Famous Las Vegas Casino Developer Steve Wynn biogrphy - Profile

Steve Wynn's Date of Birth : 27-01-1942
Steve Wynn's Birth Place : New Haven, Connecticut, United states of America
Steve Wynn's Birth Name : Stephen Alan Wynn
Steve Wynn's Gender : Male
Steve Wynn's Nationality : United States of america
Steve Wynn's Occupation : Real-estate developer
Steve Wynn's Race or Ethnicity : White
Steve Wynn's Net worth : increaseUS$2.3 billion
Steve Wynn's Sexual orientation : Straight
Steve Wynn's Business Category : Business Leaders, Celebrity Headliners, Inspirational Speakers, Leadership Speakers
Steve Wynn Famous for : Las Vegas casino developer, entrepreneur and real estate businessman.
Steve Wynn's Home Town : New Haven, Connecticut, United states of America
Steve Wynn's Party Affiliation : Republican
Steve Wynn's Executive summary : Las Vegas billionaire

Steve Wynn's Family detail :
Steve Wynn's Father Name : Michael Weinberg
Steve Wynn's Brother Name : Kenneth (younger)
Steve Wynn's Spouse Name : Elaine Wynn - 29 June 1963 - 1986
Steve Wynn's Daughter Name : Kevyn (born in 1966)
Steve Wynn's Daughter Name : Gillian (born in 1969)

Steve Wynn's Education :
The Manlius School, DeWitt, NY
University of Pennsylvania (1963)
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Steve Wynn's Board Members MEMBERSHIPS :

Wynn Resorts Ltd - Founder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of Wynn Macau Limited and Chief Executive Officer of Wynn Macau Limited
Wynn Las Vegas, LLC - Chairman, Chairman of Wynn Resorts Limited and Chief Executive Officer of Wynn Resorts Limited

Wynn is credited with revamping expansion of the Las Vegas, Nevada, Strip in the 1990s.
Steve Wynn is one of the prime builders of today's Las Vegas.

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Boots Launches U.S. E-Commerce Site

I was formally introduced to Boots last year at a beauty bloggers event in New York City. But unbeknownst to me, I've been surrounded by colleagues who have been treating their skin and getting pretty with staples from the UK health and beauty brand for years.

And thanks to founder John Boots developing Ibuprofen back in 1961, aches and pains are just a pill away. But I digress.

While makeup artists, skin care specialists and British women have been hip to Boots for quite some time -- and lucky enough to shop the brand on their side of the pond -- U.S. fans were forced to scoop up the goodies while visiting Europe until Boots' recent debut in Target stores.

And now the retailer is making the beauty shopping experience even more gratifying with the launch of a new e-commerce site. The online shop is stocked with highly-coveted skin care and cosmetics including StyleList favorites, the No7 Advanced Renewal Anti-Ageing Glycolic Peel Kit and Amazon Forest Brazil Nut & Vanilla Body Scrub.

Which Boots products will end up in your online shopping cart?

Tell us in the comments section and click here for 11 pretty pick-me-ups to feel great about getting gorgeous inside and out.

Source : http://www.stylelist.com/2011/04/28/boots-u-s-e-commerce-site/

Is this a royal wedding or a business breakfast for Prince Andrew?

The King of Saudi Arabia, the Sultan of Brunei, Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud Al-Sabah of Kuwait, the Emir of Qatar… with guests like these, the royal wedding is beginning to look like a business breakfast for Prince Andrew.

Friday’s line-up appears to be a Who’s Who of the enemies of democracy. Take King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia: his regime, supported by a vast network of secret police, denies freedom of association, the press and belief; according to Human Rights Watch, arbitrary detention is commonplace. In Brunei, the Internal Security Act allows police to hold a suspect without charge or trial for up to two years; and should the Sultan’s Minister of the Interior brand a newspaper report “malicious”, it can fine printers, publishers, editors and writers a hefty $40,000 for their mistake. Unsurprisingly, the Sultan of Brunei enjoys a phenomenally good press.

Press freedom and freedom of expression (for which, read “criticism of the government”) are non-existent in Qatar, too. Here, arbitrary arrest and detention without charge are routine.

Oh, and if the Windsors had their way, the Crown Prince of Bahrein would also attend Prince William’s and Kate Middleton’s wedding – but he was otherwise engaged, watching his government’s kicking and clubbing to death of protesters in the streets of his kingdom.

How can the Windsors overlook such a damning charge sheet? Simple: oil. As a cynic might put it, what is it about these oil-rich, arms-buying, dictators that first attracted Your Royal Highness?

Forget “ethical foreign policy”, this is about grubby money. To be fair, the Royal family is protecting more than Prince Andrew’s brief. The Queen and her family are issuing wedding invitations to their friends, but also the nation’s allies. It’s a shame that some of them should hold in contempt some pretty fundamental values. But it’s a shame that the Windsors seem willing to overcome.

Can the rest of us? Already, one loud voice of protest, belonging to the indefatigable human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, can be heard: “The invitations should be withdrawn immediately, as a mark of respect for those who have been murdered, arrested, jailed and tortured.” I don’t want to rain on a young couple’s parade – but Tatchell’s absolutely right.

Source : http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/cristinaodone/100085098/is-this-is-a-royal-wedding-or-a-business-breakfast-for-prince-andrew/

Royal Wedding 2011: Time For Will & Kate To Exchange Vows

It's just about time for Prince William and Kate Middleton to exchange vows in front of an international audience of millions -- perhaps billions -- in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London.

The royal wedding is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. local time (6 a.m. Eastern Time). It will be streamed live on YouTube as well as here on The Huffington Post. Coverage begins an hour before the ceremony. (Scroll down for a complete schedule.)

Hype has been building up for the wedding ever since the couple publicly announced their engagement to the world on Nov. 16, 2010. "Save the date" faxes were sent by Queen Elizabeth II in January and invitations were sent in February.

That date has finally arrived. It's officially April 29, 2011 in the United Kingdom, date of the wedding, and our Royal Wedding countdown shows how close the ceremony actually is -- just a few hours away as of this posting.

Here's the schedule for the day, courtesy of the Associated Press:

