One of my favorite authors is Anne Tyler. Her books are subtle portraits of the idiosyncrasies, the eccentricities, the quirks and foibles found in every family. In Tyler’s novel, Back When We Were Grownups, she tells the story of a woman who becomes the hub of a large family that she has married into. She is so taken for granted that no one really knows her true feelings, or bothers to ask. They only know, or wish to know, that she is there for them. The woman has secrets, not because she is secretive, but because her family fails to see her as the complex being she really is. What kind of secrets? Could it be something about a leather or pink diaper bag? Or perhaps even tote diaper bags
or something off the wall like that? Yet I digress, I know. No more talk about diaper bags in this blog post, lol.
Another classic family story that was made into a movie is Ordinary People, by Judith Guest. Guest won the Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize from the University of Rochester for the novel, and several years later, the book became a motion picture of the same name, directed by Robert Redford, that won the 1980 Academy Award for Best Picture.
In the story, the youngest son, Conrad Jarett tries to kill himself. He cannot live with the guilt that he survived a boating accident in which his brother died. His brother was his mother’s favorite, and she cannot hide her grief and anger that the favored son, the one who made her proud and made her laugh, died, and the son she could not relate to—survived.
The dynamics of family are powerful and mysterious. We all have experienced them in some form or another.
February 24, 2010
Anne Tyler and Family Quirks and Secrets
February 16, 2010
Some Presidents Have Been Extreme Pet Lovers
I just returned from Salt Lake City, writing time again. Beginning with George Washington, the ‘Father of Our Country’, who kept 36 hounds and 12 horses for his favorite sport of fox hunting, being an animal lover has been a common trait—almost a patriotic emblem—for past presidents.
Some of Washington’s horses had been with him since the Revolutionary War of the 1770’s. He gave them names such as Samson and Steady. Interestingly, the dogs had alcohol-related names, such as Tipsey and Drunkard. I am sure they had a good grooming service. Hank Pellissier wrote an article on the subject for the San Francisco Gate on February 16, 2004 called, All The Presidential Pets. Pellissiers says that George chased foxes on Sunday morning, instead of praying at church like his current smaller namesake in the White House because, like many original patriots, he was not a believer. This, says Pellissier, is according to Dr. Philip Schoenberg, a history professor at New York’s College of Aeronautics and owner of a Web site called “The Presidential Expert.” All in all, Pellissier’s fascinating article also notes that:
When old George contracted laryngitis in 1799, physicians attached more than 100 leeches to the great man’s torso — a common healing procedure at the time — and the vicious little bloodsuckers fatally drained all the life out of him.
Pellissier explains that Abe Lincoln had a, “… menagerie of cats, dogs, goats, ponies, etc…” Meanwhile, Calvin Coolidge loved dogs. He had a terrier, an Airedale, a bulldog, a Shetland sheepdog, a “police dog,” and a “bird dog. He also had two chow chows and three collies. He also owned canaries, a thrush, a mockingbird, a goose, a donkey, two house cats, a bobcat, and two raccoons! Speaking of this, if you need a superb salt lake city pet grooming then allow me to refer C & C, they are cuitting edge in the realm of cat board, doggie daytcare and the like. They are one of the top pet grooming services in all of the greater Salt lake City area overall.
Teddy Roosevelt was even more animal-crazy, although he was a hunter who killed thousands of animals in his time. Pellessier quotes Philip Schoenberg as saying, “Teddy had everything, even a pet cemetery at Sagamore Hill, his home on Long Island.” I am sure he had a good dog groomer too.
Roosevelt kept 12 horses, five dogs, five guinea pigs, two cats, garter snakes, a horned toad, a pony, two kangaroo rats, a flock of ducks, a flying squirrel, a badger, a pig and a blue macaw named Eli Yale. He probably had a great pet boarding services as well, I would wager to guess.
January 31, 2010
Many Celebs getting facial Implants these days
Celebrities are well known for getting nose jobs, breast augmentation and other surgical procedures of a cosmetic nature. These days a majoe trend has been towar facial implants as well. What Are Facial Implants, How Are They Done, and What Do They Do?
Facial implants are used to balance facial features, define a slack jaw line, or fill out cheekbones. The implants themselves are FDA-approved plates that are placed in front of the bone of the chin, jaw, cheek or other facial areas.
