Scene America

Happy New Year 2012!

2011-12-31T11:59:00.000-08:00

I wish all of you, your families and friends Happy New Year 2012, full of happiness, good health and plenty of wealth!

Here is a video of Sydney Harbor New Year celebrations fireworks that you may enjoy!

Krishna

Herman Cain on US taxes and economy

2011-11-07T19:46:00.000-08:00

Listen to Herman Cain's talk on how he will tackle the taxes and the economy better than what is being done now!

Smoke break

2011-10-24T11:01:00.001-07:00

smoke break, a photo by danielle_blue on Flickr.

The Bodgery by Chris Myers

2011-10-24T01:30:00.001-07:00

'The Bodgery' by Chris Myers, a photo by bbcgardenersworldlive on Flickr.

The original uploader of this image to Flickr.com has labelled it as: "BBC Gardeners' World Live 2011 (14th June 2011)", possibly because it is related to the BBC gardeners series. Any way, I love this image! I hope you too like it.

A doll picking out flowers

2011-10-24T01:02:00.001-07:00

Ginger lee , a photo by pipjess87 on Flickr.

Michele Bachmann, Republican Presidential Candidate

2011-10-17T12:15:00.001-07:00

Photo: Michele Bachmann by Gage Skidmore, on Flickr

Republican Presidential candidate and the United States House of Representatives Member Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) addresses CPAC FL in Orlando, Florida on 23 September 2011.

Republican Prez candidates at Ames Straw Poll

2011-10-17T10:15:00.001-07:00

Ames Straw Poll 007, a photo by IowaPolitics.com on Flickr.

Republican candidates seeking nomination for contesting the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election at Ames Straw Poll: Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Thaddeus McCotter, Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann, photo dated 12 August 2011

Convair 240 at Pinal Airpark, Avra Valley

2011-10-16T02:26:00.001-07:00

Convair 240 in an Arizona boneyard (Marana - Avra Valley), 1996, a photo by PhillipC on Flickr.

Photo: A Convair 240 aircraft (CV240) parked in a boneyard in Avra Valley, 1996. It was one of the last models produced and delivered to the USAF in November 1954, and spent most of its service life in Europe based at Rhein-Main. In 1975 it was stored at Davis Monthan AFB in the desert of Arizona, where it remained for a few years. It was reportedly sold to a Mexican owner in 1997, but it never went there, as reported in 1999. (Source: R. Leeuw)

The place in the picture, the Avra Valley is a 50 mile/ 80 km long valley bordering the west of Tucson, Arizona with the Tucson Mountains at center-east of the valley. An aircraft storage park (seen in the picture), Marana, and the Pinal Airpark are to the northeast of the valley.

Mitt Romney leads in polls

2011-10-15T15:14:00.001-07:00

Mitt Romney, a photo by Gage Skidmore on Flickr.

According to various reports, opinion polls show that the former of Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is a leading contender for the 2012 U.S. presidential elections. Consistently he has been one of the top three contenders along with Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee, but the latter two have decided not to contest. Romney formally announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination on June 2, 2011.

New surveys show that Romney leads over his Republican rivals. Herman Cain, who as the former CEO, was instrumental to rescue Godfather's Pizza from running into red, has come second, and gained more votes than Rick Perry. The other Republican contenders who scored less are Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann Newt Gingrich and Jon Huntsman.

The two main slogans on which Romney builds up momentum for his campaign are the overall improvement of U.S. economy and fastest creation of job opportunities. The latter is turning out to be his trump card as currently the U.S. unemployment remains very high, above 9.1%, with about 14 million Americans remaining jobless.

Romney ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, won several primaries, but lost out to John McCain.

A pertinent point that comes to mind is, “Can these results be really meaning anything?” In the last elections, Obama was only a second option to Clinton and that seemed the best choice for the Democrats, but at the end everything tilted unexpectedly in favor of Obama.

Callista Gingrich

2011-10-14T22:50:00.001-07:00

Callista Gingrich, a photo by GingrichProductions on Flickr.

Callista Gingrich (nee Callista Bisek) is married to Newt Gingrich, a former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives who seeks the Republican nomination to run in the 2012 presidential election.

Callista worked from 1988 to 2006 as a staffer in the United States House of Representatives for the House Committee on Agriculture. She married Newt Gingrich, who is 23 years her senior, on 18 August 2000, shortly after he divorced his second wife Marianne Ginther. Callista had been in a romantic relationship with him since 1993, while he was still married to Ginther.

Callista Gingrich is the President of the Washington D.C. based multimedia production company Gingrich Productions and the President of the Gingrich Foundation, a charitable nonprofit corporation.

Newt Gingrich speaking to voters at Des Moines

2011-10-14T21:55:00.001-07:00

Newt Gingrich, a photo by Gage Skidmore on Flickr.

Newt Gingrich speaking at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, ahead of the Ames Straw Poll – photo by Gage Skidmore

Newt Gingrich, who served as the 58th Speaker of the House of Representatives (1995-1999), represented the 6th congressional district of Georgia as a Republican member from 1979 to 1999. Gingrich announced in May 2011 that he will seek the Republican nomination to run in the 2012 Presidential Election.

A college professor, historian, and author, Gingrich continues to write on subjects related to the government and other matters and authored of 23 books. He is noted as the head and/or founder of many companies/organizations such as Gingrich Productions and Renewing American Leadership, Center for Health Transformation, American Solutions for Winning the Future, etc.

Gingrich resigned his Speakership and his congressional seat after the 1998 Republican losses in midterm elections.

Newt Gingrich uses social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter effectively for his 2012 presidential campaign. At the time of writing this, he has 1,334,773 followers on Twitter (2,920 Tweets), and 152,565 Facebook Likes, apart from his 'Newt Gingrich 2012 Presidential Election Candidate Headquarters' site at http://www.newt.org/

Sarah Palin undecided on running for presidency

2011-06-06T09:47:00.001-07:00

Sarah Palin, a photo by infacinatorinc on Flickr.

Sarah Palin was talking to Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace on the potential 2012 presidential hopefuls, when she said that she has not decided about running for presidency.
Palin, a paid contributor to the Fox network, was asked about messing up historical facts on Paul Revere, when she said that his famous midnight ride was to warn the British that they are not going to win against the well-armed Americans.
But it turned out she was messing up historical facts as Revere travelled at night to avoid being caught as he was on a mission to inform the American revolutionaries that the British planned to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams. He had to take extra care because some people of his circle had become British informants.
On her position on presidency, not particularly now, but right after losing the last attempt for the post of Vice President, running with John McCain in 2008, all her moves showed that she was aiming at the next presidency. And always she was considered an unconfirmed candidate, and her actions showed that. So, it is a bit surprising to hear her say otherwise!

Camden: one of the poorest cities in the United States

2011-02-28T13:10:00.000-08:00

Camden, New Jersey, is one of the poorest cities in the United States, suffering from unemployment, poverty, urban decay, and several economic and social hardships.

A homeless New York man with the American flag in the background

2011-02-28T11:58:00.000-08:00

Photo by C. G. P. Grey ([1]) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

In an article titled 'Five Ways to Promote Your Text-to-Give Campaigns on Social Media', on February 28, 2011, the blog of Social Media Guide for Non-profits explains how ‘nonprofits are experimenting with Text-To-Give fundraising’, and goes on to explain how nonprofits must tap social media, especially Twitter, Facebook, and photo-sharing sites like Flickr.com to drive home the message to wealthy, or above poverty-threshold Americans that they must donate more so that the poor and hapless Americans are not forced to beg.

