Congratulations to President Obama and Congress for the historic passage of the health care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), along with the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HR 4872) which makes improvements to the Senate bill. The reforms should provide quality, affordable health care to nearly all Americans for the first time in our nation's history.
So what does this mean for mental health care? As a Clinical Psychologist in private practice for the past 3 years, I have seen many patients struggle to afford the psychological treatment they needed for their mental health. When I first began my practice in 2007, essentially all of my patients were paying for therapy out of pocket, or without the help of their insurance benefits. In the Bay Area, the average cost is $150 per therapy hour, with some therapists allowing a sliding scale fee for therapy. My patients’ average length of treatment is approximately 4 months of weekly therapy, with some coming in for brief, specific types of treatment, and others choosing to engage in long term treatment for 2 years or more. While many of these patients have health insurance, their insurance benefits frequently do not cover their psychotherapy because their mental health diagnosis is not considered parity. (see What The California Mental Health Parity Law Means: AB 88.) Further, in the face of many job loses and the rapid decline of the American economy in recent times, many patients found themselves no longer able to afford to pay for psychotherapy out of pocket.
"These reforms will allow Americans to achieve full health and recovery through significant investments in expanded health care access, including mental health, substance use, rehabilitation and prevention services, as well as collaborative care and chronic care management," said Laurel Stine, director of federal relations at the - The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. "This is particularly notable given that four of the ten leading causes of disability in the United States are mental disorders and 87 percent of Americans cite lack of insurance coverage as the top reason for not seeking mental health services," Stine added.
"Furthermore, these reforms are truly significant triumphs in the integration of mental health in health care," said Stine. "Building upon the recent congressional victory of mental health parity in 2008, millions of Americans will have parity benefits and the guarantee of mental health coverage and will not live in fear of being denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition, such as a mental disorder."
Only time will tell to what extent the health care reform will significantly influence the management of mental health problems in the United States. However, this appears to be a step in the right direction in addressing the dilemma of untreated mental illness in this country.
This article was composed by Christina Villarreal, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist in Oakland, CA
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Sarah Palin gets reality show; political career in the tank
But Sarah Palin was never really interested in being POTUS; Sarah wants to be known. Famous. Rich. Palin smartly - yes, smartly - cashed in on the spotlight she was thrown into after what initially seemed to be an angry reaction to first, being the whipping girl of the Republican Party after GOP Presidential Candidate Senator John McCain's loss to now-President Barack Obama in 2008, then being cast as sort of a pop-culture sex-symbol of buffoonery, Sarah Palin found her sea-legs as a Fox News Commentator and worked more in the direction of TV personality than future elected official.
The problem Palin created for herself is the vast array of recorded statements that may seem harmless today, but would come back to destroy her run for president, if she decided to do that. Sarah Palin did not know Africa was a continent and that was widely reported by Fox News:
And there are other examples of Sarah Palin's lack of knoweledge that would be thrown right back in her face if she ran for president.
But Sarah Palin the reality TV show star is real. She's going to make a lot of money from it and gain even more fame, but viewers will also watch to see if Palin makes any other stupid comment. Sorry to say, but that's the reputation she's carved for herself.
Stay tuned.
Sandra Bullock and Jesse James: Tim McGraw supports Bullock
Related searches: Brigitte Daguerre, Melissa Smith, Michelle McGee, Bombshell McGee, Jesse James mistresses, Jesse James affairs, Sandra Bullock news and updates
This Sandra Bullock and Jesse James update: Country Music Super Star Tim McGraw, who also played Bullock's husband in The Blind Side, offered words of support and encouragement in the wake of the news that Jesse James allegedly had affairs with as many as four women, from Michelle "Bombshell" McGee to Melissa Smith and Brigitte Daguerre, and another woman, not named as of this writing.
According to People Magazine and Entertainment Tonight in Canada, Tim McGraw said he had not reached out to Sandra Bullock, but "You know, she's got a lot on her plate. I just wish her nothing but the best." McGraw said Sandra Bullock was tough and "I'm not that tough."
Not many people are.
According to People Magazine and Entertainment Tonight in Canada, Tim McGraw said he had not reached out to Sandra Bullock, but "You know, she's got a lot on her plate. I just wish her nothing but the best." McGraw said Sandra Bullock was tough and "I'm not that tough."
Not many people are.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tennessee v. Ohio State one for the ages, but no-foul-call a problem
The Tennessee Volunteers upset the Ohio State Buckeyes in a classic, down-to-the-wire 76-73 NCAA Tournament game that had the full attention of the crowd at The Royal Exchange in San Francisco (especially since the home region St. Mary's Gaels were being blown out by Baylor and eventually lost 72 to 49.
