SHROUD OF MYSTERY

Photo Credit: AP

Being a student of architecture, I’ve always wanted to go to ITALY! Actually, I formally announced to my husband last month I’m going within the next two years with or without him. Now I have to find someone to go with. I thought maybe my daughters would enjoy the Grand Tour …. at least part of it anyways ...... especially if mom is footing the bill!

Unfortunately, in two years I will most likely miss the opportunity to view a renowned antiquity of the Roman Catholic Church: the Shroud of Turin. The Shroud, to the faithful, is believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. In my ignorance I had always believed it to be almost on constant display in Turin, Italy ..... if you are planning a trip to Italy too, be forewarned ..... Customarily, the Shroud is made available for viewing every 25 years. In the last 12, however, it has been on display in shorter periods: 1998(before that 1978), 2000 and now.

Though never proclaimed by the Catholic Church as authentic, I recall while in first grade the nuns in my Catholic School declaring it evidence to Jesus’ intensive suffering for us undeserving little innocent children …. nuns were always trying to scare us little kids back then …. They(nuns) were never teaching doubt or even mentioning for that matter the Shroud’s historical suspicion of being a medieval forgery. Recent carbon dating tests put the cloth somewhere around the 13th century. Still there are those that insist the tests were compromised by taking the test samples from/near a 15th century patch/repair. There is also the Vatican researcher’s claims ….. through her study of computer enhancements … finding faint writing on the cloth that can be attributed to the time of Christ's crucifixion.

Even if you ascribe to the substantiation of high technology, scientists cannot clarify or duplicate a method of process for reproducing the image of the wounded bearded man in the cloth. So, even if the shroud is a forgery at the very least it is a piece of religious art imitating the agonizing existence and death of a church’s Savior. I want to see it.

Asserting some good advice to the 2 million expected to make the journey to Turin, the Archbishop of Turin tells visitors to view the shroud “with their hearts rather than their minds”. The Shroud is on display at the Turin Cathedral till May 23. No official date when it will be on display again.

AN EVENING OUT FOR THE HOUSEWIVES

I just came home from a jewelry party. I did not know people still did this! … my sister in-law hosted, I like her, I went …….. 20 years ago you could not get away from these home parties. At least once a month a friend or relative had a Tupperware, CandleLite and/or Partylite candles, Home Interiors, Pampered Chef, Stanley home products, Christmas Around the World, Longaberger baskets, Sarah Coventry, Mary Kay Cosemtics, Northern Lights, Queens Way to Fashion, …. These are just the ones I remember the company name.

There were more home parties that sold original oil paintings, lingerie … AND we tried this stuff on! Now I wonder how many parties were these “clothes” tried on? Eeeeeewwww ….., decorative house crap, more candles, gourmet foods, cookies, and the oddest one ….. and I remember my friends were really in to it at one time …. Fabric paints! We did pictures … framed them too…. and clothing ….. like the paint by number stuff! What the hell were we thinking???? We MUST have been drinking to much back then ……..

Big Ben tolling .... or is that trawling ??

SIGH! …… This city was in a holding pattern till 2 PM today. All were waiting for the announcement of whether formal charges would be filed on Ben Roethlisberger. The announcement came and it is not exactly what fans wanted to hear. Basically, PARENTS! ….. hide your daughters because Mr. Roethlisberger is now free to be prowling at a bar, park, or event venue near you!

Here’s the thing ….. he has two sexual assault accusations brought against him in the span of one year. Now the first one, I truly believe the girl threw herself at him … for the thrill of sleeping with a celebrity/sports hero …. and …. well ….. yea .... she was a stranger but someone was offering and he was taking …… two consenting adults so be it …. But then he soon realized she was a stalker fan and actually expected a lasting relationship. You would have thought he learned a lesson! Aaaahhhhh ...... no. Though charges were not filed, this second accusation on the other hand does not look so innocent. Okay …Okay … I know alcohol was involved but that’s not a "PASS" ole Benny Boy!

The most frustrating thing is Roethlisberger is not the only sports celebrity taking advantage of the overflow of women that are willing to have a one night stand with a sports star …. Hell ….. I’m still trying to figure out the math on how Wilt Chamberlain ever had the time for a professional basketball career and slept with 20,000 women!

