Welcome to the Blog -
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 24
“Men do not lie about their age.”
ON THIS DAY
On this date way back in the year 48 BC that Caesar defeated Pompey at Pharsalus... which, we believe, was an early form of backgammon.
Patrick Henry became the Governor of Virginia in 1776. Of course, he's famous for the phrase: "Give me liberty or give me death!" That was also the day the British coined the phrase, "No problem!"
On this date in 1767, the British parliament imposed a tax on all glass, lead, paint, paper and tea being shipped to America. As you know, all the rest was fine... but the tea was just one tax too many.
In 1940, the first issue of "Batman" was published. Only hours later, the joke "Oh, he was in the batroom" was told for the first time.
On this date in 1953, congress passed the Highway Act... which resulted in the construction of dozens of freeways, allowing millions of people to drive slower than ever before.
In 1956, Charles Dumas became the first person to high jump over 7 feet. When asked how he did it, Charles replied, "Because of the Rottweiler on the other side of that 7-foot fence!"
TODAY IS
Evelyn "Champagne" King turns 49 today. Back in the disco era, she was hot. But since that time -- as far as her career goes -- Champagne has gone flat.
Carlos Santa celebrates his 62nd birthday today. He's so "Smooth..."
Gary Busey turns 65 today, despite his best efforts.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
TV pitchman Billy Mays was found dead Sunday morning. He was 50.
An apparent "secret library" of songs that Michael Jackson recorded for his children could be released now that he's gone.
Jackson's three kids are currently in the custody of his mom, Katherine.
A lawyer for the doctor who was with Michael Jackson when he died says the physician found the entertainer in his bed with a faint pulse.
Sarah Jessica Parker and husband Matthew Broderick took home their twin girls from an Ohio hospital where a surrogate mother gave birth to them last week.
Daniel Radcliffe says that dating girls his own age is "tiresome" and prefers ladies in their 20s.
Cosmopolitan magazine reports women are drawn to men with a fresh scent, like baby powder.
Whitney Houston's new album coming out September 1st will be titled, "I look to you."
Did you know that Rhode Island's official name is "the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." The legislature is looking at chopping off the Plantations part.
Johnny Depp left a $4,000 tip at a Chicago restaurant, Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse, where and 15 people were celebrating a red carpet screening of his new movie "Public Enemies."
If you drink one 8-ounce glass of low-sodium vegetable juice every day, it could help you to lose about four pounds in 12 weeks, according to researchers from the University of California, Davis.
Drew Barrymore says she's been stalked... by two squirrels in the front yard of her L.A. home.
WEIRD NEWS
What Is It With Our Southern Politicians? - So what is it with our Southern politicians these days? First we have South Carolina governor Mark Sanford going AWOL for a week only to be caught having an affair with some Argentinean chick -- now we've got the former mayor of Clayton, Georgia, Mark Musselwhite, arrested for public nudity! Mayor Musselwhite was found by police sitting nude at his Rabun County campsite. He told police officers he had been swimming in a nearby creek. The Republican was elected to the Gainesville City Council in 2000, where he served for six years, including a stint as mayor. He lost a bid for a state Senate seat in 2006. Now apparently he spends his time camping and stripping! (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
World's Most Expensive Casket - When police in Dallas pulled over William Dale Crock for not wearing his seatbelt, they found a much bigger problem. There was a casket in the back of his van, but a search of the casket revealed no dead bodies, but nearly 100 pounds of pot instead! A drug-sniffing dog alerted officers to the casket in the van. And just think -- all this could have been avoided if he had just remembered to buckle up! (myway.com)
House Catches Fire Two Nights in a Row! - The house may be built in Lake Success, New York, but there's nothing successful about it. Authorities say the same house caught on fire two nights in a row. Both fires were deemed accidental and they appeared to be related to construction work. Fortunately no injuries were reported and while nobody was occupying the house at the time, the million dollar home had just been sold. One of the two fires caused extensive damage. (Newsday)
The Free Beer Ticket! - Kim Schroeder was running for vice president of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Teachers Education Association, and promised a five-point program in her bid for the office. The first four points were all vows to make the union more aggressive toward the school board. But his fifth point, and perhaps his most important point, was "to make sure that there is beer and wine available for the monthly Leaders' Meetings." Alas, it didn't go over as well as you might of expected and Schroeder lost. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Under The Sea! - Using GPS and state-of-the-art sonar, Columbia University researchers recently made the first comprehensive map of the wonders that are submerged in New York City's harbors. Inventory highlights include a 350-foot steamship (downed in 1920), a freight train (derailed in 1865), 1,600 bars of silver (unrecovered since 1903), a fleet of Good Humor ice cream trucks (which form a reef for aquatic life), and so many junked cars near the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges that divers use them as underwater navigation points. (New York Magazine)
TOP FIVE MOST OBVIOUS SIGNS YOUR KIDS ARE BORED
1. They actually confess: they're tired of video games!
2. There's a worn path between the house and the mailbox
3. They're franchising their Lemonade stand business
4. They've asked to paint the outside of the house....again!
5. They not only cleaned their rooms, they want to add on a sun room
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
In South Carolina, there's still a first lady. It's just that now, we know about a second one.
Now, to make matters worse, the Governor of South Carolina is being charged with impersonating a Democrat!
As if economic times weren't hard enough, with the passing of Michael Jackson, the paparazzi announced they were laying off 74 sleaze-ball, scumbag photographers.
Michael's brother Jermaine is acting as family spokesperson during this tragedy, which is great news: he's finally got work!
(pause) Oh, I'm sorry. I was just looking at the man in the mirror....
Michael Jackson died last Friday in Los Angeles. Parts of his body ranged from 10 years to age 50.
Michael Jackson is dead. This, of course, contracting earlier reports from his aides that he was out on a hike.
I guess the thing I'm hoping the most that won't happen is that they put in Michael's obituary "He was preceded in death by Bubbles"
FUN THINGS TO DO AT THE DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW
Stand close to the speaker and yell your order, using colorful expletives in ways which would embarrass the patrons inside.
Drive through backwards.
Belch your order.
After ordering, cover the speaker and mic with transparent tape. Watch as customers and order- takers are unable to hear each other and, thus, each raises his/her volume.
Barter. Offer a Whopper for a Big Mac.
Walk through.
Speak a foreign language (make one up if you have to). When the manager comes to the mike, speak English and inquire as to why the order taker had such difficulty understanding you.
Repeat everything the order-taker says.
Attempt to take the order-takers order ("Hi, may I take your order?") before they get a chance to take yours.
Order confusing items, i.e., "Hi, I'll have a large orange Coke and a small medium fries, please."
In a crowded drive-through line, place a HUGE order, then slip out of line and watch the fun as the person behind you is handed 40 bags of food.
When you arrive at the window to pick up your food, hand them several bags of garbage & ask if they'll dispose of it for you. Make sure it smells.
Drive through with a carload of naked people.
Speak in such a garbled fashion that the order-taker will think there is a problem with the speaker and ask you to order at the window. When you arrive at the window, speak in the same garbled, incomprehensible fashion.
Drive through with someone on the hood to accept the food.
Bring along a Mr. Microphone. When the order-taker speaks, aim the mike at their speaker but do so while aiming the Mr. Microphone speaker at the mike to produce excruciating feedback of their own voice.
One word: Flatulence.
Have a friend hide in the trunk. When you approach the window to pickup your order, have him start yelling and banging his fists on the trunk.
If you are a male, have a female friend place the order by speaking very seductively and suggestively into the speaker. When she finishes, have her hide and pull up to accept your order.
See how many of the order-takers fellow employees have been called over to the window to "check out the babe."
Change a flat tire in the drive-through lane.
TO BE OR WANTED TO BE
I wanted to be an assassin so I gave it a shot.
I wanted to be a surgeon so I took a stab at it.
I had an itch to open a calamine lotion factory, but I knew I would have to start from scratch.
I wanted to be a podiatrist, but I got off on the wrong foot.
I wanted to be a urologist, but had to flush the idea.
I wanted to be a plumber, but it was only a pipe dream.
I wanted to be a missionary cobbler, I figured I could save soles.
I wanted to be a optometrist, but I didn't see eye to eye with the teacher.
I wanted to be a barber or Proctologist, so I flipped a coin to see if it would be heads or tails.
I wanted to be a food taster, but I bit off more than I could chew.
I wanted to be a baker, but I couldn't raise the dough.
I wanted to be a pilot, but it never took off.
I wanted to be a librarian, but I shelved the idea.
I wanted to be a butcher, but I backed into a meat grinder and got a little behind in my work.
I wanted to be a dentist, but I was always down in the mouth.
I wanted to be a tire salesman, but that went flat.
I wanted to be a musician, but it ended up on a bad note.
I wanted to be an accountant, but it just didn't add up.
I wanted to be a belly dancer, but I couldn't shake the feeling.
I wanted to be a computer programmer, but I couldn't hack it.
I wanted to be a prostitute, but I got laid off.
I wanted to work as a vacuum cleaner salesman, but the job really sucked.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR –
- Friday was a sad day in Hollywood. I guess you can say it. She's really with the Angels now. But enough about Michael Jackson...Farrah Fawcett died too you know!
- In North Carolina, there's a new state program that pays young girls a dollar-a-day to not get pregnant. Talk about not getting any bang for your buck.
On To ROCK NEWS –
'HEY JUDE' VOTED GREATEST PAUL McCARTNEY SONG…The Beatles' "Hey Jude" has been voted by fans' as their favorite Paul McCartney song. In honor of McCartney's 67th birthday last week (June 18th) Rolling Stone asked readers to post their favorite McCartney song from his entire career -- spanning his decade long runs in the Beatles, Wings and the nearly 30 years since he truly went "solo."
The Top 15 Paul McCartney songs as voted by Rolling Stone readers is:
1. "Hey Jude" -- 1968
2. "Penny Lane" -- 1967
3. "Maybe I'm Amazed" -- 1970
4. "Helter Skelter" -- 1968
5. "Oh! Darling" -- 1969
6. "Live And Let Die" -- 1973
7. "Eleanor Rigby" -- 1966
8. "I Will" -- 1968
9. "Jet" -- 1973
10. "Yesterday" -- 1965
11. "Let It Be" -- 1970
12. "Let Me Roll It" -- 1973
13. "Band On The Run" -- 1973
14. "Too Many People" -- 1971
15. "For No One" -- 1966
During The Beatles Anthology, McCartney explained that the inspiration for "Hey Jude" was none other than Julian Lennon: "I was driving out to John's house after John and Cynthia had got divorced and I was just going out to say hello to Cynthia and Julian. And I started coming up with these words. In my own mind I was kind of talking to Julian. 'Hey Jules don't take it bad, take a sad song and make it better.' You know it will be alright. So I kind of got the first of the idea on the way out there with this Hey Jules as I thought it was going to be called, It seemed a little bit of a mouthful so I changed it to Jude."
Paul McCartney tour dates (subject to change):
July 11 - Halifax, NS - Halifax Commons
July 17, 18, 21 - New York, NY - Citi Field
August 1 - Landover, MD - FedExField
August 5, 6 - Boston, MA - Fenway Park
August 15 - Atlanta, GA - Piedmont Park
AEROSMITH DRUMMER HOPES BOOK WILL HELP PEOPLE…Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer is doing more than playing music this summer -- he's also promoting a book. Kramer will publish his autobiography, Hit Hard: A Story Of Hitting Rock Bottom At The Top, on Tuesday (June 30th). The book chronicles his years of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as battles with depression, a dysfunctional relationship with his father and an antagonistic, ''co-dependent'' friendship with Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.
Kramer tells us that he hopes readers will learn something from his experiences: ''Really my goal is for it to be entertaining but at the same time I think the primary goal that I have is to help people, and that's always been my premise is to help people and to be of service and be entertaining. So as long as I can continue doing what I'm doing I think that writing the book is just another step along the way of helping other people.''
Kramer wrote Hit Hard with William Patrick and Keith Garde. Aerosmith published a band biography, Walk This Way: The Autobiography Of Aerosmith, in 1997. But Kramer isn't the only group member with his own memoir; Steven Tyler is working on Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?, which has been moved from an October publication date to the summer of 2010
MICK JAGGER TOPS 'WORST ROCK ACTOR' LIST…Mick Jagger has been named Rock's worst actor in a list published by Britain's The Independent. Rounding off the Top Three worst rock star actors are Sting and Madonna.
The Top 10 Worst Rock Star Actors according to The Independent:
1. Mick Jagger
Key Movies: Performance, Ned Kelly, Fitzcarraldo, and Freejack.
2. Sting
Key Movies: Quadrophenia, Brimstone And Treacle, and Dune.
3. Madonna
Key Movies: Desperately Seeking Susan, Dick Tracy, Evita.
4. David Bowie
Key Movies: The Man Who Fell To Earth, Just A Gigolo, and Labyrinth.
5. Bob Dylan
Key Movies: Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid, Renaldo & Clara, Hearts Of Fire, and Masked And Anonymous.
6. Roger Daltrey
Key Movies: Tommy, Listomania, and McVicar.
7. Jon Bon Jovi
Key Movies: Moonlight And Valentino, The Leading Man, and U-571.
8. Ringo Starr
Key Movies: The Magic Christian, Son Of Dracula, and Caveman.
9. The Spice Girls
Key Movies: Spiceworld: The Movie.
10. Ozzy Osbourne
Key Movies: Trick Or Treat.
WOODSTOCK PRODUCER TO PUBLISH MEMOIR… Legendary Woodstock producer Michael Lang will publish his memoir in celebration of the festival's 40th anniversary on Tuesday (June 30th). The new book The Road To Woodstock, cowritten with Holly George-Warren, highlights the backstory and hard work in turning Woodstock into the global rock event for the ages.
The book features one-of-a-kind testimony from key performers at the three-day 1969 festival. Rolling Stone published several excerpts from the book, including those by Carlos Santana and Stu Cook from Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Santana recalled the day of his performance, saying, "One thing led to another. I wanted to take some mescaline. Just at the point that I was peaking, this guy came over and said, 'Look, if you don't go on right now, you guys are not going to play.' I went out there and I saw this ocean as far as I could see. An ocean of flesh and hair and teeth and hands. I just played. I prayed that the Lord would keep me in tune and in time."
He went on to say, "I had played loaded before, but not to that big of a crowd. Because it was like plugging into a whole bunch of hearts -- and all those people at the same time. But we managed. It was incredible. I'll never forget the way the music sounded, bouncing up against a field of bodies. For the band as a whole, it was great."
Stu Cook remembered CCR landing the unenviable spot of following the Grateful Dead: "You couldn't see anything. We had some technical problems. After the first song, we weren't sure there was anybody there. It was quiet. But some guy, way the hell out there, yelled, 'We're with you!' Okay, I guess that's who the concert's for. And on and on we played, and we had no idea what we were involved in. Later, it started to dawn on us just what had happened, and we thought we'd never ever see anything like that again."
Lang remembers that he at one point tried to talk Jimi Hendrix and his manager Michael Jeffries into playing earlier than planned, once it became clear that much of the audience was departing on Sunday night and Hendrix was clearly going to play to a much smaller crowd -- which turned out to only be about 30,000 by the time he finally went on: "When he came in -- I think they came in Sunday morning -- I asked them if they wanted to go on earlier. And Michael said 'No, we definitely want to close the show.' I said, 'Well, you know, closing the show might not be a good idea. It's running approximately twelve hours behind. (laughs) Chances are you're going to be closing in the morning.' And they sort of insisted on it. Unfortunately, most of the audience was gone by the time Jimi played, but he played an unbelievable set."
LATE BON SCOTT HANDWRITTEN LYRICS FETCH $35K…A pair of handwritten lyric notebooks from late AC/DC frontman Bon Scott were sold at auction for $35,000 on Monday (June 22nd) at Christie's in New York City. The books contain lyrics for 25 songs handwritten by Scott between 1974 and 1980, and include such AC/DC classics as "High Voltage," "It's A Long Way To The Top," "T.N.T." "The Jack" and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap." A Sears bass guitar once owned by Nirvana's Kurt Cobain sold at the same auction for $43,750, while a black leather motorcycle jacket signed by members of Nirvana and Soundgarden fetched $12,500.
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday - June 23, 2009 -
Welcome to the Blog -
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 23
“A Bro should not watch Oxygen, Women’s Entertainment, or Lifetime.”
ON THIS DAY
Napolean's wife, Josephine, was born on this date back in 1763. She managed the family finances, which always left him a little short.
On this date in 1836, Congress approved the "Deposit Act," which contained a provision for turning over surplus federal revenue to the states. Whew! Glad they solved that problem.
In 1868, a patent was granted for the invention of the typewriter. Amazingly enough, at that very moment, a quick brown fox jumped over a lazy dog.
The first-ever National Lip-Reading Tournament was held in Philadelphia on this date in 1926. The winner was either Lorie Stootson or Larry Stetson.
On this date in 1938, Marineland opened up in Florida. They never have opened a Navy-land, Armyland or Air Force Land.
On this date in 1970, Chubby Checker was arrested for possession of marijuana. That explains how he got so chubby.
TODAY IS
Singer Chico Debarge, who's biggest claim to fame so far has been us mentioning him on the radio, turns 39 today.
Frances McDormand celebrates her 52nd birthday today. I still remember her most from "Fargo". "Oh, yah, sure, uh-huh, yah."
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas celebrates his 61st birthday today. Probably not with a Coke and a smile.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tom Cruise spent Father's Day with son Connor at a NASCAR race in Sonoma, California.
Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to felony assault on Rhianna.
Matthew McConaughey and girlfriend Camila Alves are expecting baby #2.
Once again, Sienna Miller was photographed making out with married "Brothers & Sisters" actor Balthazar Getty. He's gotta be running out of explanations.
TLC's Jon and Kate Gosselin say they're divorcing.
The world's first commercially successful color film, Kodachrome, is being retired by Eastman Kodak because of declining customer demand in an increasingly digital age.
Ryan Seacrest and Lindsay Lohan teaming up for a reality show? More to come.
It's now official: T.R. Knight won't be returning to "Grey's Anatomy" in the fall.
They've been living together all these years. Now Ryan O'Neil says he plans to marry the dying Farrah Fawcett.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's planewas forced to make an emergency landing on Saturday because of smoke in the cockpit. The governor called it "a little adventure" on Twitter.
An album of songs recorded by Adam Lambert before his "American Idol" days is going to come out this summer.
Academy Award winner Linda Hunt is going to join the cast of "N.C.I.S.: Los Angeles"
T-Mobile will start offering the new Google phone -- their take on the iphone next month.
Susan Boyle got one standing ovation after another at her London concert Sunday night.
The plastic surgery drama "Nip/Tuck" has been cancelled after 100 episodes.
Only days before Brad Pitt's new movie, the $50 million-plus baseball drama "Moneyball" was due to start filming, producers pulled the plug. They were getting worried about the many script revisions.
Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen are said to be close to marriage.
That photo of Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue at a camera just sold at an auction for $74,000.
Do you need some extra cash? Do you have have any ideas on how to make some extra money? We have a few? We got these from WalletPop.com.
Take a Part-Time Job - With most part-time jobs, it's probably going to be two weeks, at best, before you receive that first paycheck. When you need cash sooner than that, look for jobs that offer immediate money in your pocket, like one that includes tips. Tending bar and waiting tables are two tried-and-true examples.
Seek Emergency Assistance - Many charities provide services and items that you would otherwise spend money on, freeing up some dollars to apply to your most pressing needs. Among the most common of these are food banks and open-dining opportunities, help or waiver of utility costs, and clothing and other household essentials.
Make Stuff to Sell - Think of the proverbial lemonade stand, but all grown up. When one WalletPop blogger is entirely broke, she'll get out her sewing machine and make her favorite quick project: stuffed geese (made out of thrifted fabric). They sell like crazy on Etsy, an online shop devoted to crafty vendors, and is her go-to plan when the well runs dry and she needs to bring in some quick cash.
Rent Out Your 'Spot' - If you own some prime parking real estate, you could put cash in your pocket and get more exercise by renting out your spot and parking further away. If access to your car is less convenient, perhaps you'll even drive less, saving money on gas, too.
Sell Stuff on Craigslist - A good alternative to the yard sale is to make use of Craigslist, a great internet site for buying and selling almost anything legal -- furniture, bicycles, musical equipment, housewares, art, and whatever. Over 40 million people use it every month. It's free and localized, so there is typically no shipping involved.
Do Odd Jobs - Babysitters earn upwards of $10 an hour these days. Offer to sit for friends' kids on Friday or Saturday night. The parents will be only too happy to hand you cash when they return! One complaint of young males is that nobody is likely to hire them to watch their kids. An alternative is to offer to wash cars, mow lawns, weed backyards or haul crap out of the garage, instead.
Find an Online Gig - One valid work-at-home program is Amazon Mechanical Turk, where companies post tasks that machines cannot easily do, but that are relatively simple for humans. You choose an assignment, and, on completion, are credited with payment to your Amazon account. This money can be withdrawn once you accumulate $10.
WEIRD NEWS
Easter Eviction? - In Boulder, Colorado, Easter 2009 is still haunting 59-year-old Carol Burdick. She's suing her landlord and claims she was wrongly evicted from her apartment because she kept her Easter decorations on her door for two weeks after the holiday. She says her landlord unjustly told her to remove a display of Easter stickers, plastic grass, and Peeps marshmallow candies from her door a few days after the April 12 holiday. Her attorney, John Pineua said, "An Easter decoration is a religious statement and should be protected -- even if it is just bunnies." Burdick is not asking for monetary damages but wants jurors to find that she's not liable for more than $2,000 in rent and late fees that she refused to pay. When Burdick refused to remove her display, apartment managers posted a notice saying she was violating her lease, which says balconies, patios and other areas must be kept "in a clean sanitary condition." After the landlord removed the display, Burdick stopped paying rent, and she was evicted in May. (Daily Camera)
National Spelling Champ: 51 Years in the Making! - You might say Michael Petrina of Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been training for his new national spelling bee title for 51 years! The Arlington, Virginia, man beat out 45 other spellers older than 50 to win the AARP's annual National Spelling Bee Saturday in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The winning word was "woad," a plant whose leaves yield a blue dye. Funny, I thought that was just Elmer Fudd saying "road." Petrina, who's now 64, entered his very first spelling bee 51 years ago at the age of 13. He won $500, a trophy and a dictionary kit for his new title. The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) bee started back in 1996. (myway.com)
This Can't Be Good For Business - Attorney Larry Wilder of Jeffersonville, Indiana, might be a little hard up for clients after he made headlines in his hometown. Wilder was found asleep headfirst in a neighbor's trash can after a night of drinking. Even worse -- he's the Jeffersonville City Council's attorney! He's apologized and admitted he's quite embarrassed. Wilder had dinner and drinks with friends in nearby Louisville, Kentucky, and was driven home in a client's limousine, but remembers little that happened after that. Jeffersonville Police Chief Tim Deeringer said technically no crime was committed and that Wilder was cooperative and not a threat to anyone. But the City Council president has called a special meeting next week to discuss whether the council wants to get a new attorney. (myway.com)
Time To Change Your Facebook Photo - Might be a good idea for Boston Herald crime reporter O'Ryan Johnson to change his Facebook photo. Johnson has been charged with kicking a 74-year-old man with emphysema in the chest at a Laundromat! The 33-year-old newsman said, "I am not commenting on advice of counsel." But you might like to know that his Facebook profile picture shows him in boxing gear punching another man in the face. (Poynter News)
But Oprah Said You Would! - The folks at KFC are in a pickle after several customers have complained about a free meal that they never got. Talk show queen Oprah is too blame -- or maybe the folks at KFC just didn't realize how much power that daytime diva has. Back in May KFC promoted a giveaway of two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual side dishes and a biscuit on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." But demand was so high that the company had to scale back the offer, asking customers who had printed the online coupons to visit stores for an IOU voucher that included a free Pepsi. But this didn't sit right with James Asanuma and Veronica Mora who have now filed suit against KFC and its parent company, Yum Brands Inc., in Los Angeles County Superior Court and they are seeking class-action status. They claim false advertising, fraud and unfair business practices, among other things. KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said he couldn't comment on the lawsuit but said, "we apologize to any customers who were inconvenienced, and we remain committed to providing a free Kentucky Grilled Chicken meal plus a medium soft drink to those who submitted valid coupons for replacement coupons." (Chicago Tribune)
Pen Pals Finally Meet After Nearly 60 Years! - 68-year-old Carol Goudy and 69-year-old Joy Hood have been friends for nearly 60 years. But they never met each other until just last week. It all started when Goudy was 10 and answered a Wisconsin newspaper ad seeking pen pals. She wrote to a girl in England, who turned out to be Hood's twin sister, Iris. Since Iris already had a pen pal, Joy wrote back asking Goudy to be her pen pal instead. Over the years the two have talked intimately about life milestones such as graduations, getting married and having children. Both have shed tears as they discussed what it was like to lose a loved one. In between they've offered each other encouragement, hope and advice as they have chatted about everything from going on vacation to surviving snowstorms to changing jobs. But their first face-to-face meeting happened in a British airport this past week. Goudy said, "This is a miracle. I can't believe it. I've had a dream to see her in England. My dream has come true. I'm shocked." Goudy's daughter-in-law, Lina, who accompanied Goudy on the trip said, "They really lived through each others' lives. They put a lot into what they wrote and it comes from the heart. This really could be a screenplay." (Star Tribune)
Let's Go Fishing -- In My Kitchen! - Chinese farmer Li Huiyan of Chongqing, hired 30 villagers who worked for six months digging a 50-foot hole in his kitchen so he could go fishing! Li was searching for an underground river which he suspected was full of fish. Legend had it that the river had once been above ground but disappeared 30 years ago when local authorities bombed part of a mountain to pave a road. Turns out he was right. After digging his pit down to the river, Li installed a fishing net across it and regularly hauls out fish, so far earning his family nearly $2,500. Li built a ladder from his kitchen down to the river and each day he has to go down to check the harvest. (Ananova)
Money Not So Well Spent - It's nice to know that other countries are just as guilty of wasting tax-payer's dollars as we are. Two scientists from Britain's University of Oxford spent the equivalent of $500,000 on a three-year-study to discover -- are you ready for this -- that ducks may be even more comfortable standing under a sprinkler than paddling around in a pond! Lead researcher Marian Stamp Dawkins made the astounding conclusion that ducks basically just like water. (The Guardian)
TOP FIVE SIGNS A BASEBALL PLAYER PROBABLY ISN'T GOING TO BE AN ALL-STAR
1. Already bought his tickets for the game
2. Religious objection to running past first base
3. Number of times he strikes out greater than number of at bats
4. He asks, "What's a bunt?"
5. Steps up to plate holding wrong end of bat
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
Apple founder Steven Jobs underwent a transplant operation. Yep, he now has his very own I-liver.
41-year-old skateboarder Tony Hawk visited the White House last Friday. He gave the most dangerous yet impressive display on wheels since that day President Bush had his training wheels taken off.
Sunday was the summer solstice, the longest day of the year except for season ticket holders of the Washington Nationals. They have 162 of them every season.
MEDICAL MYTHS
Here are seven medical myths identified by the British Medical Journal that will no doubt stun you. You'll probably think at least one of these is true. Here are the seven medical myths that are all false:
1. You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day -- This advice, often found in the popular press, probably originated from advice given in 1945 stating that a suitable allowance of water per day for adults is 2.5 liters (which is 10.14 cups). Drinking too much water can actually be harmful, resulting in water intoxication, hyponatraemia and even death.
2. We use only 10% of our brains -- Erroneously credited to Albert Einstein, MRI and PET scans show that there are no dormant, inactive areas of the brain. Detailed probing of the brain has never revealed the non-functioning 90 percent.
3. Fingernails and hair grow after death -- Johnny Carson even perpetuated this myth, but forensic anthropologist William Maples says no such thing occurs. However, there is a biological basis for the myth. After death, the skin around the hair or nails can retract, giving the impression that the nails or hair have grown when in fact the contrasting soft tissues just shrink.
4. Shaved hair grows back faster, coarser and darker -- Clinical trials conducted as long as 80 years ago show that shaving has no effect on hair growth. More recent research proves that shaving doesn't affect the thickness or rate of hair growth. Because shaved hair lacks the fine taper seen on the ends of unshaven hair, it can appear to be more coarse.
5. Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight -- Moms have long maintained that children who try to postpone bedtime by reading under the covers with a flashlight will need glasses. That's not true. Poor lighting can make it seem as if your eyes can't focus and it makes them feel dryer, but in fact such light won't permanently harm your eyesight.