The Tennessee v. Ohio State game was great, but what's bothersome is the way it ended - the last shot. That foul not called. The one ESPN doesn't mention in its recap. The one that's the talk of every forum on the game. It's no way to end a game, and it's no wonder Ohio State's Evan Turner walked off the court without shaking anyone's hand.
It's a non-call that will be talked about or dismissed for years. But it's over. Tennessee beat Ohio State to be part of the NCAA Elite Eight.
Stay tuned.
The Tennessee v. Ohio State game was great, but what's bothersome is the way it ended - the last shot. That foul not called. The one ESPN doesn't mention in its recap. The one that's the talk of every forum on the game. It's no way to end a game, and it's no wonder Ohio State's Evan Turner walked off the court without shaking anyone's hand.
It's a non-call that will be talked about or dismissed for years. But it's over. Tennessee beat Ohio State to be part of the NCAA Elite Eight.
Stay tuned.
Jesse James mistresses pictures new hot search - why?
The new never-ending story of Sandra Bullock and Jesse James is undoubtedly a sad one but it's ever sadder still with the new demand for photos of all four alleged mistresses, Melissa Smith, Brigitte Daguerre, an alleged Mistress 4 who's represented by Gloria Allred, and the Nazi-bikini-wearing Michelle "Bombshell" McGee. (Yes, the line has been used before here.)
Of all the so-called mistresses, none of them are as attractive as Jesse James' wife, Sandra Bullock, so the demand for pictures is a bit unfortunate, not to mention questionable.
Tatoos all over the body look like permanent dirt to this blogger; to each his or her own is certainly the rule here, but let's get serious. Sandra Bullock's a hot, successful, powerful woman without tatoos.
Jesse James allegedly cheating on Bullock is awful, but to do so with a group of women that combined can't even can't hold a candle to Sandra Bullock is an insult to Bullock let alone American celebrity culture.
Why can't he have an affair with some hot female Hollywood studio exec? They do exist, you know? Someone who could help Jesse get more high-dollar roles for his wife, Sandra Bullock. Now that's called thinking with both parts of the body.
That Jesse James is associated with this crew is almost an assault on the senses. Hopefully none of these stories is true, but if they are, why select women who aren't as accomplished as Sandra Bullock?
OK, Brigitte Daguerre lacks the tats and isn't a stripper. Yeah! But she still doesn't look as good as Sandra Bullock, openly claims to have slept with Jesse James, and isn't a studio exec, so no points there. Plus, Brigitte Daguerre says she's kept 195 text messages allegedly from Jesse James.
But how do we really know the texts are from Jesse James? All James has to do is say "That's not my number" and her story's toast.
Unless Daguerre has a voicemail she saved. You know, like the one Jamie Grubbs saved from Tiger Woods. No record of that as of this writing.
Stay tuned.
Tatoos all over the body look like permanent dirt to this blogger; to each his or her own is certainly the rule here, but let's get serious. Sandra Bullock's a hot, successful, powerful woman without tatoos.
Jesse James allegedly cheating on Bullock is awful, but to do so with a group of women that combined can't even can't hold a candle to Sandra Bullock is an insult to Bullock let alone American celebrity culture.
Why can't he have an affair with some hot female Hollywood studio exec? They do exist, you know? Someone who could help Jesse get more high-dollar roles for his wife, Sandra Bullock. Now that's called thinking with both parts of the body.
That Jesse James is associated with this crew is almost an assault on the senses. Hopefully none of these stories is true, but if they are, why select women who aren't as accomplished as Sandra Bullock?
OK, Brigitte Daguerre lacks the tats and isn't a stripper. Yeah! But she still doesn't look as good as Sandra Bullock, openly claims to have slept with Jesse James, and isn't a studio exec, so no points there. Plus, Brigitte Daguerre says she's kept 195 text messages allegedly from Jesse James.
But how do we really know the texts are from Jesse James? All James has to do is say "That's not my number" and her story's toast.
Unless Daguerre has a voicemail she saved. You know, like the one Jamie Grubbs saved from Tiger Woods. No record of that as of this writing.
Stay tuned.
