Apparently Manny Pacquiao “is refusing to comply with Olympic style drug testing as outlined and mandated by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and as requested by Mayweather’s management to ensure fair play and sportsmanship by both fighters”, as is stated in a press release from Golden Boy Promotions, who is negotiating the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao, for Floyd Mayweather.

Why would Manny Pacquiao resist a fight between him and Floyd Mayweather is beyond me. This must be some sort of negotiating tactic, because any athlete that is not using illegal substances to gain an unfair advantage, should not hesitate to take a test, at any given time.

Fanhouse.com is reporting that…Arum said the 31-year-old Pacquiao has no problem with boxing’s standard procedure of urinalysis, but that he does take issue with randomly testing his blood.

There is talk today that this resistance by Manny may hold up the signing of the contracts for this fight, that was supposed to happen on March 13.

Say it isn’t so Manny!…Just take the test and keep it moving…

Follow this story at-

http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2009/12/23/bob-arum-to-floyd-mayweather-stop-being-a-coward/

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2009/12/mayweather-vs-pacquiao-cough-up-some-blood-manny/

I have written on this research blog about vertical space being an underused resource in cities. Many walls could serve as gardens, habitat, and “green curtains.” There is also room for art on the countless dull urban surfaces. The photo above shows graffiti by the aptly named Jef Aerosol, who contributed to a fun art show covering the interior and exterior of Tokyo’s French Embassy, scheduled to be demolished soon and replaced with a high-rise apartment building. Even embassy compounds must contribute to urban development, but for now you can wander through the old building and see installation art in “No Man’s Land.”

Still searching for that perfect gift? You know, the one that is going to make this the Christmas to remember.  I have labored over the years to find gifts that would bring happiness to those I love. No matter how nice the gift it never seems to bring lasting satisfaction. I have a garage full of “perfect gifts.”  They serve as a reminder that material things can never bring true joy. True joy comes from within.

One of my favorite books as a child was “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” If you remember, the Grinch decided to steal all the gifts in Whoville in hopes of ruining their celebration of Christmas. In the end it made the people of Whoville remember what Christmas was all about.  It even made the Grinch consider the possibility that Christmas was bigger than material things.

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.  Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…  He thought  …means a little bit more. (Dr. Seuss from “The Grinch who Stole Christmas)

When I look at our world today I see people who are searching. Some are searching for love and acceptance. Others are searching for significance. In the end I think all of us are searching for happiness.  Our country was founded on this very principle; “The pursuit of  happiness.”  Where does this desire come from? Why do we look for that which satisfies and fulfills us? It comes from God. You see, there is a God shaped void in all of our lives that only God can fill.  When you try to fill it with relationships or material things you will always be left looking for more. 

In Genesis we find that God took the dust of the earth and breathed the breath of life  into the nostrils man. The Bible also says that we were created in the very image of God. We are different from the rest of creation. We were created to have a relationship with the creator. Nothing else will satisfy.

In Matthew chapter 2 we find Magi from the east who traveled four months following a star.  They were men who spent their lives studying the planets and stars, searching for meaning in the heavens.  They were  now on a new journey, a new search that would lead them to the very person who created the heavens and the earth. When they arrived at the house were Jesus was they were “overjoyed” (Matthew 2:10).  

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

When the Magi found themselves in the presence of Jesus, the Immanuel, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and the Prince of Peace, they worshipped Him. Jesus is the perfect gift.  He is no longer in a manger, nor is He on a cross. He now lives in the hearts of men.  His presence in our lives brings true joy and happiness and will lead us to worship.  Like the Magi we should want to bring gifts to Him. What can you give Jesus this Christmas? What He wants more than anything is your heart.

Last Thursday, after the kids’ holiday program, The Two Guys decided to stop in at Vertical for a plate of short ribs that they were craving.  This would be our second visit and unlike the first, we were headed there for the sole purpose of scoring a plate of Vertical’s to-die-for shortribs.  As you will see, one thing led to another, and it was well after midnight by the time The Two Guys finally headed home.

David Haskell, the self-described “wine pimp” was gracious as ever, and he and his wine steward Akili presented us with a perfect succession of dishes . . . and wines.

First, they brought out bread and red pepper puree, and two glasses of the Tribaut Blanc de Blanc Champagne, made from 100% Chardonnay.

Bread and Red Pepper Puree

Nick is not much a fan of Chardonnay, but John thought it was a nice start to the meal, its herbal and fruity notes matching well with the smoky and sweet red pepper.

This was the same red pepper mixture as the last time we were here but a tad bit spicier and a bit bolder.  We immediately commented that it was better this time.  Haskell reminded us that there was a new chef in town.  Doug Weston, the new executive chef, is a former United States Marine and a graduate of the California School of Culinary Arts, and after tasting his creations, he has clearly found his art.

But would the short ribs be the same as last time?  “Better,” assured Haskell.

Next, we tried the Vertical version of Caprese Salad:  tomato, burratta, basil leaves, and truffle vinaigrette:

Caprese Salad with Burratta, Tomato, Basil and Salad Greens (sorry for the blurry photo)

The salad was awesome.  The burratta is a nice touch, though the tomatoes were a bit hard.  John lapped up the truffle vinaigrette.  Truffles.  Ahhh, they should be a food group.  They always add such a nice earthy, musty dimension to any dish.

Add Truffle Vinaigrette

This was paired with the Deus Belgian Beer. Though Haskell assured us that this would fool us for a white Burgundy, we disagreed.  He asked us to pick out the herbal notes, but all we tasted was . . . beer. We suggested a decent Chardonnay.  He scoffed and reminded us that he was the “wine pimp” and were in good hands.

