Splitsville?

MTV reality stars Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are allegedly considering ending their marriage because the former 98 Degrees hunk is sick of her "dumb blonde" behavior.

The Nick And Jessica: Newlyweds couple have shocked viewers with their outrageous rows on the show's second season, which features Lachey calling Simpson a "pampered bimbo", fuelling speculation the couple are drifting apart. An insider tells Britain's Daily Sport newspaper, "They are pretty much living separate lives these days.

I wouldn't be surprised if both of them are back on the market in a few months." Lachey reportedly complained, "If I'd wanted a bimbo, I would have married Paris Hilton."

Voter Chic

We all know that EVERYONE should vote. Why not look chic while doing it?

When Patricia Field transformed Sarah Jessica Parker into the trendsetting“Carrie”on Sex & The City, she had young (and not so young) America rushing to the stores to emulate the look. Now she’s hoping they’ll rush to the voting booths as well.

The lady of the House of Field partnered with MTV’s Choose or Lose campaign and designed a t-shirt in her trademark neon spray-paint style to help the music network mobilize 20 million 18-30 year-old voters for the upcoming presidential election.

She's watching it rain men from heaven now

Izora Rhodes Armstead, who sang the 1980s dance club hit "It's Raining Men" as one half of the Weather Girls, has died.

--Man, I SO love that song. God bless her for helping to create a song so many people love, yet don't want to admit!

What she's got

You've got yourself a fine man there, Britney.

Casting Call

Hollywood hunks Russell Crowe, George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Hugh Jackman are battling for the lead role in movie adaptation of best-seller The Da Vinci Code.

The film's director, Ron Howard will choose which actor would best suit the role of Robert Langdon, who discovers clues in Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, which lead to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for 2000 years.

--Who would you pick?

Weak Jack

Jack Daniel's has sparked outrage among serious drinkers by unceremoniously lowering the proof of its famous Tennessee Whiskey from 86 to 80.

The change — which means the hooch has 3 percent less alcohol — has riled those still smarting from the "betrayal" of 15 years ago when the company lowered the strength of its 90-proof, 138-year-old original recipe, to 86 proof.

--I think departing from the tradition of the recipie is sad. Drink Zima if you want a baby beverage!

Because you never know

Here's an article on how to tell if your wife is a porn star. Some things to watch out for:

-- Every couple of weeks she has to fly to California to care for a "sick aunt."

-- When in bed, she just lies there until you yell "Action!"

-- Just as you're about to make love, she asks, "What's my motivation?"

-- She keeps getting mail addressed to "Patty O'Plenty."

-- Whenever you go out, drooling men ask her for her autograph.

-- She looks suspiciously like the Hustler pin-up in your neighbor's garage.

-- She knows sexual positions that would put a circus contortionist in the hospital.

-- She wears a micro miniskirt and six-inch spike heels to go grocery shopping.

-- On your joint tax return she lists her occupation as "passion princess."

Porn Again

Everyone's favorite heiress is embroiled in yet another new sex tape scandal.

This time, London's News of the World claims to have obtained a tape showing Paris Hilton getting naughty with ex-boyfriends Nick Carter and Jason Shaw. Hilton is said to be shown "writhing in the back of a car as she is groped intimately" by former Backstreet Boy Carter. In another scene, Paris answers the the door buck naked — wearing only a "pore strip" across her nose — for Tommy Hilfiger model Shaw, tattles the tab.

Elsewhere in the video, Hilton reportedly puffs on a joint, chirping, "Paris Hilton, part two: How to roll a joint!"

The 11 minutes of steamy footage obtained by the British paper is believed to have been culled from about 12 hours of video stolen from Hilton's rented Hollywood Hills home last month.

Size Does Matter

A troubled bridge over water.

Trump Smells

Uber-persona Donald Trump has announced a deal with Aramis and Designer Fragrances, a division of The Estee Lauder Cos. (EL: up $0.10 to $42.14, Research, Estimates), to market his new business venture: Donald Trump, The Fragrance.

"My new partnership with Aramis and Designer Fragrances is huge," Trump said in a press release. "They are leaders in the industry. Donald Trump, The Fragrance, will be the best men's scent available and the must-have gift for the holidays."
A spokswomen for Estee Lauder said the top note, or scent, of the cologne contains citrus notes with hints of mint, cucumber and black basil. The core note is made from an exotic plant -- which the company keeps secret -- that provides a green effect with woody undertones, rounded out with spicy, peppery accents. The finish come from exotic woods and has earthy, herbaceous and spicy notes.

