Revolting Fashion

I know everyone loves a good accessory, but this?

Each bag is an extension of our body. At last an epidermic, polysemic accessory, a successful alchemy between captivating & repulsive for a less accomodating yet terribly efficient fashion.

posted by daniel

Victoria Gotti

Tries to Clear Family Name

Mob relations aside, don't mess with Victoria Gotti. The curvy blonde raises three teenage boys by herself (ex-husband Carmine Agnello is in jail for racketeering and tax evasion) and cooks and cares for their huge Long Island home. She is the author of five books, a columnist at the celebrity publication "Star" and is starting her own magazine, "Red Carpet," where celebrities will write articles about their lives.

She's confrontational, quick-witted and isn't afraid to speak her mind no matter who she's talking to. Then again, she IS the daughter of deceased mob boss John Gotti.

"Look, I loved my father and I love my family," she told The Associated Press. "But this is my life. I don't represent anyone else, it's about me and my children, and I want to make sure they do good in their lives."

Gotti and her sons are the subject of the new reality show "Growing up Gotti," which premieres on A&E at 9:30 p.m. EST Monday. She said she did the show to clear up talk that she's "The Godmother" or that her family is the real-life Sopranos.

I saw the promo for this show last night and had to laugh. I'm not a reality television fan and just can't imagine this being a show - - but then I didn't think Paris Hilton walking around the Ozarks in Blahniks would be a show either and I was wrong in that case as she is on season two.

What's next?

A reality show featuring dental surgery?

Posted by Uptown Girl

:)

Hi! Thanks to all of my guest bloggers.

You all rock.

I miss you already.

Thank you for taking care of my little domain while I'm gone.

Pretty in Pink

I don't (regularly) watch Big Brother. I have, however, inadvertently caught portions of several episodes this time around. I was actually shocked that the series was still alive - I think this is the 5th season. I watched most of the 1st one, but my interest waned and I didn't even catch who won.

What struck me the most about the 10 or so minutes I saw of last night's episode just before the Democratic convention? The hair accessories of Jase and Scott. They were both wearing their hair spiked up and had bright pink bandanas tied around their heads. I'm guessing this is the current trend, but I think they look stupid - especially since they match!!!

Posted by Kelly

Worst of the Web

You've heard of Best of the Web? Well, now Ryan has established a Worst of the Web feature.

Posted by guestblogger Jay

Pinger Fixed

Note to Lawren: I noticed that when I did a post it didn't auto ping Blogrolling or Blogchatter so I added them to your preferences in your setup so now when a post is made it will automatically update your status on blogrolls and lists so no more having to use the ping forms :)

Uptown Girl

$50 For a Cup of Joe

Want a crappuccino?

The world's most expensive coffee, craved by java junkies around the globe and touted for its mellow flavour and chocolate taste, owes its attributes to the digestive system of a large Indonesian cat.

Massimo Marcone says his research proves the myth is true - that Kopi Luwak coffee beans, collected from the feces of the civet cat, really are improved by their travels through the animal's stomach and intestines.

"You're looking for a cappuccino. You could get a crappuccino," joked Massimo Marcone, an adjunct professor of food science in Guelph, Ont.

Marcone said he's the first scientist to research the claims of the $50-a-cup coffee. His findings will appear in the Food Research International Journal in September.

Marcone set out to see if Kopi Luwak beans, which sell for more than $600 a pound, are any different from uneaten coffee beans. Using an electron microscope, forensic fingerprinting and even an electronic nose machine, Marcone found the beans eaten by a civet were harder, more brittle, darker in colour and less bitter after passing through the cats' digestive system.

I'm not a coffee drinker so the idea of this completely escapes me. Having said that I don't think I'd pay even five cents for a drink that consists of something that was retrieved from the bowel movement of an animal.

I can't imagine going into a very nice restaurant and saying I'd love to have a cup of coffee with a beans from cat poop.

How appetizing.

Uptown Girl

Lawren's Away - Let's Play!

Hi everyone :)

I'm pretty excited that Lawren asked me to be one of her guest bloggers while she is away. I've never done this before, but think it will be fine and a lot of fun.

For those who don't know me please allow me to take moment to introduce myself. I'm an Uptown Girl who has a blog over here.

Well enough about me - - I'll be back in a little bit with some posts and perhaps a bit of bloggy gossip.

Does anyone know any secrets about Lawren? You can share - - we won't tell anyone! lol

Uptown Girl

Cookie check...

Don't mind me, but I figured as long as I had the keys I might as well try to fix the comments. :) I think I have them fixed, so that they remember you if you want. If anyone has a minute to check it out, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

M@

The long arm of the bunny...

So I saw this story, and I thought this would be great for Lawren's blog. I mean come on a bunch of frat boys throw a party, it gets out of hand, the cops bust it up, and on top of all of that they get sued by Playboy. That is pure blogging gold.

But in the end what caught my eye was the copyright line at the bottom of the story.

Copyright 2004 by wftv.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The word rewritten is what I'm having trouble with. It just struck me odd, are they trying to protect themselves from someone retyping the whole thing, word for word? Or are they being even more restrictive and implying that you can not paraphrase the content, or quote pieces of the text? Maybe I'm overthinking this a bit, but worst case do they even have the authority to revoke fair use of the article?

M@

p.s. Lawren, Nay thought there was no way she had passed after her big exam, but she did. So drink, have faith, and be glad you only have to wait until September to find out. :)

It's over

Well guys, I survived. (Although judging by how awful I feel this morning, I'm not positive.)

I won't go into too much detail, but it was bad. The first day (essay day) wasn't too awful, but yesterday's multiple choice portion was a bitch. But, we all felt that way.

Now I just wait until the end of September to find out.

Thank you SO MUCH for all your good thoughts and prayers. I'm sure they helped.

:)

UPDATE: For a detailed account of a fellow classmate's nightmarish New York bar exam experience, click here.

Crazy Man

I am sending exam waves out to Lawren this morning as she enters her second and last day of taking the Indiana Bar Exam. Knock 'em dead, Lawren!

