

EP.7 “The Black Swan“

EP.8 “Officer Krupke“

EP.9 “The Table Read“

EP.10 “Seinfeld“

Respect the Wood!!

Mya finished this season of ”Dancing With The Stars” on top of leader board by scoring the most points from the judges for her final 3 dances performed for the championship round.

Mya, 800-VOTE4-11, 800-86834-11, and text 3411, finished tonight’s finale with a score of 27 out of 30, placing her two points ahead of Donny Osmond, and 11 points ahead of Kelly Osbourne,making her clearly the judges favorite for the evening.

Mya and her professional dance partner Dmitry Chaplin performed at a very high level this evening, as they have done throughout the competition. The only slight mistake that they made was in choosing a final freestyle dance from the Broadway play ”Hairspray” that apparently was a popular number for those who have seen the stage play.

I never saw that play, but I did see both versions of the movie, and their performance looked very good to me, and I was fully entertained. Apparently, the judges based their scores off of the Tony award-winning dancing that was in the Broadway play, as performed by the professional Broadway dancers.

I think that is a bit odd, to judge her performance against Broadway dancers,and not the rest of the competitors.I know she is good and all, but it looked to me like she was competing against Donny and Kelly, so that assessment was way off base, but…that is just me.

I think they were expecting something different, and forgot to judge the performance in front of them, and that is the problem with consistently being on top….people want to see you fall.

I admire Kelly and Donny,and wish them well, but it was irritating to hear Kelly complain and whine about Mya being a professional dancer, because if she was honest, she has an unfair advantage over Mya, which is that she comes with all of Ozzy Osbourne’s legion of fans, let alone her own from the ”Osbournes” MTV reality series, that was at one time the highest rated program on the cable network.

That all makes a difference because at this point in the season, it is not about dancing on ‘Dancing With The Stars’, but it all comes down to a popularity contest, and Ozzy has all the popularity in the entertainment business, and Kelly rides on his coat tails.

Donny Osmond has almost 5 decades of loyal fans that far out distances the small number of R and B fans that remain loyal to Mya, because in the R and B game, the fans like to tear down the singers once the hits stop coming, and loyalty is almost nonexistence.

The freestyle dance was as awesome as the rest of her performances, and do not let any negative spin on it fool you. If it comes down to dancing skill, then Mya would win hands down,….If it only was about dancing, but it is not.

It is a popularity contest, and the popularity is not based on the dancing performances on the show.

If it is all about dancing, then vote for team Mya and Dmitry, it is what would be fair.

The deal is this,Mya, as all the performers, are not trained ballroom dancers, so she is on the same level as Tom Delay in that area, and the whining by Kelly Osbourne is unfair,fake, and borders on lying. She was obviously trying to garner some sentimental votes from her dads fans, and at the same time, slamming Mya.

In doing this injustice to Mya, Kelly reminded me of her mother Sharon Osbourne’s tacky slamming of singer Susan Boyle’s looks, when she stated that …”Susan Boyle is a lovely lady who had been hit by the ugly stick”….

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/sharon-osbourne-apologizes-for-insulting-susan-boyle-appearance–1017159.php

The haters are gathering to torpedo Mya’s championship, and she needs all of our support by calling or texting the numbers listed here in this article.

Call or text now, before it is too late, and let’s help her bring home the award she has earned, and deserves, if all things are fair.

Mya & Dmitry Chaplin-800-VOTE4-11–or—–800-86834-11—-text—-3411

No matter who wins, and I hope it is Mya, rest assured that I will continue to watch ‘DWTS’ because the producers provide some of the best entertainment on free TV, and the dancers are all drop dead gorgeous,….like Donny’s partner Kym Johnson who makes me want to visit Australia if she is representative of the women that come from there.

Click on these links to gauge the Love/Hate for Mya, and please….vote for her…

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gmOwX93uPf7WW6cSTCpGPOfjf9WwD9C5L24G0

http://www.examiner.com/x-10507-LA-Dancing-Examiners~y2009m11d23-Dancing-with-the-Stars-2009-cast-finals-Vote-for-Mya

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/11/23/dwts-mya-kelly-donny-monday-finale/

Facts
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States.

By the fall of 1621 only half of the pilgrims, who had sailed on the Mayflower, survived. The survivors, thankful to be alive, decided to give a thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.

The Plymouth Pilgrims were the first to celebrate the Thanksgiving.

