May 5, 2013

Is This Pit Bull Terrier An Angel Or What

copied from dogfiles.......

Stray Pit Bull Saves Woman, Child From Attacker

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The wandering 65-pound Pit Bull mix might have seemed menacing to some passerby, but one woman will always remember him as her “guardian angel.”
The dog, which authorities think is lost and not a stray, successfully thwarted a robbery attack on a mother and her 2-year-old son, who were held at knifepoint Monday afternoon.
The Florida woman, who has been identified by authorities simply as “Angela,” was leaving a playground with her toddler son in Port Charlotte when a man approached her in the parking lot with a knife and told her not to make any noise or sudden movements.
Angela didn’t have to do either to protect herself and her child — a dog mysteriously ran to the scene and charged the man, who quickly fled.
“I don’t think the dog physically attacked the man, but he went at him and was showing signs of aggression, just baring his teeth and growling and barking. It was clear he was trying to defend this woman,” Animal Control Lt. Brian Jones told Pet Pulse.
“I don’t know what this man’s intentions were, but it is very possible this dog saved her life.”
The exceptional part of the story, Jones said, is that the dog had never met or even seen the people it quickly jumped to defend.
“You hear about family dogs protecting their owners, but this dog had nothing to do with this woman or her kid,” Jones said. “He was like her guardian angel.”
After the alleged thief ran away, Angela quickly placed her son, Jordan, in the car and tried to drive off. Before she could, though, the dog jumped into her backseat, waiting with her for the police and animal control officers to arrive at the scene.
The dog was transported to a local shelter and if his owners don’t step forward within five days, Jones said, Angela and her family plan to adopt the savior she named “Angel.”
Animal control officers and shelter workers believe Angel is lost, and not a stray, because of his good health, sturdy weight and mild temperament.
“It’s funny, that someone’s irresponsibility could have saved someone’s life,” Jones said of Angel’s possible owners.
For Angela, it doesn’t matter where the dog came from, just that he was there when she needed him most.
“I don’t know what his [the thief's] intentions were — I don’t know why he did it, but I’m glad that — we call him Angel — I’m glad that Angel showed up because I don’t know what would have happened,” Angela told NBC2 News.

May 4, 2013

Bill O'Reilly: The Ugly American and Why The Republicans Lost The Election

One major problem with bill o'reilly--when he does get actual information from an important person and expert on the subject--bill can't understand that he is really getting some good facts.  bill never takes the facts in.  These people wonder why they lost the election--bill...this is why........you're out of touch....out of touch and embarrassing.

copied from Mediaite........

BET Founder To O’Reilly: Obama Getting A Pass From Blacks, O’Reilly Pushes Back On ‘Institutionalized Racism’

video » 143 comments
Last week Black Entertainment Television Founder Robert Johnson commented on the high black unemployment rate in the United States, remarking that the nation would never tolerate white unemployment being in the double digits. He sat down with Bill O’Reilly tonight to further elaborate, admitting that President Obama is getting a pass from the black community because they still have “immense pride” in the first black president and are still “hopeful” he’ll turn things around.
RELATED: Black Republican Reverend To MSNBC: Blacks And Latinos Had No Reason To Vote For Obama But His Race
Johnson explained to O’Reilly why Obama has consistently gotten overwhelming support among African-Americans despite high unemployment figures.
“African-Americans have immense pride in President Obama as a president. They see it as a major accomplishment in this country and embracing an African-American leader. And they’re positive and hopeful, probably, more than anything, that his leadership will make their lives better.”
However, Johnson told O’Reilly that black unemployment has been higher than the national average for decades. O’Reilly cited statistic showing black unemployment under eight percent in 2000, and how under Obama it has risen from 10-14 percent. He asserted that the “primary problem in the African-American community is out-of-wedlock birth.”
Johnson disagreed, saying it’s a combination of many factors, including the U.S.’ “legacy of long-term, institutionalized racism.” He cited the drastic wealth gap between white and black Americans, saying that African-Americans are generally the “last hired and the first fired.” When O’Reilly asked if these instances are more do to with performance than color, Johnson said that when a societal problem exists like this for 50 years, there’s more at work “than just the failure of the family.”
Watch the video below, courtesy of Fox News:




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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

May 3, 2013

Mick Taylor Tops List of Underrated Musicians


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Hicks: Former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, drummer Alex Van Halen top my list of underrated musicians

Updated:   05/01/2013 07:08:54 PM PDT




With the Rolling Stones coming to town (Oakland on Sunday and San Jose on Wednesday), one hears hopeful rumblings among fans about seeing former guitarist Mick Taylor on stage again.
Taylor -- who played with the Stones from 1969 to 1974 -- has made a few appearances onstage with them in various tour spots. He's not the most famous Rolling Stone, but he represents what many fans (me included) think was the band's best period, to which his excellent guitar skills and musical taste contributed mightily.
Yet one doesn't hear Taylor's name much during conversations about the best rock guitarists of all time.
That's right -- he's underrated.
In the shadows
There are many reasons why various musicians are underrated, most of which involve them playing with people who are either more famous or perceived as even better musicians (or, if you're a drummer or bassist, it's called hanging around singers and guitarists). Some never had the chance to get as big as they should have, including a generation of blues players whose names we may only know because of bands like Led Zeppelin and the Stones covering their music.
Still others play a genre of music that isn't mainstream enough.
Taylor isn't the only talented musician to be dwarfed by more famous bandmates.
Take drummer Alex Van Halen, for example. There's a guy in his band who happens to have the same

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last name who pretty much revolutionized rock guitar playing 30 or so years ago. But while little brother Edward was making history downstage, Alex was taking his jazz and swing chops, adding a ton of muscle and developing a driving style that fuels the whole Van Halen franchise.
Another drummer that comes to mind is Frank Beard of ZZ Top. Most people think of him as the guy who doesn't have 4 feet of facial hair (odd, given his name). When MTV infiltrated ZZ Top's world back in the 1980s, the band started looking for accessible hits that didn't require Beard to do much. But back in the '70s, Beard's boogie/blues-infected rock playing could be mind-boggling. He would occasionally do things that required slowing down the music to figure it out, but he always stayed right in that comfortable rock pocket of beat.
Some people are underrated because they outshine themselves. Are Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen overrated? Of course not. But they all might be underrated guitarists. Same goes for Willie Nelson.
If Eddie Izzard were a musician, he'd be underrated. For now, he's just going to have to be content with being the most underrated comic on the planet.
Then there are entire bands that are

Van Halen members Wolfgang Van Halen, left, and Alex Van Halen, right, perform during thier "A Different Kind of Truth" tour on Sunday, June 3, 2012 in Oakland, Calif. ((Aric Crabb/Staff))
underrated, which every rock snob on the planet would say includes the Replacements, which, come to think of it, means that maybe they are not so underrated after all.
A whole host
But there are plenty of other acts. A few that come to mind: De La Soul, ELO, the Supersuckers, UFO, Squeeze, Citizen Cope, Fiona Apple, Terence Trent D'Arby, The Georgia Satellites, Hanoi Rocks, and especially Oingo Boingo. Danny Elfman's old band was considered a weird, semi-New Wave act during the '80s that relied on gimmicky soundtrack songs. But anyone who thinks Elfman just sounds impressive when doing music for Tim Burton should go back and listen to the well-arranged and layered pop genius of Oingo Boingo. It was a band full of great players in a genre that wasn't supposed to have great players.
Even with all that discovered music out there, we can still go back, listen again, and rediscover musical greatness we didn't know was there.

Talking About Mick Taylor...Good Lord Bring Mick T. Back To The Band!

Talking About Mick Taylor...Good Lord Bring Mick T. Back To The Band!

Right, if you read comments talking about Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones they all say things like that....but that is my all time favorite, direct and to the point....it sums it all up.

here are some more reviews, copied from micktaylor.com.....