I encountered a guy on the parking garage elevator this morning who is also in the midst of taking the bar. He was chatting with a co-worker about how he'll see her at work tomorrow. What?!? Crazy. Possibly certifiably insane. Co-worker said "I thought you were supposed to take the rest of the week off after taking the bar exam." (I thought to myself: The rest of the week? Honey, I'll be taking the rest of the month and the entire following month off after I take the bar exam next year). Crazy Man responded, "Well, I'm hoping to head out of town next Friday so I thought I'd come in and get some work done."

Sheesh. Here's hoping all bar-takers get to take a little break after today.

Posted by: Kelly

So long, farewell...

Well folks, I'm signing off for the next 2 days. I take the Indiana Bar Exam tomorrow and Wednesday. I've tried not to bore you with my bitching about this too much. I'm ready for it to be over, and to have my life back.

I'll post on Thursday and update you on how it went (and how hungover I'll be). After Thursday, I'm taking a 2 week blogging break. HOWEVER, I've arranged for some AWESOME guest bloggers while I'm away. (Hell, you'll probably like it better when I'm gone).

They'll start blogging either the next 2 days while I'm spewing my brains out on paper, or after I start my break. They'll all introduce themselves and they are all very diverse--so you certainly won't be bored.

Thanks for all your support thus far. It's almost over.

Logo's Lineup

Logo, the new television network aimed at gays and lesbians, is working with Cher, Alan Cumming and Margaret Cho on new shows and plans two wedding programs.

A Viacom network that plans a February 17, 2005 launch, Logo detailed its programming strategy for the first time on Friday. Brian Graden, MTV/VH1 Entertainment president who's also working on Logo, said the outpouring of support has been thrilling.

Cher and her daughter, Chastity Bono, are working on "Family Outing," a series telling the stories of celebrities who came out as gay and lesbians.

Cumming has signed on for a musical cabaret series and Cho is expected to star in her own series, for which few details were available.

Amish in the city

Television is not part of the traditional Amish world. But the Amish are now part of television, like it or not.

"Amish in the City" gives five young adults the chance to explore the big city and discover what life is like outside their Amish communities.

In the first two episodes of the UPN reality series, they hit the beach for sun and fun, visit a mall and cultivate sometimes uneasy relationships with six non-Amish sharing their temporary Hollywood Hills home.

--This could be very comical.

Bringing home some bacon

Ashley Judd's husband hangs on to his manhood and brings in some $ for the family.

Medical WTF?

Here is today's medical WTF:

An Iranian man who lost his keys 16 years ago was shocked to find they'd been embedded in his leg all along.

The 50-year-old man felt a strong pain in his leg and was taken to the hospital.

An X-ray showed the keys were lodged in his leg.

The man accidentally fired a rifle 16 years ago, injuring himself in the leg, says nbc10 news.

The bullet was removed but the keys that were lodged in his leg along with the bullet were left there.

Would you like some dope with that?

A teenager says she found a partially smoked, quarter-inch long marijuana cigarette in her frozen yogurt parfait at a McDonald's in South Texas.

Valerie Valle, 16, of Round Rock and seven other family members were returning home Thursday from a weeklong vacation on South Padre Island when they stopped for breakfast, the Valley Morning Star in Harlingen reported Saturday.

Valle said she waited in line to return the parfait and replied "no thanks" when asked if she wanted another one. The restaurant refunded the money.

The perfect summer treat

Guinness Stout Ice Cream

1 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Guinness stout

In a heavy saucepan whisk together the water and the cornstarch and simmer the mixture over moderate heat, whisking, for 2 minutes. Add the milks, the salt, and the sugar, heat the mixture over moderately low heat, whisking, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved, and remove the pan from the heat. Let the mixture cool completely, stir in the Guinness, and freeze the mixture in an ice-cream freezer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Makes about 1 quart.

There was an old lady who gave birth to a shoe

Grammy-winning singer Erykah Badu gave birth to a daughter, Puma, earlier this month at her home in Dallas, with friends and family present, People magazine reported Thursday.

The baby was born on July 5, Badu's publicist confirmed to the magazine. Badu, 33, has declined to name the father. "She is a big baby," Badu's representative was quoted as saying.

Puma joins brother, Seven, 6, whose father is Andre Benjamin (Andre 3000 of the hip-hop group OutKast).

--How much weed does she smoke?

Brainless Quiz

You Are a Double Espresso Hey Energizer Bunny Girl! Do you ever slow down? You're a mix of high energy and ambition, perfectly matched with strong espresso When you want something you get it - by any means possible You're driven, determined, and no nonsense. Which is just how you like your java. What Kind Of Coffee Are You? Take This Quiz :-) Find the Love of Your Life (and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

Fancy Free

Good news guys: Paris is single!

The party's over for Paris Hilton and her Backstreet Boys beau Nick Carter. The couple are no longer together, Hilton's publicist told The Associated Press Friday.

It was Hilton who ended the romantic relationship, said her publicist, Gina Hoffman. "She's concentrating on her work," Hoffman told the AP.

--Right, her work.

New Jazz Listener Seeks Advice

I've started listening to jazz and I really like it. I've been putting the digital music jazz station on my TV while I study.

I want to buy a couple CD's, but have no idea where to start. Keeping in mind that I'm new, does anyone have anything they recommend? Any specific albums that are a great buy for the new jazz listener? I like Diana Krall, but would have no idea which CD to buy there either.

Any ideas/thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.

KITT 4 Sale

KITT for sale on Ebay?

Swift Sperm?

A new reality show has people asking men, "Just how fast ARE your little guys?"

Television producers in Europe were criticized yesterday over reports that they are developing a reality show in which men would compete for a chance to father a child and then take part in an on-air "sperm race".

In the show, which has been mooted by the company that makes Big Brother, up to 1,000 men would attempt to convince a woman to pick them as the father of her first child by impressing her with their intelligence, sex appeal and fitness.

A second sperm donor would be chosen on the basis of genetic compatibility, and the two finalists would then take part in the sperm race in which the insemination process could be filmed using new technology.

Cruel and Unusual

"The Sopranos" won't sing again until 2006.

HBO Chairman Chris Albrecht told TV critics Thursday at their press tour that the hit series' final 10 episodes "will be well worth waiting for," despite the lag of more than a year and a half.