My daughters????? … they think Big Ben is UUUUGLY! Still girls if you go somewhere with your friends and you hear he is “in the house” …. GET OUT! ‘Cause Big ole Ben will never be big enough to deal with this mother bear’s ass! He will find a new definition of "sacked" ..... or better yet wish for his "Steel Curtain"!!

I DREAMED A DREAM IN TIME GONE BY ......

I start my new job tomorrow! …. Excitement abounding …. Yes … in these hard economic times I found new employment. YEAH! .... AND it is in my field …. double YEAH! ……

Those who know me are familiar with my 20 + year trek in trying to become an engineer. I quit my office job at 23 and became a server at night to become a full time student by day .… it was actually called a “waitress” back then …. Went to the big local University, met a guy, married, had a baby, dropped out, made waiting tables a full time profession, had another baby, spent all my extra money on ballerina, singing and piano lessons. I tried to take a class here and there, worked other meaningless jobs and finally said in my late 30’s: "If I’m gonna do it, I’d better do it NOW!"

I went back to school at the local Community College (got full paid scholarship), attended a summer program at Harvard Graduate School of Design and finished up the dream at the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering ...... partial scholarship so, I'm only partially in debt $$$.

When I graduated in December of 2002 I was offered positions at two companies I dreamed of working for. It broke my heart when I had to turn them down because they were not positions available in my city. Let’s face it: If I was 22 and single I would have picked up and never looked back but, the sacrifices of having home & family kept me here. It took me almost a year …. And back to serving tables for a couple months ….. to find a job in a large national construction company that opened a local office. Unfortunately, things were not going well for them ….. the theory of low man on the totem pole tipped and fell on me …. I was laid off a year later. I then went to work for a smaller commercial building firm that went out of business last Fall and …. You guess it that pole fell on me again … I found myself older … which is a scary thing when you are looking for a job with a bunch of younger unemployed semi-new college grads …. and laid off during a economic crisis. Sniff … sniff ……..

I’mmm baaaaack ……… look out local construction ....… all run by men ……. I’ve got some ketchin’ up to do! So, look forward to some boring, technical, ...... YAWN .... historical, dull, ... I'm good at dull ... only interest to other engineer stories …… I’ll try to keep it light too … I am, afterall, still feeling my way in this BLOG!

Oh it is time for a little Susan Boyle now .... I still tear-up a little when I hear her sing this ..... I feel a little connection to her at this moment ...........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&feature=PlayList&p=7D1C6DF492B3A8FF&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1

♪♪♪♪♫ .... He's really, most sincerely dead!

Meinhardt Raabe, the oldest living “Wizard of Oz” munchkin, died yesterday at 94. You probably remember him for his lines/song …. "As coroner, I must aver …. I thoroughly examined her …… And she's not only merely dead …… She's really, most sincerely dead!" Only 22 munchkins … out of the 124 ….. had speaking parts.

Needless to say when you lived that long you have stories ….. and a memoir: "Memories of a Munchkin: An Illustrated Walk Down the Yellow Brick Road," …. to tell and Mr. Raabe is no exception! He put himself through college, worked as an accountant for Oscar Meyer where he begged for a leave of absence to perform in the “Oz” movie. His notoriety eventually led him out of the offices and into traveling the country in the famed Wiener Mobile giving motivational speeches in schools for three decades. According to his interview given to The Washington Post (May, 2005): “The accomplishment he is most proud of is his service with the Civil Air Patrol. He worked as a ground instructor during the war and says he flew every kind of single-engine airplane made at the time.”

Rest in peace in that Emerald city in the sky!

Birthday Legends

Today is a bonanza of silver screen legend birthdays: Bette Davis (1908-1989), Gregory Peck (1916-2003), Spencer Tracy (1900-1967) and Melvyn Douglas (1901-1981). Getting in my time machine I'm going back remembering the first time I ever saw any of them in a movie.
Bette Davis – “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”. I always thought of Bette as an older lady. When I later saw her in her movies of the ‘30’s as a young starlet, it was too late. I could not get the vision of her being anyone else but Baby Jane Hudson out of my head.

Gregory Peck – “To Kill A Mocking Bird”. Always played a hero never a bad guy … well he was too good looking for that!