--Is it me, or does that description sound disgusting? Is it edible? It sounds like the man's version of Jessica Simpson's Dessert line.

For a Good Cause

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the geniuses behind GoSmile’s handy and magical teeth whitening system are showing their support with the Think Pink leather ampoule case.

The cute little compact—a pale pink version of their trademark case—neatly fits seven GoSmile ampoules, so addicts like Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman and Betsey Johnson can whiten their teeth while on the run. But not only will their teeth be whiter, they’ll also be supporting a worthy cause. All of the proceeds from sales of the Think Pink case go to New York’s Big Bam! Foundation, which provides medical services for disadvantaged women with breast cancer. Now that’s something to smile about!

Not in to teeth whitening? Well, 100% of the profits from this necklace go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, supporting reasearch and educational programs to find the cure. So cute!

Daily Show viewers know

One more reason The Daily Show rocks:

Viewers of late-night comedy programs, especially The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on the cable channel Comedy Central, are more likely to know the issue positions and backgrounds of presidential candidates than people who do not watch late-night comedy, the University of Pennsylvania’s National Annenberg Election Survey shows.

Polling conducted between July 15 and Sept. 19 among 19,013 adults showed that on a six-item political knowledge test people who did not watch any late-night comedy programs in the past week answered 2.62 items correctly, while viewers of Late Night with David Letterman on CBS answered 2.91, viewers of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno answered 2.95, and viewers of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart answered 3.59 items correctly. That meant there was a difference of 16 percentage points between Daily Show viewers and people who did not watch any late-night programming.

Cry me a river

One-time pop sensation Sinead O'Connor was back in the news Friday -- by taking out a full-page ad pleading for people to stop making fun of her.

O'Connor, who shot to international fame in 1990 with her biggest hit, "Nothing Compares 2 U," claimed she'd been "consistently ridiculed, lashed and called mad" for decades, particularly in her native Ireland.

--You made your bed, Sinead. People who thrive on being controversial pay the price.

Seinfeld Reunion

The stars of defunct sitcom Seinfeld are set to reunite for a TV special. Jerry Seinfeld and the rest of the cast, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards, will return to NBC for a retrospective of the Emmy-winning show.

During the special, which will air in America on November 25, old clips from the comedy will be revisited and the stars will be interviewed. Seinfeld will serve as host of the special.

--Sure to be entertaining!

Dumb Lawsuit

A Melbourne woman, suing McDonald's Australia, claims she suffered a loss of libido after biting into an allegedly contaminated cheeseburger.

Kelly Rae Hennessey alleges the cheeseburger she bought from a McDonald's drive-through in Adelaide in July 2000 contained a rock, the Melbourne Herald Sun reported Sunday.

As a result of the bad burger, Hennessey says she's suffered a loss of libido, as well as depression, nightmares, anxiety, nausea, palpitations, diarrhea, shortness of breath and toothache.

--Whatever. Shortness of breath? Palpitations? Um, STOP CONSUMING BURGERS!

The wait is over

The wait is over...

Bar results were posted this morning.

I passed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So overwhelmed.

Fug Bag

Britney took this on her honeymoon. The symbol means the power to heal, from the Kabbalah.

--I think it's fugly.

Lachey to hit big screen

Nick Lachey isn't about to let his famous wife Jessica Simpson become the only silver-screen star in the family.

The famous "Newlywed" husband has signed on for a movie role of his own in the upcoming film The Hard Easy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Lachey will play a high-powered accountant who falls on hard luck and gets caught up in a jewelry heist with a gang of thieves. The new film has reportedly already begun shooting in Los Angeles.

Lachey's other half, Simpson, was recently inked to play the role of Daisy Duke in the big-screen remake of the popular '70s TV show The Dukes of Hazzard.

Fun Quiz

What's your art IQ? Take this quiz and find out!

I scored 8/10.

Downey's Multiple Talents

Robert Downey, Jr., as well known for his numerous drug-related arrests as his acting skills, will drop his solo album debut Nov. 23, his new label home, Sony Classical, announced Wednesday.

The 10-song collection will consist of eight Downey-penned pop ballads and two covers, "Smile," the Charlie Chaplin standard, and "Your Move," the Yes standard.

--I think he is just an amazing talent. I'm betting his album will be great.

The High Heel Defense

Attorney Bill Thomas may get a lot more business from female motorists thanks to a novel defense strategy: High heels can help beat a DWI rap.

Thomas last week asked a judge how anyone could pass a field sobriety test — which requires a lot of walking — in a pair of 3 1/2-inch stiletto high heels.

