Friday, December 3, 2010

Sagittarius Traveller



You dislike going for a peaceful quiet holiday away from the hustle-bustle.The idea is to have fun and frolic on holidays rather than lying with a book. You are born travelers so if possible would visit all the places given in a tourist book. You are open to having a trekking and camping holiday. READ MORE

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Nice Beaver!

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

I’m over the cold now. Yippee!!! And just in time for another storm this weekend. It’s not supposed to be as epic as the last one but… you know how meteorologists are. Besides, the ladies love my Barry White voice… so no problems there. Also, some potentially Earth shattering news may be forthcoming (for those that I haven’t already discussed with) so tune in… I don’t know, tomorrow maybe. In the meantime, here’s the news…

RIP Leslie Nielsen – One of the greatest comedic straight-men in the history of cinema has passed away. Leslie Nielsen, star of “The Naked Gun” and “Airplane!” movies, as well as countless other spoofs… and dramatic roles in the likes of “Forbidden Planet” and “Poseidon Adventure”, was 80. I completely spaced the Naked Gun movies (and the TV series before its time “Police Squad”) when I was making my Guilty Pleasure Movie List the other day… but that’s probably because I don’t feel guilty about it. We’ll truly miss you… but will laugh at your legacy.

Neve Campbell’s SINGLE!!! – Somewhere in Idaho, The Mad Scientist is brushing up on his pickup lines (as am I, because she was on my Top 5 Hotties of the 90's list). The “Scream” star, 37, has quietly split from British actor John Light after three years of marriage, according to TMZ (so it has to be true). Citing irreconcilable differences, she secretly filed for divorce five months ago in Los Angeles County Superior Court. She asked that Light, 36, not receive spousal support. The two reportedly first met on the set of the 2001 indie, “Investigating Sex”. Engaged in 2006, they said "I do" the following year in Malibu. This is the actress' second divorce: She was previously wed to Canadian actor Jeff Colt. Campbell returns to the big screen in Scream 4, out April 15th… but that doesn’t matter right now, because she’s back on the market… and by my guess, probably looking for a good old fashioned American man… and I can be an actor if that would help… why not? Aren’t we all just actors on the big silver screen of Life? I guess what I’m trying to say is… holla!!!

Tallest Couple - Their height made Wayne and Laurie Hallquist seem like an ideal match when they met seven years ago, and on Thursday they were matched with something else -- the title of world's tallest living married couple. Guinness World Records bestowed that towering distinction to the Hallquists in a ceremony under the marquee at its Hollywood museum. The couple arrived in a white limousine, with Wayne sporting a tuxedo and Laurie in a white wedding dress. The Hallquists, who live in nearby Stockton, California, measure a combined 13 feet, 4 inches, or 407.4 centimeters, to be exact. He stands 6 feet 10.4 inches, she 6 feet 5.95 inches, the Guinness organization said. "It's a whole different perspective up here, and we can find each other quite easily in a crowd," Laurie told Reuters. "We can see several people going bald that might not know it at the moment," joked Wayne, 57, who works as a telephone company wire splicer (no ladder required). The Hallquists said that when they met at a church singles club in 2003, they could tell that others around them were sizing up a possible love affair because of their height. "She walked in, everyone looked at her, then they looked at me," Wayne said. But while Wayne said it was love at first sight for him, Laurie their first meeting came up short. "He talked about the size of my hands and feet, which is kind of a no-no," said Laurie, 46. "And then the second time we had a chance to talk, I figured out he was a really good guy." They have been married for seven years, but it took the Hallquists until this year to contact Guinness World Records. The couple said they were discouraged at first from making a play for world's tallest couple, because they read online that a man and a woman each standing over 7 feet had married in the 19th century. Only this year did they realize they could compete in another category: world's tallest living married couple. Guinness previously listed a couple in England -- Wilco and Keisha van Kleef-Bolton -- as the world's tallest couple at a combined height of 13 feet, 3 inches. The Hallquists knew they could beat that -- by an inch. So they contacted Guinness, and the organization had them measured by a doctor and a notary to make it official. Laurie, a former college basketball player who now works as a realtor, said she dated shorter men before Wayne (only a 99.9% chance of that), including one "kind of macho" guy who stood 5-foot-7. She described that pairing as "a little awkward" and said that she likes looking up to her husband -- at least physically. If recent history is any indication, the Hallquists may have a limited time to stand out. The van Kleef-Boltons were only named world's tallest couple last year, before the Hallquists stepped up to challenge them. "There may be people who are taller than the Hallquists, but unless we go out and can measure them, the Hallquists have the record all to themselves," said Guinness World Records adjudicator Stuart Claxton. Are you insanely tall? Do you know a girl you could marry who is also insanely tall? Well, come on down to Reno (or Vegas), get hitched, get measured, and get in The Book. I’m just saying… if you’re into that thing. I mean… Yao Ming would only have to marry a six-footer to get the title for the People’s Republic of China. Let’s keep it in America, ladies & gentlemen.

