Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Updates from the Trail Blazer

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My dear friend John is still on the hike!

He's put up two more posts to his blog recently.

Here are some samplings:

April 12th, 2008

"That’s right! I made it through all of Georgia and crossed my first state line. Woo hoo! I honored this moment on the trail with a Snickers, or what I like to call “Manna from Heaven.” Franklin is also 107.6 miles into the trail which means I crossed my first major mileage milestone."

"After no sleep due to bad weather, I hiked 20 miles to try to catch up. I don’t know how, but for some reason I ended up a day behind a big group of hikers and a day ahead of another group and was frustrated being in the “gap.” That night I caught up with thru-hikers, Y2K, C-Bass, Mary Poppins and many more who have all been together since April 1st but who had passed me much earlier. Late arrivals that night included two conservative Jews who lit candles and said a prayer for Shabbat and even though it was late and their worship was happening not one foot from my tent, it was oddly calming and I slept better that night than any other."

April 28th, 2008

"I entered the Smokies with trepidation, assuming the worst about the notoriously difficult park. My fears were topped only by my frustration with park regulations. Thru hikers have only 7 days to clear the park, must stay in the shelters, and have on them at all times a permit for back country hiking which details their intended trip. Failing to meet any of these requirements can result in a hefty fine. For hikers who have spent a month free from any rules or restrictions, these regulations seem ridiculous. My first night I was reprimanded by a ridge runner for peeing on the wrong side of the mountain, truly an egregious offense."

"On a more serious note, I have been suffering knee pains that last couple weeks and despite wrapping them with ACE bandages every morning, the demand of the trail has taken its toll. I am hoping it is simply fatigue that will pass, rather than any permanent joint damage, but at this point I am continuing to cut my pace and mileage. That being said my new friend Rainbow, whom I met at the Hostel, is hiking on a fractured heel. She limps up the mountains with a full boot, which immobilizes everything below her knee. I just hope I can catch her."

A Pretty Good Watch...

Dane Cook on crying.

Monday, April 28, 2008

ARS AIDS Walk NEWS

Here's a little update on my AIDS Walk adventure! The walk is May 4th, so there's still PLENTY of time to log onto my donation page and send a few bucks our way!!

AIDS WALK!! Sponsor US! PLEASE!

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I just wanted to drop everyone a note to let you know that I'm walking in AIDS Response Seacoasts (ARS) AIDS Walk in Downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire!

So far the walk has only raised $6,000 $14,792 (As of April 28th)! And the walk is May 4th!

So, if any of you would like to sponsor me it would be GREATLY appreciated!! If you could throw ANY amount my way that would be super! ARS will put every penny to good use!

ARS COULD REALLY USE THIS MONEY!!!

Here is the link to my donation page: Joe and Megans Donation Page

My goal this year was pretty low, only $250 - and we have BEATEN IT!! SO! Now I'm upping the goal to $400!!

I think it's 100% POSSIBLE!!!

WAIT!!

Within MINUTES of the update above I received ANOTHER donation of $100!!! So the bar has to be raised AGAIN!

MY NEW GOAL IS:
$600

Here is a link to the walk page, if you'd like to learn more: ARS AIDS Walk

Donating with your credit card is COMPLETELY safe on the website because it's backed up by Kintera AND VeraSign online security. So don't worry about all of that. If you would rather mail a check or cash my mailing address is below.

Megan Pelletier will now be joining me on the walk! There's still room for more!

Let me know!

Thanks all!

Joe Cooper
42 Gorgeana Way
York, ME 03909

jpcoopernyc@yahoo.com
(646) 275-7328


THANK YOU:
Marianne Cusano
Maria Costa
Elizabeth Armano
The California Bergs
Christine Dulong - a STARVING/Award Winning ARTIST! Thank you!
David Kim - another starving actor!
Margaret Canning!!!
George Cooper

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!!!!!!!!!!!

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New David Sedaris!

As we mentioned previously, David Sedaris is a funny man.

His books are funny too!

I've read two: Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

His new book When You Are Engulfed in Flames will be leaving the presses on June 3rd... but don't be a dummy and wait for it to come out!

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If you pre-order it you can save a bundle!

Hardcover list price: $25.99
Hardcover Pre-Order price: $16.89

You're saving a good amount there. And you save the MOST at Barnes & Noble.

AND DON'T FORGET!

Augusten Burroughs' new book A Wolf at the Table is STILL available for pre-ordering and it comes out TOMORROW - April 29th!!!

Augusten Burroughs books I've read: Running With Scissors, Dry, Magical Thinking, Possible Side Effects

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James Frey's new book Bright Shiny Morning is ALSO STILL available for pre-ordering. It's available for a few more weeks, as it does not come out until May 13th.

James Frey books I've read: A Million Little Pieces, My Friend Leonard

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Idol Prediction...

This is what's going to happen this week.

Unless Jason WOWs the 20million people that will probably watch Idol this week... he's going home.

He's been in the bottom two before, and I think that Syesha will be trying REALLY hard to be safe this week... she did really well last week (why were the two good performers of the week in the bottom two I will never know), but was in the bottom two again.