The pilgrims arrived in North America in December 1620.

The Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to reach North America.

The pilgrims sailed on the ship, which was known by the name of ‘Mayflower’.

They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day in the fall of 1621.

They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The drink that the Puritans brought with them in the Mayflower was the beer.

The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.

The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, had organized the first Thanksgiving feast in the year 1621 and invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians also to the feast.

The first Thanksgiving feast was held in the presence of around ninety Wampanoag Indians and the Wampanoag chief, Massasoit, was also invited there.

The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.

President George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation in the year 1789 and again in 1795.

The state of New York officially made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817.

Sarah Josepha Hale, an editor with a magazine, started a Thanksgiving campaign in 1827 and it was result of her efforts that in 1863 Thanksgiving was observed as a day for national thanksgiving and prayer.

Abraham Lincoln issued a ‘Thanksgiving Proclamation’ on third October 1863 and officially set aside the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving. Whereas earlier the presidents used to make an annual proclamation to specify the day when Thanksgiving was to be held.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt restored Thursday before last of November as Thanksgiving Day in the year 1939. He did so to make the Christmas shopping season longer and hus stimulate the economy of the state.

Congress passed an official proclamation in 1941 and declared that now onwards Thanksgiving will be observed as a legal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November every year.

        http://www.akidsheart.com/holidays/thanks/turkswap.htm

Turkey/Pig Swap Game VERY FRUSTRATING!

Over 30 years ago– I had read a small leather-bound book about the Shroud. I enjoyed the starting point that the researcher used . Art. It was amazing and thought provoking. Anyway– since then I have always found the research facinating. Of course I am lost when it comes to why no DNA research– but thats just me. lol
Sun, Nov. 22, 2009

Researcher says faint text proves shroud’s authenticity
By Ariel David
Associated Press
ROME – A Vatican researcher asserts that nearly invisible text on the Shroud of Turin proves that the artifact revered as Jesus’ burial cloth is authentic.
The assertion made by Barbara Frale in a book drew immediate skepticism from some scientists, who maintain the shroud is a medieval forgery.
Frale, a researcher at the Vatican archives, said Friday that she used computers to enhance images of faintly written words in Greek, Latin, and Aramaic scattered across the shroud.
She asserted that the words include the name “Jesus Nazarene” in Greek, proving that the text could not be of medieval origin because no Christian at the time, even a forger, would have labeled Jesus a Nazarene without referring to his divinity.
The shroud bears the figure of a crucified man, complete with blood seeping out of nailed hands and feet, and believers say Christ’s image was recorded on the linen fibers at the time of his resurrection.
The fragile artifact, owned by the Vatican, is kept locked in a special protective chamber in Turin’s cathedral and is rarely shown.
Skeptics point out that radiocarbon dating conducted in 1988 determined it was made in the 13th or 14th century.
While faint letters scattered around the face on the shroud were seen decades ago, serious researchers dismissed them because of the test’s results, Frale said in an interview.
But when she cut out the words from photos of the shroud and showed them to experts, they concurred the writing style was typical of the Middle East in the first century A.D. – Jesus’ time.
She believes the text was written on a document by a clerk and glued to the shroud over the face so the body could be identified by relatives and buried properly. Metals in the ink used at the time may have allowed the writing to transfer to the linen, Frale said.
“I tried to be objective and leave religious issues aside,” Frale said. “What I studied was an ancient document that certifies the execution of a man, in a specific time and place.”
Frale is noted in Italy for her research on the medieval order of the Knights Templar and her discovery of unpublished documents on the group in the Vatican’s archives.
Earlier this year she published a study contending the Templars at one time had the shroud in their possession. That raised eyebrows because the order was abolished in the early 14th century and the shroud is first recorded in history about 1360 in the hands of a French knight.
But her latest book, The Shroud of Jesus Nazarene, in Italian, raised doubts even among experts.
“People work on grainy photos and think they see things,” said Antonio Lombatti, a church historian who has written books about the shroud. “It’s all the result of imagination and computer software.”
Lombatti also rejected the idea that authorities in the time of Jesus would officially return the body of a crucified man to relatives after filling out some paperwork. Victims of the most cruel punishment used by the Romans would usually be left on the cross or were disposed of in a dump to add to the execution’s deterring effect.

