Saturday, April 21, 2012

JUST FOR FUN 21 APRIL

 

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ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS - THE RETURN OF THE SPECTACULAR SPINNING SONGBOOK (LIVE) 2012

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The Spectacular Spinning Songbook is also available on DVD and as a Deluxe Edition CD/DVD. Elvis Costello returned to the stage in 2011 with his celebrated Spinning Wheel tour and now comes the definitive document of this tour: The Return of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook, recorded over a 2-night stand at The Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on May 11 and 12, 2011, shows which The Los Angeles Times said were "the kind of uniquely invigorating experience that warrants a buzzword all its own: inspiring." Costello once again allowed his set-list to be chosen by "The Spectacular Spinning Songbook," a monumental game-show type wheel spun by select fans and featuring songs from his latest critically acclaimed release National Ransom, plus new renditions of hits, rarities and very unexpected covers.
 
This 16 track album includes popular songs such as Everyday I Write The Book, God Give Me Strength, Watching The Detectives, (What's So Funny `bout) Peace, Love and Understanding plus a cover of the Rolling Stones' Out Of Time; an extended I Want You; and the return of the Bangles on Tear Off Your Own Head.
 
The Spectacular Spinning Songbook is also available on DVD and as a Deluxe Edition CD/DVD.

Track Listing:
01. I Hope You’re Happy Now (Live)
02. Heart of the City (Live)
03. Mystery Dance (Live)
04. Radio Radio (Live)
05. Everyday I Write the Book (Live)
06. God Give Me Strength (Live)
07. Watching The Detectives (Live)
08. Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s a Doll Revolution) [Live]
09. Out of Time (Live)
10. I Want You (Live)
11. Stella Hurt (Live)
12. All Grown Up (Live)
13. Lipstick Vogue (Live)
14. Man Out of Time (Live)
15. National Ransom (Live)
16. (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Live)

DVD
CD

SUPER DELUXE EDITION
1 CD + 1 DVD + 10" VINYL EP


MORE BUMPER WISDOM

 

  • What we need is a patch for stupidity!
  • Follow that car, Godzilla - and step on it!
  • Frankly, Scallop, I don't give a clam.
  • Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up!
  • I fought the lawn, and the lawn won.
  • If you can't read this, thank the teacher's union.
  • Procrastinate now.
  • The last time politics and religion were mixed, people were burned at the stake.
  • Rehab is for quitters.
  • My dog can lick anyone!
  • I have a degree in Liberal Arts - do you want fries with that?
  • Suburbia: Where they tear out the trees and name streets after them.

COOL IMAGES 21 APRIL

 

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A PAULETTE GODDARD MOMENT

 

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TRIVIA BITS 21 APRIL

 

  • The smallest trees in the world are Greenland dwarf willows.
  • The song "Happy Birthday to You" was originally written by sisters Mildred and Patty Hill as "Good Morning to You." The words were changed and it was published in 1935.
  • The song "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" was written by George Graff, who was German, and was never in Ireland in his life.
  • The sound energy in a pin drop it one quadrillionth of a watt, and moves the ear drum less than the diameter of a hydrogen molecule.
  • The sound of a snore (up to 69 decibels) can be almost as loud as the noise of a pneumatic drill.
  • The southern most tip of Africa is not the 'Cape of Good Hope' but 'Cape Agulhas'.
  • The south-western tip of the Isle of Man is called 'The Calf of Man'.
  • The space between two adjacent neurones is called the 'synapse'.
  • The Spanish Inquisition once condemned the entire Netherlands to death for heresy.
  • The State flag of Alaska was designed by a 13 year old boy.

APRIL 21, 753 BC

 

QUOTABLES

 

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Friday, April 20, 2012

COLOUR YOUR WORLD

 

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JUST FOR FUN 20 APRIL

 

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“POTTERMORE” OPENS TO ALL

 

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Harry Potter author JK Rowling announced this weekend that the interactive website based on her beloved children's books is now open to the public. The site, known as Pottermore, launched officially on Saturday after a short period of being open to just a select few Potter fans. According to a press release by the site, new users to Pottermore will be administered in a steady stream in an attempt to avoid overloading the site.

Upon successfully completing registration, fans will be sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses and be selected by a magical wand. The site is said to feature an additional 18,000 words worth of material by the millionaire author, including greater descriptions of characters, objects and locations featured in the fantasy world.

When Pottermore was announced last June it was coupled with the declaration that the entire series of novels would be available to download as e-books for the first time. Released electronically in March, the e-books generated sales of over $1.5m (£0.94m) in just three days.

Those eager to sign up to Pottermore, for all things 'boy wizard' related, can do so here.

POTTERMORE

SOMETHING FOR THE MANTEL ….