The never-before-heard argument created a minor sensation among court officials and observers. Thomas contended it would be "fundamentally unfair" to use the results of field sobriety tests against one of his female clients because she was wearing stiletto heels at the time, making her unsteady on her feet. Considering that she was wearing stiletto heels, the woman did remarkably well by making it to 16 seconds, Thomas argued.

Judge Wade Barber squelched the results of the field sobriety tests and tossed out the DWI case.

Lesbian Waffles

Waffles propagandizing lesbian love appeared in food stores of Ekaterinburg, the Ural region of Russia. The packaging of Artek waffles depicts two little girls hugging each other. The girls are of different skin color - to all appearance, the designer wished to express the children's internationalism in his work.

"One girl put her arm around the other girl - she is holding the girl's hand, trying to kiss her on a cheek. The other girl does not seem to have anything against such a gesture: she is keeping her eyes wide open, she is smiling back and blushing," a local newspaper wrote.

Looks Don't Matter to Paris

Attention all ugly guys:

Ugly guys have a shot at Paris Hilton now. Hilton tells "Access Hollywood" that "looks don't matter anymore" when she's picking a boyfriend.

She says it's more important that a boy treats her well and loves her. Hilton says she's come to the realization that "one day we're all going to be ugly." She says "we're all going to be 80 years old and ugly, so who cares?"

--She's so tactful. Guess this means she really is willing to screw any guy.

Bride of Frankenstein

During an interview on Britain's GMTV Tuesday morning Cybil Shepard, who once appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine, explained that she had worn a cape to the interview to hide her "jetlag hair."

"Sorry about the cape, but I didn't have time to do my hair," she explained to bemused host Fiona Phillips.

"If you'd like a laugh I'll take it off in a bit but it's a little scary. I bought this cape last year and thought, 'Someday I'm going to wear this every day of my life'. So far I've been in London for two days and I've worn it every day."

--I'm sorry, Cybil, but were you riding ON TOP OF the aircraft?!?!?!?!?!?

Spacey Says...

...turn off your damn phones!!

Hollywood star Kevin Spacey has hit out at audiences at London's Old Vic theater, insisting they need to learn to behave in a proper manner. The American Beauty star - who is artistic director at the historic playhouse - has become so incensed by the disruption caused by ringing mobile phones and the opening of sweet packets during performances, he now personally issues a warning to audiences.

Spacey argues, "I don't think people take those things seriously. That's why mobile phones go off in the theater, and that's why people open candy bars thinking if they open it slowly it will be less annoying than if they open it fast. My answer is that I say to each audience 'Don't!' You have to respect the fact there is some degree of behavior that we expect in the theater and we're going to demand it at the Old Vic. It's a phone-free zone. We don't want them ringing and we certainly don't want them ringing and people ignoring them pretending that it's not theirs."

The Oscar winner is currently making his directorial debut at the Old Vic with the play Cloaca.

--Oh I am SO with you, Kevin!

Dream Contest

Oh I SO want to win this:

Movie fans around the world have probably imagined what it would be like to be front and center on the red-carpet with stars like Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Charlize Theron.

A contest on www.oscars.org now gives those fans the chance to make their dreams a reality. Winners of a random drawing will get to sit in the red-carpet bleacher seats at the 77th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 27, 2005. The contest started yesterday and runs through September 27. Directions and entry forms are available on the Web site.

Long Overdue

After decades of entertaining the world with his music, Billy Joel will finally see his name on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The "Piano Man's" star is unveiled today in front of the Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Joel's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Movin' Out, recently opened there and will be playing through October 31.

A trained classical pianist from a very early age, Joel released his first album, Cold Spring Harbor, in 1972 and went on to create such favorites as "Allentown" and the renowned "Piano Man." He has also contributed to philanthropic causes through the years, like the Make A Wish Foundation and Save the Music.

--'Bout damn time!

Trump on Rathergate

Trump on Rathergate:

If embattled CBS News anchorman Dan Rather were a contestant on "The Apprentice," Donald Trump would say to him, "You're Fired!"

--Maybe CBS will follow The Donald's lead.

New Union

HBO has Friends:

Lisa Kudrow is set to star in and produce the HBO comedy series The Comeback. She's teaming up with Sex and the City writer-producer and awards-show-staple Michael Patrick King to play a has-been actress staging her return to show biz.

Meanwhile, in a movie with a very similar plot line, fellow Friend Courteney Cox is also starring in and producing a drama for HBO. In Rehab, Cox plays an actress who is a recovering alcoholic and, um, staging her return to show biz. The Notebook helmer Nick Cassavetes writes and directs the pilot.