— 0815 BST (3:15 a.m. EDT) — Guests begin arriving at the Great North Door of London's Westminster Abbey.
— 0950 BST (4:50 a.m. EDT) — Governors-general and prime ministers of realm countries, the diplomatic corps, and other distinguished guests arrive at the abbey.
— 1010 BST (5:10 a.m. EDT) — Prince William and Prince Harry leave Clarence House for Westminster Abbey.
— 1015 BST (5:15 a.m. EDT) — The princes arrive at Westminster Abbey.
— 1020 BST (5:20 a.m. EDT) — Members of foreign royal families arrive at Westminster Abbey from Buckingham Palace.
— 1027 BST (5:27 a.m. EDT) — Middleton's mother, Carole, and brother, James, arrive at the abbey.
— 1030 BST (5:30 a.m. EDT) — Select members of Britain's royal family arrive at the abbey.
— 1040 BST (5:40 a.m. EDT) — Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, leave Buckingham Palace for the abbey as Prince Andrew and daughters Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie; Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie; Princess Anne and her husband Timothy Laurence arrive for the ceremony.
— 1042 BST (5:42 a.m. EDT) — Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, arrive at the abbey from Clarence House.
— 1045 BST (5:45 a.m. EDT) — The queen and Prince Philip arrive at the abbey.
— 1051 BST (5:51 a.m. EDT) — The bride, accompanied by her father, Michael, leaves the Goring Hotel for the abbey.
— 1055 BST (5:55 a.m. EDT) — Bridesmaids and pages arrive at the abbey from the Goring Hotel.
— around 1100 BST (6:00 a.m. EDT) — The bride arrives. Marriage ceremony, which will be relayed on audio speakers along the wedding route, begins.
— 1215 BST (7:15 a.m. EDT) — William and his new wife emerge from the abbey and depart in the 1902 State Landau, a carriage, and travel to Buckingham Palace, followed by the queen.
— 1230 BST (7:30 a.m. EDT) — The bride's carriage procession arrives at Buckingham Palace, followed by members of Britain's royal family and other foreign royals 10 minutes later.
— 1240 BST (7:40 a.m. EDT) — Guests for the wedding reception arrive at Buckingham Palace.
— 1325 BST (8:25 a.m. EDT) — William and Middleton, accompanied by the queen and their families, appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
— 1330 BST (8:30 a.m. EDT) — The royals watch a ceremonial flypast from the Royal Air Force and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight before returning inside for the queen's reception for some 600 guests.
— 1800 BST (1 p.m. EDT) — Private reception begins at Buckingham Palace for 300 guests.

Still have questions? Find all you need to know about the Royal Wedding with this guide, our live blog and our Big News page.

Source : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/29/royal-wedding-2011-time_n_855283.html

Royal Wedding Coverage: LIVE Updates, Streaming VIDEO

The Royal Wedding ceremony has concluded at Westminster Abbey. Prince William and Kate Middleton are now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

You can take a look back at all that's happened and the continued festivities with our Royal Wedding live blog and live streaming video below. (Scroll down for live updates.)

All eyes today were on Kate, who stepped out briefly Thursday evening, and didn't emerge again publicly until nine minutes before the ceremony. The wedding itself began at 6 a.m. Eastern Time.

Source :http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/29/royal-wedding-coverage-live_n_855304.html

Sarah Burton: Kate Middleton Wedding Dress Designer

It's Sarah Burton!

The Alexander McQueen designer made Kate Middleton's wedding dress.

Burton was long-rumored to be the dressmaker, with buzz starting in March that she'd been tapped for the job. The Sunday Times of London first claimed Burton was The Chosen One and the rest of the British newspapers and, of course, Twitter really went to town.

But, Burton squelched the speculation, telling Vogue UK, "I am not doing it," and McQueen CEO Jonathan Akeroyd, who was said to have leaked the news to a colleague, which then ended up in the Times, denied the reports, remarking, "No, not at all. I am the CEO. I would know if we were doing it."

The turning point was Thursday night when a photograph of a woman appearing to be Burton was spotted entering The Goring Hotel, where Kate Middleton spent the night.

Miss Catherine Middleton's Wedding Dress has been designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.

Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing. Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work. Miss Middleton worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress.

The dress epitomises timeless British craftsmanship by drawing together talented and skilled workmanship from across the United Kingdom. The dress design pays tribute to the Arts and Crafts tradition, which advocated truth to materials and traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often Romantic styles of decoration. Ms Burton's design draws on this heritage, additionally giving the cut and the intricate embellishment a distinctive, contemporary and feminine character.

The design

The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. The lace design was hand-engineered (appliquéd) using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. Individual flowers have been hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design, which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.

Hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace has been used throughout the bodice and skirt, and has been used for the underskirt trim. With laces coming from different sources, much care was taken to ensure that each flower was the same colour. The whole process was overseen and put together by hand by Ms Burton and her team.

The dress is made with ivory and white satin gazar. The skirt echoes an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The train measures two metres 70 centimetres. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen's designs. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops. The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace.

The Fabrics

French Chantilly lace was combined with English Cluny lace to be hand-worked in the Irish Carrickmacross needlework tradition.

All other fabrics used in the creation of the dress were sourced from and supplied by British companies. The choice of fabrics followed extensive research by Sarah Burton and her team.

The Royal School of Needlework

The Royal School of Needlework (RSN), based at Hampton Court Palace, assisted the Alexander McQueen team in accurately cutting out the delicate motifs from the lace fabrics and positioning the lace motifs with precision into the new design. The lace motifs were pinned, 'framed up' and applied with stab stitching every two to three millimetres around each lace motif. The workers washed their hands every thirty minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and the needles were renewed every three hours, to keep them sharp and clean.

The RSN workers included existing staff, former staff, tutors, graduates and students, with the youngest aged 19.

The RSN's work was used primarily for the train and skirt of the Bride's dress, the bodice and sleeves, the Bride's shoes and the Bride's veil.

Veil and Jewellery

The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, which was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. The veil is held in place by a Cartier 'halo' tiara, lent to Miss Middleton by The Queen. The 'halo' tiara was made by Cartier in 1936 and was purchased by The Duke of York (later King George VI) for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday.

The Bride's earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the centre. Inspiration for the design comes from the Middleton family's new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves. The earrings were made to echo the tiara. The earrings were a personal gift to the Bride from her parents for her Wedding Day.

Robinson Pelham have also designed and made a pair of diamond earrings for Miss Philippa Middleton. These earrings are more floral in nature to compliment the headpiece worn by Miss Philippa Middleton during the Service.

A tourmaline and diamond pendant and matching earrings have been designed and made for Mrs. Carole Middleton. Two gold stick pins, one with a single gold acorn at the head and the other with an oak leaf, are also worn respectively by the Father of the Bride, Mr. Michael Middleton, and the Bride's brother, Mr. James Middleton.

Wedding Shoes

The wedding shoes have made hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen and are made of ivory duchesse satin with lace hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.

Read more about Kate Middleton's Sarah Burton wedding dress here.

Burton issued a statement to the press talking about the dress (via Harper's Bazaar):

“It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton to create her wedding dress, and I have enjoyed every moment of it. It was such an incredible honour to be asked, and I am so proud of what we and the Alexander McQueen team have created. I am delighted that the dress represents the best of British craftsmanship. Alexander McQueen’s designs are all about bringing contrasts together to create startling and beautiful clothes and I hope that by marrying traditional fabrics and lacework, with a modern structure and design we have created a beautiful dress for Catherine on her wedding day.

“The last few months have been very exciting and an incredible experience for my team and I as we have worked closely with Catherine to create this dress under conditions of the strictest secrecy. Understandably, Catherine has been very keen to keep the details of her dress a secret, which is every bride’s prerogative, and we gave an undertaking to keep our role confidential until the day of the wedding.

“Catherine looked absolutely stunning today, and the team at Alexander McQueen are very proud of what we have created. The dress was just one component of a spectacular day, and I do not think it is appropriate to comment any further beyond saying that I personally am very grateful and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work on this project, and I wish TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge every good wish for the future.”