I think Jason is pretty marketable, but I think he's always on the line of being really good or mediocre.

Here he is singing the song "Traveling Through" by Dolly Parton.

Speaking of Blake Lewis...

This is pretty funny.

Here's a TMZ.com video of Blake getting a tattoo removed. He's a little annoying in it. I think he's nervous that they're there.

I wonder what possessed him to get that hideous tattoo in the first place... perhaps an ex boyfriend?!

Hmm...

Guilty pleasure song...

Jordan Sparks

I didn't like her at all on Idol. Probably because I want to be Blake Lewis... or his best friend at LEAST.

Anyways...

Jordan got together with up and coming artist Christ Brown for this single... and it's kinda good.

Not going to lie.

Decide for yourself...

HOT HOT HOT!

This song has been on my play list for a few months, but I stumbled into the song by accident on a download service.

The single was officially released here in the US about a month ago.

The song: American Boy

The artist: Estelle

The guest: Kanye West

Where to get it: iTunes... it's only 99 cents!

This song is apparently HUGE in Europe. A friend recently told me it's played in all the clubs in Ireland. I can see why it would be more popular overseas... it's good. Ha.

Check out the song and its video below!

PS... is that JOHN LEGEND about half way through?! I think it is! He's also featured in a track on her album.

Friday, April 25, 2008

CONSERVE

Earth Day

Did you know:

25% of household energy used in homes is by appliances that are OFF!

How do you get that 25% off your bill?! Even when your appliances are off, UNPLUG them.

It's not off until it's unplugged.

WE is the new online community created by Al Gore. You know, the man who invented the internet (we joke, we joke). It's a great organization.

Check it OUT!

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BEST NEWS OF THE WEEK!!!!!!!!

jimmy fallon

Yes folks, it is TRUE and Carson Daly is PISSED!

None other than Boston Red Sox fan and SNL Alum JIMMY effing FALLON will be taking over for Conan in the hot seat of Late Night!!!!

Such good news! I love this guy!

Interestingly enough, Conan was an extra on SNL for a few episodes JUST LIKE ME! And Jimmy was ON SNL... do you think maybe I could someday be a late night host!!

I think SO!

It's a disease folks... and I have it.

Read this.

You probably have it too...

I <3 Nalgene

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Life is too complicated!

A huge part of my childhood AND so far my adulthood has been all over the news.

Since I was a cub scout I've been using my Nalgene bottles!

I have 12. That's right 12. People always get them for me because I ALWAYS have one on me. I have them covered in bumper stickers in all the colors... I think they may be more of a New England thing, but I always had mine on me at school, at theatre rehearsals, sporting events. In college I had them at rehearsals and no one knew what they were... however they went through bottles of Poland Spring like, well... water.

A news cast called for everyone to THROW THEM AWAY!!!

No effing way!

A chemical called BPA apparently can cause OBESITY, a disease that causes your liver to shut down, and one report claimed it could cause Alzheimers. The chemical is what makes the plastic to be strong but also pliable. It softens the plastic. It's found in almost ALL baby toys and products.

The FDA is being very hesitant about these reports as they have not been 100% proven yet. Nalgene said the chemical was harmless in their products because it can not leach out and if it could it would be too small amount to cause any harm.

Doesn't matter though. People are calling for all plastics with the number 7 on them (the recycling number... I hope you all know what that is) to be THROWN AWAY. Why? So we can full our landfills with the chemical? I'm confused by that.



I'm not giving up my Nalgenes yet. I definitely wont throw them away... paint brushes, pencils, colored pencils, toiletries, Apple wires and plugs... a lot of stuff can fit in them.

Don't throw them out. Reuse them, at least hold onto them until all this information is validated. With or without them I'm still going to be fat. Haha.

Nalgene has said though that they will be taking care of the issue. They're removing the chemical... but I'm sure they'll just replace it with another one.

I don't care. I love my Nalgene, its been everywhere with me. NY, ME, NH, OH, Carnegie Hall, college, high school, dates, prom, camping... I won't let it go. I WON'T!!

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Thursday, April 24, 2008

Where are they now?!

HILLARY

Bill and Hillary Clinton along with daughter Chelsea are all in the state of Indiana for the week.

If you're in the state, go and pay them a visit... they're going to be EVERYWHERE. Hillary doesn't HAVE to win this state, but it can still help her out a great deal.

If you're not in Indiana or can't get to where they're at... show you're support and donate to the campaign. You can write it off on your taxes next year.

So far I've donated $10 to her campaign. I know it's not a whole lot... but I'm a poor actor. Really poor. I gave $5 after she took New Hampshire and $5 after she won PA! So... show you're support. CLICK HERE to donate.

"Why do BAD things happen to GOOD people!!!"

Carly Smithson

Oh, look... my top 2 on this seasons Idol.

LOOKS LIKE I WAS WRONG!

Wow.

Last year I predicted the top three, this year I could be WAY OFF!

Carly Smithson, the Irish transplant that has been spoken about by Idol jude Paula Abdul for two years finally got on the show this season - she had been having visa problems. She was booted from the top six tonight!