Patients whose skin has loosened around the face, with skin retaining enough elasticity to be repositioned successfully make the best candidates. Facial implants may be used to improve a slackened jaw line, or the appearance of reduced bone structures.
Facial implants should be done by a board-certified plastic surgeon. The surgery may be done in an office surgical operatory, outpatient surgery center, or in a hospital. The procedure takes about 30 minutes to one hour. It may be performed under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia. For some famouse people, facial implants have augmented breast enlargement as well as breast implants along with various types of facial reconstruction. Robert Redford, for example, ha had facial reconstruction done in the past.
Usually a patient is released the same day. Occasionally a patient may need to spend a night at the hospital.
The most common facial implants include cheek, chin and jaw implants. During cheek implant surgery, an incision is made inside the mouth, or under the lower eyelid or the upper lip. The surgeon opens a pocket for the implant to inserts the implant into. A is applied to reduce swelling and discomfort.
After the procedure there may be some swelling and soreness in the cheek area. The cheeks may feel taut. Pain medications may be prescribed. The surgeon will let the patient know when to resume normal activities. Usually discomfort is mild and the patient is able to normal activity in a few days
January 10, 2010
In Denver News, Charlie Sheen Arrested In Aspen Christmas Day
Actor Charlie Sheen arrested in Colorado, read the headline in an Associated Press article published on Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, in the Denver Post. Sheen was released in the late afternoon after posting $8,500 bond. Officers answered a call to 911 from a house in Aspen. The upscale ski resort town lies about 200 miles west of Denver. Officers arrested the 44-year-old actor, Charlie Sheen Friday morning on criminal charges. For his part, Sheen sat in jail in Colorado for most of Christmas Day. He was held on domestic violence allegations. An ambulance was sent to the house, but the accuser was not transported to the hospital. His attorney did not leave a statement as of yet. The actor’s wife asserted that he threatened to kill her. She told police that Sheen pinned her on a bed and held a knife to her throat. Allegedly the assault began on Christmas Day when she told him she wanted to see a divorce attorney.
According to the warrant affidavit, Brooke Mueller Sheen was quoted as saying that her husband straddled her on a bed with one hand grasping her neck and the other holding the knife. She said he told her: “You better be in fear. If you tell anybody, I’ll kill you. Your mother’s money means nothing, I have ex-police I can hire who know how to get the job done and they won’t leave any trace.”
Last Wednesday lawyers for the Sheens said the couple want to reconcile, despite the incident. Brooke Sheen’s attorney, Yale Galanter, told The Associated Press, “They’re very much in love. They want to try to work it out and want to have the best shot at doing that.”Charlie Sheen’s attorney, Richard Cummins confirmed that his client wants to reconcil with his wife despite the domestic violence incident. Cummins filed a court motion on Wednesday asking a judge to dismiss a restraining order that prevents the couple from having contact.
Prosecutors say they likely won’t make a decision until February on whether to file charges against Sheen in the alleged domestic violence case in Aspen, under suspicion of menacing, second-degree assault and criminal mischief. Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin was quoted last Monday as saying the menacing charge is the most serious. The charge usually carries a sentence of two to eight years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000. As an aside if you are looking for a Denver domestic violence attorney then may I suggest the DG firm. They can help with a wide array of ceiminal cases including drunk driving dui and related criminal defense cases, and not just the aforementioned domestic violence related cases.
Sheen stars in “Two and a Half Men,” a television show on CBS. After being taken to the Pitkin County jail, he was booked for investigation of second-degree assault and menacing. Aspen police spokeswoman Stephanie Dasaro said the charges are felonies, except the charge of criminal mischief, which is a misdemeanor.
January 7, 2010
In Los Angeles County, Barbra Streisand Sued for Fall Accident
I just returned from los Angeles (to talk to a lemon law attorney of all things) and now it is time to write. In early December, last month, it was reported that a carpenter who slipped and fell into a ditch on her property is suing Barbra Streisand. Daniel Ortiz said he was working at the singer’s home in Malibu when he fell into a ditch, which he claims, he should have been warned about. I am sure he has an attorney.