Humans have been telling stories to each other since time immemorial. They serve a deep psychological and sociological need. Let us examine a few key concepts:

WHAT IS A STORY?

Quite simply, it is a journey of inter-connected events with a beginning, middle and an end providing

• dramatic fulfillment
• education
• knowledge
• entertainment
• emotional stimulation and,
• a satisfying conclusion (we love closure)

Stories began as visual medium when our forebearers painted images on cave walls. or drew with sticks in the sand. They were accompanied by words or grunts. As complex language developed, stories were increasingly verbalized, and later on written. Stories today can be exclusively composed of images, written words or speech, but often times are a combination. Cinema is primarily a visual medium, with a lesser proportion of words (dialogue). Television is more dialogue based than cinema in general.

A story must have a purpose. For instance, the Australian Aboriginal woman at a rock formation called “The Devil’s Marbles” in the Northern Territory told stories to keep youngsters away from these rocks to avoid danger. A story can be as dry as a depiction of actual events or “life-like” events. Even fantasy fairy tales emulate “life-like” events through suspension of disbelief. Whatever dungeons and dragons we use, the events in a story must feel authentic .

Stories also need a theme (exploration of the human condition). What topics or concepts is your story exploring? Racism? The power of the human spirit during disaster? Love always triumphs over evil? Revenge? And the list goes on. This has been discussed in an earlier blog in the 36 dramatic situations by Georges Polti.  Be careful that you are only exploring one central theme and perhaps one or two minor ones. Otherwise your story loses focus which must be found.

In order to make a story compelling, there must be a protagonist (hero), a goal, a dilemma, conflict, an antagonist (nemesis) and a moral (leading to growth) to create a complete experience. And more importantly, an audience. Stories help us communicate with each other, and add meaning and enrichment to our lives. They bring people together through sharing and help us evolve and grow stronger.

Dramatica defines story as a grand argument dealing with a problem or an inequity. Huh? Basically, it raises the issue of a hero with a conflict as they are yanked from their natural world through a critical or inciting incident, and how they go about solving it.

During a recent seminar by Jen Grisanti (a Hollywood writers’ consultant and wonderful person too), she spoke of the importance of finding your story. What is the writer specifically trying to say? Why are they taking up her with a series of events? Is your story too episodic? What do you want your audience to get from watching your film? What message are you trying to convey to your audience?

The movie “Tootsie” spent close to a decade in development until the writer Larry Gelbart finally decided that ‘Tootsie” was a story about a man who had to become a woman in order to better understand them and himself. It wasn’t so much a story of desperation, the lengths people go to to make it as an actor, or about a guy liking to dress up. Consider “What Women Want” with Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt which was essentially the same story with body rather than clothes swapping.

Jen Grisanti sees stories as media for building communities. Pretty powerful stuff. A good story must have clarity and must be relevant to the times. How does the story make you feel? These are primal concepts, but difficult to nail down. It must also possess deeper symbolism to have a greater impact on us. She sees the important aspects of raising the emotional stakes in a story as being

• anticipation
• expectation
• participation
• surprise and,
• a delayed payoff

WHAT IS A PLOT?

A plot is simply the way a story is executed, or a cause and effect series of events. A road map. It is the mechanics of your story; how the sequence of events are put together. Many writers confuse the two and think writing event after event constitutes a story, especially in action films. Is your plot linear, non-linear or avariant? Classic examples of unconventional plotting include “Memento”, “Reservoir Dogs” and “Run Lola Run”. Plot also relates to structure, the most common being the Aristotelian three act structure. Is there a clear concept or story idea, which is more specific than a theme? Good versus evil isn’t a story concept.  Is there a well defined central/main character with a clear motivation, goal, a dilemma and obstacles. One way to enhance your plotting is to consider what is the worse case scenario if your main character doesn’t achieve their goal. The ultimate failure to achieve a goal is death.

Subplots are secondary or tertiary storylines. Some readers have complained that, because a writer hasn’t really found their story, some subplots are actually more intriguing than the main plot. It happens in unpolished scripts. Even to me! Another problem I recently grappled with is my choice of main character to drive the plot. In the end I switched the boy to a girl (literally not surgically) and everything fell into  place.

FINDING YOUR VOICE

These are the less tangible qualities that define you as a writer. Jen Grisanti claims that many newer writers lack a distinct voice which distinguishes them from other writers.