The psychological impact of being in the spotlight: the emotional struggle of celebrities
Most of us imagine feeling happy and content should we ever achieve the wealth, fame and notoriety associated with being a celebrity. However, the experience of being a person who is highly visible in the media can take a tremendous toll on one’s psychological functioning. Even the most grounded actors, musicians, professional athletes, and high-ranking officials are vulnerable to the deleterious effects of being in the media spotlight. In his research, Jib Fowles, author of Star Struck: Celebrity Performers and the American Public (Smithsonian Institute Press), found that the average age of death for celebrities overall, was 58, compared to an average of 72 years for other Americans. His findings also revealed that celebrities are almost four times more likely to kill themselves than the average American. This article serves to explore the negative psychological impact of being in the media spotlight, which leads many celebrities to struggle emotionally.
As you read the following points, consider which celebrities have exhibited these traits to their own detriment.
No privacy. Everything celebrities do is publicized for the world to see, discuss, and mock. We love reading about the gaffes and gossip of the rich and famous, the more embarrassing, the better. A celebrity’s natural response to this level of intense scrutiny is increased self-consciousness and paranoia. Many celebrities, particularly those in the political arena, grow weary of the unrealistic standards they are held to, and begin to feel resentful of the limitations of being in the public spotlight. They may “act out” in response to feeling suffocated by their carefully constructed public image. Self-destructive, acting out behaviors often include unsavory sexual appetites, scandalous liaisons, volatile outbursts, or other destructive patterns such as uncontrolled substance use. Exposure of their behaviors by the media can lead to overwhelming feelings of shame when their public image is destroyed.
Lost sense of self. Many celebrities feel unable to assert their individuality in a media world fraught with stereotypes. As the media and fans develop a false perception of a celebrity (which is often one-dimensional) a celebrity begins to lose track of the multi-faceted aspects of their own personality. This causes them to make choices that no longer reflect their true self, which further compromises their sense of identity. Over time, they feel increasingly isolated and alone and have difficulty trusting others.
Loss of challenges. The experience of reaching the pinnacle of your goals and realizing it’s not as fulfilling as you think can be disconcerting. You’ve landed your dream job and begin settling in after your first big break…at first it’s exhilarating, but then you eventually wonder, “Is this all there is?” When a celebrity begins to feel they have nothing left to strive for – i.e. they’ve “made it”, suddenly they are left struggling to fill that empty emotional space with something even more thrilling or risqué. Often celebrities turn to taking increasingly bigger and more dangerous risks, as a way to regain a sense of challenge.
Imposter syndrome. Some celebrities are bewildered by their fame, knowing that they are far from perfect. The feeling of being an imposter occurs when people don’t feel they deserve their success. Celebrities may also fear being discovered, i.e. that the public will find out that they’re not as talented, intelligent, or attractive as they are portrayed in the media. They become keenly aware that their fans have idealized them in a way that is impossible to match in real life. Consequently, celebrities can begin to feel their gifts are no longer enough, leaving them with a sense of inadequacy.
Quest for media spotlight immortality. Many celebrities fear their fame is fleeting, which leads them to constantly obsess about losing the attention of their fans and the media. After a celebrity’s fame peaks, it is often a brutal ride downward as they garner less attention from others. The loss of the spotlight can leave people feeling bereft of purpose and importance. As a result celebrities often become desperate to regain notoriety and in doing so, become prone to buffoonery. In the wake of this loss, they often turn to self-destructive behaviors as a means to cope with overwhelming feelings of failure.
This article was composed by Christina Villarrreal, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist in Oakland, CA
Golden State Warriors to SF just media chatter
The possible sale of The Golden State Warriors has got "Warriors to SF" fans excited once again. The last time there was this much interest in the possibility was 1997 through 1998, when the Warriors were temporarily playing their games at the HP Pavilion in San Jose until the newly refurbished Oakland (Oracle) Arena was finished.
Then, like today, the idea of the Warriors moving to San Francisco was floated in the media, and without checking with anyone in Oakland regarding the Warriors lease situation, and that's happening again today. The idea of the Warriors moving to SF has spread like wildfire online and offline.
Someone forgot to call Oakland City Attorney John Russo. Aside from representing the City of Oakland in legal negotiations with its sports teams, Russo was also an Oakland Councilmember and was there when the Warriors were waiting for the then-new Oracle Arena to be complete. Today, he says that the idea of the Warriors going to San Francisco is just "media chatter."
"Everything that's come up about the Warriors is just talk. No one who's an officer or an owner or a potential owner of the Warriors has said anything about leaving Oakland," Russo said Thursday. "It's quite different from the Oakland situation where the owner (of the Oakland A's) introduced the Mayor of San Jose at that mayor's State of The City Address, and that mayor saying he's trying to get them down there. No one who is lining up (to buy the Warriors) has said anything to me. There's nothing other than the speculation of different people. It's all media chatter."