6. Eating turkey makes you drowsy -- Scientific studies do show that tryptophan, which is an amino acid present in turkey, is involved in sleep and mood control and can cause drowsiness. However, turkey doesn't contain enough tryptophan to knock you out.
7. Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals -- Hospitals may be plastered with warning signs against using cell phones, but not a single death can be attributed to such use. However, less serious incidents causing false alarms on monitors, malfunctions in infusion pumps, and incorrect readings on cardiac monitors, have occasionally been reported.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR -
- Perez Hilton claims he was assaulted by Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas at an awards show. Silly, Perez! Will.i.am slugging you in the face is just his way of making you an official black-eyed member of the Peas.
- The Nestle Company is recalling its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough because some batches are infected with the E. coli bacteria. Apparently, those brown chips weren't chocolate.
- Billy Joel and his 27-year-old wife are divorcing. Maybe he didn't love her just the way she was.
- In Illinois, a couple went on with their wedding even though they both had the H1N1 swine flu virus. First the bride tossed her bouquet, and then she tossed her lunch.
On to ROCK NEWS –
METALLICA SELLING OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY OF CLIFF BURTON…Metallica is now selling the only official biography of late bassist Cliff Burton, called To Live Is To Die: The Life And Death Of Metallica's Cliff Burton, at its website, Metallica.com. The book, written by U.K.-based author Joel McIver, includes a foreword from Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. Others interviewed in the book include Burton's bass teacher Steve Doherty, Burton's girlfriend during the last year of his life, metal journalists and other musicians who knew the bassist. Burton joined Metallica in early 1983 and was killed in a bus crash in September 1986.
NICKELBACK WINS BEST VIDEO AT MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS…Nickelback swept Canada's MuchMusic Video Awards on Sunday night (June 21st), with their single "Gotta Be Somebody" winning best video, best rock video and best postproduction. The Canadian quartet were nominated for a total of five prizes, tied only with R&B artist Danny Fernandes. The show was also notable for Lady GaGa's "flaming boobies" effect and a post-event scuffle involving gossip blogger Perez Hilton and will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas.
DAUGHTRY PLOTS TV APPEARANCES AND PLANS TOUR…Daughtry has lined up several TV appearances next month, just in time for the release of the band's second album, Leave This Town, which arrives July 14th. The group will pay a visit to NBC's Today show on the day album comes out. That will be followed up by a visit to The View on July 15th and The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on July 16th. Also scheduled is a performance on Live With Jimmy Kimmel. Then Daughtry will tour the country, according to Billboard.com, playing 15 shows this summer for fan club members and contest winners. A 100-stop North American tour will kick off at the end of September. Chris Daughtry says the group's fans vary in age, adding, "We did one of the unofficial balls for the inauguration that was attended by 7,000 juniors and seniors in high school. I literally felt like I was looking out at a high school dance with no chaperones. Daughtry played an acoustic set -- and the kids were singing every lyric back."
Chris finished in fourth place on the fifth season of American Idol.
The group's self-titled album came out in 2006.
The new album's lead single, "No Surprise," was co-written by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback. The ballad, "Life After You," is expected to be the second single.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…Ensuring that there's little chance of the opening act for Paul McCartney's Citi Field concerts upstaging him next month, the former Beatle has picked the largely unknown Irish band the Script to open his three New York City gigs. Examiner.com reported that after their trio of shows with McCartney on July 17th, 18th and 21st at Citi Field, the Script will return home to Ireland to open up for the country's favorite sons, U2.
McCartney is reportedly looking for an opening act for his July 11th Halifax gig.
Throughout the years, McCartney has shied away from utilizing any opening act for his tours. The three exceptions were Brinsley Schwartz, led by Nick Lowe, who warmed the crowds up during Wings' 1973 UK tour, Earl Okin for Wings' final UK tour in 1979, and poet Adrian Mitchell who opened McCartney's mini-unplugged 1991 European dates.
Although die-hard fans are still scoffing at the predictable tracklisting, the new George Harrison compilation Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison is ranked #1 in Music at Amazon.com. Highlights on the set include such Harrison solo classics as "My Sweet Lord," "Isn't It A Pity," "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)," "All Those Years Ago," and "Got My Mind Set On You."
Also featured are Harrison's live versions of the Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Something" from 1971's legendary Concert For Bangla Desh.
Making it's first appearance on CD is Harrison's 1984 cover of Bob Dylan's rarity "I Don't Want To Do It," which was originally featured on the soundtrack to Porky's Revenge.
Cynthia Lennon is disappointed with Yoko Ono's use of a bloody bag containing John Lennon's clothes at the New York City Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame annex. Cynthia, who was with Lennon for a solid decade before their 1968 split, told bbc.co.uk, "I can't even comment on that because that would never cross my mind. Any exhibition that shows blood-stained glasses and blood-stained clothes has nothing to do with me and I think it's offensive so that's all I can say. I don't understand that, I really don't."
She along with son Julian Lennon has recently launched a Liverpool exhibition White Feather: The Spirit Of Lennon which will run until December 31st. When asked about her former husband's personality, she explained, "He was not to be confronted, let's put it that way. You either loved him or you hated him, and that's still the same now, even though he's not here. You either loved him or you hated him, but you could not ignore him."
Today (June 23rd) marks what would have been the 59th birthday of the Beatles' original bassist Stuart Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe was in the Beatles between May and December 1960. Although he was an amateur bassist, at best, he was considered on his way to a successful career as a painter at the time of his death. Several archival recordings of Sutcliffe playing with the group can be found on 1995's The Beatles Anthology 1. Sutcliffe is often credited for naming the band.
His short stint in the group, along with his personal relationship with John Lennon, was dramatized in the 1979 made-for-TV film The Birth Of The Beatles and the 1994 feature, Backbeat.
Sutcliffe died on April 10th, 1962 in Hamburg, Germany, at the age of 21 from a cerebral hemorrhage.
Cynthia Lennon says that even while still in her teens, she was able to recognize Sutcliffe's brilliance as a painter: "Stuart was special. He was in art college with us. He was the most brilliant student. He was awesome, the stuff that he did. And he was a gentle, gentle young man."
QUICK TAKES…NME.com reports that Elton John's hometown of Pinner, England is gearing up to name a road after "Captain Fantastic" himself. The town's local council is considering honoring him sometime this year. Elton still has such a soft spot for the town that he allowed local rapper Ironik to sample a portion from his classic "Tiny Dancer." Ironk explained to Harrow Council's publication Harrow People, "We approached Elton and management after we worked on it and they loved the idea and cleared the sample, which is one of only three samples in the hip-hop scene to be cleared. The other two were for Tupac (Shakur) and Kanye West."
Pete Townshend is hoping that the new UK stage version of Quadrophenia reflects the Who's original album better than the 1979 film version. Townshend, who is one of the musical's executive producers, told clicklancashire.com, "We are hoping for a new kind of musical. That is probably dangerous, but that is what we want. It will not resemble the film, except that I believe the girl will be more important in this play than she was on the album and more pivotal than in the film."
He added: "On the album we only observed the girl from Jimmy's screwed-up point of view. In the film, and more so in our play, we see her as real person, with her own story to tell and her own frustrations about what Mods did and did not achieve."
Despite straying from his original vision of the piece, Townshend was a fan of Franc Roddam 1979 film version: "I loved all the technological innovation, there was a lot of fascinating research involved. The film was different because it happened in the final years of punk. We actually tried to cast Johnny Rotten as Jimmy at one point and he and I became friends.
There's been no date set for a U.S. stage premiere of the new Quadrophenia musical.
David Bowie's filmmaker son Duncan Jones told BBC News that he's up for teaming up with his famous dad. Jones' directorial debut called Moon will be released in the UK on July 17th. He said that he would like to have a few films under his belt before shooting his iconic dad, explaining, "I would have to feel absolutely confident I was a capable director, as I wouldn't want to put any pressure on our valuable relationship. I'd also want people to know he was in my film because I want him in it, not because I need him to be."
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!
Jonathan
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 23
“A Bro should not watch Oxygen, Women’s Entertainment, or Lifetime.”
ON THIS DAY
Napolean's wife, Josephine, was born on this date back in 1763. She managed the family finances, which always left him a little short.
On this date in 1836, Congress approved the "Deposit Act," which contained a provision for turning over surplus federal revenue to the states. Whew! Glad they solved that problem.
In 1868, a patent was granted for the invention of the typewriter. Amazingly enough, at that very moment, a quick brown fox jumped over a lazy dog.
The first-ever National Lip-Reading Tournament was held in Philadelphia on this date in 1926. The winner was either Lorie Stootson or Larry Stetson.
On this date in 1938, Marineland opened up in Florida. They never have opened a Navy-land, Armyland or Air Force Land.
On this date in 1970, Chubby Checker was arrested for possession of marijuana. That explains how he got so chubby.
TODAY IS
Singer Chico Debarge, who's biggest claim to fame so far has been us mentioning him on the radio, turns 39 today.
Frances McDormand celebrates her 52nd birthday today. I still remember her most from "Fargo". "Oh, yah, sure, uh-huh, yah."
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas celebrates his 61st birthday today. Probably not with a Coke and a smile.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tom Cruise spent Father's Day with son Connor at a NASCAR race in Sonoma, California.
Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to felony assault on Rhianna.
Matthew McConaughey and girlfriend Camila Alves are expecting baby #2.
Once again, Sienna Miller was photographed making out with married "Brothers & Sisters" actor Balthazar Getty. He's gotta be running out of explanations.
TLC's Jon and Kate Gosselin say they're divorcing.
The world's first commercially successful color film, Kodachrome, is being retired by Eastman Kodak because of declining customer demand in an increasingly digital age.
Ryan Seacrest and Lindsay Lohan teaming up for a reality show? More to come.
It's now official: T.R. Knight won't be returning to "Grey's Anatomy" in the fall.
They've been living together all these years. Now Ryan O'Neil says he plans to marry the dying Farrah Fawcett.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's planewas forced to make an emergency landing on Saturday because of smoke in the cockpit. The governor called it "a little adventure" on Twitter.
An album of songs recorded by Adam Lambert before his "American Idol" days is going to come out this summer.
Academy Award winner Linda Hunt is going to join the cast of "N.C.I.S.: Los Angeles"
T-Mobile will start offering the new Google phone -- their take on the iphone next month.
Susan Boyle got one standing ovation after another at her London concert Sunday night.
The plastic surgery drama "Nip/Tuck" has been cancelled after 100 episodes.
Only days before Brad Pitt's new movie, the $50 million-plus baseball drama "Moneyball" was due to start filming, producers pulled the plug. They were getting worried about the many script revisions.
Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen are said to be close to marriage.
That photo of Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue at a camera just sold at an auction for $74,000.
Do you need some extra cash? Do you have have any ideas on how to make some extra money? We have a few? We got these from WalletPop.com.
Take a Part-Time Job - With most part-time jobs, it's probably going to be two weeks, at best, before you receive that first paycheck. When you need cash sooner than that, look for jobs that offer immediate money in your pocket, like one that includes tips. Tending bar and waiting tables are two tried-and-true examples.
Seek Emergency Assistance - Many charities provide services and items that you would otherwise spend money on, freeing up some dollars to apply to your most pressing needs. Among the most common of these are food banks and open-dining opportunities, help or waiver of utility costs, and clothing and other household essentials.
Make Stuff to Sell - Think of the proverbial lemonade stand, but all grown up. When one WalletPop blogger is entirely broke, she'll get out her sewing machine and make her favorite quick project: stuffed geese (made out of thrifted fabric). They sell like crazy on Etsy, an online shop devoted to crafty vendors, and is her go-to plan when the well runs dry and she needs to bring in some quick cash.
Rent Out Your 'Spot' - If you own some prime parking real estate, you could put cash in your pocket and get more exercise by renting out your spot and parking further away. If access to your car is less convenient, perhaps you'll even drive less, saving money on gas, too.
Sell Stuff on Craigslist - A good alternative to the yard sale is to make use of Craigslist, a great internet site for buying and selling almost anything legal -- furniture, bicycles, musical equipment, housewares, art, and whatever. Over 40 million people use it every month. It's free and localized, so there is typically no shipping involved.
Do Odd Jobs - Babysitters earn upwards of $10 an hour these days. Offer to sit for friends' kids on Friday or Saturday night. The parents will be only too happy to hand you cash when they return! One complaint of young males is that nobody is likely to hire them to watch their kids. An alternative is to offer to wash cars, mow lawns, weed backyards or haul crap out of the garage, instead.
Find an Online Gig - One valid work-at-home program is Amazon Mechanical Turk, where companies post tasks that machines cannot easily do, but that are relatively simple for humans. You choose an assignment, and, on completion, are credited with payment to your Amazon account. This money can be withdrawn once you accumulate $10.
WEIRD NEWS
Easter Eviction? - In Boulder, Colorado, Easter 2009 is still haunting 59-year-old Carol Burdick. She's suing her landlord and claims she was wrongly evicted from her apartment because she kept her Easter decorations on her door for two weeks after the holiday. She says her landlord unjustly told her to remove a display of Easter stickers, plastic grass, and Peeps marshmallow candies from her door a few days after the April 12 holiday. Her attorney, John Pineua said, "An Easter decoration is a religious statement and should be protected -- even if it is just bunnies." Burdick is not asking for monetary damages but wants jurors to find that she's not liable for more than $2,000 in rent and late fees that she refused to pay. When Burdick refused to remove her display, apartment managers posted a notice saying she was violating her lease, which says balconies, patios and other areas must be kept "in a clean sanitary condition." After the landlord removed the display, Burdick stopped paying rent, and she was evicted in May. (Daily Camera)
National Spelling Champ: 51 Years in the Making! - You might say Michael Petrina of Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been training for his new national spelling bee title for 51 years! The Arlington, Virginia, man beat out 45 other spellers older than 50 to win the AARP's annual National Spelling Bee Saturday in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The winning word was "woad," a plant whose leaves yield a blue dye. Funny, I thought that was just Elmer Fudd saying "road." Petrina, who's now 64, entered his very first spelling bee 51 years ago at the age of 13. He won $500, a trophy and a dictionary kit for his new title. The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) bee started back in 1996. (myway.com)
This Can't Be Good For Business - Attorney Larry Wilder of Jeffersonville, Indiana, might be a little hard up for clients after he made headlines in his hometown. Wilder was found asleep headfirst in a neighbor's trash can after a night of drinking. Even worse -- he's the Jeffersonville City Council's attorney! He's apologized and admitted he's quite embarrassed. Wilder had dinner and drinks with friends in nearby Louisville, Kentucky, and was driven home in a client's limousine, but remembers little that happened after that. Jeffersonville Police Chief Tim Deeringer said technically no crime was committed and that Wilder was cooperative and not a threat to anyone. But the City Council president has called a special meeting next week to discuss whether the council wants to get a new attorney. (myway.com)
Time To Change Your Facebook Photo - Might be a good idea for Boston Herald crime reporter O'Ryan Johnson to change his Facebook photo. Johnson has been charged with kicking a 74-year-old man with emphysema in the chest at a Laundromat! The 33-year-old newsman said, "I am not commenting on advice of counsel." But you might like to know that his Facebook profile picture shows him in boxing gear punching another man in the face. (Poynter News)
But Oprah Said You Would! - The folks at KFC are in a pickle after several customers have complained about a free meal that they never got. Talk show queen Oprah is too blame -- or maybe the folks at KFC just didn't realize how much power that daytime diva has. Back in May KFC promoted a giveaway of two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual side dishes and a biscuit on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." But demand was so high that the company had to scale back the offer, asking customers who had printed the online coupons to visit stores for an IOU voucher that included a free Pepsi. But this didn't sit right with James Asanuma and Veronica Mora who have now filed suit against KFC and its parent company, Yum Brands Inc., in Los Angeles County Superior Court and they are seeking class-action status. They claim false advertising, fraud and unfair business practices, among other things. KFC spokesman Rick Maynard said he couldn't comment on the lawsuit but said, "we apologize to any customers who were inconvenienced, and we remain committed to providing a free Kentucky Grilled Chicken meal plus a medium soft drink to those who submitted valid coupons for replacement coupons." (Chicago Tribune)
Pen Pals Finally Meet After Nearly 60 Years! - 68-year-old Carol Goudy and 69-year-old Joy Hood have been friends for nearly 60 years. But they never met each other until just last week. It all started when Goudy was 10 and answered a Wisconsin newspaper ad seeking pen pals. She wrote to a girl in England, who turned out to be Hood's twin sister, Iris. Since Iris already had a pen pal, Joy wrote back asking Goudy to be her pen pal instead. Over the years the two have talked intimately about life milestones such as graduations, getting married and having children. Both have shed tears as they discussed what it was like to lose a loved one. In between they've offered each other encouragement, hope and advice as they have chatted about everything from going on vacation to surviving snowstorms to changing jobs. But their first face-to-face meeting happened in a British airport this past week. Goudy said, "This is a miracle. I can't believe it. I've had a dream to see her in England. My dream has come true. I'm shocked." Goudy's daughter-in-law, Lina, who accompanied Goudy on the trip said, "They really lived through each others' lives. They put a lot into what they wrote and it comes from the heart. This really could be a screenplay." (Star Tribune)
Let's Go Fishing -- In My Kitchen! - Chinese farmer Li Huiyan of Chongqing, hired 30 villagers who worked for six months digging a 50-foot hole in his kitchen so he could go fishing! Li was searching for an underground river which he suspected was full of fish. Legend had it that the river had once been above ground but disappeared 30 years ago when local authorities bombed part of a mountain to pave a road. Turns out he was right. After digging his pit down to the river, Li installed a fishing net across it and regularly hauls out fish, so far earning his family nearly $2,500. Li built a ladder from his kitchen down to the river and each day he has to go down to check the harvest. (Ananova)
Money Not So Well Spent - It's nice to know that other countries are just as guilty of wasting tax-payer's dollars as we are. Two scientists from Britain's University of Oxford spent the equivalent of $500,000 on a three-year-study to discover -- are you ready for this -- that ducks may be even more comfortable standing under a sprinkler than paddling around in a pond! Lead researcher Marian Stamp Dawkins made the astounding conclusion that ducks basically just like water. (The Guardian)
TOP FIVE SIGNS A BASEBALL PLAYER PROBABLY ISN'T GOING TO BE AN ALL-STAR
1. Already bought his tickets for the game
2. Religious objection to running past first base
3. Number of times he strikes out greater than number of at bats
4. He asks, "What's a bunt?"
5. Steps up to plate holding wrong end of bat
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
Apple founder Steven Jobs underwent a transplant operation. Yep, he now has his very own I-liver.
41-year-old skateboarder Tony Hawk visited the White House last Friday. He gave the most dangerous yet impressive display on wheels since that day President Bush had his training wheels taken off.
Sunday was the summer solstice, the longest day of the year except for season ticket holders of the Washington Nationals. They have 162 of them every season.
MEDICAL MYTHS
Here are seven medical myths identified by the British Medical Journal that will no doubt stun you. You'll probably think at least one of these is true. Here are the seven medical myths that are all false:
1. You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day -- This advice, often found in the popular press, probably originated from advice given in 1945 stating that a suitable allowance of water per day for adults is 2.5 liters (which is 10.14 cups). Drinking too much water can actually be harmful, resulting in water intoxication, hyponatraemia and even death.
2. We use only 10% of our brains -- Erroneously credited to Albert Einstein, MRI and PET scans show that there are no dormant, inactive areas of the brain. Detailed probing of the brain has never revealed the non-functioning 90 percent.
3. Fingernails and hair grow after death -- Johnny Carson even perpetuated this myth, but forensic anthropologist William Maples says no such thing occurs. However, there is a biological basis for the myth. After death, the skin around the hair or nails can retract, giving the impression that the nails or hair have grown when in fact the contrasting soft tissues just shrink.
4. Shaved hair grows back faster, coarser and darker -- Clinical trials conducted as long as 80 years ago show that shaving has no effect on hair growth. More recent research proves that shaving doesn't affect the thickness or rate of hair growth. Because shaved hair lacks the fine taper seen on the ends of unshaven hair, it can appear to be more coarse.
5. Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight -- Moms have long maintained that children who try to postpone bedtime by reading under the covers with a flashlight will need glasses. That's not true. Poor lighting can make it seem as if your eyes can't focus and it makes them feel dryer, but in fact such light won't permanently harm your eyesight.
6. Eating turkey makes you drowsy -- Scientific studies do show that tryptophan, which is an amino acid present in turkey, is involved in sleep and mood control and can cause drowsiness. However, turkey doesn't contain enough tryptophan to knock you out.
7. Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals -- Hospitals may be plastered with warning signs against using cell phones, but not a single death can be attributed to such use. However, less serious incidents causing false alarms on monitors, malfunctions in infusion pumps, and incorrect readings on cardiac monitors, have occasionally been reported.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR -
- Perez Hilton claims he was assaulted by Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas at an awards show. Silly, Perez! Will.i.am slugging you in the face is just his way of making you an official black-eyed member of the Peas.
- The Nestle Company is recalling its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough because some batches are infected with the E. coli bacteria. Apparently, those brown chips weren't chocolate.
- Billy Joel and his 27-year-old wife are divorcing. Maybe he didn't love her just the way she was.
- In Illinois, a couple went on with their wedding even though they both had the H1N1 swine flu virus. First the bride tossed her bouquet, and then she tossed her lunch.
On to ROCK NEWS –
METALLICA SELLING OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY OF CLIFF BURTON…Metallica is now selling the only official biography of late bassist Cliff Burton, called To Live Is To Die: The Life And Death Of Metallica's Cliff Burton, at its website, Metallica.com. The book, written by U.K.-based author Joel McIver, includes a foreword from Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. Others interviewed in the book include Burton's bass teacher Steve Doherty, Burton's girlfriend during the last year of his life, metal journalists and other musicians who knew the bassist. Burton joined Metallica in early 1983 and was killed in a bus crash in September 1986.
NICKELBACK WINS BEST VIDEO AT MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS…Nickelback swept Canada's MuchMusic Video Awards on Sunday night (June 21st), with their single "Gotta Be Somebody" winning best video, best rock video and best postproduction. The Canadian quartet were nominated for a total of five prizes, tied only with R&B artist Danny Fernandes. The show was also notable for Lady GaGa's "flaming boobies" effect and a post-event scuffle involving gossip blogger Perez Hilton and will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas.
DAUGHTRY PLOTS TV APPEARANCES AND PLANS TOUR…Daughtry has lined up several TV appearances next month, just in time for the release of the band's second album, Leave This Town, which arrives July 14th. The group will pay a visit to NBC's Today show on the day album comes out. That will be followed up by a visit to The View on July 15th and The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on July 16th. Also scheduled is a performance on Live With Jimmy Kimmel. Then Daughtry will tour the country, according to Billboard.com, playing 15 shows this summer for fan club members and contest winners. A 100-stop North American tour will kick off at the end of September. Chris Daughtry says the group's fans vary in age, adding, "We did one of the unofficial balls for the inauguration that was attended by 7,000 juniors and seniors in high school. I literally felt like I was looking out at a high school dance with no chaperones. Daughtry played an acoustic set -- and the kids were singing every lyric back."
Chris finished in fourth place on the fifth season of American Idol.
The group's self-titled album came out in 2006.
The new album's lead single, "No Surprise," was co-written by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback. The ballad, "Life After You," is expected to be the second single.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…Ensuring that there's little chance of the opening act for Paul McCartney's Citi Field concerts upstaging him next month, the former Beatle has picked the largely unknown Irish band the Script to open his three New York City gigs. Examiner.com reported that after their trio of shows with McCartney on July 17th, 18th and 21st at Citi Field, the Script will return home to Ireland to open up for the country's favorite sons, U2.
McCartney is reportedly looking for an opening act for his July 11th Halifax gig.
Throughout the years, McCartney has shied away from utilizing any opening act for his tours. The three exceptions were Brinsley Schwartz, led by Nick Lowe, who warmed the crowds up during Wings' 1973 UK tour, Earl Okin for Wings' final UK tour in 1979, and poet Adrian Mitchell who opened McCartney's mini-unplugged 1991 European dates.
Although die-hard fans are still scoffing at the predictable tracklisting, the new George Harrison compilation Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison is ranked #1 in Music at Amazon.com. Highlights on the set include such Harrison solo classics as "My Sweet Lord," "Isn't It A Pity," "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)," "All Those Years Ago," and "Got My Mind Set On You."
Also featured are Harrison's live versions of the Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Something" from 1971's legendary Concert For Bangla Desh.
Making it's first appearance on CD is Harrison's 1984 cover of Bob Dylan's rarity "I Don't Want To Do It," which was originally featured on the soundtrack to Porky's Revenge.
Cynthia Lennon is disappointed with Yoko Ono's use of a bloody bag containing John Lennon's clothes at the New York City Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame annex. Cynthia, who was with Lennon for a solid decade before their 1968 split, told bbc.co.uk, "I can't even comment on that because that would never cross my mind. Any exhibition that shows blood-stained glasses and blood-stained clothes has nothing to do with me and I think it's offensive so that's all I can say. I don't understand that, I really don't."
She along with son Julian Lennon has recently launched a Liverpool exhibition White Feather: The Spirit Of Lennon which will run until December 31st. When asked about her former husband's personality, she explained, "He was not to be confronted, let's put it that way. You either loved him or you hated him, and that's still the same now, even though he's not here. You either loved him or you hated him, but you could not ignore him."
Today (June 23rd) marks what would have been the 59th birthday of the Beatles' original bassist Stuart Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe was in the Beatles between May and December 1960. Although he was an amateur bassist, at best, he was considered on his way to a successful career as a painter at the time of his death. Several archival recordings of Sutcliffe playing with the group can be found on 1995's The Beatles Anthology 1. Sutcliffe is often credited for naming the band.
His short stint in the group, along with his personal relationship with John Lennon, was dramatized in the 1979 made-for-TV film The Birth Of The Beatles and the 1994 feature, Backbeat.
Sutcliffe died on April 10th, 1962 in Hamburg, Germany, at the age of 21 from a cerebral hemorrhage.
Cynthia Lennon says that even while still in her teens, she was able to recognize Sutcliffe's brilliance as a painter: "Stuart was special. He was in art college with us. He was the most brilliant student. He was awesome, the stuff that he did. And he was a gentle, gentle young man."
QUICK TAKES…NME.com reports that Elton John's hometown of Pinner, England is gearing up to name a road after "Captain Fantastic" himself. The town's local council is considering honoring him sometime this year. Elton still has such a soft spot for the town that he allowed local rapper Ironik to sample a portion from his classic "Tiny Dancer." Ironk explained to Harrow Council's publication Harrow People, "We approached Elton and management after we worked on it and they loved the idea and cleared the sample, which is one of only three samples in the hip-hop scene to be cleared. The other two were for Tupac (Shakur) and Kanye West."
Pete Townshend is hoping that the new UK stage version of Quadrophenia reflects the Who's original album better than the 1979 film version. Townshend, who is one of the musical's executive producers, told clicklancashire.com, "We are hoping for a new kind of musical. That is probably dangerous, but that is what we want. It will not resemble the film, except that I believe the girl will be more important in this play than she was on the album and more pivotal than in the film."
He added: "On the album we only observed the girl from Jimmy's screwed-up point of view. In the film, and more so in our play, we see her as real person, with her own story to tell and her own frustrations about what Mods did and did not achieve."
Despite straying from his original vision of the piece, Townshend was a fan of Franc Roddam 1979 film version: "I loved all the technological innovation, there was a lot of fascinating research involved. The film was different because it happened in the final years of punk. We actually tried to cast Johnny Rotten as Jimmy at one point and he and I became friends.
There's been no date set for a U.S. stage premiere of the new Quadrophenia musical.
David Bowie's filmmaker son Duncan Jones told BBC News that he's up for teaming up with his famous dad. Jones' directorial debut called Moon will be released in the UK on July 17th. He said that he would like to have a few films under his belt before shooting his iconic dad, explaining, "I would have to feel absolutely confident I was a capable director, as I wouldn't want to put any pressure on our valuable relationship. I'd also want people to know he was in my film because I want him in it, not because I need him to be."
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!
Jonathan
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday - June 22, 2009 -
Welcome to the Blog -
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 22
“A Bro should not sing and dance at the same time”
ON THIS DAY
On this date in 1611, English explorer Henry Hudson, his son and several other people were set adrift in present-day Hudson Bay during a mutiny. The tribe had spoken.