Source : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/29/sarah-burton-kate-middleton-wedding-dress_n_855299.html

Michael Scott's Worst Impressions: Vulture Says Goodbye With Epic Supercut

Steve Carell's final episode of "The Office" is upon us, meaning Dunder Mifflin must now operate without its quintessential leader Michael Scott, for better or worse.

To say goodbye, Vulture has put together this comprehensive supercut of Scott's myriad impressions, specifically, the worst ones of all time. From MacGruber to Willy Wonka to Johnny Carson and more, Michael Scott truly had a penchant for butchering every impression possible.

While you can still tune in to "The Office" until the finale in May, tonight's final episode with Scott will definitely be one to remember. And to Vulture, for making this tribute, we say "Thank you, thank you a lot."

Source :http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/28/michael-scotts-worst-impressions_n_855132.html

Cam Newton Selected By Carolina Panthers With No. 1 Overall Pick

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have selected Auburn quarterback Cam Newton with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, gambling that the Heisman Trophy winner will overcome questions about his character and work ethic to become the first franchise quarterback in team history.

A year after going 2-14 with the NFL's worst offense, the Panthers on Thursday night bypassed safer selections such as Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson for Newton, who dazzled in his only season playing major college football.

The 6-foot-5, 248-pound Newton accounted for 50 touchdowns and led the Tigers to the national championship last season despite an NCAA investigation that his father concocted a pay-for-play scheme during his recruitment.

Source : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/28/cam-newton-carolina-panthers_n_855259.html

Von Miller drafted 2nd overall by Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have made their choice. Von Miller is the first piece to Denver’s rebuilding defense puzzle.

The Broncos selected Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller with the 2nd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft Thursday.

Miller (6′3″, 246 lbs.) is a 22-year-old pass rush specialist who was the unanimous top linebacker prospect in the draft. Tallying over 100 tackles and 28 sacks in his junior and senior seasons, Miller continued to shoot up draft boards even days before Thursday’s first round.

“I just had flashbacks to all the hard work that I’ve been putting in ever since little league football, all the people who told me, ‘No,’” Miller said. “I was just extremely anxious for my opportunity to go up to the league and prove myself.”

By passing on Marcell Dareus, the Broncos likely intend to add DT depth (and it’s a deep DT class this year) in the 2nd round. John Elway said afterward he hopes to reignite the Orange Crush tradition with the Miller pick… and I’m on board. Truly, I would have been happy with any of them, but there’s a tradition to uphold in Broncos linebackers…. It’s Miller Time Broncos fans!!

Source : http://broncotalk.net/2011/04/22052/broncos-news/von-miller-drafted-2nd-overall-by-denver-broncos/

Atlanta Falcons Trade Up, Select Julio Jones With Sixth Pick In Draft

We had all heard the rumors build to a fever pitch, but it was still hard to believe the Falcons would give up so much to move up into the top ten. Now we have our confirmation.

The Atlanta Falcons gave up 2011 and 2012 first round picks, a 2011 second round pick and both 2011 and 2012 fourth round picks. It's an audacious move, one that flies in the face of everything the team has done in its careful quest to build a championship team over the last three years. It's a move that will define Thomas Dimitroff's tenure in Atlanta, fairly or not.

Let's tackle Julio Jones first. A big (roughly 6'3') wide receiver, an excellent blocker and a phenomenal physical specimen, Jones could make a case for the most electrifying offensive threat in the draft outside of Cameron Newton. The knocks on the guy are his hands--Roddy White showed us you can overcome that witness--and some concerns over injuries. If he can answer those, he's going to be an awesome pro.

The Falcons saw the need to upgrade their offense and have unquestionably done it. Moving Jenkins and Douglas into a timeshare in the slot gives the team situational versatility while putting two extremely talented wideouts on the outside in White and Jones. They're going to be a nightmare for opposing and Jones has the potential to be an all-time great. I truly believe that.

The drawbacks? The Falcons gave up way too much to get Jones. Those picks could have been used to get multiple quality players, and the team may regret it in the next draft if players they want are available in the first round and they're not there to pick. Given Thomas Dimitroff's penchant for making great picks in every round, the fact that the Falcons gave up a huge bounty scares me more than a little bit.

In short, Dimitroff has balls of steel, the Falcons gave up way too much, but Jones is a potentially elite talent who may could transform the team's offense. With its blank eyes and steady hands, time alone can tell us whether it was the right move.

Source : http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2011/4/28/2140728/atlanta-falcons-trade-up-select-julio-jones-with-sixth-pick-in-draft

Rams Snag North Carolina DE Robert Quinn With Pick #14

The Rams upgraded their defense in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, as they took NC junior defensive end Robert Quinn with the 14th pick of the first round.

Here’s the scouting report for Quinn from Walter Football

Strengths:
Elite athlete
Speed and short area quickness
Explodes off edge
Gets off blocks
Pass rush skills
Long arms
Forces fumbles
Scheme versatile
Plenty of upside

Weaknesses:
Run defense needs improvement
Inconsistent snap reaction
Lacked production against top competition
Only two years of college football
Suspended for 2010 season
Medical – benign tumor removed in high school

Summary: Robert Quinn was one of the Tar Heels suspended for the season and as a result has a lot to prove. The athletic talent is evident from his sophomore campaign, but taking a year off is never a good thing. Nevertheless, he has the ability to play 4-3 defensive end or convert to outside linebacker in a 3-4. Pass-rushers are a hot commodity in the NFL, and he can get after the quarterback.

Player Comparison: DeMarcus Ware. Quinn has been quoted as saying he wants to be the “first Robert Quinn.” I’m afraid if I don’t liken him to an elite talent, he might come after me. He does have similar potential. Ware was also a work in progress against the run coming out of Troy, and while he timed faster, Quinn’s inactivity due to his suspension has to be factored in. Noted draft guru Mike Mayock of NFL Network expected Quinn to blow up the Combine – which is something Ware certainly did – but the time off prevented that from happening. However, Quinn has a similar innate ability to get after the quarterback.

Matt’s Take: The Rams want to pressure the QB more in 2011, and they are hoping that the junior can do that. He’s a solid guy off the edge, and also has great speed, which will upgrade the position. The Rams should benefit from this pick, a guy that will help the defense and it’s an area of need for the team heading into the offseason.

Source : http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2011/04/28/rams-snag-north-carolina-de-robert-quinn-with-pick-14/

‘Doctor Who’ Season 6 Premiere

‘Doctor Who’ has returned for another year of adventures, but who (or what) will be able to save the Doctor this time? Join as we review and discuss the ‘Doctor Who’ season 6 premiere, ‘The Impossible Astronaut.’

Feat not – the Doctor has returned! After many months of waiting, Doctor Who season 6 has officially begun.

With Amy (Karen Gillan), Rory (Arthur Darvill) and the always elusive Dr. River Song (Alex Kingston) on his side, the Doctor is ready to take on the world – or so we hope. In tonight’s Doctor Who season 6 premiere, entitled “The Impossible Astronaut,” the Doctor may have met his match.

When President Nixon begins to receive calls from a mysterious child, the Doctor (Matt Smith) investigates what preternatural being could be causing this telephonic abnormality. But, is the Doctor in over his head? Could certain events bring about the end of the Doctor?

