Total Pageviews

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Academy Awards Glamour

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



Click topic for LINK


The best and beautiful of the Oscars .... see the gowns!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/style/

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41762722/ns/today-entertainment/

20/20

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


The story of fraud, betrayal and murder ... Martin and Michele MacNeill ... success and suburban normality masked a swirl of self serving secrets and calculating psychopaths.

You just never know ... with people.

Charlie World

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

Its obvious Charlie Sheen world is a crazed rollercoaster ride and Brooke Mueller looks desperate to get off in this photo.  The new girlfriend Natalie Kenly is a dubious character to enter Charlie's life at this time, like all the rest she probably thinks things will go differently for her ... fat chance ... we women, never change!  Denise Richards thought so and said as much when media and public sentiment warned her until she felt it the hard way and not withstanding Brooke Mueller jumped right in - to her own detriment.

Love ~~ the best his money can buy ...

Saturday, February 26, 2011

A puzzle for the ages

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



Click topic for LINK

Ancient statues destroyed in the British bombing of Berlin in World War II have been painstakingly restored  during a nine year period - 27,000 fragments of 3,000 year old Tell Halaf treasures - had been taken from today's Syria by German collector, Max von Oppenheim. 

The royal palace of Tell Halaf was adorned with statues and carvings by Aramaic tribesmen of the first century BC.  Oppenheim, an archaeologist, diplomat and Arab world enthusiast discovered the palace remains in 1889 and obtained permission to excavate which was interrupted by the first World War.  The project was complete 30 years after the initial discovery - its treasures divided between a museum in Aleppo, Syria and Oppenheim.

Oppenheim opened a museum in 1930 that was destroyed in an air raid in 1943, the collection was believed lost with statues shattered into fragments.  Nine truckloads were taken to the basement of Berlin's archaeological Pergamon Museum where the fragments languished for 50 years.  The reunification of Berlin in the 1990s resurrected hope of the treasures' restoration.

A story of discovery and restoration tied to the vagaries of Germany's 20th century history.

Queen Victoria's last companion

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


Victorian scandal .... !

The subject of Abdul Karim - Queen Victoria's 24 year old Indian servant, she was 42 years his senior - caused such furore that all correspondence between them was ordered destroyed after her death by her son, King Edward.

..... but correspondence on his side survived.  Karim's "lost diary" had been secretly held by his family for 100 years.

He was her most trusted companion.  Despite the suspicious and skittish nature of her son, the King and royal court, the relationship provided companionship for an aging monarch - their age difference was such that romance seemed far fetched.  Tellingly, the Queen was equally fond of Karim's wife.

Abortion is safer than having a baby, doctors say

Abortion is safer than having a baby, doctors say

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Memoirs of a 1920s maid ...

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

A true account of social annihilation - a pre-war kichen maid in London explores the soul shattering experience of serving the rich and losing the dignity of humanity to the scourge of poverty and social annimosity.

Feminine Ideal Concealed a Truly Deadly Core

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

                          NAZI WOMEN
Eva Braun
Click topic for LINK


... blond, fresh of face and pure.

Dedicated to the cause of the Fuhrer, women were bestowed the gold Cross of Honour for the German Mother for bearing four or more 'childrich' (take on Reich).

A book in Germany - Perpetrators: Women Under National Socialism - blows the lid off Reich propaganda of the the docile, devoted fairer sex and reveals their sadistic, war mongering attitudes that matched that of their men.

The proof of feminine agency was rampant as they aggressively advanced themselves. during those deadly years of the war. 

Friday, February 25, 2011

William & Catherine ~ Wills & Kate?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Catherine Middleton and her Prince on their second official sighting, this time at St. Andrews in Scotland - their alma mater that boasts a stellar success rate in the romance department of putting couples who will marry together.  The third oldest school in Britain, St. Andrews is replete with beauty and historic virtuosity.

Kate looked great in the Institution's signature red - for formal occassions.

The day marred only by the William's use of the grammatically foul phrase, "This is a very special moment for Catherine and me."  When the English no longer know english then we are certain classic bearing is going to pot.

The correct phrase is ... Catherine and I - a smarty pant blogger corrected Camille Grammer last week by telling her the correct grammar was ... Kelsey and me NOT Kelsey and I.  For shame!  If one deems to correct then be correct! For heaven's sake!