The very first bank in New York City opened way back in 1797. Up until that time, bank robbers had nothing to do.
On this date in 1847, the donut was invented. Someone must have been sitting around and thought, "Hmmmmm... I wonder how I could make a donut more fattening!"
In 1868, Arkansas became a state for the second time. So far, the second marriage appears to be working.
Gangster John Dillinger was born back in 1903. He would have been 104 if he hadn't died from lead poisoning.
On this date in 1970, President Nixon lowered the national voting age to 18. That way, we had more people to blame for election results.
TODAY IS
Carson Daly celebrates another birthday today, #36. I wasn't going to get on the phone and wish him a happy one, but I'll give him one more LAST CALL.
Amy Brenneman turns 45. Hey... no judging Amy.
Meryl Streep celebrates a birthday today. Momma Mia -- she's 60!
Take Your Dog To Work Day -- Here's a unique way to give away some tickets. We had listeners bark and win. They either had to bark like their dog or bark their favorite Country song. It turned out to be pretty funny.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Olive Garden won't say that it was connected to the off-color Sarah Palin joke, but they've canceled all of their advertising running on the Letterman show.
By the way, David Letterman did a ratings bump from that whole Sarah Palin thing, but the Tonight Show still beat him in the ratings for that week.
Sources have said that Katherine Heigl, aka Izzie, will return to "Grey's Anatomy" next season.
Rihanna will be in a Los Angeles court today to testify in the case against Chris Brown, but a judge ruled the proceedings will not be televised.
The father of last year's "American Idol" runner-up, David Archuleta, has pleaded no contest to patronizing a prostitute in Salt Lake City.
Remember Aunt Viv on Will Smith's comedy, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?" She's written her memoirs and is not to complimentary about Will.
American Idol singer Carly Smithson is joining the original guys of Evanescence, and creating a new hard-rock band called The Fallen. More at wearethefallen.com.
"Twilight" star Robert Pattinson was hit by a taxi in New York as he tried to run away from a crowd of hysterical teenage fans, but he was not seriously injured.
Congress is all about passing a "Cash for clunkers" bill that would give you up to a $4500 cash rebate to buy a newer, more fuel efficient car.
To show support for democracy in Iran, you're supposed to add a green tint to your picture on Twitter. Done.
OK, we just went from spring to summer and Sting is announcing that his next album, titled "If on a winter's night... " will come out in this fall. I think we've covered 'em all.
Susan Boyle canceled another concert appearance. Is she up for this fame thing?
NICE TO KNOW -
If food falls on the floor, pick it up within five seconds and you can eat it, right? Whatever germs are on the floor don't have time to adhere to the food that quickly. Or do they? A recent national survey by Kelton Research found that nearly 60% of Americans admit to eating food that has fallen on the floor. Would they continue doing that if they knew a typical home carpet has up to 4,000 times more bacteria particles -- even after vacuuming -- than toilet seats? This is the total number of bacteria particles found on one-inch square samples of different household surfaces. The independent tests were conducted by Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona:
Toilet seat: 49
Kitchen counter: 1,686
Kitchen tile: 2,546
Bathroom floor: 18,025
Carpet: more than 200,000
So, does the 5-second rule work? No. Eat that cookie that falls on the floor, and you could also be ingesting a frosting of E. coli.
I CAN’T DRIVE 55 –
For those of us that like to drive fast, ( you know who you are) we've found out where you can drive the fastest in the U.S. Here are the Top Maximum Speed Limits:
80 mph -- Texas (on about 500 miles of Interstate 10 and 20 in southwest corner of the state)
75 mph -- Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (in counties with less than 10 people per square mile), Utah, Wyoming
70 mph -- Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, }Tennessee, Washington State, West Virginia
WEIRD NEWS
Happy Father's Day -- NOT! - While you were busy yesterday telling your dad how great he is, 50-year-old William Ireland of Warwickshire, England, was dissing his dad big time -- by auctioning off his ashes on eBay! Mr. Ireland apparently carries quite a grudge against his deceased dad and says he was only six when his father, Ken Ireland, walked out on his mother and the family. William later tracked his dad down and they spent some time together before Ken died in 2006. But then William found out his dad left his entire estate to the woman he left his mother for. William got the ashes by paying for the funeral so to settle the score, he put them up for sale on eBay with an ad that reads: "Here are the ashes of my father, Kenneth Ireland, an adulterer who left a wife, two children with just 17 pounds in her pocket. He never paid a penny towards his kids' upbringing." His father's second wife and family are believed to want the ashes back. But obviously not enough to pay for the funeral! Happy Father's Day everyone! (Ananova)
Swine Flu I Do's! - The bride wore white -- and a face mask -- and latex gloves! So did the groom! In Highland, Park, Illinois, Ilana Jackson and Jeremy Fierstien decided to go ahead with their wedding after learning less than 48 hours before that they both had swine flu! But, just to be safe, the 26-year-olds kept a 10-foot distance from family and friends at all times, even walking around the gathering instead of down the aisle at a Highland Park synagogue. Jackson says they'd both joked about swine flu after they both experienced vomiting, achy limbs and fever -- but they never actually thought they really had it. So it'll probably be a hospital honeymoon and then hopefully they live happily ever after. (myway.com)
Lobster and Wine Thief Eats and Drinks His Way to Sleepy Time - Well at least he got a really good meal before he has to start enjoying prison food. In Portland, Maine, Paul Bruneau was arrested after he allegedly broke into the Portland Lobster Co. through a rear window and stuffed his pockets with cash before chowing down on the better part of 11 prepared lobsters worth about $300. He washed it all down with a white wine. He also left a refrigerator open, causing about $1,000 worth of food to be thrown out. It appears all that lobster and wine made him a little sleepy because employees found him asleep on a bench when they came in to work the next morning. (myway.com)
Mugged For a Bologna Sandwich? - How pathetic is this? In Oklahoma City, 24-year-old Roger Hamilton was sitting on a bus station bench, about to put mayonnaise on his bologna sandwich, when another man began staring at him. Hamilton told police that the man then punched him in the mouth and grabbed his sandwich and ran! Hamilton left with a swollen lip and his face was covered in blood when police arrived. The police report listed the value of the sandwich at 76 cents. The Bologna Bandit is still on the loose! (The Oklahoman)
Do We Really Need This? - Has society sunk so low that we now need dress codes that include wearing underwear and wearing deodorant? Apparently the city of Brooksville, Florida thinks so. The city council for the town just north of Tampa just approved a dress code that instructs employees to observe "strict personal hygiene" including wearing underwear at all times as well as deodorant. It also prohibits exposed underwear, clothing with foul language printed on it, "sexually provocative" clothes and piercings anywhere except the ears. And get this ACLU-- repeat offenders can be fired! Ironically, the single "no" vote came from Mayor Joe Bernadini who believes the underwear edict "takes away freedom of choice." Or maybe our good mayor just loves the ladies sans panties -- or goes commando himself! (The Tampa Tribune)
Our WWI Vets Are Almost Gone - There's another seriously endangered species you can add to your list -- living veterans of World War I. Did you know there are only two known vets of the first World War still alive on the planet? And one of them-- Henry Allingham of Brighton, England, just became the world's oldest living man. He turned 113 on June 6 this year and took over the oldest man title after Tomoji Tanabe of Japan died in his sleep last week. Tanabe was also 113 but was a full eight months older than Allingham. Allingham enlisted as a seaplane mechanic in 1915 during WWI after his mother died. After the war, he worked at Ford and retired in 1961. He was married for 50 years and has a great-great-great-grandchild. As for the secret to his longevity, Allingham said "to look after yourself and always know your limitations." (The London Times)
More Instructions on How To Get Into Hell! - Here's another installment from our continuing series of "How To Get Into Hell!" Police are looking for the person or persons who offered free office equipment to a group of African American churches in the Washington DC area. Turns out it was all a con. Several churches were offered computers that church staff were told would be paid for by a "sponsor." The staff was told to sign a lease for the equipment and deposit checks from the sponsor to cover the lease. However, the "sponsor" checks bounced and the equipment didn't work. Instead the con artists used the churches' banking information to withdraw money from their accounts. The scam is being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission who is taking it very seriously. You know there's a lot of people you can rip off -- but churches? Really? Seriously? Dude -- you are sooooo going to hell! (AHN News)
And Here's Me on Day 2,342! - This is interesting. 13-year-old Suman Bansal of Kent, England has become the world's first known teenager to have daily photos of herself since birth! She had 4,749 photos as of her 13th birthday on May 16, according to her father who took the pictures. Dad said, "I am taking daily photographs of my daughter Suman and son Jayl. If you want to see, Suman's father has created a Web site (earnyourname.net/SumanBansal) with every photo of Suman he has taken since birth until May 30, this year. Her younger brother, 10-year-old Jay, also has his own photo site. The family is planning to raise money from the story to build a school in India -- a school that will offer free education to children. (AHN News)
TOP FIVE BENEFITS OF BEING IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER
1. Reserved parking space. Now, if only we believed in cars...
2. Get to go to Supreme Leadership Camp
3. Great way to meet Supreme Chicks
4. You don't get lumped in with all those "regular" leaders
5. People always know what kind of gasoline you prefer
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
Japan is warning the U.S. about a report that North Korea is planning to launch missiles at Hawaii on Independence Day. Someone get Will Smith on the phone!!!!
Thomas the Train is getting a makeover. Starting in January, you'll see a smother animated CGI Thomas, with a new voice from Martin Sheen. They were going to use the voice of Charlie Sheen, but he was too obsessed with cabooses.
The dad of American Idol runner-up David Archuleta has been busted for prostitution. OK Letterman, he's all yours!
In Japan, the world's oldest man has died at age 113. I tell you, that title is a curse.
PETA has sent President Obama a "Catch and Release Fly Trap," after the president was caught on camera last week killing a fly. If it were up to me, I'd have a coat made out of fly skins just to tick them off. Of course, that might take a while.
Prince Charles is complaining that the price of houses is way too high. How would he know? For that matter, when was the last time you paid for... oh, anything?
The New York Times just reported that Sammy Sosa tested positive for steroids in 2003. In an unrelated story, they're also reporting that President Bush may run for a second term.
It's all speed ahead for the FIFTH "Indiana Jones" movie. The working title for this one is "Indiana Jones and the Metamucil of Doom." Seattle's 29-dry spell has finally been snapped. Thank God -- we were getting really tired of having to water the Space Needle every day. Lindsay Lohan's mom has come to her defense and says there's no way that Lindsay could have stolen that missing jewelry from a London photo shoot. She also says that Ahmadinejad was the clear winner in Iran.
GET OUT OF BORING CONVERSATIONS
Ever gotten caught up in a conversation you just weren't interested in. Jeanne Martinet knows all about mingling with people. In fact she wrote a book about it. In the book she talks about getting out of boring conversation.
Shake and Break -- Simply smile and say, "It was so nice meeting you," while shaking their hand then turn and walk away without another word.
Offensive Escape -- Talk slowly, drop things, discuss the most uninteresting things and the person will leave you.
Human Sacrifice -- Introduce the person to someone who's passing by. Using "Have you met?" then gives you a short window to excuse yourself.
TOP REASONS WHY BAD WORKERS DON'T FACE THE AX
Have you ever wondered about someone who gave you bad service, or even a lazy co-worker: "Why don't they go ahead and fire this idiot?" The lousy employee may not face the ax because he might have friends in high places, says FabJob.com. The relationship could be romantic, family or even golf or drinking buddies with a senior manager. Here are some more reasons:
The boss may be afraid of the bad worker because he or she may know something embarrassing about the boss or the company.
A company supervisor may think the fired employee might sue or stir up all sorts of trouble, if they were to get the pink slip.
A lousy worker may still bring more value to the company than he costs.
Replacing someone with a hard to do task might make the hiring process for a new employee a nightmare and not worth the bother.
Supervisors could even believe the company might be even worse off if they were to find someone else for the job.
A bad employee may not actually be one - it could just seem to others they are slacking off, while carrying out vital duties no one is aware of.
A poor worker may be doing exactly what you think they are - pulling the wool over everybody's eyes and getting away with doing little or no work while charming the boss into thinking the company couldn't get along without them.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR -
- "Ugly Betty's" America Ferrera says it takes hours in makeup and wardrobe to achieve her ugly, homely look. Susan Boyle replied, "Boy am I lucky. All I have to do is roll out of bed and drag a comb across my face."
- Jack Black says his three-year-old son and his 13 month old boy are finally beginning to bond after not getting along well for the first two years. Black said, "I think the key was letting them go off on their own for that wild weekend at the 'Burning Baby' festival."
- On Thursday, a Continental Airlines pilot died after having a heart attack in midflight, and the plane had to be landed by copilots. The passengers on the flight weren't told until the plane was safely on the ground. And then they all had heart attacks.
- Because of the missile threat from North Korea, the U.S. military is sending more troops and missiles to Hawaii. In fact, they're changing their recruitment add to "Uncle Sam Wants You To Go To Hawaii."
INTERESTING – ON THIS DATE IN 1974 -
At an Elvis concert at LA's Forum, some fans who begged to meet him are brought backstage, the members of Led Zeppelin!
In ROCK NEWS –
ALICE IN CHAINS POSTS TRAILER OF NEW VIDEO…Alice In Chains has posted a short trailer of the band's upcoming new video, for the song "A Looking In View," at MySpace Music. The 17-second clip presents a series of images from the video, but more importantly, features the first sample heard anywhere of new music from the group's new album, Black Gives Way To Blue. The Seattle act's first collection of all-new material in 14 years is scheduled to arrive on September 29th and marks the recording debut of vocalist William DuVall, who joined in 2006.
Drummer Sean Kinney told us that making the band's first new album in more than a decade carried a special weight for all four members: "There was no reason to do it. You know, we didn't have to do it. We did it because we wanted to and it got to a place where it seemed like it was the right thing to do and we all felt good about it. So we just went in there and it was so important to just be there, and be so involved, instead of like, 'Hey, you know, cool, I'm done. Are we done yet?' It was really cool. I mean, I hadn't worked that hard on a record in my life."
The full "A Looking In View" video will debut at the Alice In Chains website in a few weeks.
Kinney, bassist Mike Inez and guitarist Jerry Cantrell regrouped in 2005 to perform at a benefit for victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami, then launched a full reunion tour the following year with DuVall on vocals.
Original singer Layne Staley died in 2002. Alice In Chains' last full studio album was a 1995 self-titled effort.
Alice In Chains will next perform on July 18th at Comerica Park in Detroit with Kid Rock.
JIMMY PAGE AND JACK WHITE TALK GUITAR PLAYING…Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and White Stripes/Raconteurs singer/guitarist Jack White were in Los Angeles on Friday (June 19th) to speak with the press about It Might Get Loud, a new documentary about guitars and guitar playing starring both of them as well as U2 axeman The Edge. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on Friday (June 19th) and will open in New York and Los Angeles on August 14th. The film showcases how the three guitarists came to play the guitar and develop their styles, and also features a jam session involving all three players.
Jack White told reporters how he approaches playing his instrument: "I try to make it a fight. I consider it a fight, a battle, that you have to win. If you're handed an instrument or you find yourself playing an instrument that's too easy to play, that's too nice and too in tune, I want to, you know, turn it upside down and make it out of tune so I can win that fight. I have to make a fight out of it. If I don't have a struggle, then I don't feel like I'm doing my job."
Page was asked what originally attracted him to playing the guitar: "It was just that whole thing of the transmission of ideas through the tactile quality of playing an instrument, you know, your steel, strings and wood, translating through the electric pickup through the amp, and that's really what it is for me. It's that, some magical quality, really. Some sort of alchemy, if you like."
It Might Get Loud was directed by Davis Guggenheim, who was also behind the camera for the Oscar-winning Al Gore documentary An Inconvenient Truth,
The movie follows White, Page and The Edge as they visit influential locations from their own personal histories, including the mansion where Led Zeppelin recorded "Stairway To Heaven" and the Dublin high school where U2 was formed and used to practice.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…Paul McCartney will perform at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland on Saturday, August 1st. Tickets for the show -- which is so far the former Beatle's fifth open air gig of the summer -- will have an American Express pre-sale running from today (June 22nd) at 10 a.m. ET through Thursday (June 25th) at 10 p.m.
Public sale for the August 1st show starts in Friday June 26th at 10 a.m. ET.
AFP reported that both McCartney and Yoko Ono joined forces to wish Burma's liberation leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi a happy 64th birthday. Kyi, who is the leader of the National League for Democracy, spent her birthday in Yangon's Insein Prison, where she awaits trial for an incident in which an American man swam to her home. Kyi has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years, with the nation formerly known as Burma refusing to recognize her political party's 1990 victory.
McCartney posted a message ion the site 64forsuu.org saying, "Aung San Suu Kyi is an inspiration to her country and the rest of the world. I truly admire her infallible resolve and her determination to stand up for what she believes in. It is vital that Aung San Suu Kyi is released so that she can govern the people who elected her and give Burma back the freedom we all take for granted."
Ono's message simply exclained: "FREE Daw Aung San Suu Kyi NOW!"
Among the other celebrities showing support for her were Bono, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and David Beckham.
George Harrison's widow Olivia Harrison told spinner.com that these days she mainly listens to informal recordings that George recorded at private parties, explaining, "I listen to a lot of really rough recordings, cassettes and demos. George seemed to have a tape recording going . . . The other night I listened to New Year's Eve, it must have been '87. There was Joe Brown -- a great musician, Dave Edmunds, Alvin Lee -- who was a neighbor, (and) Jon Lord from Deep Purple."
She went on to say, "We're all just hanging out. And then we're sitting around the piano, someone has a guitar. You can hear all the wives talking, the guys are playing and we're all singing along . . . I'm like, 'Wow, who had this tape going,' you know? And George would always end up putting it in his pocket, throwing it in a drawer, so I listen to things like that."
Out now is the new Harrison solo compilation Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison. iTunes is offering the album with the previously unreleased Beatles-era demo of "Isn't It A Pity." Fans have been clamoring for the track's release since 1988 when its existence was first reported in Mark Lewisohn's watershed book The Beatles Recording Sessions.
The demo was recorded on Harrison's 26th birthday on February 25th, 1969 at London's Abbey Road Studios, along with solo runthroughs of future Beatles and solo classics "Something," "Old Brown Shoe," and "All Things Must Pass" -- all of which were included on 1996's The Beatles Anthology 3.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN QUICK TAKES…Max Weinberg says that having son Jay step into his shoes on the road with Bruce Springsteen is his proudest moment. Max told NPR.com that Jay rose to the occasion of subbing for his dad while busy with Tonight Show commitments, explaining, "Jay did it all himself. I mean, this is someone who just embraced the challenge, went for it, learned hundreds of songs and assimilated my style, and then threw it out to the audience, flavored by his own metal and punk style playing."
Max says that it's hard not to be emotional by how things have turned out: "You see your son, who's doing something he so loves doing, doing it with your band that you played with for nearly 40 years -- and in some cases, playing it better than me. As a dad, it is the greatest Father's Day I could have. It's an incomparable experience."
Clarence Clemons credits pilates and a rigorous workout regiment for helping him deal with his osteoarthritis on the road. Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage between bones breaks down. Clemons, who was a college football player prior to hooking up with the E Street Band, has been battling pain frequently undergoing bilateral hip replacement in 1994, and having both knees replaced last fall.
Clemons, who was originally dealing with the pain with periodic epidurals and pain medication, decided early on to manage the pain naturally, telling arthritistoday.org, "Pilates has changed my life and made me stronger."
The "Big Man" added: "Bruce is such a high-energy person, if I didn't work out, I would die out there. I try to stay on top of it, be prepared, be ready to do my job."
Boston.com reported that the building that used to house Asbury Park, New Jersey's legendary club The Upstage will be sold for $1.1 million. The Upstage, which was an early breeding ground for Springsteen, the various members of E Street Bands, along with dozens of other Jersey Shore groups, including Southside Johnny and the Jukes, shut its doors back in 1971.
STEPHEN STILLS SAYS CROWDS THRILLED WITH CSN'S RECENT COVER SONGS…Stephen Stills says that Crosby, Stills, & Nash are getting an amazing response with the recent cover songs they've added to their nightly setlists. CSN are currently road testing cuts from their upcoming covers set which is being produced by Rick Rubin. So far, the band has surprised concert-goers with harmony-driven versions of the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday," James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes," and the Grateful Dead's "Uncle John's Band."
Stills admits that he's getting off watching the crowd slowly realize what song they're covering: "Oh, it's really surprising. Nobody can believe it, but everybody goes, 'But of course! And this is so cool! 'Cause these are songs that I couldn't see them doing, like 'Ruby Tuesday' in concert.'"
Although the band is only about a third done with the album's sessions, they're playing the tunes live to gauge fan interest in what covers will make the final cut. Stills says that they've already dipped into the songbooks of Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan and other favorites: "'Reason To Believe' (the) Timmy Hardin song, and 'Lives In The Balance' and 'Girl From The North Country." at England's Glastonbury Festival. They'll kick off their next U.S. dates on July 25th in Portland, Maine at Merrill Auditorium At City Hall.
THE MOODY BLUES' 1970 ISLE OF WIGHT PERFORMANCE CHRONICLED ON NEW CD AND DVD…Out now on CD and DVD is The Moody Blues: Live At the Isle of Wight 1970, chronicling the band's legendary set on August 30th, 1970. The CD and DVD, which are sold separately, feature different songs due to the footage to several tracks not surviving the nearly 40 years since the festival. The DVD includes recollections by members of the Moodys' classic lineup featuring Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Mike Pinder, and Graeme Edge.
Justin Hayward, who remixed the sound on the disc from the master tapes, says that the band plays incredibly different now than they did nearly four decades ago: "The biggest difference was the kind of urgency and there was some kind of serious intention about the way that we played then. I think we were much more a separated from the audience than we are now. We were in our own little world a bit and I know personally, (laughs) I wouldn't speak for anyone else, personally I was very stoned and hadn't had much sleep the night before, and I'm amazed that we got through it as well as we did."
The tracklisting to The Moody Blues: Live At the Isle of Wight 1970 is: "Gypsy Sunset," "Tuesday Afternoon," "Minstrel Song," "Never Comes The Day," "Tortoise And The Hare," "Question," "Melancholy Man," "Are You Sitting Comfortably," "The Dream Have You Heard (Pt's 1 and 2)," "Nights In White Satin," "Legend Of A Mind," "Ride My See Saw."
The Moody Blues kick off their next series of dates on July 21st in San Diego, California at Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay.
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 22
“A Bro should not sing and dance at the same time”
ON THIS DAY
On this date in 1611, English explorer Henry Hudson, his son and several other people were set adrift in present-day Hudson Bay during a mutiny. The tribe had spoken.
The very first bank in New York City opened way back in 1797. Up until that time, bank robbers had nothing to do.
On this date in 1847, the donut was invented. Someone must have been sitting around and thought, "Hmmmmm... I wonder how I could make a donut more fattening!"
In 1868, Arkansas became a state for the second time. So far, the second marriage appears to be working.
Gangster John Dillinger was born back in 1903. He would have been 104 if he hadn't died from lead poisoning.
On this date in 1970, President Nixon lowered the national voting age to 18. That way, we had more people to blame for election results.
TODAY IS
Carson Daly celebrates another birthday today, #36. I wasn't going to get on the phone and wish him a happy one, but I'll give him one more LAST CALL.
Amy Brenneman turns 45. Hey... no judging Amy.
Meryl Streep celebrates a birthday today. Momma Mia -- she's 60!
Take Your Dog To Work Day -- Here's a unique way to give away some tickets. We had listeners bark and win. They either had to bark like their dog or bark their favorite Country song. It turned out to be pretty funny.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Olive Garden won't say that it was connected to the off-color Sarah Palin joke, but they've canceled all of their advertising running on the Letterman show.
By the way, David Letterman did a ratings bump from that whole Sarah Palin thing, but the Tonight Show still beat him in the ratings for that week.
Sources have said that Katherine Heigl, aka Izzie, will return to "Grey's Anatomy" next season.
Rihanna will be in a Los Angeles court today to testify in the case against Chris Brown, but a judge ruled the proceedings will not be televised.
The father of last year's "American Idol" runner-up, David Archuleta, has pleaded no contest to patronizing a prostitute in Salt Lake City.
Remember Aunt Viv on Will Smith's comedy, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?" She's written her memoirs and is not to complimentary about Will.
American Idol singer Carly Smithson is joining the original guys of Evanescence, and creating a new hard-rock band called The Fallen. More at wearethefallen.com.
"Twilight" star Robert Pattinson was hit by a taxi in New York as he tried to run away from a crowd of hysterical teenage fans, but he was not seriously injured.
Congress is all about passing a "Cash for clunkers" bill that would give you up to a $4500 cash rebate to buy a newer, more fuel efficient car.
To show support for democracy in Iran, you're supposed to add a green tint to your picture on Twitter. Done.
OK, we just went from spring to summer and Sting is announcing that his next album, titled "If on a winter's night... " will come out in this fall. I think we've covered 'em all.
Susan Boyle canceled another concert appearance. Is she up for this fame thing?
NICE TO KNOW -
If food falls on the floor, pick it up within five seconds and you can eat it, right? Whatever germs are on the floor don't have time to adhere to the food that quickly. Or do they? A recent national survey by Kelton Research found that nearly 60% of Americans admit to eating food that has fallen on the floor. Would they continue doing that if they knew a typical home carpet has up to 4,000 times more bacteria particles -- even after vacuuming -- than toilet seats? This is the total number of bacteria particles found on one-inch square samples of different household surfaces. The independent tests were conducted by Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona:
Toilet seat: 49
Kitchen counter: 1,686
Kitchen tile: 2,546
Bathroom floor: 18,025
Carpet: more than 200,000
So, does the 5-second rule work? No. Eat that cookie that falls on the floor, and you could also be ingesting a frosting of E. coli.
