As a long-time admirer of Burt and Ernie, it never occurred to me that there could be something more, something deeper than a mere surface friendship. Over the years and along with my children who now have children of their own, I watched the muppet-puppets live out their lives on Sesame Street along with millions of childen who watched Burt take a bath along with his ever-present, rubber ducky. Seems that according to the view of some people, there was and still is, something more than mere friendship involved.
Perhaps it's because I never considered the pair more than mere puppets on a children's television show. True they have lived together for a long period of time but again keeping things in perspective, they are one of the learning tools used to educate a viewing audience. However, there are some who believe that their relationship longevity is an indication that the duo share more than mere friendship. To this end a petition has been distributed to have the two puppets - accent on the puppets - get married. So far more than 900 people have signed to support the idea. In response and for its part, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit group behind Sesame Street, responded to the request saying Bert and Ernie are "identified as male characters," but "remain puppets and do not have a sexual orientation."
Really, in the end, why the necessity to examine or seek a deeper meaning into what is essentially, characters in a children's TV show? Why can't they be just two puppet friends who are sharing living quarters? It happens in real life so it seems perfectly logical that art imitates life especially when the whole concept of Sesame Street is a group of friends living on a street. Let individual viewers interpret Burt and Ernie's friendship as they see it and parents/guardians answer questions regarding the puppet's living arrangements when called upon. If it ain't broke - don't fix it.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Further information about anti-chalk-writing rule story
Did some further checking on the story focusing on children living in Whitehorse, Australia, whose artistic endeavors with chalk were deemed a legal no-no.
According to the newspaper, The Whitehorse Leader, the children, residents of a suburb called Nunawading, located 18 km east of the city of Melbourne, were actually drawing with chalk on a footpath located in an open strip mall in front of a cafe called, White's Cafe. In fact, according to the owner of the cafe, the children have been doodling there for almost a year without any complaints. The town council decided to act based on the complaint of one - count it - one person. Perhaps the person didn't care for the artistic renderings - go know.
The owner of the cafe said that a council officer told her that the children's drawings were considered graffiti and had to cease and desist (my words). For the record, the chalkings fall into the category of stick figures, scribbles, fish and pirates - typical topics of the young-at-heart.
Sounds okay to me!
She said the cafe had started a petition supporting the drawings, which had so far been signed by 180 patrons and residents. Furthermore, they would even go so far as to volunteer to wash away the drawings every afternoon once the cafe closed, or apply for a permit from the council if that would help.
The Council’s general manager corporate services, Peter Smith, said the drawings were in contravention of council’s Local Law No. 1 2006 and the state government’s Graffiti Act 2007. He went on to explain that age has no relevance and that drawing on public property is considered graffiti. One wonders if said council is generally busy.
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” (Pablo Picasso)
According to the newspaper, The Whitehorse Leader, the children, residents of a suburb called Nunawading, located 18 km east of the city of Melbourne, were actually drawing with chalk on a footpath located in an open strip mall in front of a cafe called, White's Cafe. In fact, according to the owner of the cafe, the children have been doodling there for almost a year without any complaints. The town council decided to act based on the complaint of one - count it - one person. Perhaps the person didn't care for the artistic renderings - go know.
The owner of the cafe said that a council officer told her that the children's drawings were considered graffiti and had to cease and desist (my words). For the record, the chalkings fall into the category of stick figures, scribbles, fish and pirates - typical topics of the young-at-heart.
Sounds okay to me!
She said the cafe had started a petition supporting the drawings, which had so far been signed by 180 patrons and residents. Furthermore, they would even go so far as to volunteer to wash away the drawings every afternoon once the cafe closed, or apply for a permit from the council if that would help.
The Council’s general manager corporate services, Peter Smith, said the drawings were in contravention of council’s Local Law No. 1 2006 and the state government’s Graffiti Act 2007. He went on to explain that age has no relevance and that drawing on public property is considered graffiti. One wonders if said council is generally busy.
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” (Pablo Picasso)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Anti-chalk adults - what were they thinking?