--Maybe they should call each other the next time they decide to pick a script.

Free Crabby

And from the You're a Moron Chronicles...

Edward Furlong's ploy to free some lobsters from their tank landed the 27-year-old actor in jail.

The animal-rights supporter and vegetarian was arrested after he and some friends removed lobsters from a tank at a grocery store. Furlong argued with store managers, who then called police, according to his arrest citation.

He was arrested Wednesday night on a misdemeanor charge of alcohol intoxication in a public place in the northern Kentucky city of Florence, police said.

Furlong, who appeared in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" and "American History X," spent about 90 minutes in Kentucky's Boone County jail before his release.

She did it again

Yep, Brit is hitched--AGAIN.

The bride wore a white strapless dress and Kevin donned a tuxedo as the two exchanged vows during a non-denominational ceremony. Twenty to thirty guests, including Britney's mother and sister, were on-hand for the event, which took place around midnight in a white tent erected in the backyard of a private home. Afterwards, everyone dined on a feast of chicken fingers, ribs and waldorf salad while music played from a boombox.

As the beaming bride left the house in the early hours of Sunday morning and headed to Hollywood's famed nightclub, Dublin's, for a 2 a.m. reception. A laughing Britney and her brand-new husband departed the home in a black SUV. The rest of the guests emerged wearing sweatsuits -- the girls in pink, the boys in white with the word "Pimps" embroidered on the back. Even Kevin's father got into the stylish sweats mix -- but his actually said "Pimp Daddy!"

New bride Britney also donned a pink sweatsuit as she danced with her new hubby, and even performed a provocative pole dance. Fellow club-goers were apparently thrilled to see the famous pair there, but left them alone.

--Can't imagine the look on my father's face if I asked him to wear a sweatsuit that said "Pimp Daddy" and performed a pole dance at my reception.

Fun Quiz

Shamefully stolen from Chuck.

Season Premiere of SNL

Ben Affleck will host the 30th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" with musical guest Nelly on Oct. 2, NBC announced Wednesday.

Bill Clinton had been invited to host the not-ready-for-prime-time show but turned down the offer, NBC said last month. No reason was given for Clinton rejecting the offer.

Buh Bye Slutwear

And in fashion news...

Goodbye Slutwear

Demure designs have replaced scanty navel-baring looks on the catwalks of this week's semi-annual run of fashion shows, a reliable sign of what shoppers can expect to find in stores next spring.

"The slut is out now. She's dead," said Godfrey Deeny, senior fashion critic at Fashion Wire Daily.

UPDATE: It seems that Eminem has not yet been notified of this trend.

Broadway Update

A musical about the life of former Beatle John Lennon is set to open on New York's Broadway next summer, in time for the 25th anniversary of his murder.

The show, titled Lennon and written and directed by TV veteran Don Scardino, will mainly include post-Beatles songs such as "Imagine," "Give Peace A Chance" and "Whatever Gets You Through The Night." It is due to start at San Francisco's Orpheum in April, before moving to Boston's Colonial and then to Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre.

By this time, it will face competition from other musicals based on the lives of music legends, with Good Vibrations, a musical based on The Beach Boys' tunes, and All Shook Up, based on the songs of Elvis Presley.

His Prerogative

Bobby Brown reportedly wants to clean up his life and now the whole world might be able to watch it.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, after months of negotiations, the star's new TV reality series has been picked up by the cable network Bravo. "Being Bobby Brown" is expected to chronicle the day-to-day life of the pop icon, whose numerous run-ins with the law in recent years have often caused the media to tout him as a bad boy.

Bobby's famous wife, Whitney Houston, and his children are also expected to appear in the show. The series, comprised of 10 one-hour episodes, will reportedly aim for a debut in the second quarter of next year.

--Oh, can I tell you how pumped I am about this? This is going to be like watching a big, giant train wreck. I really want to hear Whitney say, "Crack is whack" again with a straight face.

--One more thing: the thing I used to love about Bravo was that it was a little more upper crust than the other networks. This seems like a downgrade for them. The "Bobby" show fits more on MTV or the WB I think.

--P.S. Maybe someone can teach him how to pronounce "prerogative."

Carnie's expecting

Ok, so we all know that Carnie is preggers.

But my question is, doesn't the fact that she practically has no stomach pose some obstacles to pregnancy? I mean, you see how much most expecting mothers eat. She'll be lucky if she can eat 25% of that. Someone explain...