Next was the Seared Hawaiian Ahi Tuna with potato Beaujolais and carrot puree:

Seared Hawaiian Ahi Tuna with Potato Beaujolais and Carrot Puree

With this, Haskell brought out two wines, the 2006 Francois Mikulski Aligote as well as a 2006 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain  (producer unknown — sorry, we forgot to write down the name of the producer).

Why two?  Because The Two Guys challenged Haskell to bring us “one white, one red.” The “wine pimp” met the challenge.  (OK, so his exact words were, “I have served kings and presidents.  I can handle you two.”)  Handle us, he did.  The Aligote cut right through the fat but was light and steely enough to complement the delicate tuna.  The Bourgogne Passetoutgrain (which was a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir) was full of berries on the nose and had a bit of a sweetness and tartness that matched with the sweet carrots.  The carrots were a tad pungent, which we suspected was due to the addition of clove or cinnamon, and that further worked very well with the red.  The Two Guys can see why this place is always busy – the combination of Weston’s cooking and Haskell’s wine pairing are a perfect score.

Next up was the reason why we came – Short Ribs with braised red cabbage, parsnip puree, in braising jus.

"Perfection" aka Short Ribs with Braised Red Cabbage, Parsnip Puree, in Braising Jus

Now let’s be real honest here:  In life, one eats only a very few absolutely perfect dishes.  This is one of them. Weston’s short ribs are expertly prepared, clearly having been seared and then braised all day, perhaps even overnight in a wine stock.  They literally fell apart under the nudging of a fork.  The flavor is multi-layered, deep, musty and sublime.  The cabbage was also braised, but only in a bit of brown sugar (or perhaps honey), which exacerbated the natural sugars in the cabbage.  The sweetness of the cabbage juxtaposed with the rich, slightly salty beef and earthy parsnip puree was just screaming out for a Cabernet.

Or was it?  Haskell wholly disagreed with a Cabernet suggestion.  Instead, he suggested and brought out the 2001 Domaine de Montvac Gigondas, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.  It had a nose that blasted oregano, minerals and floral.  The palate was equally herbacious and floral, but rounded out with some berry fruit as well, which altogether matched well with the entire plate.  The tannins were well-tuned.  This was a good wine.

In fact, Nick thought this was a great wine, and a classic pair to the short ribs.  The “wine pimp” was pleased.  “But I want a Cabernet too,” said John.

So we tried Round II.  Yes, The Two Guys ordered a second plate of Short Ribs.  And for that, Weston was pleased.

Short Ribs. Round Two.

This time, Akili chose the 2006 Dark Horse Cabernet.  The nose was absolutely huge with chocolate, raspberries, plums and cedar.  The palate was the same, in fact, even more so with the chocolate but with the addition of licorice and spice.  John thought that this was a great match to the rich short ribs.  Nick disagreed and sided with Haskell.  “This would be better with a chocolate dessert,” said Nick.  Haskell agreed.  And this time around, both scoffed at John.

Weston returned to the kitchen to work on duck for the next day:

Chef Doug Weston in the Vertical Kitchen

John enjoyed several cheeses for dessert:

Cheese Platter with Some Very Good Crusty, Yeasty, Piping Hot French Bread

The best by far was the Epoisses – a gooey, runny pungent unpasteurized cows-milk cheese that John absolutely adores.  The flavors are so rich and musty and when spread on piping hot French bread are just sublime.  (John says if there is a heaven, it must be stocked with Epoisses cheese).

Not a fan of Epoisses, Nick had some strawberries instead:

Simple. Strawberries and Cream.

After chatting with Haskell for a bit and watching the place empty out, The Two Guys left along with the last employee.

Another excellent dining adventure with the “wine pimp” David Haskell.

Until next time . . .

Vertical Wine  Bistro is located “Upstairs” at 70 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, California, (626) 795-3999.

‘Tis the season for lists of the best comics and graphic novels of 2009, an event I always enjoy more as a spectator than as a provider. I would feel comfortable listing my favorite comics of the year, but some pocket of insecurity blocks me from using the word “best.” Fortunately, ‘tis also the season to nominate titles for the 2010 Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards.

As you might recall, there was some disgruntlement over the rather narrow field of manga nominees in last year’s Eisner slate. This came on after a couple of years where there was a healthy sprinkling of comics and creators from Japan throughout the roster. While complaining afterwards is always fun (it’s the peak pleasure of “Best of” season, after all), I thought it certainly couldn’t hurt to throw out some suggestions for various Eisner categories while it might still make a difference.

Just looking at the aforementioned “Best of” lists, we can be reasonably certain that at least two titles are locks for some form of Eisner nomination: Naoki Urasawa’s Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka (Viz) and Yoshihiro Tatsumi’s A Drifting Life (Drawn & Quarterly). They’re the two comics from Japan that have appeared most frequently on lists of the best comics and graphic novels of 2009. They’re fine choices and among my favorite new works from 2009, but their respective inevitability makes me disinclined to dwell on them too much, except to recommend that A Drifting Life be nominated in the Best Reality-Based Work category.

I make that suggestion because 2009 saw a whole lot of extraordinary comics from Japan, so the real estate in the Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material – Japanese category will be costly indeed. To start, there’s Urasawa’s other series in current release, 20th Century Boys, which I actually prefer to Pluto. I’m not saying it’s a better comic point by point, but I enjoy reading it more. It may lack Pluto’s seriousness of purpose and craftsmanship, but it’s compulsively readable and friendlier. Perhaps the solution is to nominate Urasawa in the Best Writer/Artist – Drama category or to nominate Pluto in the Best New Series slate. Urasawa has popped up in a variety of categories in the past, and I see no reason for that trend to stop now.