Reviews of Mick Taylor’s performance with the Rolling Stones at the London O2, November 2012
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Last Sunday (25th November) saw Mick Taylor join the Rolling Stones on stage at the O2 Arena in London to play their late-60s favourite, “Midnight Rambler”. The show received rave reviews in the press this week. Here’s some that highlighted Mick’s contribution to the fantastic evening.
Billboard “Perhaps the unique highlight, …came when Mick Taylor, the guitarist who helped change the very fabric of the Stones in just five years with them from 1969, rejoined for an exciting, epic version of “Midnight Rambler.” The grins and pats on the back from Messrs Richards and Wood were heartfelt proof that it was pretty special for them too.”
The Independent ‘’…Mick Taylor summoning up the band’s golden era on a lengthy “Midnight Rambler”, his stinging lead lines locking well with Jagger’s blues harmonica and the tight interplay of Keith and Ronnie’s guitars. For seven minutes or so, the years fall away and it seems as if the group were still at the cutting edge of pop…’’
BBC News ‘’…Comedian Noel Fielding, who was in the audience, told the BBC, “Mick Taylor… What a genius.’’
Guardian “… guitarist Mick Taylor, whose guest spot on Midnight Rambler is really thrilling …”
Daily Telegraph “… guitarist Mick Taylor greeted like a returning God ..”
Rolling Stone Music ‘’…the biggest cheers came for Taylor, who hasn’t been a Stone since 1974 – he played trademark blues guitar solos on an extended version of “Midnight Rambler” and looked like he was enjoying every second of the reunion.’’
The Mirror ‘’During his time with the band, Taylor played on some of the Stones’ most popular albums including Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile On Main St. And there was no doubt the fans appreciated his special place in the history of the band – reserving for him a rapturous reception as he shuffled on stage and performed on Midnight Rambler. The 63-year-old conjured up a virtuoso performance that had the O2 Arena enthralled.’’
Financial Times “… Best of all was the arrival of Mick Taylor to play bluesy slide guitar on an elongated “Midnight Rambler”. The presence of the guitarist who played with the Stones in their ’69-’74 pomp seemed to trigger something in Jagger, who proceeded to attack “Brown Sugar” with wild gusto, before appearing in a black cloak for a lip-smacking version of “Sympathy for the Devil”
CBS News ‘’There was a stunning guest appearance by former Stone Mick Taylor, who stole the show during a searing performance of “Midnight Rambler…”

The Princess Diana Fountain in Hyde Park, London, England




from flickr:

the ronnie republic Pro User says:

I tried to capture the look and feel and the sound of this fountain. Everyone was really having a good time. It is a tranquil setting and I think it has complete design balance. The set slide show takes about 5 minutes. The Gran with the kids was telling me how much she admired Diana and she felt Diana would be here in spirit for the wedding. She also loved William and Harry and Kate.

These pictures were taken approximately 2 years ago right before the wedding of William and Kate. Hyde Park has so many beautiful fountains--they are all very interesting and different. There is a very nice and affordable cafeteria type restaurant there, as well.

On Google Maps it is real easy to zoom in on all of these areas and plan an easy walking tour of Hyde Park.  The tube stations are easy to see, as well.

 link to:
The Serpentine Bar and Kitchen in Hyde Park

We're open no matter the weather so if you need a quick coffee on way way through the park, or are looking for somewhere to meet friends for brunch on a Sunday there really is no better place to sit back, relax and enjoy the view - whatever the weather!

To see our breakfast menu and all other menus, click here.

Please check the website of The Serpentine for exact prices and location as there are many places to eat in Hyde Park but this is particularly nice with the swans by the lake.....affordable or expensive....this can mean anything in London.....

A little price warning so as not to be surprised on the charge card bill later.....

A cup of coffee for one and a rest at a relaxing chair by the lake while enjoying the view of the swans is one thing but a large lunch for two can easily become very pricy in London....basically I just consider everything to be doubled by the time I see it on my charge card and who likes a surprise like that.....talking about the US dollar to the pound.