This is a difficult process of self exploration. It means that we need to delve deeper into our psyches than ever before. She made us define a critical or life changing incident where the rug was pulled from under our feet and we are forced to deal with a new reality. Sound familiar? In doing so, we help shape our characters which are products of our creativity and therefore ourselves. Imagine placing your profile on a social website. Think of how you would describe your personality? What are your likes and dislikes? What do you value most in your relationships with other people? Certain patterns will emerge which define you as an individual. Are you easy going? Wound up tight? Chatty? Pensive? Conventional? Alternative? Think about how a producer might discuss what qualities you possess as a writer. If a project is greenlit and a producer is looking for a writer and they say “This project is perfect for xxxx (insert your name)”, it’s because of your voice.

Part of finding your voice involves common themes in the stories we like to tell. Are we animal lovers? Philanthropists? Comedians? Feminists? Optimists? Cynical? Interested in human suffering? Are your characters strong, successful people? Are you strong and successful or do you aspire to be? Are characters underdogs? What is their disposition? Happy? Smarmy? Cheerful? Quirks?

Finding your story and finding your voice is rather like wanting a quick definition of the meaning of life. The only way to find it is to keep searching. And the search lies in the writing. So what are you waiting for?

Fear is the Key

TYPE: Action / Adventure

RATING: 8 / 10

REVIEW:

Truly a fast-paced book that you just can’t dare keep down for the fear that you’ll miss out on something in the few seconds that it will take to continue reading it.

The mystery is so very mysterious that I finished the book in a matter of hours and was relieved to find the mystery unveiled and all the puzzle pieces fitted into place. The suspense is unnerving, and the plot keeps thickening at a regular pace; it is well nigh impossible to keep from biting your nails in anticipation of what will happen next.

The latter part of the book is kinda the unwrapping of the entire suspense that has been built up in the former half and the whole thing has been so brilliantly put that even after the story gets over, it leaves you with a sense of an adrenaline rush.

DESCRIPTION:

‘Fear is the Key has a plot that will require a lot of willpower to stop you looking at the last page.’ Sunday Mirror

A sunken DC-3 lies on the Caribbean floor. It’s cargo: ten million, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in gold ingots, emeralds and uncut diamonds guarded by the remains of two men, a wife and a very small son. The fortune is there for the taking, and ready to grab it are a blue-blooded oilman with his own offshore rig, a gangster so cold and independent that even the Mafia couldn’t do business with him and a hired assassin. Against them stands one man, and the skeletons in their watery grave are his people. His name is Talbot, and he will avenge their murders.

‘Excitement and violence … the pace never slackens.’ Scotsman

Former Pro Bowl running back and former Kansas City Chiefs player, Larry Johnson signed today with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Johnson was waived by the Chiefs last week and was suspended for his comments about his head coach Todd Haley via Twitter, signed with the top team in the AFC North.  LJ will most likely be an insurance policy as Cedric Benson came out of  Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a hip injury.

I’ll be the first to say I told ya so, but I for one seen this move coming before the injury to the Bengals feature back.  Look, Benson has had a great season, but the Bengals have been using Benson without any type of back up player to shoulder a little bit of the load.  LJ is another big back that can handle a boat load of carries if need be, and especially if Benson is not 100%, LJ can fill in for a week.

LJ has not been a productive back in the last few years at Kansas City, after two 1700 yard seasons, however with the change of scenery, and back on a contender, watch out for a revived season for LJ.  The Bengals will get the most out of LJ for the remainder of the 2009-2010 season, and LJ may even learn a thing or two about Twitter from Ocho Cinco.

Great pick up, and yes, yes I did call this one.

Ze względu na dosyć pikantny charakter gry niniejsza recenzja może zawierać elementy demoralizujące.

Al Lowe to taki łysawy, nieco pyzowaty jegomość. Bez wątpienia postać dla przeciętnego Stefana mało znana, ale to właśnie on stworzył osobowość komputerową, która z przeciętnym Stefanem ma wiele wspólnego. Al Lowe to nie kto inny tylko ojciec Larry’ego Laffera, bohatera przygodówek, serii zapoczątkowanej w 1987 roku.