Of course, I would hope that there’s room in the Best Writer/Artist roster for Takehiko Inoue, who has three series currently in English release, all from Viz: samurai epic Vagabond, available in regular and VizBig editions; shônen hoops classic Slam Dunk; and the achingly good, criminally underappreciated Real, which examines the lives of wheelchair basketball players. If the judges can’t bring themselves to give Inoue a Writer/Artist slot, I urge them in the strongest possible terms to save a space in Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material – Japanese or Best Continuing Series for Real, because it’s one of the finest comics currently in release, magnificently drawn and faultlessly written.

On the subject of magnificently drawn and beautifully written manga, this will be judges’ final opportunity to recognize Kaoru Mori’s breathtaking period drama, Emma (CMX). The tenth and final volume came out earlier this winter, offering a satisfying conclusion to the driving storyline and a sentimental farewell to the rich cast of supporting characters that made this series so rewarding. Intelligent, meticulously researched, emotionally resonant, and all-around glorious, a lot of people are going to miss this book terribly.

In a rather different vein, one devoid of delicacy or refinement but brimming with genius, please don’t forget Junko Mizuno’s subversive Little Fluffy Gigolo Pelu (Last Gasp). Mizuno is a household name, assuming that household name counts a hardcore comics omnivore among its residents. She should be more famous, with her inimitable aesthetic and subversive sensibilities, and Pelu could be the book that pushes her over the top. It’s a profane, hilarious look at the intersection of sex, love and obsession from the perspective of a sentient space ovary. It’s the comic equivalent of a hallucinogen mixed with an amphetamine, and it’s my favorite new manga of 2009. But I would also hope that there’s room for Daisuke Igarashi’s Children of the Sea (Viz), the first release in that publisher’s tremendously promising SigIKKI imprint of alternative manga. It’s a contemporary environmental fable with absolutely immersive artwork and subdued storytelling all around.

Speaking of the SigIKKI iprint, I see nothing that would prevent anyone from nominating the SigIKKI site in the Best Anthology category. One of the great pleasures of 2009 has been the ability to read new chapters of around a dozen exciting, alternative manga titles each Thursday. Beyond the extraordinary quality of some of the comics in rotation (many of which will be likely Eisner candidates when they see print), the whole thing strikes me as a very forward-looking initiative, a smart and generous loss leader to build an audience for books with perhaps marginal commercial potential.

Back on the subject of taking your last chance to recognize worthy work, judges might also do something really nervy and give a slot in the Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material – Japanese to Natsuki Takaya’s Fruits Basket (Tokyopop). Commercial success has never been a barrier to nomination in the past, and Fruits Basket is so much more than the piles and piles of money it made. It was a wrenching and lovely series throughout, and it ended with all of the grace and emotion its fans had every reason to expect. The Eisners haven’t nominated a shôjo title in this category since Fumi Yoshinaga’s Antique Bakery in 2007. (And while it’s not shôjo, nor is it explicitly for teens, keep an eye on Yoshinaga’s Ôoku from Viz for 2011. It’s off to a promising start, but I suspect it will hit its full stride next year.)

Of course, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if Fruits Basket was nominated in the Best Publication for Teens category, which manga could handily pack from top to bottom and still have partisans crying out at the injustice of some exclusion or another. I’ll limit myself to one suggestion for this category, Karuho Shiina’s Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You (Viz). It’s a hilarious romantic comedy about an outwardly creepy but inwardly sparkly girl trying to make friends on her own terms. It seesaws smartly between laughter and tears and speaks to the odd kid out.

Moving down the age scale, someone really should recognize Yen Press for rescuing Kiyohiko Azuma’s Yotsuba&! from publishing limbo. It was nominated in 2008 in the Best Publication for Kids category (or whatever it was called back then), and another nomination is in order. It’s still one of the funniest, freshest comics around, following a green-haired girl as she experiences the world’s many wonders, from riding a bike to running errands. Of course, it wasn’t conceived for kids, but who cares? And if you, like me, don’t read as many comics for kids as you feel you should, you can always check out this marvelous list of the year’s best from Good Comics for Kids.

Given that it’s so damned funny, Yotsuba&! might also sit comfortably in the Best Humor Publication category, but I have other plans there. The first involves a nomination for Kiminori Wakasugi’s hilariously distasteful Detroit Metal City (Viz), about a would-be emo-pop crooner forced to moonlight as a vile, death-metal front man. The second involves a nomination for Koji Kumeta’s dense satire, Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei: The Power of Negative Thinking (Del Rey). Beyond being a master class in the art and science of translation, this is a very funny book.

Jiro Taniguchi is a good writer, and he’s a positively magnificent illustrator, so I would recommend he be nominated as Best Penciller for his work on The Summit of the Gods (Fanfare/Ponent Mon), written by Baku Yumemakura. For reinforcement, Taniguchi sturdily wrote and gorgeously drew A Distant Neighborhood (Fanfare/Ponent Mon).

I can’t quite bring myself to recommend Inio Asano’s What a Wonderful World! (Viz) for a major category; there’s some outstanding work contained in these two volumes of short stories, but a goodly portion is merely very good. I’d have no reservations about suggesting “A Town of Many Hills” from the first volume for the Best Short Story prize, as it shows Asano at the peak of his considerable powers.

I’m not really worried that Taiyo Matsumoto’s GoGo Monster (Viz) will be neglected. It’s just too good. The only question is in which categories it will be nominated. To my thinking, it’s eligible for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material – Japanese, Best Graphic Album – Reprint Material, and Best Publication Design. Judges may want to limit that last possibility to new designs rather than stateside reproductions, but the packaging is extraordinary.