William and Catherine are grand but with that sort of talk they may as well remain Wills and Kate.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1360572/Kate-Middleton-Prince-William-return-St-Andrews-romance-started.html

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

I am greatly moved by the story of Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish - I feel overwhelming love for him and am proud to know his story and know he is in this world. 

I cried at his anguish after the execution of his children and I hope for him every favour that Allah/God can bestow on a human being.  May he only know peace.  I wish him luck and victory on his courageous journey.

What a great sight to see a human living in the light of an enlightened being - he is a treasure and an inspiration.

Royal hub bub

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

A great hub bub made about the christening of an inflatable boat that had champagne poured on because a shattered bottle would shatter the boat!

Any hoo ... the hub bub was about Kate and watching the new couple conduct their first Royal duty.

Kate looked fashionably stunning which is always fun to see ....

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Laugh or die tryin'!

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Doubtless we don't need another article on fragrances debuted by the Kardashians squared ...

with that point in mind let me share the amusing comments that accompanied this latest missive ~

  • Is there anything they won't endorse???????
  • Mmmm, the smell of superficiality and vacuous stupidity!
  • I have always wondered what stupid smelt like ...
  • vile. enough said
  • It all smells of desperation.
  • Thank you so much for this news FINALLY 2 Kardashian fragrances to choose from, I have been ummin and arring over this choice for so long which Kardashian should I smell like, as I'm sure the rest of the people out there are also fretting over which to pick.  ..... I am now going to have sleepless nights over this, I may even have a heart attack.  Maybe the third one should release a fragrance as well and we can all smell like talentless morons.

Best Actress in a Film

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


See the Best Actress Oscar winners since 1960 ...

Another great tour down nostalgia lane from Lifetime.com

Lil' Kate Middleton

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

When Kate was a lil' tyke .....

That's baby Kate with her grandmother Dorothy Goldsmith - who is the daughter of Kate's great-grandmother, recognised as the woman with airs and ambitions of grandeur that led her descendant through the doors of royalty.

5 more photo adorables
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-207_162-10006945.html?tag=cbsnewsTopThreePromoArea.0;fdRoyalWeddingPromo

Monday, February 21, 2011

Children of the Reich

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


What happened to the children of the Nazi's?

Hitler encouraged reproduction of his "Master Race" and there were large families in the Reich.  He was godfather to many.

Magda, wife of Joseph Goebbels had six children (the family died by suicide at the fall of the Reich) in what was her second marriage - she was married once before to the industrialist Gunther Quandt and had a son, Harald who survived the war and was an Allied prisoner.  He focused on rebuilding the family businesses on his release, at the time of his death in a plane crash at 45, the Quants were major shareholders in BMW and remain one the richest clans in Germany.

Martin Bormann Jr., son of Hitler's personal secretary  Martin Bormann, was one of ten siblings and Hitler's godson and has spent his life repenting his father's choices by becoming a priest, a missionary in the Congo and joined with Jewish groups to visit Auschwitz and Holocaust survivors in Israel.

Gudrun Burwitz, daughter of Heinrich Himmler who over saw the "Final Solution" as head of the sinister SS that exterminated millions of persecuted people -  continues to be devoted to her father's memory and heads the Stille Hilfe charity for support of exNazis. 

Adolf Eichmann oversaw the logistics of transporting the Jews to concentration camps, known as the "architect of the Holocaust" he escaped to Argentina but was captured by Mossad and hung in Israel in 1962.  His youngest, Ricardo was five at his father's capture and condemns his acts and has sanctioned the execution.  His oldest brother Horst is an unrepentant Nazi and listed his father as "Lieutenant Colonel retired" on his marriage license.

Wolf Rudiger Hess, only child of Rudolf Hess a Hitler deputy, third in succession, was incarcerated in 1941 when he flew to Scotland to negotiate a peace treaty, he spent the rest of his life in prison.  His son was a committed Nazi who wrote two books in praise of his father's life, My Father Rudolf Hess and Who Killed My Father Rudolf Ness?

The very private Edda Goering is the sole progeny of Herman Goering - Hitler's successor and head of the Armed Forces until the demise of the Reich and his burgeoning morphine habit led ot his undoing - and lives a quiet existence in South Africa.  She had Hitler for a godfather.

Goering's great-niece Bettina, unlike Edda, spoke publicly declaring her obvious resemblance to Goering was greater than that of his own daughter and she had sterilized herself to prevent the continuation of a monster's bloodline.