She didn't even get into the top three. Such a shame. Especially seeing that fake blonde chick who stopped her song, started over, and SUCKED it up HARDCORE is still here... she'll be back next week.

And whose idea was it to have an Andrew Lloyd Webber night!? Screw that! Not only do his shows BOMB (with the exception of Phantom of the Opera - but he didn't fully create that show) but he's NOT AMERICAN!! This is AMERICAN Idol... use AMERICAN role models. That's my stance.

Stephen Sondheim is MUCH MUCH MUCH more talented, his music is a lot more fun, there's more of it, more people recognize it, and he's American. A true talent.

The whole night pissed me off.

I'm going to predict that David Cook takes all... I think AI doesn't want to make another Daughtry mistake.

Simon wants to make money off of this Idol!

... really?

OJ SIMPSON

News broke today that none other than OJ Simpson is in talks to be on the next season of Donald Trumps CELEBRITY Apprentice.

Is OJ even a celebrity anymore? I think Donald is just going for a shock factor effect to pull in ratings. Who wants to watch OJ get stressed out during a task and murder another Z List celebrity?!?! Anyone!?! It could be amazing... or it could be the worst decision of Donalds career.

Do we really want OJ in our homes once a week?

I won't watch it. I don't want to support that guy.
miley cyrus

Miley Cyrus has been offered SEVEN FIGURES - that means million/millions - to write her MEMOIR....

SHE'S 15!!!

What the hell is she going to write about?! AND who's going to read that?!

Ick, ick, ick...

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The next internet celebrity?

I don't know how I feel about this...

This guy seems to be all the rage on the West Coast of recent.

What do you think?

Monday, April 21, 2008

112th Boston Marathon

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day for Bostons 112th Annual Boston Marathon, one of the most well known marathons in the world.

Among runners today were a few politicians, a few (36,748 in 1996) normal people, and Lance Armstrong!

Lance's goal was 2 hours and 41 minutes. He went 9 minutes over, but I think that that's wonderful, seeing the "qualifying standard time" for his age range is 3 hours 15 minutes.

Congrats to everyone who ran and even more congrats to those who finished!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Free, Free, Free!

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Tristan Prettyman's single "Madly" off of her new album Hello... X is one of this weeks FREE downloads on iTunes.

Why should you download this tune?

a) It's good.

b) If you don't know Tristan Prettyman it will introduce you to a great artist.

c) If you like it you can tell your friends about it and help out an emerging artist.

d) You won't have missed out when everyone else is talking about her... which is exactly what happened to a LOT of people when Ms. Amy Winehouse was the free download MONTHS before she was hot here in America.

Tristans been around for a while, but hasn't come close to being as recognizable as she should be.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Spotlight Awards!!

I'm a hot mess but here I am!! haha.

Why was I CHEWING GUM!!!



Christine Dulong! My DATE!



An awesome performance by The Lanterns!



Billy Butler's song... I'm moving to Dover



More to come!

sick, Sick, SICK!

I have nothing to say about this, nor do I have any desire to gussy this up with a picture.

You simply must read here. This is completely wrong. Please comment.

CLICK HERE TO READ

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!

Ha!

If you're a musical theatre person and know anything about Spring Awakening...

WATCH THIS!


Thursday, April 17, 2008

FIERCE!

AIDS Walk! Sponsor me!!

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CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY PLEDGE PAGE!

As many of you may know I have worked almost my entire life in the fight against AIDS.

I lost a very close family member to the terrible disease in 1996 and since then have walked almost every year whether it be in New York City or in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Because I am not in New York this Spring I will be walking on for AIDS Response Seacoast.

I worked as an Outreach person during high school and into college, teaching at high schools, raising awareness, and going out in public and speaking with total strangers. We even had lube thumb wrestling competitions in Downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Because the Bush administration has been so gracious towards the AIDS epidemic (including both gays and straights) and GLBT community in general AIDS Response has lost a LOT of the funding it had in its hay day. They've had to cut programs, services AND extremely important staff. My position was eliminated as were the positions of many others. And some of them that were not eliminated took severe pay cuts.

These people can't work for free! They also can't support or offer services people living with HIV/AIDS for free... let alone educate people on how to keep from contracting the disease.

SO!

All that being said, I need your help! You can click above and be taken right to my pledge page. If I had a dollar from every hit on this website I would already be above my goal!

This years goal is not as big as years past because I'm joining the game a little late here.

My current goal is $250... lets BEAT IT!

The donation page is COMPLETELY safe to use your card on, but if you feel safer mailing a check you can simply ask for my mailing address!

Please help me help them.

ANY AMOUNT IS APPRECIATED!!! From $1 all the way up to $1,000... and more if you're reading this and can afford it!

THANK YOU!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY DONATION PAGE!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Pretty awesome.

I kinda want to buy this as a single.

And for the record, the tears at the end weren't necessarily for the judges comments, his brother who is on the losing end of a battle with brain cancer was sitting in the front row.

I couldn't have kept my composure...

RECORD STORE DAY!!!

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A day that the lovely state of Maine has made an official calendar day! Record Store Day! This year the date falls on April 19th, 2008!



