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And here we go. Seems like the forum still have some issues for members not getting logged in all the time. But the news shall be done!
Mentionings
Olympics of good cheer
For the first time at the Games, cheerleaders are part of the program at selected events.
With less than 10 minutes to go before the most anticipated Monday matchup at this Olympic venue, cheerleaders run out on to the sand court with their long, dark hair flying behind them.
Welcome to beach volleyball!
In teeny, red, transparent skirts over teeny, red bikinis -- and waving diaphanous red scarves -- they start swirling around to the sounds of vaguely Moroccan melodies.
Curiously, with their little skirts, the cheerleaders had more clothes on than the competitors who had already completed their warm-ups.
Welcome to women's beach volleyball and the match between the Chinese -- Wang Jie and Tian Jia -- and Belgians Liesbeth Mouha and Liesbet van Breedam. When the dance routine ends, the cheerleaders form an honour guard as the officials are introduced. They are all men in below-the-knee boarder shorts, T-shirts and hats.
At the breaks, the bouncy, bare-footed cheerleaders are back -- sans skirts -- and groovin'? along with the crowd, to old pop hits ranging from Ricky Martin to Michael Jackson and, of course, the Beach Boys.
China eventually won, but just barely.
Before the next match, a different group of cheerleaders in white bikinis trimmed in Olympic colours entertained at centre court.
Cheerleading at an Olympic event is brand new this year. Never before has any sport had official cheerleaders. And it's not just at beach volleyball.
Beijing Olympic organizers picked 428 beautiful, young, long-haired women to perform at 17 different sports including archery, race walking, pentathlon, boxing and weightlifting.
Continues http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=6936c0db-946b-4661-b8b5-b88d264f4752
David Lassen's postcard from Beijing: August
12, 2008
BEIJING — Took a brief fact-finding excursion across the street from the Media Village this morning, visiting what apparently is a small, possibly down-at-the-heels shopping center.
I couldn't quite figure out if the first floor was a single clothing store or a bunch of smaller clothing operations, but I do know that it also included a Papa John's Pizza, a KFC (reportedly the most popular restaurant chain in China) a coffeehouse that was closed, and a bunch of empty stalls in what looked like it used to be a food court.
Upstairs, was a Lotus store (above), which appears to be much like a Wal-Mart, right down to the same sort of signs showing the prices of items on sale. Familiar items were few and far between; most of them, for whatever reason, were in the sugary-junk category: Doublemint gum, Oreos, Chips Ahoy cookies, Snickers bars.
As has been the case for most things we've encountered here, prices were quite a bit lower than what we'd expect. A "special edition" CD/DVD of Norah Jones' Grammy-winning debut, "Come Away With Me," went for 46 yuan, about $6.70. (I was somewhat suspicious of the authenticity of this item, since the packaging appeared to have been designed and printed on someone's home computer).
A Michael Jackson Greatest Hits CD was even less at 20 yuan (about $2.91). A few other prices at random: A purple Spalding Lakers basketball went for 80 yuan, or $11.65, a rather high-tech looking Yonex badminton racket (one of dozens of makes and models available) went for 189 yuan, or $27.53 — and the exact model of washer-dryer that taunted me in the Media Village was the single most expensive item I saw at 6088 yuan, or $886.71.
No, I didn't buy one to bring back. I didn't buy anything, in fact.
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/12/Sc2FCpostcard12OLY-fc/
Another SPACtacular
As the crow flies, we're only hours away from another spectacular concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Tonight Counting Crows will perform with Maroon 5, and up and coming singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles will open up the show.
Bareilles' major label debut, "Little Voice," and its first single, "Love Song," pulled rank more than once on the Billboard charts. Her voice is mellow and smooth. She is radio-friendly without pit-falling into absolute cheese. Lyrically, Bareilles turns a nice phrase.
Maroon 5 are a Los Angeles quintet made up of Adam Levine on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, James Valentine on lead guitar, Jesse Carmichael on keyboards, Mickey Madden on bass guitar and Matt Flynn behind the kit.