I CAN’T DRIVE 55 –
For those of us that like to drive fast, ( you know who you are) we've found out where you can drive the fastest in the U.S. Here are the Top Maximum Speed Limits:
80 mph -- Texas (on about 500 miles of Interstate 10 and 20 in southwest corner of the state)
75 mph -- Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (in counties with less than 10 people per square mile), Utah, Wyoming
70 mph -- Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, }Tennessee, Washington State, West Virginia
WEIRD NEWS
Happy Father's Day -- NOT! - While you were busy yesterday telling your dad how great he is, 50-year-old William Ireland of Warwickshire, England, was dissing his dad big time -- by auctioning off his ashes on eBay! Mr. Ireland apparently carries quite a grudge against his deceased dad and says he was only six when his father, Ken Ireland, walked out on his mother and the family. William later tracked his dad down and they spent some time together before Ken died in 2006. But then William found out his dad left his entire estate to the woman he left his mother for. William got the ashes by paying for the funeral so to settle the score, he put them up for sale on eBay with an ad that reads: "Here are the ashes of my father, Kenneth Ireland, an adulterer who left a wife, two children with just 17 pounds in her pocket. He never paid a penny towards his kids' upbringing." His father's second wife and family are believed to want the ashes back. But obviously not enough to pay for the funeral! Happy Father's Day everyone! (Ananova)
Swine Flu I Do's! - The bride wore white -- and a face mask -- and latex gloves! So did the groom! In Highland, Park, Illinois, Ilana Jackson and Jeremy Fierstien decided to go ahead with their wedding after learning less than 48 hours before that they both had swine flu! But, just to be safe, the 26-year-olds kept a 10-foot distance from family and friends at all times, even walking around the gathering instead of down the aisle at a Highland Park synagogue. Jackson says they'd both joked about swine flu after they both experienced vomiting, achy limbs and fever -- but they never actually thought they really had it. So it'll probably be a hospital honeymoon and then hopefully they live happily ever after. (myway.com)
Lobster and Wine Thief Eats and Drinks His Way to Sleepy Time - Well at least he got a really good meal before he has to start enjoying prison food. In Portland, Maine, Paul Bruneau was arrested after he allegedly broke into the Portland Lobster Co. through a rear window and stuffed his pockets with cash before chowing down on the better part of 11 prepared lobsters worth about $300. He washed it all down with a white wine. He also left a refrigerator open, causing about $1,000 worth of food to be thrown out. It appears all that lobster and wine made him a little sleepy because employees found him asleep on a bench when they came in to work the next morning. (myway.com)
Mugged For a Bologna Sandwich? - How pathetic is this? In Oklahoma City, 24-year-old Roger Hamilton was sitting on a bus station bench, about to put mayonnaise on his bologna sandwich, when another man began staring at him. Hamilton told police that the man then punched him in the mouth and grabbed his sandwich and ran! Hamilton left with a swollen lip and his face was covered in blood when police arrived. The police report listed the value of the sandwich at 76 cents. The Bologna Bandit is still on the loose! (The Oklahoman)
Do We Really Need This? - Has society sunk so low that we now need dress codes that include wearing underwear and wearing deodorant? Apparently the city of Brooksville, Florida thinks so. The city council for the town just north of Tampa just approved a dress code that instructs employees to observe "strict personal hygiene" including wearing underwear at all times as well as deodorant. It also prohibits exposed underwear, clothing with foul language printed on it, "sexually provocative" clothes and piercings anywhere except the ears. And get this ACLU-- repeat offenders can be fired! Ironically, the single "no" vote came from Mayor Joe Bernadini who believes the underwear edict "takes away freedom of choice." Or maybe our good mayor just loves the ladies sans panties -- or goes commando himself! (The Tampa Tribune)
Our WWI Vets Are Almost Gone - There's another seriously endangered species you can add to your list -- living veterans of World War I. Did you know there are only two known vets of the first World War still alive on the planet? And one of them-- Henry Allingham of Brighton, England, just became the world's oldest living man. He turned 113 on June 6 this year and took over the oldest man title after Tomoji Tanabe of Japan died in his sleep last week. Tanabe was also 113 but was a full eight months older than Allingham. Allingham enlisted as a seaplane mechanic in 1915 during WWI after his mother died. After the war, he worked at Ford and retired in 1961. He was married for 50 years and has a great-great-great-grandchild. As for the secret to his longevity, Allingham said "to look after yourself and always know your limitations." (The London Times)
More Instructions on How To Get Into Hell! - Here's another installment from our continuing series of "How To Get Into Hell!" Police are looking for the person or persons who offered free office equipment to a group of African American churches in the Washington DC area. Turns out it was all a con. Several churches were offered computers that church staff were told would be paid for by a "sponsor." The staff was told to sign a lease for the equipment and deposit checks from the sponsor to cover the lease. However, the "sponsor" checks bounced and the equipment didn't work. Instead the con artists used the churches' banking information to withdraw money from their accounts. The scam is being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission who is taking it very seriously. You know there's a lot of people you can rip off -- but churches? Really? Seriously? Dude -- you are sooooo going to hell! (AHN News)
And Here's Me on Day 2,342! - This is interesting. 13-year-old Suman Bansal of Kent, England has become the world's first known teenager to have daily photos of herself since birth! She had 4,749 photos as of her 13th birthday on May 16, according to her father who took the pictures. Dad said, "I am taking daily photographs of my daughter Suman and son Jayl. If you want to see, Suman's father has created a Web site (earnyourname.net/SumanBansal) with every photo of Suman he has taken since birth until May 30, this year. Her younger brother, 10-year-old Jay, also has his own photo site. The family is planning to raise money from the story to build a school in India -- a school that will offer free education to children. (AHN News)
TOP FIVE BENEFITS OF BEING IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER
1. Reserved parking space. Now, if only we believed in cars...
2. Get to go to Supreme Leadership Camp
3. Great way to meet Supreme Chicks
4. You don't get lumped in with all those "regular" leaders
5. People always know what kind of gasoline you prefer
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
Japan is warning the U.S. about a report that North Korea is planning to launch missiles at Hawaii on Independence Day. Someone get Will Smith on the phone!!!!
Thomas the Train is getting a makeover. Starting in January, you'll see a smother animated CGI Thomas, with a new voice from Martin Sheen. They were going to use the voice of Charlie Sheen, but he was too obsessed with cabooses.
The dad of American Idol runner-up David Archuleta has been busted for prostitution. OK Letterman, he's all yours!
In Japan, the world's oldest man has died at age 113. I tell you, that title is a curse.
PETA has sent President Obama a "Catch and Release Fly Trap," after the president was caught on camera last week killing a fly. If it were up to me, I'd have a coat made out of fly skins just to tick them off. Of course, that might take a while.
Prince Charles is complaining that the price of houses is way too high. How would he know? For that matter, when was the last time you paid for... oh, anything?
The New York Times just reported that Sammy Sosa tested positive for steroids in 2003. In an unrelated story, they're also reporting that President Bush may run for a second term.
It's all speed ahead for the FIFTH "Indiana Jones" movie. The working title for this one is "Indiana Jones and the Metamucil of Doom." Seattle's 29-dry spell has finally been snapped. Thank God -- we were getting really tired of having to water the Space Needle every day. Lindsay Lohan's mom has come to her defense and says there's no way that Lindsay could have stolen that missing jewelry from a London photo shoot. She also says that Ahmadinejad was the clear winner in Iran.
GET OUT OF BORING CONVERSATIONS
Ever gotten caught up in a conversation you just weren't interested in. Jeanne Martinet knows all about mingling with people. In fact she wrote a book about it. In the book she talks about getting out of boring conversation.
Shake and Break -- Simply smile and say, "It was so nice meeting you," while shaking their hand then turn and walk away without another word.
Offensive Escape -- Talk slowly, drop things, discuss the most uninteresting things and the person will leave you.
Human Sacrifice -- Introduce the person to someone who's passing by. Using "Have you met?" then gives you a short window to excuse yourself.
TOP REASONS WHY BAD WORKERS DON'T FACE THE AX
Have you ever wondered about someone who gave you bad service, or even a lazy co-worker: "Why don't they go ahead and fire this idiot?" The lousy employee may not face the ax because he might have friends in high places, says FabJob.com. The relationship could be romantic, family or even golf or drinking buddies with a senior manager. Here are some more reasons:
The boss may be afraid of the bad worker because he or she may know something embarrassing about the boss or the company.
A company supervisor may think the fired employee might sue or stir up all sorts of trouble, if they were to get the pink slip.
A lousy worker may still bring more value to the company than he costs.
Replacing someone with a hard to do task might make the hiring process for a new employee a nightmare and not worth the bother.
Supervisors could even believe the company might be even worse off if they were to find someone else for the job.
A bad employee may not actually be one - it could just seem to others they are slacking off, while carrying out vital duties no one is aware of.
A poor worker may be doing exactly what you think they are - pulling the wool over everybody's eyes and getting away with doing little or no work while charming the boss into thinking the company couldn't get along without them.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR -
- "Ugly Betty's" America Ferrera says it takes hours in makeup and wardrobe to achieve her ugly, homely look. Susan Boyle replied, "Boy am I lucky. All I have to do is roll out of bed and drag a comb across my face."
- Jack Black says his three-year-old son and his 13 month old boy are finally beginning to bond after not getting along well for the first two years. Black said, "I think the key was letting them go off on their own for that wild weekend at the 'Burning Baby' festival."
- On Thursday, a Continental Airlines pilot died after having a heart attack in midflight, and the plane had to be landed by copilots. The passengers on the flight weren't told until the plane was safely on the ground. And then they all had heart attacks.
- Because of the missile threat from North Korea, the U.S. military is sending more troops and missiles to Hawaii. In fact, they're changing their recruitment add to "Uncle Sam Wants You To Go To Hawaii."
INTERESTING – ON THIS DATE IN 1974 -
At an Elvis concert at LA's Forum, some fans who begged to meet him are brought backstage, the members of Led Zeppelin!
In ROCK NEWS –
ALICE IN CHAINS POSTS TRAILER OF NEW VIDEO…Alice In Chains has posted a short trailer of the band's upcoming new video, for the song "A Looking In View," at MySpace Music. The 17-second clip presents a series of images from the video, but more importantly, features the first sample heard anywhere of new music from the group's new album, Black Gives Way To Blue. The Seattle act's first collection of all-new material in 14 years is scheduled to arrive on September 29th and marks the recording debut of vocalist William DuVall, who joined in 2006.
Drummer Sean Kinney told us that making the band's first new album in more than a decade carried a special weight for all four members: "There was no reason to do it. You know, we didn't have to do it. We did it because we wanted to and it got to a place where it seemed like it was the right thing to do and we all felt good about it. So we just went in there and it was so important to just be there, and be so involved, instead of like, 'Hey, you know, cool, I'm done. Are we done yet?' It was really cool. I mean, I hadn't worked that hard on a record in my life."
The full "A Looking In View" video will debut at the Alice In Chains website in a few weeks.
Kinney, bassist Mike Inez and guitarist Jerry Cantrell regrouped in 2005 to perform at a benefit for victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami, then launched a full reunion tour the following year with DuVall on vocals.
Original singer Layne Staley died in 2002. Alice In Chains' last full studio album was a 1995 self-titled effort.
Alice In Chains will next perform on July 18th at Comerica Park in Detroit with Kid Rock.
JIMMY PAGE AND JACK WHITE TALK GUITAR PLAYING…Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and White Stripes/Raconteurs singer/guitarist Jack White were in Los Angeles on Friday (June 19th) to speak with the press about It Might Get Loud, a new documentary about guitars and guitar playing starring both of them as well as U2 axeman The Edge. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on Friday (June 19th) and will open in New York and Los Angeles on August 14th. The film showcases how the three guitarists came to play the guitar and develop their styles, and also features a jam session involving all three players.
Jack White told reporters how he approaches playing his instrument: "I try to make it a fight. I consider it a fight, a battle, that you have to win. If you're handed an instrument or you find yourself playing an instrument that's too easy to play, that's too nice and too in tune, I want to, you know, turn it upside down and make it out of tune so I can win that fight. I have to make a fight out of it. If I don't have a struggle, then I don't feel like I'm doing my job."
Page was asked what originally attracted him to playing the guitar: "It was just that whole thing of the transmission of ideas through the tactile quality of playing an instrument, you know, your steel, strings and wood, translating through the electric pickup through the amp, and that's really what it is for me. It's that, some magical quality, really. Some sort of alchemy, if you like."
It Might Get Loud was directed by Davis Guggenheim, who was also behind the camera for the Oscar-winning Al Gore documentary An Inconvenient Truth,
The movie follows White, Page and The Edge as they visit influential locations from their own personal histories, including the mansion where Led Zeppelin recorded "Stairway To Heaven" and the Dublin high school where U2 was formed and used to practice.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…Paul McCartney will perform at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland on Saturday, August 1st. Tickets for the show -- which is so far the former Beatle's fifth open air gig of the summer -- will have an American Express pre-sale running from today (June 22nd) at 10 a.m. ET through Thursday (June 25th) at 10 p.m.
Public sale for the August 1st show starts in Friday June 26th at 10 a.m. ET.
AFP reported that both McCartney and Yoko Ono joined forces to wish Burma's liberation leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi a happy 64th birthday. Kyi, who is the leader of the National League for Democracy, spent her birthday in Yangon's Insein Prison, where she awaits trial for an incident in which an American man swam to her home. Kyi has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years, with the nation formerly known as Burma refusing to recognize her political party's 1990 victory.
McCartney posted a message ion the site 64forsuu.org saying, "Aung San Suu Kyi is an inspiration to her country and the rest of the world. I truly admire her infallible resolve and her determination to stand up for what she believes in. It is vital that Aung San Suu Kyi is released so that she can govern the people who elected her and give Burma back the freedom we all take for granted."
Ono's message simply exclained: "FREE Daw Aung San Suu Kyi NOW!"
Among the other celebrities showing support for her were Bono, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and David Beckham.
George Harrison's widow Olivia Harrison told spinner.com that these days she mainly listens to informal recordings that George recorded at private parties, explaining, "I listen to a lot of really rough recordings, cassettes and demos. George seemed to have a tape recording going . . . The other night I listened to New Year's Eve, it must have been '87. There was Joe Brown -- a great musician, Dave Edmunds, Alvin Lee -- who was a neighbor, (and) Jon Lord from Deep Purple."
She went on to say, "We're all just hanging out. And then we're sitting around the piano, someone has a guitar. You can hear all the wives talking, the guys are playing and we're all singing along . . . I'm like, 'Wow, who had this tape going,' you know? And George would always end up putting it in his pocket, throwing it in a drawer, so I listen to things like that."
Out now is the new Harrison solo compilation Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison. iTunes is offering the album with the previously unreleased Beatles-era demo of "Isn't It A Pity." Fans have been clamoring for the track's release since 1988 when its existence was first reported in Mark Lewisohn's watershed book The Beatles Recording Sessions.
The demo was recorded on Harrison's 26th birthday on February 25th, 1969 at London's Abbey Road Studios, along with solo runthroughs of future Beatles and solo classics "Something," "Old Brown Shoe," and "All Things Must Pass" -- all of which were included on 1996's The Beatles Anthology 3.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN QUICK TAKES…Max Weinberg says that having son Jay step into his shoes on the road with Bruce Springsteen is his proudest moment. Max told NPR.com that Jay rose to the occasion of subbing for his dad while busy with Tonight Show commitments, explaining, "Jay did it all himself. I mean, this is someone who just embraced the challenge, went for it, learned hundreds of songs and assimilated my style, and then threw it out to the audience, flavored by his own metal and punk style playing."
Max says that it's hard not to be emotional by how things have turned out: "You see your son, who's doing something he so loves doing, doing it with your band that you played with for nearly 40 years -- and in some cases, playing it better than me. As a dad, it is the greatest Father's Day I could have. It's an incomparable experience."
Clarence Clemons credits pilates and a rigorous workout regiment for helping him deal with his osteoarthritis on the road. Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage between bones breaks down. Clemons, who was a college football player prior to hooking up with the E Street Band, has been battling pain frequently undergoing bilateral hip replacement in 1994, and having both knees replaced last fall.
Clemons, who was originally dealing with the pain with periodic epidurals and pain medication, decided early on to manage the pain naturally, telling arthritistoday.org, "Pilates has changed my life and made me stronger."
The "Big Man" added: "Bruce is such a high-energy person, if I didn't work out, I would die out there. I try to stay on top of it, be prepared, be ready to do my job."
Boston.com reported that the building that used to house Asbury Park, New Jersey's legendary club The Upstage will be sold for $1.1 million. The Upstage, which was an early breeding ground for Springsteen, the various members of E Street Bands, along with dozens of other Jersey Shore groups, including Southside Johnny and the Jukes, shut its doors back in 1971.
STEPHEN STILLS SAYS CROWDS THRILLED WITH CSN'S RECENT COVER SONGS…Stephen Stills says that Crosby, Stills, & Nash are getting an amazing response with the recent cover songs they've added to their nightly setlists. CSN are currently road testing cuts from their upcoming covers set which is being produced by Rick Rubin. So far, the band has surprised concert-goers with harmony-driven versions of the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday," James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes," and the Grateful Dead's "Uncle John's Band."
Stills admits that he's getting off watching the crowd slowly realize what song they're covering: "Oh, it's really surprising. Nobody can believe it, but everybody goes, 'But of course! And this is so cool! 'Cause these are songs that I couldn't see them doing, like 'Ruby Tuesday' in concert.'"
Although the band is only about a third done with the album's sessions, they're playing the tunes live to gauge fan interest in what covers will make the final cut. Stills says that they've already dipped into the songbooks of Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan and other favorites: "'Reason To Believe' (the) Timmy Hardin song, and 'Lives In The Balance' and 'Girl From The North Country." at England's Glastonbury Festival. They'll kick off their next U.S. dates on July 25th in Portland, Maine at Merrill Auditorium At City Hall.
THE MOODY BLUES' 1970 ISLE OF WIGHT PERFORMANCE CHRONICLED ON NEW CD AND DVD…Out now on CD and DVD is The Moody Blues: Live At the Isle of Wight 1970, chronicling the band's legendary set on August 30th, 1970. The CD and DVD, which are sold separately, feature different songs due to the footage to several tracks not surviving the nearly 40 years since the festival. The DVD includes recollections by members of the Moodys' classic lineup featuring Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Mike Pinder, and Graeme Edge.
Justin Hayward, who remixed the sound on the disc from the master tapes, says that the band plays incredibly different now than they did nearly four decades ago: "The biggest difference was the kind of urgency and there was some kind of serious intention about the way that we played then. I think we were much more a separated from the audience than we are now. We were in our own little world a bit and I know personally, (laughs) I wouldn't speak for anyone else, personally I was very stoned and hadn't had much sleep the night before, and I'm amazed that we got through it as well as we did."
The tracklisting to The Moody Blues: Live At the Isle of Wight 1970 is: "Gypsy Sunset," "Tuesday Afternoon," "Minstrel Song," "Never Comes The Day," "Tortoise And The Hare," "Question," "Melancholy Man," "Are You Sitting Comfortably," "The Dream Have You Heard (Pt's 1 and 2)," "Nights In White Satin," "Legend Of A Mind," "Ride My See Saw."
The Moody Blues kick off their next series of dates on July 21st in San Diego, California at Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay.
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
Friday, June 19, 2009
Friday - June 19, 2009 -
Welcome to the Blog -
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 21
“In a 6 person hot tub, there should be a maximum of 3 guys”
ON THIS DAY
On this date in 1905, the first nickelodeon opened up in Pittsburgh. It was very popular among rug rats and people who liked to get slimed.
In 1910, Father's Day was celebrated for the very first time. Back then, in it's early form, it was called "Thou shalt all bow down before me Day." That didn't last long.
On this date in 1934, the FCC was created... and might I just add, what a wonderful government agency it is. Such fine people. Of course, those are the folks who make sure we don't say (BLEEP ), (BLEEP) and especially, (BLEEP), on the air. Who could (BLEEP)-in' blame them?
TODAY IS
Paula Abdul turns 46 today. It's a national holiday back on her home planet.
Kathleen Turner celebrates her 55th birthday today. She got her start in "Body Heat." That was back when she still got me started.
Here's one for you: Phylicia Rashad turns 61 today! Man, I hope I look that good when I'm 40.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Hillary Clinton was on her way to the White House Wednesday night when she fell and broke her elbow!
Tom Brokaw interviewed President Obama June 5th. This week, he was named to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.
The Global Language Monitor, a web site that uses a math formula to estimate how often words are created, estimates English now has one million words -- more than any other language.
T.R. Knight will be disappearing from "Grey's Anatomy," as he is being released from his contract.
Billy Joel and third wife Katie Lee are spliting up after five years. In a statement, the pair said that they remain "caring friends with admiration and respect for each other."
Katie Perry is suing an Australian company that was using her name as a clothing label.
Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and "Dancing with the Stars" runner-up Melissa Rycroft will appear on "Good Morning America" as a traveling contributor this summer.
It took two calls from Angelina Jolie before fashion designer Malcolm Harris would believe it was really her. He thought he was being Punk'd.
A sequel to "Hangover" is already in the works.
Even though David Letterman's ordeal with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gave his "Late Show" a ratings boost, rival Conan O'Brien remained top dog after two weeks as the "Tonight Show" host.
A GPS with the voice of Homer Simpson telling you where to turn? TomTom is now offering it.
According to a new survey, some teens are starting to use their cell phones to cheat on tests in school. They act like they just got a call, but instead, they're checking answers placed on their phone.
David Archuleta's dad was busted for soliciting a prostitute at a massage parlor.
Jane Fonda has had her left knee replaced.
Chris Brown has to appear in court on Monday to find out if charges will be filed from that Rihanna incident.
The Emmy Awards are being postponed by a week to avoid bumping into MTV's Video Music Awards on September 13th.
Guys, ever wonder how to be a husband? Here are 5 steps to being a better husband (from MSN.com)
1. Take an interest in something your wife is really passionate about. This can be especially tough for guys, because we generally feel that if someone else has interests that differ from ours, they're morons. It's not an easy task, and being able to show interest in something that matters to someone you love shows growth -- and that's terrifying. Good, but terrifying. Accomplish this and you'll make her feel better about herself, and you get better insight into what makes her tick.
2. Put the kids to bed. Once a week give her the night off and put the kids to bed by yourself. Let her take a hot bath, read a book, or check gossip on the Web and forget about the kids. I'm always amazed how happy this makes my wife. It ranks somewhere between low-end jewelry and a Hawaiian vacation.
3. Learn to apologize. This is the easiest one, and the hardest one. A marriage is a marathon, and we all fly off the handle too quick or let our temper get the best of us sometimes. When you're wrong, it's best to step up and apologize. It's amazing how fast "I'm sorry" can defuse a stupid argument about something you can't even remember.
4. Thank her for putting up with you. Every once in a while, just thank her for putting up with you. That's all you have to say. Don't launch into a list of your faults, or the story about coming home two days late from that Vegas bachelor party. Just thank her, and let her know that you understand that you're not the easiest person in the world to live with.
5. Clean up after yourself. Take care of that late night snack or morning cereal bowl. Setting them in the sink is one thing, but go that extra mile and actually put them in the dishwasher. After all, no one enjoys scraping bacon dip off a bowl that's been sitting too long or smelling the chili from the night before. A beer bottle on the counter the next morning is even worse.
WEIRD NEWS
Heroic 9-11 Dog Cloned! - A Heroic German Shepherd named Trakr that sniffed for survivors buried under the rubble of the World Trade Center terror attack is no longer with us, but his five clones will continue his heroic legacy of saving lives. Animal cloning company BioArts International has produced five genetic copies of the heroic dog after its death in April and the clones were presented to Trakr's former handler James Symington in Los Angeles. This was the result of an essay contest to find the best dog worth cloning. Symington's winning essay told Trakr's two-day non-stop search-and-rescue efforts at Ground Zero, including finding the last survivor under 30 feet of debris. Sadly, Trakr died in April from a degenerative brain disorder. (AHN News)
Dodgeball Coach Goes Nuts! - In New Rochelle, New York, police say a 58-year-old substitute gym teacher at Daniel Webster Elementary School put a 10-year-old student in a chokehold after the two got in an argument over a dodgeball game! Coach "Anger-ball" was arrested and charged with third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment. According to police reports, the substitute teacher apparently began calling the boy "a big baby" and a "crybaby" after they argued about a call in a dodgeball game. The boy allegedly threw a punch at the sub but missed. The sub then allegedly grabbed the boy by the back of the neck, dragged him across the gym floor and put him in a chokehold when he tried to break free. The boy was hospitalized with neck and back pain. The sub is claiming self-defense. (The Journal News)
Note To Self: You Are Not Invincible! - In Fairbanks, Alaska, 34-year-old Roman Retynski loved to live life on the edge. Unfortunately, he got too close to the edge when he decided to go "car surfing" on the hood of a speeding truck -- a decision that cost him his life. A woman in the truck told Alaska State Troopers that Retynski was driving the night of June 10 when he suddenly announced he wanted to go "surfing" and climbed out of the truck as it continued to move. The woman was left to struggle to get control of the truck which was moving at 60-70 mph. He ultimately went flying off the hood to his death. Roman's mother, Ruth Retynski, said, "He was the daredevil of the family" and that she heard stories from his friends that Roman would sit on the hood of vehicle and lean back on the windshield as someone drove. According to friends, he had done it at least 100 times since he was 15. She added, "He liked to gamble with life. I know when he was flying off the hood, he didn't think he would die, he was just thinking, 'This is going to hurt.'" (News Miner)
Norman Bates Comes To Life - Anyone who's seen the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie "Psycho" will consider this Norman Bates come to life! In Brooklyn, New York, 49-year-old Thomas Prusik-Parkin has been charged with impersonating his dead mother so he could claim her benefits-- for six years. He allegedly wore a wig, thick make-up and old dresses as part of his elaborate ruse to claim over $100,000 in social security benefits and rent subsidies. Prosecutors say it all started when Prusik-Parkin's mother, Irene Prusik, died in 2003 at age 73. Mr. Prusik-Parkin allegedly gave his mother's funeral director a false social security number and date of birth so her death did not show up on government records. Dressed as his mom, he would then collect benefit checks, visit banks and even go to renew her driving license. He now faces up to 25 years in prison. (Ananova)
Obaminoes? - A group of fifth graders at Franklin Avenue Elementary School in Westfield, Massachusetts have used their math skills and a ton of dominoes to honor President Barack Obama and create a giant mural they call "Obaminoes." It utilizes 24,000 dominoes geometrically placed to create a photo of the president. Student Marissa Costa told reporters, "We were the only elementary school to do this and to have a piece of artwork of our 44th president, the only African American president. It means a lot." (AHN News)
Do You Really Want To Be Judged By a Jury of Your Peers? - Looks like the gene pool for those who actually make it to jury duty is running pretty thin these days. Back in 2003, Lisa Strong was hospitalized in Miami for a kidney stone, which was not treated properly. As a result she ended up with massive, life-threatening infections, but by the time her doctors finally got around to treating those, they had to amputate both her arms and legs! Not surprisingly, Strong filed a lawsuit against the doctors in 2005, but the jury in Broward County, Florida just returned a verdict that somehow found all of the doctors completely innocent of any malpractice. Judge Charles Greene was so shocked he immediately reversed the verdict, dismissed the jury and ordered a new trial! (WFOR-TV News)
Bank Managers Don't Make Good Arsonists - In Indianapolis, police have charged 31-year-old Fifth Third Bank manager Dwayne Roberts with arson and theft after he failed miserably in a poorly thought-out scheme to cover up his embezzlement. Reportedly, Mr. Roberts elaborately staged a fire inside a locked vault so that an undeterminable amount of money would burn up, thus perhaps covering his big cash shortage. Unfortunately for him, after Roberts set the fire and locked the vault, he realized he had left his keys inside and could not re-open the vault or lock the bank's doors or even drive home. Duh! (Indianapolis Star)
TOP FIVE LEAST APPRECIATED FATHER'S DAY GIFTS
1. A copy of George Michael's song, "I don't want my Father's Figure"
2. A headshot of Megan Fox
3. A brand-new "Honey-do" list
4. Another finger painting? For God's sake, you're 50!
5. Washing half his car
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
Billy Joel and his 27-year-old wife have split up. I wonder what could have possibly gone wrong?
It was one of those classic May/A-year-from-this-December relationships.
Those of you who had five years in the marriage pool: you win!
Chace Crawford tops People Magazine's list of the summer's hottest bachelors. IF you don't include the homely ones.
Hillary Clinton was on her way to the White House Wednesday night when she fell and broke her elbow! This could pave the way for development of the first "Pantsuit Sling."
THE OFFICE
A survey of more than 2,000 executives by TheLadders.com reveals that 36% of U.S. bosses have issued a formal warning for swearing, and 6% have actually fired an employee for swearing. The survey also found that 81% of senior executives find a foul-mouthed colleague unacceptable to work alongside in the office. 70% also said they would fire an employee for bad office manners, while 82% said they have given an official warning for etiquette offenses, such as making too many personal calls, talking too loudly or wearing revealing clothing. So what are the top five nos-nos?
Bad language, 38.4%
Excessive workplace gossip, 36.5%
Drinking on the job, 35.2%
Leaving the office without telling anyone, 33.6%
Too many personal calls, 28%
81.2% of employees said they deem swearing in the workplace unacceptable. But what's the absolute most offensive thing an office worker can do to his or her colleagues? 97.8% rated fridge raiders the worst possible offenders of workplace etiquette. Want more?
Eating someone else's food from the fridge, 97.8%
Bad hygiene, 95.6%
Bad habits, 88.2%
Drinking on the job, 85.7%
Wastefulness with paper, 82%
Cooking smelly food in the office microwave, 74.1%
Sneaking peeks at the BlackBerry in meetings, 63.5%
15 CRUCIAL QUESTIONS
Think you know everything about your partner? Glamour says quiz each other on the following:
1. When I turn on the TV, which channel do I usually turn to first?
2. Which of our dates was my favorite?
3. Was I named after anyone? If so, who?
4. What is my biggest fear?
5. Ketchup: on my fries or next to them?
6. Who in my family do I feel closest to?
7. What's my favorite band of all time?
8. What's my biggest pet peeve?
9.Do I shower facing the showerhead or with my back to it?
10. What is my dream job?
11. In what kind of car did I learn to drive?
12.Was I on any sports teams or in any clubs while growing up? Which ones?
13. What's my favorite day of the year?
14. What would I do with a million dollars?
15. What do I love most about you?
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR –
- A pilot flying a Continental Airlines flight 61, from Brussels to Newark died in midair on Thursday, and the plane was landed by two flight officers. The crew and passengers of flight 61 held an impromptu memorial service for the deceased pilot during the flight, until one passenger stood up and screamed, "I've had it with this mother-freaking wake on this mother-freaking plane."