--I'm sorry, but that is just cruel and unusual punishment.

She DOES have a brain, folks!

Pop beauty Britney Spears has finally caved in to her family's demand that she get fiance Kevin Federline to sign a pre-nuptial agreement.

The singer, 22, horrified her protective parents Jamie and Lynne when she insisted her marriage would be based on true love and therefore she didn't need to protect her vast wealth. But now Britney has reconsidered her position and sources say the paperwork is now being drawn up, ahead of the couple's lavish November 20 wedding.

--Think the birth of baby #2 had anything to do with it?

Switching it up

These people change partners so fast, it's hard to keep track...

Hollywood actor Ben Affleck has been romantically linked to his Daredevil co-star Jennifer Garner. Affleck, who was reportedly dating TV executive Enza Sambataro after his split from Gigli co-star Jennifer Lopez, is now at the center of media claims he and Garner have been enjoying romantic outings in Canada.

Garner - rumored to have recently split from her Alias co-star Michael Vartan, who's currently making the movie Monster-in-Law with J.Lo - is staying at a rented private home in Vancouver, Canada as she makes her Daredevil spin-off Elektra.

New Show

Kirstie Alley will take on tabloids, Hollywood and herself in Showtime's "Fat Actress," a reality-comedy series about the life of an overweight celebrity.

Alley proposed the series to the cable channel as a "send-up of her own image as well as Hollywood's obsession with weight and beauty," said Robert Greenblatt, entertainment president for Showtime Networks Inc.

The 53-year-old actress, heavier than when she starred in "Cheers" and "Veronica's Closet" and films including "Look Who's Talking," has been the subject of unflattering photos in supermarket tabloids.

The series is co-created by Alley and Brenda Hampton ("7th Heaven," "Mad About You"); they and Sandy Chanley ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") are the executive producers. Episodes will be based on a story line but largely improvised.

How's your image look now?

Poser.

Canine Cocaine Catastrophe

Two Britons were found guilty on Wednesday of an elaborate plot to smuggle cocaine into the country by surgically implanting packets of the drug inside two Labrador dogs.

Gregory Graham, 27, and Kaye Chapman, 20, plotted to smuggle 1.3 kilograms of cocaine into Britain hidden inside the stomachs of golden Labrador Rex and black Labrador Frispa.

But the scheme was foiled when officials at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport became suspicious at the behavior of Rex and Frispa when they arrived from Colombia en route to London's Stansted Airport.

Rex was lively (no kidding?) but a drugs package had burst inside Frispa and she was lying apathetically. (OD)

Dutch vets operated on the dogs, removing 11 cylindrical objects from Rex and 10 from Frispa, who later died.

Tom and Jerry

According to ET, wild man comedian Tom Green and outrageous TV host Jerry Springer are the latest to toss their hats into the political talk show ring.

Headlines and newsmakers will be the main subjects of discussion in the show, tentatively dubbed, "Fairly Balanced." Lion's Gate TV will produce the project and describes it as a weekly series that reviews current events in a populist way from the "off-center" perspective.

--I'm not sure either one of them can string a coherent, intelligent thought together. Should be good for a laugh though!

80's Poll

When you think "80s movie song," the first song that comes to mind is....

A. "Don't You Forget About Me" The Breakfast Club
B. "Take My Breath Away" Top Gun
C. "Flashdance...What a Feeling" Flashdance
D. "Footloose" Footloose
E. "Ghostbusters" Ghostbusters
F. "I've Had the Time of My Life" Dirty Dancing
G. "Against All Odds" Against All Odds
H. "If You Leave" Pretty in Pink
I. "Up Where We Belong" An Officer and a Gentleman
K. "Eye of the Tiger" Rocky III
L. "When Doves Cry" Purple Rain
M. Other?

I've got to go with H.

Not-so Bootylicious

This story made me laugh my ass off. No pun intended.

Oscar preview

MSNBC has a great article speculating what we're most likely going to see nominated come Oscar-time.

The Cliff Note: George W. v. Jesus Christ.

I'm looking forward to Proof and Beyond the Sea.

You may call me, Carmen

My ultra sexy ethnic stud-muffin name is Carmen Villa.
Take The Ethnic Stud Name Generator today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Name Generator Generator.

Found at Mikerzz.

End of the Road

In May 2002, Michael Syravong filed a "personalized license plate application" with Washington's Department of Licensing. GOTMILF was Syravong's first choice among the three possible personalized tags he listed on the state form (he would have settled for SUPL8EZ or RCKSTAR).

Asked for the meaning of GOTMILF, Syravong wrote, "Got Manual Inline Lift Fluctuator," which he would later claim was some kind of automotive gizmo. The 25-year-old's license plate choice was, amazingly, approved by bureaucrats who obviously never saw the film "American Pie" and were clueless about the acronym's real meaning.

Unfortunately for Syravong, however, two offended citizens knew that the plate was actually his sly play on the Got Milk? slogan crossed with the raunchy acronym. In February, 21 months after Syravong got the personalized plate for his Toyota, an aggrieved Washingtonian e-mailed a complaint to state officials.

A second beef was received in April from a disgusted Snohomish parent who did not want "my children seeing this and inquiring as to what it means." Acting on the first complaint, state officials wrote Syravong seeking his response to the complaint.

Fighting to keep GOTMILF, he responded with a letter that desperately tried to explain away his license plate. Despite Syravong's invocation of Bill of Rights protections, members of Washington's Personalized Plate Review Committee were not swayed by his argument--and even hinted that he may have committed a crime (making a false or misleading statement to a public servant) when he submitted his original plate application.

In April, the state review committee voted to cancel Syravong's tag. He got the bad news in an April 13 letter chiding him for providing "inconsistent information regarding the definition of the plate." Stripped of GOTMILF, Syravong was forced to replace his distinctive tag with PUNISHR.

Federline's a dad--AGAIN

Britney Spears' fiance is a father for a second time.

Kevin Federline's former girlfriend, actress Shar Jackson, delivered their baby Tuesday at an Orange County hospital, Jackson's manager told People magazine.

Brit in an interview last week: "I definitely want to have some kids," she said. "I see myself with four or five." (Uhh, try 6 or 7, Miss Stepmom).