The Impossible Astronaut episode description:

The Doctor is back in the biggest, most mind-blowing series opener ever. Amy, Rory and River also return for an adventure that combines humour, shocks for our heroes and one of the creepiest creatures they’ve ever encountered… The Doctor is engaged on quest that takes him from the visually stunning Utah desert to the White House where he’s enlisted by President Nixon himself to assist enigmatic former-FBI agent Canto(Mark Sheppard). His mission – save a terrified little girl from a mysterious spaceman. Prepare for the return of the galaxy’s greatest hero.

Prepare for excitement. And prepare – if you can – for the Silence…

Source : http://screenrant.com/doctor-who-season-6-premiere-review-the-impossible-astronaut-aco-112131/

Antoine Dodson Arrested for Marijuana Possession

Antoine Dodson always preaches "Hide ya kids, hide ya wife!" -- but he should be preaching "Hide ya pot!" ... because he was busted early this morning for marijuana possession.
Dodson was popped in Alabama by Huntsville PD at around 2:30 AM. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana and released a short time after.

According to the jail's website, Dodson was hit with a few other misdemeanor charges -- two for failing to appear on a traffic charge, one for failing to have insurance and one for speeding.

Source : http://www.tmz.com/2011/04/23/antoine-dodson-arrested-marijuana-possession-huntsville-alabama-police-department/

Hard Boiled Eggs After Easter

Hard boiled eggs often take center stage during Easter celebrations. Easter bunnies are probably hopping around your garden hiding all those colorful eggs for the children, who are very excited to hunt for those colorful hard boiled eggs in the early morning of Easter. However, after the Easter Bunny has hopped his way home, he was probably looking for ways to use them after Easter. Well, you can just eat them with salt, or check out some few simple recipes, yet delicious, ways to work those eggs out of the Easter basket and onto the table.


EGG SALAD DIP

6-8 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoon mayonnaise, add more or less to taste if needed
1-2 teaspoon prepared mustard
2 diced pickles (can substitute pickle relish if desired)
A sprinkle of salt and paprika

Stir all ingredients together and chill in the fridge until served.

MACARONI SALAD

2 cups (uncooked) macaroni pasta
4-5 green onions, chopped
1-2 celery stalks, chopped
6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
1 cup Miracle Whip
1 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon sugar

Cook pasta according to package directions. Chop the onions, celery and eggs and place in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the Miracle Whip, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard and sugar. Stir all ingredients together. Let the salad cool in fridge for at least an hour before serving.

After the fun of coloring those hard boiled eggs for Easter, with a little bit of creativity, those eggs can hunt up a featured spot on your family menu.

Source :http://www.lugaluda.com/hard-boiled-eggs-after-easter/

Emma Watson Bullied Out of Brown?

Was Emma Watson really bullied out of Brown University?

Last month, the actress announced she’d be taking a break from her studies to have time for professional commitments.

But outlets like the New York Daily News are spreading a rumor that harassment from other students may have forced Watson from school; specifically, that the Harry Potter star’s “brainy ways may have led to her classmates’ heckling.”

According to a so-called “insider” for the paper, Watson would be mocked with incessant, snide Potter references when she participated in class.

There were also reports of Watson being heckled while attending a Brown-Harvard football game and otherwise being harassed about her fame.

So did her peers’ comments actually chase Watson from college?
Not at all.

A rep for Watson tells Gossip Cop the story is completely false.

“There isn’t a grain of truth in it,” we’re told.

Watson “absolutely loved her time at Brown and made lots of great friends,” only leaving because she’s decided “to pursue a different course which sadly Brown does not offer.”

She will transfer to a new school for the fall.

Source : http://www.gossipcop.com/emma-watson-bullied-bullies-heckled-hecklers-brown-university-transferring/

Lindsay Lohan Sentenced to Jail; Released on Bail

Lindsay Lohan was just sentenced to 120 days in jail for violating her probation.

Judge Stephanie Sautner remanded the actress into custody.

She was booked and taken to county jail.

Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, appealed the decision, which allowed the actress to post bail and be released three hours later.

Lohan was also ordered to perform 480 hours of community service.

360 of those hours will be served at Downtown Women’s Center, and 120 hours will be served at the L.A. County morgue.

The decision comes after Lohan’s felony grand charge theft was reduced to a misdemeanor.

Source :http://www.gossipcop.com/lindsay-lohan-120-days-jail-sentenced-april-22-2011-probation-violation/

Royal Wedding Guest List Confirmed

The official guest list for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding has been released.

Among the 1,900 confirmed invitees are celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham, Elton John, Guy Ritchie, Rowan Atkinson and Joss Stone.

Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe and photographer Mario Testino were also invited.


Testino shot the couple’s official engagement portrait.

The rest of the extensive guest list features hundreds of foreign dignitaries, statesmen, religious leaders and members of Parliament. William has invited his entire search-and-rescue unit to the affair.

The wedding, of course, takes place this Friday in front of a worldwide audience.

Source : http://www.gossipcop.com/royal-wedding-april-29-guest-list-invited-guests-confirmed/

Jeremy Renner: 'Bourne Legacy' Star Offer

A man whose name has been permanently glued to every theater marquee in the country the past three years is set to join a franchise based on an amnesia-induced identity crisis.

Jeremy Renner has been officially offered the lead role in "The Bourne Legacy," the fourth film in the "Bourne" series that featured Matt Damon as the titular hero in its first three films. Renner would play a new character, distinct from Damon's Jason Bourne, but who is also a Treadstone-bred assassin.

"This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel," series screenwriter Tony Gilroy explained about the new story in October. "No one's replacing Matt Damon. There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter...this is a stand-alone project... The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal. Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he's very much alive."

The casting follows months of speculation; Gilroy, who will direct this new film, cast a wide net in his search for a new star. In February it was reported that he had a shortlist that included Jake Gyllenhaal, Garrett Hedlund, Taylor Kitsch, Kellen Lutz and Tobey Maguire; interestingly, Renner was not on his list, or at least not publicly. That said, a report in the Latino Review earlier in April said that Renner would be the choice.

Renner is quickly becoming the face of the biggest in action franchises. He stars this summer in "Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol," with Tom Cruise, from whom he is being groomed to assume the number one star mantle. He'll also be a member of the hero ensemble in the Marvel teamup epic "The Avengers," directed by Joss Whedon.

Renner became a household name when he was nominated for an Oscar for his turn as a solder in "The Hurt Locker." He garnered another Oscar nomination for his work in "The Town," as well.

While his "Bourne" casting isn't official yet, The Hollywood Reporter says that it looks like he will accept the part and jam it into his superstar schedule.

Source : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/22/jeremy-renner-bourne-legacy-star_n_852389.html

How to Hard Boil Eggs

My grandmother was a huge fan of Deviled Eggs and made them for all kinds of holidays and family gatherings as I was growing up. I became a fan, too, so as soon as I was old enough to operate the stove safely I asked my grandmother to teach me how to make them myself. I made them with her whenever I visited, and these days I often just make myself them as a snack.