Another rant, this time focusing on adults who are unaware of the concept of being a kid and having fun.
In Whitehorse, Australia, a town council with obviously nothing better to do, decided to pass legislation prohibiting children to use chalk on the sidewalk, declaring it a violation of municipal graffiti laws. I mean - really - children all over planet earth or at least where there are sidewalks, have been creating hop-scotch patterns and other artistic endeavors, like, forever.
As if this isn't bad enough, they also declared the children who use chalk as safety hazards. Say what? A safety hazard? How does chalk writing on sidewalks in any way impede the safety of people?
For its part, the council declared sidewalk chalk a violation of the state graffiti laws. An option, according to local officials, would be to issue a permit that would allow the students to play with sidewalk chalk, however, seems that this is not a viable solution. According to a cafe owner, the Mayor of the town said that they would like to issue us a permit but can't because it raises health and safety issues, in case somebody fell over a child on the footpath or into the street.
So this leads one - me - to wonder whether other types of writing tools would be acceptable, other than chalk. Like paint, perhaps? Would they prefer children to paint up the sidewalks? How about loose stones being used to etch images into pavement that will be there much longer than chalk? Will/can the young offenders who ignore the anti-chalk rule be prosecuted in court, or be fined?
Is the next step to outlaw the sale of chalk altogether and related writing tools? Taking it to the absurd, perhaps the usage of chalk by the local teaching profession could be considered a safety hazard.
I mean, really...
To say that the town residents aren't happy with the situation is an understatement with more than 200 people signing a petition to let the children play with sidewalk chalk.
Absolutely unbelievable that this is an issue at all! What next? No roller skating on sidewalks? Or playing jump rope...after all, somebody could fall over a child that is doing what children love to do. The mind boggles.
In Whitehorse, Australia, a town council with obviously nothing better to do, decided to pass legislation prohibiting children to use chalk on the sidewalk, declaring it a violation of municipal graffiti laws. I mean - really - children all over planet earth or at least where there are sidewalks, have been creating hop-scotch patterns and other artistic endeavors, like, forever.
As if this isn't bad enough, they also declared the children who use chalk as safety hazards. Say what? A safety hazard? How does chalk writing on sidewalks in any way impede the safety of people?
For its part, the council declared sidewalk chalk a violation of the state graffiti laws. An option, according to local officials, would be to issue a permit that would allow the students to play with sidewalk chalk, however, seems that this is not a viable solution. According to a cafe owner, the Mayor of the town said that they would like to issue us a permit but can't because it raises health and safety issues, in case somebody fell over a child on the footpath or into the street.
So this leads one - me - to wonder whether other types of writing tools would be acceptable, other than chalk. Like paint, perhaps? Would they prefer children to paint up the sidewalks? How about loose stones being used to etch images into pavement that will be there much longer than chalk? Will/can the young offenders who ignore the anti-chalk rule be prosecuted in court, or be fined?
Is the next step to outlaw the sale of chalk altogether and related writing tools? Taking it to the absurd, perhaps the usage of chalk by the local teaching profession could be considered a safety hazard.
I mean, really...
To say that the town residents aren't happy with the situation is an understatement with more than 200 people signing a petition to let the children play with sidewalk chalk.
Absolutely unbelievable that this is an issue at all! What next? No roller skating on sidewalks? Or playing jump rope...after all, somebody could fall over a child that is doing what children love to do. The mind boggles.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Memories of love and stuff
It's the evening of Valentine's Day and in spite of making promises to myself ("I promise to listen to myself") today not to comment or focus on romance/love/chocolates/greetings - all things Valentines - I've got fingers on the keyboard and sharing.
One of my earliest brushes with romance was at the age of eight...maybe younger. Although he lived on my street, he attended another elementary school but always dropped by on his bike every day to visit after school was out. Together we sat on the front steps and discussed life as viewed through the eyes of youngsters while watching the world go by. Although I liked him as a friend, romance was the furthest thing on my mind and I had no inkling that he had feelings for me. As was our usual daily habit we were sitting on a stair and suddenly, without any warning, he bent over and kissed me on the cheek. Horrified, instinctively I pulled back, whipped my hand behind me and as if in slow motion, brought it forward and slapped him smack accross the face. His expression of shock is as vivid now as it was back then. He grabbed his bike, got on and peddled away and out of my life, forever. Every day I sat on the steps waiting for him to appear but he never did, neither did he ever respond to numerous phone calls. Hurt feelings especially when we're young, aren't easily patched up.