None of the Eisner categories will be easy to limit, but I suspect that Best Archival Collection will be particularly difficult. I’m not going to make it any easier. A year without a nomination for a work by Osamu Tezuka would just seem odd, and Vertical has been providing a valuable service (and really entertaining comics) by releasing a steady stream of Tezuka’s excellent medical melodrama Black Jack. At least some of the material in culinary classic Oishinbo (Viz), written by Tetsu Kariya and illustrated by Akira Hanasaki, is 20 years old, and all of it is lively, informative, and enriches the scope of Japanese comics available in translation and available comics in general. If it doesn’t qualify for the archival award, put it in the Best Edition of Foreign Material – Japanese. Just put it somewhere. Beyond being very, very good on strictly qualitative terms, Susumu Katsumata’s Red Snow (Drawn and Quarterly) gives readers a glimpse of a different kind of gekiaga, a category of dramatic comics for grown-ups previously defined by the aforementioned Tatsumi.

Entries for Eisner consideration are due March 8. Publishers, get cracking. Judges, get reading.

TMZ.com is reporting that Shane Sparks,40, a judge on MTV’s “Americas Best Dance Crew”, has been arrested on 8 counts of child molestation this morning.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/18/melvinsparks-shayne-americas-next-best-dance-crew-child-molestation-so-you-think-you-can-dance/

Here is a quote from their story on this case…

The LAPD took Sparks into custody at 8AM PT this morning on a felony warrant charging him with molestation. The alleged incident occurred in 1994. He is being held on $590,000 bail.

Shane Sparks is a choreographer in So You Think You Can Dance and a judge of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew. He also choreographed the Dreamgirls tour.

Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, says a criminal complaint was filed by the alleged victim, whose identity we are withholding because she was a minor at the time.

I am shocked by this news, as I am sure you all are, I thought Lil’ Momma was the only train wreck on that show, but…I guessed wrong.

What is interesting is how old Shane Sparks is….the brother is 40, and does not look it at all.

Here is a link to his Wikipedia biography if you need more information on who this particular alledged molester is-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Sparks

And here is a link to the actual arrest this morning courtesy of TMZ.com-

http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/18/shane-sparks-child-molestation-arrest-americas-best-dance-crew-so-you-think-you-dance-arrest-video/

We will keep you posted on any new happenings in this case, but,I hope it is a misunderstanding, but if not….good luck Shane!…you are going to need it.

Several callers to the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department in North Carolina describe the scene where Cincinnati Bengals player Chris Henry was injured falling off a moving pickup truck.

This sounds like a very heated and crazy moment that led to Chris Henry’ untimely demise.

Here is a link to the full story…http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bengals/2009-12-17-chris-henry-mainbar-charlotte_N.htm

If you haven’t seen my post of “Best of the Delta seen horizontally“, I suggest you check it out after you’ve scrolled through these shots.

As much as I hated it, I miss it with my whole heart; the Mississippi Delta. There’s nothing like the smell of wet cotten, mud between your toes, the sound of Locusts and the Delta Blues. I’m more than ready to get back home to America but more excited to be back in Mississippi, the good ol’ Delta. To get technical, Clarksdale…home of the Blues!!!

I guess you want to get on with actually viewing my best vertical shots of the Delta rather than reading bull crap.
_______________________________

1.] the Mighty Mississippi

2.] an abandoned shack seen just outside of Gunnison, Ms

3.] Renalara, Ms

4.] “Delta Rails” – Tutwiler, Ms

5.] “Swaying Amber” – Clarksdale, Ms

6.] near Tutwiler, Ms

7.] Clarksdale, Ms

8.] Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival – Clarksdale, Ms

9.] Tutwiler, Ms

10.] Sumner, Ms

11.]  Clarksdale, Ms

12.] Clarksdale, Ms

13.] Clarksdale, Ms

14.] Sumner, Ms

15.] near Tutwiler, Ms

Don’t forget to check out the horizontal photos at “Best of the Delta seen horizontally“

I have just been informed of the death of Roy E. Disney,79.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/roy-e-disney-who-became-a-power-at-his-uncle-walts-studio-dies-at-79/

Roy was the son of Disney Studios business mastermind Roy Disney Sr., who was the brother and business partner of  Walt Disney. He died Wednesday in Newport Beach following a year-long battle with stomach cancer.  For more biographical history of Mr. Disney, click here-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_E._Disney

As an ex-Disney Feature Animation employee during the ”Oliver and Company” and ”Little Mermaid” days, I would often run in to Mr Disney around the studio, and sometimes he would join in on conversations with the animators and chat it up just like one of the guys.

I directly benefited from his leadership in the resurgence of Disney 2 D animation during those days, which have been heralded as the second ”golden period” for Disney 2 D animation.

I also witnessed Roy in a fight against the corporation, that was dedicated to ruining the Disney Feature animation division, and the dismantling of our 2 D animation department, that was the reason for the worldwide success of the Disney brand.

Over the years, I also saw Roy Disney being a tremendously loyal person.

He was so loyal, I like to tell people, that he even bought his favorite restaurant, The Smoke House- 4420 West Lakeside Drive, Burbank, CA‎ – (818) 845-3731‎, when they had planned on closing due to the lack of business that they had experienced there.

Smoke House Restaurant...one of Roy Disney favorites

As a long time residence of Toluca Lake, I appreciated that gesture, because it was and continues to be one of my all time favorite restaurants as well.It’s definetly great for lunch, and a traditional place for  those of us in the animation industry to meet and drink at.