Spencer Tracy – “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?” Also his last film and at the time most controversial. I think I remember him more for his 20 + year affair with Katherine Hepburn. Although everyone knew he lived with Hepburn those last 20 years, as a strict Catholic he stayed married to his first wife till his death. Kinda heartbreaking.

Melvyn Douglas – “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House”. Melvyn was more of a character actor. He was the best friend, the second banana, the father/grandfather, the Senator/Judge/doctor/captain/general …. In other words …. you recognized the face in every TV/movie but never quite knew the name.

MY Reality.

My husband and I used to be prime time contestant-type Reality Show junkies. We were regularly hooked on and scheduled our day around “American Idol”, “America’s Next Top Model”, “The Apprentice”, “The Amazing Race”, and the mother of all reality shows ... you better not have called when it was on Thursday... “SURVIVOR”! Lately we just can’t seem to get through an episode before we start channel surfing for something better(?).

Am I bored with my once favorite shows? I have been treating "The Amazing Race" like it is the Travel Channel … I catch the beginning to see the locale and if I’m interested I stick around a while …. I never make it all the way through the hour though. I miss ALL the drama by going directly to reading the Internet blogs and finding out who was eliminated on “Model” and “Apprentice”. "Survivor" just voted out the one person I was starting to root for ….. surprisingly it was Boston Rob. I despised him on his previous 2 appearances but, I wanted him to take out Russell ..... Grrrrrrrr ……… AND on “Idol” not only is there no one worth rooting for, WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH RYAN? ….. he has been especially creepy this season!

Has the reality show worn out it’s welcome? Could it be just me?

AND A MERRY "EARTH HOUR" TO YA!

Yesterday was “Earth Hour” ….What ? … I know, it does seem the day or in this case the hour gets very little media coverage. How can you make a statement when no one is listening … or should I say watching. Let me spread some info for future celebrations:

Earth Hour started in 2007 when 2.2 million residents of Sydney, Australia turned off their non-essential lights for one hour demonstrating the need for climate change control measures. It is now a global event held on the last Saturday in March, 8:30-9:30 pm - your local time. Throughout the world this year not only did regular everyday "Joes" turn out their lights but so did the most famous ancient and modern landmarks including:

The Acropolis in Athens
Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower in Paris
Big Ben ... no not that one … although someone should shut him off... in London
Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro
Chrysler and Empire Buildings in New York City
Colosseum in Rome
Kremlins in Russia
Taj Mahal in Agra
Pyramids of Giza
Towers in Dubai
Forbidden City in Beijing
Sydney Opera House
Niagara Falls ….. and many many many more!!!!

This year the day/hour may have almost gone unannounced by the media BUT now you know when it is and can celebrate the day like a holiday. This could be a the GREATEST holiday of them all ... no presents to shop for ... no relatives over for ham ... years away before becoming a Hallmark moment ... and its only an hour!

Happy Earth Hour everyone!

CONSTANCE McMILLIAN ... go have fun girl!

I have been following the story of gay teen Constance McMillian in Mississippi. Constance wanted to bring her girlfriend to her senior prom. Before that could happen the School District issued a policy that all dates must be of the opposite sex. The ACLU began fighting the issue for Constance. So, when the school district’s head dim-wits poked their toothless faces out from under their white hoods and found themselves backed into a outhouse corner so far in the boondocks even Big Foot had problems smelling them, the district retaliated and cancelled the prom. They cancelled the prom rather than allow something their backwoods mentality could not comprehend. By doing this they showed every child in the school district how to deal with prejudice. Squash it! "Yeah, ….spit ….. we aren goin’ to cancel’r that there fancy dance ‘cause …’cause … it will stop people from being one of dem dere gays … maybe it’r work on bein’ black ….. orn better yet a dem der liberals. "

No surprise ... a US District judge ruled in Constance’s favor. Unfortunately, since her classmates were punished for her natural right to be gay, Constance does not feel welcome at the private prom now being held for her senior class. I hope she changes her mind. The pains and joys of High School senior year are only once. GOOD LUCK TO YOU CONSTANCE ..... there is another world out there!
Photo credit: AP – FILE

A full night of "Dancing With The Stars"....

