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 15, 2009
Los Angeles Celebrity slapped with criminal assault charges, Loses Endorsement
Fading R&B artist Chris Brown just lost his Wrigley endorsement deal
after the Los Angeles Police Department has booked him for allegedly battered his girlfriend. After turning himself in to the relevent Los Angeles authorities, he was eventually released on bail following his criminal assault charges. In addition to the lost Wrigley endorsement deal which would have been quite lucrative, Radio stations across the country have apparently stopped playing his music. The extent of his girlfriend’s injuries are apparently substantial, which is casting an infamous, Tina Turner/Ike type of shadow over his faltering career. Someone will need a good defense attorney for sure. If you require a top flank Los Angeles criminal defense attorney then may want to check out Ramiro Luis because he is a truly superb Los Angeles criminal defense attorney and can also help in nearby communities like Van Nuys, Anahein, Malibu, Seal Beach, Costa Mesa and newport Beach, among others..
Being labeled as a criminal can do that sometimes. Of course, he is not the only celebrity to lose an endorsement deal lately for alleged criminal behavious. Just ask Michael Phelps.
Having a bong glued to your lips can do that for you. Sometimes a mere non-criminal related scandal can do the trick as well. For example, Mickey Rourke (who appeared to be the oscar forerunner for ‘The Wrestler’ just a several weeks ago) is reportedly now trailing previous oscar winner Sean Penn following scandalous stories about him recently reported in the mainstream media.
All in all, Chris Brown could be in very hot water if the allegations against hold up in court.
For instance, Harvey levin of TMZ news has stated that “Chris Brown is in huge trouble, I mean, he could go to prison for years” But just what exactly caused this huge mess? Media reports vary somewhat, but TMZ reported that they had recently left a party. A witness later told the authorities that they had argued and then it eventually escalated further, leaving the female victim with “visible injuries.”
“She suffered 2 massive contusions on both sides of her face,” Levin said. “She had a bloody lip, she had a bloody nose. And there are reports that she had a bite on one of her arms and legs.”
In other words, she looked like a used Pinyata. Wow, sounds like Rodney King got off better than that back in the day. I guess someone will need a good criminal defense attorney. A spokeswoman for the L.A. District Attorney’s Office has stated that a decision has not yet been made on whether to file charges. There has also been talk on the newswire that his arrest
could substantially slow down the Tempo of celebrity Artist Endorsements. Meanwhile, Rihanna postponed a scheduled concert in Malaysia on Tuesday as Los Angeles police continued their probe of an attack. News Update: It was just reported that the two may be getting back together despite everything. Perhaps it was simply a case of Love at First Bite.
March 30, 2008
Richie Sambora Arrested and other dui News
According to reports the Long Beach DUI attorneys, Laguna Beach Police Department have reported that Laguna Beach police officers noticed a black Hummer weaving in and out of traffic. The vehicle in question was driven by Richie Sambora and there was also 3 females in the vehicle as well. One of these young girls was later identified as his daughter with ex-wife Heather Locklear.
In a statement by Stg. Jason Kravetz of the Laguna Beach Police Department after Sambora was stopped he was given field sobriety tests and arrested, he was cooperative and the arrest went without any further incident. Sambora was released from jail at approximately 4 am on Wednesday.
Sambora, a member of the popular Rock band Bon Jovi is supposed to appear in court for a hearing on May 7th to answer to driving under the influence. But it is thought that at that time he may also face a charge of endangering minors due to the underage girls who were present in the vehicle in question.
All in all, facing a Los Angeles DUI charge can be a spooky experience for many, and jail time is often a possibility along with the loss of a drivers licence for the long term, unfortunately…… for anyone who has been cited with a DUI violation in Anaheim, anywhere in Torrance, Los Angeles, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, and any other community or city in the state. DUI attorneys are all too familiar with how a .08 BAC charge can harm your reputation and insurance credits, as well as set you back financially. By the way, if you require a high grade Los Angeles DUI attorneys then give the Law Offices of Michael Ehline a call, you will be glad that you did.