The site also quote startling statistics to show: “Approximately 1.4 million New Yorkers rely on soup kitchens and food pantries. Please don't make them beg..."

Please see the non-profit blog's illustrated photo below:

Teenage Pregnancies in United States

2011-02-25T01:45:00.000-08:00

The New York Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph Jon Swaine reports about “New Directions high school would teach 300 boys and girls”, in line with similar free schools being set up in Britain. I think the new initiative is backed by public funding. The schools for young pregnant teenagers are expected to provide “free childcare” also for their children.

The schools for pregnant American teenagers will be managed by a group of pastors and teachers in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and it is aimed at developing self-confidence, courage to face life and its challenges, and to develop critical thinking skills as young “baby mothers”.

Teenagers getting pregnant, and eventually deciding to evolve into caring responsible parents, mostly and unfortunately as single mothers, are on the rise as reports and stats from various sources suggest.

Teen pregnancies were looked down upon with a lot of stigma and judgmental attitudes in the past. So, the new school for pregnant teenage American girls wants to address this problem and take care of girls becoming pregnant in school.

According to the school's founders led by Jacquelyn Wideman, "An all-inclusive high school for pregnant and parenting teens will eliminate barriers to completing high school education," the report said.

According to The Daily Telegraph ‘There are 77 pregnancies in a year for every 1,000 teenage girls in New York’, which is seven more than 70 pregnant teenage girls reported for every 1,000 teenage girls for the rest of the United States.

To quote from the report: "New York city rules state that pregnant and parenting pupils must be allowed in schools, and in that sense we believe that they are best served in the existing public schools system."

Interestingly, and sadly, the proposed school is opposing other groups that work with teenage parents in the area, such as the Brooklyn Young Mothers' Collective. As this issue are quite sensitive, needs more responsible handling, and more than ever, it needs greater cooperation with similar groups, individuals and organizations to work together. If that is the real need of the times, why do initiatives like the proposed school oppose the other groups? Any self-interest?

Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-31T01:44:00.001-08:00

Plus-sized Lara Croft, originally uploaded by I Luv Namitha.

Photo: Plus-sized Lara Croft. The caption below the photo says, "Eventually, Lara Croft decided to give up tomb raiding and stuck to merely raiding the fridge instead".

Most people make NEW resolves for the NEW YEAR! Some may decide to quit smoking, others may say NO to intoxicating drinks and other stuffs, while so many others may decide to concentrate more on their academic endeavors or to take their professions and businesses to new unscaled heights!

The one important point that this photo reminds me of is that overindulgent people must resolve to fight obesity! It will save on personal and governmental health-care costs and leave a lot of surplus food stocks that can help millions of people in the world that go to sleep with empty stomachs!

So, what is your NEW YEAR resolve?

HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR AND A VERY HAPPY NEW DECADE!

Lunar Roving Vehicle during Apollo 15 mission

2010-11-24T08:40:00.001-08:00

Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) during the Apollo 15 mission, July, 1971, originally uploaded by George Eastman House.

Photo: Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) during the Apollo 15 mission, July, 1971, photo by NASA.

Apollo 17: Lunarscape

2010-11-24T08:18:00.001-08:00

Apollo 17 Lunarscape: A Magnificent Desolation, originally uploaded by George Eastman House.

São Paulo Fashion Week: Summer 2010 Bikini

2010-11-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

Miss Reef 2010 Argentina Bikini Contest Finalists

2010-11-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

Color Me Fun - 1970

2010-11-14T21:15:00.001-08:00

Color Me Fun, originally uploaded by State Library and Archives of Florida.

Color Me Fun: Date of film: ca 1970, Physical description: Color; sound; original length: 13:20.

General note: Excerpt of original. Three models representing the colors red, yellow, and blue demonstrate how to have fun in Miami Beach, the "one place where colors and people come together." Viewers see a variety of available foods, nightlife, water sports, and other recreation. There is shopping, where "there are all sorts of groovy things and groovy people," as well as dog racing, horse racing, and jai-alai. The film ends with scenes from the Everglades. Produced by Coronado Studios; sponsored by the Tourist Development Authority of Miami Beach.

Source: To see full-length versions of this and other videos from the State Archives of Florida, visit http://www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/video/.

The Road to Beauty - 1965

2010-11-14T20:47:00.001-08:00

The Road to Beauty, originally uploaded by State Library and Archives of Florida.

The Road to Beauty: Date of film: 1965, Physical description: Color; sound; original length: 14:30.

General note: Excerpt of original. Health maintenance techniques are demonstrated, including how to walk properly, dance as exercise, nutrition (such as citrus), and sports. The film then moves on to discuss career, marriage, and home life. A wife announces that she is pregnant and the couple promptly drinks some orange juice to celebrate. Diet tips for pregnant women include citrus. Sponsored by Florida Citrus Commission.

Source: To see full-length versions of this and other videos from the State Archives of Florida, visit http://www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/video/.

Florida Cinderella

2010-11-14T20:33:00.001-08:00

Florida Cinderella, originally uploaded by State Library and Archives of Florida.

Date of film: 1960s; Physical description: B&W; sound; original length: 12:45.

General note: Excerpt of original. The Miss Florida Pageant begins in Sarasota with the girls checking into a motel on Lido Beach. They get a room, roommate, a number, and a chaperone; then they get into bathing suits. They cavort and mug for the cameras, frolic in the surf, and practice for the big night. They pose, frolic some more, have their hair done, and drink a Pepsi for the camera. They visit Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Circus Hall of Fame, and Horn's Cars of Yesterday and eat at Seven Steers Steak House. Then the big event is shown. Produced by FDC.

Source: To see full-length versions of this and other videos from the State Archives of Florida, visit http://www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/video/.

Florida Beaches in 1970s: Paradise in Peril

2010-11-14T19:40:00.001-08:00

Florida Beaches: Paradise in Peril, originally uploaded by State Library and Archives of Florida.

Note from the publisher says, "Excerpt of original. This film addresses efforts to save Florida's "greatest natural resource," its beaches, from erosion. Officials and scientists from the Florida Department of Natural Resources and the University of Florida's Oceanographic and Coastal Science Departments are shown researching erosion. The film shows footage of beachgoers, various forms of beach erosion, and before and after footage of beach restoration projects. Produced by the Florida Department of Natural Resources... To see full-length versions of this and other videos from the State Archives of Florida, visit http://www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/video/."

Salma Hayek discusses her breasts with David Letterman - Video Report

2010-11-11T15:52:00.000-08:00

When she was growing up Salma Hayek was as flat as boys, and she prayed, "Please God, give me some breasts", Hayek tells Letterman. Watch this exclusive video report for more - something to think about, and something to laugh at.

Sydney Harbour Bridge: a riot of colors

2010-11-09T00:33:00.001-08:00

A Bridge Down Under, originally uploaded by Christopher Chan.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore.

Misty Winter Magic: Yosemite National Park

2010-11-07T13:14:00.001-08:00

Winter Magic - Yosemite National Park, California, originally uploaded by Darvin Atkeson.

Diwali Mela in New York 2009

2010-11-03T14:04:00.001-07:00

GO GREEN with Vedic Quotes got 1st Prize at Diwali Mela in NY in Essay Competition on Environment organized by Association of Indians in America Oct 4, 2009, originally uploaded by prachisurya.

Photo: GO GREEN with Vedic Quotes got 1st Prize at Diwali Mela in NY in Essay Competition on Environment organized by Association of Indians in America Oct 4, 2009, photo by Prachisurya, uploaded on 7 Oct 2009.

Dressed up for Diwali in Chennai

2010-11-03T12:59:00.001-07:00

Dressed up for Diwali, originally uploaded by Greg and Katie.