Picasso JACKPOT!!! – Painter Pablo Picasso was both hugely prolific and famously generous with his work, but was he enough of a free spirit to give hundreds of his early works -- an invaluable collection -- to his electrician? That question lies at the heart of a court case over the origin of 271 Picasso works -- a treasure trove of original sketches, paintings and collages that was unknown to the art world a few months ago and unveiled for the public on Monday. Experts have yet to appraise the full collection, which has been placed under lock and key after a judicial appeal by Picasso's heirs. But there is little dispute so far over its authenticity. The works, many of which belong to the artist's Blue and Cubist periods, could fetch more than 60 million euros (about $79 million) at auction. More mysterious is how such an extensive collection could have wound up in the hands of a retired electrician in the south of France who once worked for the Picasso family, or why he chose to hold onto it for so many decades (wait until the artist was dead, the market was up & the time was right, simple enough). "We have questions, legitimate questions about where the paintings came from," Claudia Andrieu, legal counsel for the Picasso Foundation, told Reuters Television. "We are discovering new pieces, completely unknown pieces that had never been printed in any book." The mystery began when Claude Picasso -- son of the artist and head of the foundation named after him -- received a letter from a man who said he owned original Picasso pieces and wanted to have them verified for authenticity. Picasso convinced the man to bring the collection to Paris, saying he would be unable to verify it from photographs. The man arrived by car with the paintings in a suitcase and laid them out on a table. "I felt a great surprise, naturally, lots of emotion at the discovery of pieces with which we were not familiar. But also a deep disturbance," he told French daily Liberation. "Many of these pieces were not dated, which means they never should have left the studio." The man in question was Pierre Le Guennec, an electrician in his seventies who worked on Picasso's property in the south of France during the 1970s. He told Reuters Television that Picasso's wife gave him the artworks. "It's Madame (Picasso) who gave them. But if Madame gave them, Monsieur was aware of it. She wasn't going to do it just like that, was she?" he said, speaking through a gate in front of his property. "What did you want me to do with them? ... They stayed in a box with other boxes that I have, from my job." Yet Picasso's heirs were not convinced. While the artist was known to dash out sketches on napkins at restaurants and make spontaneous gifts to friends, he would not have separated with such a large store of work, his son told Liberation. "It doesn't hold up, frankly," Picasso said. Andrieu of the Picasso Foundation said that Le Guennec had changed his story many times, first telling them he had received the paintings from Picasso himself, then Picasso's wife, and alternately in a box or a trash can (the guy is in his seventies). Questioned by the police, he said the paintings were given to him by Picasso's wife, who died in 1986. Le Guennec denied stealing the paintings and told RTL radio he decided to ask about their value as a possible inheritance for his children. Unwilling to risk losing the works, Picasso's heirs successfully appealed to a judge to have the works placed under lock and key, where experts can study and care for them. Among the works are nine extremely rare Cubist collages, a watercolor from Picasso's Blue period, several painted hand studies, some 30 lithographs and over 200 drawings, as well as portraits of the artist's first wife, Olga Khokhlova. "Mr. Picasso is only interested in the history of art," Andrieu said. "We got the pieces secured, and now it is for the judge to determine how the pieces were obtained." So was this guy an art thief? Just a nice guy who accepted priceless works of art for payment as an electrician? Was he bangin’ Picasso’s wife? Did he find them in a trash can? A bank vault? Did he draw them himself and just bare an extremely similar style to a master painter? I guess we’ll find out… or perhaps the mystery is forever sealed in the mind of man in his seventies who made a long prosperous career on getting electrocuted & being around electromagnetic fields. The world may never truly know… but seriously, if they’re really gifts… JACKPOT!!! $80 million in dirty twisted blue cubic pictures? Damn bro, your kids are SET!!!