Cztery ciepłe gniazdka

Nasz bohater to brunet nikczemnego wzrostu, o wiecznie zburzonym uczesaniu, ubrany w biały garnitur i niemodną koszulę, dodatkowo często w zestawie z przeciwsłonecznymi okularami maskującymi uwodzicielskie spojrzenie. Jego życie niebezpiecznie zbliża się do stacji, w której większość przyzwoitych mężczyzn ma już ułożone najważniejsze sprawy związane z egzystencją albo przynajmniej o połowę dylematów mniej. Larry niestety się do nich nie zalicza, bo pomimo średnio zaawansowanego wieku (38 lat) jego dusza zarośnięta jest wszelakiej maści kompleksami (przynajmniej wygląda to tak na zewnątrz, bo Larry jest dosyć pewny siebie).

Najbardziej znane dziecko Ala Lowe nigdy nie korzystało zbyt dużo z życia i dopiero gracz ma wprowadzić go w świat rozkoszy, umożliwiając mu m.in. liczne i wielokrotne kontakty z płcią piękną. Zatem Larry ośmielony kontrolą gracza postanowił wreszcie opuścić ponurą piwnicę i zakamarki swej nieśmiałości, z celem na ustach: aby zaliczyć!

W obrębie jego zainteresowań znajdą się przede wszystkim lokalna prostytutka (na wstępie przygody), następnie tajemnicze Fawn i Faith, ale prawdziwym złotym runem, po które zechce sięgnąć Larry będzie piękna Eve.

Viva Lost Wages!

Główne miejsce przygód pierwszej części Larry’ego to Lost Wages, miasto bezpośrednio inspirowane Las Vegas. Właśnie tam Larry uda się  aby zrealizować swój szczytny cel obdarowywania plemnikami nie tylko ściany i gazety, ale prawdziwe kobiety wyposażone w piersi i tego typu elementy charakterystyczne dla tej płci.

Lost Wages dzieli się na pięć dużych stref: Lefty’s Bar, kasyno, kaplicę, dyskotekę i sklep uciech stu. Larry będzie poruszał się pomiędzy nimi taksówką, za którą będzie musiał oczywiście zapłacić.

Na początku rozgrywki jedyną kobietą, która będzie chciała rozmawiać z naszym bohaterem jest wspomniana wcześniej lokalna prostytutka, która też będzie naszą przewodniczką w poszczególnych fragmentach gry. Odradzałbym jednak bliższe stosunki z nią, bo może się to skończyć słabo, np. chorobą weneryczną i w efekcie zakończeniem gry.

Zresztą grę można “skończyć” też na inny sposób, bo w pierwszym Larrym czas nagli. Gracz będzie miał tylko dwie rzeczywiste godziny na ukończenie gry. Czas ten można co prawda oszukać (m.in. przy pomocy naszej dobrej duszy – prostytutki), ale i tak nie pozostaje go zbyt wiele. W przypadku gdy go przekroczymy Larry najzwyczajniej załamie się i popełni samobójstwo.

Rozgrywka polega na wykonywaniu odpowiednich czynności, które zazwyczaj wiążą się z umiejętnym sposobem na poderwanie dziewczyny (prowadzą do tego różne środki). W tej przygodówce możemy sterować zarówno klawiaturą jak i myszką, a ważnym elementem są komendy wydawane właśnie  z klawiatury.

Szesnaście par pończoch

Gra w pierwszej, oryginalnej wersji tworzona była w oparciu o grafikę EGA w rozdzielczości 160×200 i przy szesnastu kolorach. Wcale nie lepiej prezentowało się udźwiękowienie, które bez wątpienia stanowi odpowiedź na klasyczne pc speakery ).

Pierwszy Larry jak i wiele tytułów Sierry z lat 80-tych (np. cztery części King’s Quest czy dwie części Police Quest) tworzony był w oparciu o AGI czyli Adventure Game Interpreter, program, który umożliwiał funkcjonowanie w w/w tle graficzno-dźwiękowym i którego ideą były wprowadzane komendy z klawiatury.

Osoby, które nie wytrzymają tak odległych rozwiązań graficznych mogą zawsze sięgnąć po odnowioną wersję gry z 1991 roku, stworzoną już w “świeżej” grafice VGA przy 256 kolorach, z wykorzystaniem możliwości Sound Blastera i nowym wizerunkiem Larry’ego (zbliżonym choćby do tego z siódmej części).

Ciekawe, że oficjalna wersja pierwszego Larry’ego w Polsce zadebiutowała dopiero w 2001 roku… czternaście lat po premierze.