So Sew Me

Wedding couture queen Vera Wang's clients are walking on pins and needles — literally.

Two women have filed a lawsuit claiming they had to undergo surgery after pins punctured their feet while they were trying on Wang's wedding gowns. Lawyer Max D. Leifer, who is representing perforated plaintiffs Melissa Brennan and Alexandra Harwin, told Page Six's Tom Sykes: "In each case, a needle got into their foot and a part of it broke off and traveled into the foot. They needed surgery and were on crutches for six weeks."

Leifer said each woman is seeking about $75,000 from Wang, and they sued because Wang's insurers had taken a "negative attitude" toward their injuries.

--Six weeks on crutches for stepping on a pin? Doubtful.

Nacho Man

Michael Monn's birthday celebration went a little awry when he was arrested while drunk, nude and covered with nacho cheese.

Monn was detained early Sunday as he ran toward a Jeep in the parking lot outside a swimming pool snack bar. According to police, he was stark naked and was carrying a box of Frito Lay snacks and a container of nacho cheese.

"The male had nacho cheese in his hair, on his face and on his shoulders," Maryville Police Department officer Scott Spicer said. "The nude male had a strong odor of alcohol and was semi-incoherent."

--"Nacho, Nacho Man. I've got to be, a nacho man!" Come on, sing it with me!

Hat tip from Spritzy.

Safety Girl Emergency Kit

Car dead at the side of the road? No worries! This kit has alll you need for emergencies and pressing problems, such as breath fresheners, aromatherapy headache remedy and antiperspirant.

More basic supplies include blanket, candle, safety matches, bandages, antiseptic wipes, instructions to change a flat tire and how to jump start a dead battery, contact list, accident record, pencil and purified water.

TMI

Dear Head--

Please stop hurting. You aren't allowed to hurt when I have this much studying to do. I realize I have been abusing you with pulling these 10-hour study-a-thons, but you must bear with me. I've been wearing my glasses like I'm supposed to in order to give you some relief. And if you just get me through Tuesday/Wednesday's exam, I'll be extra-good to you.

Please allow the 3 Excedrin to do their job now.

Thank you Mr. Head. Relaxation and fun are within your grasp. Just hang with me a few more days.

Love,
Lawren

Maybe she'll get with Spidey?

Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal calling it quits, per People magazine. His rep said they "remain the best of friends" and that the breakup occurred "some time ago."

--That's too bad. I really liked them together.

Save Mary-Kate

If you loved the "Free Winona" shirts, you're going to love the newest celebrity-scandal-turned-T-shirt:

Buy yours today, here. (Yes, they have a blog).

Small-Minded Spike

Don't go looking for Spike Lee at any NASCAR events this summer. The ornery movie director and Knicks fanatic nurses a paranoid fantasy about the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing circuit.

"I just imagine hearing some country-and-Western song over a loudspeaker at NASCAR: 'Hang them n-- up high! Hang them n-- up high!' I'm not going to no NASCAR," Lee vows in the August issue of Playboy.

--Wow. For someone who preaches about prejudice and stereotype, that's the pot calling the kettle, um, black.

Stuck on yourself

British actor Sir Ben Kingsley enraged workers and co-stars on his new film Mrs Harris - by ignoring people who failed to address him by his proper title.

The Schindler's List actor stars alongside Annette Benning and Ellen Burstyn in the drama, and caused tension on set with his insistence that everyone referred to him as "Sir Ben" at all times. One disgruntled source tells Page Six.com, "He insisted everyone call him by his title, 'Sir,' and if they didn't he would get angry or ignore them. He takes that knighting thing very seriously. He was very adamant and it turned off a lot of people."

--Hey Ben! Get over yourself.

Bringin' You Back to Middle School

Nearly all U.S. states have set new standards for academic achievement in their schools. To help ensure that "no child is left behind," states now periodically test students to see if they meet these standards.

Most kids are not amused. What are today's kids expected to know? Get a hint by taking this sample of the Illinois State Board of Education's math test for 8th-graders.

--I'll reluctantly admit that I only got 8/10. Did I EVER know that shit?

The Worst Brew

BeerAdvocate has compiled a list of the top 50 worst beers.

1. Corona Light
2. Michelob Ultra
3. Crazy Ed's Cave Creek Chili Beer (WTF???)
4. Bud Light
5. Natural Light

Read the rest of the list, here.

Do you all agree? I hate beer, and never drink it, so I have no idea how accurate this is.

Cheer up, Timmy

The remake of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory was thrown into chaos on Wednesday when a worker dropped a $540,000 camera lens in a vat of chocolate.

The clumsy technician had failed to properly secure his wire-held camera, and watched aghast as it plunged into the three foot deep tank. According to insiders, the delay the incident caused could cost director Tim Burton's project up to $900,000.

One source on the English set says, "When the camera fell it was like a slap-stick scene straight from the movie. A team of riggers had come in specially from the States to set it up over the vat of synthetic chocolate. But someone made a mistake and it wasn't secured properly. The production team didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The camera is probably beyond repair."

Could it be?

Is the carb craze waning?

Every day seems to bring another low-carb product to grocery shelves. Low-carb beer is old hat. Low-carb colas fight for our soft drink dollars. And who hasn't yet tried a low-carb candy bar?

More low-carb products are waiting in the wings. But their makers may have missed the boat, says Lee Smith, president of InsightExpress, an online research firm. A new study by InsightExpress shows that half of Americans who've tried low-carb diets have given them up. Only one in 10 of us are on low-carb diets, the survey shows. And the trend is down, not up.

"The peak of the low-carb trend may have happened," Smith tells WebMD. "The trend is for people to think they don't want to go on a low-carb diet. They are starting not to purchase the low-carb products that are entering the marketplace."

Read on, here.

What's your rating?

My life is rated NC-17.
What is your life rated?

Found at Espresso Sarcasm.

You wish, Martha

As she faces possible jail time, Martha Stewart invoked the name of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's persecuted anti-apartheid hero, saying "many, many good people have gone to prison."

--Yeah, Martha. I can see the similarities.

Those were the days, my friend

I agree w/ Andy:

During periods when men's tennis has reached its popularity peak in the United States, it has been spurred by rivalries between Americans.