 

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MOVIE CLICHES ... FIGHTS

 

  • If a character uses martial arts rather than a weapon, his opponents will always face him one-to-one. Spare bad guys may dance around the fight taunting our hero, but none will engage until his predecessor has been disposed of. And if it's an oriental martial arts film, they will fight in perfect one-two rhythm and form, hit-block-hit-block.
  • Two guys or a bunch of guys go at it, repeatedly bashing each other in the face with massive blows, or hitting each other with chairs, sticks, refrigerators, whatever -- and they go one doing this, sometimes for minutes at a time.
  • People can be rendered inoperative by bumping them on the head. Beware, though; after you have left the scene, this person will regain consciousness and be more determined to attack you.
  • Clasping your hands together and hitting the bad guy's back will also guarantee unconsciousness
  • All fights taking place on the edge of a canyon, tall building, or other high place require at least one bad guy to get plugged by a bullet, arrow, or other missile weapon, causing to fall, but keeping him alive enough to hear his scream of terror echo as he plunges to his doom.
  • Corollary: whenever someone falls off of a cliff or building, no matter how much damage they take beforehand, they scream, even if they were shot through the lungs twenty or thirty times, or were apparently unconscious.
  • In the West, the favoured hand-to-hand combat technique is to throw yourself prostrate on the other guy and hug him.
  • When a villain is trying to murder someone with a knife, they'll often use just one hand. The victim meanwhile (usually a woman) is using both hands to restrain the villain's arm and keep the knife from stabbing her. But the murderer will NEVER simply use his other hand to take the knife and easily stab the victim.

A VERONICA LAKE MOMENT

 

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CHILD STAR MARA WILSON: 'WHY I QUIT FILM ACTING'

 

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As a child actress, Mara Wilson captivated audiences in family-friendly films like Matilda, Miracle on 34th Street and Mrs. Doubtfire. After 2000's Thomas & the Magic Railroad, however, Wilson left showbiz behind -- without much explanation.

Wilson, who studied art at New York University and now works as a playwright, finally addressed her early retirement in a March blog post.

"Imagine that when you were a child, you liked to finger-paint. It was a fun pastime, but it came easily to you, so you never took much pride in it. Regardless, you got a reputation for your finger-painting. Now imagine that, 15 to 29 years later, people are coming up to you and telling you that they have your finger-paintings up on their walls and that your finger-paints changed your life. It's flattering, but you haven't finger-painted in years, and it seems like something you did a long, long time ago. You've realized you don't particularly enjoy getting your hands dirty and that there are other outlets for your creative urges. But people are adamant: 'Are you going to finger-paint again? When? Wait, you're not? Why not?' That's what it feels like."

Though Wilson still hears from her fans on Facebook and Twitter "nearly every day," she doesn't missing being in movies. "Film acting is not very fun," she writes. "Doing the same thing over and over again until, in the director's eyes, you 'get it right,' does not allow for very much creative freedom. The best times I had on film sets were the times the director let me express myself, but those were rare."

She adds: "Film can be exciting, but more often, it's tedious. The celebrity aspect is nothing short of ridiculous, and auditioning is brutal and dehumanizing. Every time I see a pretty young girl on the subway reading sides for an audition, my only thought is, 'Man, am I glad I'm not doing that anymore.' I never feel nostalgia, just relief."

Wilson goes on to say that "there are many much more talented, much more conventionally attractive actresses out there who are taking the roles I would have been offered," like Anna Kendrick, 26, Ellen Page, 25, and Jennifer Lawrence, 21.

The former child star then reiterates that she doesn't "have any plans to pursue film acting. It's not my 'thing' anymore, if it ever was. Yes, I do still act [on stage] sometimes. But when I do, it's with people I know and trust, people who respect me as a person and appreciate what I have to offer."

With no desire to ever return to the spotlight, Wilson adds: "And no, you will never see me on Dancing With the Stars. Sorry."

THE POLKA DOT POLKA & ENDING EXTRAVAGANZA - THE GANG'S ALL HERE (1943)



 

THE POLKA DOT POLKA & ENDING EXTRAVAGANZA - THE GANG'S ALL HERE (1943)

 


Director:  Busby Berkeley
Stars: Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda and Phil Baker
Dance Director: Busby Berkeley

SYNOPSIS:
A soldier falls for a chorus girl and then has trouble because he is posted to the Pacific

# Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Sung by Alice Faye with dancers
# "The Polka Dot Ballet" 

COOL IMAGES 20 APRIL

 

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The Queen’s Messenger leaving Buckingham Palace with dispatches for the Foreign Office, Carl Mydans, 1954

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ANTHONY HOPKINS AS ALFRED HITCHCOCK

 

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A very first look at Anthony Hopkins in his portrayal of legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock in "Hitchcock" has been revealed. Clad in a sleek black suit, the veteran actor resembles the look of the late English director/producer complete with his bald head. In the true story drama, Hopkins is joined by Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh, James D'Arcy, Jessica Biel and Helen Mirren.