Musisz sięgnąć jeśli… chciałbyś coś zaliczyć, choćby i przy komputerze.

a

Świeży import screenów wprost z:

http://armchairempire.com

http://www.scummvm.org

Can you believe that people in Kansas City actually had a petition asking the Chiefs not to let Johnson pass Priest Holmes’s record?  This card has fallen in value quite a bit over the years.  I was at the Penn State game when he set the rushing record.

Friday November 13, 2009. SFU Harbour Centre.

Larry Wong spoke of his family history. He is now in his 70’s but looks more like he’s in his 50’s; literally.

He reminds us of how it was like in Chinatown during the 50’s or so. It was an exciting neighbourhood to be growing up in. It was a simple time. He enjoyed going to the neighbourhood hotel that had a boxing gym in the basement.

His father was born in the late 19th century during the Qing dynasty in China. His father had a completely different set of values than his own. And they most certainly had their clashes. Yet, years later after his father’s death, he can think about the memories of “Pops” and see that his father was in fact very loving and protective.

The story that Larry wrote of his sister is very interesting, and he shared it with us during the lecture. She essentially decided to pack up and leave Chinatown at the earliest opportunity, and found herself studying and working in small-town Ontario. She eventually married a white Canadian from Saskatchewan, to her father’s dismay. And they’ve been married now for over 50 years, I believe. A long time anyway, even if the exact number of years is wrong.

I thanked Larry at the end of the presentation and shook his hand. I told him that these stories were very close to my heart. He might not realize it, but he has undoubtedly rekindled my desire to write an autobiography based on the stories of loved ones in my life.

Love. Truth. Joy.

By Steven G. Mehta

The saga of Carrie Prejean, the Miss California contestant for the Miss USA pageant who came out against gay marriage, had a picture of her breasts “accidentally” exposed during a photo shoot, and who sued the Pageant, which then countersued to get back their money for her breast implants, and who then settled the case when a sex tape was discovered of her, is still in the news.  But this time, she took on Larry “Inappropriate” King for the ultimate fight about mediation confidentiality. 

Here is a brief discussion of her interview in the Examiner….

Carrie Prejean nearly walked out of the Larry King show after calling Larry King inappropriate. Larry King asked Carrie Prejean about the sex tape that she made for her boyfriend.

“All right, let’s get to an embarrassing part for you and how you are handling it. You recently confirmed that when you were 17, you made what you call a private video, a sexual-type tape that you sent to your boyfriend. Have you seen the video?” Larry King asked.

Apparently, Carrie Prejean wasn’t interested in speaking about the sex tape and answered Larry by saying, “You know, I don’t think that’s the important issue, Larry. I think that, you know, there’s a video out there of me that I sent to my boyfriend at the time. And it was for private use. But does that justify my actions? No. And I take complete responsibility for the decisions that I made when I was a teenager. And I’ve learned a lot from it.”

Larry King asked Carrie Prejean if she told anyone at the Miss USA pageant about the video, she answered no and reminded the public that she wasn’t fired for any moral clause. Larry then asked Carrie Prejean if she planned to pursue legal action to block the video from being made public, especially since she was underage when the video was made. It was at this point that the ‘inappropriate’ behavior began.

Carrie Prejean answered,” You know, everything that was discussed, Larry, in mediation is completely confidential. And it seems as though I’m the only one holding up to that contract. So, if that’s the case, then I will stand by that contract, and abide by it.”

Larry King continued to press further, “Did you get a settlement?”

Again, Carrie Prejean answered, “That’s completely confidential. There was a confidential mediation. And I don’t think that needs to be discussed right now.”

Larry King broke for a commercial break but picked the topic back up shortly after Carrie Prejean called Sarah Palin her hero.

Larry King asked Carrie Prejean, “We’re back with Carrie Prejean. She’s the author of “Still Standing.” That book is available everywhere. We’ll take a call or two for Carrie in a moment. You sued the pageant after they fired you. They counter-sued. And then you accused them of a number of things including religious discrimination, clearly an issue very important to you. Why did you settle? You don’t have to tell me the terms of the settlement. But why settle, since you had a fight to carry on?”

To see the remainder of the interview, click here.

This interview, however, brings up the issue of what is confidential and what is not in mediation.