In order to check my earlier predictions, I actually suffered through an installment of DWTS last night …… okay I was flipping back and forth in between Carrie Ann’s (the “Paula” of the show I gathered) observations …… So, now that I’ve seen all the “stars” dance I can now make a more well-informed educated guesstimate and I will admit I was wrong on a few initially:

Buss Aldrin – As suspected he is not much of a dancer but he attempted to CHaCHa! .... Good for for him! .... Still a sentimental favorite and judging by the other blogs … HE AIN’T GOIN’ NO WHERES. ...... Hell, if I had actually voted he would have gotten my votes!...... Staying with orginal: Out week 3 or 4 maybe even as late as 6.

Pamela Anderson – Ahhhhhh ….WOW!!!!! I don’t think she hit it technically but this mama can shake it! Pam is a performer and lit up the stage ….. with a hint of modesty at that …. old folks like modesty …. I think she surprised many people. I’m going with my second possibility here: Close to Final 3 if she keeps it up!

Erin Andrews - Okay so Erin does NOT have two left feet but, I found her a little annoying. I’m taking her down a notch out: week 6 or 7.

Shannen Doherty – She was a sweetheart and won some hearts last night saying she was here for "Daddy". I think she succeeded in shaking off a little tabloid veneer tonight …. just what she needed to do ….. Sticking with: out week 5 or 6.

Kate Gosselin – OMG!!!! … she was worse than hoped! As I said before ABC is obviously using her tabloid media magnet for ratings. I did not see it ….. I was probably watching "The Big Bang Theory" ….. but, I read the blogs that stated ABC USED a picture of her kids when they showed her voting number. So she DID hawk out the kids for her first TV venture on her own ... the woman is shameless!!!! Khate proved once again she will use those kids to her advantage no matter. Did they show anyone else children by the way? ….. I thought NOT! GET RID OF THIS PIMPING TALENTLESS HO! Out by week 2. PAHLEEEEEESE!!!!

Evan Lysacek – He wasn’t as excellent as I thought he would be. Hmmmmm …. I’m holding back my winner crown here … he may get better though …. he will however be in the Final 3!

Nicey Nash – Nicey DID surprise. She was dancing for all those little cubby little girls who got pulled from the dance lineup. Go Nicey ….Go Nicey ….doing the cabbage patch …. Go Nicey …. I’m leaving her where I predicted: Out week 7 or 8.

Chad Ochocino – He had style, he had grace, he was THERE …. I’m staying with: Out week 6 or 7

Jake Pavelka – He was okaaaaay. Much room for improvement but, the tabloids are at the door calling him a dirt bag, quickly losing him a fan base. I’ll change it up a little: out week 3 or 4.

Nicole Scherzinger – Technically, artistically, and likeable. She may have it in the bag. Undeniably deserves to be: Final 3

Aiden Turner – Here is where I went sooooo wrong …. There is no way he is making the final 3. As a matter of fact, he maybe the first to GO!

I'M HAVING SOME THOUGHTS ON RIELLE HUNTER

(Credit: Mark Seliger/GQ)

Now, we all know Americans are a forgiving and forgetful bunch. Lately in every recent public scandal there is a telling of sides and a plea of support via the press conference …. Tiger ….. the apology on a prime time news show … Chris Brown … or the late night venue ... Letterman. The public at least gives thought of re-acceptance. So, the lesson here is there is a way to do it BUT …. THIS ISN’T IT! The only thought I’m having about now is “delusional slut”.

BOO!

Our cable provider for the last few years has been “updating” the system. In other words we were paying the same but losing channels. Finally they took so many channels away we broke down and choose a new package a few weeks ago.

Since hooking up my new digital cable box, I have been playing catch up with my “Ghost” programs. “Ghost Hunters” on SyFy is one I missed the most and the longest! Last night was a full line-up of repeats and a new episode. My interest was peaked by the repeat more than the new episode …. Which featured Fort Ticonderoga …… let me catch you up … not much happen …. In the repeat, the team visited the house of Doctor Samuel Mudd … hit the link … look him up …. won’t hurt it’s a history lesson ……. During the visit the team captured a disembodied voice/EVP saying … or so they tell me it said …”I’m not guilty”. I’ve heard some of these EVP voice recordings before on this show … and others … I mostly find them indistinct as proof for paranormal existance.