An important steps you can make if you or one of your family members have received a DUI , is to contact one of the Los Angeles areas leading DUI attorneys who have the experience and the know-how in representing many folks who have received this sad citation.
It is really great to know that experienced criminal defense attorneys will do their best to see that your DUI charges are dismissed at the DMV administrative court or heating, and they will be by your side as well.
Remember, do not just assume on autopilot that you will be facing a major jail term. Aggressive criminal defense attorneys will do their best to research the field sobriety test and also the Breathalyzer test, if applicable. In addition to this, Blood tests that you were given can also be double-checked for accuracy, if need be.
When you or one of your family members have been faced with receiving a DUI charge, you need that added assurance that you have an experienced lawyer who is on your side, working for you and not against you. These competent attorneys have vast knowledge and experience in handling DUI cases with the utmost in professionalism and aggression that is needed in cases of this nature
January 27, 2008
More MP3 and Las Vegas Show news
You may or may not noticed there has been a lot of gadget and technology related news lately concerning iPods,iPhones and MP3 players in general? I sure have seen this specific trend, it is as if the Apple Corporation and other such firms are on some sort of offensive. here is more on the subject………
Case Logic made an appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show in
Las Vegas and introduced their new line of cases and protective covers for iPods and other personal players.
In the new line of iPod cases from Case Logic, there are cases made of neoprene and slip cases that are made of silicone, along with several others that while protective for the iPod also have piazzas. Ones like the new line of universal pockets, these protective covers are styled to appear like miniature sleeping bags that will protect from scratches and marring.
Case Logic has also produced a line for the iPod owner who needs a hard styled case, there are two in this line that were brought out at the electronics show.
The hard cases are a tin with a neoprene inside for protecting the iPod and come with either a slider or what is termed a folio.
The slider is the, a tin protective cover with a slide feature that the tin slides off the face of the iPod. The second is named a folio, this is one in which the tin rather than slides folds open, like a hinged tin box and for extra protection has a silicone interior. In
Addition, there is a brand new player in the MP3 World according to the Reuters News network and also Yahoo News…..The eMotion EM-SOL1GIG is relatively big as far as most media players go: at 5 inches across, an inch thick, and some ten ounces, you will not be putting this guy in your pants pocket anytime soon. But open it up and you will see a pair of solar panels that will charge the player’s lithium-ion battery in about 3 or 4 hours.
It is a pretty cool gadget as it is fully capable of handling MP3, WMA, and WAV audio files, plus AVI and MPEG-4 video. How is that for an environmentally friendly toy?
January 21, 2008
More iPod products and accessories
JVC has brought an entirely fresh way of docking to you iPod owners; with their JVC NX-PN7 this is not simply a docking station: They have in fact placed them selves in a different arena when it comes to this product, which has not one but two docking stations.
The JVC NX-PN7 is a tabletop appliance that is capable of docking two iPods side-by-side and equipped with speakers. This component measures thirteen inches wide, it also features Am and FM radio tuner, it comes with a clock that has a timer and is has ease of use with a remote.
Another feature that the JVC NX-PN7 has to offer iPod owners is the ability to charge both iPods while they are docked and being played.
This small sized unit gives iPod families the ability to listen to more than one play list or the person who owns more than one iPod the choice of which to listen to with a click of the remote.
Best of all these new JVC NX-PN7 units will be available to consumers in April of this year and come in several colors such as blue, green and red. The thirteen inch size also enables iPod owners to move it to any room in the house or leave it in one place and with the clock and timer it is also useful for more than docking iPods. In other iPod news, according to a story in the highly respected Chicago Tribune, it was reported that the iPod Touch was upgraded with 2 powerful trends which are currently sweeping the gadget landscape: the use of Wi-Fi and the ever-increasing assortment of third-party applications for hand-held devices. Many of the technological features normally associated with the iPhone are being integrated into the iPod. You may also add features such as Google mobile and direct links to several news sites. Pretty cool stuff to be sure. Apple is really evolving their line.