As is the case with many teens, I had a crush on an "older" guy who was in his senior year, a.k.a. Mr. Popularity. From my perspective, he paraded his latest female conquests in front of my eyes since our lockers were accross from each other. Visually, he was good looking with dark eyes, thick black hair and a broad, warm smile. In retrospect and me being a mere 13 years of age, he didn't know I existed. After school and at home, I phoned his house to hear him say, "hello" and then hung up. In my eyes and head, we were destined to be together. This illusion ended when he focused his attention on one girl and the word was out that they were seeing each other.
Since he graduated before me, the romance was forgotten until a chance "meeting" at the airport years later, at the arrival gate. Waiting at the gate was a vaguely familiar face and my memory was suddenly jolted back to high school. The eyes were the same but that was the extent of the familiarity. His thick, wavy hair had all but disappeared, replaced by a bald, shiny scalp with some bits of grey hair at the back of his head. The lack of hair emphasized a long nose that I hadn't noticed when my love for him blurred any physical imperfections. For the first time our eyes met one-on-one and I remember smiling at him. He returned the gesture, assuming perhaps that we knew each other, but my smile was one of smug satisfaction.
Sometimes we have to wait until we're adults to fully savor the fruits of childhood romance - and clear vision.
One of my earliest brushes with romance was at the age of eight...maybe younger. Although he lived on my street, he attended another elementary school but always dropped by on his bike every day to visit after school was out. Together we sat on the front steps and discussed life as viewed through the eyes of youngsters while watching the world go by. Although I liked him as a friend, romance was the furthest thing on my mind and I had no inkling that he had feelings for me. As was our usual daily habit we were sitting on a stair and suddenly, without any warning, he bent over and kissed me on the cheek. Horrified, instinctively I pulled back, whipped my hand behind me and as if in slow motion, brought it forward and slapped him smack accross the face. His expression of shock is as vivid now as it was back then. He grabbed his bike, got on and peddled away and out of my life, forever. Every day I sat on the steps waiting for him to appear but he never did, neither did he ever respond to numerous phone calls. Hurt feelings especially when we're young, aren't easily patched up.
As is the case with many teens, I had a crush on an "older" guy who was in his senior year, a.k.a. Mr. Popularity. From my perspective, he paraded his latest female conquests in front of my eyes since our lockers were accross from each other. Visually, he was good looking with dark eyes, thick black hair and a broad, warm smile. In retrospect and me being a mere 13 years of age, he didn't know I existed. After school and at home, I phoned his house to hear him say, "hello" and then hung up. In my eyes and head, we were destined to be together. This illusion ended when he focused his attention on one girl and the word was out that they were seeing each other.
Since he graduated before me, the romance was forgotten until a chance "meeting" at the airport years later, at the arrival gate. Waiting at the gate was a vaguely familiar face and my memory was suddenly jolted back to high school. The eyes were the same but that was the extent of the familiarity. His thick, wavy hair had all but disappeared, replaced by a bald, shiny scalp with some bits of grey hair at the back of his head. The lack of hair emphasized a long nose that I hadn't noticed when my love for him blurred any physical imperfections. For the first time our eyes met one-on-one and I remember smiling at him. He returned the gesture, assuming perhaps that we knew each other, but my smile was one of smug satisfaction.
Sometimes we have to wait until we're adults to fully savor the fruits of childhood romance - and clear vision.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Smile! The Brangelinas price is $14 million
So y'see...Angelina Joli and Brad Pitt, two very popular i.e. hot, personalities right now recently had twins. Like most parents they are proud of their offspring and want to immortalize their newborns in photos. What makes these particular children unique is that their photos are rumored to be worth $14 million dollars on the market.