John McEnroe-Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi-Pete Sampras were the most prominent ones in the past 25 years. Agassi and Sampras also were challenged by Jim Courier and Michael Chang.

Andy Roddick, 21, is waiting for his rival or rivals to arrive. "It's a definite necessity for American players to be playing well to promote interest," Roddick said in a conference call last month.

Heading into this week's RCA Championships at the Indianapolis Tennis Center, defending tournament champion Roddick is ranked No. 2 on the ATP Tour.

Agassi, 34, who withdrew from the RCAs on Saturday, is rated No. 10.

The next-highest ranked U.S. player is Mardy Fish, who is No. 18. Other top young Americans are Taylor Dent (28), Robby Ginepri (36) and James Blake (44). Ginepri is 21 years old, Fish 22, Dent 23 and Blake 24.

I miss the good ole days.

Hoosier Letterman to make movie

David Letterman's Worldwide Pants Inc. is producing its first film, an independent feature based on Comedy Central's cockeyed cautionary tale, "Strangers With Candy."

Animated Boob Job

Spider-Man 2 star Kirsten Dunst ordered video game designers to tone down the animated version of her character Mary Jane - because they gave her over-inflated breasts.

The actress was asked to give her approval for the sequel's new merchandise and had to chastise the game's saucy creators.

She says: "I got to approve the video game, the way she looks. They made her boobs gigantic. I was like, 'Tone down the boobs, please!" It was a little ridiculous."

No shit:

On Thursday, health officials warned residents not to buy cheese and raw milk products sold on the streets and neighborhoods of San Diego County.

The warning was issued because those items could contain harmful bacteria. The illegal products, known as "bathtub cheese," are a health threat because unlicensed manufacturers use raw, unpasteurized milk that can promote bacteria growth, according to health officials.

--WTF? Bathtub cheese? That's sick.

The First Cut is the Deepest

A Romanian surgeon who underwent a fit of madness while operating on a man's testicles proceeded to amputate his penis and cut it into three pieces, hospital officials said on Friday.

--What I would've given to be a fly on the wall of that post-op conversation.

Comma Khameleon

Are you a stickler for punctutation? Play this game and find out how your skills REALLY stack up.

Brit's Got the Munchies

Brit and her man Kevin have been recently seen having a serious case of the munchies:

First the pair — who have just flown home from a beach holiday in Hawaii — picked up French fries at Neptune’s Net on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Then 15 minutes later, they stopped at sandwich shop Subway for tortilla wraps and orange drink. They left munching bags of cheese and onion Wheatos crisps and salt and vinegar Lays.

Finally, came their third stop in 30 minutes — at a liquor store to buy Britney a miniature of Glenlivet whisky. She gulped it down in one, followed by a chaser of caffeine drink Red Bull.

Kevin, 26 — who has dumped his seven-months pregnant lover to woo Britney — clutched a bottle of cola and a stuffed grocery bag with a packet of cigs balancing on the top.

Friday Trivia

His first two "roles" were in Criminal Hearts and Kingpin (he went uncredited in both).

Take a guess!!

Odd Job

Anybody else happening on a car crash with body parts shredded by twisted metal and left scattered along the highway might, just might, be bothered by it.

Not Neal Smither, entrepreneur.

Cleaning up the horrors of death -- puddles of blood, oozing body fluids, rotting flesh and their stains, stink and maggots -- is his business.

Read on, here.

Emmys

The Emmy nominations were announced this morning.

My initial thoughts:
--As most of you can predict, I'm rooting for The Sopranos and Sex and the City.

--Very pleased that John Ritter got a nod. Also happy to see that James Spader's excellent work on The Practice was recognized.

--I just glanced at the nominees briefly, so I could've missed this but...where the hell were any nominations for Nip/Tuck? That show is awesome!

--I also hope The Apprentice wins reality series.

I need a hero

Lionel Ritchie and Lenny Kravitz were the unlikely heroes after a nasty fight at an exclusive nightclub.

The pair stepped in when the fists started flying at Chinawhite in London's West End, reports the Daily Mirror.

A witness said: "Before bouncers could get there, Lionel and Lenny jumped in to break it up. You don't expect to see two global superstars breaking up a club scrap. It was amazing. Neither Len nor Lionel seemed worried about getting stuck in. They both hate violence and obviously couldn't bear just to stand by."

--They are SUCH global humanitarians.

Christina going bald?

Pop beauty Christina Aguilera has allegedly fallen victim to a devastating hair loss disease. The singer's curly new hair extensions are reportedly covering up bald spots which many suspect have been caused by the stress-related disease alopecia, according to gossip website Pagesix.Com.

An insider says, "They don't know if it's alopecia, the disease, or if it's from wearing extensions all these years. Her hair is falling out. Her new look is supposed to cover up the hair that she's already lost." The star's representative flatly denies the allegations: "It's absolutely not true. There is nothing wrong with her hair."

--Remember Christina: you are beautiful, no matter what they say. ;)

Reality--24-7

As if the gazillion reality shows weren't enough, now we can look forward to a whole channel:

FOX Networks Group plans to launch a reality television cable network early next year, pushing back at rivals who have said FOX Broadcasting was stealing their ideas.

The FOX Reality Channel will debut in the first three months of 2005 with new and repeat performances from FOX, known for shows like "American Idol" and "The Simple Life," as well as outtakes and interviews, foreign adaptations of popular concepts and shows from other production companies.

The network will also back up programs on the main FOX channel with extra material, it said.

Tobey's a Diva

Spider-Man II star Tobey Maguire has infuriated the British celebrities who turned out for the film's London premiere on Monday night - by refusing to party alongside them.

The shy star demanded his own private VIP room at the premiere after-party in the city's Old Billingsgate Market and refused to allow guests including singer Simon Webbe, Busted stars James Bourne and Matt Jay and Samantha Mumba access to the private area.

According to onlookers, Maguire dispatched his PR people to keep other guests away from him while he somberly mingled with leading lady Kirsten Dunst.

--Ok. Play up that shy, awkward Peter Parker image. I'm OK with that 99.9% of the time. But for Christ's sake, you are making a gazillion dollars for these movies. Show a little respect, Tobey.