Will, Grace, and Babs

Barbra Streisand is set to extend on her return to acting, by taking on a guest-starring role in hit sitcom Will & Grace.

Streisand is currently finishing off work as Ben Stiller's sex therapist mother in Meet The Parents sequel Meet The Fockers, after a long absence from the silver screen.

And now she is expected to follow in the footsteps of Cher, Jennifer Lopez and Janet Jackson by taking on a role in Will & Grace - news which has proved to be all too exciting for the show's Emmy-winning star Debra Messing. The redhead actress says, "If she comes on the show, forget about it! Barbra, please come!" Messing admits she "burst into tears" when Streisand greeted her at a concert a number of years ago.

--I want a Jack and Babs duet.

Big, Fat Clerical Error

A convicted murderer facing 40 years has been mistakenly released from prison and police need your help finding him.

As part of an agreement William Nesmith plead guilty to two counts of third degree murder relating to a North Philadelphia house fire that killed two and injured five in 1999. In exchange for testimony against another man, Nesmith was ordered to serve between 20 and 40 years in prison.

However, on July 31st Nesmith was released from the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania due to a clerical error.

--Our justice system at its finest.

Go Rupert

Indiana's Rupert Boneham, the million-dollar winner on the TV show "Survivor: America's Tribal Council," is using a chunk of his winnings to start a new charity.

Boneham announced Tuesday that he was donating $100,000 to launch Rupert's Kids, a program to help troubled youths and provide affordable housing for the poor in Indianapolis.

--Hoosier survivor does good. :)

I am not an average American

The average American spent 8.6 hours a day sleeping last year, only 3.7 hours working and had 5.1 leisure hours -- half of which was spent watching television, a survey showed Tuesday.

--I'm sorry, but who the hell are these people? I haven't gotten 8 hours of sleep since 7th grade. Yes, I know the study says "average," but I have a hard time buying the stat that the "average" American only worked 3.7 hours.

--This is my favorite stat: "Men typically had more leisure than women."

A la Tyson

A grocer had his ear bitten off by a hungry customer when he refused to let him have a free watermelon.

The Ukrainian man, not named for legal reasons, had demanded a watermelon at the shop in the Siberian town of Hanty Mansisk.

But when the shop assistant refused to hand over a fruit for free, he flew into a rage, jumped over the counter and bit off his ear.

Police who caught the blood stained attacker minutes later have charged him with grievious bodily harm and theft, saying: "We couldn't find the ear, we think he ate it.

--NO WATERMELON FOR YOU!!!

SuperDog

Click here for a hysterical clip about a dog who only has 2 legs--and walks like a human!

Let's Dance, the Lap Dance

Screen hunks Matt Damon and Hugh Jackman gave American news veteran Barbara Walters the ultimate thrill on Sunday when they put on a lapdance for her.

Walters, who is stepping down from her long-time role of anchor on news magazine show 20/20, attended Jackman's final performance of The Boy From Oz on Broadway, and was stunned when she was pulled from the audience for a little onstage action. She says, "I'm sitting there minding my own business. (During) the second act he comes in and says, 'I usually dance with someone, but today is my last day and there is a lady in the audience and she is celebrating her last days on 20/20.'

I thought, 'He's gonna make me dance. I can't get up there.' He says, 'No, you gotta come.' So I go up on the stage. He says, 'Okay sit down,' and then he says, Matt Damon,' are you here?' And Matt Damon hides his face and Jackman beckons him. And I sat while Matt Damon and Hugh Jackman did a lapdance with me!" An elated Walters adds of Jackman, "Whatever he's going to do (in the future), my fantasy was fantastic and he was fantastic!"

Endorse me like Beckham

"Shave it like Beckham" is the slogan behind Gillette's latest campaign featuring soccer superstar David Beckham.

The British athlete will reportedly earn $61 million dollars to endorse the company's shaving products. The advertising deal will mark the biggest to date for the Real Madrid midfielder and put him on par with endorsement-savvy athletes like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan.

Grab your Ice picks

Who could forget the impact screen siren Sharon Stone (and her lack of underwear) made on audiences in the provocative 1992 murder mystery, Basic Instinct?

Now, the actress may try to top, or at least match, that memorable performance in a sequel to the movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Stone is now set to star in Basic Instinct 2, as the manipulative and seductive character she played in the original: novelist Catherine Tramell. The publication also claims MGM is currently in negotiations with a director for the upcoming project. The much-anticipated sequel has been in the works for a few years now, but reportedly ran into various obstacles in its development.