People magazine nabbed the rights and guaranteed they will sell lots of magazines.
"A person involved in the negotiations for pictures of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins says the rights have fetched $14 million.
The person asked not to be named because he was not authorized to release the figure. People magazine scored the photos in a joint deal with the London-based Hello! magazine, and the two will split the bill.
It is the second time People magazine has won the North American rights to the couple's exclusive baby pictures in exchange for a hefty donation to charity."
Read the story here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/01/brangelina.photos.ap/index.html
People magazine nabbed the rights and guaranteed they will sell lots of magazines.
"A person involved in the negotiations for pictures of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins says the rights have fetched $14 million.
The person asked not to be named because he was not authorized to release the figure. People magazine scored the photos in a joint deal with the London-based Hello! magazine, and the two will split the bill.
It is the second time People magazine has won the North American rights to the couple's exclusive baby pictures in exchange for a hefty donation to charity."
Read the story here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/01/brangelina.photos.ap/index.html
Monday, July 14, 2008
Political correctness gone too far?
Many people reading this will recall as children, participating in a sack race or three legged race during sports day and ending up no worse for wear. Well that was then as they say, and this is now with a school in Washington banning the two old and popular events due to what they claim is fear of injury.
"PC" school officials who were concerned that the primary school pupils could fall over and suffer bruising, were assailed by critics for banning the two events.
Yeah so what? I mean, so the children fall down and get grass skids...or a bruise here and there. All part of the game and being kids!
Teachers at the John F Kennedy Primary in Washington, Tyne and Wear, dropped the events after talks with Beamish Open Air Museum, where an Edwardian-themed sports day is being held today. The day called for children to dress up in period costumes and play old-fashioned-type games, which included running, hopping and throwing ping-pong balls into pails.
Laura Midgely, founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness group, said: “It’s health and safety gone mad, completely over the top.”
"PC" school officials who were concerned that the primary school pupils could fall over and suffer bruising, were assailed by critics for banning the two events.
Yeah so what? I mean, so the children fall down and get grass skids...or a bruise here and there. All part of the game and being kids!
Teachers at the John F Kennedy Primary in Washington, Tyne and Wear, dropped the events after talks with Beamish Open Air Museum, where an Edwardian-themed sports day is being held today. The day called for children to dress up in period costumes and play old-fashioned-type games, which included running, hopping and throwing ping-pong balls into pails.
Laura Midgely, founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness group, said: “It’s health and safety gone mad, completely over the top.”
Monday, December 24, 2007
MAN SUES 8 YEAR OLD SKIER FOR BUMPING INTO HIM
What is it with people that they will use any incident in an attempt to get money for any boo-boo? In this case it concerns a 60 year old man suing an 8 year old boy.
A 60-year-old man is taking an 8-year-old boy and his dad to court, claiming the boy caused a ski-slope collision that left the older man with a shoulder injury.
David J. Pfahler of Allentown, Pa., sued in federal court in Denver, claiming Scott Swimm, then 7, was skiing fast and recklessly when they collided in January, the Vail Daily reported Thursday. The suit claims Pfahler suffered a torn shoulder tendon and seeks compensation for physical therapy, vacation time, nursing and medical services provided by Pfahler's wife, and other expenses. It estimates the couple's losses at more than $75,000.
We're talking about a then 7 year old kid, here, who wants nothing more than to spend a fun day on the slopes.
Scott's father, Robb Swimm, said that he saw the crash and that Scott was skiing slowly and in control.
"It wasn't a violent collision or anything; Scott just kind of tapped his ski boots," he said this week.
Scott's mother, Susan Swimm, said her son weighs 48 pounds and couldn't have been going more than 10 mph. By the way Scott is in the third grade.
"Who in the world sues a child?" she said. "It just boggles my mind every day."
Amen Mrs. Swimm!
Pfahler's Denver attorney, Jim Chalat, declined to comment on specifics but says Pfahler, who works for Reader's Digest, wants to go back to work.