The group's 2001 debut, "Songs About Jane," is an award-winning, platinum-selling album. That disc's lead-off single, "Harder to Breathe," is in a rhythmic rock/pop battle with itself, Michael Jackson style.
In 2006, Maroon 5 released "It Won't Be Soon Before Long." Shortly after it dropped, the album broke iTunes Store sales records for selling more than 100,000 albums.
Continues http://www.poststar.com/articles/2008/08/12/ae/today/13811755.txt
Hurry up 'n' wait
Tips for those at the tag agency
Procrastinators of the world, unite! If and when you can, though — there's no rush.
I've always been bad in a non-Michael Jackson kinda way about putting things off till after the last minute. My favorite excuse: "I work better under pressure." My second favorite excuse: "Oops, I thought it was due to-MORROW." And I kinda say it like Kathy Griffin making fun of Oprah when she says, "John Tra-VOLTA!" I wanted you to get the audio-visual.
Anyway, my latest exercise in off-putting concerned my car tag, which expired in June. So, as has become an annual tradition since 2003, I ran somewhat shaky and sweaty into the tag agency on July 31. And, as has also become a tradition, I make it to the lobby, then realize I forgot my checkbook and have to run back to the car, only to return more shaky and sweaty. Sigh good times, good times.
It's always an interesting experience, and this year's taggery was no exception. Guess what we're about to gab about?
For more on this topic http://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyle/article.aspx?articleID=20080812_43_D1_CUTLIN771761
Legal row over Tito Jackson 'debt'
Tito Jackson - brother of pop superstar Michael - is being taken to court in the UK over an alleged £12,000 debt.
Legal action has been taken by martial arts schools owner and fitness trainer Matt Fiddes, from Devon, a friend of the Jackson family.
The claim, filed in Carlisle county court, is for the sum of £12,051, the balance of a loan of £20,551 he made to Mr Jackson.
Mr Jackson, older brother of Michael, repaid the sum of £8,500.The loan was made for Mr Jackson's flights from the United States to the UK, and expenses, for a visit and television programme here earlier this year.
Mr Jackson, with other family members, also visited north Devon to look at the possibility of buying a home there.
Mr Fiddes' solicitor, Nicholas Richards, from Carlisle, said the claim had been issued in the town's county court. "The presumption is it will lead to a trial unless there is a court settlement along the way," he said.
Mr Fiddes, based in Barnstaple, said over the last few years he had built a close and personal relationship with the Jackson family.
A few years ago he was instrumental in bringing Michael Jackson to Devon to take part in an event at Exeter City's home ground St James' Park, attended by thousands.
"We have looked after them before, and Tito has even been involved with elements of my martial arts business," said Mr Fiddes. "I have not filed the lawsuit proceedings for the money, it is more about the respect and principle of the matter," he added.
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jknj8HxsI8POlHmNHwnvNCrUTFfg
Entertainment in the skies just got better with Singapore Airlines
Enjoy exclusive movies reviews and musical chart toppers with the latest offerings from Singapore Airlines!
In an exciting addition to the entertainment options available on Singapore Airlines, famous film critic, Leonard Maltin, will be sharing his recommendations and reviews of top movies available on KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ award winning inflight entertainment system.
“Singapore Airlines is pleased to be working with Leonard Maltin to bring our customers’ travel experience to yet another level,” commented Mr Yap Kim Wah, Singapore Airlines Senior Vice-President Product and Services.
Customers will be able to select top hits like Tainted Love, Eye of the Tiger, Karma Chameleon, or choose from famous singers from the likes of Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to Phil Collins and Celine Dion, into a customised playlist for an uninterrupted trip down memory lane.
The UK charts top hits will boost KrisWorld’s extensive and diverse selection of audio CDs music in different genres including contemporary Pop, Rock, R&B, Country, Asian, Jazz, Classical and World.
Full story http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article.asp?id=54939&nav=2
Mentionings
Olympics of good cheer
For the first time at the Games, cheerleaders are part of the program at selected events.