Good deviled eggs start out with good hard boiled eggs. Actually, there are lots of egg dishes (from egg salad to and brightly colored Easter eggs) that start out with hard boiled eggs. The trick to getting a perfectly cooked hard boiled egg is to cook it just long enough to cook through without making the egg tough or discolored. Nothing is less appealing than opening a hard boiled egg and seeing a gray-green cast to the once-yellow yolk. That gray-green color results from overheating eggs, which causes sulfur to be released from the egg whites and turn an discolor canary-yellow yolk.

My grandma tended to estimate the time the eggs needed to boil, but I find that an actual timer works much better. I start by placing my eggs in a pot and add just enough water (tap water) to cover them.

Eggs in simmering water

Once the eggs are in place, I cover the pot and turn up the heat, cooking just until the water just comes to a boil. I turn off the heat and set the timer for 10 minutes, letting the eggs just sit in the hot water (with the lid still on- don’t peek!) and continue cooking. When the timer goes off, I rinse the eggs in warm, then cold tap water to stop the cooking. I always start with the tap water on warm because a sudden temperature change can cause the eggs to crack. That said, if one does crack while I’m rinsing it off, I just eat that one first.
Rinsing hard boiled eggs
After the eggs have been rinsed for 3-4 minutes, they are usually cool enough to handle and you can peel them pretty easily right away to begin making Deviled Eggs, egg salad or some other egg dish. If you’re not going to eat them right away, pop them in the refrigerator to keep for later.

Source : http://bakingbites.com/2011/04/how-to-hard-boil-eggs/

Bruce Springsteen visits American Idol

The Boss on American Idol! What an amazing season of American Idol so far! I can’t wait for future guest stars they will have on the show. Already loving how Will.I.Am is now a regular.

Fans to Nigel Lythgoe: Please invite Britney Spears! Make it happen!

From MSNBC:

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer visited the set Friday to lend his considerable expertise to Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Stefano Langone, Haley Reinhart and Scotty McCreery—and we’ll just go ahead and assume that they were blown away.

“Holy pride of New Jersey….BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN in the studio right now listening to the idols sing!!!!” read a tweet posted to the show’s official account.

Source : http://www.rickey.org/?p=62816

Earth Day activities

Cheap beer, free clothes, hikes and games are just some of the perks of Earth Day in Boulder this year.

“This Friday is just about having fun,” said Sarah Dawn Haynes, a programs assistant for the CU Environmental Center.

The fun will take place at the UMC Fountain between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday. Collaboration between student groups and organizations, including 180*11, CU Slow Food and CU Recycling has coordinated activities including a 5K run, shot put and several giveaways.

“Students know that there are a lot of hard things happening,” Haynes said. “I think when you study this it’s also important to celebrate all the great things that are happening: The solutions, achievements and changes that we have been able to make.”

For Haynes, one highly anticipated Earth Day event is the Really Really Free Market hosted by CU’s 180*11. Community members are invited to bring their unwanted clothes and other items to the market and leave with whatever they please.

“The Really Really Free Market helps redefine reusing,” Haynes said. “It helps people understand that mentality of giving stuff away and not throwing it away.”

Maya Dank, a 22-year-old alum with a degree in sociology and member of the 180*11 student group, said the Really Really Free Market came to CU-Boulder for the first time in December of 2008. This year’s market is in collaboration with the Indigenous Support Network.

“The idea is that we’re creating a gift economy space,” Dank said. “Nothing is for sale, no money is exchanged and there is no barter or trade. We’re celebrating the abundance of resources we have when we all cooperate.”

Elizabeth Ordaz, a 21-year-old senior international affairs major and also a member of the group, said that while the Really Really Free Market fits in well with Earth Day’s purpose, she has some issues with the celebration.

“One of the flaws of Earth Day is that it kind of elevates the issue to just be addressed on one particular day,” Ordaz said. “It’s kind of cliché to say that Earth Day should be every day, but I think it’s about normalizing these things that we’re trying to address about consumption and the resources that we use and exploit in this country.”

Outside of the campus events, there are several community celebrations on Friday as well.

Edie Stone of the Om Time Yoga Studio is hosting a workshop about Peruvian shamanism and Celtic traditions in the evening. USGS geologist Pete Modreski is leading a late afternoon hike up South Table Mountain. Boulder Theater is hosting the 19th annual Microbreweries for the Environment benefit, where 19 Colorado microbreweries will be serving several brews for $2 each.

Other activities include a celebration at the Center for ReSource Conservation and a sustainability conference at the Woodbine Ecology Center.
Source :http://cuindependent.com/2011/04/22/earth-day-activities/

Nissan Leaf Becomes First Electric Car To Win Global Auto Prize

The Nissan Leaf won the 2011 World Car of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show, beating out the short list of three finalists — the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series. The Leaf was the first electric vehicle to win the award.

According to the jurors, Nissan‘s electric car has a lot going for it:

“The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world’s first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. Dropped onto a unique platform and body, the Leaf’s lithium-ion battery modules and electric motor generate 108hp and 206 lb ft of torque, propelling the hatch from zero to 60mph in 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 90mph. It has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge (claims Nissan), takes around 8 hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply and produces zero tailpipe emissions. Its low center of gravity produced sharp turn-in with almost no body roll and no understeer. The good news? It feels just like a normal car, only quieter.”

We think another reason the Leaf deserves the New York International Auto Show‘s World Car of the Year award is because of its Carwings system that leverages crowdsourcing to enhance its fuel economy.

What happened to the Chevy Volt, which costs $8,200 more than the $32,780 Nissan Leaf? It was still deemed cool enough to win the Green Car of the Year award at that same auto show.

We’ve driven the Volt and, as the jurors said about the Nissan Leaf, the Volt feels like a normal car, too. What really makes it feel normal is after you’ve run down its batteries, its gasoline engine allows it to keep going for just as many miles as conventional vehicles.

Source : http://mashable.com/2011/04/21/nissan-leaf-award/

Pregnant Kate Hudson Flaunts Bod in Tiny Bikini, Sheer Caftan

Sheer baby joy!

Pregnant Kate Hudson is feeling anything but shy about her ever-expanding belly.

Hanging out in sunny Paraty, Brazil on Monday, actress, 31, flaunted her bod in a black micro-bikini, which a see-through caftan did nothing to conceal.

PHOTOS: Stars' pregnant bikini bods

Joining Hudson for her fun in the sun was her baby-to-be's dad Matthew Bellamy, who's been touring South America with his band Muse as the opening act for U2.

Hudson and Bellamy, 32, got together last spring, and have been inseparable since she confirmed her pregnancy back in January. But don't expect wedding bells for the couple.

PHOTOS: Hollywood's baby boom

"I don't feel it necessary to get married," Hudson explained on British chat fest the Graham Norton Show in January.

"I am 31, I already have one child, and have had one divorce, so it is not necessarily the golden ticket. I just want to be happy," added the Oscar-nominated actress, who shares son Ryder, 7, with ex-husband Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes.

PHOTOS: How Kate debuted her boob job last year

"She is happy for Ryder to finally have a brother or sister," a Hudson insider told Us Weekly, which broke news of her pregnancy in early January.

Bellamy gushed about his love while accepting a Grammy award in February -- thanking "my beautiful pregnant girlfriend" at the podium.

Source : http://omg.yahoo.com/news/pregnant-kate-hudson-flaunts-bod-in-tiny-bikini-sheer-caftan/60405

Is Donald Trump the first Google trends candidate?