The day was
created by the good people at BullMoose and now over 300 record store companies are a part of it around the WORLD!

They day promises (as far as BullMoose is concerned) free stuff, BIG sales, concerts, and MORE!



Click the image above (at the very tip top) to be taken to the schedule of performances! North Windam's BullMoose will be having fun, as will Portsmouth's! Portsmouth also has Dan Blakeslee!

Performances start at 5pm at EVERY BullMoose location!

And behold! The official proclamation by the State of Maine that Record Day is in FACT a REAL calendar holiday! Click the image to a larger more readable version.

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Austin City Limits

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The lineup isn't as good this year as it has been in years past, but judging by the list you'd never know it.

This little music festival has grown into a monster music weekend. Check out the listings here!

You can also click the image above to be taken to the festivals full website. It's pretty neat.

Music and Movies out today!

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Mariah Carey E=MC2

Word on the street is that it sucks. The whole CD leaked online about a week ago. I don't plan on buying it. If anyone wants to submit a review I'll post it.

Cover art: * out of 4
What the hell is she doing? Drying her arm pit with that fur thing?! Not to mention she's been photoshopped to death... she looks like an alien.

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Phantom Planet Raise The Dead

I love these guys. I don't have the album yet, because I'm broke. Expect a full review when I purchase it.

Cover art: ** out of 4
They're Phantom Planet, they could have been a bit more creative. It's interesting though. Just not amazing.

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Tristan Prettyman Hello...X

This girl has awesome vocals and sweet, smooth guitar riffs. She's also learned a lot from jam sessions with one of her idols Jack Johnson. If you're headed to the Austin City Limits concert expect to see her there with friend G Love and Special Sauce. No review yet, again... lack of funds.

And props to her! The CD is in a paper sleeve. I believe the whole thing is made of recycled paper and is biodegradable.

Cover art: **** out of 4
Tristan got it right. The photo is kitchy, cute, sunkissed, fun, and simple... just like her music. I love it.

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Dianne Reeves What You Know

If you like jazz, you'll love this woman. I fell in love with her watching the movie Good Night, And Good Luck directed by George Clooney. She also did the entire soundtrack to the film. This CD is sure to please.

Cover art: ** out of 4
At least it's actually her own face. I don't know what Mariah was thinking. Dianne looks good, but it's a bit predictable and boring. I'll bet I could have made a cooler cover.

As I mentioned previously Juno and Lars and the Real Girl are also out today as well as Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.

As ALWAYS check out the new releases at GREAT prices on BullMoose.com

It's been a MONTH and ONE DAY!

Hey all!

I thought it had been a much longer period of time, but...

Thanks for 250 visits in only a month!

I know it's probably only four of you who are checking up every day! I appreciate it!

Thank you!!

It's been leaked!

Hillary Clinton will appear on the Colbert Report (remember, silent "t"s) on THURSDAY!

Apparently its been proven that if anyone from a campaign appears on the show their candidate gets what is being called the "Colbert Bump" and their ratings bump up a bit.

Steven will be reporting from Philadelphia, PA all week and will also be appearing every night on Larry King Live.

Check the video below, it's hilarious. Steven singing the National Anthem with John Legend at his opening show in Philly.

Monday, April 14, 2008

More on Scientology

An interview with a "non-practicing" Scientologist by Kurt Loder.















Woah!

Here's actor Jason Beghe discussing his experience with Scientology...

Eek!

One Two... PUNCH!

Why?

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Other than producing shitty reality television and stealing other peoples ideas... what has he done?!

Why does he deserve to be on the cover of DETAILS Magazine?!

I think they should put Hillary doing a shot on the cover. She'd be the first female on the cover of the magazine.

Dear DETAILS. Come on. Sincerely...

The Gav

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Gavin Rossdale is back folks!

The lead singer of the pretty much defunct British rock band Bush has released his first solo single on iTunes.

Why was there NO hype about this? I think it's kind of a big deal!

The single "Love Remains The Same" is really good! It's nice to hear his voice again. It's also nice to hear him in a more mellow setting.

The song also seems to be pretty popular on iTunes, the popularity bar is pretty full! What the hell is that popularity bar anyway? Can't they just write how many people have downloaded it? I don't know.

Anyway, I highly suggest you download the single. It's good.

Click HERE to view the teaser trailer for his album WANDERlust. No release date is anywhere to be seen on his website. (Click the image above to be taken to his website)

Oh, yeah. He and Gwen Steffani are expecting their second child in 2008.

Hillary in '08

This makes me love her so much more!

I want to do shots with Hillary!

Ricky, No Crying: Drama at Project Runway

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This was bound to happen. Things at Bravo were getting to awesome.

The Weinstein Co. is moving their MEGA-HIT show Project Runway from Bravo TV (owned by NBC) to where? LIFETIME. What?! Get out?! Really?!

Yes.

Bad move guys! Lifetime sucks. I don't watch anything on that channel just because it's called Lifetime... and it's a network for WOMEN. There you go. You've just isolated your viewers.