Hans Frank was a minister of the Reich and Governor General of occupied Poland, he had five children, Niklas the youngest is exceptionally anti-Nazi and especially disgusted by the actions of his father. 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/2011/02/110222_outlook_nazi_niklasfrank.shtml

Another great collection from Lifetime.com ... pictures at the link.


The Lebensborn program http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Europe/2009/jan/Nazi-Victims-as-Children-Lebensborn-Adults-Piece-Together-Their-Pasts.html

Nazi children want reconciliation http://nazichildren.org/debatereconciliation.html

Nazi children - a short (version) of history http://www.nazichildren.org/history.html

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Charlie Chaplin a Gypsy?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Charlie Chaplin ~ born in a gypsy caravan!

A letter declaring his secret was delivered six years before his death in 1977.  He hid the letter in a bureau drawer found by his daughter when she inherited the piece after her mother, Oona's death in 1991.

A locksmith broke in and revealed his Romany heritage - born in the caravan of a Gypsy Queen, his aunt, in the Black Patch, a thriving Gypsy community on the outskirts of bustling Birmingham in 1889.

A twentieth century icon famous for his Little Tramp character had survived a tough work house childhood.  The family home in Montreux, Switzerland may be opened as a museum in celebration of the life of the great star of silent film.

Mewdini

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

CRAZY KITTY

MEWDINI ... cat in a jar!

Isn't she just the cutest thing?

Royal Invites Mailed

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for INVITE at the LINK


THE ROYAL INVITATIONS ARE MAILED

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Monica Bellucci, Denise Richards and many more celebrities photo gallery - NYPOST.com

Monica Bellucci, Denise Richards and many more celebrities photo gallery - NYPOST.com

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


FELLOW DOG LOVERS ...

40 Years Ago

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK


A consternating tragedy too soon forgotten.  In 1961, Sabena Flight 548 enroute to the World Figure Skating Championship in Prague, Czechoslovakia crashed in Berg-Kampenhout, a small farming town north of Brussels.  All 72 passengers including the entire US team of 18 and 14 of their friends, family and coaches perished.  A young farmer was also killed on the ground.

An entire generation of the US figure skating community died in the crash - a loss keenly felt by all who followed them.

Fashion Icon Queen Victoria

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

The tradition of the white wedding dress began with Queen Victoria - symbol of viginity, happiness and innocence.  These days a white dress suggests a first-time-bride rather than a statement of purity. 

Ivory is a popular shade for modern brides but before the Queen's signature statement, brides wore coloured robes including black, adorned by gems.

Queen Victoria wed Prince Albert at Chapel Royal of St. James in London in 1840 - the bride wore a white silk gown trimmed with orange blossoms and a veil of lace.  An impractical choice at that time and reserved for women of wealth because a white gown would be worn only once.  Her choice of dress was a definitive statement not lost on ladies of that era.

And the rest is history ...


more tid bits
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yvonne-yorke/kate-middle-royal-wedding-dress_b_816107.html?fbwall

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Rule Britannia

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

Rule Britannia!

~~ Britain RULES the day at the Oscars ... year after year.

Could it be the clipped British accent or the literary classics of British history that evoke nostalgia?

The recession has skewered the lives of ordinary folks and they have found escapist entertainment in (you guessed) HISTORY!

Some favourites  ... mine:

Gosford Park             My Fair Lady             Young Victoria - raging fan of Emily Blunt

Elizabeth: The Golden Age          The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie         Mary Poppins

Vivien Leigh's Scarlett in Gone With the Wind and in A Street Car Named Desire

Helen Mirren's The Queen              The English Patient           GiGi     


Bravo ...  Bravo ...  Bravo

50 Beautiful Women of Film

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Golden Screen, Silver Screen and today -- faces you may recall but many you  forgot so check it out.

LOST SOUL

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception





Looking at this succubus wanna-be jackass.

..... horns!!!! For real? and what the hell are those raised tatooed areas and gouged lines - sad, just sad. 

Civil Rights Cold Cases

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK


Investigating Civil Rights-Era cold cases ...

The famous case 14 year old Emmett Louis Till killed in 1955 for whistling at a woman ignited the Civil Rights Movement and inspired this serial documentary.

A new series "The Injustice Files" on Investigation Discovery covers racially-motivated homicides committed before 1970.

Cold cases are irresistably intriguing!






History in Wax

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK



44 US Presidents in history forever carved in wax at Madame Tussaud's.

So cool ... take a look!