Donald Trump is many things: a real estate mogul, a celebrity with a hit reality TV show and, possibly, a Republican presidential candidate.

In a media world driven by clicks and search engines, is Trump also the first presidential hopeful egged on by Google trends?

The answer: Maybe.

"He's good copy," says Robert Lichter, director of the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University. "There's an unspoken collusion between journalists who are happy to have someone like this to sell papers and increase clicks and Trump happy to raise his image, which he leverages to make more money."

Dan Kennedy, an assistant professor of journalism at Northeastern University, attributes the spike in Trump's media coverage to his celebrity status. But does that mean Trump is being taken seriously? He says no.

CAPTION
By John W. Adkisson, Getty Images

"It doesn't hurt that he says outrageous things," Kennedy says. "We're at the early stage of a presidential campaign. No one feels guilty to giving attention to a non-serious, but entertaining, prospective candidate."

Last week, the economy and President Obama were the top news story and newsmaker, according to a Project for Excellence in Journalism analysis of April 11-17.

Trump was the fourth-biggest newsmaker, according to the project's analysis, driven in part by his persistence in news media interviews that there's something wrong with President Obama's citizenship and birth certificate. Obama was born in Hawaii and his birth certificate has been certified as real by state officials.

The so-called birther issue has driven many of Trump's TV appearances, including a much-talked about interview with NBC's Today Show on April 7. He's been a semi-regular on ABC, CNN, Fox News and other networks for weeks.

For the last 30 days, according to Google's Insight for Search tool, searches for Donald Trump far exceed those for potential GOP presidential candidates Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann. (Of this group, only Romney has formed a presidential exploratory committee.) Searches using "donald trump obama" have jumped 700%.

Trump "is savvy enough to know that there is an audience segment out there that likes thinking about Obama being an alien," says Andrew Rojecki, a communications professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "There's a certain emotional satisfaction in hearing this given legitimacy on TV and in the press. It makes people angry and insecure and gives them a ready target for their anxieties."

Al Tompkins, who teaches at The Poynter Institute, described Trump's appeal as not unusual for a provocateur.

"The fact is he is shaping the conversation right now, especially on the birther issue," Tompkins says. "He is an opinion shaper, even if he shapes it by making people disagree with him. It's not a new thing."

Source : http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/04/donald-trump-presidential-race-google-trends-seo/1

Ex-CEO Schmidt Can Make Up to $6 Million as Google Chairman

Eric Schmidt might have stepped aside as Google's CEO, but the move has certainly been lucrative for him—he's gotten a huge raise. His salary just jumped massively from the traditional $1 a year, the same as co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, to $1.25 million, according to a recent SEC filing.

Schmidt hasn't walked away from the company completely. As of April 4, he officially made the transition to become Google's executive chairman. In this new role, Schmidt can make up to $6 million a year. That's a $1.25 million base salary with a target bonus of 400 percent.

However, even before the SEC filing was made public, it was clear that Schmidt wouldn't be hurting for cash. He recently unloaded $335 million worth of Google stock. Even after this sale, he still owns 8.7 million shares, which are valued at $5.45 billion.

Now that Page has taken over as Google CEO, Schmidt allegedly has his eyes on some ventures that could fill his bank account even more. It's been rumored that President Obama could make him the next U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Schmidt is also reportedly shopping a book deal to New York publishers. There's also buzz that the former CEO is trying to score his own show on CNN.

Schmidt announced in January that he would cede his position to Page after 10 years at the helm of the Internet giant. Regardless of his next step, it appears Google has opted to reward Schmidt for his decade of service to the company.

Source : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383853,00.asp

Miss Maine USA to Skip Big Pageant for Wedding

Miss Maine USA is going to sit out Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant to attend her big sister's wedding.

NBC moved the Miss USA Pageant from its traditional slot in April to June. Emily Johnson says the new weekend is the only one in which she had other plans — plans that trump the contest.

Johnson, a Baylor University graduate and accomplished pianist, is allowed to keep her crown, but she's giving up the title, prizes and appearances.

Mackenzie Davis, executive director of the Miss Maine USA pageant, says she understands Johnson's reasoning, but she says Miss Maine is a serious commitment and that she's disappointed Johnson withdrew from her duties.

The state's participant in the Miss USA Pageant will be the first runner-up, Ashley Marble, of Cumberland.

Source : http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/miss-maine-usa-to-skip-big-pageant-for-wedding--2779

~~OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING ANNIVERSARY~~

I love to write about happy things. Things about love, life, faith and family. Although there are beautiful things all around us there is also a great deal of ugliness in our world. If at all possible I try and not focus upon it. Instead I try my best to think on the positive things that God has blessed us with.


However, today my beloved State of Oklahoma, the place I've called home for nearly twenty-five years, marks the sixteenth anniversary of one of the worst attacks ever made upon American ground. And so~ I just can't let the day pass without acknowledging it and the people who lived to tell our story of resilience and survival...
The Oklahoma City bombing was a bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19 children under the age of 6, and injured more than 680 people. The blast destroyed or damaged 324 buildings within a sixteen-block radius, destroyed or burned 86 cars, and shattered glass in 258 nearby buildings.The bomb was estimated to have caused at least $652 million worth of damage. Extensive rescue efforts were undertaken by local, state, federal, and worldwide agencies in the wake of the bombing, and substantial donations were received from across the country. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) activated eleven of its Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces, consisting of 665 rescue workers who assisted in rescue and recovery operations.

Please make time to pray for Oklahoma and her people today. Healing is still taking place in the hearts of those who survived and there isn't one of us who will ever forget our profound loss...

Blessings today for a day lived in peace.

Love to you...
Rebecca

Source : http://rebecca-gatheryeroses.blogspot.com/2011/04/oklahoma-city-bombing-anniversary-well.html

'Audrina': Watch the premiere of Audrina Patridge's VH1 show here

Audrina Patridge's shot at being a reality-TV star without LC, Justin Bobby or any of her other "Hills" cohorts premieres at Sunday night on VH1. But you don't have to wait that long to see it.

VH1 has put the entire premiere episode of "Audrina" online -- and we've got it right here for you.

The show follows Audrina, last seen on "Dancing With the Stars" in the fall, through her life as a model/actress/21st-century celebrity. Her family -- parents Mark and Lynn, sisters Casey and Sammy and brother Marky -- is alongside for most of it, because Audrina wants it that way. "No matter how crazy or amazing it gets, I want my family by my side," she says in the intro to the show.

The Mark Burnett-produced series debuts at 9 p.m. ET Sunday (April 17) on VH1. Take a look and let us know what you think.

Source : http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/04/audrina-watch-the-premiere-of-audrina-patridges-vh1-show-here.html

'Game of Thrones' review: Well-acted, beautifully shot fantasy for grownups

HBO did not go small in making "Game of Thrones," its first series in the fantasy genre.

For starters, there's the source material: "A Game of Thrones," a 700-plus-page novel by George R.R. Martin that's the shortest in his "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. Production on the show's 10 episodes ran for seven months in Northern Ireland and Malta. There are 17 actors listed in the opening credits, and at least that many more have good-sized roles in the series. The marketing has been nearly ubiquitous in recent weeks.