- Sasha Baron Cohen then described British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as "totally gay". That's as opposed to being only partially gay by sticking your naked butt in Eminem's face on live TV.
- Several major Iranian Ayatollahs are joining in opposition to the recent election there. Ayatollah Rafsanjani and Ayatollah Sanei declared their disapproval, and the Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, has issued a statement describing the election results as ones "that no one in their right mind can believe." President Ahmadinejad said, "I believe in them." Grand Ayatollah Montazeri replied, "See what I mean?"
- After he heard Hillary broke her elbow, Bill Clinton wanted to know if it was Hillary's china-throwing arm, and then said, "Man... I thought she had sharp elbows before she broke one."
FIVE LIES EVERY WOMAN TELLS
(from Askmen.com)
1. I'm not mad at you -- Oh, yes she is. In reality, she does care, very much so. What you should do: Save yourself some time and headaches later on by calling her on her real feelings and discussing why she's so angry.
2. I don't mind if you go to strip clubs with the boys -- If this one sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. What you should do: You're probably better off just not going.
3. I'm just not ready for a boyfriend right now -- The truth is, if the woman is single and at all interested in you, she will certainly make the time to date you. It's that simple. What you should do: Let it go. Don't bother letting her know that you see through it. Take the easy way out by pretending you believe her for your own personal dignity, and just walk away.
4. I don't mind picking up the tab tonight. You always pay anyway -- Although this lie doesn't apply to all women, most still do expect men to pay for things, especially if the man asked them out in the first place. They will secretly think that the guy is cheap if he wriggles out of the bill on a regular basis. What you should do: In the early, critical dating stages, don't risk looking cheap.
5. You're the best in bed -- Face it, women tell guys whatever they think they want to hear, just to make them feel good about themselves. What you should do: You shouldn't be asking her to rate her sexual experiences, period. That's just in poor taste.
On to ROCK NEWS –
OZZY OSBOURNE'S MEMOIRS COMING OUT THIS FALL…Ozzy Osbourne's long-awaited memoir will be published in the U.K. on October 1st, according to TheBookseller.com. The book, titled I Am Ozzy, was originally slated to arrive almost two years ago but was delayed twice. Ozzy will do a week-long publicity tour in England upon the book's publication which will include two book signing events. Publisher Antonia Hodgson called the book "fantastic," adding that it was "very much in the tone of his voice, very funny and a very full story."
Ozzy did a cover shoot for the book on Wednesday (June 17th).
A U.S. publication date has yet to be announced.
Ozzy's wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, published her own best-selling memoir in 2005, called Extreme: My Autobiography. A second volume was rushed out in 2008 after Ozzy's book was delayed.
A documentary about Ozzy's life and career, called Wreckage Of My Past, is due out in early 2010. The film is will be the first release from Jacko Productions, a company started by Ozzy's son Jack.
Ozzy is working on a new album that he expects to release later this year.
ALICE COOPER'S SCARY DADDY MOMENT…Alice Cooper has made a career out of being scary on stage, but he's also experienced a moment or two of fear as a father. Alice, who has three grown children, reminisced to us about the time he caught his then-teenage daughter, Calico, in her bedroom with a boy: "And there's this really good-looking guy sitting on her bed and she's taking a shower. I look at the guy and he knows that I'm gonna... and he goes 'Oh hello Mr. Cooper! Cali and I were just trying on clothes.' And I went 'either this guy is really good or he's really gay. I hope that you're really gay because if you're that quick in order to become gay, getting caught in my daughter's bedroom' and Calico looked at me and she says 'no, we were trying on dresses.' And he was gay and it was a relief to me!"
Alice said that since he's the original rebel, there was nothing his kids could do to top him: "There was no way to rebel because what are they going to do, dye their hair black and wear black lipstick? I invented that, remember? My daughter put it perfectly in her yearbook. She said, 'I couldn't really rebel because my mom and dad were cooler than my friends.'"
Of course, having Alice Cooper for a father does have its advantages: "They got to do things other kids didn't get to do. They were backstage going 'where's Uncle Axel? Where's Uncle Slash?' They knew all the rock stars as 'Uncle' this or 'Uncle' that. 'Where's Uncle Keith? Crazy Uncle Moonie?'"
Alice's three children are Calico, 28; Dashiel, 25, and his teenage daughter Sonora Rose. All of his children have performed in his shows.
Alice is currently on tour in Russia.
AEROSMITH DRUMMER HOSTING WOUNDED SOLDIERS ON SUNDAY…Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer will celebrate his 59th birthday this Sunday (June 21st) by hosting 20 wounded soldiers as his personal guests at the band's show that night at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Virginia. The troops, who all served in Iraq or Afghanistan, are currently receiving treatment and therapy for their injuries at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Some are amputees, while others have suffered shrapnel wounds, burns, and traumatic brain injuries.
Kramer said in a statement, "I can't think of a better gift to receive on my birthday than to have the privilege of sharing a night of our music with these brave and heroic warriors who have been wounded in the service of our country."
The soldiers are attending the show through the assistance of the local USO chapter in Washington D.C.
Aerosmith's summer tour, which also features ZZ Top, will continue through mid-September.
CROSBY, STILLS, & NASH INDUCTED INTO THE SONGWRITER'S HALL OF FAME…Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, the Rascals' Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati were among the 2009 inductees into the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame last night (June 18th) at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Other inductees include: Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, best known for the songs "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" by the Hollies, "You've Got Your Troubles" and "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling" by the Fortunes, "This Golden Ring" by Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and others. Galt MacDermot, James Rado, and the late Gerome Ragni, who wrote the groundbreaking Broadway hit Hair, including the standards "Aquarius," "Let the Sunshine In," "Hair," "Easy To Be Hard," and "Good Morning Starshine," and Stephen Schwartz, who composed the score for Godspell and Pippin.
Graham Nash was asked if he ever found it difficult wrapping his talents around David Crosby and Stephen Stills' distinctive styles: "Nah, it's just the way we were brought up writing. My songs are usually about three minues, 'cause I was brought up writing songs with the Hollies, y'know you need your pop songs write before the news. And mine are chopped short and to the point, and get the point across immediately. And David's tend to meander a little, y'know? And his stories are always unfolding as is his melodic chord structures. And Stephen with his Southern blues brings what he brings, y'know?"
Nash was asked what the most important character trait he respects in his partners is: "Trust. You have to trust your partners. You have to trust that they're going to push a song of yours into the right direction. And I have great partners, they're really good at making records. They're really good at recognizing when the chorus should come. It gets worked out, but basically it's trust."
Felix Cavaliere says that when he and the Rascals were coming up, it was not only the stage show, but the band's material that would make or break an act: "When you're a creative artist, you want to create. And obviously when you're trying to sell product, the most important thing, and this is the reason I moved to Nashville, are the songs. At least that's the way I was brought up in the business. It's not the case to today for the current artists, because the most important today is their look and their marketing. In our day the song was the thing."
Ritchie Sambora who was inducted last night along with Jon Bon Jovi, explains that it's the fans of the songs -- not the creators -- that keep a song alive: "Everybody asks, you know they say, 'Well, how does it feel to play 'Livin' On A Prayer' or 'Wanted Dead Or Alive' twenty thousand times or whatever it's been. The interesting thing about a Bon Jovi show, the exciting thing even for me is the dialogue between the band and its audience. Let me tell you something, when those intro chords to 'Livin On A Prayer' come up, that audience goes up a notch. When I open up the riff for 'Dead Or Alive,' those people are (thumps chest where his heart is)... They're right here."
Legendary Motown songwriters Eddie and Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier were honored with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award. Brian Holland recalled that once their songs clicked with the Supremes and the Four Tops it was only onward and upward for the team: "When we first started getting hit records on them, we were writing songs, and we were asking, 'Well, who can sing this?' But once we locked in and it was a hit, then we knew where you were. Because, before you've gotten a hit record you really haven't established (an) identity, so to speak. Once you get those hit records, a hit record, or whatever -- depending on how big it is -- you really kind of establish a direction at least for a while."
Lamont Dozier says that other Motown songwriters often inspired the team as well: "'How Sweet It Is' came from a previous song that Marvin had -- 'Pride And Joy.' In hearing that, I felt that Marvin had nailed something in his performance. And while listening to that, I sort of got a feeling for a shuffle or a repeat shuffle, whatever you wanna call it, '... Sweet' came about from listening to that shuffle. And I figure, 'Hey, if people like that shuffle by him, let me see if I can come up with another shuffle."
To learn more about the Songwriters Hall of Fame, log on to songhall.org.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…List.co.uk posted that George Harrison's coproducer and Traveling Wilburys bandmate Jeff Lynne might be finishing up some of the tracks Harrison had been working on at the time of his death. An unnamed source said, "George half-finished loads of songs and often just forgot about them. There is probably an album's worth of material. Jeff and George were very close and worked together a lot in the later period of George's life. He's the right man to work on the material."
Shortly after Harrison's 2001 death Lynne and Harrison's son Dhani put the finishing touches on Harrison's 2002 posthumous Grammy Award-winning collection Brainwashed.
Harrison's widow Olivia said that she wants to issue some more of Harrison's unreleased work: "There are lots of tracks. Some are closer to completion than others and with those I'd ask for help."
Rolling Stone reported that Paul McCartney will record the score for the upcoming film version of his children's book High In The Clouds. The animated feature will be produced by former New Line Cinema founders Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne and directed by The Lion King's Rob Minkoff. Michael Lynne said, "Paul said he would commit to a score of original songs as part of it. Bob and I had never focused on animation in our career, but that got our attention."
McCartney has scored his previous small scale animated projects including Tropic Island Hum and Rupert And The Frog Song, which featured beloved British character Rupert the Bear. In 1978 McCartney recorded an entire album of songs for a proposed Rupert film that never materialized. The soundtrack has been available on the bootleg market for years.
Ringo Starr will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010 according to hollywoodreporter.com. Among the other stars set for sidewalk tributes by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will be Russell Crowe, Adam Sandler, Bill Maher, Bryan Adams, the Funk Brothers, Alan Jackson, Chaka Khan, Van Morrison, Marco Antonio Solis, ZZ Top, the late Roy Orbison, Chris Berman, Jon Cryer, Peter Graves, Jimmy Kimmel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Sam Waterston.
Andrea Bocelli and the Cirque du Soleil's Guy Liberte will represent live performance and theater.
John Lennon received his star in 1988 and Paul McCartney was on hand to celebrate George Harrison's star in April.
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 21
“In a 6 person hot tub, there should be a maximum of 3 guys”
ON THIS DAY
On this date in 1905, the first nickelodeon opened up in Pittsburgh. It was very popular among rug rats and people who liked to get slimed.
In 1910, Father's Day was celebrated for the very first time. Back then, in it's early form, it was called "Thou shalt all bow down before me Day." That didn't last long.
On this date in 1934, the FCC was created... and might I just add, what a wonderful government agency it is. Such fine people. Of course, those are the folks who make sure we don't say (BLEEP ), (BLEEP) and especially, (BLEEP), on the air. Who could (BLEEP)-in' blame them?
TODAY IS
Paula Abdul turns 46 today. It's a national holiday back on her home planet.
Kathleen Turner celebrates her 55th birthday today. She got her start in "Body Heat." That was back when she still got me started.
Here's one for you: Phylicia Rashad turns 61 today! Man, I hope I look that good when I'm 40.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Hillary Clinton was on her way to the White House Wednesday night when she fell and broke her elbow!
Tom Brokaw interviewed President Obama June 5th. This week, he was named to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.
The Global Language Monitor, a web site that uses a math formula to estimate how often words are created, estimates English now has one million words -- more than any other language.
T.R. Knight will be disappearing from "Grey's Anatomy," as he is being released from his contract.
Billy Joel and third wife Katie Lee are spliting up after five years. In a statement, the pair said that they remain "caring friends with admiration and respect for each other."
Katie Perry is suing an Australian company that was using her name as a clothing label.
Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and "Dancing with the Stars" runner-up Melissa Rycroft will appear on "Good Morning America" as a traveling contributor this summer.
It took two calls from Angelina Jolie before fashion designer Malcolm Harris would believe it was really her. He thought he was being Punk'd.
A sequel to "Hangover" is already in the works.
Even though David Letterman's ordeal with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gave his "Late Show" a ratings boost, rival Conan O'Brien remained top dog after two weeks as the "Tonight Show" host.
A GPS with the voice of Homer Simpson telling you where to turn? TomTom is now offering it.
According to a new survey, some teens are starting to use their cell phones to cheat on tests in school. They act like they just got a call, but instead, they're checking answers placed on their phone.
David Archuleta's dad was busted for soliciting a prostitute at a massage parlor.
Jane Fonda has had her left knee replaced.
Chris Brown has to appear in court on Monday to find out if charges will be filed from that Rihanna incident.
The Emmy Awards are being postponed by a week to avoid bumping into MTV's Video Music Awards on September 13th.
Guys, ever wonder how to be a husband? Here are 5 steps to being a better husband (from MSN.com)
1. Take an interest in something your wife is really passionate about. This can be especially tough for guys, because we generally feel that if someone else has interests that differ from ours, they're morons. It's not an easy task, and being able to show interest in something that matters to someone you love shows growth -- and that's terrifying. Good, but terrifying. Accomplish this and you'll make her feel better about herself, and you get better insight into what makes her tick.
2. Put the kids to bed. Once a week give her the night off and put the kids to bed by yourself. Let her take a hot bath, read a book, or check gossip on the Web and forget about the kids. I'm always amazed how happy this makes my wife. It ranks somewhere between low-end jewelry and a Hawaiian vacation.
3. Learn to apologize. This is the easiest one, and the hardest one. A marriage is a marathon, and we all fly off the handle too quick or let our temper get the best of us sometimes. When you're wrong, it's best to step up and apologize. It's amazing how fast "I'm sorry" can defuse a stupid argument about something you can't even remember.
4. Thank her for putting up with you. Every once in a while, just thank her for putting up with you. That's all you have to say. Don't launch into a list of your faults, or the story about coming home two days late from that Vegas bachelor party. Just thank her, and let her know that you understand that you're not the easiest person in the world to live with.
5. Clean up after yourself. Take care of that late night snack or morning cereal bowl. Setting them in the sink is one thing, but go that extra mile and actually put them in the dishwasher. After all, no one enjoys scraping bacon dip off a bowl that's been sitting too long or smelling the chili from the night before. A beer bottle on the counter the next morning is even worse.
WEIRD NEWS
Heroic 9-11 Dog Cloned! - A Heroic German Shepherd named Trakr that sniffed for survivors buried under the rubble of the World Trade Center terror attack is no longer with us, but his five clones will continue his heroic legacy of saving lives. Animal cloning company BioArts International has produced five genetic copies of the heroic dog after its death in April and the clones were presented to Trakr's former handler James Symington in Los Angeles. This was the result of an essay contest to find the best dog worth cloning. Symington's winning essay told Trakr's two-day non-stop search-and-rescue efforts at Ground Zero, including finding the last survivor under 30 feet of debris. Sadly, Trakr died in April from a degenerative brain disorder. (AHN News)
Dodgeball Coach Goes Nuts! - In New Rochelle, New York, police say a 58-year-old substitute gym teacher at Daniel Webster Elementary School put a 10-year-old student in a chokehold after the two got in an argument over a dodgeball game! Coach "Anger-ball" was arrested and charged with third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment. According to police reports, the substitute teacher apparently began calling the boy "a big baby" and a "crybaby" after they argued about a call in a dodgeball game. The boy allegedly threw a punch at the sub but missed. The sub then allegedly grabbed the boy by the back of the neck, dragged him across the gym floor and put him in a chokehold when he tried to break free. The boy was hospitalized with neck and back pain. The sub is claiming self-defense. (The Journal News)
Note To Self: You Are Not Invincible! - In Fairbanks, Alaska, 34-year-old Roman Retynski loved to live life on the edge. Unfortunately, he got too close to the edge when he decided to go "car surfing" on the hood of a speeding truck -- a decision that cost him his life. A woman in the truck told Alaska State Troopers that Retynski was driving the night of June 10 when he suddenly announced he wanted to go "surfing" and climbed out of the truck as it continued to move. The woman was left to struggle to get control of the truck which was moving at 60-70 mph. He ultimately went flying off the hood to his death. Roman's mother, Ruth Retynski, said, "He was the daredevil of the family" and that she heard stories from his friends that Roman would sit on the hood of vehicle and lean back on the windshield as someone drove. According to friends, he had done it at least 100 times since he was 15. She added, "He liked to gamble with life. I know when he was flying off the hood, he didn't think he would die, he was just thinking, 'This is going to hurt.'" (News Miner)
Norman Bates Comes To Life - Anyone who's seen the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie "Psycho" will consider this Norman Bates come to life! In Brooklyn, New York, 49-year-old Thomas Prusik-Parkin has been charged with impersonating his dead mother so he could claim her benefits-- for six years. He allegedly wore a wig, thick make-up and old dresses as part of his elaborate ruse to claim over $100,000 in social security benefits and rent subsidies. Prosecutors say it all started when Prusik-Parkin's mother, Irene Prusik, died in 2003 at age 73. Mr. Prusik-Parkin allegedly gave his mother's funeral director a false social security number and date of birth so her death did not show up on government records. Dressed as his mom, he would then collect benefit checks, visit banks and even go to renew her driving license. He now faces up to 25 years in prison. (Ananova)
Obaminoes? - A group of fifth graders at Franklin Avenue Elementary School in Westfield, Massachusetts have used their math skills and a ton of dominoes to honor President Barack Obama and create a giant mural they call "Obaminoes." It utilizes 24,000 dominoes geometrically placed to create a photo of the president. Student Marissa Costa told reporters, "We were the only elementary school to do this and to have a piece of artwork of our 44th president, the only African American president. It means a lot." (AHN News)
Do You Really Want To Be Judged By a Jury of Your Peers? - Looks like the gene pool for those who actually make it to jury duty is running pretty thin these days. Back in 2003, Lisa Strong was hospitalized in Miami for a kidney stone, which was not treated properly. As a result she ended up with massive, life-threatening infections, but by the time her doctors finally got around to treating those, they had to amputate both her arms and legs! Not surprisingly, Strong filed a lawsuit against the doctors in 2005, but the jury in Broward County, Florida just returned a verdict that somehow found all of the doctors completely innocent of any malpractice. Judge Charles Greene was so shocked he immediately reversed the verdict, dismissed the jury and ordered a new trial! (WFOR-TV News)
Bank Managers Don't Make Good Arsonists - In Indianapolis, police have charged 31-year-old Fifth Third Bank manager Dwayne Roberts with arson and theft after he failed miserably in a poorly thought-out scheme to cover up his embezzlement. Reportedly, Mr. Roberts elaborately staged a fire inside a locked vault so that an undeterminable amount of money would burn up, thus perhaps covering his big cash shortage. Unfortunately for him, after Roberts set the fire and locked the vault, he realized he had left his keys inside and could not re-open the vault or lock the bank's doors or even drive home. Duh! (Indianapolis Star)
TOP FIVE LEAST APPRECIATED FATHER'S DAY GIFTS
1. A copy of George Michael's song, "I don't want my Father's Figure"
2. A headshot of Megan Fox
3. A brand-new "Honey-do" list
4. Another finger painting? For God's sake, you're 50!
5. Washing half his car
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
Billy Joel and his 27-year-old wife have split up. I wonder what could have possibly gone wrong?
It was one of those classic May/A-year-from-this-December relationships.
Those of you who had five years in the marriage pool: you win!
Chace Crawford tops People Magazine's list of the summer's hottest bachelors. IF you don't include the homely ones.
Hillary Clinton was on her way to the White House Wednesday night when she fell and broke her elbow! This could pave the way for development of the first "Pantsuit Sling."
THE OFFICE
A survey of more than 2,000 executives by TheLadders.com reveals that 36% of U.S. bosses have issued a formal warning for swearing, and 6% have actually fired an employee for swearing. The survey also found that 81% of senior executives find a foul-mouthed colleague unacceptable to work alongside in the office. 70% also said they would fire an employee for bad office manners, while 82% said they have given an official warning for etiquette offenses, such as making too many personal calls, talking too loudly or wearing revealing clothing. So what are the top five nos-nos?
Bad language, 38.4%
Excessive workplace gossip, 36.5%
Drinking on the job, 35.2%
Leaving the office without telling anyone, 33.6%
Too many personal calls, 28%
81.2% of employees said they deem swearing in the workplace unacceptable. But what's the absolute most offensive thing an office worker can do to his or her colleagues? 97.8% rated fridge raiders the worst possible offenders of workplace etiquette. Want more?
Eating someone else's food from the fridge, 97.8%
Bad hygiene, 95.6%
Bad habits, 88.2%
Drinking on the job, 85.7%
Wastefulness with paper, 82%
Cooking smelly food in the office microwave, 74.1%
Sneaking peeks at the BlackBerry in meetings, 63.5%
15 CRUCIAL QUESTIONS
Think you know everything about your partner? Glamour says quiz each other on the following:
1. When I turn on the TV, which channel do I usually turn to first?
2. Which of our dates was my favorite?
3. Was I named after anyone? If so, who?
4. What is my biggest fear?
5. Ketchup: on my fries or next to them?
6. Who in my family do I feel closest to?
7. What's my favorite band of all time?
8. What's my biggest pet peeve?
9.Do I shower facing the showerhead or with my back to it?
10. What is my dream job?
11. In what kind of car did I learn to drive?
12.Was I on any sports teams or in any clubs while growing up? Which ones?
13. What's my favorite day of the year?
14. What would I do with a million dollars?
15. What do I love most about you?
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR –
- A pilot flying a Continental Airlines flight 61, from Brussels to Newark died in midair on Thursday, and the plane was landed by two flight officers. The crew and passengers of flight 61 held an impromptu memorial service for the deceased pilot during the flight, until one passenger stood up and screamed, "I've had it with this mother-freaking wake on this mother-freaking plane."
- Sasha Baron Cohen then described British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as "totally gay". That's as opposed to being only partially gay by sticking your naked butt in Eminem's face on live TV.
- Several major Iranian Ayatollahs are joining in opposition to the recent election there. Ayatollah Rafsanjani and Ayatollah Sanei declared their disapproval, and the Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, has issued a statement describing the election results as ones "that no one in their right mind can believe." President Ahmadinejad said, "I believe in them." Grand Ayatollah Montazeri replied, "See what I mean?"
- After he heard Hillary broke her elbow, Bill Clinton wanted to know if it was Hillary's china-throwing arm, and then said, "Man... I thought she had sharp elbows before she broke one."
FIVE LIES EVERY WOMAN TELLS
(from Askmen.com)
1. I'm not mad at you -- Oh, yes she is. In reality, she does care, very much so. What you should do: Save yourself some time and headaches later on by calling her on her real feelings and discussing why she's so angry.
2. I don't mind if you go to strip clubs with the boys -- If this one sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. What you should do: You're probably better off just not going.
3. I'm just not ready for a boyfriend right now -- The truth is, if the woman is single and at all interested in you, she will certainly make the time to date you. It's that simple. What you should do: Let it go. Don't bother letting her know that you see through it. Take the easy way out by pretending you believe her for your own personal dignity, and just walk away.
4. I don't mind picking up the tab tonight. You always pay anyway -- Although this lie doesn't apply to all women, most still do expect men to pay for things, especially if the man asked them out in the first place. They will secretly think that the guy is cheap if he wriggles out of the bill on a regular basis. What you should do: In the early, critical dating stages, don't risk looking cheap.
5. You're the best in bed -- Face it, women tell guys whatever they think they want to hear, just to make them feel good about themselves. What you should do: You shouldn't be asking her to rate her sexual experiences, period. That's just in poor taste.
On to ROCK NEWS –
OZZY OSBOURNE'S MEMOIRS COMING OUT THIS FALL…Ozzy Osbourne's long-awaited memoir will be published in the U.K. on October 1st, according to TheBookseller.com. The book, titled I Am Ozzy, was originally slated to arrive almost two years ago but was delayed twice. Ozzy will do a week-long publicity tour in England upon the book's publication which will include two book signing events. Publisher Antonia Hodgson called the book "fantastic," adding that it was "very much in the tone of his voice, very funny and a very full story."
Ozzy did a cover shoot for the book on Wednesday (June 17th).
A U.S. publication date has yet to be announced.
Ozzy's wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, published her own best-selling memoir in 2005, called Extreme: My Autobiography. A second volume was rushed out in 2008 after Ozzy's book was delayed.
A documentary about Ozzy's life and career, called Wreckage Of My Past, is due out in early 2010. The film is will be the first release from Jacko Productions, a company started by Ozzy's son Jack.
Ozzy is working on a new album that he expects to release later this year.
ALICE COOPER'S SCARY DADDY MOMENT…Alice Cooper has made a career out of being scary on stage, but he's also experienced a moment or two of fear as a father. Alice, who has three grown children, reminisced to us about the time he caught his then-teenage daughter, Calico, in her bedroom with a boy: "And there's this really good-looking guy sitting on her bed and she's taking a shower. I look at the guy and he knows that I'm gonna... and he goes 'Oh hello Mr. Cooper! Cali and I were just trying on clothes.' And I went 'either this guy is really good or he's really gay. I hope that you're really gay because if you're that quick in order to become gay, getting caught in my daughter's bedroom' and Calico looked at me and she says 'no, we were trying on dresses.' And he was gay and it was a relief to me!"
Alice said that since he's the original rebel, there was nothing his kids could do to top him: "There was no way to rebel because what are they going to do, dye their hair black and wear black lipstick? I invented that, remember? My daughter put it perfectly in her yearbook. She said, 'I couldn't really rebel because my mom and dad were cooler than my friends.'"
Of course, having Alice Cooper for a father does have its advantages: "They got to do things other kids didn't get to do. They were backstage going 'where's Uncle Axel? Where's Uncle Slash?' They knew all the rock stars as 'Uncle' this or 'Uncle' that. 'Where's Uncle Keith? Crazy Uncle Moonie?'"
Alice's three children are Calico, 28; Dashiel, 25, and his teenage daughter Sonora Rose. All of his children have performed in his shows.
Alice is currently on tour in Russia.
AEROSMITH DRUMMER HOSTING WOUNDED SOLDIERS ON SUNDAY…Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer will celebrate his 59th birthday this Sunday (June 21st) by hosting 20 wounded soldiers as his personal guests at the band's show that night at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Virginia. The troops, who all served in Iraq or Afghanistan, are currently receiving treatment and therapy for their injuries at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Some are amputees, while others have suffered shrapnel wounds, burns, and traumatic brain injuries.
Kramer said in a statement, "I can't think of a better gift to receive on my birthday than to have the privilege of sharing a night of our music with these brave and heroic warriors who have been wounded in the service of our country."
The soldiers are attending the show through the assistance of the local USO chapter in Washington D.C.
Aerosmith's summer tour, which also features ZZ Top, will continue through mid-September.
CROSBY, STILLS, & NASH INDUCTED INTO THE SONGWRITER'S HALL OF FAME…Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, the Rascals' Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati were among the 2009 inductees into the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame last night (June 18th) at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Other inductees include: Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, best known for the songs "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" by the Hollies, "You've Got Your Troubles" and "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling" by the Fortunes, "This Golden Ring" by Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and others. Galt MacDermot, James Rado, and the late Gerome Ragni, who wrote the groundbreaking Broadway hit Hair, including the standards "Aquarius," "Let the Sunshine In," "Hair," "Easy To Be Hard," and "Good Morning Starshine," and Stephen Schwartz, who composed the score for Godspell and Pippin.
Graham Nash was asked if he ever found it difficult wrapping his talents around David Crosby and Stephen Stills' distinctive styles: "Nah, it's just the way we were brought up writing. My songs are usually about three minues, 'cause I was brought up writing songs with the Hollies, y'know you need your pop songs write before the news. And mine are chopped short and to the point, and get the point across immediately. And David's tend to meander a little, y'know? And his stories are always unfolding as is his melodic chord structures. And Stephen with his Southern blues brings what he brings, y'know?"
Nash was asked what the most important character trait he respects in his partners is: "Trust. You have to trust your partners. You have to trust that they're going to push a song of yours into the right direction. And I have great partners, they're really good at making records. They're really good at recognizing when the chorus should come. It gets worked out, but basically it's trust."
Felix Cavaliere says that when he and the Rascals were coming up, it was not only the stage show, but the band's material that would make or break an act: "When you're a creative artist, you want to create. And obviously when you're trying to sell product, the most important thing, and this is the reason I moved to Nashville, are the songs. At least that's the way I was brought up in the business. It's not the case to today for the current artists, because the most important today is their look and their marketing. In our day the song was the thing."