Ortiz claims that as a consequence of the fall, he has experienced mental and physical distress, embarrassment, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life. He contends that Streisand was neglectful in not warning him of the hazardous conditions on her property. He claims that she should have made the conditions safe.Los Angeles accidents can result in injuries, fractures and broken bones, back and hip injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other painful and debilitating injuries. As a
breif aside if you require a Los Angeles lemon law attorney or lawyer then I suggest this firm. They can help with a number of consumer and lemon law related issues. Now back to the main story:
Under California Liability laws, a property owner can be held liable for California premises liability if a injured party is able to provide evidence that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition, is responsible for the danger on the premise, neglected to inform that the danger existed on the property, and failed to act as a “reasonable” person would have by taking steps to prevent the accident from occurring. That is why so many attorney are out there.
November 7, 2009
In Los Angeles Tonight: Hollywood Screening Documentary of Pilfering
hi guys out in Los Angeles (man those probate lawyer have a job and a half) and wanted to comment on: In L.A. Tonight: Hollywood Screening Documentary of the Pilfering of a Precious American Treasure
The Mann 6 in Hollywood will be showing a new documentary tonight called, “The Art of the Steal: The Untold Story of the Barnes Foundation.” Christopher Knight, art writer and critic writes about it with a passion in today’s November 4, 2009, Los Angeles Times Arts section, in his article for his column, Critics Notebook.The movie is a apparently a brilliant documentary about the pilfering and dismantling of what Henri Matisse called (as quoted in the film) “the only sane place for art.” Matisse was talking about the Barnes Foundation. As an aside if you require a Los Angeles probate lawyer may I suggest Robert mansell, he is an expert, superb and veteran Los Angeles probate lawyer and can assist you if you are in the southern California area. The Barnes Foundation is a school, Knight explains in his wonderful article, built by a “cantankerous Philadelphia physician who became wealthy after developing a patent medicine.” Old Doc Barnes (1872-1951) commissioned the building by architect Paul Cret. It sits in a 12-acre arboretum. The school is defined by modern art and has in its collection works by Renoir, Matisse, Rouseau, Modigliani, Degas, and more.
As the name of the documentary implies, various art establishment power players, such as Pew Charitable Trusts president, Rebecca Rimel, promote their own agenda, which does not include maintaining the Barnes Foundation as the national treasure that it very obviously is. I wonder if someone will need a probate lawyer after all on this one?
October 27, 2009
Numerology and the Stars
I was looking for some good art for offices the other day and i got to thinking how many celebrities change their name so as to change the numbers and thus numerology of it, for the purpose of obtaining a more creative or generally favorable vibration. That reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend recently: “alright I promised you some more details about the number 17. In the ancient texts, the number 17 is called “The Star of the Magi” and it is pictured as the 8-pointed star of Venus. This is symbolism of course but I found that fact interesting because you wear your ring on the finger which is represented by the Roman Goddess Venus. 17 was considered by the ancients to be a highly spiritual number as well as the image of Love and Peace. The number 17 indicates that the person or entity represented by it will rise above the trials and difficulties of earlier life. In addition, it indicates that the persons name may live on after they die. The 17 is considered to be a generally favorable and fortunate vibration but with one possible negative, and that is that these people sometimes do not get the credit and recognition they deserve despite being hard working and self-sacrificing (this may explain art for offices that you are sometimes inclined to choose. Although they often rise to positions of authority, ironically it is sometimes a great burden of stress, anxiety, responsibility and too many hours of work. This
is not a definate, because the numbers influence but do not compel, and we have the free will to always choose the positive side of every vibration. (every number has both a positive and negative potentiality, it is our choices which decide which potentiality manifests). On the whole, 17 imparts the ability to rise above adversity in both the career and in personal relationships.
October 18, 2009
Roman Polanski case making Waves in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles community is abuzz right now because Hollywood has taken some flack for it’s backing of Roman Polanski.
He has retained a top lawyer but the power elite of Los Angeles (well, more specifically the Los Angeles film community) have largely rushed to his aide in this infamous case, or should I say, sordid saga. It seems many people have a “no injury, no foul” sort of attitude about the whole thing. Polanski himself has had his share of misfortune. He grew up in a German concentration camp and his wife and unborn child both suffered fatal injury at the hands of the manson family in that notorious case from the 60’s. Then in the 70’s he was forced to flee the United States and head to Europe, where he was able to continue his film career. The Europeans are less judgemental about this sort of thing, apparently. If you need a Los Angeles Injury lawyer then may I suggest Mansell, one of the finest injury lawyers in all of the city of angels. As it now stands, some analysts and writers are commenting lately that the film industry’s particularly strong support of the director is in fact clear evidence of just how out of touch they are with public opinion around the globe. Some publications are loudly motion picture people who have so visibly and publicly come to his aid, such as Harvey Weinstein of Mirimax Pictures, who called his conduct as a “so-called crime.”