Anyway, on that note, I think I’ll end this post on a high note. Again, some possible HUGE news coming tomorrow… but I’m gathering information first… because that’s how I do it. You know me. Also, Eagles are playing tonight against the Texans. You know, I like that Andre Johnson fought back against Cortland Finnegan… but I was kinda hoping he’d get suspended for a game too… but whatever. Have a great night everybody!!! (said in my sexy Barry White voice)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Men At Work: Turkey Day LA Style

This year was the first in 28yrs that I wasn't home for Thanksgiving. (Hold off on the tissues, Mom, I kept it light). While I missed my family dearly, I finally had an excuse to partake in my friend's family's epic Thanksgiving cook-off. The tradition started 19yrs ago by her father and a few wise men, referred to as 'the Founding Fathers'. Their job is to coordinate and judge a spectacular men-only culinary competition. Starting in the wee hours of the morning with bloody mary's in hand, the men take over the kitchen (garage, backyard, and living room) and create an obscenely large feast for 40+ attendees. The competition is taken very seriously, with tons of thought and preparation beforehand, including step-by-step directions, video walk-throughs, and even the occasional diagram drawn by a well-meaning girlfriend. It should be noted however, that while the day appears to be run by a male oligarchy, there is an overriding female presence - known to some as Jan, others as Mom, but as God to me, for any woman who allows twenty men to take over her kitchen must possess some sort of divine powers.

One of the Founding Fathers:

For the past 10yrs I have heard stories about their family's unique Thanksgivings. There are tales of live turkeys butchered on premise, wild turkeys hunted pre-Thanksgiving, and most famously, baby turkeys accidentally slaughtered by their curious canine. They've had all types of turkey preparations: deep fried, turduckened, brined, roasted. Countless types of stuffings. Endless varietals of spuds. You name it, they've done it. They might be the most practiced Thanksgiving family to date. When my boyfriend and I were invited to join in the festivities and I was told that I could not dress in drag to compete, I knew it was time to get serious about his dish. I may or may not have put my boyfriend through the paces of his dish a few times the week before (I have never eaten so many brussels sprouts). It's not that I didn't trust his culinary prowess, it's just that I don't lose well. I mean we. To say he was a good sport is an enormous understatement. We're already practicing for next year (poor guy). The rules, as I now understand them, after breaking many:

  1. Each year the Founding Fathers deliberate and choose a Master Chef.
  2. The Master Chef is responsible for the main act: Turkey and Stuffing.
  3. To be considered for Master Chef, one must have a college degree OR be at least 26yrs of age.
  4. All male attendees must cook* a dish. No cook, no eat.
  5. All cooking must be on premises. This includes prep work.
  6. All chefs must leave behind a copy of their recipe, to be included in their Ultimate Thanksgiving Cookbook, which I hope to eventually earn a copy of.
  7. No help whatsoever from the women, regardless of how pushy they are.
*cook (kook) v. cookedcook·ingcooks
1. To prepare (food) for eating by applying heat.
2. To prepare or treat by heating.
3. Doing more than arranging the food on a platter.

I wouldn't call myself a trouble maker, per se. I just have difficulty following directions. I doubt I've ever completed a recipe start to finish exactly as instructed. Some call it 'making it their own'. I call it rebelling. I am so badass. When it came to the rules of the day, I struggled with Rule #7. Although it's not entirely my fault. When it comes to holidays, rest just isn't in the cards for my family - it's not in our blood. At holidays past, we've caught my 80yr old Grandmother on a ladder cleaning her gutters before company arrived. In my house you should expect to work harder on holidays than any other day of the year. You can also expect to eat, drink and sleep harder than any other day of the year (and no later than 9pm and always on the couch). It's just how we do it and I would have it no other way. We even coined a term for this particular holiday:


Cranksgiving”
                        - noun 
1.    The American holiday held on the fourth Thursday of November traditionally signified by the giving of thanks, eating of Turkey and being cranky due to staying out too late the night before and being awoken too early to do chores, while feeling less than optimal.

Origin: Huntington, NY circa 1998. 

So you see, it was physically impossible for me not to help this Thanksgiving, even though I got scolded more this holiday than holidays in the past. Luckily I was able to use my rookie status as an excuse for my neurosis this year, as I was constantly shooed out of the kitchen, ordered to 'drop the spoon or else', and banned from the prep area for hovering. Eventually I was quarantined to the side of the house where I was handed bloody marys while I paced in small circles. It's genetic - just ask my brother.

The beautifully lit patio:

The Prep Kitchen:

One of three ovens in use:

Serious concentration:

The dish I didn't help with at all.

The Master Chef in his serious coat:

Caught red handed. (Though this is clearly breakfast, as I'm in my pj's, so it shouldn't really count).