I also remember Roy, chain-smoking at a company wide meeting, and letting us know how happy he was that our movie ”Oliver and Company” opened up so successfully, and then giving the whole crew a substantial financial bonus, in honor of the success of the movie at the box office.

The history and biography of the life and times of Roy Disney will be reported on, quite extensively by others in the media, in the coming days, so I will give my own point of view on Mr.Disney.

Roy Disney was an adventurer, and owned yachts, and several fast cars.

My favorite one was his 1955 Ford Thunderbird, and I just loved the restoration he had done on that car…I wanted one badly.

Once I had the opportunity to talk with him about the car, and he was in to it.

He must have lived around the area, because I would pass by him on my drive home on Forest Lawn Drive, which is a two lane winding country like road. A couple of times at a stop light, he recognized me, and he would give me a thumbs up greeting, and then he pealed out, and then so did I.

His 1955 T-Bird was a little bit faster than my car, but I am a pretty good driver, and I do not get scared, but let me tell you all, Roy Disney was all about racing.

He beat me every time, and I always would tell my friend Phil Young, who also liked to race dangerously on city streets, that I let him win because he was the boss, but Phil knew Roy for several years, and he knew what Roy was capable of in the racing department.

Those were fun times, and that is just a small slice of the spirit of this great man.I bet he was a fun dad, uncle, and family member.He certainly was a great man to work for.

I was always impressed by how Mr Disney would treat us animators with respect, and I always felt that he truly respected all of us, and considered himself a part of our team, which he was.

I salute Roy Disney, and all the great things he has done with his life. He could have just gone off and become a spoiled rich kid, but interestingly enough, he elected to work with all of us at the studio.

I remember the first time I met him, he shook my hand, and I just remember how much he resembled Walt Disney, it was profound.

With his Shamrock Holdings company, and all the advances he made for 2 D animation, I would like his family to know that he will truly be missed.

When it all comes to an end, just know that Roy Disney was a good man, and his loyalty, and fun that he brought to us all, made a lot of people successful and happy.

I salute you Mr Roy Disney.

Sources-

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/12/roy-disney-walts-nephew-has-died-at-79/1

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/16/report-roy-disney-nephew-_n_394563.html

November 20 – 22 there was a very useful training conference at the Norwegian School of Sports Science. Here are some of the main highlights.

Vincenzo Canali - “Postural Base of Sport”, this was a true eye opener. His method of ´kinetic chain´ testing and building in the body, is fundamental for all sports particularly athletics, gymnastics, swimming and all yoga/pilates. His methods are simple and straight forward, but are underpinned by an excellent knowledge of anatomy and physiology. His six phases 1) passive, 2) isometric, 3) eccentric, 4) concentric. 5) dynamic and 6) sports specific, really show how posture is the medium between which strength and technique combine to produce effective power in a sports specific movement. Since his workshop I have been incorporating his techniques with all my clients on a daily basis. I am currently working on my own presentation of his ideas with video, in the mean time you can see his work at:

http://www.stabhochsprung.com/epvc/gymnasticmovies/index.html

The presentation he gave is at:

http://www.stabhoch.com/epvc/canali_gymnastics.pdf

Plus a lot of pole vault videos relating to his work can be found at:

http://www.stabhochsprung.com/

When you understand how the body best deals with force, with regard to postural postion in the sagittal plane, it becomes obvious how and why athletes are using their bodies. For example in the high jump there are variations in technique, all of which can be justified regarding the mobility of the individuals kinetic chain, like foot up or down during the jump, lead arm position, lead knee position and sartorial strength relative to adductors and hamstring co-ordination. If you would like to discuss any of these aspects please just email or comment below.

Edvard Harnes – Strength and conditioning for jumps. I had a good chat to Edvard about his experience with the German national team, and his website can be found at:

http://www.trenerforeningen.org/

He has a lot of presentations and video at:

http://www.trenerforeningen.org/webmaster.shtml

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in Oslo today to accept his Nobel Peace Prize award. President Obama stated that  he is humbled by the award and receives it with an ‘acute sense’ of the cost of war.

”To say that force  may sometimes be necessary is not a call to cynicism …but an acknowledgement of history”…and as a head of state, he must defend our nation”…

I give it to the President , for I too hate war, but sometimes war comes too you, whether you like it or not.

Congratulations Mr.President, because I am sure that the truth hurts to hear, as well as it is to say….

WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 06: Robert De Niro poses for photos on the red carpet before the 32nd Kennedy Center Honors at Kennedy Center Hall of States on December 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images)

Content © 2009 Getty Images All rights reserved.

Why just look at what’s arriving when you can look three months… into the future? Yes, it’s time to peruse the December 2009 edition of Diamond’s Previews catalog.

New shôjo from CMX is always worth a look. This month’s offering is My Darling! Miss Bancho, written and illustrated by Mayu Fujikata. It’s a reverse-harem romantic comedy about a girl whose dreams of starting a new life go south when she realizes she’s the only female student at her new technical school. It was originally published by Hakusensha in LaLa, which has also given the world Ouran High School Host Club, Penguin Revolution, Venus in Love, and Vampire Knight, among others. That would make the magazine what one might call a “reliable source.” (Page 119)

On the ongoing front, we have the second volume of Asuka Izumi’s adorable The Lizard Prince and the 15th volume of Yasuko Aokie’s mad classic, From Eroica with Love. (Page 121)

CLAMP fans, rejoice! Not only is Del Rey publishing CLAMP in America, a richly detailed history of the manga-making super-group, it’s being written by the inimitable Shaenon Garrity. Del Rey also promises “a detailed guide to their work; a rare behind-the-scenes look at their creative process, together and separately; CLAMP’s role in the explosion of manga in America; interviews, and more.” Sounds like an essential for CLAMP fans, Garrity fans, and manga watchers in general. So that’s basically everyone, right? (Page 224)