First, not everything about mediation is confidential.  It is not like in the Movie or show Get Smart where once something involves mediation, there is a cone of silence.  However, the question, did you get a settlement would remain confidential assuming the settlement agreement had a confidentiality clause.  If there was no confidentiality clause in the settlement agreement, then the fact of the settlement and the amount would not be confidential.  This is because the check, the release, and other documents would exist outside of the mediation process.

Ms. Prejean’s answer to the question of why settle is not covered by confidentiality.  Her own thought process exists outside of the mediation.  The terms of the settlement remain confidential due to the confidentiality clause in the settlement agreement, but the reasons do not.  She would be free to explain her reasons for settling.

Other things associated with the mediation would also not be confidential.  Anything that was in existence before the mediation, such as the sex tape would not be confidential.  Any comments that Ms. Prejean made before the mediation would also not be confidential.  What was said in the mediation, however, would remain confidential. 

If, however, a document or piece of evidence was created solely for the mediation such as a compilation of her sex tape, then that might be considered confidential. 

Obviously, confidentiality differs with each state and the issues discussed are simply general discussions.  But contrary to Ms. Prejean’s view, not everything arising from mediation is confidential. 

What are your thoughts about Ms. Prejean’s comments or about confidentiality?

Posted by Audiegrl

Latina Magazine/Lee Hernandez—By George, I think he’s got it. Comedian George Lopez’s new late-night talk show, Lopez Tonight, premiered to a very healthy 3.1 million viewers Monday night on three Turner Networks: TBS, TNT and TruTV, says Variety.

1.7 million of those combined total viewers watched the show on TBS—a good thing for the show since that’s where it will air weekly at 11 p.m. But more importantly, the debut—which featured guests Eva Longoria Parker, Kobe Bryant and Carlos Santana—performed solidly among adults (1 million viewers) in the key 18-49 demographic that advertisers love. “That’s higher than the current season averages (though not the premieres) of the adult demo draws for talk shows like CBS’ Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show With Jon Stewart. If you use the combined three-net number, the show was sampled by more adult demo viewers than Conan O’Brien or David Letterman’s average,” writes The Hollywood Reporter’s James Hibberd.

In even more good news for Lopez Tonight, the show, which aired in place of TBS’s usual reruns of My Name is Earl drew 70% higher household ratings than Earl. “Viewers are ready for a change, and George Lopez is an exciting addition to late-night television,” said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. “We are extremely proud of the success of last night’s premiere of Lopez Tonight and are confident the show will continue to be a big late-night hit.”

‘Lopez Tonight‘ offers surprising DNA test to Larry David

Orlando Sentinel—TBS’ “Lopez Tonight” is billing itself as the first late-night show to offer DNA testing of its guests.

The shows promises that its Thursday episode will be different: “Larry David (‘Curb Your Enthusiasm‘) will get the surprise of his life when his true ethnicity is revealed.”

And the show hosted by George Lopez made this questionable boast: “It’s sure to be as good as an episode of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm.‘”

Spoiler Alert: On the show last night, Larry discovered that he is 63 percent European, and 37 percent Native American.

feeling a bit more cheerefull right about now… hummm… wonder how long it could last… lets hope this is for the long time…

being single sucks a little bit, i miss not being single, but at the same time being single is so much easier. i deffo dont wanna be single to long… but i wanna be for just a little bit more…

i think im way to fussy… like… he has to be taller than me, he has to be stronger than me (not realy hard, but hey) he can’t be camp,  hes gotta smell nice, dark hair, nice eyes, good taste in music, blah blah blah.

i totaly lost the plot of this post now… :S dammnit this is what happens when you go off and do something else.

ahh well.

moving on.

something that fills me with a lot of hope these days… I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry!

what a fucking amaising film! it almost equals p.s. i love you for me.  I dont even know why, it just makes me feel a lot better about me and about my life, and it kinda shows how things are changing for gay people.

wow, just watered my plant, thank god i remembered to do that, otherwise… who knows? it might die. and I wouldnt want that.

college tomorrow. =D

escape from this house.

it feels so empty now.

kinda like my head. but apparently thats always empty, seeing as im an air head and all that.

i wanna move out and get my own place now, i wanna move to canada…

night peoples… or day… or afternoon… or morning… whatever… whereever you are.

Xx.