Election Site

For those of you who are election buffs, here's a website that has an archive of all of the presidential campaign commercials from 1952 to the present.

The scoop on antifreeze

A New Jersey woman has pleaded not guilty to murdering her brother-in-law with an antifreeze-spiked drink. According to prosecutors, Maryann Neabor's weapon of choice was a blended concoction of pineapple juice, maraschino cherries, and several ounces of the deadly automotive additive.

As in similar past cases, the victim was oblivious to his drink's lethality, since antifreeze actually tastes pretty good. Why is something so deadly so delicious?

Ethylene glycol is the ingredient that makes antifreeze tasty. Though colorless and odorless, the syrupy alcohol derivative—which is excellent at lowering the freezing points of vital engine fluids—has a sweet taste that jibes well with soda, juice, and other sugary beverages. As many concerned pet owners and parents are well aware, dogs, cats, and kids are prone to lap up puddles of antifreeze left on garage floors.

Every year, 90,000 animals and 4,000 children ingest the toxic liquid; if not treated immediately, the consequences of the poisoning can include renal or cardiovascular failure, brain damage, and death.

--What? Antifreeze doesn't taste like ass?? Who knew?

Usher is annoying

Dear VH1--

Every morning when I wake up (no matter what time it is), that damn Usher video is on. I know there are some other good songs out there. How about you play them?

Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Lawren

P.S. Kevin agrees with me.

81 Years Young

It wasn't a teenager that police arrested for crashing his pickup while doing doughnuts in a school parking lot. The man arrested for driving while intoxicated is 81 years old.

Floyd Elmer Adams of Indianapolis was arrested Sunday afternoon after his pickup truck slammed into the wall of an elementary school in Martinsville. Adams wasn't hurt and the school building sustained only minor damage.

--Relive those glory days, Elmer! :)

Cubism

Do you miss the 80's? Well, put that Rubik's cube to work and make some art.

Supersized Chic

Vogue’s September 2004 issue will be its largest issue ever in the history of the magazine.

According to sources on the publishing side of Vogue, the annual fall fashion issue—one of the most highly anticipated issues of the year—will contain over 620 pages of advertisements (the previous record for ad pages was 619) and combined with the estimated 200-plus pages of editorial, the final page count could teeter well into the 850-plus page range, as ad pages continue to come in.

“This issue will set a record as the largest monthly magazine ever published,” said a well-placed executive inside Condé Nast. The issue, which as of now has a ship date of August 19, will be bound as three separate issues in one. The issue is so thick that Vogue had to take over an entire printing plant and push all other magazines that currently share the plant out.

Here's Lawren!

See the sun? Maybe after the bar exam!

Ken-Sucky?

Kentucky officials say "Kentucky jokes" and Kentucky's lackluster image are helping drive a $15million-a-year identity makeover for the state — with a slogan, a logo and ad campaign designed to draw new businesses and residents.

They still haven't picked a slogan yet. Give it your best shot and post some in the comments!

RIP Weezie

RIP Weezie:

Isabel Sanford, best known as Louise Jefferson on The Jeffersons, died of natural causes at a Los Angeles hospital. She was 86.

Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee

Kevin Spacey has laughed off reports he ditched Drew Barrymore as his love interest in Bobby Darin biopic Beyond The Sea due to Sandra Dee's objection - insisting the story was just a tabloid rumor.

The movie star picked Blue Crush star Kate Bosworth to play Dee in the film, and insists Barrymore was never in the running. He says, "There was some tabloid report that Sandra Dee herself had been upset about casting Drew Barrymore but, in fact, Drew Barrymore was never considered, so that was just a made up story. I cast Kate Bosworth, who is fantastic and delivered everything I could have hoped for.

--I loved this movie in its original state, but if the remake has my boy Kevin, it might just actually break my "Remakes (typically) suck" rule.

Quotes of the week

Thought I'd share with you 2 "great" quotes I heard in the last couple weeks:

1) --Heard at a dirty, mullet-invested bar in southern Indiana and said to me:
Random guy: Nice legs.
Me: Thank you.
Random guy: What time to they open?
Me: : (I just walked away)

2) --Heard on Ricki Lake last week. Said by an audience member to a man on stage who failed a lie detector test and it was just revealed he was cheating on his wife:
Audience member: You are nothing but a H-O-E!!!!!!!!!
Ricki: I think you mean H-O.

Hope those give you as many laughs as they did me!

Lifestyles of the rich and impatient

A former hostess at a hot NY restaurant recalls Star Jones' 'tude and a drunk Barbara Bush. Make sure you read the whole thing--it's a good read!

We Pack Heat

Don't mess with Texas? Please. Don't mess with Indiana:

Indiana second only to New York in the number of gun permits per 1,000 adult residents.

Now THAT'S a Slit

They should have "Brazilian wax REQUIRED" on the tag of this dress:

--It's such a "Samantha" dress.

Those Crazy Kids!

Police believe a US teenager who crashed a car into a telegraph pole was having sex with his girlfriend at the time.

The man and the woman, both 18, ended up in hospital after the accident in Vineland, New Jersey, reports the Daily Journal.

The driver was naked from the waist down while the girl's pants were on the passenger seat, according to a police report.

A witness told police he saw a female passenger climb on top of the driver and move as if the couple were having sex just before the car veered off the road and hit the pole.

Pay Attention in Handwriting Class!

Here's an interesting site: it discusses the perils of poor handwriting and what it has led to.

Some of the statistics are astounding.

Irony?

While the concept isn't amusing, I have to admit I chuckled a little:

Kokomo, Indiana--Three men showed up intoxicated for a court-ordered program in which panelists tell how drunken drivers have hurt them and their families, police said.

Fun Quiz

Your Icecream Flavour is... French Vanilla!

You're a smooth and silky suave type! You exude class and you believe in tradition. A classical taste who doesn't like things to be too flashy or showy. Climb the Eiffel tower of taste with a spoonfull of you! Oui Oui!

I'll have a foot long

After a two-day visit to Cambodia, Angelina Jolie stopped in Bangkok Wednesday to have a tiger tattooed on her lower back by a well-known local artist, The Nation newspaper reported Friday.