I loved Raina Telgemeier’s Smile mini-comics, so I’m thrilled that they’ve turned into a new graphic novel to be published by Graphix. Publishers Weekly calls it a “charming addition to the body of young adult literature that focuses on the trials and tribulations of the slightly nerdy girl.” Graphix doesn’t seem to have added it to its web site, so I’ll point you toward the Barnes & Noble listing. (Page 236)

NBM has been translating a series of graphic novels created in conjunction with the Louvre museum in Paris. I loved the first, Nicolas De Crécy’s Glacial Period, and thought the second, Marc-Antoine Mathieu’s The Museum Vaults: Excerpts from the Journal of an Expert, was intriguing but problematic. But honestly, I’ll buy any of these books that NBM chooses to publish. Next up is Eric Liberge’s On the Odd Hours, about “a deaf night watchman who somehow manages to communicate with the souls of these ethereal and timeless works of art.” (Page 256)

Oni offers a softcover edition of Scott Chantler’s terrific historical adventure, Northwest Passage. I’ve already reviewed the hell out of this series, so I’ll link instead of repeating myself. (Page 257)

While I don’t usually point out books that are being offered again without any significant format changes, I have to make an exception for Osamu Tezuka’s demented bit of gekiga brilliance, MW (Vertical). If you missed it the first time around, now’s your chance. (Page 272)

Viz sent me a preview copy of Natsume Ono’s not simple, and I’m even more convinced that 2010 will be the year she explodes in stateside critical (and hopefully consumer) consciousness. It’s an amazing book. This edition of Previews brings the happy news that Ono’s Ristorante Paradiso will soon be in our hands (if you consider three months soon). It’s about family secrets and a restaurant in Rome staffed by hunky men of a certain age. I can’t wait. (Page 277) You can check out Ono’s splendid House of Five Leaves on Viz’s SIGIKKI site.

Other noteworthy Signature arrivals include the fourth volume of Detroit Metal City and the eighth and final volume of Pluto. (Page 277)

And speaking of Viz’s online initiatives, a Shonen Sunday title sees print. It’s shôjo superstar Yuu Watase’s shônen debut, Arata: The Legend. (Page 280)

Today I woke up to the news that one of my African-American broadcasting heroes, Bryant Gumbel, is recovering from a bought with malignant lung cancer. Gumbel is 61 years young, and his presence in the broadcasting community has had a major impact for several years.

I call him a pioneer, because Bryant broke into the national media at a time when it was not too popular to have a black man in a leading position on the TV news, or even in Sports news, although more likely than not, African-Americans were dominating all of the popular American sports the moment we were allowed to compete against non-black athletes.

USA Today reports that…Gumbel was among the first announcers to cross over from sports to general entertainment. After working as a reporter and studio host for NBC Sports, he became an NBC Today show host. In recent years, he’s returned to TV sports including working as the NFL Network’s first play-by-play game announcer although he hadn’t previously called football games…

Bryant Gumbel defeated all of his competition to rise to the esteemed position as lead Host on the ”Today” show, on the NBC television network. He is credited with promoting Katie Couric and for mentoring current ”Today” show host Matt Lauer throughout their careers.

It is unclear to me if Bryant was a regular smoker of cigarettes, but he is known to enjoy a celebratory cigar from time to time, but there is no evidence that any of that is the cause of his cancer battle.

One does not have to be a smoker to develop lung cancer, but it is usually at cause for the disease.

Bryant Gumbel announced Tuesday morning that he had cancer surgery two months ago to remove a malignant tumor near his lung. The subject came up during a live taping of the  ”Live! with Regis and Kelly,” where Bryant is filling in this week for co-host Regis Philbin,who is undergoing hip replacement surgery, Gumbel brought it up to explain why he could not dance with co-host Kelly Ripa.

Needless to say, Kelly and the audience were stunned. Bryant said that he kept it away from his staff and close relationships, but he did tell his immediate family. The broadcaster is notoriously private.

The former ‘Today’ show anchor says he had a tumor and part of his lung removed two months ago.

He states that  he is seeing his surgeon next week.

“I’m hoping they greenlight me to play golf again,” he said.

http://wp.me/pEzT2-kk

Senator Harry Reid was correct to say that the Republican’s are resisting Health care reform much like the Democratic senator’s that were resisting the abolishment of slavery, prior to the Civil War.

They want us to not have health care, so that the majority of us will die off quickly and they are committed to our death from disease.

I applaud Senator Harry Reid, who is only speaking the truth, to those that already know that they hate us, as much as they loved slavery.

I am glad that Bryant has the financial ability to provide health care to his family and himself,and I encourage all men to go seek the highest level of medical care you are able to receive, even if you have to go to a free clinic.

Your family and future may depend on it.

Sources-

http://bossip.com/188206/bryant-gumbel-on-the-mend-after-cancer-surgery/

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2009-12-08-bryant-gumbel-lung-cancer-surgery_N.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/08/bryant-gumbel-cancer-anno_n_383844.html

A 35-year-old New Zealand man is facing up to 14 years in prison for sentencing his wife to a lifetime of pain and suffering, when he forcibly injected her twice with a sewing needle that he had soaked and dipped in HIV tainted blood.

The diseased blood came from his own body, and he injected his 33-year-old unsuspecting wife while she was sleeping next to him in their marital bed.

It is being reported that the man injected her with the disease because his wife decided to abstain from sex with him…because he was HIV positive, which only makes good sense.

If he truly loved her, he would not want to subject her to his disease, and he should have been appreciative that she decided to support him.