Update:

Carrie Prejean Threatens to Leave Larry King Live due to Larry Being “Inappropriate”

posted by GeoT

“Non-traditional” Video Release TBA– It’s Paris Hilton 2.0

—The sudden end to a legal battle between dethroned Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and pageant officials was prompted by the revelation of a “sex tape,” according to a source familiar with the lawsuits’ settlement.

Prejean was fired in June after lingerie-modeling photos of her emerged that pageant officials said were a breach of her contract. Prejean sued the pageant in August, arguing her firing was religious discrimination because of her opposition to same-sex marriage.

Pageant officials countersued last month, demanding their former beauty queen repay $5,200 in pageant money spent for her breast implants and give them all proceeds from a book she’s written.

A settlement of both lawsuits was signed in New York Tuesday, but no details were made public. Lawyers and parties for each side were bound by a confidentiality pledge, according to the source.

TMZ's Harvey Levin (click image for TMZ story on Carrie Prejean Sex Tape)

The veil of secrecy was partially lifted Wednesday after celebrity gossip Web site TMZ reported the deal was sealed after pageant lawyers presented an “extremely graphic” home video involving Prejean.

TMZ Managing Editor Harvey Levin said during a webcast Wednesday that he obtained the Prejean video during the summer, but found it “too racy” to post on his site. He indicated Prejean was alone in the video.

The source with knowledge of the settlement talks told CNN those details were accurate.

More @

Update I: Carrie Prejean not 17 when Sex tape was taken!

according to TMZ

The video was taken back in 2007 (Carrie was 20) and not when Carrie was 17 yrs. old. He further revealed that there were people (on Prejean’s camp) contacting him to “lie” about Carrie’s actual age when the video was taken.

source: Click here

Click here for audio of her ex-boyfriend being interviewed by TMZ.

Update II: Pageant Prez: Carrie Needs Psychological Help!

according to TMZ

In response to Carrie’s awkward appearance on “Larry King Live” and her ex-boyfriend saying he was told to lie about her age in her solo sex tape, Miss Cali Prez Keith Lewis tells TMZ:

“The public is finally getting a glimpse of the real Carrie Prejean who lives in her own delusional world.

The childish behavior, her negative attitude, the sarcasm and condescending tone, the disrespect and continual lying she is demonstrating now is only a fraction of what we endured during her reign and after.

Anyone who buys her book is supporting a woman who is actually the opposite of everything she claims to be.

I sincerely hope she is able to get the psychological help I believe she has shown to clearly need.”

Larry Johnson’s career as a Kansas City Chief is no more!

The 29-year-old running back was the superior lackluster NFL franchise, yet star power and talent was not enough to keep him on the team.

The decision, handed down swiftly by Chiefs management, comes just ten days away from Johnson’s 30th birthday and 75 yards away from him breaking the team rushing record set by Priest Holmes.

“A part of him is excited and a part of him is very regretful,” said Johnson’s agent Peter Schaffer to media. “It’s analogous to breaking up with a girlfriend. Maybe you saw it coming, but it still hurts when it happens.”

Since being drafted to Kansas City out of Penn State in 2003, and something of a lightning rod for controversy, the star running back found himself suspended for four games after being accused of assaulting women at a Kansas City club. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years of probation.

Johnson was fined on October 25th after making disparaging remarks and anti-gay slurs on his Twitter account about Chiefs fans and coach Todd Haley.

Friday.

The 13th.

Four days from now.

Except my news package which is due Thursday @ 0930.

Am I ever going to get it all done?!

Only a month to go in the semester, and I am already frazzled. I’m so worried about passing my classes  that I even dream about it. How whacked out is that?

Then there was the dream in which Larry took me somewhere, then left me there to fend for myself.

What’s up with that?!

Maybe I need to take a long nap after class…I was on campus at 7-something this morning to return the video equipment I borrowed, then went back home to get my books and fix my hair (because Lord only knows which version of Stef 45.9.o left my apartment this morning).

And, I have to laugh…Larry still thinks it’s the circus I “ran away” to join in 2002. It’s kind of a long running private joke…still funny LOL

I better get my bodacious Italian backside out of the library and over to the Comm Building.

That’s all from where I sit.

–MorelaterZ–

(oh no! it’s that weird guy from Syracuse, NY from the bus who talks to himself. Does he even go to school here?)

Here’s one for the people who wanna know better the man born as Lawrence Philpot, known as Larry Levan.

Here’s an impassioned portrait, powered by the music. A must see documentary after the break. Dig.