January 18, 2008
New Features for the iPod coming this Spring
Spring of 2008 is going to be an exciting time for iPod owners with the many new components that are going to make their debut on the market. One of these components is going to be the Creative Xdock, which has had an upgrade. This new component will be available to iPod owners soon and one of its features is converting video to HD resolution.
The Xdock will convert video resolution to 720p or 1080i, this will mean to iPod owners that they will be able to with their Xdock HD play video on an HDTV with complete DTS surround sound. Another feature of this new unit is the ability to play music through X-Fi wireless receivers that can be connected to speakers that can be placed anywhere in the home.
According to the manufacturer this unit can be used with iPods from previous generations so iPod owners will not have to upgrade their iPod, as well as the new iPod Nano and iPod Touch.
It will be accompanied by a remote that will have selections such as music, videos, photos and podcasts, along with a menu on the HDTV which can be controlled with the remote.
The Xdock charges the iPod while it is docked and can be connected to home theater systems.
In other related news, what could be better than the choice to have an iPod docked in the kitchen and on the refrigerator, where there is easy access to it, hands free listening and the ability to share tunes with others in the room. All this is now possible, along with other convenient features that have never been attempted before with a kitchen appliance.
Whirlpool is bringing the kitchen to life for iPod owners, with the introduction of their newest refrigerator that has technology advancements unlike other refrigerators in today’s market.
This refrigerator has interactive features and a docking port for an iPod.
This refrigerator will make the way iPod owners use their iPod at home, not to mention the change in time that will be spent in the kitchen. This of course could affect how people eat and diet in the future with innovative appliances like the Central Park side-by-side.
The model that is making all the news is the side-by-side named the Central Park and comes with hardware where a component is made for electronic devices like those of the iPod, along with other features that enables owners to make lists, use a calendar and even text message and email is only a step away. This is the iPod owners dream appliance and is not something in the future, it is here now.
January 16, 2008
More iPod news
For the iPod owner who likes to be away from it all there is a solution to recharging the iPod without the use of electricity, this is with the use of Powermonkey Explorer. The new unit is unlike any other on the market so far for iPod owners with its ability to be used without electrical power.
Unlike the first of these, which needed to be connected to power, this new one does not. This comes in a fabric case that will keep the Powermonkey and all of its accessories secure, including the solar panel.
Yes, this new Powermonkey Explorer is made to go anywhere including the great outdoors with a solar power accessory to recharge iPods anyplace there is sunlight. Along with the solar panel there is also electrical connections for both the United States and European electricity for charging iPods when connected with a USB cable.
The Powermonkey Explorer can also charge the iPhone and other items such as digital cameras so this unit is capable of charging all the items that are important today no matter where a person is at, inside or outside. This also means that the iPod owners will never be without their play list when enjoying the outdoors.
With the holidays at an end, there are many new iPod owners just beginning to figure out the functions of their iPods. For many of these new generation iPod owners there is a feeling of confusion because of the many new features. There are places that can be contacted for help in figuring out the functions of the new iPods, Apple of course has tech support, however there are also other companies that offer expert advice and are trained to help with iPod problems and questions from the most simple to the most technical.
One of these tech support companies for iPod are SupportSpace, where they are ready to give support on the latest generation of iPods from the most simple procedure to the most complicated.
While many iPod users will not need to resort to an expert the fact that they are there when questions or problems arise is a comforting thought with all the functions the new generation of iPods are capable of performing.
When the results are in for the amount of sales for the holiday season are in for the new generation of iPods it is expected to be a dramatic increase from sales at other times of the year.
January 9, 2008
Your iPod, good friends and the band new RockStar
According to the highly respected Reuters news network in a story out of California,
young adults now have a brand new
way to share as well as mix their favorite songs with their friends. RockStar is a one
of a kind
hub which basically connects a combination of MP3 players & headphones. You simply attach
your headphones and hear your friend’s play list. Alternately, you can add another iPod
to mix songs and listen to them together. This is siggnificant news because fully
fifty percent of young adults currently use their iPods with friends while they are at school.