As for evidence searching goes I've been to Gettysburg quite a few times in the previous Fall seasons. I have found "orbs" on pictures I took at the Daniel Lady Farm on a ghost hunt with "The Ghosts of Gettysburg" tour company. One evening during one of our visits myself, oldest daughter and hubby went out on the battlefield ... Devil's Den to be precise. We heard the legend where cameras are often batted out of people's hands when trying to photograph a certain spot where a famous photo is taken. Brave daughter dear took the picture .... while I cowered behind .... and basically nothing happen.

Next time I do go on a ghost hunt I want to try the EVP and see what I get …. Someday … I want a bunch of people to go with me …. mostly for protection ….. MY protection, I’m a scaredy cat … but I want to find out if this stuff is for real …. Who wants to come? If nothing else at least we will receive a history lesson.

I'm BUSY tonight!!!!

I have been watching the Oscars since I was 10 years old. I’ve missed a few here and there but, I’m always excited to see who wins, who’s there and what they wear! The most memorable bad outfit for me is undoubtly the swan worn by singer/songwriter Bjork in 2001. No one has had this much bad taste since. Let’s hope all the stars do not “Bjork” this year.

This year, I have not seen any of the nominees! ….. How did that happen? ..... I’ll catch up later I guess … I saw last year’s winner …. “Slum Dog Millionaire” ……. afterward also. I would like to see Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges win. I don't care which movie wins just so it is NOT "AVATAR". I dis-like James Cameron and his "I made the best movie" superior attitude.

So, don’t bother me this evening I’ll be busy!

JFK Airport Control Tower: “No Buddy here, just us kids!”

Last month (FEBRUARY) during a winter break in the NYC school system, a child was heard clearing planes for takeoff from the control tower at JFK. The five taped transmissions were posted on a Web site for air traffic control listening buffs. Within the audio clips a boy can be heard saying in one exchange, "JetBlue 171 contact departure." The undaunted pilot responded, "Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job."

The pilot said: “awesome job” ? Hmmmm …. I going to hazard a guess and say this is NOT the first time a child has been at the helm of a control tower. Follow me here ….. The fourth Thursday in April is National “Bring Your Daughter/Son to Work Day”. How many children are in control towers on THAT day I wonder? I don’t think this is the first time this has happen. I believe it to be the first time anyone raised an alarm.

The Federal Aviation Administration ….. covering their butts ….. stated they are investigating.

OH ... ahhhh … Candice, by the way, wasn’t that flight I booked for you on a JetBlue from JKF?

DWTS CAST ANNOUNCED

They announce the “Stars”(?) for DWTS. If you do not know what the initials DWTS mean, then let me help you get that rock off your back. I’m not a fan of the DWTS show. Not that I don’t like it, I just don’t care. The B-list and washed up celebs that make-up most of the cast do not interest me. I have to admit, I watched the end show last season. I only watched because I had a school girl crush on Donny and HE WON!!!!!!! ... doin' my in your face dance ..... Frankly, I also have to admit Joanna(?) was the better of the two technically.

How did Donny win then? Donny deserved the win because he is a showman. ....And .... Well …. its because old folks watch DWTS. Its true! According to tvbythenumbers.com …. Go to archives …… last season the coveted 18-49 year demographics that TV execs strive for did not even have this show in their top 20 most weeks. Yet, DWTS is a top 10 ratings buster in overall viewership. That means who pushes it to the top is … the old folks. That’s why Donny Osmond, a 52 year old pop singer from the 60’s/70’s won. OLD FOLKS RULE HERE!

So, I know how the show voting works. Even without having to watch it, I can predict the winner. HOW? By previous season’s hype and recaps everywhere …TV, print, Internet ….. I have been subjected to over the years and can’t escape, I know what the old folks are voting for and shall make the following predictions this season:

Buss Aldrin – Sentimental favorite & national hero. Obviously, at 80 years old …and looking pretty good I must say …… will he, can he keep up with the “young-ins”? I expect him to stick around for a little while. Don’t forget old folks watch this show. They will vote for one of their own: Out week 3 or 4 maybe even as late as 6.