So does it all add up to something you'll want to watch when it premieres at 9 p.m. ET Sunday (April 17)? In two words: Hell yes. "Game of Thrones" is a grown-up fantasy tale that is less about magic and mysticism than it is about power, political gamesmanship and the consequences of both. It's stunningly rendered and very well-acted, and though the first few episodes have a tendency toward telling rather than showing, the pace rarely feels slack.

Caveat time: I wasn't familiar with Martin's work prior to the series. I started reading "A Game of Thrones" before watching, then stopped after I saw the first two episodes -- not out of lack of interest (quite the contrary), but because I found myself tracking how faithful the TV series was to the novel (quite faithful, for as far as I read) rather than really paying attention to what was on screen. I wanted to evaluate the series as its own work.

As adapted by executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, "Game of Thrones" follows the numerous power-hungry and amoral figures (along with a few decent ones) surrounding the Iron Throne, the seat of power in Westeros. It's currently occupied by King Robert Baratheon (a lusty Mark Addy), who took power in a rebellion some years before in which the previous king was killed by Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who happens to be the twin brother of Robert's wife, Queen Cersei (Lena Headey).

As the series opens, Robert travels to the remote northern citadel of Winterfell to ask his hold friend Eddard "Ned" Stark (Sean Bean) to be the Hand of the King -- his closest adviser. Robert doesn't really trust anyone else at the court, and with good reason; his wife is already looking forward to the day when their son Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) takes the throne, others around him -- notably Petyr Baelish, also known as Littlefinger ("The Wire's" Aidan Gillen) -- have their own agendas, and, well, Jaime killed the last king.

Ned is more than a little reluctant to leave his home; he fought alongside Robert in the rebellion but would rather leave the power struggles to others. Duty-bound, though, he accepts and travels to the capital city, King's Landing, with daughters Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Arya (Maisie Williams, who's wonderfully feisty) while his wife, Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) and sons Robb (Richard Madden) and Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) stay at Winterfell.

That's the primary story, but the show also spends significant time in two other locales. Ned's illegitimate son, Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) leaves to join the forsaken men who guard the Wall, a massive, miles-long barrier separating the north of Westeros from a frozen wilderness beyond that's home to "wildlings" (barbaric men) and, as seen in the opening scenes of the premiere, maybe something more sinister. He's accompanied on the early part of his journey by Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), the dwarf brother of Cersei and Jaime, who's an outcast in his own way but also possibly the smartest (and definitely the funniest) character in the series.

game-of-thrones-review2.jpgAcross the sea, Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd), the exiled son of the murdered previous king, is scheming to reclaim the throne via his sister Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), whom he marries off to a warlord, Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), in exchange for the promise of an army to take back to Westeros. Clarke, in her first major role, creates one of the most compelling arcs in "Game of Thrones" as Daenerys grows from a scared and lonely girl to a young woman who's becoming increasingly aware of and confident in her own strength.

Got all that?

It's a lot to absorb, and people who come to the show without knowledge of Martin's books will probably feel a bit lost in the first couple episodes. (In this aspect, "Game of Thrones" has a lot in common with previous HBO shows "The Wire" and "Deadwood.") The first couple episodes also have the characters delivering a lot of expository dialogue, which is a necessary evil in almost any show but here sometimes tips the talk-vs.-action scale in the wrong direction.

As the characters' motives and allegiances become clearer, though, "Game of Thrones" develops into what's often gripping television. Bean's "reluctant gunslinger" (as exec producer Weiss describes him), Dinklage's charming schemer, Clarke's growing force and several more performances -- including almost uniformly good work from the child actors in the cast -- ground the show's story firmly in reality. The show's production team also does a fantastic job at creating the world of Westeros, with location shooting enhanced greatly by excellent visual effects work.

"Game of Thrones" drops you into a fully realized world, and once you get your bearings, you'll want to stay there.

Here's a clip from Sunday's premiere, in which Daenerys meets Khal Drogo for the first time.

Source : http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/04/game-of-thrones-review-well-acted-beautifully-shot-fantasy-for-grownups.html

Sophie Cranston Chosen as Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Designer

I've been the first to report many exclusive details on the royal wedding, but the biggest scoop is undoubtedly the identity of Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer.

Sophie Cranston of the Libélula label is said to have won the coveted commission to make Catherine's wedding dress. You might recall that the royal bride-to-be stepped out to a friend's wedding in Yorkshire this January in a much-talked-about, vintage-inspired, Libélula black velvet dress coat with a diamante clasp -- the Dulwich coat, named after the area in South London where Cranston has her studio:


Through my insider sources, I've heard who was designing Catherine's wedding dress four months ago but kept it a secret in accordance with palace wishes, only divulging in my Huffington Post story last December that the designer is a young, relatively unknown British woman. At the time, everyone else was certain that Bruce Oldfield was the chosen designer. The relentless media speculation then moved on to a host of other names such as Alice Temperley, and even Victoria Beckham, before settling on front-runner Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

A St. James's Palace spokesperson I talked to won't confirm or deny that Cranston had been selected, only saying, "We are not being drawn on any speculation on the wedding and cannot comment."

But something this big won't stay a secret indefinitely. Catherine's wedding dress is near-completion and with less than two weeks to go, there's indication that the designer's identity might soon be revealed, anyway. It's also likely that there is more than one dress made (by the same designer), much like Princess Diana's dressmakers, David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who had a "back-up" dress in case something happened to the first one.

***For more royal wedding news, visit our Royal Wedding page.***

From what I've uncovered, the reason the palace did not announce the designer's name (as they did with the Emanuels who were confirmed just one month after Diana's engagement) was to protect Cranston and her family from media scrutiny for as long as possible, and to allow her the freedom to create the wedding gown of Catherine's dreams without additional pressures and distractions. It's stressful enough to make an unforgettable gown that will be seen by billions around the world and which will be immortalized in royal and fashion history.

34-year-old Cranston is young but certainly not short on talent. As I've said before, this will be another Jason Wu-moment -- when a talented, previously little-known designer is launched and becomes a globally-recognized name.

Cranston won the Designer of the Year Award at London's Graduate Fashion Week in 1999 and then went on to hone her design skills under the tutelage of Alexander McQueen before going into business with Alice Temperley to create the Temperley label in 2000. A couple of years later, Cranston left for Andalusia, Spain to pursue her interest in flamenco and her time at Costa La Luz inspired her to create her own label Libélula, which means dragonfly in Spanish. The line is known for its feminine, figure-flattering silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, and vibrant use of colors and prints. There is also a small ready-to-wear and bespoke bridal collection, according to her website.

Since establishing Libélula in 2002, Cranston has gradually acquired a loyal and discerning clientele which includes Catherine and the Middleton ladies, as well as Emma Watson, Jerry Hall and writer Celia Warden who married fellow journalist Piers Morgan last year in a Libélula gown.

Coincidentally, the Libélula española is one of the first helicopters invented -- perhaps a subliminal nod to Prince William's job as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot? Oh, the little clues!

That's all, for now, readers -- don't expect me to reveal the exact design of the dress. After all, Catherine should have her big moment when she arrives at Westminster Abbey and surprises William and everyone else with her spectacular gown fit for a future queen.