With less than 10 minutes to go before the most anticipated Monday matchup at this Olympic venue, cheerleaders run out on to the sand court with their long, dark hair flying behind them.
Welcome to beach volleyball!
In teeny, red, transparent skirts over teeny, red bikinis -- and waving diaphanous red scarves -- they start swirling around to the sounds of vaguely Moroccan melodies.
Curiously, with their little skirts, the cheerleaders had more clothes on than the competitors who had already completed their warm-ups.
Welcome to women's beach volleyball and the match between the Chinese -- Wang Jie and Tian Jia -- and Belgians Liesbeth Mouha and Liesbet van Breedam. When the dance routine ends, the cheerleaders form an honour guard as the officials are introduced. They are all men in below-the-knee boarder shorts, T-shirts and hats.
At the breaks, the bouncy, bare-footed cheerleaders are back -- sans skirts -- and groovin'? along with the crowd, to old pop hits ranging from Ricky Martin to Michael Jackson and, of course, the Beach Boys.
China eventually won, but just barely.
Before the next match, a different group of cheerleaders in white bikinis trimmed in Olympic colours entertained at centre court.
Cheerleading at an Olympic event is brand new this year. Never before has any sport had official cheerleaders. And it's not just at beach volleyball.
Beijing Olympic organizers picked 428 beautiful, young, long-haired women to perform at 17 different sports including archery, race walking, pentathlon, boxing and weightlifting.
Continues http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=6936c0db-946b-4661-b8b5-b88d264f4752
David Lassen's postcard from Beijing: August
12, 2008
BEIJING — Took a brief fact-finding excursion across the street from the Media Village this morning, visiting what apparently is a small, possibly down-at-the-heels shopping center.
I couldn't quite figure out if the first floor was a single clothing store or a bunch of smaller clothing operations, but I do know that it also included a Papa John's Pizza, a KFC (reportedly the most popular restaurant chain in China) a coffeehouse that was closed, and a bunch of empty stalls in what looked like it used to be a food court.
Upstairs, was a Lotus store (above), which appears to be much like a Wal-Mart, right down to the same sort of signs showing the prices of items on sale. Familiar items were few and far between; most of them, for whatever reason, were in the sugary-junk category: Doublemint gum, Oreos, Chips Ahoy cookies, Snickers bars.
As has been the case for most things we've encountered here, prices were quite a bit lower than what we'd expect. A "special edition" CD/DVD of Norah Jones' Grammy-winning debut, "Come Away With Me," went for 46 yuan, about $6.70. (I was somewhat suspicious of the authenticity of this item, since the packaging appeared to have been designed and printed on someone's home computer).
A Michael Jackson Greatest Hits CD was even less at 20 yuan (about $2.91). A few other prices at random: A purple Spalding Lakers basketball went for 80 yuan, or $11.65, a rather high-tech looking Yonex badminton racket (one of dozens of makes and models available) went for 189 yuan, or $27.53 — and the exact model of washer-dryer that taunted me in the Media Village was the single most expensive item I saw at 6088 yuan, or $886.71.
No, I didn't buy one to bring back. I didn't buy anything, in fact.
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/12/Sc2FCpostcard12OLY-fc/
Another SPACtacular
As the crow flies, we're only hours away from another spectacular concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Tonight Counting Crows will perform with Maroon 5, and up and coming singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles will open up the show.
Bareilles' major label debut, "Little Voice," and its first single, "Love Song," pulled rank more than once on the Billboard charts. Her voice is mellow and smooth. She is radio-friendly without pit-falling into absolute cheese. Lyrically, Bareilles turns a nice phrase.
Maroon 5 are a Los Angeles quintet made up of Adam Levine on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, James Valentine on lead guitar, Jesse Carmichael on keyboards, Mickey Madden on bass guitar and Matt Flynn behind the kit.
The group's 2001 debut, "Songs About Jane," is an award-winning, platinum-selling album. That disc's lead-off single, "Harder to Breathe," is in a rhythmic rock/pop battle with itself, Michael Jackson style.