Ritchie Sambora who was inducted last night along with Jon Bon Jovi, explains that it's the fans of the songs -- not the creators -- that keep a song alive: "Everybody asks, you know they say, 'Well, how does it feel to play 'Livin' On A Prayer' or 'Wanted Dead Or Alive' twenty thousand times or whatever it's been. The interesting thing about a Bon Jovi show, the exciting thing even for me is the dialogue between the band and its audience. Let me tell you something, when those intro chords to 'Livin On A Prayer' come up, that audience goes up a notch. When I open up the riff for 'Dead Or Alive,' those people are (thumps chest where his heart is)... They're right here."
Legendary Motown songwriters Eddie and Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier were honored with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award. Brian Holland recalled that once their songs clicked with the Supremes and the Four Tops it was only onward and upward for the team: "When we first started getting hit records on them, we were writing songs, and we were asking, 'Well, who can sing this?' But once we locked in and it was a hit, then we knew where you were. Because, before you've gotten a hit record you really haven't established (an) identity, so to speak. Once you get those hit records, a hit record, or whatever -- depending on how big it is -- you really kind of establish a direction at least for a while."
Lamont Dozier says that other Motown songwriters often inspired the team as well: "'How Sweet It Is' came from a previous song that Marvin had -- 'Pride And Joy.' In hearing that, I felt that Marvin had nailed something in his performance. And while listening to that, I sort of got a feeling for a shuffle or a repeat shuffle, whatever you wanna call it, '... Sweet' came about from listening to that shuffle. And I figure, 'Hey, if people like that shuffle by him, let me see if I can come up with another shuffle."
To learn more about the Songwriters Hall of Fame, log on to songhall.org.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…List.co.uk posted that George Harrison's coproducer and Traveling Wilburys bandmate Jeff Lynne might be finishing up some of the tracks Harrison had been working on at the time of his death. An unnamed source said, "George half-finished loads of songs and often just forgot about them. There is probably an album's worth of material. Jeff and George were very close and worked together a lot in the later period of George's life. He's the right man to work on the material."
Shortly after Harrison's 2001 death Lynne and Harrison's son Dhani put the finishing touches on Harrison's 2002 posthumous Grammy Award-winning collection Brainwashed.
Harrison's widow Olivia said that she wants to issue some more of Harrison's unreleased work: "There are lots of tracks. Some are closer to completion than others and with those I'd ask for help."
Rolling Stone reported that Paul McCartney will record the score for the upcoming film version of his children's book High In The Clouds. The animated feature will be produced by former New Line Cinema founders Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne and directed by The Lion King's Rob Minkoff. Michael Lynne said, "Paul said he would commit to a score of original songs as part of it. Bob and I had never focused on animation in our career, but that got our attention."
McCartney has scored his previous small scale animated projects including Tropic Island Hum and Rupert And The Frog Song, which featured beloved British character Rupert the Bear. In 1978 McCartney recorded an entire album of songs for a proposed Rupert film that never materialized. The soundtrack has been available on the bootleg market for years.
Ringo Starr will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010 according to hollywoodreporter.com. Among the other stars set for sidewalk tributes by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will be Russell Crowe, Adam Sandler, Bill Maher, Bryan Adams, the Funk Brothers, Alan Jackson, Chaka Khan, Van Morrison, Marco Antonio Solis, ZZ Top, the late Roy Orbison, Chris Berman, Jon Cryer, Peter Graves, Jimmy Kimmel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Sam Waterston.
Andrea Bocelli and the Cirque du Soleil's Guy Liberte will represent live performance and theater.
John Lennon received his star in 1988 and Paul McCartney was on hand to celebrate George Harrison's star in April.
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday - June 17, 2009 -
Welcome to the Blog -
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 20
Bros Before Hoes. I know, I already used it. I can't stress it enough, though. It is absolutely infuriating how many of my guy friends have become insufferable ***** since they've gone out with someone.
ON THIS DAY
On this date in 1856, the very first Republican Party convention was held. Among those in attendance: Jebediah Palin, who said he could see the Civic War from his front yard.
In 1885, the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City, along with a note that said, "Some assembly required"... in French, of course. While a gift from France, not many people know it came from IKEA and had to be assembled.
TODAY IS
Diane and Erin Murphy celebrate their 45th birthday today. They played "Tabitha," the daughter on the old "Bewitched" TV series. Yes, that scraping sound you're hearing is the bottom of the celebrity birthday barrel.
Joe Piscopo turns 58 today. He went from "Saturday Night Live" to Miller Lite commercials to "that guy who used to be on Saturday Night Live who did the Miller Lite commercials."
Newt Gingrich turns 66 today. In Congress, he was Speaker of the House. These days, he's only the speaker for his own house... and that's about it.
Barry Manilow also turns 66 today. He was born with the name Barry Allen Pincus... so I guess Barry Manilow is an upgrade.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
CBS is filming a new reality show where they build an actual wall around 8 neighborhood homes and cameras capture the interaction between the trapped neighbors. The tentative title is "Block Party."
Pennsylvania State scientists have found two new species of bacteria which have been buried beneath two miles of ice in Greenland for at least 120,000 years... and revived them. So how is this a good idea?
Britain's Prince Andrew has angered environmentalists by buying a gas-guzzling luxury car -- a $330,000 Bentley Arnage.
Last Friday night NHL championship game was the most-watched NHL game in 36 years, pulling in 8 million viewers.
$410,000 worth of jewelry went missing after a London photo shoot and among those being question by police: the center of the photo shoot, Lindsay Lohan.
Susan Boyle's brother says that 95% of her fan mail comes from the U.S.
Congrats to Carnie Wilson and her husband, who welcomed their second daughter into the world together last Friday: a daughter, Luciana.
Dick Van Dyke is writing down his life story for a book to come out a year from this fall.
Ladies: 100 men voted on the looks they want to see you in (and out of). (from Redbook)
79% of men want a peek at your cleavage.
72% of men want to cuddle up with a cozy-sweater girl.
79% of men think a beachy sundress is hot.
64% of men would like to live with the girl next door.
67% of men are bewitched by bed-head.
60% of men go crazy for the snug fit of a pencil skirt.
Guys, what do you like to see a woman in (or out of)?
WEIRD NEWS -
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 20
Bros Before Hoes. I know, I already used it. I can't stress it enough, though. It is absolutely infuriating how many of my guy friends have become insufferable ***** since they've gone out with someone.
ON THIS DAY
On this date in 1856, the very first Republican Party convention was held. Among those in attendance: Jebediah Palin, who said he could see the Civic War from his front yard.
In 1885, the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City, along with a note that said, "Some assembly required"... in French, of course. While a gift from France, not many people know it came from IKEA and had to be assembled.
TODAY IS
Diane and Erin Murphy celebrate their 45th birthday today. They played "Tabitha," the daughter on the old "Bewitched" TV series. Yes, that scraping sound you're hearing is the bottom of the celebrity birthday barrel.
Joe Piscopo turns 58 today. He went from "Saturday Night Live" to Miller Lite commercials to "that guy who used to be on Saturday Night Live who did the Miller Lite commercials."
Newt Gingrich turns 66 today. In Congress, he was Speaker of the House. These days, he's only the speaker for his own house... and that's about it.
Barry Manilow also turns 66 today. He was born with the name Barry Allen Pincus... so I guess Barry Manilow is an upgrade.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
CBS is filming a new reality show where they build an actual wall around 8 neighborhood homes and cameras capture the interaction between the trapped neighbors. The tentative title is "Block Party."
Pennsylvania State scientists have found two new species of bacteria which have been buried beneath two miles of ice in Greenland for at least 120,000 years... and revived them. So how is this a good idea?
Britain's Prince Andrew has angered environmentalists by buying a gas-guzzling luxury car -- a $330,000 Bentley Arnage.
Last Friday night NHL championship game was the most-watched NHL game in 36 years, pulling in 8 million viewers.
$410,000 worth of jewelry went missing after a London photo shoot and among those being question by police: the center of the photo shoot, Lindsay Lohan.
Susan Boyle's brother says that 95% of her fan mail comes from the U.S.
Congrats to Carnie Wilson and her husband, who welcomed their second daughter into the world together last Friday: a daughter, Luciana.
Dick Van Dyke is writing down his life story for a book to come out a year from this fall.
Ladies: 100 men voted on the looks they want to see you in (and out of). (from Redbook)
79% of men want a peek at your cleavage.
72% of men want to cuddle up with a cozy-sweater girl.
79% of men think a beachy sundress is hot.
64% of men would like to live with the girl next door.
67% of men are bewitched by bed-head.
60% of men go crazy for the snug fit of a pencil skirt.
Guys, what do you like to see a woman in (or out of)?
WEIRD NEWS -
But I Didn't Order Saliva on My Egg McMuffin! - In Berrien Springs, Michigan, a 32-year-old McDonald's employee is facing felony charges after he allegedly spit on a police officer's Egg McMuffin! Police say the guy was working the drive-thru window when an unidentified officer bit into his breakfast sandwich and immediately realized something was wrong. Reportedly, the restaurant's assistant manager noted the sandwich contained a "stringy with mucus" substance -- and no-- we don't mean McDonald's special sauce. The suspect, a parolee who spent 14 years in an Indiana prison, said he has nothing against police. In investigation is underway. (The Herald-Palladium)
Can I Cut In Line -- I'm Having a Baby! - In Columbus, Ohio, Dawn Thompson's graduation day from Columbus State University looked like it was going to be extra special. Dawn was sure she had gone into labor during last Friday's commencement exercises so she got moved up from No. 749 in the order for receiving degrees to first in line. As soon as she got her diploma she rushed off the stage with one hand clutching the document and the other on her swollen belly. A medic with a stretcher was waiting to take her to the hospital. But it turned out her pains were just a false alarm, and the hospital sent her home. But hey Dawn -- nice way to get moved up 749 spaces! (WEWS-TV News)
Flushed Puppy Miraculously Survived! - In Britain, a 1-week-old cocker spaniel narrowly escaped disaster after 4-year-old Daniel Blair decided to give him a bath in the toilet. Little Daniel said he tried to clean the muddy puppy but then accidentally flushed him down the toilet! His mother Alison thought the dog was dead, but a plumber located the poor pup in a sewage pipe 20 yards away from the house using a special drain camera. You'll be happy to know the dog is fine now. Well -- as fine as you can be after you've just been flushed down the toilet! (Ananova)
World's Toughest Owl! - If there was ever a World's Toughest Owl contest, the award would have to go to a great horned owl from the Minneapolis area. Back in 2007, a fish hook got stuck on her wing in a Burnsville lake but she was rescued, treated, and released. But just last week, she met a sports utility vehicle head on while flying down Highway 169 and got stuck in its grill. Dr. Julia Ponder works at the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, where the bird has been treated both times and said the owl hit hard enough that she cracked the plastic bumper. The bird, which apparently recently laid eggs, has broken her radius but she's expected to be released in the next month or so. (KARE-TV News)
Life 120,000 Years Old Found - Scientists from Pennsylvania State University have made an amazing discovery-- two new species of bacteria which have been buried beneath two miles of ice in Greenland for at least 120,000 years. Prof. Jennifer Loveland-Curtze led the discovery of the harmless bacteria, whose name we won't even begin to try to pronounce, and believes the bacteria survived because of its very small size. Both strains are 10 to 50 times smaller than the E. coli bacteria. And if you must attempt it, they are called: Herminiimonas glaciei and Chryseobacterium greenlandensis. (AHN News)
Hey Grandpa -- Let's Go To College Together! - Here's an amazing story. In Taiwan, a 96-year-old grandfather graduated from college on the same day as his 32-year-old grandson! Grandpa Chao Muhe, a retired teacher, got his master's degree in philosophy from the University of South China in southern Taiwan while his grandson, Zhao Shuangzhan, graduated from Chung Hua University. And although Grandpa Chao, as he became known around the campus, was more than 70 years older than his classmates, he says he did not feel out of place. But he said he often had to study until 2am or even 3am to keep up with the younger students. He added that he did it to set a good example for his grandson. (Ananova)
Sorry Ma'am. We'll Need To Check Your Pink Tattoo! - In Montreal, Sylvie Menard is furious after Canadian border agents made her strip to see if she had a pink tattoo on her buttocks after mixing her up with an alleged criminal. Menard, who has no history of trouble with the law, was flying home from a vacation in Mexico when the humiliating encounter with airport authorities went down. Dominique McNeely, a spokesman for the Canada Border Services Agency, said he could not discuss the case, but said false matches occur and such checks are necessary. Menard says it felt like a bad dream and was astounded when a female border officer asked her to expose her buttocks to see if she had a pink tattoo. The officer later made her disrobe again to check if one had been erased with a laser. She has lodged official complaints with the police watchdog and the border agency. (The Star)
TOP FIVE OTHER REASONS I'D WANT MEGAN FOX TO LIVE WITH ME
1. If we're ever REALLY invaded by Transformers, she'll know what to do
2. I want to use her to get to know Shia Lebeouf
3. I want to find out what her middle name is (OK, I already know it's Denise... shhhhh)
4. I'm sure she's a nice person. If not, oh well.
5. Doesn't spend a lot of money on clothes
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
Italy has agreed to take three of the prisoners from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for a second round draft pick and a terrorist to be named later.
I can't help but thinking that somewhere, in David Letterman's dressing room, there's a bouquet of flowers from Conan O'Brien along with a note that says, "Thanks for the Palin joke!"
Not surprising, the Orlando Magic are now asking the federal government for a bailout.
Billy Ray Cyrus took his 16-year-old daughter Miley to have her nose pierced in Los Angeles last week. If it affects her singing, she plans to change her name to "Miley Sinus."
Iranian voters are upset about the results of their presidential election... this after their current president, George W. Ahmadinejad, was re-elected.
What irritated them most was the sign he put up after the election, "Mission: Accomplished."
GOIN' TO GET MARRIED
June, or Weddings Month, is here. "Although couples may think they're bucking tradition, they're actually collectively creating new wedding rules," says Christa Vagnozzi, senior editor of WeddingChannel.com. "Asking their best guy friend to be a man of honor, deciding to keep their last name and registering for their honeymoon are becoming more mainstream as brides and grooms strive to incorporate their personal style." Here are the four new wedding traditions for the 21st century:
Gender-Bending Rituals -- Man of honor? Best woman? Brides and grooms are no longer dismissing their best friends of the opposite sex when it comes to their wedding. In fact, according to a WeddingChannel.com poll, an 63% of brides said that if their best friend were a guy, they would definitely ask him to be a bridesman or man of honor.
A Friend as the Officiant -- According to a WeddingChannel.com poll, 59% of couples would be interested in having a friend or family member officiate.
The Name Game -- Don't make any assumptions when it comes to the bride's last name. According to the Real Weddings Survey 2007 by The Knot Wedding Network, 12% of brides don't plan on taking their spouse's name upon marriage.
Alternative Wedding Registries -- China and crystal are so yesterday. Brides and grooms are ditching traditional registries or augmenting them with such unusual gifts as horseback riding lessons, the honeymoon, a hi-definition plasma-screen TV and even donations to their favorite charity.
WHAT YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW REVEALS ABOUT YOU
(Sun) The TV shows you faithfully watch week after week actually boost your positive personality traits, experts say. "Studies indicate that the programs you enjoy most tend to give your ego a lift," says Indianapolis sociologist Denise Franks. "That's because the kinds of shows you choose reflect your virtues and attributes." See what your "must see TV" show reveals about you:
Cop shows like "Southland," "The Closer" or "In Plain Sight" - You're a "pragmatist" who enjoys figuring out "who done it." Logically arriving at a solution is a soothing exercise that relieves the stress of your busy day and leaves less time for worrying about your own problems. Your positive approach to most situations makes you the leader of the pack with both friends and family. You're the rock that others depend on to make important decisions and find the right path.
Sitcoms like "30 Rock," "Old Christine" and "My Name is Earl" - You're a "friend" who can always be depended upon. Your interest in others finds true meaning in your dedication to your community, working with other volunteers to improve your environment. Your sharp sense of humor and lively intelligence make you the life of the party, but you also use those two attributes to your advantage when an innovative answer is required to solve a crisis situation on the job.
Reality shows like "Survivor," "Project Runway" and "Hell's Kitchen" - You're a "romantic" who shines as a team player, doing whatever it takes to help your group win the day. You're a genius at collaborating because you inspire others to work just as hard as you to achieve your mutual goals. You thrive by being where the action is, meeting challenges face to face. You also have a strong competitive streak that propels you forward, without fear, into new adventures.
Dramas like "Grey's Anatomy," "Medium" and "Fringe" - You're "compassionate" with a rich imagination, easily putting yourself in someone else's shoes. Seeing all sides of a situation makes you a champ at handling problems with the diplomatic flair of a State Department veteran. You seldom judge other people. You'd rather reserve your opinion while giving others the benefit of the doubt. When the chips are down, you keep the faith that they won't let you down.
Cartoons like "Family Guy," "South Park" and "The Simpsons" - You're a creative "dynamo" who can identify with eccentric characters who are out of the mainstream. You're caring and sensitive to the needs of others with the ability to design excellent solutions for everyday dilemmas. Being a cartoon lover indicates you're receptive to new ideas and willing to try anything once. Your intuitive powers allow you to be in sync with the emotional atmosphere of charged situations.
Soaps like "The Young and The Restless," "All My Children" and "General Hospital" - You're a rebel who sets an agenda and shows little interest in the opinions of others. Even if you're stubborn about forging your own way, your devotion to friends and family is unsurpassed. Your independent attitude is often the catalyst for inspired ideas you develop while working alone. Once you've reached the pinnacle you were shooting for, you're more than happy to let others in on your secrets.
On to ROCK NEWS –
CHRISSIE HYNDE PROTESTS MINNESOTA ZOO GIG…The Pretenders' August 19th concert in Apple Valley, Minnesota has been moved from its original venue at the Weesner Amphitheater, after Chrissie Hynde protested playing the show which is housed in the Minnesota Zoo. Startribune.com reported that Hynde, an avid animal rights activist had written a letter to the zoo about its Family Farm exhibit, saying "How can a zoo invite children to touch and play with and express joy over animals for their uniqueness, only to turn around and sell those very animals to slaughter?" Hynde told zoo director Lee Ehmke that she planned to raise the question from the stage the night of the show
According to a representative of PETA, the zoo canceled the show. Kelly Lessard, a spokesperson for the zoo added, "Goats, sheep, calves and pigs from the Family Farm exhibit are sold at livestock auctions at the end of each summer season, just as they would be on a regular farm. . . . We've never hidden our mission."
Hynde says she is dedicated to PETA's cause, and that she will use her fame to help the organization in any way it sees fit: "You know, I'm always available to PETA, including posthumously. I've agreed that they can use my image in any way at all after I die to promote the cause, so..."
The Pretenders kick off their North American dates on August 4th and 5th in Rama, Ontario at Casino Rama Entertainment Centre.
YOKO ONO JOINS PAUL McCARTNEY AND KIDS TO LAUNCH 'MEAT FREE MONDAYS'…Yoko Ono joined Paul McCartney and his kids on Monday (June 15th) in London's St. James Park to publicize "Meat Free Monday." Britain's Coventry Telegraph reported that Ono, McCartney, and his children with late wife Linda McCartney -- Mary, Stella, and James -- were publicizing the campaign "to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the world's livestock population, thought to be a major cause of global warming."
McCartney explained, "I thought this was a great idea. To just reduce your meat intake maybe by one day a week and this would seriously benefit the planet. My family have been this way for years -- vegetarians, that is."
Among the other notables on hand to support Ono and the McCartneys were Kate Bosworth, Kelly Osbourne, and Moby.
RELEASE DATE SET FOR 9TH PEARL JAM STUDIO ALBUM…Pearl Jam has tentatively set September 22nd as the release date for the band's ninth studio album, titled Backspacer. The CD is the band's first since leaving Sony Music and will be released at least initially as a Target exclusive, with other retail partnerships in the works.
KRIST NOVOSELIC ABANDONS COUNTY CLERK RUN…Ex-Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic has abandoned his short-lived campaign to become county clerk of Wahkiakum County in Washington State. Novoselic said he staged the campaign to protest a new state law that allows candidates to affiliate themselves with a political party or local organization whether the party or organization endorses them or not. Novoselic ran under the banner of the Grange Party, a fictitious party based on a real farming group. He wrote, "I'm just trying to make a point. And I think I made it crystal clear: It's wrong for me to drag a private association unwittingly onto the public ballot. There, said it, done, no need to drag this on toward the November election."
METALLICA PLANNING OCTOBER SURPRISE?...Metallica announced in an email blast to its mailing list on Tuesday (June 16th) that the band is rescheduling a concert in Ottawa, Canada, originally scheduled for October 29th, to November 3rd. The reason? According to the email, "the date change is due to a scheduling conflict with a very cool event coming up around that time. We wanted to let you know about the new date in Ottawa ASAP, but we've been sworn to secrecy on all other fronts . . . more details in mid to late July."
No other information was available, and a rep for Metallica also did not have any comment.
All tickets for the Ottawa date are good on the 3rd, and anyone who cannot make the new show is entitled to a refund at their point of purchase.
Everyone attending the rescheduled gig will also receive a voucher for a free download of that night's show at livemetallica.com.
Metallica will start a North American tour on September 14th in Nashville as the band continues supporting 2008's Death Magnetic album.
EDDIE VAN HALEN SUES NIKE…Eddie Van Halen has filed a lawsuit against the Nike shoe company, according to Los Angeles station KTLA-TV. The Van Halen guitarist filed his claim on Friday (June 12th), alleging that Nike used the trademarked striped design from his guitar for its new line of "Dunk Lows" tennis shoes. According to the suit, Van Halen copyrighted a red, white and black streaked design for his "Frankenstein" guitar in 2001, the same design he claims Nike has used for the midsole of its new shoes.
Van Halen's suit alleges that Nike infringed on his copyright and used the design without "consent, approval or license."
The guitarist claims that Nike is doing "irreparable harm and damage" to his design. In addition to damages, he is seeking all profits from the sales of "Dunk Lows" and a permanent injunction halting production of the Nike shoes.
Van Halen also recently launched his own line of striped sneakers.
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tuesday - June 16, 2009 -
Welcome to the Blog -
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 19
“Never share a bed with a guy, unless there's no way around it.”
ON THIS DAY
It was on this date in 1673 that Governor's Island, just off Manhattan, was purchased from the Indians for two axes, some beads and a handful of nails. Needless to say, the two axes were the most convincing part of that deal. By the way, the deal was handled by Century 17 Realtors.
On this date in 1858, Abraham Lincoln made his "House divided" speech... about the perils of divorce.
In 1883, the New York Gothams became the first professional baseball team to hold a "Ladies Day," where women got into the games free. That idea was a much bigger success than their first promotion, the 7th inning "Wet Corset" contest. Needless to say, it made it pretty tough to slide in those skirts.
On this date in 1933, the FDIC was created. Before then, all bank commercials just ended with the word "member."
In 1960, the movie "Psycho" hit theaters. Taking a shower was never the same.
TODAY IS
John Cho turns 37 today. He was part of the Harold & Kumar team, but these days is enjoying a nice Sulu career.
Golfer Phil Mickelson turns 39 today. In golfing terms, that's two rounds.
Gino Vanelli turns 57 today. Years ago, he was quite a well-known singer. Now, most people would just guess his name is what you say when you're out of ice cream.
August Busch III of the Anheuser-Busch family turns 72 today. His birthday party is going to be taken over by a European birthday party.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
A pretty racy Calvin Klein billboard in New York is getting a lot of buzz these days. It features three barely clad people -- two guys and a girl -- in a threesome position.
Get this -- a coalition of "concerned citizens," whose web site is FireDavidLetterman.com, is calling on CBS CEO Les Moonves to fire David Letterman for his "sexist insults" of both Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Palin's 14 year old daughter. Meanwhile, Letterman said his joke about Palin's daughter was a lousy joke, no matter how you cut it, and he's sorry.
George Obama, the president's half brother, is working on a book that'll come out next January. Of course he is.
Ladies, if you want him to notice you, wear red. The color red makes men feel more amorous toward women, according to a study by two University of Rochester psychologists.
Usher has filed for divorce less than two years after marrying Tameka Raymond. They had two sons together, 6 months and 18 months.
Miley Cyrus says that she and the Jonas Brothers have "reconnected."
While performing on stage in New York, Shooter Jennings asked his longtime girlfriend and Sopranos star Drea de Matteo to marry him... and she said "Yes."
The A&E network says "The Beast," starring the ailing Patrick Swayze, will not return for a second season.
Now Reese Witherspoon has her own scent: "In Bloom."
Thousands of American Idol hopefuls turned out in the rain Sunday to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, for the first round of auditions for the next round of Idol. And so it begins again.
Poor dental hygiene increases the risk of both heart attack and stroke, according to researchers from the University of Bristol in Great Britain. While smoking, obesity and high cholesterol are still the leading causes of a heart attack, neglected gums can now be added to that list.
Brad Pitt has given $1 million to help a Missouri hospital open a new pediatric cancer center that will be named for their mother, Jane Pitt.
In Israel, a woman surprised her mom with a new mattress... only to find out that the old mattress -- which she had removed and taken to the dump -- had $1 million cash inside it. They're still searching the dumps for it.
While Steven Baldwin is hanging out with "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here," his foreclosed New York home is going up on the auction block.
Six Flags has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. No parks will be affected... yet
Lil Wayne is going to be a father with two different women.
WEIRD NEWS
It's Tough When The Kids Are Smarter Than the Teachers - It's tough being a high school teacher these days -- especially when the students are smarter than you are. In Clifton Park, New York, 16-year-old computer whiz Matthew Beighey has been charged with designing software intended to shut teachers out of the grading system. And it worked. The school district says the teenager temporarily blocked teachers' ability to enter grades and had to get technical support to regain access. So kids if your grades are a little late, you'll know why. (Times Union)
Come See the ATV Parade! - In Silver Bay, Minnesota, a bunch of ATV lovers believe they have set a new world record. The All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota tried Saturday to line up more than 2,000 ATVs in Silver Bay into the longest parade documented for the Guinness World Records book. They fell short of their target but did get 1,632 ATVs from their count, and hope to have the Guinness folks verify the new record. The current record stands at 1,138 ATVs and was set by the Harlan County Ridge Runners of Evarts, Kentucky back in 2006. By the way-- three-wheelers and side-by-side ATVs don't count. You've got to have four wheels. (myway.com)
A Car in the Pool Won't Ruin My Honeymoon! - In Coral Springs, Florida, Robert and Stacy Lazdowski weren't about to let a little thing like a car plunging into their swimming pool stop them from going on their Key West honeymoon. Married in December, the couple was eager to start their delayed honeymoon last Friday. But they almost had to ditch their plans when a teenager drove his blue 2005 Acura more than 30 feet from the road into their pool. So the Lazdowskis spent several hours cleaning up debris and repairing their damaged backyard fence before finally heading to Key West-- much later than expected. Stacy said, "I'm just looking forward to the beautiful sunset with my husband, a Rum Runner, and getting a great big hug and kiss." The driver of the vehicle in the pool told police he swerved from the road to avoid a cat and wasn't given a citation. Under department policy, officers don't issue traffic citations when no one files a complaint and no one is injured. A tow truck arrived and removed the car from pool. The Lazdowski's estimate about $40,000 in damages. Just before they left their home, Stacy said, "We were supposed to be parasailing by now." (The Sun Sentinel)
Sorry, Your Dog Does Not Have a Guilty Look - According to new research from Barnard College in New York, dog owners who believe their pets have a "guilty look" are simply imagining things. Researchers tricked owners into thinking innocent pets had misbehaved when they hadn't, and the owners still claimed to see the guilty look. Assistant Professor Alexandra Horowitz said that the dog owners were projecting human values onto their pets. The research, Canine Behaviour and Cognition, looked at how dog owners interpreted their pets' expressions, when they believed that the dog had stolen and eaten a forbidden treat. When the owners had been told their dog had misbehaved, they saw this guilty expression, even when the dog had not really done anything wrong. And the dogs which were most likely to "look guilty", according to their owners, were those who were entirely innocent but then who had been scolded by owners who believed that they had stolen treats. (Ananova)
What? Haven't You Seen a Carrot Bomb Before? - In Sweden, artist Conny Blom taped bunches of carrots together with black tape and then attached blue and red wires and a clock to them to resemble a bomb. His art stunt, which he entitled The Bunny Project: Bombs, was put on display at 15 locations around the southern city of Orebro. The only problem was people thought they were real bombs and police received dozens of calls from worried citizens. Blom was ultimately forced to remove his art and may face charges. The carrot bombs had been placed around the city at the request of a local art gallery, as part of an open-air arts festival. They had only been in place for an hour before police received their first call. Blom insisted the project was harmless saying, "After all, it is just carrots with an alarm clock and nothing else. This is just a caricature of a bomb." (Ananova)
Did You Ever Notice That You Look Just Like Me? - In China's Fujian province, two women who work for the same company but in different cities believe they are identical twins after a chance encounter. It came about after the owner of one shop went to inspect a branch shop in Quangang. At first he was amazed to find one of his own employees working in the other shop. When Zhuang Yanhong and Gong Jingjing, both 18, finally met up, it turned out they were almost identical. Both even had four moles in the same place on their right hands but their home towns were thousands of miles apart. The pair initially thought it was just an amazing coincidence. Zhuang is an adopted child, while Gong, had always thought her parents were her biological parents. But then she got the surprising news from her parents that she too had been adopted. The girls are now convinced they are twins although Gong said, "We don't want to do DNA tests. No matter what happens, we are sisters." (Ananova)
Time To Change the Rules? - The U.S. Air Force has spent an estimated $25 million training combat pilot Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach but is now about to discharge him involuntarily because he has admitted he is gay. Born of military-officer parents, Fehrenbach has earned no less than 30 awards and decorations, with tours flying F-15Es in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, and was one of the elite fighters called on to patrol the air space over Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001. Despite this incredible record of service to his country, and all that tax-payer money spent on his training, he's out because he's gay. Seriously folks -- does this really make sense any longer? If you tried firing a person where you work just because they're gay, you'd be sued and you'd lose. How does this still work for the military? (Dayton Daily News)
TOP FIVE SIGNS YOUR BASKETBALL TEAM JUST WON THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Smoke
2. Kobe's now passing the ball, but hanging on to the trophy
3. You're not the Orlando Magic
4. The police department is putting on their official NBA riot gear
5. Looters are doing their stretches
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
They may be the Orlando Magic, but the Lakers made them disappear.