Ancient Cannibals

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



Ancient Britons ate the dead and made cups from skulls.

Oh boy!!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_science_britain_skulls;_ylt=Aq764omKtGl2TZcEGjJFom.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTN0N3BzYWtpBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTEwMjE3L3VzX3NjaWVuY2VfYnJpdGFpbl9za3VsbHMEY2NvZGUDbW9zdHBvcHVsYXIEY3BvcwM5BHBvcwM2BHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfbGlzdARzbGsDYW5jaWVudGJyaXRv

DaVinci

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


Renaissance man Leonardo DaVinci famous for his mysterious genius may have embedded codes and secrets in his works of art.

Joan Crawford

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK


Meet Joan Crawford - sexual siren, aggressor ... deviant?

Reality Recompense

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK


"Who knew it would be this profitable? I should have had more kids."  Kris Jenner

With her 10% in hand mom-manager Kris Jenner has led a slew of Kardashian endorsements of every concievable product from tampons and Sketchers Shape-Ups to Charmin Ultra toilet paper and the Quick Trim diet line of products.  Fragrances, jewelry, clothing lines, beauty products, endless photo shoots and oooo so much more.

'My mother has just always been this: "Lets make water into wine" person' said my last and least favourite KK - Khloe Kardashian.  "She knows how to take one small talent or ability and grow it into something huge."  You said it sista!

Top dogs in celeb culture up for every undesirably low-brow fad, the Kardashians have amassed a veritable fortune for doing very little by way of talent.  We cannot forget their exhausting use of the word "like" repeated at every other word - a curious monotony akin to eating waaaay too much ice cream and getting a tummy ache.

Kardashian ka-ching
http://www.bing.com/news/search?q=kardashians+made+%2465+million+&qpvt=kardashians+made+%2465+million+&p1=%5bNewsVertical+Category%3d%22rt_Entertainment%22%5d&FORM=EWRE

Keeping up with the Krass ...

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Uncle Tom

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK


BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Truly knowing Uncle Tom of black history ...

He was not a "sell-out" - he was deeply faithful, an enslaved man of character and courage. 

Know what it really means to-be-a-Tom the world needs many more of them!

Paris Hilton

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



Do the brat quiz!

In the very involved and spiteful world of Paris Hilton.

Answer questions about Paris and her frenemies at the link. 


For the girl who has every material thing --- some more ....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1357464/Paris-Hilton-believe-eyes-receives-luxury-sports-car-boyfriend-30th-birthday.html

Monday, February 14, 2011

Jessica Simpson major player

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


Who woulda a thunk it!!!! ???

Jessica Simpson is a major fashionista of epic proportions on the level with Michael Kors and Vera Wang.

She is sitting on a billion dollars in sales.

A veritable, verified success is she ...

Royal Bridal Cuteness

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Cute Alert!

The Royal Couple (to-be) have announced their wedding party. 

Phillipa aka Pippa as Maid of Honour and Harry as Best Man ...

No surprises there but for William's break with protocol in having his brother as his Best Man and not as Supporter, which is the rooooyal waaaay.

Click at the link to see the cuties because the remaining members of their bridal party are all little children.

Hideous Hiltons

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Very tardy uptake on a book long published The Hideous Hiltons ... a fun page to read!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Tunisian *itch Leila Trabelsi

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Final words of Leila Trabelsi heard on Tunisian soil moments before her and husand President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled, "get on board, you idiot" ... "All my life I've had to put up with your stupidity.  Just get on!"

Ben Ali said, "I don't want to go. I want to die in my country."

It is alleged they escaped with gold from the central treasury worth $35 million pounds though international arrest warrants have been issued for property theft and illegal foreign currency transfers.

They are believed to be in luxurious exile in Saudi Arabia.

Egyptian Euphoria

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Congratulations to the people of Egypt!

Now you have to watch your army very, very closely ... your work has only just begun.

Here's to new beginnings!

wonderful 1800s photos of Egypt's awesome history
http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/55271/early-photos-egypt-in-the-1800s#index/0


Hosni Mubarak - the last Pharoah
http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/55221/hosni-mubarak-the-last-pharaoh#index/0


From Life.com - of course!!!!!

Halle Brrrr mother bear

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

Halle Berry is an exceptionally beautiful woman who finally fulfilled her most prized dream by giving birth to a cherished baby - her beloved daughter whose features are reminiscent of her father, Gabriel Aubry.