I guess NBC/Bravo was only paying the people making Project Runway $600,000 an episode. And obviously for a show that big that generates MILLIONS, that isn't enough. So Weinstein went to seek a better buyer. Lifetime stepped up to the plate. Where'd they get the money? Disney owns 50% of the network. And they're paying close to $1million dollars an episode, quite a bit more than NBC/Bravo.

NBC filed suit against the Weinstein Company because they feel they weren't given the chance to make a better deal. The Weinstein side is saying they ignored requests to meet about the topic.

Why can't people get along?! NBC, get over yourself, it's worth it. Lifetime... drop it. You're not going to get any cooler because of Project Runway.

I think part of Project Runways charm was Bravo. Bravo is so artistic and well put together. I think the show blended well with the rest of the networks lineup. It was part of a family. And I'm SURE Bravo owns some of the art direction surrounding the show. Lifetime could never be that artsy. Their commercials will now have voice overs done by battered women and angst twenty somethings.

LAME.

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SECOND PART!

Yes! A second part! Nina, the female judge other than Heidi who also has a funny accent is NO LONGER THE FASHION EDITOR OF ELLE MAGAZINE!

THE DRAMA!

She went on maternity leave last year I guess. While away she wrote a fashion column for every issue. When she came back her hours were cut.

Recently the people at Elle were a part of a large party of some sort, celebrating the work of some artistic person and she WASN'T THERE. People freaked, rumors flew up and down Manhattan and the design world.

And it's true.

So what will Heidi say now when she introduces her?

"And lets meet our judges. Michael Koors, designer that most people can't relate to and that no one really knows of other than this show, Nina Garcia - FIRED from her high profile, glamorous job as Fashion Editor at Elle Magazine, she is now just a mother and__________"

I can't believe it.

It's all too much.

"Why do bad things happen to good people!" And good shows!

PS

Have you all seen these pictures of JACK! He had to leave season four due to health reasons...


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Sunday, April 13, 2008

A brilliant idea foiled by a BIG mouth.

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A construction worker and Boston Red Sox fan named Gino Castignoli was working on the new Yankee stadium and pulled a little prank, but was unable to keep his mouth shut about it.

SO Boston of him.

The guy snuck a Sox jersey into the ground under the first layer of fabric and mesh and under the
two foot thick concrete flooring of the stadium. The area was behind the back wall of where a resturaunt will one day be when construction is completed.

The current workers drilled tirelessly today to find the shirt. It took them FIVE hours.

The Yankees are sending the tattered jersey (full of holes from the jackhammer) to the Jimmy Fund in Boston, to be auctioned off.

They also may be pressing charges against Gino.

Bahahahhaaaa.

Amazing.

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KYLIE AND GERI PULL A BRIT AND MADONNA!

I can't seem to quit YouTube today!

Kylie Minogue (whose album "X" was released in the US last week - and is AMAZING) and Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice from the Spice Girls - the first one to quit the group) pull a Britney And Madonna on some British talk show.

Check - check, check - check - chech - check, check it out!

Gays will be gays...

I'm hoping this guy is gay... if not, he's on his way.

I believe his name is Ennio Marchetto. He his lip syncing act covering everyone from Dolly Parton to Chant music. And he does it all in flat costumes that transform into other costumes pretty amazingly.

He's a pretty creative cabaret act!

Little Britain!

I wish they would come to Broadway!

The BBC show Little Britain is fantastic. It's extremely funny. I would say it's most like SNL here in America except they only have two leading actors. They also have a few recurring actors, but for the most part it's just the two of them.

They do skits in drag, they do skits as old people, handicap, and tiny people. It's brilliant.

Sometimes they delight their fellow countrymen with staged versions of their show with all the regular skits and characters.

Check out a scene below... it's "Daffyd, the only gay in the village."

Saturday, April 12, 2008

There is some FIERCENESS out there!

Here are some video clips I found online of people choreographing dances to Britney songs.

Some of them are AH-MAZING.





If only...

I'm sure a bunch of you have seen this...

This is how the choreography was SUPPOSED to go for Britneys comeback performance at MTVs VMAs.

Would you want to live in this neighborhood?!

How scary is this?! Would you rent an apartment in this neighborhood?!

Friday, April 11, 2008

DVD RELEASES: Juno!

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JUNO!

Juno is among the new releases this week in DVDs!

This comedy took the country by storm this past fall, swept the nominations for all kinds of awards including The Academy Awards (only won for best original screenplay). The price for the film (as with ALL DVD releases) is high! Looks like I'll either find it for a good deal or wait for it to go in the "Previously Viewed" bin at Blockbuster. Yahoo! News reports: "Single DVD, $29.98; two-disc DVD set, $34.98; Blu-ray, $39.98"

If my blog had existed when it was out, the movie would have gotten:

10 Out of 10 Claps

The soundtrack would also have rated:

*****
Joining Juno in the new releases section of your local independent record/movie store is Lars and the Real Girl.

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This movie also got nominated for a whole bunch of whoop-la. I will review it once I watch it, when I get the DVD. I've only heard good things though. Prices according to Yahoo! are the same as with Juno... expensive.



Thursday, April 10, 2008

Look what Perez found on YouTube!

These girls are AMAZING.

Better than the original.