The president's half-brother, George Obama, is writing a book in which he'll share a few secrets about Barack Obama. Needless to say, Joe Biden's brother is not happy. With Joe, there are no secrets left to write about.
The country of Iran held elections last week, the day after results were announced.
Actually, many Iranians are questioning the outcome of the election. A lot of them had voted for Adam Lambert.
Norman Brinker, the man who invented the salad bar, passed away last week. At his funeral, mourners were allowed to come back to his casket as often as they liked.
The Gum Wall in Seattle -- where theater goers would stick their gum on the wall while waiting in line -- has been named to the list of "Germiest Places in the U.S.." It's listed as second, right behind the back seat of Britney Spears' car.
On to ROCK NEWS –
AEROSMITH GUITARIST RECOVERING FROM HEAD INJURY…Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry told Reuters that he expects bandmate and guitarist Brad Whitford to rejoin the group on its just-launched summer tour in early July. It was announced earlier this month that Whitford would sit out at least part of the tour while recovering from surgery. Perry revealed that Whitford had an operation to relieve internal bleeding caused when he hit his head getting out of his Ferrari just a few days before the trek began. Perry explained, "It built up pressure and gave him this whoopin' headache. He's not prone to getting migraines, so knew something was wrong. He went right in, they did what they had to do, and now he's getting better."
The 57-year-old Whitford is slated to return to the road on July 7th, when the band plays Raleigh, North Carolina. His replacement has been Bobby Schneck, who has also logged time with Green Day and Weezer.
Whitford is the latest Aerosmith member to be plagued with medical problems in the past few years. Bassist Tom Hamilton beat throat cancer a few years back, while Perry had a knee replaced and singer Steven Tyler had foot surgery and a bout with pneumonia in the past 12 months.
In other news, Perry also hinted that the group may change up its current set list, which features the classic 1975 album Toys In The Attic almost in its entirety, and start playing its 1976 masterpiece Rocks later in the tour.
Perry did not say whether the band would switch between albums as the tour progresses, and even speculated on reviving its underrated 1979 effort, Night In The Ruts, at some point as well.
Aerosmith plays a hometown show in Boston on Tuesday night (June 16th), where they'll be joined by fellow rock veterans ZZ Top for the rest of the tour.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN SAID TO HAVE KEPT BEST NEW JERSEY TICKETS FROM FANS…Bruce Springsteen fans have gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to the recent East Coast E Street Band shows. Now it seems that Springsteen himself held back 1,118 of the best seats in the house during his May 21st show at New Jersey's Izod Center for personal and industry use. The New Jersey Star-Ledger reported that out of the 1,126 seats in the four sections closest to the stage, Springsteen's team only allowed 108 seats to be put on sale according to new ticket data obtained through the Open Public Records Act.
The records show that a total of 2,262 tickets were held back from the public "for the band, its record company and agent and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the public agency that operates the arena and acted as promoter for the concerts." This proves problematic because the amount of tickets withheld represents 12 percent of the venue's total -- violating state law which has set the limit at only five percent.
Somerset Country Assemblyman Peter Biondi explained, "They are allowed to hold back five percent for family, fan clubs, friends, sponsors, for the band, for the producer, for everyone involved. It is a state statute. It is enforceable and it should be enforced. It's there for a reason. The intent was to have enough tickets available to have fair and open pricing."
The Sports and Exposition Authority believes that they were not in violation, with spokesman John Samerjan saying that the five percent only applies to the tickets withheld by the Authority itself -- and does not figure in additional seats held back for "the artists, sponsors and media."
Samerjan said that if the withheld tickets aren't taken up by the Authority or the act they are put directly on sale to fans: "The (ticket) holds are a necessary part of doing business,"We work with the attorney general and consumer affairs. They were aware of exactly where every ticket is going."
Springsteen's management has yet to comment on the allegations.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…Out today (June 16th) is the long-awaited George Harrison greatest hits collection Let It Roll: The Songs Of George Harrison. The 19-track disc is named after "The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)," one of the many standout tracks from Harrison's first post-Beatles collection, 1970's All Things Must Pass.
Highlights include such Harrison staples as "My Sweet Lord," "All Things Must Pass," "Isn't It A Pity," "Blow Away," "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)," "All Those Years Ago," and "Got My Mind Set On You" -- which is remains the last solo Beatle chart-topper to date.
Also included on the set are the three Beatles tunes Harrison performed at New York's Madison Square Garden during the legendary 1971 Concert For Bangladesh: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Here Comes The Sun," with Badfinger's Pete Ham on dual acoustic guitar, and "Something."
Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison, told CNN that Harrison's work always maintained a thematic link throughout the years: "I think that there is an underlying thread that he always expressed, always a bit of humor, always a bit of longing... I don't like to overuse the word spirituality, but, you know, he was interested in things not of this world."
Paul McCartney has added a third night to his upcoming shows at Citi Field, the new home of the New York Mets. McCartney will now play July 17th, 18th and 21st as he breaks in the stadium as New York City's latest rock venue.
London's Daily Express reported that with McCartney's romance with New Yorker Nancy Shevell going strong, the former Beatle is looking to spend more time in America. An unnamed source said, "Paul respects Nancy's independent life as a businesswoman and wants to make things easier for her so he's cleared his diary and will be spending more time in the U.S. He's been talking about expanding some of his own property interests in the States and they may do some projects together."
People reported that on June 9th McCartney was spotted exercising at Beverly Hills' Sports Club and spent 20 minutes working up a sweat on the treadmill. That same night he was spotted having dinner with the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl at L.A.'s Pizzeria Mozza.
Beatles fans thought they were getting yet another sneak preview of the group's upcoming Rock Band game when a tracklist of 45 songs hit the Internet yesterday (June 15th). A spokesman for the game makers Harmonix told Joystiq.com: "The rumored 'leaked' list is not the disc track listing for The Beatles: Rock Band. We'll be announcing more tracks throughout the summer. Stay tuned to thebeatlesrockband.com for the most up to date information about disc songs and downloadable content!"
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 19
“Never share a bed with a guy, unless there's no way around it.”
ON THIS DAY
It was on this date in 1673 that Governor's Island, just off Manhattan, was purchased from the Indians for two axes, some beads and a handful of nails. Needless to say, the two axes were the most convincing part of that deal. By the way, the deal was handled by Century 17 Realtors.
On this date in 1858, Abraham Lincoln made his "House divided" speech... about the perils of divorce.
In 1883, the New York Gothams became the first professional baseball team to hold a "Ladies Day," where women got into the games free. That idea was a much bigger success than their first promotion, the 7th inning "Wet Corset" contest. Needless to say, it made it pretty tough to slide in those skirts.
On this date in 1933, the FDIC was created. Before then, all bank commercials just ended with the word "member."
In 1960, the movie "Psycho" hit theaters. Taking a shower was never the same.
TODAY IS
John Cho turns 37 today. He was part of the Harold & Kumar team, but these days is enjoying a nice Sulu career.
Golfer Phil Mickelson turns 39 today. In golfing terms, that's two rounds.
Gino Vanelli turns 57 today. Years ago, he was quite a well-known singer. Now, most people would just guess his name is what you say when you're out of ice cream.
August Busch III of the Anheuser-Busch family turns 72 today. His birthday party is going to be taken over by a European birthday party.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
A pretty racy Calvin Klein billboard in New York is getting a lot of buzz these days. It features three barely clad people -- two guys and a girl -- in a threesome position.
Get this -- a coalition of "concerned citizens," whose web site is FireDavidLetterman.com, is calling on CBS CEO Les Moonves to fire David Letterman for his "sexist insults" of both Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Palin's 14 year old daughter. Meanwhile, Letterman said his joke about Palin's daughter was a lousy joke, no matter how you cut it, and he's sorry.
George Obama, the president's half brother, is working on a book that'll come out next January. Of course he is.
Ladies, if you want him to notice you, wear red. The color red makes men feel more amorous toward women, according to a study by two University of Rochester psychologists.
Usher has filed for divorce less than two years after marrying Tameka Raymond. They had two sons together, 6 months and 18 months.
Miley Cyrus says that she and the Jonas Brothers have "reconnected."
While performing on stage in New York, Shooter Jennings asked his longtime girlfriend and Sopranos star Drea de Matteo to marry him... and she said "Yes."
The A&E network says "The Beast," starring the ailing Patrick Swayze, will not return for a second season.
Now Reese Witherspoon has her own scent: "In Bloom."
Thousands of American Idol hopefuls turned out in the rain Sunday to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, for the first round of auditions for the next round of Idol. And so it begins again.
Poor dental hygiene increases the risk of both heart attack and stroke, according to researchers from the University of Bristol in Great Britain. While smoking, obesity and high cholesterol are still the leading causes of a heart attack, neglected gums can now be added to that list.
Brad Pitt has given $1 million to help a Missouri hospital open a new pediatric cancer center that will be named for their mother, Jane Pitt.
In Israel, a woman surprised her mom with a new mattress... only to find out that the old mattress -- which she had removed and taken to the dump -- had $1 million cash inside it. They're still searching the dumps for it.
While Steven Baldwin is hanging out with "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here," his foreclosed New York home is going up on the auction block.
Six Flags has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. No parks will be affected... yet
Lil Wayne is going to be a father with two different women.
WEIRD NEWS
It's Tough When The Kids Are Smarter Than the Teachers - It's tough being a high school teacher these days -- especially when the students are smarter than you are. In Clifton Park, New York, 16-year-old computer whiz Matthew Beighey has been charged with designing software intended to shut teachers out of the grading system. And it worked. The school district says the teenager temporarily blocked teachers' ability to enter grades and had to get technical support to regain access. So kids if your grades are a little late, you'll know why. (Times Union)
Come See the ATV Parade! - In Silver Bay, Minnesota, a bunch of ATV lovers believe they have set a new world record. The All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota tried Saturday to line up more than 2,000 ATVs in Silver Bay into the longest parade documented for the Guinness World Records book. They fell short of their target but did get 1,632 ATVs from their count, and hope to have the Guinness folks verify the new record. The current record stands at 1,138 ATVs and was set by the Harlan County Ridge Runners of Evarts, Kentucky back in 2006. By the way-- three-wheelers and side-by-side ATVs don't count. You've got to have four wheels. (myway.com)
A Car in the Pool Won't Ruin My Honeymoon! - In Coral Springs, Florida, Robert and Stacy Lazdowski weren't about to let a little thing like a car plunging into their swimming pool stop them from going on their Key West honeymoon. Married in December, the couple was eager to start their delayed honeymoon last Friday. But they almost had to ditch their plans when a teenager drove his blue 2005 Acura more than 30 feet from the road into their pool. So the Lazdowskis spent several hours cleaning up debris and repairing their damaged backyard fence before finally heading to Key West-- much later than expected. Stacy said, "I'm just looking forward to the beautiful sunset with my husband, a Rum Runner, and getting a great big hug and kiss." The driver of the vehicle in the pool told police he swerved from the road to avoid a cat and wasn't given a citation. Under department policy, officers don't issue traffic citations when no one files a complaint and no one is injured. A tow truck arrived and removed the car from pool. The Lazdowski's estimate about $40,000 in damages. Just before they left their home, Stacy said, "We were supposed to be parasailing by now." (The Sun Sentinel)
Sorry, Your Dog Does Not Have a Guilty Look - According to new research from Barnard College in New York, dog owners who believe their pets have a "guilty look" are simply imagining things. Researchers tricked owners into thinking innocent pets had misbehaved when they hadn't, and the owners still claimed to see the guilty look. Assistant Professor Alexandra Horowitz said that the dog owners were projecting human values onto their pets. The research, Canine Behaviour and Cognition, looked at how dog owners interpreted their pets' expressions, when they believed that the dog had stolen and eaten a forbidden treat. When the owners had been told their dog had misbehaved, they saw this guilty expression, even when the dog had not really done anything wrong. And the dogs which were most likely to "look guilty", according to their owners, were those who were entirely innocent but then who had been scolded by owners who believed that they had stolen treats. (Ananova)
What? Haven't You Seen a Carrot Bomb Before? - In Sweden, artist Conny Blom taped bunches of carrots together with black tape and then attached blue and red wires and a clock to them to resemble a bomb. His art stunt, which he entitled The Bunny Project: Bombs, was put on display at 15 locations around the southern city of Orebro. The only problem was people thought they were real bombs and police received dozens of calls from worried citizens. Blom was ultimately forced to remove his art and may face charges. The carrot bombs had been placed around the city at the request of a local art gallery, as part of an open-air arts festival. They had only been in place for an hour before police received their first call. Blom insisted the project was harmless saying, "After all, it is just carrots with an alarm clock and nothing else. This is just a caricature of a bomb." (Ananova)
Did You Ever Notice That You Look Just Like Me? - In China's Fujian province, two women who work for the same company but in different cities believe they are identical twins after a chance encounter. It came about after the owner of one shop went to inspect a branch shop in Quangang. At first he was amazed to find one of his own employees working in the other shop. When Zhuang Yanhong and Gong Jingjing, both 18, finally met up, it turned out they were almost identical. Both even had four moles in the same place on their right hands but their home towns were thousands of miles apart. The pair initially thought it was just an amazing coincidence. Zhuang is an adopted child, while Gong, had always thought her parents were her biological parents. But then she got the surprising news from her parents that she too had been adopted. The girls are now convinced they are twins although Gong said, "We don't want to do DNA tests. No matter what happens, we are sisters." (Ananova)
Time To Change the Rules? - The U.S. Air Force has spent an estimated $25 million training combat pilot Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach but is now about to discharge him involuntarily because he has admitted he is gay. Born of military-officer parents, Fehrenbach has earned no less than 30 awards and decorations, with tours flying F-15Es in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, and was one of the elite fighters called on to patrol the air space over Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001. Despite this incredible record of service to his country, and all that tax-payer money spent on his training, he's out because he's gay. Seriously folks -- does this really make sense any longer? If you tried firing a person where you work just because they're gay, you'd be sued and you'd lose. How does this still work for the military? (Dayton Daily News)
TOP FIVE SIGNS YOUR BASKETBALL TEAM JUST WON THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Smoke
2. Kobe's now passing the ball, but hanging on to the trophy
3. You're not the Orlando Magic
4. The police department is putting on their official NBA riot gear
5. Looters are doing their stretches
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
They may be the Orlando Magic, but the Lakers made them disappear.
The president's half-brother, George Obama, is writing a book in which he'll share a few secrets about Barack Obama. Needless to say, Joe Biden's brother is not happy. With Joe, there are no secrets left to write about.
The country of Iran held elections last week, the day after results were announced.
Actually, many Iranians are questioning the outcome of the election. A lot of them had voted for Adam Lambert.
Norman Brinker, the man who invented the salad bar, passed away last week. At his funeral, mourners were allowed to come back to his casket as often as they liked.
The Gum Wall in Seattle -- where theater goers would stick their gum on the wall while waiting in line -- has been named to the list of "Germiest Places in the U.S.." It's listed as second, right behind the back seat of Britney Spears' car.
On to ROCK NEWS –
AEROSMITH GUITARIST RECOVERING FROM HEAD INJURY…Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry told Reuters that he expects bandmate and guitarist Brad Whitford to rejoin the group on its just-launched summer tour in early July. It was announced earlier this month that Whitford would sit out at least part of the tour while recovering from surgery. Perry revealed that Whitford had an operation to relieve internal bleeding caused when he hit his head getting out of his Ferrari just a few days before the trek began. Perry explained, "It built up pressure and gave him this whoopin' headache. He's not prone to getting migraines, so knew something was wrong. He went right in, they did what they had to do, and now he's getting better."
The 57-year-old Whitford is slated to return to the road on July 7th, when the band plays Raleigh, North Carolina. His replacement has been Bobby Schneck, who has also logged time with Green Day and Weezer.
Whitford is the latest Aerosmith member to be plagued with medical problems in the past few years. Bassist Tom Hamilton beat throat cancer a few years back, while Perry had a knee replaced and singer Steven Tyler had foot surgery and a bout with pneumonia in the past 12 months.
In other news, Perry also hinted that the group may change up its current set list, which features the classic 1975 album Toys In The Attic almost in its entirety, and start playing its 1976 masterpiece Rocks later in the tour.
Perry did not say whether the band would switch between albums as the tour progresses, and even speculated on reviving its underrated 1979 effort, Night In The Ruts, at some point as well.
Aerosmith plays a hometown show in Boston on Tuesday night (June 16th), where they'll be joined by fellow rock veterans ZZ Top for the rest of the tour.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN SAID TO HAVE KEPT BEST NEW JERSEY TICKETS FROM FANS…Bruce Springsteen fans have gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to the recent East Coast E Street Band shows. Now it seems that Springsteen himself held back 1,118 of the best seats in the house during his May 21st show at New Jersey's Izod Center for personal and industry use. The New Jersey Star-Ledger reported that out of the 1,126 seats in the four sections closest to the stage, Springsteen's team only allowed 108 seats to be put on sale according to new ticket data obtained through the Open Public Records Act.
The records show that a total of 2,262 tickets were held back from the public "for the band, its record company and agent and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the public agency that operates the arena and acted as promoter for the concerts." This proves problematic because the amount of tickets withheld represents 12 percent of the venue's total -- violating state law which has set the limit at only five percent.
Somerset Country Assemblyman Peter Biondi explained, "They are allowed to hold back five percent for family, fan clubs, friends, sponsors, for the band, for the producer, for everyone involved. It is a state statute. It is enforceable and it should be enforced. It's there for a reason. The intent was to have enough tickets available to have fair and open pricing."
The Sports and Exposition Authority believes that they were not in violation, with spokesman John Samerjan saying that the five percent only applies to the tickets withheld by the Authority itself -- and does not figure in additional seats held back for "the artists, sponsors and media."
Samerjan said that if the withheld tickets aren't taken up by the Authority or the act they are put directly on sale to fans: "The (ticket) holds are a necessary part of doing business,"We work with the attorney general and consumer affairs. They were aware of exactly where every ticket is going."
Springsteen's management has yet to comment on the allegations.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…Out today (June 16th) is the long-awaited George Harrison greatest hits collection Let It Roll: The Songs Of George Harrison. The 19-track disc is named after "The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)," one of the many standout tracks from Harrison's first post-Beatles collection, 1970's All Things Must Pass.
Highlights include such Harrison staples as "My Sweet Lord," "All Things Must Pass," "Isn't It A Pity," "Blow Away," "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)," "All Those Years Ago," and "Got My Mind Set On You" -- which is remains the last solo Beatle chart-topper to date.
Also included on the set are the three Beatles tunes Harrison performed at New York's Madison Square Garden during the legendary 1971 Concert For Bangladesh: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Here Comes The Sun," with Badfinger's Pete Ham on dual acoustic guitar, and "Something."
Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison, told CNN that Harrison's work always maintained a thematic link throughout the years: "I think that there is an underlying thread that he always expressed, always a bit of humor, always a bit of longing... I don't like to overuse the word spirituality, but, you know, he was interested in things not of this world."
Paul McCartney has added a third night to his upcoming shows at Citi Field, the new home of the New York Mets. McCartney will now play July 17th, 18th and 21st as he breaks in the stadium as New York City's latest rock venue.
London's Daily Express reported that with McCartney's romance with New Yorker Nancy Shevell going strong, the former Beatle is looking to spend more time in America. An unnamed source said, "Paul respects Nancy's independent life as a businesswoman and wants to make things easier for her so he's cleared his diary and will be spending more time in the U.S. He's been talking about expanding some of his own property interests in the States and they may do some projects together."
People reported that on June 9th McCartney was spotted exercising at Beverly Hills' Sports Club and spent 20 minutes working up a sweat on the treadmill. That same night he was spotted having dinner with the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl at L.A.'s Pizzeria Mozza.
Beatles fans thought they were getting yet another sneak preview of the group's upcoming Rock Band game when a tracklist of 45 songs hit the Internet yesterday (June 15th). A spokesman for the game makers Harmonix told Joystiq.com: "The rumored 'leaked' list is not the disc track listing for The Beatles: Rock Band. We'll be announcing more tracks throughout the summer. Stay tuned to thebeatlesrockband.com for the most up to date information about disc songs and downloadable content!"
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
Monday, June 15, 2009
Monday - June 15, 2009 -
Welcome to the Blog -
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 18
"Always allow a buffer zone at urinals and on couches."
ON THIS DAY –
On this date in 1215, King John signed the Magna Carta. The document gave barons more liberty. In fact, with the new freedom, that's when the Red Baron began making his pizzas.
In 1752... yep, this was the day that Ben Franklin discovered electricity with a kite, a key and string. It's also the day that the phrase was coined, "What's that nut doing out there?"
On this date in 1844, Charles Goodyear received a patent for vulcanizing rubber. I'll bet you had no idea that Goodyear was a Vulcan.
In 1844, Charles Goodyear managed to vulcanize rubber. It helped pave the way for years later, when Mr. Spock invented the vulcanized tire grip.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time ever at a church picnic on this date, back in 1956. The conversation went something like this:
John: "Hey, Jude!"Paul: "Good day, Sunshine!"John: "Do you want to know a secret?"Paul: "Any good Norwegian wood?"John: "I wanna hold your hand."Paul: "Get back. You've got to hide your love away!"John: "When I'm sixty-four!"Paul: "Hello, goodbye!"
TODAY IS –
Billy Martin from the band Good Charlotte celebrates his 28th birthday today. Out of habit, George Steinbrenner fired him.
Neil Patrick Harris celebrates his 36th birthday today. Needless to say, it's going to be legendary.
Courtney Cox celebrates #45 today. "Happy Botox to you, happy Botox to you..."
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW -
What does American Idol Kris Allen think about runner-up Adam Lambert's admitted crush on him? "I'm flattered... and it's hilarious!"
Reese Witherspoon says she'll never do a nude scene. The "Rendition" actress told Fox News that it just wouldn't be appropriate for her to appear nude in a movie because of the effect it could have on her children.
Johnny Palermo and his girlfriend were killed in a car crash last week in North Hollywood. He was on "Everybody Hates Chris" and the Nickelodeon series, "Just for kicks."
The best food to eat after exercise is a bowl of cold cereal and skim milk. When it comes to recovery after exercise, whole grain cereal can be just as effective at a much lower cost than a carbohydrate-based sports drinks, according to researchers from the University of Texas at Austin.
A couple lately: Heather Locklear and Jack Wagner.
Political and social activist Chastity Bono -- the only child of Cher and the late Sonny Bono -- began undergoing a sex change shortly after her 40th birthday on March 4.
A court in Malawi has reversed an earlier lower court decision and Madonna has a big "yes" to her second adoption from that country.
New episodes of "Mad Men" start up August 16th.
The Michael Vick era in Atlanta is officially over. The Falcons relinquished its contractual rights to Vick on Friday, but he remains suspended by the NFL.
Commander Mark Polansky and the crew of the Space Shuttle that blasted off Saturday are heading to the International Space Station. Along the way, the Commander is going to Twitter. Astro_127 if you want to follow him.
Rihanna and Chris Brown were both at the Magic/Lakers game last Thursday night, but sitting at opposite ends of the same row.
You'll get to see even more of Heidi Montag in the September issue of Playboy magazine.
I LOVE MOVIES!!!
The best movie of all time is Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather," according to a poll conducted by Empire magazine of 10,000 moviegoers, 150 Hollywood directors and 50 film critics. Based on the Mario Puzo novel of the same name, "The Godfather" starred Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton. Here's the top 10 best movies of all time, according to the magazine:
1. "The Godfather"
2. "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
3. "The Empire Strikes Back"
4. "The Shawshank Redemption"
5. "Jaws"
6. "Goodfellas"
7. "Apocalypse Now"
8. "Singin' in the Rain"
9. "Pulp Fiction"
10. "Fight Club"
Want more?
The latest Batman film, "The Dark Knight," was the only film from this century to make the top 20.
"Easy Rider," "The Sound of Music" and Oscar-winner "Shakespeare in Love" did not make the list at all.
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" came in at 471, the only film in the "Harry Potter" franchise to make the list.