But no…this man is a self obsessed narcissist, and the he only cares about his own self-gratification, and is devoid of love. Unfortunetly for his wife, she realized this far too late for her to preserve her health.

The man claimed that he did it so that his wife would start having sex with him again, as she had refused to do so out of fear of contracting the disease. He gave her the virus by pricking her with a sewing needle tainted with his blood.

The Telegraph.co.uk reports that…His wife told a New Zealand court that she discovered a sting-like mark on her left thigh in May last year. Later that day, when she returned home unexpectedly, she saw her husband in the bedroom with a syringe full of blood.

Two days later she awoke to a stinging feeling in her leg, the Australian Associated Press reported. He denied pricking her, but later she found evidence of “blood sprinkles” on the duvet.

In September, when her doctor suggested a test at a routine checkup, she found she was HIV-positive.

This definitely gives us all something to think about, as this is one of those crimes of passion that seems to rate as an attempt on her life.

This is a case of ‘’slow murder” that is premeditated ,coupled with biological warfare. Life in prison would be a more likely charge in my opinion,but he will soon die from his disease.

I hope that they do not treat him for it, and with hold his medication so he can suffer before he dies. It sure seems like he had a good and loyal wife, who does not deserve what she is going through.

Police charged the man in October of last year. Keep the needles to yourself…and leave them to those that need them in order to survive, but absolutely not to kill, as in this case of marital abuse…

Mainlining... Shooting Up...

Read the full story here,and let me know your reactions to this sick crime…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/6752023/HIV-positive-man-infects-sleeping-wife-with-virus-in-needle-attack.html

World Speedskating champion Shani Davis has done it again!

http://wp.me/pEzT2-kP

Shani Davis smashed the world record by running the third fastest time ever Sunday in Calgary,and fastest anywhere but Salt Lake City, the world’s fastest rink — to win the 1,000 meters at the speed skating World Cup.

Davis was chasing his own world record (1:06.42) he set in Salt Lake  last March, and missed it only by a few seconds by  finishing in an astounding 1 minute, 6.91 seconds at the Olympic Oval, well ahead of Lee Kyou-Hyuk of South Korea in 1:07.61.

Shani Davis is unbeaten in three world cup’s this season, and his dominance is only getting stronger. As it stands now, Shani is in competition with himself-because there is no one in the world that has a chance to beat him.

He is demolishing the competition, and this is only the beginning. I predict a clean sweep at the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

The world will come to know Shani Davis by his accomplishment dominating the sport of speed skating, and not for his little ‘row’ with comedian/Team sponsor Stephen Colbert.

Last Friday, Shani was thrust into the tabloid press by his very public denouncement of the acerbic comedian, that had upset Shani, by referring to the great nation of Canada in a very disrespectful manner.

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/12/03/speedskater-shani-davis-calls-team-patron-stephen-colbert-a-jerk/

Some in the media have been trying to portray Shani to be a self-centered, self-absorbed glory seeker, but I say that this is unfair,if you look at the main objective here. You are not self-centered if you simply look after your strongest business position, and sometimes the solo competitions take precedence over the team relay competitions.

There is a time and place for both.

Shani is in this sport to win, and he is fully aware of the fact that when he does win in a severely dominating way-ala Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps….then all the eyes of the world will be on him, as well as the sport of speed skating.

Face it…do you think that I know anything about it, outside of ”Hans Brinker” stories and my man Shani Davis here.I am certain it’s like that throughout black America. Shani is going to let us all know what’s up with Speed skating through his dominant streak of world record victories, and by being a black man doing it in a white sport…if you know what I mean…

The reality of it is that he can have the same effect his sport that Joe Louis had in his,and become the pound for pound speed skating champion loved by all.

Kids will probably make up a dance called the ”Shani!”…after he sweeps the Olympics.

Just wait and see.

Shani also has to recognize the basic financial realities that can be rewarded to him when he sweeps all of his competitions in the Olympics-and I want him to have all that he can attain. He, as well as all of his fellow Olympians, must desire the financial windfall that Olympic swimming hero Michael Phelps’ and Sprinter Usain Bolt received after they dominated and swept their respective competitions.

Do you think that Shani Davis is selfish for wanting to be like Michael Phelps….rather than Cullen Jones?

I think the answer for Shani is simple, as he is a champion.

Handle your business Shani, and just know that, as your star rises as in the sport of speed skating,you will inspire a nation of  African-Americans to become fans of your sport, as we join together to support and celebrate your continued streak of victories.

The world will have to bow down to your dominance in the sport of speed skating.

Follow the story here at these trusted sources…

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/vancouver/speedskating/2009-12-06-world-cup_N.htm

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/12/davis-speeds-to-world-cup-win-track-record-in-the-1000.html

Shani Davis Does It Again...World Cup Speed Skating

Breaking News- The lowly Washington Redskins have just almost  defeated the NFL’s leading quarterback Drew Brees, and his 11-0 perfect team, the New Orleans Saints,in a hard-fought battle in D.C.

They definitely gave the Saints all they could handle today. I see the potential in the Redskins to be a great team in the future, and they will give every team they play this year a headache.

The Redskins have had a terrible season,and their coach Jim Zorn is rumored to be on his way out.

The Redskins QB Jason Campbell had a career day, in an effort to bolster the spirits of his team, and their fans.

Overtime is inevitable, barring the amazing from Drew Brees and the Saints.

With the score tied 30-30, the Saints drove down the field in an attempt to gain yardage so they can end the game with a tie-breaking field goal.

They attempted a 58 yard field goal with 3 seconds left in regulation and no time outs left, which they missed.