In addition, they may choose the option of connecting 2 or 3 different MP3 players to
RockStar, and then mix the songs from the different players if they want. Possible positive effects
of all this is the fact that RockStar could potentially boost the quantity and perhaps even quality
of the interaction between these young adults as they listen to their MP3 players together. It should
be noted that Mixing and fade-ins in the belkin Rockstar are controlled by the standard controls
each particular MP3 player, and it features 5 seperate ports to attach headphones or MP3 players.
This item comes in at about twent bucks or so. Speaking of iPods and accessories, There is a new and improved in-ear canal headphone in 7 colors to match up with the newest iPods. The JVC HA-FX34 Marshmallow has been produced with wearer comfort as an important specification. Ultra-soft earpieces in 2 unique sizes come as standard, providing
a very nice fit for a broad array of users.
While these earpieces in fact constitute a wonderful fit for the ears, the range of 7 body and cord colors complements ideally the Apple corporation’s 3rd-generation iPod nano plus iPod shuffle models. In addition, the gold-plated connection plug is totally compatible with the iPhone as well.
Now that is what I call a cool combination….
rounding out this particular set is the 3.28-foot (1.0 m) friction-noise reduction cord, produced to reduce the sound that is made as the cord brushes against clothing. The JVC HA-F130 Gumy in-ear headphones, by the way, are now available in 3 different colors. They are Raspberry Red, Mint Blue and Melon Green
which fits in well with their branding image in my opinion. The soft rubber body of the headphones which inspired the “Gumy” nickname has been redesigned for yet more comfort, and like the Marshmallow, it in fact comes with a gold-plated iPhone plus iPod compatible plug.
January 6, 2008
News about the iPod
In a report echoed by Wirder magazine and other technology/gadget publications that the Sony BMG Corporation is moving to DRM-free downloads seems to represent the music industry’s surrender in regards to their copyright-protection attempt
created a super ecoomerce site in Apple’s iTunes Store while at the same time not successfully stopping the piracy issues at hand.
While some experts seem to believe that the Apple corporation may in fact likely lose market share for digital downloads as the giants leave the DRM scene, the subsequent uptick in internet music sales sites will probably produce a much
bigger market for the iPod as well as the fast-rising phenomenon known as the iPhone.
As a result of all these events, The iTunes market share will eventually be sharply reduced, according to one Phil Leigh, an expert with Digital Media. Obviously, all of this is very good for the iPod.
This big move away from digital rights management for its downloads was initially reported today by BusinessWeek. As it stands now, the firm follows the other Big 4 labels which have defected from DRM since the start of 2007 as the industry searches for a good
digital strategy. Warner Music group, for example, became the 3rd of these giants to move toward DRM-free downloads, stating that sections of the catalog would be open Amazon consumers. The
Apple corporation, which staunchly refuses to license the DRM technology called FairPlay, has some eighty percent market share of digital downloads. meanwhile,
Peter Rojas, who is the co-founder of Rcrd Lbl, which gives away DRM-free, advertisement-supported music downloads, stated firmly that “consumers simply do not want DRM”.
But he also stated that the iPod may start to lose its ascendency to the likes of Microsoft’s Zune, which is completely incompatible with Apple’s FairPlay. On the other hand
the RIAA, which has sued more than twenty thousand different persons to date, has not yet made a statement concerning the latest abandonment of DRM. Ray Beckerman, a New York lawyer who defends those
sued for unlawful downloading, thinks that the industry in question would probably move ahead ahead with their lawsuits. As a whole,
the end of DRM may in fact embolden a variety of internet-based download sites and other such sites as traditional album sales continue to plummet.
According to the wited News network, Album sales as a while fell nearly ten percent this last year while at the same time the sale of digital tracks rose by nearly fifty percent!
Yes, things they are a’changin’. Sony spokesman John McKay declined comment as of today, by the way
December 18, 2007
Biography of film great Robert De Niro
I just got read a fascinating book about the career of legendary movie actor Robert De Niro.