RIP

Fred Ebb, who wrote the lyrics for such hit Broadway musicals as "Chicago" and "Cabaret" as well as the big-city anthem "New York, New York," has died of a heart attack.

--What a legend.

We Fat

Like I needed a detailed analysis to realize that many Hoosiers are obese, but here's a study that does a state-by-state comparison.

Who are the big fatties?
5. Indiana
4. Kentucky
3. Michigan
2. West Virginia
1. Mississippi

6FU

I thought last night's season finale of Six Feet Under was really good.

Your thoughts?

9/11

Posted on September 10 of last year:

Tomorrow is not just another day. We all know that. Rather than go through and outline how 9/11 unfolded for me, how I felt, how I cried, how I was angry, I'd rather talk to you about my trip to New York City.

October 10, 2001--just a few short weeks after the attacks, my mom, dad, and I flew to NYC. We had had this trip planned for months. See, it was my fall break from law school and my birthday was the 12th, so we decided to celebrate. I booked us tickets for 2 Broadway shows--what was to be my first Broadway theater experience. Mom booked us lunch reservations at Windows on the World, in the World Trade Center, for the day of my birthday. Needless to say, those plans didn't happen.

After the attacks, I never in a million years thought we would go. My mom and I hated flying, and to be quite frank, I was scared to death to go there. We talked about it and decided to go through with it. My dad's quote: "If we can help, even just monetarily as tourists, it's our job as soldiers of a different kind." So, off we went.

Of course security was crazy. We boarded the plane (after my mom had stalked the pilot to make sure he was "ok") and we were 3 of 5 people on it. I was starting to wonder, "were we completely INSANE for doing this?" Too late now. Off we went.

We landed in a ghostown known has La Guardia. No one was there. Our luggage was the ONLY luggage on the carousel. An airport worker we were talking to asked us to stay around and talk for awhile--we were the first people she'd seen in days. We did. About 30 minutes later, we went to go get our cab. Rows of cabs waiting--no people. We had our pick of the lot.

We arrived at Times Square near our hotel. More USA memorabilia than you can imagine. A hush was over the city, and everyone was so thankful that we were there. We ventured out and took a ferry ride around Manhattan. To my right--lady Liberty. To my left--mass destruction. Words can't describe.

On our walk back to the hotel, we passed many firestations. We stopped at them all, looked at all the pictures and notes, and cried. The Broadway shows were not played before a full house--maybe half at best. But they were still amazing to me.

Another time we were talking through Times Square, a firetruck drove down the street coming back from a run. Everyone, and I mean everyone stopped what they were doing, dropped their bags, purses, etc., and clapped, whistled, and cheered. More tears.

I wanted to see the NBC studios. We got tickets and took the tour. It was great. That was the day of my birthday. Instead of Windows on the World, we had lunch at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. We also took a carriage ride. It was wonderful. My mom went back to the hotel to nap, so dad and I went to a great Irish pub we found. We were watching the news and saw tons of police at Rockefeller Plaza. To our amazement, the anchor said NBC (where we had JUST a few hours before) was shut down for a possible anthrax attack. Was this trip a TOTAL mistake? I had a sick feeling in my stomach from that moment on.

Our last night there, we had dinner at an amazing restaurant at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a beautiful site--the NYC skyline at night. But there was a massive missing part that no one needed to discuss. The New Yorkers there were awesome, and we sang w/ the piano player well into the night. "New York, New York" and "New York State of Mind." I felt wonderful being with them.

I had never felt so relieved get back to Indiana. But I knew this would be the most necessary trip I ever went on--ever.

This was a short version of my accounts. I didn't want to bore you. I have many emotions with regard to tomorrow. What if the attacks had been a month later? Would I have been in the World Trade Center? And I think I have more anger than some...because while I want things to end peacefully, I'm left thinking and singing a line from Toby Keith's song: "We'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way."

Yes it is. And I'm proud of that.

Cell-U-Bling

Because everyone needs a Bling Ring:

Hot new item: A Bling Kit

Everything you need to bling your cell phone—all models, plus iPods, Sidekicks, Blackberrys, etc.— including glue setting tools, instructions and Swarovski crystals. Comes in a gold or silver fabric case.

Looney Tunes

Jennifer Lopez believes in a "faith healer" who purifies her houses by ridding "bad auras."

--Right. Because J-Lo's bad luck couldn't possibly have anything to do with some of her piss-poor decisions.

