Billy Taylor, R.I.P.

Billy Taylor could play the piano better than most and he could talk about jazz better tha anybody. He could show one in a few musical words what jazz means, letting the music speak.

What does jazz mean? To me it is spirit music, heart music, soul music. It is feelings expressed in music. Jazz is feelings reaching out at you and calling a response from you. Billy Taylor's music could call out and get one to respond.

Billy Taylor, jazzman, pianist, composer, educator, broadcaster, promoter died Tuesday of a heart attack in Manhattan. He was 89.

Billy Taylor was a major figure in the world of jazz. He played with jazz greats, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, He was an orchestra leader, the leader of his own popular trio, the composers of over three hundred songs, and the promoter-in-chief of jazz, an American art form, and the major contribution of America to world culture.

From the Associated Press -- "For Billy Taylor, jazz was a central musical form for telling the story of America. Billy Taylor said, 'If you really listen to (jazz), study (jazz), everything you need to know about America is right there, and it's up to us who've experienced much of that to be able to share that.'"

Billy Taylor was a booster for jazz, holding free outdoor concert, hosting a popular jazz show on National Public Radio from 1977 to 1982. Yes, I was a listener. Billy Taylor promoted the work and the genius of other great jazz players, profiling them on; the CBS' Sunday Morning show. Yes, I watched and listened to the Billy Taylor segments on the jazz greats.

Billy Taylor, R.I.P.

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Elephant beauty pageant in Nepal

Elephant beauty pageant in Nepal? Elephantine like in large? Well, the subject is Nepal, where there are a lot of elephants. One -- well, one from my point of view, does not associate the word beauty with elephant. I am not from Nepal and do not come in contact with elephants on a regular basis. I am less qualified to be a judge of the very idea of the beauty of elephants than I am qualified to be a judge at a dog show. I can tell one dog of an idea from another. Well, maybe. I know I can not tell one dog from another -- beauty wise.

Beauty is a judgmental thing. Where beauty is found is a cultural call. Some of the people of Nepal have held what they have proclaimed as the first elephant beauty pageant ever, and have painted elephants up with body paints, and have dressed them up in colorful rags, to give the elephants eye appeal to -- Well, the subject here is not the judgment of elephants, but the judgment of man. Well, of people who like elephants.

Item from ITN News --"Gorgeous elephants compete to become queen at beauty contest in Nepal." See the video.

Hugh Hefner -- His life Is A Male Fantasy

Hugh Hefner, 84, engaged to 24-year-old Playmate -- Hmmm. There's a part of me that want to say: Hee, hee, hee. There's another part that says: That's a sixty year age difference. Man and grand daughter?

But Hugh Hefner is Hugh Hefner, and he isn't and has never been like the rest of us. He has his own set of rules. He shows. He leads. He doesn't follow. Although, he was born eleven years after Frank Sinatra, he was of Sinatra's generation, and was the guru of that generation, who took the rat pack cool of the early 1950s and early 1960s far beyond Sinatra. He was the prophet of the generation of the rat pack cool.

Of course the Playboy magazine founder and chief spokesman of the Playboy philosophy coolness is coolness for males. And in his magazine and at the Playboy mansion, and at the clubs, he established a world of freedom that was a male fantasy. And what is more fantastic than an eighty four year old man becoming engaged to a twenty four year old lovely? Whether it's love or something else, it is something out of a male fantasy, and it is an entertaining thing to see.

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Playboy Founder, Hugh Hefner is engaged

Yep folks, that’s right….the famous Playboy founderHugh Hefner have finally gotten engaged. But who is the special lady? The pretty lady is his current girlfriend, 24-year-old Crystal Harris. It was reported from US Weekly magazine that Mr. Hugh Hefner proposed to the blonde playmate over the Christmas Eve holiday. He even “tweeted” that his 24-year-old playmate fiancé burst into “happy” tears after Hugh bowed down on one knee and proposed. Aw….isn’t that cute?

Not only is Mr. Sexy Hugh Hefner a very happy man, but feels extremely “blessed” that he will be spending the rest of his dear life with his sweet lady. When I think of Hugh Hefner and his fiancé, Crystal Harris…I always think of Ms. Anna Nicole Smith and her former billionaire-business tycoon husband, J. Howard Marshall. What a beautiful, love story. Many people may think that an older man who is with a woman very much younger then he is may seem completely “wrong,” but honestly folks…you can not really look at “age” in people who are simply….in “love.” That is wrong.

Even though millions of people speculate that if a younger, gorgeous-looking woman is with a man much older then she is, that she is considered a “gold digger.” That is not the case folks…at all. People in life will always “generalize” and “judge” people’s lifestyle. I totally understand that folks, but everyone’s relationship is very different from others…whether you may like it or not. It’s your personal choice to “hate” or “accept.”

In Hugh Hefner’s case, his love for 24-year-old playmate, Crystal Harris is described as pure, real, but yet passionate “love.” Not only does he love his “sweetheart,” but very soon wife-to-be, but also a very good loyal, faithful man to her as well. His love for the young, sweet blonde playmate Ms. Crystal Harris has grown since she moved into the Playboy mansion alongside former girlfriends, 20-year-old twins, Kristina and Karissa Shannon in early 2009. But since Mr. Hugh Hefner’s relationship with Ms. Crystal Harris had gotten very serious, the Playboy founder and mogul had decided it was “time” for a change.