Marilyn Monroe costumes for Halloween

2010-10-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Monroe costumes and accessories have always been an inspiration for designers as well as female consumers, who still have an unstoppable desire to look like Marilyn Monroe, who was and is famous as a sex symbol, apart from being an accomplished actress and a beautiful woman. Halloween season is one such season when Monroe inspired designs come back to the shelves of top brands of clothing retailers. This year, however, as many reports are showing, Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress has caught the fancy of those who want to look extra-special this Halloween. There are reports stating that New York butchers are busy, rather overloaded with orders for the Lady Gaga Meat Dress, and the asking price ranges from $2000 to $5000, as the last news I read.

Coming back to Monroe, the video’s author says, the late actress’ dress is always a sure bet to be a hit at any Halloween party. View the designs on this video, which is just a collage of some of Monroe’s best still photos. And make your own ideas for this Halloween.

How to keep yourself safe this Halloween

2010-10-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

This Victoria-datelined video, though issued with the precautions specific to Australians in mind, I feel, it contains some important precautions need to be taken everywhere, where Halloween is being celebrated.

While Halloween is just round the corner, people are busy shopping for Halloween costumes, toys, firecrackers, lanterns, masks and other artifacts for the celebrations.

No doubt it is a night that is meant to be fun for kids, teens, and for parents and elders as well. So, here are a few precautions suggested in this video, plus other suggestions.

It is suggested children's costumes and shoes need to fit properly so they don't trip, fall down and hurt themselves. As the trend is to dress as funnily or flamboyantly as possible, it will be wise to avoid Halloween costumes that trail about or get caught in hooks or other objects while children run around.

It is also suggested to avoid putting on masks on kids, as they limit visibility and hence increase chances of getting into trouble, especially on roads, where unexpected traffic can cause accidents. Instead of masks, try facing paint and making impressive designs.

It is also important for trick-or-treaters to make themselves seen by others. Wearing black dresses or dark colors make visibility to almost zero and increase the chances of accidents. It is recommended to carry a torch or flashlight, and add reflective strips to costumes so that they reflect light and increase visibility.

Drivers are advised to be extra cautious and watch out for children while on the road, because children may run around and suddenly appear on the roads.

There are many restrictions or ban on firecrackers, but people just ignore them. Permits are needed to use fireworks in countries like Australia, but firefighters say people still shoot firecrackers off illegally and suffer burns.

Halloween candy buyback offer

2010-10-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

Through this latest video, a Madison dentist is offering to buyback Halloween candy, which he plans to send it to American troops serving overseas.

Jessica Alba at the 2008 Paris premiere for The Eye

2010-10-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

Photo: Jessica Alba at the premiere of her film ‘The Eye’.

The Eye, a 2008 horror film starring Jessica Alba, is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong-Thai-Singaporean film of the same name, also starring Alessandro Nivola, Parker Posey, Rade Serbedzija, Fernanda Romero, Rachel Ticotin, Chloë Moretz, and Brett A. Haworth. Alba plays the role of Sydney Wells, a successful classical violinist who has been blind since the age of five.

When Sydney Wells was about 20, a cornea transplant changes her world, and also begins experiencing terrifying visions. Gradually Sydney unravels the mystery of the visions, and tries to convince others, primarily her visual therapist, Paul Faulkner. As it strangely happens in such stories, she finds herself in Mexico, where the donated corneas originally came from.

The donor of the corneas foretold of fires and accidents (Sydney’s visions) due to an industrial accident shortly before she hanged herself because she could not stop the accident from occurring. However, Sydney puts the spirit to rest, and began her trek back home.

As Sydney and Paul wait in a queue of vehicles to cross the border, a daredevil police chase ends with the fugitive crashing through the border barriers and into a tanker full of gasoline. As Sydney is still able to still see the death silhouettes, she begins to try and get everyone she can off the highway.

But as the tanker explodes from a spark in the getaway car's engine, Sydney is blinded by flying glass splinters. After recovering at a hospital, she returns to her life as a blind violinist, but with a more optimistic view of her condition.

The above theme, in the pretext of a psychological thriller full of paranormal experiences, uses mental illnesses such as the monothematic delusion known as mirrored self-misidentification. The film’s story also exploits the concept of precognition, or premonition, and Asian beliefs about the unknown.

Interestingly, The Eye, follows a Hindi Naina (2005), starring Urmila Matondkar, Anuj Sawhney and Shweta Konnur, and unaccredited version of the original Hong Kong film, The Eye, and there was a movie titled Kokila (1990) in Telugu, which had a very similar story.

Though made on a $12 million budget, the film grossed, as of October 2008, an international gross of about $57 million, despite the negative reviews it received as it was no match to the original Hong Kong film.

American actress Amy Adams

2010-10-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

American actress and singer Amy Adams, 36, began her career on stage in dinner theaters before making her screen debut in the black comedy film ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ (1999). It was followed by some television guest appearances and roles in B movies, and then was featured as Brenda Strong in ‘Catch Me If You Can’ (2002).

Her breakthrough role as Ashley Johnsten in the independent film Junebug (2005) brought her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Adams’ next successful venture came when she starred in Disney's film Enchanted (2007), a critical and commercial success, and she received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance as Giselle.

She received her second Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe Award nomination in 2008 for her role as a young nun, Sister James, in ‘Doubt’.

Though she has performed a range of dramatic and comedic roles, Adams has gained reputation for playing characters with cheerful and sunny dispositions.

Adams starred in the 2008 film Sunshine Cleaning with Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin. She has since acted in the 2009 films Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian in the role of Amelia Earhart, Julie & Julia portraying the writer Julie Powell, and the 2010 film Leap Year as Anna Brady.

Julie Atlas Muz at Howl Festival 2009

2010-10-25T14:47:00.000-07:00

Burlesque star Julie Atlas Muz at the 2009 'HOWL! Festival' in New York City's East Village

Dancer, burlesque artist, stage director and actress Julie Atlas Muz, 37, a performance artist popular in the New York City burlesque scene, was the crown holder of the 2006 Miss Exotic World and the 2006 Miss Coney Island pageants.

In 2010, Julie Atlas Muz was featured in the Cannes-award winning film, ‘Tournee’ along with other burlesque performers such as Mimi Le Meaux, Kitten on the Keys, Dirty Martini, Evie Lovelle and Roky Roulette. Julie has appeared in several TV programs and films.

Brazilian girls in G-strings dance at the swimming pool

2010-10-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

Brazilian girls wearing G-string bikinis dance at the swimming pool's border.

Girls in G-string bikinis pose for photos by the swimming pool.

Two girls in G-string bikinis walk on the runway

Yoga and meditation at the beach

2010-10-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

Photo above: Pavlina wearing G-strings tries to calm her nerves and soul sitting next to the waves, practicing Yoga at the beach.

Pinagbuyutan Private Beach: a young woman, wearing a blue thong, sitting on a beach and practicing Yoga

Anyone can find any number of articles on the history of bikini that invariably leads to all kinds of underwear, lingerie, swimsuits, bathing suits, etc. But these articles and historical write-ups are rather speculative, as they are written later than the periods of their origin and hence speculative and contradictory. Hence, the origin of the term G-string is also obscure.

According to some accounts, since the beginning of the 19th century, the term ‘geestring’ referred to the string which held the loincloth of Native Americans (American Indians), and later it referred to the narrow loincloth itself. But interestingly, or by coincidence, it structurally is the same as the G-strings (Konaan or Konakam) traditionally worn by the Indian men of the Indian subcontinent, especially Southern parts of India.