Bah-humbug to Mr. Phafler!
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
A 60-year-old man is taking an 8-year-old boy and his dad to court, claiming the boy caused a ski-slope collision that left the older man with a shoulder injury.
David J. Pfahler of Allentown, Pa., sued in federal court in Denver, claiming Scott Swimm, then 7, was skiing fast and recklessly when they collided in January, the Vail Daily reported Thursday. The suit claims Pfahler suffered a torn shoulder tendon and seeks compensation for physical therapy, vacation time, nursing and medical services provided by Pfahler's wife, and other expenses. It estimates the couple's losses at more than $75,000.
We're talking about a then 7 year old kid, here, who wants nothing more than to spend a fun day on the slopes.
Scott's father, Robb Swimm, said that he saw the crash and that Scott was skiing slowly and in control.
"It wasn't a violent collision or anything; Scott just kind of tapped his ski boots," he said this week.
Scott's mother, Susan Swimm, said her son weighs 48 pounds and couldn't have been going more than 10 mph. By the way Scott is in the third grade.
"Who in the world sues a child?" she said. "It just boggles my mind every day."
Amen Mrs. Swimm!
Pfahler's Denver attorney, Jim Chalat, declined to comment on specifics but says Pfahler, who works for Reader's Digest, wants to go back to work.
Bah-humbug to Mr. Phafler!
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
ITALIAN COURT RULES CHILD CAN'T BE CALLED FRIDAY
This is one for the it-makes-you-wonder-about-parents department and what they name their offspring.
In Italy, a couple was told that legally they couldn't name their son - wait for it - "Friday" and instead, ordered that he be called Gregory after the saint whose feast day he was born on.
Friday??? Who would name their child...after a day in the week, anyway?
"I think it is ridiculous they even opened a case about it," the family's lawyer, Paola Rossi, told Reuters by telephone from the northern city of Genoa on Tuesday.
The child, Friday/Gregory Germano was born in Genoa 15 months ago. The parents registered him as Friday in the city hall and a priest even baptised him as Friday -- unusual in Italy since many priests insist that first names be of Christian origin.
"We named him Friday because we like the sound of the name. Even if it would have been a girl, we would have named her Friday," the boy's mother, Mara Germano, told Reuters.
Can you imagine the life of ridicule a child would or could face given the name of a day of the week?
"Oh Friday - where's Saturday?" springs to mind followed by other days of the week.
When the boy was about five months old, a city hall clerk brought the odd name to the attention of a tribunal, which informed the couple of an administrative norm which bars parents from giving "ridiculous or shameful" first names to children.
The tribunal said it was protecting the child from being the butt of jokes and added that it believed the name would hinder him from developing "serene interpersonal relationships".
The Germano family appealed but lost their case this month and the story was carried on the front page of a national newspaper on Tuesday.When ordered to change the name, the parents refused and the court ruled the boy would be legally registered as Gregory because he was born on that saint's feast day.
"I really doubt this would have happened to the child of parents who are rich and famous," the boy's mother told Reuters, recalling that some famous Italians had given their children unorthodox names such as "Ocean" or "Chanel".
The appeals court ruled against Friday because it recalled the servile savage in Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe and because superstitious Italians consider Friday an unlucky day."I am livid about this," the boy's mother said. "A court should not waste its time with things like this when there is so much more to worry about."My son was born Friday, baptised Friday, will call himself Friday, we will call him Friday but when he gets older he will have to sign his name Gregory," she said.
Basically, it comes down to whether or not the court has/had the right to tell parents what they can or cannot name their children. However, it makes you wonder what (if any) they will name subsequent children.
In Italy, a couple was told that legally they couldn't name their son - wait for it - "Friday" and instead, ordered that he be called Gregory after the saint whose feast day he was born on.
Friday??? Who would name their child...after a day in the week, anyway?
"I think it is ridiculous they even opened a case about it," the family's lawyer, Paola Rossi, told Reuters by telephone from the northern city of Genoa on Tuesday.