The biography was written by John Baxer. I do not think it was the authorized version, but nevertheless paints a mostly complimentary picture of the actor,
in my opinion.
Man what a career! And what a disciplined guy. His work ethic and approach has really inspired me in other areas of my life, since I myself am not an actor.
He would always say that “You have to earn the right to Play a Role” or something to that effect. For a role such as his Oscar Winning performance in ‘Raging Bull’
that meant not only working closely with the real life middle weight champion Jake Lamotta but also becoming a boxer himself. He became very good, winning most of his fights. Lamotta claimed he would have been among the top
20 middleweights if he had become a professional. He became so good that he was dangerous, breaking Joe Pesci’s ribs
during the filming despite Joe wearing a thick vest. One funny thing happened involving director Martin Scorsese, who could not stand blood. De Nero, when training during real fights,
yelled at Scorsese as he was leaving “where are you going? Stay here! I am doing this for you, you know!”. He apparently wqas forced to watch the carnage.
Then toward the end of filming De Niro famously ballooned up in weight for the final scenes. he worked them off by his next film, ‘True Confessions’, which was released in 1981 and co-starred Robert Duvall.
For the 1976 movie Taxi Driver, in which he was nominated for the best-actor oscar, he was so completely absorbed in the role that the crew was worried that he would never come out of the character when the shooting ended.
That role actually changed his face permanently…..he was in character 24/7 which required a certain crooked grin, which left a certain wrinkle and sidewise slant that he still has to this day.
‘The King of Comedy’ required stand up comedy practice, and so on…..
I would have to say that my personal favorite Robert De Nero films include ‘Heat’ in which he plays an ace thief. Co-stars include Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Diane Venora and Ton Loc, among several others.
I also liked him as Al Capone in the classic 1987 thriller ‘The Untouchables’ which co-starred Andy Garcia, Kevin Costner, Sean Connery and Marcia Gay-Harden. Directed by Brian De Palma.
I also thought ‘Were No Angels’ was cool. This 1989 film co-starred Sean Pean, Demi Moore and John C. Reilly. Him and Penn play escaped convicts on the run, posing as catholic priests.
I liked ‘Cape Fear’. he played criminal Max Cady in a tour-de force performance. According to the book his preperation for this role was incredible. he was nominated for best actor for it in 1991.
Co-stars include Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis, Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck.
He was also nominated for best actor for the 1990 flick ‘The Awakenings’ which co-starred Robin Williams,
the 1978 Vietnam War flick ‘The Deer Hunter’ which co-starred Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken, and he won an oscar for best supporting actor
for his brilliant work in the 1974 blockbuster ‘The Godfather part 2′
He also got major kudos for his work opposite Jeremy Irons in ‘The Mission’, Terry Gilliams science fiction film ‘Brazil’,
and ‘Casino’ opposite Sharone Stone and Joe Pesci. Of and Goodfellas and ‘Mean Streets’ as well, both directed by Martin scorsese.
Robert De Niro has also directed 2 films: ‘A Bronx Tale’ and the recent Matt Damon & Angelina Jolie thriller ‘The Good Shepard’
He is also an award winning broadway actor and owns the Tribeca Film Center too. This is one talented dude. Roger Ebert said in his movie reviews book
that he only knew of 2 movie actors from this era that would be legends (like Marlon Brando) and that they were Jack Nicholson and Robert De Niro.
I agree and might also add Al Pacino and Anthony Hopkins to that list. Of course, De iro has had a flew flops and several roles that were not universally well reviewed,
as have virtually all actors. They include ‘the 1992 film noir drama ‘Night and the City’ co-starring Jessica Lange and Jack Warden and the 1996 Tony Scott thriller ‘The Fan;
which co-starred Wesley Snipes and Ellen Barkin. The film ‘Mad dog and Glory’, co-starring Uma Thurman, David Caruso and Bill murray, also recieved mixed reviews. His latest film is
‘Stardust’ co-starring Michelle Pfeifer, Peter O’Toole and several others.