William Safire in his ‘Ode on a G-String’ quotes the usage of the word ‘G-string’ for loincloth by Harper's Magazine 15 years after Beadle's and suggested that the magazine confused the word with the musical term G-string (the string for the G note). Safire also mentions the opinion of linguist Robert Hendrickson that G (or gee) stands for groin, which was a taboo word at these times.

It may be a reference to the period when Britain was gripped in the strangleholds of Victorian Prudery, when even showing lowest parts of the legs of women were considered obscene, indecent and antisocial. The times were worse than the restrictions existing now in some Middle East countries. And there are stories that showing or talking about legs of anything, including legs of tables were against Victorian prudery and people used to make covers for table legs so that they are not naked (read A Criminal History of Mankind by Colin Wilson).

But Edgar Rice Burroughs dressed his fictional character, Tarzan, in a G-string for the first time in his book ‘The Son of Tarzan’ (1914, chapter 26). However, Korak, son of Tarzan, used a G-string before his father Tarzan did in the same book (chapter 20).

A beautiful blonde in G- string at the beach

2010-10-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

A beautiful blonde woman wearing G- string sunbathes at the beach at San Remo.

Nigella Lawson: I exploded the oven, got raided by police

2010-10-18T05:07:00.000-07:00

Nigella Lawson, the television cook, has disclosed that seven "secret servicemen" burst into her kitchen when she was cooking for Salman Rushdie, the author, and the oven exploded.

She said the close protection officers guarding Mr Rushdie reacted to the noise and suggested they assumed that a bomb had gone off.

Instead, a fault on the cooker had caused it to crack and rapidly burst, leaving the roasting lamb inside destroyed but little other damage.

Lawson did not reveal when the incident happened, other than to say that at the time, the Booker Prize-winning author was still under a "fatwa" - a death threat - issued in 1989 by the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran for what was perceived to be an irreverent section of his book, The Satanic Verses.

He spent nine years accompanied by close protection police officers trying to avoid the attention of anyone who might be tempted to kill him for the £1.5million reward on offer.

During that time, the Japanese translator of his book was killed and both the Italian translator and the Norwegian publisher wounded.

The cook and the author have been friends for many years and Mr Rushdie, who has been married four times, counts many famous women among his closest confidantes, including Dannii and Kylie Minogue, the singers, Kathy Lette, the comedienne, Mariella Frostrup, the broadcaster, and Marie Helvin, the model.

Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, she described the incident with the policemen, saying: "I was roasting lamb when the oven exploded.

"Suddenly seven secret servicemen ran into the kitchen. I was standing there like something out of 'I Love Lucy' [the US television show] with black patches on my cheeks. The lamb was ruined."

The cook also disclosed that she had hated eating as a child: "For me, mealtimes were hugely uncomfortable. I was not an eater but I was brought up in the old fashioned way of many hundreds of years ago!

"When I was a child if you didn't eat your food it would be kept in front of you till you finished it - and if you didn't finish it, it would be brought back at the next meal, cold. I loathed it.

"I just didn't like eating. It was one long power struggle."

"When I was a child the world was a totalitarian state run by adults - and now that I'm an adult the world is a totalitarian state run by children!"

She also told the audience of around 1,000 people that she was far from a domestic goddess - as she is known on television - because she "can't iron. I never brush my hair at the sides and back."

"On the other hand, I never had any desire to be perfect."

She also recounted her cookery failures, including taking a chicken from the oven "completely raw because the timer had not turned on" and said "I've lost count of the times I've forgotten something and not served it. Often people have all gone when I discover I've forgotten to take the salad out."

The cook and her husband, Charles Saatchi, are currently in dispute with some neighbours after Mr Saatchi had some scaffolding removed from their property and they claimed a £50,000 set of Italian bathroom tiles were damaged in the process.

Source: Andy Bloxham, www.telegraph.co.uk

Minka Kelly: The World’s Sexiest Woman

2010-10-15T08:02:00.001-07:00

Minka Kelly_3, originally uploaded by punishor89.

American actress Minka Kelly, 30, has been named 'Sexiest Woman Alive' by Esquire magazine for 2010. In the November issue of the magazine she talks about her transition to fame from a scrub nurse. Kelly currently guest stars in the NBC primetime series Parenthood.

Kelly now joined the likes of Angelina Jolie, Kate Beckinsale, Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel who were named as the sexiest women alive by Esquire in the past.

Minka, the only child of former Aerosmith guitarist Rick Dufay and exotic dancer and single mother Maureen Kelly, was born in Bishop, California.

The Friday Night Lights star in an interview with Esquire said, “I’ve never done a sexy photo shoot before. I’ve never really honestly tapped into that side… It was really liberating. It was exciting. I would look at the pictures, like, that’s me?”

Kim Kardashian wet in spotted bikini

2010-10-14T04:59:00.000-07:00

Photo: Heidi Montag in Mexico

2010-10-14T04:54:00.000-07:00

This photo shot on a beach in Mexico shows Heidi Montag in bikini when she and Spencer Pratt spent some newlywed time there. Then it was back to work for Heidi as she was actually there to shoot a music video for her "Black Out." At that time the couple were married just days before in Pasadena.

Brooke Shields and Miley Cyrus - Behind the scenes, Hannah Montana

2010-10-14T04:19:00.000-07:00

This photo uploaded on Jan 26, 2007 shows Brooke Shields and Miley Cyrus, behind the scenes, ‘Hannah Montana’. The episode that was to be aired on 30th had a dream sequence in which Miley Cyrus loses her voice and the dream ends with Miley and her mom singing one of Hannah Montana's songs.

Rock at Joshua Tree National Park

2010-10-11T11:16:00.001-07:00

Rock and Juniper at Joshua Tree National Park in Infrared DSC_6020, originally uploaded by plaskota.

The author of this photo describes, "Rock and Juniper at Joshua Tree National Park in Infrared... a tall thin rock and a juniper (I think) at Joshua Tree National Park..."

The Joshua Tree National Park in southeastern California was declared a U.S. National Park in 1994 vide The California Desert Protection Act. It is named for the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) forests native to the park, which includes parts of two deserts: the higher Mojave Desert and lower Colorado Desert. The rock formations of Joshua Tree National Park were formed 100 million years ago from the cooling of magma.

The higher Mojave Desert is the special habitat of Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree), which grows in patterns forming dense forests to distantly spaced single trees. The main geologic features of The Joshua Tree National Park landscape are hills of bare rock, usually broken up into loose boulders, or looking as artistic as sculptures, and the vegetation, mostly of desert plants providing a perfect artistic combination to the rocks and Joshua trees. Together with the boulder piles and the Skull Rock, the trees make the landscape otherworldly.

Though Joshua trees dominate open spaces in Joshua Tree National Park, among the rock outcroppings are found piñon pine and California juniper (Juniperus californica), as seen in the photo above.

The Colorado Desert encompasses the eastern part of Joshua Tree National Park and features habitats of Creosote bush scrub; Ocotillo, desert Saltbush and mixed scrub including Yucca and Cholla cactus (Cylindropuntia bigelovii). The lower Coachella Valley is on the southeastern side of the Park.

There are several hiking trails within Joshua Tree National Park. Shorter trails, such as the one mile hike through Hidden Valley, offer a chance to view the beauty of the park without straying too far into the desert. The lookout point at Keys View, towards the south of the park, offers views of the Coachella Valley and Salton Sea.

Joshua Tree National Park is very popular with rock climbers. It was originally a winter practice area while Yosemite Valley and other parts of the Sierra Nevada were snowbound. The climbing routes are typically short, the rocks being rarely more than 230 feet in height.