Anyone with an idea of moving the Warriors anywhere would be wise to talk to Russo first. The City of Oakland's lawyer has openly stated a desire to file lawsuits against cities and organizations that try to pry Oakland's sports teams away from Oakland. Russo expressed it in my video interview with him last fall and regarding the Oakland A's brazen attempts to leave Oakland for San Jose. Russo sees it as economic tampering and tortious interference. The last legal term is when a third party tries to interfere in a contract between two parties. In this case, the "two parties" are Oakland and its sports teams.
In the matter of the Oakland A's lease situation of 1997 and the "East Bay Entities" clause allowing the City of Oakland to find a buyer that would keep the team in Oakland and the attempt to sell it to supermarket developer Bob Piccinini in 1999, Russo said "In the A's case that ("East Bay Entities" clause) was part of the workout of the lawsuit the A's brought against the City and the County by the Oakland A's. (Where the A's claimed the "leasehold", or their ability to gain value from using the Coliseum Stadium, was damaged by the return of the Raiders in 1995.) That settlement should have had a damage clause in case they (the A's or Major League Baseball) did not approve the sale of the team." Russo says that (aborted sale) was the only case where MLB did not approve a sale to an owner, and Russo's still smarting about it. Indeed, as Mayor Elihu Harris' Economic Advisor at the time, so is this blogger.
Russo says the Warriors lease contains provisions for what the Warriors have to do in consideration for the City of Oakland should they try to leave Oakland or are sold. Again, Russo has not had that conversation with Warriors owner Chris Cohan or anyone else connected in any way with the Warriors. He said he had one phone call from a sports executive who asked about the Warriors lease agreement, but Russo did not disclose who that person was.
Russo has a great deal of respect for Chris Cohan, who has had a great working relationship with Russo. "Cohan ownership has been easy to work with," Russo said. "I can't speak to why they had such a hard time putting a winning team on the court. They did put money into it. Gave two rich contracts to people. I feel bad for Chris."
Stay tuned.
Then, like today, the idea of the Warriors moving to San Francisco was floated in the media, and without checking with anyone in Oakland regarding the Warriors lease situation, and that's happening again today. The idea of the Warriors moving to SF has spread like wildfire online and offline.
Someone forgot to call Oakland City Attorney John Russo. Aside from representing the City of Oakland in legal negotiations with its sports teams, Russo was also an Oakland Councilmember and was there when the Warriors were waiting for the then-new Oracle Arena to be complete. Today, he says that the idea of the Warriors going to San Francisco is just "media chatter."
"Everything that's come up about the Warriors is just talk. No one who's an officer or an owner or a potential owner of the Warriors has said anything about leaving Oakland," Russo said Thursday. "It's quite different from the Oakland situation where the owner (of the Oakland A's) introduced the Mayor of San Jose at that mayor's State of The City Address, and that mayor saying he's trying to get them down there. No one who is lining up (to buy the Warriors) has said anything to me. There's nothing other than the speculation of different people. It's all media chatter."
Anyone with an idea of moving the Warriors anywhere would be wise to talk to Russo first. The City of Oakland's lawyer has openly stated a desire to file lawsuits against cities and organizations that try to pry Oakland's sports teams away from Oakland. Russo expressed it in my video interview with him last fall and regarding the Oakland A's brazen attempts to leave Oakland for San Jose. Russo sees it as economic tampering and tortious interference. The last legal term is when a third party tries to interfere in a contract between two parties. In this case, the "two parties" are Oakland and its sports teams.
In the matter of the Oakland A's lease situation of 1997 and the "East Bay Entities" clause allowing the City of Oakland to find a buyer that would keep the team in Oakland and the attempt to sell it to supermarket developer Bob Piccinini in 1999, Russo said "In the A's case that ("East Bay Entities" clause) was part of the workout of the lawsuit the A's brought against the City and the County by the Oakland A's. (Where the A's claimed the "leasehold", or their ability to gain value from using the Coliseum Stadium, was damaged by the return of the Raiders in 1995.) That settlement should have had a damage clause in case they (the A's or Major League Baseball) did not approve the sale of the team." Russo says that (aborted sale) was the only case where MLB did not approve a sale to an owner, and Russo's still smarting about it. Indeed, as Mayor Elihu Harris' Economic Advisor at the time, so is this blogger.