AND they have bloopers! hahahah

Carrie Underwood.

So, as many of you know, or don't know... I'm not a fan of Country music. It just doesn't speak to me, I can't stand the twangyness of it, and the messages usually evoke a well executed faux vomit noise.

I am also not really a Carrie Underwood fan. BUT... last night on Idol Gives Back - an annual fund raiser put on by American Idol for various global charities - Carries performance was unbelievable.

Carrie sang the song "Praying for Time" and she tore the house down. The words are powerful, the vocals were PERFECT, and the girl didn't even MOVE. She sat on that stool in her beautiful dress and sang the hell out of that song.

It was no surprise when the audience roared with applause and jumped to their feet in the HUGE Kodak Theatre. She owned that three and a half minutes. You could feel it even through the TV.

A brilliantly delivered performance. Bravo.

The live performance of the song "Praying for Time" is available on iTunes for 99cents, the net profits of the song go to charity. Get it!

ALBUM REVIEW: The Kills - Midnight Boom

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*****

The Kills new venture, "Midnight Boom" is a fresh whipped up alternative adventure.

I was trying to think of a sound that might make me think of them... I came up with: ripping paper. They're tight while being lose and almost grungy sounding.

Their raw tracks and organic vocals are a cool drink of water while their messages and orchestrations are like a jagged pill. Ha.

I really like these guys. This is the first album of theirs I've bought, and I don't think it'll be the last. I need to catch up! They've got a lot of albums preceding this one.

My favorite track is Cheap and Cheerful. It starts off with a rough riff on the guitar and the female band member/leading vocalist coughing up a lung. It's great. The line "You can't survive on ice cream" is swell, as well as "I want you to be crazy 'cause you're boring baby when you're straight."

It's a good buy, and because they're not a big name it can be cheaply purchased! Which we always love. I think I got it for $7.oo. Amazing.

Check it out on iTunes or Bullmoose.com.

Here's their sweet video for Cheap and Cheerful:

TAKE NOTE - THIS WILL BE HOT: Alphabeat

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Perez Hilton has been talking about the band Alphabeat now for a few months. In one of the earlier posts he had streamed one of their older singles. This shiz is awesome.

Their music is fun, their videos are simple and fresh, and their sound is crisp, clean and full of energy.

Not to mention everyone in the group is pretty cute!

Currently they're only known in the UK and to Perez Heads, but they'll catch on here big time I think. They're too good not to!

Check out their newest video HERE.

This movie was AWESOME!

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What a laugh!

I went out with my Dad tonight to see a movie. We were going to see Leatherheads, but my Mom wants to see it with us, so we hit up Run Fat Boy Run.

I am SO GLAD we did!

This movie is awesome! It's very much like The Full Monty. I'd say it's more like Full Monty the musical than the movie... I didn't find FM to be as funny as a movie as it was in musical form.

I can't tell you how many times my Dad and I laughed out loud.

David Schwimmers (Ross on Friends) directorial debut Run Fat Boy Run is FANTASTIC. The film takes you on a trip with the lead character Dennis, played by the brilliant Simon Pegg. He leaves his pregnant wife at the altar. Years later he meets her new boyfriend while over to pick up his ADORABLE son Jake (Matthew Fenton).

His ex-fiance Libby (Thandie Newton) is into her new flame Whit (played by Broadway star Hank Azaria) and blabs out a few things she likes about him upon Dennis' request in her busy bakery called "Libby's Nice Buns." One of those things is his ability and drive to run marathons for charities. So, in an attempt to win her back/win her respect Dennis proclaims that he too shall run in the Nike sponsored marathon. David Williams (of Little Brittan fame - the thin one) makes a cameo in the scene.

I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone, so I'll stop here. Just go and have fun.

9 Out of 10 Claps

View the trailer below!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

"Newt" finds his trail legs...

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My friend John, or "Long John" as a few of my friends refer to him, has set out and begun his trek to completion of the Appalachian Trail. He's making the trip in memory of his late grandmother whose life was taken prematurely due to Scleroderma- a disease that causes skin to harden by excessive collagen deposits.

Here's Johns first letter about his plans for the trek:

March 7th, 2008

Dear Friends,

I need your help. As you might know I am hiking the Appalachian Trail this summer, all 2,175 miles from Georgia to Maine. As you may not know my grandmother died during this Christmas from Scleroderma- a disease that causes skin to harden by excessive collagen deposits. She was the author of many books, a columnist for the L.A. Times, an English professor at Loyola University, and a true nature enthusiast. I have decided to dedicate my hike to her memory by raising money for the Scleroderma Foundation through pledged donations. The Foundation funds research for a cure, supports families suffering from the disease, and raises awareness through community outreach. This is more than a walk in the woods (thanks Bill Bryson) this is a chance to make a difference. Please help me raise money for the Foundation. $5-$10 would mean a great deal to me and patients suffering from Scleroderma.

To find out more about the trail, the disease, and how to donate please visit my blog at:


http://johnmccutcheon.wordpress.com

This will also contain updates from the trail if you would like to follow my progress, or perhaps join me at any point on the way!


Thank you for aiding me on this path!