I'm just saying it is a lot less expensive when I go alone as compared to buying lunch and a glass of wine for the two of us if I bring my daughter on my vacay.....having said that it is much more fun for me when we go together....you know what I mean.......

link from google:  Serpentine Bar and Kitchen London:

https://www.google.com/search?source=ig&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS270&q=serpentine+bar+and+kitchen+london&oq=serpentine+bar+an&gs_l=igoogle.1.0.0l2.745.5446.0.8655.8.5.0.3.3.0.516.1116.1j2j1j5-1.5.0...0.0...1ac.1.y6u1A1S5UzE

and the link to google maps:

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=serpentine+bar+and+kitchen+london&fb=1&gl=us&hq=serpentine+bar+and+kitchen&hnear=0x47d8a00baf21de75:0x52963a5addd52a99,London,+UK&cid=0,0,3322543303888937233&ei=auKDUbjFFaesiAKExYDADg&ved=0CEAQrwswAQ

more good info on Hyde Park:

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park 

Bold, Beautiful and Brilliant--This Might As Well Be Called The Christiane Amanpour Show



Bold, Beautiful and brilliant--this might as well be called the Christiane Amanpour show, and rightly so.

Wow, CNN really brought out their big guns when they added Christiane Amanpour to Anderson Cooper's nightly round-up.

Yes, I always like to watch all of the other contributors to Anderson's new nightly forum:  Jeff Toobin, Amy Holmes and a guest.....they are all very talented and admirable, but they are only distractions compared to the loud, factual, arm-waving and ultra self-confident Amanpour.

What do women want....I want to be Christiane Amanpour!

Now, here is my plan....the so-called "guest" will be bill o'reilly and my liberal fantasy will come true. Oh, I can't wait to see her get a hold of that guy--he'll try to "spin it" and she'll show him what "no spin zone" really means--he won't be able to get a word in edge-wise.....

Go, Christiane.....take it.....

May 2, 2013

Lucky Duck Lunch with Isabella Rossellini


copied from fishbowlNY.....
 