The Geology Motor Tour is located in the south of the park and provides a self-guided tour for those visitors with four-wheel drive vehicles.

There are over 250 species of birds in the Joshua Tree National Park, including resident desert birds such as the Greater Roadrunner and Cactus Wren as well as Mockingbirds, Le Conte's Thrasher, Verdin and Gambel's Quail. Main birding spots in the park include fan palm oases, Barker Dam and Smith Water Canyon. Queen Valley and Lost Horse Valley also provide good birding. These are good places to watch Ladder-backed Woodpecker and Oak Titmouse.

A nice place to view wildlife is at Barker Dam: Desert Bighorn Sheep and Mule Deer sometimes stop by the dam for a drink, while Mountain Lions and Coyotes prowl the desert hillsides.

Miley Cyrus - from Hannah Montana wallpaper

2010-10-11T02:10:00.001-07:00

Hannah Montana, originally uploaded by J.L.Wright.

Roman Polanski - Lifetime Achievement Award to the Director with Unique Visual Sensitivity

2010-10-11T00:56:00.000-07:00

Roman Polanski at the Lodz Poland International Film Festival Of The Art Of Cinematography closing ceremony to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award to the Director with Unique Visual Sensitivity, on December 1, 2007.

US Health Care Bill: Obama postpones tour

2010-10-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

US President Barack Obama told the Indonesian television network RCTI that it is important for him to postpone his trip to Indonesia to focus on the health care debate. Obama spent part of his childhood in the Southeast Asian country. (March 19)

Halloween: Barmbrack

2010-10-10T13:58:00.001-07:00

Barmbrack, originally uploaded by podchef.

Photo: Halloween Barmbrack - buttered and ready to be devoured.

The Barmbrack, a type of yeasted bread with added sultanas and raisins, usually sold in flattened rounds, it is often served toasted with butter along with a cup of tea in the afternoon. The Halloween Barmbrack, the center of an Irish Halloween custom, traditionally contained various objects such as a pea, a stick, a piece of cloth, a small coin, and a ring. Each of these meant something related to fortune or to the person whose slice had it. If a person received the slice containing the pea, that person would not marry that year. The stick (to beat one's wife with) meant an unhappy or troublesome marriage. The a piece of cloth is an indication of bad luck or poverty, and the coin, as anyone can tell, indicated that person would get a fortune or become rich, and the ring indicated wedding in the same year.

Halloween: Trick or Treat

2010-10-10T13:14:00.001-07:00

Trick or Treat!, originally uploaded by Sicilian Princess.

Halloween Pumpkin

2010-10-10T12:40:00.001-07:00

Welcome Great Pumpkin, originally uploaded by anadelmann.

Halloween Girls

2010-10-10T12:38:00.001-07:00

Halloween, originally uploaded by memoflores.

Halloween House

2010-10-10T12:32:00.001-07:00

Dorothy Doesn't Live Here Anymore, originally uploaded by Uncle Phooey.

Halloween Cat

2010-10-10T12:20:00.001-07:00

he's a halloween cat and he knows it!, originally uploaded by Hotdog Photography.

Vernal Falls, Yosemite

2010-10-04T14:17:00.001-07:00

Vernal Falls, originally uploaded by voodooden.

The Vernal Fall, a waterfall on the Merced River just downstream of Nevada Fall in Yosemite National Park, California, has an official height of 317 feet (97 meter), but the United States Geographical Survey has measured it at approximately 240 feet (73 meter).

The Vernal Fall runs all through the year, though by the end of summer the volume of water is reduced there by splitting into multiple strands rather than a single body of falling water.

The falling water produces mist that forms rainbows. Hikers can start at the Happy Isles trail head in Yosemite Valley, one of the shortest (1.3 miles/ 2.1 km). The trail is mostly shaded and inclined upwards until reaching the base of the waterfall where the mist sprays onto the hikers, and can totally drench them.

Christina Hendricks, the buxom American actress

2010-10-02T05:33:00.001-07:00

Christina Hendricks 2010Mar11.01, originally uploaded by northern.jackal.

American actress Christina Hendricks, 35, is known for her role as Joan Holloway in the AMC cable television series Mad Men, for which she was nominated for the 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (Mad Men, 2007) along with Bryan Batt, Anne Dudek, Michael Gladis, Jon Hamm, January Jones, Vincent Kartheiser, Robert Morse, Elisabeth Moss, Maggie Siff, John Slattery, Rich Sommer and Aaron Staton. And Hendricks won for the 2009 Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Mad Men (2008).

The role of Joan Holloway performed by Hendricks is, perhaps, the best performance by her so far, as she also won the 2009 Best Actress - Drama Series award for Mad Men at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, and she was nominated for the 2010 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Mad Men.

On the award-winning AMC series Mad Men, Hendricks' character is that of an office manager of an advertising agency, where she was providing mentoring to a group of women who were supposed to deal with the callousness of professional advertising executives.

Hendricks, known for her distinctive acting and sometimes bawdy humor, has made a number of guest television appearances, starting as a regular in the series Beggars and Choosers. Since then she has appeared in the series The Big Time and The Court, had recurring roles in ER and Firefly. Also she had guest appearances in episodes of Angel, Miss Match, Tru Calling, Presidio Med, Without a Trace, and Las Vegas. She has starred opposite Kip Pardue in South of Pico, followed by the award-winning indie film La Cucina, and in four episodes of the NBC TV show Life in the recurring role of Olivia.

She also performed in music videos for The Ghost Inside by Broken Bells, and Everclear's One Hit Wonder. As per reports, she is set to appear in a new action thriller, Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, alongside Carey Mulligan and Ryan Gosling.

She is also known for her red hair but Hendricks is a natural blonde, who began coloring her hair red at the age of ten. In July 2010, Hendricks' hourglass figure was highlighted as a positive influence for women by UK Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone, who said "Christina Hendricks is absolutely fabulous... We need more of these role models. There is such a sensation when there is a curvy role model. It shouldn't be so unusual."

Noted for her buxom, voluptuous figure, Hendricks commented in September 2010 that the media is too much focused on women's bodies and not their actual talents, adding, "I was working my butt off on the show (Mad Men) and then all anyone was talking about was my body."

No wonder Hendricks was named ‘the sexiest woman in the world’ in 2010 in a poll of female readers taken by Esquire magazine.

Nickie Minaj - Suck A Free Mix Tape

2010-10-02T01:38:00.001-07:00

suckafree_blackLARGE, originally uploaded by tweezy3.

American rapper and singer-songwriter Nickie Minaj has started her career as an artist with mixtapes. In 2008 she won the Female Artist of the Year award at the Underground Music Awards. Minaj released Beam Me Up Scotty, another mixtape, in April 2009 which received positive coverage on both BET and MTV.

On April 13, 2010 Minaj released her first single Massive Attack, the song featuring Sean Garrett, who produced the song along with Alex Da Kid, with a cameo appearance by model Amber Rose. The single was not successful, and excluded from her debut album.

Later Minaj released ‘Your Love’ as the first official single from her debut album, which went on to become Minaj's most successful single so far, peaking at 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, 7 on the Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Songs chart, as well as topping the Rap Songs chart, thereby becoming the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002.

On her Twitter page, Minaj tweeted that her debut album, Pink Friday will be released on November 23, 2010.

Lindsay Lohan - Rumors Video

2010-09-25T02:09:00.000-07:00

Nudists and swingers at war at Le Cap d'Agde, southern France

2010-09-24T03:11:00.000-07:00

"Traditional" French nudists in a town on the Languedoc coast are locked in battle with a new wave of naturists who advocate free sex and partner-swapping.