Nahla's dad is white - Berry is bi-racial.  Well known pop-culture factum.

Now that their love has soured, fighting over their child has erupted.  This article suggests that Gabriel Aubry has long been offended by references to his daughter being black.

Halle declares herself black because she looks more black than white and the world sees her as black.  This is the argument used by Barack Obama as well.

Bi-racial children have little lee-way - they acknowledge the race box the world foists upon them.

Halle notes that she abides by the one-drop rule - if you have one drop of black blood, you are black.

A comment on this article highlighted that Nahla's hereditary line includes 3 white grandparents and a white parent, therefore Nahla can declare herself white.

How cute ... until Nahla begins declaring herself white to the world and suffers rejections on nightmare proportions her mother will give her life to shield her child from.

So lets get down to basics - Nahla's skin is not white it is decidedly brown which puts her in the category of black, a category made abundantly clear by the caucasian members of their race.

Gabriel Aubry has every right to free unfettered access to his child but his race argument is just plain undoable. 

Klass-less Khloe Kardashian

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

I've been very clear of mind for some time that Khloe Kardashian is a complete mindless waste of classless trash.

And here's the proof ...

She and her made-money-by-playing-ball husband have felt it necessary to writhe about naked to promote their uni-sex parfum ... because there was just no other option for publicizing their love ah product.

BY the way, the Beckhams wore underwear when they posed together.

Go ahead Klhoe-less tell us we are all just jealous haters but what are you?

She is ridiculous.

...... aaaaaand the picture is too scary to post here you will have to click the link to see for yourself.

Love is ...

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It does not dishonour others,
it is not self seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no records of wrong.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-5

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Madoff melancholy

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


The long, slow suffering ... aftermath of the biggest ponzi scheme in history.

If you are a Madoff in 2011 - you have no peace.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Meryl Streep

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


Meryl Streep is awesome, a great, great actress.

Soon she will be Margaret Thatcher, history maker and Britain's iron lady.  She was Anna Wintour (allegedly) and done to perfection in the Devil Wears Prada and morphed into Julia Child herself! in Julie and Julia. 

We all know every role and decade of this great talented life has entertained and inspired, how lucky are we to witness this pure and unparalleled gift - Meryl Streep.

Madonna's Malawi

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

I am not sure I understand ... maybe this article is chock full of emotional rants but whether or not these words are true, Madonna is in the midst of a public relations nightmare.  She is long used to controversy, it built her career and one-woman empire but some things are not easily explained as mere misunderstandings or broken communication. 

The adoption of children from impoverished countries with families who love them but cannot feed them, have not abandoned their family connections, they are poor.  It is unseemly to whisk their children away while promising future visits in earshot of the world and then renege on your word.

I remember the promises of visits during the adoption of Mercy because the previous adoption of Malawian boy, David Banda by Madonna, was at that time mired in similar accusations of withheld visits by his father.  Madonna has not learnt.

To add insult, land cleared for the erection of a school was on fertile land in use by villagers who were made to vacate but it now stands idle and is a dust bowl no longer fertile.  So what happened to plans for the school?  Madonna claims she has bigger plans now, except the Malawian government know nothing of them.

This PR nightmare puts Madonna in a terrible position - she appears insensitive, calculating and dishonest and she may be just that but no one will get away with taking children of the poor away from their loved ones in lieu of money - when there are countless others with no food or family one can adopt - and not expect mounting public scorn.  An orphan is an orphan, a poor child in safe keeping at an orphanage is not the same thing.

Would it not be better to donate funds to help these institutions - a little goes a long way.

Nex Gen Royale

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

At the link see fetching photos of the Next Generation of Royal British coussies!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Los Angeles: Nightclubs with secrets to reveal - latimes.com

Los Angeles: Nightclubs with secrets to reveal - latimes.com

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Bands that broke up in history

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

The Beatles, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Talking Heads, The Supremes, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Sex Pistols, The Kinks, The Clash, The Mamas & The Papas, Boston, Rage Against the Machine, Dead Kennedys and The Doors.

Real biz Online: History of domestication & cultivation of rice

Real biz Online: History of domestication & cultivation of rice: "Asia Terraced rice paddy on a hill slope in Indonesia. The average Asian rice farmer owns a few hectares : Banaue Rice Terraces, N..."

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Spinach

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


Hey folks ~~ eat your SPINACH!!!  Click through and see all its incredibly healthy effects ... Popeye always ate his spinach for very good reasons!