Isabella Rossellini’s Animal Instincts

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There are lunches at Michael’s and then there are lunches at Michael’s. Today I joined Isabella Rossellini at Table One and had a fascinating conversation with her about aging, celebrity, fashion and gay geese. Stay with me … these seemingly disparate topics are all connected.  Ostensibly there to talk about Mammas, her new series for Sundance Channel which looks at the ways different creatures use their maternal instincts in nature, Isabella did get around to the topic eventually. Yet, there was no feeling of the usual PR spin to the lunch which was attended by a handful of journalists who sat enthralled by her stories of her days as an actress and model and her charming tales of growing up in Rome as the daughter of iconic actress Ingrid Bergman and director Roberto Rossellini.
“The image I have of myself doesn’t correspond to the image people have of me,” she said. “I live on Long Island and I don’t go to fancy parties and premieres. I don’t like that aspect of celebrity. I never said, ‘When I grow up I want to be a celebrity.’” She didn’t have to.  Between her famous parents, ex-husbands (Martin Scorsese and model Jon Wiedemann), her celebrated career as a model and 14-year run as the face of Lancome before the brand dismissed her in 1996 for being ‘too old,’ and her unforgettable turn as tortured nightclub singer Dorothy Vallens in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet, she secured a permanent spot in our collective consciousness without employing any of the usual contrivances associated with modern celebrity.
Isabella Rossellini and Diane Clehane
When she showed up to join the small group of journos gathered to meet her (I was lucky enough to score the best seat in the house right next to the guest of honor!) the conversation first turned to fashion as Frazier Moore asked her who designed her understated ensemble of a wool tweed cocoon coat,  navy mandarin collared silk jacket, foulard blouse and simple slacks. She gamely removed her coat to reveal the impeccably tailored pieces designed for her by Christina Bomba in Italy. “It’s less expensive than Donna Karan or Dolce & Gabbana, and I like that I can pick the fabric and have it made just for me,” she said. Isabella told us she can’t relate to the fashion-celebrity complex which has turned the red carpet into big business. “When Mama got dressed for the Oscars, she wasn’t solicited by designers. She didn’t have a committee of business people telling her what to wear. She was loyal to one or two Italian designers, and, when they could no longer make dresses for her, the costume designers from her films created something unique.”
My eye fell on her beautifully understated handbag whose jewelry-inspired clasp I immediately recognized. She designed it for Bulgari when she was working with the house a little over a year ago. “They were between administrations, and they came to me and asked if I wanted to work with them and appear in their ad campaign,” she explained. “We have a real connection because both our families are from Rome, so it was easy for me. I went to the factory because I wanted to see how the bag was going to be made, and it was extraordinary. I went to the factory in Florence, and it looked like a photo studio. But these people were true artisans; it took 15 people to make one bag. I was honored to witness their craft. Today if someone came to me and asked me to design a line, I would not do it; it would be too hard. They probably wouldn’t ask me anyway.”
After all these years, people do still ask about her role in Blue Velvet as we did today. When the comment was made that she has made some brave, bold choices in appearing so vulnerable and exposed on screen, she explained matter-of-factly: “I don’t feel that I have been bold. It is about committing to the material. When my mother made a film, she spent most of her time reading everything written by the author whose work was used for the one film. There was a passion for the work and the process. My father was the same. For me, it is about that passion. I think that is why I left New York (City), because you are solicited to do so much (promotion) and I never liked that.”
She told me that she inherited her approach to her career from her mother. “It wasn’t really advice that she gave me,” she explained. “It was really by example. My mother was very practical and down to earth. She liked to keep things simple. Simple was good.”  It’s clear in talking to her that she was never interested in the slightest in prolonging a career in front of the camera if it means being anything other than being true to herself. Still naturally beautiful at 60, she doesn’t believe in plastic surgery (“I think one must be so insecure to resort to that, because surgery is torture”) and is completely realistic about what getting older means to women in entertainment. “I don’t consider myself an actress. I’m someone who used to be an actress,” she told me. “Life goes in stages and thing fall away. It’s linked with age — there’s nothing you can do. You can be trapped at home waiting for the phone to ring with calls that never come, or you can open a new chapter in your life. ”
This new chapter started a few short years ago when Isabella found a unique way to channel her lifelong fascination with animals ( She currently shares her home with two dogs, a cat, two rescue rabbits, two chickens and two pigs — one of which was a birthday present) into some interesting projects. She’s getting her masters in animal behavior at Hunter College (“I am going slowly, taking one or two classes a semester, because I am still working. I love that I am doing it for no other reason than to satisfy my curiosity”), and she did the Webby-award winning, internationally acclaimed short film series Green Porno about the sex lives of animals. There was a second series re-titled Seduce Me after it proved difficult to get sponsors for a project with the word ‘porn’ attached. “I am so happy that Sundance stayed with me even when we couldn’t find any money.”
Mammas came out of Isabella’s reading several books on female biology where she found some interesting discoveries about the maternal instincts among animals, particularly in the writings of Marlene Zuk, who serves as a consultant on the series. After spending months on research, Isabella told me her greatest task was distilling all the information into “dense but light” content that would translate well on screen.  Among her discoveries: “Canadian geese are homosexual. Many of the female geese are. They find a male, and then when they lay the eggs they go back to their partners.” Another revelation: “The male seahorse is the one that gets pregnant. This comes out of new studies, but scientists already knew this.” As writer and director of Mammas, her unique style of subversive wit and intelligence is plainly evident. Isabella appears in each episode in fantastically elaborate animal costumes (my favorite is the fish head) in strangely hypnotic enactments. Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? It’s airing on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12 (the Web series will air simultaneously on sundancechannel.com).
As for what’s next, Isabella is developing a monologue on biology that she is planning to perform. “I’ve created a monster,” she said with a laugh. The producers have plans (sure to be scaled down at her request) for a very ambitious tour throughout the United States and overseas. And she’s hoping Mammas, will extend to Papas and Babies. Whatever happens, though, she will find a way to stay engaged and fulfilled. “There are so many interesting things you can do in your life if you evolve and change. What counts is that you’re happy and I am happy.”
Here’s the rundown on today’s crowd:
1. Isabella Rossellini, Suzy Berkowitz Weksel and Katie Lanegran from Sundance Chanel, Frazier Moore of AP, The Los Angeles TimesMeredith Blake, People.com‘s Caryn MidlerWSJ.com‘s Katherine Rosman and yours truly
2. Jimmy Finkelstein
3. Showtime’s Matt Blank and a blonde gal we didn’t get to meet
4. Would love to have been a fly on the wall at this table: Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Katzenberg