Tensions in the town of Cap d'Agde, which is known as France's "Naked City" thanks to its large nudist population, have risen after locals complained that the nudist quarter had been overrun by raunchy hotels and that children had been confronted with people indulging in sexual acts in public, according to the Independent.

The exhibitionist behaviour has been blamed on the "libertines", a group of swingers who have descended on the town in recent years.

To make matters worse, the group has been accused of walking about in their clothes and mocking the "real" nudists, the paper said.

Florence Denestebe, an independent local councillor, recently told a council meeting: "When the sun shines, there is an area of Cap d'Agde which turns into the European capital of free sex."

She called on the mayor to intervene before there was an "explosion of libertine behaviour in non-nudist areas" of the town.

Traditional nudists support the move. One told the paper that they had moved to the area because they wanted "a natural life" but that they had ended up living "surrounded by wild animals".

The mayor said that he would consider the complaints but had already done all he could to keep the two groups apart.

Two years ago anger of the influx of swingers led to two arson attacks on hotels that hosted libertine parties.

Popularly known as the Naked City, Cap d'Agde, is the seaside resort of the town of Agde, France, on the Mediterranean Sea coast in the département of Hérault, within the région of Languedoc-Roussillon. Cap d'Agde is one of the largest leisure ports on the French Mediterranean.

The Village Naturiste is a large fenced-off part at the north-eastern edge of Cap d'Agde, although it is accessible along the public beach from the east. It is a self-contained town, where nudity is legal and common in the whole resort, including its restaurants and shops, day or night. In the evening, when it gets colder, more people are dressed, sometimes in revealing clothes.
Village Naturiste is a town by itself, with a 2 km beach, port and marina, campsite, apartment complexes, hotel, shops, restaurants, bars, post office, bank and ATMs, laundrettes, hairdressers, saunas, and other such facilities.

In 2009, Rene Oltra, the company which bears the name of the original promoter of the resort, required visitors to its campsite and villas and flats which it lets must belong to a naturist organization. In December 2009 the local authority proposed to renovate making the village almost traffic-free, beginning June 2010, constructing tree-lined walkways and promenades, a high-level promenade by the beach, and a hotel. The latter, a 29 bed four star hotel to be called the 'Hôtel le California', due to open in spring 2011, is already under construction adjacent to the landscaped roundabout near the entrance to the Naturist Village.

The naturist beach (where nudity is technically mandatory) has a length of about 2 km and is about 30 meters wide. Sand and water are of good quality and between 16 to 22 °C (61 to 73 °F). Lifeguards are on duty at several stations, during most of the day. Six restaurants border the southern end of the nude beach. Only one restaurant is available towards the northern end. Even though Cap d'Agde is in France, most of the service staff members speak English.

Heliopolis is the biggest and most prominent feature of Village Naturiste and is a 4-storey round apartment complex with a diameter of around 250 meters (820 ft) located at the beach. Heliopolis has a shopping area with a supermarket at the ground floor. It has approximately 800 apartment units for 2, 4, and 6 people. Built to Le Corbusier principles, the arc-shaped buildings contained an open centre with a swimming pool, tennis courts, and play areas.

With inputs from www.telegraph.co.uk and other sources including YouTube

Lady Gaga's infamous meat dress is to be archived

2010-09-24T01:41:00.000-07:00

Lady Gaga's meat dress divides opinion

Photo: Lady Gaga at the MTV Video Music Awards

Lady Gaga's infamous "meat dress" is to be "archived" as beef jerky, it has been claimed.

The pop singer had tongues wagging when she turned up to collect eight prizes at the Video Music Awards earlier this month.

She then continued the theme by addressing a rally in support of repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell laws that prevent gays and lesbians from serving in the military by saying that "equality is the prime rib of America" and everyone should have the right to wear a "meat dress".

Many music and fashion lovers wondered what happened to the dress and may have found their answer.

Franc Fernandez, the fashion designer who designed the outfit, has told the celebrity gossip website e-online: "The dress will go through a process where it becomes a sort of 'jerky' and will be archived. Thank you."

The dress, complete with boots, purse and a hat was made from cuts of beef divided internet opinion.

Cher, who presented the prizes, wrote on her Twitter account that as an "art piece it was astonishing!" and that the meat purse was "genius."

She added: "modern art elicits discussion, introspection and conflict! Everyone's talking about it! BINGO!"

However, animal rights groups condemned the garment.

A statement from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said that "wearing a dress made from cuts of dead cows is offensive enough to bring comment, but someone should whisper in her ear that more people are upset by butchery than are impressed by it".

Lady Gaga told chat show host Ellen DeGeneres, who had presented her with a "veggie bikini" on air, she meant no disrespect to anyone that is vegan or vegetarian, and called herself "the most judgment free human being on the earth".

"However, it has many interpretations. For me this evening, if we don’t stand up for what we believe in and if we don’t fight for our rights pretty soon, we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on own bones. And, I am not a piece of meat.”

Source: Original text and photo from www.telegraph.co.uk

Tunisia - Holiday at El Hana Beach

2010-09-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

America comes first

2010-09-21T14:45:00.001-07:00

americacomesfirst, originally uploaded by hydrozoa.

Message from Lady Gaga to the US Senate

2010-09-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

In this video titled ‘A message from Lady Gaga to the Senate Sept 16 2010’ posted on YouTube, Lady Gaga, urges Americans to tell their home state senators to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” by joining hands with Sen. Reid and Sen. Carl Levin in opposing the filibuster.

She gives the phone number of the Capitol switchboard, (202) 224-3121, which is manned 24 hours a day and urges people to ask the operator and to connect to their senators, upon which they can tell their senators ‘to vote with Sen. Reid and Sen. Carl Levin in opposing the filibuster, defeat amendments to strike repeal, and defeat any crippling amendments.”

Lady Gaga, an avowed gay rights activist, has spoken out against the 'Don't ask, Don't tell' US legislation that forces gay and lesbian servicemen and women to live in secrecy or risk being discharged. She currently has about 6 million followers on Twitter and urged them to talk to their senators to overturn the 1993 legislation.

"Since then (1993) 14,000 Americans have been discharged from the armed forces, refused the right to serve their country and sent home regardless of honorable service or how valuable they may have been to their units," says Gaga in the video.

A tweet professing her love of US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada found prompt response from Reid who reciprocated with an invitation to visit him in Las Vegas.

Gaga adds, "I have called both of the senators that operate in my district. Ultimately the law is being enforced by using gay profiling and gay soldiers have become targets. Not only is the law unconstitutional, but it's not even being properly or fairly enforced by the government."

Lady Gaga on Vanity Fair

2010-09-17T21:58:00.001-07:00

lady-gaga-vanityfair, originally uploaded by TrinityDarkMoon.

Wall Street Bull

2010-09-17T20:19:00.001-07:00

The note added below this great B&W shot asks, "Wall St. Bull: When I see this iconic statue from behind, I'll always wonder... what the hell were they thinking?". Is it an allegory? Or is it symbolic of the Wall Street Executives that bled the nation and the world at large by treating themselves to FAT BONUSES and out of the way perks even when the Wall Street firms were neck deep in debts and operational loses? That anyway kicked of the worst recession of all times, even the worse than the great depression of the 1930s?

Louise Brooks: Sexuality and Censorship in Early Cinema

2010-09-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

This video features some clips of Louise Brooks from the documentary "Why Be Good? Sexuality and Censorship in Early Cinema".

The American dancer, model, showgirl and silent film actress Mary Louise Brooks (November 14, 1906 - August 8, 1985), better known by her stage name Louise Brooks, is known for popularizing the bobbed haircut. Pandora's Box (1929), Diary of a Lost Girl (1929) and Prix de Beauté (Miss Europe) (1930) are the best films she acted in with her bobbed cut. She starred in 17 silent movies.