Wallis

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

The King's Speech chronicles the personal drama of speech impaired King George VI who was called to inspire his people as the monumentous days of World War II approached.  King George and Queen Elizabeth were parents of today's Queen Elizabeth and her sister Margaret.  If Prince William refused to become King and thrust his brother Harry in his stead, such a scenario though similar, could not approximate that event because his brother's capitulation from the throne meant King George became king unexpectedly, a role he had never aspired to fill.

http://www.kingsspeech.com/about.html

King Edward VIII began a love affair with Wallis Simpson, a married American socialite and divorcee in the 1930s.  A wholly unacceptable coupling that led to his abdication from the throne.  He became the Duke of Windsor on 10 December 1936 and later became Governor of Bahamas, living in Nassau until after the war when they decamped to Paris.

At the click are some well known insights into the woman and the relationship that precipitated one of the most controversial historic decisions of political and love lorn dimensions.

Life.com - photos of a King
http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/54991/george-vi-the-reluctant-king#index/0

A Modern Union that Endures

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

The 1772 Royal Marriages Act came to be when The Duke of Cumberland, brother to King George III secretly married Lady Anne Horton, a woman the King believed was of disreputable character.  The Act insists prior permission be granted from the monarch by members of the royal family hoping to marry.

Therefore Prince William sought his grandmother's assent to ask for Kate's hand.  The Queen has not vetoed any of her relatives' marriage choices so far and would do so only in line with the Prime Minister's objection, it is held.

The 1701 Act of Settlement ensures no Roman Catholic becomes the monarch or marries one - the result of both childless and ill King Edward III, who did not want his exiled Catholic rival James II to ascend after his death.  At that time to be King of England - due to Henry VIII machinations - meant he was ruler of England and Supreme Governor of the Anglican Church.

So, Kate is not Catholic, check.  Nor does she have to be royal or aristocratic, British or of Commonwealth citizenship to become his princess.  Being Muslim, Jewish or an aetheist would not disqualify her either. 

http://blogs.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/01/12/share-bbc-americas-royal-wedding-countdown-widget

http://blogs.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/01/12/share-bbc-americas-royal-wedding-countdown-widget

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Daily Thoughts

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Heavenly Father, thank you for empowering me to live in victory and freedom.  Today, I chose life by choosing to declare Your Word.  Help me, by Your Spirit, to always plant seeds of life and blessing into my future.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Joel & Victoria Osteen


"Patience is bitter, but the fruit is sweet."

Lida Clarkson


"People cannot give you more than they have to give."

Liz Murray

Pastor Eddie Long

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


Hmmm, shady, shady, shady.  Pastor Eddie Long of Atlanta - remember he is the one embroiled in a sex scandal while simultaneously hitting out against same sex affiliations - now appeals for financial help/understanding? to recoup/explain? funds now missing.

When money goes missing and people resign sans explanation you know something has gone irretrievably wrong ...

Shooting at church ...
http://www.eurweb.com/?p=83046

The Best Man

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception




Click topic for LINK

So this movie is one of my all time favourites The Best Man with Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard etc. .... remember it?  Terrence Howard's character was so fine and bad in that rude way - thought I was going die over the man! 

They got together for the  movie's 12th anniversary ... it's total fun so if you haven't seen it, please, please do!

Tiger's ex has a playmate?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Rumblings on the ground suggest Elin Nordegren has a new man in her life - a fellow university student from South Africa.  Obviously she would meet someone new and move on ... eventually.

Black History Month Little Known Fact: ‘British Black History Month’

Black History Month Little Known Fact: ‘British Black History Month’

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Black History month in the United Kingdom ... a look at the final days as abolition of the slave trade loomed and then became legislation.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Nine dresses, One wedding day

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



Gratuitous blog entry ~~ I had no idea that some where in the world one girl would wear nine dresses for an average of 2 hours each on her wedding day because she could not decide on one dress to buy for her big day!

And if you do not believe me click on the topic for the LINK to proof!

Egypt

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Egypt ~ a long and ancient history most famously recalled for its Pharaonic dynasties starting with Mena in 3100 B.C.E.

Egypt defies imagination with their structures and Pyramids at Giza that have defied nature's elements through time and stood their ground since 1567-1085 B.C.E. until 2011 A.D. and counting!