Stupid Law

After some downtown merchants raised concerns about the problem, Columbia, South Caroloina City Council on Wednesday made it illegal to “urinate or defecate” anywhere other than a “facility designated for the sanitary disposal of human waste.”

--Shoot!! There goes my plan for the weekend.

The Big Dis

Tom Cruise asked Olympic double-gold medalist track star Kelly Holmes to accompany him to the U.K. premiere of his film "Collateral," she claims.

But Holmes said no because it would have been inconvenient - and because she didn't have anything to wear, reports MSNBC.com.

--Is she insane? I'm sure ole Tommy could have called Valentino or Versace to have something sent. And since when do athletes care about the way they look? (Kidding.)

GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!

A Gloucestershire woman says she was bitten on the big toe by a seven-inch bed bug.

Joy Jones said she screamed in agony after being bitten by the poisonous centipede.

The 60-year-old believes it was the same one she threw away and left for dead in her garden over a year ago.

--Um, that's fricking disgusting!

Christina's Cheap Ways

Last weekend's really serious partying didn't even start until after the MTV Video Music Awards were over, since many celebrities extended their stay in Miami despite 90-degree heat.

Christina Aguilera hid under a fedora while she ate with her boyfriend - and apparently she's not much of a tipper. She and pals ordered up $300 worth of food to the Raleigh pool early Monday morning - but only left $12.

--That's just infuriating. I can't stand cheap people. Let alone rich cheap people. Don't leave the house unless you are prepared to tip. I very rarely leave less than 20%--usually only if it's a buffet or something.

The Essentials?

CBC radio has compiled the 5 most essential songs from each decade since 1900.

Click here and let me know if you agree.

Klum Insures Her Legs

Supermodel Heidi Klum has had her lovely legs insured for two million dollars. According to the New York Daily News, insurance expert John Songlides, from auction house Phillips De Pury & Company, had the tough job of personally assessing their value.

The beauty's gorgeous gams will be insured as long as her legs appear in ads for a hair removal product.

However, it should be noted that soccer star David Beckham has a bit of a leg up on Klum. His are insured for a cool $70 million-plus.

P. Diddy TKO?

Hot on the heels of turning down a quarter-million dollar payday to appear at Wrestlemania 20, Hulk Hogan appeared on the MTV Video Music Awards and started an angle with none other than Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

Hogan was at the VMA's helping promote his daughter Brooke's new single. Combs had challenged Hogan to wrestle him for a million dollars, likely seeing it as a funny throwaway line. He clearly had no clue who he was dealing with, as Hogan definitely knows an opportunity for himself when he sees one, so, after trashing Randy Savage, Hulkster then moved onto the big game by going after P. Diddy:

"I know a million dollars ain't that big of a hit to him. So if he's gonna get beat up, he might as well make it a hundred million dollars. I can't ever lose in front of my daughter. But I've got a lot of respect for (P. Diddy). I saw him run for those kids in New York. So it's all good. If it's a million dollars for the kids, if he wants to put that up, I'll let him beat me."

Unexpected Guest

An Austrian family had their weekend picnic ruined when a lump of frozen excrement fell from the sky and hit their barbecue.

The family from Graz said the grill suddenly exploded as it was struck by a large object that had missed them by a few feet.

Rob that cradle

Ashley Olsen has ensured her move from Los Angeles to New York University is not a daunting prospect - she's began dating a Manhattan entrepreneur.

The 18-year-old actress twin of Mary-Kate is dating Scott Sartiano, 30, who co-owns plush eatery Butter and is a promoter at Star Room in the luxurious East Hampton area of New York state.

But a representative for the Olsens insists, "They are all friends. They are not dating."

--I wondered when the first horny, older guy would start dating one of the twins. Looks like it didn't take long.

Material Girl Ale

Madonna has had a beer named after her.

The honor was bestowed by brewers JW Lees, who have knocked up a batch of Material Girl Ale. The Manchester firm decided to commemorate her visit to the city and made a crateful for the first night of her Re-invention tour.

Bottles are labelled with a similar design to the Madonna’s Immaculate Collection greatest hits album.

The commemorative dark, fruity ale packs a big punch with a 7.5 per cent alcohol content.

Tiger's Two

And the king of swing has been dethroned by Singh...

Nip No More

Nip/Tuck, which had won fans among inmates for its surgical gore and sexual innuendo, has been pulled from the airwaves at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution.

"We decided it was all too much," Doug Harder, a spokesman for the medium-security prison in Pendleton, told The Oregonian recently. "Way too graphic."

During one episode of the FX show — which chronicles the racy escapades of two Miami plastic surgeons — inmates gathered in a TV room kept "eyeballing," whistling and shouting catcalls to a female corrections officer, Harder said.