Russo says the Warriors lease contains provisions for what the Warriors have to do in consideration for the City of Oakland should they try to leave Oakland or are sold. Again, Russo has not had that conversation with Warriors owner Chris Cohan or anyone else connected in any way with the Warriors. He said he had one phone call from a sports executive who asked about the Warriors lease agreement, but Russo did not disclose who that person was.
Russo has a great deal of respect for Chris Cohan, who has had a great working relationship with Russo. "Cohan ownership has been easy to work with," Russo said. "I can't speak to why they had such a hard time putting a winning team on the court. They did put money into it. Gave two rich contracts to people. I feel bad for Chris."
Stay tuned.
Sandra Bullock and Jesse James: James had four mistresses?
The last time this space turned to the matter of Sandra Bullock and Jesse James, there was one alleged mistress: Michelle "Bombshell" McGee, and Bullock's publicist overwhelmed with trying to put out the fire that were divorce rumors. Now, in the space of just over one day, one alleged mistress has expanded to four according to RadarOnline.com and other sources: Melissa Smith, Brigitte Daguerre, an alleged Mistress 4 who's represented by Gloria Allred, and the Nazi-bikini-wearing Michelle "Bombshell" McGee.
Yikes!
And from the RadarOnline.com account, the alleged relationship with Mistress 4 "just recently ended after the scandal broke." Which makes one wonder if Jesse James had more than one affair going on at once, in addition to his marriage to Sandra Bullock. And at least two of the women, Michelle McGee and Melissa Smith are strippers. Melissa Smith was uncovered after she agreed to an interview that's in The Star Magazine and as reported by The NY Post.com
The third woman, Brigitte Daguerre, is an LA-area photographer according to CNN. According to TMZ.com, their affair was in 2008, after Jesse James hired Brigitte Daguerre to do a West Coast Choppers photo shoot. TMZ reports James' rep had no comment.
All of this is becoming a story of Tiger Woods proportions. Fortunately, as of this writing, there's no other "white supremacist" charge leveled against any of the new alleged mistresses.
Stay tuned.
Urban Meyer owes Orlando Sentinel's Jeremy Fowler an apology
Florida Football Head Coach Urban Meyer owes Orlando Sentinel's Jeremy Fowler an apology after ripping into him about quoting Florida Wide Receiver Deonte Thompson. Was Urban really upset about the chance that Florida Quarterback Tim Tebow's value in the 2010 NFL Draft will be negatively impacted?
Urban Meyer was terribly out of line in scolding and arguably threatening Orlando Sentinel sports reporter Jeremy Fowler. When news of the confrontation first came to light, the logical expectation was that Jeremy Fowler wrote something inappropriate about either Urban Meyer or one of his players. For example, asserting that someone committed a crime they didn't do. But that's not what happened at all.
What happened was that Florida Wide Receiver Deonte Thompson was quoted by a number of reporters and is seen in this video below as explaining that...
All the Orlando Sentinel's Jeremy Fowler did was write blog entry with that quote. This one:
And that's what sent Urban Meyer through the roof. Here's the video where Urban Meyer confronts Jeremy Fowler:
Yes, Coach Meyer cares about his players, but that care has to extend to teaching them when to talk and when not to. As anyone can see, Deonte Thompson ran off at the mouth in talking about John Brantley versus Tim Tebow. That's not Jeremy Fowler's fault. Why didn't Coach Meyer go after the person who made the video? What was that person supposed to do? Turn the camera off?
Deonte Thompson told the truth about Tim Tebow from a valuable perspective: that of a receiver who's worked with him. Even Tim Tebow himself agreed with Deonte Thompson according to the Palm Beach Post:
And that, the ability to just agree with an opposing point of view, even if it's against him in a way, is one reason why Tim Tebow is so highly valued. Urban Meyer was wrong and should apologize to Jeremy Fowler ASAP.
Urban Meyer was terribly out of line in scolding and arguably threatening Orlando Sentinel sports reporter Jeremy Fowler. When news of the confrontation first came to light, the logical expectation was that Jeremy Fowler wrote something inappropriate about either Urban Meyer or one of his players. For example, asserting that someone committed a crime they didn't do. But that's not what happened at all.
What happened was that Florida Wide Receiver Deonte Thompson was quoted by a number of reporters and is seen in this video below as explaining that...
(John) Brantley is a pure passer. He ain't trying to run; he's just going to straight pass. Any receiver would be happy. You have a guy like Brantley throwing the ball, spreading it around to everybody. ...You never know with Tim. You can bolt, you think he's running but he'll come up and pass it to you. You just have to be ready at all times. With Brantley, everything’s with rhythm, time. You know what I mean, a real quarterback."