The last of their great Pharaohs was conquered by Alexander the Great in 322 B.C.E. but they had weathered earlier Persian incursions in 525 B.C.E.

Arab invasions and its cultural influence began in 642 C.E. and remain today.  The Ottoman Turks took control in 1517 until 1882 except for a short Napoleonic interruption. 

Cairo's growth into a city began in 1863.  The international flashpoint that is the Suez Canal was constructed in 1869.

The long and inaccurate film Lawrence of Arabia adapted from the book of the same name covers aspects of British activity in the region specifically during and after WW2 but Ottoman rule ended in Egypt when Britain assisted at the end of an 1882 Egyptian revolt against the Ottomans.  Egypt was a WW2 base of operations for Britain whose occupation continued there until 1922 when they declared the country's independence.  

Instability began in 1952 when three political forces began clashing for power over the region and the pivotal Suez Canal.  

In 1953 Egypt was declared a Republic with Lt. Col. Nasser as leader, his death in 1970 led to the election of Anwar el-SadatEgypt's 1973 war with Israel led to the 1978 Camp David Accords for peace and Sadat's assassination in 1981 was followed by Hosni Mubarak's election, a period now realized as one of slowed and still deteriorating political progress.


Cairo's geography ...http://geography.about.com/od/egyptmaps/a/cairo-geography.htm?nl=1

Super Bowl ad faves

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Super Bowl ads are usually funny - my top two this year .... little Darth Vader and Ozzie Osbourne with Justin Bieber. 

This little kid was all over the Today Show studio trying to get his "power from the dark side" to work. 

I have a little brother and was on the front line for all the crazy things a little boy will do ....  I would ask my mother through those years (until we were teenagers) if there was ever going to be a time when he was not in "phase."  Little brothers have ONE objective in life .... how can I annoy my big sister today!


Ozzie n' Bieber
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20464225,00.html

Liz Murray ~ an excellent being

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Liz Murray is living the awesome dream - when a human being transcends every insurmountable challenge - as she did, to go from homelessness to Harvard.  There is a Lifetime movie of that name but she also penned her heartwrenching tale in her book, Breaking Night.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12367024

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Murray

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Espionage and Ingenuity

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

During World War II chess sets with silk maps, compasses and codes hidden within were sent by MI6 to POW camps to help them escape their German captors.

There were packs of playing cards that fit together like a puzzle to form escape maps.

Blankets when immersed in water had clothes patterns drawn in invisible ink that became civilian clothes for escape.

Monopoly and other board games also hid maps and other information.

Incredible ingenuity that included code words that tipped prisoners onto the clues inside!

Who doesn't love the Whoop!

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Annette Bening reminisces all the way back to 1990 before the intrusive ridiculousness of tabloid craziness.  The winner, Whoopie Goldberg, invited her fellow nominees in the best supporting actress category to dinner - her treat.  A luxury Bening said would be impossible today without lens shoved in at the table and a headline article to match.

Whoopie won the Oscar that year for her crack up role in Ghost with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore.

Lindsay Lohan whaddup!?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

Ok Lindsay Lohan!  I loved you in Parent Trap because you didn't destroy my beloved childhood memories of a favoured film - remember Hailey Mills played the original twin roles - and you were sweet in Herbie too - I did love the Herbie movies - and Mean Girls was good enough and just about when you began to go off your rails and I did love you in Georgia Rules.  Like Amy Winehouse my support of your talent and my choice to be a fan led me to stick with you both through all your shit.

Blinded to your repetitive rehabbing, multiple neurosis and stubborn stupidity; I was swayed by your youth, family dramas and lost childhood yanked away by Hollywood celebrity.  I even defended you in conversations with people who practically hate you for throwing away your opportunities.

Through it all was the spectre of your dishonesty and repeated theft of high end photoshoot jewelry but you never ran low on excuses.  Now it seems your penultimate neurosis is kleptomania.  You need help.

Leave L.A. go back to Long Island and find yourself or slowly wither and dry up with a starring role in your own bitter, tragic tale.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20464188,00.html

Bogey n' Bacall

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

A new book by Stefan Kanfer undertakes seperation of the film icon from the man.

- His image, like that of Greta Garbo or Marilyn Monroe, is at the same time so familiar as to be almost empty of meaning, and haunted by emotion too complicated to express. -

Bogart magic ---

Casablanca
 THE BIG SLEEP   Key Largo to have and to have not 

Friday, February 4, 2011

Who Do You Think You Are?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

The second season of a major fave of mine NBC's Who Do You Think You AreReality TV with a historic twist - follows celebrities as they discover their genealogical history and fill in the secrets of their family trees and discover explosive new family stories.