5.  Allen & Co.’s Stan Shuman
6. The “Imber Gang:” Dr. Gerald Imber, Jerry Della Femina, Andy Bergman and Jeff Greenfield
7.  Artist extraordinaire Kim McCarty (Michael McCarty‘s wife, as if you didn’t know), hosting a table of oh-so-chic pals including Simon Doonan and his husband, designer Jonathan Adler
8. The absolutely ageless Nikki Haskell (Happy Birthday!), celebrating with three pals
9. An impeccably dressed Star Jones with her equally stylish pal CBS News contributor Dr. Holly Phillips
11. Who’s that woman behind those Foster Grants? Jeanine Pirro, rocking some death-defying leopard platforms and bangs. Yowza!
12. Anne Hearst
14. Simon & Schuster’s Alice Mayhew
15. Evan Greene
16. United Stations Radio chairman and CEO Nick Verbitsky
17.  PR maven Lisa Linden and the best dressed lobbyist in New York, Suri Kasirer
18.  Random House’s Jon Meacham
19. Author Wednesday Martin
20. Wenda Millard
21.  Marshall Cohen
22. EIC of Hearst’s Design Group, the dapper Newell Turner
24. Lucianne Goldberg
25. PR guru Tom Goodman and Ed Adler
27. Producer Chuck Pfeiffer
28. Erin Malone
29.The Wall Street Journal‘s David Sanford and Lewis Stein
Faces in the Crowd: DialGlobal’s new CEO Paul Caine who is in Day Four of his new job. Time Inc’s former chief revenue officer told me he took two weeks off before starting his new post  to clear his head so he could start fresh at the audio content syndicator. Good luck in your new gig!
Please send comments and corrections to DIANECLEHANE at MEDIABISTRO dot COM and LUNCH at MEDIABISTRO dot COM.
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Welcoming Al Jazeera America.......

Al Jazeera Opening Detroit, Chicago Bureaus

Al Jazeera America has said that it plans to differentiate itself from the cable news competition by covering stories the others won’t. One way to do that is to have full bureaus in places that the competitors have either a skeleton staff or no one at all.
To that end, the channel says that it will open full bureaus in Chicago, Illinois and Detroit, Michigan. The American auto business is still based in Detroit, and that seems to be the impetus behind having a bureau there.
“We want our reporters to be where the stories are and Detroit continues to be where American business stories and trends are happening,” said Ehab Al Shihabi, executive director of international operations for Al Jazeera in a statement.
Politico’s Dylan Byers has the full list of bureaus that Al Jazeera America is planning, including New Orleans, Nashville and Seattle.


copied from TVNewser.........


from cl.....it is sooooooo fun to watch Al Jazeera English in London, not to mention all of the other news channels from around the world......I feel so international.....It seems just like CNN.........In Italy the cooking shows........the ladies are dressed up like models with spike heels......and the apple cake dessert they make, oh my gosh, if I could look like that and cook like that.......

bill o'reilly: The Ugly American

chb1zapu
bill o'reilly:  American Embarrassment
No Spin...that would be no spin according to the "truth" of bill o'reilly
Problem:  o'reilly's "truth" is "spin."
o'reilly's facts are just plain wrong
Yes, I am happy to give an example.......
Just last evening he said, after he yelled at another expert on the Islamic religion, the people of Afghanistan do not know anything.....he went on further to insult the individuals who have traditionally called Afghanistan their home.
 
Really, it was quite embarrassing.....He is the epitome of the ugly American.
My friend from Afghanistan, a lady with whom I worked for many years, a lady who was very knowledgeable, a lady who I felt honored to know.........
In her former life in Afghanistan she was a professor of pharmacy, then she was also a professor of pharmacy in Paris.
One time her son was stopped and held for a very long time at the JFK Airport in New York City.  Since he was innocent of any kind of terrorism he was released but she did remain angry.
It was not that she was not appreciative of the United States, but she would have rather been in her home country, however, that was not possible due to unrest.
It is a complicated situation.
Recently, I have seen two individuals attempt to explain facts about the people of the Muslim faith to bill but he just is not having it.  It's always the same thing.  Just the facts as long as the guest agrees with bill--if not the sit. easily turns into a shouting match. 
Bill, let's try to get all of the facts--not just "bill o'reilly" facts.  If you really love America so much try not to be soooooo embarrassing to this place we all call home.
The Ugly American...bill o'reilly......