All the Orlando Sentinel's Jeremy Fowler did was write blog entry with that quote. This one:
Florida Gators WR Deonte Thompson sounds happy to usher in post-Tebow era
And that's what sent Urban Meyer through the roof. Here's the video where Urban Meyer confronts Jeremy Fowler:
Yes, Coach Meyer cares about his players, but that care has to extend to teaching them when to talk and when not to. As anyone can see, Deonte Thompson ran off at the mouth in talking about John Brantley versus Tim Tebow. That's not Jeremy Fowler's fault. Why didn't Coach Meyer go after the person who made the video? What was that person supposed to do? Turn the camera off?
Deonte Thompson told the truth about Tim Tebow from a valuable perspective: that of a receiver who's worked with him. Even Tim Tebow himself agreed with Deonte Thompson according to the Palm Beach Post:
I think (Thompson) was just saying how it is. (I) might be scrambling for a while, and throw it up to you. Brantley's more of a guy who throws on timing. You know when it's going to come there or it's not going to come there. It's how me and Brantley are. Just stating facts, I think.
And that, the ability to just agree with an opposing point of view, even if it's against him in a way, is one reason why Tim Tebow is so highly valued. Urban Meyer was wrong and should apologize to Jeremy Fowler ASAP.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Georgia Aquarium Planet Shark Tour in Atlanta, GA
Now, what's this blogger doing at The Georgia Aquarium? Simple. Atlanta, Georgia has become a second home because my mother lives their and one of the obligations of being an only child is going back to keep my widowed mother company and give help around the house. Given the time spent in Atlanta, getting involved in the local culture was logical.
An internet marketer working with the Georgia Aquarium happened to issue a tweet from the Georgia Aquarium twitter account that a "Planet Shark blogger day" was to be held. I happened to see the tweet, signed up and asked permission to use my camcorder to make the video blog that's part of this blog entry.
Frankly, the Georgia Aquarium Planet Shark Tour video was coming out to be rather boring until Hanna literally happened by, but I'll get to that in a moment.
The experience started with a host in the video who at first didn't seem familiar with the idea of being video-blogger. The gentleman was trying to talk around the camcorder rather than to it. But after he realized it was a serious production, the host explained that The Georgia Aquarium was started via a $250 million investment by Atlanta resident Bernie Marcus, who established the Home Depot store chain.
The Georgia Aquarium is the World's largest with over 8.1 million gallons of water, and a perfect example of how well-heeled residents of The South have literally spent cities like Atlanta and Dallas into World-class status. With Dallas, it was the totally-privately-financed Dallas Arts District and the Dallas Symphony Hall at its center. With Atlanta, it was the creation of CNN by Ted Turner, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and now the Georgia Aquarium.
The Georgia Aquarium's promoting Planet Shark, a special exhibit built by Shark expert Rodney Fox. While you can read more about it at its website, what was interesting was the use of giant "website-like" display panels to show shark physiology. The best information was on how few humans were killed by sharks versus the large number of sharks killed by people - no word about the famous shark attacks on the crew of the USS Indianapolis. The overall set of displays, designed to combat the idea that sharks are dangerous man-eating monsters, is effective and entertaining.
Video use was restricted to a degree, so that curtained much of the story I wanted to tell, until I met Hanna.
Hanna's a volunteer tour guide at The Georgia Aquarium who was waiting for an elevator as I was leaving. I happened to ask her how much time I had until closing and she told me. Frankly, her voice was so clear and perfect for a video I asked her if I could film her and she agreed. The result was what one of my constant video watchers Alan Molsted called one of the best videos I've ever done.
Hanna led a journey into a must see part of The Georgia Aquarium: the tube-like glased-in walkway that travels through a 6.3 million water tank. During our tour we saw divers above us who, Hanna informed, were "our visitors." One can pay between $200 and $300 to be part of a guided scuba dive tour and swim with, but not touch, the whale sharks. All one has to do is visit the Georgia Aquarium website and sign up.
Our tour ended at another giant water tank that's visible via an equally giant glass wall that must be two-stories high. As the video shows, its a breath-taking site. It would have been unseen here were it not for Hanna. Moreover, whoever's in charge of marketing for The Georgia Aquarium should make Hanna the paid star of a video tour series. She's that good on camera. Additionally, there should be a blogger day for the whole facility, not just Planet Shark.
In closing, the Georgia Aquarium's an incredible place to visit, either alone, with friends, or especially with kids, who just get pure joy out of the experience. Most of the visitors were families with young children, and all well-behaved and having fun.