Happy Trails

As John updates his blog on his trek I will include portions on my blog with the link. PLEASE feel free to read up on your own, and if you have a few bucks to spare, throw them his way - as this adventure is not free.

Today John posted his first blog since embarking on his intense adventure. Here is his first entry in its entirety.

Broken (In)

April 8, 2008

Today is my birthday and I am writing from Helen GA, a small German village in rural GA (I know, right?) 50.1 miles into the Appalachian Trail. I am here to restock food, rquiptment and to send off my friend Susan who was hiking with us down to the trail which we had much difficulty finding. Between four people with cell phones, a computer, maps, a guide book and a GPS we still managed to get lost and had to ask a group of hikers (with out any technology) where we were. The first day was glorious. A seasoned hiker on the first trail crossing gave us fruit punch juice boxes and told me I was the 30th thru-hiker he has met that day but that i needed a trail name because there were too many Johns as it were. We hiked 5 miles up to Springer Mountain which made the rocky slope and our brief encounter with a snake worth the trouble. The view was beautiful. We signed into the hikers log and continued to the first shelter. The shelter was packed and we arrived only an hour before dark, trying to learn how to errect our tent, cook a meal and use the bear bag cables before night fall. There are many many people on the trail, most of whom have Maine as a goal although roughly 25% give up in the first 30 miles which turned out to be the case with many people I have encountered.

Day 2 gave birth to Susan’s trail name “Pokey Pokey”, the reason for which I am sure you can deduce. We also befriended a group of women hikers, the “Hen Hike”, which is a group of middle aged women who met online with the shared goal of hiking the AT, a guy from Susan’s hometown called Spring Loaded Joe and everything inbetween. It also turns out the first section of the trail through Georgia houses an army base so as we were hiking we were surrownded by the sounds of automatic weapon fire, explosions and the occasional low flying helicoptor. Our second night on the trail 130 soldiers with 80lb packs marched through our campsight without any light except the glow of GPS units (which i am sure doubled as Gameboys). Their seargent informed us the AT was part of their night maneuvers training and that for the next two weeks there would be 800 soldiers in the area.

The next 3 days saw nothing but rain. We packed a wet tent with standing water into wet bags with wet sleeping bags and hiked about 30 miles into the trail. It was miserable and our tent leaked so as we are trying to dry the puddles and rivers of water running down the inside of our tent more poured in through leaky seams.

In spite of the rain we managed to meet Alex, a GA native who is hiking the AT for a couple of weeks and has more crazy adventure stories than anyone i have ever met whether it be 12lbs of chocolate pudding and a sailing trip through the panama canal or a failed canoe trip in the everglades that wound up in the ocean this guy is alright.

So the “serious” hikers have passed us by as I begin to get my trail legs and fall into a routine but as the AT says everyone needs to hike their own trail, which is what I intend to do. I still have 2 mountains to climb today including the second tallest in GA, Tray Mountain. Best wishes to all

-NEWT (my trail name)

Neat!

Here's something interesting.

This artist, Dave Devries takes childrens drawings and creates real characters out of them, and adds some type of environment.

The artwork he gets out of it is pretty interesting.

This one is called "Pizza Monster":

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Googled Word: art

So, something new.

I think every once in a while, from now on I'm going to pick a random word and Google it. Today I chose the word "art" because I figured there are so many mediums and so much art pieces out there that anything could have come up.

I figured maybe a Warhol, possibly a Picasso, or a Rembrandt... nope. This is what I got.

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ARTIST: Minchi

Need a good laugh?

Brilliant.

The song "Harder Better Faster Stronger" off of Daft Punks Discovery set with hand choreography.

Simply amazing.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Perfect thing to watch on a fat day...

I know this might go to extremes a bit, but here are some pictures of celebrities without make-up.

Enjoy.

GASP!

This is the dog I want! A little Boston! How frigging adorable are these guys!

Favorite Website of the Week:

www.theshins.com

They've been one of my favorite bands for a while, but I don't think I've been to their website in years.

I think the design is really innovative. I love how they tied the artwork from their latest album in.

I also love how well it flows when you click one tab to the next and the images move. It's really neat.

So, have yourself a little visit. And before you do, feel free to check out a really cool video for one of their newer singles "Sleeping Lessions" from the album Wincing The Night Away.



Saturday, April 5, 2008

This is what I've been learning for the past three days...

Thank God for YouTube.

That's all I gotta say.

GOOD LORD!

You will not believe your eyes.

BY FAR - the best video for Madonna's "4 Minutes"

CLICK HERE TO WATCH!

Yes!

THIS IS AMAZING.

Friday, April 4, 2008

More People Need to be like This:

Brad Pitt. Another man that isn't just a pretty face with millions in his pockets. I love seeing him use his money well. Not only does he donate to charities, he creates them, works for them - ACTUALLY works for them, and puts his own time and money into them.

It's kind of cool to know that the money I spend on going to see his films... a little bit of that goes to something like this.

It's still so sad...

Bahahahaa...

Seems Madonna's new video has been removed from YouTube, but it's cool 'cause this one's better!

PS... just WAIT until the hot dance break!

Madonna's new video...