The child, Friday/Gregory Germano was born in Genoa 15 months ago. The parents registered him as Friday in the city hall and a priest even baptised him as Friday -- unusual in Italy since many priests insist that first names be of Christian origin.
"We named him Friday because we like the sound of the name. Even if it would have been a girl, we would have named her Friday," the boy's mother, Mara Germano, told Reuters.
Can you imagine the life of ridicule a child would or could face given the name of a day of the week?
"Oh Friday - where's Saturday?" springs to mind followed by other days of the week.
When the boy was about five months old, a city hall clerk brought the odd name to the attention of a tribunal, which informed the couple of an administrative norm which bars parents from giving "ridiculous or shameful" first names to children.
The tribunal said it was protecting the child from being the butt of jokes and added that it believed the name would hinder him from developing "serene interpersonal relationships".
The Germano family appealed but lost their case this month and the story was carried on the front page of a national newspaper on Tuesday.When ordered to change the name, the parents refused and the court ruled the boy would be legally registered as Gregory because he was born on that saint's feast day.
"I really doubt this would have happened to the child of parents who are rich and famous," the boy's mother told Reuters, recalling that some famous Italians had given their children unorthodox names such as "Ocean" or "Chanel".
The appeals court ruled against Friday because it recalled the servile savage in Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe and because superstitious Italians consider Friday an unlucky day."I am livid about this," the boy's mother said. "A court should not waste its time with things like this when there is so much more to worry about."My son was born Friday, baptised Friday, will call himself Friday, we will call him Friday but when he gets older he will have to sign his name Gregory," she said.
Basically, it comes down to whether or not the court has/had the right to tell parents what they can or cannot name their children. However, it makes you wonder what (if any) they will name subsequent children.
Friday, August 03, 2007
CAMP COUNSELLOR ROASTS SQUIRREL - THEN EATS IT
This piece reads like an article out of the tabloids or a bad B-movie. Had to read this piece over a couple of times to make sure I wasn't seeing things.
Seems a Bible camp located in Saskatoon, Sask. in Canada, is defending a counsellor who worked for them, for what ever dumb reason decided to skin, roast and then eat a squirrel in front of a group of boys. Can you imagine the impact it must have had on them?
Parents are understandably upset and some are asking that the counsellor be fired. The camp for its part is claiming that it was an error in judgment by a young counsellor attempting to show respect for nature.
O-kaaaaaay...
The background behind the roast squirrel saga is that said counsellor had accidentally injured said squirrel in question and not wanting the the animal to suffer or its death to be a waste, killed the animal and ate it for lunch.
Eeeeeee-ew! Squirrel!
Thing is and this is not mentioned in the piece, at what point was the squirrel merely injured and then dead?
The SPCA said that the counsellor had done nothing illegal but on the SPCA's recommendation, the camp now has a policy that forbids harassing the rodents.
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
Seems a Bible camp located in Saskatoon, Sask. in Canada, is defending a counsellor who worked for them, for what ever dumb reason decided to skin, roast and then eat a squirrel in front of a group of boys. Can you imagine the impact it must have had on them?
Parents are understandably upset and some are asking that the counsellor be fired. The camp for its part is claiming that it was an error in judgment by a young counsellor attempting to show respect for nature.
O-kaaaaaay...
The background behind the roast squirrel saga is that said counsellor had accidentally injured said squirrel in question and not wanting the the animal to suffer or its death to be a waste, killed the animal and ate it for lunch.
Eeeeeee-ew! Squirrel!
Thing is and this is not mentioned in the piece, at what point was the squirrel merely injured and then dead?
The SPCA said that the counsellor had done nothing illegal but on the SPCA's recommendation, the camp now has a policy that forbids harassing the rodents.
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
A NEW VIEW FOR "THE VIEW"...BRITNEY AND THE BOTTLE
After the controversial departure of Rosie O' D and subsequent conjecture of who will be her replacement on "The View" it appears that an announcement is this close as to who will be taking over the vacant chair. The creator and co-host of the show, Barbara Walters, promised that fans will find out the chosen one before their summer break.