It is poignant, moving and sometimes shocking and surprising - all great fun!

Last season honoured us as we shared their intimate journeys ~ Lisa Kudrow's sad and redemptive tale; Brooke Shields, a meld of French royalty and New Jersey working class bloodlines; Emmett Smith NFL legend found his West African roots; Spike Lee, his caucasian cousins; Sarah Jessica Parker learned her family have roots as old as America including a gold rush speculator and Matthew Broderick's Civil war ancestor wore the same soldier's ID number as the actor's Civil war character!  Susan Sarandon unearthed her mysterious grandmother who shared her unusual, identical physicality and showbusiness talents.

This season follows Rosie O'Donnell, Tim McGraw, Kim Cattrall, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lionel Ritchie and Boardwalk Empires's Steve Buscemi.  A real favourite girl of mine Ashley Judd, which I know will be big big fun!  Tonight's episode takes off with Vanessa Williams ...

It all starts tonight!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1354054/Vanessa-Williamss-ancestry-revealed-Who-Do-You-Think-You-Are.html

Chelsy is back!

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

My girl Chelsy is back in London.  Reunited with her Prince?  Maybe ...

http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20395222_20464263,00.html

Real Housewives of Miami

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

Strap yourselves in and get ready for another installment of some semi-real housewife antics!  Now that New York's premiere has been yanked for the time being because of sheer boredom.  We will have to be entertained by Bethenny and the crew in Miami.

Ancient Roman Road

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

A section of a 1,900 year old Roman super highway has been unearthed in Dorset Forest that ran from Badbury Rings to the Fort at Dorchester in England and was constructed by Roman invaders for troop movements from Londinium (London) to Exeter (Isca) and formed part of their road network from Old Sarum (now Salisbury) to Exeter. 

John Paul Getty III

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

Was famously kidnapped by an Italian gang for five months at 16 in 1973.

The initial ransom of $17 million was refused by his miserly grandfather who agreed to pay $2.9 million only after his grandson's severed ear was sent by kidnappers - Getty lll was charged the cost of his ransom at 4% interest to repay his family.  The trauma and rejection created a chasm and his life spiraled into drug abuse and familial estrangement.  He was disinherited after marrying an older woman at 24, the union produced a son, Balthazar, who created his own Hollywood scandal when he temporarily abandoned his wife and children for a public affair with the actress Sienna Miller.

A cocaine and heroin abuser, Getty lll suffered a stroke at 25 after overdosing on a mix of methadone, alcohol and valium but his father refused to pay his crippling hospital bills declaring them a consequence of his son's own drug addled life style. 

The stroke left JP in ill health, partially blind and paralysed - now 53, he is teetering on the brink of death and expected to die within days. 

Sad tale.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Getty_III

Timesonline Archive.  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/system/topicRoot/The_kidnap_of_J_Paul_Getty/

Getty III dies http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20464529,00.html

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Cedric, the houseguest now manny

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


Hee Hee Cedric the con-artist from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills makes a resurgence on the arms of Eddie Cibrian's ex Brandi Glanville whose husband was wrenched from her bed by LeAnn Rimes, a dimmer-shadow-of-a-version-of-sexy-lover one would imagine he would want in his bed!

Richards' Resonance

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Kyle and Kim Richards ... family secrets, rivalries, resentments ... it's all in the family!

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 3 - Cynthia and Peter's Wedding Album - Photo Gallery - Bravo TV Official Site

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 3 - Cynthia and Peter's Wedding Album - Photo Gallery - Bravo TV Official Site

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Bella, Bella, Bella

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Virtual Tour your faved Galleries

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

Well this is very cool!

Google Earth known for enabling technology that zooms in on streets and private addresses will introduce the Google Art Project view that tours some of the most famous museums in the world.

Decorated Cemeteries?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

I HAD NO IDEA that cemeteries anywhere in the world looked like this ... where parents particularly of deceased children have festooned grave sites with stuffed animals, wind chimes, wind wheels, wooden benches, toys, flowers and unimagined childhood wonder.  A veritable wild burst of colour!

An edict has now been sent down for the removal of all ornaments, to return a sense of dignity and peace to the cemetary for the benefit of other mourners.

What do you think?