Beautifully presented infused vodkas to keep the ladies at bay.

The final result:

While I haven't gotten my hands on their Ultimate Thanksgiving Cookbook just yet, I can share what we, I mean, my boyfriend cooked for the feast:

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Figs adapted and changed (obviously) from NYT's recipe
(serves 4)
  • 2T olive oil
  • 8 ounces thick cut bacon or pancetta, chopped
  • 1lb Brussels sprouts, stems trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
  • 1 cup fresh figs, stemmed and quartered (dried can be used if out of season)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2T balsamic vinegar, more to taste
  1. Preheat oven to 375
  2. In a large baking pan, sprinkle bacon in an even layer and cook in a high heat oven until crisp, approximately 10 minutes.
  3. Remove bacon from pan and set aside on a paper towel.
  4. Add sprouts to the pan with the olive oil. Shake to coat. Salt and pepper to taste. Roast for 30 minutes until golden, but not charred.
  5. Add figs and continue cooking until slightly browned on the edges, about 10-15 minutes. 
  6. Crumble bacon on top.
I don't know how, but this cranberry chutney was made ahead of time and showed up to the Thanksgiving table. I had nothing to do with it.

And I made it past 9pm!

Happy Cranksgiving,
- The Heat






Justin Bieber "Latin Girl" Track Leaks Online

Justin Bieber’s new track entitled “Latin Girl” has leaked online on Monday.

Justin Bieber attends My Worlds The Collection photocall at Urban Hotel on November 29, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Justin Bieber is singing about a girl he met on holiday in the newly-leaked track. The song is rumoured to have been inspired by Jasmine Villegas or Selena Gomez, both of whom has been romantically linked to the 16-year-old.

"I was on the beach, yeah/ I was on vacation/ I was doing nothing/ I was just sittin' patient/ Then you walked by/ You caught my eye/ I said, 'Who's this girl? She's lookin' superbly'. Hey, miss beautiful, I've never seen you before/ And I would like to be the one to show you I am cool and all/ Hey, little momma, what you got on ya/ Looking so good that I just want to telephone her." Bieber sings.

She’s my Latin girl/ Ooh, pretty lady, don’t you think it’s crazy/ She’s my Latin girl/ Oh she tries to fight, but she knows she likes it.” the young singer croons.

Justin Bieber has admitted that he is working on new music for an album to be released sometime in 2011. It’s unclear whether or not the new track “Latin Girl” will be included for his next album.

Here is the audio video for Justin Bieber’s “Latin Girl”  and check it out below:

Sagittarius Professional



You will do well in most occupations that require you to be outdoors.You make good sporting people. You will also succeed as teachers, lawyers, and politicians. Business and banking too are good for you. If you find your work tedious, it is simply a signal for you change to something more exciting. Jupiter, the symbol of good fortune, riches, and status, rules you. Although you will achieve most of this, it will be rather late in life. In fact, up to the age of 30, you are likely to suffer financial setbacks, mostly because of your tendency to be rash. However, you learn well from your mistakes and these monetary setbacks are not going to upset you too much. In fact, even when you are well settled financially, you will not particularly crave for landed property and assets. READ MORE!

Premium-Ruby-4.25 ratti



The ruby is used to control the effects of the sun. The ruby should be worn on the ring finger on a Sunday after chanting the following mantra – "Om hram hrim hraum sah suryaya namah" In the case of certain planetary positioning and its positioning with respect to the various astrological houses; an astrologer will also recommend this stone to a person. READ MORE!

Your Ruling Number


Your Lucky Days Monday,

Your Lucky Gemstones: Topaz, pearl, ruby, blood stone and garnet


This number is governed by the Planet Mars, which means that you are aggressive, courageous, dashing and quick. You are naturally attracted to people born between July 21 and August 20 and between November 21 and December 20. You also have an affinity for those governed by the numbers 3, 6 and 9. You are very lucky as far as career and financial status is concerned and will earn more than the average person. However, as you have a habit of spending extravagantly, care should be taken to ensure that it does not become a case of easy come-easy go.

Born on the 9th of the Month
You are considered a fighter. You are aggressive and don`t stop until you reach your goal. You have a fiery temperament and a dashing personality. You are full of vigour and vitality. You are brave and do not flinch from confrontation or conflict. You are exceedingly devoted to your friends and will go to any lengths to help them. You always sympathise with the underdog. Though you act in good faith, the lack of tact and delicacy in your manner often causes you to be misunderstood. You will need to be more discrete, especially when dealing with friends and relatives. READ MORE