Check it out.
A fourth mistress of Jesse James is coming forward condoms may not be a priority but Gloria Allred as your lawyer is
Rumors go on and on about lots of sex-texting, no underwear, no condoms but few women involved with this scandal and the Tiger Wood scandal seemed that concerned about having an affair, as much as getting publicity and like the newest Jesse James mistress about to emerge -- no. 4, getting the "top tigress " Gloria Allred as her lawyer . In these kinds of cases, why would she need Gloria Allred unless ta da.... she, like many of Tiger Woods mistresses, is thinking about Allred negotiating some big cashola. No. 4 for JJ claims to have had a relationship for several years that just ended. Yes, Gloria Allred is your go to lawyer specializing in this new genre of celebrity sex-texters with serial mistresses. Wow, times have changed. Adultery is a big business!!!!!!!!
I don't believe in cheating and lying. A lot of men do not wear wedding rings and they do pass themselves off as single. These men are to be avoided like the plague. Even if a man and woman have an open agreement that cheating is acceptable I still say no thanks.
Cheating is common place and occurs more than one might think with both males and females globally and in some countries is accepted but not in America which still has a Puritan stance on adultery although again many Americans do cheat. Pamela Druckerman has a book out on this topic which I am reading called Lust in Translation: Infidelity from Tokyo to Tennessee
. I am reading this book because I have had married men hit on me and also because a long time ago I had this nutty old woman accuse me of adultery with her decaying husband and besides the fact it was not true I could see how much drama and importance it added to her day. FYI, I tend to like younger men and go through a diatribe on how you have to be single. I mean really single and that includes not living with someone.
. I am reading this book because I have had married men hit on me and also because a long time ago I had this nutty old woman accuse me of adultery with her decaying husband and besides the fact it was not true I could see how much drama and importance it added to her day. FYI, I tend to like younger men and go through a diatribe on how you have to be single. I mean really single and that includes not living with someone.Gays fight for the right for marriage and I support their right to be married but there are people like me that to date have avoided marriage for the simple reason marriages so rarely really work. Apparently Sarah Silverman is like minded but far more extreme. http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/marriage_gross_NahkvvPNZZl03pjtRJDSfK
I do think about marriage. It is hard not to in this society. The pressure is to be married and you are definitely treated differently-- not in a good way -- as a single. My favorite photo of an unconventional wedding is Mike Lichter's Just Married which is a biker photo that I happen to own. Sturgis (Dakotas)
I do think about getting married with a pre-nup -- what's mine is mine and what's yours is your and marry asap to a guy with good health benefits because my pay out each month is way too high but other wise I don't see marriage anytime in the near future.
I do think about getting married with a pre-nup -- what's mine is mine and what's yours is your and marry asap to a guy with good health benefits because my pay out each month is way too high but other wise I don't see marriage anytime in the near future.I do think if you want to make sure a married man does not cheat on you, the wife needs to tattoo or brand her tele no. on his forehead like 911 with instructions to call or even better LoJack his package but the odds are if your spouse was cheating before the marriage he is most likely not going to stop when he marries you. Some women pretend they did not know or were clueless but it is hard to believe. I am sure if Sandra Bullock really thought about it -- she had to see the red lights but she did not let herself process the information. I never have seen adultery as just between two people. I believe the wife almost always knows. Most likely there were warning signals before the marriage and sometimes the husband is cheating and it is not with a woman. The Confession
There is no doubt that women cheat on their husbands as well and the husband can be devastated but in one example given in "Lust in Translation", he was devastated but he had cheated as well so there can be a double standard based on gender and as usual women are judged far more harshly than men. In the case of Tiger Woods and Jesse James, their actions are so extreme, mega-narcissists and they seem to have little understanding their children are the biggest casualties. One big shift which I am suprised about is people are very angry and disgusted with the men and instead of being perceived as super studs they are being looked at as super destructive, super slime with serious problems throwing away an awful lot that most people would be grateful for.
I won't say never but so far I have avoided marriage.
Note: I am as usual extemely exhausted. Besides some health issues I am addressing including "throat burn" aka acid reflux, I have a cold and I am too tired to proof but you get the jist of what I am saying. I write and do my art, YouTubes that get to the heart and soul of what I am saying, you either get it or don't.