The movie itself tells the untold story of Hitchcock's struggles during the making of the 1960 film "Psycho". It also follows the late director's relationship with his wife Alma, who is his sounding board and constant collaborator for the fifty-four years of their marriage.

TIME REVEALS 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD

 

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Time has revealed its 9th annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world!

Celebs making the cut include Adele, Jessica Chastain, Claire Danes, Viola Davis, Chelsea Handler, Rihanna, Tilda Swinton, and Kristen Wiig.

The mag also highlighted Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, her younger sister, Pippa Middleton, President Barack Obama and athletes Novak Djokovic, Tim Tebow, and Jeremy Lin.

Angelina Jolie was one of the celebrity writers, penning a piece honouring Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.


Full list

“THE KANE CHRONICLES” BY RICK RIORDAN


rickriordanRick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the Kane Chronicles, and the Heroes of Olympus. He is also the author of the multi-award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adults.
For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 2002, Saint Mary's Hall honoured him with the school's first Master Teacher Award.
While teaching full time, Riordan began writing mystery novels for grownups. His Tres Navarre series went on to win the top three national awards in the mystery genre - the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus. Riordan turned to children's fiction when he started The Lightning Thief as a bedtime story for his oldest son.
 

THE RED PYRAMID (THE KANE CHRONICLES, BOOK 1)

the-red-pyramidSince their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has travelled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a “research experiment” at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives. Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them--Set–has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe -- a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.
 

THE THRONE OF FIRE (THE KANE CHRONICLES, BOOK TWO)

the-throne-of-fire-by-rick-riordanIn this exciting second instalment of the three-book series, Carter and Sadie, offspring of the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane, embark on a worldwide search for the Book of Ra, but the House of Life and the gods of chaos are determined to stop them.





 

 

THE SERPENT'S SHADOW (THE KANE CHRONICLES, BOOK THREE)

the-kane-chronicles-the-serpents-shadowHe's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sade Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. The Kanes' only hope is an ancient spell that might turn the serpent's own shadow into a weapon, but the magic has been lost for a millennia. To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent's shadow . . . or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld. Nothing less than the mortal world is at stake when the Kane family fulfils its destiny in this thrilling conclusion to the Kane Chronicles.


TRIVIA BITS 20 APRIL

 

  • The Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie were named after the cop and the taxi driver from the movie “It's a Wonderful Life”.
  • The Seven Hills of Rome are the Palatine (on which the original city was built), the Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine.
  • The ship 'QE2' requires 25 litres to move 1 metre.
  • The shortest French word with all five vowels is "oiseau" meaning bird.
  • The Siberian larch accounts for more than 20% of all the worlds trees.
  • The side of a hammer is a cheek.
  • The slash character is called a virgule, or solidus. A URL uses slash characters, not back slash characters.
  • The smallest bone in the body is the stirrup bone.
  • The smallest island with country status is Pitcairn in Polynesia, at just 1.75 square miles.
  • The smallest star found to date is a neutron star with a diameter of 59 km but a mass of 10 times that of our sun. This star is more commonly known as a black hole,

BONNIE RAITT – SLIPSTREAM 2012


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With the release of her nineteenth album, Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt is starting anew. The album marks her return to studio recording after seven years; it's coming out as the launch of her own label, Redwing Records; and it delivers some of the most surprising and rewarding music of her remarkable career, thanks in part to some experimental sessions with celebrated producer Joe Henry.

Track Listing:
1 ~ Used to Rule the World
2 ~ Right Down the Line
3 ~ Million Miles
4 ~ You Can’t Fail Me Now
5 ~ Down to You
6 ~ Take My Love With You
7 ~ Not Cause I Wanted To
8 ~ Ain’t Gonna Let You Go
9 ~ Marriage Made In Hollywood
10 ~ Split Decision
11 ~ Standing In the Doorway
12 ~ God Only Knows

AGING CELEBRITIES

 

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Robert DeNiro

Portraits of Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Lauren Bacall, Clint Eastwood, and Jeff Bridges are from celebrity photographer Andy Gotts‘s soon-to-be-released photographic project ‘iCons.’ The project book and exhibition will feature actors, musicians and others who have reached the apex of their fields. Gotts, who is based in the UK, has been a celebrity photographer for more than twenty years and is noted for his ‘warts and all’ portraits of Hollywood stars. Gotts recently received Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) honours from Queen Elizabeth.

Follow Andy on twitter – @DrGotts

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Al Pacino

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Lauren Bacall

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Clint Eastwood

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Jeff Bridges

 

TO VISIT ANDY GOTTS’ WEBSITE CLICK HERE