Eh... I don't really like it. It could have been a whole lot cooler. It's just a lot of running around... no real plot, strange graphics... eh. She's done better.

My girl!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

My 50th Post!

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Time Magazine is doing their TIME 100 Poll again this year.

They've taken suggestions and the top 200 have been announced. Now it's your turn to get your vote on.

Some names you may recognize?

Amy Winehouse
Al Gore
Britney Spears
George Bush
Madonna
Gahndi
Hillary Clinton
Tony Blair
Barak Obama...

Etc, etc, etc...

The ratings are 1 - 100, one being not influential at all and 100 meaning they have the biggest influence on you.

You get the idea.

The current top 10:

Rank Name Average Rating # of votes
1 Rain (Asia - Pop) 86 18,744
2 Stephanie Meyer 85 9,175
3 Perez Hilton 84 23,271
4 Stephen Colbert 80 4,439
5 Barak Obama 75 9,818
6 Nelson Mandela 75 2,257
7 Google Guys 72 2,011
8 M.I.A. 70 2,270
9 Jon Stewart 69 1,979
10 Dalai Lama 69 1,651

Others not in top ten: Al Gore, Steve Jobs, Hillary Clinton (12-14), Tina Fey (22), Madonna (62), Simon Cowell (100), Britney Spears (140), George Bush (186), Elliot Spitzer (203)

vote, Vote, VOTE!

Britney News

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I'm kind of lost in the world of Britney right now...

Perez Hilton is involved in a major lawsuit right now with Sony and their Zomba and Jive divisions - Britneys record labels. So... needless to say he's pissed off enough to not write anything about ANY of their artists. They include: Tori Amos (his favorite!), Britney, Justin Timberlake, Leona Lewis, Adele...

So, now I'm forced to dig through internet reports MYSELF. Here goes.


BREAKING/EXCITING/PROMISING BRITNEY NEWS!!!

Supposedly Britney is hiring/begging her old manager again! Larry Rudolph (pictured with her above) is somewhat responsible for Britneys booming success pre-KFed. So this is very exciting. It really good news that he's taking her back after she publicly bad mouthed him and fired him. This most likely means more POSITIVE public appearances, she'll actually be WORKING, perhaps PERFORMING (WELL!)... the possibilities are endless. (She DID however blame Larry for her having to be put into rehab, but that could have been the crazyness talking.)

She's already had a really successful stint on "How I Met Your Mother" - the show got its BEST RATINGS EVER the night she was on. And it was the number one show for the time slot. That's AWESOME for her, and the show (Neil Patrick Harris is awesome). They're talking about maybe making her character recurring.

This is such good news. Britney is the next Madonna. She won't take her place but she'll be standing right up there with her... and forget the Mariah and Madonna records being set. Britney is still in her 20's and still making hits. Her latest album Blackout may have arrived while she was suffering from bi-polar disorder/postpartum depression/bad drug habits (when she was crazy), but overall it was her best album. It was her most critically acclaimed, has the best and most relevant music on it, and sold pretty well (not well for Britney Spears, but still better than most peoples albums - and she's still selling and releasing singles from it).

Lets hope and pray this all works out for the best! I'd love to see her come around as a smart, responsible, savvy, maybe a bit more conservative (?) woman. She's got staying power, so I have no doubt if she plays her cards right, as she used to... she'll be around
for a while.

Now if only she could get back with KFed for the kids... that would clear up her public image in a hot second!

What's next?:

A good sign that things are well with Britney & Co. would be for her website BritneySpears.com to come back (it's been the same title page for over a year), and for her label site Britney.com to be restored to it's Flash Media Player glory days.

A new cleaned up MySpace look.

Her real hair minus extensions. She's got enough hair now to rock a cool 20's doo, or maybe a hot pixie cut, or the beginning of a hot bob. It's in, she should do it. image, Image, IMAGE!

I will leave you with this for the evening...

yes, Yes, YES! I love this woman!

It's been done!

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They've done it!

Madonna has had her 37th top ten hit (it will be announced officially later this week). She now has more top 10 singles than ANY OTHER ARTIST IN THE HISTORY OF RECORDED MUSIC!!!

And Mariah has her 18th #1 song, only two away from the Beatles record of 20! I'll bet anyone $5.oo that she hits 21 all within her new album E=MC2!

Elvis, bow down to the divas!

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Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Guess who's getting married!

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After six years of high profile dating the power couple that is Beyonce and Jay Z are finally getting hitched!

Apparently they got a marriage license for April 4th... YEP! That's the day after tomorrow!

Congrats!

Strange News!

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A lake in Chile disappears!

It was there in March of 2007... but now it's gone!

Read more here!

I am a believer.

I didn't really understand the hype around David Beckham until now...

He's not just a pretty face. He's a role model, a gentlemen, a great dad, and more.



Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Star power.



I love the video above. I think it's different, fresh, and the choreo is awesome. For some reason Janet dislikes it so much she's redoing it. It's already premiered, they've taken it off the air, and they're remaking the entire video.

I don't know why, but how awesome is it that she can say she's not happy with it and people scramble to make her happy.

I'm jealous.