Some of the other supporters in the industry for the beleagured filmmaker include Woody Allen (himself accused of improper conduct with a child), filmmaker Jonathan Demme, Sam Mendes, high profile producer Mike Nichols (producer of such films as the 1994 Thriller Wolf) and award winner Martin Scorsese, the director of films such as ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Raging Bull’, ‘Boxcar Bertha’, ‘The Color of Money’, ‘Cape Fear’, ‘Goodfellas’ and also ‘Casino’. In any case, for Polanski’s sake I am kind of hope he remains in European jail for now. After all, American prisoners are noted for their distaste of child abusers. They generally respond in kind tenfold to such individuals.
September 30, 2009
Roman Polanski Held in Switzerland
I recently returned from kansas City, Missouri and it is time to resume my blogging activies. In celebrity related news a lawyer (or more accurately team of lawyers) for noted movie director Roman Polanski filed an appeal with a Swiss court so as to oppose his arrest on an American warrant concerning his self confessed rape of a thirteen year old girl. At this time, the Swiss Federal Court has released a statement that it would make a decision on the appeal within a relatively brief period of time period, maybe weeks,
according to their internet website. All in all, the director was detained over the weekend on an American fugitive warrant in the European city of Zurich, while he was on the way to accept a film award. He is the director of a number of movies such as the 60’s film ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ starring John Cassevettes, ‘Chinatown’ starring Jack Nicholson, ‘The Ninth Gate’ starring Frank Langella and most recently
‘The Pianist’. He was also the focus of a rather weirdly titled documentary called: ‘Roman Polanski wanted and desired’. All in all, he has his warrant for fleeing America on the night of his sentencing for the charge of raping a 13-year-old girl, to whom he also was accused of giving drugs and alcohol. As an aside if you require a top Kansas City tax lawyer then may I suggest the law offices of Mr. Siegel if you in or near Kansas City as he is indeed a top notch tax lawyer. Now back to the main article: Since he fled the country he has been able to continue his movie directing career in Europe, mainly in France, where he has been given a safe haven up to this point in time. In general, Europeans do not consider his crimes to be quite as serious as North Americans do, at least according to the reports I have read. This is painting with a broad brush, however, since this is only a very general assessment. I have my own opinions on the case. On the one hand, it is one thing to have intercourse with an underage girl, it is another thing to forcibly rape her, which he apparently did, as she said “no” repeatedly throughout the assault. She was also sodomized after being lured to a friends mansion for a “photo shoot”. At one point in time, the said director had reached a plea bargain agreement with prosecutors in California to plead guilty to the rape charge in return for a relatively mild sentence of forty-two
days behind bars, which was time already served. Yet he apparently thought that the judge in question in that case would overrule and give him a l sentence,
so he fled to Europe and lived in France, a country which does not have an extradition treaty with the America.
August 14, 2009
Tom Sizemore Arrested for Domestic Altercation
In California celebrity news, according to LAPD officer Bruce Borihanah, actor Tom Sizemore, who has been in numerous films including ‘Heat’, ‘Guilty by Suspicion’, ‘Mickey Davidson and the Marlboro Man’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan’, has been detained following a possible domestic altercation. All in all, he was arrested and booked for misdemeanor domestic violence and has been held on $20,000 bail. This is Sizemore’s second arrest for domestic violence and the actor has also been arrested on drug related charges in the past.
Sizemore age 47 was said to have been taken into custody at approximately 9:30 p.m. and the incident took place in the 100 block of Beaudry Avenue located near downtown Los Angeles, California according to police spokesmen Chris No. More California News can be found here. The domestic altercation was with his fiancé, who declined to be treated by ambulance personnel that responded to the location of the incident, according to the Los Angeles Police Department spokesman. On the whole, this is not Sizemore’s first brush with the court system. In his conviction Sizemore was sentenced to six months in jail that the sentence was postponed, so that the actor could attend drug treatment. According to spokesman Chris No, the authorities received an emergency call by Sizemore’s fiancé’s nephew, after which Sizemore was taken into custody at a Los Angeles house. California has it’s share of all kinds, does it not. Same old news.