"We are going to announce later this week who it is," Walter said on her show.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports over the weekend that the new hosts (note the plural factor here) will be Whoopie Goldberg (hurray!) and Sherri Shepherd (not familiar with her or her standup comedy).
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291109,00.html
*************************************************************************************
BRITNEY SPEARS ON THE BOTTLE...IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING... AND THROWING
Speaking of celebrities... Seems that Britney Spears, singer and mom, who we are led to believe is trying to get her life on track again, has taken to the bottle. This time round it's not the usual Jack Daniels or designer vodka stuff but baby bottles, however she's not feeding bad stuff to her two tots. Seems the singer who appears to be doing everything but singing these days, tossed a baby bottle or more and threatened two photographers after they took pictures of her leaving a Las Vegas spa, the photographers said in a statement Tuesday.
She was heard to have screamed: "I am going to kill you!" at Andrew Deetz, a photographer who was allegedly beaten by Spears' bodyguard Thursday, they claimed in a statement released by their lawyers. What a surprise that the photogs, Deetz, 24, and Kyle Henderson, 23, said they are preparing to sue. The men were taking pictures of Spears, 25, as she and her children - 22-month-old Sean Preston Federline and 10-month-old Jayden James Federline - left the spa at the Wynn Las Vegas casino-hotel at about 11:30 a.m. local time, accompanied by two bodyguards. One bodyguard, Cesar Julio Camera, 37, pushed Henderson against a wall until Wynn security intervened and asked Henderson to leave, the statement said.
Rather than go into the borrrring details, read about it here:http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2007/07/31/4383874-ap.html
There is no information as to whether the bottles were glass or the usual plastic but if they were plastic as is commonly used these days, how bad could the photogs been injured, anyway? Presumably, the run-in with Britney's bodyguards is at the heart of the issue but then again, they were doing what they were paid to do and that's to act in the singer's best interest. Too bad that those doing the same are few and far between. Quelle life Britney leads!
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
"We are going to announce later this week who it is," Walter said on her show.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports over the weekend that the new hosts (note the plural factor here) will be Whoopie Goldberg (hurray!) and Sherri Shepherd (not familiar with her or her standup comedy).
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291109,00.html
*************************************************************************************
BRITNEY SPEARS ON THE BOTTLE...IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING... AND THROWING
Speaking of celebrities... Seems that Britney Spears, singer and mom, who we are led to believe is trying to get her life on track again, has taken to the bottle. This time round it's not the usual Jack Daniels or designer vodka stuff but baby bottles, however she's not feeding bad stuff to her two tots. Seems the singer who appears to be doing everything but singing these days, tossed a baby bottle or more and threatened two photographers after they took pictures of her leaving a Las Vegas spa, the photographers said in a statement Tuesday.
She was heard to have screamed: "I am going to kill you!" at Andrew Deetz, a photographer who was allegedly beaten by Spears' bodyguard Thursday, they claimed in a statement released by their lawyers. What a surprise that the photogs, Deetz, 24, and Kyle Henderson, 23, said they are preparing to sue. The men were taking pictures of Spears, 25, as she and her children - 22-month-old Sean Preston Federline and 10-month-old Jayden James Federline - left the spa at the Wynn Las Vegas casino-hotel at about 11:30 a.m. local time, accompanied by two bodyguards. One bodyguard, Cesar Julio Camera, 37, pushed Henderson against a wall until Wynn security intervened and asked Henderson to leave, the statement said.
Rather than go into the borrrring details, read about it here:http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2007/07/31/4383874-ap.html
There is no information as to whether the bottles were glass or the usual plastic but if they were plastic as is commonly used these days, how bad could the photogs been injured, anyway? Presumably, the run-in with Britney's bodyguards is at the heart of the issue but then again, they were doing what they were paid to do and that's to act in the singer's best interest. Too bad that those doing the same are few and far between. Quelle life Britney leads!
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Fate? Destiny? Boy saves friend's life with Heimlich manoeuver
With all the negative news that the media reports, it's always refreshing and uplifting to find a good news story, especially when it involves young people.