Pamela Anderson – I’ve seen her strut her stuff on runways, swing on stripper poles and run down sandy beaches but can she hold her own on the dance floor? We know she will look good in the costumes! Ask any 70 year old guy and he knows who she is. Pam is maybe the biggest star power in this overall line-up. For that alone: Out week 4 or 5; maybe even final 3 if she can actually dance!

Erin Andrews - America’s “Sexist Sportscaster”. But can she dance? Nothing in her bios can tell you. What it does tell you: she is an athlete. Basketball to be precise. So, she’ll have the conditioning …. She already has the bod …… she has a fan base ……. she is on a sports channel. I see her hanging around like the other athletes. Old people like wholesome athletes, unless she has two left feet: 2 or 3 if she does; maybe as long as 7 or 8 if she doesn’t

Shannen Doherty – Shannen is a sweet face known as a bad girl. She has the reputation that she gets along with no one after a while. Her star power probably rates as high as Pam’s though. Shannen also has stayed out of the tabloids for something despicable in the last few months …. I think? She was a child actress and those old folks probably remember her from “Little House on the Prairie” days. If she truly is a reformed “Train Wreck”: Out week 5 or 6; week 1 or 2 if the train is still chugging.

Kate Gosselin – Annnnd speaking of “train wrecks” , the biggest reality whore of the year made the cut! ABC is obviously looking for some ratings by having this, much viled by the general TV public, creature included. At least she did not hawk out the kids for her first TV venture on her own. Oh wait … this IS Kate Gosselin …. so be sure to tune in when she parades them across the stage for the sympathy vote ... but old folks are on to that stuff. Judging by those cankles, I’d say just like her career there is little or no dance talent evident. The Khaters club may keep her around for few laughs. Her desperate little fan base might be able to keep her going for a while but with so few of them ….. not for long: out week 2 or 3 if Kate’s fans can figure out how to vote; 1 or 2 if they can’t.

Evan Lysacek – What can I say …. hot off a recently televised gold medal win in the Olympics …. maligned by an evil narcissistic Russian … Putin or Plushenko, take your pick …… hot bod …. love story of two Olympic sweetheart champions going on AND well know for artistic talent AND more importantly the old folks know him: Final 3 …. actually THE WINNER!

Nicey Nash – Nicey has quite a little fan base going with all the feature roles in TV and movies. From her web site she states she received her inspiration to become an entertainer as an ardent admirer of Lola Falana. Old people know who Lola is … use it Nicey! Lola is a dancer so, I’m gonna say Nicey had a few dance lessons replicating the career of her idol or just had some natural talent .... unlike other people in the line-up. Either way Nicely will surprise: Out week 7 or 8.

Chad Ochocino – I don’t know why but athletes ….. good or bad as dancers ……. stick around on this show. Ochocino is a wide receiver. I can’t say I’ve seen him play. I do however have this vision ….. being from Pittsburgh ….. in remembering Steeler wide receiver Lynn Swann … old folks do too …. taking ballet lessons to improve his game. SO, putting that in the mix; wide receivers = a pretty graceful bunch: Out week 6 or 7

Jake Pavelka – Fresh off a highly rated “The Bachelor” …. another show I try not to watch! Does he have any “loyal” type fan base though? He is another reality whore … and an ABC’s whore at that ……. in my book that equals no actual star power. Do old folks even watch the bachelor? Unless he has some hidden dance talent I don’t know about: Out 3 or 4 if he does; 1 or 2 if he doesn’t.

Nicole Scherzinger – Never knew her name till now. Then again, I’m not a fan of the “Pussycat Dolls” of which she was a member of. I’ve heard of them, just don’t ask me one of their hits. What I do know about the Pussycat Dolls is they can dance, sing and look good on stage. Even though the old folks have probably never heard of her either she undoubtly has some sort of talent. It may actually be unfair to the others that she is competing. Old folks are fair and recognize talent! This girl is going nowhere for a while: Final 3

Aiden Turner – A soap opera star. Hmmmm ….. I don’t know …. very good looking though …… sophisticated British accent ……. could be a dark horse …. Men really do not really need to do much in these dance teams …. Looks like he has dancer’s bod .… may remind old folks of Bond ....... James Bond: Final 3

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)