All three "Lord of the Rings" films were in the top 60
WEIRD NEWS -
Relationships: Bad For Your Weight! - This isn't good news. A new study to be published in the journal Obesity says that couples who marry or live together are more than twice as likely to become obese than those who stay single. And, the risk of obesity rises the longer people stay together. But there is an upside. Penny Gordon-Larsen, associate professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina, found some positive health benefits to marriage, including decreased cigarette smoking and lower mortality. But she added: "We also see greater weight gain than in single people of the same age, and greater risk of obesity." So why is this? Gordon-Larsen speculates that people living together tended to eat meals together, possibly cooking bigger meals or eating out more often than they did when they were single. They were also more likely to watch television together instead of going to the gym or playing a sport. (Ananova)
Ump Ejects the Entire Crowd! - In West Burlington, Iowa, baseball umpire Don Briggs ejected the entire crowd of more than 100 fans for being unruly at the game between Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington. Briggs said he had no problem with any of the student athletes during the game but it was the fans who were being unruly, yelling and arguing. But West Burlington Superintendent James Sleister said he didn't see any unusual behavior and said he thought the umpire overreacted. The game resumed after a 40-minute delay and West Burlington won 12-11. (myway.com)
Better Have a Better Lie Than This - Police in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, say a man has been charged with lying about his involvement in a hit-and-run accident. He told police it was his son who was driving the vehicle. But what makes that so hard to believe is the man's son is an infant. When police questioned the guy about who "normally" drives the car, our friend said it was his 19-year-old son who wasn't home at the time. The man told police he would have his son contact them. But the story kind of blew up in his face when officers were leaving the house and happened upon one of the neighbors and asked if they had seen the man's son driving the vehicle recently. The neighbor began laughing and told police that the son is still an infant. (Foster's Daily Democrat)
Dog Trippin'! - In Seattle, Jen Nestor Waddell's dog had an interesting afternoon. He got away from Jen while in Seward Park and somehow managed to find and eat some marijuana. And yes he got high as a kite. Jen said his 11-year-old black Lab mix named Jack was "just stoned" after they returned home from the park. The dog's eyes glossed over and he had trouble walking. The vet said Jack had swallowed a large amount of dried, harvested marijuana. After some medication to induce vomiting and a night of rest Jack was back to normal. Except he kept begging for those dang Beggin Strips! (KING-TV News)
I'll Meet You Under the Bridge! - In Columbia, South Carolina, drivers on the I-26 bridge called 911 after they witnessed what they thought was a suicide. Turns out it wasn't. Oh Lyle Silkwood did jump from the bridge into the Saluda River, but he wasn't trying to kill himself. He was just taking the shortest route to meet a passing friend in a boat after his truck ran out of gas. Firefighters, paramedics and rescue boats searched the river for more than an hour. Authorities finally figured out what was going on when they ran the license tag on the truck and called Silkwood's home. He answered and told them what happened. (myway.com)
Luckiest Couple Of the Week! - While you were busy trying to make it through another work week, Chuck and Karen Hill of Villa Rica, Georgia, were busy winning big on both of their scratch-off lottery tickets. Just one week after Chuck won $5,000 in the Georgia Lottery's Weekly WinFall drawing, his wife, Karen, bought a World Class Millions scratch-off ticket on her way to work and won $1 million! The couple has two children, ages 6 and 8 and said they plan to pay bills with the money. Pay bills?? You just won over $1 million!! Dang folks -- how much debt do you have? (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
If He Had Only Said Yes! - In Zephyr Cove, Nevada, a 53-year-old man really should have said yes instead of no. That's because the question he was being asked was, "Do you need us to help untie you?" And that question was being asked by a group of teenage high school students who found our friend naked and tied face down to a rock near Whittell High School. Unfortunately the guy told them, "no" so they called police who arrested the perv and charged him with indecent exposure and loitering on school grounds. (Tahoe Daily Tribune)
The Crook Who Bites Through Bars! - Police in China who solved a series of mysterious burglaries were shocked to find the crook was actually biting his way through steel window bars! Detectives in Nanjimen region, Chongqing, were puzzled by continuous reports of break-ins through barred windows and downright shocked to find the cut bars had deep tooth prints! Eventually, their inquiries led them to interview a man who said he was sharing a hotel room with a man who could crack walnuts with his teeth. Police then questioned his 23-year-old roommate who confessed that he was behind the burglaries. He said that he had turned to crime after failing to find a job and could not even remember how many houses he had broken into over the last two years. He also said he had developed strong, sharp teeth by using them to open the walnuts which grew in the mountains where he grew up. He added, "I never take other tools with me when breaking in. That's why I never got stopped by patrolling officers at night." (Ananova)
TOP FIVE SIGNS IT'S TIME TO GIVE UP COFFEE
Starbucks names it's next blend after you
You're trying to cut back to just 10 pots a day
The doctor just told you that your coffee tested positive for blood
You always have a bag of Columbian in the car... and it's coffee
You want to name your new son, "Yuban"
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
North Korea appears to be preparing for another nuclear test. Intelligance reports say government officials were up late, drinking lots of energy drinks and ordering a pizza delivered.
Carrie Prejean was removed as "Miss California" last week and replaced by Tami Farrell who also just said that marriage is "between a man and a woman." Here we go again!
Cher's daughter, Chastity, is undergoing a sex-change operation. Once completed, she plans to go into the studio and record a new song, "I got one, too, babe"!
"My Name is Earl" is NOT going to TBS. The show is history. But that doesn't mean it's going to the History Channel, either.
TV stations made the switch from standard broadcast to digital last Friday. But I thought it was cruel how they did it with two minutes left in the hockey game!
I miss analog TV.
I want to know: so who said it was OK for the oil companies to make billions in record profits again?
NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR –
- The Fox TV Network has a series in development called, "I Married a Stranger," about the stress and strain of going through with an awkward arranged marriage. First up, the U.S. government and General Motors...
- Tony Romo says Jessica Simpson is his "dream date" because she enjoys watching football with him. Really? Jessica Simpson enjoys sitting on a couch drinking beer while eating nachos and chicken wings? Looking at Jessica's thighs...I never would have guessed it! Knock me over with a deep-fried turkey-feather!!!
- Like the House did previously, the Senate last week passed a bill that will regulate the marketing, advertising and manufacturing of tobacco products. President Obama is expected to immediately sign the tobacco bill into law. It's the first time that a guy signing anti-tobacco legislation will leave a nicotine stain on the pen.
ON TO ROCK NEWS –
EDDIE VAN HALEN OPENS UP IN RARE INTERVIEW…Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen opened up in a rare interview with Spinner.com, saying that he's "re-learning" how to play the guitar ever since getting sober more than two years ago. When asked about his playing technique nowadays, the hugely influential axeman said, "It takes me a good hour to loosen up my fingers . . . after two and a half, three hours, you kind of get into a zone that I'm kind of relearning because I'm not drinking anymore. When I used to drink, it would get me there quicker. It's kind of the zone where you're not thinking."
Van Halen added that his riffs come from a divine source, explaining, "God's not gonna give you nothing if you don't practice or play. So after a couple, three hours, God says, 'OK, he's ready. I'll throw him a bone.' And God's got a sense of humor, too -- sometimes he gives me s***, 'cause not everything I do I like."
The guitarist also spoke about the public reaction to the band's 2007 reunion tour with David Lee Roth, which also featured Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass. Eddie said, "It brought tears to my eyes . . . And now I got my son in the band and it makes it even more ... Alex (Van Halen, drums and Eddie's brother), Wolfie and I, it's a family thing. And by the end of the tour, Wolfie was just incredible. For a 16-year-old to get up there and play in front of these people, he pulled it off very, very good."
Following his upcoming wedding to Janie Liszewski and Wolfgang's graduation from high school, Van Halen reiterated plans to begin work on the band's first new album with Roth in 25 years: "I hope that after Janie and I get married in June and Wolfie graduates that we sit down and discuss recording new music, which I have tons of, if Dave's up for singing ... and then do another tour and just see where it takes us."
Van Halen concludes with some advice for younger musicians: "Do you want to be a rock star or do you want music to be your livelihood? If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you'll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you'll get to where you want to be."
METALLICA PLAYING BENEFIT FOR ROCK MUSEUM EXHIBIT…Metallica will play a benefit concert for the Marin County Museum in San Rafael, California this September, according to the Contra Costa Times. The announcement was made by frontman James Hetfield in a video screened at a museum gala last week for the "Marin Rocks" exhibition, where attendees paid $200 a ticket to raise funds for the project. The Museum pulled the project from its original intended location in a downtown space owned by the local Masonic Lodge, citing concerns over the cost of renovating the space, its size, and the length of the lease that the Lodge was offering.
The Museum is now looking for a new and larger space for the exhibition, which will tentatively open next spring and showcase Marin Country's rich rock history.
Also appearing in the video with Hetfield was Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro. Hetfield and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich both live in Marin and send their children to local schools.
The Metallica show will be the first in the county by the group, who are likely to play at the 2,000-seat Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
Museum executive director Merry Alberigi said, "Metallica very much supports the 'Marin Rocks' project, and especially the educational programs to be offered for our youth. They have kids in school here in Marin County and they want to give back."
Metallica is currently touring in Europe but will launch a North American trek in September.
CHEAP TRICK BRINGING 'SGT. PEPPER' TO LAS VEGAS…Sgt. Pepper is finally coming to Las Vegas in September courtesy of Rockford, Illinois' favorite sons -- Cheap Trick. The Associated Press reported that the crown princes of power pop will perform the Beatles' 1967 classic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in its entirety with a full symphony orchestra during a nine-date stand at the Las Vegas Hilton. The Beatles' legendary engineer Geoff Emerick will be in charge of the audio production for the show, which is dubbed Sgt. Pepper Live.
Cheap Trick first performed Sgt. Pepper in its entirety back in 2007 with special guests at L.A.'s Hollywood Bowl. Rick Neilsen said that he had to get in gear to learn the various guitar parts: "I quit practicing and learning tunes, in a way, in the late '60s, 'cause I started writing songs. I knew the songs from Sgt. Pepper but I never played them. Years before, I had the nice stereo and I put the needle down on the track and figure out how to do a solo or whatever. So I knew the music, but I didn't know it to play it. And you can't really jam a solo (laughs) on a Beatles song in front of 38,000 people. Y'know, you gotta really know your stuff."
Sgt. Pepper Live will run on September 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
Cheap Trick will next perform on June 23rd with Def Leppard in Camden, New Jersey at Susquehanna Bank Center.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…George Harrison's widow Olivia says that George would've taken part in a Beatles reunion if Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr had agreed upon it. Olivia, who's promoting the new compilation Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison -- which is out tomorrow (June 16th) -- told The Sun that Harrison would be on board to team up again with his Beatles bandmates, "I think so, yes, I do, because he had great love for the others. He really did. As you get older, you value and treasure your friends so much more. I don't even want to think about what it would have been like. Very often there are times I think, 'Oh, I wish George were here for that.' He became more and more loving towards everything. He came to appreciate his friends so much more."
The full track list for Let It Roll: The Songs Of George Harrison is: "Got My Mind Set On You," "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)," "The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)," "My Sweet Lord," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Live)," "All Things Must Pass," "Any Road," "This Is Love," "All Those Years Ago," "Marwa Blues," "What Is Life," "Rising Sun," "When We Was Fab," "Something (Live)," "Blow Away," "Cheer Down," "Here Comes The Sun (Live)," "I Don't Want To Do It," "Isn't It A Pity."
Britain's The Sun reports that Paul McCartney took the advice of daughter Stella and has hired Kate Moss' former nanny Jade Davidson to help him look after five-year-old daughter Beatrice. A source close to McCartney said that, "Paul wants Bea in the company of a young, energetic woman who can run after her, climb, play games and generally muster up a lot of energy. He feels he needs the extra spark because he is getting a bit older and is aware he needs a younger influence around."
McCartney's ex-wife Heather Mills had initiated the hiring of the nanny, with the source adding "Heather felt Paul's circle of pals were a bit old for a little girl to be hanging around."
FLASHBACK: BOB DYLAN RECORDS 'LIKE A ROLLING STONE…It was 44 years ago today (June 15th, 1965) that Bob Dylan recorded "Like A Rolling Stone." The song not only revolutionized the way lyrics were written and sung, but ultimately pushed the boundaries of how long a hit single could actually be. "Like A Rolling Stone," which clocked in at 6:06, would end up being printed as 5:59 on the 45's label in an effort to fool Top 40 disc jockeys into playing the single.
The session for the song began at 1:20 p.m. at Columbia Records studios in New York City, with Dylan performing the song on the piano as a waltz. By dawn the song had taken shape as one of the all time greatest rock and roll singles. Producer and friend Paul Rothchild remembered visiting the session in the early hours of June 16th in Bob Spitz' Bob Dylan: A Biography recalling that, "They told me they had played it 25 times before I got there. Dylan just sat in a chair with a smile plastered on his face and his leg going a mile-a-minute. He was grooving on the knowledge that he'd made a great record."
Dylan recalled writing the song in the liner notes to his 1985 box set Biograph revealing that, "My wife and I lived in a little cabin in Woodstock, New York, which we rented. I wrote the song there... It just came, you know it started with that 'La Bamba' riff."
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
Whether we know it or not, each of us lives a life governed by an internalized code of conduct. Some call it morality, others call it religion. I call it “The Bro Code”. It’s my hope that, with a better understanding of the Code, Bros the world over can put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. It is then, and only then, that we might work together as one to accomplish perhaps the most important challenge society faces – getting laid.
- Barney Stinson – The Bro Code –
THE BRO CODE – Article # 18
"Always allow a buffer zone at urinals and on couches."
ON THIS DAY –
On this date in 1215, King John signed the Magna Carta. The document gave barons more liberty. In fact, with the new freedom, that's when the Red Baron began making his pizzas.
In 1752... yep, this was the day that Ben Franklin discovered electricity with a kite, a key and string. It's also the day that the phrase was coined, "What's that nut doing out there?"
On this date in 1844, Charles Goodyear received a patent for vulcanizing rubber. I'll bet you had no idea that Goodyear was a Vulcan.
In 1844, Charles Goodyear managed to vulcanize rubber. It helped pave the way for years later, when Mr. Spock invented the vulcanized tire grip.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time ever at a church picnic on this date, back in 1956. The conversation went something like this:
John: "Hey, Jude!"Paul: "Good day, Sunshine!"John: "Do you want to know a secret?"Paul: "Any good Norwegian wood?"John: "I wanna hold your hand."Paul: "Get back. You've got to hide your love away!"John: "When I'm sixty-four!"Paul: "Hello, goodbye!"
TODAY IS –
Billy Martin from the band Good Charlotte celebrates his 28th birthday today. Out of habit, George Steinbrenner fired him.
Neil Patrick Harris celebrates his 36th birthday today. Needless to say, it's going to be legendary.
Courtney Cox celebrates #45 today. "Happy Botox to you, happy Botox to you..."
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW -
What does American Idol Kris Allen think about runner-up Adam Lambert's admitted crush on him? "I'm flattered... and it's hilarious!"
Reese Witherspoon says she'll never do a nude scene. The "Rendition" actress told Fox News that it just wouldn't be appropriate for her to appear nude in a movie because of the effect it could have on her children.
Johnny Palermo and his girlfriend were killed in a car crash last week in North Hollywood. He was on "Everybody Hates Chris" and the Nickelodeon series, "Just for kicks."
The best food to eat after exercise is a bowl of cold cereal and skim milk. When it comes to recovery after exercise, whole grain cereal can be just as effective at a much lower cost than a carbohydrate-based sports drinks, according to researchers from the University of Texas at Austin.
A couple lately: Heather Locklear and Jack Wagner.
Political and social activist Chastity Bono -- the only child of Cher and the late Sonny Bono -- began undergoing a sex change shortly after her 40th birthday on March 4.
A court in Malawi has reversed an earlier lower court decision and Madonna has a big "yes" to her second adoption from that country.
New episodes of "Mad Men" start up August 16th.
The Michael Vick era in Atlanta is officially over. The Falcons relinquished its contractual rights to Vick on Friday, but he remains suspended by the NFL.
Commander Mark Polansky and the crew of the Space Shuttle that blasted off Saturday are heading to the International Space Station. Along the way, the Commander is going to Twitter. Astro_127 if you want to follow him.
Rihanna and Chris Brown were both at the Magic/Lakers game last Thursday night, but sitting at opposite ends of the same row.
You'll get to see even more of Heidi Montag in the September issue of Playboy magazine.
I LOVE MOVIES!!!
The best movie of all time is Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather," according to a poll conducted by Empire magazine of 10,000 moviegoers, 150 Hollywood directors and 50 film critics. Based on the Mario Puzo novel of the same name, "The Godfather" starred Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton. Here's the top 10 best movies of all time, according to the magazine:
1. "The Godfather"
2. "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
3. "The Empire Strikes Back"
4. "The Shawshank Redemption"
5. "Jaws"
6. "Goodfellas"
7. "Apocalypse Now"
8. "Singin' in the Rain"
9. "Pulp Fiction"
10. "Fight Club"
Want more?
The latest Batman film, "The Dark Knight," was the only film from this century to make the top 20.
"Easy Rider," "The Sound of Music" and Oscar-winner "Shakespeare in Love" did not make the list at all.
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" came in at 471, the only film in the "Harry Potter" franchise to make the list.
All three "Lord of the Rings" films were in the top 60
WEIRD NEWS -
Relationships: Bad For Your Weight! - This isn't good news. A new study to be published in the journal Obesity says that couples who marry or live together are more than twice as likely to become obese than those who stay single. And, the risk of obesity rises the longer people stay together. But there is an upside. Penny Gordon-Larsen, associate professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina, found some positive health benefits to marriage, including decreased cigarette smoking and lower mortality. But she added: "We also see greater weight gain than in single people of the same age, and greater risk of obesity." So why is this? Gordon-Larsen speculates that people living together tended to eat meals together, possibly cooking bigger meals or eating out more often than they did when they were single. They were also more likely to watch television together instead of going to the gym or playing a sport. (Ananova)
Ump Ejects the Entire Crowd! - In West Burlington, Iowa, baseball umpire Don Briggs ejected the entire crowd of more than 100 fans for being unruly at the game between Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington. Briggs said he had no problem with any of the student athletes during the game but it was the fans who were being unruly, yelling and arguing. But West Burlington Superintendent James Sleister said he didn't see any unusual behavior and said he thought the umpire overreacted. The game resumed after a 40-minute delay and West Burlington won 12-11. (myway.com)
Better Have a Better Lie Than This - Police in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, say a man has been charged with lying about his involvement in a hit-and-run accident. He told police it was his son who was driving the vehicle. But what makes that so hard to believe is the man's son is an infant. When police questioned the guy about who "normally" drives the car, our friend said it was his 19-year-old son who wasn't home at the time. The man told police he would have his son contact them. But the story kind of blew up in his face when officers were leaving the house and happened upon one of the neighbors and asked if they had seen the man's son driving the vehicle recently. The neighbor began laughing and told police that the son is still an infant. (Foster's Daily Democrat)
Dog Trippin'! - In Seattle, Jen Nestor Waddell's dog had an interesting afternoon. He got away from Jen while in Seward Park and somehow managed to find and eat some marijuana. And yes he got high as a kite. Jen said his 11-year-old black Lab mix named Jack was "just stoned" after they returned home from the park. The dog's eyes glossed over and he had trouble walking. The vet said Jack had swallowed a large amount of dried, harvested marijuana. After some medication to induce vomiting and a night of rest Jack was back to normal. Except he kept begging for those dang Beggin Strips! (KING-TV News)
I'll Meet You Under the Bridge! - In Columbia, South Carolina, drivers on the I-26 bridge called 911 after they witnessed what they thought was a suicide. Turns out it wasn't. Oh Lyle Silkwood did jump from the bridge into the Saluda River, but he wasn't trying to kill himself. He was just taking the shortest route to meet a passing friend in a boat after his truck ran out of gas. Firefighters, paramedics and rescue boats searched the river for more than an hour. Authorities finally figured out what was going on when they ran the license tag on the truck and called Silkwood's home. He answered and told them what happened. (myway.com)
Luckiest Couple Of the Week! - While you were busy trying to make it through another work week, Chuck and Karen Hill of Villa Rica, Georgia, were busy winning big on both of their scratch-off lottery tickets. Just one week after Chuck won $5,000 in the Georgia Lottery's Weekly WinFall drawing, his wife, Karen, bought a World Class Millions scratch-off ticket on her way to work and won $1 million! The couple has two children, ages 6 and 8 and said they plan to pay bills with the money. Pay bills?? You just won over $1 million!! Dang folks -- how much debt do you have? (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
If He Had Only Said Yes! - In Zephyr Cove, Nevada, a 53-year-old man really should have said yes instead of no. That's because the question he was being asked was, "Do you need us to help untie you?" And that question was being asked by a group of teenage high school students who found our friend naked and tied face down to a rock near Whittell High School. Unfortunately the guy told them, "no" so they called police who arrested the perv and charged him with indecent exposure and loitering on school grounds. (Tahoe Daily Tribune)
The Crook Who Bites Through Bars! - Police in China who solved a series of mysterious burglaries were shocked to find the crook was actually biting his way through steel window bars! Detectives in Nanjimen region, Chongqing, were puzzled by continuous reports of break-ins through barred windows and downright shocked to find the cut bars had deep tooth prints! Eventually, their inquiries led them to interview a man who said he was sharing a hotel room with a man who could crack walnuts with his teeth. Police then questioned his 23-year-old roommate who confessed that he was behind the burglaries. He said that he had turned to crime after failing to find a job and could not even remember how many houses he had broken into over the last two years. He also said he had developed strong, sharp teeth by using them to open the walnuts which grew in the mountains where he grew up. He added, "I never take other tools with me when breaking in. That's why I never got stopped by patrolling officers at night." (Ananova)
TOP FIVE SIGNS IT'S TIME TO GIVE UP COFFEE
Starbucks names it's next blend after you
You're trying to cut back to just 10 pots a day
The doctor just told you that your coffee tested positive for blood
You always have a bag of Columbian in the car... and it's coffee
You want to name your new son, "Yuban"
HUNTER'S HUMOR by Tim Hunter
North Korea appears to be preparing for another nuclear test. Intelligance reports say government officials were up late, drinking lots of energy drinks and ordering a pizza delivered.
Carrie Prejean was removed as "Miss California" last week and replaced by Tami Farrell who also just said that marriage is "between a man and a woman." Here we go again!
Cher's daughter, Chastity, is undergoing a sex-change operation. Once completed, she plans to go into the studio and record a new song, "I got one, too, babe"!
"My Name is Earl" is NOT going to TBS. The show is history. But that doesn't mean it's going to the History Channel, either.
TV stations made the switch from standard broadcast to digital last Friday. But I thought it was cruel how they did it with two minutes left in the hockey game!
I miss analog TV.
I want to know: so who said it was OK for the oil companies to make billions in record profits again?
NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR –
- The Fox TV Network has a series in development called, "I Married a Stranger," about the stress and strain of going through with an awkward arranged marriage. First up, the U.S. government and General Motors...
- Tony Romo says Jessica Simpson is his "dream date" because she enjoys watching football with him. Really? Jessica Simpson enjoys sitting on a couch drinking beer while eating nachos and chicken wings? Looking at Jessica's thighs...I never would have guessed it! Knock me over with a deep-fried turkey-feather!!!
- Like the House did previously, the Senate last week passed a bill that will regulate the marketing, advertising and manufacturing of tobacco products. President Obama is expected to immediately sign the tobacco bill into law. It's the first time that a guy signing anti-tobacco legislation will leave a nicotine stain on the pen.
ON TO ROCK NEWS –
EDDIE VAN HALEN OPENS UP IN RARE INTERVIEW…Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen opened up in a rare interview with Spinner.com, saying that he's "re-learning" how to play the guitar ever since getting sober more than two years ago. When asked about his playing technique nowadays, the hugely influential axeman said, "It takes me a good hour to loosen up my fingers . . . after two and a half, three hours, you kind of get into a zone that I'm kind of relearning because I'm not drinking anymore. When I used to drink, it would get me there quicker. It's kind of the zone where you're not thinking."
Van Halen added that his riffs come from a divine source, explaining, "God's not gonna give you nothing if you don't practice or play. So after a couple, three hours, God says, 'OK, he's ready. I'll throw him a bone.' And God's got a sense of humor, too -- sometimes he gives me s***, 'cause not everything I do I like."
The guitarist also spoke about the public reaction to the band's 2007 reunion tour with David Lee Roth, which also featured Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass. Eddie said, "It brought tears to my eyes . . . And now I got my son in the band and it makes it even more ... Alex (Van Halen, drums and Eddie's brother), Wolfie and I, it's a family thing. And by the end of the tour, Wolfie was just incredible. For a 16-year-old to get up there and play in front of these people, he pulled it off very, very good."
Following his upcoming wedding to Janie Liszewski and Wolfgang's graduation from high school, Van Halen reiterated plans to begin work on the band's first new album with Roth in 25 years: "I hope that after Janie and I get married in June and Wolfie graduates that we sit down and discuss recording new music, which I have tons of, if Dave's up for singing ... and then do another tour and just see where it takes us."
Van Halen concludes with some advice for younger musicians: "Do you want to be a rock star or do you want music to be your livelihood? If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you'll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you'll get to where you want to be."
METALLICA PLAYING BENEFIT FOR ROCK MUSEUM EXHIBIT…Metallica will play a benefit concert for the Marin County Museum in San Rafael, California this September, according to the Contra Costa Times. The announcement was made by frontman James Hetfield in a video screened at a museum gala last week for the "Marin Rocks" exhibition, where attendees paid $200 a ticket to raise funds for the project. The Museum pulled the project from its original intended location in a downtown space owned by the local Masonic Lodge, citing concerns over the cost of renovating the space, its size, and the length of the lease that the Lodge was offering.
The Museum is now looking for a new and larger space for the exhibition, which will tentatively open next spring and showcase Marin Country's rich rock history.
Also appearing in the video with Hetfield was Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro. Hetfield and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich both live in Marin and send their children to local schools.
The Metallica show will be the first in the county by the group, who are likely to play at the 2,000-seat Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
Museum executive director Merry Alberigi said, "Metallica very much supports the 'Marin Rocks' project, and especially the educational programs to be offered for our youth. They have kids in school here in Marin County and they want to give back."
Metallica is currently touring in Europe but will launch a North American trek in September.
CHEAP TRICK BRINGING 'SGT. PEPPER' TO LAS VEGAS…Sgt. Pepper is finally coming to Las Vegas in September courtesy of Rockford, Illinois' favorite sons -- Cheap Trick. The Associated Press reported that the crown princes of power pop will perform the Beatles' 1967 classic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in its entirety with a full symphony orchestra during a nine-date stand at the Las Vegas Hilton. The Beatles' legendary engineer Geoff Emerick will be in charge of the audio production for the show, which is dubbed Sgt. Pepper Live.
Cheap Trick first performed Sgt. Pepper in its entirety back in 2007 with special guests at L.A.'s Hollywood Bowl. Rick Neilsen said that he had to get in gear to learn the various guitar parts: "I quit practicing and learning tunes, in a way, in the late '60s, 'cause I started writing songs. I knew the songs from Sgt. Pepper but I never played them. Years before, I had the nice stereo and I put the needle down on the track and figure out how to do a solo or whatever. So I knew the music, but I didn't know it to play it. And you can't really jam a solo (laughs) on a Beatles song in front of 38,000 people. Y'know, you gotta really know your stuff."
Sgt. Pepper Live will run on September 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
Cheap Trick will next perform on June 23rd with Def Leppard in Camden, New Jersey at Susquehanna Bank Center.
BEATLES NEWS ROUNDUP…George Harrison's widow Olivia says that George would've taken part in a Beatles reunion if Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr had agreed upon it. Olivia, who's promoting the new compilation Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison -- which is out tomorrow (June 16th) -- told The Sun that Harrison would be on board to team up again with his Beatles bandmates, "I think so, yes, I do, because he had great love for the others. He really did. As you get older, you value and treasure your friends so much more. I don't even want to think about what it would have been like. Very often there are times I think, 'Oh, I wish George were here for that.' He became more and more loving towards everything. He came to appreciate his friends so much more."
The full track list for Let It Roll: The Songs Of George Harrison is: "Got My Mind Set On You," "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)," "The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)," "My Sweet Lord," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Live)," "All Things Must Pass," "Any Road," "This Is Love," "All Those Years Ago," "Marwa Blues," "What Is Life," "Rising Sun," "When We Was Fab," "Something (Live)," "Blow Away," "Cheer Down," "Here Comes The Sun (Live)," "I Don't Want To Do It," "Isn't It A Pity."
Britain's The Sun reports that Paul McCartney took the advice of daughter Stella and has hired Kate Moss' former nanny Jade Davidson to help him look after five-year-old daughter Beatrice. A source close to McCartney said that, "Paul wants Bea in the company of a young, energetic woman who can run after her, climb, play games and generally muster up a lot of energy. He feels he needs the extra spark because he is getting a bit older and is aware he needs a younger influence around."
McCartney's ex-wife Heather Mills had initiated the hiring of the nanny, with the source adding "Heather felt Paul's circle of pals were a bit old for a little girl to be hanging around."
FLASHBACK: BOB DYLAN RECORDS 'LIKE A ROLLING STONE…It was 44 years ago today (June 15th, 1965) that Bob Dylan recorded "Like A Rolling Stone." The song not only revolutionized the way lyrics were written and sung, but ultimately pushed the boundaries of how long a hit single could actually be. "Like A Rolling Stone," which clocked in at 6:06, would end up being printed as 5:59 on the 45's label in an effort to fool Top 40 disc jockeys into playing the single.
The session for the song began at 1:20 p.m. at Columbia Records studios in New York City, with Dylan performing the song on the piano as a waltz. By dawn the song had taken shape as one of the all time greatest rock and roll singles. Producer and friend Paul Rothchild remembered visiting the session in the early hours of June 16th in Bob Spitz' Bob Dylan: A Biography recalling that, "They told me they had played it 25 times before I got there. Dylan just sat in a chair with a smile plastered on his face and his leg going a mile-a-minute. He was grooving on the knowledge that he'd made a great record."
Dylan recalled writing the song in the liner notes to his 1985 box set Biograph revealing that, "My wife and I lived in a little cabin in Woodstock, New York, which we rented. I wrote the song there... It just came, you know it started with that 'La Bamba' riff."
That’s it for now, as always, if you can’t be good, be good at it and don’t get caught!!
Jonathan
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