On to overtime!

Washington wins the coin toss, and you know what that means in professional football…he who wins the coin toss, usually wins the game. The announcers on the broadcast chime in to note that that is what usually happens in pro football, but for some reason this year, the opposite has been happening.

The Redskins decide to receive the football, which New Orleans kicks to them. The Skins start on the 29 yard line.

Campbell makes a torpedo like strike to Santana Moss, who catches it for a first down on the 39 yard line,the drive is on…until a Redskins receiver fumbles the ball, which is recovered by New Orleans.

The announcers words about the overtime periods this season seem almost prophetic. If you are not excited about this game, then you just do not like football.

New Orleans drives down the field to the 2 yard line, and they attempt an 18 yard field goal,which is an easy one for any professional kicker to make.

The Saints come back after being ten points down to win the game by three points,33-30, preserving their perfect record of 12-0 for this season.

The NFL has only one more team with a perfect record this season, and that is the Peyton Manning led Indianapolis Colts.

Truly an amazing game, and exceptional season for the New Orleans Saints.

 Follow more on this story here…

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/Game%20Day/Seasons/2009%20Schedule/Game%2012%20-%20at%20Washington.aspx

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/a-halftime-tie-for-redskins-sa.html

Some of the 1,092 officers are under investigation for their role in the Nov. 23 massacre of the supporters of gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu and journalists, said Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/25/death-toll-rises-in-phili_n_370282.html

The military on Wednesday announced that it was limiting the movements of the Ampatuan clan to avoid unpleasant incidents when arrest warrants were served against any family member.

The ARMM governor’s brother, Andal Ampatuan Jr., the mayor of Datu Unsay town, has been charged with multiple murder in connection with the massacre and is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila.

The elder Ampatuan, patriarch of the family with close ties to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was charged by the NBI and Mangudadatu with multiple murder, damage to property and robbery.

 On November 23 supporters of local vice-mayor Ismail Mangudadatu and 30 journalists were killed as they prepared to launch his candidacy for the governance of the Maguindanao Province. The clan of Ampatuan were blamed for the incident but lawyers of the suspects say their clients are innocent.

Follow this story here from my sources…

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091206-240390/Martial-law-administrator-has-a-mind-of-his-own

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/05/world/international-uk-philippines-abduction.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/05/philippines.massacre/

Rumors are ablaze today about the cover up of the child molestation conviction of R & B singer Pleasure P, birth name Marcus Cooper, and the public cover up of the facts of the case by the record label that holds a five album contract with the group, and currently solo act Pleasure P.

The serious allegations are that he  acted like a child molester acts with at least two children, a boy aged 3 and a girl aged 4.

The buzz about Pleasure P’s inappropriate behavior have been around for several years, but they heated up in early 2007 ,right around the time that Pleasure P was asked to leave his group Pretty Ricky.

Apparently,Pleasure P was caught molesting his 3-year-old nephew and niece because they showed signs of penetration in their genitals and private areas,when he was 16.

He served like 8 months, rehab and community service by time the trial came up. Marcus accepted a plea with the State of Florida and Joseph Smith who is the care giver of the niece and nephew which Marcus “Pleasure P” Cooper molested. These are not the only papers filed against him. These are the first of 3. As part of the plea agreement Marcus plead guilty and paid an “undisclosed amount” to remain free and have the records “sealed” and on the family level for them to remain quiet and not to speak publicly about it…

I recommend that you read the full article about this from the source,Necole  Bitchie.com, and support her site…

http://necolebitchie.com/2009/12/03/a-break-down-of-the-pleasure-p-child-molestation-drama-documents

This is ugly, because she has uncovered evidence of a cover-up by the record label, in their actions to suppress this information from getting out to the public.

I for one applaud Necole and all the other bloggers that have shined a bright light on this child molester…thank you all.

We all have witness the tragic child rapes and murders by convicted child molesters that were set free, only to prowl our neighborhoods, only to molest and victimize more of our children.

Child molestation is not something that one can be rehabilitated from, and I feel that any person over the age of 8, that is caught molesting another child, should be separated from society permanently.

A report surfaced this week in a Southern California city, San Diego, that claims that …70 percent of registered sex offenders in San Diego County are living within 2,000 feet of a school or park!

That is in direct violation Jessica’s Law, which states that sex offenders “shall not reside within 2,000 feet of any public or private school or park… ” Read the full story herehttp://www.10news.com/news/21714695/detail.html

Law enforcement knew about this problem,but, just like the record company that owns Pretty Rickey and Pleasure P, they opted to suppress the information from the public. The label did it because this group had a hit record, and they were making a substantial amount of money from them,which is more important to these executives than the safety of our children.

The city of San Diego…well,I don’t know why they wouldn’t follow the law, but I bet it has to do with the lack of financial resources to track the vast amount of child molesters in that city, because the city is financially unstable.They are laying off the police dogs, and cutting back on policing, while the crime rate is steeply increasing, and the child molesters are running rampant.

I say do not support this record label,and delete Pretty Ricky tunes, at least the ones this pervert is on, from your Ipod,..and most of all, make sure you let this record company know how mad you are at them promoting a child molester, and paying to hide that information from the public, and their fans.

As for San Diego is concerned…watch your minor children like a hawk, because the child molesters sure are, and the laws we have tho protect them, are not being followed.

Write your city council member!!!

You can also follow this story here…http://www.mediatakeout.com/2009/37300-explosive_rb_singer_pleasure_p_from_the_group_pretty_ricky_star_gets_caught_up_in_child_molestation_charges_details_court_docs_and_a_quote_from_his_former_bandmates.html

Photographed by gazrad

www.garyradler.com

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