I wrote this in response to a comment on my facebook:
It is not a coincidence -- the timing. Women tend to be very believing, very compassionate, very hopeful with bad guys and mostly they are very betrayed. If belief was a bank account filled with gold most of us that believed have been left feeling robbed. She had to have ignored the warning signs including his resume of two failed marriages, 3 kids with 2 women and the fact he was not involved with the kids until Sandra put the pressure on him to jointly parent them with her. I wanted Gabby to win but Sandra did and instead of basking in the glow she is basking in humiliation. I think he is so shut down and so used to being above it and in his own insulated world it was like 2 Jesses and one deeply resented her and one did really love her. But I am sure he is addicted to the high of each sexcapade and even falling in love. Predication - divorce and he will be married again is a few years. Sandra will remain unmarried. Written by Suzannah B. Troy
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sandra Bullock divorce from Jesse James rumor withstands publicist
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The very idea that Sandra Bullock may seek a divorce from Jesse James is withstanding whatever Bullock's publicist might say.
This news has been one big back and forth in one Tuesday day, starting with TMZ.com's sources asserting that both Bullock and James were seeking divorce, and that news being transferred around the Internet, then allegedly Bullock's publicist (or someone claiming to be that) telling only a few selected news blogs the divorce news wasn't true, only to see that effort slam-dunked by Bill Zwecker at the Chicago Sun-Times with a new blog that his sources claimed the divorce process was in motion.
And all of this on the same day that President Barack Obama signed Health Care Reform legislation into law.
If content is to be the judge, then a divorce of some kind is in the offing. The problem for Sandra Bullock's publicist is the person's being overwhelmed by Bullock's associates and others claiming to be Bullock's associates issuing news that at times runs counter to what the publicist says. That and the fact that the publicist lacks the New Media tools to get a handle on the situation.
Add to that TMZ and In Touch Magazine, and who knows who else paying for people to talk to them or provide videos and photos and it's all one big mess of conflicting information. So if you're searching around the Internet trying to get a grip on the right information, good luck.
Here are the basic facts:
1) Sandra Bullock was allegedly cheated on by her husband Jesse James.
2) Sandra Bullock has known this for some time and before the Oscar ceremony.
3) Sandra Bullock left home and away from Jesse James.
4) Sandra Bullock has cancelled a number of appearances since the news hit the media.
5) Jesse James lost his dog, then got him back
6) Michelle "Bombshell" McGee was a model wearing a Nazi bikini and arm band.
7) Michelle "Bombshell" McGee is a porn actress and a stripper.
8) Michelle "Bombshell" McGee was paid for her story.
9) Sandra Bullock was trying to help Jesse James keep custody of his kids.
That's what's known as of this point in time. The divorce news is too conflicting to be solid, but there's certainly smoke around the story, and where there's smoke there's a fire that may be too big for Bullock's publicist to put out.
Stay tuned.
This news has been one big back and forth in one Tuesday day, starting with TMZ.com's sources asserting that both Bullock and James were seeking divorce, and that news being transferred around the Internet, then allegedly Bullock's publicist (or someone claiming to be that) telling only a few selected news blogs the divorce news wasn't true, only to see that effort slam-dunked by Bill Zwecker at the Chicago Sun-Times with a new blog that his sources claimed the divorce process was in motion.
And all of this on the same day that President Barack Obama signed Health Care Reform legislation into law.
If content is to be the judge, then a divorce of some kind is in the offing. The problem for Sandra Bullock's publicist is the person's being overwhelmed by Bullock's associates and others claiming to be Bullock's associates issuing news that at times runs counter to what the publicist says. That and the fact that the publicist lacks the New Media tools to get a handle on the situation.
Add to that TMZ and In Touch Magazine, and who knows who else paying for people to talk to them or provide videos and photos and it's all one big mess of conflicting information. So if you're searching around the Internet trying to get a grip on the right information, good luck.
Here are the basic facts:
1) Sandra Bullock was allegedly cheated on by her husband Jesse James.
2) Sandra Bullock has known this for some time and before the Oscar ceremony.
3) Sandra Bullock left home and away from Jesse James.
4) Sandra Bullock has cancelled a number of appearances since the news hit the media.
5) Jesse James lost his dog, then got him back
6) Michelle "Bombshell" McGee was a model wearing a Nazi bikini and arm band.
7) Michelle "Bombshell" McGee is a porn actress and a stripper.
8) Michelle "Bombshell" McGee was paid for her story.
9) Sandra Bullock was trying to help Jesse James keep custody of his kids.
That's what's known as of this point in time. The divorce news is too conflicting to be solid, but there's certainly smoke around the story, and where there's smoke there's a fire that may be too big for Bullock's publicist to put out.
Stay tuned.
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