The officer filed a complaint with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and the prison banned the show, Harder said.

Cojo Says...

Stephen Cojocaru's take on Teresa Heinz Kerry's look:

"I must bring up the topic ... Teresa and the hair. The hair is a little too wild and savage. If you're one of the members of Destiny's Child, that's good hair! But maybe for the future first lady, I think she needs more tapered."

--Agreed, Cojo.

Wedding Trend

Whereas once they might have been delighted with a cotton pillowcase or humble cutlery, modern British couples about to get married now ask wedding guests for luxuries such as plasma-screen televisions.

The findings come in a study of half a century of wedding lists, collections of suggested gifts for guests to buy those tying the knot, deposited with leading British department store John Lewis.

Thus the top 10 most requested items now covers such things as top-of-the-range cutlery, flashy bathroom scales and luxury bath towels.

--Interesting!

She's Got Assets

Carmen Electra has pinched the Bottom of the Year title from Kylie Minogue.

Carmen, 32, defeated Kylie by 1% in the FHM survey reports the Daily Star.

Beyonce Knowles, 22, took the third spot, while reigning FHM High Street Honey Kayleight Pearson, 19, was rated fourth.

Mind Games?

It's a scientific fact: human brains are programmed for orgasms - with or without the actual sex act.

Dr Robert Lomas - a solid-state physicist and an internationally known author on religious symbolism - says that evolution has allowed humans to develop the sex-free orgasm.

"It’s the same reward mechanism that encourages us to share our DNA," said Dr Lomas. "But it can be achieved without the physical act of copulation."

Only humans have this power to induce mental ecstasy, and it’s a complex set of responses that can be achieved by learned behavioural patterns or triggered by hyper-arousal during peak experiences, he says.

--"Encourages us to share our DNA"--that's a subtle way of putting it.

Now THAT's a centerpiece!!

Rap star Sean P Diddy Combs stunned guests at his Miami Beach party by serving dinner round a curvaceous naked woman.

The woman, whose 'modesty' was covered only by a leaf, was the centre of attraction at the glitzy party after the MTV Music Video Awards.

The shock of the celebrity guests at the bash was lightened by actor Will Smith, who ate fruit from the nude beauty's body, leading others to join in.

"It was certainly an unusual buffet. I think everyone was a bit shocked to begin with, but then Will took some fruit and everyone joined in," rate the music quoted a guest at the party as saying.

My new love

I'm in love with this blog: Go Fug Yourself.

It highlights each day's fashion missteps, and the commentary makes me laugh outloud! Visit now!

A Shirt for the Gutsy

You have to have the goods to back up this shirt:

--Guess who has one? Surprise, surprise.

Superman--again?

The Passion Of The Christ star Jim Caviezel may be ready to sign a deal to star as Superman in the long-awaited new film Superman Returns.

The actor - who movingly portrayed Jesus in Mel Gibson's controversial epic - is said to be very close to an agreement with studio Warner Bros. despite his agent's recent insistence the part had not yet been offered to him.

--Isn't he tired of playing "Super" men?

Civilians Beware

Matt Damon doesn't want to be Bennifered.

Apparently in reaction to the media circus that surrounded his long-time buddy Ben Affleck's doomed romance with J.Lo, Damon says that now he will only date "civilians" - i.e., not celebrities, reports MSNBC.com.

--Civilians? Glad to know we're good enough for him.

Bob Knight--Sitcom Star?

The life and times of Bob Knight could soon be right inside America's living rooms.

The fiery Texas Tech coach met with television officials last month in Los Angeles and gave his approval for a sitcom deal. CBS and Paramount Television are exploring the development of a half-hour comedy that could run by next year.

Knight, 63, would serve as a consultant and said he might make guest appearances.

--Oh this is hysterical. I can't wait to see if this comes to fruition or not. I miss him!

From Backstreet Boy to Porn Star

Sexy socialite Paris Hilton has got over her traumatic break up with Backstreet Boy, Nick Carter and is now smitten with her National Lampoon's Pledge This co-star, Simon Rex.

The Simple Life reality TV star flaunted Rex - a one-time porn star - in Miami's Mansion Club on Friday and enjoyed a raunchy night with him in the Delano hotel's luxury suite, according to Britain's Daily Star newspaper.

--Didn't he also use to be on MTV? Like a VJ or something?

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my best friend since I was 2--CHRISTINA! Wish I could celebrate with you. Hopefully, in October!

:)