--
chloelouise

May 1, 2013

Mostly Milan......

Mostly Milan..........

This slideshow includes a really nice dog park in the center of Milan.




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Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom




Published on May 1, 2013
These pictures were taken approximately 2 years ago during the refurbishment of Kensington Palace prior to the wedding of William and Kate. The older gentleman in the photos is Arthur, he has been going there and chatting with the squirrels for many years. He said that Princess Diana used to go jogging in Hyde Park in the mornings and occasionally they would have a little chat. The tour of the Palace was very cute and informational with girls dressed in period clothing and reenacting daily living that would have taken place there during different periods in history.

Anne Rice on Coast to Coast


What a privilege...listening to Anne Rice on Coast to Coast last night.

George Noory really knocked it out of the ballpark...we were lucky enough to hear Interview With The Vampire author, Anne Rice talk about her new book and talk about her writing techniques.

She is sooooooo encouraging to anyone trying to develop their writing skills.  She kept saying "just write, every day; and don't let anyone tell you you cannot do it!"

She also said this is her dream-come-true.  She always wanted to be a writer, she has been writing and making stories since she was a child, and now it is so wonderful that she is actually living her dream.

She said that writing skills develop as one writes--the story is born.  Anne said that she can write about two books a year.  She said she really enjoys watching television these days--she thinks we are in a new golden age of television as far a writing is concerned.  She mentioned the series Game of Thrones and the Borgias.  Ms. Rice feels like television is really doing a good job of telling the historical aspect of the dramas.

Hopefully, her new book, The Wolves of Midwinter, can be made into a series for TV--she would be honored if that happened.

Like many authors today Anne Rice loves her Facebook page and enjoys interacting with her fans.  She often will just throw out a question and see what everyone has to say.

Please...everyone....go to the Coast to Coast website and listen to Anne.  I listen to Coast to Coast every night.  It is one of my best things in life.  It is always so pleasant.  All of the hosts are real good--as in un-angry and letting the guests talk.  The result is a good, as in informational, interview.  The hosts always create a friendly environment.  It is one one the few "talk shows" where the guests or callers actually get to talk....who knew this would work.......

Anyway, I know I am not doing Anne Rice justice...please...everyone...it is great...listen to her interview.

I listen to the past shows on the website but I have heard people say they also listen on you-tube.

I am a member...I just go to the website and then jump to past shows and listen on my windows player and play spider solitaire on the comp.....now that is a good day isn't it....it is really easy to do.

Sometimes I also listen on my phone when I am walking my dog...he is the slowest dog in the United States and sometimes one wants something to do.

On the website there will be all of the pertinent information about Anne Rice and her latest publications...

here is a link now.......

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2013/04/30


I copied this from the website.......

Anne Rice Interview

First hour guest, celebrated author Anne Rice talked about her life, books, and career. She described how her bestseller Interview with a Vampire evolved from a short story, and her fascination with vampires-- they are monsters who are also human; capable of having relate-able feelings yet supernatural beings who live outside of our laws. Her forthcoming book, The Wolves of Midwinter, is a continuation of her new series on man-wolves, featuring a character who kills villains while he's in the wolf state. She also offered advice to writers, suggesting they persevere, and have confidence and belief in their work.

here is the link to Anne's website:

http://annerice.com/


this is Ronnie....isn't he funny?........he likes to wear his sun glasses when he listen to to old Rockers talk on Absolute Classic Rock.......of course, Ronnie Wood is his favorite.....I've seen a picture of Mick with those exact same sunglasses.

Streets of London

Streets of London....Kensington High Street


Apr 30, 2013

Balboa Park Trails in San Diego

This area of Balboa Park Trails is very easy walking and also very beautiful at this time of the year---all of the spring wildflowers are out.  In this area dogs must be on a leash but 2 off-leash dog parks are near by.  The Morley Field Dog Park is about 2 minutes walking distance.  The area in this vid is right behind the swimming pool and the tennis courts and very near a large and uncrowded parking lot.

Sam...the mixer is not a couch!


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