Source : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yvonne-yorke/sophie-cranston-kate-middleton-wedding-dress-designer_b_850090.html

Good Friday Sports

Will there be any Good Friday sports or football match you can watch somewhere? Not in my place of the world. Most, if not all, are on Lenten breaks. No badminton, no basketball, and certainly no football. There will be no sports on TV that day. (I’m not sure with cable though)

But hey, in Australia, there were plans to put football in the calendar for a Good Friday match. These made lots of Christian churches fuming mad. According to reports, Catholic spokesman Bishop Christopher Prowse said: “Good Friday is a day like no other for the vast majority of Victorians who are Christians and even for those who are not. It’s a time to reflect on deeper issues and on our ultimate destiny. Sport should serve humanity and society, not the other way around. This is making sport itself into a religion.”


Though that statement was made a couple of years ago, it is still true today. Are you thinking of playing sports on Good Friday? Do you think this is the same as people going to the beach on Good Friday or just staying at home watching movies all day forgetting what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross more than 2,000 years ago? For some, Sports is an alternative as they never really have anything to reflect on that day.

I remember my grandmother saying, “Never go near the beach on Good Friday. Sharks will prowl the shoreline and snatch those swimming even in shallow waters. And never ever do anything that will bruise or injure you. It will take another Good Friday for your injury to heal”

So, those wanting to play sports on Good Friday, please avoid any injuries. Those watching from home, is it really a good time to do just that. As for me, I will go somewhere and ponder on what my Savior did for me. This is a time for reflection.

Source : http://ceblogger.com/2011/04/18/good-friday-sports-footbal/

To boldly go… online: New frontier as Nasa posts thousands of incredible space images on the internet

You'll go starry-eyed at Nasa’s latest mission success - because the space agency has uploaded thousands of amazing space snaps onto the internet, including shots of previously unseen galaxies, stars and asteroids.

The colossal gallery – available to anyone with a connection to the web - was taken by Nasa’s super hi-tech sky-mapping telescope.

It took a staggering two and a half million pictures of the universe, which include 33,000 new asteroids found floating between Mars and Jupiter – and 20 comets.


Since 2009 the £200million infrared telescope, called the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has been scanning the cosmos with the most sophisticated cameras ever deployed in space.
‘The spectacular new data just released remind us that we have many new neighbours,’ said Pete Schultz, a space scientist at Brown University.

So far, Nasa has released just half of the images that WISE took and plans to upload many more in the near future.
WISE ran out of coolant in October, making it unable to chill its heat-sensitive instruments and observe faraway objects. So instead it has taken up sentry duties and will spend the next four months peering into the space around Earth for potentially threatening asteroids and comets.

To see the images, log on to www.nasa.gov/wise.
Source :http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1377762/Nasa-posts-thousands-amazing-space-images-internet.html

The Fastest Cars Under $30,000

Think you've got to spend big if you want a fast car? Think again.

Plenty of affordable cars will do zero to 60 mph in under six seconds; some are one-third the price of racers from Porsche or BMW.

The Ford Mustang GT, the Ford Mustang coupe and the rally-style Subaru Impreza WRX are just some of the thrifty speedsters that give luxury coupes a run for their money. Our list of the quickest under $30,000 has the others.

Behind the Numbers

To compile this list we used zero-to-60 mph times for 2011 models tested by Edmunds' InsideLine.com. The 10 fastest that cost $30,000 or less made the cut.

It's no surprise that the cars with truly blistering zero-to-60 mph times, like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid—4.1 and 3.1 seconds, respectively—are much too expensive for this tally.

But one surprising and notable absence on our list is the much-adored Mazda Mx-5 Miata. While track nerds and weekend drivers love the little roadster, it just didn't have the pep to compete.

"The Miata is fun and handles well and will beat some of those cars on a racetrack, but it doesn't have the horsepower to accelerate from zero to 60 quickly, " says Dan Edmunds, the director of vehicle testing for Edmunds.com. "Handling and cornering speed are where the fun is for many, but acceleration is a different factor."

Another note: Our list includes only cars. Had we included pickup trucks, the $26,410 Toyota Tundra Tundra (zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds) would have qualified.

Finding Speed for Non-Luxury Prices

The trick to finding a quick car is knowing where and how to look: Models like the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart and Mazda Mazdaspeed3 go zero to 60 in 5.8 and 6.4 seconds, respectively, because they are short, lightweight and turbocharged. They don't need huge engines in order to speed up quickly because they don't weight a whole lot to begin with.

If you want to hold the price down on a sporty car, it'll also help to forgo engine upgrades altogether. Take the Chevrolet Camaro, for instance, which fell just short of making our list: With a sprint time of 6.7 seconds, the V6 version wasn't fast enough; the $31,795 V8 SS variant, although fast, was a bit too pricey.

"Technologies like direct [fuel] injection and variable valve timing systems ... allow even the smallest engines to generate impressive horsepower while retaining reasonable levels of fuel efficiency," says Ed Hellwig, the editor of InsideLine.com.

The same attitude of thrift should apply to creature comforts like leather seats and technology packages—opting out of those means your car will be lighter, faster and less expensive. But that sacrifice of the finer things in life shouldn't be too much of a problem for most buyers in this range. Cars like the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mazda's hatchbacks are loved for their rough-and-tumble rally personalities, not for interior frippery or extra design cues.

That said, Ford has done a great job in the last few years of making small cars with high quality and decent interior design. (The two 'Stangs on our list indicate that commitment.)

Hyundai and Kia have done the same, says Eric Lyman, the director of residual values for automotive analysis firm ALG. Indeed, the Hyundai Genesis 3.8 R-Spec Coupe, Hyundai Sonata SEand Kia Optima SX each qualified for our list because they are both quick and affordable.

"Hyundai has done remarkably well over the past couple of years, and we're expecting Kia will be on a similar trajectory that Hyundai has been," Lyman says

Source : http://autos.yahoo.com/news/the-fastest-cars-under--30-000.html

Actor Nicolas Cage arrested in New Orleans (AP)

NEW ORLEANS - Actor Nicolas Cage was arrested after he got drunk in the city's French Quarter and argued in the street with his wife over whether a house they were in front of was theirs, police said Saturday.

The couple was in front of a home that Cage insisted they were renting, police said. When she said it wasn't theirs, Cage grabbed her arm, according to a police news release.

Cage started hitting vehicles and tried to get into a taxi, police said. An officer saw that Cage was drunk and told him to get out of the cab. Cage then started yelling at the officer.

The actor has been booked on charges of domestic abuse battery, disturbing the peace and public drunkenness. He was released on $11,000 bond Saturday.

Representatives for Cage could not immediately be reached Saturday.

Cage has been a frequent visitor to New Orleans, where he has owned property and shot movies. He has also had financial troubles, despite being one of the highest-paid stars in Hollywood.

He had been behind on taxes and has said he's had to sell numerous assets because of his finances. He sued his former business manager in October 2009 for $20 million, claiming the man's advice led him to financial ruin.

Cage won an Academy Award for his performance in 1995's "Leaving Las Vegas."

Source : http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/actor-nicolas-cage-arrested-new-orleans-ap?nc