Jolie spent more than two hours at a hotel having the 12-inch-long image applied by renowned tattooist Sompong Kanphai, the newspaper said.

Jolie reportedly said she decided to get the new tattoo because the first one made her feel that her life is filled with luck.

Sompong chanted an ancient hymn to bless the latest tattoo, the newspaper said.

Diva Tank

Love it!

Get Well Goblin King

Musician David Bowie underwent an emergency angioplasty to open a blocked heart artery in Germany and is recuperating, his spokesman said Friday.

--He'll always hold a special place in my heart after Labyrinth.

Hairy Situation

An Egyptian professor is demanding a divorce and damages of more than £50,000 after finding on his wedding night that his attractive young wife was bald.

The prof, from Cairo, said he had run his fingers through his wife's hair as she slept, and was horrified when the hair turned out to be a wig.

--Glad he married for love.

Latte Laughs

I shamefully stole this from Lori, but I thought it was so damn funny, I had to share. Make sure your sound is on!

I always order a venti! :)

Broadway Update

I can't wait for this one:

David Hyde Pierce, Tim Curry and Hank Azaria tapped to star in Spamalot, the Mike Nichols-directed Broadway version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The musical debuts in March 2005.

Organized Drunkenness

Never have drunk photos been so well organized. Help them out by sending some in today! :)

Fun Diversion

For the intellectual snob in all of us: From Jen:

1. Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly? Fred
2. The Great Gatsby or The Sun Also Rises? Gatsby--one of my FAVORITE books!
3. Count Basie or Duke Ellington? The Duke
4. Cats or dogs? Cats
5. Matisse or Picasso? Picasso
6. Yeats or Eliot? Eliot
7. Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin? Chaplin
8. Flannery O’Connor or John Updike? ????
9. To Have and Have Not or Casablanca? Please. What do you think? Of all the gin joints...
10. Jackson Pollock or Willem de Kooning? Pollock
11. The Who or the Stones? Stones
12. Philip Larkin or Sylvia Plath? Plath
13. Trollope or Dickens? Dickens
14. Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald? That's a toughie--I'll go with Ella.
15. Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy? Snoozefests!
16. The Moviegoer or The End of the Affair? End of the Affair--cried big time in that one!
17. George Balanchine or Martha Graham? Martha Graham, baby!
18. Hot dogs or hamburgers? Burgers for sure.
19. Letterman or Leno? Letterman--he's a Hoosier for God sakes!
20. Wilco or Cat Power? Dislike both.
21. Verdi or Wagner? Wagner
22. Grace Kelly or Marilyn Monroe? Are you joking me? Is this even a question? Grace Kelly is my FAVORITE!
23. Bill Monroe or Johnny Cash? 'Ole Johnny.
24. Kingsley or Martin Amis? Kingsley
25. Robert Mitchum or Marlon Brando? Brando
26. Mark Morris or Twyla Tharp? Tharp
27. Vermeer or Rembrandt? Rembrandt
28. Tchaikovsky or Chopin? Chopin
29. Red wine or white? Red. Definitely red.
30. Noël Coward or Oscar Wilde? Wilde
31. Grosse Pointe Blank or High Fidelity? Grosse Pointe Blank
32. Shostakovich or Prokofiev? Shostakovich
33. Mikhail Baryshnikov or Rudolf Nureyev? Baryshnikov--awesome dancer AND SATC regular!
34. Constable or Turner? Huh?
35. The Searchers or Rio Bravo? Rio Bravo (although I disliked both)
36. Comedy or tragedy? Tragedy
37. Fall or spring? Fall
38. Manet or Monet? Monet
39. The Sopranos or The Simpsons? Give me Tony over Bart ANYDAY!
40. Rodgers and Hart or Gershwin and Gershwin? Gershwins
41. Joseph Conrad or Henry James? Conrad
42. Sunset or sunrise? Sunset
43. Johnny Mercer or Cole Porter? Porter (that one's for you, Dobbs!)
44. Mac or PC? PC
45. New York or Los Angeles? NYC
46. Partisan Review or Horizon? Huh?
47. Stax or Motown? Motown
48. Van Gogh or Gauguin? Van Gogh
49. Steely Dan or Elvis Costello? Elvis Costello
50. Reading a blog or reading a magazine? If it's my In Style, I pick magazine. Any other time, I'd go w/ a blog.
51. John Gielgud or Laurence Olivier? Olivier
52. Only the Lonely or Songs for Swingin’ Lovers? Only the Lonely
53. Chinatown or Bonnie and Clyde? Bonnie & Clyde
54. Ghost World or Election? Election is a hidden treasure. Rent today!
55. Minimalism or conceptual art? Conceptual art
56. Daffy Duck or Bugs Bunny? Bugs
57. Modernism or postmodernism? Modernism, I suppose
58. Batman or Spider-Man? Spider-Man
59. Emmylou Harris or Lucinda Williams? Lucinda
60. Johnson or Boswell? Huh?
61. Jane Austen or Virginia Woolf? Austen
62. The Honeymooners or The Dick Van Dyke Show? DvD Show
63. An Eames chair or a Noguchi table? Eames
64. Out of the Past or Double Indemnity? ???
65. The Marriage of Figaro or Don Giovanni? Marriage of Figaro
66. Blue or green? blue
67. A Midsummer Night’s Dream or As You Like It? Midsummer--probably b/c I was in it.
68. Ballet or opera? Ballet
69. Film or live theater? Live theater
70. Acoustic or electric? Acoustic
71. North by Northwest or Vertigo? N by NW (but you can't go wrong w/ either)
72. Sargent or Whistler? Whistler
73. V.S. Naipaul or Milan Kundera? no clue
74. The Music Man or Oklahoma? Music Man
75. Sushi, yes or no? HELL YES!
76. The New Yorker under Ross or Shawn? New Yorker
77. Tennessee Williams or Edward Albee? Williams
78. The Portrait of a Lady or The Wings of the Dove? Portrait b/c I haven't read the other one.
79. Paul Taylor or Merce Cunningham? No clue
80. Frank Lloyd Wright or Mies van der Rohe? FLW
81. Diana Krall or Norah Jones? Krall--so much more talented!
82. Watercolor or pastel? pastel
83. Bus or subway? subway
84. Stravinsky or Schoenberg? Stravinsky
85. Crunchy or smooth peanut butter? crunchy
86. Willa Cather or Theodore Dreiser? Willa
87. Schubert or Mozart? Mozart
88. The Fifties or the Twenties? 50s
89. Huckleberry Finn or Moby-Dick? Huck
90. Thomas Mann or James Joyce? Joyce
91. Lester Young or Coleman Hawkins? no clue
92. Emily Dickinson or Walt Whitman? Whitman--HATED Dickenson
93. Abraham Lincoln or Winston Churchill? Churchill
94. Liz Phair or Aimee Mann? Love them both, but I'll go w/ Liz Phair
95. Italian or French cooking? Italian
96. Bach on piano or harpsichord? Piano
97. Anchovies, yes or no? NEVER
98. Short novels or long ones? As long as they aren't about law, I don't care!
99. Swing or bebop? swing
100. "The Last Judgment" or "The Last Supper"? The Last Supper