In 2006, Maroon 5 released "It Won't Be Soon Before Long." Shortly after it dropped, the album broke iTunes Store sales records for selling more than 100,000 albums.
Continues http://www.poststar.com/articles/2008/08/12/ae/today/13811755.txt
Hurry up 'n' wait
Tips for those at the tag agency
Procrastinators of the world, unite! If and when you can, though — there's no rush.
I've always been bad in a non-Michael Jackson kinda way about putting things off till after the last minute. My favorite excuse: "I work better under pressure." My second favorite excuse: "Oops, I thought it was due to-MORROW." And I kinda say it like Kathy Griffin making fun of Oprah when she says, "John Tra-VOLTA!" I wanted you to get the audio-visual.
Anyway, my latest exercise in off-putting concerned my car tag, which expired in June. So, as has become an annual tradition since 2003, I ran somewhat shaky and sweaty into the tag agency on July 31. And, as has also become a tradition, I make it to the lobby, then realize I forgot my checkbook and have to run back to the car, only to return more shaky and sweaty. Sigh good times, good times.
It's always an interesting experience, and this year's taggery was no exception. Guess what we're about to gab about?
For more on this topic http://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyle/article.aspx?articleID=20080812_43_D1_CUTLIN771761
Legal row over Tito Jackson 'debt'
Tito Jackson - brother of pop superstar Michael - is being taken to court in the UK over an alleged £12,000 debt.
Legal action has been taken by martial arts schools owner and fitness trainer Matt Fiddes, from Devon, a friend of the Jackson family.
The claim, filed in Carlisle county court, is for the sum of £12,051, the balance of a loan of £20,551 he made to Mr Jackson.
Mr Jackson, older brother of Michael, repaid the sum of £8,500.The loan was made for Mr Jackson's flights from the United States to the UK, and expenses, for a visit and television programme here earlier this year.
Mr Jackson, with other family members, also visited north Devon to look at the possibility of buying a home there.
Mr Fiddes' solicitor, Nicholas Richards, from Carlisle, said the claim had been issued in the town's county court. "The presumption is it will lead to a trial unless there is a court settlement along the way," he said.
Mr Fiddes, based in Barnstaple, said over the last few years he had built a close and personal relationship with the Jackson family.
A few years ago he was instrumental in bringing Michael Jackson to Devon to take part in an event at Exeter City's home ground St James' Park, attended by thousands.
"We have looked after them before, and Tito has even been involved with elements of my martial arts business," said Mr Fiddes. "I have not filed the lawsuit proceedings for the money, it is more about the respect and principle of the matter," he added.
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jknj8HxsI8POlHmNHwnvNCrUTFfg
Entertainment in the skies just got better with Singapore Airlines
Enjoy exclusive movies reviews and musical chart toppers with the latest offerings from Singapore Airlines!
In an exciting addition to the entertainment options available on Singapore Airlines, famous film critic, Leonard Maltin, will be sharing his recommendations and reviews of top movies available on KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ award winning inflight entertainment system.
“Singapore Airlines is pleased to be working with Leonard Maltin to bring our customers’ travel experience to yet another level,” commented Mr Yap Kim Wah, Singapore Airlines Senior Vice-President Product and Services.
Customers will be able to select top hits like Tainted Love, Eye of the Tiger, Karma Chameleon, or choose from famous singers from the likes of Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to Phil Collins and Celine Dion, into a customised playlist for an uninterrupted trip down memory lane.
The UK charts top hits will boost KrisWorld’s extensive and diverse selection of audio CDs music in different genres including contemporary Pop, Rock, R&B, Country, Asian, Jazz, Classical and World.
Full story http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article.asp?id=54939&nav=2
Today in
Michael Jackson History
Michael Jackson History
2004 - Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Anderson filed a motion that requested to publicize the findings of the investigation into allegations that Michael Jackson had been "manhandled" after being arrested for investigation of child molestation. The request was rejected.
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