Former girlfriend, Holly Madison, had once been a true “sweetheart” to Mr. Hefner for 5 long years. She had stated in recent interviews after her departure from the Playboy mansion and reality series, “Girls Next Door,” that Hugh was still very much a huge “part” of her life…but her life with the Playboy mogul had brought her “self-esteem” way down. Really?? Due to Holly’s “insecure,” self-esteem issues, she turned to “plastic surgery” to boost her “self-confidence.” Aw, how sad.

But now that Mr. Hugh Hefner has found “love” once again with beautiful, gorgeous blonde playmate, Crystal Harris…and he is more then “happier” to spend the rest of his life with her. Doesn’t that sound like love from “heaven?” Hugh Hefner’s “undying” love for Ms. Crystal Harris will never end….from what close friends and family members say…but this does sound like a romantic, “love story” after-all.

Keep Your White Christmas

When weather makes the news it is almost always bad. This Christmas Eve, the weather has been making the news all across the Northern Hemisphere. The weather is wicked and out and out inconvenient. In these United States: Rains in California and mud sides, In Atlanta the weather is an icy mess. In Central Indiana, heavy snow. Central North Carolina is under a winter storm watch. On the East Coast flights have been delayed and canceled. Those dreaming of a white Christmas in many places might get their dream? Not! Might get a bone breaking, ice slipping, and snow shoveling night mare.

Every Christmas we get this tripe about somebody crooning about a white Christmas, like it's something good and pretty to be had. But, who wants a white Christmas? Kids and irresponsible people who have little to do. The snow flakes might look good but they cause delay, cause increase fuel bills, cause increase injury and traffic accidents.

Christmas is merry and nice without the so-called pretty snow and the nasty ice.?

Sicilian Santa Arrests Mafia Dude.

Santa Knows Who's Naughty, Who's Nice.

It's Christmas in Scilly too, in Mafia country. Christmas for the bad boys too. Christmas like it goes in the song, "Santa Is Coming To Town."

'You better watch out. You better not cry. Better not pout. I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town ...'

See the video. It's a ho-ho, and a ha, ha, and a Santa's gotcha too. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all but, maybe not really for the mafia dude who got busted by Santa.

Like in Santa "making a list and checking it twice; To find out Who's naughty and nice."

Santa ?

A Santa? A cop with an elf? In? surprise, who checked that list, and I suspect, checked it twice to pick up the naughty, and hopefully without a fight.

So Santa uses a little stealth and nabs the unsuspecting naughty.boy.

Item from ITN News --"A mafia suspect has been arrested in Scilly by a police officer dressed as Santa." See the video.

Christmas In Thailand

Item from ITN News --"Children in Thailand were delighted to see a group of elephants dressed in Santa Claus costumes handing out treats and dancing." See the video.

Take a away the elephants and this could be a video of a scene from so many places. This is a video of a lot of happy young faces, with smiles and with mouths full of squeals of glee. This is what Christmas is.

Christmas is for the children just being children and just enjoying themselves.

Christmas is the best time of the year to be a child. Is when their whole world stops and takes an appreciative look at them, and fills their lives with --? Toys?

Parents, grand parents, aunts and uncles, and friends of the family too, are pressed into the service of creating a moment of happiness for the children, by giving them toys and goodies and joy.

Merry Christmas.

Robot waiters in Chinese restaurant

Item from ITN News --"A restaurant in China's eastern Shandong province is employing a fleet of robot waiters. " See the video.

This Chinese restaurant's robots are primitive and are able to do very little, and are more for show, a gimmick to attract customers and attention. But, a robot service staff is a trend of the future. Robots would make idea wait staff. No misplaced orders? No wrong orders? No surly remarks? No tipping.

But will robots replace waiters and waitresses? Won't customers miss the human interaction with a servant advising them on which wine to order? Which size burger would be best for them? And whether the orange juice is from concentrate or is freshly squeezed? Can't robots do this better?The future will be awesome! for those who will be able to afford the service of robots? And life could become very slow for those whom will only be able to afford to serve themselves.

Pillow Fight!

A Romantic Evening? Yes.

Item from ITN News -- "Thousands gather in Prague's Old Town Square for a massive festive pillow fight." See the video.

I like to see videos like this -- Scenes of thousands of people gathered in a town's square having a good time. Is there a better way for friends to have fun? Well, this is about pillow fights.

It is about young people getting that energy flowing! Whopping the stuffings out of some one whom they love. Whop! Whop! Whop!

This is about reality TV in the streets, unscripted and live. This is about street theater, where the actors are the performers and the performers are any person with a pillow whopping friends.

This is about letting ones self go. This is primeval, ancient fun, one of the earliest games, makes one want to get a pillow and go primitive -- whopping away at ones best companions.

Do I wish I could have been there? Yes!

Kudos To Betty White

Betty White AP Entertainer of the Year!

Another well deserved honor for Betty White. A very astute judgment on the part of the Associated Press.

Betty White has been entertaining, making people laugh, for years. This year, 2010, she has been a winner by popular demand. The grass-root Facebook campaign, the hosting of Saturday Night Live, the co-starring in a new TV series, and the out pouring of fans, young and old, all happened because fans appreciate what she does.

She makes doing what she does seem easy, but being a great entertainer isn't easy. It requires talent and skill. And doing what she does is important, because entertainers are important. The laughter they bring makes the world better.

Item from the Associated Press; -- "At 88-years-old, actress Betty White had a year that would have been remarkable at any age. For her influence on entertainment and culture in 2010, AP members voted her Entertainer of the Year" See the video.

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