Can it be?

TeenHollywood.com reports that Jessica Simpson has been approached to be the next Bond girl.

I didn't think they could pick anyone worse than Denise Richards. Looks like they are trying to prove me wrong.

Candid Camera

I'm SO pumped about this: McEnroe is going to have his own show!

The former tennis bad boy is now a talk show host, but he's not shouting.

"McEnroe," which debuts on CNBC Wednesday (TONIGHT) at 10 p.m. EDT, will be a cosmopolitan mix of topical guests, music, art, sports and a lot of comedy. In test runs, the program's eclectic mix of guests feels like an expanded version of the second half of Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show."

Out

Fashion designer Valentino Garavani and his long-time business partner and former lover Giancarlo Giammetti are gay and proud!

In the new Vanity Fair, Valentino — designer of choice for Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow — and Giammetti, who was his lover for 12 years, speak frankly about their sexuality for the first time.

--WHAT? Valentino is gay? I'm just so shocked... ;)

Oops

What every man would've given to see this:

Ashley Judd's love of nature led her to be locked out of her cabin at the Ahwahnee hotel in Yosemite without her clothes. Judd says she leaned outside her door trying to get her yoga mat when the door slammed behind her.

She says she covered herself up with her yoga mat and went to the lobby to get a new key.

Hat tip: Josh.

Italians say no to Atkins

Italians give a big, fat, "up yours" to the US low-carb craze.

Overboard?

I know people go nuts when it comes to their pets. But, I think this guy may have crossed the deep end. (and landed in the world of his goldfish).

Lachey on Charmed

In his first major acting commitment, Nick Lachey will join the cast of the WB Network's veteran drama Charmed for six episodes next season.

On the Spelling TV series, which returns for its seventh season in the fall, the singer-actor and star of MTV's reality series Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica will play a guy hired as a ghost writer for witch Phoebe Halliwell's (Alyssa Milano) advice column when she goes on a sabbatical and ends up romantically involved with her.

Wonder how Jess likes that one.

Wedding Weekend

I received a nice compliment from the bride of the wedding I was in this past weekend. I was friends with the groom from high school--however, he wanted me in the wedding, so I stood with all the bridesmaids. Kind of odd by traditional standards, I guess, but I say you should have who you want in your wedding--regardless of sex.

The bride gave us all bridesmaid gifts. She wrote me a very nice note and paid me a very nice compliment:

D appreciates your friendship so much. He truly is a great guy that understands how to treat a gal. I think that can be credited to you. What better way to learn than from such a great female friend.

Guess all those years of yelling at him to open the door for me paid off! :)

Happy Little Family

Eccentric Billy Bob Thornton has reportedly invited his ex-wife and their two kids to live with him and his pregnant girlfriend in the sprawling Beverly Hills mansion he bought with Angelina Jolie.

The Oscar winner's fourth wife Pietra has remained such close friends with Thornton that the two have often been reported to be back together. And now she's playing happy families with her ex and his girlfriend Connie Angland - while her home in Malibu, California, is being treated for rats.

--Can you say, dysfunctional?

Rooney!

Actor Jeffrey Jones, best known for playing the high school principal in the 1980s comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off, is accused of failing to register as a sex offender.

Jones, 57, pleaded no contest last July to a felony charge of employing a 14-year-old boy to pose for sexually explicit photos.

--Sick! That movie is now ruined for me!

Weddings and old friends

Hi everyone! I'm at my parents' place this weekend in Vincennes. One of my guy friends from high school is getting married and I'm in the wedding tonight.

Went out to the bars last night--saw SO many blasts from the past. It's always fun to come home and see everyone.

Enjoy your weekends! I'll blog tomorrow.

:)

We Lost the Godfather

Marlon Brando, who turned 80 years old just two months ago, is dead.

Seems like we've lost so many legends lately.

My favorite Brando film moment: "STELLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Wedding Bells for Donna

Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Tori Spelling, 31, engaged since last fall to actor/writer Charlie Shanian, 34, is rumored to be walking down the aisle on Saturday in Malibu. Her reps won't confirm the date.

Spelling's father, Aaron, 81, will walk his daughter down the aisle.

Brandon, Steve, Kelly, and Valerie all made the guest list. Andrea, Dylan, and Brenda did not.

--On a side note, while searching for a good pic for this post, I found this site. Check out the music. It totally cracked me up.

Lifesaver

Love the night life but hate searching through your bag in the dark?

I hate being in a dark bar and trying to dig through my purse to find my lipstick or credit card. Neon lining inside this handsome handbag would solve the problem.

WTF?

Someone explain this website to me. It just can't be what I think it is.

Remember Alf?

Sitcom alien Alf hosting a half-hour special, Alf's Hit Talk Show, July 7 on TV Land with Ed McMahon as his sidekick.

Is anyone else thinking WTF w/ this TV special?

I remember watching Alf when I was younger. For all of you hard-core Alf fans out there, here is some Alf trivia.

Sicko

Here's a "makes you sick to your stomach" story:

Police arrested an ice cream vendor Tuesday for investigation of allegations that he raped and impregnated a 9-year-old girl in his ice cream truck.

--If I was her mother...well, um, you can guess what I'd do.