Brooks was one of the first naturalistic actors in films. Brooks was also known for her salty language. By her own admission, she was a sexually liberated woman, not afraid to experiment, even posing fully nude for photos. It was all in a period of cinema in which nudity was frowned upon and censorship was very strict.

Woman on the beach - sand sculpture

2010-09-17T10:47:00.001-07:00

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 - Sports Illustrated One

2010-09-16T12:20:00.001-07:00

Southwest Airlines - Boeing 737-7H4 (N922WN) - "Sports Illustrated One", originally uploaded by Matt Coleman - BNA-Photo.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2009 cover model Bar Refaeli makes her last appearance in Nashville on the sides of Southwest's "Sports Illustrated One".

Britney Spears: Strip Dance, 2000 MTV

2010-09-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

Brooke Hogan: Slow Down, New 2010 Song

2010-09-14T22:36:00.000-07:00

Heidi Montag: I almost died doing 10 plastic surgery procedures in 1 day

2010-09-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

In this video Heidi Montag talks about the trauma she went through doing ten plastic surgery procedures in one day! She also explains why she opted to go under the scalpels of the surgeon to tamper with the god-given body to transform it to her liking, especially, the surgeries to correct her broken nose, incongruent chin, ear, breasts, etc.

Heidi Montag talks on her cosmetic surgeries

2010-09-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

In this exclusive video "The Hills" star Heidi Montag joined Ryan's radio show on April 5, 2010 to talk about her recent 10 cosmetic surgeries and to update on the final season of the show.

Video: SI Raises the Bar With Refaeli Cover

2010-09-14T04:04:00.000-07:00

Victoria's Secrets Models' Beauty Secrets - Video

2010-09-14T01:45:00.000-07:00

In this AP video clip titled, "Victoria's Secrets Models' Beauty Secrets", Victoria's Secret models Karolina Kurkova and Adriana Lima are modeling their new Biofit bra - and talking about how to stay in shape and what they're looking for in a man.

The best of Saaya Irie photos

2010-09-11T18:53:00.001-07:00

Interesting upskirt shots

2010-09-10T21:31:00.001-07:00

A Turkish singer gives an upskirt shot in a concert, something smacking of voyeurism.

Well Hilary Duff may not have thought of a shot like this being attempted by a voyeuristic photographer. But the problem with ultra-minis hung down from skyscrapers is that they always invite voyeurs. Maybe the wearer’s intention may also be that. The thrill for most people is in doing what is forbidden. In clinical psychology, voyeurism is the sexual interest in or practice of spying on people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other activity usually considered to be of a private nature. In popular imagination the term is used in a more general sense to refer to someone who habitually observes others without their knowledge, with no necessary implication of sexual interest.

Well, I don’t think this is voyeuristic or some candid camera work, though the shot is great! Quite possibly, the woman is posing for a shot like this. If not, the snapper is a super sleuth or an extremely possessed voyeur, who can be expected anywhere, exposing anyone. Voyeurism is not a crime in common law, unless it is legislated upon. For example, in Canada, voyeurism was not a crime when the case Frey v. Fedoruk et al. arose in 1947 and the Supreme Court of Canada held that courts could not criminalize voyeurism by classifying it as a breach of the peace and that Parliament would have to specifically outlaw it. Consequently, on November 1, 2005, this was done by amending the Canadian Criminal Code, declaring voyeurism to be a sexual offense. But in some cultures, voyeurism is considered deviant and even a sex crime. In UK, non-consensual voyeurism became a criminal offense on May 1, 2004. However, some societies tolerate it in some circumstances, as it happens with adolescent Peeping Toms and the UK dogging craze.

The creator of this image is extremely infected with the syndrome to see only what is forbidden. As this can never happen, he manipulated it. The note below the image read, “You thought the Statue of Liberty is made of metal and shows no emotions? Guess what, this picture proves you are wrong. What a little breeze can do, she has legs like Marilyn Monroe! America's sexy! Used: Photoshop + famous picture of Marilyn Monroe and one of the millions of pictures of the Statue of Liberty wandering over the internet.”

Cool shot of belly dancing Leias

2010-09-08T08:51:00.001-07:00

"The lovely Liz and Danielle, both of whom are AMAZING tribal belly dancers and fantastic women all-around", says Madeline (center), who is a 22-year-old Dental Hygiene student who currently resides in Alabama. She is a belly dancer, an SCA participant (Kingdom of Meridies), an avid Star Wars fan and costumer, and probably pale enough to blind you...

Photo shot in the middle of the action.

The plethora of Slave Leias, for your viewing pleasure, at Dragon Con 2007!

The note below this shot says, "Here's a cool shot of all the belly dancing Leias in hip drop mode. From the left, we have Kat, Annie, Julie, *a girl whose name escapes me right now*, and me (Madeline)".

Danielle and Madeline as Slave Leia Belly Dancers, great photo taken by Dan Harr at Dragon Con 2009.

Milla Jovovich - old and new photos

2010-09-08T02:34:00.001-07:00

Video: Remembering September 11

2010-09-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a note added to the video by the authors, "A September 11, 2001 tribute, and a watch of what happened that horrible morning near World Trade Center buildings, A terrible saw of what happened on the towers basements also. Never Forget 9/11/01"

Kim Kardashian, the best shots

2010-09-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

G-String Anomalies

2010-08-31T11:22:00.000-07:00

Chestnut Anomalies: The photographer says, "Maybe I've got a dirty mind, but this chestnut was asking for it".

The caption below this photo read, "Air on a g-string? A photographer friend was bending over while trying to catch a tricky shot. I caught this tricky shot". Yes, it highly opportunistic, rather than tricky!

Bald Kirsten in bathing suit

2010-08-30T09:37:00.001-07:00

Kirsten shaved her head and saw that baldness can be sexy and it isn't just for someone wanting an alternative or extreme hairstyle. She went to the river to take her first steps out in the sun so that she could model in her newly bald head and bathing suit.

Kirsten feels more confident with her new look and she shows how bald can be sexy.

Here is another shaved woman with big beautiful blue eyes, enjoying s smoke and showing she is proud of baldness.

Here is another fashion statement on shaved heads: The hair is partly shaved and a beautiful tattoo is created on the shaved head. Quite a nice hairstyle!

Victoria's Secret Angels photos and wallpapers

2010-08-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

Mandarin Duck in Richmond Park, London

2010-08-29T04:44:00.000-07:00

Latino Women

2010-08-28T13:45:00.001-07:00

Asian and Latino women smoking

Eric and Kelly of Salsa Rica dancing

Softball Tourney

Expo Latino 2008

Latino Models: Bikini photoshoot for promotional calendar

Lady Gaga Masala

2010-08-28T05:26:00.001-07:00

American Beaches

2010-08-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

Till Light Breaks

Big Sur: Portal of the Sun

"This photo is a winner in the 2009 Nature's Best Ocean Views competition!", says the author of this wonderful photograph. He adds further as follows:

"The dim last light of a fading sun sets through a portal on California's Central Coast… This sea arch opening in a cliff face at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur allows large waves to come through at high tide before a big storm. The waves often fill the entire portal to the top, and the portal becomes a giant water shotgun! The Tufoni formations in the rock are incredible and should be seen in person. The sun was only like this for about 30 seconds so I had to work fast. Fortunately, the sunlight was dimmed by high clouds and low fog but there was still enough light to reflect onto the rock face from the cliff behind the camera. Usually, it is not possible to get this shot because the sun is WAY too bright." Click on the photo to go to the original photo and to see the rest of the great collection of his photos.