Probably hundreds of thousands of people taking a CPR course also received instruction on using the Heimlich manoeuver to help dislodge a person choking on an object. There are two levels with one for adults and another for children and babies. Few people actually expect to use it least of all a young boy who saved the life of his friend using the Heimlich.
If ever there was a case for fate and being in the right place at the right time, this story will make you a believer.
Last Wednesday, Travis Hayes of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, CA, was in his 6th grade classroom sucking on a peppermint candy when a fellow classmate did something funny that made him laugh. Somehow during his laughter, the peppermint somehow slipped down and became lodged in his windpipe. Upon realizing that the young boy was choking, his teacher used the Heimlich manoeuver but couldn't remove the candyand a trip to an adjoining classroom to get assistance was unfruitful.
Fellow classmate, Tristan Unsworth who was a skateboard buddy of Travis, assumed that his friend might be fooling around but upon seeing saliva dripping out of Travis's mouth and his facing turning red, he realized his friend was in stress and choking. As luck would have it or some would call it fate, Tristan having taken a babysitting course that included a life saving technique given by the school in February, knew exactly what to do. He wrapped his arms around his friend's stomach and dislodged the candy with one strong abdominal thrust. Taking it all in his stride once Tristan saw and heard Travis cough, he cooly walked back to his seat.
Talk about a good friend! As mentioned he was in the right place at the right time...
Fate? Destiny? Luck?
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
Probably hundreds of thousands of people taking a CPR course also received instruction on using the Heimlich manoeuver to help dislodge a person choking on an object. There are two levels with one for adults and another for children and babies. Few people actually expect to use it least of all a young boy who saved the life of his friend using the Heimlich.
If ever there was a case for fate and being in the right place at the right time, this story will make you a believer.
Last Wednesday, Travis Hayes of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, CA, was in his 6th grade classroom sucking on a peppermint candy when a fellow classmate did something funny that made him laugh. Somehow during his laughter, the peppermint somehow slipped down and became lodged in his windpipe. Upon realizing that the young boy was choking, his teacher used the Heimlich manoeuver but couldn't remove the candyand a trip to an adjoining classroom to get assistance was unfruitful.
Fellow classmate, Tristan Unsworth who was a skateboard buddy of Travis, assumed that his friend might be fooling around but upon seeing saliva dripping out of Travis's mouth and his facing turning red, he realized his friend was in stress and choking. As luck would have it or some would call it fate, Tristan having taken a babysitting course that included a life saving technique given by the school in February, knew exactly what to do. He wrapped his arms around his friend's stomach and dislodged the candy with one strong abdominal thrust. Taking it all in his stride once Tristan saw and heard Travis cough, he cooly walked back to his seat.
Talk about a good friend! As mentioned he was in the right place at the right time...
Fate? Destiny? Luck?
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
Monday, April 16, 2007
PRESS 1 IF YOU'RE A PARENT OF A STUDENT
Can't take credit for writing this but I bet many people especially the teaching profession reading this will relate.
"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all the options:
"To lie about why your child is absent, press 1.
"To make excuses for why your child did not do his work, press 2.
"To complain about what we do, press 3.
"To swear at staff members, press 4.
"To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several fliers mailed to you, press 5.
"If you want us to raise your child, press 6.
"If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone, press 7.
"To request another teacher, for the third time this year, press 8.
"To complain about bus transportation, press 9.
"To complain about school lunches, press 0.
"If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his or her own behaviour, class work, homework and that your child's lack of effort is not the teacher's fault, hang up and have a nice day."
"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all the options:
"To lie about why your child is absent, press 1.
"To make excuses for why your child did not do his work, press 2.
"To complain about what we do, press 3.
"To swear at staff members, press 4.
"To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several fliers mailed to you, press 5.
"If you want us to raise your child, press 6.
"If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone, press 7.
"To request another teacher, for the third time this year, press 8.
"To complain about bus transportation, press 9.
"To complain about school lunches, press 0.
"If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his or her own behaviour, class work, homework and that your child's lack of effort is not the teacher's fault, hang up and have a nice day."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)