Tumon Beach, Guam, Micronesia

Tumon is an area located on the west coast of the American Island of Guam, an island in the Western Pacific Ocean and the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands.

Lake Tahoe, California

Emerald Bay, one of a few bays in Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe is the third deepest lake in North America and the tenth deepest in the world - Lake Baikal in Russia is the deepest at over 4,600 feet. Tahoe's deepest point is 1,645 feet near Crystal Bay. The average depth of Lake Tahoe is 989 feet. It is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, and covers a surface area of 191.6 square miles, and has 72 miles of shoreline. It is a freshwater lake.

A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy

2010-08-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin at Time 100 Gala

2010-08-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin at the Time 100 Gala in Manhattan on May 4, 2010 - Photo by David Shankbone

Some Sarah's you may know

2010-08-27T05:06:00.001-07:00

About the photo above: Sarah Palin with an Engagement Skills Trainer, July 24, 2007, when Palin visited Khabari Alawazem Crossing at the Kuwait-Iraq border and met with members of the Alaska National Guard.

Well, I know for certain the photo of Sarah Palin with the Engagement Skills Trainer is genuine. In 2006, Palin obtained a passport and in 2007 traveled for the first time outside of North America on a to visit Kuwait, where she visited the Khabari Alawazem Crossing at the Kuwait-Iraq border, when she was Alaska Governor. There members of the Alaska National Guard were serving at several bases and she visited them. The above photo in which she is seen holding a machine gun was taken during such a visit.

The exact location of the photo is Camp Buehring, Kuwait, and seen with Palin is Lt. Col. David Cogdall who helps her test out the Engagement Skills Trainer on July 24, 2007. Also Palin visited the Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, Alaska National Guard to learn about their mission in Kuwait – photo by Pfc. Christopher Grammer, 50th Public Affairs Detachment.

Chosen by Republican Party presidential candidate John McCain in August 2008 to be his running mate in the presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party, as well as the first female vice-presidential nominee of the Republican Party. During the currency of her election campaign, the internet was clogged with Sarah Palin photos, mostly morphed photos. Possibly some of the other photos above were morphed by funny people just to mock at Palin or for other reasons.

The Ramblin' Wreck and Georgia Tech cheerleaders

2010-08-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

The Ramblin' Wreck and Georgia Tech cheerleaders at Georgia Tech-Samford University college football game, September 8, 2007.

The Ramblin' Wreck with cheerleaders and Buzz at a football game against Samford in 2007: Six women wearing uniforms of white skirts and white and gold cropped tops with the word "Tech" on the front, ride onto the football field on the running boards and rear seat of a white-and-gold-painted antique car, a 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe.

Halloween Street Party

2010-08-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

Moonfest 2008 Halloween Street Party, Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL. Two of thousands of people dressed up in scary, sexy, funny and bizarre costumes for 2008 Moonfest Halloween Street Party held at Clematis St in downtown West Palm Beach, FL.

Here is the description of the photo added below the photo by the author: "Opus 5 Restaurant, 2008 Upscale Halloween Party; The Shops At Boca Center, Boca Raton, FL. This "Upscale Halloween Party" was held on October 28, 2008 to benefit "Paws for the Cause" and The Palm Beach International Film Festival."

Fernando Botero: Reclining Woman

2010-08-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

Reclining Woman Statue: Fernando Botero Sculptures Exhibit, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Miami-Dade, FL. This is Fernando Botero's "Reclining Woman" statue displayed at Fairchild Garden.

Copper Canyon Boat Party

2010-08-26T03:52:00.000-07:00

The note below this beautiful photo says, "Girls in bikinis climb Rocky Cliff and jump; Copper Canyon Boat Party, Lake Havasu, San Bernardino County, CA, USA. These two girls were climbing the rocky cliffs that surround Copper Canyon. The crowds on the floating party city of tied together boats below cheered as they jumped into the chilled water of Lake Havasu."

Angela Sommers photoshoot for Automotive Magazine

2010-08-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

Model Angela Sommers photoshoot for Automotive Magazine

Kustom Kulture: women modeling for custom cars

2010-08-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

When technologically advanced automobiles designing gave way to the old manufacturing technology, encasing wheels in fenders and extending hood to the full width of the car, the former practices became rather impossible. Further there was tremendous advertising and public interest in the new models of automobiles in the 1950s. For this reason, custom cars began to be developed, swapping headlamp rings, side strips, tail lights, grilles, bumpers, as well as frenching and tunneling the head and taillights.

Re-fitters or re-builders of custom cars even cut through the sheet metal, removing bits to make the car lower, welding it back, and adding a lot of lead to make the resulting form smooth. Chopping made the roof lower and sectioning made the car body thinner from top to bottom. A process known as channeling cut notches in the floorpan where the body touches the frame to lower the whole vehicle body. In the custom car culture, those who just changed the appearance were looked down upon. So, people went for total car customization.

Essentially, chopping and channeling are customization procedures in the ‘Kustom Kulture’ and among hot rodders, both procedures are sometimes applied together. Sectioning is used to remove horizontal sections from the car body. It also has the advantage of reducing a car's frontal area and reducing wind resistance. This sort of bodywork is popular on race cars, kustoms, minitrucks and leadsleds.

Hot US models' photoshoot for customized cars

2010-08-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

Customized cars are very popular with the well-heeled and the younger generation automobile users. Customization can be for many purposes, either to modify a latest model vehicle to meet personal choices and styles, or to modify and use vintage cars or classic automobiles. It is not limited to cars but, anything that runs on the road mechanically, including bikes, trucks, pickups, trailers, etc. can be customized.

A passenger vehicle can be modified in many ways. A custom car may be altered to improve its performance by altering or replacing the engine and transmission. Or, a car may be a personalized as a personal style statement by the re-styler or re-builder of custom cars. They make the car look unique, dissimilar to factory finished cars. Customs are distinct from hot rods, the typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed.

To begin with, the development of hot-rodding, the change in the design of the cars being modified, was for pre-World War II cars, with running boards and simple fenders over the wheels – running boards allowing people to stand on it even while riding. Then they were further modified by removing running boards, either removing the fenders entirely or replacing them with very light cycle fenders.

The objective was to put the most powerful engine in the lightest possible frame and body combination. The suspension was usually altered to make the car lower. The front was often made much lower than the rear. Gradually some hot rods and custom cars swapped the old solid rear axle for an independent rear axle, often from Jaguar. Only rarely was the grille of one make of car replaced by another. The original hot rods were plainly painted like the Model A Fords from which they had been built up, and only slowly begun to take on colors, and eventually fancy orange-yellow flamed hoods or candy-like deep acrylic finishes in the various colors.

However, for those who like custom cars, there is no limitation of anything, only your imagination, fashion and style requirements to suit your glamour quotient, the depth of your pocket and, of course, a skilled, knowledgeable re-builder, make all the difference. If it is a style statement for the well-heeled, it is a big business for re-builders of custom cars.

Hot Import Nights 2008, Miami

2010-08-25T04:33:00.000-07:00

Photoshoot with Carolina Spidel

2010-08-24T22:02:00.001-07:00

Photoshoot with Carolina Spidel, Miss HIN Orlando 2008, in Orlando, FL along with an Infiniti G35 and Acura NSX.

Car wars photoshoot

2010-08-24T21:57:00.001-07:00

Angela Sommers, Miss HIN New York 2008

2010-08-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

Photoshoot with Angela Sommers, the current Miss HIN New York 2008, during Hot Import Nights in Orlando, FL.